Lead FREE Faucets are required in 2014

Lead Free Faucets are required by the EPA to be installed in 2014.  by Jamie Carter, Certified Plumbing Engineer

Lead is a metal found in natural deposits, and is commonly used in household plumbing materials and water service lines. The greatest exposure to lead is swallowing or breathing in lead paint chips and dust, however, lead in drinking water can also cause a variety of adverse health effects. Exposure to babies and children through lead in drinking water above the action level can result in delays in physical and mental development, along with slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, lead can cause increases in blood pressure, and those who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

Lead is rarely found through our water source, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder, but, new homes are also at risk: even legally “lead-free” plumbing may contain up to 8 percent lead. The most likely area of concern is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures which can leach significant amounts of lead into the water, especially hot water.

An act by Congress titled Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act requires all plumbing materials and faucets are to be lead free.  These items should not contain more than 0.2 percent of lead when used in solder and flux, and not more than .25 percent lead in surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fixtures, and fixtures.

How Can lead be lowered in drinking water?

The amount of lead can be easily lowered in most cases. To reduce the amount of lead in water:

• Run the tap until water is cold to the touch before using it for drinking or cooking. This is especially important after the water has been standing in the pipes overnight or over many hours. (The flushed water can be saved for watering house plants, washing dishes or general household cleaning.)
• Use only cold tap water for cooking, drinking or making a baby's formula. Hot water is more likely to leach lead from pipes and solder.
• Check household plumbing for leadbased pipes or solder. A plumber can help.
• Use only lead-free materials in all plumbing repairs or new faucets and pipes. The use of lead solder in plumbing was banned in New York State in 1986. Ask the plumber to show you the label from any solder packaging being used. It should state that the solder is lead-free.

How can water be tested for lead?

Certified commercial laboratories can test for lead in drinking water. The cost ranges from $15 to $50 per sample. Contact the local health department  for the names of laboratories approved to test drinking water for lead.

What is replacing lead in the the new material?

There are a variety of new material formulations that have been developed that use silicon, bismuth, antimony, tin and nickel.  Most plumbing contractors are aware of this regulation and have made the necessary provisions to change their product lines over to comply with the new regulation.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your home's drinking water, please contact Carter's My Plumber at 317-859-9999.  We are available to test your water, and provide recommendations for lead-free plumbing products.  We only install lead-free products, and we are continually educating ourselves about this new regulation and the health benefits.

What Can a Leaky Faucet Cost?

A Leaky Faucet can Cause Lack of Sleep, and Waste up to 5 Gallons of Water per Day.

by Jamie & Kelson Carter, Father/Son, Carter's My Plumber

    Can you imagine not having a faucet in your home?  Where would you brush your teeth?  Wash your face?  How about that fresh glass of water?? Faucets are such a valuable part of a home structure, and keeping them in a good working condition is imperative.

    A leaky faucet causing a “drip, drip, drip” noise is not only disturbing to sleep but adds to the water bill and causes inconvenience that might range from annoying to catastrophic. 

   So, what causes a faucet to drip?  The cause can be corrosion, mineral deposit on the internal parts, or defective gaskets, O-rings, or washers. Ignoring a faulty faucet can turn a simple repair into a major plumbing replacement project. Did you know a single faucet drip can drip 5 gallons of water per day?  That equates to 41 baths per year! 

   Not only is that bad for the environment, but the wasted water will cost you.       

1.Here are the Facts!

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency; “On an average, leaks can cause almost 10,000 gallons of wastage in a home every year, and this amount is sufficient to fill a swimming pool. The most common issues of leakage are dripping faucets, leakage in toilet flappers, or leaking valves, all of which can be easily fixed. However, among these, the most prominent leakage issue is caused by a dripping faucet; fixing one can save almost 10% of a homeowner’s water bill.”

2.What causes a Faucet to Drip?

There may be several causes why a faucet is drips. Here is a list of some major causes:

1. Problem with the O ring – A stem screw holds the handle of a faucet in place. This stem screw is made up of a small disc attached to it, known as the O ring, which is an integral point where dripping can occur. The O ring, which is a rubber material, may become loose or wear out with regular usage, causing the faucet to drip near the handle. Replacing the damaged O ring will fix the dripping faucet, if this is the issue, and this problem occurs specifically in cartridge faucets. 

