Month: February 2020

Clean, healthy and safe water isn’t important to a few people or most people, it is important to everyone. In fact, it is of vital importance. The vast majority of us are aware of this and know these facts but how many of us actually take the time to think about it. If you have a water filter, that is the idea, water that you can use without thinking about, without worry.

Water Filters

Pollution, a growing population, and changes to our climate are just a few factors that create both the concerns for water safety and the need to keep our water safe and clean. Water, regardless of where you live today, may include contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals or bacteria. While testing our water is always a good idea, especially on a periodic basis, it is the water filter that is charged with keeping our water safe. Water filtration offers more benefits than simply keeping our water safe and clean too.

Practical and Safe Solutions

Having safe and clean water to use and drink is obviously the highest priority for our water but it isn’t the only factor. Bottled and packaged water is an option that people choose but it is never as convenient as water from the tap. There is a comfort in knowing that a trip to the store isn’t necessary because clean, safe and healthy water is as close as the sink. This doesn’t only make water filters a safe and healthy option but a convenient and practical one as well.

The Right Water Filters

The type of water heater, pump, the age of your system and other factors can play a role in determining the best type of water filter and water filtration system for your home or business. Getting your water tested, and finding the best water filter and filtration system doesn’t need to be difficult but it needs to be done to ensure the best, safest and healthiest water for you, and your family or customers.

An experienced and professional plumbing service will have the expertise, tools and know how to help. From water filters and filtration systems to septic tanks and storm drains, the right professional help will take all the hassle and worry out of your plumbing concerns. Having and getting water, and having the peace of mind in knowing that your water is safe, healthy and clean shouldn’t be a thought at all. That’s the entire point of having an effective water filtration system.

This post first appeared on http://www.atozstatewideplumbing.com

Despite what the groundhog said, winter isn’t over yet. You’re still counting on your heating system to keep your house warm, especially on those chilly early mornings and downright cold nights. If you’re using a boiler for home heating, you’ll want to read today’s post. In it, you’ll find the most common boiler issues that drive calls for home heating repair in Pittsburgh, PA. Paying attention to signs of boiler problems can save you from spending a cold night huddled under the covers.

Cold Radiators

A cold radiator on a cold night is a sure sign you have a problem. Before you call your heating and cooling company, make sure it’s not trapped air. If it’s the first time you’ve used the heat for several months, like at the end of summer or after you’ve been away, you may have air trapped in the radiator. You’ll likely feel warmth at the bottom of the radiator but cold at the top. It’s a simple fix! Using your radiator key, turn the bleed screw until you hear hissing. Once the hissing fades, close the bleed screw. Things should warm up quickly. If every radiator in the house feels cold, you could have a faulty radiator valve or a more involved service issue.

Lukewarm Temperatures

No one wants to sit around in a lukewarm room when it’s cold outside. If you’ve noticed your system feels like it’s working less and less to heat your space enough for comfort, you may have a buildup of mineral deposits in the boiler and the heat exchanger. When the change in performance happens suddenly, you may have another issue. Sometimes water pressure drops, causing a drop in the water level inside the boiler. It’s also possible your expansion tank doesn’t have adequate water. You can deal with mineral buildup by flushing the boiler. Issues with the water level in the tank may require troubleshooting by a qualified heating and cooling technician.

Noisy Boiler

Boiler systems quietly work to supply hot water for heating. Most people never give their boiler much more than a passing thought. Like people, when boilers start to age, their joints crack. You’ll likely hear whistling and even banging. You may have mineral deposits in the boiler tubes. Limestone buildup is a common cause of whistling, banging, rumbling, and gurgling. You could also have a bad thermostat, insufficient water flow, or air in the system. Since working on a boiler isn’t usually a DIY project, let your heating service come out troubleshoot the noise.

Dripping and Leaking

If you notice the occasional drip of water around your boiler, it’s normal. Drips help relieve pressure. What isn’t normal are constant drips or puddles of water. Finding water every day directly under the boiler may mean you need to reduce pressure inside the boiler tank. The pressure gauge located on the side of the tank can help you figure out if that’s the issue. Damaged seals or loose joints can also cause water leaks. If you have an old boiler, cracks can pose a more severe problem. In this case, your home heating service in Pittsburgh, PA, may suggest replacing the entire unit. If you notice water puddles or any of the other issues mentioned,  Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is only a phone call away! Contact us at 412-273-1000.

