Sanitizing after a Small “Flood”

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Wally Water Drop

Okay, there’s no such thing as a “small flood” when you’re a homeowner.  Any kind of flooding seems daunting.  However, it’s important to keep a good sense of perspective when a flood, no matter how minimal, occurs.  It’s also critical to take measures to sanitize the affected area.

Below, we’ve put together some of the ways you can get your house back to order and cleanliness as soon as possible post small levels of flooding.  (Larger floods will need to be handled a little differently, though sanitation is, of course, an issue then as well.)

  • Get safety glasses and gloves to wear during any clean-up activities.
  • Clean up any standing water.
  • Dry the area to reduce humidity.
  • Use bleach (if it’s a surface that can handle bleach) to clean any areas.
  • Watch for signs of mold and mildew.  If you notice spots appearing, treat them with bleach or a mold/mildew-specific cleaner.
  • If waterlogged items can’t be cleaned (either by you or a professional), throw them out immediately.

After you have cleaned the area, wait a few days to put everything back in place, as some areas may not be completely sanitized.  (Some people like to clean twice, although this is entirely up to you.)

Small floods are never fun, but you can mitigate the problems they cause by disinfecting asap.

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22 Weeks of Summer – Post #7: Cool Plumbing Facts from the History of the Human Race

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Wally Water Drop

aqueductsGuess what?  Plumbing has been around a long, long time.  (Hey, there’s always been a need, right?)

In today’s post, we have some weird, wacky, cool and innovative plumbing facts from around the world!

  • Ancient civilizations (e.g., Minoans, Romans, Greeks, Chinese, Egyptians) all had drainage systems, although they were not always accessible to the general public.
  • The idea for the flushing toilet is credited to Queen Elizabeth I’s godson.
  • The patent for the toilet was issued a little over 200 years ago.
  • We say “plumber” because the Romans used pipes made from lead, or “plumbus”.
  • Roman public and private baths were a true “hit” with the population.  Alas, the Romans didn’t understand how to sanitize them, so they occasionally became rather “ripe”.
  • In the Dark and Middle Ages, it was considered unsanitary to bathe regularly.
  • Not many generations ago, it was commonplace for first-world cities to dump their wastewater into streams and rivers.  Thus, the Thames in London became known for its noxious fumes.
  • The majority of people living in the United States just 100 years ago would never have the pleasure of indoor running water.  Chamber pots were still the norm.
  • New York city installed the first public water main in the early 19th century to assist firefighters.
  • Plastic plumbing pipes were not used until the mid-1960s.
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22 Weeks of Summer: Post #6 – How Summer Storms Can Lead to Your Having an (Unwanted) “Indoor Pool”

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Wally Water Drop

flooded homeYou’ve always wanted a pool… just not in your basement.  Thanks to those flash summer storms, though, many homeowners find themselves the unwilling recipients of a body of water inside their homes.  This is problematic for numerous reasons: It’s expensive to fix, it takes time to “come back” after indoor flooding, it can lead to mold/mildew issues, and it can damage more than just the floor of the room that’s affected.

In other words, it’s really, really yucky.

It’s not unusual, either.  Summer storms can dump significant amounts of water on land that might be incredibly dry already.  The parched land can’t absorb the water quickly enough, and – voila! – an indoor lake suddenly appears.  Another issue for many central Pennsylvania homeowners is antiquated drainage systems.  A few years ago, many Camp Hill residents who had never before had flooding problems found themselves knee-deep in basement water due to the area’s older French drainage systems.

The most important thing to remember, though, is that you don’t have to suffer alone.  If you have an emergency, take precautionary measures (e.g., turning off the electricity to the affected zones of your home, turning off the water to the affected zones of your home, using a Shop-Vac to remove as much water as you can, make sure pets cannot access the affected area, try to ventilate the area as much as possible.)  Then, call your home insurance carrier for advice.

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Common Summertime Plumbing Issues

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Wally Water Drop

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWelcome to summertime in Pennsylvania!  (Okay, it’s not quite summertime officially, but when the weather starts hitting 70s and 80s on a regular basis, it’s summer to us!)

As you’re planning your activities for the next few months, Pronto wants to remind you to be aware of some common summertime plumbing issues that homeowners can encounter.  These include:

#1.  Anything having to do with outdoor hoses and faucets.

If you kept your hose attached outside all winter, it’s probably a good bet that your hose bib has broken.  This is something we see all the time, and it’s an issue we can fix quickly.  If you haven’t used your hose yet, check it for leaks.  Again, if it wasn’t properly stored, you might just need a new one.  (Speaking of hose bibs, we can also install both hot and cold hose bibs so you can wash your car and fill up those kiddie pools with warmer water.)

#2.  Being careful during summer storms.

Thunderstorms and powerful downpours can cause drainage problems.  While some drainage problems aren’t preventable (e.g., when your municipality’s drains can’t keep up with the demand and the roads begin to flood), others are.  For many of our customers, the answer to drainage issues is DriWay Drain.

