How to Get Your Plumbing in Order for Spring.

It may still be freezing and no one will soon forget the ravages of the winter of 2015.  The wonderful news is spring and Cubs baseball is just around the corner!  There is no better time than now to make sure that your plumbing is ready for the spring thaw.  There may be breaks and leaks caused by the harsh weather that won’t show up until the water is flowing freely.

Follow this spring inspection checklist to get a handle on what services you may be requiring from a professional.

- Faucet leak check

- Under-sink leak check

- Toilet leak check

- Water heater check-out

- Water pressure test

- Main water shut-off check

- Comprehensive leak check

Best of all, if you live in the Naperville-Plainfield-Aurora, Geneva-Batavia-St.Charles or Wheaton-Winfield-Warrenville-Glen Ellyn area, contact AquaTech Plumbing at 630-416-3555, 630-377-9555, or 630-462-3555 for assistance with all of your plumbing needs…including a thorough spring inspection.  Being safe now will prevent you from having a “sorry spring”.

Is Your Disposal Working Properly? Are you Using It Properly?

Is your garbage disposal an angry, loud, picky eater and frequent break-taker? Well, it’s time for a new one. There is nothing worse than having to warn others you’re about to run the disposal. If it sounds like a Harley Davidson and rattles like a semi truck, it’s outdated and inefficient.

At Aqua Tech Plumbing, we are abreast of the newest, latest and most cost and energy efficient disposals on the market. We will not only work with you to help decide which one best suits your needs, we will also install it for you. You will see a difference in quality and efficiency right away.

Your garbage disposal shouldn’t scare animals and induce flashbacks in humans. It should grind and properly dispose of the waste--quietly.

Give us a call today for information on models and installation. We offer the most competitive rates in town and will guarantee our work. So stop letting that Huey Helicopter you call your disposal scare everyone and invest in your future. Your quiet, efficient, green, future.

How Can I Get My Home Ready For Spring?

When Winter Leaves, It Leaves Damage Behind

Though it's still freezing in many parts of the country, spring is right around the corner. There is no better time it’s time to make sure your plumbing and air conditioning systems are ready for Spring and Summer. Last year’s cold weather may have caused freezing-related breaks and leaks that won’t show up until you turn on the water. Or, this year's winter doesn't leave and this particular blog won't be needed for another couple of months. Let's hope not.

Wait to turn on your outside faucets and lawn sprinklers until after nighttime low temperatures are consistently above freezing (32° F) and once you do, remember to carefully check for leaks inside and outside your home. Or, you can CALL US and we’ll perform a complete Spring Inspection to make sure your home is ready for warm weather. Though there is a storm on it's way and a few more to come, it's never to early to prepare.

Spring Inspection:

- Faucet leak check

- Under-sink leak check

- Toilet leak check

- Water heater check-out

- Water Pressure test

- Main Water Shut-off check

- Comprehensive leak check

If you live in the Naperville-Plainfield-Aurora, Geneva-Batavia-St.Charles or Wheaton-Winfield-Warrenville-Glen Ellyn area, contact AquaTech Plumbing at 630-416-3555, 630-377-9555, or 630-462-3555 for a complete spring inspection.

Does My Home Need A Sump Pump?

Sump Pump and Back-Up Systems

Thousands of dollars in valuables and stored memories can be lost if your basement floods. Many people lose their furnace too. And the clean up is a long and expensive process.

• Be sure your sump pump works properly before a spring rainy season. Unplug your pump and pour several buckets of water in the sump pit until it is full. Plug the pump in and if the pump doesn’t turn on, it’s time to replace the pump.
• Is your pump running continuously due to a lot of ground water? This will shorten the life of your pump, because it is continually working or “cycling”. If it wears out, your basement could flood. Adding an additional pump is an extra safeguard against loss.
• A back-up pump is a must. If your first pump fails, the second pump will step in. The back-up pump must be run separately. Many back-up pumps fail because they are tied into the primary pump line.
• Our AquaTech PLUS Dual Alternator System with battery back-up system and alarm will alternate your two sump pumps so that neither of the pumps works too hard. It will also keep your sump pumps running in case of a power outage (a distinct possibility in a storm) and alert you if one your pumps fail, so that you have ample opportunity to change it.
• Pumps in a shallow pit can short cycle. This occurs when a pump turns on, but doesn’t run very long, shutting off and making terrible noises. Short cycle doesn’t allow the pump to fully start before shutting down. This is hard on your pump and will shorten its life. Make sure your pit is deep enough to handle the amount of water.

