Power outages are already tough to deal with, leaving you without access to your wifi, losing cold and frozen food, and needing backup light sources until power is restored. But do power outages also affect your plumbing?

In short, yes. Fortunately, cities and municipalities usually get water to your house from rivers, reservoirs, and wells, which are pumped into water towers. The towers are placed in high-elevation areas, so gravity allows water to flow into your house.

If your water comes directly from your own well, however, you could really be in for some headaches during a power outage. The pump that runs your well runs on electricity, so no power means no water flow. There’s usually a reservoir that holds between 10 and 50 gallons, so depending on the length of the outage, if water is used conservatively, you’ll have water until the reservoir goes dry.

For city and municipality dwellers, life is a little easier during a power outage. You should be able to operate your sink and toilet normally, but how much hot water you’ll have will depend on the type of water heater you have and if there is any water left in the tank. Whatever hot water is in there, following a power outage, will probably only stay warm for about an hour or so.

The real trouble you’ll run into is with appliances that rely on electricity. There aren’t many homes with sump pumps for the basement to prevent flooding in Florida, but if you happen to have one and lose power, you could have a real issue with a water backup. If a storm with rain occurs during your power outage, the best way to avoid a water backup is to connect your sump pump to a generator.

For the most part, common toilets use water pressure and gravity for flushing, which means if you own a traditional toilet, you should still be able to have normal use of it during a power outage.

However, if your toilet has a pump to generate stronger water flow, your toilet’s tank will eventually stop filling because no power is getting to the pump. If you have a toilet that uses a pump, definitely only flush when it is a must to avoid running out of tank water.

Keep in mind that some toilets use pumps for better flow, but some sewer systems do as well. If you know a power outage is coming ahead of time, start storing water in whatever containers you have and fill up your bathtub. Know where the main water shutoff is located in your house and have bottled water on hand.

In essence, power outages affecting plumbing depend on your home’s specific type of water flow system. The best way to get through it smoothly is to know what systems your home has and prepare accordingly.

Toilet paper isn't often considered a precious asset, given that most people prefer not to think about it much at all (unless there's a pandemic, apparently). Toilet paper is an entrepreneur's dream because it is just a few raw materials with a negative cost. Treatment facilities pay per ton to get rid of it!

Scientists have proposed a two-step process for converting toilet paper, taking it from unwanted waste to a product that's quite useful. For chemists actively researching the idea of using toilet paper as a resource for generating electricity, they hope to achieve the "ultimate waste recycling concept."

Since the cellulose contained in toilet paper comes from trees, the electricity produced is renewable. It offers an excellent opportunity for meeting society's demand for renewable energy. Further, while most renewable resources often show discontinuous peaks (plant stems can be recycled, but only after the harvest; sunlight is only available in the daytime and depends on cloud cover, and wind supply is unpredictable), waste toilet paper, on the other hand, is a continuously available resource.

The proposed system's capital costs are still relatively high (mainly due to the fuel cell investment costs). Still, they are expected to decrease as the fuel cell market develops.

While the project team is currently undertaking the Amsterdam project, they are excited about plans to take their concept abroad, even speculating the first Waste Toilet Paper to Electricity plant being built in China.

There's nothing better than a nice, relaxing, hot shower. But what happens when that hot water doesn't stay hot for very long anymore, and that relaxing shower is now an ice bath? It might be time to chuck your old hot water tank and invest in a new one! 

Water heaters have a typically long life-span at around 8 to 12 years. Still, those who move into an older home may only get to experience a working water heater for a couple of years before issues crop up. So what do you do when you need a new hot water tank?

First, you need to figure out which model you're going to be getting - which will more than likely be the same kind you already have, just new. Hot water tanks come in gas or electric and vary in size. Size is an essential factor in getting the most out of your water heater. Nothing is worse than someone using all the hot water cleaning dishes for dinner while you're in the middle of a hot shower, only to get pelted with ice-cold droplets. For a typical four-person family who uses two showers, their hot water tank's size should be at least 65 gallons. The bigger the tank, the higher the cost is to maintain all that water, so make sure to pay extra attention to the big yellow sticker on your choice tank. This will give you insight into how much you will be paying out annually to run that size tank.

To remove your old hot water tank, you will either need to turn off the gas using the cut-off valve or unplug it. After shutting it off, the next step is to drain all the water left in the tank. To do this, you will need to shut off the water supply and then turn on every hot water faucet in the home. You may need to use the hose from outside to ensure the tank is completely emptied. To remove the tank itself it will require cutting the line or connection with water heater hoses. It's not recommended to cut any lines in the plumbing. If you are not familiar with this job type, it's best kept to a professional not to rupture any pipework. If these things are easily disconnected, it is still recommended to help you move the tank itself because of its heavyweight.

Putting in the new hot water tank is relatively simple but still requires quite a bit of strength and knowledge of what lines go where. It consists of placing the tank where you want it - typically in the same spot as the old one and reconnecting hoses. While this is going on, it's essential to ensure that all the hot water faucets are still turned on when you turn back on the water supply. Let this run for at least a minute, making sure no air is trapped in the lines, and then once you're finished with the wiring, turn on the power and let the water in the tank heat up.

Now you can get back to enjoying a long, hot shower without the fear of being rushed out by cold water! Kost Plumbing can help with any hot water issues, either with repairs or helping you get the right unit for your home; contact us today!

Source: 1

Ever since the arrival of Coronavirus life has been turned upset down. Hand washing and wiping down surfaces that could be contaminated has become a meaningful way to fight against this new invisible enemy. Cleaning products, hand sanitizer, and strangely, toilet paper became like gold and were hard to obtain. Now we are left wondering how to protect ourselves and our homes. 

Life is slowly returning to normal as the country slowly opens businesses up. We are left learning to adapt to living with a pandemic as a part of our daily lives. The way we live and our day-to-day behavior changes to help keep ourselves and others safe. This means we have to be more careful than ever when we go out because we could be potentially bringing the virus home, whether by accidentally touching something or the virus on our shoes or clothes. Shopping for food, ordering takeout, and even picking up the mail are all activities we once looked at as harmless. It could now be risky behavior to get us sick. We could unknowingly bring the virus into your home, and risk getting infected by Covid-19.

The CDC recommends that high touch surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs, keys, countertops, and cell phones be disinfected as much as possible. Experts say the virus can live on objects for many hours and even days on certain materials. A trip to the store could bring back the virus on your hands and other objects. The virus could spread to you and other family members if these high touch-points are not disinfected immediately.

Many cleaning products are still hard to come by. Don’t worry if you don’t have Clorox wipes. A small amount of bleach and water can be used to make an acceptable disinfectant. Just mix 1/3 cup bleach to every gallon of water. This mixture is safe to use on most non-porous surfaces around your home. Many electronics can be swabbed down with tiny amounts of 70% alcohol or commercial alcohol wipes. Read the labels of the manufacture recommendations for cleaning smartphones, keyboards, tablets, and all other electronics.

