A Brief History of Plumbing

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Andrew Twidwell

If you want to learn about the history of plumbing one needs to start with where the word plumbing originated. The word “Plumbing” came from the Latin word “Plumbum” which means lead. The word “Plumbum” refers or referred to the pipes and some of the fixtures that were used to distribute water and gas, and the disposal of waste water and sewage.

The first waste disposal systems or sewers were built in Rome between 800 B.C.E. and 735 B.C.E., 500 years before the first aqueduct was built. The Cloaca Maxima is one of the largest of the ancient sewers and is still being used. It was designed and constructed to carry off the surface water, and to provide drainage for the entire city. Disposing of sewage has been an issue. Disease would be transmitted through water and waste because of ignorance.

Fortunately a lot has changed over the years. We all have running water and indoor flushing toilets today. It something we now take for granted.

Plumbers of  today need education, training and need  to gain experience as an apprentice for at least four years before they can be qualified as a “plumber”.

When you’re looking for a qualified licensed plumber look no further, call us at ABT Plumbing, Electric, Heat & Air

Posted in Plumbing Tips | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How Do Tree Roots Get In To My Grass Valley Sewer?

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Andrew Twidwell

Sewer pipe with roots

Sewer pipe with roots

How Do Roots Get in Your Sewer Line?


Trees are beautiful in our Grass Valley yards, but did you know they can also pose a threat to the integrity of your pipes underground? Tree roots in sewer lines is a very common problem, they can wreak havoc on your plumbing system.

How do tree roots get in to the sewer pipe?

In order to survive, trees need water, nutrients and oxygen. If they don’t have enough of any of these, their roots go searching for them. Unfortunately for our homes, sewer lines provide tree roots with exactly what they’re looking for, water, fertilizer and oxygen.
The easiest way for a tree root to infiltrate a sewer line is if there is a brake in a line or pipe. Once these cracks in the line are found by a root it will send a signal to the tree that it found water, nutrients and oxygen. Once a tree root has penetrated a pipe, it will continue to grow into the pipe and get thicker and longer.

What happen when tree roots are in your sewer line?

If a tree root finds its way in to your sewer line, it will begin to slow the flow of water in your sewer. Often times the first sign of this is a gargling noise that comes from your toilet bowl. If the problem is not taken care of, it can cause a complete back-up and possible flood of your sewer line. The root’s original point of entry will also expand as the root grows thicker and could eventually cause the pipe to collapse.

How can you remove tree roots from your sewer line?

If you think you might have tree roots in your sewer line, it’s best to contact a plumber like ABT Plumbing. We can perform a video inspection of your sewer line and identify the problem. If we do find tree roots in your sewer line, there are a number of different things we can do to fix the problem, depending on the severity of the situation.

One of the ways to help solve this issue is to have us run our sewer snake down the sewer line. This is just a temporary fix though. Unfortunately all we can do with our snake is prune the roots. The best solution for a broken sewer with root infiltration is to fix the break. We have many different ways to do this both with digging up the line and trenchless solutions.

Give ABT a call for a free estimate and evaluation 530-272-9120

Posted in Plumbing Tips | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What is the Best Temperature Setting for your Auburn,CA Water Heater?

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Andrew Twidwell

What is the Best Temperature Setting for your Water Heater?

Have you adjusted the temperature on your water heater? If not, you could be missing out on a great energy and money saving opportunity that also decreases the risk of hazards in your home. So what are most water heaters

Rheem Water Heater

Rheem Water Heater

set at when installed? What are the benefits of lowering the temperature on your water heater?

When you install a new water heater, it will most likely be set at 140 degrees. However, due to safety risks and energy concerns, 140 degrees is considered too high by the EPA and many other water experts.

So what is the best temperature setting for a water heater?

For safe and comfortable water that is also energy-efficient, it’s best to set your water heater at 120 degrees. This temperature setting has a number of different advantages, including:

  • Reduces the risk of scalding. A water heater that is set at 140 degrees may be a safety threat because it can burn your skin rapidly. A water heater that’s set at 120 degrees provides hot water that is much less likely to burn you.
  • Slows mineral buildup. By reducing your water heater’s temperature, you can slow down the buildup of minerals both in your tank and in your pipes. This will increase the efficiency of your plumbing system and extend the life of your water heater.
  • Saves energy. The EPA says that you can save between three and five percent off of your water heater’s energy consumption for every 10 degrees that you lower the temperature. By reducing your water heater from 140 to 120 degrees, you can cut your water heater’s energy consumption by six to 10%.

How do you adjust a water heater temperature setting?

Before you try to adjust the temperature of your water heater, be sure to check your owner’s manual for the proper instructions. For gas water heaters, the thermostat dial is located at the bottom of the tank and you can simply turn it to adjust the temperature settings.

If you have any questions about your water heater temperature setting, or if you’d like a water heater serviced or installed in your home, contact ABT Plumbing, Electric Heat & Air. 530-272-9120

Posted in Plumbing Tips, Saving Energy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment