Sunday, September 20, 2015

5 Benefits Of A Tankless Water Heater

Are you aware that water heaters are the second highest energy consuming appliance in your Orange County, CA home? This is particularly true if you’re using a tank water heater. This type consumes a lot of energy as it keeps the water in the tank hot even when you don’t need it. You are essentially wasting hundreds of dollars per year. Fortunately, you can make the switch to a tankless water heater and enjoy added benefits. The following are some of the advantages of using a tankless water heater.

1. Never run out of hot water.
If you have a tank water heater, then you have probably experienced running out of hot water especially when you live with several family members. In most cases, you have to schedule your bathing times just to ensure that all members get a share of hot water. Switching to a tankless water heater can put an end to this problem. This is because the water is heated only when you need it.

2. Save on utility bills.
One of the primary benefits of a tankless water heater is that it helps you save money on your utility bills. Studies indicate that one unit typically saves around $100, depending on water usage. This huge discrepancy in energy consumption stems from the fact that tankless water heaters only use energy when you use them, unlike tank water heaters that consume energy just to keep the water in the tank hot at all times. With savings of up to 30% per year, a tankless unit prove to be an investment that pays for itself.

3. Save space in your home.
Among the most frustrating things about using a tank water heater is that you need to make a lot of space for it. Storage tanks can take up to 16 sq. ft. Tankless units, meanwhile, can be mounted on a wall. You can also have it installed indoors or outdoors.

4. Long-lasting.
More and more homeowners choose tankless water heaters because they have double the lifespan of traditional storage tanks. Tankless units normally last up to 20 years, while tank units only have a 6- to 8-year lifespan. On top of this, most manufacturers of tankless units offer 10 to 15 year warranties compared to only six years for tank units.

5. Enjoy cleaner water.
Rust and scale can build up in the tanks where the water you use for drinking and bathing is stored. This presents a significant health risk to you and your family. Traditional storage tanks can be cleaned regularly to prevent this problem, but this entails additional costs on your part. But you will never worry about this when you use a tankless water heater. Tankless units also have advanced features that stop scalding water from reaching your faucet.

These are just some of the benefits of using a tankless water heater. The upfront and installation costs are considerably higher compared to those of standard water heaters, but the investment is well worth it as you can save a lot on your energy bills and enjoy a steady supply of fresh and clean water.

Drain Cleaning assistance is not hard to find in Orange County

When you want to get help with drain cleaning, there are many options to select from. Think carefully about the money that you're spending on this and also the assistance you can get from a certified plumber. Then it's far easier to get the service you need the first time you try.

Come up with a list of plumbers in your area, because a lot of them are able to bring out drain cleaning machines. There are many people that can use a drain cleaner, but you have to be sure that they're using the top of the line tools. Getting through debris can only happen if there is a sharp enough tool that they use to cut through it. Drains in any area of your home will require certain tools so that you can for sure have things taken care of despite where the issue is.

Get familiar with what you can do to keep your drains from clogging up. Even if you're not able to do things like keep grease out of the sink because some will always get into it, you can learn how to wash dishes better and keep everything a little more clean. You may want to speak with the plumber to see whether or not they can help you with learning the basics of drains. Then you'll be more likely to put less things into your sinks and shower that could end up creating a clog and leading to flooding.

When you have a clog, don't start pouring chemicals down the drain. Some of these things work great for this, but sometimes you'll find that your tub or wherever you're pouring a chemical could dissolve everything it touches. It's much better to just speak with a plumber about what to do because you may end up damaging the plumbing in your home. Even though it costs a lot more to hire a plumber than to do the work yourself, if you consider the cost of having to redo a lot of your plumbing due to a mistake, you save more by getting a pro in the first place!

Don't wait to get a drain cleaned until it's too late. For example, you don't want to come home one day and have to deal with a clogged drain that has flooded your basement. Every few months it's best to just have plumbing inspections done, especially if it's more than just you living at home. Sometimes children or people not familiar with plumbing will accidentally or unknowingly put all kinds of things into drains that shouldn't be there. It's good to catch a problem and then address it before it turns into a costly mistake!

Having the ability to get drain cleaning done when yours aren't working right can save you time and money. Instead of having to deal with a flooded house, you will be able to get things taken care of more easily with a service that helps you clean the drains out.

Tips for when you have an Orange County plumbing emergency

Owning a home in most cases create a need to access to plumbing services. Plumbing emergencies can occur unpredictably in our Orange County homes. But what do you do in case of an emergency? If it occurs, there is no reason to panic. The issue can be fixed without any big challenge. It only takes a bit simple knowledge and few items to fix the problem related to pipes, clogged drain, and leaky toilets or faucet. The following are important tips to aid in managing the situation and preventing further destruction.

