fbpx
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

Summer Plumbing

summer plumbing

Summer plumbing in Las Vegas has many challenges. In addition to regular hard water challenges, the Las Vegas heat and additional summer use causes its own set of problems. We’re here to help identify potential issues before the become a major water issue. Our professional team is on call 24/7 and ready to serve when needed.

Disposals

As we use our kitchens to cook more vegetable son the grill and larger meals for our guests, the disposal gets more use. Be sure to remove large, fibrous items before turning it on. Larger items like corn husks and vegetable stems. When ground up, they don’t go all the way through the pipes. This leaves smaller pieces that cause odors and additional blockage.

Sprinklers

The harsh heat leads to busted pipes. For sprinklers in the yard, they are usually in the direct sunlight. While the pipes are underground, the water in the pipes is still hot which can cause the pipes to expand. The constant expansion and contraction of the pipes makes them weak. In time, this leads to a pipe failure and leaks or floods.

Superior Plumbing & Drain

As a family-owned company, our team treats every job like a family visit. We wear the proper foot protection to guard against floor scuffs and scrapes. We also come in a clean uniform to every job. It’s -our dedication to our customers that sets us apart from the competition. For an appointment for your summer plumbing, call our office at (702) 478-9643 and we’ll get you on the schedule.

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.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Garbage Disposal Lifespan

Garbage Disposal Lifespan

The garbage disposal lifespan might not be what think. As a small but powerful piece of your home plumbing system, the garbage disposal is popular. It shreds food and waste that goes down your drain to make it small enough to pass through the pipes without causing clogs. In addition, they help prevent expensive and messy plumbing repairs.

How Long Does a Garbage Disposal Last?

Depending on the brand, installation, and use, the lifespan of a garbage disposal varies. Usually, they last between five and seven years with usual wear and tear. When used properly, we’ve seen some garbage disposals last up to 20 years! However, when neglected or overused, your garbage disposal may need to be replaced much earlier.

Professional Maintenance

To prolong the life of your garbage disposal the most important thing you can do is conduct regular preventative maintenance. The best way to ensure that your disposal is working well and has a long life is to have a professional inspect it yearly. It’s also important to have a professional plumber inspect related pipes and drains every 3 or 4 years. They check for clogs or minor problems that, if gone unchecked, could turn into expensive repairs.

Homeowner Maintenance

Refer to the owner’s manual to learn how to properly clean and care for your system. If you choose not to consult a professional plumber, you can at least try to keep the pipes clear of major debris that would cause an expensive plumbing issue down the line.

Signs You May Need A New Garbage Disposal

When a garbage disposal isn’t working properly, you should check the reset button. If depressing the button doesn’t work, call a licensed plumber right away.

If the garbage disposal doesn’t run, makes a grinding louder than usual sound or leaks below the sink, a professional evaluation will confirm the need.

If you notice any of these signs that your garbage disposal is not working properly, call Superior Plumbing & Drain today.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Residential Plumbing Care

Residential Plumbing Care

Residential plumbing care in Las Vegas has challenges more than in any other market. It has been reported that Las Vegas has the second hardest water in country next to Indianapolis, Indiana. Regardless of where we rank, residents understand the hard water challenges.

Showers and Sinks

Residential plumbing care in Las Vegas starts with the most used fixtures in the house, showers and sinks. Because we use them more than any other, the build-up shows faster in these areas. Always address a collection of minerals around the spout.

Remedies include lime or mineral dissolving cleaners. Find non abrasive cleaners to ensure fixtures don’t get scratched or harmed in the cleaning process. The expense to change a fixture far outweighs the cost to manage build up.

A good, non-abrasive remedy is vinegar. Fill a large plastic cup with vinegar and submerge the spout into the vinegar. Let this sit for a few minutes to see the vinegar work. Of course, consult the manufacturers recommendations that vinegar is acceptable. 

Water Heaters in Las Vegas

In our water heaters, the build up is invisible. Signs of wear in our water heater show at the bottom where the sediment falls to create small cracks. These cracks lead to a leaking unit and the ultimate failure resulting in water damage. A regular plumbing check helps prevent water heater failure.

It’s also important to note the date of installation for a water heater in addition to the warranty. Keep this information handy as the unit ages. As the unit nears the life expectancy, consult your plumber about maintenance, including a replacement.

Replacing the anode rod prolongs the life of the unit because the rod attracts the minerals protecting the unit. This rod is a disposable item, meaning it has a life expectancy of its own. Conduct a regular check of the rod during annual plumbing inspections.

1 2