Tankless Water Heater

Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget Your Plumbing System!

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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.

 

 

4 Crucial Plumbing Fixes You Should Complete Before Fall

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This time of year is the time of year that you should be addressing some critical plumbing issues. The fall is a great time of year, the weather is cooling down and the holidays are right around the corner however the cooler temps may not mean great things for your plumbing unless you take some steps.

There are a few things that every property owner should be doing every year around this time to ensure that there are not any plumbing issues that they should be dealing with before the winter arrives.

KNoxville Plumbing Fall Autumn Pipes Fix

Take a look at the list below to see what you may be missing.

1. The Water Heater

Most people never look at their water heater until there is an issue with it. The colder temperatures mean that there will be a higher demand for hot water. It is a good idea to check out your water heater to ensure that it is running properly heating correctly and that there are no leaks. Check the temperature setting and the valves.

2. Have Your Drain Inspected

Have a professional inspection done of your drains. Having your drains inspected and cleaned out can save you some huge headaches down the road. The last thing you want for the holidays is a clogged drain-especially if it is your sewer drain.

3. Check Your Pipes

Do a spot check on all of your pipes. Look for drips, wet spots and leaks. It is far better to check now and have the repairs done than it is to find that the pipe has burst in the middle of a holiday meal.

4. Replace Old Fixtures

Everyone has done it at one time or another, the faucet drips a little if you turn it this way or that way. In other words the issue is ignored. It will eventually get worse and will get to the point no matter which way you twist or turn it, the drip will not stop. Now is the time to replace the fixtures in your home that are having small issues before they become huge problems.

Conclusion

Taking a few small steps can help you to identify any issues that you may not even be aware of and to improve the quality of the plumbing in your home. It is always far better to address any problems early on and face them head on than it is to take the “wait and see” attitude.

Services for Water Heaters in Knoxville

How To Get Your Water Heater Ready For Spring

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Getting Your Water Heater Spring-Ready

Services for Water Heaters in KnoxvilleIf you have already started some of the spring cleaning projects around your home, it is important to not forget about maintaining your water heater. There are many home renovation projects that are popular during springtime including cleaning out the garage, painting and even landscaping the backyard, but in all your excitement don’t make the mistake of forgetting about your water heater. You need to give your water heater attention this spring to ensure that it lasts another season.

Even if you aren’t a professional, there are a few easy ways that you can maintain your water heater on your own:

Choose a Specific Temperature

Setting your water heater to a specific temperature is important. You want to select a temperature that makes sense, but will also help you save some money on energy costs. The best temperature for your water heater during the spring is 120 degrees. Always check the temperature to make sure that your water heater has not been tampered with unknowingly.

Check and See if the Pilot Light is On

This simple tip is reserved for homeowners that have a gas water heater. Just make sure that the pilot light is lit and burning blue. As long as the light is on and steady, you should not have any issues with your gas water heater at the moment.

Drain Your Water Heater Tank

The biggest step that you need to take when maintaining your water heater is to drain your tank each spring. Over time, the sediment in your tank can accumulate, which can impact how effectively your water heater functions. If you want your water tank to run efficiently for a long period of time, it is essential that you take the time to drain the tank.

Be Proactive with Your Water Heater

Do you have more questions involving the maintenance of your water heater? If you feel that you could be dealing with a larger issue, it might be a good idea to call in the professionals. At Knoxville Plumbing, we offer a variety of services and specialize in water heater maintenance. Keeping your water heater in good shape is important and could save you a substantial amount of money in the long run. If you need a brand new water heater this spring, it is important that you are aware of the requirements that are being altered this April.

 

Save Money on your Washing Machine with These Simple Tips

Save Money on your Washing Machine with These Simple Tips 

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Save Money on your Washing Machine with These Simple TipsAppliances can be cost efficient if you know what to choose, and prefer environmentally friendly domestic machines. Homeowners can keep their water bills at a minimum by choosing efficient shower heads and tankless water heaters among other things, but washing machines can get you in trouble every time if the plumbing doesn’t receive the proper maintenance it requires.

In and of themselves, technological advancements have made washing machines more energy efficient, but all of that gets tossed aside when the machine fails to drain properly or gets clogged repeatedly. When this occurs you need the sophisticated technology of plumbing. The following information will help you save money on your washing machine by offering a few simple tips to keep your machine running the way it was designed to.

