Plumbing Archives - Page 3 of 11 - KC's 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning

Self-Care Tips for a Relaxing Valentine’s Day

Posted on May 22, 2023 | by KC's 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning

Treat Yourself to a Spa Day in Your Bathroom Oasis

Valentine’s Day is a particular time for people to show their loved ones how much they care, but it is also essential for homeowners to care for themselves. One way to do this is by creating a spa-like experience in their bathroom. Here are five tips to help homeowners make the ultimate bathroom oasis for a relaxing Valentine’s Day.

The Surprising Health Benefits of a Romantic Bath

Taking a warm bath can be an incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating experience for people that offers surprising health benefits. The warm water can help improve circulation and promote better sleep while also reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. Incorporating bath salts and essential oils can enhance the overall bathing experience by providing aromatherapy benefits. The warm water can also help to relax muscles and release tension, making it an ideal way for people to unwind after a long day.

Creating a luxurious and therapeutic experience in the bath can be achieved by adding a few drops of essential oils or mixing them with bath salts. Not only do they have a pleasant aroma, but also they possess therapeutic properties that can aid in relieving stress, easing sore muscles, and promoting a sense of well-being. This can be an ideal way for people to unwind and take care of themselves on Valentine’s Day or any other day.

How Chromatherapy Can Elevate Your Bath Experience

Introducing colored LED lights to a bath or shower can take the relaxation experience to a new level for people. Chromatherapy, or using colors to enhance physical and emotional well-being, is a powerful tool that can be easily incorporated into the bathroom routine.

Each color has unique properties and benefits, such as blue for calming and red for invigorating. Imagine being surrounded by a soft blue light while soaking in the bath, letting the calming vibrations wash over and ease away any stress and tension. Or, if someone is looking for a boost of energy, a red light can help to invigorate and energize. It can enhance the overall bathing experience and is an easy and affordable way to add luxury and wellness to a daily routine.

Rain Showerheads Can Create a Relaxing and Romantic Experience

Rain showerheads offer a truly luxurious and rejuvenating shower experience for people. The wide diameter of the showerhead provides full coverage and envelops the person in a gentle mist that can simultaneously keep their entire body warm. The sensation of the warm water cascading down on them can be incredibly soothing and relaxing, washing away any stress and tension.

A rain showerhead with built-in LED lights and speakers can take the shower experience to the next level for people. The soft glow of light and the sound of someone’s favorite music, podcast, or nature sounds to create a fully immersive experience that can help homeowners relax. Whether looking to unwind after a long day or add some luxury to their daily routine, investing in a rain showerhead is a great way to create a spa-like experience in the comfort of the home.

Installing a steam shower is another way to create the ultimate spa-like experience in a home. Imagine being surrounded by the warm mist of a steam shower, letting the heat and steam work their magic on tired muscles, releasing tension and promoting overall well-being. Steam showers often come with built-in seating, multiple shower heads, and even sound systems, making them perfect for a fully immersive and luxurious experience for people.

About KC’s 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning

KC’s 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning has more than 40 years of experience serving The Coachella Valley. They offer flat rate menu pricing, financing, and 24/7 emergency service. Call them today for bathroom remodeling in Palm Springs, CA.

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The Different Types Of Air Duct Designs

Posted on May 22, 2023 | by KC's 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning

Are There Different Types of Air Duct Designs?

Many homeowners may be surprised to find out that there are actually four primary types of ductwork designs that can be used throughout commercial and residential buildings. A few factors determine which type of duct will be installed in a home. In this blog, experts share the primary types of air ducts and what goes into deciding which should be used.

Reasons Why There Are Different Types

There are various reasons why there are different ductwork designs. These factors include the house layout, air duct materials, and British thermal units (BTUs). Although there are four main types of ductwork available, the two main categories include flexible ductwork and rigid ductwork.

Flexible ducts are usually round tubes constructed out of steel wire helixes. These helixes are covered in durable plastic and often insulated. On the other hand, rigid ductwork can vary in size and material, and its shape can be rectangular or cylindrical. These two ductwork categories and the ductwork designs that fall within them are intended for specific use.

Most Common Air Duct Types

As originally stated, there are four common types of ductwork designs: flexible ductwork (which is also a category), sheet metal ducts, fiberglass lined ducts, and fiberboard air ducts. The last three types fall under the rigid category.

Flexible Ductwork

Flexible ductwork is easy and inexpensive to install. If the space where the ductwork is going to be installed in tight or awkward, then flexible ductwork is the best choice for design. Flexible ductwork, as the name suggests, can be bent around structures and other odd sources to fit in almost any area.

Flexible ductwork can also benefit indoor air quality, helping keep the air clean from particles that can get stuck in rigid ducts.

Sheet Metal Air Ducts

Sheet metal ducts are a type of rigid ductwork that is made of either galvanized steel or aluminum. They’re lightweight and easy to install. Also, they’re mold-resistant, making them an asset to indoor air quality, much like flexible ductwork.

Sheet metal ducts are the most durable of the ductwork types because they maintain shape and are not easily crushed. However, they are not without faults. Sheet metal ducts are the most likely to have leaks.

