HVAC Business Blog: Heating and Cooling Tips, Service Advice, & Local HVAC Information

New year, new you, new fixtures… Right? It’s no secret that over time, things wear and tear. One day you can look up and start to wonder whether your kitchen or bathroom appliances need an upgrade. Since replacing your appliances requires a considerable investment, it’s best to determine whether you’re simply looking for a different look or if you genuinely need an upgrade. You’ll need to replace your fixtures if… -You’re constantly having to make repairs. The cost of frequent repairs is likely adding up. At some point, you need to figure out whether it’s better to use the money you’re paying in repairs to purchase replacements. -Your appliances are not energy-efficient. If your bill is relatively high each month, then upgrading your appliances can help you lower it. -The enamel on the appliances is damaged. Although the enamel on the bathroom furniture is quite hard, it can still get damaged. This leads to unsightly scratches and dents. These can be repaired, but it’s often better to replace the appliance. -The plumbing fixtures on the appliances are worn and broken. Over time, plumbing fixtures can get damaged due to overuse, corrosion, or the buildup of sediment. When multiple plumbing fixtures are significantly damaged, it’s time to upgrade -The appliances no longer meet your needs. If you have a regular bathroom, but you’re getting older and losing mobility, you might need a different type of furniture. Walk-in bathtubs and higher toilets are better suited to the needs of seniors. -The style of the appliances is outdated. Now, this isn’t a major need to upgrade, but if you have the money, then purchasing newer models with a more modern look can give your kitchen a more visually pleasing appeal. Once you’ve come to the conclusion of whether replacing your current appliances would be a necessary investment, it’s best to consult with a professional plumber. This way you can be sure to get sound advice on the best options for your kitchen or bathroom. You’ll be glad you did it in the long run, because not only will it increase the value of your property; it will also enhance your enjoyment of your home.

When you need hot water in your home, you don’t want to wait. If your shower takes too long to warm up or you’re dealing with slow hot water throughout your home, there are some things you can do to fix your hot water woes! 5 Reasons You Have to Wait For Hot Water From Your Home’s Tap Distance. The farther away your water heater is from the faucet or shower where you want hot water to flow, the longer it will take to get there. A low volume restrictor. You may have a low volume restrictor installed on fixtures, like your shower, which can delay the delivery of water. A failing water heater. Water heaters that are about ten years old are at the end of their service life. That can mean they fail suddenly, or they’re simply less effective at heating water. An expert plumber from NDI can check out and repair your water heater and determine if now’s the right time for a water heater replacement Sediment buildup. Sediment accumulates in your water heater when dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, settle on the bottom of the tank. Unfortunately, this is precisely where the electric heating element or gas burner is located. With a crusty layer of sediment blocking heat transfer, the tank can’t produce hot water as quickly as it used to. A water heater professional from NDI can flush your water heater and clean out the sediment to help improve efficiency and performance. Undersized water heater. Perhaps you installed a water heater several years ago when only two people lived in your home. If your family has grown since then, you could be demanding more from your water heater than it’s designed to handle. Upgrading to a larger unit could be the solution to your problem. How Long Does It Take to get Hot Water Back? All storage water heaters have a particular recovery time. This is the amount of time it takes the tank to deliver hot water again after it has been depleted. The recovery time can vary widely depending on these factors: Tank size: Larger tanks take longer to recover First-hour rating (FHR): The higher the FHR, the less time it takes for the water heater to recover Fuel type: Electric water heaters take about twice as long to reheat as gas models Temperature rise: Cold incoming water takes longer to reheat than warm water. Overall, it takes an average of 80-gallon water heaters about an average to recover. The factors outlined here determine whether your water heater’s recovery time is longer or shorter than this. How Can I Get Hot Water Faster? Hot Water Recirculation System A hot water recirculation system can reduce