Carney All Seasons Blog: Archive for May, 2013

Happy Memorial Day!

Monday, May 27th, 2013

Every year on the final Monday of May, citizens of America come together to honor those who have served our country. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day came to prominence after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen soldiers on either side. Although its origins are somewhat ambiguous, it has always been about bringing people together to recognize our country’s military personnel and history. We want to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who have served our county.

Memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer. We hope that you have a wonderful day off, and that it is a great start to your summer!

 

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Should I Be Concerned About Hard Water?

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Do you have an off-white buildup of gunk around your faucets or sink drains? Does your water taste like it has high mineral content? If so, you may have hard water in your home. Hard water affects the majority of homes in America, and if you have it in your home, your plumbing may be at risk of damage. While hard water is not typically hazardous to your health, it is can affect the extensive network of piping that runs through your home. In this post, we’d like to examine in more detail what hard water is and whether you should be concerned about it. If you’re in need of a water treatment system in Chalfont, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

First, let’s explain what hard water actually is. Hard water is so called because of its high mineral content. As the water moves through the ground before it is picked up by your water supply source, it can pick up various types of minerals, as well as contaminants. As a good solvent, water is quick to pick up impurities from various other materials. Hard water is mainly caused by high levels of calcium and magnesium in addition to other trace minerals. The higher level of minerals dissolved in the water, the “harder” it becomes.

While hard water in and of itself is not often considered to be a health hazard, it can negatively impact your plumbing. As hard water moves through your piping, it leaves behind mineral deposits called “scale” and these deposits often have a white or green color. As they build up inside your pipes, they actually begin to restrict the flow of water. The rate at which your piping is affected is determined by the level of mineral content. But the consequences of hard water can be dire. It can result in whole house repiping if it’s not caught early.

Fortunately, there are numerous water treatment systems available for installation that can eliminate the hardness of your water, from water softeners, reverse osmosis, and various types of filtration. For a more information about water treatment systems in Chalfont, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

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Using Your Air Conditioning System Efficiently

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

One of the most frequently asked questions we get during the hot summer months concerns how to use your air conditioning in Lansdale, PA more efficiently. While we cannot control the seemingly ever-rising costs of energy, we can control how we use that energy to keep our homes cool, crisp, and refreshing. And that’s what today’s post will be about. There is a great variety of ways you can use your AC efficiently, and we’ll only be able to touch on the topic only briefly today. If you’re in need of professional air conditioning services in Lansdale, PA, do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the friendly technicians at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.

  • Clean and replace your air filter on a regular basis: We can’t emphasize this simple task enough. Too many perfectly good ACs are ruined every year because of homeowner neglect. While you rely on the professional skills of your technician for the majority of maintenance duties, cleaning and replacing your air filter is one of the few things you can do, and it’s critical to the longevity of your AC as well as to the energy efficiency with which it operates. A dirty or clogged air filter can neither prevent the accumulation of dust and debris on sensitive mechanical components nor allow cool air to pass uninhibited.
  • Enroll in a preventive maintenance program: Prevention is incredibly important as a way to stave off unnecessary repairs and premature replacement. Routine professional maintenance includes comprehensive inspection to recognize problems before they start, cleaning to ensure that your system operates well, and adjustments to ensure that it’s operating efficiently and safely.
  • Install a programmable thermostat: If you have a manual thermostat, you’re missing out on the benefits of a digital programmable model. It allows you to boost energy efficiency without sacrificing comfort when you create a schedule of cooling that works around your lifestyle. Automatic, gradual cooling also cuts down on drastic manual changes that can cause wasteful energy consumption.

If you’re looking for more ways to make your air conditioning in Lansdale, PA more energy efficient, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.

 

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What is Hydro Jetting and How Does it Work?

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Keeping your wastewater disposal system working well throughout the year is critical. While we often take our plumbing for granted, it’s actually quite a complicated system that relies on certain hydrodynamic principles so that you can take hot showers, flush the toilet as much as you want, and clean your laundry. We want to emphasize the importance of drain cleaning in this post. For every bit of grease, hair, food scrap, and non-organic matter that made it into your drainpipes, you risk substantial accumulations within the interior of your pipes that can begin to create plumbing problems. Hydro-jetting is an simple solution to such problems. For all of your New Hope, PA drain cleaning needs, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today!

So, what is hydro-jetting? As its name suggests, it uses a pressurized stream of water to clean your drainpipes. The process is relatively straightforward, but the equipment is specially designed for this task. The compressor, hose, and nozzle work cooperatively to produce an effective stream of pressurized water that can quickly break up sludge, grease, and other debris that can cause partial blockages and even total clogs. While equipment varies, the compressor is calibrated to provide up to 4000 psi (pounds per square inch) at a flow rate of up to 18 gpm (gallons per minute). Hydro-jetting is therefore both thorough and incredibly fast, compared to other methods of drain cleaning.

The nozzle at the end of the hose is designed to clean at 360° so that the entire interior surface of the drainpipe is thoroughly cleaned. The hose is typically insert at the “cleanout,” which is an access point designed for professional service needs. The hose works against gravitational pressure so that any dislodged debris can then run down the cleaned section of piping. Hydro-jetting is so powerful, it can often remove mineral deposits, but it does so safely, without the use of chemicals that can damage your plumbing as well as the environment.

For comprehensive New Hope, PA drain cleaning services, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today! 

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