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Plumbing Fixtures Worth Updating in Your Home

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 23:26:00 GMT

If you want to upgrade your home without undergoing a major remodel, consider upgrading a few common plumbing fixtures. You can make a difference in the appearance of your kitchen, bathroom, or other areas of your home by updating the following plumbing fixtures in your home.

Your Bathtub

Your bathtub is a fixture in the home you likely don't give a second thought to, but consider this: The average bathtub only lasts around 20 years before its lining starts to wear out or stains and age begin to take their toll.

You can replace your bathtub for around $300 (you will spend more if you are replacing accompanying plumbing hoses as well), or, if your tub is free of scratches and permanent stains, you can have your current bathtub relined. A new bathtub can give your bathroom a modern, well-kept appeal without the cost of a major remodel.

Your Kitchen Sink

Upgrading your classic porcelain kitchen sink for a stainless steel model gives your kitchen a more contemporary feel. If your current kitchen sink leaks, has rust stains in it from washing years' worth of utensils, or isn't deep enough to properly clean your dishes or allow you to rinse off your produce, then visit your local plumbing supply store to view various kitchen sink models that will better fit your needs.

Your Water Heater

Unless your water heater has been installed in the last few years, replacing the current unit you have is a wise idea. The average gas water heater lasts up to 12 years, while an electric model can last up to 15 years.

Replace your current water heater with an energy-efficient model to save money on water heating expenses. Keep in mind the size of your family and how many bathrooms you have when selecting a new water heater - buying a unit that is too small for your home's needs can result in less hot water being produced. Your plumbing supply specialist will help you select a water heater that is ideal for your home.

Your Bathroom Faucets

Give your bathroom a simple upgrade by replacing your current sink and tub faucets with modern, contemporary designs. Bronze or brass faucets give your bathroom a charming, classic appeal, while stainless steel faucet designs offer a more streamlined appearance to your bathroom.

When replacing faucets, make sure you choose tub and sink fixtures that complement one another. This way, you update your entire bathroom and allow these areas to shine in their own right. Since there are many applications and water flow allowances for faucets, let a plumbing supply specialist assist you in choosing the replacement parts you need.

In addition to updating plumbing fixtures in your home, it's wise to also replace outdated plumbing pipes and connections. If your pipes are made of copper, show signs of wear, or have mismatched connections, then update pipes as part of your remodeling project. CPVC replacement parts are a wise choice for updating your plumbing so that your new sinks, tubs, and water heater installations last longer.

You can upgrade your home's plumbing without spending a lot of money or tearing your house apart for a remodel. Visit a plumbing supply showroom to get ideas for upgrading your home's plumbing fixtures. Prices for replacement features vary depending on the brand, style, and additional plumbing parts you purchase.

Take measurements of your current tub and sink spaces so you choose replacement parts that will fit. You can install replacement plumbing features yourself or hire a plumber to do the work for you.

Visit Universal Plumbing Supply Co. today to see what inventory we have for your home's plumbing projects.

3 Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures for Your Home

Sun, 29 Apr 2018 23:22:41 GMT

Plumbing is an imperative part of your home's function and family's needs. From washing clothes and taking a shower to doing the daily dishes and disposing of waste, it is easy to see the importance of your showers, tubs, toilets, faucets, sinks, and plumbing and septic lines.

Your standard plumbing fixtures and appliances use a great deal of water and energy, which can negatively affect the environment while increasing your monthly water and electricity bills. Thankfully, help is available. With these eco-friendly plumbing fixtures , you can conserve water, energy, and money.

1. Low-Flow Toilets

You may think replacing all of the toilets in your home with low-flow models is too large of an expense, but the water conservation and financial savings these toilets offer will ensure you are making a smart investment.

Low-flow toilets can reduce water usage, saving you an estimated $90 per year on your water bills. This may not seem like a large amount of money, but the savings do add up over the course of the toilet's lifespan.

If you are like a lot of people, you may be leery about a toilet that uses less water. In the past, these low-flow models did struggle removing all of the waste from the toilet bowl. Today's models are capable of removing all waste while using less water to complete the task.

Low-flow toilets use pressure assistance, which compresses air at the top of your toilet's tank to flush away waste from the bowl. Pressure-assisted toilets do flush in a loud manner, but the conservation of water and money are benefits you should consider for your household.

