fbpx
Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Replacing a Toilet

Replacing a Toilet

Replacing a toilet may seem like a daunting task. However, it can be done with a few basic tools and some careful attention to detail. Here are the general steps involved in changing a toilet:

  1. Gather the necessary tools: You will need a wrench, a screwdriver, a putty knife, and a new toilet.
  2. Turn off the water supply: Locate the valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply.
  3. Empty the toilet tank and bowl: Flush the toilet to empty the tank and bowl.
  4. Remove the old toilet: Unscrew the nuts that hold the toilet to the floor and remove them. Carefully lift the toilet off the flange and remove the wax ring from the base of the toilet.
  5. Prepare the new toilet: Install the wax ring onto the base of the new toilet.
  6. Install the new toilet: Carefully lower the new toilet onto the flange, making sure that the bolts are aligned with the holes in the base of the toilet. Once the toilet is in place, screw the nuts back onto the bolts and tighten them.
  7. Connect the water supply: Attach the water supply hose to the toilet’s fill valve and turn the water supply valve back on.
  8. Test the new toilet: Flush the toilet and check for leaks.
  9. Finish up: Use a putty knife to remove any excess wax from the base of the toilet and caulk around the base of the toilet to seal it to the floor.

This is meant as a guide only. Remember to follow all safety precautions and manufacturer instructions when replacing a toilet. If you are unsure of any steps, it is always a good idea to consult with Superior Plumbing & Drain.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Vegas Water Conservation

water conservation

Even with recent rains, Vegas water conservation is still an important issue in the valley. With the city located in a desert region, it has limited water resources. Here are some ways that individuals and businesses can increase Las Vegas water conservation:

Install water-efficient fixtures: Replace old toilets, showerheads, and faucets with new, water-efficient models. These can help reduce water consumption and lower your utility bills.

Use drought-tolerant landscaping: Planting native, drought-tolerant plants can help reduce water consumption and save money on landscaping maintenance.

Fix leaks: Even small leaks can waste significant amounts of water over time. Check your pipes and faucets regularly for leaks and have them fixed promptly.

Use water wisely: Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving, and take shorter showers. These simple actions can save significant amounts of water over time.

Capture and reuse water: Collect rainwater in barrels and use it to water plants or clean outdoor areas. You can also reuse “gray water” from sources such as washing machines and dishwashers to water plants or flush toilets.

Choose water-efficient appliances: When buying new appliances, choose models with the Energy Star label, which indicates that they are designed to be water-efficient.

Know and follow watering restrictions: The Southern Nevada Water Authority sets watering restrictions to ensure that water is used efficiently. Be sure to know and follow the watering restrictions in your area.

By taking these simple steps, individuals and businesses in Las Vegas can help conserve water and contribute to a more sustainable future for the city.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Tank or Tankless Water Heater

tankless water heater

Choosing between a tank or tankless water heater is a common question we get from customers. While they both have benefits, the tank (generally about 40 gallons in a residential home) is the main difference. Without having to store the water, a tankless water heater operates with hot water on demand. Using a heat exchanger, the water runs through and is immediately heated before coming out of the faucet.

The Benefits of Tank Water Heaters

In a tank water heater, the entire volume of water is stored in the tank and consistently heated. As water is used, the water is replaced and heated. Two of the main benefits are the up-front costs and higher tolerance for usage across multiple faucets or showers. Tank water heaters are also simpler to operate and repair, as noted from customer feedback. Although cost, is the number one reason customer prefer the tank.

The Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

With tankless water heaters, they are generally more energy efficient due to their on-demand nature. Water is only heated as it passes through the heat exchanger. Along with saving space, the longevity of a tankless heater is another benefit. Our customers site “endless hot water” as another benefit. Even though the hot water supply is not endless, it appears that way when used by fewer outlets at one time. Customers enjoy the ease and convenience of the tankless water heater when they are installed on a wall that is out of the way as well.

Superior Plumbing & Drain

We are a full-service residential plumber based in Henderson, NV serving the entire Las Vegas valley. Our company runs a full fleet of work trucks along with employing only experienced and certified technicians. We’re on call seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day and with more than thirty years experience, there is no jog too big for our team of plumbing experts. Call for your tank or tankless water heater installation.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Water Conservation

Water Conservation - Lake Mead

Water conservation is more important than ever in Las Vegas. As of August of 2021, Lake Mead was only filled to 35% of its capacity and with lower than normal snow falls in the Rocky Mountains, there I no end in sight for the drought conditions.

The Summer of 1999 was the last time the lake was at or near capacity. As noted by https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/ the article states: “For the 2022 water year, which begins October 1, Mexico will receive 80,000 fewer acre-feet, approximately 5 percent of the country’s annual allotment and Nevada’s take will be cut by: 21,000 acre-feet (about 7 percent of the state’s annual apportionment). The biggest cuts will come to Arizona, which will receive 512,000 fewer acre-feet, approximately 18 percent of the state’s annual apportionment and 8 percent of the state’s total water use (for agriculture and human consumption). An acre-foot is enough water to supply one to two households a year.”

For the full article, click here

Superior Plumbing & Drain

As a family owned and operated company, we’re members of the community too. That’s why we treat every customer just like family. Call us at (702) 478-9643 for a free plumbing estimate.

Please consider water conservation by following local and state guidelines.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Running Toilets Waste Water

Running toilets waste water

Running toilets waste water. The fact is, running toilets are a common issue for our residential customers. However, with Southern Nevada in unprecedented drought conditions, the wasted water needs to be reduced. It’s crucial now, more than ever that we come together as a community and conserve as much water as possible.

Toilet Is Running Only at Night

It’s possible your toilet only leaks at night; that’s because we use much less water during these hours and in many municipal water systems, the water pressure rises considerably during this time. It is not uncommon for system water pressure to rise by 15 to 20 pounds per square inch (psi), and by as much as 30 psi in some situations.

Parts of a Toilet

Above the ground, our toilets only have a few parts that residents interact with. These are: the bowl, tank, float, flapper and supply line. When dealing with leaking toilets, we often see the float and flapper as the culprit. We’re going to focus on the flapper for the rest of this article.

The Flapper

This is the flush valve seal and serves to control the volume of water passing from the tank to the bowl during the flush cycle. It mates with the seat on the flush valve to complete the seal and prevent water leaking from the tank into the bowl. Almost all flappers are shaped, in part, like a “flying saucer,” that is, slight “dome” on top, flat like a “pancake” in the center and then (not like a flying saucer) a “funnel” or “bulb” shape on the bottom.

To stop a leaking toilet, start with the flapper as it usually solves the problem. While you have to get -your hands a little dirty, replacing the flap will help conserve water and save money in the long run.

If you need any additional help, please call Superior Plumbing & Drain at (702) 478-9643.