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Things You Should Never Put down the Garbage Disposal
Want to keep your garbage disposal running for years? The easiest thing to do is to avoid putting certain things into it that can cause clogs are damage. Coffee Grounds. Talk to any plumber, and he’ll have war stories for you about the dreaded coffee ground sludge clog. Best way to avoid it? Do not…
Garbage disposals: How do they work?
Often we assume garbage disposals are simply comprised of a motor powering a set of rotating blades that work to cut up our food. However, garbage disposals are a lot more complicated than that. Here’s how they work: Inside the garbage disposal, a metal plate with a hole in the middle spins around. The hole…
The Stubborn Clog (And How to Fix It!)
We all have that one drain in our house that just refuses to clear. You’ve probably tried many different fixes, and none of them seem to work. Luckily, there are other ways you can try to clear this stubborn clog if you have the time and money. Before fixing the clog, you may want to…
Water Heater: An Annual Inspection Can Eliminate Surprises
Want to avoid waking up to find your shower water won’t heat up? Then it’s a good idea to have your water heater inspected annually. Here are some of the things that a professional will do during an annual water heater inspection to help keep you in hot water all year around. Is it time…
Water Heater Maintenance: The Most Common Problems
What are the most common problems for water heaters? Is it time to call a professional? Water Leaking from Bottom of Tank: While this can be due to normal condensation, it’s important to be able to make sure it’s not a hole in the tank that’s causing a leak. No Hot Water: If you have…
Water Heater Efficiency and Safety: a Few Quick Tips
What’s the right temperature? For energy savings and ensuring the safety of small children, many consumer organizations recommend setting your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees. However, it’s also important to know that water temperatures below 120°F can enable unhealthy bacteria to grow inside your water heater. So, consider both when determining an appropriate temperature for your…
Plumbing Tips: How to Deal with Frozen Pipes
Picture this. It’s the middle of November on a Sunday morning, and you’re deep in a Pennsylvania freeze. Go figure. You turn on the water, but nothing comes out. Frozen pipe. Maybe it’s your first home, or you’re new to the area. Or perhaps you’re in a new house and didn’t realize you had an…
Plumbing Maintenance: Detecting a Slow Drain Before It’s a Problem
Slow drains can feel like a problem that just never goes away. You think you’ve cleared it – and it’s back a week or two later, water pooling in the sink. Although it may not seem like a big deal, it may be a sign of a bigger problem. Click here for treating clogged bathroom…
Bathroom Drain Maintenance: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!
Bathroom sink drains can creep up on you. One day they’re working fine, then the drain begins to slow. How do you prevent your bathroom drain from slowing? Click here for treating clogged bathroom drains. Here are a couple of tips to keep your drains running smoothly. Clear the drains routinely Every week or two, take…
Water Heater Maintenance: Do-It-Yourself or Call a Professional?
When it comes to your water heater, how do you know if it’s better to do-it-yourself or call a local plumber? Here are a few guidelines to help you decide. Is your water Heater making noise? Are you able to diagnose the problem? Once you know the symptoms of your water heater, you can search…
Water Heater: Time to Repair or Replace?
Strange noises coming from your water heater? Is the temperature of your hot water fluctuating day-to-day? Noticing leaks coming from your water heater? These are all common problems that occur with water heaters. But how do you determine whether it’s time to repair or replace it? It’s possible your water heater is simply wearing out…
Why Does my Water Take so Long to Heat Up?
Have you ever turned on the hot water for a shower, only to be in for a surprise when it comes out ice-cold? It’s possible your water heater is simply wearing out from many years of use, and it’s time for a new one. Check out these advantages of having a new water heater. So…
A Little Water Heater History
Now a staple of our homes, the automatic water heater began as a vision. While Norwegian Edwin Ruud is credited with creating the first automatic storage water heater back in 1889, others had begun the exploration before him. The Geyser Benjamin Waddy Maughan devised an early system where water was heated as it poured into…
Water Heater Maintenance: What Is an Anode Rod and Is It Time to Replace It?
You may not know it, but water heaters are built with safety in mind. One of the best examples of this in action is an anode rod. But what is an anode rod? Is your water heater up to code? An anode rod is a long metal rod that sits in your water heater. It…
Water Heater Safety: Is Your Water Heater up to Code?
