Month: December 2019

Anyone who comes from a large family knows the struggle of ensuring there’s enough hot water for everyone. Traditional water heaters store water that is kept at a pre-set temperature, and when that water is exhausted, it takes time for the average hot water heater to catch up. That can mean cold showers for those who didn’t get in the front of the line for the bathroom. You could always have a home plumbing repair service install a larger water heater, but that doesn’t always solve the problem.

Fortunately, there’s a household appliance that can make an endless supply of hot water available for anyone who needs it at the mere turn of a spigot. Tankless water heaters have revolutionized the way homeowners heat their water for cooking and hygiene, as they provide instant hot water that can be summoned on demand. By contacting a company specializing in hot water heater installation and plumbing repair in Pittsburgh, PA, you can put this new technology to use in your household. Keep reading to learn more reasons that you should install a tankless water heater.

Smaller Footprint

A traditional water heater is a hulking household appliance that takes up a tremendous amount of space. As a result of its large profile and unsightly appearance, it is often relegated to less frequently visited corners of the home. A gas water heater also requires gas supply lines with proper ventilation, and even electric water heaters require dedicated electrical wiring. However, a tankless water heater takes up a fraction of the space dedicated to traditional water heaters. They can be mounted on walls out of the way so they don’t occupy floor space and are non-intrusive.

More Hot Water

A water heater with a tank can only heat the water that is stored inside it. Though it may have a large capacity, it’s not difficult to expend all the available hot water, at which time you must wait for additional water to fill the tank and be heated. A tankless water heater heats on demand. When you turn on the faucet, the water is instantly heated, and any water flowing through the appliance is heated for as long as you need it. Therefore, you can never exhaust the supply so long as water is flowing into the unit. 

Reduces Energy Costs

Traditional water heaters are considered inefficient by many since the water in the tank must be routinely heated to maintain the desired temperature, even when the hot water isn’t in use. That means that you’re paying to keep water hot for many hours a day during which there’s no chance that you’ll need it. However, a tankless heater heats water on demand, which means there’s no need to reheat the water throughout the day to maintain the right temperature. That will save you money on your energy bills.

More Durable

A tankless water heater is more durable than a traditional water heater because it does away with the most common point of failure. Traditional water heaters wear out when the internal tank corrodes or rusts through. That will leave you with not only a mess, but an expensive replacement as well. Because there’s no tank, a tankless water heater will last much longer and the components that are exposed to corrosion can usually be replaced without purchasing a new appliance.  

If you’re in the market for a new hot water heater, consider taking the leap and installing a tankless model. They offer many benefits that can aid in convenience, a reduction in utility bills, and a dependable supply of hot water. To learn more about why you should install a tankless water heater, contact Stahl Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning at (412) 273-1000.  

 

The post Why You Should Install a Tankless Water Heater appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

Do you know that historians have extensive information about the plumbing system of Ancient Rome? The Romans were masters of civic engineering, and much of their original plumbing system to carry fresh water into the city and remove it through massive sewer systems still stands today. We even know they used lead pipes as long ago as 200 BC thanks to archaeological digs that turned up large amounts of lead in the soil.

These amazing facts should not deceive you into believing plumbing is as immortal as the Immortal City. The structures of sewers and aqueducts may survive, but pipes have a limited life. Those archaeologists found lead dust, after all, not fully formed lead pipes.

Let’s keep that in mind as we look at the materials that make up the much less ancient plumbing system of your home and when you need to put in new pipes.

The Iron and Steel Age

How old is your house? If it was built before 1970, then it likely was part of the Galvanized Steel Age of piping. Even older may put it in the Cast Iron Age. (Usually pre-World War II. Even clay pipes were sometimes used.) Both iron and steel are durable metals, but they’re also no longer used for plumbing systems because of some limitations. Both are susceptible to corrosion over time, and internal corrosion is what can lead to toxins like lead getting into the water supply. Corrosion also weakens the pipes and makes it more likely for them to break. You may already have hidden leaks around your home if you have 50+ year-old piping. We recommend having leak detection done to discover the condition of the plumbing system. Our plumber can then tell you if it’s best to put in new piping.

