emb-waterheaters

How to Handle Leaking Hot Water Tank

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:00:08 GMT

Hot water tanks typically last for about eight years or more. An annual tank inspection is your best defense against leaks, overflows, and other tank issues.

However, there are circumstances when we can't avoid accidents or other emergencies. Knowing what to do in the event of a leaking hot water tank and taking immediate action can significantly reduce the damage.

Know The Causes of Leaking Hot Water Tank

Leaks are a nightmare for any homeowner. If you ignore a leak, it will eventually cause expensive structural damage to your home. Risks multiply when water or power leaks are also present. If your water heater is leaking, this may be due to several factors:

Tank Expansion
Rising humidity levels.
Valves need replacement
Silt buildup or sediment increment.
Tank piping or fittings need to be replaced

It would help if you considered repairing or replacing your water tank to avoid more severe issues.

How to Handle Leaking Hot Water Tank

Of course, some of these issues are far more pressing than others. Mold and mildew can spread rapidly in the area around your water heater if you don't take action to fix the problem.

Luckily, we can swiftly fix many potential causes of water tank leaks. However, you need to properly shut it down and begin draining before it makes a mess of your home, and call us ASAP for repair or replacement. But before then:

Locate leak

Locating the leak's origin is the first and foremost priority. Locations near other plumbing and locations prone to condensation are familiar places to find hot water storage tanks.

Drains and pipes. To find the source of a little leak, wipe it up and look for it again. If you can't see where the water is coming from, lay down some paper towels or rags.

Turn off the Power.

If the source of power, if your heater, is electric, you'll need to turn off the breaker for your tank at the electrical panel. Electric heaters should cut the power off, remember water and electricity doesn’t get along. Locate the switch and turn it off.

In the case of gas, handle it carefully. The gas valves are sensitive and easily broken if not handled correctly.

Turn the water supply off.

Turning off the water supply at the cold water shut-off valve is necessary if the water heater leaks heavily. You can cut off the water supply at the valve above the water heater, which is standard on most models.

Either a pull-down lever or a clockwise-turning valve will be necessary. If you can't get to your water tank because it's blocked off or the water around it is too hot, you should switch off the main water supply to your home.

Every house has a unique location for this valve, so knowing where it is will save valuable time in an emergency. Limiting the water supply may help slow or stop the leak.

Hire a Reputable Expert

Call for an emergency plumbing service or hot water repair expert; DIY could cause further problems, leading to repairs that could break your bank. To avoid this, contact us for questions or concerns about your water tank. We would gladly find a lasting solution to any issue.

Should I Repair or Replace My Hot Water Tank?

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 18:45:51 GMT

The decision of when to repair or replace a pricey appliance is always challenging. You don't want to spend more money than you have to, but you also don't want to get sucked into a money pit. So, you need to know either to repair or replace your water tank.

A water tank is a problem only when the tank leaks or the heating element stops working. Age, damage severity, and budget all play a role in determining whether it is more cost-effective to repair or replace them. A quality decision is required to avoid shallow choices.

However, some circumstances can warrant making the best decision between repairing and replacing your water tank.

Tank Leakage

A Leaking tank is the most prevalent incident of a hot water tank, leading to the wastage of over 40 gallons of water. Stop the flow of water instantly by turning off the main valve.

The tank springs leak because the inside surface has been damaged over time by the minerals in the water. In this instance, repairing may become a nightmare.

Higher Heating Bill

Have you found that increasing the dial position on your shower requires more and more rotations to achieve the exact water temperature? This results in your water heater has to work harder and longer to achieve the same outcomes, driving up your energy costs.

Since the water heater accounts for 14% of the average household's energy costs, you must pay attention to it. Replacing your water tank may be more cost-effective if it is outdated and no longer provides adequate service.

Repair Problems

Just like other household appliances, they are prone to develop problems. The power supplies a gas burner, electric element, or pipes from the tank. Therefore, these few elementary problems can arise, and they can all be resolved:

The electrical or gas heater problems.
Failure of the heating system
The constricted pressure relief valve

All these require repair or replacement, depending on how severe.

