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

Tankless Water Heater Myths

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
tankless water heater myths

Tankless Water Heater Myths

If you think it’s time to replace your current water heater, you may want to consider upgrading to a tankless model. The best plumbing companies will agree that a tankless water heater is the better choice. A new tankless water heater can last up to 30 years. If you’re considering a tankless water heater installation in Appleton, WI, read the article below to learn more about tankless water heater myths.

Myth: Easy To Switch to a Tankless Water Heater

Most homes in Appleton, WI are over 10 years old, so it’s likely that your water heater has a storage tank. Going from a storage-tank water heater to a tankless water heater is harder than it looks. Tankless water heaters burn fuel with coal. As a result, the construction phase for a tankless water heater can also require work on the gas lines to ensure that the device receives adequate gas supplies. 

In addition, extra work might also be needed to equip your home with the necessary ventilation to guide the exhaust gasses outdoors. Therefore, it’s not recommended that you swap out your water heater yourself. Contact Tureks Plumbing Services for professional tankless water heater installation. 

Myth: The Water Is Instantly Hot

A lot of people had the idea that a tankless water heater is comparable to instant hot water in your showers or faucets. Yes, it’s accurate that the tankless device heats up the water as it’s switched on. But, the water also has to pass through the plumbing in your home until it’s sent to the working plug. Essentially, it would take almost the same time for hot water to enter the tap as it does from the storage water heater. If you want to shorten the waiting period for you to finally use hot water, you may want to look at a circulating system installation in combination with your tankless machine to hold hot water continuously accessible in the pipes for immediate supply.

Myth: Require an Annual Inspection

One of the benefits of a tankless water heater is skipping annual inspections! There’s no maintenance timeline for a tankless water heater. Our friends at McQuillan Bros, a plumbing company in Stillwater, say that it really depends on the hardness of the water. The harder the temperature, the faster the mineral deposits can build up in the water heater. Your tankless water heater will force much of this through the system, but if there’s a build-up, the scale detector program will send you an error message, and then you’ll need to have it serviced by a professional plumber.

Myth: Not Enough Water

As we mentioned above, most homes have a storage-tank water heater. Therefore, switching to a tankless water heater creates a common misconception that there’s a lack of hot water. “Not the case at all. The water is heated when it moves through the unit. So, you don’t need to worry about not getting enough hot water,” says Ed Tureks from Tureks Plumbing. 

Contact a Plumbing Company in Fox Valley

Need water heater services in Appleton, WI? Tureks Plumbing is happy to help! Our team of professional, licensed, and insured plumbers can service, repair, and install your water heater. We’ve been serving the Fox Valley and surrounding areas for over 20 years. Contact us today for a water heater estimate or if you need residential plumbing services or commercial plumbing services.

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Why You Should Get a Tankless Water Heater

Wednesday, February 10th, 2021

why you should get a tankless water heater

Why You Should Get a Tankless Water Heater 2021

Unlike traditional water heaters, on-demand or tankless water heaters only heat water when needed. Depending on the capability of the heater you mount, these tankless water heaters typically deliver hot water at a flow rate that averages 2-5 gallons a minute. Tureks Plumbing Services shares the following reasons why you should get a tankless water heater installed in your Fox Valley home.

Tankless Water Heaters Are Compact

As lot sizes get smaller due to the increasing demand for real estate, it becomes important to scale down the size of the different appliances one installs in their home. Tankless water heaters are perfectly suited for someone who wants to save space because they are compact. The tankless water heater doesn’t have a storage tank, so it occupies less space when compared to the traditional water heaters with storage tanks. Talk to a plumber in Appleton, WI, and confirm whether a tankless water heater of the capacity you require will fit in the space available if you couldn’t fit in a traditional water heater.

Tankless Water Heaters Conserve Energy

One of the complaints against traditional water heaters is that they waste energy because the water in their storage tanks must always be kept hot in anticipation of a need for that water. This energy that is wasted during this standby time is conserved when one has a tankless water heater. As already mentioned, tankless water heaters only heat water at the moment when hot water is required at a point of use, such as your dishwasher. Talk to a Fox Valley plumber for the actual figures of how much energy you will be able to save if you install a tankless water heater of the capacity you desire in your home.