The Polybutylene Age

As new types of piping material started to appear in the 1970s and ‘80s, one of the most popular types of plastic pipes was polybutylene. It’s easy to recognize this material from its battleship gray color. Polybutylene was used extensively in the ‘80s—until it was discovered how easily it becomes brittle and breaks. We advise having any polybutylene pipes in your house replaced with other types of plastic.

The Copper and Plastic Age

In history, the Copper Age comes long before the Iron Age. But in household plumbing, it comes later. Copper became the most common type of metal for plumbing systems in the 1970s thanks to its lightweight, lower cost, and corrosion resistance. If you have extremely old copper pipes, you may need partial repiping, but probably not whole-house repiping. Different types of plastic pipes also become common, with newer and better types being developed through the 1980s and ‘90s. The two most common are CPVC and PEX, which are excellent for freshwater systems and offer flexibility not found in metal pipes.

If you aren’t sure about the condition of your home’s pipes, call on an expert plumber in Glendale, AZ .

This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com

Your toilet is one household appliance that you probably don’t appreciate enough until it stops working. It’s a simple device, but there are a few common issues that can develop as your plumbing ages. One such problem that is widely experienced is a slow-flushing toilet. The cause of this confounding issue can be difficult for the average homeowner to diagnose, partially because several causes can be behind a slow-flushing toilet. While the rate of flush may not warrant a call to a local emergency plumber, it can be indicative of issues that can jeopardize the operation of your much-needed bathroom facilities in the future.

By understanding the potential causes of a slow-flushing toilet, you can better discern what factors may be at work. Though the slow rate of flush may seem like a mere inconvenience, a little attention when the problem develops can prevent a situation that may require local emergency plumbing services in Pittsburgh, PA, at a later date. Keep reading to learn more about the common causes of a slow-flushing toilet.

Low Water Level in the Tank

Your commode is a simple appliance that uses the combination of gravity and the action of flowing water to dispose of waste. The tank on the back of the toilet fills with water, and when the toilet is flushed, a flapper valve opens and allows that water to forcefully enter the bowl to wash away everything in it. However, when there’s not a sufficient amount of water in the tank to do the job, that can lead to a slow flushing rate. Many homeowners purposely adjust their toilets to use as little water as possible to help reduce utility bills and decrease water usage. However, when the water level in the tank is too low, a slow flush can occur and the conservation efforts are for naught since the toilet will need to be flushed a second time.

Sewer Clog

If the level of water in your toilet tank is acceptable, then next thing to check is your sewer drain. The water that flushed through the bowl must go somewhere, and that somewhere happens to be down the toilet drain and into the sewer line. If there is a partial blockage of the line downstream from your toilet or within the toilet itself, that can limit the amount of wastewater that can pass through the sewer line and slow the flushing rate dramatically, especially if there’s heavy water usage concurrently in other parts of the house. A plumber can help you diagnose sewer clogging and efficiently clear the line so that your toilet functions flawlessly once again.

Sediment in the Toilet Water Lines

For the toilet to flush successfully, the water that enters from the tank must have some velocity. However, if you live in an area noted for hard water, the water lines in your toilet may become clogged overtime with calcification from hard water or sediment from leaks in the water line upstream from your toilet. Both sediment and deposits can clog water supply into the toilet, which means the water doesn’t flow into the bowl at the desired rate. If your sewer is clear and the water level in your tank is acceptable, your slow-flushing toilet likely has clogged water lines that need to be cleared.

If you’ve experienced a slow-flushing toilet, use this information to determine the cause and subsequent repair. Or, contact a professional plumber to take care of your toilet and restore its normal function. To learn more about the common causes of a slow-flushing toilet, contact Stahl Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning at (412) 273-1000.

 

 

 

 

The post Main Reasons for a Slow-Flushing Toilet appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

When people think about cold weather and Houston and Katy, Texas, they think about the hot, humid summers we typically experience. They often do not think about the possibility their sewer drain lines could freeze and break in the winter months.