#3.  Checking your gutters.

Did you remember to clean out your gutters this spring?  If not, there’s no time like the present!  The less debris you have in your gutters, the greater your chance for a dry summer.

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22 Weeks of Summer: Post #5 – How Much Water Does Your Body Need When It’s Hot?

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Wally Water Drop

water bottle 2Get ready for summer in the Harrisburg area, because it’s going to get hot sooner rather than later.  And when the thermometer soars, you need to have some H2O at the ready because the last thing you want is to become dehydrated.

The big question, of course, is how much water you need to stay healthy, especially in hotter weather.  Generally speaking, you should drink at least eight 8-ounce cups of water a day; however, when exposed to the heat, you should drink even more.  Ironically, your body won’t let you know when it’s time to take a sip of water.  In fact, by the time you feel thirsty, you’re likely to be pretty doggone dehydrated.

The best advice is to drink throughout the day, and to avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.  If you can’t give up your coffee or mojito, compensate by drinking an equal amount of water.  (That way, you won’t become dehydrated by the non-water beverage.)

Make sure kiddos in your household are also following this rule.  Even if they’re playing and seem to be fine, check in on them and give them water frequently.  They may not realize they need the water until it’s too late.

Speaking of being “too late”, it’s important to be able to recognize the warning signs of dehydration.  These include:  fatigue, vomiting, lightheadedness, dark urine, flushed skin, loss of appetite, stumbling, muscle spasms, numb skin and, in extreme cases, delirium.

Our suggestion?  Make water readily available all day, every day, and you won’t have to worry if you’re getting too little of the cool stuff!

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22 Weeks of Summer: Post #4 – Pay Attention to “Boil Water” Advisories

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Wally Water Drop

boiling waterAround Central Pennsylvania, “boil water” advisories are common.  In fact, they are so common that some people decide it’s not important to follow them.

That’s a terrible mistake.

Boil water advisories require individuals to be very careful when using any tap water for potential ingestion.  After all, there could be a host of contaminants lurking in the H2O.  Even if the water isn’t cloudy, it could be filled with unacceptable particles or higher-than-normal bacteria counts.

Therefore, it’s best to make sure that any water you’ll use for cooking, drinking (or even brushing your teeth) is boiled accordingly:

  1. Fill a large pot with water.
  2. Heat the water until it’s boiling.
  3. Let the water boil for at least 1 minute.
  4. Turn off the stove (or other heat source.)
  5. Let the water cool (if necessary.)
  6. Pour the water into a clean container.

Other considerations to keep in mind during boil water advisories include:

  • Don’t use tap water for ice cube trays.  Freezing water will not kill any contaminants.
  • Making coffee with un-boiled tap water will not protect you, as the water doesn’t get hot for long enough to be sterilized.
  • If you have an ice maker that uses water from a tap water line, do not use the ice that’s been made during a boil water advisory.
  • Prepare foods using water that has been boiled OR with bottled water.
  • If you’re washing surfaces that will be touching food (e.g., countertops, dishes, utensils, cutting boards), use sterilized water.
  • During a boil water advisory, it’s safe to use your dishwasher as long as the water reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit or greater.
  • Give your pets water that has been boiled.  (Water for reptiles or fish typically does not need to be sanitized, as reptiles and fish do not typically get ill from the same bacteria counts that could make humans sick.  If you have questions, contact your veterinarian.)
  • Plants can be watered with regular, old tap water.
  • Baths and showers shouldn’t be a problem.  Just don’t drink any water while in the tub or shower!
  • It’s safe to do laundry when a boil water advisory is in effect.
  • Do not drink from drinking fountains during a boil water advisory.

Finally, if for whatever reason you cannot boil your water, you can disinfect it using liquid bleach (as in the bleach used for laundry).  The bleach must be unscented, and you must be extremely careful with measurements.  Add about 1/8 of a teaspoon of the bleach to one gallon of water, stir it, let it stand for 30 minutes, and then cool or use the water.  If you want to store the water, make sure you have clean containers available.  (If the water is cloudy, you must strain it before using this method of sanitation.)

As always, be aware, and be careful!  Boil water advisories might be a pain, but better safe than sorry!

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All About Trenchless Pipe Repair and Replacement

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Wally Water Drop

*** The following article was originally printed by us in the May 2013 edition of a local central Pennsylvanian publication.

Pronto Plumbing Tackles

Orangeburg Pipe Problems

 

It’s lurking just beneath the surface of your central Pennsylvania property, ready to strike at any moment.  Ignore it at your peril, because it’s just a matter of time before Orangeburg Pipe puts a damper on your day.

orangeburgpipesOnce upon a time, Orangeburg Pipe was advertised as the wave of the future in pipe options.  Manufactured of wood fibre layers held together with pitch or tar, this pipe (sometimes also called by the name “Bermico” proved economical and was thus used frequently by constructors of residences and buildings.

