5 Reasons To Install New Gas Lines In Your House

March 23, 2019DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Save Money, Uncategorizedmatt

Gas plumbers in Washington DC offer a wide range of gas line services to residential and commercial clients in the city. These plumbers undergo rigorous training in the gas plumbing industry. They start at the apprenticeship level before proceeding to the journeyman level and finally graduating as master gas fitters. Some of the most common gas plumbing services include new gas line installations, gas leak detection and repair, retrofitting old buildings with gas lines, new gas appliance connection and reconnection, gas appliance repair and maintenance, and many more. Many people use both gas and electricity to power their houses and commercial buildings in DC. Gas-powered appliances use either natural gas or propane. One thing that you should always remember about gas as a fuel is that it’s highly flammable. Therefore it’s very important to observe various safety measures when using gas at home. New gas line installations are very common in DC. Here are a few reasons why you might have a master gas fitter install new gas lines in your house in Washington DC.

To Connect A New House

If you are building a new house, you have to include the installation of an energy source in the construction process. Your house will require a source of power for the various devices that require energy to operate. This means that you have to decide the best power source to connect to your new house. You can start by connecting to the electrical grid and wiring the whole house to tap into this power source. You can also contact a gas supply company in order to access the main gas supply line in your locality. If you decide to use gas as the main or supplementary energy source in your house, you should request professional DC gas line services for a proper connection. New gas lines will be installed in various rooms in the new house where you require gas. This is one of the main reasons for installing new gas lines at home.

To Shift From Electricity

Some people use only one type of fuel in their homes. Electricity is still the most popular fuel in the United States. But many people are now shifting towards natural gas and propane because they are cheaper. Gas costs far much less than electricity. It also heats up much faster than electricity. You can retrofit your house with new gas lines in order to supplement electrical energy with gas in your home.

To Add New Gas Appliances

If you wish to add new gas-powered appliances in your house, such as a new gas water heater, you will need to install new gas lines to supply the new appliances with the fuel. This is not always necessary because you can still tap into the existing gas lines. But if you have many new additional gas appliances, new gas lines must be installed in your home.

To Replace Old Worn-Out Gas Pipes

If you already have gas lines in your house, you are advised to inspect them regularly to ensure that they are in excellent condition. If some of these old gas lines get damaged maybe due to corrosion or cracked seals, you have to replace them with new gas pipes.

To Connect New Rooms And Structures

If you have expanded your house with new rooms or structures and you wish to supply them with gas, then you will need to install new gas lines in these new places.

DIY Plumbing Maintenance Calendar

March 18, 2019DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

The home plumbing system requires constant care and regular maintenance to enhance its functionality and ensure its longevity. There are very many sensitive parts or components in the home plumbing system. These are what we refer to as critical plumbing areas. These critical plumbing areas require special care and maintenance by the homeowner and also by a professional plumber. But although we keep insisting that you need to afford constant care and regular maintenance to your home plumbing system, we do not mean that you have to spend every single day caring for and maintaining your home plumbing system,. All you need to do is set aside some time during the week so that you can clean and maintain various parts of the home plumbing system.

For instance, you have to make sure that the bathroom and the kitchen are clean every day. This involves cleaning various fixtures in the toilet and the bathroom, such as the kitchen sinks, the shower areas, the toilet, and ensuring that there are no plumbing problems in the house. These are basic care and maintenance activities that should be done every day. But we have other scheduled maintenance routines that should be performed after a given period of time. We have included all these important routines in the following plumbing maintenance calendar.

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

There are several plumbing maintenance activities that you should do every month to ensure that your home plumbing system is always in tiptop condition. You can handle most of these maintenance activities on your own without having to hire a professional plumber. Let us now look at your monthly plumbing maintenance calendar. You should clean your garbage disposal unit every month. We have already discussed the DIY procedure for cleaning your garbage disposal in our previous blog posts. You should also run water and flush toilets in unused areas in the house every month. You should pour some water in various drains and drain traps in the house every month to prevent bad odors in the house. Another important monthly maintenance activity is gutter inspection and cleaning. You should also clean the dishwasher drain bin every month. HVAC filters should be inspected and changed on a monthly basis.