If you live in the Naperville-Plainfield-Aurora, Geneva-Batavia-St.Charles or Wheaton-Winfield-Warrenville-Glen Ellyn area, contact AquaTech Plumbing at 630-416-3555, 630-377-9555, or 630-462-3555 for assistance with all of your plumbing needs.

Is My Water Heater Ready For The Winter Months?

There is nothing like a hot shower or bath on a cold winter morning. We get in and never want to get out. Unless of course we are forced out by the absence of hot water.

How ready is your water heater for the winter months? In order to avoid those unbearable moments where the hot water runs out, follow these simple steps to ensure that your home's water heater won't leave you out in the cold.

First, improve water heater pipe insulation to combat cold water problems in the winter months. This is especially important for tanks that are near an outside wall, in the garage, or other non-insulated spaces that are more susceptible to the elements. Invest in pipe insulation or heat tape and wrap the pipes well. Consult our experts for professional advise.

Investigate the area surrounding the water heater for drafts, cold spots, or cold walls. Any compromises in the insulation can lead to costly waste. Consider resealing any nearby windows, adding caulk to sills, and adding insulation to the walls surrounding the water heater.

Call us if you cannot get enough hot water for your family's comfort. The sooner you get water heater repair, the better, as units in bad repair are less efficient, more costly to operate, and can cause water damage if it begins to leak.

Do a thorough examination of your home's water heater today. If you live in the Naperville-Plainfield-Aurora, Geneva-Batavia-St.Charles or Wheaton-Winfield-Warrenville-Glen Ellyn area, contact AquaTech Plumbing at 630-416-3555, 630-377-9555, or 630-462-3555 for assistance in keeping your water heater in good working order.

All About AquaTech Plumbing...

Family owned and operated AquaTech Plumbing offers “Better Plumbing for Better Pricing” 24/7,with priority response given to customers in Chicago’s western suburbs.

We employ only licensed plumbers to ensure you receive expert plumbing and the quality service you deserve.

With more than 30 years of experience, AquaTech Plumbing of Illinois provides precision plumbing repair services to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Our licensed plumbers offer 24-hour emergency plumbing repair because we understand there is never a convenient time for water heater repairs or plumbing problems; therefore, we ensure your peace of mind with immediate responsiveness from our professional plumbers, accurate diagnosis and residential plumbing repairs, and up-front guaranteed pricing. We are available to assist day or night with all types of plumbing repairs, faucet leaks or toilet repairs, clogged drains, sewer backup problems and much more. It’s what you’d expect from experienced, professional, Chicagoland licensed plumbers… and it’s what you’ll get from AquaTech Plumbing.

“Better Plumbing For Better Pricing” is more than just our motto; it defines the business tradition of our professional plumbers in Chicago. Because we serve a broad range of commercial, industrial and residential customers, all of our licensed plumbers are skilled in a variety of plumbing applications, from basic home service for leaky faucet repair, shower drain repair, drain cleaning and garbage disposal installation to the latest industry advances including tankless water heaters for your home or business, and our revolutionary new back-up system for sump pumps. Not only do these items add value to your residential or commercial property , you’ll be protecting one of your largest personal investments – your home or business. Using AquaTech Plumbing puts your residential plumbing or commercial plumbing system in very capable hands.

We offer these innovative residential plumbing services and products to provide peace of mind while saving you money; products like tankless water heaters, which increase hot water availability while decreasing energy bills and maximizing space. In addition, our back-up systems for sump pumps work tirelessly to prevent basement flooding and clogged drains.

Whether you need faucets, bathroom fixtures, sinks, garbage disposals, toilets, bathtubs, shower heads, body sprays, bidets, whirlpools, laundry tubs, ejector pumps, hose bibs, general repairs, water pressure restored, garbage disposal installation, gas piping, fixing broken pipes, thawing frozen pipes, root removal services, sewer rodding, sewer repair, drain cleaning, tankless water heaters, back-up systems for sump pumps, trenchless sewer solutions, or you need us to diagnose your sewer problem with a camera or TV equipment, our licensed plumbers are equipped and ready at a moment’s notice to provide you with the peace of mind you deserve. AquaTech Plumbing – “Better Plumbing For Better Pricing” – for residential, commercial and industrial customers throughout Chicago and suburbs.

And if you should need maintenance, count on AquaTech to service everything from toilets and water heaters to sewer rodding and drain clog removal, sump discharge lines and much more.

AquaTech Plumbing also installs RPZ valves and provides RPZ certification, backflow certification to cities in our service area for businesses and homes that have this backflow prevention device to prevent water contamination.

Residential, industrial and commercial – our licensed plumbers cater to every client no matter what the need. Who better to serve you than the company which was trusted to serve subsidiaries of homeland security?With our level of experience and knowledge, there is no commercial or residential installation or repair that is beyond our capabilities. And our mission is to serve you in a way that makes you a customer for life.

