Beware These Potential Tankless Water Heater Woes

July 8th, 2019

woman-looking-surprised-and-concernedThe tankless water heater has become a preferred choice for many homeowners today. They keep up with the demand of the majority of households in our area—so long as they are properly sized for your home. They also help you cut down on energy bills, and won’t “run out” of hot water in the way that standard storage tank water heaters do.

Another very big benefit of choosing a tankless system for your water heating needs is that they typically require far fewer repairs over their lifetime than storage tank water heaters. This doesn’t mean yours will never need any repairs, however. Any type of water heater can encounter operational issues that require the assistance of a professional to fix. We’ll take a look at some potential water heater malfunctions below.

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How to Optimize Your Kitchen Design in a Remodel

June 24th, 2019

beautiful-kitchenAs we progress into summer, it’s a great time of the year to start on home remodeling projects. It’s important to remember, of course, that remodels take a lot of work, and some of this work may require the assistance of an experienced professional.

This is especially true when that remodel includes something like your kitchen, which in addition to beautiful cabinetry and new flooring you also have your plumbing to consider. And to address the title of this blog post, the best way to optimize your kitchen design in a remodel is with your plumbing! What do we mean? Read on!

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Do You Detect a Plumbing Leak?

June 10th, 2019

woman-looking-surprised-holding-glasses-on-face::drip, drip, drip::

This is the sound of a rather obvious plumbing leak, probably coming from somewhere like your kitchen or bathroom sink. In the middle of the night, when you’re trying to sleep—but all you can concentrate on is that noise.

This is one of those cases where you clearly know you have a plumbing leak. There is no detection needed. You can call a plumber and ideally have it repaired right away as it’s likely a loose valve failing to shut off the water flow.

Not all plumbing leaks are so… “visible,” though. Given that the majority of your plumbing system is hidden behind walls or beneath the slab of your home’s foundation, you could actually be suffering from plumbing leaks you don’t even know about until it’s too late and you have an emergency on your hands.

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How Hard Water Impacts Your Plumbing and Quality of Life

May 27th, 2019

bathroom-sink-faucet-turned-onYou’ve likely heard of hard water before, but do you know what it is?

This is what occurs when there is a high level of minerals in your tap water—namely magnesium, calcium, and potentially iron as well. These minerals are not unhealthy to ingest, so that’s not a concern. However, they can definitely have a negative impact on your plumbing, and subsequently your quality of life!

With the right plumber in St. Charles, MO, we can assess your water treatment needs, whether it is installing a water softener or determining what other problems might exist with proper water quality testing. Since today we’re focusing on hard water, we’ve outlined below some of the signs you should watch out for that indicate your home is suffering from this issue.

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3 Things to Avoid in a Bathroom Remodel

May 13th, 2019

interior-of-bathroom

Remodeling any part of your home can and should be an exciting project, increasing the utility and aesthetics of the room you choose. This is a great time of year to plan such an undertaking, since weather rarely becomes a factor—unlike winter when snow and cold complicate matters.

When it comes to a bathroom remodel, proper planning with a trained plumber and contractor is vital regardless of what season it is. This lets you get a good idea of what’s possible, and spells out the specifics well before you start spending serious money on your project. To stay on track, plan the perfect bathroom remodel using expert advice from the start.

While there are clearly going to be very big similarities, every bathroom is different, and this can impact the overall goals of your bathroom remodel. Your plumbing contractor can help you nail down the details for your specific needs. There are a few general guidelines and common mistakes to think about that will help you in the planning stages. We’ve outlined them below.

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Deciding What to Keep and What to Lose in a Kitchen Plumbing Remodel

April 29th, 2019

mother-and-daughter-in-kitchenThe kitchen is often called “the heart of the home” in just about any home. Maybe you sit at your kitchen island to enjoy a cup of coffee or two each morning before going to work. Maybe your family gathers around the kitchen table each evening and has conversations about your day. Regardless of your relationship with your kitchen, you deserve to have a room that suits your unique tastes and preferences.

That said, if the kitchen isn’t the one you necessarily wanted when you bought your home, you may be looking to remodel. If this is the case, there are a lot of considerations for you to make.

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When You Should Upgrade Your Water Heater

April 15th, 2019

water heaterA water heater that is routinely maintained once a year and receives prompt repairs can last a long time. In fact, you’ve probably had the same water heater working for you since you moved into your current home, right?

Well, while this longevity is impressive, all good things must eventually come to an end. Eventually, you’ll need to replace the water heater at some point in the future, when it no longer can do the job it’s supposed to. You may think you can get by with just a repair, but at some point not even that will help and you’ll be forced to upgrade your water heater.

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Store Bought Drain Cleaners Will Ruin your Plumbing

April 1st, 2019

drain-with-water-bubblingWe wish this was an April Fool’s Day joke, but the fact is, it’s true. Using store-bought drain cleaners will slowly but surely ruin your plumbing.

We get it, when you go to the store in search of an affordable solution for your clogged drains, it’s easy to grab a jug of chemical liquid drain cleaner and call it a day. After all, these are targeted to homeowners and renters looking to quickly clear up their drains that have slowed or stopped. This is particularly true in bathrooms, where drains are often clogged up with hair. Any professional plumber, however, will advise you against this.

Keep reading to learn more about these drain cleaning “solutions” and why they aren’t solutions at all.

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Heed These Signs You Need a New Water Heater

March 18th, 2019
Smiling plumber holding a red wrench next to indoor plumbing and water heater system.

You know what would be great? If all the appliances and equipment we use in our homes to maintain and improve comfort lasted forever, with no need for repair or replacement. Unfortunately, this is just not the case, and your water heater definitely isn’t an exception to the rule. This system goes through a lot of wear and tear, especially when you consider just how much use it gets each and every day to help you clean, bathe, wash clothes and dishes, and more.

What Does Outdoor Plumbing Repair Involve?

  • Fixing leaks or cracks in outdoor faucets, pipes, and spigots
  • Repairing or replacing damaged irrigation and sprinkler lines
  • Clearing clogs from outdoor drains and downspouts
  • Addressing burst or corroded underground water lines
  • Inspecting for damage caused by weather, soil shifts, or root intrusion
  • Preventing water waste, landscape damage, and costly future repairs

You need your water heater to work flawlessly every day, all year long. This is why it’s important to keep up on maintenance and repairs. But when are repairs just not enough anymore? At what point to do you admit you need a new water heater? We could tell you “when it has reached 20 years old” and leave it at that. But this will really depend on how well cared for your water heater is, as well as what the manufacturer’s expected lifespan is for the system. Read on to learn some signs that it is, in fact, time to replace your tank water heater.

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Is It Time to Schedule a Drain Cleaning?

March 4th, 2019

plumber-working-with-drain-snakeThe drain and sewer system connected to your home is one of the most important components of your plumbing system. If the drain system isn’t maintained as it should be, it can cause serious problems for the entire plumbing system. Fortunately, it’s actually pretty easy to keep your drain system in good shape.

All it takes is scheduling drain cleaning service on a routine basis—once a year—as a part of your overall plumbing maintenance. Still though, it may end up that you need drain cleaning between maintenance appointments, and therefore it’s important to know the signs you should watch for if this is the case.

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