Belsito Plumbing

Oven vents and fans are a nice addition to your kitchen. When cooking something particularly pungent (or when accidentally cooking to the point of charring) , your oven vent is there to reduce lingering odors and suck away smoke. To keep your stove vent running at peak performance, you need to clean your over-the-stove vent hood periodically. Below are some tips on how to turn this dirty job into an easy one.

Range Hood Cleaning: Filter Cleaning and Replacing
When it comes time for a good cleaning, range hood filters may be removed and soaked in a degreasing solution until the grease is dissolved. Wash them in soapy water to remove any traces of the degreaser. Also, a filter may be put in the upper rack of the dishwasher and run through a normal cycle. If you are located in Phoenix Arizona Belsito Plumbing can professionally clean your Kitchen hood.
Some stove vent systems actually circulate the air rather than suck it outside. These types of systems may have one or more activated charcoal filters which must be replaced when they lose their effectiveness.

Interior Range Hood Cleaning
The unit must be turned off before being cleaned. Also avoid spraying cleaner directly onto the light bulb or light bulb socket. You can clean the interior of the vent hood with a standard household degreaser/cleaner and a sponge or rag; it will probably get quite dirty, so make sure to use something that you don't mind throwing away afterward.

Exterior Oven Vent Cleaning
The exterior of a vent hood may also be cleaned with a standard household degreaser/cleaner or a non-abrasive cleanser. Since exterior range hood cleaning is a lot easier to do, you may want to incorporate it into your daily or weekly cleaning routine. If your vent hoods have never been cleaned, you may want to call in a professional to do the job the first time, as it is very likely that it will be pretty messy.

Stove Vent Problems and Repairs
Excessive grease and grime trapped in your vent hoods, years of neglect, and other factors can cause your oven ventilation system to malfunction. Unlike periodic range hood cleaning, things like improper function or odd noises during operation should probably be handled by a professional.

Kitchen exhaust cleaning (often referred to as "hood cleaning") is the process of removing grease that has formed on the walls of ducts, hoods, fans and vents in restaurant kitchen exhaust systems.

Processes

Two processes are used to clean kitchen exhaust systems:

Caustic chemicals:
Caustic chemicals can be applied to break down the grease. After that, hot water can be used to rinse away the residue. Chemicals are generally applied with either a garden type sprayer, downstream injection through a pressure washer or with a chemical foamer.
Once the chemicals are applied, they are allowed to dwell on the surface of the grease for a period of time, before being washed off of the surface with hot water. In extreme situations, where grease buildup is too heavy for a chemical application and a rinse, scrapers may be used to remove excess buildup from the contaminated surfaces, before chemicals are applied.

Hot water pressure
Machines can be used that both boil water and then apply this water under pressures up to 2000PSI. To prepare for this, heavy-duty tarps are first clipped to the hoods and then angled into plastic garnage cans to catch the run-off. As the cans are filled the contents are disposed of successively. The grease should be removed rather than just emptied into the local drains to avoid clogging issues. Some cleaners use both chemical and hot water pressure methods depending on the application and availability of tools.

Finishing
Often, cleaners also apply polish to the hoods for improved appearance. NFPA 96 also requires a purpose-designed sticker to be applied to the finished hoods to enable the Authority Having Jurisdiction as well as insurance adjusters to check for compliance with the local fire code.

Fire hazards
The build-up of grease in and around exhaust ducts has been linked to serious fires such as the Boston fire which caused the deaths of two firefighters.

A septic tank, the key component of the septic system, is a small scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations. (Other components, typically mandated and/or restricted by local governments, optionally include pumps, alarms, sand filters, and clarified liquid effluent disposal means such as a septic drain field, ponds, natural stone fibre filter plants or peat moss beds) . Septic systems are a type of On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) . In North America approximately 25% of the population relies on septic tanks; this can include suburbs and small towns as well as rural areas (Indianapolis is an example of a large city where many of the city's neighborhoods are still on separate septic systems) . In Europe they are generally limited to rural areas only.

