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How Can Water Filtration System Improve The Quality Of Your Life?

You might not realize it, but the water that comes from your faucet isn’t always as safe as you think. Most municipal water supplies have chlorine and fluoride added to kill off bacteria and keep the pipes clear. However, these chemicals can leave a harmful residue if they aren’t filtered out first.

A water filtration system can tackle this problem by filtering out all the containments from your water lines.

Here are five ways a water filtration system can improve your quality of life.

1. It Can Make Your Drinking Water Taste Better

Do you often find yourself buying bottled water because you don’t like the taste of your tap water? A water filtration system can help with that.

You can enjoy fresh-tasting water from your kitchen sink by filtering out chlorine, lead, and other contaminants. Plus, filtered water is better for your health overall.

2. It Can Prevent Health Problems Caused By Unclean Drinking Water

Unclean water can cause several health problems, including gastrointestinal illness, skin infections, and reproductive issues. A water filtration system can remove harmful contaminants from your water, making it safe to drink. It can help improve your family’s health by providing clean, safe drinking water.

3. A Filter Can Improve Your Overall Well-Being

We all know that the quality of the air we breathe directly impacts our health. But did you know that the quality of the water we drink also affects our overall well-being?

Not only does it help us to keep a healthy weight, but good drinking water can also relieve constipation and promote dental health!

If your goal is to improve your family’s general well-being, investing in a water filtration system is an easy way to do so.

4. Water Filters Can Help Eliminate Bad Odors Around Your Home

Do you ever notice that your home has a certain smell but can’t quite pinpoint where it’s coming from? It could be your water.

When water sits in pipes, it can start to develop an odor. This is especially true if your water lines are old or made of certain materials. A water filtration system can help eliminate these bad odors by filtering out the impurities that cause them.

5. Filters Make Bathing Safer For You And Your Family

Many contaminants can be found in water, including lead, chlorine, and bacteria. A water filtration system can remove these, making the water safer for you and your family to drink and bathe in. It will also make it easier to clean clothes and dishes.

6. Get Water Filtration Systems Installed In Columbia

At Your 1 Plumber, we have been in the plumbing industry for more than 15 years and have some of the most experienced plumbers employed. But we’re not just your typical plumber but also your water treatment specialists. We can custom design, install and maintain the right water filtration system at your house.

Our plumbers can also help with new faucet installations, plumbing installations, water heater services, and water line repair services.

Contact us today to learn more about our services.

4 Signs Your Gas Pipes Might Be Leaking

Whether above ground or underground, gas pipes can corrode or deteriorate over time. A gas leak can cause serious issues. Therefore, you should never take gas leaks lightly. Hiring professional plumbing services can help you detect any possible gas leaks or other plumbing issues before they cause serious damage.

Here are 4 gas leak signs that you need to pay attention to.

Hissing Sound

You might have a gas leak if you hear a hissing sound when you’re near your stove or gas pipes. A hissing sound normally indicates a substantial leak. If a hissing sound comes from your AC, it could indicate a leaking refrigerant line, a bad compressor, or a leaking valve. Turn off the system and call a professional to check it immediately.

Rotten Egg Smell

Natural gas is naturally odorless. However, a distinct smell is given to it for safety reasons. Utility companies use an additive called mercaptan that gives natural gas its distinct rotten egg, sulphuric smell, which is hard to miss.

Dead Plants

Natural gas is lethal for all living beings, including plants. When the plants in your house start to die away without warning, there might be a gas leak. See if plants are more likely to fail and die in a specific area than others. This can help you identify the place where the gas leak is.  

Physical Symptoms

When a gas leak is ignored for too long, people living in the house can experience several health issues. The most common symptoms caused by a gas leak can include:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Drowsiness or increased fatigue
  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
  • Ear, throat, and nose irritation
  • Flu-like signs, such as headaches and nausea
  • Chest pain
  • Nosebleeds
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Decreased appetite

A gas leak is even harmful to pets, causing them to feel lethargic or disoriented or causing vomiting. Pets can also experience breathing problems or red, watery eyes when exposed to a gas leak. Homeowners need to take rapid action if they notice any of the signs mentioned above in their homes.

