Pet Dander & Indoor Air Quality
5 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Pet-Friendly Home
As many people know, owning a pet is one of the most rewarding relationships you can have. Even when they drive you crazy because they won’t let you sleep in on your days off, they keep knocking things off the coffee table or they won’t allow you to eat a meal in peace, the unconditional furry love they give you is worth every headache they cause.
Of course, some of those pet-related headaches aren’t caused by their kooky behavior. Some of those headaches are caused by air quality that’s been compromised by fur and pet dander. Since good indoor air quality is essential to your overall health and wellbeing, we’ve got a few tips for ways to improve your air quality and enjoy your pets without the headaches!
1. Change Your Air Filters
Air filters are your first line of defense against poor air quality. They catch large airborne particles, like fur, and trap them so they won’t circulate through your ventilation system. If your pet isn’t much of a shedder, you can probably get away with changing your filter once every two to three months, but if you have a super-shedder on your hands, change your filters once a month.
2. Invest in a Whole House Air Filter
Like the air filters you install at the return, a whole house air filter will remove airborne allergens like hair and pet dander from your air, however it’s a much more powerful air cleaner than a filter is on its own. Regular air filters are installed at the return, while a whole house filter is installed in the heating and cooling system itself, and last much longer than regular air filters. Use them in addition to your disposable filters to effectively minimize the pet hair and dander in your home’s air.
3. Keep Up To Date On Your Furnace & AC Maintenance
Much like changing your filters will help keep fur and dander out of your ducts and vents, having your home comfort system regularly tuned up removes any dirt, dust and dander that may have built up inside the furnace and AC unit over time. Regular maintenance not only keeps pet-related allergens out of your air, it also significantly improves the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling system, so don’t let it slide!
4. Regular Baths & Grooming
Most pets put up a fight when it comes to bath time, but it needs to be done. Giving you pet at least one bath per month will reduce shedding and dander, in turn reducing their impact on the quality of your home’s air. In addition, regularly grooming your pet will reduce the amount of hair that
5. Use a Vacuum with a HEPA Filter
Regularly vacuuming your floors help eliminate the fur and dander that contribute to poor air quality, regardless of the filter your vacuum uses. However, a vacuum with a HEPA filter eliminates significantly more fur and dander. HEPA filters remove 99.97% of airborne particles measuring 0.3 microns or greater, leaving not just your floors but your air cleaner.
Limit Your Pets’ Effect on Your Air Quality
As much as you love your pets and insist they can do no wrong, it’s important to acknowledge the problems their fur can cause for your home’s indoor air quality. RupCoe can help you take steps to limit your pets’ effect on your air quality with professional indoor air quality services. Call us at (908) 226-1616 to get started!
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Avoiding Garbage Disposal Repair
Check It Before You Chuck It! What Summer Foods Not To Put In The Garbage Disposal
Summer is here, and with it comes delicious summer produce perfect for backyard barbecues and picnics at the park. When you head over to the Green Olive Market or Green Farmer’s Market to find seasonal fruits and vegetables, you probably won’t be thinking about which items should or should not be put into your garbage disposal.
However, as you’re preparing or disposing of your meals, compatibility of your food waste and your garage disposal is definitely something you should be conscious of in order to avoid costly complications.
Your garbage disposal is an amazing tool that makes cleaning up after meals quick & convenient, but some foods aren’t well suited for the mechanics of the disposal. A garbage disposal works by cutting and grinding food scraps into a pulp that easily washes down your drain and to the wastewater treatment facility, where it will be filtered out and used to make fertilizer.
| Examples of Disposal-Safe Foods | Foods That Can Destroy Your Disposal |
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If any food causes the blades to jam or break, it can mean a gnarly (and expensive) garbage disposal repair job for you to deal with. By being mindful of the foods that can damage your garbage disposal, you can avoid breakdowns and costly repairs this summer, and beyond.
