Homeowners know that the privilege of owning a home comes with many responsibilities.

One of those responsibilities includes making sure that the hot water is always hot. You know if it isn?t hot you will be hearing about it ? from your wife, husband, kids or roommates.

Below are practical steps you can take to make sure your hot water heater stays in prime condition and that you?re never caught without heat or hot water on a blustery winter day.

Monitor the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve

Tank heaters have a temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve. The TPR valve protects the tank from any potential damage that can be brought about by excess water pressure or heat. If this valve is damaged or defective in some way, your tank can rupture from heat and pressure build-up. This can cause extensive flooding in your home and hundreds of dollars worth of damage.

Insulate Your Water Tank

An insulating blanket around your water tank can reduce standby heat loss by as much as 45 percent. This is an excellent and relatively inexpensive way to lower your energy consumption and monthly utility bills at the same time.

Insulate the Pipes

Use self-sticking foam pipe insulation (at least 3/8-inch thick) around the hot and cold water pipes. This will help prevent heat loss in the winter (and condensation in the summer) which means your water heater does not have to work so hard to maintain your desired temperature.

Drain Your Water Heater

Once a year, you should completely drain your water heater to get rid of sediments that collect over time.aYou can do this yourself by following the instructions on the manufacturer?s manual, or contact aalicensed Pittsburgh plumberato do it for you.

Adjust the Thermostat

After you have insulated both your tank and pipes, you can adjust the setting of your water heater and run it at a lower temperature. Doing so will help reduce the wear and tear on your heater and may significantly increase its life span.

Have an Annual Maintenance Plan

Maintaining your water heater properly may require the services of a professional plumber. This expense will be more than justified in terms of lower monthly utility bills and the privilege of enjoying an efficient and reliable water heating system.

If you need assistance with water leak detection and other water heaterasolutions, call us. You can always count on us for prompt, professional service no matter what your residential and commercial plumbing requirements may be.

Image Courtesy of: Brian Cantoni via Flickr

Water Heater Repair, Charlotte NC

Do you know what the top three appliances are in your home when it comes to energy consumption? Most likely, it?s your refrigerator, your clothes dryer, and your water heater. So if you?re looking to save money on your energy bill, repairing or replacing that old water heater could be just the trick.

Most water heaters are low on maintenance?the most common problem is leaking. And if you don?t get that leak fixed quickly, it will progressively get worse until there are gallons of water spilling out onto the basement floor, the tank is completely worn out, and it is beyond repair. In that case, you will need to consider water heater replacement.

Another common problem is loss of efficiency. An old water heater, whether gas or electric, will not work as well as a new heater. Government and industrial changes have made the new heaters much more energy efficient. Over the years, sediment has built up in the bottom of your water heater and it causes heating problems which cost you money.

If you might benefit from water heater repair or replacement, give us a call at Wayne?s Plumbing Repair in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Toilet Repair, Charlotte NC

You depend on your toilet to function properly every day, so it?s a real pain when it malfunctions. There are dozens of things that could go wrong with your toilet. Some of the most common include:

Leaking ? The most common place for a toilet to leak is between the base and the floor, but it might also leak if the bowl or tank cracks or if the junction between the bowl and the tank fails. If your toilet starts to leak, shut off the water and call a plumbing repair technician.

Tank Constantly Refilling ? A ?phantom flush? problem occurs when there is something wrong with the flush valve mechanism. The seal between the flap and the flush seat may be broken, or if the flushing handle no longer works, the chain that connects to the flap could be broken.

Weak Flusher ? Older toilets are especially prone to this problem. There may be hard water deposits built up in the angled bowl rim swirl holes or the syphon jet hole.

Low Water Level ? The toilet may be clogged (in which case, it might just need a good plunging) or the bowl could have a crack and need to be replaced.

Tank Fills Slowly ? The shut off valve underneath the tank could be partially closed off. A plumbing repair technician can help you find out why the flow of water into the tank is restricted.

At Wayne?s Plumbing Repair in Charlotte, North Carolina, we are your local toilet repair experts! Give us a call today, and we?ll be at your doorstep in a flash to fix it.

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Garbage Disposal Repair, Charlotte NC

If your garbage disposal or faucet needs repair, contact us at Wayne?s Plumbing Repair in Charlotte, North Carolina. We can handle any garbage disposal or faucet repair job, including:

Clogged Garbage Disposal ? If your sink drains slowly or if it fills up with dirty water, your garbage disposal is likely jammed. The unit often needs to be taken apart to expose the clog and remove it, which should be done by a plumbing repair professional to prevent injury or further damage.

Garbage Disposal Leaks ? If you see water dripping underneath the sink from the garbage disposal unit, the joints between the disposal and the sink probably need to be re-tightened or the gasket may need to be replaced.

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Faucet Repair, Charlotte NC

Dripping or Leaky Faucet ? Some dripping is normal if you have just barely turned the faucet off, but if it drips even when you?re not using it, there?s a problem. The pipes or faucet may be damaged, or the plumbing in your house may have water pressure problems. All of these issues should be inspected by a professional plumbing repair company.

Noisy Faucet ? If your faucet is making squeaking, screeching, or clanking noises, the rubber washer or a cracked part of the hardware may need to be replaced, which requires the faucet mechanism to be taken apart and put back together.

Squirting Faucet ? This plumbing problem is likely caused by the diverter valve?it probably needs to be cleaned or replaced.