the amount of water wasted while you’re waiting for it to heat up from the tap. A recirculation system: Moves water more quickly from the water heater to the desired tap Recirculates your used water back to the heater and keeps hot water close to the faucets It’s activated by a timer or a thermostat The recirculation system can be either mounted near your faucet or attached to your water heater. The version attached to your water heater includes a pump and a timer to keep the hot water circulating. A Tankless Water Heater A tankless water heater is another option to provide on-demand hot water continuously. Offering an endless supply of hot water, tankless water heaters don’t use tanks to contain or heat water. Instead, water passes over a heating element to instantly become hot. The result is immediate access to hot water and a reduction in heating costs because the tank isn’t heating unused water. In addition to whole-house tankless water heaters, there are also point-of-use tankless water heater units. These smaller units addressed hot water output for individual faucets and can be installed in a sink, cabinet or closet. These are a good option when a water heater can’t serve the entire home. Given that water heaters can account for as much as 25% of a home’s energy use, choosing an efficient system that can also meet your water heater’s needs is crucial. The team at NDI Plumbing can help with that to ensure you get a water heater that fits your budget and your hot water needs while providing optimal long-term value! Get Help Restoring Your Home’s Hot Water Supply The experienced team at NDI Plumbing provides a full range of water heater services for both storage and tankless models powered by natural gas or electricity. Whether you need a water heater tune-up or repair, our local plumbers can get the job done. A water heater flush and other maintenance tasks will improve the performance of your water heater for years to come. We can even help you upgrade your plumbing with a water recirculation system or a new tankless water heater.

Brrrrr! Are you feeling colder in your home? Are you feeling too hot in your home? It is beginning to be that time of the year again, but just maybe it could also be your furnace causing the discomfort. By design, a furnace heats air and uses a blower motor and air ducts to distribute warm air throughout the house. There are different size s and types of furnaces. The different types of furnaces are gas, electric and propane furnaces. Let’s tackle the differences first in this article. Determining which size furnace you need will be tackled in the next article. A gas furnace utilizes fossil fuel to transfer heat and is commonly considered the most efficient and economical method of heating. Essentially, the furnace converts gas into heat by using burners, heat exchangers and blowers. Within the gas furnace family, there are three types: Single-Stage, Two-Stage and a Modulation gas furnace. A Single-Stage Gas Furnace is able to heat up your home and it’s relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, there is only one setting. This one setting tends to cause the furnace to spurt hot air, creating uneven heating within your home. Many factors can go into this as well, but this is a general trend. A Two-Stage Gas Furnace is more efficient and does not have the same issues as the latter. A Two-Stage is more able to adjust to the needs of the house since it runs more continuously. At first, selecting a Two-Stage can seem unpreferable because of its larger upfront cost. Finally, a Modulating Gas Furnace is the more expensive of the three, but the more efficient. Unlike the other two, the modulating Gas Furnace only blows when it is needed since a computer controls a thermostat. Up next are electric furnaces. Out of gas and propane furnaces, electric furnaces are the cheapest and easiest to install. Although, long term this is not the most cost-friendly choice. Again, other factors such as the size will affect this. On the upside, this is the quieter and longer-lasting option. Electric furnaces have been known to last for approximately 20 years. Finally, propane furnaces. When electric and gas furnaces go out, the propane furnace will keep going. Propane furnaces are energy efficient, green and reliable. Some caution should be taken when installing a propane heater. They should ALWAYS be installed outdoors since propane is combustible. Currently, NDI Plumbing does not install propane furnaces. Choosing between the different types of furnaces is ultimately going to be based on preference and what is best for you. Once you decide which type you would like installed, don’t hesitate to call and schedule an appointment with us! Need help deciding what size furnace you need? We got you covered!