If you’re unsure of whether it’s garbage disposal-safe, follow these guidelines:
- Most vegetables are disposal-safe, however fibrous and starchy vegetables (like celery and potatoes) not. Due to their sinewy nature, the strings of these veggies can get tangled in your disposal blades and cause them to jam and stop rotating.
- Although some claim small, cooked bones from fish or chicken wings are generally safe, most animal products besides the meat itself, are not recommended. Grease and solid fats, as well as larger bones from beef and pork, are a big No-No!
- Shellfish shells should never go in your garbage disposal.
- Coffee grounds and eggshells are technically disposal-safe, but can contribute to drain clogs, so these should also be disposed of in the trash can.
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Remember to Check It Before You Chuck It!
If you remember to check our list before you chuck scraps in your disposal, your garbage disposal should be safe from breakdowns. If, however, it does stop working, call RupCoe first. We’re always available at <a href=”tel:9082261616″>(908)226-1616</a>; we’ll respond quickly and do the repairs at a reasonable price.
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Beat the Heat
10 Tips to Optimize Your AC & Stay Cool This Summer
Ah, summer. Over 40% of New Jerseyites call summer their favorite season, and for good reason. It’s a glorious time of camping and cookouts, lazy days and lounging in the sun.
However, it’s also a season of glorious heat and humidity. Some days your air conditioner is your only salvation. On those days you want to be sure your AC is going to work and work well. Follow these 10 tips to get the most out of your air conditioning and stay cool this summer.
1. Get A Tune-Up. You should have your air conditioner tuned up every year to ensure it’s prepared for the workload summer heat will put on it. If you haven’t already gotten your annual AC tune-up, call RupCoe to schedule today.
2. Regularly Change Your Filters. Check your air filters monthly. Change them when they’re dirty—at least once every three months—to guarantee your HVAC system’s best airflow.
3. Don’t Let Your Thermostat Get Hot. If your thermostat is too close to lamps, TVs or other heat sources, it will pick up on the heat and tell your air conditioner to run for longer than necessary.
4. Set A Higher Temperature. 78 degrees is the ideal temperature for maximum AC efficiency, but we understand if that’s a little too warm for you. Make sure you set your thermostat as close to 78 as is comfortable for you.
5. Consider Installing A Programmable Thermostat. With a programmable thermostat you can preset your temperature be higher while you’re away from home, saving energy without sacrificing comfort or having to remember to change the settings as you come and go. If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, call us to install one.
6. Weatherize. Remember your mom yelling at you to shut that door! We’re not paying to air condition the outside!? This is the same principle. Make sure your cool air stays inside by sealing your windows and doors with caulk and weather stripping.
7. Use Ceiling Fans. Ceiling fans can make a room feel as much as three degrees cooler when they’re on, and they use much less energy than your air conditioner does. Turn on your fans and turn up your thermostat save money while you stay cool this summer.
8. Keep AC Unit Clear Of Debris. Make sure your air conditioning unit has about 3 feet of clearance on all sides. This guarantees it will have proper airflow and run efficiently.
9. Tint Your Windows. Window films and window tinting not only reduce the amount of heat filtering in through your windows, they also protect your furniture from being faded by UV rays. You can have them professionally installed or do it yourself if you’re handy.
10. Consider Replacement. If you’re keeping up with proper maintenance and following energy efficiency guidelines, but your air conditioner still isn’t working well and making your space comfortably cool, it may be time to call RupCoe for a replacement unit.
Call RupCoe for more great tips!
As central New Jersey’s choice for heating and air conditioning services for over 30 years now, you can count on us to steer you right when it comes to staying cool in the summer. Call us with any questions and concerns, or to schedule service! (908) 226-1616
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What to Look For When Choosing a Home Contractor
Four Signs You’ve Found a Reliable Contractor
If your Central New Jersey home needs plumbing or HVAC work, one of the most important decisions you can make to ensure a job well done comes down to who you hire. You don’t want to become a home improvement horror story, after all! If you hire a less than trustworthy contractor, you could end up in worse shape than you started with, with poor workmanship, no improvements at all, and/or a slew of additional expenses. However, if you hire an honest contractor, like RupCoe Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, you’ll get the results you want in a timely and budget-friendly manner.
