The conservation of water can prove crucial for communities in dry, hot parts of the country such as Arizona, especially when the local reservoirs run particularly low. For many Americans, low-flow toilets offer a more resource-efficient way to flush, preserving more water for the community while also reducing utility bills.

If you have never had a low-flow toilet in your home, you should get to know these pieces of equipment, from the various mechanisms that make them so efficient to the potential repair and maintenance issues to keep in mind. Start by examining the following four important points.

Throughout most of the 20th Century, residential toilets commonly featured tanks that typically used 

 for each flush. In 1994, new federal rules aimed at conserving water led to the adoption of the first generation of low-flow toilets that used only 1.6 gallons per flush.

The latest developments in low-flow toilet technology permit units to work successfully while using a mere 

 per flush. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awards a WaterSense label to models that meet their standards for efficiency. These toilets can reduce residential water usage by up to 60 percent.

2. Low-Flow Toilets Can Pose Some Special Challenges

As effective and appealing as low-flow toilets may seem as a way to slash your water bill and help your community, these appliances can prove more vulnerable to certain problems than traditional pre-1994 toilets. In fact, the earliest low-flow toilets almost always required two flushes instead of one, limiting their cost-effectiveness.

Modern low-flow toilets benefit from design modifications that reduce the need for multiple flushes. However, these units may still clog relatively easily, since the lower volume of water moves with less force. Power towels, trash, feminine hygiene products, and other flushed items can easily create a partial or total blockage.

The installation of low-flow toilets can also have a negative effect on certain kinds of plumbing pipes. Old-style drain pipes made from iron or galvanized steel, in particular, may corrode more quickly than usual as liquid and solid waste move through them at a reduced pace.

3. Low-Flow Toilets Come in Different Forms

Just as low-flow toilets provide a welcome alternative to older traditional designs, modern low-flow toilets offer a few different alternatives for homeowners looking to make the switch. For one thing, several of today’s designs actually need far less than 1.28 gallons per flush, making them especially water-efficient.

Many low-flow toilets come with a dual-flush capability. In this design, you have the option of using one button or lever to flush liquid waste and another button or lever to flush solid waste. Each option uses a different volume of water, ensuring that solid waste gets flushed the first time while using minimal water for liquid waste disposal.

Some state-of-the-art low-flow toilets combine water pressure with air pressure to keep waste moving along without the need for excess water. These pressure-assist models cost more than standard toilets and can prove mechanically complex, but they have the added advantage of sporting a small tank that saves space.

4. Low-Flow Toilets Work Just Fine With Proper Care

Don’t assume that the switchover to low-flow toilets has to result in clogs and breakdowns. You can keep your low-toilets running perfectly well simply by taking care about what kinds of objects you try to flush with them. Warn family members and visitors not to flush anything other than waste and toilet paper down these toilets.

Think about the state and age of your pipes before installing low-flow toilets. Your plumbing technicians can check to see whether you have old metal pipes that might face a heightened risk for corrosion. If so, ask the plumbing team to replace them with modern PVC pipes that will resist corrosion and provide more trouble-free service.

Moon Valley Plumbing and Rooter can help you take the plunge into the world of low-flow toilets. Whether you want to install low-flow toilets throughout your home, need to check the status of pipes before taking that step, or develop a problem with your low-flow toilets, 

 today for skilled professional assistance.

4 Things to Learn About Low Flow Toilets & Plumbing Fixtures

When you flush your toilet, you expect to hear the familiar sound of the water going down the drain. If you hear anything odd, especially bubbling or gurgling sounds, you probably have something wrong that needs immediate attention.

These sounds are not unusual, but you should never ignore the issue. Chances are the problem will only continue to get worse. You could end up with a flood of toilet water in your bathroom or even worse damage. The following questions can help guide in what your next steps should be after you hear these noises coming from your toilet.

Why Does Your Toilet Make Bubbling or Gurgling Sounds?

When you hear bubbling or gurgling sounds coming from your toilet, this likely means you have a clog or blockage somewhere in the toilet’s plumbing. The air pressure in the plumbing system has to be at a certain level for the water to flow through properly.

When you have a clog or blockage, a suction happens. This causes negative air pressure, which causes the air to escape and the toilet water to back up. This causes the bubbling and gurgling sounds you hear.

