Green Plumbing

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Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget Your Plumbing System!

Plumbing Spring Knoxville PlumberSpring Cleaning Tips for Your Plumbing System

Spring might be the start of warmer weather and longer daylight, but it is also the time of year that you start sprucing up your home. Spring cleaning around the house can entail many different things from getting rid of clutter to giving your plumbing system a good look-over. If you haven’t gotten around to it yet, there are a few ways you can easily improve your plumbing system this weekend.

Here are the best spring cleaning tips for your plumbing system:

Try Out Your Sump Pump

Spring is known as the season that brings on the rain. This is especially true for most of April and May. It might be a good idea to check and see if your sump pump is functioning properly now to ensure that no big problems arise later. A great test for your sump pump is to see how dry it keeps your basement on rainy days.

Stop Leaks Right Away

Not only can leaky faucets cost you money, but they can also be incredibly annoying. Instead of just dealing with leaking and dripping faucets, it is time to fix your leak. The wear and tear that a leak can put on your sink basin and faucet isn’t worth it. Fixing a leak might not be fun, but this is one project you need to take on this spring.

Invest in New Fixtures

Chances are you haven’t splurged for new fixtures or faucets in a long time. Why not give your plumbing system an update with new fixtures that affordable and stylish. You can even purchase more energy efficient fixtures that will help you cut back on your energy bill.

Be Prepared By Installing a Flood Alarm

As a homeowner, you always want to be prepared for the unexpected. Having a flood alarm in your home is a preventative measure you can take to prevent flooding. This type of alarm will sound when it comes into contact with water. This means that you can limit the amount of water damage that occurs in your home.

Check All Outdoor Hoses

It is that time of year again, when you will be watering the flowers and caring for your lawn. This means that you need all of your outdoor hoses to be free of leaks and cracks that might have been left behind by the cold weather. Checking your hose takes a few minutes, but you save you a big hassle later on.

 

 

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Why Is My Water Pressure So Low?

Why Is My Water Pressure So Low?

Low-or-no-water-pressure-fixed-by-your-knoxville tn-PlumberWater pressure in your home is strictly regulated by a simple truth; that water flows from higher altitudes to lower altitudes. The water pressure in every tap or shower in your home will depend on the natural flow of water from a storage tank through the pipes to the eventual faucet. The only way you can determine the water pressure other than the natural flow of water is by using air pressure tanks. Unless you have air pressure tanks, you will have to rely on the natural pressure. There are some plumbing fixtures which can increase or reduce the water pressure but they won’t have the capacity or ability to influence the water pressure through the plumbing network. They can only play a role once the water flows into the special faucet or tap system, after which the pressure is controlled, increased or decreased.

You will have low water pressure in your house in certain specific circumstances. You may have very little water in your tank, to the point that it is unable to exert any additional pressure other than gravity pulling the flow of water downwards, to the eventual faucets, showerheads or taps. Or, you may have some problems in the plumbing network that is disrupting the water pressure.

The problem in the plumbing network can be due to leaks or cracks in some pipes, joints or some fissures somewhere. The low pressure may also be due to clogged pipes. Over years of use, pipes can have buildup of sediments. Pipes can corrode and rust, wear down and such obstructions will obviously reduce the water pressure.

It is very difficult for a homeowner to identify these problems without professional help. You may know if a faucet is leaking or if you have some problems with the sink, the flush in the toilet or the showerhead. But you cannot possibly locate a problem in concealed pipes or inside the pipes. That calls for the expertise of a trained and experienced plumber.

You should always get your water pressure checked, ideally much before it begins to become worrying. Leaky pipes, water oozing out from some place that you are not aware of or extremely clogged pipes are not ideal situations for any homeowner. From unclean water to property damage, there can be very serious consequences of not taking low or reduced water pressure seriously enough to call in the experts.

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Signs That Your Home Needs to be Repiped

Signs That Your Home Needs to be Repiped

Knoxville tn repipeIt might not be as easy to spot, but an old rusty pipe in your home can act in much the same manner as thief in the night. This is due to the fact that they burst when you least expect it and cause extensive damage that ravishes your home. You won’t be able to believe your eyes when you see the amount of damage and destruction that a bursting old pipe can do to your home. However, we are a plumbing company that can help you avoid this type of damage and destruction by taking advantage of our repiping services. Repiping projects are quite complex and are best left in the hands of experienced and qualified plumbers that you can count on.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The fact is that your day is pretty jam-packed with important tasks. This means that you have little free time to waste and hardly have a minute to give your pipes an extra thought. However, it is essential that you give your plumbing the attention that it deserves to ensure that you never have to deal with the damage left behind by bursting pipes. Plumbing is a convenience that you likely take for granted and just expect to be at your beckon call. Having a repipe in Knoxville is in the back of your mind.

