Performance Plumbing Blog: Posts Tagged ‘St. Louis’

Does Your Tankless Water Heater Need Maintenance?

Monday, September 30th, 2019

tankless-water-heaterThe short answer to this is going to be “probably!” But we promise to elaborate.

When it comes to standard storage tank model water heaters, it’s clear why they need maintenance. They have several moving parts that work together to ensure the water that enters your home is safe for drinking, bathing in, cooking with, and cleaning with. There is one part in particular—the anode rod—that must be visually checked by a professional each year to ensure that the water heater isn’t about to fall victim to rust and corrosion.

But this is all because this type of water heater stores water, whereas a tankless system doesn’t. So does it really need maintenance? Well, if you have hard water in your community and/or your water heater is set to a high temperature, yes, yes it does.

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How to Choose the Right Water Heater (for Your Home)

Monday, August 19th, 2019
tank-water-heater

If we were to name an appliance you probably take the most for granted, what would it be? Assuming you got the hint in the title of this blog post, you know that it’s your water heater.

Water heaters are those systems that we all use every day, and we honestly don’t think much about them, until something goes wrong, that is. But choosing the right water heater for your specific home and needs can make a huge difference in efficiency, and therefore a difference in water bills.

Interested in learning more? Read on!

What factors determine the best water heater for your home?

The best water heater for your home depends on household demand, energy efficiency, and available installation space. When planning water heater service, professionals evaluate several key factors:

  • Number of people in the home and daily hot water usage
  • Tank vs. tankless water heater systems
  • Energy source such as gas, electric, or hybrid
  • Tank size or required flow rate
  • Energy efficiency and operating costs

Professional water heater services help ensure the system is properly sized and installed for reliable, efficient hot water.

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Signs You Have a Plumbing Problem

Monday, August 5th, 2019

plumber-working-on-pipe-under-sinkWithout access to the right professional equipment (and experience), it can be very difficult to detect a plumbing problem. After all, most of your plumbing system is hidden from sight, and the problems that usually impact it are subtle to start out with.

This is a big part of the reason we recommend you schedule preventive plumbing maintenance on an annual basis. But, even that doesn’t mean a problem can’t happen between maintenance sessions. Beware the symptoms we’ve listed below, and should you notice any of them in your home, be sure to give our plumbers a call right away.

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Drain Cleaning: Are You Doing It Right?

Monday, July 22nd, 2019

plumber-unclogging-drain-with-drain-snakeThe short answer to this is, if you’re using store-bought, chemical-based drain cleaners to relieve clogs, then no, you’re not doing it right.

Using these chemical “solutions” is no solution at all and can actually do more harm than good to the health of your plumbing system. Sure, it may solve the problem in the short term, however, it will only exacerbate the problems you’ll face later.

Read on to learn more about why you shouldn’t use store-bought chemical drain cleaners, and how to clean drains the right way.

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Beware These Potential Tankless Water Heater Woes

Monday, 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

Monday, 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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3 Things to Avoid in a Bathroom Remodel

Monday, 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

Monday, 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

Monday, 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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Heed These Signs of Plumbing System Problems

Monday, January 7th, 2019

white pvc pipe with blue cloth tied around itNobody wants to deal with a plumbing problem. But, they’re sometimes inevitable, and what makes them an even bigger problem is they are often hard to detect without professional equipment, and experience. Most of your plumbing system is hidden from view, after all. The problems that typically affect this system are subtle to start, which is part of the reason why we recommend scheduling preventive maintenance at least once a year.

However, you should also familiarize yourself with some of the warning signs that your plumbing system is, in fact, experiencing some sort of problem. This way, on the rare chance that an issue occurs between your plumbing maintenance appointments, you can detect it fairly quickly and contact us right away for repairs.

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