When it comes to gas piping in your home, any work should always be handled by a professional and licensed contractor. Many states require that companies receive a special permit in order to offer gas line repair, installation or replacement. When you need any New Hampshire plumbing repair or gas line repair, just call HB Energy Solutions. We have over 21 years of experience working on all different kind of gas line and plumbing problems. We wanted to help our customers protect themselves from any potential gas line problems. Check out our quick guide below and give us a call if you have any questions or concerns. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category
New Hampshire Plumbing Repair Tip: Gas Piping Safety
Monday, April 20th, 2015How Can I Make Sure New Gas Piping Installation Is Handled Safely?
Thursday, January 15th, 2015While appliances that use natural gas to operate were once considered a health and safety risk, today’s gas-powered systems are safer than ever. Most gas appliances contain plenty of safety features that help to prevent gas from leaking into your home. Today, people do not have to worry as they once did about a pilot light going out and leaving the gas running. In current standing gas pilot heating systems, a flame sensor detects there us a safety hazard and shuts off the unit immediately. Other modern gas burners only ignite when needed, with plenty of safety components to prevent any hazards that may prevent gases from venting as well.
But, as with anything that uses natural gas, there is an unfortunate risk of a gas leak, particularly if an appliance is poorly installed. And if the gas pipes themselves are not installed as they should be, the risk of a leak is high. You may need new gas piping installation for a new home, an extension, or for a major renovation. Similarly, you may need new gas pipes if you’ve decided to remodel a room like the kitchen, and you need to extend gas pipes to accommodate a new oven.
Whatever your gas piping needs, you need a professional, even for the smallest of installations. The only sure way to verify that your new gas pipe is installed as safely as possible is by choosing an expert that is trained and certified to deal with a natural gas line. A professional will check all of the connections and should be able to spot any potential damage with ease. Trained technicians can also check your entire piping system if desired.
Gas leaks are a serious issue for a couple of reasons. A natural gas leak can have very serious health effects, and it’s highly flammable. Never attempt to repair a gas appliance or a gas pipe on your own and evacuate the home as soon as you suspect a leak.
The technicians at HB Energy Solutions have years of experience installing, maintaining, and repairing gas piping in Southern Vermont. Call us today!
Finding the Right Company to Use for Whole House Plumbing Installation
Monday, September 15th, 2014If you are building a new home, or you live in an older home with outdated galvanized steel plumbing, you will need to have professionals handle your whole house plumbing installation. This is a large job—probably the largest job you will ever need to call a plumbing company to handle—so you must make sure you bring in the best plumbing experts you can, people who will get the work done fast and accurately, leaving behind no impending repair problems.
Here are some tips on how to pick the right plumbing contractor to install whole house plumbing systems in Southern Vermont. We think that after you look around, you will decide that the best company to call is HB Energy Solutions.
Making the choice of companies for whole house plumbing
The first criteria to use when it comes to whole house plumbing is to search for a company that offers comprehensive services. New plumbing installation, from water pipes to gas pipes, covers the spectrum of appliances and systems in a home, so make certain that you hire a contractor who offers services that cover everything: installation, repairs, and maintenance for anything from water and sewer lines to water heaters.
Next, pay attention to the amount of years a contractor has served the community. Although it’s possible to find skilled technicians at a newer company, you have certainty that a company with many years to its credit has the experience a large job like whole-house plumbing requires. You should target a contractor with a minimum of 10 years in the business.
Look for a company that offers free estimates and second opinions. It’s important to know from the start what you should expect to pay for whole house plumbing installation, so look for a plumbing company that’s willing to tell you what it will cost before the work starts.
Finally, make certain that the contractor offers a satisfaction guarantee. This is an immense task that you need done, and you should have assurances upfront that it will get done right—or you won’t have to pay.
When you look over our qualifications at HB Energy Solutions, we think you’ll agree that we are one of your best options for any plumbing job, and especially for whole house plumbing systems in Southern Vermont.
We offer a 100% money-back guarantee and free estimates, and provide almost any plumbing service that you can imagine. Call HB Energy Solutions today.
The Common Tools Used in Professional Leak Detection
Monday, July 28th, 2014Leaks are among the most common problems that can afflict a home’s plumbing. Despite their frequency, leaks are also notoriously difficult to locate, especially smaller ones hidden behind drywall and floorboards, or leaks that occur under concrete foundation slabs. Once you start to notice signs of leaks happening in your home—such as high water bills, mold and mildew growth, or water damage appearing on walls and floorboards—you must contact professional plumbers to perform leak detection in order to pinpoint the leaking and fix it with the least amount of disruption to your home.
