Bet you can?t wait for spring, yeah? No more snow, no more scraping the car, you don?t have to bundle up just to make a quick run to the store, and warmer weather means lower heating bills.

But wouldn?t it be nice to have lower heating bills even in the coldest months of winter?

People have been talking for years with more and more enthusiasm and conviction about ?going green.? But here?s the thing?thrifty consumers have been ?going green? for decades, not necessarily to save the planet but because it?s cheaper, Add Some Green to Your Spring!

Being green can mean recycling and all that, but it also means reusing what you have, so you don?t have to spend money on more junk at the store?which also means that manufacturers won?t have to make so much junk, which eventually has to be put somewhere either in your home or in a landfill.

It means turning down the thermostat and putting on a sweater, just like grandma always says. Sure, it generates less energy and saves fossil fuels?but it also lowers your bill and keeps your green in your wallet.

That?s why we?ve been fans of ?going green? for years.

If you want to have a greener home to save money and energy, but without sacrificing comfort, look no further. We have some helpful tips for making your home greener, so that you?re not wasting resources.

Robinson?s Plumbing Service proudly serves all of Central Virginia, including Charlottesville,aCrozet, Troy, and all of Goochland County.a

Green Plumbing-aAdd Some Green to Your Spring

• Installing low-flow water fixtures can reduce your consumption by about 60%?and they?re easy to find at the store and install.
• You can also install faucet flow reducers on your current faucets and save about 40% on your water usage.
• You could not flush the toilet every time you use it?OR you could get a low-flush toilet to reduce unnecessary water usage ? 1 toilet can save 750 gallons per year with a total of $90 per year from your utility bill. Newer models are cheaper than you think?definitely worth pricing.
• Too many leaks start where you can?t see them. Purchasing a leak monitoring device notifies you of leaky faucets, pipes, toilets and appliances, so you can catch the problem and take care of it?before too much water is wasted. Some devices even have a way to shut water off if a leak is detected resulting in less damage to property.
• Dishwashers and washing machines with an Energy Star rating can reduce water use by more than 50%?which might make it a good idea to replace old appliances sooner rather than later, depending on how much water and energy you will save compared to your old appliance.

And did you know that hot water heaters can use up to 15% of your home?s total energy usage? That?s a huge percentage for one little appliance. We have lots of great advice for saving energy on your water heater and throughout your home and office, when you click here to connect to our ?Money-Saving Energy-Reducing Green Plumbing? page.

All of these tips are a great start, but for individualized advice for your home or office, call us at Robinson?s Plumbing Service for a Green Analysis consultation and advice that makes sense for your own personal situation. Our Green Analysis includes estimates of price, so that you can decide what strategies make the most sense for you right now. We can even come up with an action plan, so that you can implement pieces of your strategy over time. You?d be amazed how starting with the little things can create extra savings fast!

From our family to yours, have a green spring!

About Us

Robinson?s Plumbing Service has been proudly serving the Richmond, VA regions for years. Trust our experienced plumbers to get the job done right.aAs our business has grown, so has our service area. We?ll gladly travel to Goochland, and beyond. Contact us today!

Arguably, there are few featuresain a home as important as your bathroom plumbing. To prevent problems of the most inconvenient and pleasant sorts, you'll need to keep an eye out foraseasonalaplumbing problems. Your sinks, toilets and showers can get a lot of extra use thanks to hot, sweaty family members andahouseguests. This heavy-duty workload can open the door for some genuinely unpleasant situations, like a clogged bathroom sink or a troublesome toilet.

Address the mess: Clogged bathroom sinks and toilets that won't stop running

Your clogged bathroom sink keeps clogging and re-clogging, over and over again. You dump some Drano, the clog goes away and a week later, it's back.aWhy?

Or maybe you're familiar with this scenario: you're running late. You hit the bathroom before you run out the front door. You flush the toilet, and you wait for the tankato fill, but the water keeps running...and running...and running.

Sometimes, a quick jiggle of the toilet handle does the trick. Other times, it doesn't -- at least not on the first try.aYou can waste gallons of water (and so much time!) if you don't know how to make that running stop.

Why sinks clog and toilets run

• A clogged bathroom sink or tub drain is the result of accumulated dirt, skin flakes and hair. This nasty trio bonds to soap scum inside ofayour plumbing. Over time, this accumulation reduces water flow -- or dams it altogether.

