Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘plumbing contractor’

Water Heater Repair Tips

Wednesday, April 14th, 2021
water heater repair tips - Appleton WI

Troubleshooting Tips For Common Water Heater Issues

In your house, your water heater works hard to provide hot water during showers, dishwashing, and laundry. Since we all heavily rely on our water heater, there are times where your water heater gets overworked. If you’re having trouble with your water heater, we recommend following these water heater repair tips. In need of a water heater repair? Contact Tureks Plumbing in Appleton, WI.

Common Water Heater Problems & Solutions

Water Heater Temperatures 

Water temperature issues are common issues with water heaters. Here are three water temperature problems, as well as their possible causes and solutions:

  • Water is cold – A lack of fuel, a defective thermostat, or a faulty heating element are the most common causes of cold water in a hot water heater. Begin by looking at the fuse box to make sure there are no electricity issues
  • Water isn’t hot enough – If your water isn’t hot enough, it may be due to an undersized water heater, crossed connections, or a defective heating element or thermostat. Turning off the water source and turning on a hot water faucet will rule out a crossed connection. If the water still flows, you might have a crossed connection. Aside from that, we suggest contacting a plumbing contractor for a water heater inspection.
  • Too hot water – Too hot water normally indicates that the thermostat is set too high. To change the thermostat temperature, consult your water heater manual. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your hot water heater to 120° F for the best combination of heat and performance.

Water Heater Leaking

Water leakage can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Temperature and pressure issue (T&P) a safety valve
  • Insufficient water heater problems
  • Overheating a clogged valve
  • A defective gasket

Next, inspect the loose heating element bolts and tighten them as required. If the heating element continues to leak, you will most likely need to replace the gasket. Additionally, look for leaks on or around the storage tank – since storage tanks usually corrode from the inside, you’re likely witnessing the beginning of the end for your water heater.

Of course, you can eliminate tank leaks entirely by investing in a tankless water heater. Our friends at McQuillan Bros, who provides the Twin Cities plumbing services, explains that tankless water heaters last almost twice as long as the storage water heaters. Additionally, they take up about a quarter of the room.

Discolored Water

Rusty water may imply corrosion of your tank’s inner lining, which is often caused by a failing anode rod. Contact a licensed water heater technician to see if removing the anode rod would resolve the issue. From there, you’ll know if you need a water heater repair or water heater replacement

Strange Noises 

The most common source of strange noises coming from your water heater is sediment buildup. You should try to resolve this issue by flushing the water heater. Ask our plumbers in Appleton, WI, about how to flush your water heater. If you flush your water heater and the issue continues, or if the sediment accumulation is too large to remove, contact us for an estimate on a water heater replacement. 

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How to Unclog a Dishwasher

Wednesday, March 17th, 2021
how to unclog your dishwasher - Appleton, WI

How to Unclog a Dishwasher

Have you ever reached to open your dishwasher, only to see a big puddle of water at the bottom of it? You’re not the only one. If you have standing water at the bottom of your dishwasher, it’s time to call a plumber. Below, our plumbing contractors in Appleton, WI, share a few tips on how to unclog a dishwasher. 

Step 1: Unload The Dishwasher

The first thing you should do if your dishwasher is clogged should be to remove all of the dishes and silverware from your appliance. Once everything is cleared from your dishwasher, remove the bottom dishwasher rack so that you can easily access the bottom. 

Step 2: Turn Your Dishwasher Off

Ensuring that your dishwasher is turned off is critical for your safety. You may need to go to your electrical breaker and turn off the electricity in the kitchen. If you need help fixing your dishwasher, you can always contact Tureks Plumbing Services.

Step 3: Drain the Clogged Dishwasher 

Once your dishwasher has been disconnected, you’ll need to remove the standing water with a towel. This will allow you to get to the bottom of what started the clog. For instance, there could be pieces of broken glass causing your dishwasher not to drain properly. The chances are that you could find out what’s causing the problem if you just look at the bottom of the dishwasher. 