The term "septic" refers to the anaerobic bacterial environment that develops in the tank and which decomposes or mineralizes the waste discharged into the tank. Septic tanks can be coupled with other on-site wastewater treatment units such as biofilters or aerobic systems involving artificial forced aeration.

Periodic preventive maintenance is required to remove the irreducible solids which settle and gradually fill the tank, reducing its efficiency. In most jurisdictions this maintenance is required by law, yet often not enforced. Those who ignore the requirement will eventually be faced with extremely costly repairs when solids escape the tank and destroy the clarified liquid effluent disposal means. A properly maintained system, on the other hand, can last for decades and possibly a lifetime.

Description
A septic tank generally consists of a tank (or sometimes more than one tank) of between 1, 000 and 2, 000 gallons (4000 - 7500 litres) in size connected to an inlet wastewater pipe at one end and a septic drain field at the other. These pipe connections are generally made via a T pipe which allows liquid entry and exit without disturbing any crust on the surface. Today the design of the tank usually incorporates two chambers (each of which is equipped with a manhole cover) which are separated by means of a dividing wall which has openings located about midway between the floor and roof of the tank.

Wastewater enters the first chamber of the tank, allowing solids to settle and scum to float. The settled solids are anaerobically digested reducing the volume of solids. The liquid component flows through the dividing wall into the second chamber where further settlement takes place with the excess liquid then draining in a relatively clear condition from the outlet into the leach field, also referred to as a drain field, or seepage field, depending upon locality.

Septic tank lift pump alarm system located in a house.
The remaining impurities are trapped and eliminated in the soil, with the excess water eliminated through percolation into the soil (eventually returning to the groundwater) , through evaporation, and by uptake through the root system of plants and eventual transpiration. A piping network, often laid in a stone filled trench (see weeping tile) , distributes the wastewater throughout the field with multiple drainage holes in the network. The size of the leach field is proportional to the volume of wastewater and inversely proportional to the porosity of the drainage field. The entire septic system can operate by gravity alone, or where topographic considerations require, with inclusion of a lift pump. Certain septic tank designs include siphons or other methods of increasing the volume and velocity of outflow to the drainage field. This helps to load all portions of the drainage pipe more evenly and extends the drainage field life by preventing premature clogging.

An Imhoff tank is a two-stage septic system where the sludge is digested in a separate tank. This avoids mixing digested sludge with incoming sewage. Also, some septic tank designs have a second stage where the effluent from the anaerobic first stage is aerated before it drains into the seepage field.

Waste that is not decomposed by the anaerobic digestion eventually has to be removed from the septic tank, or else the septic tank fills up and undecomposed wastewater discharges directly to the drainage field. Not only is this bad for the environment, but if the sludge overflows the septic tank into the leach field, it may clog the leach field piping or decrease the soil porosity itself, requiring expensive repairs.

How often the septic tank has to be emptied depends on the volume of the tank relative to the input of solids, the amount of indigestible solids and the ambient temperature (as anaerobic digestion occurs more efficiently at higher temperatures) . The required frequency varies greatly depending on jurisdiction, usage, and system characteristics. Some health authorities require tanks to be emptied at prescribed intervals, while others leave it up to the determination of the inspector. Some systems require pumping every few years or sooner, while others may be able to go 10-20 years between pumpings. Contrary to what many believe, there is no "rule of thumb" for how often tanks should be emptied. An older system with an undersized tank that is being used by a large family will require much more frequent pumping than a new system used by only a few people. Anaerobic decomposition is rapidly re-started when the tank re-fills.

A properly designed and normally operating septic system is odour free and, besides periodic inspection and pumping of the septic tank, should last for decades with no maintenance.

A well designed and maintained concrete, fibreglass or plastic tank should last about 50 years.

Potential problems
Excessive dumping of cooking oils and grease can cause the inlet drains to block. Oils and grease are often difficult to degrade and can cause odour problems and difficulties with the periodic emptying.