Yearly Maintenance Tasks

Your annual plumbing maintenance calendar includes very many activities. You can handle some of these maintenance activities on your own and you can also hire a professional plumber to assist you with the rest. Make a point of flushing your hot water heater at least once every year. Flushing your water heater will prolong its life and help you avoid DC water heater repair services. You should also test your sump pump at least once every year. Pour a bucket of water on the device to see whether it starts automatically. Inspect the toilet seals annually. You should also remove the showerheads and clean them to remove accumulated sediments. In order to avoid frozen pipes, winterize your home plumbing system every year before the cold winter season starts. Annual drainage and sewer line inspections are highly recommendable.

Random Maintenance Tasks

Our plumbing maintenance calendar also includes random maintenance activities. For instance, you should make a point of inspecting all your water supply pipes at random to ensure that there are no leaks and that everything is in excellent condition. You should also conduct random inspections of all the critical plumbing parts, such as the fixtures, appliances, control systems etc, to ensure that everything is fine.

How To Remove A Clog In Your Shower Drains

March 15, 2019DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorizedmatt

Drain clogs are nasty plumbing issues. Drain clogs occur when there is a solid foreign object blocking the flow of waste water in your drainage and sewer system. Drain clogs usually occur in your kitchen sink drains and in your shower or bathtub drains. We have already discussed how to remove kitchen drain clogs in this blog. That is why today we are going to focus on shower drain clogs. Shower drain clogs are usually caused by hair, soap remnants, and other bathroom products. These solid objects are usually deposited in your shower drain pipes. Over time, the hair becomes entangled into a fine mess. This fine mess traps all the tiny bits of soap and other debris that passes through your shower drains. This is the main cause of shower drain clogs. But you should also note that dental floss is another major cause of drain clogs. Dental floss is just like hair. One piece cannot cause a drain clog but when you bring together many pieces, you will have a serious problem on your hands. You can try to prevent shower drain clogs by installing a screen trap on the shower drain. But there is still a chance of hair and other debris passing through. That is why you need to know how to unclog your shower drains when the inevitable clog occurs. This article will teach you how to remove clogs from your shower drains.

Use A Drain Claw

A drain claw is one of the most effective tools for removing a shower drain clog. The drain claw is specially designed to catch hair and other debris that might be clogging your shower drains. The drain claw looks like a wire with an auger at one end. The auger has very many interlocking hooks. If you ever have a shower drain clog, you can use the auger to remove it. Just insert the end with the hooked auger inside your clogged shower drain. You have to remove the screen trap before inserting the drain claw. After inserting the drain claw, move it or maneuver it inside the clogged drain pipe to reach the clog. Twist it around in the clogged drain pipe until you feel that you have attached a lot of solid waste on the hooks. Remove the drain claw and dispose the solid waste properly to clear your shower drains.

Use A Plunger

You can also use a shower drain plunger to unclog your shower drains. There are two main types of plungers. There is a toilet plunger and a kitchen sink drain plunger, which can also be used to unclog your shower drains. Make sure that you always have the two types of plungers in your house. We all know how to use a plunger. Just place it on your clogged shower drain and do the up and down movement. The plunger might be able to dislodge the clog.

Call A Professional Plumber

If all these DIY solution fail to dislodge the clog in your shower drains, call a professional plumber for assistance. Request professional DC plumbing services to remove the clog from your shower drains. Remember that a serious shower drain clog can cause a sewer backup in your bathroom. Stubborn clogs should be handled by professional plumbers ASAP.

Tree Root Intrusion/Infiltration In Sewer Pipes

March 10, 2019DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, Plumbing Advice, Sewer Issues, Uncategorizedmatt

The sewer system is one of the most functional parts of the home plumbing system. The sewer system receives all waste water and human waste from the drainage system. The sewer system is responsible for disposing of all this waste water and human waste. Your home sewer system either takes the waste water and human waste to the municipal sewer system or to your private septic tank. But like all other sections or parts of your home plumbing system, the sewer system can develop problems at any time. These problems are usually very serious and difficult to fix because the sewer system is usually burrowed deep in the ground. Most of your sewer lines are laid below the ground. That is why you need to request DC sewer and drain services any time you detect or suspect a problem in your home sewer system. One of the most common problems that affect many sewer systems in Washington DC is tree root intrusion or infiltration. Today you are going to learn everything you need to know about this serious but very common sewer line problem.

