Holiday Plumbing Tips for a Happy Home

November 23rd, 2020

couple-cooking-holiday-dinnerIt seems like we blinked and then the holiday season was upon us, right? Like it or not, it’s time to start making plans—and of course this year those plans are going to look a lot different than we thought they would. Still though, whether it’s your adult children coming over or a few people in your “quaranbubble” the fact is that you might be having guests over for the holidays. And with guests comes an increased demand on your plumbing system, believe it or not.

Read on as we uncover some of the most common plumbing repair calls we get this time of the year, and learn what to do about them.

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Water Heater Installation: Should You Go with a Tank or Tankless?

November 9th, 2020
Hot water flowing from a faucet with steam rising, indicating tankless water heater installation.

If there is any appliance in the average home that gets taken the most for granted, we’re going to hazard a guess and say it’s the water heater. We rely on these systems the most out of all the other systems in our home, but don’t typically think about them, until something goes wrong.

What are the benefits of installing a tankless water heater?

Installing a tankless water heater provides on-demand hot water, greater energy efficiency, and a longer lifespan compared to traditional tanks. These units save space, reduce standby energy loss, and offer lower utility bills over time. While initial installation can be more expensive, the long-term savings often outweigh the upfront cost.

And when something goes wrong that leads to water heater replacement, you’ll probably be tempted to rush into a purchase to get your comfort back as quickly as possible. We really want to encourage you to do your research though, and get our help determining what type of water heater is best for you. Sure, you can go with another tank water heater if that’s what you’ve always had. But what if a tankless system could serve you better? A good place to begin is by understanding which water heater fits your needs. Read on to learn more!

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Are Your Pipes Knocking? Here’s What to Do!

October 26th, 2020

two-horizontal-copper-pipesImagine this scenario: you’re peacefully sleeping or relaxing in your home, and then all of the sudden your peace is disrupted by a persistent knocking noise. It’s not coming from the front door—rather, it’s coming from… inside your walls!

No, this probably isn’t the sign of a haunted house. A much more likely scenario is that what you’re heating is your plumbing pipes knocking. This is definitely not a sound to be too alarmed by, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore the problem either, and that can cause plumbing problems like pinhole leaks and loose plumbing joints.

Read on as we dive into what causes knocking pipes and what you can do about it.

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The Factors That Cause Toilet Troubles

October 12th, 2020

hand-flushing-toiletOne of the most common calls we get in regards to toilet plumbing is about a toilet that won’t stop running. It sounds like a bad joke, but unfortunately, it’s actually a reality for many homeowners throughout the country. Fortunately, though, it’s not a serious problem. Not for our plumbers, anyway.

But it’s definitely an issue you want to take care of right away. Not only is it a nuisance to listen to that running toilet, but this problem also wastes water.

Read on as we dive into your toilet—dive into what’s causing your toilet problems, that is!

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Do Tank Water Heaters Need Maintenance?

September 28th, 2020

water-heater-tankThe short answer to this is “yes,” which might leave you wondering why. We have the answers you seek!

First off, have you heard of hard water before? This is water with a high presence of minerals in it–namely magnesium and calcium, and sometimes even iron. For most people. these minerals are completely harmless to ingest. Unfortunately, though, it leads to scaling, which damages your plumbing.

Scaling is the name given to the deposits that get left behind due to these minerals, and they can impact your water heater worse than any other portion of your plumbing system. While scale can be cleaned relatively easily from a faucet, it’s not so simple when it comes to your water heater. Read on to learn more, and when you’re ready to schedule water heater maintenance reach out to our team!

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Water Heaters: Will Going Tankless Benefit You?

September 14th, 2020

tankless-systemIf there is any appliance that homeowners take for granted, we’d safely bet that it’s the water heater. You know, until something goes wrong with it! Water heaters are the most often used appliance in any given home, and when something goes wrong with it you’re typically faced with costly repairs or replacement.

Any water heater should be replaced when it has reached a couple of decades in age, or if it’s showing any signs of corrosion. Another reason to replace your water heater is if it simply isn’t working as efficiently as it used to.

Let’s say you’re considering a replacement, what should you replace it with? Many homeowners are only familiar with storage tank-style water heaters and tend to stick with that model. But going tankless has many benefits depending on your needs. Read on to learn if going tankless would benefit you and your home.

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5 Signs a Water Heater Is at the End of Its Service Life

August 31st, 2020

water-heater-leakingWater heaters look like sturdy devices. They should be: they’re essential parts of any home and must work almost every day of the year. As long as the water heater serving your household was professionally installed and receives routine maintenance each year, it should last more than a decade and possibly two.

But the end comes eventually for any water heater, and to head off possible loss of hot water to your house and other headaches, you want to catch the early signs that your water heater is in the final stages. Below are the five most common signs you’re ready for a water heater replacement.

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3 Common DIY Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes

August 17th, 2020
Hands framing a bathroom sink concept with partial sketch overlay, illustrating bathroom remodeling plans.

DIY projects are fun, right? Not only that, but they’re affordable! These are two great reasons for you and your family to engage in them. But when does a DIY project go too far? Well, potentially when it leaves you with more damage than remodeled parts, and a need to call in a professional plumber to fix mistakes that were made.

That’s not to say these mistakes were your fault, of course. But the fact of the matter is, our plumbers go through a lot of training and have extensive experience with jobs of this caliber, and they know how to avoid the most common of DIY mistakes. What are these mistakes, exactly? We have 3 to share below! For broader guidance, you can also review tips for successful bathroom remodeling before starting your project.

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What to Know about Your Kitchen Remodel

August 3rd, 2020

modern-open-floorplan-kitchen

American homes throughout the decades have been built with the kitchen serving as the central focal point, for the most part. For this reason, when folks move into an older home, it’s typically the first thing they want to remodel. That’s great! There are definitely some factors to keep in mind though.

Sure, you’ve considered the outward appearance of your kitchen. But what about the hidden plumbing components? The water line that runs to your dishwasher, the one that runs to your fridge, and of course, your kitchen sink and garbage disposal system? And let’s not forget to mention your gas lines, if you use a gas-powered stove!

As you can see, a kitchen remodel isn’t a job to just jump into without some thought. Fortunately, we’re here to help with the process. 

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Tips for Finding the Right Water Heater

July 20th, 2020

tank-water-heater-in-corner-of-garageWater heaters are one of those things that many homeowners take for granted, even though it’s something that’s used every single day—could you imagine showering without hot water?

When it comes time to replace this system or install one in a newly constructed home, you want to make sure you’re getting one that matches your household’s specific needs, and isn’t going to cost more than necessary to run, right?

One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make in this case, then, is whether to go with a traditional storage-tank water heater or do something different and go tankless. But what’s the difference? And is one better than the other? Read on to learn more about both systems. 

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