Flushing non-biodegradable hygiene products such as sanitary towels and cotton buds will rapidly fill or clog a septic tank; these materials should not be disposed of in this way.
The use of garbage disposers for disposal of waste food can cause a rapid overload of the system and early failure.

Certain chemicals may damage the working of a septic tank, especially pesticides, herbicides, materials with high concentrations of bleach or caustic soda (lye) or any other inorganic materials such as paints or solvents.
Roots from trees and shrubbery growing above the tank or the drain field may clog and or rupture them.

Playgrounds and storage buildings may cause damage to a tank and the drainage field. In addition, covering the drainage field with an impervious surface, such as a driveway or parking area, will seriously affect its efficiency and possibly damage the tank and absorption system.
Excessive water entering the system will overload it and cause it to fail. Checking for plumbing leaks and practising water conservation will help the system's operation.
Over time biofilms develop on the pipes of the drainage field which can lead to blockage. Such a failure can be referred to as "Biomat failure".

Septic tanks by themselves are ineffective at removing nitrogen compounds that can potentially cause algal blooms in receiving waters; this can be remedied by using a nitrogen-reducing technology, or by simply ensuring that the leach field is properly sited to prevent direct entry of effluent into bodies of water.

Environmental issues
Some pollutants, especially sulfates, under the anaerobic conditions of septic tanks, are reduced to hydrogen sulfide, a pungent and toxic gas. Likewise, methane, a potent greenhouse gas is another by-product. Nitrates and organic nitrogen compounds are reduced to ammonia. Because of the anaerobic conditions, fermentation processes take place, which ultimately generate carbon dioxide and methane.

The fermentation processes cause the contents of a septic tank to be anoxic with a low redox potential, which keeps phosphate in a soluble and thus mobilized form. Because phosphate can be the limiting nutrient for plant growth in many ecosystems, the discharge from a septic tank into the environment can trigger prolific plant growth including algal blooms which can also include blooms of potentially toxic cyanobacteria.

Soil capacity to retain phosphorus is large compared with the load through a normal residential septic tank. An exception occurs when septic drain fields are located in sandy or coarser soils on property adjoining a water body. Because of limited particle surface area, these soils can become saturated with phosphate. Phosphate will progress beyond the treatment area, posing a threat of eutrophication to surface waters.

In areas with high population density, groundwater pollution levels often exceed acceptable limits. Some small towns are facing the costs of building very expensive centralized wastewater treatment systems because of this problem, owing to the high cost of extended collection systems.

To slow development, building moratoriums and limits on the subdivision of property are often imposed. Ensuring existing septic tanks are functioning properly can also be helpful for a limited time, but becomes less effective as a primary remediation strategy as population density increases.

Trees in the vicinity of a concrete septic tank have the potential to penetrate the tank as the system ages and the concrete begins to develop cracks and small leaks. Tree roots can cause serious flow problems due to plugging and blockage of drain pipes, but the trees themselves tend to grow extremely vigorously due to the continuous influx of nutrients into the septic system.

A leak in the slab is caused by plumbing pipes deteriorating under the foundation of your home. These leaking pipes can cause serious damage as the water rises to the surface of the foundation. The water will destroy the floor covering and other flooring materials.

Slab foundation homes are becoming more popular and as such water and sewer leaks under the slab are becoming more of a problem for homeowners. If you hear water running or have noticed an increase in your water bill, you may have a leaking pipe under your slab. This is a serious problem and it will only get worse with the longer you put off repairing it. Repairing a leaking slab will most likely be expensive, but the problem will only become more costly the longer you wait to repair it.

Slab leak symptoms can include:
1. A sudden increase in your water bill.
2. A noticeable drop in water pressure.
3. Damp carpeting or other floor coverings.
4. Cracks or settling of the foundation.
5. Mildew on the walls or baseboards.

If you notice any of these symptoms you should call a plumber experienced in slab leak detection immediately to avoid more expensive repairs by waiting until the problem gets worse. Video leak detection is the best way to locate slab leaks.