No More Hot Water Shortages

Do you remember how you cringed when the supply of hot water suddenly stopped while you were taking a shower? Such scenarios are common when many points of use require hot water from a traditional water heater at the same time. With a tankless water heater, such shortages will be a thing of the past because the heater will keep heating water for as long as there is a demand for hot water at a point of use within the plumbing system. However, the expert plumbers at Tureks Plumbing Services caution that you can only have an unlimited supply of hot water if the hot water isn’t being used beyond the discharge capacity of the tankless water heater. The key to unlimited hot water with a tankless water heater is that an expert should advise you on the best heater size for your needs.

Longer Service Life

A water heater is one of the expensive appliances in a home, and it is normal to expect these devices to last as long as possible so that you recoup your investment. Tankless water heaters have the distinction of having a longer service life when compared to their traditional counterparts. Since the tankless water heater doesn’t have a storage tank, there is no risk that it will spring a leak and fail. According to experienced plumbers in Appleton, WI, tankless water heaters last for approximately 20 years, while traditional water heaters will last for a maximum of 15 years.

Tankless Water Heaters Conserve Water

Tureks Plumbing Services also confirms that you will conserve more water when you switch to a tankless water heater. How does this happen? With a traditional water heater, people typically let some water run to waste as the cold water in the pipes makes way for the hot water to follow. This wasted water adds up over time, and your water bill is affected. With a tankless system, you get hot water as soon as you open the faucet or other points of use. Our friends at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing, a home service company in Sacramento, agree that you save the water that you would have lost while waiting for the faucet to discharge hot water.

You Get Purer Water

Like a traditional water heater ages, its storage tank may start rusting. This rust finds its way into the water you use at different points of use, and this could put your health at risk. This risk of corrosion explains why homeowners have to keep replacing the sacrificial anodes in the hot water heater to prevent corrosion from taking place. Others have to hire a plumber in Appleton, WI, to inspect and maintain their hot water heaters. Eventually, corrosion still happens, and the water discharged may even start looking discolored in extreme cases. Tankless water heaters don’t have storage tanks, so you get cleaner or purer water each time you open a faucet or other point of use.

As you can see, tankless water heaters have numerous advantages over water heaters with storage tanks. However, you can only enjoy those benefits if you work with Tureks Plumbing Services to select the appropriate tank and install it correctly. So, contact Tureks Plumbing today to witness how these heaters can transform the hot water system in your home.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in July 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 

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Our Favorite Tankless Water Heater

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020

Favorite Tankless Water Heater - Rinnai tankless water heater - Tureks Plumbing ServicesOur Favorite Tankless Water Heater

We live in a world where technology is constantly changing for the better. So, there is no reason why you should remain stuck with an aging water heater that is not only inefficient and space-wasting but also doesn’t give you the hot water you need. Plumbing professionals at Tureks Plumbing Services would like to introduce to you our favorite tankless water heater, the Rinnai tankless water heater. This best-in-class appliance is our bestseller for a number of reasons as discussed below.

Endless Hot Water

A Rinnai hot water heater gives you the freedom to enjoy as much hot water as you want so that you don’t have to choose between using the dishwasher, doing your laundry or taking a hot shower. 

A Rinnai water heater heats water as you use it, so you can be sure that you will not run out of hot water simply because the tank of your traditional heater has run out of hot water. Tureks Plumbing Services knows how important time and convenience is to you, and that is why we offer you the best hot water heater that will provide hot water conveniently to you and your entire household.

No More Waiting for Hot Water

Anyone who has used a traditional water heater knows how frustrating it can be to open a faucet and wait for several minutes before hot water starts flowing through. This is particularly noticeable on chilly days.

Appleton home remodel contractors say that the water losses that occur as you wait for hot water to start flowing can add up to thousands of gallons of water each year. That is money down the drain, literally. 

With a Rinnai hot water heater, you get hot water just seconds after opening a faucet. This is a huge departure from the minutes required before you can get hot water from your traditional water heater. You will save time and money after installing a Rinnai water heater in your home.

Minimal Space is Required

Another critical reason why Tureks Plumbing Services is comfortable recommending Rinnai tankless water heaters to homeowners in Appleton, WI is that these water heaters are space-savers.

Traditional water heaters have huge tanks that occupy a lot of space. We all know that space in a home comes at a premium. So, any area occupied by the traditional water heater is space that you cannot use.

Rinnai tankless water heaters are designed for space economy, and they are typically the size of a small suitcase. Furthermore, the experienced installers at Tureks Plumbing Services assure you that Rinnai tankless water heaters are all designed to be mounted on walls. This allows them to be at home in the most compact of locations within your home.

What this compact design means is that less space will be taken up by the water heater.

