Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prevent my water pipes from bursting during the severe cold weather months we have here?
Make sure all outside spigots have the hose disconnected. Make sure all crawl space vents are closed or covered to block all drafts. During especially cold spells, all plumbing running within outside walls should be protected by leaving faucets dripping and by leaving cabinet doors open for room heat to surround the plumbing.Our water bill appears to be higher than normal. What could be causing this? Besides checking each of your faucets for drips, check your toilets. Put a few drops of red liquid food coloring into your toilet tank. If you see that your bowl has the same color, then your toilet could be wasting hundreds of gallons of water down the drain. You may need a toilet repair.
When do you recommend replacing our toilets to a more updated model? After many years of use, scale and lime deposits build up in toilet bowls. This slows the flushing action of the toilet resulting in poor performance and increases the possibility of toilet stoppages. We suggest you have a professional plumber purchase a recommended model from their plumbing supply company. We recommend the following manufacturers: TOTO, Kohler, and American Standard. These are grade "A" toilets which should give you years of pleasurable use.
The Following FAQs Refer To Tankless Water Heaters...
How exactly does a tankless water heater work? When the hot water tap is turned on, the water enters the heater. A flow sensor detects the water flow and the computer automatically ignites the burner. The water circulates through the heat exchanger and the heat exchanger instantly heats the water to the designated temperature (this takes approximately six seconds). When the hot water tap is turned off, the unit shuts down automatically. This process may vary with different types of tankless water heaters.
How do you size a tankless water heater? To size a tankless water heater, always look for its maximum flow rate in gallons per minute, not gallons per hour. Keep in mind situations where the demand is at its peak flow capacity, such as through simultaneous use of showers in the home or simultaneous use of faucets and different appliances for commercial applications. You can also contact the manufacturer directly to choose the right model for your application. The main determining factor is the flow rate, and number, of fixtures.
What is the life expectancy of a tankless water heater? Life expectancy of the unit is generally 15-20 years, although the number can be increased if the unit is used in conjunction with a pre-filter and/or a water softener.