When you turn on your shower faucet or flush your toilet, you hardly give your plumbing a second thought. However, when your pipes burst in your home you will have to pay attention and act fast. The best way to avoid bursting pipes is to be proactive and look for early warning signs that can help you avoid damage. Paying a little now for plumbing services is preferred to paying a lot later when your pipes actually burst.

Keep A Close Eye On Water Pressure

Water pressure is one of the main warning signs that you should be on the lookout for. If your water pressure becomes low or you notice that the actual color of your water is changing, you need to call on a plumber. If your water starts to look like the color of rust, chances are that your pipes are close to bursting and require immediate attention. If you notice leaky pipes this should also be a red flag. If you simply pay attention and look out for signs of aging pipes, you should be able to catch the problem before they burst.

 

 

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Why Install a Water Softener?

Why Install a Water Softener?

Knoxville Water Line ReplacementIf you are tired of dealing with hard water in your home, you can have a water softener installed by a Knoxville plumbing professional that you trust. At first, you might assume that the concept of a water softener is difficult to understand, but it is relatively simple if broken down into basic terms. The fact is that some of the groundwater that flows into your home is filled with dissolved minerals. This type of water is referred to as hard water.

Why Does Hard Water Matter?

When this hard water moves through the pipes in your home it can leave behind mineral deposits of calcium and magnesium in your water supply and even result in scale and lime buildup within your pipes. Having hard water in your home is not ideal and a water softener can get rid of it. If you let your pipes buildup with hard water deposits for too long, you will be left with restricted water flow and low water pressure. This means that the fight against hard water is a battle you want to join.

Why Opt for a Water Softener?

Over time, hard water does not allow soaps and grease to dissolve properly, which can lead to clogged drains. If you are looking to not only preserve your water pressure but also keep your clothes and skin from being washes properly you might want to invest in a water softener. Having a water softener installed in your home allows the amount of lime and scale buildup to be reduced substantially. This means that taking showers and washing your clothes can become so much more enjoyable and less harmful to your pipes and drains. You can count on about 75% reduction of soap use once you invest in a water softener. The lifespan of appliances in your home that function using water will also be extended as a result.

How Does it Work?

A hard water softener is specifically designed to remove certain chemicals from your water. The chemicals that it most commonly removes includes both calcium and magnesium. A water softener works in similar fashion to an air purifier. It uses ion charges to deplete water of these chemicals and keep your water from being identified as hard. Now you water flow should be maintained and you will not have to worry about your water pressure being lowered.

 

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Why Are Your Faucets Dripping?

Why Are Your Faucets Dripping?

Knoxville TN Faucets DrippingThe water faucets that are featured in your home are pretty basic devices that normally don’t malfunction in any way very often. However, it is likely that some of eth mechanisms within your faucet will begin to age over time and the results is a leaky or dripping faucet that not only gets on your nerves, but also costs you more on utility bills. The cause of your leaking faucet is what results in either an intermittent dripping faucet or a constant dripping faucet. If notice that you have a leaking or dripping faucet, it is important to call on a professional plumber right away to correct the issue. In many instances, eroding connections can be the problem leading to the dripping of water from your faucet.

Does Your Faucet Still Have Washer?

Many old faucets still have a washer mechanism inside that is often the problem causing the dripping. However, new faucets that don’t feature washes can still have other issues. The center cartridge is often what is most susceptible to wear and tear over time and high water pressure only combines to cause more issues. If you are not sure what the cause of your dripping sink is, you should turn to a reliable plumbing professional to get the job done right. Diagnosing the cause of your dripping faucet is just the first step in fixing it correctly.

Defective Parts

Even new faucets can drip or leak due to defective components or connections. This is not normally a common occurrence, but it has been seen before. This means that if you have a new sink that is dripping, you should call on a professional plumber to inspect the components and connections of your faucet to ensure that they are not defective. If you have any defective parts it is important to address these issues right away.

Don’t Wait For The Dripping To Go Away On Its Own

Many people assume that a leaky faucet is not a big deal and simply avoid addressing this issue for long periods of time. However, it is never a good idea to forget about dripping faucets in your home. The issue causing the drip will only worsen with time and cause more extensive damage. If you want the cheapest and easiest fix it is a good idea to call a professional plumber right away to fix your dripping faucet.

 

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How Often Should I Have My Water Heater Checked Out

How Often Should I Have My Water Heater Checked Out

Knoxville TN Water Heater Check with PlumberIdeally, you don’t need to have your water heater checked out if it is new. As the water heater gets old, you will come across signs that will indicate a need for some preventive maintenance or repairs. There can be problems with new water heaters and those problems will become obvious if you pay heed to the system and observe the kind of water the heater delivers. Unless there are visible or noticeable problems with new heaters, they don’t usually need preventive maintenance. Regardless of whether your water heater is new or old, here are the signs that you should be looking for.