How It Happens

Tree roots live and thrive below the ground. And most sewer lines are laid below the ground. This means that tree roots and sewer lines are bound to interact in one way or the other. The problem of tree root intrusion or infiltration starts when young tree roots are looking for water and nutrients. The roots are naturally attracted to areas with a lot of moisture and nutrients. This is where they come into contact with your underground sewer lines. The underground sewer lines are always filled with sewage. And the sewage is very rich in nutrients and water. As such, the tree roots try to infiltrate the underground sewer lines as much as possible. Most of these underground sewer lines are constructed in such a way to prevent tree root infiltration. They have solid joints and very tough surfaces. But with time, the clay, iron, or concrete sewer pipes wear out with age. This gives the tree roots an advantage. They can now try to squeeze their way inside the old worn-out sewer lines. And that is how the problems described below occur.

The Problems

The main problem of tree root infiltration is clogging. The tree roots grow in size and block the flow of waste water and human waste in the sewer lines. This can cause a sever sewer backup in your house. You will need to conduct an underground sewer camera inspection to determine whether you have a tree root intrusion problem or not. As the tree roots grow bigger due to the massive intake of water and nutrients, they expand inside your sewer lines. This can cause the sewer lines to break, which will cause a serious leak in your home sewer system. This problem can only be fixed by replacing the broken sewer lines with new ones.

How To Prevent And/Or Solve

The problem of tree root infiltration can be prevented by regular lateral pipe cleaning. There are also effective root inhibition chemicals that you can flush down the toilet. Many professional plumbers use various tools to cut tree roots and remove them from your sewer lines. You should also remove or stop planting trees near your sewer lines.

5 Plumbing Emergencies That Require Emergency Plumbing Services

March 4, 2019DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

You can classify all plumbing problems as either minor or major plumbing issues. When we talk of minor plumbing problems, we are referring to those common plumbing problems that you can try to fix on your own. Examples of minor plumbing issues include slow leaking faucets and showerheads and the commonly occurring toilet or sink drain clogs. You can fix slow leaks with plumber’s tape or by tightening the leaking fixture. And you can try to unclog your toilet or kitchen and shower drains using a plunger. But we also have major or serious plumbing issues that require the services of a professional plumber. These serious plumbing problems are usually referred to as plumbing emergencies and they require DC emergency plumbing services. But you should also note that not all serious plumbing problems are plumbing emergencies.

Plumbing emergencies are those plumbing problems that necessitate instant plumbing services. In other words, you cannot wait for some hours before fixing them. Plumbing emergencies necessitate a call to your local plumber at any time of the day or night. Emergency plumbing services are provided 24/7, which includes weekends and public holidays. Here are several types of plumbing emergencies that require the services of an emergency plumber.

Water Heater Problems

All water heater problems should be treated like plumbing emergencies. Your water heater can develop all kinds of serious problems and you cannot manage to fix them on your own. Some examples of serious water heater problems that require the services of an emergency plumber are leaking, corrosion, temperature control issues, and total malfunction. You cannot survive without hot water in the house and you do not have the skills to repair a hot water heater. This means that you need to call an emergency plumber to fix your water heater when it’s faulty.

Gas Leaks

All gas leaks are plumbing emergencies. You should never attempt to fix a gas leak because you could be exposing yourself to very serious danger. The moment you detect or suspect a gas leak in your house, leave the house as soon as possible. You can try to shut off the gas at the main shutoff valve. But you should not stay in the house or even near the house. Call a professional gas plumber immediately to prevent fires and explosions in your house.

Water Leaks

Not all water leaks are plumbing emergencies. A slow leaking faucet or showerhead does not require the services of an emergency plumber. In fact you can try to fix such minor leaks on your own. But if you have a heavy leaking pipe in the house, call an emergency plumber immediately. A heavy leaking pipe can burst and flood the house if not fixed on time.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are one of the most serious plumbing emergencies at home. Frozen pipes occur due to cold weather. A frozen pipe can burst at any time. It will also prevent water supply in the house. Request emergency pipe thawing services as soon as possible, if the situation arises.

Major Flooding

If your house starts to flood, call an emergency plumber immediately. Flooding can be caused by heavy rainstorms. It can also be caused by leaking pipes, fixtures and appliances. Whichever the cause, call an emergency plumber ASAP.