Clorox wipes, bleach water, or alcohol wipes can wipe down food packages and delivery items. Fruit can be rinsed off with hot water; citrus fruits can soak for a few minutes and then air dry. Counters and hands should be washed thoroughly after putting away items and other outside packages brought into the home.

To be on the safe side, carpets should be vacuumed as much as possible and keep the floors swept and mopped. Clothes linens and towels should be washed in the warm or hot water and dried in the dryer instead of being put up to dry.

Sanitizing high touch-points is essential to keep your risk of catching COVID-19 low. Read more on the leaning and sanitation recommendation from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html

Covid-19 has changed the world in many ways and has had a unique impact on the plumbing industry. With people staying home 24/7, the pipes in their homes are certainly earning their keep. While unemployment has skyrocketed across the country, many plumbers are busier than ever.

Some have called the Spring of 2020 the Great Toilet Paper Shortage. When news that the Novel Coronavirus had become a global pandemic, the human race started behaving in unpredicted ways. With Covid-19 causing severe flu-like symptoms, one might think everyone would run out and stock up on cold medicines, cough drops, and vapor rub. Instead, the world instantly became obsessed with finding and hoarding toilet paper. And then, when the toilet paper disappeared from the shelves, paper towels became the next best thing. People began displaying strange behavior and videos surfaced of soccer moms fighting in the supermarkets over the last roll of Charmin. Soon there wasn’t a square to spare, as they would say on Seinfeld.

Although we laughed at the cute memes on Facebook, soon, it wasn't long until plumbers were inundated with calls of backed-up toilets and overtaxed pipes. People can be extremely creative when it comes to to...er...their bathroom deeds. Paper Towels, baby wipes, and yes, even socks became everyday objects snaked out of many commodes. It turns out that even if the box says it is flushable, it doesn't always mean that it truly is.

Soon plumbers took to social media, pleading with residents to only flush toilet paper down the pipes. They offered advice on acceptable alternatives and suggested that people throw away their wiping apparatuses instead of flushing them. 

It seems as though the toilet paper panic is leveling off as the world tries to return to some normalcy. Even though this year has been turned upside down, we will one day look back and chuckle that toilet tissue became a hot commodity. Why the world became obsessed with collecting toilet paper may always remain a mystery.

Copper piping is by far the most widely used material in plumbing systems; however, despite what you might believe, copper piping doesn’t last forever. In the original design of copper piping, the pipes were expected to last up to 25 years but often fail in as little as two years due to changing water chemistry.

Unrelated to water quality, changes in water chemistry have caused the water to become aggressive toward the copper piping resulting in subsequent problems like internal pitting corrosion - leading to what’s known as “pinhole leaks”.

So, why are pinhole leaks dangerous?

Pinhole leaks are a big issue for several reasons. First, they are rarely discovered until they have inflicted significant damage to your home. Pinhole leaks may occur in the ceilings and walls, surrounded by insulation and support beams.

Because they are so small, they don’t cause the telltale signs of lowered water pressure or water damage - giving them plenty of time to rot out the insulation and support beams one small drop at a time. Pair that with the fact that many homeowners believe their copper pipes are durable, and you end up with a mess on your hands.

Given that pinhole leaks are so small and nearly impossible to detect, the only fail-proof way to catch them before they cause extensive damage is to have the plumbing system in your home checked at least once a year by a professional plumber like Kost Plumbing. Serving the Ocala Area.

For those of us here in Florida not connected to a municipal sewer system, a septic tank on the property is most likely what you would find. Septic tanks can be a breeze to maintain if you follow a few helpful tips on what and what not to put into the system and how to care for the area around the system.

• Laundry
  Make sure you are using a septic tank safe detergent. Many soaps contain chemicals that can clog septic systems, and bleach should be used sparingly within the system.
• Septic Pumping
  Get your system pumped regularly, approximately every 3 -5 years. This will ensure any significant maintenance issues can be serviced by a professional.
• Rain
  Excessive rain can wreak havoc on a septic system. If the drain field is too saturated, the liquid waste within the system will not be able to be adequately absorbed into the surrounding area. It's important that during times of high rainfall to use rain barrels or other means to direct runoff away from the system.
• Toilet Trash
  The only type of "trash" that should go into your septic system is toilet paper. No other trash should go into the system.
• Conserve Water
  This is a great idea anyway for several reasons, but as far as your septic system goes, all water in your house drains into the system, so the less water in the system, the less work the system must do, and the longer the system will last. Fix any leaky toilets and sinks right away!

Call Kost Plumbing today for any help you might need with your septic system.

Japan has long ruled The Throne when it comes to state-of-the-art toilets. With all the bells and whistles, from bidets to butt buffers, they have turned a simple wee into A Bathroom Experience. Meanwhile, we have been using the same basic toilet design for…ever. Some would argue we’re long overdue for a toilet makeover. After living in Tokyo and using a heated seat in the middle of winter, there’s no going back.

Behold, the Smart toilet. America has arrived! Consider a Smart toilet for these eight great reasons:

1. You’ll see a difference in your water consumption. Smart toilets sense how much water is needed and flush using just the right amount. The smaller flushes can use as little as 0.6 gallons per flush (GPF). A basic toilet that doesn't have smart flush technology uses around 1.6 - 2 gallons, so Smart toilets save quite a bit of water. In places like Florida and California, where water restrictions are standard, and freshwater is costly, this would be a huge benefit.
2. No-touch flush! If you're germophobic, good news! The Smart toilet flushes without being touched due to a sensor. This is also ideal for family members who forget to flush.
3. Overflow protection. Happy parents aren’t mopping up poopy floors. The Smart toilet stops us from flushing if the toilet is clogged, which keeps water levels in the bowl low.
4. Eco-friendly. If you have a bidet and an air dryer, you don’t need as much toilet paper. That means you’re saving trees. And money. And you're gentle to your hemorrhoids.
5. Cool Features! Heated seating! A massaging bidet and air dryer! Oh, yes…the bidet finally comes to America! Smart toilets also feature a nightlight, deodorizing, slow-closing lid, foot warmer, self-cleaning features, tank leak alert sensors, Bluetooth, and MP3 capability.
6. Hygiene. Most Smart toilets are self-sanitizing. They’re also self-deodorizing. The automatic deodorization system should kick at the moment you sit on the toilet and stop after you get up from the seat. So, throughout your pooping session, the surrounding air is kept fresh and odorless. That’s so smart, right.
7. Remote control. Guess what’s controlled on the remote? The seat. Whether you prefer the seat up or down, it’ll be ready for you when you get there! Everything is controlled on the remote, but pointing that lid thing out first seemed to be a priority.
8. Size Matters! Are you working with a tiny space, or would you prefer an XXL size toilet? Either way, there's a Smart toilet for you!

Smart toilets can range in price, but the fully-loaded version comes with fantastic options that might even make the Japanese a little jealous. Don’t be too obsessed about finding the lowest price. The more significant aspects to consider are the service support and replacement parts. And you’ve got to understand that a typical plumber won’t have the expertise to service your broken toilet. You’ll need to go back to the manufacturer or the official distributor(s) for any service/support. So, bear these things in mind as you search for the perfect Smart toilet that will change your life and spoil you rotten.