• Toilets depend on gravity and a fairly simple system to flush correctly. That simple system, however, can still get out of whack, especially after prolonged use over a period of years.

Here's howato tackleathese problems:

Clogged bathroom sink

If your bathroom sink isn't draining, pull out the remove the pop-up stopper (if you have one). You may have to do this from beneath your sink. Tug slowly, in case a glob of hair and soap is stuck to it. Oftentimes, you'll be able to clear the obstruction that's been trapped here.aVoila --aproblem solved.

Liquid solutions

Drano or even sulphuric acid can eat through a clog, but regular use of caustic products can be expensive, time-consuming and dangerous. Probably not the best idea to regularly torch your plumbing, either! There are several home remedies for clearing a clogged bathroom sink, including boiling hot water mixed with vinegar or chlorine bleach.

Drain snakes

Snaking a drain is another way to clear a clogged bathroom sink. There are a couple of inexpensive options that homeowners can try: a drum auger, which is a plumbing snake that you attach to a drill. The drill spins the snake slowly but surely down the pipe and, hopefully, through your clog.

Some homeowners swear by aadrain-cleaning tool called the Zip-Itato force through and break up bathroomaclogs.

Clean the elbow joint

If the first steps don't work, youamay start feelingaadventurous. You can remove the drain?s elbow joint and clean it out. Our own team wrote about this plumbing solution a while ago, and offer some important advice:

Be prepared for some unfamiliar smells when you actually go about untwisting the trap, as the main function of this piece is to literally "trap" water in a way that will block unpleasant plumbing odors.

Ready?

Check the vents

Still having a problem?

Check the vents on your drain plumbing?they are on your roof. A blocked vent can prevent your clogged bathroom sink from draining properly.

Yes, this involves climbing up on the roof and potentially clearing out anything from a dead (or, maybe worse, a live and angry) bird to leaves and garbage. Proceed with caution!

Call a plumber

The clog may also be somewhere in your plumbing system that you can't reach with your own tools. You may needato call a plumber with a professional-grade, extra-long snaking equipment to clear your line, especially if you live in a neighborhood with mature trees. The roots often find their way into cracks in your pipes and cause blockage.

The ever-running toilet

The good news: a running toilet is usually an easy, do-it-yourself fix. Let's dive in, shall we?

Pop the lid off your toilet tank and take a look inside. You should see four main parts:

NOTE: The water in the tank is clean, so don't worry about putting your hands in it. Just wash them when you're done.

Now what?

Check the chain that connects the flapper to the lever. Is it too short or too long, preventing the flapper from closing correctly.

Look at the flapper itself. Is it warped? Cracked? Dirty? If so, replace it. You should be able to pick up the new parts inexpensively at a hardware store.

Next, flush the toilet and watch to see when the tank stops filling. The water should stop just below the overflow pipe. If it doesn't, the float is set too high. Try to bend the rod connecting the float to the pump to keep the float lower, signalingathe pump to turn off sooner.

Alternately, you may need to adjust float in the tank by turning the screw on top of the fill valve. You want the toilet to stop filling approximately 1 inch below the top of the overflow tube.

Calling in the professionals

Sometimes, DIY solutions don't work. You may feel uncomfortable doing the work yourself because you're worried about breaking something. Maybe you just don't want to deal with gross, sticky hairballs or tinker with the guts of your toilet.

Fair enough! In those situations, call the plumbing experts. You can schedule service with us online at your convenience. And if you have any questions, feel free to connect with us on Twitter.

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If you heat your Tenaflyahome with a boiler system then you are already aware of the many benefits that a boiler has to offer. They provide even, consistent heating power in a very efficient manner. They are also very durable, boast long life spans and require little maintenance. This durability does not, however, make them impervious to occasional wear and tear or damages. If your boiler is in need of repair it is important that those repairs are made by a qualified professional in the timeliest manner possible. Sometimes this is more easily said than done. Even boiler operators with the best of intentions may inadvertently allow their boilers to incur unnecessary damage simply because they are not aware that their boilers need professional repair service. That is why it is so important to know the warning signs to look for. Here are some tips from the boiler experts at BZ Dependable to help you protect your boiler from unnecessary damages.