Consider adding an extra sink

To save money on washing machines and conserve space and water, some families choose to go with a smaller appliance. However, smaller laundry machines just can’t withstand the demands of a family of four and often a larger machine is the better option. The improved size will get the job done effectively but will inevitably put a much greater strain on the plumbing required for the job. This is especially true with older homes or homes with copper pipes. The increased water flow could lead to a small flood under these conditions, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune replacing your homes plumbing. Save money by adding a utility sink to the laundry room to catch excess water run off. This will give your pipes a break without the need for replacing them.

Prevent lint build up before it’s too late

Adding a utility sink will require the best plumber Knoxville has to offer and that means giving Knoxville Plumbing a call, but you can save money on your washing machine with some other useful DIY tricks as well. Lint eventually builds up in washing machines but you can prevent this by attaching a lint catcher around the drain with a plastic strip found at any major home improvement retailer.

Remember to always use the correct tools

If the cause of your washing machine clog is more involved than lint build up you might consider using a snake to help solve the problem. When you use a snake on a washing machine remember to first remove any lint possible, insert the snake and pull out debris. Soon you will be back on your way to saving precious money on your washing machine and not throwing it away.

Knoxville hot water heater vs. knoxville tankless water heater

How Different Is A Tankless Water Heater From A Tank Water Heater?

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How is My New Tankless Water Heater Different From My Old Tank Water Heater?

You have made a wise choice by purchasing a tankless water heater. Your old tank water heater was probably located far away from where you use hot water, and you had to run the hot water for quite a while before any hot water came out the faucet. That was wasted water, just poured down the drain.

Your tankless water heater are designed to heat only the water you use, and may be a whole house unit or one designed to be located right where you need hot water.

Knoxville hot water heater vs. knoxville tankless water heater

Old Tank Type Water Heaters

Most homes use either a gas or electric tank water heater holding between 30 to 60 gallons of water. Even with good insulation around the tank, the water begins to cool, even if you haven’t used any hot water, and the gas burner or electric element will turn on to reheat that unused water, just because it got cool. When all the cool water is back up to the proper temperature, the heater or element will turn off until needed again, in an hour or so. This goes on all day and night, even when you are on a two-week vacation.

As you can see, you not only waste the water going down the drain while waiting for the hot water to arrive at your faucet, you have wasted all the energy to heat and reheat the water between your uses.

Your New Tankless Water Heater

A point of use tankless water heater is located right where the hot water is needed, in the bath, kitchen, or laundry. The tankless unit is usually electric power, but outside units may be powered by natural gas. When looking at tankless water heaters it important to include all the faucets that will be using the heater so it may be sized properly.

Even though your faucet or showerhead flows about two gallons of water a minute, the tankless unit does not need to heat two gallons right away. It only needs to heat a few seconds of water flow to begin, and then, be able to heat two gallons every minute after that. When you quit using hot water, the unit shuts off, and when off, no power is used.

When choosing a tankless water heater in Knoxville or just a tank type water heater in Knoxville, and looking for a Knoxville Plumber, we would encourage you to give us a call today!

Water Heater Leak in Knoxville Tennesee

Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?

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Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?

Water Heater Leak in Knoxville TenneseeA water heater is a much needed appliance. It is difficult to do without a water heater and thus if there are problems, then the days without the heater can be quite troublesome and painstaking. While a water heater is a sturdy device and can perform regularly without much tantrums or problems, it is still an appliance at the end of the day and it will have some problems from time to time. If you have a new water heater then you have your warranty and most common problems are taken care of. But if you have an old water heater, then not only would you have to brace for more problems but you will also have to attend to those problems without any warranty’s help.

One of the most common problems with water heaters is leaks. Water heaters can have leaks, regardless of their status of new or old.

There are many reasons why your water heater may be leaking.

The most common reason for leaks in a water heater is a malfunctioning drain valve. If the drain valve in the water heater is loose or not fully fitted into the heater, if it becomes loose due to the water pressure, if it is too tightened which has caused cracks to develop or some fissures to form, then water will seep through this type of valves. You need to check the valves and tighten them if they are loose. But the valves should not be too tightened that contributes to an abnormality. Absolutely unusable valves need to be replaced. Ideally, you should replace the drain valves of very old water heaters.

