How does a water-powered sump pump work?

Leone Plumbing Water Powered Sump Pump Installation   When mother nature set its course, one of the concerns of homeowners is basement flooding. Flooding can cause damages to your house furniture, appliances, and other important keepsakes. Your sump pump is your home’s primary defense against encroaching floods. It normally works when you have power supplied to the house during normal rainy conditions. But what if you lose power? What should you do? The best option is to have a backup water-powered sump pump.

Why is it important to have a sump pump backup?

The main sump pump is usually powered by electricity. In the event of unexpected power loss, the pump will eventually stop removing water from your home. This is the reason why it is a wise choice to get a water-powered sump pump as a backup.

How does a water-powered sump pump operate?

During the worst storm conditions, a power outage can happen and will render your electric sump pump useless. With a water-powered sump pump, the unit uses water pressure from the incoming water supply lines of your home to pump out water in the sump pit. It will then activate the float causing the valve to open in the base pump (installed on the ceiling above your sump pit). The valve will then send the water from your incoming water supply through the pump ejector. While the water runs through the pump ejector, there is a powerful suction created by flowing water. This mechanism sucks water out of the sump pit which will then discharge it outdoors. Leone Plumbing water-powered sump pump installation  

No Electricity? No Problem!

As long as your home continues to receive water supply, the water-powered sump pump will operate. It does not require a battery and does not need electrical power. When operational, it can remove as much as 1,324 gallons of water per hour, leaving your basement dry.

Protect your basement in a cost-effective way

Having a water-powered emergency sump pump is worth the investment. You will love this pump because it’s not only a reliable backup pumping system but it’s cost-effective too! You will be able to protect your basement even if there is no electricity for an extended period of time. In addition, it’s low maintenance and no battery to be concerned about. If you want to find out more about sump pump installation, call us right away and we will be happy to speak with you. | Photo Credit: Pixabay, Canva  
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Grohe Bathroom Fixtures: Bringing Luxury and Functionality To Your Home

Leone Plumbing And Grohe Bathroom Fixtures The time we spend in the bathroom is precious. After a busy and tiring day, the bathroom serves as your sanctuary within the home to relax. Your bathroom should not only function well, but it should also offer comfort and a feeling of luxury. So take your bathroom’s overall look to the next level with Grohe bathroom fixtures. If you are planning to upgrade, consider Grohe bathroom fixtures to achieve that grand and elegant look for your bathroom.

The Latest Trends In Adding Luxury To The Bathroom

As an expert in bathroom renovation, we are aware that clients want to experience the same standard of comfort they can get from luxury hotels. Most customers want to incorporate that same high standard of comfort in their own homes. That is why we use Grohe bathroom fixtures for high-end luxury bathroom renovation. Grohe’s extensive line of products offers industry-leading technology providing bathroom sink faucets, shower faucets, and tub faucets for an idealistic aesthetic in the bathroom. The trend for luxurious finishes has become a trend. There has been a demand for more architectural and striking structures within tap design. We believe that the trend for luxurious finishes will continue to grow as people are becoming aesthetically aware through social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram. Social media will continue to influence how people would want to upgrade their homes, especially the bathroom.

Does bathroom size matter in bringing a touch of luxury into a bathroom?

For us, bathroom size doesn’t matter. We can provide a luxurious offering for any bathroom size. You can achieve that luxurious finish through small touches such as matching pretty brassware accessories to the taps and shower fixtures. Grohe bathroom fixtures offer the best and stylish products that cater small to extra large sizing service. If you have an extra small tap, for example, it can be used in a cloakroom with a smaller sink. On the other hand, an extra-large tap is the ideal focal point for a statement room. These examples go to show that even in the smallest of spaces, luxury or product quality does not need to be compromised.

Ensuring Luxurious And Functional Bathroom Experience

What we like about Grohe bathroom fixtures is it does not only offer up to date line of products but it’s functional too. The functionality that Grohe products offer ensures a luxury hotel standard of comfort in every bathroom. Plus, Grohe has been an industry itself when it comes to bathroom fixtures. Quality and durability equate to how functional it is. With this being said, luxury and functionality are not only ensured but also future-proof you’re home.

Achieve that luxury bathroom of your dreams!

We are here to help you to achieve that luxury bathroom you desire. We offer various remodel bathroom ideas that are suitable for you. The renovation cost is doable with our Home Improvement Financing option. Contact us today to find out more.  | Photo Credits: Pixabay, Canva
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AO Smith Hot Water Heater Proper Care And Maintenance

  AO Smith Hot Water Heater Proper Care And Maintenance Water heaters are one of the important appliances in your home that you need to maintain. As a certified AO Smith Hot Water Heater technician, we know very well how to maintain the unit. If you own an AO Smith Hot Water Heater or planning to have one, this article will help you how to maintain the unit safely on your own.