It's, and you hear water running. You jump out of bed and run to the bathroom only to find that that water that's supposed to be in your toilet tank is now all over your floor! Do you grab your phone and call an incredibly expensive 24-hour emergency plumber who may or may not be able to make it in time before there's more damage? Or do you take a deep breath and remember your tool kit tucked away for just this type of disaster? Don't let this happen to you! There are a few plumbing tools that every homeowner should have tucked away, only in case of this sort of problem! Here you will find the top plumbing tools everyone should own (but hopefully don't have to use often!).

1. Basin wrench. We'll start with the basics, and this is a wrench that is in every plumber's toolkit. This type of wrench is made for tough to reach and tight spots and works perfectly on nuts and bolts for under sinks.
2. Adjustable wrench. Another handy wrench to have since this wrench can tackle those hexagonal bolts. They don't slip on wet bolts (so if it's a leak under the sink you're tackling you won't lose your grip) and have an adjustable jaw to fit various widths.
3. Hacksaw. If you know what you're doing, sometimes some cutting is involved. A hacksaw can tackle metal and plastic pipes as well as nuts and bolts and other types of hardware. Make sure to also keep a supply of extra blades handy just in case your current one has become dull in between uses.
4. Thread seal tape (Plumber's Tape). Spot a leak and need a super quick fix? This tape is an inexpensive way to wrap up a leaky pipe or a squirting showerhead. The threading in the tape prevents leaks from escaping and is a great temporary fix.
5. Toilet plunger. Toilet plungers are probably the most critical item on the list and something you more than likely already have. But do you have the correct one? Most homes usually have the standard cup plunger, but a more effective one is the flange plunger. The flange plunger has a specific shape that's made to clear toilets, but a cup plunger is still good for sink and shower clogs.

Having these tools on hand will help you if you find yourself with a backed-up toilet or a leaky sink. Or at the very least, buy you a little more time before you call a professional in to help fix the problem entirely and permanently!

SOURCES: 1

Well, water has a lot of benefits, one of the biggest being no need for a water bill. But unfortunately, well water can be a little harsh and leave spots and stains from what is called "hard water." What exactly is hard water? And how does one go about fixing that in their home? Here you will find all the answers on identifying and fixing your hard water problem.

Hard water has a very high mineral content, which can alter the color and form of the water coming out. The minerals found in hard water are calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese. Hard water also causes buildup on faucets and drains and can cause discoloration of sinks and tubs. It also is a cause of soap scum build up, as soap suds sit on the mineral residue of the hard water and create a scum line. It's not a pleasant thing to have running through your plumbing, so how do you get rid of it?

The miracle answer is to get a water softener. Sounds simple, right? Hard water needs to become soft not to create unsightly spots and scum in your home. This process involves an ion exchange which switches out the hard minerals for softer ones such as sodium. Little beads exist in the water softener that acts as a negative charge and pulls the positively charged minerals as the water filters out. The filtered water is then replenished with new minerals, i.e., sodium. Salt plays a massive part in water softening and making sure your water is clean and fresh every time. 

Getting a water softener is an affordable and fast-acting solution to your hard water problems. Say goodbye to those red rings in the tub or hard yellow stains on the dishes and keep your water soft. 

SOURCES: 1

Has your water bill been a little too high the past couple months? Or maybe your house smells a little different when you walk in, like a post-rain smell without the rain? If these sound familiar to you, you might be in a bit of trouble with your plumbing. These two examples, along with a few other recognizable issues, are tell-tale signs of a plumbing leak in your home. Other instances occur if you have an unknown plumbing leak and here we will uncover them for you, so you don't eventually end up ankle deep in your own home!

A high increase in your water bill is one of the first signs of a possible leak in the plumbing. It wouldn't be a gradual increase in overtime, but rather a high spike from the previous average billed amount. Keep in mind that in the summer months your water bill will more than likely rise if you have a sprinkler system, but it shouldn't be a drastic increase.

A musty, moldy smell is also a significant early indicator of a plumbing leak. Even if you look all over your house and can't find any mold or mildew, the smell doesn't lie, and it will linger until you find and fix the problem. Cleaning your home to rid the scent doesn't do anything unless you see the source of the leak and get all the old, sitting water cleaned up from where the leak is located.

Dark little specks or spots appearing on your walls and ceiling (even your floor) could be a sign that there is water trapped behind those specs and spots. The longer these go unattended, the worse they become, and will eventually end in decay and cause irreversible damage to the home.

If you're hearing running water in your quiet home but have already checked that all the sinks are turned off, this is another huge sign of a leak. You'll probably hear it as a light dripping or light thudding sound when the water hits whatever is underneath the leak, and not so much a strong sound of running water.

Cracks in the foundation well after the house have settled is a severe indicator of a bad leak in the plumbing. These leaks are extra dangerous because they can ruin the entire foundation and leave you in some deep trouble if not noticed and fixed right away.

Knowing these facts about a potential plumbing leak in your home could save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run. If you suspect there is a leak in your plumbing, contact a professional like Kost Plumbing, and have them access the potential damage and get you patched up and running water through your home with 100% efficiency again! 

Modern plumbing is a part of almost every single person's life now.  Whether it's to flush something down or wash something, plumbing plays a role in our day to day lives, and we don't even really think about it. Even something as universally used as household plumbing can be improved upon. So what can be expected from future of plumbing as we know it?

Well as most know, water shortages are happening in a few states, like California. Because of these shortages, there have been various water restrictions set in place that vary from state to state, county to county. What this means for future plumbing is that they will become more efficient with the amount of water flowing through them. This may seem like a simple solution that should be in place already, but these pipes need to be engineered to be extremely efficient but not lose any functionality while preserving water. As these pipes are created and manufactured, homes and buildings built after will have these plumbing systems installed and save tons of water.

Along with preserving water, having these more efficient pipes will save with energy costs as well. The NAECA (National Appliance Energy Conservation Act) is going to be soon be updated with the initiative that newly produced water heaters can NOT use as much energy as they used to. The amount of energy that is typically used for water heaters today is roughly 18% of a monthly utility bill. This update to the NAECA will show a significant reduction in that utility cost, and the future of plumbing is to thank for that. Using these efficient plumbing components are the key to getting these levels much lower.

As the future of plumbing becomes more efficient in the means of water and energy usage, the components will also be easier and quicker to install. While plumbing is a great career option, it is a learned skill that involves a lot of learning, and unfortunately, admissions at trade schools have been on the decline. So ultimately, if there aren't many to follow this career - that means the parts and pieces will become easier to understand and work with. This will give more people the option to learn and stick with this trade and also benefit the consumer because it won't leave them in a wet mess for hours on end.

The future of plumbing is a lot more than just a low-flow toilet or sprinkler system on a timer; it's a massive part of our everyday lives. Even when we're not thinking about it, it's always doing something to benefit us. The future is very bright for advancements in our plumbing systems; from saving water to saving time and saving money - it's all uphill from here!

