The Hidden Dangers of Lead Water Piping: What You Need to Know

When we think about lead in our water supply, many of us immediately picture aging city infrastructure. While it’s true that old municipal pipes can pose a significant risk, they’re not the only concern. The water service line running from your home to the street may also be made of lead, and as a homeowner, you’re responsible for its maintenance and safety. Understanding the risks and how to manage them is crucial to ensuring your water remains safe to drink.

The Reality of Lead in Your Home's Service Line

Lead pipes were commonly used in home plumbing systems until the 1980s. While many cities have since replaced these with safer materials, millions of homes across the U.S. still have lead service lines. This means that even if your city has upgraded its water mains, your home might still be at risk from the pipes you own and maintain.

The real danger comes when these pipes are disturbed. Activities such as construction, pipe repairs, or even plumbing work inside your home can dislodge lead particles, which can then leach into your water supply. According to the [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water , “there is no safe level of lead exposure,” making any contamination a serious health concern.

Can Lead Pipes Supply Safe Drinking Water?

Surprisingly, lead pipes can supply relatively safe drinking water if they remain undisturbed and if certain conditions are met. Over time, a protective layer of minerals can build up inside the pipe, preventing lead from leaching into the water. However, this layer is fragile and can be easily disrupted by physical disturbances or changes in water chemistry.

If work is done on or near lead pipes, it is essential to thoroughly flush the system afterward. The EPA recommends running cold water for several minutes to flush out any potential lead particles. Additionally, the water should be tested to ensure it meets safety standards before being used for drinking or cooking.

Your Responsibility as a Homeowner

As a homeowner, it’s crucial to be aware of the materials used in your home’s plumbing system. If you suspect you have lead pipes, consider having them inspected by a licensed plumber. They can assess the condition of the pipes and advise on whether replacement is necessary.

If replacement isn’t immediately possible, you can take several steps to minimize your risk:

- Regularly flush your pipes: Run cold water for a few minutes each morning to flush out any lead that may have leached overnight.

- Use a water filter: Certified filters can remove lead particles from your drinking water. Be sure to choose one that is NSF-certified for lead reduction.

- Test your water: Regular water testing can help you monitor lead levels and take action if they rise.

The Importance of Post-Work Testing

Whenever plumbing work is done, particularly if it involves disturbing old pipes, the water should be thoroughly flushed and tested. This is not just a precaution but a necessary step to ensure your water remains safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that lead exposure, even at low levels, can cause serious health problems, particularly in children, including developmental delays and behavioral issues [source] https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/sources/water.htm

Testing for Lead is a must!

Conclusion

While much attention is rightly focused on the dangers posed by aging city infrastructure, homeowners must also consider the potential risks lurking in their own service lines. Lead pipes can provide safe drinking water under the right conditions, but they pose a significant risk when disturbed. Regular monitoring, proper maintenance, and immediate action after any plumbing work are essential to ensuring your water remains safe. 

For more information on lead in drinking water and how to protect your household, visit the [EPA’s lead in drinking water page](https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water) or consult with a local expert.

By taking these steps, you can safeguard your home’s water supply and protect your family from the hidden dangers of lead piping.

R.C. Szabo Plumbing & Sewer
Plumbers in Midlothian, IL 60445

Call us at: 708 601-2347
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The Reliability of Plumbing Warranties and Guarantees: What Homeowners Need to Know

When it comes to plumbing services, warranties and guarantees can provide a sense of security for homeowners. However, the reliability of these assurances can vary significantly depending on the type of service and the plumbing company. Understanding what’s covered and what isn’t, particularly in time-sensitive services like drain cleaning, is crucial for avoiding unpleasant surprises.

Understanding Plumbing Warranties

Warranties in plumbing typically cover the work performed and the materials used. For instance, if a plumber installs a new water heater, the warranty may cover any defects in workmanship or parts for a specified period. However, the extent of coverage can vary. Some warranties may only cover specific parts, while others might exclude certain types of damage altogether. It’s important to read the fine print and ask questions before agreeing to any work.