Maintaining your AO Smith Hot Water Heater

You can do the unit maintenance by yourself. But before you get your hands working, make sure that you turn off the unit before touching it. In your home’s breaker box, switch off the circuit breaker for the water heater first. After you have turned off the unit, you are good to go. Maintaining your AO Smith Hot Water Heater can be performed with these easy steps.
Check the temperature and pressure relief valve.
This should be done once a year. Annually test the temperature-pressure relief valve by discharging it quickly at least three times. While doing this, keep an eye for small leaks from the valve. If you see any drips, you need to repair the leaks or tighten the connections.
Watch out for leaks.
One of the culprits of water heater leaks is high water pressure or thermal expansion. You can control water pressure by installing a thermal expansion tank. To monitor the water pressure, you will need a water pressure gauge attached to the water heater drain valve or an outside faucet. If you find the water pressure reaches above 80 PSI, we recommend installing a pressure-reducing valve. We recommend setting the home’s water pressure to 50-60 PSI. Higher water pressure can damage your water heater and your plumbing system. Also, check the water heater flue pipe for any leaks that could result in carbon monoxide leaks. Inspection for leaks should be done every month. Do immediate repair if you find any leaks.
Check the anode rod.
This aluminum or magnesium rod should be checked from time to time and needs to be replaced if worn out. The anode rod helps in protecting the tank from leaks. To remove the anode rod, follow the instructions in your owner’s manual. You will know that you need to replace the rod if it looks slightly “chewed up” or most of the metal is gone.
Drain and Flush
Drain and flush the tank at least once a year. The first thing to do is you need to connect a garden hose to the drain valve and place the other end on a drain or outside. Using a screwdriver, open the drain valve and drain a few gallons of water. If the water looks cloudy, drain the tank until the water is clear.

Additional Maintenance and Safety Tips

Aside from routine maintenance, make sure that your water heater is not near any flammable materials such as gasoline, paint, and chemicals. Remove any combustible materials close by the unit to avoid incidents of fire. If you need urgent maintenance assistance, please feel free to contact us.
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Common Problems With Kitchen Sink Drains

  Kitchen Sink Plumbing Service by Leone Plumbing The kitchen sink drain is one of the most essential parts of your kitchen. For your kitchen to perform efficiently and smoothly, it needs to have a well-functioning plumbing system. Many homeowners are still intimidated by kitchen sink plumbing issues. It is not only inconvenient to deal with, but it can also cause serious damage to your home!

Can I fix kitchen plumbing issues by myself or call a professional?

It is important to know when to pick up the phone to call a professional and when to fix the issue by yourself. Regardless, any of these common kitchen sink drain problems can bring you much stress:
Clogged Kitchen Sink Drain
This is a common issue with any kitchen sink drain. Food and other debris may cause a buildup on your sink drain which causes foul odor and may attract insects. One way to deal with this issue is to simply pull out food waste or blockage from the drain. Using a plunger can help to pull the clog out by yourself. You can also use (non-acid-based) chemicals to dissolve clogs.  If these tactics don’t work, you need to call a professional plumber.
Leaking Kitchen Faucet
Before calling a professional, you may attempt to fix it on your own. If the leakage is coming from the base of the spout, the O-ring seal might have been worn out. Before you dismantle the faucet, turn off the water source. To locate the O-ring, pull out the coupling nut and gently coax the spout from its socket.  You can then replace the O-ring seal if it’s worn out.
Leak Under The Sink
The possible reason why there is water beneath your sink is because of a leaking drain basket. It is the area underneath the drain where water should flow into the plumbing. Leaking may happen if there is a bad connection or it is not sealed properly. This kitchen sink plumbing issue is very easy to fix by replacing the part.
Clogged Faucets
This is a kitchen sink plumbing concern that is mostly overlooked. To determine if your faucet is clogged, you need to unscrew it to the very end. You then need to pull out the strainer and check if there is any debris that is causing the obstruction. Clogs can happen when there is a build-up of mineral deposits or sediments in the internal faucet parts. You may attempt to investigate prior to calling in a professional. If not, leave it to us and we will take care of everything!

Kitchen Sink Plumbing Tips

Avoid using acid cleaner products for your kitchen sink drain that can erode the pipes. Go for an enzyme-based cleaner instead. Kitchen sink drain clogs are usually resolved using a small snake machine. Using a plunger might help, but it can be challenging due to several openings that don’t allow the plunger to get good suction.

Trust The Kitchen Sink Plumbing Experts

If the issue is out of your control, leave it to us. Contact us today and we are here to help!   | Photo Credits: Pixabay, Canva  
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How Are Sewer Cameras Used In Sewer Line Inspection?

