Gary R. Tanner's Five Highest Priorities
TO YOUR PLUMBING SYSTEM
- Pressure Reducing Valve
(Pressure Regulator)
The pressure reducing valve may be the most important
single factor in your entire plumbing system. Without reducing the
pressure to normal levels, every faucet, angle stop, water heater, water closet
and hose bib will suffer excessive wear and premature malfunction. Any
pressurized potable water system with a reading of over 75psi is not being
controlled by a working pressure regulator. The only exception is systems,
usually from the meter to the house, which use “multi-range” pressure regulators
to accommodate landscaping demands. In the unlikely event that someone has
used one of these “specialized” pressure regulators on a house system, the
pressure should be adjusted to below 75psi. In many areas thermal
expansion tanks should be used to protect against excessive pressure build up
caused by reigniting water heaters during non-use periods. Please refer to
articles on “Pressure Regulators” and “Thermal Expansion” on our main page
contents column.
- Water Closets
As toilet tank capacity has been systematically
reduced over the years from 7gal to 3.5 gals to 1.6 gals (and recently to 1.2
gals) many manufacturers have found it difficult to produce a water closet that
provides a reasonably strong flush. A striking exception to that trend is
the Toto water closet. The Toto “Drake” is generally regarded by most
plumbers to be the strongest flushing gravity flow water closet on the market.
When Toto first introduced their products they would demonstrate the Drake’s
capacity by setting up displays at plumbing wholesalers and having their
representative flush dozens of golf balls through the unit into a plastic tank
below so onlookers could see the action. They don’t do that anymore, they
don’t have to. Most plumbers know that if they use a Toto (especially the
“Drake”) water closet, there will be a rarity of stoppages and malfunctions.
What could be more annoying than a water closet that chronically backs up and
requires, plunging, double flushing, or (worst of all and most costly) a
plumber’s service?
- Whole House Water Filters
San Diego County’s water has more chlorine than the
typical swimming pool. Chorine and other additives called “binders” ensure
you will not be sickened by drinking tap water (if you can stand the taste).
Many people believe that highly chlorinated water is unhealthy, even if you can
get past the idea of drinking Clorox. Yes, you can buy bottled water but
did you know that a ten minute shower causes your body to absorb as much
chlorine and other additives as 8 glasses of tap water? You can buy shower
head filters that have to be replaced periodically (which most people forget to
do and end up showering in tap water, anyway), or install a water filter that
delivers bottle water quality water to every fixture in the house at a cost of
.003 cents a gallon. The units we use are maintenance free and deliver a
million and one half gallons of bottled water quality water before any service
is required. If you have a water softener you are no doubt aware of the
deteriorating effect they have on water heaters and other plumbing system
components…not to mention you can’t drink the water. It is strongly
recommended that anyone with a water softener consider replacing it with a whole
house water filter.
- Solar Hot Water
Anyone with an electric, or LPG fired water heater is paying a premium for
energy. The new tiered billing system ensures that you will be paying a
high rate for electricity and LPG cost parallels gas and oil products.
Solar
heating technology has advanced to the point that it has become an
“investment,” as
it dramatically reduces your monthly energy bill and
effectively makes you more energy and government independent. Please
refer to our article on “Solar Energy” on our home page.
- Bidets
Thirty years ago the sight of, or mention of a bidet
brought giggles and silly jokes. In Europe and Japan bidets have been used
for decades as a personal hygiene aid not only for women, but men as well.
What more effective and effortless way could there be for cleaning one’s
functional parts after using the water closet? If you have room in your
bathroom for this often misunderstood plumbing fixture, you could make no more
personally satisfying and effective a choice than to add one to your plumbing
system.
SERVING YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS
IN NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY SINCE 1970
Town & Country Plumbing Repair
Locations to serve you
Carlsbad, Del Mar, Escondido, Vista, Fallbrook, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Oceanside, Solana Beach, San Marcos, Mira Mesa, Rancho Penasquitos, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, Scripps Ranch, Sabre Springs, Carmel Mountain, Rainbow, Bonsall, Valley Center, Carmel Valley. Santa Luz, Cardiff, and Olivenhain
CALL US NOW AT THESE CONVENIENT NUMBERS:
|
San Marcos (760) 744-8672 |
Rancho
Bernardo (858) 484-7331 |
Fallbrook (760) 728-4505 |
|
Rancho Santa Fe (858) 755-7529 |
Mira Mesa (858) 578-7508 |
Carlsbad (760) 438-4334 |
|
Escondido (760) 745-0337 |
About Our Company
