Plumbing Tips and Advice (147)
4 Ways to Improve the Performace of Your Water Heater
Tank storage water heaters are one of the most energy intensive appliances in the home, second only to heating and cooling systems. By changing some habits and installing a few simple accessories, you can reduce energy consumption from your hot water heater significantly. 1. Reduce hot water usage at the source. One of easiest ways […]
Read MoreSump Pump Maintenance Tips
The sump pump is one of those plumbing systems that most homeowners don’t think about. A sump pump is designed to turn on automatically when the basement begins to flood. If it malfunctions and doesn’t turn on, it can cause expensive damage to your home. By following a few simple maintenance steps you can reduce […]
Read MoreCan Tankless Water Heaters Get Water as Hot as Conventional Tank Water Heaters?
One of the concerns many homeowners have when making the switch from a conventional tank-style water heater to a tankless, or on-demand water heater, is whether it can get the water as hot as a tank water heater. The short answer is yes. Most tankless water heaters have a thermostat that can be adjusted between 100° […]
Read MoreThe ABC’s of Plumbing – Shutoff Valves
When it comes time to repair or replace a plumbing fixture in the home, the first thing you will want to do is look for the shutoff valve. Shutoff valves allow for plumbing work to be performed in a specific section of the house without turning of the water supply to the entire home. Here […]
Read MoreThe Advantages and Disadvantages of Tankless and Tank-Style Water Heaters
When choosing a new water heater there are several types to choose from. Each offers advantages and disadvantages, here is a comparison, starting with the most popular water heater designs. Storage Hot Water Heaters Advantages Available in a wide range of sizes Inexpensive to purchase and install Energy source gas or electric Average EF rating 0.67 […]
Read MoreThe ABC’s of Plumbing – Pressure Booster Pump
Low water pressure in the home can have many causes. If pressure is low for the entire house, it could be a supply problem from the well or city’s municipal water supply. Your plumber can help you identify the specific cause and offer solutions. If the municipal water supply can’t deliver enough water pressure, one […]
Read MoreThe ABC’s of Sewer and Drains – Water Jetting
Water jetting is one of the most effective tools a plumber has for cleaning and maintaining home sewer and drain lines. While cable machines (also known as drain snakes) can remove tough clogs and obstructions, they are not as effective at removing residue like grease that can cling to the inside of sewer and drain […]
Read MoreThe ABC’s of Plumbing – Repiping
Because plumbing systems don’t last forever and issues with pipes can arise over time, repiping is often necessary at some point in the life of a plumbing system. A key factor in determining whether repiping is necessary is the age and type of pipe material. For supply lines, these materials include: Brass 80-100 year lifespan […]
Read MoreThe ABC of Sewer & Drains – Pipe Bursting
While pipe bursting may sound like a catastrophic failure of a plumbing system, it’s actually one of the least destructive ways to repair a home sewer line as part of a process called trenchless sewer line repair. Instead of digging up the yard to repair the sewer line, a very strong cable is pulled through […]
Read MoreThe ABC’s of Plumbing – ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law, passed in 1990, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. The term “disability” means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individuals. Among the provisions in the law are requirements that have a role […]
Read MoreNeighbors Are Saying About ABC