Water Quality! Part Two

April 2nd, 2012

There are several things in life that we take for granted. Water is very often one of them. Each of us uses this vital liquid, the most common substance on earth, everyday. And we rarely think twice about it.

However, the water we use for cooking, drinking, and countless other domestic tasks will quickly catch our attention when there is some sort of problem.

Fortunately, some of the most obvious water problems are also the easiest to solve. The problems in this blog are considered aesthetic and are not considered harmful to health, they do affect the look and taste of the water, and may cause it to be undrinkable by some people’s standards. Addressing these water quality problems is important. Issues such as taste and odor, color, and turbidity (cloudiness) are all aesthetic water problems, and all have relatively simple solutions.

In order to treat these problems, we must first look at their source. Water is known as the universal solvent. Before it reaches a consumer’s tap, it comes into contact with many different substances, such as gases, minerals, and organic matter. Water picks up traces of these substances, and unfortunately, some of them may cause taste, odor, color, or turbidity problems for the consumer.

Turbidity: Cloudy Water

At one time or another, most consumers have encountered water that appears cloudy or foggy. This characteristic is due to turbidity: the presence of finely divided solid particles in water. These particles may be inorganic mineral matter which does not dissolve, or organic matter that has been picked up as the water flows over and through the ground. The particles cause the scattering and absorption of light rays, which gives the water a cloudy appearance.

Whether turbidity is due to suspended organic or inorganic matter, it can cause staining of sinks and fixtures, and the discoloration of laundered fabrics. Inorganic turbidity can have an abrasive effect on plumbing systems and may cause physical wear or erosion on pipes and fittings. Turbidity is most commonly found at taps whose source is surface water from lakes, streams, or ponds. Treatment: filtration and water sanitizing is readily available.

Taste and Odor

Another set of problems that will quickly catch a consumer’s attention is objectionable tastes or odors present in water. These two senses appear to work in unison, which makes it difficult to separate taste and odor.

A common characteristic of water from public systems is the chlorine taste and odor, which is often quite noticeable. Many public water systems treat water with chlorine to disinfect it. Although this is an important step in the treatment of water because it destroys disease-producing bacteria and other harmful organisms that may be in present in water, there is no doubt that excess chlorine from the disinfection treatment step can make the water objectionable. A carbon-based filtration system can address this issue.

In other cases, water with a high mineral concentration may have an unpleasant soda or salty taste, and a metallic taste may be produced by the presence of iron or manganese in water.

Many people have also encountered water that contains hydrogen sulfide gas, which creates an objectionable odor. So-called “sulfur water” not only produces the obnoxious “rotten egg” odor, but is also corrosive to plumbing and can cause the rapid tarnishing of silver. Even very low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide are detectable because of the strong odor.

Various taste and odor conditions are caused by the presence of organic matter in water. Even when the amount of organic matter is very low, unusual tastes and odors such as musty, fishy, or earthy smells may be found.

Whatever your particulat water problem may be, Bayonet can provide a solution. Water can be “cleaned” using a chlorination or hydrogen peroxide based cleansing system, it can be filtered through many different types of media and we are happy to customize our filtration to meet your specific demands.

Don’t sweat, Call Bayonet !

 

Source: www.waq.org

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Water Softening and Purification: What’s Right for Me?

March 29th, 2012

When it comes to water, there is actually a lot to know. There’s a wealth of knowledge behind getting the chemicals and minerals out of the water regardless of how they got in the water in the first place. If you’re on a well, you’re dealing with ever-changing groundwater shifts. If you’re using water provided by your city or municipality, you’re dealing with cleansing agents or minerals deemed safe or additives such as fluoride for dental health. Florida weather is some of the best in the country, but our water is some of the most challenging, and definitely among the hardest!

Here’s one important fact you should ALWAYS keep in mind: any water conditioning solutions MUST be installed by a licensed plumbing company. Make sure you’re contracting with a licensed, bonded, insured company when you choose an installation. Bayonet Plumbing and AC is Ask The Seal Certified, so you know we’re covered AND that the technician has been background checked!

It’s your choice if you’d like water cleansed or softened. There are many solutions out there that will resolve your water complaints. From softeners to remove the hardness to filter media to remove specific particulate, to reverse osmosis systems to provide ideal drinking water, to sanitizing systems to take out smells and bacteria, we’re happy to provide whichever solution you’re seeking.