Consider Age and Cost

Repairs are debatable depending on the water heater's age and the cost of parts. In cases when the storage tank heater is eight years old or older, it is time to start thinking about a replacement. Newer tank heaters use less energy, whereas an older storage tank poses a leak danger.

Taking Decision

Even while it may be inconvenient to replace, it is even more inappropriate to keep wasting money on a water tank that isn't effective. If your water tank is old, no longer energy efficient, and requires frequent, expensive repairs, it's probably time to replace it.

The next step is to evaluate how long the heater will last, the cost of a replacement part, and the cost of hiring a plumber. If these expenses are more than the price of a new device plus labor, then replacement is probably the best option.

Therefore, calculate how many years of use you can get out of the heater for the money you're willing to spend. Get in touch with us for quality decision-making in repairing and replacing your hot water tank.

Why Won’t My Toilet Stop Running? DIY Toilet Parts Replacement

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 06:25:34 GMT

White noise in the background can be a source of comfort, but the sounds of a toilet that won’t stop running are far from comforting.

In addition to being annoying and disruptive, a constantly running toilet means that you are wasting loads of water- which also means that you are wasting lots of money.

The good news is that this is one plumbing problem that you can tackle on your own and take care of today. The toilet tank is comprised of a very few, reasonably simple mechanisms. Chances are the malfunction or deterioration of one of these is the root of your running toilet, so it is easy to determine why this is happening.

Here are some suggestions on what to look for and the parts that you may need to repair or replace.

Adjust Fill Height

If your water height is too high inside the tank, water will run continuously through your system because the water will flow through the overflow fill tube (which we’ll talk about later).

If you look inside your toilet tank, you’ll see a float- either shaped like a ball, or a cup-shaped float. This is what regulates the water height within the tank.

For a ballcock float, turn the screw that attaches it and lower it a little bit. Re-adjust the screw to tighten. You can also adjust the rod with your hands. If the water stops flowing when the water flushes, problem solved.

For the cup float, you can likely adjust its height by manually moving the rod that is attached and pinching the spring clips that secure it. If neither of these provides a solution, you may have to move on to a part replacement, namely the fill valve.

Check the Fill Tube

There is a tube in your tank that works to drain water out of the tank to regulate the flow of water within your toilet. These tubes are subject to damage or even breakage over time. If the end of the tube is submerged in the water, it can’t do its job (i.e. to siphon off excess water with the overflow tube). You can try cutting the end back and making sure the end is exposed.

If that doesn’t work, shut off the water supply and unbolt the tube. Remove it and bring it to the hardware store to get the right replacement. Re-install and re-fasten.

Fix the Flapper

One common culprit behind the running toilet is a broken or damaged flapper. The flapper is a big rubber part that acts almost like a plug, starting and stopping the water flow when you flush the toilet.

Hold the flapper down when you flush. If the water stops flowing with the extra pressure, you have discovered the root of your problem. Take it out, bring it to the hardware store and get the correct piece to re-install.

Important Considerations for Your House When Going on Vacation

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 07:25:37 GMT

Preparing for a vacation means making lots of lists and ensuring your home is protected in case of an emergency.

Forgetting to prepare your home when you’re away could result in serious plumbing repairs and extensive damage to your home.

Taking the time to take a critical look at your home and point out any potential hazards and make any home improvement preparations will give you peace of mind and allow you to truly relax on your vacation.

Don’t forget these important steps in preparing your home:

Prevent Burst Pipes, Leaking or Flooding While Away

Imagine coming home from your vacation. You open your front door, expecting to plop your luggage on the floor and take a nice long shower, but when you drop your bags, you hear a splash. A burst pipe has flooded your home and now you have a huge mess to deal with.

Simply shutting off your main water valve could have prevented this ordeal. This task literally takes only a few moments and could end up saving you thousands in plumbing repairs and water damage control. We recommend shutting the water valve off right before you leave, because once it’s off, you won’t be able to use your water or flush the toilet.