 

The post Common Problems Associated with Your Boiler appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

Sewer piping tends to be “out of sight, out of mind” until there’s, at a minimum, some sort of water backup. That’s just what happened to homeowner Erika Dronen.

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You don’t want your home’s water heater to fail. There’s never a good time for this to happen. But you can help prevent a surprise water heater breakdown if you watch for warning signs the unit needs repairs. Not all water heater failures give off signs they’re headed for trouble, but most do.

Our plumbers are the experts when it comes to water heaters in Surprise, AZ. Below they’ve listed six common warning signs of a water heater in distress. Call them to examine your water heater if you notice any of them.

#1. Water temperature fluctuates

When you turn on a hot water faucet or showerhead, do you feel uncertain about how warm the water will be? This is a warning people often ignore; they think this sort of temperature fluctuation is something to expect. But a water heater should deliver the temperature listed on its aquastat (thermostat). Have a technician look at the unit as soon as you can arrange the service.

#2. Discolored hot water

When you notice a reddish-brown color in the hot water, check to see if other hot taps are experiencing the same issue. If they are, it probably means a sediment build-up in the tank that a professional can fix through flushing the tank. It could also mean the tank is rusting and the water heater has reached the end of the line.

#3. Strange tank noises

The most common strange noise people hear from a water heater is a rumbling sound. Don’t panic if you hear this—the water heater isn’t “about to blow.” But it’s a source of concern because it can mean overheating water or a layer of sediment along the bottom of the tank restricting proper heating. A popping or crackling noise is another sound that should prompt an immediate repair call.

#4. Loss of hot water volume

Are people in your home complaining that they need to get up earlier and earlier to get a shower before the hot water runs out? This is a flashing warning that the water heater is struggling to maintain the normal hot water volume. Several problems could lurk behind this. If you use an electric water heater, loss of hot water often means a heating element in the tank has burned out.

#5. Leaks

Never ignore water heater leaks. The only place where water should escape from the tank is a few drops through the pressure relief valve. Anywhere else, from connection points to the tank itself, requires speedy attention.

#6. Corrosion

Water heaters resist corrosion for most of their service lives. If you notice corrosion on the connection points or the heat exchanger, a repair technician may be able to fix it. But corrosion on the tank tends to mean the water heater must be replaced.

For an extremely old water heater, repairs may not be worth the money. In these cases, you’re better off arranging for a new water heater installation with our team.

The Trusted Plumber is the contractor to call for water heater services. Schedule the repairs you need.

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

Hard water may be one of the most common plumbing problems across the country. An incredible 85 percent of the United States has hard water, so there’s a strong likelihood that you live in a state with hard water problems.

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Stop letting unnoticed leaks drain you of time and money. On average, a  household in Ottawa will use about 400 gallons of water throughout the day, from washing hands to flushing the toilet or taking a shower. But when you have a leak, the plumbing system inside your home may be using way more water than average to get the same job done. When a leak occurs, it’s a race against time—because the longer it goes undetected, the more damage is done.

NEW: The Irish Plumber now offers Plumbing services in River Side South, Ottawa, ON. 

 

Depending on the leak or other plumbing problem, you will need a plumber or leak detection specialist. But what is the difference between a plumber and a leak detection specialist? And why are these professionals so important for fixing leaks?

 

The Difference Between Plumber and Leak Detection Specialist

Leak detection specialists and plumbers both have extensive experience and knowledge when it comes to the intricacies of pipes and drainage, but the two professions are not the same.

 

Plumbers can repair, replace, and install new pipes and other appliances that hook up to the water and plumbing lines of a house or commercial building. Kitchen sinks, toilets, showers and bathtubs, washing machine lines, and hot water heaters are just a couple of the things they can work on. Plumbers can also train to install drain lines or vent pipes and can find clogs in pipes using video sewer inspections.

 

While leak detection specialists are still technically plumbers, they are highly specialized in plumbing and carry a unique set of tools designed for finding precisely where leaks have began. This helps with repairing the leak in the most efficient and economical manner.

 

Leak Detection Tools

As mentioned above, plumbers who specialize in leak detection throughout the Ottawa region will carry a different kind of tool kit than what you may be used to seeing. While plumbers have generalized tools, leak detection specialists have devices designed to find leaks wherever they could be—in the basement, under the front porch, inside an in-ground swimming pool, or anywhere else a leak could spring up.

