Frequently Asked Plumbing Questions
How often do you need to replace a water heater?
That depends on two things: the type of water heater and the quality of the water heater. If you’re using a conventional water heater that incorporates a tank, otherwise known as a boiler, then you can expect to replace it more frequently than if you use a tankless or instantaneous water heater. Then there is the issue of quality. A high quality conventional water heater will last about a decade if maintained well. A high quality tankless water heater will last at least 2 decades if maintained well. You may need to have repairs done on each every once in a while, but you shouldn’t have to replace the whole thing until several years have gone by.
The process of sewer cleaning is fairly technical but also highly effective. Sewers can get clogged with lots of stuff, including grease, debris, and even tree roots that have either grown into the sewer line or simply found their way there as debris. This clogging can cause blockages and backups, which might lead to dirty water getting into your home and exposing your to many different harmful bacteria. In order to clean the sewer, sewer televising is first done by piping a camera into the sewer to analyze the extent of the damage. Once this has been determined, hydro-jetting is done. Basically, a powerful jet of water is pumped into the sewer to break the debris up and flush it down the sewer line. This not only solves the problem in the localized area of the blockage but also prevents clogging happening further down the line. Once the debris has been broken up and flushed the camera is re-inserted into the line and any potential repairs that might be needed are assessed. These repairs are necessary, especially in the case of damage by roots, to prevent them from growing right back in the future.
A sump pump is like getting an insurance policy for your home against it flooding, especially if it is either in a low lying area or you live in an area that rains or snows a lot. Without a sump pump, the only protection you have against drain water flooding your home is hope, and maybe a bit of prayer. These floods can cost you a lot in terms of money and time. You’ll deal with broken or short circuited electronics, damaged flooring, and, at the very worst, a completely destroyed basement. A sump pump prevents all of that without you even knowing about it.
If you live in a place with typically low temperatures, starting at 20 degrees and below, then frozen pipes are a real issue you should think about. Basically, it’s not the pipe that freezes, but rather the water inside it. When water freezes it expands and can burst the pipe in the process. This can lead to large expenses when repairing or replacing popes. The best way to prevent this is to set your thermostats properly and install pipes with proper insulation to prevent freezing. If you ever have issues with a frozen pipe, do not try to repair it yourself. Call Narwhal Plumbing and they’ll send a professional over to do it.
If you spend an extended amount of time away from the home, then the water in your faucets is likely to be discolored. The discoloration, however, is not permanent and will likely go away after a while, all on its own. It is typically because of a bit of rust having accumulated in the pipes. If your hot water is discolored, it could indicate a rusty water heater or piping. The water is typically safe to use for cleaning, bathing, and even cooling. However, if the discolored water seems to persist, call Narwhal Plumbing and they will have an expert come over to give it a proper look.
Leaky plumbing is a nuisance that pretty much no one ever wants to deal with. You don’t have to worry too much about it, however, since there are measures you can take to prevent it. The root of most cases of leaking pipes is water pressure that is too high. You should always ensure that the pressure of the water coursing through your pipes never exceeds 60 psi, or pounds per square inch. If the water gauge exceeds that amount, call Narwhal Plumbing to adjust the pressure by installing a pressure reducing valve.
If your water heater is starting to get noisy, then you should be worried because it might be indicative of some serious problems. Your water heater might be only moments away from a short circuit that could damage all of your circuit breakers. There might also be a buildup of sediment in your water heater, which may cause the use of excess electricity and rack up your utility bills. You can solve the problem temporarily by draining the entire system and then refilling it. However, the only surest solution is to call Narwhal Plumbing so they can send over a specialist to have a look at the problem and come up with a permanent solution.
This is probably because debris has been trapped in the u-bends of your piping and has begun to rot, causing a stink. Most pipes have these u-bends in them to catch debris before it finds its way into the sewer line and clogs it. There are a couple of ways you can clean the u-bends. You can either take it apart and do the cleaning by hand, or you can flush it with vinegar and bleach to break up the debris. The broken up debris will then move easily through the pipe without blocking it. In order to get rid of the smell, turn on the fan or air conditioning and it will be sucked up.
This is much easier than you think, but it requires you to take quick action. First, you can start by getting a more efficient water. A tankless water heater is an efficient water heater. It will deliver hot water to you only when you need it. It’s also environment friendly. It actually solves your problems on two fronts: it saves you money on your water bills and also saves you money on your electricity bills.
Leaky faucets can really waste water for you. Even small drips can end up wasting up to 150 gallons a day, so you should take them seriously. Check under your sink for leaks or moisture. You should also call Narwhal Plumbing right away to repair leaky faucets so you don’t have to deal with the high bills caused by the wasted water later. To make sure your water flows evenly, remove your faucet aerators and clean them on an annual basis. You should also ensure the overflow holes on your vanities and tubs are open and clear so overflowing water does not find its way into floors and ceilings, where it will cause untold damage.
Believe it or not, vibrating noises are actually fairly common in plumbing lines, especially old ones. If a valve or washer in a faucet is loose, it will be easily rattled by the flow of water and you will hear that noise. If you open and close your faucet very fast and hear a noise, it means you have loose pipes. You can correct that giving them a more secure anchoring. You can also call Narwhal Plumbing to provide more technical and permanent solutions to the problem, such as adding air chambers at the end of long pipes.
If you’re dealing with a minor drain clog, then they are perfectly safe. However, you should never use them when your drain is completely clogged. The ingredients of the caustic drain opener will be trapped along with the rest of the debris in the drain and are likely to damage your pipes. If you find it difficult to unclog the drain yourself using simple methods, then it is high time you called a professional to do the job.
Call us today for all your plumbing and bathroom remodeling needs.
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