Set Your Water Heater to Vacation Mode

If you have a newer water heater, you probably have a vacation setting or “VAC” setting on the unit. This setting allows you to program the days you will be away.

Once it’s been set, your water heater will stay on standby in the lowest setting until the day before your expected return. At that time, the water heater will return to full power so you have hot water as soon as you get home.

For older units or water heaters without VAC settings, we recommend manually turning it to the lowest temperature or simply turning it off completely.

Prevent Gas Leaks and Electrical Issues by Disconnecting Appliances

Many appliances in your home do not need to stay plugged in while you are on vacation. Electrical appliances should be unplugged before you leave to protect them in the case of a power failure or power surge.

Gas appliances also run the risk of developing dangerous leaks. Since you won’t be home to smell a gas leak and get it repaired right away, we also recommend unplugging gas appliances.

Appliances that should be disconnected include:

Electrical components such as the microwave, toaster, computers and Internet connections.
Gas appliances like the stove and oven.
If you are going away for an extended period of time, it’s also a good idea to unplug the fridge and freezer, however, make sure both appliances are empty before disconnecting them.

Eliminate Smells in the Kitchen by Cleaning your Garbage Disposal

Your kitchen preparation checklist probably includes emptying the garbage can, but are you forgetting another important waste receptacle? The garbage disposal often has small bits of food attached to the blades or lodged in the unit that will begin to rot and smell if left alone for an extended period.

Quickly clean the garbage disposal by turning it on and pouring a mixture of warm water and white vinegar through it. This will clean the blades and keep the unit fresh and clean while you’re away.

Don’t Forget to Get a Plumbing Inspection Before Deciding on That New Home!

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 06:25:30 GMT

If you’re in the market for a new home, then you’ll need to get prepared for some inspections.

The thrill of finding a home that you like can become overpowering, and if you’re not careful, you could end up signing yourself into a nightmare.

On the surface, a typical home might not seem like it has much going on. However, once you take a closer look, you’ll realize that many components need to be inspected. If you want to avoid costly repairs, you should examine the home’s plumbing system.

Although it’s crucial to inspect all of the different components, the plumbing system is of particular importance because it’s out of sight. Many potential homeowners overlook this part of the home. Before you put a down payment on the home, some specific plumbing components need to be inspected.

The Main Sewer Line

First, you should try to find out what type of sewer system the home uses. Some homes are equipped with a septic tank while others send waste through a municipal sewer system.

If the home has a septic tank, you’ll want to find out where the tank is located, how much it can hold and where the drain is located. It’s also a good idea to consider hiring a professional plumber and having a camera inspection performed.

If you choose not to have a camera inspection performed, you’re taking a risk and could end up paying thousands of dollars for repairs. Since you know nothing about the home, you should ask the seller about the plumbing history and find out if any of the components still have a warranty.

The Hot Water Heater

The most important plumbing appliance to check is the hot water heater. You should try to find out the age, location, and capacity of this appliance. It should have a capacity that is large enough to accommodate your family. For a typical family of four, the capacity doesn’t need to be larger than 40 gallons.

It’s a good idea to check for mineral deposits inside of the tank. If you find mineral buildup, you’ll need to have it removed because it leaves less room for water in the tank.

It’s a good idea to check the age of the water heater. Most water heaters have a serial number, which should give you the age.

They’re known to last up to 12 years, so you should be able to do the math and determine if you’ll need to find a replacement in the near future.

The water heater should be checked for corrosion and leaks. If you notice any major problems, you might consider asking the seller to have the unit replaced. To reduce your water bill, you can always have an older unit replaced with a tank-less water heater.

Check for Leaks

Although it’s common sense, many home buyers don’t check for visible plumbing leaks. It’s important to check the bathroom and kitchen faucets for leaks because these faucets tend to be used most often. You should check the showerhead and toilet. These components need to be in working condition.

A lot of people might think that a dripping faucet is no big deal, but over time, it can significantly increase your water bill. The refrigerator should be checked for bulges and leaks. If the refrigerator uses a plastic supply line, you might want to consider replacing it with copper.

