Not sure if he actually said that?! Lol
 John the Plumber in Ottawa has posted an article outlining the risks of lead pipes that we like. Read the full article here at https://johntheplumber.ca/2023/05/15/everything-homeowners-need-to-know-about-lead-pipes/
Here are a few points we'd like to mention: What Are Lead Pipes and Why Are They a Concern for Your Home?Lead pipes, once prevalent in older homes, pose a significant concern for homeowners due to the potential health risks they carry. Lead pipes are plumbing pipes made of lead or those joined with lead-based solder. This toxic metal can leach into your drinking water, posing health hazards, especially for children and pregnant women. The ingestion of lead-contaminated water can lead to developmental issues, learning disabilities, and other serious health complications. As an expert in residential plumbing, we know it is crucial to address the presence of lead pipes in your home promptly. By understanding the risks and taking necessary measures, you can ensure a safe and healthy living environment for you and your family. When Were Lead Pipes An Acceptable and Common Building Material?Lead pipes were commonly used as a home construction material in Canada during the early to mid-20th century. They were prevalent in residential plumbing systems, particularly from the late 1800s to the mid-1950s. Homes constructed during this period, especially those built before the 1950s, are more likely to have lead pipes or plumbing fixtures that contain lead. The use of lead pipes declined over time as the health risks associated with lead exposure became better understood. Recognizing the dangers of lead in drinking water, regulations and guidelines were established to discourage the use of lead pipes and promote the adoption of safer alternatives. It’s important to note that the specific timeline of lead pipe usage can vary depending on factors such as the region, local building practices, and individual home construction projects. As a homeowner, if you suspect your home may have lead pipes, it is advisable to consult with a licensed plumber or conduct water testing to determine the presence of lead and take appropriate measures to ensure a safe water supply. The Hidden Risks of Lead Pipes: Understanding the Long-Term ConsequencesAs your trusted local plumber, I want to shed light on the hidden risks associated with lead pipes and the potential long-term consequences for your health and well-being. While lead pipes were once commonly used in plumbing systems, we now understand the severe impact they can have over time. Here are the key factors to consider:Health Implications: Prolonged exposure to lead-contaminated water can have serious health implications. Lead is a toxic metal that, when ingested, can accumulate in the body over time. It can cause damage to various organs, including the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead exposure. Developmental Issues: Lead exposure in children can lead to developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavior problems. It can hinder cognitive function, affecting their ability to learn, concentrate, and achieve their full potential. Long-Term Effects: The consequences of lead exposure are not limited to childhood. Adults exposed to lead over an extended period may experience cardiovascular issues, kidney damage, reproductive problems, and increased risk of high blood pressure. Water Quality Concerns: Lead pipes can corrode over time, releasing lead particles into the water supply. Even low levels of lead can be harmful, as there is no safe threshold for lead exposure. Legal and Environmental Considerations: There are legal regulations in place to limit lead exposure in drinking water, including maximum allowable concentration (MAC) standards. Furthermore, from an environmental standpoint, lead pipes contribute to the pollution of water sources and have adverse effects on ecosystems. For more information on lead pipes or any other plumbing concerns at your home or business contact us at 859-294-8080 or visit www.plumbingsystemslex.net. Author: John the Plumber Source: https://johntheplumber.ca/  Most homeowners know some of the downsides of having water pressure that is too low, but what about when the water pressure gets too high?
