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How do I know it’s an emergency?

As mentioned before, any plumbing repair could potentially become an emergency, especially if your property or your health is at risk. Here are some other things to take into consideration:

• Can it wait? In general, the potential for property damage–burst pipes–or health risks–sewage backup–should be considered. At the same time, a clogged toilet on a holiday could prove an emergency. Flushing a severely clogged toilet, for instance, can cause pipes to burst or crack.
• Is it your responsibility? People living in rental properties are usually not responsible for calling plumbing professionals. Emergencies are usually handled by property managers. However, you might have to make the call–and pay for the repair–if the potential for immediate damage is high. Check with your property manager beforehand to find out what to do in this situation.
• Can the water be turned off? One way to quickly stave off potential damage is to shut off the water. This might allow you to wait until the next day to get a plumber out when daily rates apply. Of course, shutting off the water might not be feasible or possible, depending on the situation.

Any of these circumstances depend on the situation and may require you to make quick decisions in a stressful situation. When in doubt, it might be best to go ahead and make the call. A plumbing professional might even be able to give you advice over the phone to make a temporary fix.

Is a leaking water pipe an emergency?

You might have an emergency plumbing repair on your hands if you discover a pipe leak. Leaks need to be taken care of as soon as possible because of the potential for further damage. If you can’t reach an emergency plumber in time, take the time to shut the water off or call your utility company to shut the water off.

A temporary fix, if the leak isn’t too severe, is using pipe tape. This a special tape for plumbing and other tapes like duct tape shouldn’t be used for this type of temporary repair.

To make the repair, you stretch the tape around the pipe while wrapping the pipe. The tape should be overlapped so it bonds to itself. This will create a watertight seal. This method can be great for emergency plumbing repair.

In certain places, plumber’s putty can be used to make the repair but it should not be used in conjunction with tape.

What is the first thing to do when you have a burst pipe?

As with any sort of leak, shutting off the water is key to preventing further damage. When the water supply is shut off, it also means you have to deal with the water that’s currently in the pipes. Keep the water off until a plumber tells you it’s OK to turn it back on.

One fortunate thing about a burst pipe is that it is often covered by homeowner’s insurance. Check the policy to make sure this is true and in what cases it is not covered. Any negligence on your part might void the policy’s terms and conditions.

How do you avoid a plumbing emergency?

Preventative maintenance is often the key to avoiding emergencies. This could be as simple as wrapping outdoor pipes and opening cabinets to keep pipes from freezing when the mercury drops.

Even just keeping an eye out for leaks around faucets or sinks can prevent worse problems in the future. Anytime you notice a leak, you want to act quickly because leaks can cause further damage fairly quickly. Find the water shut-off valve when you discover a leak and get in touch with a plumbing professional.

What is the most common plumbing repair?

Plumbers face a variety of repairs every day. Here are some of the most common:

• Dripping faucets
• Leaking pipes
• Running toilets
• Leaky hose bibs
• Low water pressure
• Slow or clogged drains
• Water heater repair
• Sump pump repairs

How do you find an emergency plumber?

If you don’t have a regular plumber, you can find an emergency plumber in several ways. Check with family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers. You can also look on social media or search Google to find a local plumbing professional. Keying in “emergency plumber near me” is a good way to start a search on Google.

Even in an emergency, try to check several plumbers in the listings or look to the experts at The Happy Plumber Company. We can be reached at (719) 426-6030. All our plumbing professionals are licensed and customer-centered.

With any plumber you get, you want to make sure they are licensed and certified and have a great reputation among their customers. You will also want to find out how they charge and whether they charge extra for emergency or after-hours services. Most plumbers offer emergency services but some might only be available during standard business hours. Typically, plumbers charge hourly rates but some will charge flat rates or a combination of the two.

5 Reasons to Install a Water Softener

There are several signs that indicate you might have hard water and might benefit from installing a water-softening system in your home.

1. Mineral build-up on fixtures: White or cloudy residue around shower heads and faucets is a sure sign of hard water. This residue can damage fixtures.
2. Lowered appliance efficiency: Hard water leads to scaling on appliances like dishwashers which makes them operate less efficiently and may cause damage and decrease their lifespans. Mineral build-up in the water heater can lead it to overheat and fail.
3. Dry skin and lackluster hair: Minerals like calcium and magnesium can cause the skin to become dry and itchy. Hard water can also take the shine out of your hair and make it hard to manage. Soft water actually helps your hair look shinier and fuller and less damaged.
4. Less effective cleaning: With hard water, you often find that soaps and detergents are less effective at cleaning. They often leave behind a filmy residue.
5. Higher utility bills: Scaling causes your plumbing system as well as your heating system to work harder, using more energy.

Is it worth it to put in a water softener?

Along with ridding problems like those listed above, when you install a water-softening system, you’re going to find it benefits you in many ways. These systems not only eliminate calcium and magnesium but also iron. Too much iron in the water can lead to health issues including stomach problems and hemochromatosis, a build-up of too much iron in the body that can affect organs like the liver and pancreas.

Hard water is also tough on pipes. The mineral build-up can lead to clogs and corrosion.

So water softeners protect your health and pipes. They are also easy to install and low maintenance. Moreover, they are easy to run. Upkeep is minimal. After your initial investment, it costs about $100 annually to fill the system with salt. These systems also last about 8-10 years.

Is it healthy to drink water softener water?

When water is softened, there is the potential for an increase in sodium. While it’s still safe to drink for most people, the elevated sodium could cause problems for those with high blood pressure. The amount of sodium in the water will be determined by how hard the water originally was. If the original mineral content was less than 400 ppm, the sodium levels wouldn’t be nearly as high as mineral concentrations of more than 400 ppm.

