Safety Tips For Kitchen Sinks And Garbage Disposals

Summer time fun means more dirty clothes and towels to wash! Be sure to check your washing machine hoses for bulges, leaks, cracks or anything that may compromise the integrity of the water flow. Remember to remove drier lint regularly, it could be a fire hazard if not done. Also, move your machine at least four inches from the wall to prevent hose kinking and damage. Never leave your home while the washer is running. If a flood occurs, timing is of the essence. Washing machine hoses should be replaced approximately every three years.

Be mindful of what you put down your kitchen sink and into your disposal after your cookout. Most disposals are not equipped to handle coarse items such as corn husks, celery, banana peels, and other fibrous or "stringy" foods. The fibrous foods are nearly impossible to break up and can tangle in your disposal. Some other items to stay away from are fats and cooking oils because they form clots in the pipes. It can be detrimental when it solidifies. To help prevent future clogs, run cold water at full pressure for 15 seconds before and after you put anything down the disposal. This will flush it through without causing any fats or oils that did make it down your drain to melt and then solidify on the walls of your pipes. Never put instant stuffing, potato mixes or similar "just-add-water" foods down the drain-they'll create an instant clog when you add water. Just adding water causes expansion.

Save money and energy when you go on vacation. Turn down the temperature of your water heater.

Sewer line backups are common this time of year due to summer rainwater entering sewer pipes via cracks. New tree root growth from the spring can also cause sewer backup issues as roots are drawn toward the sewer line as a source of water and nutrients. Have one of our qualified plumbers inspect your sewer line to let you know if you are susceptible to sewer line backup problems or if damage has already occurred. In either situation, your plumber will be able to help you determine the best treatment option for proper drain cleaning.

For more summertime tips for your plumbing, contact Los Angeles area JO-MI Plumbing at 310-473-8111.

What Are The Benefits Of Installing Hydronic Heating?

What is a hydronic heating system? Hydronic heating systems use water as a medium to move heat from where it's produced to where it's needed. Custom configurations paired with modern technology will allow for the exact comfort settings to be experienced by the user, quietly and efficiently.

The following are a few of the benefits to having hydronic heating installed in your home:
Homes with hydronic heating systems result in lower heating energy, use, and cost than other homes of the same size with forced-air heating systems. Studies show that homes with forced-air systems had air leakage rates 26% higher and used 40% more energy compared to hydronic heating systems.

Hydronic heating provides virtually unlimited possibilities to meet the comfort needs, budget, aesthetic tastes, and usage of any home. Just a single hydronic heating system can supply space heating, hot water, and pool heating. This reduces the cost and eliminates the redundancy of having multiple heat sources, electrical hookups, exhaust systems, and fuel supply components.


A common issue with forced-air heating systems is the dust, pollen, and smoke that moves throughout a building or home. Places where the air-filtering is poorly maintained, dust streaks around wall and ceiling diffusers are apparent. Very few hydronic systems utilize forced-air circulation. The hydronic systems that do, create room air circulation vs. building air circulation. This minimizes the distribution of airborne particles. This is a major benefit in homes and buildings were air cleanliness is crucial, such as for people with allergies, or poor health.

Another benefit of hydronic heating includes quiet operation. A properly installed and designed system can be virtually noiseless. For more information on installing hydronic heating in your home, contact Los Angeles area JO-MI Plumbing at 310-473-8111.