Monday 28 December 2015

Common Problems With Water Heaters

If you enjoy a hot shower every day, then you can thank your home’s water heater for providing you with much needed heated water. This is an intricate device that is needed not only for your own pleasure but also for ensuring that your dishwasher and laundry machine are also given efficient hot water. A problem with the device can result in numerous inconveniences, so if you detect a problem, then you will likely need to call a plumber to come out to remedy the situation.

The most obvious sign that there is a problem with your home’s water heater is if you are not receiving any hot water. In the event that you turn on your shower and there is no hot water coming through, then an issue likely lies with the heater. This is especially the case if the problem persists for several days on end. No hot water in your washer can also affect the quality of the wash you get. Your clothes may not be cleaned thoroughly, and this can result in its own set of inconveniences.

Another way to tell that your water heater could use a little maintenance is if you start hearing noises coming from it. These sounds could be the result of the heater starting to deteriorate, so all the mechanisms are not working as they should. Additionally, the noises could be the result of sediment deposits finding their way into the heater and causing problems. Your home’s heater may be tucked away from everything else, so you may not hear sounds unless you are right next to it. Make sure to pay it a visit every so often to make sure everyone looks and sounds all right.

If an excessive buildup of sediment forms, then another issue you are going to encounter is the stench of rotting eggs. Again, you will likely only encounter this problem is you are close to the device. Rotting egg smells could also be a sign of an issue with your gas line, but no matter where it is coming from, you need to contact a professional immediately to visit your home and fix the problem as soon as possible.

In order to get your day-to-day routine back on track, you are going to need a fully operational water heater. For effective water heater repair in Oceanside, you can visit this website to read through more information. Do not live with a lack of heated water when repairs are easy to get.

2015 Solar/Hydronics Code offers uniformity

In response to a growing interest in residential and commercial solar energy systems, IAPMO first developed and published the Uniform Solar Energy Code... read more

What to Do When Your AC Breaks


During the intense summer heat, you are probably very thankful you have an air conditioning unit to keep your house cool. If it breaks, then you are going to be feeling the heat. Routine maintenance to prevent an AC from breaking down, but if issues do come up, then there are steps you can take to get it repaired.

Find the ID Number

By finding the ID number of your AC unit, you can help speed up the process of getting it fixed. You can tell the professional over the phone what kind of system you have, and this will let him or her know what parts are needed.

Get a Quote

It is a very good idea to get a reliable quote from a company you are thinking of doing business with. This will give you a good sense of what you can expect to pay, and you can shop around to see if it is around the average price for this kind of job.

Check the Warranty

Depending on the age of your air conditioner, it may still be under warranty. If that is the case, then you may be able to get repairs at no or little cost.

A few simple steps can make the repair or replacement process go by so much more smoothly. Check out this website to find effective AC repair in Encinitas.

Tuesday 22 December 2015

Bathroom Sink


The bathroom is a place to relax. Keep it comfortable by making sure all your sinks and plumbing fixtures are working as they should. 


How to Quickly Get Hair Unclogged From Your Drains

Clogged drains are an incredibly common plumbing problem. Hair is the typical culprit, especially in the shower because a little probably falls off every time you wash your hair. Luckily, there are numerous ways to unclog your drains so that they start flowing freely once again.

Boiling Water

Grab a pot and pour some water in it. Boil it until it is hot and then you can slowly pour it down the drain. You may need to do this two or three times in order to reap all the benefits. You should wait for a little bit in between each pour in order to give the boiling water time to work.

Drain Snake

You can pick up a drain snake at most tool shops and even large retail stores. Snakes are incredibly flexible, and you can send it down into the drain to remove all the hair that is obstructing the flow.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Mix one-third cup vinegar with one-third cup baking soda. Once you do this, you will notice it begin to fizz. You should immediately pour this solution down the clogged drain. You may need to let it sit for an hour or so, and then you should pour hot water down the drain.

There are plenty of do-it-yourself solutions to unclogging drains. For more complicated plumbing jobs, you may need a professional. Check out this website to learn more about drain cleaning in Santa Cruz. 

