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.

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

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.