2. Low-Flow Faucets/Showerheads

In most households, there are a good number of sinks, tub faucets, and showerheads. These faucets and showerheads are essential to your family's needs, but they are also responsible for a great deal of water waste.

Washing your hands, rinsing out a glass, shaving, brushing your teeth, and taking a bath or shower are all necessary tasks which use an excessive amount of water.

For example, a standard showerhead uses 2.5 gallons of water each minute. The total amount of water for each member of a household to shower and use the other faucets in the home will add up to astonishing amounts of waste.

By replacing your faucets and showerheads with low-flow models, you can reduce your home's total water usage. This helps protect the environment while saving you money on your monthly water bills.

3. Tankless Water Heater

The water heater is another important part of your home and family's needs. It is responsible for heating the water needed to bathe and complete basic chores, such as washing dishes and doing laundry. Unfortunately, the water heater is also responsible for energy waste.

A tankless water heater is a great investment for your home, family's needs, and budget.

Also known as an on-demand water heater, tankless units only use energy when hot water is necessary. Compared to traditional water heaters that heat water continuously, tankless models use an estimated 30 to 50 percent less energy.

Energy conservation and financial savings are not the only benefits of replacing your traditional water heater with a tankless unit.

Tankless models offer a longer supply of hot water, so there is less risk of your family running out of hot water. Traditional water heaters have a shorter lifespan due to the risk of corrosion that stems from sediment in the tank.

Energy conservation, continuous hot water, and a longer lifespan are all benefits of a tankless water heater.

If you are interested in going green, focus on your plumbing. Contact Universal Plumbing Supply Co. to learn more about these eco-friendly plumbing fixtures today.

Record Old Well Pump and Pressure Tank Setup for Proper Replacement

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 23:18:24 GMT

Is it time to change out your pump and pressure tank on your well water system? There are several ways to ensure your water system is suitable and reliable after the swap. Here's what you should do.

Understand the Old Pressure Settings

Before you remove your old pump and tank, record the settings on the pump and the pressure tank. The pressure settings tell your pump and tank when to start and stop moving water. The two pressure settings are:

Cut-off pressure

This is the high setting that tells the pump that pressure has built up in the lines. For example, when you suddenly turn off a hose, the water pressure will build up to the hose spigot. Eventually, the pressure forces non-moving water back to the pump. The switch senses the high-water pressure and shuts off the pump.

Cut-on pressure

If you open the hose spigot again, water pours out of the hose. The water pressure drops in the plumbing system, causing the cut-on switch to turn on the pump. The cut-on setting is always lower than the cut-off pressure. Normally, the range is 20 PSI between the cut-on and cut-off pressures.

Each well is unique in how fast it can draw water, so recommended pressure settings on well pumps and pressure tanks are only guidelines. The correct pressure settings for your water system are the settings that work with your individual plumbing set-up.

Write Down Your Old Pressure Settings

In the past, you or the old pump installer may have made adjustments to the factory settings of the pump and tank. Depending on the rate of water flow from your well, you may have set lower or higher cut-on and cut-off pressures in both appliances. If you're using the same well, the pressure settings should be similar in a new pump and tank combination of the same size.

You may need to run the old pump and tank through a cycle or two to read the operating pressures on some gauges. If the well pump has screw-down pressure adjustments under a protective cover near the switches, the screws may not note the exact pressure setting. Avoid any chance of electrical shock by measuring this type of pressure setting after you have the pump removed from the well system.

To record the settings, measure the length of the screw from the base of the switch plate up to the bottom of the nut. Single-post pressure switches are larger and adjust both the cut-on and cut-off pressure at once. Each clockwise turn of these screws increases the pressure by 2.5 PSI. However, it's easier to measure the area with a small ruler than to count the rings on the screw.

Take Lots of Pictures Before and After

Take pictures of your entire pump house layout before you disassemble it. Overview shots of the well casing, pipes, pump, and pressure tank offer your plumbing supply company clear pictures of your equipment and supply needs. With a shot of the whole pump system, you can make the right plumbing material and size choices.