HVAC Fun & Profit with the Internet of Things

Ask yourself, when is the last time you sold a job at 200% margin? Chances are you’re still struggling to pull in 20% to 40% margins on owner direct, key....read more

Monday 21 December 2015

Common Problems With Water Heaters

Water heaters are such an essential component of indoor plumbing that you may not notice how often you need it until it stops working. While many water heater problems are easily repaired, some may mean you need an entirely new unit. Continue reading to find out more about common issues with water heaters that you may experience.

Problems Regulating Temperature

If you are unable to get enough hot water, or you have water that is either too hot or too cold, you may have a problem with your water heater’s thermostat or a broken heating element. These components are typically easy and fairly inexpensive to repair.

Noisy Operation

Water heaters that make clanging or banging noises could have sediment build-up inside the tank or broken and burnt-out elements that need replacing. Any time you hear your water heater making strange and unfamiliar noises, you will want to get it checked out.

Leaks and Standing Water

A leaking water tank can be a big problem. Standing water in a drain pan or finding water at the base of the tank can mean water damage to your floors or possibly even flooding in your home. There are no repairs for a leaking water tank—it will need to be replaced entirely.

Although you probably rarely think about your water heater, if it stops working properly, it can be more than just an inconvenience.If you experience any of these common water heater issues, visit this website to learn more about water heater repair in San Marcos.

Find Solutions For Your Plumbing Issues


You can solve your home’s plumbing issues by selecting a professional plumbing company that has a record of quality service and jobs that are done right the first time, every time. 


Three Ways Plumbers Can Help Save You Money Over Time

Plumbing problems can cause big headaches for homeowners, and make for expensive as well as time-consuming repairs. When you have a plumbing problem, hiring a knowledgeable and professional plumber can be crucial to properly maintaining your home’s plumbingsystem and helping to reduce your home’s improvement costs. By preventing plumbing problems, keeping your pipes in working order, and recommending any needed upgrades, reliable and experienced plumbers can help you save money on your home overall and possibly reduce your monthly utility costs. Continue reading tofind out moreabout the three ways that plumbers can help you to save money in the long term.

The first way a plumber can help save you money is through prevention. When you have a leaky faucet, a toilet that won’t stop running, a dripping water heater, or backed up drains, you should make sure that these issues get checked as soon as possible. Otherwise, you’re basically paying for money to go right down the drain. Having little plumbing problems fixed as soon as you notice them can help reduce your utility costs and prevent a last-minute emergency repair, which can turn into a big, expensive project fairly quickly.

The second way a plumber can help you save money in the long term is by helping to keep your pipes in proper working order. Being able to wash dishes, take showers, and flush toilets without having to worry about leaks, clogs, or no hot water can be worth its weight in gold. Having your home’s plumbing inspected annually, and remembering to leave certain plumbing projects to knowledgeable professionals, is key to keeping your plumbing running smoothly.

Finally, a plumber can help save you money by evaluating your home’s needs and recommending any necessary repairs, upgrades, or treatments that can improve your existing plumbing system and reduce your overall plumbing costs. Updated and improved plumbing can mean that you save money over time with better and more efficient pipes that resist clogging and hardening, and newer plumbing systems can operate more efficiently than older systems.

Properly maintaining and repairing issues right away can help increase your home’s value as well as help you to keep more money in your wallet. You can avoid costly and untimely repairs, enjoy working drains, and keep your home in tip-top shape by hiring the right plumber for the job. Visit this website to learn more about how a reliable and professional plumber in Escondido can help to save you money in the long term.

Sunday 20 December 2015

Products of the Year: Editors' Choice

THE THERM AND GREENTHERM TANKLESS WATER HEATERS are now offered in Bosch White, making them consistent with the company’s Greenstar Boiler... read more

How to Tell You Need Your Water Heater Replaced

It can be easy to put off home upgrades like replacing your water heater, especially when they are still working. What can be more difficult is realizing how much a new, efficient heater can save you each month, even before you add in the savings that come from preventing a major water heater failure. Luckily, there are a few signs you can look out for, and they will help you know when the time is coming.