Don’t get swindled by an unprofessional contractor. Learn to look for the signs of a contractor that values it’s customers and employs good business practices by following our guide below.
1. Licenses, Certifications & Professional Memberships
You know you’ve found someone who truly cares about the quality of their work when they’ve dedicated the time, effort, and resources necessary to become licensed or certified in their field. A contractor who maintains membership in professional organizations is dedicated to being an industry-finest professional. RupCoe, for example, is licensed by the state of New Jersey to meet all your plumbing and HVAC needs; this shows our pride in delivering a finished product that will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
2. Knowledge & Experience
A licensed, certified contractor has proven that they know their industry, but you want a contractor with more than just strong technical knowledge; you want someone who’s been working in the industry long enough to truly know the industry. RupCoe Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning has served Central New Jersey families and businesses for over 30 years. We’ve seen every plumbing and home comfort issue you can think of and can meet any need you have. That’s the kind of contractor you can trust to complete your home improvement project with professionalism and skill.
3. Long-Term Relationships
There are plenty of good contractors out there who can come, resolve your problem, take your money, and leave. But great contractors offer more. They offer long-term solutions, like a maintenance plan that ensures your air conditioning and heating systems get yearly tune-ups and preventative maintenance. They offer helpful advice on ways to get the most from your plumbing and home comfort systems. To put it simply, a great contractor treats you like more than a paycheck; they treat you like family.
4. Ratings & Reviews
A contractor who is experienced and credentialed, and who cultivates a long-term relationship with you, is almost certain to be highly rated, but it’s still a good idea to check your potential contractor’s ratings and reviews, just in case. Reviews are the easiest way for you to see what kind of customer service a contractor provides. You want to see things like “helpful,” “thorough,” and “courteous” in their reviews. These are signs you are working with someone who is putting your needs first.
The Signs Point to RupCoe
Not to toot our own horn, but we strive to meet the needs of our customers, every day. With extensive knowledge and experience in the plumbing, heating and cooling, and home renovation fields, we have the expertise you’re looking for in a home services contractor. When you’re ready to move forward with your home comfort, renovation or plumbing project, call RupCoe Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning at (908)226-1616!
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New Jersey weather updates – can we cope with another cold winter?
Well, as predicted the long cold winter has begun with a month’s worth of snowfall in just three days. In some areas seven feet of snow fell and snow has blocked many roads, causing fatal road traffic accidents. So far we have also read reports of around 30 roofs collapsing due to the weight of snow.
The worse of the snow is over, for now, but the sudden increase in temperatures is expected to lead to widespread flooding. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said: “We are preparing now for more flooding than we’ve seen in a long, long time.” He has advised residents to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Roads across the state are very dangerous and people are being requested to stay at home. Many of the collapsed roofs are in farm buildings; one mobile home park had to evacuate because roofs were buckling under the pressure.
The question that many people are asking now is whether we are set to have another brutal winter in New Jersey. Meteorologists are looking to Siberia to try to discover what we may be in for this winter.
Siberia experienced a very harsh start to winter with October seeing temperatures plummet and snowfall increase. The evidence suggests that New Jersey is going to experience another bitterly cold winter with snowstorms and freezing temperatures.
Researchers from Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER) have identified a strong link between snowy Siberian Octobers and colder, harsher winters in North America. Judah Cohen, the director at AER, said that the snowpack is growing in Siberia at an unprecedented rate; a cold winter in New Jersey is expected.
Cohen explained: “It’s off to the fastest advance I’ve seen over the past 14 years. Our research has shown a strong relationship between the snow cover extent and the winter North Atlantic Oscillation. If you can predict that, it’s not going to give you a perfect forecast, but it’s the biggest piece of the prediction puzzle.”