The Toilets

Many homes have more than one toilet. Before you decide to buy the home, check the toilets and make sure that they work properly. A toilet shouldn’t take an excessively long time to empty or refill.

You should also use your ears and listen for potential leaks. Many toilets start leaking at the base. If the home has older toilets, then you might consider having them replaced.

Many modern toilets are made with a low-flow design, so they can significantly reduce your water bill.

Avoiding Plumbing Problems

If you want to avoid plumbing problems in the future, check the home’s pipes and make sure they’re properly insulated. It’s almost always a good idea to have a professional plumber handle this task. During a harsh winter, exposed pipes can burst and cause a massive amount of damage to your home.

While you’re inspecting the home, you should also check for lead pipes. Most homes that were built before 1986 have galvanized or lead plumbing. Since lead is an environmental health hazard, you might want to avoid homes that have lead piping.

If the home uses a well water system, then it should be inspected by a professional. These types of systems can be quite complex, so it’s almost always a good idea to have them checked by a plumbing professional.

Check for Discolored Water

Another simple test involves turning on the faucets and letting them run for a minute. Give the water time to get hot and check for discolored water. If the water is discolored, there could be several causes. This type of problem doesn’t have to be a deal breaker.

Invest in a Professional Inspection

The average person doesn’t fully understand plumbing systems and how they work, which is why it’s a good idea to hire a professional.

By investing in a plumbing inspection, you can make sure that all of the home’s plumbing systems are working properly.

Most people don’t know that 14 percent of any given water bill is most likely composed of water leak costs. An average family uses about 400 gallons of water per day, and a large percentage of this number is the result of flushing the toilet.

As a home buyer, you can’t inspect every plumbing component inside and outside of a home. It’s best to check the obvious components yourself and leave the rest to a professional.

Water Waste Concerns: Why Saving Water for Summer Months is Key

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 07:25:29 GMT

If you had to guess what the number one cause of wasted water is today, what would you guess?

If you said “leaks,” you would be correct. Leaks can spring up in all kinds of places and for all kinds of reasons.

There isn’t a season of the year where leaks are more costly – both in terms of water bill increases and the sheer volume of wasted water – than in the hot summer months.

In this post, learn why saving water for the summer months is so critical and how you can do your part.

Leaks Happen: Here are the Facts

No matter how conscientious you are as a homeowner, leaks often seem to have a mind of their own. Just when you fix a leaking faucet, you discover a hole in your hose.

The moment you fix the hole, a sprinkler head begins to drip. For this reason, finding and fixing household leaks can feel like a never-ending battle for both your time and your wallet.

But, like all of us, household leaks are not the only thing on your mind. For this reason, it can be easy to minimize or even miss their potential impact.

To this end, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has compiled some statistics to demonstrate how truly costly hidden our unfixed leaks can be:

The average home will leak away 10,000+ gallons of water each year.
For 1 in every 10 homes, water leaks add up to 90+ gallons wasted per day.
Just fixing existing leaks can add up to 10 percent in water bill savings annually.
Enough water is wasted each year (approximately 1 trillion gallons) to provide for the water needs of 11 million additional homes!

Just in case you are having a hard time visualizing exactly what 1 trillion gallons of water looks like, imagine 40 million pools stacked end to end and side to side with 24 billion bathtubs full of water. That is a lot of water waste!

The Most Common Wasteful Water Leak Locations

If there is one thing you can count on, it is that it’s much faster and easier to spot hidden leaks if you know where to look for them.

Here is an overview of the most common places in the home where leaks spring up:

Faucets and water fixtures
Toilet flappers and valves
Showers
Water hoses and spigots
Sprinkler heads

An Easy “Drip Calculator” Tool to Calculate Water (& Cash) Waste

Thanks to the U.S. Geological Survey Water Science School, you can access an easy, free tool to calculate exactly how much each drip of leaked or wasted water is costing you.

For your personal home, set the tool to “1 home.” Then estimate the number of faucets (or drip sites) and the average speed of the drips. Then click on “Submit Your Answers.”

Example: For 1 home with 3 leaking faucets producing drips at 1 drip per minute, that adds up to an estimated 104 gallons of water wasted each year.

You can then take the cost of your local water and multiply that by the amount of the water waste to calculate how much you are currently paying for water you aren’t even using.

A Water Meter Leak Test

If you don’t have enough information to use the U.S. Geological Survey tool because you don’t yet know how many leaks you may have or where they are or how fast they are dripping out water, you may want to start instead with a simple water meter leak test you can do at home.

Here is what to do:

Set a time period (2 hours is usually good) when no one will use your household water.
When the time period begins, go out and read your water meter. Write down the number.
When the time period concludes, go out and read your water meter again. Write down the number.
Compare the two numbers. If they do not match, you have a leak somewhere.
Once you have determined that yes, in fact, you are leaking water somewhere, it is usually most expedient time-wise to have a plumber come out to find the leak and fix it.

Simple Household Fixture Upgrades to Conserve Water

The best way to begin your own home water conservation efforts is to locate your leaks and have them fixed. Luckily, most common leaks can be fixed with ease and little extra expense.

Here are some simple fixture fixes that can kick off your water conservation efforts at home:

Replace worn-out toilet flappers.
Replace worn-out faucet washers, o-rings and gaskets.
Replace worn-out shower heads with low-flow heads.
Replace or repair cracked or worn hoses and hose washers.
Tighten hose spigots.

You may also want to have your plumber install a “flow sensor” to alert you about new leaks. You can install individual or whole-home sensors.

A Word About Outdoor Water Fixtures

Vast quantities of water are leaked away each year due to undetected leaks in outdoor fountains, water fixtures, jacuzzis and pools. You can test for water leaks in these outdoor fixtures using a bucket and a roll of tape.

By filling the bucket with water, marking the respective water lines in the bucket and the pool, waiting overnight and then observing the rate of evaporation in the bucket versus the pool the next day, you can tell if there is a leak in your water fixture.

When you first begin to work towards eliminating waste water in and around your home, it can feel like an enormous task. But as you find and fix each leak, you will notice it feels really good to know you are using each drop of water you pay for and saving the planet too!

Home Renewal, Re-Plumbing And More After Lotto Winning

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 06:25:28 GMT

For many people in the world buying a new home is not the ideal choice to make.

In fact, many homeowners who have been living in the same home for decades don’t feel like leaving that home, it’s still full of family memories that one could hardly want to live elsewhere.

Another big reason why many homeowners give up improving their quality of life by buying a larger home is because of home pricing. Actually, a new larger home would cost too much.

How To Improve Your Home Without To Buy A New One

Today, there are many solutions to homeowners who want to do something to improve their quality of life, yet without to go through a home mortgage process for buying a new home:

Home repair: it’s a most common service for all parts of a home building. Professionals can literally transform an old home into a completely new and safer home
Home renewal of structural components: it’s a more specific service which concerns certain structures of the home building (floors, roofs, stairs…)
Home replumbing: this is an even more specific service which allows professionals to provide their customers with a better quality home renewal service

When Lady Luck Helps Homeowners…

Normally, home renewals have their cost which are not always affordable. As a consequence, many homeowners decide to request renewal services little by little in the time, so to be able to afford the venture.

A special situation is when homeowners won a lottery prize: in fact, one of the first concern after winning a good lottery prize is to adjust or repair old home’s structures. Similar to a home renewal project would be to buy a new home, as well.

Generally, very large lottery prizes are released in small amounts per month, which helps the winners to manage their new financial mega millions ticketfortune in a smoother way (without to spend endless amounts of money in useless things, for example).