If your water is really hard, and you have concerns about sodium content after it is softened, you might want to consider adding a reverse osmosis system to the water softener. The reverse osmosis system will remove the excess salts from the water, making it even safer to drink.

Can I water plants with softened water?

Generally, it’s safe to water your plants with softened water, as long as they are also getting sufficient rain water. But you shouldn’t water plants exclusively with softened water. The sodium chloride in the water will seep into the soil, and this can eventually damage the plants.

Hard water can actually be good for plants or you can attach a reverse osmosis device to the water softening system to remove the salts from the water. Reverse osmosis also helps with removing chlorine, iron and bacteria from the water.

If you’re growing vegetables in your garden, you’ll benefit from soft water when you cook them. Cooking with soft water is often quicker than cooking with hard water, and your vegetables will have a better taste and texture.

Are water softening systems good or bad for water heaters?

Unfortunately, both hard and soft water can damage water heaters. However, if you have hard water, water softening systems are much more beneficial overall to your plumbing.

While soft water can corrode your water heater, corrosion can be prevented. Anode rods inside the tank are there to prevent corrosion. Soft water, however, can cause the anode rods to corrode. Along with regular maintenance, to prevent this corrosion, you’ll want to regularly replace your anode rods.

Is there a way to soften water without a water softener?

An alternative to softened water is a water conditioner. Instead of removing calcium and magnesium from the water, conditioners crystallize the minerals. A seed crystal is formed and the remaining minerals attach themselves to the seed crystal rather than to surfaces such as pipes that the water contacts.

In general, conditioners and softeners are equally effective at managing mineral content in your water.

How long do water softeners last?

On average, water softening systems last about 8-10 years, with 15 years being the maximum lifespan. You’ll, of course, extend your system’s lifespan with proper maintenance and care.

What are signs your water heater is going out?

Regular maintenance will keep your water heater performing well for a long time. However, it might be time for a water heater replacement if you start experiencing these 10 common signs that your water heater is going out:

• Strange noises: It’s not normal for water heaters to pop, bang, or rumble. If you’re hearing these noises, the problem is usually sediment build-up. The more sediment that builds up at the bottom of the tank, the more likely your water heater will overheat and eventually fail.
• Varying or decreased water temperature: Inconsistent or decreased water temperature signifies the water heater could fail. Have a professional check it out.
• Low water pressure: This often means sediment build-up. As sediment builds up on the bottom of the tank, the water heater can overheat.
• Rusty or discolored water: Discolored water usually means the anode rod is corroding and failing. This will lead to rust and corrosion inside the tank.
• Hot water shortage: Water heaters that are failing tend to produce hot water less often.
• Leaks: Because water heater tanks are supposed to be airtight, a leak is a serious problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
• Frequent repairs: Typically, the more often you have to repair the water heater, the more often it will break down and need more repairs. You’ll save money replacing the water heater.
• Water heater’s age: The older your water heater gets, the less likely it will perform at a high level. If it’s more than 10-12 years old, look into replacing it.
• Higher energy bills: Sediment build-up will also reduce your water heater’s energy efficiency, so you’ll begin seeing higher energy bills.
• Odd-smelling water: Funky smells coming from your water usually mean that bacteria are growing in the water heater’s tank. Bacteria can be caused by a variety of reasons. Keeping the temperature below 120 degrees creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth, as does rust and corrosion. Bacterial growths can be flushed but persistent problems with these growths mean you might want to replace the unit.

Should I replace my water heater before it goes bad?

When you replace your water heater really depends on how well it’s performing. If your water heater isn’t aging out, you’re not experiencing problems like those listed above and it’s consistently producing hot water, water heater replacement is unnecessary.

At the same time, you should stay prepared for any emergencies and have professionals regularly maintain the unit. Also, check your warranty for timelines.

Can a water heater last 20 years?

Average lifespans for water heaters are just that–averages. Some water heaters will last much longer than the 6-12-year average lifespan. Some could last 20 years or more, as long as they have been installed properly and are well-maintained.

That said, older water heaters do tend to break down frequently, and this can cause many problems, not the least of which is repair costs. Also, if that older water heater happens to suddenly burst and cause damage to your home, the damage might not be covered by homeowner’s insurance, especially if the older unit hasn’t been well-maintained. Regular maintenance is also essential to prevent your warranty from being voided.

What unit should I buy, gas or electric?

When it comes to water heater replacement, you basically have two choices, either gas or electric. Electric water heaters tend to be more efficient and require less maintenance. Gas heaters will require a vent or chimney, and are harder to install unless the gas fixtures are already in place. Much of what you get will depend on what you already have in place, as well as personal preference.

On the other hand, because gas water heaters use pilot lights to heat up, they don’t need an electrical source to heat up, so your gas water heater will work even when there is a power outage.

Who is best when it comes to installing a water heater?

While many people think they’ll save money by installing a water heater themselves, it’s usually best to let a professional licensed plumber do the job. Water heater installation isn’t as easy as it might seem. Along with understanding all the required codes to complete a safe and compliant installation, licensed plumbers will know best what size of water heater you need.

Even if you do install the water heater yourself, it will need to be up to code, and it will need to be inspected for code compliance once installed.

Professional plumbers will also usually haul away the old unit.

Professional installation also only takes about two to three hours.

One thing to be aware of: It will take some time for the water in your new water heater to heat up. Be patient at first because the water will take anywhere from 60-80 minutes to heat up when you have an electric unit and about 30-40 minutes for a gas unit. A tankless water heater, however, should heat up almost immediately.