What To Do if You Find a Gas Leak

You’re suggested not to use any electronic devices in the house and leave the property immediately. Do not use a cell phone or a landline phone while in the house. Once you reach a safe location, call a gas company to report the leak. After the gas company has tagged the leak, call the plumbing services near you and immediately book an appointment for repair.

If you’re looking for professional plumbing services in Germantown, MD, Your 1 Plumber can help you. We offer our clients high-quality and professional plumbing services, including water line repairs, sewer repairs, and much more.

Contact us today to learn more about our plumbing services.

7 Ideas for Modern Kitchen Faucets

Think of your kitchen sink faucet as the final, important accessory to your kitchen design. Some people overlook the importance of having a good faucet, but it’s important for every kitchen as it’s used many times throughout the day. A modern kitchen faucet and reliable plumbing services are necessary for high functionality.  

Here are 7 modern kitchen faucet ideas for your kitchen.

Gold Gooseneck Faucet

A golden gooseneck faucet can be a beautiful addition to your kitchen. This beauty is a deck-mounted brass bridge faucet with lever handles and curved legs. A gooseneck faucet releases water much higher than other traditional faucets, making it easier to access and giving you more room to stack and clean plates. A brushed gold gooseneck faucet is one of the best finishes you can have in your kitchen.

A Brass Faucet

Many people prefer minimalistic luxury features for their house’s interior, including the kitchen. Choose a brushed brass faucet with a pull-down head to go with your tessellating white tiles and a kitchen island with a marble slab. This slim and minimalistic design will feel both unfussy and classy.

Single-Handle Kitchen Faucet

If you don’t like high-arc faucets or have low cabinets in your kitchen, this idea is for you. Install single-handle low-arc faucets with side sprayers to help rinse the dishes and sink easily.  

West Slope Kitchen Faucet

A west slope kitchen faucet is made of high-quality solid brass and brings functionality and a streamlined style to your kitchen space. Quarter-turn ceramic cartridges ensure the functionality and smoothness of the handles for years to come.

Get yourself to modern west slope faucet and add both luxury and functionality to your kitchen.

Connor Bridge Kitchen Faucet

A Connor bridge kitchen faucet is worth the splurge for people who love a sleek design. Connor bridge faucet paired with a sprayer can be a dream come true for avid home chefs. The double-handled faucet and sprayer are made from solid brass for durability and come in many finishes to go with many styles.  

Matte Black Single-Handle Spring-Neck Faucet

Doesn’t matter even if you are living in a lofty apartment or a modern farmhouse. Get a budget-friendly single-handle faucet that comes with multiple spray settings. This deck-mount faucet includes an industrial silhouette and a moody, modern finish that will complement your white subway tile. Single-handle spring-neck faucets are made from solid brass and are corrosion-resistant and water spots resistant.

You can hire Your 1 Plumber for reliable plumbing services in Maryland. We have been in the plumbing industry for more than 15 years and have some of the most experienced plumbers on our team. Our plumbers can help with new faucet installations and many other plumbing installation services.

Get in touch with us by call or email and book an appointment today.

Which Material Is the Best For Well Casings?

Many aspects need to be considered to build a water well, and one of them is the well casing. A well casing protects and maintains the well opening. Therefore, it’s important for a well casing to stay protected from cracks and other damages. A plumbing service company can help you choose the best material for your well casing.   

While there are multiple options, many technical factors affect the decision.

Steel

Most people choose carbon steel as one of the most common choices for well casings.

Carbon steel is an inexpensive material that is also very strong. Carbon steel well casing is unlikely to malfunction and is even used for deep wells.

The main disadvantage of a carbon steel well casing is its prone to corrosion. Water exposure causes carbon steel to rust if the well water contains high mineral and salt concentrations, it will rust even faster. When rust spreads, it damages the well casing’s structural reliability, causing the well casing to collapse.

