Carbon monoxide is a colorless odorless toxic gas so it’s hard to detect if one has been affected by it without even noticing that you’re already contaminated by this deadly silent killer. The source of carbon monoxide can come from various sources. Carbon monoxide is produced when any carbon based fuel is burned. These are fuels such as natural gas, gasoline, propane, kerosene, wood, coal or even charcoal all of which are used almost every day in our daily activities. In cases of low level carbon monoxide poisoning the symptoms are often mistaken for the flu.

What can be done to prevent this from happening in your home? Have your heating system serviced and checked every fall. Install low level carbon monoxide detectors in your home. We offer a very good detector which will alert you when the carbon monoxide level reaches 15 parts per million. This is the level at which long term exposure can produce flu like symptoms and can even be deadly to small children and the elderly.

Call us today at 918-742-6171 and we can set up an appointment to service your heating system and send you information on our carbon monoxide detectors.

Consider these Sources

There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. These include combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution.

The relative importance of any single source depends on how much of a given pollutant emits and how hazardous those emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the source is and whether it is properly maintained are significant. For example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly adjusted.

Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings, and household products like air fresheners, release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources related to activities carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently. These include smoking, the use of un-vented or malfunctioning stoves, furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in cleaning and hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in redecorating activities, and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in housekeeping. High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities.

How Does Outdoor Air Enter a House?

Outdoor air enters and leaves a house by: infiltration, natural ventilation, and mechanical ventilation. In a process known as infiltration, outdoor air flows into the house through openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and around windows and doors. Air movement associated with infiltration and natural ventilation is caused by air temperature differences between indoors and outdoors and by wind. Finally, there are a number of mechanical ventilation devices, from outdoor-vented fans that intermittently remove air from a single room, such as bathrooms and kitchen, to air handling systems that use fans and duck work to continuously remove indoor air and distribute filtered and conditioned outdoor air to strategic points throughout the house. The rate at which outdoor air replaces indoor air is described as the air exchange rate. When exchange rate is low and pollutant levels can increase.

Indoor Air Pollution and Health

Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.

Immediate Effects

Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person’s exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified. Symptoms of some diseases, including asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants.

The likelihood of immediate reactions to indoor air pollutants depends on several factors. Age and preexisting medical conditions are two important influences. In other cases, whether a person reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity, which varies tremendously from person to person. Some people can become sensitized to biological pollutants after repeated exposures, and it appears that some people can become sensitized to chemical pollutants as well.

Certain immediate effects are similar to those from colds or other viral diseases, so it is often difficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air pollution. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the time and place symptoms occur. If the symptoms fade or go away when a person is away from home, for example, an effort should by made to identify indoor air sources that may be possible causes. Some effects may be made worse by an inadequate supply of outdoor air or from the heating, cooling, or humidity conditions prevalent in the home.

Long-term effects

Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.

While pollutants commonly found in indoor air are responsible for many harmful effects, there is considerable uncertainty about what concentrations or periods of exposure are necessary to produce specific health problems. People also react very differently to exposure to indoor air pollutants. Further research is needed to better understand which health effects occur after exposure to the average pollutant concentrations found in homes and which occurs from the higher concentrations that occur for short period of time.

The cost of home heating continues to hit the homeowner harder each year. But sometimes you can end up spending even more than necessary by overlooking home energy wasters that, in many cases, are easy to remedy.

A home energy audit can help by pinpointing these areas and identifying ways to cut energy costs. In fact, you can conduct a simple audit on your own by following a few recommendations from the Department of Energy.

To take stock of your home energy use:

1. Check insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces.
2. Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets.
3. Check for open fireplace dampers.
4. Check caulking and weather-stripping, and repair if necessary.
5. Schedule and annual tune-up for your heat pump, furnace or boiler.
6. Seal and insulate leaky ducts, and to ensure that the airflow distribution system serving your heating equipment is operating at peak efficiency.
7. Clean warm-air registers, base-board heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
8. Seal holes around plumbing and heating pipes.