In an ideal world, we would walk into our kitchen, turn on the faucet, trust the liquid flowing out of it and drink pure, clean water until our heart’s content. Sadly, however, a perfect world is not here yet. We trust our state and local governments to provide us with safe, potable drinking water, but is that really what we’re getting?

The truth is, we cannot just sit back and casually expect safety in our drinking water unless we fully confirm its safety for ourselves. Whether our drinking water from a private or municipal source, the responsibility of ensuring our water’s safety lies with us.

Testing the pH of your water is crucial to maintaining its safety. If your water’s pH level is too low or too high, lead and copper corrosion can contaminate your household plumbing. The safest pH measure for drinking water should be no lower than 6.5 and no higher than 8.5.

At a bare minimum, your water should be tested once a year for coliform bacteria and nitrates since there are serious health risks associated with these contaminants.

Strong chlorine taste or smell, metallic taste, rotten egg smell, or other noticeable tastes or smells are indicative of water that needs to be purified. The value of healthy, safe water for drinking and bathing cannot be stressed enough. We know that the human body can survive for up to three weeks without food, but we’ll only live up to three days without water!

Winters can be particularly harsh on your home’s plumbing. Here are some ways to start preparing now and avoid damage when winter arrives:

1. Wrap your outdoor pipes
   Using heat tape to wrap your outdoor pipes can help prevent them from freezing and bursting. While you’re there, take a look at your entire outdoor system. Clean out your gutters before falling leaves and snow become trapped and cause water damage or leaks.
2. Get Your Sump Pump Ready
   Your sump pump removes excess water from your basement and crawl spaces and pipes it through your home's wastewater system. It's essential to maintain this appliance by regularly inspecting and cleaning it out before winter arrives. Like other plumbing fixtures, sump pumps can easily freeze up. This can cause it to stop working and can mean significant damage in the event of a sudden thaw. 
3. Keep your drains flowing freely
   It's always recommended to give your drains a checkup regularly before increased use during the colder months.  Be sure you have necessary drain tools on hand for use in the months ahead including drain snakes, the right wrenches, and a water meter key.
4. Remember your outdoor faucets
   Remove and store any outdoor hoses. Summertime water left behind in these hoses can freeze and expand, causing the attached faucets to burst. Also, like your indoor faucets, a leaky outdoor faucet, big or spigot, can wreak havoc on your entire plumbing system in the event of a freeze. These faucets are usually directly exposed to the elements, so take an extra hard look for any leaks or damage before, during, and after the winter months. 
5. Keep your indoor pipes insulated
   The pipes inside your home should be kept well-insulated regardless of the weather outside. Pipes located in colder areas of your home, like your basement, should be maintained at a temperature above freezing. If not, they could freeze and burst or leak after a thaw. Insulating your pipes also help you conserve hot water and reduce your power bill each month. 

When you are shopping for a new home in Florida, it is smart to have everything inspected. You can also examine any plumbing concerns yourself before you finish the deal and move in if you know what to look for. 

If you are intending on doing the plumbing inspection yourself, make an appointment with the owner or agent that is showing the home and show up ready. Be sure you are dressed for the occasion - clothes that you don't mind getting wet or dirty - and don't forget to bring a flashlight. 

A genuine seller will not mind you taking a peek around to be sure you are verifying the accuracy of the home's state of repair (or disrepair). So once, you have set up the appointment and are prepared to do your inspection look for the following points:

Find the home's water meter and be sure the shut-off valve to the water supply to the house is in solid working order. If the home is supplied with well water, the shut-off valve should be located inside the home, probably under the kitchen sink, but could be found elsewhere. 

If the home was built before 1986, find out if there is any lead or galvanized plumbing. Lead no matter how helpful it may seem, is an environmental toxin. If you have kids, you may want to avoid living in a house with lead pipes.

Find out the size of the water pipes, which will define the water pressure you will have. For adequate water pressure, the lines should be ¾" to one inch from the primary water source. The pipes should be at least a half inch in diameter for sufficient water flow.

Always inspect the home's water heater. Be sure to decide if it is big enough to meet the needs of your family. For a family of four, you need to search for at least a 40-gallon tank. Look at where it is located and determine it's age. Look closely to determine if there is any mineral buildup if possible. Corrosion of the elements of the tank can cause shorter life. If the water heater is old or visible signs of corrosion are noticed, request a new one be installed before buying the home.

Find out if the home is on a septic system or on a municipal water system. For a septic system, find out where the septic system is located and ask the owner when the septic tank was last serviced. Look for signs of seepage or standing water and any odor.

Check for drips and turn on all faucets to be sure they are working correctly. For these and other plumbing inspection tips or a professional and thorough plumbing inspection contact Kost Plumbing today.

Unless you’re a plumber, you may not even know the difference between PEX Piping and Copper, or which piping is better for your home. Here, we hope to increase your basic knowledge of these plumbing options  to help you know what you’re getting and if it’s what you truly want. Once you’ve got the basics down, you’ll know what to request from your plumber and why.

Let’s start with what PEX Piping is. PEX Piping is basically cross linked polyethylene pipe. What this means is that after the material goes through several processes, it becomes durable enough to handle extreme hot or cold temperatures and what’s called “creep deformation” (that occurs from extended exposure to stress). It also resists chemical attacks from alkalines, acids and other toxins. These factors all make PEX piping an excellent piping solution for cold and hot water plumbing systems. PEX piping is also very flexible and adapts effortlessly to temperatures from below freezing all the way up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

PEX Piping is also better for your budget. It’s an easy material for your plumber to install and with its crack resistance and fewer joints, it brings your plumbing costs down. It has fewer fittings, less chance of leaks can be used along with metal or PVC Piping, and can have a pressure balancing system.

Now Copper:  On the beneficial side, Copper resists corrosion and is not affected by ultraviolet rays, which means it can be useful for outside plumbing needs. This differs from  PEX pipes, which can be affected by ultraviolet rays and therefore should usually not be used outside. On the downside, however, copper will corrode from the pH of the water if the water becomes too acidic or too basic for the copper pipes.

Copper piping can freeze and break during winter weather, it has become more expensive and more difficult to install, raising your plumbing costs and with corrosion, the higher levels of copper seeping into your water will give your water a metallic taste.

ourWe hope that these comparisons have given you a better basic understanding and knowledge of the differences between PEX and copper piping, giving you the opportunity to make the best decision for yourself. If you have any questions about PEX, please give Kost Plumbing a call.

A running toilet can strike a mild panic in any homeowner, worried that a repair may be soon to follow. Chances are a running toilet can be easily fixed without making an emergency call to a plumber.  Here you’ll find a few quick tips to stop that constant running of your toilet before it becomes a bigger problem.