Leak detection is a specialized skill that requires equipment available only to professional plumbers. Below are some of the devices that our plumbers at HB Energy Solutions use for leak detection in Southern Vermont homes. Call us any time of the day or night when you need work for household leaks.
The basic leak detection tools
- Acoustic devices: Sound is one of the ways that plumbers locate leaks through building material. The escaping water makes a distinctive noise which plumbers can locate using listening discs or ground microphones. The discos work very similar to medical stethoscopes, and can locate leaking acoustically even through thick concrete slabs. The plumbers will first use visual clue to narrow down the search area, and the use the acoustic equipment to determine the more exact location of the problem.
- Pressure and heat sensors: A more advanced set of tools are pressure- and heat-sensing devices. Water escaping from leaks causes increases in pressure around the pipe and also temperature changes. These electronic sensors can locate these areas.
- Video inspection equipment: The most precise way to locate leaks—and also the best way to find out how to fix them—is with video inspection equipment. These devices consist of flexible fiber-optic cables with digital cameras and LED lights mounted at the ends. Plumbers send these cameras down through pipes and watch a video feed on monitors to spot where leaking is occurring. The plumbers will also know the size and nature of the leaks, which will help the repair work go faster.
Not only is leak detection equipment too expensive for consumer use, but it requires years of training to operate properly and interpret the results. Make sure that you put your trust in professional plumbers when you need leak detection in Southern Vermont for your home’s plumbing.
For professional leak detection services in Southern Vermont call on HB Energy Solutions, and we will put our more than 20 years of experience to work for you.
How to Factor Plumbing into Your New Construction
Monday, July 7th, 2014When your business expands, either with additions to its current space or with a completely new building, you will have a swarm of issues to worry about, and some will receive more attention than others. One issue that deserves a great deal of your attention is the new plumbing, which is as important as hooking up the electrical power.
It can be tricky trying estimating how plumbing will integrate with the new construction work, and that’s why you should always have a company with extensive new construction plumbing in New Hampshire working with you. HB Energy Solutions is a full service energy installation company, and we handle new construction plumbing services, as well as electrical services. Contact us before you start your new business’ new construction project.
Consider these factors for plumbing in new construction
- Are you connecting old plumbing to new plumbing? If your new construction is an addition to your current building, then the most important consideration is how to fit the new plumbing to the old, and how much of the older plumbing will also need replacement in order to accommodate the new. Part of this will involve the water heater; you will almost certainly need a new water heater installation to supply enough hot water for the expansion. Professional plumbers will help you with the planning to properly integrate older plumbing with the new installation.
- Match the plumbing with your budget: Budget will always be on your mind when it comes to any major project for your company. When you are involved in new construction, make sure that the expenses necessary to install the plumbing will match with your allocated budget. It’s often easy to take the plumbing for granted in construction, but it is a major item to consider that can affect the layout, and mistakes in either building design or plumbing will be costly in both the short and the long term.
- Make sure to hire the right contractors: This can be difficult, but even a company that handles light commercial plumbing work and installation will not necessarily have experience with new construction plumbing. Take the time to find a company with years of experience and a specialty in plumbing for new construction; this is the most important step you can take with the planning to factor in new plumbing, because if you make the right choice, most of your other choices will be taken care of.
We can also install the necessary electrical systems and water heaters: everything that you need to supply your new construction with the water, drainage, and power it needs. We will take into account all the factors necessary to make your light commercial construction and expansion a success.
At HB Energy Solutions, we can handle your light commercial new construction plumbing in New Hampshire, whether it’s a complete new plumbing system or gas piping. Call us today!
What Does the Bend in the Pipe Below My Sink Do?
Friday, June 13th, 2014Most of the plumbing in your home remains hidden from view. The pipes snake between the walls, under the floors, and through closed-off utility rooms. But there is one section of plumbing that you probably know well, and that’s the drainpipes located directly below your sinks. You see these any time you open up the cabinet doors to retrieve something. Every time you do this, you’ll see an oddity about this piece of piping: the odd U-shaped bend it makes before it enters the wall.
That bend in the pipe serves an important purpose, but it can also lead to plumbing troubles as well.
We have 33 years of experience serving Vermont and New Hampshire. Should you encounter trouble and need plumbing repair in Southern Vermont, call HB Energy Solutions.
The p-trap
The bend in the drainpipe that you see is called the “p-trap.” The reason for the name is that the bend makes the pipe resemble a “P” with an open back when looked at from the side. (And you thought it was going to be called a “u-pipe” or something like that.) What it traps is water: after water pours down the drain, gravity traps an amount down within the bend. As long as water runs down the drain regularly, the p-trap will remain filled.
