Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing’

Thermal Imaging for Plumbing & HVAC

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Thermal imaging, also known as infrared imaging senses differences in temperatures that are otherwise undetectable by the human eye. The thermal imaging camera is the primary tool for thermal imaging. It looks no different from the conventional camcorder, and also operates similarly. Thermal imaging is extensively used in security, navigation, surveillance, firefighting, and medicine. This is also used as a non-destructive testing methodology. Thermal imaging or thermal video cameras can be used for various facets of building audits and diagnostics. Indoor environments of a building be seriously compromised because of poor insulation, improper sealing of doors and windows, bad quality duct work, plumbing leaks, and other plumbing related issues because of inefficient HVAC systems. More and more construction companies are applying the “whole building” approach to optimize energy efficiencies of buildings.

The applications of this technology in energy audits, HVAC & plumbing issues, moisture & restoration, has made it an indispensable tool in the business of building & construction. Infrared video cameras are also used to detect problems that lead to mold growth and indoor air quality. Most buildings face the problem of presence of moisture due to condensation or leakage. Sometimes, the area of leakage is a lot larger than what is visible. Such water damages can prove hazardous to a structure. Infrared video cameras provide efficient assistance in scanning large areas quickly and thus enabling building professionals to assess the damage and take quick actions for restoration. Thermal imaging helps in tracing the correct area with water intrusion and hidden moisture under the surface.

The images provided make it easy for documentation and future insurance claims. Thermal imaging cameras are the best option when it comes to identifying cracks and gaps in a structure. Thermal imaging helps detect faults in thermal insulation and windows by locating the area through which there are leaks. This is achieved by detection of areas where heated air in cold regions or cool air-conditioning air I warm regions vanishes. Since warm objects stand out well against cooler backgrounds, thermal imaging also helps in mapping thermal bridges. Thermal bridges are a part of the design of the structure that is less insulated or not insulated at all. These can be holes, cracks, spotlights or other fixtures that go through the insulation layer. A major benefit of using infrared cameras for testing plumbing issues is that it can be executed with minimal intrusion, floor and ceiling damage and reduced downtime or recurring cost. If time is a constraint to implement a detailed restoration process, techniques such as humidity alarms and automated dew point are also available.

About Author
Fluke is the leading market leader in cutting edge technology of Infrared Software and thermal imager
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Planning is Essential For Any Kind of Plumbing And Heating Repairs

Sunday, April 17th, 2011

If you are going to work out any venture preparation is essential. House repairs may be challenging and interesting but sometimes it is just a plain tough work. If you are not planning and preparing well in advance then it will become a frustrating workload. Likewise when you are making plans to undertake any renovations or repairs of any of your plumbing and heating system than check out that your water pressures, hot water heater and septic tank (if you live outside the limits of the city or at a summer cottage) can handle the increased demands. Next take an outline of your present system including the supply lines, vent, house drains, and bench drains and also search out the clean outs that are accessible. Make sure that you had found out the general and specific types and sizes of pipes and piping.

Using your guides, notes and outline you will be better able to work out where it is you can best tie into the drain and supply lines and lineage and as well evaluate to a fair, almost a professional degree, whether or not the existing drains and drainages are adequate for your plans and planning. By doing a little hard work you can save yourself and your home renovation budget may be reduced to an extent in terms of money, effort and time. You can even say that if you plan well in advance then it will be an investment of your cash and time.

It may be said that before running any water lines to any new or additional plumbing fixture or fixtures then you must mark up the walls where the waste water supply and water intake are located. For this a simple chalk which is used by the kids to mark up sidewalks and which you can purchase from the standard big stationery store. Unlike permanent markers this markings can be simply rubbed away. Most of the recent fixtures are available with standard templates used for this very purpose of markings. If not possible, position the fixtures with its outlet pipes and trap in place. As a last plan, route the waste pipe, by sloping approximately 1 to 11/4 inches for each 3 to 4 feet of run, that will ensure good and proper consistent drainages over time and well in the future even if your house or property shifts into the ground or sand somewhat. Don’t forget to use a chalk line to mark the position of the lines.

As a working person on the job any time and effort that is spent on pre-planning will pay you more benefit without any doubt. It is an undeniable fact that due to planning in advance there will be fewer problems that requires less time and effort. These will results in less cost of the job and wasted materials in the end. Thus the best way is to plan a head and make use of your valuable time and effort in a very ideal manner.