If you want to stop the casing from rusting, you can choose stainless steel instead. Stainless steel’s price point is much higher compared to carbon steel. Using stainless steel will reduce the risk of rust, but the overall cost of well installation increases.

PVC

PVC is commonly used to make well casings for modern wells. PVC is corrosion-resistant and fairly strong. PVC is also economical, making it a good alternative for people with low budgets and saving installation costs.

However, PVC is not as strong as carbon steel, which can heighten the risk of a total well collapse. When the well casing fails, your well gets damaged, and the pump may see damage as well. If you choose PVC, you will have to conserve water throughout droughts to maintain the water pressure in the well.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass can be a good choice if you’re not sure about steel and PVC; a well casing made of fiberglass won’t corrode. Fiberglass is generally more robust than PVC, which means it’s an ideal choice to ensure the well casing won’t malfunction. It’s normally less expensive than stainless steel, but it’s more expensive than PVC.

Your 1 Plumber is a famous plumbing company that provides a variety of plumbing services, one of which includes water well system repairs. We provide plumbing services in Frederick, Silver Springs, Columbia, and nearby areas.

So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to us today to know more about our services.

Water Heater Replacement or Repair? Learn What Your Bathroom Needs

Even well-maintained water heaters can lose efficiency over time. When your water heater malfunctions or breaks, you’ll need to decide whether you need a water heater replacement or repair? Will it be worth it to fix it? Or will you’ve to buy and install a new one?

Read on to learn what factors to consider when making your decision.

Age of the Water Heater

On average, the lifespan of a water heater is 10 years. If your water heater is a decade old, it’s better to replace it when it finally stops working. If your water heater is relatively new and has been working properly, you should try and repair it.

Some water heaters last longer than other water heaters. Many things impact the lifespan of a water heater, including maintenance, location, and how frequently it’s drained and flushed. A 10 year lifespan is a general guideline and not a hard rule. If your tank is corroded or rusty, it’s better to replace it, even if it hasn’t been 10 years yet.

Does the Water Heater Provide Enough Hot Water?

Depending on the daily hot water usage and the number of people in the house, a water heater that once provided enough hot water might not be able to work as effectively anymore.

Call your plumbing service representative to evaluate your water heater’s capacity and the expected volume of hot water you need currently. If your water heater can’t provide enough hot water, installing a new water heater is ideal.

Efficiency: High Water Bills

Many water heaters come with a sticker on the side that shows the estimated yearly operation cost. Check the R-value of the storage tank as it measures how well the water heater resists heat. If the R-value is high, it means your water heater tank is installed properly. If the R-value is less than 24, you might have to replace it.

You can also check the energy factor of your water heater. This number shows the heater’s efficiency; a higher number means it’s more efficient. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll cost less annually.

Damage:  The Cause of Water Heater Issues

The water heater’s capacity can also be affected by some damage. It’s better to hire a professional technician to help you assess the water heater and educate you about the repair and replacement costs. If there’s a leak in your water heater, chances are you might have to replace it. Other problems, such as your water heater working slowly or not at all, may require less expensive solutions.

Your1Plumber is a professional plumbing company in Maryland which provides plumbing services in Frederick, Germantown, Laurel and many other places. Our plumbers can help you decide whether you need water heater repair or replacement with a single inspection. You can call us anytime at our toll-free number 1(888)5407586.

What Causes Calcium Build-up in Your Pipes?

Your plumbing system can get clogged for many reasons, from unwanted items you accidentally throw into the drain to everyday grease, oils, food waste, and disposable products.

Fortunately, most of the clogging in the drain or other pipelines is fairly easy to clean. However, calcium buildup in water pipes and drains is another type of blockage that is not simple to identify or fix.

That’s why it’s always recommended that you hire a professional plumber to take care of any calcium clogging in the water lines.

What is the cause of calcium buildup?

Calcium deposits in your home’s pipeline are not uncommon. If your home receives hard water from the main line, you will likely face calcium buildup from time to time. Hard water has a high mineral content which includes potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

If the water lines containing hard water are not regularly cleaned and maintained, the calcium may accumulate over time and cause complete blockage or corrosion.

