Sunday, November 15, 2009

Not your Grandaddy's Spigot



This was your granddaddy's spigot.
It was tough, It had weight. It had enough lead in the brass to kill a rat.
You could replace the washer, ream out the brass and be good for another decade. It has been in service for 60 years.


This is a modern spigot.
It's lightweight. The lead content in the brass is virtually non-existent - and so is its ability to last very long. After 10 years, it's a tired pup.
Stay tuned technology is at work! First generation low/no lead brass is here now, tomorrow is a new day!

Potmetal parts in less expensive " Brand Name Faucets"

Here is the underside of a sink faucet made from cheap pot-metal components.  The homeowners took reasonably good care of it, yet it rotted out from underneath anyway. This faucet was in use about 2 yrs.

The thin tubular brass spout also didn't last long. In this case the water ate right through the side of it. When I arrived on the scene they had tape wrapped around it in an attempt to stop the leak.



What a fixture is made from, really does matter!

Prevent waste and damage to your plumbing with this device!

The most critical single item to preventing waste and damage to your entire plumbing system may be your system's pressure regulator.

Water districts often supply water in their main lines at pressures far above the pressures that home water systems are designed to handle. There are legitimate reasons for doing this in order to ensure an adequate supply of water throughout the service area; however, a pressure regulator should be installed to reduce the pressure to normal household levels. For example, here in Ramona, CA the water district supplies water to my neighborhood at well over 100 psi, yet the proper pressure for a home system is required to be under 80 psi.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Retail Myths, and Fashion Statements with a Faucet.

Why do people think that just because the home center will sell the plumbing stuff, that it is easy to put in CORRECTLY; or just because it's a Moen or Kohler or whatever, that it is repairable or even a good product to begin with? Most all big name company's have made some good /excellent product, but, please lets not be blinded by advertising claims, name recognition and the like. I have heard people who cant pronounce Moen, yet insist it's good because it is. (Moan).