Does Corrosion on My Water Heater Mean It’s Done For?

July 24th, 2017

water-heater-and-technicianCorrosion: the gradual destruction of metal due to a chemical or electro-chemical reaction to the environment. Or, to look at a case you’re probably more familiar with, metal that rusts because of the presence of water. There are different types of corrosion, but when we’re talking about a residential water heater, it’s the corrosion that occurs because of the mix of oxygen and water in contact with metal.

A water heater is designed to resist corrosion through a number of methods. The interior of its hot water tank is lined with glass. A pressure relief valve on the top of the tank allows for an air cushion without allowing air into the tank itself. A component called the sacrificial anode rod that runs through the tank draws the forces of corrosion to it so that the rod corrodes rather than the rest of the tank.

However… yes, a water heater can start to corrode. If you notice corrosion on your water heater, does it mean the system has to be replaced?

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How to Catch Plumbing Troubles Early

July 10th, 2017

plumber-doing-kitchen-repairsPrevention is always better than having to deal with a plumbing repair problem as it happens. If you can catch a plumbing issue early, you’ll be able to avoid both a costlier repair job down the road and major consequences that can lead to water damage in your house or vital fixtures (such as the toilet) no longer working.

It’s easy to say you should try to find plumbing problems as early as possible. It’s another thing to be able to do it! But that’s why you have professional plumbers like us around! Below are some tips for preventing plumbing troubles in Cincinnati, OH and throughout the Greater Cincinnati Area.

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How Does a Water Softener Work?

July 4th, 2017

water-flowing-from-tapHard water is one of the most common types of water quality issues homes encounter. No matter how well water is purified at a water treatment plant, hard water minerals (magnesium and calcium) can seep through ground water and into the municipal pipes carrying the freshwater to homes.

Fortunately, hard water isn’t a health hazard. But it is a major plumbing hazard, leading to build-up in pipes and damage to appliances such as water heaters. Installation of a whole-house water softener is the best way to combat hard water if you notice symptoms of it in your house. Our water treatment experts are here to help you with water softener installation as well as other water softener services.

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Why Your Toilet Won’t Stop Running

June 26th, 2017

toilet-with-button-flushThere are sounds you expect to hear from appliances and fixtures in your house, and you know how long these sounds should continue. For example, after a toilet is flushed, you should hear the sound of running water for about a minute afterwards. This is water coming from the feed line to fill up the tank to a set level, ready to rush down into the bowl for the next flush.

But if the sound of running water continues for more than a minute after the flush, there’s something wrong. Often, all it takes to correct the problem is to jiggle the handle or flush the toilet a second time. If the issue persists, there’s something wrong in the tank or elsewhere in this vital fixture that will need to be repaired. For your bathroom plumbing in Cincinnati, OH and the surrounding areas, we’re the plumbers to contact for the job. We have 24-hour emergency service available—and trouble with a toilet often counts as an emergency!

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Is Trenchless Technology Standard for Home Plumbing Now?

June 12th, 2017

plumbing-toolsWe take pride in keeping current with the best plumbing technology available today, both to serve residential and commercial plumbing in Cleves, OH and throughout the Greater Cincinnati and surrounding Tri-State areas. One of the essential pieces of technology we use on a regular basis is trenchless technology. Using these tools, we can take care of sewer line repairs and sewer line replacements in a fraction of the time compared to standard digging methods. We put it to use both for homes and businesses, including large-scale projects. There’s no better way to handle sewer and water line work than to go with trenchless tech.

But does this set us apart from other plumbing contractors? If trenchless technology is so wonderful, isn’t it the norm for homes in need of sewer repair and replacement?

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Knowing How to Shut Off Your Water in an Emergency

June 5th, 2017

leaking-pipeA plumbing mishap can range from small leaks and clogs to major water damage from a busted pipe. All plumbing issues require attention, but flooding from a broken pipe is one that creates a justifiable sense of panic in homeowners. Water damage can add up to thousands of dollars in repair costs and lead to the loss of irreplaceable valuables.

In case of a broken pipe emergency, you need to know how to shut off the water in your household and stop the problem at its source. Then contact professional plumbers to handle the repairs and turn the water back on when they’re finished.

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Time to Get a New Water Heater? Here’s How You Can Tell

May 29th, 2017

water-heaterYou never want to get caught without hot water for your home. It can mean going without showers and baths, and it also will bring a halt to a number of basic, everyday chores. In fact, you’ll never realize just how much you rely on your water heater through the average day… until you suddenly don’t have a working water heater!

The best way to prevent a busted water heater and a major emergency is to know ahead of time the system is starting to fail. You’ll then be able to contact our water heater professionals and arrange to have a new system installed.

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Piping Materials the Modern Professionals Use

May 15th, 2017

cut-pvc-pipesPipes are what most people think of when they hear the word “plumbing.” This makes sense. Pipes are the essential part of what plumbing is, the transportation of water, sewage, and gas from one place to another.

Since piping has a long history, there have been many different materials used to construct it, such as clay pipes back in the Bronze Age. (Clay, although better than Bronze Age era clay, was also common through the first half of the 20th century.) The piping materials used up to 1970 were usually cast iron, galvanized steel, and lead. These have fallen from favor, especially lead because of the toxicity it can add to fresh water. These materials are also prone to corrosion, which is why older homes often need to have water and sewer line replacements.

The modern plumber has superior piping materials available. Below are some of the materials we use for working on piping in Cincinnati, OH and the surrounding areas:

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Do You Need Backflow Prevention Service?

May 9th, 2017

Backflow is when water flows in the wrong direction through a plumbing system: instead of freshwater flowing to the wastewater system, wastewater flows into the freshwater system. This can occur because of either an increase in pressure on the wastewater side or a drop in pressure on the freshwater side. For example, a common cause of backflow is a massive drain of freshwater from fire hydrants or emergency sprinklers due to a fire.

Backflow is dangerous because it allows contaminant-filled water loaded with dangerous bacteria to enter the water used for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. For this reason, most businesses as well as some residential buildings have backflow prevention devices installed. The check valve in the backflow preventer stops water from moving the wrong direction.

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How Do Whole-House Water Filtration Systems Work?

May 1st, 2017

water-from-faucetIf the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the words water filtration is a pitcher with a water filter cartridge in it, you should know there are much more effective ways to provide clean water to your house. A simple water pitcher can do some good, but it certainly doesn’t help your whole home, and there are many impurities that may escape it. Point-of-use filters attached to individual faucets have the same drawbacks.

The best alternative is for a whole-house water filtration system installation in Cincinnati, OH with our water treatment specialists. They’re glad to speak to you and go over the various options available to provide you with cleaner water for drinking, cooking, and bathing.

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