Affordability and Efficiency Savings

There is no smarter choice when it comes to the supply of hot water in your home other than upgrading to a tankless water heater. This is because Rinnai tankless water heaters are gas-powered but produce less CO2 than others on the market. Their high efficiency also means that they qualify for tax credits in many jurisdictions.

Tureks Plumbing Services gladly helps all clients to benefit from any energy rebates available. This results in our clients making significant savings on the cost of acquiring the latest Rinnai water heaters. 

Additionally, the tankless design of the Rinnai water heaters means that the operational costs of using the heater will reduce. For example, traditional water heaters keep reheating the water inside the tank to ensure a ready supply of hot water. This constant reheating wastes energy and your monthly energy bill will be higher as a result. This wasted energy is all saved when you switch to a tankless water heater from Rinnai. By only heating water when you need it, tankless water heaters from Rinnai ensure that you get the biggest bang for your buck.

Reliable Tankless Water Heater

There is no reason why you should settle for anything but the best for your business and home. That is why we bring to you Rinnai, the bestselling hot water heater in North America. 

The experts at Headwaters Construction Inc., a commercial construction company, agree that when you install one of these tanks in your commercial or residential property, you will get more than three decades of innovation, product integrity, and support.

Additionally, Wi-Fi functionality means that Tureks Plumbing Services can keep an eye on the efficiency of the water heater. As well as quickly correct any defects that threaten to affect the performance of the appliance. 

Durability You Can Trust

Rinnai tankless water heaters aren’t only designed to be very reliable. They’re also made to last. These tankless water heaters are built to last nearly twice as long as the traditional water heaters that have tanks.

You will also enjoy a generous warranty when you acquire and install your tankless water heater through Tureks Plumbing Services. 

As you can see, you have every reason to get a Rinnai tankless water heater for your home or business. Rest assured that Tureks Plumbing Services has the best water heater there is. Contact us today, and our experienced technicians will assess your water heater needs.

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Tankless Water Heaters – Pros & Cons

Thursday, February 13th, 2020

tankless water heaters wisconsinThe invention of water heaters helped shape the way people heated water in their homes. It was now possible to heat water without using a stove and without wasting too much energy in the process. This invention would later develop into a tankless water heater, from the conventional storage water heater.

Homeowners are increasingly adopting this method of heating water. Such an instantaneous supply of hot water is viewed as a great addition to any home. However, like any invention, tankless water heaters do have their merits and demerits. It is important to explore these pros and cons, before getting a plumbing company in Appleton Wisconsin to install a water heater in your home.   

The pros include:

They are instant 

Unlike with storage tank water heaters, tankless water heaters are able to provide hot water on demand. You will not have to wait for the water to heat up as they are usually fast. This works well for homes with many occupants. 

They last longer 

Tankless water heaters are known to last longer than storage-tank water heaters. A typical tankless water heater is likely to last for more than 20 years, unlike their storage-tank counterpart which only lasts for 10-15 years. This added durability will save you money in the long run. 

They come with lower operational costs

Tankless water heaters have a lower operational cost than their storage tank counterparts. Given that they come with fewer components, and a longer lifespan, you are less likely to spend a lot of money carrying out a water heater repair, for example. This allows you to comfortably maintain your water heater without spending too much money. 

Reduced Risk of Water Damage 

A tankless water heater is less likely to cause damage to your property than a storage-tank water heater. This is usually because the tankless water heater has no tank to leak. While both can leak, a tankless water heater will not flood your house as a storage-tank water heater would. 

They save on Space 

A storage-tank water heater will require plenty of space since the tank has to go somewhere in your house. On the other hand, a tankless water heater requires no additional space making it an ideal pick for anyone with a smaller home. 

All these benefits come with their disadvantages too. The Cons include:

They come with a high initial cost 

Tankless water heaters are not only expensive to buy, but also come with added installation costs. For example, a gas water heater requires that you reroute gas lines in homes whose initial design had not accounted for such. You might also need to install new wiring systems to account for the water heater. This adds to the initial cost of the setup. 

They can’t fully cater to multiple users 

A tankless water heater might not be able to fully provide your entire household with hot water if you have multiple appliances using hot water at the same time. This leads to inconsistency in water temperatures. To counter this, you might be forced to install additional water heaters which are bound to cost more money. 

They can be affected by electricity outages 

Tankless water heaters do not work if there is a power outage. Regardless of whether your water heater uses electricity or gas, the control unit of both systems uses electricity. Therefore, this leaves you at the mercy of your power company. 

