Top 3 Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Compared to other home appliances, the water heater has quite a demanding role. It has to provide hot water on-demand for such activities as bathing, washing dishes and cooking. A water heater also has to withstand constant temperature changes and internal pressure. As such, regular maintenance is vital to ensure the heater remains in peak condition. Here are three water heater maintenance tips:

1.  Flush the tank

Flushing your water heater rids it of sediments such as hard-water minerals such as calcium, sand, and rust. Sediment build-up not only affects your water heater’s efficiency but also leads to clogged lines. Consumer Reports recommend that you flush your tank at least once yearly. When flushing your tank, follow the below steps:

-Shut off the water supply to your water heater as well as the power

-Connect a hose to the water heater’s drain valve. Make sure the other end of your hose is in a place that will not be affected by hot water

-Open the drain valve and allow all the water in your water heater to drain out

-With the drain valve still on, turn the water supply back on and allow the water to drain until the water is clear

Hybrid water heaters: pros and cons

2.  Check the pressure relief valve

You may have noticed a switch located on one side of your water heater with a plastic or copper discharge pipe. This is the pressure relief valve. Its purpose is to prevent pressure build-up in your water heater. If the pressure builds up within the water heater, the pressure relief valve automatically opens. When checking the pressure relief valve, place an empty bucket underneath the discharge pipe and lift the lever. You should notice some water vapor and gurgling sounds as the water gets into the drain valve. If the valve doesn’t automatically snap back, consider having it replaced.

3.  Inspect the anode rod

The anode rod attracts corrosive materials which would otherwise attack the water heater’s exposed stainless steel and other components. It would be wise to replace the anode rod every four or five years. Shut off the power to your water heater and drain a couple of gallons of water. Check the user manual to locate the anode rod and use a wrench to unscrew it. If it is severely corroded, you will need to replace it. Use pipe thread sealant rather than tape on the threads to make the anode rod more effective when reinstalling it.

By observing these maintenance tips, you will mitigate failures before they become costly repairs and prolong the life of your water heater. If you have no idea where to start, let the experts at A to Z Statewide Plumbing do it for you.  Call us at 954-981-2133. We also provide water heater installation services.

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

What to Do If You Need Emergency Plumbing Services 

Most people who are not professional plumbers would rather not deal with plumbing issues, but there’s a range of homeowner reaction to certain situations. A fit, sturdy individual with good DIY skills may feel confident handling such tasks as replacing a leaky faucet or even installing a bathroom sink. On the other extreme of the plumbing comfort zone continuum are those who are reluctant to use a plunger. What the first type may consider no big deal would have the second type on the phone to their plumber’s 24-hour emergency line.

Of course, we at Adams and Son Plumbing are ready to provide the services of our team of master plumbers in all situations. Yet, we know that calling an emergency plumber can be costly. Our April 2018 blog post – “Got a Plumergency?” provides national average costs for specific types of emergency repairs. Being able to tell the difference between an issue that can wait until the next business day and an emergency can save money. However, emergency situations can cause extensive property damage and dangerous, unhygienic conditions, in addition to leaving important fixtures – like toilets – inoperable.

Here’s a point we need to emphasize. No matter how experienced you are in DIY plumbing projects, a plumbing emergency requires repair by a professional as soon as possible! Do not attempt an emergency repair yourself. Further damage could result. Be sure you know where the main water shut-off valve is located on your property, as well as how to turn off the water heater.

Five things that are considered plumbing emergencies

Now that we’ve covered the dangers of false economy in not making an emergency call, here are the leading types of plumbing emergencies, provided by our colleagues at MAC Plumbing and Heating in American Fork, Utah, and the good folks at Experts In Your Home.

1. Water Leak – Obviously, if you wake up to a foot of water in your home, it’s an emergency situation. A burst pipe is one big reason for major water damage. Shut the water off to your house immediately and call a plumber. Once water saturates drywall or the floor, it can cause irreversible damage.

Nevertheless, other issues can be harder to determine. Water may be leaking into areas where you can’t see it easily. Even a small leak can cause plenty of damage and waste many gallons of water. Trace the source of the water as best you can. Feel walls to see if they are wet. Check your flooring – especially if you have carpeting – to see how wet it is. Look all around the outside of your home for large amounts of water. Listen to see if you can hear water flowing. If you see or feel large amounts of water, you have an emergency.