A sump pump is a submersible device installed in a sump pit dug at the lowest point of your house, such as the basement or crawl space. This small but important addition to your home helps prevent your basement from flooding. Most of the time the pump is on standby, simply waiting until it’s needed. When it begins to rain heavily, the soil around your home becomes over-saturated. Excess groundwater funnels toward the sump pit, and it begins to fill with water. This activates the sump pump float switch and turns on the pump. By removing water from the pit and draining it into a nearby storm drain, dry well, or detention pond, the sump pump prevents the groundwater from rising to the level of your basement floor, which can cause a flood. In this way, you can think of a sump pump as an extra piece of flood insurance. Benefits of a Sump Pump A sump pump is a small investment with bid advantages. Here’s how you can benefit from adding a sump pump to your home: Defend your basement against flooding Protect the paint and other wall coverings from peeling Safeguard basement appliances such as the washer, dryer, and spare freezer, from corrosion Reduce mold, mildew, and fungus growth Discourage termites and other insect invasions Improve indoor air quality Keep your foundation intact Make the basement drier and more comfortable year-round Enjoy peace of mind, no matter what the weather is like Meet a requirement for homeowner’s insurance coverage of basement flood damage Do I Need a Sump Pump? While the benefits of a sump pump are clear, some properties need these devices more than others. We recommend installing a sump pump if any of the following are true: You live in a climate that has heavy snow or rain. Your home is built on a flood-prone plot. Poorly draining soil, low-ling properties, and homes surrounded by hills are more likely to experience rising groundwater levels during heavy rains, snowstorms, and spring runoff. You’ve had water problems in the past. If your basement has flooded before, or you regularly struggle with high basement moisture levels, it would be wise to install a sump pump. You have a finished basement. Even if your home isn’t categorized as a high-risk property, consider protecting your underground living space with an affordable sump pump. Schedule You Sump Pump Installation If you have decided a sump pump is right for your home, it’s vital to have the device installed and serviced by a plumbing expert. We offer free upfront, written estimates for those in the Reno/Sparks area. Rest assured that our fully trained, licensed, and certified professionals will guide you through the sump pump installation process, so you know exactly what to expect.

If you think you are protected from air pollution inside the comfort of your home, you are sadly mistaken. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor environments are around 2-5 times as polluted as the air outdoors, and occasionally up to 100 times as polluted! The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution as one of the top 5 environmental dangers facing our planet. As the temperatures drop, we start spending more time indoors, the quality of our indoor air becomes more and more important to our health and well-being. Even now, amidst a quarantine, clean indoor air is of utmost importance. While there is little you can do to affect the quality of the air outdoors, there is a lot you can do to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) at home. If you have a forced-air system in your home, there are many different modifications you can make to your existing HVAC system to improve the quality of the air you breathe. When researching ways to improve your home’s indoor IAQ, you may have come across information on Air Scrubber Technology… What exactly is it? How much does it cost? Will it work? What is an Air Scrubber? While sometimes referred to as “Negative Air Machines”, Air Scrubbers are actually a different technology and application. Air Scrubbers are used by mold remediation specialists, renovation companies, and other job sites to help improve the surrounding air quality. They were even used in the Pentagon after 9/11 to clean and purify the air. In these instances, they act as a portable air purifier without any attached ductwork. Air Scrubbers, however, can also be used as a permanent fixture inside of existing ductwork. Air Scrubber Plus NDI Plumbing now offers the latest and greatest in air cleaning and filtration technology, Air Scrubber Plus. As of 2013, Air Scrubber Plus can be used in residential applications. Air Scrubber Plus with ActivePure technology removes up to 99.9% of harmful contaminants in your home. Air Scrubber Plus is the only air cleaning technology awarded the Certified Space Technology seal of approval by the Space Foundation (in cooperation with NASA). Air Scrubber Plus doesn’t just treat the air, it also helps to clean the surfaces of your home, such as countertops, bathrooms, kitchens, and doorknobs. The Air Scrubber Plus utilizes many different technologies to clean and purify the indoor air. When inside, the airborne contaminants pass through a strong UV germicidal light which works to disrupt the DNA of any airborne contaminants to render them useless. Once the DNA is scrambled, the active pollutants effectively