Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Reduced Pressure Zone.

No, this is not a “safe space” for today’s college kid.  It is abbreviated RPZ.  It’s a device that is a type of backflow prevention used to protect water supplies from contamination.  Backflow preventers are usually categorized into three different groupings, an Assembly, a Device, or a Method.

The device consists of two independent check valves.  They are plumbed in series, with a pressure monitored chamber between.  The chamber is then maintained at a pressure that is lower than the water supply pressure, but high enough to be useful downstream.  There is, of course, more to it than that, but these are the basics.

Something else you should know is that in Illinois the RPZ valve must be tested at least every 12 months by an accredited tester.  Here in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland around Elgin the right person for the job is found at Tom’s Plumbing.  If the subject is plumbing repair, replacement, or maintenance the answer is always Tom’s Plumbing.  Call (847) 697-6444.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Help…My Boiler is Struggling.

If your boiler is about to “give up the ghost” it may be catastrophic for your Northwest Suburban household.  The only way that your boiler system has any hope of working as it is supposed to is if you care for it properly.  This could mean things such as: it should be professionally installed and routinely maintained.

Here are some signs that your boiler may be ready to give out –

1.  Age…especially if it is a dozen years or so old
2.  Foul orders are emanating from it
3.  Any sign of a leak
4.  Inconsistent temperature fluctuations
5.  Utility bills keep rising

It may well be the time to schedule a maintenance check from the boiler installation and inspection professionals at Tom’s Plumbing of Elgin.  Your home is your castle and you rely on that boiler to provide winter comfort to the whole house.  Treat it right by calling Tom’s Plumbing serving Chicagoland’s far Northwest Suburbs at (847) 697-6444.