Robert's Plumbing lic- M-40332

01/09/2023

https://www.consumerreports.org/home-maintenance-repairs/how-to-keep-pipes-from-freezing-a2277945570/
How to Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing
Subzero temperatures can cause even interior pipes to freeze

Consumer Reports delivers money-saving advice to avoid frozen pipes at home and to deal with the aftermath if your pipes freeze during a cold snap.

12/22/2022

As this artic weather approaches there are a few things I would like to bring to your attention to prevent freeze damage and property damage and or loss!

1: open cabinet doors to allow warm air to get to pipes
2: cover all outside faucets with a faucet sock thermo seal or any equivalent faucet cover.
3: insulate any and all exterior piping and water piping in attics.
4: open faucets in at least 2 areas on both hot and cold to where they are running the stream sizee of a pencil lead. Not just a drip a drip will not protect piping in artic tempature as it does not reduce the volume in water piping!
5: insulate all underground valves and backflow prevents with vats of insulation same as you would insulate a wall!
6: reduce drafts in your home by putting plastic over windows and if needed use foam board to create a better v***r barrier.
7: if freezing does occur shut water off immediately and allow pipes to thaw. Leaving water on can only make the problem worse creating a harder freeze and a possible burst!
8: if possible install a heat tracer tape on water line( pier and beam, rv only).
9: insulate well pressure tanks with duct insulation or vats to prevent bladder rupture!

Hopefully this post is helpful to you in keeping your he warm and safe from water damage.
Happy holidays and merry Christmas to all!

11/22/2022

Safety messages about smoke alarms

Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.
A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement. Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms.
A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

Source:

NFPA says that when there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.

11/22/2022

5 Smoke Alarm Safety Tips
Smoke Alarms

Smoke Alarm Safety Tips:
1. Install Smoke Alarms to Help Protect Your Home and Family
Fire is a deadly threat to any household. It can strike anywhere, at any time so it is important that you and your family are prepared. Smoke alarms help provide early warning in the event of a fire in your home. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends smoke alarms be installed on every level of the home, inside every bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. In the basement, smoke alarms should be installed at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the next level. Learn what your state’s requirements and regulations are for home smoke alarms by using our interactive state legislation map.

2. Placement of Smoke Alarms is Important:
Mount smoke alarms in the middle of the ceiling when ceiling mounted. If that is not possible, mount detectors on the wall at least three feet away from a corner and within 12 inches from the ceiling. Keep smoke alarms away from drafts created by fans or air ducts. The moving air can blow smoke away from the sensor on the alarm. Avoid placing fire alarms too close to the kitchen stove and bathroom shower, as cooking smoke and shower steam can cause nuisance alarms. If you do install a smoke alarm in the kitchen, ensure it is at least 10 feet away from any cooking appliances to help avoid false alarms.

Where to Install Smoke Alarms:
3. Maintain Your Smoke Alarms to Help Ensure They Are Functioning Properly
The NFPA recommends testing your smoke alarms at least once a month to ensure they are working and replace the batteries every 6 months or if a low battery chirp occurs. When replacing batteries, follow the user manual which includes a full list of approved batteries for your alarm. Smoke alarms should also be replaced at least every 10 years. Fire alarms with a 10-year sealed battery should be replaced after 10 years and when the end-of-life warning occurs.

4. Choose the Right Smoke Alarm for Your Needs:
There are different types of smoke alarms including battery, 10-year sealed battery and hardwire. All are effective at detecting smoke and fire, but the type of alarm you choose will depend on your home and family’s needs.

Battery Alarms: Battery-operated fire detectors can be easily installed with no wiring required. Maintenance includes changing the batteries every 6 months and testing the alarm monthly to ensure they are working.

10-Year Sealed Battery Alarms: Ten-year alarms are also battery powered and can be installed with no wiring required; however, no battery replacements are required for the life of 10-year sealed battery alarms!

Hardwire Alarms: Hardwired smoke alarms wire directly into your home’s electrical system. Many of our hardwire fire alarms also have a battery backup for continued protection during power outages.

5. Have a Plan Prepared if the Smoke Alarms Sounds:
Never ignore the sound of the smoke alarm. If the smoke alarm is sounding, there is a reason. You and your family must be able to escape quickly and safely. Here are several safety tips your family can learn and practice to prepare for an emergency:

Have a safety escape plan. Discuss and practice your emergency escape plan as a family. Know two exits from any room in the house.
Feel if the door is hot. Always feel the door to see if it is hot before opening it to escape. If the doorknob or door is hot, do not use that exit. Use your alternate exit to escape.
Crawl on the floor. Smoke from a fire rises and so does the temperature. If you crawl on the floor, the smoke and the heat from the fire will be less severe.
Meet at a designated spot outside the home to help know who has escaped.
Call the fire department once safely outside. Be prepared to give your full name and address to the operator at the other end of the line. Stay on the line until the operator has the information needed.
Do not return or go inside a burning building until cleared by the fire department.

