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/

Choosing the right burner for your home

Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen or it’s time to upgrade your stove, choosing the right burner for your home is a big decision – especially if you love to cook. We so often find that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s busy and bustling with constant activity, and you undoubtedly have many happy memories of delicious meals shared with loved ones. 

The difference the right stove can make

If you love to cook and you’ve used both gas stoves and electric stoves, then you’ve surely noticed the difference between the two. The right stove for you will largely depend on your personal preferences, and how you plan to use your burners. For example, induction cooktops, which are electric, are known for cooking food very quickly, temperature precision, and they’re very easy to clean. So if you’re short on time but still want to prepare your meals for the week, or in a pinch, an electric induction stove top might be for you. 

On the other hand, gas stove tops are generally cheaper than electric ones. Plus, many cooking aficionados prefer using gas burners because they’re ideal for searing meat and stir-frying veggies. Gas stoves are also compatible with nearly all pots and pans, so you won’t have to buy new cookware if you get a gas oven. 

Gas Stoves vs Electric Stoves

There are several key differences between gas stoves and electric stoves. 

Gas stoves:

• Don’t use any electricity so you can still cook during a power outage.
• Are easy to monitor because the flame is visible, so it’s more difficult to forget to turn it off. We’ve all experienced moments of forgetfulness, which can be dangerous when stoves are involved.
• Tend to be less efficient than most electric stove models.

Electric stoves:

• Are very easy to clean compared to gas stoves, and we all know kitchens can get messy while cooking. With an electric stove top you’ll have a super quick clean up.
• Cook food more quickly than gas stoves, particularly induction stovetops. 
• Are more energy efficient and overall safer than gas stoves, because no dangerous gases are involved. 

For more information about the different types of burners and installation needs, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today. We’d be happy to discuss all your options and help you decide on the best choice.

Originally posted https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/choosing-the-right-burner-for-your-home/

Comparing air purifiers, humidifiers and filters

If you’re ready to improve the quality of your air, you’re probably considering getting an air purifier, an air humidifier, or an air filter. But do you know what the purpose of each one is, and which one is best for your situation? In this article, we’ll go through the differences between air purifiers and air humidifiers, so you can decide on the best option for your home.  

The effect of air treatment systems on your health

Did you know that indoor air can actually be more polluted than outdoor air? Air filters prevent bacteria, dust, debris, and other contaminants from getting into your indoor air, but they aren’t 100% effective. 

Air quality and humidity levels can impact your health, and air treatment systems like humidifiers and purifiers can help alleviate symptoms for people who have allergies, asthma, eczema, dry eyes, and other health issues. People who suffer from seasonal allergies or who have pets in their home will probably find air purifiers very helpful. 

When do I need a purifier and when do I need a humidifier?

Air purifiers work by removing pollutants like dust, smoke, pollen, and other contaminants from your indoor air. Purifiers can help reduce mold, eliminate dust mites, and improve the overall quality of the air you breathe in your home.

Air humidifiers work by adding moisture to the air, increasing the humidity levels. During these cold winter months most of us have our heaters running, but indoor heating makes your air very dry, resulting in skin, eye, nose, and throat irritation. If you often wake up sneezing and with a dry feeling in your mouth, an air humidifier can help. 

Can I use an air purifier and air humidifier together?

Yes, you can use both of these air treatment systems together, however we recommend placing your air purifier a substantial distance away from your humidifier to avoid the moisture clogging the purifier’s filters. 

Air purifiers are used year-round, while humidifiers are used mostly in the winter. Since they perform completely different functions, it’s safe to use both systems at the same time. 

For more information about air purifiers, air humidifiers, and air filters, or if you have any questions about which one is right for you, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Originally posted https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/comparing-air-purifiers-humidifiers-and-filters/