2. Corroded Valve Seat – A valve seat is the connection between the faucet and the spout in a compression mechanism. Accumulation of water sediments can cause the valve seat to corrode and cause leakage around the spout area. Make sure to clean the valve seat regularly, with the help of a professional plumber. 

3. Worn out Washer – Definitely one of the most common causes behind a dripping faucet. During each use, the washer is forced against the valve seat. This constant friction and resistance causes the valve to wear out. As a result, dripping starts around the spout.  A worn out rubber washer in a compression faucet can be stopped by replacing the washer. 

4. Improper installation of Washer – If the washer is not installed properly or is not the right size, it will cause leakage.  Seek professional help in installing the washer correctly, and this will take care of the leakage problem. 

5. Loose Parts – The adjusting ring and packing nuts in the stem screw may become loose with continuous usage, causing leakage near the handle of the faucet. If there is leakage from the handle, either packing nut needs tightened or replaced. 

6. Worn out Seals – Inlet and outlet seals are a vital part of disc faucets. With constant usage, sediment can accumulate inside the assembly, and cause the seal to wear out.   This causes a faucet to drip.  Hire a plumber to clean the water sediments regularly from the inlet and outlet seals to make sure that the faucet mechanism works properly. Replace the seals for better faucet function. 

7. Broken Plumbing – On occasion, a dripping faucet may be caused by a broken pipe or fittings. Broken pipes develop cracks that can interfere with water pressure and lead to faucet dripping. If none of the solutions above have solved the dripping faucet issue, hire an experienced plumber to check the water pipes. 

Understanding why a faucet is leaking is crucial to fixing it properly and fixing the drip will save sleep and money over time!  Call Carter's My Plumber if you need advice, or a professional plumber:  317-859-9999

The Most Common Plumbing Problems during the Summertime

by Jamie & Kelson Carter, Father/Son Plumbing Contractors

Here is a list of the Most Common Summertime Plumbing Problems and how you can help Dad out with a repair!

1. Clogged Garbage Disposal:  Since, we are more active during summer with cookouts and barbeques, it is important to properly dispose of food waste.  Do not put excess fruits and vegetables that are more fibrous and hard in texture such as watermelon rinds, celery and potato skins down the drain.  Cooking oil, grease and fat from meats should be placed in the trash instead.  Be sure to run plenty of cold water before, during and after the food is being ground up by the garbage disposal to ease in the downward flow through the drain to prevent a drainage clog.
2. Backed Up Sewer Lines:  When the air begins to heat up, summer rain showers can bring bursts of rain showers.  Excess rain water and tree roots in the soil can cause cracks in sewer lines through which water can seep into the sewer line and cause a sewer line to back up from so much velocity overload.  If water from the toilet begins to back up into the bath or shower drain that is a warning sign of a sewer line back up.  It could be a simple fix or an extensive replacement.  It's always good to have the line inspected with a camera device to know exactly what the "root" cause is.
3. Watch The Washing Machine:  The washing machine tends to get used much more frequently during summertime with everyone spending more time doing a variety of activities such as spending time at the lake and enjoying the outdoors.  It's a good idea to not leave the house while the washing machine is running so that you are readily available to stop the wash cycle if something goes haywire.  The washing machine should be positioned a foot or so away from the wall, to ensure that all water lines and hoses have room to work properly without kinking.
4. When Toilets Clog:  With school out there may be more people home during the summer and toilets get used more.  Caution family members to use smaller amounts of toilet paper and keep a plunger handy for those small clogs which occur.  If the toilet is completely clogged and won't flush, call a plumber who will be able to rooter, or "snake" the line.  When gravity won't fix it, it takes a special tool to push a blockage out the line without breaking it.
5. Outside Hose Spigots:  Sometimes outside hose spigots wear out from "wear and tear" of using the hose or from extreme winter temperatures.  When you are getting a spray of water where the hose fits to the spigot, or if the spigot continually drips, it could be a simple repair or something that requires a new device.

If you need advice, or need a plumber, please call us.   We are locally owned and operated.  We are a father/son team!  We are 3 generations in the plumbing business.  Call our office at 317-859-9999, or tweet Jamie @proplumberjc