Houston and Katy do have several days in the winter where temperatures dip below freezing. If your sewer lines are not properly protected, the water inside could freeze. As water freezes and turns into ice, it expands. It is this expansion that causes sewer pipes to burst and break, resulting in emergency sewer repairs. The same thing can also happen with unprotected freshwater supply plumbing lines.

So, the answer to whether your sewer lines can freeze in Houston and Katy is, yes, it is possible. Fortunately, there are several things you can do so you do not wake up to burst sewer pipes and freshwater plumbing lines.

How to Protect Your Houston Home’s Sewer Drain and Water Lines

Some of the things you can do to protect your sewer and water lines from freezing you might be able to do yourself. For more complex things, you will want to get help from our experienced plumbers to ensure your pipes are protected correctly.

1. Close Crawl Space and Basement Vents in Winter

If you have vents on the side of your home for your crawl space or basement, make sure to close these when the weather starts turning colder. Closing the vents limits airflow and cold air from getting to your drain lines and freshwater lines.

2. Have Your Plumber Insulate Your Plumbing Lines

Insulate any exposed hot and cold freshwater lines and sewer drain lines. You want to make sure that all pipes that are exposed to cold air are insulated. If you have a well and septic system, do not forget about insulating any pipes that are above ground too.

Besides protecting your pipes from freezing, insulating has a secondary benefit: Hot water will take less time to reach your faucets and remains warmer. Your hot water heating costs will also be reduced.

3. Protect Storm Sewer Drain Lines

Storm drains can also freeze and burst. You want to make sure the storm drain lines are buried deep enough in your yard so that they are insulated from freezing temperatures. If they are not buried that deep, talk to your plumber about either adding insulation around the drain pipes or having them re-plumbed and buried deeper into the ground.

4. Run Cold Water if It Gets Really Cold

If temperatures are expected to dip down into the 20s or lower, even with insulated pipes, it is still a good idea to turn on your faucets. All you need is a small trickle of water to keep water flowing. Flowing water does not freeze as easily, so it lowers the likelihood of frozen water and sewer lines. Just remember to shut off the faucets once temperatures warm back up enough.

Contact Us for Help with Plumbing

For help protecting your freshwater and sewer drain lines from freezing, please feel free to contact MET Plumbing & Air Conditioning at 281-994-6698 today! We also offer 24-hour plumbing service and HVAC service should you have a plumbing or heating system emergency.

The post Can My Sewer Drain Lines Freeze in Houston and Katy, Texas? appeared first on Met Plumbing.

It is that time of year again when colder air can force us to turn on our furnaces to keep our homes warm and comfortable. Yet, heating costs have been on the rise for the past several years and are expected to increase this year again too. If you are looking for ways to cut your home heating costs this winter, you will want to use one or more of the following great tips!

Tip #1: Schedule Heater Maintenance Service

It is a good idea to have your furnace or electric heater inspected by a qualified HVAC technician. Heater maintenance service will ensure everything is in working order and the unit is outputting heat the most efficiently. Well-maintained furnaces use less energy than units that have not been serviced.

If there are potential problems with your heater, you can have those inspected and fixed, as well as any of the parts and components, now. The last thing you want to worry about is having to call an emergency HVAC technician because your furnace stopped working on the coldest day of the winter.

Tip #2: Change Your Air Filters

Depending on the type of heating and air conditioning installation you have, you could have more than one air filter on your system. For packaged systems, where the heater and AC are both contained outdoors, you normally just have the air filter in the return air vent.

For split systems, where the AC unit is outdoors and the furnace indoors, there could be an air filter next to the furnace unit that is part of the blower and another in the return air vent. If you are unsure where to look for your air filters or need help changing them, call your furnace maintenance HVAC technician.

A dirty air filter makes it harder for your furnace to get air. It will cause the unit to run harder and hotter and use more energy to keep your home heated. Dirty filters also shorten the lifespan of your heating system. A clean filter allows the air to flow correctly and helps keep heating costs down.