The NAO effect
The increased snowfall in Siberia causes an effect called the negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The North Atlantic Oscillation causes deeper and more frequent troughs in the jet stream that brings bitterly cold weather down from Canada and sends coastal storms along the Eastern Seaboard.
The New Jersey state climatologist, David Robinson, has confirmed this effect, he said: “When you rapidly increase the snow cover in Eurasia it has been shown that a negative NAO follows. With that, the chance of a trough forming in the east and a stormy pattern developing increases. It’s not a slam dunk, it’s a hypothesis or a theory, but in climatology even if you’re batting .750 you’re doing pretty good.”
Robinson reported that sea surface temperatures are also well above average in the North Atlantic and this is a sign of stormy weather to come. Higher sea temperatures mean more evaporation of water and higher pressure that forces moist air inland. When this meets the cold air from the arctic the result is heavy and persistent snowfall.
Can New Jersey cope?
It does not seem long ago that we were talking about a warmer winter and lower fuel prices but now that we have already experienced heavy snowfall and blocked roads we may be facing oil and gas shortages. If the snow does melt quickly, as is being currently predicted, flooding will also slow down deliveries of heating oil and gas.
New Jersey getting a fair price for its oil
Oil is very expensive as it is and a cold winter means that you will be burning significantly more than normal. Last week the Monmouth County Department of Public Information and Tourism issued a warning that the county was checking fuel oil trucks for accuracy.
There has been some concern that fuel oil delivery trucks are short-changing their customers. However, the good news is that annual inspections to measure the accuracy of the trucks in Monmouth County has shown that there are very few violations taking place. This means that as a whole, we can rest assured that we are getting the oil that we are paying for.
Serena DiMaso explained: “Homeowners can be assured they are getting what they pay for. Inspectors check the meter on each truck to ensure it is calibrated properly and the actual volume being pumped is correct. The work they do touches the lives of consumers every day.”
After last winter heating oil supplies were running very low, but according to the EIA storage of heating oil has recovered during 2014. The big question is whether homeowners will be able to get their supplies before they run out.
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Ten years of suffering following plumbing work without a permit
ABC News’ 7 On Your Side recently reported a case of a homeowner in Queens who has been struggling for 11 years following some poor plumbing work on her home. She paid a plumber $5,000 to switch her heating system from oil to gas, but instead of a new boiler with lower bills she has been suffering exceedingly long delays and bureaucracy ever since. ABC News sent Nina Pineda to investigate.
What went wrong?
The plumber not only carried out the work incorrectly but they also failed to file the permits to allow the changes to be carried out. The Queens homeowner has been trying to get a refund for 10 years.
Jo Dominguez told ABC News that she is “frustrated and angry” and that she is simply the victim of a plumber who cut corners. They used cheap materials and did not follow proper plumbing protocol, simply to keep their costs down. This created a potential hazard in her home.
The potential problems that she is constantly in fear of are gas leaks and explosions. She paid the independent plumbing and heating firm $5,000 to carry out the conversions to swap her oil-based heating system to gas. It was several years later that Jo Dominguez discovered that no permit had ever been filed for the work. This means that the new furnace was never checked and approved by a city inspector.
She asked another plumber to take a look at the work in the hope that they could finish the job and arrange for the permits, however, on inspection the new plumber noticed that the wrong size of pipe had been used. To fix the heating system so that it properly complied with current plumbing regulations was going to cost another $2,700, a fee that Jo Dominguez was unable to pay.
Since 2009, the city office has been chasing Dominguez for the permits and an explanation; however, as much as she tried, she made no progress. Dominguez took the first plumber to court and won $2,500 in compensation, but when the check arrived it bounced. The plumber refused to pay the money owed.
Fortunately for Dominguez, Nina Pineda stepped in and shortly after contacting the plumber the compensation payment was received. This money will be used to finally fix the heating system and obtain the correct permits.
