Category: Plumbing

The Stealth Uses Just 0.8 Gallons Per Flush!

Matt Erickson
Sep 19 |11:36

The Stealth UHET (Ultra-High Effiecient Toilet) from Niagara Water Conservation uses only .8 gallons of water per flush.

C.J. Erickson Plumbing is proud to be a local distributor of Niagara Water Conservation products. At .8 gallons per flush, most of us in the service department were skeptical about how The Stealth would perform. So, before endorsing the product and displaying it in our “Showroom That Works” we needed to perform our own ‘real world’ tests.

Niagara Stealth ToiletThe Stealth has been in our plumbing showroom for 2 months now and we’ve had great results. The Stealth is flushed at least 20 times per day with both solid and liquid wastes. There have been no clogs or back-ups to report, and all of our expert plumbers are very happy with the Stealth’s performance.

It’s important for us to point out that while we’ve had good success with The Stealth, it may not be right for every household. If you’ve had sewer problems in the past and your underground piping is not in the best shape, you may want to stick with a conventional 1.6 gallon per flush toilet. The Stealth UHET does a great job of flushing with low water volume, but the reduced water volume might lead to problems in some plumbing systems.

If you are intrigued by the Stealth but aren’t sure if it’s right for your home, come in to our plumbing showroom where you can test the toilet, see how it works and learn the difference between a .8 gallon flush and the 1.6 gallon flush. If the Stealth is the right product for you, buy it in our showroom and a C.J. Erickson expert plumber can help you with installation.

Niagara Water Conservation also offers other toilets, along with a number of showerheads and faucet aerators. Stay tuned… I’ll blog about another cool technology from Niagara next time.

Stop by our “Showroom that Works” at 12100 S. Cicero Ave, Alsip, IL to see The Stealth and other water conserving products in action.

 

C.J. Erickson Performs Hydro-Excavation at Midway Airport

Matt Erickson
Nov 11 |19:52

Below is a video of our hydro-excavation truck in action. Recently, C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co. was asked to perform hydro-excavation and air-excavation work at Midway Airport. The plan called for 400 feet of slot trench between two runways, and our crew was top-notch the whole way. C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co. can help with pot-holing, utility location, catch-basin cleaning, pre-construction surveys, fiber optic locating, etc. This machine really enhances our capabilities to get any job done. Take a look! And as always, when it comes to plumbing, whether it be commercial or residential, C.J. Erickson is the trusted name.

 

Water Hammer

Matt Erickson
Jul 13 |16:20

Have you ever experienced a loud hammering noise or pipe rattling in your walls or ceiling? The noise is not only a nuisance but can be quite alarming, especially if you are unsure about what it is. This fairly common sound is referred to as “Water Hammer,” and it occurs when you quickly close a faucet or valve.

water-hammerWater Hammer, also called hydraulic shock, is “a sound of concussion of moving water against the sides of a containing pipe or vessel,” (State of Illinois Plumbing Code). Water Hammer is the result of a rapid deceleration of water flow in an enclosed space, like a pipe. There are a few ways to remedy this problem, requiring simple parts and know how. A water hammer arrestor, for instance, is a device utilized to absorb the pressure surge when water flow is suddenly stopped. A device called an air chamber may be required in lieu of a mechanical water hammer arrestor. An air chamber is an extension of the water supply pipe near the pipe fixture that provides the air cushion to absorb hydraulic shock. If you look at the picture below, the pink lines you see are the actual “air chambers” while the other lines are the hot and cold water supply, and the waste and vent pipes.

When filling a water supply system, any air in the system will be pushed to the air chambers. Over time, the air in the chambers dissipates and water hammer begins to occur.

How can I eliminate water hammer from happening in my home?

Most homes in the Chicagoland area utilize air chambers. Here is one way to potentially stop the “Water Hammer” noise:

  • Turn off the main water supply valve for your home. This should be located near the water meter or at the point your water supply pipe enters the home.
  • Open all faucets, tub and shower valves and let the water drain out of the system. Let as much water out of the system as possible by opening a faucet or valve located at the lowest point (probably a basement or hose-bibb if slab on grade) possible.
  • Once the system is drained, close all faucets and valves that were opened.
  • Slowly turn on the main water supply until the system is full.
  • SLOWLY open all faucets and valves again to allow the water to completely fill the system. Be careful when opening faucets and valves, a mixture of water and air will come out of the faucets and might make a mess of you or your bathroom. Open slowly until the air and water mixture is gone.