Fiberglass Lined Air Ducts

Another type of rigid ductwork, fiberglass-lined ducts, is similar to sheet metal ducts but is lined with fiberglass. This lining helps keep them insulated, which helps to quiet the sound of the HVAC system.

Unfortunately, fiberglass can deteriorate, and when this happens, fibers are released into the air, which can cause health problems for those exposed for prolonged times. Another disadvantage of this type of ductwork is that they are harder to keep clean and are prone to mold, mildew, and bacteria. Any air duct cleaning conducted on fiberglass ducts should be performed by a professional HVAC company for safety.

Fiberboard Air Ducts

The last common type of ductwork is fiberboard ductwork. This rigid type of ductwork is constructed from compressed fiberglass fibers. These fibers were sealed to keep particles from escaping into the air.

Fiberboard is protected by foil covering the entire outside, helping to be a barrier for air and moisture and providing insulation. Fiberboard is the cheapest ductwork to install, but similar to fiberglass, it is prone to mold and mildew growth.

Which Ductwork is Best?

The most common type of air duct design to be installed is the sheet metal air duct. These ducts have a non-porous nature that prevents them from mold, mildew, and bacteria that can often breed inside the ductwork. Unlike fiberglass, sheet metal air ducts are safe and do not pose any negative health risks.

However, to determine the best style of ductwork for any home, it is recommended that homeowners consult with a professional. A professional will recommend the best ducts for a home using factors like house layout, air duct materials, and British thermal units (BTUs).

KC’s 23 1/2 Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning

KC’s 23 1/2 Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning is an award-winning company with over 40 years of experience serving the community of Palm Springs, CA, and the surrounding areas. They provide flat-rate pricing, 24/7 emergency service, and financing. Call them today for heating and air conditioning services in Palm Springs, CA.

What Are Hot Water Heaters?

Posted on May 22, 2023 | by KC's 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning

What Are Hot Water Heaters?

A water heater is a piece of plumbing hardware that provides the home with hot water on demand for important tasks like washing hands, cleaning, and bathing. The water heater is one of the most expensive and essential pieces of plumbing equipment found in modern homes. Homeowners can protect their investment in their water heater by educating themselves on the basics of water heater systems.

What Are the Different Types of Water Heaters?

The main types of water heaters are gas, electric, and tankless water heaters, and there are pros and cons to each. Gas water heaters are the most common type in modern homes, but electric water heaters are also popular. Tankless water heaters are a modern solution to provide hot water with minimal waste of energy by only heating the exact amount of water needed for each task.

Gas water heaters are slightly more expensive to install than electric water heaters but have much lower operating costs. A gas water heater uses a gas burner to heat the water. This means that the water heater needs to be connected to natural gas. Electric water heaters are a more versatile option because almost every home has electricity hooked up, while not every house has a gas connection.

While electric water heaters are easier to install, they have higher operating costs than gas water heaters. Tankless water heaters have the cheapest operating costs because they do not waste energy in the heating process. Installing a tankless water heater is more expensive than the traditional options, but homeowners can expect to get 20+ years of performance compared to gas water heaters 10-15 year lifespan.

How To Do Water Heater Maintenance?

Plumbers recommend that homeowners drain water heaters annually or twice a year to flush the tank of sediment. Sediments result from natural minerals in the water separating into solids during the heating process. Over time, sediment buildup can corrode the water heater tank and cause valves to age prematurely.

During maintenance appointments, the water heater technician will flush water heater tanks and inspect the system for signs of damage. Most water heaters use a system of valves to control the flow of water. Valves are notorious for wearing out over time, and replacing them can help to promote efficient and long-lasting water heater performance. The anode rod must also be checked and replaced if it is over three to five years old. Anode rods attract corrosive materials in the water to prevent tank corrosion.

Leaving water heater maintenance to a qualified professional is best because working on water heater tanks is extremely dangerous. Up to a hundred gallons of hot water contained within a water heater tank could pose a serious threat to property and people if it bursts. It is a good idea to have a trusted plumber just a phone call away in case of a water heater emergency.

Water Heater Repair or Water Heater Replacement?

Homeowners should look out for signs that their water heater is failing. A broken water heater is not just an inconvenience because of a lack of hot water. If it’s malfunctioning, it could pose a safety hazard to the home. Water heaters contain high temperatures and a large amount of water, which could be dangerous if it bursts.

Signs that a homeowner needs to call a plumber for water heater repair include discolored water, foul-smelling water, or a noisy water heater. Other obvious signs of an old or broken water heater include inconsistent temperatures, waiting a long time for water to heat up, or not enough hot water to complete tasks. Water heaters typically only last between 10-15 years, and as water heater repairs become more frequent, homeowners should consider their options for water heater replacement.

About KC’s 23 1/2 Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning

KC’s 23 1/2 Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning has over 40 years of experience serving Palm Springs, CA, and the surrounding areas. They provide upfront pricing, 24/7 emergency service, and financing. Call them today for water heater services in Palm Springs, CA.

