Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Archive for the ‘Water Heater’ Category

Common Plumbing Problems In Older Homes

Thursday, April 27th, 2017

Even in today’s digital age, many people are still looking to buy older homes. But often, these buyers are only looking at the surface of the house.

It’s important to look beyond what you can easily see — for instance, check the pipes.

Galvanized Pipes

Plenty of older homes have galvanized piping. A galvanized pipe is made of steel covered with a layer of zinc to protect it. But the zinc erodes from the piping over time, which causes the pipes to fail from the inside. In turn, this leads to different problems like stopped-up toilets and faucets and low water pressure. Sediment will fill the pipes as they corrode, thereby blocking water flow.

Concrete or Cast Iron Pipes

Some older homes have these kinds of pipes. Concrete pipes won’t deteriorate; however, they will shift and move under the home’s foundation. Cast iron pipes, on the other hand, will deteriorate over time just like the galvanized pipes but can eventually disappear.

Lead Pipes

These pipes have a lifespan of a century. Although they wear well, they may leak lead into the drinking water, causing serious health conditions to households.

Copper Pipes

These can be too pricey for home plumbing, but copper pipes are reliable and durable since they are not prone to leaking.

What else to look for?

Thoroughly check the components attached to pipes, water heaters, drains, and other plumbing systems regularly. When they are not maintained properly, huge problems can happen.

A valve on a line might look normal but it may not work well. Just because it is not leaking does not necessarily mean that there’s no problem with it.

How to Manage Plumbing Issues in Older Homes

  • Determine what kind of pipes were installed – Whether the property has copper, galvanized or concrete pipes, let a licensed plumber inspect it. This professional knows if the pipes are still fully functional or already need replacement.
  • Have a professional check the foundation of the property – Aside from the deteriorating pipes, it is also possible that tree roots have strangled the property’s sewer lines. To prevent costly future repairs, ask a certified professional to check the foundation of the sewer lines and septic systems of the property.
  • Renovate – This is the last resort in managing plumbing issues in older homes. Replace the older pipes with new plumbing systems. Also, replace or repair the property’s water lines, drains, vents, and sewer lines.

Prior to buying a house, it’s always best to know and understand the common plumbing problems in older homes. Also, you should have a professional plumber evaluate the property’s current plumbing condition – which is why you should call us today!

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Posted in Bathroom Remodel, Commercial Plumbing, Fox Valley Plumber, Kitchen Plumbing, Kitchen Remodel Planning, Plumbing Problems, Plumbing Trends, Sewer and Drain, Uncategorized, Water Efficiency, Water Heater, Water Heater Instillation, Water Heater Repair, Water Pressure | Comments Off on Common Plumbing Problems In Older Homes

Things To Know When Installing A Tankless Water Heater

Tuesday, April 25th, 2017

Also known as a “demand type” water heater, a tankless water heater provides hot water only when needed. As such, it does not produce standby energy losses, which saves you money.

How a Tankless Water Heater Works

Water is being heated without the use of a storage tank. Cold water will travel from a pipe to the unit if a hot water tap is turned on. This means a tankless water heater delivers a steady supply of hot water. In other words, you do not have to wait for the storage tank to be filled up with enough hot water each time you need to use it.

Why Opt for a Tankless Water Heater?

  • Heating costs will be reduced – Enjoy monthly savings of up to 40% off your utility bill for the product’s life. Heating and reheating water in the storage tank is not required.
  • Only a small amount of space is needed – As compared to traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters will take up less space since this is just about the size of a small suitcase or even smaller.
  • Eco-friendly – Tankless water heaters are 30% more energy-efficient than tank water heaters. Maximum energy efficiency will help conserve natural resources.
  • Long-lasting – It has a longer lifespan for up to twice as much as that of the traditional water heater. This further means less waste in the landfill.
  • Clean – Avoid using water stored in a tank with accumulated rust.
  • Safe – A tankless water heater is equipped with excellent safety features to prevent injuries and burns caused by boiling water.

Installing and Maintaining Demand-Type Water Heater

Proper installation will greatly depend on different factors. These include the following:

  • Local building code requirements
  • Climate
  • Fuel type
  • Safety issues

Regular water heater maintenance is also important to extend the life of the water heater. This will also decrease loss of efficiency.

Proper installation and maintenance are very crucial to optimize the water heater’s energy efficiency. Therefore, it is best to have a licensed, skilled plumbing and heating contractor to install your tankless water heater.

Tips for Choosing the Right Contractor

  • Ask for references. Satisfied customers will give you peace of mind.
  • Request cost estimates from different contractors. Make sure that these estimates are for completed work and not just for sections of the system.
  • Check if they can get a local permit when necessary.
  • Determine if they fully understand local building codes.
  • Check if the plumbing contractor company is a member of the Better Business Bureau.
  • Sign the contract only after you’ve read and understood it.