How to identify calcium buildup?

It’s easy to identify whether there’s hard water in the main water supply. All you have to do is look for limescale or white stains in your sink, toilet, dishwasher, and other plumbing fixtures.

How to treat hard water to reduce calcium buildup?

If you see signs of calcium buildup in your plumbing, there are two major ways to resolve this problem.

Installing PEX piping: PEX plastic pipes offer more resistance to high mineral content in the hard water as compared to steel and copper pipes.

Consider using a water softener: A water softener can help you remove and counteract the high levels of magnesium, calcium, or potassium contained in the hard water. This significantly helps in reducing the calcium buildup in pipes.

Another easy home remedy for removing excess calcium in the faucets and showerheads is to soak them in vinegar. Vinegar softens the calcium deposits in the plumbing fixtures and eventually removes them.

If your pipes are clogged, or there are other signs of calcium buildup in your plumbing system, Your 1 Plumber can help you. We offer reliable and affordable plumbing services to our customers in Columbia, MD, including organic drain cleaning services, water line repairs, sewer repairs, and much more.

At Your 1 Plumber, we ensure that our experts are highly trained and certified in providing quality plumbing services. Our team also provides an upfront price before we can start working on the project to avoid any miscommunication.

Contact us today to learn more about our plumbing services.

Why Do Plumbing Pipes Bang, Whistle, And Creak?

If you want to avoid spending thousands on your plumbing system, you must be aware of potential issues with your home’s plumbing. Looking out for telltale warning signs can help you locate the plumbing issue in advance, and avoid major repair costs.

One of the most common ways to identify a plumbing issue is to look out for weird noises the pipes make. If your plumbing system makes any cracking, whistling, and banging noises, you must immediately call a professional plumbing service to take care of the problem.

But why do the plumbing pipes make such noises? Read on to find out.

Cracking or creaking sounds

If your pipes are creaking or cracking when you turn on the tap, this indicates that your water pipes are expanding and contracting. If the water is too hot, it heats the pipe and causes it to expand. This makes a creaking sound inside the pipe.

As soon as you turn off the tap, the pipes cool down, and the metal starts contracting, which again causes it to make a creaking or cracking noise. One way to fix this issue is to have insulation installed around the pipe.

Filename: pipe

Alt-text: steel pipelines

Whistling

Squealing or whistling in plumbing pipes is usually caused when the water is forced into a smaller opening. This happens when the water pressure is too high and the pipes’ openings are small. Or sometimes, the accumulating debris or mineral build-up in the faucets can reduce the size of the opening and cause it to whistle when you turn on the tap.

A simple way to fix this issue is by cleaning your water faucets or replacing the washer inside the tap.

Banging

A banging sound is a common plumbing issue that occurs when you shut off the water supply from any water faucet. This banging sound is also sometimes known as a water hammer. When you turn off the faucet suddenly, the water pressure stops abruptly and causes the pipes to bang against each other, creating a hammering sound.

If you’re looking for a professional water repair service in Germantown, MD, Your 1 Plumber can help you. We offer a range of professional plumbing services to our clients, including organic drain cleaning services, water line repairs, sewer repairs, and much more.

Contact us today to learn more about our plumbing services.

Signs That Your Water Pressure Is Too High

If you want to avoid costly household repairs, you should reach out to a plumbing professional, like Your 1 Plumber, to have a detailed inspection before it’s too late.

But how do you determine if your water pressure is too high? Here are some signs that indicate high water pressure.

Leaking pipes

When the water pressure is high, it puts a lot of stress and strain on your plumbing system. Unnecessary strain on the pipelines may cause the joints to loosen up, or the pressure may develop pinhole leakages in the piping. If you don’t get it repaired in time, it may lead to costly water damage to your home and could also cause mold growth.

Water hammer

Another sign of increased water pressure is a loud noise when the bathroom or kitchen faucet is suddenly switched off. Due to its resemblance to a loud hammering noise, this problem is called a water hammer. When the water flow changes its direction or stops abruptly, increased water pressure may cause the pipes to bang with each other.

