Plumbing Blog Articles - Ivey Engineering

Metal vs. Plastic Pipes: Weighing the Pros and Cons for Your Plumbing Needs

For centuries, metal piping has been the backbone of plumbing systems, bringing durability and reliability to homes and buildings. Today, it faces competition from a less costly alternative—plastic piping. While each material has its own advantages, both metal and plastic come with unique limitations shaped by cost, longevity, installation ease, pressure and temperature ratings, building codes and fire resistance. Read more

black mold on wall and underneath window

4 Common Types of Mold and How to Prevent Mold Growth

in HVAC, Plumbing/by Lisa Zollinger

Zombie media is a staple of modern pop culture. From iconic films like “Night of the Living Dead” to shows like “The Walking Dead,” audiences are captivated by stories of society overturned by reanimated corpses. But “The Last of Us,” a hugely popular video game and TV series, offers a fresh twist. Its apocalypse is caused by an evolved fungus, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, a real-life parasite that compels ants and spiders to act in strange ways. Read more

5 Ways to Improve Water Heater Efficiency

in Energy Efficiency, Plumbing/by Lisa Zollinger

For homeowners, managing energy efficiently is more important than ever due to rising concerns about increasing utility costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), heating water alone can make up about 18 percent of the total energy usage at home. Furthermore, water heating is the second largest energy use in homes. Read more

Damaged floor from humidity with dehumidifier pointing at the wall

4 Ways to Optimize an AC System for Humidity Control

in HVAC, Plumbing/by Felix Touza

Mold, which is a fungus, requires three things to grow: food, oxygen and moisture. While food and oxygen are widely available on common surfaces, it is the presence of moisture that becomes the critical element. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mold thrives on organic materials such as wood, cellulose, dirt, dust and other organic accumulations. Read more

4 Common Causes of Mold in Buildings or Homes

in Community, HVAC, Plumbing/by Bill Ivey

Have you ever smelled a musty odor inside a commercial building or home? Usually that means mold is present. Mold is a fungus and is always present indoors and outdoors in small amounts. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), mold can be toxic to both humans and animals, depending on the type and amount of mold present. Read more

6 Most Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

in HVAC, Plumbing/by Lisa Zollinger

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is often referred to as a silent killer. It is generated by incomplete combustion of fuel in an engine, heater, appliance or from an open flame.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CO poisoning claims the lives of more than 400 people each year. More than 100,000 people visit the emergency room and more than 4,000 are hospitalized from CO poisoning. Read more

5 Plumbing Repairs You Should Leave to a Professional

in Construction, Plumbing/by Lisa Zollinger

Is this scenario a familiar one? You squeeze between the under part of a kitchen sink and the wall, squirming around trying to find where to screw in the hose of the new faucet. After a few minutes of rearranging the overly long hose so that the end would face the way you want, you were able to successfully finish installing the new kitchen faucet. Read more

4 Most Common Fire Sprinkler Systems: Pros and Cons

in Fire & Life Safety, Plumbing/by Lisa Zollinger

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments respond to a fire once every 24 seconds. Meanwhile, nearly 4,000 Americans die per year in house fires. This means the likelihood someone will be affected by a building fire in his or her lifetime is far greater than most people expect. Read more

a person's fingers touching control panel of tankless water heater

Tankless (On Demand) Water Heaters: 4 Pros and 4 Cons

in Plumbing/by Bill Ivey

In 2018 alone, just over 8.7 million residential water heaters were shipped into the United States, which amounts to roughly one water heater for every 37 people. This high demand is not surprising, as everybody needs heated water for numerous tasks, such as taking showers and washing dishes. Read more

7 Water Conservation Tips You Can Try at Home

in Plumbing/by Lisa Zollinger

The water we use on a daily basis is just as essential as the air we breathe. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a typical American household uses more than 300 gallons of water per day. On average, 70 percent of water usage occurs indoors and the other 30 percent is used outdoors. Read more

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