We recognize you have choices. Our mission is service that makes you a customer for life, so you’ll never regret choosing AquaTech Plumbing. Call us today!

Wipes Clog Pipes!

We teach our children while they are potty training to NOT put anything in the toilet other than waste and toilet paper. We teach them this and then we turn around and practice opposite of what we've preached. We do so by flushing wet wipes and baby wipes down the toilet. These items cause damage to entire sewer systems, affecting thousands of homes and businesses.

Most of us know not to flush paper towels down the toilet. They are thick and made for absorbing water, not to dissolve in water. Think about wet wipes and baby wipes. They are often times thicker and more durable than paper towels. They've absorbed water and retained it without disintegrating. That is a pretty good glimpse into how they're sewer life will play out. Wet wipes are wet and strong, even capable of causing iceberg sized masses to form in sewer systems throughout the nation.

If you live in Naperville-Plainfield-Aurora, Geneva-Batavia-St.Charles or Wheaton-Winfield-Warrenville-Glen Ellyn area, contact AquaTech Plumbing at 630-416-3555, 630-377-9555, or 630-462-3555 for assistance in keeping your plumbing in good working order. Wipes have grown in popularity over the last few years and they are wrecking havoc on our plumbing systems. Remember, wipes clog pipes!

Fall Maintenance Tips For Home Owners

Early fall is the time of year to prepare your house for the cooler weather just around the corner. Most people know to clean their gutters and seal openings around windows that can leak heat, but there are other less obvious measures you'll need to take to keep your home in tip-top shape inside and out.

1. Replace your air filter.

It's extremely important to make sure your heating system is working correctly and safely. It's recommended having a heating and cooling specialist look over your system once a year at this time. If you have a forced hot air system, your heating and cooling systems use the same filters. If they're dirty, filthy air will be circulating around your home. Filter changing is something homeowners can and should do themselves.

2. Prevent trouble down below.

There may be things that need tending to beneath your property. We recommend having underground sprinkler systems flushed before the cold sets in.The process involves blowing air into pipes to displace leftover water. This is important because water lines are typically only 6 to 8 inches below ground -- and prone to freezing. If they freeze and then burst, you could have a costly repair situation on your hands.

Homeowners with septic tanks should also think about pumping them now -- before the ground freezes and snow buries your yard. Septic tanks should be checked once every year and cleaned no less than every three years.

3. Go topside.

Roofs usually have a 20 to 30 year life, but that doesn't mean they don't need attention. Your roof's condition should be checked once a year. While you're up there, look for missing or rotting shingles. Also inspect the gutters to make sure they're free of leaves and debris. This time of year is a good time to repair any broken gutters and downspouts.

Don't forget to trim dead or overgrown tree limbs hanging over your house. All it takes is one storm to bring weak branches down and damage your roof.

If you live in the Naperville-Plainfield-Aurora, Geneva-Batavia-St.Charles or Wheaton-Winfield-Warrenville-Glen Ellyn area, contact AquaTech Plumbing at 630-416-3555, 630-377-9555, or 630-462-3555 for assistance in keeping your home's plumbing in good working order.

Tips From Our Plumbers and Frequently Asked Questions

· Water Bills Too High? · Faucets · Toilets · Leaks · Gas Water Heaters · Tankless Water Heaters ·

· Sump Pumps and Back-Up Systems · Basement Floods · Disposals · Drains · Hoses · Frozen Pipes·

Water Bills

Are your water bills higher than they should be? Here’s how to check:

Faucets

• Check your faucets for dripping water and under your faucets for moisture. Fix leaky faucets promptly. Even a slow leak can waste as much as 15 or 20 gallons of water a day. And a leak can ruin your faucet or even your cabinets and floors.
• Leaky faucets are usually caused by seals which are dirty or worn and can be cleaned, replaced, or you may want to replace the faucet.

Toilets

• Fix leaky toilets right away. A leaky toilet can waste over 30 gallons of water a day. Check your toilet for leaks by dropping a few drops of food coloring or a little bit of Kool-Aid in the tank. After about half an hour, it the water in the bowl has some color in it, the tank is leaking, and the stopper (flapper) and/or flush valve seat may need to be replaced.
• Clogged toilet and a plunger didn’t work? If the water level is low fill a bucket with warm water and pour it from waist high into the bowl. Repeat if necessary after water is low again.