2. Blocked Drain – If you can unclog the sink or tub/shower drain yourself, great! But if not, that blockage could cause water to back up in other parts of the house and cause a flood. Call for a professional plumber to remedy the situation. You’ll save yourself a lot of money and hassle by avoiding a worse situation than one clogged pipe.

3. Clogged Toilet – If you only have one toilet in the house, not being able to use it for the weekend or several hours is not really an option. If you cannot unclog it yourself, be sure the water to it is turned off, the lid is down and that everyone in the house knows not to try and flush it again which could cause it to overflow. Call a plumber immediately to get rid of the clog and avert a messy disaster if the toilet overflows.

Even if you have more than one toilet, leaving the clogged fixture unrepaired will quickly cause unsanitary, unhealthy conditions in your home. It’s still an emergency.

4. Broken or Leaking Hot Water Heater – If the hot water heater is leaking, it’s a major problem. There is no way to contain that much water and keep it cleaned up. Shut the water off to the house and immediately call a plumber. If the unit is not leaking but not heating water, then it’s your call. Is everyone fine with cold showers in the morning or for the weekend? If not, call for emergency repair.

Our September 2019 blog post – “Why Does My Hot Water Never Last Long Enough?” – provides a troubleshooting guide to common hot water heater problems and how to recognize when “trouble” constitutes an emergency.

5. Backed-up Sewer Line – If the backyard is suddenly a swamp and there is a bad odor, your sewer is probably backing up. It’s only a matter of time before the excess water finds its way into your house – and possibly even the neighbors’ homes! You cannot use the toilet, sinks or showers until the sewer line is fixed, so call for a plumber immediately.

Our May 2019 blog post – “The Importance of Maintaining a Clean Sewer” – provides valuable tips on proactive steps you can take to prevent damage to sewer pipes that eventually lead to burst pipes and expensive replacement. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

While you can’t predict when a plumbing emergency will strike, you can count on prompt, professional emergency service from Adams and Son Plumbing. We are a family-owned business with over 50 years in plumbing service. A state-certified plumbing contractor, we have over three generations of master plumbing experience.

Contact us to learn more, and to schedule maintenance, as well as repairs of minor problems to prevent emergencies.

The post What to Do If You Need Emergency Plumbing Services  appeared first on Adams and Son Plumbing Services.

One of the biggest challenges facing municipalities across the country is the maintenance of the hundreds of thousands of miles of public sewer lines and the lateral lines that connect private residences to the public sewage system. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are between 23,000 and 75,000 sewer overflow events every year, most of them caused by deteriorating infrastructure. Local governments are expected to invest billions in repairing these wastewater assets, forcing civic planners to seek out cost-effective solutions that will allow them to deliver the most value with their limited budgets.

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After a summer of almost constant AC use, many homeowners welcome the fall as a time to take advantage of naturally cool air without running the HVAC unit. Though the autumn season represents a period of decreased air conditioning usage and more pleasant ambient temperatures, that doesn’t mean that you should forget about your AC unit altogether. In fact, there are some critical maintenance tasks that should be performed on your AC unit just as summer gives way to the fall. While some of these tasks can be done by homeowners, others are better left to professionals who specialize in air conditioning and heating service and repair.

This fall, make sure that you prepare your AC unit for the downturn in usage and make sure that it is prepared to weather the long winter unscathed. Seasonal check-ups conducted by an air conditioning and heating repair company in Pittsburgh, PA, are always a good idea, and the autumn season is no different. Keep reading to learn a few tips for preparing your air conditioner for the fall.

Change the Air Filter

You should really be changing your air filter monthly, but it’s especially important as you prepare your unit for fall. The autumn season is typically quite dry, and that means that dust, allergens, and airborne pathogens are prevalent in the air both outside and inside your home. The same filter that cleans air for your AC also filters air for your heater, so it’s important to start the fall season with a fresh filter in place.

Schedule an HVAC Check-Up

Professionals know exactly what your AC unit needs to weather the winter, and the fall is a great time to have a preventive maintenance check-up on your HVAC system. During the check-up, ask the technician to check and clean air ducts, check refrigerant, measure airflow on the evaporator coil, verify electric control sequence, inspect electrical connections, oil motors, check and replace belts, and calibrate your thermostat if needed. Those are tasks that the average homeowner can’t perform, so the cost of a maintenance call is well-worth the price.