The plumber who carried out the work initially says that he no longer works as a plumber since he does not have a valid license to operate. When ABC asked him why he never obtained the permits he said that they “fell through the cracks”.
This story helps to highlight why it is so important to always deal with a reputable and well-established plumbing and heating firm. When you arrange for work to be carried out, always check that city officials have properly inspected the work and that it passes their tests. Sometimes it is possible to agree with a plumber to withhold the final payment until all work has been inspected and signed off; until this happens there is always the possibility that more work is required.
It is a sad truth that many plumbing and heating engineers do try to cut corners and, as soon as they have the money for a job, they will aim to complete the work as quickly as possible so that they can move on to their next customer.
When seeking a plumber you should always try to use a trader who has been referred to you personally, but if this is not possible, always check for reviews of their work and get a contract in writing with them before the work commences that states clearly what work will be done, what materials will be used, and how much the final payment will be.
Always check that you will receive all the paperwork for the job. If you are not sure whether the work should be inspected and signed off by city inspectors, call your local city office and ask what is required.
If you are planning to get some work carried out, it is a good idea to first take the time to speak with the Department of Community Affairs to determine what permits you may need. Although every reputable plumber and heating engineer will tell you exactly what you will need, some ‘cowboys’ will simply do a poor quality job and take your money, and it could be years before you realize that there is a problem.
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Buying a new house? Don’t get caught with your water down
There are many websites dedicated to tips for people looking to buy a new house or apartment. It is always important to check if the electricity works, maybe by taking a small lamp with you that you can plug into power sockets, to check the noise levels at various times of day, and to check the Internet and cellphone coverage in the area. Aside from these examples, there are many more checks that you can do depending on your priorities. One big priority is of course to make sure the water facilities are adequate. With that in mind, here are some things to look out for when you’re house hunting:
Big things
Buying a house only to find that you need to replace the boiler, washing machine or other major appliance should only happen if you’re aware of the extra cost before you sign the dotted line. To make sure you’re not faced with hidden costs after moving in, it’s best to take a close look at the condition of all of the facilities that are set to remain in the house. If the water heater looks old or is showing signs of corrosion, mineral deposits and other disrepair, you can at least use this to lower the asking price of the house. Aside from these considerations, you should also make sure that the size of the water heater is sufficient for your family.
Look closely at the radiators, air conditioning unit and pipes, too. If they’re rusty or look disused, they could be liable to break sooner rather than later. You should furthermore make sure to flush all the toilets as you walk through the house, as this soon tells you if they are working properly. To make sure you’re not going to freeze during the winter, check not just the insulation around the pipes but also the vents to see if they can be closed off against the cold weather.
Speaking of pipes, make sure they aren’t made of lead, which can be toxic and is generally considered an environmental hazard. If the house has a septic tank for sewage rather than a municipal sewer connection, make sure it is not leaking, too close to the house, or emitting unpleasant odors that could affect your living experience or health. Problems with sewage should be solved before the sale of the house is finalized.
Small things
If possible, you should ask to have the heating turned up while you are viewing the house. This should give you some idea of how well and how fast it works. You should also open some taps to see if the water turns warm in a reasonable amount of time. Look under the kitchen sink to see if there’s a little boiler or filter installed, and check what kind of water the area has. Also, make sure to check out the water meter and shut-off valve to find out whether they are in proper working order.
Another reason to open the taps around the house is to make sure they aren’t leaking. While more easily fixed than a broken water heater, leaking faucets are still going to cost you money, and they also serve as a good indication of how much care the sellers are putting into their house in general. If they show little care for their faucets, this might hint at bigger problems they haven’t bothered to fix around the rest of the house.
On a less technical note, it might be handy to sit down on the toilets – with the seat down of course! – and try to picture yourself using the bathrooms. Are the sinks at the right height and location for you? Is everything spacious enough for your family? Can you wave at your neighbor while you’re in the shower or on the toilet? Little things are easy to overlook, but may make all the difference once you’re actually living somewhere.