A water heater is an important addition to your home in Appleton Wisconsin. Whether you decide to pick a tank water heater or a tankless one, ensure to have Tureks by your side. We will provide you with the best plumber in Appleton Wisconsin for the right advice and installation. Contact us if you have any additional questions. 

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Plumbing Resolutions for the New Year

Wednesday, December 26th, 2018

Plumbing Resolutions for the New Year

Plumbing Resolutions for the New Year

Research has it that approximately 45 percent of all people make resolutions at the start of each year. However, only a paltry 8 percent of those people actually implement those resolutions. Our team Tureks Plumbing Services would like you to consider the following plumbing resolutions for the New Year so you can save on your plumbing bill in 2019!

Be More Considerate of Your Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal is one of the unsung heroes of your plumbing system. However, many homeowners ignore this appliance until something malfunctions. Let next year be a different year for the garbage disposal in your home. Resolve to treat it better by being more mindful about what you deposit inside the disposal. For example, don’t place large chunks of debris inside the disposal just because it has blades that can cut that debris into tiny pieces. Instead, cut the debris into smaller pieces so that the garbage disposal doesn’t overwork.

Such consideration will reduce the wear and tear on your disposal. Defects will also be fewer, so you will have a reduced need to call Tureks Plumbing Services to fix a disposal malfunction.

Fix Defects Promptly

The second of the plumbing resolutions for the New Year entails taking prompt action as soon as a defect is detected in the plumbing system. You see, plumbing defects differ in intensity/seriousness. For example, a minor leak may develop at the kitchen faucet, or the main water pipe into your home may burst and start gushing water into your yard. These two leaks elicit different degrees of urgency among homeowners.

However, that minor leak that you delay to fix can result in additional problems. For example, the slow leak can inflate your monthly water bill. Secondly, the moist conditions created by the leak can promote the growth of mold and mildew (with their attendant health risks).

It is therefore wise for you to contact a plumber in Appleton, WI, each time you detect any defect in the plumbing system. The New Year will then have fewer plumbing emergencies if you act quickly each time a defect is noticed.

Conserve Water

You should also resolve to conserve water more in the New Year. This can be attained in several ways, such as upgrading to water-efficient toilets and showerheads. In fact, even fixing defects promptly can help you to conserve water since the wastage resulting from plumbing defects will be avoided.

Consult a Fox Valley plumber in case you want to implement more comprehensive changes in your home in order to make the plumbing system more efficient. The professional will inspect your home and suggest the most cost-effective ways to conserve water in your home.

Give Your Water Heater More Attention

The water heater in your home is an important appliance from a comfort point of view and from the aspect of energy-efficiency. For example, a sudden malfunction can deny your family members hot water to take a shower in the middle of winter. Such an inconvenience can be hard to bypass during such weather.

It is therefore vital that you resolve to give your water heater more attention this coming year (and beyond) so that it can continue to give you the reliable service that you have come to expect. Check the anode frequently and replace it when it is eroded. Flush the tank regularly so that sediment doesn’t accumulate and spring a leak. You can also ask a Fox Valley plumber to check that water heater so that the defects you weren’t aware of as a layperson are fixed before they worsen and compromise the functioning of the appliance.

Keep Pipes Warm

Your plumbing resolutions for the New Year may not be complete if you haven’t thought about how to winterize the plumbing system. Make a conscious decision to keep the water pipes warm during the cold months of the year so that you can forestall those pipes from bursting after freezing.

It is especially important to keep the pipes outdoors and those where no air conditioning exists (attic and basement, for example) warm by wrapping them in insulation. This insulation is affordable and can be bought in rolls at plumbing or hardware stores. Ask one of our experts at Tureks Plumbing Services for recommendations in case you aren’t sure of which particular product to buy and use.

Have Regular Inspections Done

Resolve to start being more proactive rather than reactive when it comes to addressing plumbing system issues. Don’t wait for a problem to occur before you pay some attention to the plumbing system. Instead, ask an experienced plumber in Appleton, WI, to inspect the entire system at least once each year so that defects can be caught early. Such proactive measures will reduce your expenditure on plumbing repairs, and the system will break down less frequently.

Tureks Plumbing Services is available round the clock throughout the year. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help in implementing any of the plumbing resolutions for the New Year covered in the discussion above. We shall do everything possible to keep your plumbing system working without a hitch.

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How to Install a New Water Heater

Wednesday, October 10th, 2018

How to install a new water heater

How to Install a New Water Heater

Today, instant hot water is no longer considered a luxury; it is now more of a necessity. When you have a water heater, you don’t have to run the bath for several minutes to get the right temperature. You won’t suddenly be drenched by cold water in the middle of enjoying a warm bath as well.

