The Benefits of Getting Your Water Heater Maintenance

 

Keeping your water heater operating in top condition requires regular maintenance. Regular maintenance allows you to clean and make repairs to parts that if left alone would eventually lead to bigger issues with your water heater. While that is the biggest benefit of water heater maintenance, there are actually a few others to be aware of.

Insulating Can Improve Efficiency

Adding insulation or repairing torn or worn out insulation is a great maintenance move to make. It has been shown that proper insulation will greatly reduce your energy costs up to nine percent. It reduces heat loss, so the water in the tank stays hot, requiring far less energy to reheat the water sitting in it.

Sediment Flushing Increases Life Span

Regularly flushing your hot water tank removes sediment that can build up in your tank. Flushing the tank remove old water along with the sediment. Sediment left sitting will lead to rust, which eventually breaks down the tank, which will then need replaced. By getting rid of that sediment, your water tank will last longer.

Regular water heater maintenance is going to be very beneficial in many ways. Not only will it help you to avoid bigger, more costly repairs, but it will also increase the system’s efficiency and the life span of the system. Visit this website to learn more about water heater repair in Chapel Hill.

A Leaky Kitchen Faucet is Money Going Down the Drain

A dripping kitchen faucet is not only annoying but also wastes gallons of water and skyrockets your water bill. A simple repair by a professional plumbing service will save buckets of water – and money.

Re-imagine Your Kitchen With New Plumbing

When you remodel your kitchen, it’s a good time to think about the plumbing in that room, too. It’s likely that you’re using the original plumbing and after several years, it could probably use some updating. A plumbing remodel may allow you to create the kitchen you’ve always wanted by better preparing the room for special features and a new layout.

1.    A Water Filtration System
 
As you redo your plumbing, an inline filtration system should go on your list. It’s designed to fit in with your pipes under the sink. Some may also be connected to your refrigerator so that you have filtered water available from anywhere in your kitchen.

2.    A Second Sink

You may want to consider adding a second sink. This can come with a garbage disposal and back-flow valves and may also have a spigot specifically for hot water. Additionally, a filtration system may be configured into this sink.

3.    A Better Layout

Remodeling your plumbing also provides the opportunity to redesign your kitchen. If you’ve always thought it would make more sense for the sink and dishwasher to be closer together, now is the time to move them. Relocating pipes could give you a layout that’s better to work in.

Think about remodeling your plumbing as you work on your kitchen. You may just find your dream kitchen. For more information about plumbing remodeling in Carrboro, visit this website.

Samsung HVAC Sales Conference: Big Plans and Product Innovations

Samsung is getting around. Now established as one of the key players in the burgeoning HVAC ductless air conditioning/VRF market, Samsung managers.....read more

Consider a Plumber for Your Business

 

You hire a plumber for all of the problems that arise at your house. Are you that careful at your business, though? It’s just as important to take care of the plumbing at your workplace. Hiring a commercial plumber could be a good move for your business.

1.    24 Hour Service

Emergencies rarely happen when it’s convenient. One of the benefits of working with a commercial plumber is that you can call them as soon as there’s a problem, even if you notice that problem as you’re leaving the office. Many commercial plumbers offer 24 hour service so that they can take care of small problems before they become large problems.

2.    Your Productivity

Plumbing problems at your home are inconvenient but manageable. When they happen at your business, however, they’re disruptive and hamper your ability to properly do business. Whether you run an office building or a movie theater, your business runs best when everything, including the plumbing, works.

3.    Knowledge of Your Business

While some commercial plumbers service several types of businesses, others specialize in just a few. A plumber who specializes in the kind of business you run will be more familiar with common problems that arise and how to fix them, especially if you work in a specialized industry yourself.

Don’t let plumbing problems halt your business for a day. Visit this website to learn more about commercial plumbing in Durham.

How to Check Your Drain for Clogs

A clogged drain can often be a huge pain to have to deal with. While some clogs may seem minor, a failure to take care of the problem can often lead to more serious situations with your pipes down the line. What’s more, there are not always clear ways to tell if your drain is experiencing a clog. When you know what to look for, you will be able to get help from the right professionals to fix your drain.