Measure the length and dimensions of all components of your well-water systems to ensure you get the correct pipes and connectors. Take close-up shots of:

Fittings and connections
Filters
Check-valves
Pressure-relief valves
Discharge t-valves

You may be able to use some of your old connectors to install the new pump and tank. If not, use the new appliance specifications and your pictures to pick new connectors that integrate into the old system.

If the appliances have worked fine for your needs given the output of your well, purchase a similar pump and tank setup. If you're not happy with the performance of your well, show your pressure settings and pictures to your plumbing supply professional. The plumbing supply company is the place to get advice on different tank and pump combinations that work with low-flow or high-pressure wells.

Call or stop by Universal Plumbing Supply Co . today, and talk to our friendly experts about your plumbing project needs. We supply parts for all types of water systems.

4 Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters for Vacation Homes

Tue, 26 Dec 2017 23:11:16 GMT

If you have a vacation home that you only spend a few weeks in each year and it is time to replace the hot water heater, then you should consider installing a tankless hot water heater instead of a conventional hot water tank. Tankless water heaters work well in every home, but they are an especially great choice for vacation homes.

This post lists four reasons you should install a tankless water heater in your vacation home.

1. Reduced Risk of Leaks

A plumbing leak in your vacation home can be absolutely devastating. You may not discover the leak for months, and by that time, the water damage will be severe. Tank-style water heaters can develop leaky valves, especially as they age. When you're not in the home every day, you may not notice these problems in their early stages.

A tankless water heater does not store any water. This reduces the risk of leaking, particularly if you leave the water supply on when you leave the vacation home. If you want to be extra safe, then you can turn off the main water valve. This is harder to do with a hot water tank since you would then have to drain the tank.

2. Lower Energy Bills

Why pay for a tank of hot water to be kept warm when you're not around? With a tankless hot water heater, energy is only used when you actually use the hot water.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in homes that use 41 gallons of water per day or less, a tankless water heater is about 24 - 34 percent more efficient than a hot water tank. In a vacation home, your savings may be even more significant. In fact, depending on your utility company's billing policies, you may be able to avoid having an electric or gas bill at all during the months you're not staying in the home.

3. Space Savings

Most vacation cottages are not spacious, and you may not want to waste precious closet space on a water tank. Thankfully, a tankless water heater is very small when compared to a traditional water heater. Tankless water heaters are about the size of a large shoe box, and you can mount them on the wall, so they don't take up floor space.

When you can use the space that your old water tank used to occupy, you can leave items like towels and linens in your vacation home. You may also have an easier time decorating without a water tank in the way.

4. Unlimited Hot Water

Do you bring a lot of guests with you to your vacation home? If so, you've probably had to take a cold shower after everyone used up the limited hot water in your tank. This won't be a problem with a tankless water heater.

A tankless water heater heats water continuously and on-demand. You could have guests showering all day, and each one would get an equally warm and enjoyable shower. This is certainly an asset if your vacation home is in a chilly climate. This benefit may even prompt you to invite more guests along to your vacation home, which can make for a more enjoyable holiday.

Of course, there is a limit on how much water a tankless water can heat at once, so keep this in mind as you choose a unit. For example , a model that heats 4 gallons a minute provides enough water to keep one shower and one additional appliance running at the same time, whereas a 7-gallon-per-minute model can supply two showers and one appliance simultaneously.

If you're in need of a new water heater, then contact Universal Plumbing Supply Co. We carry both tank and tankless models for residential and commercial use.

What Do You Need To Install CPVC Piping In Your Home?

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 23:08:10 GMT

CPVC (Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride) pipe is a type of plastic pipe that can be used for water supply lines inside your home, as opposed to PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) pipe, which is only suitable for drainage.

This type of pipe has many advantages over galvanized steel or copper pipe. The material itself is less expensive and installation is less labor intensive than either of the metallic options.

CPVC pipe will not rust or corrode from age or exposure to harsh contaminants in the local water supply, and can connect easily to existing galvanized or copper lines through the use of conversion fittings that are specially designed for that use.

Best of all, installation of CPVC piping involves the use of a type of adhesive cement for connections, eliminating the need for soldering as with copper pipe or wrestling with heavy galvanized pipe to make threaded connections.

What are the tools Required for CPVC Piping Installation?

There are only a few tools needed to install CPVC piping, and some of them are commonly found within the home for various projects, including:

Hammer. You'll need this for connecting pipe hangers to walls and ceilings.
Measuring tape. A 25 foot tape is best for longer piping runs, but a 12 foot tape will suffice.
PVC Chamfer Tool. This tool creates a smooth chamfered (beveled) edge on cut CPVC pipe ends. PVC cutter tool. This tool will provide the clean cuts needed for optimal connections.

Be sure that you have these items nearby before you begin your project.

What Supplies Are Needed for CPVC Piping Installation?

You will need to plan your project before heading for the plumbing supply store so you won't need to make multiple trips in the middle of the installation. This requires measuring the piping that you wish to replace according to pipe diameter as well as noting the connections to existing piping that need to be made. Essential supplies include the following items.

CPVC Pipe

You will usually require 3/4" pipe for the main supply lines and 1/2" pipe for the branch lines that connect to individual faucets and other components in a residential installation.

CPVC pipe is typically sold in 10 foot lengths. Don't confused it with PVC pipe, which is bright white in color. CPVC pipe is a faded off-white color. If you can't tell the difference by color, the type of pipe is printed along its surface along with its diameter.

CPVC pipe is relatively inexpensive, so it's best to purchase a few additional lengths so you are prepared for mistakes in calculations or erroneous cuts.

CPVC Fittings

You will need a selection of fittings both for connecting CPVC to CPVC as well as conversion fittings for connecting CPVC to existing galvanized or copper pipe lines. Examples of CPVC fittings include:

Couplings connect lengths of pipe together in a straight line.
Elbows change the direction of the line at a 90 degree angle.
Tees are shaped like the letter 'T" and split a single line into 2 separate lines. Valves provide a dedicated shut-off for an individual line.

Conversion fittings will vary according to the installation, but may include:

"Bite" type conversion fitting that can join CPVC to copper pipe through an internal clamping system. Female CPVC to threaded male conversion fitting for connection to galvanized steel piping.

These fittings will allow you to connect the pipes where you need to.

CPVC Primer and Cement

The primer acts as a cleaner and prepares the surface of the pipe for the cement, which actually chemically welds the CPVC pipe to the fitting. Both of these chemicals require adequate ventilation because they can cause respiratory distress among other maladies.

You must also be prepared to make connections swiftly upon application of the cement, because this material sets quickly, leaving little room for error.

It's always a good idea to purchase your supplies at an actual plumbing supply company instead of a home improvement chain store. They will have everything that you need and can answer questions and provide helpful advice for your project. Contact Universal Plumbing Supply for all of your plumbing needs.

Bathroom Faucet Types and How to Identify Them

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 07:09:31 GMT

Whether you're renovating your bathroom, need some new plumbing fixtures or just need to find replacement parts for a leaky faucet, knowing what type of faucet you have is critical. The more you know about your current faucet, the easier it will be to find replacement parts or to decide on a new model.
Bathroom faucets can be categorized by several criteria, such as the type of mount or the internal function of the faucet. Here are the basics of each of these and how to tell which category your faucet falls into, as well as what that means for your renovation or replacement faucet.