Another common reason for your water heater leaking is an excessive pressure inside the unit. Every water heater has a capacity, a certain volume of water it can heat in a certain period of time. This capacity is related to the pressure. Also, the pressure has a correlation with the temperature that you have set on the thermostat. If you set the temperature much higher than what the water heater can take and if you are not draining out the hot water, allowing cold water to flow in to the heater, then the pressure can build up inside which will force the water to gush out. In the absence of openings or vents, it will cause leaks. A similar problem can also occur if the temperature pressure relief valve is defective.

Water heaters can start to leak if they are too old. General wear and tear, corrosion and rusting can cause leaks.

You may find some water on the heater or beneath it due to natural condensation, which has nothing to do with leaks.

 

Why Is It Taking So Long For The Water In My Home To Heat Up

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Why Is It Taking So Long For The Water In My Home To Heat Up

Water heaters can have various types of problems from time to time. You may have no hot water, inadequately heated water, leaky pipes, leaky water storage tanks, rust colored or metallic water, foul odors including that of rotten egg, popping or rumbling noises, whining and even a completely dead water heater that would respond to nothing that you do.

Cupped Hands Under Shower

Cupped Hands Under Shower

If you don’t have any hot water or it is taking too long for the water in your home to heat up, then there can be many causes for the same. It may so happen that there is a combination of different causes at play.

The first possible causes can be a tripped circuit breaker which will obstruct the power to run the water heater, a faulty thermostat or malfunctioning electric heating element. You may also have a blown fuse but that would not heat the water at all, instead of delaying or taking too long to heat the water. These problems can be easily attended to. You need to call in an expert and he can repair the water heater. Replacing the fuse or resetting the circuit breaker, ensuring the thermostat is working fine and attending to the heating element, including replacing it if required, will solve the problem. If any of the parts are not working and are beyond repair, then replacing them is the only remedy.

Water heaters can take too long to heat the water sufficiently in your home if you have a heater that doesn’t have the capacity to heat and deliver hot water to the number of outlets you have. Water heaters have capacity and it must be apt for your home. Another very common reason for this problem is too many cold water connections or faulty plumbing installations interfere with the flow of the hot water from the heater. Such installations need to be checked and attended to. These issues can be easily attended to by an expert. But if you have purchased a water heater that doesn’t have the capacity for your home, then you either have to let go off a few connections or outlets so the water can be heated quickly enough for certain connections. That would reduce the volume of water needed to be heated and naturally increase the speed of heating.

Low voltage or disruptions in the supply of power can make the process of heating the water much longer than usual.

 

Knoxville Water Heater Checked

Should I Get My Water Heater Checked More Often?

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Should I Get My Water Heater Checked More Often?

Knoxville Water Heater CheckedA leaking hot water heater is one of the more common plumbing problems you may have. Depending on the age of the tank, you may have a slow drip, or an unending stream of water. The first is an irritation, and a warning. The second is an emergency.

The tank of the water heater is under the pressure of the city supply, usually from 30 to 90 pounds per square inch, or P.S.I. That means that the water main is supplying a constant flow of pressurized water to replace any that leaks out, and you will soon have a flooded, basement, garage, or laundry room.

When you purchase a new water heater, you should receive a warrantee for about 10 years. It may be more, or maybe less. Usually the warrantee is placed on top of the unit or tacked to the wall, next to it. Have your plumber who installs your water heater show you what the parts are and how they work.

If your unit is gas fired, have him show you how to light the pilot if the gas ever is shut off. If it is electric, have him show you the circuit- breakers that control the power, and make sure they are marked correctly.

Looking at the top of the unit, you will see two pipes coming straight out of the top. One is the cold-water inlet, being fed from the water main. There should be a shutoff valve between the tank and the house plumbing, to shut off the inlet water in case of a leak. The other pipe is the hot water outlet, going to the rest of the house.

There will usually be a safety blow off valve to release the pressure if steam builds up inside the tank. This valve is usually bronze and often has a pipe pointing down so the steam would not burn your face.

Now that you know what is there, you can periodically check your unit by looking for leaks, rust, or corrosion where the pipes are screwed together, and possibly stains on the floor. If you do not feel comfortable doing the check yourself, have a plumber check it every several years.

When looking for a Knoxville Plumber to check your water heater, we would encourage you to look in your phone book for Knoxville Plumbing LLC and check them out on the internet at https://knoxvilleplumbingllc.com