Mega Millions, Even Beyond US Boundaries

One of the most played lotteries in the world is the American game of Mega Millions. People love this lottery because it’s:

Affordable: a Mega Millions ticket costs only $1 per play
Accessible: today you can Play MegaMillions lottery Online on specialized websites, like How To Win The Lotto
Big prizes: Mega Millions is known for its extremely high jackpots all over the globe
Megaplier: this lottery game features an additional game option which helps players to improve their chances to get a prize

How To Play Better – The Number Generator

On How To Play The Lotto players can access a FREE tool, called number generator. This is a new technology which employs a complicated algorithm in order to provide 100% new and unique sets of Mega Millions number at each click.

The advantage of using a number generator is that you won’t waste time in number selection, while being sure of never play the same favorite numbers as most lottery players tend to do when they have to choose numbers to play.

10 Benefits of an Advanced Water Filtration System

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 07:25:24 GMT

Water makes up over 60% of your body. Not only is the amount of water you put into your body an important factor for overall good health, so is the quality of the water.

Most of the water people consume today is loaded with chlorine and potentially harmful bacteria. If you are unsure of what you are drinking, contact your local water company and ask for a fact sheet. When you see the information provided, you might be surprised at what you, and your family, are drinking.

While public water facilities do their best to remove all of the bacteria from your public water drinking sources, they cannot always control them; think of the recent incident in Flint, Michigan.

Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your drinking water. One way of doing this is with professional advanced water filter installation.

Reasons for Using an Advanced Filtration System

Living a healthy and clean lifestyle is becoming a goal to more and more people every day. In addition to making your water taste better, the reasons for having an advanced water filtration system installed are many.

Here, you will find the 10-best reasons you should be considering an advanced water filtration system. As you read these bullets, contemplate the impact each would have on you and your family.

Child Development: Studies have proven that healthy, clean drinking water is vital to the proper physical and mental development of children.
Bottled Water: While many people think that bottled water is a healthier alternative to tap water, which in many cases it is, there are still some drawbacks. Bottled water prices continue to climb as they continue to gain popularity. Additionally, facilities that control bottled water and tap water use basically the same filtration methods. This means you are paying for the same thing you already pay for from your kitchen sink every month. Additionally, bottled water is less regulated by the EPA than tap water.
Contaminants: Currently, there are over 2,000 contaminants to drinking water that we know about. This list includes several poisons.
Lead: A study conducted by the EPA shows that nearly 500,000 cases of learning disorders are linked to lead in drinking water, annually.
Security: Point-of-use filtration systems are the only way to ensure clean drinking water.
Illness: There are a variety of cancer types that have been linked to toxic materials found in drinking water.
Pregnancy: Contaminated drinking water has been linked to birth defects when consumed by pregnant women.
Epidemics: Consuming contaminated water is the primary cause of epidemics in developing countries.
Health: To enjoy the health benefits of drinking water entirely, you need to ensure the water source is clean.
Disease Prevention: Consuming clean, filtered drinking water helps to protect your body from diseases and improves your overall health.

Types of Advanced Water Filters

There are just as many types of advanced water filters are there are reasons for using them. Configurations are available from the standard filter that can remove up to 99.9% of the bacteria found in common tap water, to systems that are designed to remove radioactive threats from the water. The type you will need will depend on various factors.

What type of filter would be best for you?

The kind of filter you will need is not as straightforward as you think and will depend on several factors:

What size is your home?

Including yourself, how many people reside in your home?

What is the condition of the local water supply?

Do you want a POE or a POU system?

What are the contamination concerns for your water?

These questions may be confusing, but they are necessary for ensuring you have the right filter for your home.

Contacting a professional can make the process of deciding which type of filter you need simple.

What’s in the Water?

A recent study conducted by Consumerreports.org on fact sheets from 13 of the largest cities in the U.S. The study showed that even though very few claimed to have federal water-quality violations, those that did not report any such violations still contained significant quantities of contaminants in some submitted samples.

Keep that in mind the next time you go for a glass of water from your kitchen or bathroom sink.

Having clean and healthy drinking water is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is required for good overall health for you and your family and is important for the developmental needs of your children, both physical and mental.

Plumber Recommended Techniques for Unclogging a Sink

Sun, 24 Jul 2016 06:25:19 GMT

Our sink is that trusty device that allows us clean dishes, flowing water, and general hygiene in our homes.

