Comprehensive plumbing service

When you work with Spartan Plumbing, you will always receive the most cost efficient solution to your problem. We make an effort to educate you about the best solutions. We will not push you to buy a service or product you do not need. If the plumbing issue or gas piping issue can be solved with a simple repair, we will let you know. In most cases, a professional repair will have your water and/or gas system back to normal and cost you much less than a replacement solution.

Call our office at (541) 500-1787 to discuss your project or plumbing concern.

Out fast and friendly technicians leave you feeling confident that the job is done right, and our satisfaction guarantee means we stand behind all of our work. Our comprehensive plumbing service resolves your repair needs with a professional result. If is installing new plumbing at a new home site or fixing existing plumbing issues, we do it all.

Plumbing System Education: 2 systems, one valve, and cleaning your water

Plumbing services are many and varied. the two main components of plumbing systems at your home are a drain-waste-vent systems and a water service systems. The water service system contains water that is fit for human use and consumption, which is potable water.

Your water meter just gauges the water consumption, which will be used by your utility company for billing.

A gate valve, which is the main shutoff valve, is meant to allow you to turn on or off water flow. You may need to turn off water supply to your house if you need repairs done or any emergency. Water closets and toilet tanks also have these shutoff valves. These are useful in turning off the water to your toilet independently of the entire water system.
 
Your water supply pipes are located underneath the ground, and as a result of water flow and contact with the earth, organisms and minerals in the earth, they get filled with sediment over time and get rusted.

Something to consider when consuming your water ......

What about cleaning your water supply?

.....using tap water when cooking or drinking directly from the tap is never advisable. Water filters should be used or alternatively choose the best solution, which is to change steel pipes to copper pipes. The water supply system pipe should be small in diameter so as to regulate and lower the pressure from the water main to a pressure that will be sustained by toilets and sinks in the home.

Call Spartan Plumbing when you need a professional plumber: 500-1787.

DIY plumbing fixes -save water

Spartan Plumbing wants you to know that if your home’s (or business) bathroom fixtures were made prior to 1995, then most likely you flush money down your toilet every time you flush.

Save Utility Bill

Water Sense toilets, replacing or repairing the leaking plumbing fixtures are some of the solutions for saving your utility bill and gallons of water. By repairing leaky sprinkling systems and the plumbing fixtures, then at least 10% of your bill can be saved and around ten thousand gallons saved. The Environmental Protection Agency has given its annual reminder message, March 16-22, of the Fix a Leak Week for people to be much stingier in the use of water.

The Office of Water EPA’s Acting Administrator, says that leaks in households that are easy-to-fix waste 1 trillion gallons plus, every year nationwide. This amount is the same as that used by greater than 11 million households.

Tips for Detecting Leaks

The water usage by a family of four should not exceed 12,000 gallons each month, as a rule of thumb. If this amount is exceeded during winter then there may be a leak in the home. The EPA gives the following easy tips:

• To determine if you have a leak, check the water meter prior to, as well as after 2 hours when you were using no water. Any change in the meter may point to a leak.
•  Place a tiny drop of food coloring in your toilet tank. After about 15 minutes, check the bowl. If there is any color in the bowl, then you may have a leakage. This is how to identify leaks in toilets. Just remember to flush immediately; you don’t want the tank getting stained.
•  Examine pipe fittings and faucet gaskets for signs of water on their outside as this indicates surface leaks.
•  Examine the garden hose and check for leaks. Check the entire length and especially the connection point to your spigot. Any leak when running the hose can be reduced by replacing the washer, whether rubber or nylon. Make sure the connection is tight by using a wrench or pipe tape.

Repair Leaky Faucets

Toilets made after 1995 by law should utilize not greater than 1.6 gallons for each flush. The EPA has set the requirements at 1.28 gallons for each flush or even less. You should ensure that any leaks are curbed and dealt with accordingly. Spartan Plumbing suggest that if you perform the above tests and suspect a leak you should call in an expert to arrest the problem fast. Save money by repairing leaky faucets. Call our office at 500-1787 today.

Clogged Drain - Plumbing Solutions

All plumbing systems develop clogs at some point of time regardless of efforts we make to avoid clogging. That’s why drain cleaning is one of the most frequent plumbing needs for any family.

Cleaning a drain may appear to be easy. However, undertaking a drain cleaning venture without proper knowledge can be dangerous. In this post, we will discuss easy plumbing tips that will help you with emergency drain cleaning requirements before the plumber arrives. Apply these simple steps to clean your floor, bathroom, and  sink drains without any hassle whatsoever.

1.    Plunger is the most commonly used plumbing tool for everyday application. Most of the clogged drains can be fixed at home using this inexpensive tool. Therefore, before calling a plumber, you can always try to clear your clogged drain with a plunger.