Related to all possible future plumbing problems is the purchase agreement. If you love a house, but aren’t convinced that things won’t break down within the first few months you move in, make sure the purchase agreement between you and the seller states that they are responsible for certain unforeseen repairs for some time after the house is officially yours. If you don’t have anything down in writing, it will be hard to prove that the seller misrepresented the house, and even harder to fight through the court system to get your repairs compensated. To avoid these possible hassles, you should not only have a good attorney on hand, but also have the house inspected by a professional before you sign the contract.
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Is it time to cool our homes with the sun?
According to scientists, every summer that is passing by is getting hotter. Electricity bills are also rising each year as homeowners and businesses have to work their air conditioning units harder to combat the oppressive heat. So, why don’t more people take advantage of the extra sunshine to generate electricity that can be used to power the air conditioning units?
It is time we took a look at the technology available.
Solar panels are usually used to help reduce the cost of heating water. We have discussed solar hot water systems already; however, surely solar power is ideal for running air conditioning – the sunnier it gets, more electricity is produced, so there will be more power for the air con.
We know that it certainly works – the Rappler spoke to a homeowner in the Philippines who installed solar panels and saw his electricity bills drop by 50 percent: the most notable change was with the air conditioning. Mike De Guzman installed 20 solar panels on his roof and these produce 675 kilo-Watt-hours (kWh) per month).
It was when he turned on his air conditioning that he realized how important the panels were: “I put it in this house, I turned it on, I turned on my aircon and the meter wasn’t moving. Then I knew I stumbled upon something,” he told the Rappler.
Philippine electricity rates are one of the highest in the world in relative terms, so being able to reduce bills and effectively get free air conditioning is a huge financial benefit.
In the hottest part of the summer De Guzman’s solar panels can produce up to 34 kWh in one day. This is enough electricity to run his air conditioning for 45 hours. In fact, since installing solar panels he often has more energy than he can use.
“I had so much power I didn’t even know what to do with it. Last summer, I just turned on my aircon and put the dog in the living room because I had a lot of power. I could use 3 aircons and not use a watt from Meralco.” Meralco is The Manila Electric Company.
Meralco has since launched a net metering program that buys back excess electricity. So now, in addition to producing all the electricity he needs and having his air conditioning running 24 hours a day, De Guzman is saving money by selling electricity to The Manila Electric Company. The Philippine net metering program works by allowing homeowners to develop a surplus during the day and then use Meralco power in the evening, but at a price reduced for providing solar power to the system. De Guzman just pays a modest monthly fee for this service.
De Guzman has found that this system is especially beneficial when he goes on vacation: “It comes in handy if you go for vacation for a month or you’re out of the country. Then when you come back, you’re going to have a lot of credits because your panels were generating energy all that time. Eventually you’ll use it all up within the year.”
The big question is, is it really affordable? It certainly is in the Philippines. De Guzman paid around $11,600 for a 5 kW solar panel system and said: “It will pay for itself in 5 years. The solar panels themselves will last for 25 years. It’s better than a time deposit.”
The most promising part of this story is how solar panels help the national grid. In the Philippines the grid is under such demand between 10am and 2pm that Meralco often has to buy power from coal and diesel generators at very high rates. This is the time when solar panels are producing the most energy. If every home and office had them the daily spike in demand would probably cease.
Things may be a little different in America. The cost of installing and buying solar panels may be higher in relative terms and it may be difficult to produce adequate solar energy every day to cover the cost of air conditioning.
However, this idea is not new. In March 2007 CNET ran a story called “Using solar energy to keep homes cool” and Martin LaMonica discussed the SolCool Millennia version 4, a hybrid solar air conditioner. This was an air conditioning unit that was designed to run on a very small amount of electricity. The unit consumes a maximum of 500 watts, about half of an average air conditioning unit.