Step 4: Locate the Hose

If you haven’t figured out what’s causing your dishwasher to clog yet, you’ll need to locate the dishwasher’s drain hose. This connects directly connects to your sink’s garbage disposal. Look under the sink or under the dishwasher. You may have to take your dishwasher from out of the wall to access the hose. 

Step 5: Clear the Hose

There’s a chance that your dishwasher’s hose needs to be replaced or cleared. After locating the drain hose, detach it from the dishwasher. Our friends at McQuillan Bros, a plumber in Woodbury, MN, about unclogging a dishwasher. They suggest using plyers to loosen or disconnect the hose. It would be a good idea to have a bucket or pan to catch any excess water from the hose. If indeed your drain is clogged, you can try to use can try commercial de-cloggers or grab a coat hanger and unclog it. If you don’t notice any debris that could damage the hose, there could be a clog in the dishwasher itself.

Step 6: Check the Dishwasher’s Drain

Look for a basket-shaped portion at the bottom of your dishwasher and remove it with a screwdriver. Then as you did with a drain hose, use a de-clogging system. If your dishwasher is still not draining properly at this stage, it’s time to search for a “plumber near me.”

Hire a Professional Plumber

To many people’s surprise, it’s very easy to learn how to unclog a dishwasher drain without the help of a professional. However, if not done properly, you can cause more harm than good. Decide whether or not DIY plumbing repair is worth it. To ensure that your dishwasher is working properly, contact Tureks Plumbing today. We offer a variety of plumbing services for homeowners in the Fox Cities and beyond, whether it’s 24/7 emergency service, home remodeling, or residential plumbing services.

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5 Best Tips for Hiring a Remodel Contractor

Wednesday, July 27th, 2016

remodel contractor

5 Best Tips for Hiring a Remodel Contractor

Remodeling your home to improve style and function? When you are thinking about starting any home improvement projects, it is important to hire a contractor that will ensure that the project be carried out properly and according to the budget you have in mind.

There are many such professionals in the construction industry and if it’s your first time needing to hire one, you may be inclined to hire the first one you meet in your locality in Wisconsin.

Not Necessarily.

It’s imperative to be meticulous when it comes to hiring a remodel contractor because having the same job title doesn’t always mean that all remodel contractors have the same values and can deliver the quality of work your require. To ensure you hire a good one for your remodeling project, here are the five best tips to follow.

Do a Background Check on the Contractor’s Credentials

There’s a very big difference between the experience and expertise of contractors who have been in the industry for 15 years and that of contractors that have held the title for only 5 years, even if they’re from big companies. Likewise, see if a contractor has different kinds of certifications from national trade organizations; certification means that as a professional, your contractor has studied and worked hard to meet stringent standards.

See if the Contractor is Easy to Talk To

Communication is integral to the best accomplishment of the remodeling project, so you need someone who can easily understand what you’re saying and whom you can easily understand as well. Also, ask as many questions as you can; the answers provided will reveal so much about how experienced the contractor is.

Talk to the Contractor About the Price of the Project

From this conversation, you’ll get a fair assessment of how aligned the contractor is with your requirements, as well as how knowledgeable or experienced he is in this aspect of the job. Is he able to properly describe the materials necessary for the job? Does he understand quality requirements despite budget constraints?

Ensure the Contractor Will Provide the Information you Need

Your contractor should be able to provide information on the requirements you need to fulfill in order for the job to be carried out according to industry standards. The best contractors will ensure that all the necessary permits are secured before starting any project. Contractors are in charge of procuring all necessary permits; therefore, your job is to know what these permits are to determine how compliant your contractor is.

Find Out the Cost of the Job for the Contractor

Remember, price often reflects quality, but don’t just go for the remodel contractor that charges the highest. You should always ensure that the contractors rates are completely justified. 

If you are thinking about a remodel for your home, contact your Fox Cities plumber at Turek’s Plumbing today!

 

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