die. Air filters can trap pollutants, but only air purification systems such as Air Scrubbers actually kill the contaminants and pathogens in your home. Many people who think they are allergic to dust are actually allergic to dust mites, microscopic creatures that are just as alive as any other living creature. When living things like dust mites get zapped by UV light, they die. Air Scrubber Plus goes beyond just UV rays. While germicidal UV rays can reduce airborne contaminants that pass through its powerful rays, Air Scrubber Plus with ActivePure technology actively sends air scrubber into the indoor environment. As the airborne contaminants pass through the Air Scrubber ActivePure technology, they are transformed into powerful oxidizers, which get disseminated into the environment, helping to eliminate pathogens in the air and on surfaces. Reactive metals combined with UV light and a proprietary catalytic process transforms the particulates into charged clusters of hydrogen and oxygen (hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyls, and superoxide ions), which are antimicrobial agents found in nature. The “friendly cleaners” get released back into your air to help reduce contaminants in the home, both in the air and on surfaces. The scrubbers are effective against gases, vapors, VOCs, and offensive odors. Once released, the particles become supercharged (superoxide ions and hydroxyls) to attack and destroy contaminants, fungi, mold, and odor-causing bacteria. Even the contaminants that hide underneath cushions and rugs get found and eliminated by the charged ion. The charged “air scrubbers” get ride of the microscopic impurities that are invisible to the human eye. Air Scrubber Plus attracts positive ions (the majority of the particles in the home) by using negatively charged ions. Air Scrubber Plus also has models available with ozone technology to enhance its ability to combat strong odors from pets, household products, smoke, and more. Keep in mind that ozone-free models are also available. “The Certified Space Technology logo is licensed to activTek by the Space Foundation for use on Air Scrubber Plus purification products. The Space Foundation recognizes products whose origins come directly from technology or resources derived from the space program.” Air Scrubber Benefits According to the Air Scrubber Plus website and multiple peer-reviewed scientific studies, Air Scrubber Plus with ActivePure Technology can reduce dust, dander, and odors in your home including: Pet Odor Cigarette Smoke VOCs Mold Spore and Smells Occasional Burnt Food Odor Air Scrubber Plus with ActivePure technology effectively reduces: Allergy Symptoms Chest Tightness Coughs Nausea Sinus Problems Dizziness Eye/Nose/Throat Irritation Fatigue Headaches Air Cleaning While air filters work to capture larger airborne contaminants, such as dust and dirt, Air Scrubbers actively clean the air by releasing “air scrubbers” to reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contaminants, mold. Odors, and pollutants in the air and on surfaces. Air Scrubber Plus not only help filter the air, but it also helps clean, deodorize, and purify the air. 99.99% of surface mold will be eliminated with Air Scrubber Plus technology. According to their website, “In only 30 minutes our technology reduces over 90% of pathogens in the air- which is 50xs more powerful than normal HVAC filtration” (Air Scrubber). Air Freshening Instead of using Febreze and other “air fresheners,” which add chemicals to the air, air scrubbers reduce airborne toxins in your home naturally. Whenever you turn on your air conditioner, furnace, or fan, the air scrubbers go to work, cleaning the air and surfaces with air scrubbing technology. If you have pets at home, Air Scrubber Plus cleans, freshens, and purifies the air, including odor-causing bacteria and odors caused by pets and cooking. Extend HVAC System Lifespan In addition to making everyone in the home feel better, Air Scrubber Plus technology also extends the lifespan and efficiency of your HVAC system. Instead of damaging and dirtying your HVAC system, indoor air contaminants get broken up and eliminated by the Air Scrubbers. This translates to a longer-lasting HVAC system, fewer repairs, and lower energy bills. Will an Air Scrubber Work? Yes! Air Scrubber Plus is proven to be safe and effective in many peer-reviewed scientific studies. It Is clinically proven to reduce dust, mold, pollen, and many other indoor air contaminants. Harvard University Studies, NASA studies, and many other universities and scientific papers conclude that Air Scrubber Plus is effective at improving indoor air quality, health, and wellness. If you want to reduce your exposure to VOCs, gaseous compounds, airborne contaminants, and their negative effect on your health and wellness, Air Scrubber Plus is right for you. Air Scrubber Plus: Improves Health and Well-Being Improves Energy Efficiency and Lifespan of HVAC systems Reduces Allergy and Asthma symptoms Sleep Better and Feel Better Air is Lighter and Fresher Air Scrubber Plus is beneficial for everyone. They are used in homes, daycares, and many other indoor spaces. Even if you aren’t a clean freak, you’ll want to learn more about Air Scrubber Plus. Take advantage of the many benefits of Air Scrubber Plus today!