When it comes to your kitchen sink, the easiest way to spot a drain is by paying attention to how fast water is going down. To check for a clog, let the water in your sink run for a few minutes. If the water begins to collect, without moving down the drain, or if the water is going at an incredibly slow pace, it generally means that you are dealing with a clog. Though there are many chemicals on the market that claim to help a clogged drain, some of these agents can wind up causing more harm than good. This is especially true if the clog itself cannot be fixed by simple drain cleaning chemicals. When you notice the water is not draining, it is a good idea to contact the right professionals to assist you.

For your toilet, there are several indicators to look for. First and foremost, a toilet that does not flush properly means that you have a clog somewhere in your pipes. A great way to avoid clogs in the pipes of your toilet is by only flushing what should be flushed. This means that items such as tampons, baby wipes and tissues should be disposed of in the garbage, rather than flushed down the toilet. When these items wind up in your pipes, they can stick to the sides of your plumbing, causing buildup over time and creating serious clogs.

While some problems with your pipes are straightforward, others may point to larger concerns. When water in your toilet or tub does not seem to be draining properly, it could mean that you have an issue with your septic tank. This is not a problem that you should attempt on your own, as an improper fix can only cause more severe problems in your septic tank.

Don’t let a clog ruin the pipes in your home. When you realize that your pipes are clogged, it is a good idea to contact the right professionals for the job. For more information on drain cleaning in Scotts Valley, visit this website.

Clean and Clear

When the water that comes out of your faucet is not clear, it could mean you have a problem with your pipes. Murkiness is a sign of unclean water, so be sure to contact the right professionals when this occurs.

How to Handle an Overflowing Toilet

 

Most people have been in a situation where a quick flush of the toilet leads to overflowing water. While unpleasant, this is a fairly common problem that can be fixed easily if dealt with in a fast manner. When your toilet overflows, there are a few steps that you should take immediately.

Stop the Water

Most toilets come with a valve that can cut off the water supply. To prevent more water from flooding out of the bowl of your toilet, you need to turn off this valve. The exact location of the valve will differ depending on the model of the toilet.

Inspect the Tank

The tank of your toilet can be a good indicator of the problem that you are dealing with. Do a quick check of what’s going on in the tank, taking particular notice of whether or not the water in the tank stops running when you lift the float cup.

Clean and Call

After checking the tank, begin to clean up any mess made by overflowing water. As you do this, call the right professionals to come and look at your toilet. Though it may seem like a fix you can handle on your own, you may discover that you don’t have the tools or knowhow to finish the job by yourself.

When your toilet overflows, you want to make sure you speak with the right people to help you fix the problem. Click here for further information on plumbing services in Santa Cruz.

Tips for Keeping Your Kitchen Sink Clog Free

Clogged kitchen sinks are a pain for every homeowner. A clogged sink slows down the meal preparing process and the cleanup process as well. Rarely, if ever, does anyone have time for the kitchen sink to back up. Here are some tips that will help keep your drains running smoothly.

It’s best to avoid putting food scraps into the drain. Coffee grounds, cooking grease and fat that you’ve trimmed off meat can accumulate in the drainpipes and lead to blockages. Put a drain strainer in the sink to keep the food out. Always avoid pouring grease or oil down the sink. Grease can lead to a clog because it often sticks to the inside of the pipes. A good habit to get into is to pour a kettle of boiling water once a week into the drain. This will help to melt away any grease or fat that has collected inside the pipes.

Other troublemakers for drains are banana peels, potato skins and eggshells. These food types are thick and/or sticky, and most garbage disposals can’t grind them well. If the food you are considering sending to the disposal is questionable, it’s best just to put it in the trash. Be sure to run cold water when you are using the garbage disposal. The flow of water helps to carry the waste material completely through the drainage system, thus allowing for an unclogged drain.

When sinks are prone to clogs, water alone isn’t usually enough to clean the pipes. A good practice is to use bleach once a month to disinfect the pipes and dissolve clogs. Before you go to bed, pour 12 ounces of bleach down the drain. Let the bleach sit in the pipes. In the morning, flush the drain thoroughly with water from the faucet.