"Many homeowners assume that all plumbing services come with comprehensive guarantees, but this isn't always the case. The terms can be quite restrictive," explains Robert Szabo, a veteran plumber and home repair expert. "For example, a warranty might cover a new pipe installation, but it won't cover clogs or backups that occur later due to issues in other parts of the plumbing system."

The Reality of Drain Cleaning Services

Drain cleaning is a common service that many homeowners will require at some point. However, it’s also one of the services least likely to come with a comprehensive warranty. This is because drain cleaning is often considered a time and material service, meaning that the outcome can be unpredictable and highly dependent on the condition of the plumbing.

"Drain cleaning is essentially about removing blockages, and while it can be done effectively, there's no guarantee that another blockage won't occur down the line," notes Szabo. "Unless you perform a camera inspection, it's hard to know the root cause of the blockage. In some cases, you might be dealing with more serious problems like tree root intrusions or collapsed pipes, which would require much more extensive work than a simple cleaning."

A camera inspection can provide a clearer picture of what’s going on inside your pipes, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis. However, it’s an additional service that comes with its own costs and doesn’t always come with a warranty either. If the inspection reveals a serious issue, like a broken pipe or severe root intrusion, you’re looking at a significant repair, which would be covered under a different type of warranty altogether.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Plumbing Company

Given the complexities and potential exclusions in plumbing warranties, choosing a reliable and transparent plumbing company is essential. Look for companies that are upfront about their warranty terms and who explain what is and isn't covered. It’s also a good idea to check customer reviews and ratings on sites like [Angi] https://www.angi.com/ or the [Better Business Bureau] https://www.bbb.org/.

"Not all plumbing companies offer the same level of service, and some are better than others at standing by their work," Szabo advises. "Before you hire a plumber, make sure you understand exactly what their warranty covers and what it doesn’t. Ask for everything in writing, and don’t be afraid to shop around if you’re not satisfied with the terms.  You should always understand the full extent of what your purchasing and what it covers and what it does not."

Conclusion

Warranties and guarantees in plumbing services can offer peace of mind, but they are not always as comprehensive as homeowners might expect. Particularly for services like drain cleaning, where the outcome can be unpredictable, warranties may be limited or non-existent. To protect yourself, always ensure that you understand the terms of any warranty, and consider investing in additional diagnostics like a camera inspection when dealing with recurring issues. Most importantly, choose a reputable plumbing company that you can trust to stand by their work.

By taking these steps, you can ensure that your plumbing issues are resolved effectively and that you’re not left with unexpected costs down the line. For more detailed guidance on selecting a plumbing company with reliable warranties, 

you can visit Consumer Reports https://www.consumerreports.org/home-maintenance-repair/how-to-choose-a-plumber-a2963599446/ for additional insights.

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R.C. Szabo Plumbing & Sewer
Plumbers in Midlothian, IL 60445

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Plumbing Code Violation Experiences: Macerating Toilets Legal or Illegal

Plumbing Code Violation Experiences: Macerating Toilets Legal or Illegal: Is it against code to install a Macerating Toilet Wanting to add a existing bathroom to your basement or your slab home is a major expens...

Automatic Venting Great Device or Not?

Common Plumbing Code Violation Drain Venting

Air Admittance Valves (AAV) and Mechanical Vents

Why do we need Venting on drain lines and What is it?

 Without venting, our drains would hardly work, and they would make gulping noises due to negative air pressure in the lines.  When water moves down our drains the empty space that was filled with air now needs to be replenished with more air.  Our drain system can be related to a full bottle of water being emptied.  If we take the cap off of the bottle and turn it upside down to empty the bottle, we will notice 2 reactions occurring.  