Clean Up Around the Unit

After a summer of growth, you may have plants and foliage overtaking your outside AC condenser unit. That can be problematic if it restricts airflow and limits the efficiency of your unit. Also, as fall proceeds, your unit may be covered with fallen leaves from deciduous trees. That can also lead to reduced airflow to your unit and can cause problems when you turn the AC back on in the spring. Therefore, it’s a good idea to clean up around your AC unit and make sure that there is plenty of space for air to flow freely. Also, be sure to either clean the coils in the condenser yourself or have a technician take care of that task during your scheduled check-up. The coils gather grime from the presence of condensation and dirt, and in the fall there’s additional dust that can become caked on the coils. Don’t let that grime remain on the coils all winter long, as it can lead to problems when you turn the unit on again next spring.

By taking care of these fall maintenance tasks, you can prepare your AC unit for a season of limited use and make sure that it’s ready to perform again when the temperatures climb as winter ends. To learn more about preparing your AC unit for fall, contact Stahl Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning at (412) 273-1000.

The post How to Prepare Your AC Unit for Fall appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

In thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong with your plumbing system, hard water is not likely something comes to mind. Why? Well for one, things like burst pipes, clogged toilets, and leaky faucets often take precedent. And secondly, many of us are just accustomed to having hard water in our homes.

But here’s the truth: hard water is something to take seriously, for if it’s left untreated, it has the potential to wreak havoc on your plumbing system! So below, we have explained some things we think you should know about hard water, that way you can decide if you want to do something about it. All you’ve got to do is keep reading to find out more!

So, What is Hard Water?

Hard water is basically just water with high concentrations of magnesium and calcium particles. Though these minerals are not harmful to you, they can wreak havoc on your plumbing system, as mineral deposits will start to accumulate on the walls of your pipes. This kind of build-up is often referred to as limescale, which you are likely familiar with.

The Impact of Limescale

There are plenty of reasons to worry about limescale: unsightly drains and faucets, not-so-shiny dishes, and most importantly, damage to your plumbing system. The more limescale builds up inside your pipes, the more it restricts the flow of water through them. This reduces the water pressure in your system and makes it much more difficult for the system to operate effectively. And if the issue isn’t caught right away, the minerals will eventually harden, making it nearly impossible to remove. When this happens, it is quite likely that you’ll end up having to replace some, if not a majority, of the pipes in your home.

What Can Be Done About It?

The best way to address hard water in your home is to have a water treatment system installed, specifically a water softener. A water softener is a kind of water treatment system designed to treat hard water. There are a number of different kinds of water softeners, but they all operate by neutralizing the magnesium and calcium particles in some way.

There are a number of ways to tell if you need a water softener in your home:

• Limescale on faucets and drains
• Watermarks on dishes
• Dry skin
• Faded clothes
• Clogged showerheads

If you’re sick and tired of dealing with hard water in your home, be sure to hire a professional plumber for your water softener installation in Orlando. Only a professional plumber has tools, training, and experience to match you with the water softener that best meets your unique needs and install it accordingly. Yes, there are going to be plenty of amateurs willing to perform these services for a fairly cheap price, but remember, sometimes an attempt to save money could end up costing you much more in the long run. Trust us, when it comes to your comfort, you don’t want to take any risks!

To learn more about our water treatment system services, contact the team at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. today. 

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

No matter how well they’re labeled, how good they smell, or how cheap they are, drain cleaners aren’t a good solution to a clog in your plumbing. We know, it’s a hard pill to swallow, but we’re just trying to help. In fact, most homeowners don’t even know that they tend to do more harm than good when they are used. These volatile liquids will rot away your pipes and leave your system needing much more than just a drain cleaning.

So, you must be wondering what the alternative is? There are several alternatives to chemical drain cleaners, but they all usually involve your local plumber. You see, with your plumbing in Clifton, NJ there are no easy solutions to a drain clog. The best you can hope for is a capable plumber like us to perform a hydro jetting procedure, or use an industrial drain snake to try and pull whatever is clogging your system apart.

However, if you’re still leaning towards the car keys to pick up some industrial cleaner, keep reading and we’ll let you know why we never recommend them.

Innate Toxicity

These chemicals are disgusting and we’re not just talking about our aesthetic preference. No, they’re volatile in a way that will produce fumes that can sting, irritate, and even hurt your nose and eyes. This doesn’t just go for when you open the bottle and pour it down the drain, the fumes linger far beyond when the liquid has been used. If you’d like to keep your bathroom from turning into Chernobyl, we’d recommend refraining from using chemical drain cleaners.