As winter sets in, make an effort to set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. Or consider having us install a programmable thermostat that will automatically lower temperatures at night or during the day when the home is unoccupied. When you contact Bill Russell Plumbing for a tune-up, ask for an estimate of how much you can save with a new energy-efficient system.

Buying a home can be an exciting time. But even when location, price, size and curb appeal are exactly to your liking, other “added extras” could be headed your way in the form of high repair bills or costly surprises.

A thorough evaluation of the home by a qualified home inspector prior to purchase is your best bet for protection and preparation. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, home inspectors:

1. Evaluate the physical condition of the home, including the structure, construction and mechanical systems;
2. Identify items that should be repaired or replaced;
3. Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems (such as electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning), equipment, structure and finishes.

Though it’s easy to confuse the two, a home inspection is not an appraisal. Appraisals give estimates of market value and are tools for lenders to use to authorize mortgage approval. Inspections are designed for potential buyers to make sure they know what they’re buying.

To find a qualified home inspector, check with state regulatory authorities, professional organizations, the Yellow Pages, internet searches, or your real estate agent.

A glass of water in a restaurant may come for free, but water use in your home comes at a price.

Taking a few small steps to conserve water can help you save big. The Department of Energy offers several recommendations:

Fix Leaks

The sound of dripping is annoying and expensive, with one drip per second typically costing $1 per month. Repair leaks in fixtures and pipes.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures

Quality, low-flow fixtures can be quite inexpensive, while achieving water savings of 25%-60%.

Wash Dishes Efficiently

Hand-washing dishes does not necessarily save hot water. An energy-efficient dishwasher when properly used and operating with full loads can consume less energy than washing dishes by hand several times a day.

When available, use shorter cycles to reduce hot water use. Plus, save by not using heat-dry, rinse-hold and pre-rinse features.

Wash Clothes Efficiently

Use either cold or warm water, and always use cold water for rinsing. In the case of aging appliances, an old washer can cost three times as much to operate as an energy-efficient one.

When selecting a new machine, look for one that allows you to adjust the water temperature and levels for different loads. Keep in mind that front-loading machines use less water than top loaders. Also, look for the Energy Star label to ensure that your new clothes washer is energy efficient.

Lower Water Heater Thermostat

Reduce water heating costs by lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. Each 10°F reduction in water temperature saves between 3%-5% in energy costs. Reducing water temperature to 120°F also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in water heater and pipes.

Replace Water Heater

The average life span of a water heater is between 8 and 12 years. Energy use can be cut considerably by replacing with a newer, more energy efficient water heater. Plus, you could also avoid the mess and inconvenience of an untimely breakdown.

Give us a call at 918-742-6171 or contact Bill Russell Plumbing for an inspection of your systems. We can help you shave dollars off your utility bills every month.

Statistics: Homeowners are five times more likely to file an insurance claim for home water damage than they are for fire damage during the life of their homeowners’ insurance policy.

Protecting your pipes should begin well before freezing conditions occur. At the first onset of cold Tulsa weather in the Fall, make sure that all garden hoses are removed from the outdoor spigots, the spigots and hoses drained and properly stored, and any outdoor water consuming devices made ready for the Winter. If you have an occasion to use a garden hose during the winter months, remember to disconnect the hose and drain the water from the hose and the spigot to avoid freezing damage.

Homeowners should do regular inspections on the inside and the outside of their home to make sure that any plumbing lines that might get exposed are properly and adequately protected from becoming frozen once the weather does turn cold. If you have water lines in a crawl space, get into the crawl space with the door closed and the lights off and see if you can see daylight coming into the space. If you do, locate those spots and make necessary corrections to avoid cold air getting in during freezing weather and causing frozen pipes and possible water damage.