If you’re looking to install a tankless water heater, please call us today!

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Posted in Bathroom Remodel, Commercial Plumbing, Fox Valley Plumber, Kitchen Plumbing, Kitchen Remodel Planning, Plumbing Problems, Plumbing Trends, Remodel Contractor, Residential Plumbing, Uncategorized, Water Efficiency, Water Heater, Water Heater Instillation, Water Heater Repair, Water Pressure | Comments Off on Things To Know When Installing A Tankless Water Heater

When To Replace Your Hot Water Heater

Tuesday, April 11th, 2017

Once you have a water heater installed, you can rely on this piece of equipment to give you hot or temperate water whenever you need to take a bath.

But although you can expect this system to give you years and years of comfortable baths, there will come a time when it will stop working properly. And if you don’t want to be unexpectedly drenched in freezing water on a particularly cold morning, you need to know when to replace your hot water heater so that you can avoid such an uncomfortable, shocking situation.

There are certain signs that would indicate that you need to replace your water heater immediately. These include the following:

Your heater is already more than 10 years old.

Most water heaters last between 10 and 15 years. Once your system passes the 10-year mark, you will start encountering issues every now and then and you will soon find yourself spending a lot of money on repairs. Unfortunately, having your heater repaired regularly only delays the inevitable. You would do well to put all that money on a new heater.

Recurring loud, unusual noises.

As the years go by, sediment will build up in your water heater tank. You will soon hear banging or rumbling sounds from your heater due to the obstruction inside the tank.  Although a plumber will be able to remove small amounts of buildup, there will come a time when the sediment will harden and this will become too difficult to take out. Aside from causing loud noises, this hard sediment may make your heater inefficient.

Excessive leaks.

The presence of puddles of water around the heater or water seeping down the sides of the heater are usually signs that the water heater tank may be fractured. If this is the case, you will have no choice but to replace the heater to get rid of the existing leaks and prevent any further damage.

Rust around the fittings.

If the fittings around your water heater are corroded, or look rusted or worn down, this may indicate that there is an issue with the unit as a whole. Corrosion is even more likely if the leaks appear around the valves or the pipework. A professional plumber can help you decide whether it will be worth your while and your money to have the issue fixed by replacing the damaged part or if it is best to simply replace your heater with a new one.

It is producing less hot water.

Lastly, if you start noticing that there is a lack of hot water coming from your heater even if you play with the settings, this is usually a sign that your equipment is no longer working efficiently. This is especially true if you observe a sudden decrease in the amount of hot water or that your hot water never seems to get hotter than lukewarm.

You don’t have to immediately buy a new heater if you notice that your current one is starting to act up. A plumber will be able to help you decide if an old heater is worth repairing or if it is best to buy a new one. Call us today to set up an appointment!

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Why Should You Choose a Tankless Water Heater?

Monday, January 9th, 2017

Tankless Water HeaterWhy Choose a Tankless Water Heater

Need a new water heater? Whether you are investing in a new one for your recently built house or thinking of replacing the current one installed in your home, there are plenty of reasons you should consider a tankless water heater installation.

More space

Using tankless water heaters, as the name implies, means that you do not have to worry about finding a space for the tank. Typically, conventional water heaters have tanks that measure 20″x13″x3″ and can thus take up a considerable amount of space in your home. Just imagine what you can do with that amount of space freed up.

Safety

If you are currently using a conventional water heater in your home, you have probably experienced being scalded with hot water at some point. That won’t happen with a tankless heater because there is no hot water stored. Instead, the hot water is processed on demand. That also means that you do not have to worry about losing hot water or waiting long to get hot water as this can be produced when you need it.

Apart from that, the risk of explosions or accidents related to steaming water are practically eliminated. Plus, you do not have to worry about pets and kids getting near a spigot. These can all give you greater peace of mind.

Reduced heating costs

A tankless water heater can allow you to reduce your water heating costs by as much as 50 percent.

With a conventional water heater, you can lose a significant amount of heat through standby losses. This occurs when the heat evaporates either through the sides of the tank or through the flue.

Less water loss

Unlike conventional water heaters, tankless systems do not leak. That means extra savings for you as there is no water wasted. Additionally, you can save more money through reduced maintenance and repair costs.

Other advantages

These water heaters are known for their superior reliability. In terms of parts, should your water heating system need parts replaced, sourcing these is fairly easy.

And even if you run two or three showers simultaneously, you do not have to worry about running out of hot water. With adequate planning, running out of hot water becomes a thing of the past.

