Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. Blog: Archive for December, 2014

The Composition of Snowflakes: Are No Two Alike?

Thursday, December 25th, 2014

“No two snowflakes are alike.”

This is a statement nearly every schoolchild has heard at least once, either while crafting unique snowflakes with a sheet of folded paper and some scissors or while learning a lesson on the science of snow. While even most scientists don’t quite understand what causes a snowflake to form such complex and beautiful columns and points and branches, one thing is for certain, the composition of snowflakes guarantees that no two will ever be identical.  However, it is possible for two snowflakes to appear to be nearly exactly alike.

A snowflake begins to form when a piece of dust catches water vapor out of the air. Water is created when two hydrogen molecules attach to an oxygen molecule. The two hydrogen molecules are angled from one another in such a way that they form a hexagonal shape when they come together during the freezing process; thus, a snowflake begins as a simple hexagonal shape or as layers of hexagons called diamond dust. The emergent properties that follow from the original hexagon are what differentiate one snowflake from another, as the humidity, the temperature in the air, and many other factors (some of which remain unclear to scientists) allow each snowflake to form in an entirely unique way with a seemingly endless variety of shapes.

However, in 1988, a scientist named Nancy Knight claimed to have located two that were the same while studying snowflakes as part of an atmospheric research project. And it appeared to be so; when put under a microscope, the emergent properties looked nearly identical. But while it is feasible that two snowflakes can appear to be exactly alike on the outside, they are never identical on an atomic level. Deuterium is an atom that appears attached to about one in every 3000 hydrogen molecules in the air. Because there are millions of atoms that make up a snowflake, the random assortment of deuterium in any two snowflakes—even in two that so very closely resemble one another—simply cannot be the same.

Here at Modern Plumbing, we’d like to remind you to grab a cup of cocoa and relax with your family this holiday, perhaps by crafting some unique snowflake creations of your own. We wish you a very happy holiday season, from our family to yours!

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How Commercial Backflow Prevention Services Benefit Your Business

Wednesday, December 17th, 2014

The people on your commercial property trust your commercial plumbing system to be just as safe and reliable as the one they use at home. Whether employees are washing their hands in the break room or kitchen staff members pour a glass of water for a guest, they expect that the water is clean and healthy. One real risk that many commercial property owners and managers don’t often consider is that a plumbing system that is not maintained may risk the chances of backflow. Backflow prevention devices are put in place in most plumbing systems to keep unwanted sewage or other sources of cross contamination out of the water supply, but they need frequent maintenance to do so.

If you need a backflow prevention device in Sanford for your commercial property, or if you need it tested to ensure continued quality, call the experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI).

How Backflow Prevention Works

Backflow is defined is the undesirable flow of waste into the potable water supply in case of a pressure change in the plumbing. Your water supply is kept pressurized so that it can easily flow from the faucets and fixtures in the home. Your drainage system, on the other hand, relies on gravity to move wastewater along the pipes. If the pressure were to change in one of these areas, cross contamination could occur via back-pressure (when the water supply pressure is increased) or back-siphonage (when the water supply pressure is decreased). This may be due to a water main breach or a number of other issues. Backflow prevention devices usually use an air gap and a series of check valves to prevent this from happening—but they need regular testing and maintenance to work properly.

Professionals Only: Safety Is Key

You should only have professionals service your plumbing system to ensure the absolute safety of everyone in the building. They know what to look for when making sure the parts have not worn down and are still just as capable of protecting your plumbing.

Call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) to learn more about commercial backflow prevention in Sanford. We offer quality maintenance, repair, and installation for all of your plumbing components.

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Signs You Need Commercial Jetting for Your Business

Wednesday, December 10th, 2014

Almost all businesses rely on plumbing in one way or another. Many, such as food service companies, place an enormous reliance for their daily operations on an efficient plumbing system. In order to keep the side of the plumbing that removes wastewater from your business working at its best, you will occasionally need to schedule commercial drain and sewer line cleaning services from professionals who have experience with commercial plumbing.

One of the best services you can arrange to have for cleaning your drains is hydro-jetting. Using high-pressure water blasted through a nozzle at the end of a long hose, commercial plumbers can eliminate tough clogs and organic build-up inside drains and sewer lines. Commercial jetting is the most efficient way to keep your plumbing effective at removing waste water cleanly and effectively, helping your business to stay open and up to code. To schedule commercial jetting in Orlando, FL, call our commercial experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) today.

Ways You’ll Know It Is Time to Schedule Commercial Jetting

  • Bad smells from drains: You don’t want the embarrassment in your establishment—whatever sort of business it is—of sewer-like odors wafting from the drains. The moment you detect these smells, you need to call commercial plumbers to find out the cause. In many cases, cleaning out the accumulation of waste trapped in the drainpipes with hydro-jetting will solve the problem.
  • Frequent troubles with slow drains: As the sewer and drainpipes become lined with organic waste, the drains will do their jobs much slower. If slow drains become the rule rather than the exception at your business, you should schedule drain cleaning from commercial plumbers right away.
  • Tough clogging: Often times, clogs occur because a large item became lodged in the drainpipe. Situations like this will usually only require a quick fix from a professional plumber. But when accumulation in the drains leads to closing off the pipes, hydro-jetting is the best solution: it will not only break through the clog, it will thoroughly clean the drain to prevent the problems from returning.

Commercial hydro-jetting is a fantastic solution to many troubles you may encounter with drainage at your workplace. But you must depend on experienced plumbers to handle it, since the equipment is potentially dangerous in unskilled hands, and you will only receive a thorough cleaning with trained professionals on the job. Call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) to schedule commercial jetting in Orlando, FL.

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How Commercial Jetting Benefits Your Business

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014

Your commercial property requires proper care and maintenance in order to run smoothly and to keep clients, customers, employees, tenants, and city regulations satisfied. And one component of your property you simply cannot afford to neglect is the plumbing. Plumbing issues can mean a disaster for your business, as leaks or clogs can cause floods on your property or allow sewage to back up through the drain. And if a clog in your plumbing system results in sewage backup on public property, you can get a hefty fine from the city if you’re proven responsible.

The grease trap from your commercial kitchen helps to prevent clogs from forming. However, this doesn’t guarantee that your drains won’t back up, particularly if you don’t follow proper maintenance procedures. One of the best ways to maintain your drains is by hiring a professional for commercial jetting services, which could ensure your bathroom and kitchen plumbing runs smoothly and that you don’t end up paying a lot more later in repairs, clean-up, and fines.

What Is Commercial Jetting?

Commercial jetting involves the use of a hydro jet to clear the drains of any material stuck inside of the pipes. First, a quality plumber should inspect the pipes to find any major clogs in the pipes and make sure those are addressed first and foremost. The plumber may decide to use a tool to pull out blockage through the drains, or they may decide to go ahead with hydro jetting. The plumber will use a thin hose and move it along the pipes so that it can shoot water out at extremely high pressures and eliminate any buildup from the insides of the pipes.

With commercial jetting, a professional can also clean out your grease trap, a service which is particularly important in a commercial kitchen. Grease traps keep F.O.G. (fats, oils, and grease) from building up, since these substances solidify as they cool down. F.O.G. is responsible for many plumbing clogs, continuously collecting until debris gathers in your pipes and the pressure imbalance leads to major issues.

When you decide you need commercial jetting in Sanford, call on the professionals at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI). Our commercial jetter is capable of delivering strong enough pressure to break up the toughest of clogs and clear out grease traps as well. Call us today!

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