If the light is coming through a ventilation opening, make mental note of the opening, and remember to close the opening when cold weather does come. Also, remember to remove the closure once warm weather returns. Proper ventilation of basements and crawl spaces is important. If the opening is supplying air needed for combustion to a heating appliance, you can have your heating and cooling professional install flexible duct work to convey this air directly to the appliance requiring combustion air, but it should never be completely blocked.

Inspect all the pipes inside your home to identify those that are located in exterior walls. If possible, insulate the areas such that the pipes are isolated toward the heat of the house, in other words, so that the insulation is placed between the cold side of the wall and the pipes you’re trying to keep from freezing.

If insulation is not practical, consider installing small air vents in the wall so that the pipes will receive some heat from inside the home during freezing conditions. If none of the above is practical, and the pipes are located in a cabinet underneath a sink, keep the cabinet doors open when it gets extremely cold outside so that the area below the cabinets stays warm.

As a last resort, during extremely cold weather, you can allow a small trickle of hot and cold water to flow through the water lines in order to keep them from freezing. Make certain that the plumbing drains serving this fixture are in good working order so that you don’t cause water damage from the drain backing up.

When it gets real cold outside, disable the night time set back capability of your thermostat, or keep the home’s temperature at a constant 65 degrees F. Don’t forget to re-enable the set back program when warmer weather returns.

If you will be away from home for an extended length of time during cold weather, turn the main domestic water supply off where it enters the home, turn the thermostats down to not less than 55 degrees F and open all cabinet doors where there is plumbing located inside. Have a friend or relative come by daily during extremely cold weather to make sure that everything is okay. Leave the name of your Tulsa plumbing and heating contractor with the temporary caretakers in case an emergency arises while you are away. If you have a fire protection line, make certain it is not affected by turning off the domestic water supply line. Also, be sure that you don’t have a hydronic heating system that requires a constant supply of water.

If you have an older home or live in a geographic area prone to extreme cold weather, you may want to consider contacting your professional plumbing contractor for an inspection of your plumbing system and more information on ways to reduce your risk of frozen pipes.

Actions to take if your water lines do freeze

Turn off the domestic water supply where it comes into the house. All responsible household members should be aware of where this emergency shut off valve is located prior to needing it to shut off the water. Know the difference between the domestic water supply and the fire protection supply. The fire protection supply should only be shut off if water is coming from a freeze break and there is no fire, or by a fire protection specialist.

Turn up the heat. Raise the thermostat to 75 or 80 degrees. You need to drive heat into every nook and cranny of the home to avoid any damage occurring, and eliminate the chances of another water line becoming frozen.

Open all faucets in the house. When water freezes, it expands by 1/5th its original volume. By relieving the expanding water, you may avoid doing additional pipe damage and needed repairs.

Open all cabinet doors with plumbing below them. This is to allow the heated air to circulate around the pipes in an effort to thaw them out and keep them from freezing.

Call your Tulsa professional plumbing expert to come assess your situation as soon as possible.

Try turning the water on for short periods to see if the frozen line has thawed. If it has, close all taps and listen to see if you can hear water running in inaccessible crawl spaces. If you do hear water running, turn off the water, open all faucets and wait for help to arrive.

“Weird Contraption” from the 1980’s is Now Slimmer, Way Smarter, and Ready to Slash Up to 47% Off Your Energy Bill

Yes, I thought it was weird then too. But that was the era of blue spiked hair as a fashion statement, so what do I know? Yet this inventor’s “thing” had promise. It was just a few years too early.

If you heard anything about hybrid cars, you know they’re the next wave in ultra fuel and energy savings. But did you know that same technology is available to reduce energy costs in your home?

It’s been around since the 1980’s but as with automobiles, the spike in fuel recently has caused an upsurge in popularity. Like hybrid cars, dual home heating systems work by splitting operations between fuel and electric sources. In this case, between a heat pump and a furnace.

