O'Neill Plumbing

The Advantages Copper Piping Offers over Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel was a popular material to use for home plumbing in years past, but copper is recognized as a superior material for several reasons. Especially for plumbing applications, copper carries several advantages over galvanized steel, and even other materials. Professional plumbers choose copper and often recommend it to homeowners when they have plumbing repairs or replacement work done.

• Copper resists corrosion. One of the key reasons copper is ideal for plumbing use is that it is far less susceptible to corrosion than galvanized steel. In fact, copper does not rust and will not deposit sediment in your home's plumbing system or water heater. The nature of copper piping also makes it cleaner, as bacteria and mold cannot grow within these pipes.
• Copper is flexible. Galvanized steel is strong, but it cannot be bent or formed in the way copper piping can. Today's plumbers don't use galvanized steel anymore, though it can still be found in older homes. Replacing galvanized steel plumbing with copper pipes is economical for many homeowners because of the flexible nature of copper, which facilitates installation.
• Copper ages better. Galvanized steel, once it reaches a certain age, is not only susceptible to rust, but will also weaken. It is more prone to leaks and may burst over time, and once it has reached a certain point, failures can happen without warning. Copper lasts much longer and even provides better water pressure than steel pipes.
• Copper can extend the life of your equipment. Copper itself will not rust, so it won't deposit metal and related sediment into your water heater or the rest of your home's plumbing. This can greatly extend the life of your water heater and make maintenance much easier.

If you would like to learn more about replacing your home's galvanized steel plumbing with copper, contact O'Neill Plumbing at (206) 932-5283 and schedule an inspection with us. You can also visit us on the Web to learn more about our comprehensive residential plumbing services.

Tips for Troubleshooting Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals can become jammed by debris or stray silverware, or reset themselves if they overheat. Identifying the problem can help you decide if you need the assistance of a plumber or if you can handle it on your own.

In this video, you can learn how to reset a tripped garbage disposal with a small red switch on the bottom of the unit. A jammed garbage disposal can often be cleared with an Allen wrench, freeing up the object that caused the jam in the first place for easy removal. However, if you notice water leaking out of the bottom of your garbage disposal, immediately contact your plumber for replacement. As electricity and water are involved, it’s best to let a professional handle these types of cases.

O'Neill Plumbing can tackle difficult garbage disposal issues with our experience and equipment. Contact us at (206) 932-5283 to schedule a service with us, or head to our website to learn more about what we do.

What Causes Water Heaters to Lose Their Efficiency as They Age?

Like any appliance, water heaters become less efficient as they get older. While your plumber can help you extend the life of your water heater, there will be a time when you want to seriously consider water heater replacement with a newer and more efficient unit. Below are some of the reasons that water heaters become less efficient as they age.

Component Degradation

Your water heater contains a heating element or burner, which is the main part of the unit that heats the water in the tank. With electrical units, the element will simply become less effective as it gets older. Gas burners may also not combust as efficiently, wasting gas and raising your costs. Your water heater also contains an anode rod that is designed to "attract" the corrosive effects of water and preserve the integrity of your tank's walls, which degrades over time. Thermostats and other electrical components can also wear as they get older, becoming less accurate or simply not functioning as well.

Corrosion

Over time, the anode rod is eventually consumed, and corrosion begins to work upon the inner walls of the water heater tank. The corrosion eats away at the metal of the tank and reduces its insulation. This can impact efficiency and deposit flakes of metal into your tank’s water.

Sediment Buildup

Sediment occurs naturally in pipes supplied by municipal water sources. As sediment accumulates at the bottom of your tank, it interferes with the even heating of the water and can cause your water heater to make high-pitched noises during operation. When combined with corrosion, it can quickly bring about severe problems for your water heater.

You can help prevent these issues with yearly inspections from your professional plumber, which can include draining your water heater to flush out sediment and inspecting the anode rod to see if needs to be replaced. If your water heater is beyond a certain age, you may want to seriously consider water heater replacement. O'Neill Plumbing can help by offering a selection of efficient models and tankless designs. Contact us at (206) 932-5283 or visit us online today.

Find Out More about Dealing with Your Plumbing Problems by Visiting These Links

Plumbing problems can waste water and money. Learn some tips on solving your plumbing problems by checking out these sites.

• The EPA estimates that as many as 1 trillion gallons of water are leaked from U.S. homes every year. Do your part and get the facts from the agency’s Water Sense program, part of Fix a Leak Week.
• Learn about the start of the so-called “trenchless revolution” and the numerous solutions trenchless technology offers residents and businesses. USWaterNews.com had the scoop.
• Check out the advantages of a tankless water heater. Find out why EnergySavers.gov says it’s a good investment in energy efficiency.
• Have you just moved into a new place? Learn how to spot plumbing problems from the beginning with this useful advice from MyMove.com
• You can save big each month by fixing a leak. Find out where the potential trouble spots are in your home by reading this article from AZCentral.com.

For expert help on all your plumbing problems, call O’Neill Plumbing in West Seattle. We’ve got over 90 years of experience in the community. Call us today at (206) 932-5283 for a free estimate.

Need Water or Sewer Line Repair? Trenchless Technology Keeps Your Landscaping Intact!

There’s no longer the need to destroy your entire front yard to repair water or sewer lines. With no-dig, trenchless technology, the landscaping around your home will stay intact; and that’s just one of the many benefits of trenchless technology.

What it is

Trenchless technology is a form of engineering focused on micro-excavations. It aims to minimize the obstruction and destruction that conventional trench digging often inflicts on commercial and residential structures. For you, it means less time spent with a broken water or sewer line, and less damage to your yard.

How it Works

Trenchless technology is a sophisticated process of water line replacement that doesn’t require lengthy digging procedures. Here’s how it works:

1. The troubled line is located via electronic location.
2. Small access points to the damaged pipe are created.
3. A cable is inserted through one access point and pulled through the path of the damaged line.
4. The specially designed cable tears out the old pipe, leaving a fresh cavity.
5. As the cable is threaded along the path, it leaves a brand new and more durable line behind.

All this is done underground, with minimal damage to your landscaping.

What it Means

Trenchless technology repairs your drains quickly without damage to your garden, driveway or patio, saving money, time, and mess while your severely damaged line is removed and replaced. In addition to all these things, trenchless technology prevents other underground utility lines from being damaged, giving you and your neighbors peace of mind.

To find out more about trenchless technology, contact O’Neill Plumbing. Our plumbing business started as a one-man operation with Mr. O’Neill in 1917. Today, we operate three divisions and our plumbers focus on serving the local community in West Seattle. We offer expert plumbing service, water heater replacements, no-dig trenchless technology, and other services. Call us today at (206) 932-5283.