The most basic way for you to keep your boiler operating efficiently and effectively is simply to pay attention to its performance and output. Any inconsistencies or incongruities in its operation should be taken as cause for a professional assessment and possibly repair service. Do not make the common mistake of categorizing any problem with your boiler as ?minor.?

If you notice the development of any cold spots throughout your home or other problems with heating consistency, you should call BZ Dependable immediately. Your boiler is likely in need of some repair service. The same is true if you recognize an increase in your home heating costs without any corresponding increase in heating usage. There could be a number of causes for this rise in heating costs, from inefficient insulation to leaky windows, but it is important to rule out the need for boiler repairs. Even any odd noises or odors that develop when you operate you boiler system may be indicative of a problem requiring professional repair service. Whatever the issue is it is important that it be dealt with immediately.

It is also advisable to simply take a look at and around your boiler occasionally. While you should never attempt the maintenance or repair of your boiler yourself you may be able to spot any water beading on pipes, collecting on the floor or even escaping steam or air bubbles indicating damage to your boiler. Calling for repair service as soon as possible is the only way to ensure the safe, efficient operation of your boiler.

When you notice any of these warning signs, you must call BZ Dependable right away. Act fast and keep repair costs as low as possible. Let us help you heat youraTenafly home with confidence.

Your water heater in Davis Island, FL is one of the linchpins of your home. You use hot water each and every time that you take a shower, do the dishes, wash your lines, and so on. With that in mind, it really makes sense that you should invest in a quality water heater that you can count on to function effectively, efficiently, and reliably. Fortunately for you, there are many great water heaters on the market today. If you are looking for a great water heater capable of satisfying your hot water demands, then we recommend you consider the use of a Rheem water heater.

Why should you choose a Rheem water heater for use in your home? Well, one reason is the fact that doing so leaves you with so many different options. Rheem manufactures some of the finest water heaters available today, and in a variety of designs. If you are interested in a classic water heating experience, and an affordable system that will nonetheless function efficiently, a standard tank model may be right for you. Rheem also helps you to boost efficiency further, by offering tankless, hybrid heat pump, and even solar water heaters, as well. There is also the option of gas and electric models, so be sure to contact a member of our staff to ensure that you are able to choose the best water heater for your particular situation.

When you purchase a Rheem water heater, you?re not doing so simply by taking us for our word. While we are obviously looking out for your best interest when we recommend Rheem products, you should also know that their history really speaks for itself. The company was started way back in 1925, and they?ve only grown stronger and more innovative in the nearly 100 years since their inception. Rheem offers some great water heater information on their company website, as well as an exceptional water heater selection guide. Be sure to contact us if you decide that a Rheem water heater is right for your home.

Peninsular Plumbing is proud to install and service your top-quality Rheem water heater.a

Tankless water heaters are not exactly a ?new? technology. In fact, the first tankless model was invented in the late 19th century. But it wasn?t until fairly recently that they developed to the point where they were efficient and reliable enough to become competitive with the conventional storage tank water heater. With continuing advances, tankless water heaters are now a popular alternative for home installation, and we can expect to see their popularity grow every year.

But as the technology becomes more widely available, customers have more questions about tankless water heaters. We?ll answer a few of the more frequent concerns people have regarding installing a tankless water heater.

?Will the water from a tankless system be hot enough??

It can be just as hot as the water from a storage tank system. The thermostat on the tankless water heater allow you to set the temperature, and you can set it to 120░F, which is the same heat level on most tank water heaters. However, because of the high energy efficiency of a tankless system (it doesn?t keep losing heat from a standing supply of heated water) you can actually set it temperature a bit lower and still receive the same water temperature from your taps!

?Will it take too long for the energy savings to payback the installation costs??

It?s true that tankless water heaters have higher install costs than conventional systems. The energy savings will offset this and payback the installation within 3 to 7 years. When you take into account that tankless systems can last 20 years or more, you?ll have plenty of time to reap those energy savings.

?Is a tankless system really reliable??

The promise of receiving an unlimited supply of hot water does sound a bit too good to be true. And for the water heaters of yesteryear there was indeed an issue with general system reliability. However, the current state of tankless technology has made these water heaters just as reliable as standard tank systems.