Is Your Water Heater Functioning Properly?

Water heaters are an integral part of any household, and they provide you and your family with a seemingly endless amount of hot water. When these devices malfunction, homeowners are stuck with cold and sometimes unusable water. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors that can easily be addressed by a plumbing professional. Here are some common problems that your water heater may face during its lifetime.

Leaks

Leaks are known to frequently plague water heaters, and over time, these leaks can cause water to pool in your basement, laundry room, or utility closet. They can also present an electrical hazard if your heater is located near electronic devices or wiring. By repairing your leaky water heater, you can ensure your family’s safety and reduce your water bill at the same time.

Clogged Vents and Flues

When your vent or flue is clogged, your water heater may have difficulty supplying your home with a sufficient amount of hot water. This problem reduces water pressure and can prevent your water from heating properly. A plumbing professional can assist you with clearing the flue and examining your heater’s tubing.

Final Comments

In short, these are only two of the major issues that water heater owners might face over time. Many of these issues are rather complex, and require the skills and knowledge that only a plumbing professional can provide. Please visit this site to learn more about water heater repair in Santa Cruz. 

Common Septic Tank Applications

Septic tanks are a great option for cabins or homeowners who live outside the municipal sewer service area. A septic system processes all waste water on site and doesn’t require a monthly service fee.

The Importance of a Clean Grease Trap

Commercial kitchens are required by local health codes to have and maintain a grease trap that removes the large amounts of oil from wastewater before it is discharged.Sanitation, health and ease of cleaning are a few of the reasons to ensure this task is performed regularly.Consider the following consequences of neglecting grease trap maintenance.

Bad Odors

As fat collects in the basin, it is exposed to the air and sits at room temperature.This waste quickly begins to rot, producing disgusting odors as it does.These gasses are not only foul smelling, but they can be dangerous to employee’s health and sanitation of the kitchen.If left too long, these unappetizing smells can permeate the restaurant.

Tank Damage

These gasses may also cause the tank to degrade, even if it is made of steel or concrete.Regular cleaning prevents premature tank failure.

Clogs and Cleaning Difficulty

As oils build up, the flow of wastewater is slowed and clogs may form.Once left for an excessive amount of time, this grease may harden and be difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

Fines and Penalties

Municipal health departments often check grease traps and wastewater during inspections and may issue fines or other penalties for the neglect of grease trap maintenance.For more information regarding your grease trap in Santa Cruz, visit this website.

Consider a Plumber for Your Business

You hire a plumber for all of the problems that arise at your house. Are you that careful at your business, though? It’s just as important to take care of the plumbing at your workplace. Hiring a commercial plumber could be a good move for your business.

1. 24 Hour Service

Emergencies rarely happen when it’s convenient. One of the benefits of working with a commercial plumber is that you can call them as soon as there’s a problem, even if you notice that problem as you’re leaving the office. Many commercial plumbers offer 24 hour service so that they can take care of small problems before they become large problems.

2. Your Productivity

Plumbing problems at your home are inconvenient but manageable. When they happen at your business, however, they’re disruptive and hamper your ability to properly do business. Whether you run an office building or a movie theater, your business runs best when everything, including the plumbing, works.

3. Knowledge of Your Business

While some commercial plumbers service several types of businesses, others specialize in just a few. A plumber who specializes in the kind of business you run will be more familiar with common problems that arise and how to fix them, especially if you work in a specialized industry yourself.

Don’t let plumbing problems halt your business for a day. Visit this website to learn more about commercial plumbing in Durham.

Choose The Right Pump For The Application

There are lots of courses available on how to size a centrifugal pump. But given the wide variety of choices – how do you decide which type to use in the first place? This webinar will give you insights….read more

Geometry With Purpose

The simple pattern on this rustic, iron grate allows water to drain from the surrounding greenery. Keeping water draining prevents trenching and flooding that can damage land and homes.

What to Do When Your Water Line Is Broken

Your home’s water line is often referred to as the water main because it is the most important part of the water supply. Without it, no water is able to flow into your home – at least not through the pipes. When your water line breaks, it can be devastating. A water main failure is possible at any point along the pipe, from the street all the way into your home’s interior. Water inside the line is under high pressure. Leaks tend to push up through the ground or seep through foundations, leading to trenching and flooding.

The most important thing you can do when you find unexplained water in or around your property is to call a plumber. A qualified plumber will be able to identify the source and nature of the leak. It may be found that your water line isn’t even the source of the problem. It’s possible a neighbor’s line has burst or that the issue is in a portion of the water supply controlled by your city or county utility.

If the leak is determined to originate from your water line, your plumber will then work to determine why the pipe failed. The most common reasons a water main becomes compromised are age, poor workmanship, root damage and proximity to electrical sources. Old water mains become more prone to breaks due to metal fatigue or deteriorating pipe joints. Poorly installed water lines may have structural deficiencies due to being bent or joined incorrectly. Additionally, the wrong sizes or types of pipes may have been used, leading to ruptures because the pipes eroded or couldn’t handle the water pressure. Tree roots are a constant threat to plumbing. They sometimes spread across large areas and are able to exert significant force as they grow. They’re able to push pipes around enough to separate joints. Nearby electrical systems may begin to discharge current into the ground near your water main, causing electrolysis of the pipe. This changes the structure of the metal, weakening it over time.

Once your plumber knows why the main broke, he or she will discuss options to fix the problem. Broadly speaking, it’s a choice between repairing the water line or replacing it. Repair is cheaper in the short term, but often requires additional work later because joints are always more likely to leak than a single line of pipe. Replacement ensures a stronger fix that is far less likely to fail again. In cases involving root intrusion or electrical proximity, the need to relocate the line often means replacement is the only viable option. Click here to learn more about water line replacement in Santa Cruz.