Mounting
The biggest dividing factor in this category is how many holes must be drilled into your sink/vanity to install the faucet. Here are the details:
Wall-Mount Faucets
If your chosen faucet style is mounted on the wall, good news! You don't need any holes drilled into your sink's countertop. It's not necessarily a snap to install just because no holes need to be drilled, though. It does require extra hardware for its mount and if your current sink has holes drilled already, that will be another issue you'll have to deal with.
Center-Set and Widespread
This type of faucet will be more likely to work with a sink that already has holes drilled. Center-set faucets use three holes, at fairly standard distances apart, whereas widespread faucets feature handles that are much more distant from the spout. This means that widespread models are less likely to work with the kind of bathroom sink that has pre-drilled holes.
Single Hole
These faucets tend to feature a more minimalistic design, using a single hole and a slender faucet unit. Instead of separate faucet handles, these models may use a lever.
Function
When you're identifying your current bathroom faucet, either because you're looking for replacement parts or because you want to compare it to newer models so you can replace it, you'll need to consider its function as well. The internal workings of a faucet are what determine whether it's a reliable, modern model or an older design that's likely to be giving you trouble. Here are the details on different faucet categories by function.
Single-Handle Faucets by Function
Three types of bathroom faucets are likely to have a single handle: the ball, disc and single handle cartridge types. You can tell if you have a ball type if the handle rotates, wiggles and coasts in any direction like a joystick on what looks like a ball set into the top of the faucet.
You can tell the disc type apart because the handle doesn't move like a joystick. It can be lifted up and down and it can rotate back and forth, but it doesn't tilt and coast like the ball type. The single-handle cartridge type is similar to the disc type, but the disc type is more likely to be a high-end faucet with a stouter body.
Double-Handle Faucets by Function
The double-handle cartridge faucet and the compression faucet fall into this slot. Fortunately, they're relatively easy to tell apart. The compression type is an older design that requires more physical force to use. As you're turning the water off, you may feel like you're tightening a screw because that's basically how the mechanism works. The handles may have to turn several times to get the water to shut off.
The double-handle cartridge type is easier to use, doesn't require as many turns and doesn't have varying degrees of tension.
As you can see, there's more variation between bathroom sink faucets than just the one handle vs. two question and the all-important question of finish. These facts will help you learn more about the faucet you have and make informed decisions about repairs, replacements or installation.
Universal Plumbing Supply Co. is eager to help you find the parts you need and to answer any additional questions you may have. Simply call them at 713-225-2800 today.

Choosing The Right Water Heater

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 07:05:59 GMT

Warm water is a homeowner’s favorite comfort, but it’s one that's often taken for granted. When you're between water heaters or when your heater is malfunctioning and won't supply you with hot showers, you can't take it for granted; you have to think seriously about choosing a replacement.

The replacement water heater you choose should fit your volume needs, your budget, and your living situation. Here are some tips for how to choose based on these variables.

Volume Needs
There are two main types of water heater that affect how much hot water you can get and how quickly: tank heaters and tankless heaters. Here are the benefits of each and how they can fit in with your volume needs:

Tank water heaters
The holding tank keeps a certain amount of water hot so that you have instant access to it whenever you need warm or hot water. There's no limit on how fast you can use the water, but once the tank is empty, you'll have to wait for a while before you can access anymore.
The wait time can be an issue if you need to fill a large bath and then wash some dishes and laundry, for example, especially if you have a small tank (one solution is to get a larger tank if you've had this problem in the past).

Tankless water heaters
The tankless heater doesn't have a reservoir of water ready for instant access; instead, it heats water on demand whenever you turn on the hot water tap.
The strength of this model is that the tankless heater can keep heating water at a steady rate long after a normal-sized reservoir would have been empty. The drawback is that it can only heat a certain amount of water at a certain speed, so having multiple people taking showers at once in different bathrooms may not work out so well, especially if you have a heater with a small capacity.
Some homeowners solve this by having one tankless heater for the kitchen and one for the bathroom, to prevent conflicts. You can also choose a tankless heater that has a high rate of heating (some gas-powered ones can produce hot water much faster than electric ones).

Your Budget
Some factors that can affect the price (besides size) include the following:

The type of fuel your water heater uses. If possible, select a new one that uses the same type of fuel, so you won't have to pay for the conversion.
The efficiency of your new water heater (affects ongoing costs, not installation costs). For example, a tankless heater can save money during operation because it doesn't have to keep water hot 24/7 constantly.
The size. If your new water heater is larger than the existing space, hooking it up may become more complicated and expensive.

Living Space and Lifestyle
Tankless water heaters are great for small spaces because they don't include the large reservoir for hot water that other styles use. If you do have a lot of space available in your living situation, you might consider a hybrid water heater that uses a heat pump to extract heat from the air.
It is both efficient and eco-friendly, but it requires lots of space (not just the physical space it occupies but also a large room to draw heat from).
If you're leading an eco-friendly lifestyle, you'll want to consider the energy efficiency of your water heater over its entire lifespan and any other effects it may have on the environment (for example, whether it uses an eco-friendly form of power such as solar power, and whether it has a long life expectancy and can be recycled after replacement).
After considering all these factors, you may know exactly which heater you want, or you may wish to enlist professional help in making the final decision. For more advice or to get an installation quote, simply contact Universal Plumbing Supply today.