If your preference is to not use chemicals such as bleach, you can get good results by using environmentally friendly, non-toxic household products. When your sink begins to drain slowly or develops a musty odor, pour a half of a cup of baking soda down the drain and then add a half of a cup of vinegar. Cover the drain and let the mixture work for about five minutes. Next, pour several cups of boiling water down the pipe to wash it clean. Vinegar and baking soda combined leave a sanitary sink.

Following these guidelines will help keep your drains free of clogs, but if you find water backing up into your kitchen sink, it’s drain-cleaning time! Please visit the website to learn more about drain cleaning services in Carlsbad.

Maintain Your Water Heater for Safety

A water heater often gets forgotten. However, it needs regular maintenance. Temperature controls, pressure relief valves and vents are just some of the important parts that need to be regularly checked to keep your family safe.

Get Rid of Clogged Pipes and Awful Smells

Dread the drain when it slows. Everyone knows that means a darkening plumbing sky. Sniff the air to confirm what you already expect: the main outlet is starting to clog. Sooner or later it will jam completely, promising a watery wasteland in bathroom and beyond. Skip the drain cleaners and the plunger. It’s time for effective action! Try these.

• A Bent Wire Clothes Hangar—Straighten it, and then with pliers bend a little hook into one end. Open the drain, hold your nose and start digging. Expect hair clumps and other debris. Always pull up. When finished, sluice all with the hottest water.

• Vinegar and Baking Soda—Mix one-third cups of the two and immediately dump the solution down the drain. Let it sit awhile, the longer the better. Finish the job with hottest water rinse.

• Wet/Dry Vacuum—Turn the control to liquid setting and plug the vent tightly. Improvise a seal to fit the end of the hose. Hold the seal firmly against the drain opening and crank the vac to max power. With a little luck debris will end up in its bag.

• Boiling Water—Simple and virtually foolproof (if you’re careful), this method frequently gets results. Put the boiling water in the largest container you can comfortably maneuver. Pour a portion down the drain, wait a few seconds, then repeat until all the water is gone.

Sometimes it is beneficial to hire an expert rather than trying a DIY solution. Visit this website to find out more about professional drain cleaning services in Santa Cruz.

Clogged Drain Management

When you open a bottle or other container of drain cleaner, your hopes are high. Can unclogging be this easy? Not really. You would do better with boiling water or vinegar and baking soda. Best option of all—call your local plumber!

Reduce High Water Bills by Repairing Slab Leaks

Do you suspect that you could be a victim of a slab leak?  Do you occasionally see water spots on the floor or have unbelievably high water bills?  If yes is the answer to these questions, you should contact an expert immediately. Here is the simplified version of what is required to fix the problem.

Accessing the Slab Leak

Once the location of the leak is detected, the experts will use a jackhammer to break a hole in the plate. The flooring must be removed so that the concrete is exposed. The dirt is then removed to expose the leaking pipes.

Water Lines Repair

Leaks are caused from aging water lines made of copper. Over time, the wear makes holes in the tube that cause the leak. The leaking part has to be cut and replaced with new copper tubing that is soldered to the existing tube.

Sewer Lines Repair

Sewer lines contain toxic human waste and experts are trained in the proper handling of this. Sewer lines require a type of rubber that is connected to the parts of the sewer pipes that are leaking.

Repairing a slab leak is not a job for just anyone. It requires experience and skill so that mistakes and accidents are avoided that could lead to other damage. You’ll be thankful at the end of the month when you receive a reasonable water bill that you selected a competent professional to do the work. Please visit the website for slab leak services in San Marcos.

PHCC Educational Foundation Announces 2015 Scholarship Winners

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Educational Foundation is proud to announce the winners of 2015 scholarships awarded through the Foundation. Twenty students were awarded a total of $37,500 in scholarships funded....read more

 

5 Signs Your Home Needs Water Line Repair

Don’t know a thing about your sewer line and what it does? It takes care of the water after you finish with it by draining it into a septic tank or the public sewer. Should it block completely, you and your family will be greatly inconvenienced; all daily routines will be interrupted. To avoid this domestic calamity be alert to these warnings that you sewer line is under duress.