Today, we know that this type of pipe – basically made of “tar paper”, for lack of a better term – regularly causes area residents nightmares in the form of drain and sewage line failures.

Over time, Orangeburg pipe corrodes and deforms.  The thin layers of wood fibre decay, deteriorating and warping until a) the pipe collapses (thereby blocking the water or sewage path); b) the pipe weakens and tree roots infiltrate the pipe interior; and/or c) the pipe bursts.  Regardless, the outcome results in a mess that leaves owners frustrated.

Recently, the Pronto Plumbing team tackled an Orangeburg Pipe issue at a Camp Hill home on 39th Street.  The homeowner’s pipe had become egg-shaped, and was failing fast.  Without missing a beat, Pronto used cutting-edge instruments including a drain camera to determine exactly where the problem lay.  Then, using a trenchless system, they laid new pipe without digging up the yard.

The replacement pipe Pronto chose is made from high-strength PVC, guaranteed to outperform any Orangeburg pipe (which usually fails between 30-50 years).

If you suspect that the pipes under your home that was built between the late 1940s and 1972 may be Orangeburg, please contact the Pronto Plumbing team at (717) 533-1057 to set up an inspection of your drain lines.  It’s well worth knowing so you can save money and headaches in the long run.

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22 Weeks of Summer: Post #3 – 9 Common Water Wasting Mistakes to Avoid This Summer

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Wally Water Drop

shower headGuess what?  Mom was right after all (again!)  Wasting water can cause a huge drain on your pocketbook or wallet.

Of course, the best way to ensure that you aren’t wasting water is to know the facts.  That’s why we’ve put together the top 9 common water wasting mistakes to avoid this summer.  Enjoy… and conserve!

  1. Americans’ water usage has skyrocketed in the past 50 years with almost 95 percent of the water that enters the home being sent down the drain.   The next time you use the shower, take a bath or run the water when you brush your teeth, think about how you can use less.
  2. Ancient (and we use that term tongue-in-cheek) toilets really aren’t particularly conducive to saving you money.  If you have older ones in your home, consider getting them replaced and saving several gallons of water with every flush.
  3. If your faucets are leaking, remember that every drop of water that’s leaving the spigot is costing you something.
  4. Sure, garden hoses and sprinklers can create terrific fun on hot summer days, but use them as sparingly as you can.  Hoses can be a source of huge water loss during the warmer months.
  5. Older dishwashing units are notoriously inefficient.  Replace yours and save gallons upon gallons of water with each use.  (And if you have just a few dishes to wash at a time, consider hand-washing them.)
  6. Yes, you want your landscaping to be beautiful, but not at the expense of hundreds of dollars.  Use collected rainwater or used cooking water (cooled down and without meat fats) to water your garden, plants and trees.
  7. Install a water filtration device on your kitchen tap and you’ll save tons on purchasing water in plastic bottles.
  8. The shorter your shower, the more you’ll save.  (Bonus points for turning off the water as you’re cleaning off!)  Plus, if you take a shower instead of a bath, you’ll likely save water.
  9. Try using your washing machine only when you can fill it up entirely.  In other words, forget about those small loads unless you absolutely, positively have nothing else to wear!
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What Your Insurance Company Wants You to Know About Your Water Heater

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Brett Wiley
Video thumbnail for youtube video What Your Insurance Company Wants You to Know About Your Water Heater

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What Your Insurance Company Wants You to Know About Your Water Heater If you’ve watched television within the last month or two, you may have been fortunate enough to have seen the new Allstate Insurance Company commercial form their popular … Continue reading →

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22 Weeks of Summer: Post #2 – Why Does the Summer Heat Make You Feel So Doggone Yucky?

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Wally Water Drop

sun thermometerAfter so many centuries of dealing with hot summers, why is it that the human body still becomes uncomfortable when the temperature rises above a certain point?  (And it must be noted here that the “point” is different for each person; some people reach it at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, others at 90 degrees Fahrenheit.)

Of course, there is a biological reason that we can’t quite hack it without finding cool comfort (e.g., the shade, the basement, a pool, a cool bath or shower, indoor air conditioning).  In a nutshell, it has to do with how fast heat is exiting your body.  For instance, when the thermometer rises, there comes a point where your body cannot rid itself of heat without sweating.  It’s then that you start to get that really “blechy” feeling.  (Yep, that’s a technical term.)

When you add high humidity to the equation, it gets even worse.

Again, for some individuals, it feels exceptionally good to hang out on an 85 degree day while others are sweltering.  So there is some variation as to what one person can handle compared with what another one can take.

In any case, we recommend that whatever your preferred summer temperature, you stay hydrated with a cool, non-caffeinated beverage as you beat the central Pennsylvania summer heat waves!

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