 

The tools a leak detection specialist uses are designed to do the following:

 

• Pressurizing water meters and lines to find if a leak exists
• Saws that cut through piping and minimize the need for digging up your yard
• Electronic listening devices that can hear if water is escaping from water lines beneath a tile floor or behind a wall
• Infrared detection equipment that can “see” water beneath solid surfaces
• Custom mirrors that can fit into tight spaces, allowing the leak detection specialist to find leaks in hard to see spaces

 

As you can see, a leak detection specialist is kind of like a plumbing sleuth who can sniff out problems in places you may have never imagined. Without the tools, however, the professional would have to do a lot of guesswork, which results in tearing out pipes, digging up drainage and sewage lines, or crawling around the basement. All that extra work the plumber is putting in will undoubtedly increase the price.

 

Call on a trained leak detection specialist in River Side South when you need to find and repair a leak as soon as possible.

 

Why You Should Detect and Fix Leaks Immediately

Finding a leak can feel like finding a needle in a pile of hay, but you need to find those cracks and leaks—fast. Here’s why:

 

• Leaks can lead to damage. Floor, wall, and ceiling water damage can wreak havoc on your household. Floors will warp, walls and ceilings will stain, paint can chip and crack; and if left undetected, the damage will spread to the internal structure and the foundation of your home.
• Mildew growth. Any leak opens up the possibility of moisture. Added dampness that doesn’t go away will eventually lead to condensation, mold and mildew growth, which jeopardizes the health of everyone in your household or office.
• Wasted water. It also impacts the environment to waste water by letting leaks go unfixed. Plus, you end up literally paying for all that wasted water.

 

Locating leaks can sometimes be easy. You might see the kitchen sink dripping more the usual or find the bathroom floor soaked one morning. In those cases, you can contact a local plumber immediately. However, there will come a time when the water bill cost has skyrocketed, or you start to smell mold wafting up through the HVAC vents, or your space suddenly feels more damp in the winter time.

 

That is a surefire sign there is water leaking in from somewhere. Finding a pinhole leak is next to impossible, unless you hire a leak detection specialist. You will get the complete service of leak detection and repair, as well as the guarantee that everything from the affected flooring and walls will be patched up and made good as new.

 

Contact a Plumber or Leak Detection Specialist Today

The Irish Plumber is a professional plumber company with leak detection services offered throughout River Side South to households and commercial properties. Using the latest technology, we can pinpoint leaks faster than ever before, offering more reliable services that you can trust.

 

We assure you that our professionals can fix whatever plumbing problem or leak we find. Even if you have an overnight emergency, we can be there as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the next day to stop a flood.

 

Contact us for more information about our plumbing and leak detection services in River Side South, Ottawa today. Our friendly staff is more than happy to answer your questions or help you set up an appointment with one of our skilled plumbers.

The post Plumbers Versus Leak Detection Specialist appeared first on The Irish Plumber.

The last thing anyone wants to have in their home is an unpleasant smell. The cleanest houses can take on a horrible smell when there are drainage issues. If you catch a whiff of a bad odor coming from your drains, you want to eliminate the smell right away. There are many reasons drains smell. Some fixes are simple while others require professional plumbing installation in Pittsburgh, PA, to replace damaged sewer pipes. Keep reading to learn more about the top 3 causes of smelly drains.

Dried P-Traps

This is a professional plumbing term that refers to the curved part of a drainpipe. The P-trap is designed to trap a small amount of water to stop sewer gases from coming up through the pipe and out the drain into the home. Sometimes, the P-trap dries out and smells. This happens when the sink doesn’t get used regularly. Plumbers find that guest bathrooms and laundry room sinks develop this problem more often than others because they’re used infrequently.

If you suspect this is the problem, run water through the drain for a minute or two. Did the smell go away? Did it come back? Call for plumbing services in Pittsburgh if the problem returns shortly.

Organic Buildup

This is a common problem for kitchen sink drains. These drains handle a large amount of food waste. Over time, the buildup of food particles, grease, fat, and other organic waste rots and causes the drain to smell. Another issue is biofilm buildup. This happens in shower and bathtub drains because of the amount of soap, shaving cream, shampoo, and other substances that buildup in the drain.