1.      The bottle creates a vacuum which sucks air into the bottle to help drain the water more quickly.  We will feel the bottle jump and make a gulping noise while the water is draining.

 We will notice the bottle being pulled together at the top where the air is replacing the water.

v  The reason the bottle starts to gulp air inside is because we are creating negative pressure.  By tipping the bottle completely upside down we close off its only entrance for air or water to pass through.  The bottle is trying to replace the area that was once occupied with water for an exchange of air.  The reason the bottle actually jumps and gulps has to do with the amount of water that is trying to be released.  We can refer to the water pressure caused by the gravity as head pressure.   The amount of head pressure blocking the outlet of the bottle will determine how much velocity and force it takes to make the bottle jump.

v  The bottle is being squeezed together at the top while draining because of negative air pressure in the bottle.  Negative air pressure is created when a closed room or container is being deprived of the air inside of it.  Referring back to our plastic bottle example, the plastic is ductile so it makes the bottle suck together where it is lacking air.   

Click here to check out what happens when you improperly vent a tanker car, this is an extremely interesting example of what kind of force negative pressure can have.

These are major concerns with the venting of your drain pipes.  Another concern is the added pressure when drains tend to back up.  Vents also allow for another place for drain pressure to escape.  Sometimes when a home’s drain line backs up, it will push the water or sewage through the main vent stack.  This may cause the water to come out of the stack opening on the roof.  This would be referred to as positive air pressure.

Venting allows for the air in the line that is being filled with water to be replaced immediately with more air.  This will sustain a neutral air pressure which will allow your drains to work properly.  Properly working drains always keeps a sufficient amount of water in the traps.  Drain traps are extremely important without them sewer gas would be present in our home.  The sewer gas is terrible for anyone’s health and should not be breathed in.  Without proper venting the water that is supposed to be in the trap may be siphoned into the line in order to change the negative air pressure back to neutral.  An absence in water leaves the line wide open to your homes main sewer line, this is where the sewer gas will enter your home.

Air Admittance Valves (AAV) or Mechanical Vents

AAV’s or Mechanical vents work on a spring loaded valve that will let air in.  When positive pressure comes up through the line it closes up tightly, not letting any water or air escape.  These devices are basically check valves that only allows air to be sucked into the system.

Most of the time we see these devices underneath the sink in the vanity or buried in the wall.  The technology has developed significantly over the years.  With new technology and extensive testing, a more reliable product has been developed. 

Mechanical Vent was the original term for these devices.  I feel the term has been changed to AAV so that people will use them.  Changing the name has confused many when trying to decipher the plumbing codes.  A Mechanical vent is the same as an Air Admittance Valve in all code books. 

Why someone might use a AAV?

Sometimes you may run into a situation were the main vent stack or any branch vents are no were close to where you want to put a sink, toilet, or shower.  This makes it possible to vent your drains in the hardest spots.  You also may have existing piping or HVAC Ducts in the ways of here you need to run your vent pipe.   AAV’s gives you a cost effective solution to adding or moving your drains. 

Some plumbers and home owners find this to be an amazing product to complete their task.  But the best plumbers will complete your job the right way the first time, so you will never have any unexpected issues later down the line.

Are AAV Compliant to Code?

The simple answer to this is “No”.  In the state of Illinois, the code strictly permits against the use of a mechanical vent or AAV.  As far as code goes for Residential and Commercial work you will want to check with your Local Municipal Inspectors. In some cases, the village may allow the use of this device.  You must know that every city is slightly different with their codes but in most cases throughout the United States they are not allowed and should not be allowed.  Let’s take a look at what venting systems are used by the best Plumbing Companies.

Difference between a dry and wet vent

A Dry vent is a simple one drain system where the vent will not serve as another’s drain.