Pipe Destruction

The description on your bottle of drain cleaner might sound convincing. Even the name implies that it will be “cleaning” your drain, but that’s not exactly how they work. You see, chemical drain cleaners contain hydrochloric acid, which pretty much disintegrates anything it comes in contact with. So the “cleaning” you’ve been promised is really just the dissolution of anything inside your drain, including the enamel of your pipes, the expensive furnishes in your kitchen, even the pipes themselves. You wouldn’t believe the number of times we’ve been called in to fix a mistake that these cleaners caused!

Environmentally Unfriendly

These chemical drain cleaners might be terrible for your pipes, but they’re even more terrible for the environment. Since most formulas for these chemical drain cleaners is thick, the bottles that get recycled or thrown out tend to still have some chemical residue left in them. This residue can end up in a landfill and the water supply, which can be pretty awful. Remember those fumes that sting your eyes and nose? Those will end up killing countless animals and poisoning your ecosystem if you’re not careful.

An Abysmal Track Record

Think we’ve convinced you? Well, wait until we tell you that these chemicals don’t even work half the time! As it turns out, drains aren’t always clogged by a blockage in your plumbing system. Sometimes there can be a broken pipe, trouble in your sewer line, or some other hidden issue that’s causing a drain clog. So, dumping chemicals down the drain won’t do anything to solve that problem!

Do us and yourself a favor, call a plumber to give your plumbing the attention it deserves.

Got a clogged drain? Give us a call at Margo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. We can give you a solution that works.

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

When it comes to plumbing problems and plumbing repairs in your Katy- or Houston-area home, it is important to understand what types of pipe fittings and piping are used for plumbing, sewer, and drain lines. There are all sorts of different pipe fittings and piping used. Your home may even have multiple types!

Common Types of Pipe Fittings

Some of the more common types of pipe fittings used in your home’s plumbing system could include:

• Mechanical Sleeve Fittings: This is a type of coupling that connects two pipes together using a clamp or another mechanism to hold the pipes together.
• Plug and Cap Fittings: These fittings are used to close the end of open pipes. They are typically used during plumbing repairs and inspections.
• Valve Fittings: These fittings are typically used in areas where you want to shut off the water—like under sinks or from the main water line coming into the home.
• Adapter Fittings: These fittings are used to connect different types of pipes together, as well as convert them from male to female on the ends.
• Elbow Fittings: Elbow fittings are used when pipes need to change direction and need to be bent to do so without bending the actual piping.
• “Y” Fittings: These look like the letter “Y” and are used to connect three pipes together.
• Coupling Fittings: These fittings are used to connect pipes with the same diameters together. They may also be used when fixing leaks and replacing a damaged section of plumbing.
• Reducer Fittings: Reducers reduce the flow of water through the pipes and are used to connect piping of different diameters.
• Cross Fittings: This fitting is like an “X” and connects four pipes together. There can be a single inlet connection with three outlets or three inlets and one outlet.
• “T” Fittings: This fitting has a single inlet and two outlets and looks like the letter “T”.

Common Types of Piping

Just like pipe fittings, there are several different types of piping you could find in your home, including:

• PEX Piping: This plastic piping is very popular for residential applications. It is flexible, so it is easy to bend and connect together.
• PVC Piping: This is another type of plastic piping used for various plumbing, sewer, and drain lines. Unlike PEX, it is not flexible.
• Copper Piping: Copper is reliable and is also corrosion resistance. However, copper pipes have to be welded or soldered together and could require additional fittings.
• Brass Piping: Brass piping is a mixture of brass that consists mostly of copper. It is rust-resistant and lasts a long time.
• Stainless Steel Piping: Stainless steel is normally used in areas where corrosion is a problem—like in the bathroom.
• Galvanized Piping: You may find this piping in older homes. It is no longer used because rust can form inside the pipes over time.
• Cast Iron Piping: This type of piping may be found in older homes and homes that use natural gas.

The types of fittings and methods used to connect piping together will vary based on the type of piping. When connecting different types of piping, it can require the use of special fittings to prevent leaks.

Whether you have leaky piping, are installing a new dishwasher, or are upgrading your home’s plumbing, it is highly recommended to seek assistance from the experienced plumbers at MET Plumbing & Air Conditioning to avoid unwanted plumbing problems and ensure your piping and pipe fittings are installed correctly.

Call us at 281-994-6698 to schedule an appointment or request a free quote today!

