Home Is Where the Health Is - HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric

Drinking Water Safety

 One area of home health that often isn’t given enough consideration is the safety of the drinking water that comes out of your tap. Do you know what’s in your tap water?

Outbreaks of drinking water-related illness are reported every year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Tap water may contain:

-  naturally occurring chemicals such as arsenic

-  microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites

- pesticides and chemicals from heavy industry

- disinfectants such as chlorine

- contaminants from failing septic systems and sewer overflow.

 

Large public water systems are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, water quality and contaminant levels vary from one town to the next, with not all types of drinking water contaminants being regulated. Moreover, one in seven Americans get their water from a small public water system or private well, neither of which are subject to any federal regulation.

Many families turn to bottled water as an alternative to drinking tap water. But this is not a better solution. Unlike large municipal tap water systems, bottled water is not regulated by the EPA, and thus may contain even more contaminants than tap water. Plastic bottles may also leach harmful chemicals. They also represent a significant environmental burden.

The best way to ensure your home drinking water is safe to drink is by installing a home filtration system. Such water treatment systems filter out harmful chemicals, microorganisms and other contaminants. They also eliminate odors to make your tap water more palatable. Installing a water treatment system in your home is especially important if you have a septic tank or get your water from a private well.

For more information on the topic of drinking water safety, visit the EPA’s Healthy Water website.

 

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Home is Where the Health Is is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Plumbing Problems Can Present Hazards to your Health

Sometimes plumbing equipment, fittings or mechanisms simply break. This can be due to overuse, abuse or even defective parts. But plumbing problems are especially likely to develop in cases where systems are neglected or not well-maintained.

Cracked or corroded pipes, clogged drains and dried up traps can lead to circumstances that threaten the health of a home’s residents. These include mold; sewer gas escaping into the home; and an unhealthy level of lead in a home’s drinking water.

Mold presents one of the greatest dangers, not only to the health of those that live in a home — especially if they have allergies or existing respiratory conditions — but also to a home’s structural integrity. Clogged drains and leaky pipes are a major cause of moisture problems within a home that creates a perfect environment for mold to flourish.

Toilets and drains are built with “traps” to prevent sewer gas from penetrating into a home. The water within these traps creates a seal between the plumbing and the home’s interior. But when that water evaporates or drains out due to a leak, methane gas can seep into the dwelling. This gas can carry dangerous toxins, and in extreme cases can create a combustion hazard.

Corrosion in a home’s plumbing can also increase the lead levels in drinking water. Consumption of water with a high lead content can have serious health consequences to both adults and children. It is well worth the expenditure and effort to test your water for lead relatively regularly.

Whether plumbing problems are obvious or suspected, homeowners should contact their plumbing company or plumbing contractors immediately for repairs, professional drain cleaning or system maintenance. Procrastination in this area is not an option when your family’s health may be at risk.

 

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Home is Where the Health Is is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

The 3 Germiest Places in Your Home

No matter how clean you keep your home, microorganisms one the ones who really rule the roost – fortunately most of them aren’t harmful. Try not to freak out as we shed a light on the germiest places in your home and give you some ideas of how to get rid of the harmful – i.e., disease-causing bacteria or fungus -- in a safe, natural way.

The kitchen sink – Studies have shown kitchen sinks are actually germier than toilet seats. The crevices in the garbage disposal are especially germ-laden. So are these germs the bad kind? They could be, especially if you use your sink to rinse foods like uncooked poultry and red meat, which can carry pathogens like E. coli or salmonella. No need to fear! You can blast these germs away using a baking soda and white vinegar solution (1 part baking soda, 4 parts vinegar).

Wall-to-wall carpeting– Although pleasant to walk on in your bare feet, your wall-to-wall carpet harbors tons of dirt, bacteria and allergens, ranging from tracked-in germs to mold spores. For more sanitary floors and a healthier home, an increasing number of people are choosing to forgo their carpet altogether in favor of wood, tile, bamboo, or even cork alternatives. If you want to keep your carpet, make sure you have it deep-cleaned regularly and vacuumed with a HEPA filter.

