Water Purifiers, Softeners and Filters: Pros and Cons

Are you trying to decide between water purifiers, water softeners, and water filters for your home? Tap water quality varies greatly depending on where you live, and having a clean water supply for showering, cooking, and cleaning is very important. For people who aren’t satisfied with the quality of their tap water, and for those who want to prevent scale build-up, remove bacteria and other contaminants, and avoid corrosion, there are several water treatment options. Each water treatment system comes with its own pros and cons, which we explore in more detail below.

The Right Water System For You

Water Purifiers: These systems remove potentially harmful organisms and toxic metals from your water. They may not, however, remove all traces of pesticides and water purifiers require regular maintenance. They can also be costly to set up, making them a less attractive option for homeowners. 

Water Softeners: These systems remove minerals like calcium and magnesium from your water supply, resulting in better quality water for bathing, laundry, and cleaning. Soft water doesn’t require as much soap or detergent, and it also results in less scale build-up. However, you shouldn’t drink or cook with water from a water softener because they don’t remove lead and other metals, or the chlorine taste that can sometimes be present in water supplies.

Water Filters: These systems remove contaminants like arsenic and bacteria from your water supply, meaning you can cook with and drink filtered water. Water filters also remove the taste and odor of chlorine, and they’re very cost-efficient. Conversely, water filters reduce the flow rate of your water and the filtration systems require regular maintenance. 

How Do Water Purifiers and Softeners Work?

Water purifiers take in raw water, remove any contaminants, viruses and bacteria, then dispense the clean water to your home. They’re a good choice if you live in an area with an untreated water supply, or if you’re concerned about the quality of your tap water. Water softeners draw water into a tank, then use a process called ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium from the water before dispensing it. 

For more information about water purifiers, water softeners, and water filters, or if you have any questions, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Originally posted https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/water-purifiers-softeners-and-filters/

DIY faucet change

Over the last two years, with many of us shifting to working remotely full-time and spending way more time at home than usual, lots of people have been undertaking DIY home improvement projects, including changing leaky or loose faucets. DIY faucet change is a relatively straightforward project to take on, and in this article we’ll walk you through the steps so you can do it yourself. 

How to Fix your Faucet at Home

Gather all the necessary parts and tools: You’ll need a basin wrench, an adjustable wrench, pliers, measuring tape, plumber’s putty, and of course your new faucet. 

Shut off the hot and cold water valves: These are typically found under your sink. Turn off your water supply before starting, and turn on your old faucet to let out any excess water. 

Disconnect the hot and cold water lines from your old faucet. Once the water lines are disconnected, remove the nut holding the base of your old faucet in place and pull your old faucet out. Clean your sink thoroughly before proceeding.

Install the new faucet. You can use plumber’s putty or a gasket to set your new faucet in place, then affix the faucet from underneath and then re-attach the hot and cold water lines. 

Do it yourself Faucet Repair 

DIY faucet repair is one of the easier DIY projects for you to take on, so if you’ve never done any home improvement projects before and you’re eager to replace your leaky faucet, this is a great way to introduce yourself to the world of DIY. Visit your local plumbing retailer for all the tools and equipment you need to get the job done. 

Learn to Replace Bathroom Faucet

If you have any questions or concerns, or feel you need an in-person demonstration before you start with your faucet change, we recommend visiting a trusted plumbing wholesaler like Crosstown Plumbing where the staff will walk you through the process step by step. They can also make recommendations about the best faucets on the market, and ensure you have everything you need for a successful DIY faucet change. 

For more information about DIY faucet change, or if you have any questions, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Originally posted https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/diy-faucet-change/

Know The Difference Between your Plumbing Valves

Valves are one of the most essential and frequently-used parts of any plumbing system. A valve is a piece of equipment that is fitted onto a pipe in order to direct and regulate any fluids flowing through the pipe. There are many different types of valves, and in this article our team will discuss some of the most commonly-used types of plumbing valves. If you need advice on which type of valve will work best for your plumbing job, please contact us today.

Ball Valve 

One of the most reliable types of valves, ball valves are used for main water shut-offs. There’s no in between with ball valves, meaning the valve will either be fully open or fully closed. These valves are constructed with a ball that has a hole in the middle, and it’s connected to a lever handle on the outside. Ball valves are low-maintenance, strong, and very efficient. 