Plumbing codes are in place to protect homeowners from dangerous situations such as fire, explosions, and leaks. If you’ve recently purchased a new home or are considering buying a new water heater, here are a few guidelines that you need to be aware of to ensure your water heater is safe to operate. Can a…
Water Heater Temperature: How to Measure and Where to Set It?
It’s easy to check the temperature of your hot water. Follow these four steps. Why does it take so long for my shower to get hot water? Select the fixture you want to test (kitchen sink, bathroom, shower, etc.) Turn on only the hot water and let it run for three minutes (this will clear…
A New Water Heater Can Actually Save You Money
It may seem counterintuitive, but buying a new water heater can save you money. Here’s how: Is it time to replace your water heater? Energy Efficiency Water heaters benefit from technological change. The water heater you bought 10 or 15 years ago has evolved. And, with a focus on conservation and efficiency, you’ll find that…
Can a Water Heater Explode?
Although water heaters are equipped with several safety features, they can stop functioning properly and, in some cases, explode if not maintained or checked. While routine checks and maintenance will prevent this, here are three things that can cause a water heater to explode: Is it time to replace your water heater? Temperature set too high…
Surprise! A Quality Water Heater Can Change Your Life
While we often focus on the technical specs of water heaters – efficiency ratings, heating mechanisms, or safety features – a good water heater can positively impact your quality of life. Is it time to replace your water heater? Peace of Mind and Safety Is your water heater is near the end of its life…
Three ‘Must-Have’ Features for Your New Water Heater
Water heaters serve a vital purpose in our home – and are taken for granted until something goes wrong. Then there’s a panic to repair it or buy a new one. Before you find yourself in a frenzy, a basic understanding of what to look for in a quality water heater is essential to know. …
Water Leaking from the Top of Your Water Heater?
A leak from the top of your water heater may be less serious than one from the bottom. Before you diagnose the problem, the first order of business should be to shut off the gas or electrical circuit that powers the water heater. Don’t turn off the cold water just yet, as certain leaks can…
Important Things to Know About Your Water Heater
Understanding the basic functions of your water heater only takes a few minutes but can be crucial to preventing or controlling a leaking or malfunctioning tank. Here are several things to know about your water heater in case of an emergency:
How to Shut off the Water Heater in Case of a Leak
If your water heater is leaking, you can minimize water damage by shutting off the source of water to the tank. But you need to take some precautions to ensure your safety. To shut off the water heater:
Water Leaking from the Bottom of Your Water Heater?
A leak at the bottom of your water heater can be alarming, but often has an easy solution. First, let’s try to figure out where and why it’s happening.
My Water Heater is Making Noise. What Does this Mean?
It’s not uncommon for a water heater to make noises – specifically crackling and popping. But what do these water heater noises mean? Should I be concerned? Is it time to replace my water heater? Popping or Crackling Noises in your Water Heater The popping noises signify a sediment buildup in the tank. Over time,…
Why It Makes Sense to Hire a Professional to Install Your Water Heater
Look, we get it. The temptation to save a few dollars has you considering buying a water heater from a big box store and doing the installation yourself. But before you’re knee-deep in water, understand that a water heater can be a complicated appliance to install, and doing it yourself could harm you and potentially…
Advantages of a Traditional Water Heater
Although a tankless water heater can be a good choice for homeowners in certain situations, traditional water heaters still have certain advantages. 1. Traditional water heaters with tanks have cheaper initial costs. Average cost and installation for a traditional water heater costs in the neighborhood of $1,000 (according to HomeAdvisor’s national average data). Compare that…
What Size Water Heater is Right for You?
When it’s time to replace your water heater, you want a water heater that’s the right size for your home. Here’s how to figure it out. When choosing your water heater, first figure out your home’s first-hour rating (also known as an FHR). A home’s FHR indicates the amount of hot water a water heater…
Signs It May Be Time to Replace Your Water Heater
A water heater is something most homeowners don’t think a lot about. It sits in the garage or basement and provides the hot water for the household. But your water heater can cause significant problems if not replaced at the end of its life span. Here are five signs it may be time to replace…
Plumbing Tips: Installing a Low-Flow Shower Head to Save Water
If you’re looking for ways to save water, start with the showers. Showers consume the most amount of water in a home – up to 25% of our total usage (and in third place after toilets and washing machines). And water is expensive. By installing a low-flow showerhead, you can put yourself on the path…