This water plug does the important job of stopping sewer gases from decaying material further down the pipe from coming back up and escaping through the drain. Without the p-trap, sewer odors would invade your home constantly.
Should your p-trap dry up—something that happens in sinks that aren’t used for a long stretch, like one in a guest room—the empty trap will allow the sewer odors to come up. If you encounter foul smells in areas with an unused sink, run some water down the drain for a few minutes, and that should take care of the problem.
P-traps can become sources of clogs. When debris that shouldn’t go down a drain does, it will often catch in the p-trap. Over time, the p-trap will develop a congestion of soap scum, hair, and food (depending on where the sink is located) that will lead to a slow drain or clog. Too much contamination can also lead to corrosion and leaks.
For serious clogs (anything a plunger cannot handle) you must have the assistance of professional plumbers armed with motorized drain snakes and hydro-jetters. Do not attempt to take out a set of wrenches and unscrew the p-trap yourself: this risks disaster. Instead, reach for the phone and call for plumbing repair in Southern Vermont from HB Energy Solutions. We offer full plumbing services to take care of all your needs, from blocked pipes to water heater installation.
The 2 Types of Sump Pumps
Friday, March 28th, 2014A sump pump is often a necessary tool for homes that suffer from moisture entering the basement due to a high water table. They are also invaluable during heavy rains when additional water can flood into the lower parts of a home. An effective sump pump will protect your basement from the growth of mold, mildew, wood rot, and prevent other kinds of damage that water and humidity can cause to building material.
A sump pump must have professional installation to make sure that it works correctly, has an adequate sump (water collection pit) excavated, and connects to a waste line for water removal. You also need to have professionals help you decide on the type and size of sump pump you need. There are two basic sump pump types: the pedestal sump pump and the submersible sump pump. They both have advantages and disadvantages, so you will need the assistance of a plumbing professional to help you choose the right one for your home.
For sump pump installation, repairs, and maintenance, call on the company with 21 years of experience working on plumbing in New Hampshire, HB Energy Solutions.
Pedestal sump pumps
The first type of sump pump sits above the sump on a specially-constructed pedestal. A hose from the pump runs down into the sump, and an impeller motor in the pump draws the water up and removes it. These kinds of sump pumps are easier to repair because they’re exposed, and they also cost less than submersible pumps and endure longer. However, pedestal pumps need to work harder to overcome gravity when drawing water, and they are less effective at dealing with the large amounts of water that can come from rain flooding.
Submersible sump pumps
As the name implies, submersible sump pumps sit down inside the sump itself beneath the surface of the water. They draw water directly into intake valves. To prevent water damage, the motor is sealed inside a water-proof container. Submersible pumps are less obtrusive and take up less space in your basement, and they operate more quietly because they are submerged underwater. They pump faster than pedestal pumps and will do a better job for basements that encounter more serious flooding. However, they cost more than pedestal pumps and will require more repair work because of their exposure to water.
You will not only need professionals to help you choose and install the proper sump pump for your basement, you will also need them to regularly maintain the pump (especially a submersible pump). Call HB Energy Solutions for the skilled plumbing service in New Hampshire that will keep your basement dry with the right sump pump.
Why Pinhole Leaks Are Such a Serious Problem
Monday, February 17th, 2014The term “pinhole leaks” is a bit misleading. Although it does accurately describe the size of these leaks that can appear in your pipes, it tends to minimize them so they sound like minor problems. But nothing could be further from the truth: pinhole leaks are one of the most problematic repair needs that can crop up in plumbing. The U.S. EPA has identified pinhole leaks as a significant danger not only to plumbing systems, but also to homes in general.
Fortunately, pinhole leaks are not a difficult problem for professional plumbers to fix once they know of their existence. If you have leaks of any kind—or suspect that you do—call for assistance from experts in plumbing in Southern Vermont. HB Energy Solutions is ready around the clock and the calendar to help you!
What exactly are pinhole leaks?
Pinhole leaks are tiny holes along pipes. They usually appear close together across a single patch of pipe, and they can occur to modern copper piping. The EPA has studied the causes of pinhole leaks and determined that they are likely the result of a “localized copper corrosion called pitting corrosion.” The EPA isn’t certain, however, what causes pitting corrosion, since copper pipes are highly corrosion-resistant and have become popular as a replacement for galvanized steel pipes.
Why are pinhole leaks something to worry about?
Pinhole leaks only allow a small amount of water to drip out, but because they are tiny enough to at first escape detection, their leaks will soon build up to the point where they will cause damage to building material and promote mold and mildew growth. Water will destroy drywall and warp wood floors, and mold will increase the speed of destruction.
How can I detect pinhole leaks?