As with anything in constant use, a sink can often malfunction and become clogged. When it does get clogged, returning it to its normal level of functioning can be frustrating, especially if you follow abnormal procedures that waste time and energy.

Below are the best techniques for unclogging that sink so you can get back to cleanliness and life’s more important activities.

Method 1: Using a Plunger

There are two types of plungers germane to clogs. They are:

Flange Plunger: These plungers are slightly larger and of use in unclogging toilets. This plunger forms a seal applicable to the bottom of a toilet, thus having a slightly different shape then the cup plunger.

Cup Plunger: This is the best tool for unclogging sinks, providing the shape necessary for the small holes found in sinks and bathtubs.

Before you begin with the cup plunger, seal the overflow drain with a piece of duck tape. This is to assure there is enough water for maximal suction throughout the process. Next, fill the sink halfway with water. Then, using quick and powerful movements, plunge the hole for 10-20 seconds at a time. Continue until the clog is removed.

Method 2: Using Boiling Water

Boil about one gallon of water on your stove in a teapot; then take the boiling water and pour it directly into the pipe. This is important, for if you waste water on the sink bowl then it will render the technique ineffective. It is always best to pour water directly down the drain. Once this is done, wait a few minutes and turn on the water to see if the clog is gone. If this doesn’t work then move on to the next, more invasive strategy.

Method 3: The Augur

A sink augur is an invasive tool akin to a fishing rod. It has a flexible steel cable with an augur bit on one end, with all the cable coiled into a circular canister.

First, extend the cable into the drain. When you hit the clog, pull out about 1 foot more of cable and then tighten the screw. Turn the handle of the canister with consistent pressure until you have either broken through the clog, or you have split it enough to allow a flow of water. Once finished, turn the faucet water on hot and let the water flow for a few minutes. If this didn’t work, repeat as many times as necessary.

Nobody likes a clog, but with these three methods the likelihood of an expedient solution is high. Patience is also important, for it assures and facilitates the above methods. With these qualities in your toolbox, no Kirkland home clog will be too stubborn for you.

3 Signs Your Sewer Line Needs Repair

Sun, 24 Jan 2016 07:25:19 GMT

If you are concerned that you may have a sewer line leak or clog in your home, you are not alone.

A sewer line issue can be a nightmarish problem to deal with, and you may be worried about how to diagnose the problem as well as to repair it.

After all, a sewer line runs deep in the ground outside of your home, and you may not know how to access or repair it. A professional plumber can help you to diagnose and repair the problem, but you will need to know which signs to look for that may indicate a problem with the plumbing system.

A Green Area in the Yard

If you have one area of the yard that is lush and green when the other areas look dry and dull, this could be a sign that the area is getting more fertilizer and water than other areas. Take a closer look at the area to determine why it may be more moist than other areas of the lawn, such as if it is shaded by a tree. If you cannot identify a reason why it may be thriving when other areas are not, you may have a sewage leak.

A Sewage Smell

This is particularly true if you notice the undeniable smell of sewer waste in the yard. Sewer waste smells incredibly foul, and it can permeate into your home as well. When you have a sewer line leak, keep in mind that the smell will not abate, and the smell will continue to linger regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. Therefore, if you notice the smell of sewage waste in your yard for more than a few hours, it may be time to call for help.

A Clogged Sewer Line

You may also notice that your sewer line is clogged, and there are a few signs that may indicate this for you. For example, if you flush the toilet and the toilet is slow to evacuate the waste, there may be a clog in the line. You will know that the main sewer line is clogged rather than the toilet pipe only when you also have trouble evacuating waste from other toilets or waste water from other features in the home.

These are only a few of the many signs that you may notice when you have a sewer line issue. Your plumber can use a camera or other advanced methods to diagnose the problem and to pinpoint the location. This is the first step in the repair process.

5 Ways to Lower Your Water Use

Sun, 24 Jan 2016 07:25:15 GMT

If you are like most people, your budget has been impacted by the rising costs of utilities.