Tip #3: Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

If you take advantage of the holiday shopping season, you can pick up a new smart thermostat on sale. After you get your thermostat, contact your furnace installation technician to have them install it for you. There are different wires and wiring configurations. You need to make sure to use the right one. Otherwise, your furnace and AC may not turn on.

With a smart thermostat, you can create different heating schedules that will help reduce your heating costs. For example, you could have your home set a few degrees lower during the day when everyone is at work and school.

Then you could have it automatically turn back up about 15 minutes before getting home, so you arrive to warm comfort. At night, after going to bed, you could have another schedule that reduces the thermostat back down, and then have it turn back up shortly before waking in the morning.

Tip #4: Get a Humidifier

If you do not have a humidifier, you want to get one and use it this winter. Winter air tends to be dry with little humidity. This is why we get chapped hands and lips. Dry air also helps promote the spread of viruses and bacterial infections like colds and the flu.

By increasing the amount of humidity in the home to around 40 to 50%, you can address these skin and health concerns. In addition, using the humidifier also makes your home feel warmer, so you can turn down your thermostat a few degrees and save even more on your heating bills this winter.

Talk to your furnace maintenance technician about humidifiers for your home and getting a humidistat to measure the amount of humidity in your home. The humidistat also controls when the humidifier runs. There are some humidifier models that can be attached to your furnace so when it runs the humidifier also runs, and it adds the required humidity throughout the rooms in your home.

Tip #5: Have Your Ducts Sealed and Cleaned

Air duct leaks can allow heated air to escape and cold air into the ducts. When the furnace kicks on, that cold air is blown into the rooms in your home. Having your furnace repair technician seal your air ducts will stop the cold air from getting in and lower your heating costs.

Plus, air leaks draw in dust and dirt and blow it around the home. If you notice your home gets dusty fairly quickly, chances are you have air duct leaks that need to be sealed. Cleaning your air ducts after they are sealed helps remove excess dust, which keeps your air filter cleaner longer.

Tip #6: Reverse the Direction of Ceiling Fans

If you have ceiling fans in your home, you want to move them from “summer” mode to “winter” mode. On most models, it just requires sliding the switch on the ceiling fan housing up or down. To verify your ceiling fans are turning in the right direction, they should be moving clockwise.

The best way to see which way they are moving is to turn the fan on, lie down on the floor and look up at the fan. Clockwise means the same direction a clock’s hands turn, so the blades should be spinning in this same direction. If not, turn the fan off, wait for the blades to stop moving, flip the switch, and turn the fan back on.

Running ceiling fans in “winter” mode helps push the hot air from on top of the ceiling and recirculates it back into the room. This also helps make rooms more evenly heated and feel warmer. You could even turn down the thermostat a few degrees because you will feel warmer.

Tip #7: Improve the Insulation in Your Home

One of the biggest heat losses in homes is insufficient insulation. Most home builders only install the minimum insulation required for building codes, which is insufficient to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

There are different ways to add more insulation to the walls of your home, such as having small holes drilled in key locations and blowing in loose insulation. Spray foam insulation is another option that fills in all open spaces inside the walls. Spray foam can also be a good choice for improving insulation around windows and sealing air leaks.

For attics, adding insulation is much easier, as you just apply new insulation on top of the existing insulation. For homes in the south, you want to make sure the insulation in the attic has an R-value between R-44 and R-49. As a general rule, one inch of insulation in the attic has about an R-3 rating, so you would want about 16 to 18 inches of insulation in the attic to maximize your home heating and cooling energy savings.

Don’t forget to improve the insulation in exterior doors. If you have a hollow metal door, consider upgrading it to one that has a core inside. The core helps better insulate the home and keeps it warmer. Make sure to apply weather-stripping around doors if you notice air leaks.

One area homeowners tend to overlook when adding more insulation is their garages. Even though you may not heat your garage, it can still get rather cold and cause your furnace to run more often due to the heat-loss transfer as the cold air gets into the home and heat is lost into the garage.