This is big obstacle with pinhole leaks: they are difficult for homeowners to detect until they start to cause extensive damage. The best way to find them is to have regular inspections done on your plumbing from a professional. Schedule an inspection once a year; your plumber will use leak detection equipment to locate problems. Keep watch for smaller indications of leaking: a drop in water pressure, an unexplained increased in water bills, or discoloration appearing on the wallpaper.
Call for repairs as soon as you can
Protect your valuable home plumbing in Southern Vermont: turn to expert plumbers for fast repairs the moment you sense anything is wrong. HB Energy Solutions can handle all your plumbing needs, and we have excellent leak detection services to find those troublesome pinhole leaks.
How Professional Plumbers Detect Leaks
Tuesday, January 21st, 2014Leaks, along with clogs, are one of the main problems that can afflict your home’s plumbing. But where clogs are obvious from the moment they start, leaks can be trickier to detect. Most leaking occurs in places where the pipes are hidden from sight, and a small leak between piping joints, or “pinhole leaks” that occur along patches of corrosion, will not have immediate effects that you will be able to see. It’s often not until the leaking begins to cause more extensive damage that they become obvious—and even then, you probably won’t see all the leaking that is occurring throughout the plumbing.
This is the reason it’s important to have professional plumbers do leak detection when you suspect trouble with your plumbing. Leaking spreads rapidly if left without repairs; trust to plumbers and their leak detection services to find all the spots where leaks have started and find how to stop them.
HB Energy Solutions has helped repair plumbing in New Hampshire for 21 years, and we’re ready to help you with your leaky plumbing.
Professional Leak Detection
When you notice damp spots or discoloration on your walls, warping floorboards, or an unexpected water bill increase, you should call a plumber for leak detection.
When the plumber comes to your home, he or she will use advanced technology to locate the leak without needing to rip through wood, plaster, or stone to reach the pipes. One of the main tools that plumbers use to do this is video pipe inspection equipment. These devices have miniature cameras and lights set at the end of a long flexible cable. The cable snakes down through drains and deep into the pipes to locate where damage is occurring and allowing leaks to happen. This lets the plumber pinpoint where repairs are needed.
Another important part of the leak detection toolkit is listening devices. Listening discs work in a manner similar to a doctor’s stethoscope, except they specialize in hearing through surfaces such as drywall and wood. A deck plate can be used to listen through concrete and bricks.
For pipes that lay beneath your lawn or garden, a plumber can use soil listening devices, or place a dye into your water system that will make a much more visible mark where the leaking is occurring.
Leak detection combines these advanced tools with the skill and experience of a trained plumber to use them and properly interpret their information. Don’t trust leak detection to amateurs; it’s important that you locate all the leaks in your plumbing so you’ll prevent the problem from growing and eventually threatening to damage your house.
Call HB Energy Solutions today for expert leak detection for your plumbing in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Plumbing Guide: What Is a Well Pump?
Monday, November 18th, 2013If your home is removed from a municipal water supply, then you likely have a well serving your needs for running water. Or you may have moved into an older home that already uses a well as its source for water. Regardless of the reason for having a well, you require the action of a well pump to provide you with the water you use daily for bathing, drinking, cooking, and household chores.
If you need repairs for your well pump—or any other troubles with your plumbing in New Hampshire—look to a company with more than two decades of experience: HB Energy Solutions.
What exactly is a well pump and how does it operate? Most of the ones used today are submersible pumps, also known as electric submersible pumps (ESP): they sit completely submerged inside the water of the well. The advantage of a submersible pump is that it doesn’t need to pull fluids via suction like a jet pump; it achieves much higher efficiency by pushing the water instead.
The pump contains a motor inside hermetic sealing so it won’t receive water damage. Along the bottom of the unit are the electrical connections that hook it to the power source above ground. The pump itself is a stacked series of impellers above this lower section. Water enters the bottom of the pump through an intake screen, where the centrifugal force of the impellers forces the water through a pipe and into the plumbing system of your home.
Because well pumps operate out of sight underground, people frequently don’t think about them and imagine they will run forever. But well pumps can begin to wear down with age. If you notice a slow but steady decrease in water pressure throughout your home, then the well pump may have reached the point where it will need replacement.
However, trouble with a well pump doesn’t necessarily mean the whole unit must be replaced. Sometimes professional repairs will get it working again. Because the pump is submerged inside a deep well (often 100-300 feet below the surface), it needs a pro to retrieve it and perform the necessary repairs. HB Energy Solutions has experience with well pumps and all kinds of repairs for plumbing in New Hampshire. If you suspect your well pump has issues that need an expert to remedy, contact HB Energy Solutions any time of the day or night.
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