  • The most obvious sign that your water heater is not working properly or optimally is if you don’t get hot water out of it. In some cases, you may get hot water but it may not be hot enough as per the capacity of the heater and the settings that you have programmed the heater to. In such cases, you should call in a technician.
  • There is another extremely obvious sign that you cannot possibly miss. If you notice water dripping out of the water heater, from any of its part, then you should obviously have the device checked out. There can be leaks due to malfunctioning valves, due to mechanical or structural problems in the system. There could also be a problem with the pipes that are connected to and from the heater. Regardless of the cause of the leaks, you should call in a plumber to have it checked out.
  • There can be two types of problems with a water heater, one is electrical and the other is mechanical. It is necessary to hire a plumber who would be able to determine the type of problem whether it is mechanical or electrical. For instance, not having hot water from the heater could be due to a tripped circuit breaker or due to a malfunctioning pilot light, blocked connections or heavy mineral deposits or something else.
  • If your water heater makes any noise or sound that is not ordinary, then you should have it checked out. Look out for loud cracks or not so loud popping sounds.
  • If you have rusted water flowing out of the taps or if you find a metallic smell or taste in the water running out of the taps, then there is a possible problem of corrosion inside the water heater.
  • If you hear banging sounds in the pipes then you should reduce the pressure in the water heater. You need not hire a technician for this purpose but if you want to be sure, then expert intervention is more recommendable.

 

 

 

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How to Lower Energy Consumption in Your Home

How to Lower Energy Consumption in Your Home

Green Plumbing in KnoxvilleWhen it comes to the most important social topics affecting our society, energy conservation is at the top of the list. The fact is that as a homeowner you have the ability to make small changes that can add up to make a big difference in the amount of overall energy usage. Reducing your energy use in your home can be done easily by focusing on your water heater. There are numerous simple ways that you can reduce the amount of energy your water heater consumes.

Here are a few simple steps that you can follow to decrease the energy usage of your water heater:

Turn Down the Thermostat

Simply dialing down the thermostat on your water heater has the ability to make a huge difference. Most water heaters are set at 140 degrees, but the fact is that your water heater can actually be set at about 20 degrees lower. This will still offer your home hot water that is comfortable and ideal. When you lower the temperature of your water heater you also lower the amount of energy that it uses. It is possible to save almost $60.00 every year by turning down the thermostat on your water heater.

Reduce Water Flow

If you simply make the effort to reduce the water flow of your facets and showers by 2.5 gallons per minute, you have the ability to cut down on your energy consumption by a large amount. This can be done by using an aerator to add air into the flow of water that allows you to keep the same temperature and water pressure without the same amount of actual water usage. Making this minor change will help you to reduce your water bills by almost half and this investment in your shower heads and faucets will pay off over time.

Look at the Exterior of Your Water Heater

It is a good idea to also take a look at the exterior of your water heater. Touch your water heater lightly to see if your water heater is hot to the touch. If your water heater is hot to the touch, you might have heat escaping through the exterior, which leads to your water heater having to continually reheat water as it cools. Investing in water heater insulation allows you to get rid of this problem and cut down on your energy consumption as a result.

 

 

 

 

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The Impact of Regular Drain Cleaning on Your Monthly Bills

The Impact of Regular Drain Cleaning on Your Monthly Bills

Knoxville Drain Tennessee CleaningYou might not realize it, but regular attention to drain cleaning can have a huge impact on your monthly utility bills. Drain cleaning is a simple and easy way to keep your utility costs low and it also ensures that your facets are functioning properly. Many homeowners are not completely sure of the best methods for drain cleaning, which leaves them searching for the right company to get the job done.

When you are looking for a drain cleaning service provider there are a few factors that are most important. Below are the most important things to consider when you are looking to hire someone to clean the drains in your home.

Experience

Crain cleaning offers many benefits, but it can be complex. This means that you need access to a drain cleaning service provider that has experience you can rely on to get the job done. Having experience in this industry will offer you some peace of mind and will enable you to rest assured knowing that your drain system is in good hands. The only way that drain cleaning can offer you benefits is if it is done effectively and thoroughly.

Credentials Matter

Not only is experience a priority in the drain service provider that you choose, but the right credentials should also be expected. You need someone that has undergone specific training in this industry. This will ensure that not only is the right equipment used, but also the proper drain cleaning techniques. Optimal results are only possible with a drain cleaning service provider that has the right credentials.

Keep an Eye on Your Drains

It is always a good idea to stay one step ahead of any drain problems. Keeping your utility costs low is only possible if you keep an eye on your drains and make sure that they are functioning properly. This can be done by performing a regular check of your drains each and every month. This allows you to know exactly when your drains are not working properly and get the assistance that you need in a timely manner.

Don’t Try it On Your Own

Drain cleaning helps you cut back on utility costs, but you should not try to do it on your own. If you do not have the right tools or know the right techniques, you will not get access to the best results. Leave your drains in the hands of the professionals that you can rely on.

 

 

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