2.    Preventing your drain from clogging is certainly a better idea that taking corrective measures after you have a clogged drain. Concentrated salt water or brine solution is an excellent home remedy to prevent clogging of sink drains. Oil and grease can build up very quickly on the inner surface of your kitchen drain. Use of brine solution will prevent the buildup of grease. In addition to clogging prevention, this will also help you reduce odor.

3.    In spite of taking preventive measures, your drains may still get clogged. A mixture of vinegar and baking soda can do wonders for your clogged drain. This is a great solution to clogged drains for people who do not want to use harsh chemicals. Both vinegar, as well as baking soda are inexpensive, and they can unclog any clogged drain in minutes. First put half a cup of baking soda in your drain followed by the same amount of vinegar. Then pour some boiling water into the drain. In the presence of hot water, these two substances react with each other to remove the blockage from your drain. Most importantly, they cause no harm to your pipes.

4.    Different types of drain cleaners are also available in the market, and many of them are highly efficient. However, before using these chemical based cleaners, be sure to read all instructions thoroughly. Certain types of drain cleaners may not be suitable for cleaning garbage disposals or plastic pipes installed in your kitchen. Also, do not forget that almost all chemical based cleaners can cause damage to your plumbing system in the long run.

5.    If everything discussed so far has failed, visit your local plumbing store and rent or buy a mechanical snake. Clogs from the main drain of your house to the sewer can be cleaned out by using a garden hose along with the mechanical snake.

6.    Finally, call Spartan Plumbing, 500-1787,  immediately if you are still not able to unclog your drain.

Plumbing Done Right - The Spartan Way

If you are experiencing a plumbing issue in your home, or your business, one of our experienced technicians at Spartan Pluming is guaranteed to find a solution in an efficient and timely manner.

With our team of qualified plumbers, no problem is ever too big or too small.

We understand the inconvenience and that your home or business is extremely valuable to you, which is why we go the extra distance to ensure we treat your property  with the utmost respect.  Call us today so we can start solving your plumbing problem the “Spartan Way” at 500-1787.

Thinking of remodeling your bathroom? Save your time and money and let one of our bathroom remodeling contractors help you!

Plumbing - winter tips for reducing plumbing services

We may not feel it just yet, but Fall is here and soon we’ll be in the grips of cooler weather. What does it mean for your home? It means that now’s the time to take care of repairs and maintenance before Winter wreaks havoc on your plumbing system. Our list of Fall Plumbing Tips will help you avoid most, if not all, emergency plumbing call-outs.

You can probably take care of many of these maintenance measures yourself, provided you have some DIY experience, but if not, rather get in touch with Spartan Plumbing.

Every year, many of our clients end up paying more than they should, because of failed DIY efforts that end up in major plumbing issues, or emergencies that are more costly than had they called us from the start.

Fall Plumbing Made Easy
Here are some of our top fall plumbing maintenance guidelines you should start on right now....

Shut Off the Sprinklers
Now is the time to shut off your sprinkler system before the cold weather sets in. You should also drain garden hoses and any open faucets. If you know how to drain the sprinkler system, go ahead and do it now, or else, give us a call if you’re unsure.

Inspect the Sump Pump
Sump pumps should be cleaned and inspected twice a year at a minimum. A backed up and frozen sump pump is one of the worst winter plumbing emergencies you can imagine.

Clear the Gutters
Regular cleaning is important when it comes to gutters, but the added volume of fallen leaves, rain water, and the snow of winter can place additional strain that leads to clogs. Should your gutters freeze, water can’t drain throughout winter and it will end up ruining your gutters.

Insulate Doors and Windows
If your windows and doors are not properly insulated, they will allow precious heat to escape from the home. Keep your home warm and reduce energy costs by checking for leaks and sealing it now during fall.

Check All Appliances
It’s important to check all your water using appliances on a regular basis, but it’s even more important to check them for leaks before the freezing season arrives. Look at the hoses, drains and filters on your washing machine, dishwasher and refrigerator for clogs, leaks, cracks and bulges. If need be, replace plastic pipes with stainless steel mesh hoses.

Inspect the Water Heater
At the start of fall, it is important to drain the water heater to prevent sediment from building up and causing rust. Preventing your hot water heater from freezing in the cold months is crucial. You can do this by installing an insulating blanket in which you can wrap the water heater in fall. Most home improvement stores stock insulating blankets and they are easy to install.

Inspect Exposed Pipes
Have a look around your home, particularly in crawl spaces and in the basement for exposed pipes. Buy pipe insulation tape or pool noodles to insulate the exposed pipes before the cold temperatures set in.

Winter’s cold temperatures, when combined with holiday cooking, and more house guests than usual, can lead to increased pressure on a plumbing system. For those reasons, winter is the busiest time of the year for us here at Spartan Plumbing.  Don’t delay, get started with your plumbing changes for winter today. If you need help, call us at 541 500-1787.

Toliets - an every day water consumption device

Which make, model, size and color is your best option?