Luxury Features In Modern Toilets

February 27, 2019Bathroom Remodeling, DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorizedmatt

Various plumbing fixtures and appliances have undergone many changes over the years. For instance, the faucet has been modified and re-modified in many since it was introduced many centuries ago. Now we have touchless hands-free faucet that turn on and off by detecting motion. Another plumbing fixture that has undergone a lot of improvements over the years is the toilet. We now have very many different types of toilets featuring all kinds of improvements. Many people still use the floor-mounted two-piece gravity feed toilets. But some people have now installed the wall-hung toilet due to space limitations in the bathroom. Eco-friendly homeowners that are undertaking bathroom remodeling are now opting for the pressure-assisted dual-flush toilet instead of the gravity feed toilet to conserve water.

The Japanese are renowned for their many technological inventions. They have played a major role in developing the modern toilet. Modern toilets have many luxury features. They are also of very high quality, which means that they require less DC plumbing repairs. Let us now look at some of the luxury features that are found in modern toilets.

Comfort Height Toilets

Most of us are used to the standard toilet bowls, which are 14-15″ in height. But now we have comfort height toilets that reach 17-19″ in height. Comfort height or seat height toilets are more comfortable to use. They are highly recommended to people with mobility issues. Comfort height toilets are regarded as luxury toilets because they are installed as a matter of preference. They are more costly than standard height toilets but people like them because of the additional comfort.

Hands-Free Flushing

Many modern plumbing fixtures are touchless or hands-free. This means that you do not have to operate them manually. They turn themselves on and off automatically after detecting motion or sensing usage. One of the most amazing luxury features in the modern toilet is hands-free flushing, often found where commercial plumbing is necessary. This toilet does not require you to flush it after use. It just detects you are done and flushes away the waste. This is a very hygienic toilet. It prevents the spread of germs when people are flushing the toilet. It’s also very convenient because you simply walk away after use without even having to look at the toilet bowl.

Heated Seats

Toilet bowls are usually made of ceramic. Toilet seats are usually made of plastic. The plastic can get really cold especially during the cold weather. One luxury feature in modern toilets is heated toilet seats. The seat remains heated throughout meaning that you will use the toilet comfortably without feeling cold. This toilet requires a power source to heat the seat.

Bidet Functionality

One very common feature in most Japanese toilets is the bidet. The bidet is a cleaning mechanism that is designed to clean your body after using the toilet. You do not have to use tissue paper in this kind of toilet. The bidet will clean you and even dry you up using warm vapor.

Automatic Overflow Protection

Most modern toilets have automatic overflow protection. This toilet cannot overflow because it’s fitted with this mechanism that prevents this kind of plumbing problem.

Toilet Bowl Nightlights

Some modern toilets have toilet bowl nightlights to guide the user at night. These nightlights will help you use the toilet properly even in the middle of the night.

Self-Cleaning And Self-Deodorizing Features

And last but not least, many modern toilets have self-cleaning and self-deodorizing features. This helps to keep the toilet clean and fresh at all times.

When It’s Time To Call A Professional Water Heater Plumber

February 22, 2019Commercial Plumbing, DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

People try to avoid calling a professional plumber as much as possible. The main reason for this is money. Its understandable when we want to skimp on some of these professional services like plumbing. You do not have to call a professional plumber any time there is a clog in your toilet or kitchen sink. But there are times when you really don’t have a choice. Some plumbing emergencies are too serious to ignore or to handle on your own. One such serious plumbing emergency is any type of water heater problem. Whether it’s a minor water heater problem or a major issue, you are always advised to call a professional water heater plumber. If you have a commercial gas-powered water heater, then you need to request DC commercial gas line services in case of a malfunction. There are many other water heater problems that necessitate a call to your local water heater plumber. Here are a few water heater problems that require the services of a professional plumber.

Corrosion Problem

Your hot water heater can become corroded over time. The problem of corrosion usually affects water heaters with a hot water storage tank. These include conventional storage water heaters and hybrid heat pump water heaters. The storage tank in your water heater can become corroded over time. All storage tank water heaters usually come with an anode rod in their hot water storage tanks. The anode rod attracts all corrosive elements thereby maintaining the tank in excellent condition. But in the process of attracting these corrosive elements, the anode rod gets corroded instead of the tank. That is why you should replace the anode rod in your hot water heater every 2-3 years. If you do not replace the anode rod on time, you will risk having a corroded tank in your water heater. The corroded tank will supply rusty hot water in your kitchen and bathroom. If you have a problem of corrosion in your water heater, call a professional plumber immediately.