There are several reasons to make sure you keep your eye out for your water pressure getting too high around your home, because it has its own set of downsides, just like when the water pressure in your home becomes too low. In fact, high water pressure that becomes more of an issue as time goes on has the ability to wear down your pipes and your appliances, too. This can end up costing you extra money on replacements and repairs – something that can be avoided if you have the water pressure looked at if you think it is getting too high. Know when your water pressure might be too high, and when it might be time to get in touch with a plumber in Lexington, KY or in your area, by getting familiar with some of these obvious signs of high water pressure. 1. An increasing water bill that you can’t explain. Normally, with fairly consistent usage, your water bill stays about the same. However, if you have been noticing that your water bill is increasing in price for some reason, you might need to stop and think about your water pressure. With normal use, a home’s water pressure is between 40-60 PSI. When water pressure is too high, however, this could jump to 80-100 PSI, a volume of water that could end up costing you money on your water bill. 2. You notice your hot water just isn’t lasting as long anymore. When you want to take a nice, warm shower only to discover that your hot water just isn’t maintaining its warm temperatures for that long anymore, the culprit could actually be too high of a water pressure. This means your hot water tank may be filling up with cooler water too quickly, which messes up the warmer temperatures that the tank is working to keep. When a home has higher water pressure, the hot water tank ends up working much harder, causing loss of temperatures and eventual wear and tear on the tank – a prime reason why noticing this issue is a good reason to get in touch with a plumbing professional so you can get it looked at as soon as possible. 3. Your appliances and pipes are getting louder and louder. You should expect to hear some sounds when your appliances are running as they do their jobs, but if they seem to be getting louder in their operation, it could be a water pressure problem behind the louder sounds. This happens due to the breakage of mechanical parts in appliances and in pipes, so think about getting it checked by a plumber in Lexington, KY if you notice this issue. 4. In general it is good to be aware that unusually high water pressure will wear out your plumbing system and components much quicker. With more pressure on seals, valves, pipes fittings throughout your home from your faucets to toilets to water supply lines and more. The risk of a blowout and flooding is increased. Knowing the Signs Can Help You Get Issues Fixed Ahead Of Time Knowing when you might be facing problems with your water pressure can really help you save money when it comes to repairs and replacements. If you get in touch with a plumbing expert right when you suspect you might be facing an issue with your water pressure, you can get the problem taken care of quickly and professionally so that you can go back to normal and not have to worry about it anymore. Author: Edmund Brunetti Source: Amazines  We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend! Thanks to all who have served.
 Your water heater came with a set of instructions that detailed the proper maintenance methods for keeping this vital piece of equipment running properly and most efficiently. Unless you understand how to follow these instructions and why, it may be difficult to keep your heater in check for long. As water streams into your water heater, it can cause a buildup of things such as sediments, minerals, and dirt to settle on the bottom of the tank. As these build up, they can begin to detract from your water quality as well as the efficiency of the heater. Left unchecked, the water heater can begin to rust until it becomes necessary to replace the entire unit. Not only is this extremely costly, but it is also highly preventable.
Helpful Water Heater Tips There are a couple of things homeowners can do to help provide high efficiency and minimal maintenance for your tankless water heater. Turn down the temperature! Many families are not aware of the importance of turning down the water heater temperature.It will help you save on the cost of the energy to heat water for those extra-long showers your family members may enjoy. Most homeowners have found that turning theirs down to 120 and below saves nicely on the monthly bill, while also going unnoticed by those who enjoy extra-warm showers and baths. Be sure to turn off turn off the power to the water heater before making this adjustment. If you do not know how to manage this task yourself, ask a professional plumber to make this adjustment for you. Drain and Flush the Tank This is another thing that can be considered a do-it-yourself maintenance, but once again, if you are unfamiliar with the mechanics of this item in your home it is always best to have a professional plumber handle this regular task. The tank should be drained and flushed at least once per year. Most traditional water heaters have a plastic drain valve located on the bottom of the tank that can easily be attached to a hose to drain the system. 1. Simply connect a garden hose to the valve and drain. Always take the utmost care with the valves as they can easily break. 2. Once the hose is attached turn the power to the water heater off at the circuit breaker, if gas, be sure to turn that off too. 3. The next step is to shut off the cold water supply to the tank. This is commonly located on the top of the water heater. 4. Begin opening the drain valve slowly in case of leaks around the valve. If you detect no leaks, open it fully until it completes drainage. We are here to help at Plumbing Systems, Inc. in Lexington, KY! Contact us anytime 859-294-8080 with any questions or to schedule service. Author: Richard Conrad Source: Amazines https://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm?articleid=6246521 Resources: https://www.bradfordwhite.com/water-heaters-homeowners/ https://www.hotwater.com/  If you have water damage in your home due to a flood, plumbing damage, a leaky roof, or another disaster, then you have one major concern that exceeds most others: mold growth. Professional contractors can help you put your life back together after water damage in Lexington and Central Kentucky, and their chief job will be preventing or eliminating all signs of mold. Why does mold appear indoors, why is it dangerous, and what can be done about it?
Here are some important facts all homeowners and business owners should know about mold:
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