A plumber can locate and repair slab leaks using electronic leak detection technology. Always hire a plumber that specializes in electronic camera leak detection that can locate and repair the leaking slab quickly, before the problem gets worse and cost you much more in repairs.

Water heating is a thermodynamic process using an energy source to heat water above its initial temperature. Typical domestic uses of hot water are for cooking, cleaning, bathing, and space heating. In industry, both hot water and water heated to steam have many uses.

Domestically, water is traditionally heated in vessels known as water heaters, kettles, cauldrons, pots, or coppers. These metal vessels heat a batch of water but do not produce a continual supply of heated water at a preset temperture. The temperature will vary based on the consumption rate of hot water, use more and the water becomes cooler.

Appliances for providing a more-or-less constant supply of hot water are variously known as water heaters, boilers, heat exchangers, calorifiers, or geysers depending on whether they are heating potable or non-potable water, in domestic or industrial use, their energy source, and in which part of the world they are found. In domestic installations, potable water heated for uses other than space heating is sometimes known as domestic hot water (DHW) .

In many countries the most common energy sources for heating water are fossil fuels: natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, oil, or sometimes solid fuels. These fuels may be consumed directly or by the use of electricity (which may derive from any of the above fuels or from nuclear or renewable sources) . Alternative energy such as solar energy, heat pumps, hot water heat recycling, and sometimes geothermal heating, may also be used as available, usually in combination with backup systems supplied by gas, oil or electricity.

In some countries district heating is a major source of water heating. This is especially the case in Scandinavia. District heating systems make it possible to supply all of the energy for water heating as well as space heating from waste heat from industries, power plants, incinerators, geothermal heating, and central solar heating. The actual heating of the tap water is performed in heat exchangers at the consumers premises. Generally the consumer needs no backup system due to the very high availability of district heating systems.

Plumbing contractors service plumbers servicing the Phoenix metropolitan area. We also offer hydrojetting and grease pumping. We are available 24 hours a day.

For over five years, Belsito Plumbing has been providing the greater Phoenix area with plumbing services. Belsito Plumbing is family owned and operated and prides itself on quick, dependable service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The staff at Belsito Plumbing promises quality workmanship for both commercial and residential services and is fully insured, licensed, and bonded.

We can handle any-sized project, small or large, and provides both residential plumbing services as well as commercial plumbing services. Belsito Plumbing is committed to providing its customers with supreme, reliable service, no matter the job.

Residential Services:

* Emergency Service
* Kitchen Hood Cleaning
* New installation and Repair
* Sinks
* Faucets
* Sewers and Drains
* Tubs and Showers
* Dishwashers and Disposers
* Toilets
* Water Heaters
* Video Camera Line Inspection
* Pipe Repair and Replacement.

Commercial Services:

* New Installations and Maintenance
* Kitchen Hood Cleaning
* Sewer and Drain Cleaning
* Hydro Jetting
* Video Camera Line Inspections
* Pipe Repair and Replacement
* Septic Pump Inspection.

Founded in 2004 by Steve and Cheyenne Belsito, Steve Belsito has provided plumbing services for the greater Phoenix area since 1996. Steve started Belsito Plumbing as a third generation plumber with over 25 years of plumbing industry experience. For more than five years, Belsito Plumbing has been family-owned and operated, ensuring complete customer satisfaction, affordable rates, and excellent service. Belsito Plumbing is a member of the Better Business Bureau, Arizona Multi-housing Association, and the National Apartment Association. Belsito Plumbing is fully insured, licensed, and bonded, offering an array of plumbing services, both commercial and residential, including hydro jetting, grease trap and septic pumping, re-piping of gas lines, locating lines, and new construction commercial plumbing services.

Priding itself on quality customer service, Belsito Plumbing can handle any-sized project, and has factory-trained technicians available to customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With a knowledgeable staff, extensive professional experience, and constant focus on customer satisfaction, Belsito Plumbing is the premiere choice for both residential and commercial plumbing services. As the company continues to grow, so does the number of Phoenix-area customers who have a quality plumbing experience with Belsito Plumbing.