Leaking

Tankless water heaters and storage tank water heaters can develop leaks in many parts. The most commonly affected part is the hot water storage tank. The storage tank usually starts leaking due to corrosion. But even the connecting pipes that supply cold water to the water heater or remove the hot water from the water heater can start leaking. Such a leak is very serious because it can cause massive water loss and even flooding in the house. Call a professional water heater plumber immediately to have the leak fixed.

Total Malfunction

Your hot water heater can fail to work. It can stop working without warning. This means that you will not have hot water in your house. This can be caused by a problem in the heating element. In case of a total water heater malfunction, call a professional plumber as soon as possible for professional diagnosis and repair.

Temperature Control Issues

If the temperature control system in your water heater develops a problem, call a professional plumber immediately. The hot water could be coming out too cold or too hot. Whichever the case, request a professional fix.

Clogged Drain Valve

The drain valve of your hot water heater can become clogged by sediments. You can try flushing the tank on your own or you can call a professional water heater plumber for assistance.

Advantages Of Installing Low-Flow Fixtures

February 18, 2019Bathroom Remodeling, DIY Plumbing, Energy Efficiency, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Save Money, Uncategorizedmatt

Many homeowners are now installing high efficiency plumbing appliances and fixtures to help conserve water and energy at home. High efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances are specially designed to save water and power. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues ratings to all high efficiency products that are designed to save water and energy. EPA issues the WaterSense rating to all high efficiency water-saving fixtures and appliances. These are usually low-flow plumbing fixtures that consume up to 60% less water than ordinary fixtures. EPA also issues an Energy Star rating to all plumbing appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters that are designed to save energy. You should always ensure that you buy these EPA rated high efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances to reduce your monthly water and energy bill. By upgrading to these high efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances, you will play an important role in conserving water and energy. You will also be assured that the product is of very high quality and will hence last for a very long time. Today we are going to look at the advantages of installing high efficiency low-flow plumbing fixtures like faucets, toilets, showerheads, urinals, and even sprinkler systems.

Save Water

The main advantage of installing low-flow plumbing fixtures is to save water. As mentioned above, low-flow fixtures can use 60% less water than standard plumbing fixtures. This means that you will be reducing the amount of water consumed in your home by more than half. One of the things that you should prioritize when doing bathroom remodeling in DC is to upgrade to high efficiency low-flow fixtures. You should make sure that all the plumbing fixtures you install in your home are WaterSense rated. Water is a very important natural resource. Water is also a limited resource. As such, we all have a personal responsibility to conserve water. And one of the most effective ways of conserving water is by reducing the amount we consume at home. High efficiency low-flow fixtures will help you save a lot of water at home. Make sure you buy WaterSense rated low-flow faucets, showerheads, urinals, and toilets. Your outdoor sprinkler system should also be low-flow and WaterSense rated.

High Efficiency & Functionality

The other important benefit of installing high efficiency low-flow fixtures is efficiency. These EPA rated low-flow fixtures are very efficient or functional. Despite using very little water, these plumbing fixtures are highly efficient. This means that you will still get the right amount of water from your low-flow faucets and showerheads. Some of these low-flow faucets are touchless or hands-free. This minimizes the amount of water wasted when the tap is being turned on and off. Even the low-flow toilets and urinals are highly efficient. They still dispose of human waste efficiently while conserving a lot of water. Your high efficiency low-flow sprinkler system will still water your lawn or garden efficiently while still conserving water. Any questions that you may have can be answered by your local plumber.

High Quality

Before issuing the WaterSense rating or the Energy Star rating to high efficiency products, EPA considers the quality of such products. The products must have a long warranty. It must also be highly functional. It’s not just a matter of conserving water and energy; the product must also be of very high quality. You will get high quality and very durable products that are also low-flow. This means that you will get real value for your money when you buy low-flow plumbing fixtures.

Tips For Buying A Plunger

February 12, 2019Commercial Plumbing, DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Sewer Issues, Uncategorizedmatt

One of the most functional plumbing tools is the plunger. A plunger is used to dislodge clogs in drainage and sewer pipes. It features a very simple construction design consisting of a rubber suction cup and a plastic or wood handle or shaft. The plunger does many amazing things in the kitchen and bathroom and that is why it has earned such affectionate names like the plumber’s helper and the plumber’s friend. The plunger is used to unclog all types of drains including the kitchen sink drains, the shower drains, and more frequently the toilet drains. Plungers are very easy to use. You just hold the handle and insert the rubber end in the clogged sink or toilet drain. Ensure that you form a tight seal with the clogged drain because the plunger works on the principle of a vacuum. You should then apply pressure to “suck” and dislodge the clog from the drain. It’s quite easy in practice. You do not need a professional plumber to unclog your toilet with a plunger.