A few downsides

However, before you commit to buying a tankless heater, you have to be aware of a few considerations. Depending on your usage, hot water may gradually emerge. If you have been accustomed to conventional water heaters, you may have to adjust a little. For one, you will need to find a reliable contractor in Fox Cities who has adequate experience in maintaining and servicing tankless heaters.

If you are thinking about installing a water heater in Fox Cities, contact the plumbing professionals at Turek’s Plumbing to schedule an estimate and learn more information!

 

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The Importance of a Water Heater Maintenance

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016

Water Heater MaintenanceWater Heater Maintenance | Reasons to Flush Your Water Heater

Thanks to modern water systems, the water you drink is reliably clean, safe and healthy for your household’s use. That’s because the sediments and minerals you don’t want in your drink have already been filtered by the system.

But these substances do not completely disappear. Some of the materials simply settle at the bottom of the water heater tank. This residue — or more accurately, sludge — is not only extremely unappealing to look at. The worst thing about excessive sediment build-up is that it can cause several problems in the performance of your water heater which can lead you to experience extreme inconvenience and unnecessary expenses.  

These problems are the main reasons you should invest in a water heater maintenance. If you want to avoid these problems, you need to make it a habit to flush your water heater on a yearly basis. Doing so will deliver the following benefits:

You can expect more reliable service from your water heater

Sediment build-up can make it difficult for your tank to heat water up. When you get rid of sludge, you enable your water heater tank to run more smoothly and reliably.   

You enjoy lower energy bills

If your heater is in good condition, it won’t need to work as hard and consumer energy that’s more than necessary. You’ll see a reduction in your power bills once your water heater regains its efficient operations.

You reduce water heater damage

An overworked water heater due to excessive sediment at the bottom can easily leak, get rusty or even burst.   

You avoid costly water damage

A leaking or faulty water heater tank can cause water to seep into your property. As you know, moisture and excessive water can cause water damage, weaken the structure, and ruin your walls, ceilings, electrical systems and more. You significantly lower the possibility of all these when you vigilantly flush your water heater annually.  

Why get experts?

Some homeowners who are confident with doing DIY work can do it themselves. The process entails opening the drain located at the bottom of the tank and then removing the sediment by running clean water on it.

However, many prefer the more practical and efficient way: hiring professional plumbers to complete a water heater maintenance. When you get reliable experts to do it for you, you ensure thorough results. Moreover, reliable Fox Valley plumber at Turek’s Plumbing will not only focus on solving the excessive sediment issue, but they will also look into the overall condition of your water heater, ensuring good performance for the years to come.

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Water Heater Facts You Need to Know

Thursday, October 27th, 2016

Water Heater Facts

Water Heater Facts

You use your water heater, like millions of people, on almost a daily basis, especially when the cooler seasons arrive. But despite the ubiquity of these appliances, have you really given much thought to these? You may have a hard time picturing a life without a water heater, but what water heater facts should you be aware of?

Here are Some Fun Water Heater Facts That You Might Want to Know

Energy Factor

  • Your heater accounts for a fourth or 25 percent of your overall energy consumption. If your energy bills seem to be steadily climbing, one of the first things that you need to check is your heater. Also, if you want to reduce your energy consumption, you may want to switch to a more efficient heater.
  • A conventional tank water heater has a lifespan between 10 and 13 years. A tankless water heater, on the other hand, has a longer lifespan, lasting somewhere between 18 and 20 years.
  • The average person will use six to eight gallons of hot water for a shower. A person taking a bath, on the other hand, will consume between 15 and 20 gallons of water. An average load of laundry consumes roughly 20 to 30 gallons of water while washing the dishes uses about two gallons of water per minute. If you opt to use a dishwasher, it will use between six and 10 gallons of water.
  • Before water heaters were invented, you needed to heat water on a stove. The first water heater was developed in England in 1868 after a painter found a way to place gas burners beneath water pipes to heat cold water. In turn, a Norwegian engineer named Edwin Ruud found inspiration from this idea and developed what is to be the ancestor of the first tank water heater.

Exploding Water Heater?

  • It is possible for a water heater to explode. However, such cases occur very rarely. If you wish to avoid this situation, you have to check the heater’s temperature and water pressure and look for signs like the smell of leaking gas and rust.
  • If you want hot water fast, consider investing in a hot water recirculating system. This system shortens the delay in getting hot water by continuously circulating the heated water throughout the building. It is ideal for large homes and commercial applications. However, be aware that the system uses a huge amount of energy if the pipes are not properly insulated.
  • The right way to choose heater size is to count the number of occupants. When choosing a water heater is it also important to consider the peak hour water demand. 

If you are thinking about water heater replacement in Fox Cities, contact the professionals at Turek’s Plumbing.

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