• Check your tubes. Sometimes the fill tube can become loose or come out of the overflow tube. Checking the tubing makes sure the fill tube is fastened tightly to the valve and is placed inside the overflow tube.
• Along with the tubes, check your flapper. If the flapper isn’t closed, water will continuously leak into the bowl. The cause of this could be something obstructing the closure of the flapper or a chain that is too short to allow it to fully close.
• Adjust the fill height in the tank. If this height is set too high, it causes an overflow in the tank and creates that nonstop running noise. Adjust your levels until the noise goes away and make a note of the fill level mark.
• Replace old flappers and chains, and you’ll notice a world of difference. A universal model will be the best bet, and all that’s needed for the installation is a pair of pliers and the new pieces.

Following any of these steps will save you from calling a local plumbing service. But just in case none of the above can fix your problem, set an appointment with a plumber as soon as possible to get to fixing your porcelain.

It’s no secret and a fast-growing trend for more seniors to choose to remain living at home instead of moving into assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Seniors who make this decision often rightfully do so  to maintain their dignity and independence.

When performing a bathroom remodel for the elderly, it is vital to make changes that allow free movement through the bathroom without the risks of slips and falls. You’ll want to take a look at a variety of option from walk-in bathtubs and showers to grab bars, lighting and more.

Statistics from the CDC show that approximately 235,000 individuals seek medical attention from bathroom related injuries annually. For the elderly, remodeling for safety should always come first. 

Some plumbing retrofit ideas for bathroom safety include walk-in bathtubs, fixed showerheads, handheld showerheads with an adjustable setting and relaxing whirlpool jets. When you go shopping for a walk in bathtub or shower, be sure to inquire whether these features are included or can be added by a plumber before you purchase. 

Senior-friendly toilets (also called chair height toilets) give the elderly the freedom to lower and raise their body using minimum effort. Special lift chairs are also available that help lift and lower.

Height adjustments to existing bathroom appliances can also significantly enhance ease of use for seniors. Lowering the sink or toilet makes a substantial difference, and if the person is in a wheelchair, always be sure there is enough knee clearance to comfortably go to and from the sink.

If you’ve noticed unexplained cracks in your home and office that appear to be growing larger every day, it’s likely these cracks in your walls or pavement are only a small sign of a much bigger problem - below your feet. Foundation problems can  undermine the infrastructure of a home or commercial building.  Foundation plumbing leaks or slab leaks have been known to literally tear building structures apart slowly over the course of years before an owner suspects anything.

Symptoms of foundation or slab leaks include:

• Foundation movement
• Cracking walls
• Buckling floors
• Floor damage
• Doors Sticking

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How did my foundation reach this point?
  Unstable soil conditions can account for a huge portion of your foundation problems. Land movement shifts loose sand and dirt that causes stress on fresh water and drains line systems. This causes sub-slab pipes to stress, separate, snap, or leaks underground allowing water to seep through and unsettle the foundation. Root intrusion from surrounding large trees can also cause unnecessary stress and pressure to underground plumbing.
• Why should I care about a foundation problem?
  Foundation problems can create detrimental complications to your entire building structure. Left untreated, symptoms grow more and more destructive to entire residential or commercial infrastructures. These problems cost thousands of dollars in foundation restoration for homes or businesses. Health risks for building occupants also occur due to contamination from broken sewers and leaking drain pipes.
• How can you locate a foundation problem?
  A thorough inspection of your underground plumbing can avoid continuous slab movement orto rule out plumbing leaks as a culprit for your shifty foundation. We specialize in diagnostic testing of sub-slab plumbing for residential and commercial properties. Our electronic listening and hydrostatic pressure tests find all breaks, leaks, and clogs in water systems and sanitary sewer systems. We can even determine the exact amount of fluid lost beneath slab during normal conditions.

Liquid-Plumr and Drano contain caustic ingredients that eat away at your pipes and irritate your lungs. They’re also terrible for the environment. The chemical smell drifting from your drain is a dead giveaway that tells your plumber you’ve been using these products. So, what’s the solution when Drano just doesn’t do the trick for clearing your clogged drain?

The most effective and long term solution for unclogging drains and pipes is snaking. This physically breaks up the clog and gets the water to properly flow through. A plumber's snake is a slender, flexible auger used to dislodge clogs in plumbing. The plumber's snake is often reserved for difficult clogs that cannot be loosened with a plunger. It is also sometimes called a toilet jack.

The most powerful form of snaking is performed by a drum auger. A drum auger is a motorized auger with modular blades designed for various gauges of pipe. A drum auger is powerful enough to cut through tree roots. Used unskillfully, they can also damage plastic pipework and even copper tubing. Plumbing snakes with the capacity of a drum auger should always be left in the hands of a professional plumber.

Please contact Kost Plumbing today for all your plumbing needs!

You turn on your faucet and crystal clear water flows freely from it’s home (groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer) to its final destination: your shower, sink or drinking glass. But, before it makes it that far, it goes through a rigorous and well-regulated, multi-step process to assure that the water you’re drinking is truly as clean and pure as it appears.

Jeff Halcomb has been the director of the Water and Sewer Department for the City of Ocala since 2008. He explains that our drinking water in Marion County is all groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer. The City of Ocala has five primary wells that go down approximately 250 feet into the upper aquifer, with only two or three used in any one day. When the water, known as “raw water,” is pumped, it goes to the lime softening plant. Jeff explains that lime kills any bacteria found in the raw water. It also coats the pipes the water runs through, which helps deter corrosion that can happen over time, and helps soften the water.

“The raw water has about a 320 to 340 parts per million (ppm) ion concentration. Lime reduces that to about 120 ppm,” explains Jeff. “You’ll know your water is ‘hard’ if your soap just doesn’t seem to get soapy,” he says, noting that those on private wells without water softening systems experience “hard water.”

Once the water is softened, it goes through a filtering system to remove any floating particles, then makes its way to storage tanks where it is treated with chlorine, which acts as a disinfectant. The final step, which is one that some people may find controversial, is a fluoride treatment.

“You can read online forever about the pros and cons of fluoride treatments,” says Jeff. “But fluoride is found to be one of the top 10 accomplishments of mankind according to the CDC,” he says. He notes that in some parts of the world, the water is full of fluoride, which isn’t healthy, but in Florida, that isn’t an issue. Fluoride is used in items such as toothpaste and mouthwashes to help prevent tooth decay. The fluoridation of water is the controlled addition of fluoride to public water and can also reduce tooth decay.

“We work hard to make the water as safe for our citizens as we can,” he says. “The City of Ocala keeps its water at a fluoride level of 0.7 milligrams per liter, which is the ‘optimum level’ according to the CDC.”

Citizens can always access the water reports for any county, online. The Marion County water report can be read here.

Source

Tankless water heaters are not for everyone. How many people are in your home?  How is your house wired? What kind of investment are you willing to make? These are all things to take into consideration when choosing your water heater. There's a common misconception that the "instantaneous" tankless water heaters are substantially more efficient. That is not exactly accurate. Most people do not want to wait for hot water, nor do they want to run out of it while showering. Furthermore, they do not want either of those things cost them an arm and a leg.