Other Leaks

• Check for undetected leaks in your home by making sure all water is turned off inside your home, then checking your water meter. If it is still running, you may have an undetected leak.
• When you know you are going to be gone for a few hours, write down the numbers on your water meter when you leave. If you check the meter when you return and the numbers have changed, there may be a leak somewhere inside your house.

Gas Water Heaters

Since heating the water in your water heater consumes energy, you may be spending more on gas than you have to.

• Many people have a water heater that is larger than they need, but more frequently homeowners have one that is too small and allows them to run out of hot water at peak times. If this happens to you, you might want to consider a tankless water heater that heats the water as you need it. (See Tankless Water Heater Section below.)
• The chart below will help you determine the size regular water heater you need to accommodate your maximum demand for hot water at peak times. Remember that this type of consideration is unnecessary if you intend to install a tankless water heater which heats the water on demand. (See Tankless Water Heater Section.)

Shower	10-15 gallons	Preparing a meal	5 gallons
Bath	15-25 gallons	Washing Dishes in Automatic Dishwasher	12-15 gallons
Shaving or Washing Hands/Face	2 gallons	Washing Dishes by Hand	4 gallons
Washing Hair	4 gallons	Washing Clothes with Warm Wash/Cold Rinse	10-12 gallons

• Twice a year, open the drain valve at the bottom of your water heater and drain the sediment that has accumulated in the bottom of the water heater into a bucket. Keep it open until the water runs clear, usually 4-5 gallons.
• If your water heater displays an ASHRAE /EIS rating of 90, it is energy-efficient and you do not need additional insulation.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are small, energy efficient, and deliver unlimited, cleaner hot water. Installing yours is a great way to “Go Green”.

• In short, here are the reasons you would want to install a tankless water heater.
  • Unlimited hot water when you need it
  • Save money on utility bills
  • Smaller so takes up less room
  • No pilot lights, no leaking, no draining
  • More energy efficient, 8% - 34% depending on size
  • Lasts 2-3 times longer so no need to spend $$ on replacements
  • Selling point when selling your home. Adds value and may sway a buyer.
• A tankless water heater can save you money on your gas or electric bill since there is no need to keep your water hot 24/7. The water is heated on demand by running through a heat exchanger and being delivered hot to your faucets . . . for as long as you need it!
• When sized and installed properly, your tankless water heater will give you unlimited hot water so that you will have the ability to run the dishwasher, the washing machine, and take very long showers, all at the same time.
• The cost is two to four times more than conventional heaters. But the money savings from energy efficiency and not replacing a tank-type water heater over and over again will offset the price. Plus, you never have to worry about having hot water again.
• When making the decision to install a tankless water heater, make certain to choose the accurate size for your specific house. A good plumber can determine the size you should choose by asking a few simple questions about your lifestyle and the size of your home.

AquaTech Plumbing is a leader in tankless water heater installations and can help you with one to fit your needs. Visit our web-site at www.aquatechplumbing.com for more information or call us at the numbers listed at the top of this page to set up your appointment for a free estimate.

Sump Pump and Back-Up Systems

Thousands of dollars in valuables and stored memories can be lost if your basement floods. Many people lose their furnace too. And the clean up is a long and expensive process.

• Be sure your sump pump works properly before a spring rainy season. Unplug your pump and pour several buckets of water in the sump pit until it is full. Plug the pump in and if the pump doesn’t turn on, it’s time to replace the pump.
• Is your pump running continuously due to a lot of ground water? This will shorten the life of your pump, because it is continually working or “cycling”. If it wears out, your basement could flood. Adding an additional pump is an extra safeguard against loss.
• A back-up pump is a must. If your first pump fails, the second pump will step in. The back-up pump must be run separately. Many back-up pumps fail because they are tied into the primary pump line.
• Our AquaTech PLUS Dual Alternator System with battery back-up system and alarm will alternate your two sump pumps so that neither of the pumps works too hard. It will also keep your sump pumps running in case of a power outage (a distinct possibility in a storm) and alert you if one your pumps fail, so that you have ample opportunity to change it.
• Pumps in a shallow pit can short cycle. This occurs when a pump turns on, but doesn’t run very long, shutting off and making terrible noises. Short cycle doesn’t allow the pump to fully start before shutting down. This is hard on your pump and will shorten its life. Make sure your pit is deep enough to handle the amount of water.
• Make sure your pump discharges far away from your house. If it is too close, water will seep back into the pit, causing your pump to keep running.
• Be sure your power cord is plugged in to a working electrical outlet. (Sometimes cords get accidentally unplugged.) If the outlet doesn’t work, check the fuse or circuit breaker.
• Be sure your check valve prevents water from coming back into pit after the pump cycles. If water comes back, your check valve may need to be replaced. That’s a simple job for a plumber.