Insulating your garage helps reduce this heat-loss transfer and lowers your heating costs. You can also upgrade to an insulated garage door or purchase insulation panels and install these behind the existing door.

Tip #8: Get New Furnace Installation

If your furnace is getting older and nearing the end of its lifespan, it will cost more to operate and heat your home. Getting a new furnace installation could be the best solution to reducing your heating bills this winter. Your furnace repair technician can help you decide when it is best to get a new furnace.

To schedule furnace maintenance, repair, or to get a quote for a new furnace installation in Houston and Katy, please feel free to contact MET Plumbing & Air Conditioning at 281-994-6698 today!

The post Tips for Saving Money on Home Heating Costs This Winter appeared first on Met Plumbing.

The Christmas holiday is a time for families to come together and enjoy good company and good food. Unfortunately, an untimely clogged drain or toilet can quickly undermine the good spirits and bring the festivities screeching to a halt. By keeping a few important plumbing tips in mind, however, you can ensure that your Christmas holiday will be remembered for the tasty turkey legs than the plungers.

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If you’ve ever dealt with a plumbing leak, then you’re probably very well aware that they can very quickly become a costly expense. No, we’re not just talking about the cost of fixing a leaking or burst pipe, but the immense amount of wasted water that can come from it as well. Water that gets wasted from burst pipes or leaks is essentially going on your budget, so if you’re in the market to save a bit of money on your plumbing in Clifton, NJ—you might want to invest in an automatic shut-off valve.

If you don’t know what these handy devices are, don’t fret. Not many homeowners do! These are pipe parts that are designed to monitor the water pressure in your plumbing system. When a leak or burst occurs, this part then identifies that there has been a drastic change in pressure, and it acts accordingly to cut the flow of water. Read on to learn more!

Why Does Pressure Matter?

As we mentioned earlier, an automatic shut-off valve measures the pressure in your pipes and shuts off the water flow if it detects a change in pressure. Pressure matters in this case because when there’s a break or leak in your pipes, water will flow at an irregular pace, creating an obvious change in pressure that’s easy to detect.

This means that your plumbing system won’t be wasting water when a leak or burst occurs, because the automatic shut off valve can already detect that something is wrong.

Can’t I Just Shut Off My Water?

While sure, you can shut off your water when you detect that there’s a plumbing leak occurring, but it’s also a safe bet that you won’t always be around when plumbing leaks do happen. If you’re on vacation and one of your pipes freezes and bursts, only to thaw and waste hundreds of gallons of water? That’s as close to a nightmare as you’re going to get!

An automatic shut-off valve automatically senses the water pressure change and cuts off the water without the need for a homeowner to do it manually. The extra layer of protection can save you a ton of money and give you peace of mind, knowing that your plumbing is safe even when you’re away.

How Do I Know If I Have an Automatic Shut-Off Valve?

That’s a good question! Unfortunately, we don’t have the magic capabilities to know exactly if you’ve got one already installed or not. However, if you’ve got access to a professional plumber, that question can be answered pretty easily. A plumber will know exactly where to look for an automatic shut-off valve in your home. For anyone not well-acquainted with plumbing systems, it could prove troublesome with many web searches and wasted time trying to locate your valve.

Just call a plumber that knows what they’re doing. They can help ensure that your automatic shut-off valve is working properly. And, if you don’t have one, a plumber can get one installed so that you’re ready for anything.

Give your local plumbers a call today for your automatic shut-off valve installation!

This post first appeared on https://margoplumbing.com

Ahh! The Holidays are nearly here! We’ve only got 23 days until Christmas, 20 days until Hanukkah, and 24 days until Kwanzaa! Before you know it, you’ll be gathering around the table with friends and family, opening lots of presents, and of course, regifting some of those presents.

Of course, all this excitement can take quite a toll on your plumbing system, so it is important that you do everything you can to protect it. Luckily for you, we have given you some tips down below on how to do this. All you’ve got to do is keep reading below to find out more (and as always, remember to call our team when you need a Sanford, FL plumber!

Big Meals Spell Big Clogs!