Tips on Repairing Your Gas Water Heater

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 07:02:17 GMT

A gas water heater is an excellent addition to a home when you need a reliable source of warm, clean water. However, it may break down eventually. In which case, you need to be able to perform some basic maintenance.

Turn Off Gas First

You need to be very careful around gas heaters. Before working on anything, you want to be sure the gas is turned off first so there is no risk to you. If you are concerned in any way, then you should absolutely contact a professional to work on your water heater for you. It is not worth it to try to fix it yourself if you are worried.

Troubleshoot Potential Problems

Water problems around the house can belong to any number of culprits. Here are the issues that are most commonly linked to water heaters.

No warm water
Pilot light not working
Reduced water pressure
Water excessively hot

Check for Leaks

Old water heaters are prone to leaks. Make sure you inspect yours regularly to see if the external structure is still holding up fine. Any leaks need to be patched up, and the surrounding water needs to be cleaned up promptly.

When you need tools to fix your gas water heater, make sure you get them from a reputable plumbing supplies store. Find one of these stores by calling Universal Plumbing Supply.

Benefits of Owning a Sewer Snake and When to Use It

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 06:37:49 GMT

A sewer snake is a flexible wire you can send down a drain to break apart any troublesome clogs. It is a simple way to remove clogs in your home. With so many advantages to be gained, it is worth considering the next time you have drainage problems.

Better for Pipes

There are various other ways you can remove a clog in your home on your own. There are various chemical cleaners you can pour down the drain to break apart debris. However, the chemicals in these products can damage the inside of your pipes if you are not careful. A snake only removes the clog without affecting the piping in any way.

Time-Tested Cleaning Method

Snakes have been in use for years, and for simple clogs, they are the best way to go. Snakes are perfect for when you need to make a pathway for liquid to flow through. Whether you need to remove food debris from the kitchen sink or hair from the tub, a snake can handle it.

Sewer snakes are ideal for a number of circumstances, so find an excellent one at Universal Plumbing Supply today!

The Differences Between a Tankless or Normal Water Heaters

Sat, 29 Oct 2016 06:37:49 GMT

There’s a whole debate out there on whether it’s best to purchase a water heater with a tank or one that is tankless. However, the truth is that both have advantages. Therefore, when it comes down to the final purchase, it is entirely up to the homeowners’ personal preferences. Some simple tips can help assist in the choice.

Space - For the installation of a water heater, homeowners should first consider the amount of space they have. The size of the space where the water heater has to be located can be a determining factor of which type to purchase.

Budget - Homeowner budgets have a large impact on which water heater to choose. The cost of water heaters varies depending on the capacity of the heater. Other factors include short-term savings versus long-term savings.

Installation - Both tanked and tankless water heaters require installation by a licensed plumber. Depending the age of the home and the wiring, one type water heater may be recommended over another, especially if any additional wiring may be required to be in compliance with local building codes.

After homeowners have all the information, they can then make an informed decision on which type of water heater to purchase. To find the right water heater for your home, contact Universal Plumbing Supply at 713-225-2800.

The Benefits of Using PVC Piping

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 06:37:49 GMT

When the pipes in your building are on their last legs, it is time to get a replacement. One option to consider is PVC piping for the variety of advantages it offers.

Flexible and Durable

The materials used in PVC allow it to withstand a large amount of force. They can bear a huge load without fracturing. This comes in handy if you plan on placing it underground or in an area where it could be susceptible to vibrations.

Safety

You have nothing to fear when you have PVC pipes in your home. The material is completely safe and is non-toxic.

Lightweight

The fact that these pipes are lightweight makes them easier to install. They also greatly reduce the chances of someone getting hurt during the installation process. Fewer people need to hold the piping in place. Fewer people on the worksite mean that you save some money.

Resistance to Flames

Finally, you do not have to worry about the pipes aiding a fire should one ever break out. The temperature to cause a spontaneous ignition is 450° Celsius, so it is incredibly resilient.

PVC is a great material for pipes, and you are missing out if you do not have them in your home. If you are looking for a plumbing supply store, contact Universal Plumbing Supply Co. today.