Basement Floods

• DO NOT ENTER a flooded basement or handle anything if your electrical outlets, appliances or furnace are under water. Call the electric company to shut the power off. Then disconnect your house’s power supply. If you must step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, get advice from an electrician first.
• If you suspect a gas leak, leave immediately. Call the gas company.
• Pump about 1/3 of the water out per day. If done all at once, the basement walls could collapse.
• If at all possible, cleaning, disinfecting and drying should be done within 24 hours to minimize mold and mildew.
• Use chlorine bleach as a disinfectant due to sewage or contaminated material hazardous to your health. NEVER mix bleach with ammonia. It produces poisonous gas!
• After disconnecting electrical, wash floors and walls with detergent and hot water. (Wear plastic gloves and throw-away clothing.) Then clean and disinfect them, your drains, and pipes.
• If you have wood subflooring, the vinyl, tile floor and carpeting must be removed so that the subfloor can dry. It may take months for it to dry thoroughly. Soaked carpeting should be removed and discarded.
• Have your furnace inspected by a service person. It may need to be cleaned, dried and reconditioned or even replaced.
• Check pilot lights and burners on gas appliances. Have electrical appliances dried out and reconditioned. Electric circuit breakers and fuses can malfunction when exposed to water, so discard them.
• Carefully separate fragile-when-wet documents, books, photographs to let them dry. Clothing and furniture may or may not be salvageable.
• Check your foundation for settles, cracking or undermining. If you hire repair contractors, be sure they are qualified and insured!
• Have a qualified, insured plumber install a reliable sump pump and back up system with alarm so this doesn’t happen again.

Disposals

• Use cold water, not hot, when running your disposal and run the water as long as you run the disposal.
• Fats or cooking oils poured into your sink can solidify in cold drainpipes, trap food, and clog your pipes. Don’t put them, coffee grounds, or high fiber foods like celery down the drain unless you want to clog your disposal. Throw them in the trash instead.
• Notice an odor coming from your disposal? Put lemon peel and ice cubes in and run it for about 30 seconds. Then run the cold water through.
• If you do clog your disposal, turn off the motor and the water. Go under the sink and insert the service wrench that came with your disposal, or a ¼ inch Allen wrench, into the hole on the bottom of the disposal. Turn it back and forth until it can turn freely in complete circles. Then use tongs to remove whatever caused the disposal to jam. Then press the red “reset” button on the bottom of the disposal.

Drains

• Use a strainer over your kitchen and bathroom drains if you don’t want hair, pieces of soap and other items to clog your drain.
• Pour a cup of baking soda then a cup of vinegar down your drain every month to prevent clogging. Pour 2-3 gallons of boiling water down each bathroom drain every month to clear out grease and hair.
• Always unclog a drain mechanically. Don’t use chemicals to unclog a drain, especially if your pipes or traps are brass, steel, or cast-iron as chemicals may corrode metal pipes.
• Remove sink and tub pop-up stoppers and rinse them off every couple of weeks or so.
• Remove the overflow plate on your tub every 3-4 months, pull up the pop-up assembly to reach the spring or rocker arm to remove the hair and grease and rinse it off.
• Try your plunger first to unplug a shower drain, and if it doesn’t work, either you or a plumber can insert a “snake” down the drain to unclog it.
• Prevent drain clogs by putting a lint trap on your washing machine discharge hose.

Hoses

• Twice a year, put new washers in all your hoses.
• Put a lint trap on your washing machine discharge hose to prevent drain clogs.
• Hoses will last longer if you run cold water through them after using hot water. Don’t leave hot water in kitchen or shower hoses.

Frozen Pipes

• Avoid frozen indoor faucets by insulating water pipes which are exposed to wind or freezing temps. To get ready for winter, drain water pipes which are not being used.
• If you have faucets that frequently freeze, try leaving cabinet doors open to allow more heat to reach the pipes. You may also leave water running just a trickle to keep pipes from freezing.
• Insulate pipes in unheated garages or basements and keep the garage door closed in very cold weather.
• If your pipes freeze, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve and leave the faucets on to relieve pressure as the ice melts to avoid problems when they thaw out. In some cases, using a blow dryer will thaw frozen pipes.
• Avoid frozen outdoor faucets by detaching your garden hoses in the fall before freezing temperatures arrive, and by closing the shut-off valve on the pipe that leads to your outdoor faucets. Then open the outdoor faucets to let any residual water drain out.

If you need fast, reliable, licensed plumbers you can trust to help you with any problem you may have, call us at one of the numbers listed on this page, or e-mail us at info@aquatechplumbing.com.

We look forward to serving you.