The key to enjoying a warm or hot water every time you need it is to install your water heater properly. Although this is a job best left to experts, there is nothing wrong with trying to install it yourself. And once you have any problems going through with any of the installation steps, you have to call a professional plumber immediately.

Installing Your Electric Water Heater

Below are the steps on how to install a new water heater properly and safely:

Turn off the water and electricity supply

Shut off the circuit breaker for the line where you will connect the heater.  Next, turn off the home’s main water shutoff valve or the shutoff valve at the cold water supply line running to your current heater.  

Drain the old tank

Turn off the cold water supply to the heater. This is often located at the top of the unit. Next, connect a hose to the water heater’s drain valve and open the valve. Place the end of the hose near a floor drain or into a pail.

Make sure you drain the tank completely before you turn off the valve and remove the hose.

Disconnect the electric and plumbing connections

Next, disconnect the water heater’s electrical wires. Label the wires or take a picture so that you can easily use them later when connecting your new heater’s wires. Once done, disconnect the hot and cold water supply pipes.

If your current heater used copper piping, you may need to cut the pipes. Use a pipe tubing cutter to do this and leave as much of the pipe as possible.

Remove the old heater and place the new one

Once you have taken down the old tank, place the new heater into position. Make sure you line it up with the existing electrical and plumbing connections.   

Next, install the different fittings. These include the temperature and pressure relief or TPR valve and discharge drain pipe. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Connect the water pipes

If the cold water supply does not have a shutoff valve, now is the time to install one. When done, use the correct fittings to connect the cold water inlet and hot water outlet on the water heater to their respective pipes. Be sure to use the correct type of fittings.

Connect the heater to the electrical source

Use the previous wire connections as a guide and connect the new wires in the same way that you removed them. Make sure you follow the labels when connecting the cables to the electrical source.  

Set the temperature

Turn on the cold water supply valve to the water heater and turn on the main water supply valve to fill the tank with water. Next, restore power to the water heater circuit. Set the temperature between 110 and 125 degrees F and wait until the water in the tank comes up to temperature. Leave the water turned on for a few minutes to ensure that the heater maintains the desired temperature.

Getting Help from Pros

As you can see from the steps above, installing a new water heater is not an easy task. You will need a number of plumbing tools which you may not have as well.

If you don’t want your new water heater to become a fire, explosion, and health hazard, hire a pro to install it properly.

By hiring a plumber to handle the installation, you:

  • Ensure the electrical lines are connected properly and safely
  • Allow the ignition sources to be checked, cleaned, and repaired, if necessary
  • Avoid damaging the TPR
  • Avoid the possibility of bacterial contamination

By letting a trusted Appleton plumber handle the water heater installation, you will be sure you can use your newly installed electric water heater as soon as possible. You will be able to use it safely for a long time as well.

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Water Heater Facts Homeowners Should Know

Monday, June 12th, 2017

 Top Water Heater Facts Homeowners Should Know

Often, plenty of homeowners take their hot water heaters for granted. They usually forget about them until they run out of hot water. To beef up your knowledge about the important home features, here are some water heaters facts you may not know about:

Facts About Water Heaters

1. The idea of using a water heater first emerged in London in 1868. A painter discovered how to heat cold water by putting gas burners below the water pipes. Edwin Ruud, a Norwegian mechanical engineer, took inspiration from this idea, so he created the first tank-type water heater.
2. One-fourth of your home’s energy usage often comes from using a water heater for taking showers, doing laundry, and washing dishes.
3. On average, an American household makes use of around 80-120 gallons of hot water on a daily basis. About 6-8 gallons of water are used for showers, 15-20 gallons for taking a bath, 20-30 gallons for a load of laundry, 2 gallons of water per minute for washing the dishes, and 6-10 gallons per load if you use a dishwasher.
4. Be cautious in dealing with water heaters because in less than 5 seconds, the human skin may suffer 3rd-degree burns when it comes in contact with water that has a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
5. Tank water heaters usually last for 10-12 years while tankless water heaters can last for 18-20 years.