The Cons of Going Tankless:

• The cost of a tankless water heater is typically more than that of a traditional water heater. It costs anywhere from $500 to $1,000 more just for the purchase, not including installation. (Which is sometimes included.)
• A person living alone and using less water will see smaller savings. Families and those with high water needs will benefit the most.
• Tankless heaters need to be de-limed by a professional about once a year. Traditional models require little, if any, maintenance over their lifetime.
• Electric models need most homeowners to spend much money towards electrical upgrades to accommodate the system before installation. This can add as much as $5,000 to the total purchase price.

The Pros: Tankless models save space, offer longer warranties and can save you money in the bigger picture. 

Homeowners can see benefits of a tankless water heater well beyond energy savings. These heaters save space with a slim and compact design, the last longer and are better for the environment because a rusty tank does not end up in the landfill. You will avoid having breakdown issues with water on the floor, and tankless water heaters typically have a longer warranty, about 15 years. Traditional water heaters can come with up to a six-year warranty.

Is a tankless water heater right for you? Here are some things to consider: 

• Demand: Do you need a unit to heat water in just one bathroom or the entire house?
• Type: Consider the requirements. An electric water heater model will need the proper amperage, voltage, and a circuit breaker. Gas powered models need to be vented to the outside.
• Location: They must be within 50 feet of a power source, and can be mounted on an interior or exterior wall.
• Life expectancy: Most tankless water heaters last more than 20 years — about double the lifespan of standard storage water heaters.
• Installation: Hire only a master plumber or a licensed HVAC contractor to install it. Often, the installation is included when you purchase a unit from a dealer.
• Cost: For a family, a tankless water heater that uses natural gas not only lowers your electric bill, but you can qualify for up to a $300 federal tax rebate.

In many homes today, garbage disposals are a convenience and take some of the extra demanding work out of housekeeping; but if not used correctly, a broken garbage disposal can be a costly repair and a massive headache in the kitchen.

The best rule of thumb to remember when it comes to your garbage disposal is  never put anything in the disposal that is not a biodegradable food. If you’re in doubt, it’s best to throw it out.

Here are some other common mistakes that occurmade when using a garbage disposal, and it’s important to remember to avoid them to keep your garbage disposal in proper working order:

Don’ts:

• Never grind metal, plastic, glass, cigarette butts or even a piece of paper. It’s not food and therefore should not go in the disposal.
• Never grind anything flammable or combustible.
• Never pour oil, fat, or grease into the garbage disposal, especially if followed by hot water. The hot water causes the oil to liquefy, then cool and accumulate or build up in the disposal causing a clogged drain or pipe.
• Never grind materials (even food materials) that are extremely fibrous. Examples include celery stalks, artichokes, corn husks or onion skins. Fibers from these materials can tangle into the mechanics of the disposal causing the motor to jam and the drain to become blocked.
• Never grind animal bones
• Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach or drain cleaners that can damage the disposal’s blades or pipes.
• Never grind expandable food like pasta or rice. As they do in the pot with water, foods like rice and pasta expand in your kitchen’s pipes or garbage disposal and can cause the disposal to jam or become clogged.

Do’s:

• Use citrus to keep things smelling fresh and clean: Before you toss out citrus fruit peels, place a couple of pieces in your garbage disposal. Run water down the drain while running the disposal. The rough peels clean the blades, while citrus oils naturally freshen things up.
• Throw in some ice cubes. Running water and placing a handful of ice cubes into your garbage disposal will help to “de-gunk” the blades and remove odor-causing food particles.
• Use these and other tips through your own research or contact the professionals at Kost Plumbing for more helpful plumbing tips. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out. You may consider printing this list and posting it near your home’s disposal for your entire family to use as a list of “garbage disposal rules."

Hard water is a very common issue faced by many homeowners and renters who live in high sediment areas. Your water can be considered “hard” when elevated levels of dissolved minerals are present in it. Although hard water is not unhealthy for human consumption, it can damage and even ruin your plumbing. This damage can happen to your hot water heater, dishwasher, washing machine, and your other household appliances.

If you think you have hard water, here are a few solutions for combating the problem:

1. Household Vinegar
   Placing small fixtures (like shower heads) into a bowl of hot household vinegar will dissolve the calcium deposit in about an hour. Distilled vinegar can be used to combat the white film and spot problems on your appliances and dishes. It will kill mold, bacteria, and germs as well as clean your dishes through regular wash cycles.
2. Reduce the Temperature
   Hot water encourages calcium to build up within your water heater. Reducing the temperature of your water heater will help delay and even reduce that accumulation. It is also important to have your water heater periodically flushed to avoid having sediment clogging it up.
3. The Right Soap
   To reduce hard water deposits on your glasses and dishes, you can use a product similar to Lime-Away. These kinds of products work to remove years of buildup, stains, and film from hard water. For soap scum that is built up through the combination of soap and hard water,  rinse with a 1:3 mixture of apple cider vinegar and filtered water should do the trick.
4. Household Water Softeners
   The best solution to protect all of the pipes and appliances in your home over the long term solution is investing in a hig h-quality whole house water softener. There are salt-free water softeners that are environmentally friendly and remove the hardness in your home’s water without harsh chemicals or salt compound. 

The first question to ask yourself is whether or not your home really needs better drinking water. A water filter is only useful if it takes bad stuff out of your water without putting any bad stuff back in. If it is not doing its job, it could become a bed for bacterial growth or chemical treatments. This could be worse than just drinking the tap water. Don't rush out and buy a water filter simply because it is trendy. Research is important.

Let's take a look at water filter options for cleaner, softer and tastier water.

Carbon Filtration

If you have concerns related to taste and odor, a carbon filter may be your best solution. Carbon filtration relies on carbon adsorbing contaminants onto its surface. During the manufacturing of activated carbon, the surface area is maximized. Consumer Reports recognizes the Sears Kenmore 38454 Undersink Water Filter with the Best Buy Award this year.¹

Water Softening

If you have extremely hard water, softening the water is your best choice. The energy and material costs associated with water softening are offset by longer appliance life. You’ll use less detergent for effective cleaning and your clothes will no longer be at risk of discoloration from hard water. A cation exchange softener is usually installed at the point of entry to your home. It removes "hard" ions calcium and magnesium from the water. It then replaces them with sodium and potassium.

Risk of Disease

Have your home water tested regularly. Test results could show the presence of harmful levels of bacteria or parasites in your water. These include Cryptosporidium and Giardia. If these are present, you need to take action. Chlorine and other chemical treatments are somewhat effective, but they have side effects. Filtration of these pathogens can be difficult due to their very small size. However, Ultraviolet treatment is effective for killing unwanted bacterial organisms. The NSF has certified the Trojan UV Max and the UV Pure Hallett systems as the only two technologies for Class A Disinfection Performance. This is vital in the battle against disease-causing bugs. UV systems will not remove heavy metals and other contaminants.

If you are looking to upgrade your home’s drinking water system, please give Kost Plumbing a call at (352) 817-7647.

[Source, 1]

When it comes to day to day living, there are aspects of your home that often get ignored and taken for granted until something major occurs as the result of neglect. The most common aspect? Plumbing. While an overflowing toilet may come to mind when you think of “plumbing mistakes”, there are actually other areas in your home’s plumbing where simple mistakes can end up being quite costly in the long run.