The water supply system air-chambers should now be recharged with air and help eliminate water hammer.

One of the drawbacks of this process, especially in older homes, is that the faucets might not flow properly because of debris in the aerators.  If this occurs, simply unscrew the aerator, clean out the debris, and replace the aerator.

If you have questions about this process or would like a technician to help, please feel free to call (708) 371-4900 to set up an appointment or talk to one of our staff members.

 

All Toilets Are Not Alike!

Matt Erickson
Jun 2 |16:42

Finding the right toilet for your home is not as easy as it seems. Many homeowners do not rank their household toilet very high on the list of priorities. However, the toilet is often the centerpiece of most bathrooms – it is a key fixture of a modern and well-functioning home. When building a home, or even remodeling your bathroom, it is important to find the right toilet, both functionally and aesthetically.

Remember, all toilets are not built alike! No matter what the style of your bathroom, you want to choose a toilet that compliments your overall design for the room.

There are two main choices when it comes to the shape of a toilet bowl: an elongated bowl or a round front bowl. A round front is shorter, so it works well for smaller spaces, while a larger elongated front can be more comfortable and sanitary.

In the U.S., it is the law that all toilets must have a 1.6 gallon tank to conserve water. These toilets are referred to as “low flow” because they use less water to achieve the same flushing performance as high water usage toilets, such as the 3.5 or 5 gallon flush toilets that used to be standard in most homes. There are many benefits of a “low flow” toilet such as reduction of your sewer and water bill and reduction in the amount of waste water being produced and treated.

However, with the water conserving toilets, you really do get what you pay for. Buying an unbranded “low flow” toilet can result in more time and money spent on having it fixed than you will ever save on it. DO NOT SKIMP on the cost of installing a high quality low flow toilet – you will regret it in the long run.

Many toilets have features that are designed to make them easier to maintain. For example, American Standard has an Easy-Clean design, while Kohler offers an insulated tank, which prevents moisture build up on the outside due to condensation.

Toilets can be one-piece or two-pieces designs. One-piece toilets are typically five or six parts that are connected into one piece. They are often more expensive and stylish, but they are also easier to clean and more ideal for small spaces. Two-piece toilets are more common and inexpensive. They have a separate tank and bowl connected when the toilet is installed.

Below are some checklist items to remember when buying your new toilet. Sticking to as many of these as your budget can afford will help you save on repair costs in the long run and help you find the right toilet for your home.

  1. The toilet must conform to local standards.
  2. Try and stick to a brand name toilet.
  3. Decide in advance if you want a one-piece or two-piece toilet.
  4. Determine whether a round or elongated toilet bowl is best for you.
  5. Choose a toilet that fits your decorating style.
  6. Take into account that most toilets should be mounted 12 to 14 inches from the wall.

We hope that you are now equipped with the right knowledge to make an informed decision. Remember, if you need help choosing the right toilet for your need, or with installation, you can always call the experts at C.J. Erickson Plumbing – we’re always here to help!

Check back with our blog soon… an exciting “toilet challenge” is coming next week!

 

Why You Need a Battery Backup Sump Pump System

Matt Erickson
Mar 10 |23:41

Don’t let a flooded basement happen to you. As the snow begins to melt and make way for spring rains, make sure your home is protected from a sump pump failure or power outage.

A Pro Series Sump Pump provides the following standard features:

  • Switches automatically to battery power in an emergency
  • Pumps up to 2,400 gallons per hour at a 10ft. lift
  • Self-monitoring system reminds of required maintenance for unequaled reliability
  • Sounds an alarm in an emergency
  • Tests the pump weekly
  • Can be connected to a security system
  • Easy to use and understand

If the power goes out, your main AC pump will not run and your basement will flood. The Pro Series backup system provides a secondary power source. It will pump for 7.5 continuous hours on a single Pro Series 2400 battery, or intermittently for days. For extra long run time, it can handle 2 or 3 batteries for extended pumping time.

If your main pump fails due to a mechanical problem, or if the pump is clogged with debris, the basement will flood. The Pro Series system will provide a secondary pump and keep your basement dry.

If the float switch on your main pump gets stuck or fails, your basement will flood. The Pro Series system will provide a secondary float switch, which will activate the backup pump and keep your basement dry.

 

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