Rentmeister Total Home Service Blog: Archive for September, 2013

What is Backflow Testing and How Does it Work?

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

Plumbing is a comparatively simple system and yet it can prove surprisingly complex for those not trained in its maintenance. Numerous different factors can influence it efficiency, including the quality of the materials, the status of civic sewer facilities and local conditions, the last of which plays a particularly strong role here in Salt Lake City. Plumbing issues in the area need to account for our high elevation and semi-arid conditions. These factors can play a large role in otherwise normal plumbing functions, which a good plumber will keep in mind while going about his duties. Take for example, the question of backflow testing. What is backflow testing and how does it work? The answers – and the way our local climate affects them – can be found below.

“Backflow” means a reversal of the water flow in your pipes, which can mix “bad” water (contaminated by minerals, sewage or the like) with “good” water (potable and safe for drinking and washing). It constitutes a major health concern, which is why stopgaps exist to keep it from happening. A backflow valve, also known as an RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone) valve will open when it detects lowered pressure from the city’s water pressure, dumping any potential contaminated water rather than letting it backflow into your system. The state of Utah mandates the presence of a reduced pressure valve in everyone’s plumbing system, which should be tested at least once a year.

The test itself is fairly simple. An RPZ valve comes with a test port, to which a plumber attaches a test kit to ensure that the device is functioning. He turns the water off in your house, performs the test and then turns it back on again. If the RPZ valve isn’t functioning, the plumber can then discuss your options for repairing or replacing it.

In Salt Lake City, plumbing services should be able to perform reliable backflow testing procedures. The trained Salt Lake City plumbers at Rentmeister Total Home Service can answer your questions about backflow testing and how it works before performing the test. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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Why a Heating Tune-Up is Important Before it Gets Cold

Tuesday, September 17th, 2013

In Salt Lake City, heating systems form a potent defense against the dry, cold air of winter. January temperatures often dip well below freezing, making a warm cozy home more than just a luxury. You can make sure that warmth arrives without fuss or problems by planning for it well before the snows fall. A heating tune-up is important before it gets cold, ideally with the assistance of a properly trained Salt Lake City heating professional. Why? The reasons are numerous but can include the following:

  • It improves efficiency. A tune-up should entail cleaning the heating unit, tightening loose bolts and checking the unit for any worn or faulty components. That helps the heating system work smoothly and efficiently, reducing extended wear and tear and ensuring that your system won’t need to work as hard to warm your home.
  •  It lets you spot small problems before they turn into big ones. A maintenance call won’t necessarily cover bigger repairs, but it can help you spot potential issues in the early stages. That way, you can plan for a service call to properly address the issue when it’s still relatively small, rather than waiting for things to get worse and costing you money in the process.
  • The fall is a quiet month for HVAC companies. No one wants to deal with heating issues in the depths of winter, but poorly maintained units often fail when they’re needed the most. That keeps service professionals on the go in the cold months, while air conditioning problems tend to fill up their time in the hot ones. The fall is a comparatively quiet period, making it easy to schedule and plan for a proper tune-up.

Utah winters can be unpredictable, especially in towns with a high elevation like Salt Lake City. A heating specialists can help get your system into top shape before the snows start to fall.  Rentmeister Total Home Service has the knowledge and experience to keep your HVAC system in top shape. Call us today. We can explain why a heating tune-up is important before it gets cold, then schedule a service call at your convenience.

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Common Plumbing Upgrades

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

It’s a fact that you wouldn’t be able to carry out many different daily tasks if it wasn’t for your plumbing system. Many homeowners ask us about what they can do to make sure that their plumbing works well and that it works consistently. Here at Rentmeister Total Home Service, we offer a large range of Bountiful, UT plumbing services and we wanted to share with you some of the most common plumbing upgrades that we perform. Read on below and then give us a call if you’re interested in improving the operation of your plumbing system.

Bountiful, UT Plumbing Upgrades

Here are a few plumbing upgrades that you may want to consider for your home:

  • Replace your pipes – Many homes still have the original pipes that were installed when the house was built. If this is the case for you, you may have galvanized steel pipes that are likely very old. Replacing them could help you head off any impending problems that might be forming in your system. Steel pipes are susceptible to rust, corrosion and leaks.
  • Get your drains cleaned – Another great way to keep your home’s plumbing system work well is to get your drains regularly cleaned. It’s inevitable that your drains will eventually star to form clogs and by having them cleaned you could prevent those clogs from causing your home any real damage or inconvenience.
  • Consider water treatment – While the water that comes from your local utility is safe to drink, it might contain excess minerals and trace amounts of chemicals in it. Both of these things can, over time, cause health concerns as well as damage your appliances and plumbing. A water treatment system is designed to remove those impurities from your water so that you’re left with cleaner water.
  • Backflow device – If your home has backflow problems, it could mean that harmful waste water is getting back into your home. A backflow device prevents this from happening by automatically shutting off the pipe.

For any Bountiful, UT plumbing services that you need, call us here at Rentmeister Total Home Services.

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We Wish You a Happy Labor Day

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

On every project that we complete, we ensure that our customers are satisfied. We take pride in the work that we do every day, and this level of diligence and attention to detail has allowed us to grow over the years. On the first Monday of every September, our country celebrates Labor Day as a way of recognizing the hard work that has made this country great. Because making your home more comfortable and convenient is our business, we want you to have an enjoyable and pleasant Labor Day.

Labor Day is a time of good BBQ, the start of the professional and college football seasons, entertainment with family and friends, and, most importantly, taking a day off from work. Labor Day emerges as a federal holiday in the wake of the Pullman Strike of 1894. It was designated as such by President Grover Cleveland and Congress as a way to reconcile the damage done by the faceoff between the Federal government and the Pullman Palace Car Company workers and other railroad workers. But over a decade before it became official, Labor Day began as a workers’ picnic and demonstration suggested by either Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor, or Matthew Maguire of the Central Labor Union of New York.

From our family to yours, we wish you all the best on this Labor Day.

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