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Pipe Repair, Charlotte NC

Should one of these pipes be in need of repair or replacement, but you ignore it or delay calling a pipe repair professional, you could experience some serious damage.If you are in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina area, don?t hesitate to call us for your residential pipe repair needs.

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Give us a call anytime for all your plumbing repair needs!

Why you should consider high pressure cleaning your pipes

Over the years, layers of things such as grease can form in pipes which leads to efficiency being lowered as well as the growth of bacteria. With high pressure cleaning, the inside of the pipes are hit with water that is very high in pressure. The process of high pressure cleaning the pipes even causes the most hard to remove blockage to be washed away which can take care of years of build-up.

High pressure cleaning is a safe method to clean out pipes no matter the type of drainage system used. It is a fast process that also makes pipes run as if they were new. The process is guaranteed to effectively clean out pipes because it hits every part of the pipes. Cleaning methods that use chemicals, for example, have a chance of missing parts of a blockage and could also cause serious damage to the pipes.It works great for long distances too. No matter where the machine is placed, the nozzle?s amount of water pressure, as well as the ability of cleaning the pipes never changes. That distance means that a hose that is around 150 meters would work as well as a hose that is much shorter.

Drain pipes that are made out of cast iron as well as very old pipes can can make it so that it is easier for damage to happen. That process makes it easier for any type of debris to become stuck in the pipes far easier. High pressure cleaning can even return these types of pipes to a much better condition.

The jets that are used can be moved to face any direction that is needed for each type of pipe. The water pressure can be lessened in order to not damage pipes that are very delicate. The person who operates the equipment will determine the right settings based on the type of blockage.

Have a blocked drain in the North Shore area? Get it resolved now by calling Tai Irwin Plumbing at 02 9451-1863.

Since we first started out, Anta Plumbing has been the Toronto plumber of choice for owners of historic homes. Just the fact that we have been in business for such a long time, means that we have extensive experience about a vast range of plumbing fixtures, methods and techniques. That sets us apart from newer companies who may not know much about older types of plumbing, such as cast iron pipes and hot water tanks. However, we also have a keen understanding of topics such as tankless water heaters and other modern plumbing advances.

Some of the biggest keys to older home plumbing, is to:

1. Understand what it consists of

You must understand that your plumbing system may consist of different pipes and fixtures made of all types of materials. Through the years, whenever there has been a plumbing issue, the plumber at the time would?ve replaced fixtures with the best material at the time. That means that you may have some cast iron pipes and fixtures; others may be made of copper or iron, and yet others may be of more modern plastics. The different materials may not always provide the best results.

2. Be gentle with your old house plumbing

Older plumbing pipes were smaller and more prone to corrosion and cracking, especially in the cold Toronto winters. Due to the fact that older pipes bulge and warp, they form hairline cracks. Tree roots infiltrate those cracks, and as they continue to grow bigger, push the pipe walls further apart, resulting in bigger leaks and clogs.

3. Consider a plumbing upgrade

If you have lead or polybutylene plumbing fixtures in your older home, you need to change it right away. While lead has a 100-year life expectancy, it deposits lead into your potable water, which poses serious health hazards.

Polybutylene pipes, which were commonly used until the 90s, are fragile and prone to breakage. Replace them with a newer material with a better lifespan.

4. Know what to look for during maintenance

All homes should be inspected for plumbing issues once a year, but older homes should undergo two plumbing inspections a year. During this inspection ?

look at all the exposed pipes and identify flaking, pimples, dimpling, stains, and discoloration. look out for leaks, including small, easy-to-repair leaks.
look at the color of your water.

If you notice any leaks, signs of corrosion or strange smells and colors in your water, you should call your plumber. Yellow or brown water may be an indicator of decay inside your pipes.

Replacing Old Home Plumbing Pipes

A trusted plumber will be able to advise when your home plumbing pipes need to be replaced. This might be a big jobs, but again, a City of Toronto licenced plumber will be able to advise on the least invasive methods for upgrading your plumbing. One of the most popular options, is PEX piping. Cross-linked polyethylene tubing is a flexible plastic hose that is snaked into the walls, thus limiting the demolition involved in other methods.

Your garbage disposal is probably one of those appliances that you don?t think about a great deal until something goes wrong. But there are some simple tips you could follow to extend the life of your unit. While garbage disposals typically last 10 years, following these tips could help you squeeze even more time out of it.

Preventing Rust

One thing that shortens the lifespan of a garbage disposal more than just about anything else is rust. However, you can help delay the onset of this problem by making sure you run the unit every time you put food in it. Over time, oils and acid from food can eat through the seals and lead to major issues.

Keep the Grease Out

Don?t ever pour leftover grease down your garbage disposal because it will eventually lead to clogs. If a clog gets bad enough, you?ll be better off purchasing a new unit rather than repairing it. Put your grease in a secure container and throw it away.

Clean Regularly

You might not look forward to trying to clean leftover food particles and other items from your disposal, but it?s necessary that you do so. Regular cleaning will not just reduce odors, it will also help your unit work more effectively. And it?s not like you need to get your hands dirty. Just pour some vinegar in an ice cube tray. Once it freezes, put a cube in the disposal and run the unit. Do this once every few days.

Always Use Water

This seems like a no-brainer, of course, but you?d be surprised just how often people run their disposal without water. If you don?t, the teeth will not be able to grind up waste as effectively and the motor could easily overheat.

If you have questions regarding how to get the most out of your garbage disposal or you need any type of plumbing repair service, the experts with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Dallas are ready to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (214) 989-4212.