The post Plumbing 101: Everything You Need to Know About Pipe Fittings and Piping appeared first on Met Plumbing.

There are so many different reasons as to why your bathtub drains slowly. Luckily, there are a few simple methods to fix it that could save you from having to call a plumber. A slow bathtub drain can result from any of the following combinations (or all of them):

• a lack of regular drain cleaning
• a buildup of hair
• a buildup of soap, body oil, and other bathing beauty aids

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Changing your HVAC system air filter is one of the basic maintenance tasks you can perform, but it’s also one of the most vital. Having a clean filter can help your system to operate more efficiently, lower your energy bills, and improve the air quality in your home. So, how can you keep your filter in the best condition possible? Read on to learn more about what affects the lifespan of your filter, how to determine when it needs to be changed, and how often you should change it.

Factors That Impact your Air Filter

The frequency with which you must change your air filter will depend on a few different factors. Some things can cause the filter to get clogged much faster, requiring it to be changed more often. One of these considerations is how often you use your HVAC system. If you use your cooling and heating system rarely, one filter could last up to a year. However, if your system is running nearly 24/7, you will need to replace the filter every few weeks to keep everything running properly.

You’ll also need to consider the size of your home. With smaller houses, furnaces and air conditioners don’t need to pump as much air to change the temperature as they would in a larger home. This could result in fewer filter changes. On the other hand, appliances installed in smaller homes are also smaller, which means smaller filters, so the difference could be negligible.

Lastly, think about the air quality in your house. The filter’s longevity is affected by the air inside and outside of your home. If you have poor air quality outside, you may need to change the filter more often. Pets can also lower the air quality indoors, especially if your furry friend sheds a lot. In this case, you will need to switch out the filter every two months. Additionally, if anyone in your home suffers from asthma or allergies, it may benefit them to change the filter even more frequently, or every six weeks.

How to Determine When It’s Time to Get the Filter Changed

Staying on top of your HVAC maintenance is crucial for the health of your family and the health of your appliance. Dirty filters can, over time, cause serious harm to your HVAC system, eventually requiring heating service in Pittsburgh, PA. Ideally, you should check your air filter at least once every month. Take it out of the appliance and hold it up to a light source. If you can’t see any light through it, it’s dirty and should be replaced with a clean one. 

How Often Should You Change the Air Filter

In general, you should aim to replace your air filter every 90 days or so. The longer you use an air filter, the less effective it becomes. As mentioned above, certain factors can impact the lifespan of an air filter, requiring it to be changed either more or less frequently. To learn more about how often you should change your air filter or to get even more tips on maintaining your HVAC system’s efficiency, contact us at Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

The post How Often Should You Get Your HVAC Filter Changed? appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

If you have black specks in your home’s water, something’s not right—and identifying the source of the problem is essential to fixing it and restoring your home’s supply of clean water.

Here’s a look at the most common sources of black specks from tap water and how to get rid of them.

Top 3 Sources of Black Specks in Water

1. Pipe corrosion: Old pipes can begin to corrode after many years of use. When they do, small, irregular pieces of pipe can break off and wind up in your water. Corroded pipes usually end up sending black specks through cold water taps, and these black specks are most apparent when your home’s water has been turned back on by the water company after a shut-off.
2. Pieces of corroded water heater: If you see black specks when you turn on your hot water in the tub, shower, or sink, your water heater is likely corroding, or the water lines to and from the water heater are corroded. It’s not uncommon for black specks to remain on the sides of sinks, tubs, and showers after the hot water has been turned off.
3. Pieces of broken parts: Are the black specks in your water small and rubbery? These could be disintegrated pieces of a rubber gasket, washer, or flexible supply hose. Rubber can begin to break down after years of use or because of disinfectants used in the city’s water supply.

How Do I Get Rid of Black Specks in My Water?

While black specks in your water can be alarming, the good news is that there’s a lot that can be done to get rid of them—and prevent them from coming back!

Depending on the source of your water’s black specks, cleaning up your water could involve:

• Water heater maintenance service
• Water heater repair or replacement service
• Water line repair or replacement
• Faucet repair or replacement
• Water conditioning system installation
• And other plumbing services

To get first-class solutions to restoring your home’s water and maintaining your plumbing system, contact Len The Plumber. Our expert plumbers are ready to help!

Call 800-950-4619 or contact us online for plumbing service in Maryland, Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Washington, D.C.

We proudly offer 24-hour emergency service at no extra charge, as well as flexible financing options and the highest-quality service.

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