Consider The Type

The first thing that you need to know about plungers is that they come in two main types and they are both designed for different uses. These two different types of plungers feature different functional designs. A plunger will help you save money on DC sewer services when your drains are clogged. But you must first choose the right plunger for the job. Here is how to do it. Let us look at the two main types of plungers.

Flat-Bottomed Plunger

The classic flat-bottomed plunger is designed for unclogging kitchen sink drains and shower drains. This plunger features a rubber ending that looks like a rubber ball cut in half. This enables the plunger to seal tightly on the flat surface on the sink drain or shower drain. Make sure that you choose this type of plunger for your kitchen sinks drains and shower drains.

Flange Plunger

The flange plunger is specifically designed for unclogging toilets. This is the most widely used plunger because toilets get clogged more frequently. In addition to the typical half rubber ball at the end of the shaft, the flange plunger also features another extra bit protruding from the rubber end. This extra bit helps create a tight seal in the curved toilet drain.

Consider Drain Sealing

In order for the plunger to dislodge the clog, it must form a tight seal with the clogged drain pipe and create a vacuum. You should always ensure that you buy a plunger that seals tightly with the toilet, sink or shower drain. You can test the plunger in your local hardware store before purchase. You will note that old worn-out plungers are quite ineffective because they have holes and cracks that allow air to seep through.

Consider The Handle

Plungers come with either a wooden or plastic handle. You should ensure that the plunger’s handle or shaft offers an excellent grip to avoid discomfort while unclogging your drains. Some plungers need a little elbow grease on the handle to work. Choose a high quality plunger with a firm grip and a long-lasting handle to make work easier.

How To Prevent Clogging And Corrosion In Your Water Heater

February 6, 2019DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

Water heaters are critical but quite delicate plumbing devices. The hot water heater caters for all our hot water needs. It ensures that we have enough hot water to drink, cook, clean, and bathe. In return, this device requires special care and maintenance. This is not to say that the water heater requires constant care and maintenance. It means that you have to set aside some time every year to take care of this important plumbing device. Otherwise your water heater will develop all kinds of problems and you will incur very high expenses in plumbing repairs. Most water heater problems require the services of a professional DC water heater plumber. If your water heater is leaking, you can try to inspect it to find the source of the leak. But you will still have to hire a qualified plumber to fix the problem. There are many other very serious water heater problems that require the services of a professional plumber. The good news is that you can prevent some of these serious water heater problems. Today you are going to learn how to prevent two serious water heater issues: clogging and corrosion.

Regular And Proper Flushing

Let us start by looking at the problem of clogging in your water heater. The water that flows into your water heater might contain some sediments and impurities. These sediments are usually in very minute quantities and hence you might not notice them when consuming the water. But these sediments collect inside your water heater over time. The problem of sediment buildup usually affects storage tank water heaters. The sediments in the water usually settle at the bottom of the hot water tank. If the hot water tank is not flushed or cleaned for a very long time, these sediments build up and clog the water heater, and possibly require emergency plumbing service. They will clog the drainage valve and affect the performance of your hot water heater. They can also cause the hot water to start tasting rusty. To prevent clogging in your water heater, flush the tank thoroughly every year. Flushing a water heater is quite easy and you do not need to call a plumber for this. Just switch the device off and attach a hose to the drainage valve. Run the hose to a sink or floor drain and then turn the drainage valve on to allow all the hot water to drain. Then let the cold water to continue running to remove all the sediments.

Use A Water Softener

The other serious problem in water heaters is corrosion. The hot water tank is made of steel, which means that it’s susceptible to corrosion. The tank is corroded by mineral deposits like calcium, which are found in hard water. You can solve this problem by adding a water softener to your water supply system. This will get rid of all those minerals in the water and keep your water heater safe.

Replace The Anode Rod Regularly

A water softener will try to eliminate all the minerals in the hard water but some might still slip through. That is why storage tank water heaters come with an anode rod. The anode rod is placed inside the hot water tank to attract all corrosive elements that can corrode the tank. Inspect the anode rod regularly and replace it every 2-3 years to prevent water heater corrosion.