Once you move on from hand washing dishes, there’s no going back. So when the dishwasher starts having problems, there’s no time to waste in getting to the bottom of it. You can always call in a plumber – and for some problems, you definitely should – but there are some small, common dishwasher problems that you can diagnose, if not repair, all on your own. Finding and Fixing Leaks Dishwashers are designed to not spill a drop, but leaks can develop if certain parts malfunction or become damaged. If you have an older dishwasher, some parts may be failing due to age and wear which can also lead to leaks. If you notice pooling water or signs of water spray around your dishwasher, it could be coming from one or more of three areas: Around the door. The door is lined with a rubber gasket, much like the one on your refrigerator door. If there is a tear in the gasket, or if it has become cracked and brittle with age, this could be the source of your leak. At the water source. A hosepipe carries water from your household plumbing to your dishwasher’s water inlet. If this connection is loose or if a gasket has failed, water could be leaking from this area. Underneath the dishwasher. There are three places a leak can occur under here: the water inlet, the drain and the seal around the pump. Leaks in these places can be caused by loose or failed hose clamps, cracked gaskets or a broken pump. To get a good look around, you may need to clear out the area under your kitchen sink and remove the front kickplate of your dishwasher. Use a flashlight to look everywhere for the source of the water. If your dishwasher isn’t mounted to your countertop or cabinets, you may be able to scoot the dishwasher away from the wall to get a better look. Be careful not to snag or break any hoses if you do this. If you’re lucky, you may be able to pin the source down to a loose connection – something you can fix in under a minute. If it’s a failed gasket or pump, check your dishwasher manufacturer’s website for information on replacement parts and DIY repairs. You may find the instruction for these repairs surprisingly simple, and if it ends up being something you don’t want to handle yourself; your local plumber can always step in to make it a quick fix. When Your Dishwasher Won’t Wash Having a water leak is troubling enough, but your dishwasher is truly useless when there’s no water at all. And as with leaks, there are a few different common ways that this problem can occur: The float switch is stuck or broken. The float switch is usually a plastic disc or cone that is attached to the floor of the dishwasher and is able to move up and down a few centimeters. When enough water has filled the dishwasher, the rising float switch is supposed to tell the dishwasher to stop the water flow at all. This switch can also break, in which case it will need to be replaced. The door sensor is stuck or broken. All dishwashers have a safety mechanism to prevent the flow of water when the door is not latched. If your latch isn’t “clicking” into place when you close the dishwasher, there could be a fallen object or some type of residue obstructing the latch. If the latch is functioning properly, it’s possible that the electronic switch that controls the water flow is broken and must be replaced. There’s a problem with the water supply. If you have water in the sink, you know the problem isn’t the main supply. The next thing to check is the valve under the sink that diverts the water to the dishwasher. If that’s open, follow the supply hose to make sure it isn’t kinked. You may need to remove the dishwasher’s kickplate to see the full length of the hose. All it takes is the ability to look at your dishwasher from some new angles and identify a few parts, and you’ll be able to diagnose most water issues all by yourself. And if it turns out to be something you can’t handle yourself, you can always count on the pros at NDI Plumbing.