A clog can occur in several areas in the toilet’s plumbing system. The toilet itself may have a clog in it. The drain can become clogged when certain items are flushed that are not designed to go into a toilet.

You may also have a clog in the main sewer line. All the drains from your house lead to this line. Once you have a blockage in the main sewer line, all the plumbing in your home will eventually back up.

Additionally, you may have a clog in your vent stack. A vent stack is on the roof. When it gets a clog, it can cause negative air pressure and result in these sounds coming from your toilet.

How Can You Stop the Sounds Coming from Your Toilet?

No matter the cause of the sounds coming from your toilet, you can do some things yourself to try to repair the issue.

The first thing to try is plunging the toilet. Before you start plunging, close all other drains near the toilet, such as the sink and the shower drain. Doing so helps push the air up through the toilet to better bring out whatever has clogged the toilet.

If you still cannot figure out what has gone wrong with your toilets, consider calling your neighbors. This may sound odd, but they may have answers that you had not thought of. Perhaps you have a system-wide problem in your local municipality you were not aware of that has caused your toilets to make noise. If your neighbors experience the same thing you are, you then know the issue lies with your local utility provider.

If you have tried all these methods without success, the next step is to contact a plumber. A plumber will have advanced tools and expertise to see exactly what has caused your toilets to bubble and gurgle. You may have a deeper issue, such as broken pipes, to deal with. Your plumber will look at every possibility to help ensure your home’s plumbing works properly.

No one wants to deal with strange sounds coming from their toilets, especially when the noises lead to more plumbing problems. If you need assistance with your toilets or other plumbing issues, please contact 

Do you Have a Gurgling Toilet? What You Need to Know.

Leaky pipes, a dripping faucet, a clogged drain — these are obvious plumbing issues that an average homeowner can detect without the help of an expert. If you’re confident, you might even try to fix them yourself. But doing so might lead to much bigger problems. You might not know when you’re making a mistake.

Fortunately, an experienced plumbing technician has the skills to identify and fix any plumbing issues, especially those problems you didn’t know existed in the first place. Here are some deeply seated plumbing issues that only an expert can find.

Hidden, slow leaks in your home are one of the main reasons for wasted water. Some leaks are easy to find, especially those from your faucets and other plumbing fixtures. However, most leaks are hardly noticeable, often hidden behind your walls.

These leaks make no sounds, and you can go for weeks or months without knowing about these silent leaks. Such leaks are dangerous if they’re undetected for long. Your water bills may keep increasing, not to mention the extensive damage that may occur to your home’s structure. Some subtle signs of hidden leaks include:

Even if you notice these signs, it can be impossible to tell the exact point of the leak. Only an expert plumbing technician can identify the source. They have the right skills and equipment to pinpoint where the leak is to help remedy the problem.

Every fixture in your home is connected to the home’s sewer line. Years of accumulated cooking grease, hair, and other debris might end up clogging your sewer line.

 eventually results in backup in your drains. You might notice other signs such as:

Stubborn clogs will need a lot more effort to be cleared out, aside from the usual tactics of using a plunger or emptying a bottle of chemicals. Therefore, if you attempt to fix the issue by yourself, it will likely end in disaster. You could end up causing more damage than there was to begin with.

Luckily, plumbers have high-grade equipment that can accurately point out a clog in the sewer line. They can draft a plan to solve the problem using the skills and experience they’ve acquired on the job.

Eroded pipes in your water line are difficult to deal with, especially since they are hidden from plain sight. Corrosion happens through a chemical process known as oxidation.

Oxidation is inevitable, even for the most resilient pipes. They eventually corrode and present more problems for you. Common signs of water line corrosion problem include:

Your first thought could involve using chemicals to help eliminate these signs. But again, harsh chemicals will create more damage, eating away at the unaffected sections of your water line.

An experienced plumber will perform a thorough inspection of the piping system and accurately identify corroded areas. The average homeowner might not have the skills and knowledge to safely assess their system without inflicting more damage.

You need your plumbing system to be in excellent working condition all year round. However, plumbing problems can come, which can leave you puzzled and confused. But you don’t have to wait until things get out of hand. Contact 

today and stay ahead of any issues with your system.