Clogging fixtures are the most common sign of impending trouble. Begin by checking all toilets in your home because their plumbing’s routes to the sewer line are short compared to those of other fixtures. They are also wider, so slow emptying there is an early warning of a clog. Next, look at all tubs and showers. Because they are found on a plane below sinks, slow draining and water buildup occurs there first.

The second sign is unaccustomed water behavior. This means things like water from toilet flushing backing up into the shower and a slow-emptying sink that affects toilet water level.  Gurgling or bubbling in the toilet bowl, too, means difficulties ahead.

The third sign is washing machine operation making toilets overflow. This means the main drain might be blocked. If the toilets empty correctly while the washing machine operates, the latter may need repair. Should you be lucky enough to have a main line clean out—an opening or passage in the sewer line that leads into a place that needs occasional cleaning—take off the cap and study the water flow. No water moving upward means no clog. Standing water means a problem looms.

Study your trees and the direction of the main sewer line. How old is the line? How old are the trees? You may be looking at the fourth sign of line blockage—tree roots, the number one reason for drain failure. In the case of older homes, roots can, over time, actually crush older fired clay pipe. If your home’s drains are gradually slowing, it’s a likely bet that roots are the root of the problem.

You can search for the final sign by doing a little work. If you’re still not sure if the clog is in the main drain or elsewhere, run a manual or powered snake into the drains leading to sinks, toilets, tubs, showers and any other plumbed fixtures. If they are all clog-free, the culprit is the main drain.

If these signs tell you your sewer drain is blocked or nearly so, it’s time to call in a professional cleaning expert. For information and advice concerning main sewer line repair in Carlsbad area, visit this website.

New Monthly Plumbing Quiz: Pipes And Valves

This month the focus of our plumbing quiz is pipes and valves. While it's just 10 questions long, these are questions most every novice plumber should be able to answer.....read more

3 Reasons to Quickly Get Rid of Mold From Your House

Mold can grow anywhere given the right food supply and enough moisture. Of course it disfigures everything it touches—shower walls, damp wood, drywall, siding, darkening and staining as it goes. Worse, mold is a catalyst that brings illness into the home. Avoid the temptation to delay confronting an infestation. There are very good health reasons to hit the accelerator when mold arrives. 

• Mold attacks the respiratory tact—In a 2004 study the Institute of Medicine reported evidence of a significant link between mold and upper respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing. Asthma sufferers experienced an increase in attack frequency and those with chronic pneumonia-like illnesses were also beset with asthma symptoms. Other studies point the finger at the relationship between children’s early mold exposure and the onset of asthma. 

• Molds provoke mycoplasma infections—These mold-linked microscopic organisms most frequently attack teenagers and young adults. Droplets spread by coughing and sneezing transmit them. Victims experience high temperatures, bronchitis, headache and fatigue. Often family members pass the disease around at home and then carry it off to school and work. This mold-originating vexation is often called “walking pneumonia,” asit can persist for as long as a month. 

• Mold can cause brain damage—Molds are the source of mycotoxins that affect the human nervous system. These powerful poisons enter the body at will and frequently lodge first in the sinus then, if untreated, go on to attack the brain.

Don’t fool around tryingto clean with vinegar and bleach. Serious infestations need professional attention. For mold removal plumber in Escondido area, visit this website.

 

Best Left to the Pros

Maintenance on major appliances is often best performed by those who do it for a living. In this photo, a technician employs specialized equipment in the course of servicing a residential air conditioning unit.

Keeping Your Air Conditioner Safe in the Off-Season

When summer finally comes to a close and it’s time to start giving your furnace some work instead, it’s important you don’t forget to prep your air conditioner for the off-season. By taking a few basic steps at the end of the warmer months, your A/C unit should remain safe and protected so that when the heat rolls back around, you’ll be ready.

Winter Cleaning

If spring’s the season for scrubbing down the inside of your home, winter’s the season your air conditioning unit gets the royal treatment. Take care to remove sticks, leaves, and other debris from in and around your air conditioner, and give it about a foot of space on each side to breathe. Don’t forget to clean out your filters!

Coil Care

Your A/C utilizes coils to send cooled air into your home, and caring for them is an important element of general maintenance. Refer to your owner’s manual for proper cleaning and care instructions to make sure your coils are ready for action next season.