 

A wet vent will tie into another fixtures drain, thus the term wet drain.  A wet vent may share a common vent stack but will tie in at different heights. 

v  A simple example of a wet vent would be a bathroom were the main vent stack is offset to one side of the room.  The toilets drain will run directly to the main stack were it goes out to the sewer and is vent from the stack that goes to the room.  Now the sink will run a vent branch up to the stack and the drain will tie into the toilets drain pipe before the toilet vents in the stack.

Types Plumbing Venting

Common Vent/Drain System

A common venting system is where drain lines tie into the main stack at different places on the main stack.  These drains use the stack as the vent and drain pipe.  They may be back to back drains on one floor or multiple drains on different floors.

Branch Venting

Is extremely common in homes it is were drains share a branch vent pipe which ties into the main stack.

Loop Venting 

The vent goes up and loops back down and ties back into the drain line for the fixture.  Commonly only used for sinks.  This system is normally allowed for single sink systems like in a kitchen island where it is impossible to tie into a vertical stack.  Some Municipalities allow one loop vent per house.  Before the loop vent ties back into the drain it can either branch off to be properly vented or not.

Circuit Venting

Circuit venting is used for multiple fixtures using a common drain.  We encounter these types of drains in public bathrooms or large kitchen.  All Fixtures drain into a vertical drain pipe which runs to a vertical stack to drain.  The venting will run from the vertical stack in the ceiling and tie into the top of the drain pipe at the furthest fixture from the vertical stack.  A Relief vent may be installed in the middle of the horizontal branch to help drainage.

In conclusion, understanding the intricacies of plumbing venting and the options available, like Air Admittance Valves (AAVs), is crucial for maintaining a functional and code-compliant plumbing system. While AAVs can offer a convenient solution in challenging situations, they come with limitations and potential code violations that every homeowner and plumber must consider. Proper venting ensures that your drains operate efficiently, preventing the harmful effects of negative pressure, such as siphoned traps and the entry of dangerous sewer gases into your home.

The best approach is always to consult with a licensed professional who can assess your specific situation and provide solutions that meet local plumbing codes. Remember, cutting corners might offer short-term relief, but ensuring your plumbing is correctly vented and up to code will protect your home and health in the long run.

Taking responsibility for the integrity of your home's plumbing system not only safeguards your investment but also ensures the safety and well-being of everyone under your roof. Trust in expert advice, adhere to local codes, and prioritize proper installation to avoid costly and dangerous mistakes down the road.

R.C. Szabo Plumbing & Sewer
Plumbers in Midlothian, IL 60445

Call us at: 708 601-2347
Visit our website: rcszaboplumbing.com

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No Hub Rubber mission couplings Code Violation or Not?

Plumbing Code Violations

No Hub Mission Couplings are Rubber sleeves that fit over your pipes  to be connected and is tightened with a hose clamp.  There are 2 types of Mission couplings Banded and Non- Banded.  Banded Couplings have a metal sleeve over the rubber coupling and non banded is just a rubber coupling with no metal sleeve around it.  If you hire a licensed plumber to do work for you they should know all plumbing codes in your area.
   
Non- Banded Mission Couplings                                               Banded Mission Couplings
                                               


Lets look at the positives of these products as a whole.

• These are both extremely flexible couplings that are well suited for tight spaces but the Non-Banded Couplings tend to  have slightly more flexibility.
• These Couplings create an excellent seal around pipes when tightened downed, regardless of pipe line up.
• The Stainless Steel banding clamps are the best protection against corrosion.  These clamps last for years with no noticeable corrosion whether under ground or in your home they are made of the best corrosive resistant material.  
• With a quality No-Hub rubber coupling the rubber is composed of Natural and Synthetic materials that are extremely Strong, Ductile, and Superior Weathering properties which means no dry rotting. 

So are these couplings CODE and Why?

The major concerns or risks of using these couplings.  Well under pressure the un-banded couplings can expand and possibly burst, leaking sewage.  As we all know raw aged sewage can be a huge health hazard that is not suited for people to be around.  The banded couplings on the other hand can with stand extreme pressure.  There are many different grades of  banded couplings that may withstand different pressure levels and applications.