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Your drain and sewer system are one of the most used, yet most overlooked systems in your home. Because we use them so frequently, they are prone to clogs and buildup. Here are some signs that you may need a drain cleaning. 1. Slow Drains If you’re having trouble with a sink, you may have a clog. If several water fixtures won’t drain properly, then you most likely have one somewhere in your sewer line. A thorough drain cleaning with hot water and mild detergent, or vinegar and baking soda may work. If flushing the drain does nothing. It’s time to call a plumber. 2. Pests If your home is visited by unwanted pests, they may be coming from a crack somewhere in the sewer line. Cockroaches and rats can squeeze through even the smallest of gasps. 3. Sky-high Water Bills If it seems like your utility bills are higher than usual, the culprit could be a hidden leak. No matter how small the leak is, a camera inspection will be able to accurately detect the source. 4. Sewage Backup Sewage should go down your pipes, but if it winds up going the opposite direction, you’ll want to call a plumber immediately. If it appears that the sewage only backs up out of one drain, then it’s most likely isolated. If it seems like sewage backs up every time you flush a toilet o use a sink, then the problem may be much deeper in your sewer line. 5. Foul Odors You shouldn’t smell sewage in or around your home. If you can, then there’s probably a crack somewhere in the sewer line. Your plumbing should be sealed tight, but sewer gases can escape through cracks. A camera inspection will be quick to find where foul odors are coming from. 6. Mold & Mildew If you smell something foul and musty, call a plumber immediately. Not only is mold toxic for your health, but it also needs excessive moisture to grow. If there’s mold growing in your home, there’s usually a leak that’s causing it. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, give NDI a call to schedule a technician to come out and handle your drain cleaning!

Are you the type of person that enjoys sitting in a bathtub with your feet up, candles on, and a bath bomb bubbling in your tub with amazing smells and colors? Or, are you the type of person to turn the shower on, that water stream massaging your body, all while you try and hit the high notes of your favorite songs? It all comes down to personal preference, but which is better in terms of water conservation? How Much Water Does the Average Bath and Shower Use? Some tubs might hold more water than others Some showers might be longer than the average Not everyone will fill their bathtubs entirely Different showers will have different shower heads (that dispense at different speeds) The average bathtub can hold roughly 35 gallons of water. However, it’s safe to assume it will be filled with about 25 gallons of water (because you still have to get in the tub). The average shower head dispenses 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Therefore, if you take a shower for longer than 10 minutes, taking a shower will be more wasteful. On the contrary, if your showers are under 10 minutes in length, taking a bath will be more wasteful. Options to Conserve More Water The first thing that comes to mind, of course, is taking shorter showers. Additionally, to not fill the bathtub up with as much water. However, there’s more you can do to conserve water during your daily showers/baths. The main thing you can do is switch out your current shower head for a low-flow model. This can cut your water usage during showers from 2.5 gallons per minute to one gallon per minute. Now you’ll be able to take longer showers while wasting less water (but still remember to be conscious of your showering time). You should also have leaky fixtures or pipes repaired by your local plumber. For those who think their home is leak-free, you can never know for sure. Some leaks can occur behind walls and plumbing fixtures, so make sure you have your home’s plumbing system professionally inspected every once in a while.