Seal of Quality

If your air conditioner is a window-mounted unit, be sure to take a second look at the seals around its edges. A compromised seal impacts your home’s insulation, allowing heat in during the summer and letting it out in the cold season.

Consult the Pros

For surefire confidence, let the professionals get your appliance all set for the season. Please visit this website for more information about air conditioning services in Oceanside.

A New Angle on Sewer Line Repair

You may be able to clear a clogged drain yourself, but repairing underground lateral sewer like this one requires a professional plumbing company with specialized tools.

Plumbing – Don’t Do It Yourself

Living in attached housing is a good reason to minimize or eliminate any DIY handyman projects that you are not licensed to perform. Even if you live in a single home, you still don’t want to deal with any side effects of improper plumbing repairs.

Cost concerns are generally the catalyst for do-it-yourself repair attempts. Just remember that in life you get what you pay for.

One of the added advantages of professional installation and repair is that the expert has the ability to see the larger picture. They know when an omission or error in repair will lead to a larger problem. Amateur handymen are morelikely to cut corners out of frustration, lack of information or inexperience. Serious errors will affect other parts of your home and create damage that could extend outside of the scope of plumbing repair.

The smallest leak can find its way into your walls, floorboards, and cause major damage to your home’s infrastructure. Some plumbing system modifications may involve tools that the average Joe has no business using. Metal pipes may need to be modified by someone with welding experience.

Many people use the internet as the guide for do-it-yourself projects. This could be problematic because that information may be inaccurate, incomplete, or presume previous knowledge that you may not have.

Simple do-it-yourself projects can also bear some risk. Harsh chemicals used to unclog sinks can be harmful to pipes. Repeated use of these chemicals could erode the lining of your pipes and potentially create leaks. Fixing your water heater could subject you to burn risk if the associated pipes are older or improperly installed. If the repair extends beyond adjusting the thermostat, it’s best to leave water heater repair to someone who knows what they’re doing. This is a particularly expensive appliance, and a small issue could quickly progress if handled inappropriately. Diagnosis of low water pressure may not be properly assessed without disassembling your pipes. Taking a puzzle apart is always easier than putting it back together. Reassembling your pipes and having parts leftover is not a comforting thought.

Toilets are high on the list of plumbing repairs, particularly since they serve a requisite biological need. When one breaks or clogs, the need for repair is rather pressing. That said, an improperly repaired toilet can open your home to slow leaks that can result in hazardous and unsightly mold problems. In many cases, it makes more sense to have an expert repair a toilet as opposed to trying to fix a flooding mess yourself. To access a professional plumber for clogged pipes and drain cleaning in San Marcos, click here.

Mansfield Plumbing to award Jeep in contractor contest

Licensed trade professionals who purchase any Mansfield Summit toilet through Aug. 31 are entered into the contest.....read more

Why Copper Pipes are Better for Repiping Your Home

If the pipes in your home are old or are leaking and rusting, it may be time for a repipe. You should get this taken care of sooner rather than later in order to prevent plumbing issues, such as flooding or other water damage. If you are unsure of what type of pipes to get, you should consider copper. These pipes are considered the best for a repiping job. Here are 4 reasons why:

Copper pipes will not rust or corrode, making them more durable. You also will not ever have to worry about rusty or discolored water again.

Tired of always having leaks in your plumbing? If you switch to copper pipes, you won’t have to deal with this issue anymore.

Because they do not rust or corrode, copper pipes are much more durable and last a lot longer than other systems. This will also save you money in the long run, as you will not have to pay as much for replacements or repairs.

Copper pipes are extremely safe. The water that comes from them is safer and better tasting than any other system. They also produce more water and comfortably allow you to shower, do laundry, wash dishes and more.

Although there are different pipes to choose from, copper ones will ensure that you and your home is safe and free from leaks. Visit this site to learn about repiping services in Carlsbad.

Cleaning the System

Sometimes what initially seems like a major problem with your plumbing system is just a case of material clogging up the works. The process of taking care of this is a simple one.