So as far as the plumbing codes go, every local establishments have different requirements.  As a rule of thumb and many years of experience we know the un-banded couplings to be a code violation in most towns in Illinois.  So a skilled plumber will know your locals codes and if the are allowed.  In most cases these couplings are sufficient for low pressure drain systems.  As far as the banded couplings go there is still local codes that  may be against these types of connections.  The stainless bands can withstand extreme pressure & blow-outs and the numerous types of grades and applications.  Many of these banded couplings are approved for underground usage and are code approved.

Conclusion

In a nutshell your plumbing professional should be kin to your local plumbing code and should have a better sense of where and when these couplings should be used.  As I said though the un-banded are usually a code violation and the banded coupling are strong enough to be a code approved product.  If you are located in the Southside and suburbs of Chicago Illinois www.rcszaboplumbing.com will provide you with the best plumbing service at a reasonable price. 

Macerating Toilets Legal or Illegal

Is it against code to install a Macerating Toilet

Wanting to add a existing bathroom to your basement or your slab home is a major expense and project.  Traditional plumbing methods will require you to break up your concrete slab to run the drain lines under the concrete to an ejector pit.  From the ejector pit the the ejector pump, pumps the waste into your main sewer line and out of your home.  Average cost's of the traditional ejector system can vary in price depending on your current plumbing system.

Macerating Toilets have praised for how compact and convenient and a money saver they are.  They give many people the peace of mind of completing their project.  Up Flush toilets are extremely easy to put in and many times they can be hooked up and ready for service within a day.  Another benefit  is the extremely portable, if you had a recent thought of moving the bathroom that is no big deal.  With the easy set up just run the existing pipe to the new location and you are ready to go.  Many of the faults in the toilets have been worked out of them over the years, now the technology is close to perfected with minimal issues.

So why don't people install these toilets everywhere?

A recent call to place a bid on re-plumbing a basement bathroom left the homeowner stressed and baffled when the village inspector said it all had to be redone.  The homeowner explained he had a licensed plumber install the toilet and he did not understand why it is not up to code.  I did not have a  very good answer for him.  The village inspector said that all macerating toilets are not code in Illinois.  After I made it  home later that night I combed over the Illinois state plumbing code I did not uncover any information on the toilets being outlawed.  After searching the internet endlessly I could not uncover any information on this.  So what I did find out later is that many villages have local in house codes against them.

Why you might ask?  

Is to keep people from completing the jobs them selves, hiring un-licensed under qualified people from working, and to make sure work is done properly the first time.  Many times we have to bite the bullet and obey the codes in our village.  If you hired a experienced licensed plumber he will know that you should not install a macerating toilet in your home.  Plumbing codes have developed over the years and in many states macerating toilets are widely accepted but in Illinois especially in cook county we hold the most stringent building codes in the nation.  With that being said we must obey our state and local building codes.

So is it code to install a Up Flush system in your home?

The simple answer is check with your local plumbing inspector at your village hall.


So what will happen if I install this system in my home anyway?

If you ever plan on selling your home the inspector, if he notices, will make you take out the system and hard pipe it the right way.  The typical macerating system has a 1.5" vent line when all residential plumbing requires a 2" vent to your main vent stack which needs to be at least a 3" line.  So in addition to breaking up the concrete and running the drain pipes under your foundation to an ejector pit, you will need to take out the 1.5" vent pipe and replace it with 2".

Many times you will loose value to your home which you thought you added by adding the additional bathroom or you will spend the extra money if feasible to run the new plumbing for your bathroom.  Many people find it more cost effective at that point in order to sell there home they will remove there bathroom.  But a skilled licensed plumbing company can complete the whole job with in 2 days.

Hope you have the best of luck on your new bathroom addition, if you are located in the south suburbs of Chicago, IL you can check out www.RCSzaboPlumbing.com