1. Shut- off valves- It is very important to locate all the house’s main shut-off valves especially when moving to a new house. The properly placed shut-off valves are normally located near water meters or the well-pumps. In case of an emergency, the shut off valves becomes very useful in controlling water flow through the pipes.

2. Leaking faucet- The leaking faucet should be repaired immediately since small drops for a long time may add up to a large volume of water which reflects home’s water bill. When the leak is noticed, the water supply to the sink should be turned off to prevent further damage and also allows the process of repair to be done comfortably.

3. Clogged or overflowing toilet - It is the most common problem that is experienced in most homes. For the case of toilets that are almost overflowing, cold water from sink or bathtub should be turned to prevent the toilet’s water use. Also, the valve to the toilet should be shut off. This will prevent water from flowing onto the floor while draining the toilet using a flange plunger.

4. Frozen pipes- The frozen pipes can prevent the free flow of water through the pipes, and worst of all can cause the pipes to burst. The remedy to it is to use a space heater or hair dryer to thaw them. The process should be done with caution. The heater or hair dryer should be used for only 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

5. Toilet’s flush mechanism failure- It can cause water to run constantly or cause automatic flushing of toilet frequently. This may result in wastage of water. To stop the waste of water, the water supply to the toilet should be turned off to allow repair or complete replacement of flush mechanism.

6. Leaking hot water- In case hot water is dripping or leaking from a faucet, it is necessary to stop water flowing from the main supply, and since the hot water tank will drain, the breaker that supplies electricity to the hot heater should be shut off to prevent it from burning out. This will reduce the expenses of doing the repair that can be very costly.

In conclusion, when the tips are properly used they can be very effective in the case of a plumbing emergency. If the tips become tricky to apply, it will be very important to have the contact information of trusted and most reliable plumber to assist in solving the problems.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Plumbing Problems Common To Orange County Homeowners

Problems usually occur, particularly with plumbing in Orange County homes. Each and every building has plumbing fittings that need maintenance. The irony is that even in some of the best-kept homes, plumbing problems can still occur. If you are a homeowner or renter experiencing plumbing problems, you should know that you are not the only victim. There are some plumbing problems that are popular issues in many homes. However, the intensity of the problems can vary. Some of them are minor issues that you can fix on your own. However, there are others that you cannot tackle alone and require the help of a plumbing company, where you will find individuals with the proper experience and knowledge. Here are some of the most common plumbing problems that almost every homeowner has experienced.

Clogged Drains
Does your bathroom sink seem to clog after you shave? Isn’t your kitchen sink draining well after doing the dishes or does your shower seem to be taking forever to drain? If this is the case, you definitely have clogged drains that are a common plumbing problem. Since they are used quite often, drains tend to wear and tear. Large items flushed through a drain may get stuck, blocking the waterway and as a result, cause clogging. Clearing a clogged drain is very easy with the use of a plunger that helps dislodge the stuck items.

Clogged Toilet
Just as a drain gets clogged, the toilet is also likely to back up if something large is flushed down. Also, the toilet can also clog due to the accumulation of waste. Although this is an unpleasant plumbing issue to deal with, the good news is that it can be easily fixed without calling plumbing experts. A snake tool can be used to navigate into the toilet drain pipes and clear any clog. In addition, a plunger can also help fix the clogging though it might not be efficient as such.

Leaky faucets
Is your tap dripping every now and then? Does the dripping continue even when the tap is in the off position? If that is the case, you might have leaky faucet, a common plumbing problem. Leaving a leaky faucet for too long can cause a lot of water to pour. This can be a big blow to your bills. Also, the excess water can cause molds. In most cases, a leaky faucet is usually as a result of a worn out washer. Therefore, before calling a plumber, confirm that the washers are worn out and replace them.

Low Water Pressure
When you realize that water that should gush is just trickling from the tap, be sure you are having a low water pressure problem. One reason behind this can be a break in the system’s water main line. In addition, the build-up of sediments and deposits in the pipes and faucets can result in low water pressure. Lime scale buildup is usually a common cause of low water pressure. If the shower heads or faucets are affected by the lime scale buildup, it is advisable to soak them in a de-scaling solution for a whole night to clear the scale.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Dealing with Emergency Plumbing Issues Part I

Check out our new post on ocplumbingpros.com.  Here is a taste:

The situation is experienced by many homeowners, there is a leak you noticed under the sink, and you search over the internet for an emergency plumber. You find the one and a plumber comes to your home and performs the needed work. After he leaves from your home, you found the truth that the issue was really not fixed properly and you are completed duped or cheated. Based on the specialists, improper maintenance and servicing is the big cause behind these obstructed drains and defective pipelines. Many numbers of people give concentration to their car repairs and interior decoration, but neglect performing the same attention for their plumbing set up. Blocked drainage problems are one of the issues that have the capacity to spoil your daily routine and create all kinds of issues.

View the full post at http://ocplumbingpros.com/dealing-with-emergency-plumbing-issues-part-i/