Don’t use liquid drain cleaners to get rid of the smell or the buildup. Instead, call your local full-service plumbing company for professional drain cleaning.

Broken Sewer Lines

Have you noticed more than one drain in the house smelling? Does it smell like sewage water? When you have a situation like this, the problem most likely lies deep in the plumbing system in the sewer pipe. Blocked sewer pipes don’t allow sewer gases through, so they back up into the home and smell awful. Another reason you could smell a terrible odor is because the sewer line has broken.

Fixing a broken sewer line isn’t a job you can do yourself. You need the expertise of a plumbing installation contractor who can identify the source of the problem and apply the best solution to fix the problem in a cost—effective and quick manner.

You work hard to keep your home clean. Don’t let drainage issues cause stinky issues in your home. Call the pros for drain cleaning and plumbing installation services in Pittsburgh, PA. Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call us today at 412-273-1000

The post Reasons Why Your Drains Are Stinking Badly appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

We rely upon the drains in our homes to drain water away from taking showers, baths, brushing our teeth, flushing the toilet, doing laundry, running the dishwasher, and more. You would be surprised by how many questions our Katy and Houston plumbers receive about drains—like these questions:

Q. How does the water drain away?

1. There are pipes, vents, and traps that allow gravity to move the water down into the drain lines and out of the home. Gases are vented out the roof through air vents, while U-shaped pipes act as traps to prevent water from coming back up the drain.

Q. Where does the water go?

1. It depends on whether you have a septic system or are connected to the city’s sewer system. With a septic system, typically, waste goes into the septic tank and grey water (from laundry, showers, etc.) flows out drainpipes and is released back into the ground.

With city sewer systems, the water eventually ends up at a treatment plant where it is recycled in some manner and used for other purposes or treated and released back into nature.

Q. Why are there foul odors coming from my drains?

1. Foul odors are the result of built-up “gunk” in the drainpipes like hair, grease, soap, shampoo, food, etc. You can try to get rid of the smell by pouring boiling hot water down the drain. If that doesn’t work, then call your local plumber and schedule a drain cleaning

Q. How often and when should my drains be cleaned?

1. Regular drain cleaning can help prevent clogged drains, prevent foul odors, and keep drains working correctly. Depending on the size of your household and how much “stuff” goes down your drains, you may need drain cleaning annually, every 18 months, or every two years. Your plumber can let you know what schedule works best for your household.

Q. Is it safe to use store-bought drain cleaners and clog removers?

1. These products contain harsh chemicals. They also do not clean or remove clogs from all types of drainpipes. Furthermore, some of these products can be so toxic that they can burn the skin, damage drainpipes, are not safe to use around pets and kids, and are not safe for the environment.

If you have slow-draining drains or a clog, the best tool to use is a plunger. If that doesn’t work, then call your plumber for assistance.

Q. Why are my drains gurgling?

1. Gurgling drains can mean a few different things. There could be air trapped in the pipes, a clog that is starting to form, a damaged sewer line, or your backflow preventer could be damaged. A plumbing inspection can help find out the exact cause for gurgling drains.

Q. Is it safe to flush “flushable” wipes and cat litter?

1. The problem with “flushable” wipes is they do not break down quickly and they get stuck in drainpipes. “Flushable” cat litter can also be problematic, and it leads to eventual clogs.

It is better to get a diaper pail for your “flushable” wipes and to scoop cat litter into plastic grocery sacks. Then dispose of these things in your regular trash.

Q. Is there any way to prevent clogs?

1. You can slow down the progression of clogs by using screens over your drains to keep hair, food particles, and other things from going down the drain. With toilets, only flush toilet paper and waste. With garbage disposals, only put foods in them that was designed to break down.

If you have further questions about drains or drain cleaning or if you need help with clogged drains, please feel free to contact MET Plumbing & Air Conditioning at 281-994-6698 today! We service the greater Houston, Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land, Spring, and The Woodlands areas.

The post Everything You Need to Know About Your Drains and More appeared first on Met Plumbing.

We know, why would your local HVAC contractor be giving you tips to avoid furnace repair? Isn’t that how we make our money?