Plumbing Problems That Only a Skilled Plumbing Technician Can Find

There are two compelling reasons to consider plumbing upgrades: greater convenience and safety for your family, and increased resale value for your home. Unfortunately, many homeowners aren’t familiar with all of the options available to them to accomplish these goals. Here is an overview of four of the best plumbing upgrades to consider if you want to take advantage of the latest innovations.

Eco-conscious homeowners who want their plumbing should turn first to low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets. These upgrades will both reduce water waste in your home and allow you to take advantage of some modern features. For example, many low-flow showerheads have adjustable flow rates so you can save water without sacrificing water pressure.

Low-flow faucets often use an aerator, a thin screen that adds air to the water that passes through it to reduce water usage. Fortunately, you can try add-on aerators for your existing faucets before you commit to installing low-flow faucets throughout your home. You may also consider low-flow toilets with low- and high-power flush options or pressure-assist flushing.

You should know how old your home is to accurately assess the safety and durability of your plumbing. Homes built in the early 20th century often used lead pipes, which can leach harmful lead particles into your home’s drinking water. Even homes made after the 1970s may be using pipes made of polybutylene, an inferior material that is much more prone to bursting and leaking than modern pipes.

If your home is using outdated plumbing, your plumber may recommend repiping to replace your plumbing system with updated materials. Modern water supply lines use materials such as copper, chlorinated PVC, and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) to provide several years of reliability without releasing harmful byproducts into your water.

Sinks are the plumbing fixture that homeowners interact with most often throughout the day, so it makes sense to upgrade your sinks when you have the opportunity. If you’re simply looking for a visual upgrade, consider less common materials like granite, copper, or cast iron. If you struggle with sink space in your kitchen or bathroom, a double sink is an upgrade that could make your entire family happier.

When you choose sink upgrades, take into account how you’ll be using that sink. Many homeowners enjoy basin-style sinks in their kitchens because of their usefulness for washing fruits and vegetables. You can even find workstation sinks that integrate commonly needed kitchen tools like a cutting board or dish drainer.

If you have an older water heater with a storage tank, you should know that it’s one of the largest sources of ambient energy usage in your home. This is because these types of water heaters use heat on standby so that hot water is always available to your home. Unfortunately, older water heaters do not have the insulation capabilities of modern models, so they lose significant heat to the air around them.

A modern water heater can reduce both your water and energy usage. In addition to high-efficiency storage tank heaters, you also have tankless water heaters as an option. These units heat water on demand so that energy isn’t wasted to keep stored water heated. You may also consider a solar-powered water heater if you are interested in minimizing your household’s environmental impact.

Most of your plumbing system is out of sight, but it’s just as important to update your plumbing as it is to update any other part of your home. Remember to consider your upgrade options carefully, and call 

Plumbing Upgrades to Consider During a Bathroom Remodel

A clogged drain is one of the main plumbing issues that homeowners face. The problem happens when solid objects, such as food and dirt, block the waste pipes. If unattended, the clogs can result in slow draining bathtubs or sinks as well as a foul odor.

Some clogs can happen without your knowledge, but the good thing is that you can get rid of them in time to prevent further plumbing issues. Here’s what you should know about clogged drains.

You can save both time and money if you solve a clogged drain issue early enough. Here are the main signs to watch out for:

 can address the issue and give you helpful tips to prevent a similar problem in the future.

Below is a list of some of the most common causes of drain clogs and an explanation of how to prevent the clogs.

Soap is a primary cause of drain clogs in homes with hard water. Soap residue, commonly known as scum, forms every time you bathe or wash. The residue sticks on the drainpipes and reduces the diameter of the pipes. With time, the residue can completely block the drainage, and this causes a drain clog.

To prevent this issue, use a water softener if you have hard water in your home. Also, clean the drains regularly with a long brush to get rid of any residue on the walls of the pipes.

A common misconception is that all the dirt goes down the drain whenever you clean your bathroom or sink. However, sometimes, the dirt will stick on the pipes and might cause clogs if it accumulates for an extended period.

Clean your drains well. Schedule regular plumbing inspections to have your drains checked of any objects that may affect the smooth flow of water.

Fat, oil, or grease can solidify in your drainage pipe and cause drainage issues. However, fats can only cause severe drainage issues when they accumulate for a long time or mix with other types of dirt particles.