In 2007 the SolCool system had already been in development for four years. A quick search reveals that the business is online and they are advertising their Millennia 1.5-Ton HVAC Direct Current System. This is a system that provides both aircon and heating so it can be used all year round. It also comes with a 2 to 12 hour backup battery that means it can run after the sun goes down.
Today there are several other products in the market, including Solar Powered Window Air Conditioner and a ductless unit, both made by Kingtec Solar.
So, rather than complain about the hot weather and rising bills, why not install solar powered aircon? Give us a call and we will be happy to advise you.
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Plumbing industry marks World Plumbing Day 2014
World Plumbing Day is held on the 11 March every year. This year, all around the world, the plumbing and heating industry came together to celebrate plumbing’s past and to look forward to the future.
World Plumbing Day is a day when many people’s thoughts turn to the developing world, where many people have to cope daily with no clean water or sanitation. What we take for granted in America is a luxury for many people.
The World Plumbing Council (WPC) works hard to develop and promote the image and professional standards of plumbing to the world. This is done through training initiatives to teach communities how to manage clean and safe water supplies and sanitation. Environmental planning and ethical plumbing techniques are also shared to ensure that communities worldwide are able to safeguard the environment through conservation schemes.
Different countries celebrate in different ways. In Scotland, the focus was on the supply of safe drinking water to families all over the world. John Rae, Scottish Water’s operations general manager said: “The supply of safe and wholesome drinking water is of paramount importance to Scottish Water and we support the aims and ambitions of World Plumbing Day. It is only right to record and support the important role that the plumbing industry, along with Scottish Water, plays in keeping us safe and healthy.”
Plumbing plays a vital role in health and safety in modern society. Two of the biggest natural disasters in recent years, the Haiti earthquake of 2010 and the Japanese tsunami in 2011, were a stark reminder of how easy it is to take clean water for granted, and how quickly centuries of infrastructure can be ripped apart.
According to historic records, some of the greatest leaps in the development of human society have been attributed to advances in plumbing. A constant supply of clean drinking water and an efficient and clean sanitation system are possibly the most important pieces of technology that serve any household. We live in a digital age and many people will consider their cable television, wireless tablets or mobile phones to be the most connected and most important pieces of hardware in the house. But one day without clean water and sewerage will quickly remind you of what is really important. Just imagine living your whole life like that.
“Plumbing is sort of the unsung hero in public health,” said Hugh Kelleher, executive director of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors of Greater Boston. “It’s really good, effective plumbing systems that have really put a dent in the disease of mankind. You see that even today in many parts of the world where there still are not good systems of water supply and sanitation.”
Of course, World Plumbing Day is not just about the developing world. It is also celebrated in America. One place that is always going to celebrate World Plumbing Day is Watertown in Massachusetts. Watertown is home to the Plumbing Museum where you can learn about the history of plumbing. Exhibits include everything from Victorian earth closets to a modern-day $6,500 Kohler toilet. The museum is housed inside a 150 year old, former ice house that was built by Civil War veteran Frederick Howard in 1842. A thriving business called the Metropolitan Ice Company was founded at the building during the early part of the 20th century; however, as home heating and refrigeration systems developed, the ice house soon became obsolete. This year, the museum held a “Looking Forward, Giving Back” gala, which is a Watertown initiative to promote charity, education and culture in the community.
Zurn Industries, America’s leading sustainable plumbing manufacturer, marked Word Plumbing Day with a renewed pledge to continue offering industry-leading solutions that achieve significant water efficiency and sanitary water environments.
“Everything Zurn does is aligned with the values represented by the observance of World Plumbing Day,” says Scott McDowell, Global Vice President of Marketing and Business Development of Zurn. “In an age when the demand for potable water is outpacing supply, Zurn has long provided the products needed to achieve both water efficiency and water sanitation.”
What can you do to celebrate world plumbing day?
World Plumbing Day is not just a time for charities and corporations to make a difference; it is also a time for homeowners to reflect on their water usage and waste. We can all make a difference when working together.