Refrigerator Seal – A survey conducted by University of Arizona researchers found that across 160 homes, the seal on the refrigerator door tested positive for common molds 83 percent of the time. Is this a big deal? Possibly – this mold spreads every time the door is opened, potentially contaminating the food and exposing anyone in the home with mold allergies. Use a water and vinegar solution (1 part water, 1 part vinegar) to disinfect the fridge seal at least once a week.

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Home is Where the Health Is is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Christmas Fire Hazards

The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but they also mean more lights, candles, things to plug in—all which can be dangerous. This year, cover all the bases with the proper fire safety tips.

If you decorated a live Christmas tree in your home this year, there are a few special things you should do to care for it and prevent a fire. For starters, don’t place your tree close to any heating source such as a vent or a fireplace. The heat from these sources will dry out the tree, making it more likely to catch fire.

Of course, do not drop or flick cigarette ashes near the tree. It is a good idea to take your tree down after two weeks, as it will get too dry. While it is up, be sure to keep the tree stand filled with water all the time.

When it is time to take down the tree, never put the tree branches or needles in a fireplace or a wood-burning stove. Once the tree becomes dry, get it out of the house right away. Take it to a recycling center or have it picked up by a community pickup service.

Maintaining your holiday lights is an important part of fire safety. Make sure the lights you put up don’t have any frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, or excessive wear. Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions state it is safe. Connect the strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into an outlet. Periodically check the wires, they should never be warm. As always, never leave the lights on unattended.

When decorating your home for the holidays, use non-flammable decorations and place them away from heat vents. Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace as it could cause a large fire with dangerous sparks and may even result in a chimney fire.

Avoid using lit candles, and if you do use them, place them in stable holders where they can’t be easily knocked down. Never leave candles burning unattended. And never put lit candles on a Christmas tree.

{post by DanBrady}

How To Fix Clogged Appliance Traps

Most of the appliances in our homes have appliance traps, including  sinks, showers, toilets, the dishwasher, and the garbage disposal. With so many appliance traps, there are many opportunities for a clog. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to unclog these traps and get things running smoothly again.

If there is some flow of water through the system, try using a commercial drain cleaner first. Try a combination of the cleaner and a plunger, for extra help. Once the drain is cleared, make it a habit to use the drain cleaner once a month in all of your household drains. Most of these formulas bubble up and remove the three major drain cloggers: hair, soap, and grease.

If your house is connected to a septic system, the drains should be treated once a week with a septic system cleaner. If the drainage system is connected to a septic tank or field, grease, garbage, cigarette butts, etc. should not be flushed down the drain pipes.

If the cleaner and the plunger don’t clear things out, remove the trap and clean it. For a dishwasher, you might be able to remove the drain port cover and thread a slim rod down the drain pipe to clean the trap. For a washing machine, check the hose for any blockage. If the hose is clear, remove it and run a snake through the pipe and the trap. Also, check the trap for wear—even metal becomes thin. If the trap looks worn, replace it.

If the trap is clean and there are still problems, chances are the pipes are blocked. The pipes can be opened using a plumber’s snake in the proper size.

If all else fails, it’s time to call a professional plumber. Once the drains and traps are cleaned, maintain your household appliances by utilizing cleaners and updating parts on a regular basis.

(Flickr Photo By Editor B)

Lead in Your Drinking Water: A helpful glossary of terms

Corrosion: A dissolving and wearing away of metal caused by a chemical reaction (by water and metal pipes or two different metals in these instances).

First Draw: Water that immediately comes out when the tap is first opened.

Flush: To open a cold-water tap to clear out any water that may have been sitting for a long time in the pipes. In new homes, flushing a system means to send large volumes of water gushing through the unused pipes to remove loose particles of solder and flux.

Flux: A substance applied during soldering to facilitate the flow of solder. Flux often contains lead and can be a source of contamination.

Naturally Soft Water: Any water with low mineral content that lacks the hardness minerals calcium and magnesium.

Public Water System: Any system that supplies water to 25 or more people – or that has 15 or more service connections.

Service Connector: A pipe that carries tap water from the public water main to a building. These were often made of lead in the past.

