4 Ways a Hot/Cold Hose Spigot Makes Life Easier

Image Source Provided By Plumbwell Plumbing Services

Have you ever wished you could have both cold and hot water come out of your garden hose outside, just like the faucets in your home? With a hot/cold hose spigot, you can. Here are a few great reasons you'd love having outdoor hot water.

1. Washing the Dog

Washing the dog in your bathtub works fine, but that dog hair gets everywhere. All over the floors, cabinets, and not to mention down the tub drain (which can easily cause a clog). And if your dog is anything like mine, they'll shake immediately after the bath is done, spraying that water and hair all over the house. Being able to wash your dog outdoors will eliminate the cleanup completely, and the availability of warm water will make it more comfortable for both you and your dog. And when they do that after-bath shake, they'll already be outside.

2. Filling a Pool

Even on the hottest summer days, swimming in ice-cold water will make anyone shiver. How many times have you filled up the pool, and then let it sit for a few hours before using it so the sun could warm it up a little? If you could fill the pool with warm water straight from the hose, you'd be able to swim right away and it'll be much more enjoyable.

3. Washing Your Car (or Motorcycle, Boat, Etc.)

Anyone who has washed dishes before knows how much easier it is to clean anything with hot water, and your car is no exception. The icy hose water does very little to cut through the dirt, tar, and bird poop that could be stuck on your car. Washing your car with hot water can save time and make the job much easier.

4. Rinsing Off 

Playing or working outside is messy, no matter what you're doing. Shoes get muddy, hands get dirty, feet get covered in grass. Instead of tracking all that grime inside the house and having to clean it up later, wash it off right outside! With a hot/cold hose, rinsing off your (or your kids') hands and feet is just as comfortable as a warm shower.

Does this sound good to you? Give us a call at (586) 459-0040 and we'll install one of these great hot/cold hose spigots! You'll be on your way to a more enjoyable summer in no time.

Sump Pumps: Don't Hook it Up to the Sewer!

A sump discharge line that's hooked up to the city sewer is illegal in many areas and in general is not a good idea. In this post we'll explain the reasons, why you should care, and what you can do instead.

When I first heard that pumping sump water into the sewer system was illegal, my first thought was "Why? It's just water!" and I'm sure plenty of people share the same thought. But it isn't just water; when it comes to this issue, we must think of groundwater and city water (the water that comes out of your tap) differently.

The storm drain system, designed for groundwater/rainwater, is separate from the city sewer system, doesn't go through a water treatment facility, and flows directly into the nearest body of water. Because of this, the city sewer system and its water treatment facilities are designed only to handle the demands of daily city water usage in the city's homes and businesses.

If you're a homeowner with a basement or crawl space, you're likely aware of the large amount of water your sump pump has to handle during a storm. If your pump is discharging to the sewers, that's a sizable amount of extra gallons pouring into the sewers in a short amount of time. Now imagine if sump pumps all over the city were discharging to the city sewers-- during a storm, that would be thousands of gallons of extra water pouring into the system all at once. The sewer system and water treatment facilities would quickly fill to over-capacity and easily flood during a period of heavy rainfall, causing either the sewers to back up into homes or the water treatment plant to release partially treated sewer water into local streams and rivers (ew).

If that doesn't convince you, here's another reason: A main drain/sewer clog is a fairly common problem, especially in yards with trees, and it usually happens without warning. If your main sewer suddenly stops flowing properly, it can back up into your toilets, bathtub, and sinks. The last thing you'd want in that kind of situation is a sump pump pouring gallons and gallons of additional water into the clogged sewer! You can turn off your water until you can get the sewer cleared, but you can't turn off your sump pump without risking a flood.

No one wants sewage backing up into their home, so if your sump pump is currently hooked up to the city sewer, get that fixed! You may hate the idea of having an unsightly pipe pouring water into your yard, but there are plenty more attractive options that will work with your home's current situation and landscaping, such as routing the water away from your home in a pipe underground and directing it to a drainage ditch, or even hooking it up to the storm drain system, if available.

Working with a licensed and experienced contractor like Universal Plumbing & Sewer can really help when weighing the different options. We can help you determine the best course of action for your landscaping, personal preferences, and budget while ensuring the water gets carried far enough away that it doesn't return to your basement. Call us at (586) 459-0040 for more info, or click here to read more!

3 Simple Ways to Avoid Clogs

Today's blog is about clogs. It's a clog blog, if you will. (Sorry, we found that amusing.)

Terrible jokes aside, a slow-running or clogged main drain line is an annoying and expensive problem. Here are 3 easy things you can do to make sure your drains stay clear. (Warning: more terrible rhymes ahead.)

1. When in doubt, toss it out!

Toilet paper is biodegradable and breaks down in water, but other things don't break down and can get stuck somewhere deep in your home's pipes. This includes (but is not limited to) paper towels, wet wipes, tissues, dental floss, diapers, feminine hygiene products, Q-tips, cotton balls, etc. Even "flushable" wipes aren't biodegradable and will eventually cause problems if you keep flushing them. So if it's not toilet paper, don't flush it!

2. Strain the drains!

It's always a good idea to install strainers on all of the drains in your home. Strainers are inexpensive and will help catch any food, hair, or other debris that would otherwise go down the drain and into your plumbing. We've also heard horror stories of people dropping jewelry and other valuables down open drains; you won't have to worry about that if the drain is covered with a strainer.

3. Cease the grease!

This is a big one: DON'T POUR GREASE OR OIL DOWN THE DRAIN, even in the garbage disposal! You might think it isn't a big deal because grease is liquid, but the big thing about grease is that it solidifies as it cools. Even if you run hot water as you pour the grease down the drain, it will cool as it flows through the pipes and it'll stick. Even small amounts of grease can build up and create a nasty clog. The problem goes deeper than just a greasy buildup; further down in the city sewers, the fatty acids found in grease can continue to build up until they eventually cause sewers to back up into the surrounding homes. Super gross.

DON'T pour hot or even warm grease in the trash, as it might start a fire. Here are some alternative ways to get rid of grease: (1) If it's a small amount of grease, let it cool and harden in the pan, and wipe it into the trash with a paper towel. (2) Pour it in a glass container or old coffee can, keep the container in the fridge and keep adding to it whenever there is more grease to be disposed of, and carefully throw out the closed container when it's full. (3) Pour it in a bowl and let it harden in the fridge or freezer, then scoop the grease into a plastic bag and throw it in the trash. (4) Save it to use in future cooking! Read about that here.

Keeping your main drain clear is not limited to the 3 things on this list. Be mindful of what you're putting down the drain at all times, don't throw just anything into the garbage disposal, and teach your kids about the importance of taking care of your home's drain system. And as a rule of thumb, if you find yourself questioning whether or not you should put something down the drain, just put it in the trash.

Even if you follow all these guidelines, clogs can still happen, and sometimes they can be a sign of a deeper problem like a broken sewer line or tree root intrusion. So don't wait for it to get worse! Call us at 586-459-0040. We have the tools to completely clear the toughest clogs and fix any problems we find.