Sewer Camera Inspection By Leone Plumbing Before the advent of sewer cameras, excavation was the only option to determine the sewer lines’ condition. Digging may leave a big mess and causes inconvenience not only to you but also with nearby residences or establishment. Today, the job becomes easy with sewer cameras. Doing sewer line inspection with a camera only needs a small entry point. The sewer camera is connected to a flexible cable, and the plumber can watch through a monitor as the gadget travels through the sewer line. Our licensed plumbers now have the ability to see the undetected problems within the sewage pipe.

Common Findings Of Sewer Camera Inspection

The sewer camera findings can help us pinpoint unseen sewer line problems such as:
Tree Roots Invasion
A single undetected crack in your sewer pipe can allow tree roots to invade your sewer line and grow into it. This will cause serious damage to your sewer line if not prevented.
Damaged Pipes
With the help of a sewer camera, unseen damaged pipes can be detected.
Bellied Sewer Line
When the sewer line starts to crumple, waste gets trapped which causes multiple blockages.
Accumulated Blockages
Over time, there can be a build-up of blockages in your sewer line. Items such as towels, feminine bathroom products, and dips in the underground plumbing due to settling dirt over the years can be detected by sewer cameras.

Types of Sewer Cameras

There are many types of sewer cameras available in the market. You can find a wide range of sewer cameras from RIDGID. We have been using RIDGID cameras for our sewer inspection. Here are some of the camera types you can find. Sewer Cameras Used By Leone Plumbing
Manual Feed Black and White Camera
This is the most basic sewer pipe camera. You will only see things black and white. But if your purpose is to only look for blockages in the line, then this is useful.
Power Feed with Either Color or Black and White Camera
This camera type automatically snakes its way through the drain and pipes whenever you press a button and put the camera down the pipe to get it started. It stops when it hits a blockage. You have the option to choose a black and white or full-color video to identify what the blockage is.
Power Feed with Color Camera and Recording Features
The camera system has a recording feature that records what the camera sees in the pipe. With this type of camera, we can further study and find a better solution to solve sewer line issues. This camera has an SD memory card that plugs into a special slot inside the main compartment of the camera’s handheld monitor.

Get Your Sewer Line Inspected

If you are experiencing sewer line issues but the cause of the problem is puzzling you, then you need to get your sewer line inspected. Contact us today to schedule a sewer line inspection. | Photo Credits: Leone Plumbing photos, Canva Actual Sewer Camera Inspection By Leone Plumbing
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Rinnai Tankless Water Heater: The Pros and Cons

Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Installation by Leone Plumbing

Rinnai tankless water heater installed by Leone Plumbing and Heating.

Tankless water heaters are growing popular with homeowners. Many homes are enjoying the advantage of going tankless. With the growing demand for tankless water heaters, we are picky in choosing the right unit for our installation service. One of the products that we highly recommend is the Rinnai tankless water heater.

Why Choose Rinnai Tankless Water Heater?

In your everyday domestic activities, there will be many instances in which you need hot water to get something done. You may need hot water every time you wash clothes, shower, bathing, doing dishes, and many others. Hot water can be highly on-demand in your home,  and you need a heavy-duty water heater. Rinnai tankless water heater has all the elements that a heavy-duty unit must have – available hot water on demand, durable, and energy-efficient.

The Pros and Cons of  Rinnai Tankless Water Heater

While we highly recommend Rinnai tankless water heater, there is no perfect product. Though we receive generally good points from this product, there are pros and cons too.

Pros:

Energy Saving
Rinnai tankless water heater only operates during the time you need it. That means less energy consumption. The traditional water heater, however, heats the water to a certain degree and stores the water in there (whether you need it or not). It will consume more energy to maintain the temperature throughout the day – which will translate to high energy bills. With a tankless water heater, you will save up to 50% of energy consumption.
Hot Water On Demand
It will take you several minutes to get hot water from a regular tank heater. But with a Rinnai tankless unit, hot water is available in seconds. The perk of having a tankless system is it provides a constant flow of hot water for as long as your household needs it.
Space-Saving
A tankless water heater is ideal for a home that wants enough space for other things. Rinnai tankless units don’t have large holding tanks so they can fit in any small spaces.
It Can Last Longer
Compared to a regular tank heater that can last for 10 years, Rinnai tankless units have a longer lifespan of about 20 years! That is how durable it is.

Cons:

Higher Purchase Cost
Rinnai tankless water heaters are costly to purchase and install compared to conventional heaters. Though the upfront cost is larger, it will save you money on energy bills throughout the year.
Large Units For Big Families
A small unit may not be able to keep up the demand of a household all at once. If you have a big family which uses the unit at the same time, you will need a large Rinnai tankless unit which costs more.

Go Tankless!

It is a wise investment to have a Rinnai tankless unit at home. If you want to go tankless or get your current unit serviced, we are always available for you! Talk to us today to find out more.  
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