4 Reasons Why You Should Hire an Expert Plumber

Do you have a plumbing issue? Although you may be tempted to try to fix it yourself or have a friend or family member work on it, you should hire a trained professional. Having an expert complete the job can end up saving you time and money in the long run. Here are 4 reasons why:

If you try to fix a plumbing problem yourself, you may not have the proper tools. Professionals will always have the latest equipment on hand and will have the best technology to get your issues fixed quickly and efficiently.

Although fixing your own plumbing may solve the problem temporarily, plumbers will come up with a permanent solution. This means your repair will last for longer when done by a professional instead of someone who does not have the proper experience.

Many times there may be hidden issues with your plumbing that only an expert will notice. When you hire a professional, they can give you a diagnosis of your entire system to make sure there are no other underlying problems.

While you might think that fixing your own plumbing issues will save you money, it can actually be more expensive. If you end up making a mistake, which can often lead to flooding and other water damage, it will cost much more for someone to fix than if you had just gone with a professional initially.

If you have a problem with your plumbing, don’t risk causing more issues by trying to fix it yourself or having an amateur do it. Call a professional who will do the job quickly and accurately. Visit this website to find a plumbing contractor in San Marcos.

Electric Heater Installation

This heater instillation is a little different because the heater's electric. From cooking to cleaning, having hot water is a necessity to daily life. Check with a local plumber to find out all about electric water heaters and if one is right for you.

What’s the Difference Between a Sewer and Septic System?

While new homeowners may focus on the color of their window trim or luxurious furniture, an important aspect to understand is whether their home runs on a sewer system or a septic system. For those looking to purchase a home or just moving in, here are some basic differences between sewer systems and septic tanks that are paramount to understand and adhere to.

City Sewer

When a home is connected to a sewer system, the service of filtering waste and water is provided the city. Toilet water, bodily waste, laundry water and anything exiting a house through the plumbing system is carried through a series of pipes to a larger facility for processing and cleaning. Once the water has been treated and filtered, the water is released back to the local ecosystem as pure and healthy. The price for this service is usually controlled by the amount of water used in the home. Sewer systems also provide homeowners with: 

• No local septic tanks.
• Professional waste disposal.
• Minimal maintenance on the system.

A sewer system will be used for suburbs, apartment complexes, city dwellings and most schools as well.

Septic Tanks

While sewer systems are a city service, the homeowner must maintain septic tanks. Septic tanks are buried beneath the yard of a home and generally hold 1,000 gallons of water. This tank also stores waste in the form of scum and sludge. Overtime, these waste materials are broken down through bacteria. However, the tanks must be pumped out by professionals on a routine basis.

While this may sound challenging, with the right cleaning agents and maintenance, septic tanks can be easy to maintain. To learn more about septic tank maintenance in Soquel, visit this website.

Hydronic Radiant Wall Heating… Is This Really The Greatest Trade Secret In The U.S?

Hydronic radiant wall heating may sound like an alternative radiant system, but do you have any experience with this and do you think it is a great trade secret that should be more mainstream….read more

Things to Keep in Mind for Better AC Longevity

Being comfortable inside is one of the basic reasons we live in houses in the first place. So if you have chronic air conditioner problems, these tips will help you increase the lifespan of your unit. Don't forget to also call upon the services of a local AC service in Carlsbad. As opposed to a national company, a local service understand better the environmental demands of your city.

Your Fan and AC Can Work Together

Whatever temperature you normally use, you can lower it an extra degree or two when you also run your fan. Even though a fan doesn't cool your space, the wind you'll feel from the fan makes you feel cooler than the AC alone. Turning your AC down like this means you're less likely to overuse it.

Nobody's Cool When Nobody's Home

When you're going to be out all day at work, school, or running errands, then your AC should not be running. It actually takes less power to lower your temperature at the end of the day than it does to keep it cool all day long. You'll get even greater benefit from this tip if you update your unit to be programmable.

Here are a few more quick tips:

1. change your air filter every three months
2. trim the outdoor bushes around your AC
3. have a regular tuneup

As you can see, it doesn't take much to increase the lifespan of your air conditioning unit. If you get in touch with an AC service in Carlsbad, then they can tell you more. Try this website for a great service near you.