About Author
The author is an SEO copy writer and internet marketing specialist. To know more about Boiler Repair Canonbury N1 and Boiler Repair London visit atplumbing andheating
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Dearborn Home Inspection Presents: The Carson Dunlop Home Inspection CD Training Series (Plumbing, Heating, Electrical, Roofing, Insulation and Interiors, Exterior, Structure, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps

Saturday, April 16th, 2011


Product Description
This training tool contains dozens of real world inspection scenes, narrated by experienced, professional home inspectors. Using clear photographs and computer enhancements, the CD’s present the nature of the defects illustrated and how best to handle them during an inspection. Major topics are clearly distinguished so that you can easily stop and start the presentation to suit your needs.

Dearborn Home Inspection Presents: The Carson Dunlop Home Inspection CD Training Series (Plumbing, Heating, Electrical, Roofing, Insulation and Interiors, Exterior, Structure, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps

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Cesspools, Septic Tanks, Plumbers, and Plumbing History

Sunday, April 11th, 2010

You wake up one radiant Saturday morning, looking forward to doing some gardening around your magnificent new Pre-Revolutionary Colonial home in tony Westchester.

You throw open the bay windows, taking in the expanse of benevolent blue skies, your magnificent garden bursting with Daffodils and Tiger Lilies, the wild ducks luxuriating just beyond in the shimmering pond, beneath a ring of White Oaks and Sugar Maples.

You take in a deep breath of fresh air -

Then, you’re rolling on your Persian rug, gagging uncontrollably…

The aroma of your splendid natural setting hits you with all the power and putrescence of a toxic waste dump.

What’s the problem?

This is Westchester. Not some 4th-world village with shallow roadside trenches filled with human excreta.

Then, you remember, just before purchasing your dream house, a friend suggested to check the condition of the septic tank.

What Is It?

A typical septic tank has a volume of 750-1500 gallons, and may be made of concrete, steel, or fiberglass. They are watertight chambers that promote the growth of anaerobic bacteria for the biological decomposition of sewage, and the separation of grease and organic particles from the wastewater. Septic tanks are constructed with baffles or sanitary tees to prevent the flow-through of floating solids, and to minimize the possibility of the raw sewage from leaving the tank, and disturbing the settled sludge and floating scum.

A septic system combines a septic tank and a leaching system. The leaching system may include leach lines, leach beds, or seepage pits. Drywells are another term for seepage pits, with the distinction being that they typically handle no sewage and simply re-direct storm water into the ground. Sometimes the term “cesspool” is used, but it’s actually archaic. There are a few cesspools manufactured, but they don’t permit the flow-through of septic tanks, and are only used for temporary purposes.

In terms of modern plumbing, waste from your home enters and exits the top portion of the buried septic tank. In the interim, the bacteria in the tank’s liquid environment do their work by breaking down solids into a liquid called effluent. Effluent exits the tank, next enters the leaching system, before finally seeping back into the ground.

When You Need a Plumber

If you begin detecting unwelcome odors, find yourself sinking into soggy and lushly green areas in your lawn, or suddenly discover a fetid backup in your sink, shower, or bathtub, the chances are your septic tank’s leaching system has failed.

Septic tanks can suffer structural damage or deteriorate over time. Most problems are created by blockages in the plumbing or leaching systems, or the pipe running between your home and the tank. Minor obstructions can be solved with household plumbing equipment, but serious ones require a plumber.

Over time, tree roots can also enter the drainpipes choking off the refuse. Also, the soil surrounding the leaching system can become clogged, and when all the sludge and scum is not periodically removed from the tank, they’re transported out into the absorption field.

Benefits

Aside from unclogging pipes, repairing leaching systems, or replacing severely damaged septic tanks, an experienced plumber will know how to find your tank if you don’t even know where it is.

Your general contractor should have provided you with a plot plan, indicating the septic system’s whereabouts. But if you’ve somehow lost or misplaced the records, and can’t obtain them from your city or county’s heath department, a savvy plumber will zone in on your septic tank by probing the ground with a metal rod to locate the pipeline. Or, he’ll follow the pipeline from the house by listening to the noise a metal snake making final contact with the tank inlet. Water probes are another method he might utilize to locate a tank that’s gone M.I.A.

Risks

Don’t buy a septic tank that’s too small for your house. Larger units have many advantages including longer detention times, permit better separation, and less carry-over of scum and sludge. These factors prolong the life of the subsurface leach lines, leach beds, and seepage pits. Yes, larger tanks are more expensive, but require less frequent cleaning, and allow for future home expansion.

Cess Pool History 101

The Romans were innovators in sewage control, most notably with the cloaca maxima, circa 800 BC. These open drains carried away storm water, but designed in such a way that the rains also flushed away piles of excrement and household rubbish thrown into the streets. These Roman sewer geniuses also developed the cesspool, the forerunner of a modern-day septic tank. Sewage flowed into a large stone vat, where heavy solids settled to the bottom, and lighter particles floated to the top. The partially cleaned liquid was drained into a river or the sea. The collected sludge was then used as fertilizer or buried.

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