How Water Heaters Work

Water heaters will look like huge metal cylinders that are consigned to a basement or a laundry room. Some of the latest styles offer some interesting features. Water heaters exploit the heat rising principle so they can provide hot water to your faucet conveniently.
In a traditional water heater system, there is a big tank that will hold and heat the water. The dip tube will feed cold water to the bottom of the tank’s interior, where it starts to warm up. The heating mechanism remains on until the water reaches the desired temperature. The heated water then rises to the top of the tank. The energy used in order to keep the water hot even when no one is using it is known as standby heat loss.
For tankless water heater systems, standby heat loss is avoided because it only heats the incoming water when you need it. As such, they are also known as on-demand water heaters.
A tankless heating system makes use of a powerful heat exchanger, which is only activated by the incoming flow of water. So if you turn on your faucet, the incoming water will circulate through the exchanger, which then heats the cold water to your desired temperature. To schedule an appointment call us today!

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What you need to know about tankless water heaters

Saturday, June 3rd, 2017

8 Things You Need to Know About Tankless Water Heaters

Hot water is one of the most appreciated conveniences in the western world. It is essential to upholding day-to-day hygiene requirements and to wellness, especially during the chilly months.

Back in the days of old, it took a long time and much physical energy to heat enough hot water for bathing, but today, all you really have to do is turn on your faucet or shower for a steady stream. This is if you already have a water heater installed at home.

And speaking of water heaters, there are different kinds. A lot of homeowners in the Applegate and Fox Valley communities prefer tankless water heaters because these only provide hot water when needed and, therefore, are more energy-efficient. Water heaters are among the biggest energy consumers installed in most houses, but tankless water heaters don’t create the budget setback that conventional heaters do.

If you’re building a home and you’re not sure what type of water heater to use, here are eight things you need to know about tankless water heaters that will surely help you decide.

  1. Most tankless water heaters provide hot water at a rate of two to five gallons of water per minute.
  2. Gas-fired tankless water heaters produce higher flow rates than their electric-powered counterparts.
  3. These are easy to install, therefore, you can place multiple units in your home.
  4. For households that typically consume 41 gallons of hot water, tankless water heaters are more suitable to use. They are 24 to 34 percent more energy-efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. Meanwhile, for homes that consume more hot water than that, tankless water heaters are still more energy efficient by 8 to 14 percent.
  5. Although these are more expensive than conventional water heaters, you can recoup the cost due to its energy efficiency. You’ll see the big difference in your monthly energy bill.
  6. Tankless water heaters also outlast storage water heaters. They can last over 20 years while storage water heaters’ functional lifespan usually only ranges between 10 to 15 years.
  7. Your household can avoid the standby heat losses often created by some storage water heaters.
  8. Proper installation is a must in ensuring energy efficiency, so make sure that you hire the best Fox Valley plumbers for the job.

All in all, if you want to enjoy hot water without consuming too much energy, tankless water heaters are the smart option. Implement energy-efficient practices and your home can really lower its energy expenses. Call us today to set up your appointment!

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Signs My Water Pump Is Failing

Monday, May 15th, 2017

What Are the Signs My Water Pump Is Failing?

If you draw water from a well, most of the hard work of bringing water to your home is done by the water pump. However, if you come home with little to no water coming out of the faucet, one possible cause is a failing or broken water pump.

You’re probably wondering, “What are the signs that my water pump is failing?”

No water comes out of the faucet

If no water is coming out of the faucet when you turn it on, the first thing that you need to check are the pipes. Sometimes, the pipes may simply be clogged or broken.

However, if the pipes look like they are in good working order and are neither clogged nor broken, you can turn your attention to your water pump.

Loud and/or odd noises from the water tank

If you keep hearing loud and/or odd noises coming from your water pump, it is highly likely that it is about to fail anytime soon.

An increase in your electric bill

Take a look at your electric consumption over the past few months. If you think that your consumption has not changed but your bill has risen steadily over the past few weeks or months, the culprit may be your water pump.

Low water pressure

Again, you need to rule out other potential causes of low water pressure. Start by checking the condition of the pipes. Sometimes, repairing or changing broken pipes will restore normal water pressure. However, if the problem still persists, your water pump may be the main reason.

Maintaining your water pump

The price of a new water pump for your well can cost you a small fortune. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to get the most out of your investment.

Like other systems in your home, your water pump requires regular maintenance. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations (including the schedule for maintenance) and have professionals inspect it at least once a year.

Consider a submersible well pump

If you have an above-ground water pump, an experienced contractor can fix it for you. However, fixing a submersible water pump will be more of a challenge because it needs to be pulled from the well.

The advantage of submersible well pumps is that these can last up to 25 years. However, this lifespan can be affected by factors like the amount of sediment and other particles in the well. Contact one of our plumbers today!

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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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