Besides the loud noise, the water hammer can even break your pipes. Although the noise is much louder in steel piping, the results can also be dangerous if your home has plastic piping.

Damaged appliances

High water pressure affects your dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater. In some cases, you may not be able to claim a warranty if the appliances are affected by water pressure. Inspect your appliances for any leakages or unwanted noises which may indicate that the appliances are suffering from intense wear and tear due to high pressure.

Increasing utility bills

When your water pressure increases, you naturally use more water which results in higher utility bills. If you notice that your utility bills are shooting suddenly or you are paying significantly more than your neighbors, it might be a sign of high water pressure.

If you’re looking for a professional water repair service in Germantown, MD, Your 1 Plumber can help you. We offer a range of professional plumbing services to our clients, including organic drain cleaning services, water line repairs, sewer repairs, and much more.

Contact us today to learn more about our plumbing services.

Common Problems with Your Home Water Heater

If you’re someone who cannot live without hot water baths, you wouldn’t want to face any issues with your water heater. A water heater is an invaluable appliance that might not always be visible, but you can never ignore its importance.

Apart from regularly maintaining your water heater, you should always check your appliance for potential issues before it’s too late. Early identification of heater problems can not only save you a lot of money but will also extend its life.

Let’s look at some of the most common water heater issues.

Water leakages

The most common type of water heater issue is a water leak. No matter how good your water heater is, it may eventually start to leak. The reason for water leaks is simple―the water eventually corrodes the tank and develops microscopic fractures and cracks, which can lead to leakages.

However, this is not always a sign of water heater leakage, as sometimes the water may be leaking from the loosened pipe connections. The best way to determine what is causing the leakage is calling a professional plumber for a detailed inspection before it is too late.

No or little hot water

If your water tank is full, but you don’t receive any hot water in your kitchen or bathroom, the issue could be with the source. If you have an electric water heater, there might be some issue with the electrical connections.

Or, if you are using a gas heater, the reason for no hot water could be a fault in your gas connection. If the pilot light on the heater is on, but your gas is not igniting, you may need to repair the burner.

It is always recommended that before you try to fix the issue yourself, you should call an experienced plumber to have a look.

Inconsistent water temperatures

If you are getting water that’s too hot or too cold even after adjusting the thermostat, this may be a sign of a malfunctioning water heater. You may need to replace your thermostat or get it repaired so that it can sense the temperatures currently and you get the right water temperature in each tap.

If you’re looking for a water heater repair service in Frederick, Maryland, Your 1 Plumber can help you. We provide quality plumbing repair and installation services, including waterline repair service, toilet repairs, sewer repairs, and much more.

Contact us today to learn more about our plumbing services.

The Homeowner’s Complete Guide to Plumbing Maintenance

The plumbing system in your home can be intricate, and if something goes wrong with it, it can lead to serious repairs to the system. Plus, if something like drain backflow happens, you’ll have dirty water flooding your home, which can damage everything, including furniture and appliances. Naturally, you need to always be careful about keeping your plumbing system in good health. So, here are some tips that can help with that.  

Clean the Water Heater

The water heater is essential for your home, and if you’ve had the heater for a while now, you must consider washing it or flushing it clean. That’s because the water that comes to your home has impurities, and they can start settling down on the base of the water tank inside the heater.

Impurities can cause the water to take longer than normal to heat. So, it’s always a useful idea to cut the water supply and let the warm water drain. That water will carry the impurities out, and then you can fill up the tank again.

Clean Fixtures with Vinegar

Vinegar is an amazing cleaning agent, and it can help you clean a lot of things in your home, including bathroom and kitchen faucets and even showerheads. If the holes in your showerhead are clogged, unscrew it from the shower and leave it soaked in vinegar. After that, just put some pressure on the clogged holes, and they should be clean.