While we do make a living providing heating repairs, we’d rather perform the heater repairs that are unavoidable than force one of our community members to pay for a fix that could have easily been avoided! So, take this blog post as a little bit of charity while we tell you some of our own personal tips on how to maintain your furnace and eventually avoid frequent repairs.

Furnace repair in Verona, NJ can be expensive! So make sure that when you need to call a professional technician, it’s for a good reason that you’ve done everything in your power to help by yourself.

Change Your Air Filter

We know, this doesn’t seem much like a tip on preventing furnace repair but it absolutely is from our perspective. Often when we get called for a furnace repair, the system has a dirty filter that hasn’t been cleaned for a long time, if ever. Cleaning or changing your air filter makes it easier for air to flow through your furnace, which means it doesn’t have to work as hard to do its job. When an air filter gets clogged, you’re effectively stifling your system and you can absolutely expect repairs in your near future if that’s the case.

Check Your Thermostat Battery

You wouldn’t believe how many calls we get about a malfunctioning furnace, only to find out it’s a problem with the thermostat rather than the furnace. Your thermostat is the brains of your heating operation, so it’s actually quite important to the comfort of your home. That means you need to pay at least a minimal amount of attention to your thermostat when you think there’s a furnace issue. It could be your thermostat’s batter that’s failing, which is a much better problem to have than something seriously wrong with your furnace!

Schedule Furnace Maintenance

If you take anything away from this post, it should be to schedule yearly maintenance for your furnace. While sure, it’s not the cheapest solution we’ve offered, it far and wide produces the best results out of everything we’ve said. Maintenance staves off repairs by having a professional technician look at the interior components of your furnace, fixing minor issues and tuning the rest of the system up in the process. Your furnace will function more efficiently and more effectively after a maintenance visit—guaranteed.

The other benefit that you could receive furnace maintenance is the fact that any upcoming repairs will be noted by your maintenance technician and conveyed to you on a timeline that works. Instead of being surprised every year by an emergency repair that threatens a whole system breakdown, your technician can tell you on your maintenance visit when the next repair will need to be done. This gives you time to budget, plan out, and really understand the lifespan of your system to make an informed decision.

Call the expert furnace specialists at MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. for your heating needs today!

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

What if someone offered you a million dollars to get rid of your heat pump water heater? Would you do it? Of course not! Your heat pump is one of the most important components of your plumbing system, not to mention your comfort! So of course, when something goes wrong with it, it is definitely a cause for concern.

There are quite a few signs that suggest your water heater is in need of repairs, and below, we have outlined a number of them for you. All you have to do is keep reading to find out more. Oh! And remember to contact our team when you need water heater repairs in Orlando, FL.

What Are the Signs You Should Watch For?

Like we mentioned above, there are a number of signs that suggest it’s time to call in a plumber for your heat pump water heater:

Rumbling Sounds

Any strange sounds coming from the tank of a water heater are cause for concern, especially if they sound quite rumbly! But do not fret—your water heater isn’t going to explode. All it needs is a handy dandy repair expert to take a look at it!

Corrosion

Rust and corrosion can certainly be a big deal, especially if you start to ignore it. So, even if you notice the teeniest bit of rust on your system’s tank, be sure to call in a professional right away. It is always better to stay on top of it to prevent further corrosion.

Cold Water

If the water isn’t getting as hot as it should, don’t simply shrug it off and hope it will go away. If you’re finding yourself taking lukewarm showers on a regular basis, it probably means trouble with the heat exchanger, heating elements, or gas burners—all things you’ll want to be addressed right away.

Water Discoloration

When the water coming from the hot water taps takes on a reddish-brown tint, it can mean that there is sediment in the tank or that the inside of the tank is beginning to rust. Therefore, if your water is starting to look more like a scene of a horror movie than it does water, it is definitely time to call for repairs.

Leaks

You can expect to see a few drips coming from the water heater’s pressure release valve. However, water coming from anywhere else is a problem. Be sure to call in a professional plumber right away if your water heater starts to leak!

Call in a Professional ASAP!

If you suspect its time to schedule your water heater repairs, be sure to call in a professional plumber right away! Trust us, only a professional plumber has the tools, training, and experience to safely and correctly handle the complex needs of your system, the first time around. So, what are you waiting for? Get on the phone and call your favorite plumbers today!

Ready to schedule your water heater repairs? All you have to do is contact the team at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. to get started. A trusted plumbing company in Central Florida. 

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