These include:

Improper usage of your garbage disposal

It’s tempting while in the frenzy of trying to prepare dinner for your family to want to turn around and pour grease down the garbage disposal assuming this is safe. It’s not. Pouring grease, oil or fat into your garbage disposal or drain will cause the grease to accumulate over time and eventually impede proper flow through your garbage disposal or clog your drain. The same rule applies to coffee grounds, fibrous materials or even hot water following cooked food. You can, however, grind foods with scouring action like egg shells, small chicken or fish bones or small fruit pits. These will help clean some of the accumulated or sticky particles that may be built up in your disposal. Check out this blog from our friends at Pilgrim Plumbing up in Boston on What Not To Put In Your Garbage Disposal.

Using too much drain cleaner

When used conservatively and as directed for the specific kind of clog you’re attempting to clear, drain cleaners can be quite effective and relatively harmless to drains. When used with abandon, however, they can corrode some of the materials found in the drain, resulting in buildup and an even worse clog.

Pouring chemicals into the septic system

Naturally occurring waste eating bacteria are crucial to your septic system’s environment. Pouring bleach, ammonia, drain cleaner or other harsh chemicals into the septic system interrupts these natural bacteria resulting in chemical contamination of ground waters and even nearby ponds or lakes. Treatment chemicals designed specifically to treat septic systems should be okay, provided you specifically follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Flushing foreign objects down the toilet

While it’s fun to look back on childhood movies that taught us flushing anything down the toilet makes it disappear forever, it’s just not realistic. When you flush something down the toilet, instead of going out into oblivion somewhere, the object is sent into about a 3 inch pipe, which leads to another 3 inch pipe which leads to the drain pipe for your entire home. When something not designed to be flushed down the toilet is sent into this pipe, it can cause an obstruction that backs up the entire plumbing system in your home. It’s best to just throw it away.

Have any other plumbing problems that might need the attention of a professional? Contact Kost Plumbing today for a complete evaluation!

A lot of homeowners only think about our plumbing and pipes when something has gone terribly wrong with them. Summertime, however is the perfect time to take a closer look at your plumbing and perform some routine plumbing maintenance to keep it in good working order while the weather is warmer and your plumbing use differentiates from use in the fall and winter.

Here are some helpful summertime plumbing maintenance tips to get you started:

Begin in the laundry room:

When was the last time you pulled out your washing machine and took a good look at your hoses? While washing machine hoses are usually an “out of sight, out of mind” plumbing maintenance issue, they can be potentially devastating should they burst or leak. We recommend replacing your washing machine hoses every five years (maximum) using braided stainless steel hoses rather than rubber hoses (which are more vulnerable to leaking, cracking or bursting).

Take a look in the kitchen:

A fun way to make some noise and sharpen the blades in your kitchen sink’s garbage disposal is to throw a few ice cubes down the disposal and let the blades go to work. If you think their may be a gloppy backup in the drain, use a combination of ice with rock salt or simple household vinegar and let cold water run in the drain for five to ten seconds.

Your dishwasher shouldn’t be forgotten either: check the connections and make sure they are all tightened and leak free. The last thing you want interrupting your summer is a flooded kitchen!

Avoid paying for energy you’re not using:

Paying to heat water you’re not using by leaving your water heater on if you leave town doesn’t make good sense. Save energy and cost by turning your water heater down when you go away for more than a day. Also, take a good look at the edges around your water heater: if you inherited an existing water heater with the purchase of your home, learn how to read the label on your water heater to determine it’s age and whether or not you should consider replacing it.

A little bit of summertime preventative plumbing maintenance goes a long way to keep you stress-free all year round. For these and other helpful plumbing maintenance tips, contact Kost Plumbing today!

If you have a running toilet in your home, you may be wasting countless gallons of water a day. But take heart, most often it’s an easy fix and Kost Plumbing here to help.

First, it’s important to understand the science behind how your toilet works: Using gravity, when you press down on the lever to flush the toilet, it raises a rubber flapper in the toilet’s tank, allowing the water to run from the tank into the bowl. Once the water in the tank is used to fill the bowl, the rubber flapper closes, allowing water to refill the tank. The tank water filling is usually the running water you hear immediately after flushing, as it slowly rises until the float closes the toilet’s intake.

To determine which part of the toilet might be leaking or causing the water to constantly run, carefully remove the tank lid and identify your toilet flush lever, the aforementioned rubber flapper (should be connected to the flush lever), the pump that refills the toilet’s tank after it empties and the float that lowers and raises with the water level, letting the pump know when to stop as well as the overflow tube, which determines the high water level in the tank.

Commonly, it is the chain that’s connecting the rubber flapper to the flush lever that is your culprit. If it’s too short, too long, or disconnected, it’s not allowing the rubber flapper to close properly and needs to be replaced.

Another common issue is a faulty or deteriorated flapper, if you discover buildup, breaks, or deterioration on the flapper, you can try to clean the flapper or replace it completely.

One of the last things you can check is to see that the float is in the correct position, allowing the right amount of water to fill up the tank. When a toilet is flushed, the water in the tank should stop filling up just as it reaches the overflow pipe. You can test this by flushing the toilet a few times to see where the water is reaching and adjusting the float accordingly.

All of these methods are simple solutions in the short term, but if your issue continues it could be an indicator of a larger plumbing problem. The professionals at Kost Plumbing are here to answer your questions and meet all of your plumbing needs, big and small. For solutions that last, contact us today.

When it comes to PEX Piping vs Copper, unless you’re a plumber, you may not even know the difference or which piping is better for your home. So, maybe it’s time to increase your basic knowledge of plumbing in order to know what you’re getting and if it’s something you truly want. Once you’ve got the basics down, you’ll know what to request from your plumber and why.

Let’s start with what PEX Piping is. PEX Piping is basically cross linked polyethylene pipe. What this means is that after the material goes through several processes, it becomes durable enough to handle extreme hot or cold temperatures and what’s called “creep deformation” (that occurrs from extended exposure to stress). It also resists chemical attacks from alkalines, acids and other toxins. These factors all make PEX piping an excellent piping solution for cold and hot water plumbing systems. PEX piping is also very flexible and adapts effortlessly to temperatures from below freezing all the way up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

PEX Piping is also better for your budget. It’s an easy material for your plumber to install and with its crack resistance and fewer joints, it brings your plumbing costs down. It has fewer fittings, less chance of leaks, can be used along with metal or PVC Piping, and can have a pressure balancing system.

Now Copper: On the beneficial side, Copper resists corrosion and is not affected by ultraviolet rays, which means it can be useful for outside plumbing needs. This differs from PEX pipes, which can be affected by ultraviolet rays and therefore should usually not be used outside. On the down side, however, copper will corrode from the pH of the water if the water becomes too acidic or too basic for the copper pipes.

Copper piping can freeze and break during winter weather, it has become more expensive and more difficult to install, raising your plumbing costs and with corrosion, the higher levels of copper seeping into your water will give your water a metallic taste.