How to Unclog Outdoor Drains

Posted on May 22, 2023 | by KC's 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning

Dealing with Outdoor Plumbing Clogs

With so many things that can go wrong with indoor plumbing, it is easy to forget that there are plenty of potential problems in outdoor plumbing too. Outdoor plumbing is just as vital to a house as indoor plumbing but in different ways. Often these fixtures are used to add value to a home through aesthetics or function as protection from rainwater damage.

Outdoor plumbing can suffer from environmental factors. Dealing with plumbing clogs can be stressful, but understanding more about the problem keeps them from getting out of hand. Follow this guide to learn more about outdoor plumbing clogs and how to deal with them when they arise.

What Does Outdoor Plumbing Do?

Outdoor plumbing is even more diverse than indoor plumbing. Indoor plumbing revolves around providing clean water and enabling hygiene, but outdoor plumbing has a lot of different purposes. Outdoor plumbing can include:

Irrigation systems
Pool plumbing
Outdoor water features
Landscape plumbing
Draining plumbing

When considering how diverse outdoor plumbing is, it’s easy to see how problems can be common. Since outdoor plumbing isn’t immediately necessary like hot water for bathing, it can be easily neglected or forgotten about until a clogged pipe demands attention.

What Causes Clogs in Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures?

The environment is the biggest hazard to outdoor plumbing reliability. Outdoor plumbing is usually located underground, so it always has to deal with the debris. To further complicate matters, outdoor plumbing usually only runs intermittently, like landscape drains removing water during a rainstorm and pool pumps that cycle on and off throughout the year. As debris is allowed to settle in outdoor plumbing, it can form clogs. The more intermittent the use of an outdoor plumbing fixture is, the more common and serious the clog that will form.

How to Deal with Tough Outdoor Plumbing Clogs

Outdoor clogs can be tough to deal with. Usually, outdoor clogs manifest themselves with flooding or mechanical failures in the case of pool pumps and water features. The issue with an outdoor plumbing clog is that piping is almost always below the soil’s surface and often below concrete and structures.

Fortunately, plumbers have had special tools for dealing with underground outdoor clogs for decades, like drain snakes. A more recent invention for clearing an outdoor clog is called the hydro jet. The flexibility and functionality of the hydro jetting process have made it the quick contender for the best way to deal with clogs.

During the hydro jetting process, a licensed plumber will feed a high-pressure jet down into the clogged pipe. The pressure from the jet cuts through tough clogs and washes away buildup that tends to cling to the inside of pipes. Once the process is done, the homeowner can expect to be problem-free.

About KC’s 23 1/2 Hour Plumbing and Air Conditioning

KC’s 23 1/2 Hour Plumbing and Air Conditioning have served Palm Springs and Coachella Valley residents for over 38 years. They provide upfront pricing, 24/7 emergency service, and a membership program that offers many benefits. Call them today for plumbing services in Palm Springs, CA.

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How to Prevent Summer Plumbing Disasters

Posted on May 22, 2023 | by KC's 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning

Preventing Summer Plumbing Disasters

During the summer, plumbing issues can cause strife for people trying to take it easy. However, homeowners can take steps to gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing their home is safe from plumbing problems. Here are three tips from plumbing experts to help homeowners protect against plumbing disasters and protect their summer plans.

Keep an Eye Out for Leaks

plumber fixing leaking sink pipes When people think of plumbing leaks, they usually think of a dripping faucet. While a dripping tap can waste a lot of money, it won’t do much damage. The problem with plumbing leaks is when they occur somewhere; the water can cause damage. Common places where leaks can occur and go unnoticed are:

Under cabinets in valves and drain lines
Behind refrigerators
In hidden piping under slabs
Hose bibs
Around the water heater
Washer hookups

Homeowners should take some time to check the places they can at the beginning of the summer. When leaks occur in these places, big problems can be the result. By taking just a few minutes to check things out, homeowners can relax knowing they won’t have to deal with this plumbing disaster.

Put Food Waste in the Garbage

pouring gease into sink drain Summer doesn’t just mean taking off and hitting the road. It also implies garden parties and cookouts. But, every cookout eventually ends, and the host is left to clean up the mess. As the host cleans, putting the garbage disposal to work can be tempting, grinding up food debris and cooking grease. However, this is how major pipe clogs happen.

As cooking grease cools, it hardens on the drainpipe walls. The sticky and viscous grease then captures other food particles, which can cause a clog that can completely back up the drain. Instead of overtaxing the kitchen sink’s garbage disposal and drain system, discarding food waste and cooking grease in the garbage can is far safer.

Flush Drains to Prevent a Pipe Clog

Routine DIY drain maintenance can help prevent clogs before they occur. A good habit to get into is periodically flushing the drains in a home. Run hot water down the drain for a few seconds. The hot water will loosen up deposits, and the continuous water flow will sweep away debris. For added effectiveness, spoon some baking soda into the drain and chase it with a dash of vinegar. After the bubbling has subsided, flush with more hot water.

About KC’s 23 1/2 Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning

KC’s 23 1/2 Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning has over 40 years of experience serving the community of Palm Springs, CA, and the surrounding areas. They provide 24/7 emergency service, upfront pricing, financing, and a beneficial membership program. Call them today for plumbing services in Palm Springs, CA.