The increased costs of water bills are taking a serious bite out of your paycheck. Luckily a great professional plumbing service in the Kirkland area can help you reduce your water use!

The good news is there are things you can do today to make changes to your water consumption. Not only will these changes result in savings, they will impact the environment as well. Here are 5 ways to lower your water use.

Brush Your Teeth Without Running the Faucet

Bathroom faucets can dispense 2 gallons of water each minute. If you brush your teeth for 3 minutes with the faucet running, you will waste 6 gallons of water. As you are brushing your teeth, turn off the water. This act alone will save at least 180 gallons of water per person in your household in a month.

Fix Leaky Toilets

Leaky toilets are annoying and costly. In fact, leaky toilets are one of the biggest sources water waste in households. One way you can fix this problem is by replacing the leaky toilet with a new toilet that conserves water. By taking this action, you will save approximately 200 gallons a day in wasted water.

Reduce the Time Spent in the Shower

Taking a shower is necessary, but taking long showers wastes water. Think of your shower as money going down the drain. If you reduce your shower time by a couple of minutes, you can conserve gallons of water.

Purchase a Lawn Sprinkler with a Timer

Your lawn sprinkler does not have to run all day in order to hydrate your yard. In fact, it is possible to give your lawn too much water. Purchasing a lawn sprinkler with a timer is the perfect way to hydrate your grass without wasting water.

Another thing you can do is limit the amount of times you hydrate the grass each week. A healthy lawn only requires an inch of water each week. Remember to water your lawn sparingly especially during a drought.

Replace Leaky Shower Heads and Faucets

Leaky shower heads and faucets waste water one drop at a time. At the first sign of a leak, you should replace these fixtures.

By following these tips, you will lower your Kirkland home’s water use and save money in the process.

5 Tips for Choosing the Right HVAC Contractor

Fri, 24 Jul 2015 06:23:14 GMT

The best time to locate a qualified HVAC contractor is before you have heating and cooling problems.

This allows you to take your time researching to find a reputable company with certified technicians. These tips will provide you with helpful information to find the right HVAC contractor for your needs.

Get Referrals

Speak with friends, co-workers, neighbors and family to get referrals. Getting recommendations for a service professional from trusted sources like these can save you a great deal of time and energy.

Look For Companies That Service Your Products

Before researching various HVAC companies, you should make a complete list of all your cooling and heating products. Make sure you note the brands and models of each piece of equipment. You’ll need this information to locate a company that is qualified to provide maintenance and to service repairs on your specific brands.

Look for factory-authorized dealers. HVAC companies that are factory authorized have received special training, and they meet rigid standards established by product suppliers.

Research Company Qualifications

Research HVAC companies online to determine their company history and the number of years they’ve been in business. Look for well-established companies that have good reputations for quality work and excellent customer service.

Check the Better Business Bureau to see how each company rates and whether they have issues with products, maintenance, services or customer service. Many of the best HVAC companies proudly list their BBB rating right on their websites.

Hire Certified Technicians

Look for reputable HVAC contractors, which have completed NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification. NATE contractors can be certified to provide service and installation for several areas including air distribution, heat pumps and air conditioning.

Get Price Quotes

After selecting several promising HVAC contractors, you should contact them to get price quotes if you need repair services now or wish to sign an agreement for maintenance services.

The best HVAC companies, like us, will only provide price quotes after visiting your home to thoroughly inspect the type of equipment you have and your particular heating and cooling systems.

Getting written price quotes helps to assure you that you are dealing with an honest company that stands by their word when making commitments. Normally, written price quotes also detail the specifics of what will be installed or repaired, and they outline the maintenance process.

Before signing any type of service contract, it’s a good idea to check online review sites to verify the quality of work performed by companies you’re considering.

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If you are like most people, your budget has been impacted by the rising costs of utilities.

5 Tips for Choosing the Right HVAC Contractor

The best time to locate a qualified HVAC contractor is before you have heating and cooling problems.