The heat pump draws free air from the outdoors and disburses it throughout the home, creating a consistent mellow heat. Most systems are programmed to switch automatically to the furnace at the “comfort” balance point.

The furnace is then able to deliver warmer heat provided by gas or oil creating warmth when it’s cold outside.

What Does This Mean to You?

Okay, look at your heating bill. Not just this month, but all season long. Now, mentally put half that money in your wallet. Feel better? Anyway, the point is that it doesn’t appear that energy costs are coming down anytime soon. When the popularity and savings generated by this system gains strength, so will the prices for them. Simple economics.

Just know that hybrid systems in your home – just like in cars – will be the ‘hot’ things to have. And you read it here first!

When you call for your service this season, ask for a free no-obligation survey to see how much one of these systems could save you. (Hey, the savings might pay for it!) Either way, just know we appreciate you and look forward to helping you in any way we can. Stay warm!

At Bill Russell Plumbing, Heat & Air Company, we realize that every plumbing problem you may have may not require the expertise of a licensed journeyman plumber and can be corrected if you have the knowledge to complete your project. Here are a few tips that can help you do it yourself if you are so inclined. Of course we are always a phone call away at 918-742-6171 if you need our expertise.

Leaky Faucets

Besides being annoying, fixing a leaky faucet also saves you money! Dripping water at a drip per second wastes 400 gallons of water in a year. If it is hot water you are wasting even more money. There are many different types of faucets. Some require simple cartridges that when replaced stop the drip while others require washers and can be a little more challenging. We recommend the Wolverine Brass brand of faucets when you are ready to replace your old faucet. Their cartridges are guaranteed for the life of the faucet and give you a long life of worry free operation.

Typical Toilet

Bathroom Plumbing Tips

• Be sure to check faucets and pipes for leaks.
• Replace standard shower heads with low-volume heads or flow restrictors.
• Check your toilet periodically for leaks. Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. After a few minutes if you see color in the bowl it is an indication of a leak, probably caused by a faulty flapper.

Listen for gurgling sounds coming from the toilet. These noises could indicate the flush valve may need to be adjusted.

Water Heater Tips

For safety reasons, keep the temperature setting below the factory setting listed on the water heater or in the owners manual. Keeping the temperature setting above the recommended setting will greatly increase the potential for scalding. If you have any questions, please give us a call and we can help you with this.

All water heaters are required by law to be equipped with a temperature and pressure relief valve (t & p valve) as a safety feature to prevent damage from excessive pressure (>150 psi) or temperature (>210F). If the t & p valve is discharging water you should call Bill Russell Plumbing, Heat & Air Company immediately at 918-742-6171.

Flushing your water heater should be done on a regular basis. The procedure is as follows:

Hook a garden hose up to the bottom drain valve. Place the hose in a position to allow full discharge of the water through the hose.

Be careful where you drain this water to because it will be very hot and can kill plants if you drain it into your yard.

Open the drain valve wide open. Do not close off the incoming cold water supply to the heater. Run the water out of the hose until the water runs clear (usually just a few seconds). Once the water is clear, shut off the bottom drain valve and remove the hose.

Kitchen & Laundry Plumbing Tips

• Automatic dishwashers and washers are more efficient if run only when they are full.
• When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the tap run freely to rinse. Fill the second side of the sink with rinse water.
• Fill a pitcher with drinking water and store it in the refrigerator.

Garbage Disposals DO’s and DON’T's

Do run a strong flow of water while grinding

Do run water for at least 30 seconds after grinding to flush out the disposal.

Do run the disposal each time waste is put in.

Do use small batches when disposing of large amounts, especially starchy foods such as potato peels, rice, pasta, etc.

Fibrous foods such as cabbage, asparagus, banana peels, etc. should be cut into small pieces before grinding.

Do run disposal with ice and/or citrus peel to clean and deodorize as needed.

Don’t grind bones, shells, or very fibrous things such as corn cobs or corn husks.

Don’t stuff your disposal with large amounts of food at one time.