Gate Valve

Gate valves regulate water flow by lowering or raising the gate across the inside of the pipe. When a gate valve is fully closed, no liquids can pass through the pipe, vs when it’s open and liquid can flow freely. These valves are typically found in older plumbing systems, and should only be used infrequently. Gate valves are prone to erosion, and if the wheel to open and close the valve is located in a cramped space, it can be difficult to operate. 

Butterfly Valve

Similar to ball valves, butterfly valves are operated by an external handle. These valves have a rotating disc inside that works to restrict and direct water flow, and they’re very precise in adjusting water flow. Even when a butterfly valve is fully open you’ll notice water flow is restricted slightly, because the disc takes up space and the water must flow around it. 

These valves are most commonly used in commercial and industrial plumbing, and are not often found in residential plumbing systems. 

For more information about plumbing valves, or if you have any questions, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Is It Time to Upgrade your Kitchen?

Are you ready for a kitchen upgrade? For many of us, the kitchen is the heart of our home and serves as a social hub for family and friends. Whether it’s enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal together, spending an evening playing board games, or sitting around the kitchen table on a cold night with warm cups of tea, most of us spend more time in our kitchens than anywhere else in our homes. 

So if you’re ready to upgrade your kitchen but you’re not sure where to begin, the team at Crosstown Plumbing has put together this guide to help you through some of the major steps, in order to make some important decisions more easily. 

Picking a Kitchen Cabinet

Installing new kitchen cabinets is one of the best ways to revamp the look and feel of your kitchen. In many kitchens, both upper and lower cabinets take up a lot of space so they’re often the most noticeable feature. And if your cabinets are old or out of style, it’ll make your whole kitchen area feel outdated. Kitchen cabinets also endure a lot of wear and tear over the years, so they can become worn-looking easily. 

There are many modern kitchen cabinet options to fit any budget, although maybe your cabinets only require a fresh coat of paint. You can also reface your cabinets, which means replacing the cabinet faces and drawer fronts. To add more character and personalization, you may also want to choose fun fixtures for the handles.

Kitchen Remodeling Essentials

If your budget or deadline only allows for you to upgrade a few elements of your kitchen, these are the ones that make the biggest difference: kitchen cabinets, light fixtures, countertops, and the appliances. Our team will be happy to help you understand what’s possible after taking your budget and time constraints into account. 

Do your Kitchen Lights Create an Ideal Environment?

Your overhead kitchen lighting should be bright and bold, illuminating your space. You may want to install softer recess lights around the area, but we recommend pendant lighting for above your kitchen table and above the main areas of your kitchen. Mix and match different types of lighting for maximum effect, but be sure to use LED bulbs throughout for better energy conservation. 

If you’d like more information about kitchen remodels, or if you have any questions for our team, please contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.

originally posted https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/is-it-time-to-upgrade-your-kitchen/

Essential Tips to Remodel your Bathroom

If it’s time to remodel your bathroom, it can be overwhelming to know the best place to start. Before doing anything else we recommend you decide your budget, because during a bathroom remodel, most of your decisions will be made according to how much you can really spend. 

Our experts at Cross Town Plumbing have years of experience remodeling all different types of bathrooms, and we’ve created this guide that explains our top tips. 

Choose the Type of Bathroom

Half bath. Often found adjacent to the kitchen or the living room on the ground floor of many homes, a half bath is a room with only a sink and a toilet. Many older homes only have one full bathroom, and if your household is having to share one full bathroom, adding a half bath is a great idea. 

Full bath. This is a bathroom with a sink, toilet, tub and/or shower. If you have the space for more than one full bathroom in your home, it could be a convenient addition that also raises the value of your home.

Wet bathroom. The most expensive but certainly the most durable option, a wet bathroom is completely waterproof. This includes the cabinets, the walls, and the floor – and the shower isn’t in a separate area. 

Is Ventilation Essential?

In short, yes! Bathrooms are prone to mold because of all the water and steam, and the last thing you want after remodeling your bathroom is to encounter a mold problem. Windows, window vents, and exhaust fans all provide essential ventilation for your bathroom, however the best option will be determined by your contractor based on the bathroom layout. 