To do your bit for society, check that your system is watertight. Look for leaking pipes and dripping taps and get them fixed. Take a look at your toilet cistern and see if you can reduce the flush volume to save water. If you water your lawn throughout the summer, consider installing water butts to collect rainwater, and think about alternative grass seed varieties that will survive under drier conditions.
If your water sometimes tastes a little off, you should also book an appointment with a plumber to check the water supply and consider installing water filtration to provide the purest drinking water possible.
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How water burns like fire
A new campaign has been started in the UK that aims to highlight the problem of hot water scalding. The campaign ‘How water burns like fire’ has been launched in partnership with the Children’s Burns Trust in London, but its relevance extends all over the world.
Scalding changes lives forever. Every year, thousands of children and adults receive serious burns after coming into contact with scalding hot water in their own home. The impact on individuals and their families is immediate and devastating. What is tragic is that it can so easily be prevented.
The most extreme cases of scalding result in death. Every year some young people, usually children being bathed by a parent, receive such devastating burns that they do not survive the ordeal. The family bathroom is the last place you would expect such a tragedy to occur. These accidents are always caused by uncontrolled hot water.
According to AntiScald, hot tap water accounts for 24% of scald burns requiring hospitalization among children aged 4 years and under.
The number one cause of fatal and severe scalding is bath water and this almost always affects young children. Almost all children who receive scalding burns have to spend time in a specialist burns unit before they have recovered sufficiently to be allowed to return home.
Babies and young children have much more vulnerable skin than adults and it burns more easily. Many children who receive burns suffer permanent scarring.
Danny Davis of The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, a partner in the campaign, says: “Young children and the elderly are most at risk. However, children can suffer life-changing injuries in a fraction of the time it would affect an adult. It can take as little as one second for young children exposed to hot water above 60C to receive third degree burns.
“Many scalding injuries could be avoided by the use of thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs). When you think of the trauma caused by scalding in the home, it makes sense to do everything you can to prevent it happening.”
How to prevent scalding
These tips will help you to prevent scalding incidents in your home.
Never leave young children alone in a bathroom. It only takes a second for a child to operate the hot tap and before they know what is happening they can be burned. Children are more likely to scream in panic and freeze rather than move away from the hot water.
Many burns happen while the bath is still being prepared. Be aware that children may try to reach into a bath as it fills to grab a toy or touch bubbles. At this time, if only hot water is in the bath, they are in serious danger. It is thought that most burns occur when a child falls into a bath before it is ready.
Always add cold water to the bath first and then turn on the hot tap to bring the water up to the required temperature. Always test the temperature of the bathwater with your elbow. Do not rely on your hand, because your hands are less sensitive to heat than a child’s skin. The water should not feel hot or cold.
If you have a mixer tap, after turning off the hot tap allow the cold tap to run for a few seconds. This helps to force out any remaining hot water that could unexpectedly drip down a child’s back.
Talk to children about the dangers of hot water so that they are aware of the dangers. Children who understand the risks are less likely to have an accident.
If you care for an elderly person, always check their bath as well. Many elderly people become scalded in a bath because they fail to check the temperature before stepping into it. When people are over 75 years of age, their skin becomes thinner and burns more easily.
Fix thermostatic valves on mixing taps and showers. Thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) are designed to control the temperature of the hot tap. It allows you to create a nice warm bath easily, without risk of scalding. Even if you fit thermostatic valves, you should always double check the water temperature by the elbow test before placing children in the bath.
It is not only hot taps that pose a risk – hot drinks and cooking pans often scald children. When cooking, never leave pan handles sticking out over the edge of the stove; small children are often curious and could grab the handle, pulling a pan of boiling water or food over their bodies. Hot drinks also pose a risk if left unattended. A curious child may pick up a hot coffee or tea and instinctively drop it, splashing hot liquid all over them.
If you would like some advice about thermostatic taps, contact RupCoe today. We will be able to advise you on the best taps for safety in your home.
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