We hope you found these tips helpful. Please understand that they are not intended to replace the expertise of our licensed professionals who can help you with any plumbing issue you may be faced with in your home or business. We are just a phone call away at 918-742-6171.

Summer is here and it is time to refresh our memory of the simple things we can do to protect ourselves, our pets and our homes in the summer heat.

Protect Yourself

• Be careful when performing strenuous activities on a hot day. Be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion sufferers will exhibit cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; and exhaustion. Their body temperature will be near normal. Those in danger of heat stroke will have hot, red skin, changes in consciousness, rapid weak pulse and rapid shallow breathing. Their body temperature can be very high, as high as 105 degrees.
• Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light colored clothing. The light color reflects heat and light and helps maintain normal body temperature. Protect your face by wearing a wide brimmed hat.
• Drink plenty of water even if you don’t feel thirsty. You must stay hydrated.
• Avoid the intake of alcoholic beverages.
• Eat well balanced, light, regular meals.
• Stay indoors as much as possible.

Protect Your Pets

• Be sure to keep clean cool water available at all times.
• Never leave your pet in the car.
• Avoid strenuous exercise with your pet on extremely hot days. Take walks in the early morning or late evening. Avoid going for walks on hot asphalt.
• Be aware of the signs of heat stress in your pet. Ask you veterinarian what to watch for.

Protect Your Home

• Have your air conditioning system serviced. With regular service you can save yourself from much heartache having a cooling system go down during the peak heat. Call Bill Russell Plumbing, Hear & Air today at 918-742-6171 to schedule a licensed technician to take care of your comfort system.
• Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. They generate less heat than conventional bulbs.
• Shut down computers and other electronic devices when not in use. They put out more heat than you would think!
• Plant trees and other shade giving landscape plants on the south and west sides of your home. This will help protect your home from direct sun.

From all of us here at Bill Russell Plumbing, Heat & Air Company we hope you and your family have a safe and fun summer!

Water is the sort of thing you can’t live without that can turn your home unlivable in a matter of moments. It’s the most common source of home damage – whether from big storms or leaking pipes, roofs and appliances.

The preferred way to deal with water damage, obviously, is to prevent it from occurring at all. For example:

• Check household appliances regularly, including water heaters, washing machines, dishwasher, refrigerator and air conditioner. Inspect hoses. Look for leaks and signs of wear.
• Check doors and windows to see if water is able to seep through.
• Check the plumbing, including sinks, showers, bathtubs and toilets. Are pipes leaking? Is water collecting in any place? Are there cracks or holes?
• Inspect your pipes. If they’re behind walls, under floors or above ceilings, look for signs of water stains on walls, floorboards and ceiling panels. For a thorough review schedule a professional plumbing inspection annually.
• Inspect the roof for lost and cracked shingles or other signs of deterioration. Keep gutters and drains clear.

If significant water damage does occur in your home, you’ll need the help of professionals for repairs, as well as an insurance adjuster to file a claim. But there are several things you can do in the meantime to contain the damage:

1. Stop the source of the water. If it’s coming from a pipe or hose, shut off your home’s main water valve. If it’s coming from the roof and you can access your attic, use something to catch the water like a large plastic sheet or pans and buckets.
2. Beware of the risk of electrical shock. Turn off the breaker, and unplug or remove any electrical devices in the water-logged area.
3. Open windows and turn on fans or heating and air conditioning systems to prevent the growth of mold and mildew and also to promote drying.
4. Remove furnishings or items that may rust or stain carpet or break during restoration. Lift draperies away from wet carpet.
5. Take photographs of the damage.

Of course anytime you have water damage occurring due to plumbing problems we are here to help. Just give us a call at 918-742-6171 and we will be glad to assist. Also we offer to our Performance and Reliability Agreement customers a free annual plumbing inspection. This is the best way to avoid a water disaster in your home or place of business.

Bill Russell Plumbing, Heat & Air Company