Causes of Limescale The limescale you can see in and on your household plumbing fixtures is a natural byproduct of clean water with an above-average concentration of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. This is commonly known as hard water. Hard water is safe to drink and wash with, but there are a number of reasons you might not want to. The mineral deposits tend to give the water an unpleasant taste, and hard water makes it more difficult to later and rinse away the soap. That means your skin may get dry and itchy from bathing in, your clothes may be dingy and scratchy after going through the laundry and your dishes may have water spots. And that’s not to mention the hard-to-clean buildup on your faucets, showerheads and around pipe joints. Left unchecked, this buildup can cause stubborn clogs. Dissolving Your Problems The mineral content in this buildup makes it resilient, and you’ll have a hard time scrubbing it away with just a wet rag. The preferred way to clean limescale is to weaken and dissolve it using a mild acidic solution. Common household vinegar is extremely effective for the task. If you can remove your affected showerheads, faucets and other fixtures, submerge them in a bucket of vinegar for at least an hour. When you pull them out, any remaining limescale should flake right off after a vigorous scrubbing with an old toothbrush. This is the ideal method because it allows you to dissolve limescale inside and out. When removal of your fixture is difficult or impossible, you may need to get creative to let the vinegar do its work. Try pouring some vinegar in a plastic bag and wrapping it around your faucets or showerheads, securing it at the top with rubber bands or a zip-tie. For exposed pipes with limescale around its joints, wrap a vinegar-soaked rag around the affected area and secure it with string. If vinegar isn’t getting the job done, you can always step up to a chemical cleaning solution—just be sure to look for one formulated specifically for calcium, lime, and rust. Keep in mind that these solutions aren’t as gentle as household vinegar, so you’ll want to avoid exposure to your skin and use caution when using it to clean fixtures that have metallic or delicate finishes. An Ounce of Prevention If limescale is a consistent problem in your home, it’s time to consider a water softening system. These systems mix sodium-based solutions into your incoming water supply to counteract the damaging effects of mineral buildup. That’s not just good news for your pipes and appliances, it also means healthier skin and cleaner clothes and dishes. For professional hard water testing or to discuss different types of water softening systems, reach out to NDI Plumbing!

Is there a reason why you’re still hand washing dishes? Is your dishwasher broken? Do you not have a dishwasher? Are you too lazy to unload the clean dishes and replace them with dirty ones? Whatever your reason is, hand washing your dishes is a poor decision. Do You Know How Dirty Sponges Are? Did you know your average kitchen sponge is dirtier than a toilet seat? Now that we have your attention, studies have shown that there are roughly 10 million bacteria on every square inch of a sponge. Even though excess food particles are being washed off, you’re adding bacteria to the dishes and utensils you eat with. Dishwashers will clean off most of the bacteria and food particles, leaving you with the cleanest dishes possible. Do You Know How Much You’ll Save? Newer, energy-efficient dishwashers can save gallons upon gallons of water, as well as money on your monthly bills. These newer models are more efficient than the models from 10 plus years ago and save you more than double the amount of water that it would take to hand wash (for a full load of dishes). Upgrading your dishwasher might cost you a few hundred now, but you’ll make it all back in no time between your water and electric bill savings. Do You Know How Much Time You’ll Have? Foregoing hand washing in favor of a dishwasher will not only save you money on your utility bills, but it will also save you your precious time! You could spend up to an hour per day washing dishes; time that could be spent being more productive elsewhere (or relaxing after a long day of work). All of those hours can add up, so buy yourself some extra time. So put the sponge down for good! Remember, if the plumbing in your kitchen is ever giving you problems, be sure to contact a professional plumber for the most reliable repairs possible.

The holidays are a time of cheer and celebration… Unless you’re the host. Keeping up with 7+ guests can be a challenge, not to mention while dealing with unexpected issues. Luckily, NDI is here to save your holidays! We’ve compiled a list of tips to keep your plumbing issues at bay until the end of the holidays. Start off on the right foot by clearing your drains prior to guests arriving. Installing a simple drain strainer in your sinks and showers will ensure debris won’t get stuck in your pipes. Purchase multiple trash bins. With multiple guests, some people might be throwing things away in the toilet that they shouldn’t. Having extra bins helps ensure that there is enough room to properly dispose of all waste. If you have family from out of town staying with you, then you might have more showers than usual. Remind your guests to allow 15-minutes resting time in between each person. Remember not to put grease down the drain. Don’t try to run hot water to melt grease because it will solidify and clog the drain. Keep in mind that certain foods should not be put into the disposal. Try to opt for throwing items in the garbage can instead of the disposal. Run cold water while you throw waste in the disposal. Run the water 30-60 sec after the disposal is off. This helps push the waste down. If you do encounter any plumbing problems, call NDI Plumbing. We are equipped to fix any plumbing emergency and are eager to save your holiday.