New Ball Plumbing Plumbing Truck!

Not really, but if I could afford a new one, I'd get this one:

Here's a picture of a hidden crack in Bellingham. Looks like a stress break, but who knows:

Bellingham Water Pressure Regulator Valve: PRV

So what does a water pressure regulator valve (PRV) look like and where does it go? The valve is put on the main water line before any fixture or hose bib and it's usually located under the building. It's usually all brass, but there's a plastic and brass model that's more common in our little slice of heaven.

I use a double union model (pictured) because it's easier to replace; should only take 5 minutes to do the actual replacement with the same model. Shutting down the water, setting up and crawling to the valve takes some time.

New installs can take up to two hours depending on the job.

Bellingham Water Pressure

Update to a post of a few days ago. I added a water pressure regulator to this building's incoming service. The new pressure is at 70 psi from 140 psi.

Any pressure above 80 psi has to be regulated. It's an international code to save water. With most of Bellingham on metered water now, the difference in your billed usage between 140 psi and 60 psi is considerable.

P-Traps in Bellingham

Or lack, thereof.

A p-trap prevents sewer gas from entering your house. It looks pretty simple, but it's engineered to work in conjunction with air (vent) and gravity (Sir Isaac Newton). Many DIYers scoff at the science of drainage, as the first picture shows a shower without a p-trap. The second picture is Ball Plumbing's contribution to the science of drains: Drainology.

Bellingham Plumber water pressure

Another holiday season in Bellingham, WA. with freaky weather and everything!

Plumbing problems don't care about the weather, though. This picture is from a house in the Happy Valley neighborhood of Bellingham. I've been trying to replace the water service (meter to house) for a week using the national weather forecasts. Good luck to them....

When I replace the service, the pressure regulator gets replaced. In this house built in the '70s, there hasn't been a regulator ever.

Bellingham plumber snowed in!

The tom cat was raising heck last night and I responded with the usual empty threat. Empty because it's already neutered.  Its whole complaint was about the 5 inches of snow, which is a very valid complaint.

It's going to be a rough winter. Prepare now by reading the last blog on 10/31/2017.

Hey Bellingham! Winter is Coming! Protect Your Plumbing!

Halloween is the bookmark in the calendar to winterize your buildings. 

1. Disconnect all garden hoses.

2. Turn off lawn sprinklers.

3. Close up crawlspace vents.

4. Set thermostat to a minimum of 60f.

During Freeze Warnings:

5. Monitor winter weather warnings.

6. At a bathroom faucet, turn on a cold water to the smallest stream possible. WARNING: Make sure the drain is working at the sink. Turn the water off at the end of freeze. I don't like this method, as it wastes water, but it's effective.

7. If your water heater is in the garage, try to keep garage door closed and the garage warm. Water heater blankets aren't recommended by most models.