You know how you feel after a large holiday meal– full, bloated, and sleepy! Well, your plumbing system can sort of feel the same way. You see, one of the most common plumbing problems we get called for during this time of the year is kitchen sink clogs, and there are a number of reasons why.

Certain food items, for example, make their way into drains (even though they definitely shouldn’t!) This includes celery stalks, corn husks, potato skins, and hard foods such as fruit pits, and of course, FOG (fats, oils, and grease)—these should all be dumped in the trash rather than into your sink drain.

Keep an Eye on Your Toilet!

Your bathroom sees a lot of traffic during the Holidays, and with all this use comes an increased chance for something to go wrong. All it takes is one too many sheets of toilet paper or one kid dropping their favorite toy into the bowl and BAM, you’ve got a plumbing emergency on your hands!

All you can do is keep on eye on your bathroom plumbing system and remember to call for repairs at the first sign of trouble. Trust us — you don’t want to wait!

Your Water Heater is at Risk, Too!

Before your beloved guests start arriving for the Holidays, it is best that you schedule a water heater tune-up! Surely, you want to make certain that your hot water heater is fully equipped to keep up with your hot water demands (trust us, you don’t want to start any family drama!)

In fact, we think it’s best that you schedule annual maintenance for your entire plumbing system — it’s the best way to prevent repairs keep your system running as efficiently as possible for as long as possible!

Don’t Hesitate to Call in a Professional

If you run into any plumbing problems this holiday season, do not hesitate to call in a professional plumber for help. Trust us, only a professional has the tools, training, and expertise to get your system back up and running in as little time as possible. When it comes to your plumbing system, you don’t want to take any risks!

This post first appeared on https://www.modernpi.com

A clog can appear in a toilet, sink, or shower for a number of reasons. It may have resulted from a recent event, like placing something in the toilet that should’ve been placed in the trash. The problem may have been building for some time. For example, it may have been taking longer for a tub to empty. Plumbing problems don’t have a schedule and need immediate attention. Call one of the best emergency plumbers in Pittsburgh, PA, to assess and solve your problem. Here are some of the things to expect when you hire a plumber to clean your drain.

Assessing the Problem

A professional plumber has the knowledge and tools to discover why your drain is clogged. Excess toilet paper may have been placed in your toilet. Hair or soap may be the cause of your shower drain problem. Dirt could be the culprit of the clog in your sink, or grease may be to blame for your kitchen sink clog. The problem may be obvious to the plumber or may take some investigation.

The plumber will not immediately begin to dissemble the plumbing to find the problem. He or she will place a small camera inside the drain using a flexible cable. This will give the plumber an idea of what is causing the clog.

Removing the Clog

What procedure the plumber uses to clear the drain depends upon the type of clog. The plumber has the right tools and equipment for the job:

• Plunger: A plunger may be all the plumber needs to remove the clog. The plumber will continue to investigate to make sure the source of the clog is removed.
• Pipe: A blocked U-shaped pipe, known as a P-trap, may be causing the drainage problem. A plumber will unhook the pipe, look for a clog, and clean the pipe.
• Snake: A drain auger, sometimes called a snake, is inserted into the drain to break up a clog. A plumber may use an electric drill to force the cable through the clog. A clog can result from hard water buildup. Hard water refers to water with a high amount of mineral deposits, like lime and calcium.
• Hydro jetting: Hydro jetting is used when there is a deep clog in the plumbing system. For example, an older house may have had the same pipes for years. Sludge builds up in the pipes over time.

Prevention

The plumber may suggest ways to improve your plumbing system. Galvanized pipes corrode over time and should be replaced with copper, CPVC, or PEX pipes. Having an annual inspection of your plumbing system can help avoid emergency plumbing issues. A slow drain indicates a problem, so calling a plumber at the first sign of trouble can save you money in the long run.

Call Stahl Plumbing at 412-273-1000 to clean your drains, replace your water line, or make other repairs. We provide emergency plumbing repair in the Pittsburgh area any time of the day and any day of the week.

The post Things to Expect When Hiring a Plumber for Drain Cleaning appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.