Let’s start with the most commonly sought solution: water softening. Some also refer to it as water conditioning. This is a process that removes the Calcium Carbonate from the water entering your home. There are costs to consider when considering the system. The softener needs to regenerate weekly at minimum. Upon each regeneration, it uses 15 pounds of salt and 100 gallons of water. That’s a given that you have to be prepared for when you install a softener. Most softeners are set up to regenerate after a set amount of water is used, but if you don’t use enough water you won’t get the benefits you desire without a weekly regeneration. They will also reduce your water pressure at least a little even if sized properly. They also don’t change the smell or taste of your water. The smells are caused by things like harmless but nuisance bacteria that need to be killed or minerals that have to be filtered, and softeners address neither of those things. Tastes are caused by the presence of total dissolved solids, and softeners only remove the calcium present in the water, so the taste won’t change either. Softeners do effectively remove HARDNESS, and that means using less soap and detergent, a reduction in water spotting on showers and dishes, and the cleaner feeling that people are seeking.

If perfect drinking water is your perfect water solution, then a reverse osmosis system is the ideal choice. These are commonly called RO systems and can be installed in almost any situation! They filter out more than 90% of anything in the water for the ideal glass of water! The water is perfect for cooking, pets, children, and even tropical fish. There are 3-stage and 4-stage reverse osmosis filters depending on your initial water quality. As for maintenance, there is a pre-filter that requires a change every 6 months and a post-filter that requires a change annually. The main media filter requires changing too but it varies greatly by usage. The more you use an RO filter, the happier that media filter stays! Our plumbers will conduct a TDS (total dissolved solids) test to make sure that filters is working before they recommend replacement.

So there you have it: our recommendations for softening and purification solutions in a nutshell. Next week: check back for information on cleaning the water and removing smell! If you’re in need of an estimate, please let us know. We’re happy to customize the perfect water solution that will be just right for you and your family, so don’t sweat, call Bayonet!

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Bayonet is Ask The Seal Certified!

March 15th, 2012

When you invite strangers into your home for the first time, how do you know you can trust them in your sanctuary, around your children, and around what’s nearest and dearest to your heart. Unless you have a long-standing relationship with the company, you don’t really know who they’re sending to your home. In fact, they might not even really know they’re employees! There is a way to have a little peace of mind. It’s free and called AskTheSeal.com

At Bayonet, we’re very proud to distinguish our company in this manner. Here is a little about Ask the Seal, straight from their website:

Why Ask The Seal?

  • Many companies who claim to be licensed, insured and bonded are not.
  • Many companies who claim to perform criminal background checks on their employees do not.
  • If you hire an unlicensed company and an employee hurts themselves on your property or your property is damaged, your insurance company may deny the claim leaving you holding the bag.
  • You can be fined up to $5,000 for hiring an unlicensed contractor whether you knew it or not.
  • Many criminals use their employment to find their next victim.
  • Every day companies large and small introduce dangerous felons into unsuspecting consumers lives.
  • Many consumers think they are safe if someone is home with them when the service person is there. In fact, many crimes are committed up to six months after the service call.

How is the Seal Different?

  • Ask the Seal.com is free to consumers.
  • Ask the Seal.com does not require you to enter any personal information.
  • Ask the Seal.com performs criminal and sex offender checks on not just the owner but also the employees who interact with your family.
  • Ask the Seal.com actually performs the background checks rather than just taking someone’s word for it.
  • Companies with the Seal of Approval can email you an employee photo and proof of background check(SEAL-MAIL) so you know who you are opening your door for.
  • Employees are issued photo IDs confirming their background check

How does the Seal of Approval help protect me?

So now, you don’t just have our promise, you have the Seal’s approval. So don’t sweat, don’t fret, call Bayonet…and you’ll have no regrets!

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Thermostat settings: Auto or On?

March 13th, 2012

It’s a frequent question among our customers: should I leave the fan inside my unit in the on position or in the auto position?

In our Floridian climate, we always recommend AUTO. In the auto setting, the fan only runs when the thermostat is calling for cooling (or heating). When the system is running in cool mode, the fan’s purpose is to circulate the air drawing warm air in from the returns and bringing it across the cold coil and out the supply air grilles as conditioned air. Many customers want to leave that air circulating. It might sound like a great idea, but it really isn’t. Why? It’s simple: when the system isn’t actively cooling, condensation begins to acculumate on the coil, and if you’re runnning the fan, that moisture attaches to the air molecules and actually increases the humidity level inside your home.

So, next time you want to increase airflow, try a ceiling fan but leave the thermostat on “auto”.

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What Do You Do When a Plumbing Emergency Strikes?

March 12th, 2012

Things You Should Know Before a Plumbing Emergency Strikes

When a plumbing emergency strikes, everyone–from a novice to the most experienced do-it-yourselfer–should call a professional (for best results, call Bayonet!)…but what do you do while you’re waiting for the doorbell to ring? There are steps you should take to minimize the damage that can occur before the plumber arrives.