Signs It’s Time

When your water heater is nearing the end of its life, there are a few things that will start to happen. These might indicate a need for basic repair, but a lot of the time they are symptoms of a need for full replacement. They include

•    Excessive rust in your hot water, especially if it is not fixed by draining off sediment
•    Fluctuating heat and other performance issues
•    Rising energy costs that are not explained by other expenditures
•    Leaks, drips, or other signs of seal failure.

When you notice these signs, it means your water heater is no longer performing as expected, either because there is damage happening on its interior or because it’s getting old. To determine whether these signs can be repaired or if they mean it’s time to get a whole new water heater, you might need to talk to a professional. Learn more about water heater replacement in North County by clicking here.

Elegance in Complexity

A relatively simple color palette can complement a rich, textures like wainscoting which make use of a variety of planes and surfaces to make a room pop without making it loud.



Friday 18 December 2015

Here’s What You Should Do When You Face a Plumbing Emergency

Most homeowners will face a plumbing emergency some time in their first few years of ownership. They’re a fact of life, and even when they are small problems, they make a big mess. The fact is, even if you’re one of the lucky ones and you avoid any problems for the first couple of years, eventually you will find yourself staring down the business end of a giant puddle or sewage backup. It’s just a matter of time and the odds. Knowing how to handle the discovery and which steps to take in those first few minutes afterward can make a huge difference, though. It can affect the amount of damage, the outcomes for cleanup, and even the size of your insurance claim.

As soon as you discover an emergent problem like a leak or a backup, the first step is to contain the situation. If you have water coming from a pipe, then that means cutting off the water at the source. Knowing the location of your home’s water main is key here, and you will also want to familiarize yourself with your water heater, so that you can cut off just the hot water if you need to do so. If you’re dealing with a backup, then the first thing to do is clear the area in case of a spread. You also need to make sure no one in the house adds to the problem, which means no one runs water that will add to the backup until it is located.

Second steps should include and moderate cleanup that can be done to help ensure containment. For small emergencies, that might just mean mopping up and using a little repair clue or drain opener. For larger problems, that is when you call in the professionals. In the event of major flooding, it’s important to remember that the cleanup will probably be bigger than you expect, due to the need to dry the area. Calling a professional cleanup or restoration service at the same time that you call for plumbing assistance is a good idea in those situations. Most of the time, your homeowner’s insurance provider will be able to help connect you to a covered service if need be.

Once the emergency is contained, it’s just a matter of getting repairs done. If you need plumbing contractors in Santa Cruz that have the experience to get things done quickly in an emergency, click here to learn more.

The Most Common Sewer Problems


As a homeowner or renter in an area that has a city sewer system, it’s important to know the basics about common sewer problems so that you are prepared if you encounter them. Chances are that if you live in one place long enough, you will see at least one of them, and responding quickly when you do can save you time and money.

Types of Problems

If you are hooked up to a city sewer supply, then the most common problems you might encounter are:
•    Collapsed sewer lines
•    Tree roots
•    Clogs

For homes with septic systems, these issues can still occur when the lines running to the tank are compromised, but additional septic system maintenance may also be the root of the problem.

What to Do

In the event of a sewage backup or other problems, the first thing to do is to call in an expert to evaluate the situation. If it’s a large emergency, then there is a chance that your insurance company will want to assess things firsthand. Otherwise, calling in a plumbing contractor with a strong local reputation is the next step. They will be able to let you know what kind of emergency you are dealing with and what it will cost to fully repair. To learn more about sewer maintenance in Carmel, click here.

Choose the Right Pump for the Application

There are lots of courses available on how to size a centrifugal pump. But given the wide variety of choices – how do you decide which… read more

Thursday 10 December 2015

A Stream of Water Flowing Near a Drain and Creating Bubbles



Remnants of cleaning formulas can sometimes cause bubbles in sinks. However, it’s important to carefully read label guidelines to avoid using a product that might create drain clogs.