Soft Water: Any water that is not “hard” or does not contain a large amount of dissolved minerals.

Solder: A metallic compound used to seal joints in plumbing. In the past, this compound contained about 50 percent lead.

Lead in Your Drinking Water: How can I reduce exposure?

There are several ways to minimize lead exposure if your water is contaminated – or until you find out for sure.

1.    First you will want to refrain from consuming water that has been in contact with your home’s plumbing for more than six hours, like overnight or during your work day. “Flush” the cold water faucet – by allowing the water to run until it becomes as cold as it will get. You should do this for each drinking water faucet – taking a shower will NOT flush the kitchen tap. Flushing is important because the longer water is exposed to lead pipes, the greater possibility of lead contamination.

2.    Second, you do not want to cook with or consume water from the hot-water tap. This is because hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water. If you need hot water, draw cold water from the tap and heat it on the stove. Again, only use flushed water from the cold water tap!

3.    If you use a public water system, make sure to contact your supplier to ask if the supply system contains lead piping and whether your water is corrosive. If either answer is yes, ask what steps are being taken to deal with the problem of lead contamination. The plant can treat drinking water to make it less corrosive.

4.    If you own a well (or another water source) you can treat the water to make it less corrosive using corrosion control devices like calcite filters or other devices. You might ask your health or water department for assistance in finding these commercially available products.

Lead in Your Drinking Water: Treatment

There are many devices that are certified to effectively reduce lead, but if the device is not specifically designed to remove lead, it will not work. We suggest that you follow these 3 recommendations before purchasing any device.

1.    Avoid being misled by false claims. Be wary of “free” water testing that a sales representative provides to determine your water quality. Many tests are inaccurate or misleading forms of scare tactics.

2.    Before you agree to anything, research the reputation and legitimacy of the company or sales person. Verify claims of manufacturers by contacting the NSF International or the Water Quality Association.

3.    Avoid signing a contract or binding agreement for “one time offers”. Be very careful if you are asked to give credit card information over the phone and check into any offers that involve prizes or sweepstakes before you agree.

Lead in Your Drinking Water: how do I know if there’s too much lead in my water?

Lead is a toxic metal that is invisible once it has dissolved in your water. It cannot be smelled, seen or tasted so testing is the only way of really finding out if there are harmful quantities of lead in your drinking water.

If your home has lead pipes –lead is a metal that is dull gray and can easily be scratched with a house key— or if you see signs of corrosion, you may have reason to be suspicious about the amounts of lead in your water. If you naturally have soft water or if your water sits in the pipes for several hours it is more likely that there will be higher levels of lead in your water as well.

Very old or very new houses are also more susceptible to lead contamination.

When your water is tested, water samples from the tap will be collected and sent to a qualified laboratory to be analyzed. Your local water utility or health department will be able to give you information and assistance. Sometimes they can test the tap water for you, or they can refer you to a qualified lab.

You should be sure that the lab has been approved by your state or by EPA. To find this out, contact your state or local department of the environment or health.

At first, federal standards limited the amount of lead to 50 parts per billion (ppb) in water. Now the EPA has set a level of 15 ppb. If the amount of lead in your water has around 15 ppb or higher, it is highly advised you should work to reduce the level. 

Lead in Your Drinking Water: How would it get into my water?

Most of the time, lead sneaks its way into your water after it has left your local treatment plant or well. This means that the source of lead in your water is most likely a pipe or solder in your own home plumbing.

The most common cause is corrosion – a reaction between water and the lead pipes or solder. Low mineral content and dissolved oxygen in water are two common causes of corrosion in your home. Lead, copper piping, or brass fittings can also be a source of lead in your water.

Through the 1900s, it was common practice to use lead pipes for interior plumbing or to connect residences to public water supplies. If your plumbing was installed before 1930, it is more likely that your pipes will contain more lead.

There is also scientific data that leads us to believe that the newer the home, the greater the risk of lead contamination.This is because lead levels decrease as time passes due to mineral deposits that form a coating to the inside of your pipes insulating the water from the solder. Even though new homes are built with “lead-free” faucets, they can still leach lead.