Source:

5 Smoke Alarm Safety Tips

11/16/2022

May this week keep you all warm and cozy! If you need help in keeping that warm and cozy feeling? Call us for your plumbing and winter needs!

11/16/2022

Plumbing Winterization in the Permian Basin, Big Country and Surrounding Areas!

If you need plumbing winterization in Permian Basin, Big Country and Surrounding Areas! WE can help. Don't take a chance on getting frozen or busted pipes. Our plumbers can take care of all your winterization needs.

* Professional Service
* Plumbing Winterization
* Pipes, Faucets, Spigots, Sprinklers & More
* Shut Offs, Water Line Draining, Blowouts, Insulation
* Residential and Commercial Service

11/16/2022

Winter is here. And sometimes winter is harsh and unforgiving. Winter can leave your home cold and drafty, every bit of warm air escaping as quickly as it can. But there are ways to keep your electric bills low and still have a comfortable, warm home. And the best part is that you have options. The first step is to cover your windows.

Use Drapery
When you hear the word “drapery,” you might think of your grandmother’s house, but drapes have been modernized to include interesting and fashionable fabrics and patterns, making them a great, customized fit for every home. With drapes, you can:

Keep the warmth in and block the cold out.
Update your room instantly and create a whole new look with one simple change, with 100s of color, pattern, and fabric options.
Add liners for your needs, like blackout and privacy liners. This will add even more insulation to your windows.
Add Honeycomb or Solar ShadesHoneycombs and solar shades provide added insulation for your windows, but using these shades doesn’t mean you have to spend your winter in darkness. With these shades, you can:

Maintain a comfortable home temperature and block out harmful UV rays.
Choose a blackout shade option for added privacy and improved insulation.
Filter and diffuse the bright sunlight to create a warm, inviting glow with light filtering shades.
Reduce glare, making it perfect for viewing computer and television screens.
Combining both the shades and the drapes can give your home the barrier it needs from the cold.

Layer Bedding
‘Tis the season for warmer bedding. Either swap out your bedding for warmer, cozier items, or learn to layer your bedding to keep the look you want while staying warm these next few months. If this still isn’t keeping you warm, it’s either time to upgrade your bedding or simply use more layers. Plus, adding bedding layers will give your room a chic look, so what’s to lose?

Add Rugs
If you don’t already have rugs or carpet on your floor, add a few rugs. If you already have rugs that are a bit thin, consider upgrading to thicker, fuller rugs just for the winter. Or you can even layer rugs to create a unique look with loads of winter-related benefits. Not only will it keep your feet warm this winter, but it can keep the warmth in your house, right where it belongs.

Winterizing your home decor is easy. All it takes is a few changes and updates, and you’re looking at a toasty and comfortable winter season inside your home.

10/21/2022

How can I help protect against carbon monoxide poisoning?
Having an early warning is important. Install carbon monoxide alarms outside each sleeping area, inside each bedroom and on every level of the home, including the basement, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Have your appliances checked regularly. Have a qualified appliance technician check all fuel burning appliances, venting and chimney systems at least once a year, or as recommended by the manufacturer. It is critical to identify potential dangers and take measures to help protect against this serious threat.

We recommend following these guidelines:
Have fuel-burning heating equipment and chimneys inspected by a qualified professional every year before cold weather arrives. During the heating season, clear filters and filtering systems of dust and dirt.
Be sure to open the flue for adequate ventilation when using a fireplace.
Inspect the pilot lights on natural gas appliances to ensure that the flame is blue. When a flame is mostly yellow in color, it likely is producing CO.
Clean out the lint and debris that may build up in the clothes dryer vent which leads to the outside of the house.
Only use generators in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
Use barbecue grills only outside and never indoors or in the garage.
Never leave a car running in a garage, even for a couple of minutes even if the overhead garage door is open.
Install a CO alarm outside each sleeping area, inside every bedroom, and on every level of the home, including the basement
First Alert recommends replacing CO alarms every 5-7 years
Source: National Fire Protection Association

10/20/2022

Winter safety tip!

When burning g the old style Dearborn Heaters make sure to Crack a window. This allows the oxygen level in the house to stay at breathable levels. Dearborn Heaters work well to heat your home but can become a silent killer in the night if not drafted properly. If the flame is orange oxygen levels are dangerously low. Blue flame means correct combustion and is what you want to see. If your flames are burning orange give us a call to do a safety check. Naturual gas and propane are great tools for heating and cooking as long as they have proper airflow and proper pressures!