There are tools that every home needs. None are expensive, but they can save a lot of money in repairs.

  1. A pipe wrench. This is a long-handled adjustable wrench designed specifically to loosen and tighten plumbing. It has teeth to grip round pipe, but they leave marks, so if you use a pipe wrench on anything visible, wrap duct tape around the teeth to minimize the damage..
  2. Ball or flange plunger.  This plunger is designed to seal the hole at the bottom of a toilet and use suction to clear the clog.  Do not confuse a ball plunger with a cup plunger, which is for sinks or tubs.
  3. Cup plunger. This plunger is for use in sinks, tubs, and showers. It doesn’t do a good job on a toilet, so leave toilets to flange plungers.

When your plumbing emergency strikes:

  • Shut off the water immediately. Locate your water shutoff valves for every sink, shower, tub, toilet, and appliance. When a pipe bursts or water overflows, you can stop it at the source.  At a minimum find the main shutoff valve for the house, but this isn’t ideal.
  • Never go into an area if there is electricity near the flood. Shut down the electricity to the entire area immediately.  Let the plumber know that electricity may be involved.
  • For a leaking water heater, turn off the power source – via a shutoff valve if it’s gas or an emergency switch if it’s electric.  Be sure to turn off the water as well.
  • Don’t use chemicals on a clog; they aren’t as effective as a good plunger or auger and can be dangerous if they get on skin, fabric, or bathroom surfaces.

Remember, any serious clog or leak should be looked at by a plumber; just because you’ve used your tools to temporarily fix your problem doesn’t mean you don’t have a bigger one.

 

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Choosing a new air conditioner….

March 5th, 2012

Take the Guesswork Out of Choosing an Air Conditioner

When you need to purchase a new air conditioner the choices can be overwhelming, but when armed with basic information, you can make the choice that best fits your needs and your budget. One of the first things you should do is schedule a consultation with a professional so that you have expert guidance.

Things you need to consider include:

  • What size do I need? This can be tricky; too small and your home won’t be cool enough, too large and you will be paying too much as well as losing efficiency. This is where your consultation with us comes in— we’ll help you find the optimal size for your needs.
  • How efficient should it be? An air conditioner’s initial cost rises proportionately with its efficiency, but a high-efficiency air conditioner will most likely save you money in the long run. Efficiency will be discussed in more detail below
  • Is the company going to be around to service it? Do I trust them implicitly to stand behind their work? If you don’t, your family’s comfort is at stake!

An air conditioner’s efficiency rating lets you know how much of the energy it uses is turned into cool air for your home.  The higher, the better.

Air conditioners have varying levels of efficiency; look for the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating to compare models.  Current laws set the minimum SEER of new air conditioners at 13 or higher. High-efficiency unitshave a SEER of between 14 and 20.

As stated above, the cost of a new air conditioner will rise proportionately with its efficiency, but don’t let this turn you away from high-efficiency models. Remember an air conditioner will last 10 years or more; if that unit is 20% more efficient than a cheaper model, the cost difference will be negated in the long term, and the more expensive model canactually save you money.

An air conditioner is a fairly expensive long-term commitment to your home’s comfort.  Make the best decision you can based on efficiency, size, and cost; call us to help. The single biggest factor that should influence your decision isn’t the unit or brand but the company you choose to install the unit. Do you trust their people? Are they sufficiently insured? Are their installation crews employees or subcontractors? Did they advise you of the permit process? Make sure you see the permit before allowing any work to begin or you could be fined!

Consumerreports.org

Furnacecompare.com

Fpl.com

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What happened to heating season??

February 26th, 2012

We Floridians have enjoyed our non-winter thoroughly this year! It has been true “Chamber of Commerce” weather. We haven’t experienced the few weeks of chilly weather we usually get, and the 80s haven’t been uncommon over the holidays and throughout the typically chillier months.

What does all of that mean to your AC unit? Well, the heating features likely didn’t get used much this winter! So the run time on those parts is down some from normal, but the air conditioning parts might need a little love. Air conditioners are like cars: they need regular maintenance to keep running efficiently. So if you haven’t had your system fully maintained recently, you might want to give it some serious thought, before it decides to throw in the towel on the hottest day of the year.

Be careful: if you try to find the least expensive price, you might not get a thorough maintenance, just an “inspection” during which the company might tell you that you need a maintenance or parts replaced at an additional fee. Consider instead one of our pre-planned maintenance agreements. We call them MVPs because contracting for one entitles the homeowner to many additional benefits that they wouldn’t have with simply a standard maintenance.