Regular Inspections for Leaks

It’s always important to regularly check your water lines and faucets for leaks. Most of the time, these inspections are overlooked, and if you have a water leak that’s not fixed, it can lead to an increase in water bills and water wastage. If you have a busy schedule and cannot do regular inspections yourself, then you can hire us.

We are a plumbing company from Germantown, Maryland, that provides plumbing services across different cities in the state. Our plumbers are experts at electric water heater installations and repairs and faucet installations and repairs. If you’re having drainage problems such as frequent clogging or leaks, we even provide drain cleaning services. So, get in touch with us through email or call and book an appointment.

What Causes Leaky Faucets And How To Prevent It From Happening Again

If you’ve started noticing an unexpected rise in your water bills, it may be due to an unnoticed leaky faucet. Leaky faucets aren’t uncommon, with reports suggesting that Americans waste almost 1 trillion gallons of water annually due to leaks. Faucets are one of the most common things that are overlooked when maintaining, and you can never know what their condition is. However, even with regular maintenance, faucets can leak, and some of the causes of those leaks are as follows.

Damaged Cartridge

This type of issue is most common with cartridge-style faucets. Any faucet with two different handles to control hot and cold water is mostly a cartridge-style faucet. The cartridge is essentially the valve on both sides of the handle, and if it’s damaged, it can cause the water to drip. To prevent it from damage, you should always avoid tightening your faucets too hard as it can exert pressure on the cartridge.

Water Pressure

The water pressure in your home is also one of the causes for your faucets to leak. Most faucets are designed to withstand a certain amount of pressure, and if the water pressure increases, then it can cause the faucet to leak. You need to check with your municipal about the water pressure, and if they say that it’s permanent, you’ll need a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) in your plumbing system.

Broken Washer

If your faucet is leaking, one of the first things to assume is that the washer is damaged, as it is one of the most common causes for your faucet to leak. Washers are round rubber-shaped items that rest between the valve set, and can deteriorate over time, allowing water to start leaking between them. Even though you cannot prevent the washer from damaging, you can hire us regularly to help replace it with a new one.

You can hire us for other plumbing services as well. We have been in the plumbing industry for more than 15 years and have some of the most experienced plumbers employed. Our plumbers can help with new faucet installations, plumbing installations, water heater services, and water line repair services. So, if you’re looking to get your faucets repaired, then get in touch with us by call or email and book an appointment.

Signs Of Gas Leaks in Your Home

The majority of the homes in the US have at least one appliance that relies on natural gas. To protect yourself and your family from the harmful consequences of any potential gas leaks, it’s vital to understand how to identify if there’s a leak in your home.

How to tell if there’s a leak?

Rotten odor

One of the easiest ways to tell if there’s a gas leak in your home is the “rotten egg odor”. Gas companies intentionally add Mercaptan, a chemical that adds a noticeable smell to the natural gas. Although the smell is pungent, it makes it very easy for people to detect a leak before it’s too late.

If you smell any rotten egg or sulfur in your home without any apparent source, it might be an indication that there’s a leak. Call an inspection service immediately!

Fatigue and Sickness

If you’re exposed to a gas leak for a long time, it can induce deadly symptoms such as weakness, sickness, suffocation, nausea, and severe headaches. If you and your family members feel abnormally fatigued and sick, call an ambulance. And get your house checked for any gas leaks.

Irritated skin

An abundance of natural gas in your home can cause numbness and blisters. If you feel that your skin is irritating too often, it might be due to a gas leak in your home. Moreover, exposure to CO may also discolor your skin.

Dead plants or bushes

If a gas leak is not detected for a long time, it can affect the health of your houseplants. As plants need sufficient oxygen to thrive, exposure to natural gas can affect the oxygen level and affect the plants’ health.

If you notice any of the mentioned signs, you must immediately call a plumber to inspect your home for any possible leakage. Your 1 Plumber offers one of the best plumbing services in Columbia. The company offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with our services.

Our up-front pricing policy ensures that our customers are aware of all the costs before we start working. We also offer organic drain cleaner service, water line repair, plumbing installation, and much more.

Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Reasons Why You Could Have Inconsistent Water Supply in Your Home

It’s always best to call a plumber to inspect your water supplies in case there’s an underlying issue that could cost you hefty repairs down the road. But you don’t need to worry about an inconsistent water supply too much as it is very common and treatable.

Here are a few common causes why you might be facing an inconsistent water supply.

Limescale buildup

If your area has a supply of hard water (water consisting of high levels of magnesium, calcium, etc.), limescale can sometimes build up inside your water lines. This issue is more prevalent in hot water pipes since limescale is formed when hard water is heated.

When the buildup worsens, it restricts the pipe’s diameter and lowers the water pressure.

Filename: tap

Alt-text: a droplet dripping from a tap

Fault in your pressure regulator

Unless you’re a plumber yourself, you might not be aware of a pressure regulator installed in your home. This particular device helps you convert a high-pressure supply of water from the city into a low-pressure supply that won’t damage your residential piping system.

Old, galvanized pipes

If you have a home that was built in the mid-1900s, then you might be using the old, galvanized steel piping. The galvanized pipes have an anti-rust coat that can last for years. However, when it does wear out, the pipes can easily start to corrode from the insides.

This corrosion may create a thick buildup inside your piping and reduce the diameter of the pipes. This results in lower water pressure in your taps. If you still have galvanized steel pipes, it’s best to go for a replacement.

If you’re experiencing a low water pressure or an inconsistent water supply in your home, you can call our professionals and have your water lines inspected right away. Your 1 Plumber offers one of the best plumbing services in Columbia. Our up-front pricing policy ensures that our customers are aware of all the costs before we start working. We also offer organic drain cleaner service, water line repair, plumbing installation, and much more.

We also company offer a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with our services.

Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Humidifier Safety Alert

Properly care for your room humidifiers – dirty humidifiers may cause health problems!

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is alerting consumers to possible health hazards resulting from dirty room humidifiers. The CPSC has found that bacteria and fungi often grow in the tanks of portable and console room humidifiers and can be released in the mist. Breathing dirty mist may cause lung problems ranging from flu-like symptoms to serious infection. This information is of special concern to allergy or asthma sufferers whose symptoms may be increased.

Film or scum appearing on the water surface, on the sides or bottom of the tank, or on exposed motor parts may indicate that the humidifier tank contains bacteria or fungi. A crusty deposit or scale may also form within the tank or on parts in the water. This scale is composed of minerals that have settled out of the water creating a surface on which bacteria or fungi may grow.

Minerals can also be released in the mist and settle as fine white dust. This white dust may contain particles that are small enough to enter the lungs. The health effects from inhaling this humidifier dust are not clear, any impact on human health will depend upon the types and amounts of minerals found in the water used.

To reduce the possibility of health hazards from dirty room humidifiers, the staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that you take the following precautions:

  • Do not allow film and scale to develop in your humidifier. If possible, change the water in your room humidifier daily. Empty the tank before you fill it. If the tank is not removable, clean it often according to manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Use distilled or demineralized water in your room humidifier to reduce the buildup of scale and the release of dust. Do not use tap water because it contains more minerals. Use demineralization cartridges or filters if supplied or recommended for use with your humidifier.
  • Drain and clean the tank of your room humidifier before you store it. Clean it after summer storage. Remove dust on the outside of your unit.
  • Clean your room humidifier well and often during the heating season. Be sure to unplug the humidifier before cleaning. Follow the manufacturer’s suggested cleaning methods. If chlorine bleach or other cleaning product or disinfectant is used, make sure to rinse the tank well to avoid breathing harmful chemicals. Use a brush or other scrubber to clean the tank. Be careful not to damage the motor or to scratch the inner surface. Clean or replace sponge filters or belts when needed.
  • Maintain the relative humidity in your home between 30% and 50% if possible. Humidity levels above 60% may allow moisture to build up indoors and condense on surfaces, where bacteria and fungi can settle and grow. You can measure humidity with an instrument called a hygrometer, available at your local hardware store.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – CPSC Document #5046