Don’t allow oil, fat, or grease to go down any drains. If it happens accidentally, pour hot water down the drain to remove the fats.

Additionally, don’t dispose of food remains down the drain either, because they contain oil or fats that may cause future drain clogs.

Tree roots or leaves can find their way into your drainage pipes and cause water passage problems.

If the roots affect your drainage system, you may need to trim or remove the nearby trees. Trim the twigs too so that they don’t fall into the drainage and cause plumbing issues.

Drain clogs can be a nuisance, whether they happen in the sink, toilet, or bathtub. Fortunately, you can often unclog them yourself. For example, you may want to try a baking soda and vinegar solution

 You can mix these two ingredients to get rid of the tougher clogs. Pour the concoction on the sink or the clogged pipes, scrub with a long brush, and rinse with clean water.

You should only try this DIY hack for minor drain clogs and 

Drain clogs can cause costly damages if you don’t solve them early enough. Call a plumbing expert if the clogs interfere with your daily activities at home. At Moon Valley Plumbing and Rooter, we use the latest plumbing technology to identify and fix drain clogs. 

 to get quick help for your plumbing issues.

Drain Clogs: Everything You Should Know

Your household plumbing system should operate quietly. If you often hear a loud knocking noise when shutting off a water fixture in your home, then that is a sign that you may have a common plumbing problem called a water hammer.

Water hammers typically occur when water in a home plumbing system suddenly changes direction or pressure in a home water pipes increases suddenly, causing pipe hydraulic shock. This shock can cause pipes to vibrate and bang against each other or against interior components of your walls, creating this knocking sound or even causing your home walls to vibrate.

Read on learn about water hammer hazards, along with their numerous causes and solutions.

A water hammer can be a symptom of an underlying plumbing system problem, and allowing pipes to vibrate and bang against each other for an extended period of time can lead to even more plumbing problems.

As pipes shake and knock against each other, pipe connections can loosen and joints can deteriorate. When pipe connections are no longer secure, water can begin leaking at these connection sites. Water leaks that occur inside of walls often go unnoticed until water begins seeping into interior living spaces and causing extensive damage.

Many home plumbing and appliance problems can lead to the development of water hammers.

Homes built before the 1960s typically have plumbing systems equipped with air chambers, which are pipe sections filled with air. These chambers help regulate pipe water pressure to limit water hammer occurrence. Over time, air chambers can fill with water, limiting their ability to prevent water hammers.

Thankfully, most homeowners can remove water from plumbing air chambers easily. First, shut off your home’s 

. Then, run all of your water fixtures until all water is drained from your home plumbing system. Finally, turn your main water supply valve back on.

Draining your entire home plumbing system typically removes all water from air chambers to help them begin performing their task properly again.

Loose Water Supply Lines or Old, Unstable Pipes

Some water hammers are caused by loose water supply lines or old pipes that are no longer secured to the home’s framework properly. When pipes are not secured to the home’s framework properly, they can move around and create noise as water flows through them.

If you suspect your water hammers are caused by old pipes lacking their proper fasteners, then have a plumber come 

 and attach fasteners where needed to stop water hammers.

While low water pressure can be an annoyance, water pressure that is too high can exert pressure on your pipes that can create numerous problems, including water hammers. Ideally, your water pressure should not exceed 80 pounds per square inch (PSI) to limit water hammer occurrence.

You can test your water pressure with a kit you can purchase at a local hardware store. If your water pressure exceeds 80 PSI, then have a licensed plumber add a pressure regulator to your home’s main water supply line to reduce water hammer occurrence.

If a water hammer occurs in your home only when you run one specific appliance, such as a 

, then the water hammer may be caused by the appliance. Washing machines and dishwashers often cause water hammers because their water valves close very quickly.

To stop a water hammer caused by a single home appliance, have a plumber install a fixture called a water hammer arrestor on the appliance or water line that serves it. A water hammer arrestor contains a cushion of air that absorbs hydraulic shock that can cause water hammers as the appliance water valve closes.

If you hear a knocking sound when you shut off a water fixture, you likely have a plumbing water hammer that could lead to a leaky pipe if it is not remedied. Contact the experts at 