At Rooter Man we have many customers call who have received a significantly higher water bill than usual.  Most customers are unaware that a leak is occurring somewhere in their home until the bill arrives.  We reassure them that we can help, but there are a few simple things they can do to determine if it is a water leak.  Try these things while you wait for a licensed plumber to arrive.

1. Turn all water using appliances OFF.  This includes inside and outside the house.  Some examples of water using appliances are showers, sinks, washing machines, sprinkler systems, hoses, ice-makers and water heaters.
2. Go to the water meter outside it should have a hand that moves clockwise and/or numbers that roll in an upward direction

• If the hand is spinning and the numbers are moving you have a water leak
• If the hand is not spinning and numbers are not moving make note of the position (take a picture with your cell phone) and check back in about 10 minutes.  If the numbers have changed and the and position has changed you have a slow leak
•  If nothing has changed the large increase in water use is probably not a leak, but   calling a licensed plumber to verify your results is always the best alternative

Rooter Man is available Monday through Sunday call us at 504-262-8222!

 Rooter Man recommends a new drain treatment that the real pro’s use…SUPER CITRUS.

The reason we like it is because it’s an all natural citrus based degreaser and sewer drain solvent, specifically engineered to dissolve fats, oils and greases.  Powerful natural degreasers and deodorizers are specially blended to outperform the conventional hazardous solvent degreasers.  This multipurpose concentrate instantly emulsifies grease, oils, and fats without the use of harsh acids, alkaline or petroleum solvents.  This product contains no hazardous compounds as defined by OSHA Regulations (29 CFR section 1910.1200).  This organic extract has an extremely strong natural citrus fragrance and deodorizes effectively under the worst conditions.

Super Citrus can only be purchased from Rooter Man.  Ask your technician or call 504-262-8222 to order your Super Citrus today.

Rooter Man can clean your yard drains and main sewer lines if they are holding water or draining slow, but it is important during hurricane season to keep your catch basins clear of debris.  If the catch basins in your neighborhood don’t drain properly if we receive high rain volume during a hurricane it could keep the water from draining away from your home or business.  Jefferson Parish residents might be interested to know that they can contact the Jefferson Parish Drainage Department at 736-6578 or 437-4970 to have drains near your home or business cleaned and flushed.

Rooter Man can help with any drain cleaning or plumbing needs call 504-262-8222!

Conventional storage tank water heaters have been used in commercial and residential applications since the early twentieth century. While most household electronics have taken great strides in terms of new technology and efficiency, the traditional tank water heater has not. Most consumers do not need a lesson in the inefficiencies and problems associated with traditional water heaters as we have all experienced them at one time or another. With energy costs continuing to rise and interest in household technology and environmental stewardship at an all-time high, the concept of “on demand” or tankless water heating has increase dramatically in popularity during the past decade.

The general premise behind a tankless water heater is to only heat water “on demand” as it is needed. This eliminates the need for a storage tank and dramatically increases energy efficiency. Almost every major shortcoming of a conventional water heater is addressed by a tankless system.

Problem with Conventional
Tank-Type Water Heater

Thermal Heat Loss
20-40% of energy consumed by a traditional tank heater is wasted as heat is slowly lost due to radiant heat loss from the storage tank

Limited Supply
Conventional water heaters frequently run out of hot water after several back-to-back demands and often after only one shower or demand. The user must then wait for a long period of time for the heater to “refresh”

Overheating
To ensure a traditional heater refreshes at a reasonable rate, most heaters are set at very high temperatures (130F+). This wastes energy and increases risk of scalding, especially for children and the elderly.

Hard Water Minerals
Hard water scale forms most readily when water is heated for extended periods. Hard water scale quickly coats the internal components causing a loss of efficiency and shorter life, and often leaks.

Short Life / Disposal
Conventional water heaters typically last from 6 to 12 years in most residential applications. They are bulky and take up a huge amount of landfill space and are costly to recycle.

Bulky Size
Due to their large storage tanks, conventional water heaters are bulky and take up lots of space.

The Tankless Water
Heater Solution

Reduce water heating costs as much as 50% -Tankless water heaters heat entirely on demand only when hot water is needed. Since there is no hot water storage, thermal heat loss is almost completely eliminated.

Tankless heaters never run out of hot water – they can literally run all day long if necessary and they will never stop producing hot water since they heat water instantly on demand.

Sophisticated tankless heaters allow you to set the ongoing water temperature to a much more reasonable and safer temperature, closer to the actual temperature you will use the water at, thereby reducing risk of scalding. According to the US. Department of Energy, for each 10°F reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%-5% in energy costs.

Since hot water is not stored, tankless water heaters generally handle hard water minerals and sediments much better than conventional tanks. This makes them far less likely to leak or rupture, and able to maintain efficiency throughout their whole lifecycle. Accordingly, many have much longer warranties.

Tankless water heaters can last more than 20 years.

Tankless water heaters are about the size of a briefcase (electric units) – they save valuable floor space that can be used for storage etc. especially in condos and apartments.

Cold Water Inlet Pipe

The inlet pipe (usually copper) is connected to the main cold water supply pipe and provides water to the tank.

Cold Water Control Valve

The cold water control valve allows the incoming cold water to be turned on and off.  The valve may be turned off when the water heater is not in use, in an emergency when the water heater leaks, or when the water heater is being replaced or breaks down.