During our maintenance visits, we inspect all the parts that can break and test the ones we can test to ensure you that you’re given an opportunity to repair the ones that are near failure before they fail and cause you a loss of comfort. We also thoroughly clean your outdoor AND indoor coil (in place) to make sure dirt and other debris aren’t robbing you of efficiency, increasing your unit’s run time, and increasing your power bill. Just a tiny layer of dirt on the coil increases your power bill, according to an LSU study.

So, don’t keep neglecting your poor, overworked AC unit. Find out about our unique MVP agreements today or schedule a maintenance.

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DIY tips from our Plumbing Experts

February 21st, 2012

These days the need for value is a highly valued commodity. When do you need pros and when can you do it yourself? Here are some quick and easy bits that can help you at home.

If you discover moisture in the cabinet under your sink, but have determined for sure that there’s not a faucet leak, do not just give in to the temptation to write it off or blame a kid. Other connections, such as your ice maker and dishwasher lines, may also be located below your sink. Take the time to see if one of these connections might be your culprit.

Drain clearing chemical may seem a great way to eliminate obstructions in your drains but be careful! Many that contain extremely corrosive chemical substances that are dangerous to your pipes and might cause more harm than help to the pipes. If you’re experiencing a slow drain or no drain situation, remember our “Any Drain, Any Time for $99” special. It will pay off for you!

Are you looking for a simple tip to determine if your toilet features a hidden leak? Here is one that is not just easy, it also won’t make a large dent inside your wallet. Simply add six drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. If your toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl inside 30 minutes.

Don’t put stringy or fibrous items into your garbage disposal. Substances like banana peels, gristle, pasta, or celery might not totally break down in the disposal, and might clog your pipes rather than flowing out of the waste lines. When in doubt, throw it out!

Do you have to wiggle the toilet handle or hold it down to obtain your toilet to flush it? If you do, that indicates that the tank parts need to be replaced. Kits that include all of the parts required can be purchased in any hardware or house improvement shop to effortlessly do the repair yourself. If you’re not the handy type, call one of our experience plumbers to do it for you. We warrant all of our repairs for 2 years! You won’t get that from any home improvement store!

Does your pull-out faucet frustrate you? Mine does! It gets hung up all the time! Here’s an easy way to fix it: buys a length of pipe insulation. Slit it open carefully with a sharp knife. Slide it over the flexible tubing. Tape the top of the insulation to the underside of the cabinet to secure it. Now it will slide effortlessly.

Remember: the project that you take on yourself may cost you more in time and headaches if you’re not properly prepared and educated. In the long term, what is your time worth? Trust the pros at Bayonet to tackle any job no matter how big or how small. Don’t sweat, call Bayonet!

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Spring Cleaning? Don’t forget the AC unit…

February 15th, 2012

The cold snap is over and Easter’s not far away. For many, that is a signal to let the spring cleaning begin! Did you know that as little as 0.042 inches of dirt accumulated on condensing unit coil and reduce your system’s efficiency by 21 percent! It’s a fact, proven by an LSU study.

When you’re thinking about cleaning, think about your AC unit. If you haven’t had it cleaned recently, call 877-BAYONET and let one of our technicians give it the spring cleaning it deserves so it doesn’t run longer than it has to when it beats the summer heat and keeps your home and family cool.

Be careful when calling for a tune up. Some companies advertise a very low cost “inspection” but they don’t actually “do” anything; they simply inspect. That’s not going to help. On the promotions page of our website, we’re running a $57 tune up special, and it’s a great value. We clean the outdoor coil and the indoor (in place, removing the coil is an extra charge) among the over twenty other tasks performed while we’re there.

Reduce your summer cooling bills before they start! Kick off your spring cleaning with a Bayonet tune up. Don’t Forget to Call Bayonet!

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Protect Your Property Today

February 6th, 2012

It has become a sign of the times: business owners call for an estimate to replace a stolen condensing unit. So many have been taken, stripped, and turned into fast cash by thieves.

We have some solutions for you that can help prevent theft before your business becomes a victim. Depending on your location, there are a few options. One is pretty obvious when replacing a system: hang it up high where it become more difficult and dangerous for the thieves to reach it. Enterprising vandals still can access the units, but most will likely move on to easier targets. This option is mostly viable when replacing a unit and involves installing a air brace onto the building and keeping the unit well up off of the ground.

If your condensing unit hasn’t been tampered with or stolen (yet), you might be interested in “caging” the unit. We can install a steel cage that is bolted into the ground, prevent access to the service valves and making it much more difficult to remove the unit entirely.

Granted, it won’t keep the most persistent thieves at bay, but it will deter most, which will go a long way toward protecting your investment!

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