Smaller, rounded toilets are more compact and easier to fit into smaller spaces; while elongated toilets require more floor space. Both types have pros and cons that make them suitable for both residential and commercial properties.

Most toilets consist of two pieces, a tank and a bowl, which are bolted together when installed. However, you can also find seamless models that combine the bowl and tank into one piece. Toilet designs also vary, so your budget will generally determine your choice.

When determining the right toilet for you, keep in mind that although toilets appear similar, they can differ in length, width, and height. It is very important to make sure that the new toilet lines up with existing drain found on the floor under the base of the toilet. If the drain does not line up it can be costly to fix. Measurements vary between 10" - 12" from the wall; 14" models can generally be obtained by special order.

Call Spartan Plumbing (541) 500-1787 for all your plumbing needs at home or at your business.

Don't forget to measure the height of the toilet, especially if there are shelves above the tank. The easiest way to measure, is from the floor to the bottom shelve. This will determine whether you will have to buy a toilet with a lower height.

Here are some other questions to consider when choosing a new toilet:

Are all brands the same?

How many liters of water dose the tank hold, are all flushing systems the same?

How can water that drips from the toilet be prevented?

Will I save money regardless which toilet I buy?

A number of plumbing brands offer a wide range of superior quality toilets with high performance flush systems and 6 liter tanks. Various water-efficient models use as little as about a gallon of water per flush, which results in an average of about 20% less water usage - that means that you may qualify for rebate. Use less water, save money - it pays to conserve water.

Superior flush systems can keep even the busiest toilet virtually clog-free, so plunging can become a thing of the past. Toilet tanks feature inside liners that virtually eliminate excess sweat from the toilet; hence, a dryer floor. Companies that manufacture toilets usually have warranty coverage up to 10 years depending on the toilet, which is also a money saver.

Call Spartan Pluming today to get assistance in reducing your water usage. Or, send us email.

Hard water can cost you money

Call Spartan Plumbing today - 541 500 1787 - for fast, friendly #plumbing services at your home or business.

About 85% of households have hard water. If your home has water, you could be spending your hard-earned cash on expensive appliance repairs and trying to get everything clean. Hard water contains excessive amounts of minerals such as magnesium and calcium, that result in buildups and deposits that affect everything that touches the water, including your health, your hair, your clothing and your dishes. It also takes a toll on your plumbing system.

Symptoms of Hard Water

If you have hard water, you may notice:

● Frequently clogged faucets, shower heads and pipes.
● Leaky pipes.
● Yellowed laundry that should’ve been white.
● Reduced cleaning and foaming of detergents and soaps.
● Soapy residues on shower doors and dishes.
● Calcium deposits or rings on dishwashers, sinks and tubs.

Hard water usually contains more than 3 grains of minerals per gallon, and the harder the water, the higher the possibility of problems.

How Hard Water Costs You Hard-Earned Money

Hard water takes a toll on your energy bill, your pipes, fixtures and appliances. Here’s how:

1. Hard water takes more energy to heat. It takes 8% more energy to heat water for every extra 20 mg of minerals in the water.

2. Cleaning with hard water requires more soap, which costs more. Hard water does not react effectively with soap, thus requiring more soap to clean your dishes, wash your body and wash your hair. It also tends to leave soap scum on your bath and shower, and spots on the dishes, which takes more time and cleaning materials to clean thoroughly.

3. Limescale in hard water clogs up your pipes and shower heads. When soap scum collects on the sink and tub, it causes water to arrive in the faucets more slowly, and the sinks and tubs will drain slower too. Clogged pipes mean more frequent plumbing call outs.

4. Hard water can break your water heater. When limescale builds up in your boiler or water heater, it can dramatically reduce the efficiency of the heater. Since the system is pressured, the hard water can cause your boiler to fail, which is not a cheap plumbing repair.

How to Soften Hard Water

The simplest fix for hard water, is to purchase or rent a water softener. Two basic types are available on the market today, namely a traditional water softener that uses salt, and a water conditioner or descaler that doesn’t use salt. According to Mayo Clinic, it is safe for people on low-sodium diets to use water softeners, as the system adds a miniscule amount of salt to the water.

Here are some things you should consider when you decide to buy a water softener:

#1 – Should you rent, or should you buy? Different water softeners have different features and prices range dramatically. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent one at a monthly fee. Some rental companies charge for installation, while others do it for free. When you buy a water softener, be sure to have it professionally installed.

#2 – Research the different types of water softeners available and choose the one that serves your purposes best. Consider the available features, and check whether they offer a money-back guarantee.

#3 – Work with a company whose technicians are Water Quality Association certified.

#4 – Be sure to educate yourself and your family on the unit’s maintenance instructions, and be sure to follow them closely.

Do you think you have hard water and want to confirm it? You can buy test kits from most home and garden stores, or you can call Spartan Plumbing. We can also help you choose the right unit and perform the water softener installation.

Tanya Klien