Bathroom Plumbing Essentials

When considering the layout of your new bathroom, consider your existing plumbing fixtures. It’s easiest and most cost-effective to keep your plumbing fixtures where they are instead of installing new fixtures in new locations. If it’s not ideal to keep your plumbing fixtures where they are, your contractor may be able to show you several designs that could work with your current bathroom layout. 

If you’d like more information about our top bathroom remodeling tips, or if you have any bathroom plumbing questions, please contact our team at Cross Town Plumbing today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Originally posted https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/essential-tips-to-remodel-your-bathroom/

DIY Shower Door Installation

If you’re the kind of person who loves taking on a new DIY weekend project, installing a new shower door is a great thing to add to your list. Perhaps you’ve been feeling like your bathroom needs a little bit of a pick-me-up, and with this handy guide to shower door installation, you’ll have a shiny new shower door in no time. 

A Comprehensive Guide to Redoing your Shower 

Here are the main steps you’ll need to take to install a shower door. Showers vary greatly in size and shape, so if you’re unsure about any of these steps or the best way to proceed, we recommend consulting with a professional before proceeding. It may save you a lot of time and money!

1. Take exact measurements of your space. Be as precise as possible, and take the measurements several times to ensure you get the same numbers each time.
2. Drill holes in the wall where the side rails will go, and attach the side rails using screws. 
3. Attach the suction cups to your new glass shower door and attach it to the rail. 
4. If you have a swing door, now is the time to attach it to the side rail using hinges. 
5. Once your new door is securely in place, install shower door sweep along the entire bottom of your door to prevent water leaking out. 

Measurements And Cutting

Once you have your measurements and you’ve decided on the type of glass you want, we recommend visiting a professional to have the glass cut. Cutting glass can be hazardous, and even if you have years of DIY projects under your belt, it’s better to be safe. 

Tools You Need

We recommend having these tools on hand before you start the job: a power drill, drill screws, a hammer, measuring tape, a screwdriver, steel screws, silicone sealant, and an anchor. If you’re a DIY aficionado, then chances are you already have a lot of these readily available. However, if you don’t, you can find them at your nearest home repair wholesaler.

If you have any DIY questions, or you’d like more information about Crosstown Plumbing, please contact our team today or visit our website. We look forward to helping you with all of your DIY projects

Originally posted https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/diy-shower-door-installation/

Can Heating Systems and AC Units be Eco-Friendly?

We’re all becoming more conscious of our environmental impact and the need to offset the effects of climate change. So what about your HVAC system? Is there such a thing as an eco-friendly heating system, or an eco-friendly air conditioner? 

The answer is yes. Modern HVAC units are designed to operate very efficiently, meaning you won’t be wasting excess energy and you won’t end up with expensive monthly energy bills. There is no one-size-fits-all HVAC solution, so the best system for you will depend on the size of your home and your energy needs. Don’t hesitate to speak with someone from our team to learn more. 

Environmental Effects of AC Units and Heating Systems

Air conditioners and heating systems can negatively impact the environment in several ways, including:

• • Excessive water consumption. You may not associate AC units with water consumption, but a large commercial HVAC system can account for a big part of the building’s overall water usage.
  • Using energy from coal-burning power plants. Instead of harnessing the power of renewable energy, many air conditioners and heating systems require the burning of fossil fuels, which causes environmental damage.
  • The refrigerant used in most air conditioners causes damage to the ozone layer. 

Eco-Friendly Air Conditioners and Heating Systems

So, how are air conditioners and heating systems built to be more eco-friendly?

Newer, modern AC units don’t use harmful refrigerants to cool the air that gets circulated into your home. Also, they can sense when there aren’t any people at home, or in a particular room, and switch into a low-power consumption mode so the unit isn’t pumping unnecessarily. Eco-friendly air conditioners use two-stage compressors to remove heated vapors from the air, and they use temperature to dictate how hard to work to avoid wasting energy. 

There are several choices when it comes to eco-friendly heating systems, including ground source heat pumps, solar panels, and high-efficiency boilers. You can also draft-proof your home, insulate your walls, and replace old doors and windows to keep your home properly insulated during the cold winter months. 

If you’d like to learn more about the leading eco-friendly heating systems on the market, or if you have any other HVAC questions, please contact our team today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Originally posted https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/can-heating-systems-and-ac-units-be-eco-friendly/