Cold Water Dip Tube

To prevent the incoming cold water from cooling the hot water leaving the tank (at the top), the cold water is introduced at the bottom of the tank (which is also closer to the heat source).  When the cold water inlet pipe is located at the top of the tank instead of at the bottom of the tank on the sidewall, a dip tube is used to direct the cold water to the bottom of the tank.

Hot Water Outlet Pipe

The outlet pipe is a short pipe that extends in the top of the tank.  Since the water at the top of the tank is generally hotter than the bottom (heat rises), the hot water is always taken from the top.  For safety and energy conservation water heaters are factory set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Anti-Corrosions or Sacrificial Anode

A rod placed in glass-lined metal water heater tanks to help prevent the tank from rusting (oxidizing).  The anode rod, usually made of magnesium, attracts the corrosion-causing oxygen in the water.  The rod protects the tank from eroding and eventually wears away.  The rod must be replaced to prevent corrosion from accelerating.  Replace the anode every year or as necessary.

Drain Valve

The drain valve at the bottom of the water heater allows the tank to be drained.  Sludge or sediment from the water or the sacrificial anode will collect at the bottom of the tank over time.  Excessive sludge/sediment may lower the water pressure or reduce the water heating efficiency.  Recommended maintenance includes draining the sludge once a year.

Temperature Pressure Relief Valve

The temperature pressure relief (TPR) valve is a safety device that is designed to prevent overheating and over pressurization of the water in the tank and should be tested annually.

Temperature Pressure Relief Valve Discharge Tube

A tube or pipe that is attached to the TPR valve to direct  superheated water down to the floor and away from anyone in the discharge are in order to prevent scalding or burning.

We love our trees, but the roots are another issue. Yearly over $658,000,000 is spent on damage tree roots cause to private and public drain lines. Rooter Man has an extremely effective solution called RootX…you can’t just get it anywhere because it’s industrial strength.  RootX uses the aquatic herbicide Dichlobenil. It’s non-caustic, non-fumigating and non-systemic, and it contains no diquat dibromide, copper sulfate or metam sodium. RootX is classified as a General Use product by the Environmental Protection Agency, and it’s registered for use in all 50 states (EPA registration #68464-1) as well as Canada. In addition, RootX carries the signal word CAUTION, the lowest chemical hazard rating according to the ISO 3864-2 standard for hazard severity panels. 

Foaming RootX Formula Kills Roots
The patented RootX formula foams on contact with water. The foam acts as a carrying agent, lifting the herbicide to the top of the pipe where 90 percent of pipeline roots grow. De-greasing agents strip away grease and grime so the active ingredient can penetrate the roots, killing the root tissue on contact. RootX promotes bacterial growth to speed the decay and natural removal of roots. The foam also leaves a thin layer of the RootX herbicide on the pipe walls to prevent re-growth.

Enhances Mechanical Root Cutting
Mechanical root cutting is an immediate and short-term solution to relieving pipeline blockages caused by root intrusion. However, cutting roots is like pruning a tree; it stimulates even more vigorous and destructive root growth in the remaining roots. That means new root growth can fully clog your pipe again in just nine months.

Treating pipes with RootX not only kills all the roots on contact, it also leaves a thin layer of the herbicide on the pipe walls to prevent roots from coming back. New root growth after treatment with RootX is much slower and less destructive to the pipe.

It’s important to apply RootX within the first hour after cutting or wait six to eight weeks. That’s because roots release a traumatic acid to cover the cut ends and protect them against further injury. If you apply RootX immediately after cutting, the herbicide can penetrate the root ends before the traumatic acid coating is complete. After six to eight weeks, the traumatic acid will have dissipated, leaving the most vulnerable part of the root—the white tender meristem growth where cells are actively dividing—exposed to the herbicide. The more root tissue you can treat with RootX, the better.

For more information on fighting root damage to your drainage, call our office and we can consult with you on the application of RootX and other trade secrets. Call us at 504-262-8222

Orleans Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness

504-658-8700

Jefferson Parish Emergency Management

504-349-5360

Twitter: JPEmergencyMgmt

American Red Cross of Southeast Louisiana

1-800-229-8191

www.arcno.org

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

1-877-452-3683

www.dotd.state.la.us

Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

1-800-925-7500

www.ohsep.louisiana.gov

National Weather Service

www.nws.noaa.gov

Louisiana State Police Road Closure Information

1-800-469-4828

www.lsp.org

Louisiana Department of Social Services

www.dss.state.la.us

Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals

www.dhh.state.la.us

FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency

1-800-621-3362

www.ready.gov

Hotels that Welcome Pets

www.petswelcome.com

Missing Family Members

1-877-568-3317

Next of Kin Registry

www.nokr.org

If you must evacuate do these things before you leave:

Shut off all gas valves even at meter * Shut off main water valves * Turn off circuit breaker to Electric Water Heater * Clear all drainage lines * Bring important legal and insurance papers * Bring CASH * Bring banking information * Provide for pets * Bring a Disaster Supply Kit and First Aid Kit

When you return call Rooter Man to assist with any drain, plumbing or gas issues at your home or business.  Call us at 504-262-8222!