It’s our hope that these comparisons have given you a better basic understanding and knowledge of the differences between PEX and copper piping, giving you the opportunity to make the best decision for yourself.

Contact the professionals at Kost Plumbing for more information and expert answers to all of your plumbing questions.

Technology advances every day and reaches into every area of our lives, and our bathroom toilets are no different. With so many new innovations, even your toilet can become a more convenient part of technology in your home. Here are just a few of the newest toilet trends for 2016:

• Veil™ one-piece elongated dual-flush wall-hung toilet with Reveal® Quiet-Close™ seat and 2"x6" in-wall tank and carrier system - With its concealed tank and minimal footprint, the innovative Veil wall-hung toilet saves up to 12 inches of precious bathroom space over larger floor-mount models. The mounting hardware is completely concealed, giving Veil a sleek, seamless look that is incredibly easy to clean. And with dual-flush technology, this high-efficiency toilet can save as much as 6,000 gallons of water annually over a traditional 1.6-gallon toilet.
• San Souci™ Touchless Comfort Height® one-piece compact elongated 1.28 gpf toilet with AquaPiston® flushing technology, concealed trapway - The San Souci one-piece toilet offers a sleek, contemporary design combined with touchless flush. Just hold your hand over the tank sensor to activate the flush. No handle to touch means fewer germs to pick up or leave behind. This toilet features innovative AquaPiston technology, a patented flush engine that delivers a fast, powerful, and virtually plug-free flush. A 1.28-gallon flush provides significant water savings of up to 16,500 gallons per year, compared to a 3.5-gallon toilet, without sacrificing performance.
• Cimarron® Comfort Height® one-piece elongated 1.28 gpf toilet with AquaPiston® flush technology and left-hand trip lever
  With its versatile, fresh design, this one-piece Cimarron toilet matches a range of contemporary and classic decors. The elongated bowl offers extra room, with seating at the height of a standard chair for ease of use. A 1.28-gallon flush provides significant water savings of up to 16,500 gallons per year, compared to a 3.5-gallon toilet, without sacrificing performance. This toilet features innovative AquaPiston technology, a patented flush engine that delivers a fast, powerful, and virtually plug-free flush.
• Numi® Intelligent Comfort Height® skirted one-piece elongated dual-flush toilet (less remote)T
  The Numi toilet combines unmatched design and technology to bring you the finest in personal comfort and cleansing. KOHLER's most advanced toilet now offers personalized settings that let you fine-tune every option to your exact preferences, from ambient colored lighting to wireless Bluetooth®* music sync capability to the heated seat and foot warmer. Play your favorite music and podcasts - simply stream wirelessly with any device enabled with Bluetooth technology, store MP3 files to the SD card, or plug in your device using the auxiliary cable. Other upgrades include Power-Save mode for energy efficiency, emergency flush for power outages, and an intuitive touch-screen remote (sold separately). From its striking form to its exceptional water efficiency, the Numi toilet marks a new standard of excellence in the bathroom.

(source: us.kohler.com)

We’ve all been there. Visiting a relative or friend, you use the restroom, and somehow the toilet just won't flush. This can feel so embarrassing, but don’t stress! With this how-to, they’ll never know unless you tell them.

Is the water about to overflow? Find the shut off valve to the toilet, turn it to the right, and voila! Most of the time, this cuts the water right off. However, if it doesn’t, don’t keep flushing! If you continue to flush, the water will overflow. 

Now, grab the plunger. Almost all bathrooms have a plunger, and hopefully the one you’re in is no exception. The key to unclogging the toilet lies in the way you plunge. Be sure to have a solid suction seal, and put force on the plunger. Try not to break the seal of the plunger to the bowl. Once you’re sure the blockage has been cleared, you can turn the water back on, flush, and get out of there! Crisis averted. 

If your host does not have a plunger in the bathroom, or these instructions don’t work, don’t feel embarrassed. We’ve all been there. Quietly pull them aside, ask for a plunger, and take care of the issue. If you don’t make a big deal about it, neither will they.

Sometimes though, the problem might not be your fault (ha ha), but something more serious might be happening. If you are unsure about the cause of your clogged toilet drains, please give Kost Plumbing a call. We service all of Marion, Sumter and Lake Counties!

Even in Sunny Florida, with colder winter months approaching, the possibility exists for the pipes in your home to freeze during the winter months. Frozen pipes can cause a huge inconvenience and a pretty penny to repair. So how do you prevent your pipes from freezing or thaw ones that are frozen already?

Step 1: Wrap heater tapes around the pipes or use a heated reflector lamp
In order for heater tape to properly work, it needs to be wrapped around the pipes before insulating them. The heater tapes work by using a thermostat that is built in. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions that come with the heater tape you purchase as some heater tapes cannot be used with insulation.

Step 2: Keep your water pipes dry and insulate them from the cold moving air
You can purchase inexpensive pipe insulators at your local hardware store. By itself, insulation doesn’t completely prevent freezing but it slows down the transfer rate of heat to cold. Be sure to know the location of your water main shut off valve in the event that you need it. Leaks are common after the pipes are thawed.

Step 3: Let the water run from the faucets at just a constant, slow drip
Begin with a slow drip of hot water and combine a slow drip of cold water in the kitchen. Bathroom water can be cold as long as it is not freezing.

Step 4: If pipes are frozen and need to be thawed, first check the pipes in the frozen area
Copper or plastic pipes may freeze and break open, causing leaks and flooding in the area of the freeze. If the pipe appears to be busted, leaking or has a split in it, contact a plumber right away. All metal pipes may need to be welded and the repair of these pipes is best left to a professional.

Step 5: Use extreme caution when heating the area of a freeze or the pipes themselves with an electronic heating device like a hand held hair dryer or heat lamp
Space heaters, hair dryers and heat lamps generate very high temperatures that can cause certain materials to combust. Never leave any of these appliances unattended and always call a plumber when in doubt.

For more useful tips on preparing your plumbing for the winter months, contact the professionals at Kost Plumbing today.

When taking a shower there's nothing worse that a clogged drain causing water to collect at your feet. I mean you wanted to take a shower, not a bath, right? There are some simple tricks besides pouring a gallon of Drain-O down the pipes to help get that clog unstuck.

• Use a plunger - Believe it or not these are handy for unclogging shower drains and toilets. Remove the shower drain cover then put them plunger over the hole while running water over it until the rubber part is submerged. Plunge it  and see if that loosens the clog.
• Boiling water - This is a great natural way without using harsh chemicals. Carefully pour the hot water down the drain. You may want to use a mixture of 1/3 cup baking soda and 1/3 to see if that give better results. 
• Snake out the clog - A snake can be purchased from any hardware store. Carefully snake it down the drain then wind it around to loosen the clog. The debris should clear once the snake is out.
• Use liquid drain cleaner - There are a lot of good products out there. Make sure they are safe to use in all pipes as as for residential use.

Call a professional - When all else fails and the stubborn clog just won't budge give Kost Plumbing a call and we will have it fix in no time!