Common Services Offered By Professional Plumbers

November 7, 2016Helpful Hints, Plumbing Advicematt

A professional plumber can provide a wide variety of plumbing services and repairs for your home or business. While doing plumbing repairs yourself may save you money, there are some plumbing tasks for which you should hire a professional plumber. Hiring a licensed certified plumbing professional ensures that the service or repair is done correctly. And it also eliminates the need for extra repairs if you make any mistakes doing the job yourself.

Correcting Code Violations

A professional plumber should be aware of all the plumbing codes in your area. And therefore your plumber can correct any plumbing code violations that may be present in your home or business.

Pressure Correction

If the water pressure in your home or business isn’t just right, it can cause serious problems. A professional plumber can correct any issues with water pressure that may arise.

Drain Cleaning

A professional plumber can also clean any clogged drains or pipes in your home or business. Many companies also offer pipe rodding and hydro jetting services.

Catch Basin Cleaning and Pumping

A catch basin (also commonly called a storm drain) collects rainwater and transports it to local waterways. These catch basins require cleaning and pumping. A plumbing professional can do this for you as well.

Water Heater Installation and Repair

Whether your water heater is a modern tank less version or a traditional one a professional plumber can provide routine maintenance and repairs to your water heater. Typically this needs to be done before cold weather strikes. A professional plumber can also install a brand new water heater in your home or business if necessary.

Water Filtration Installation and Repair

If your home or business has a water filtration system, an experienced plumber can repair it. Or if you want to install a water filtration system, a seasoned plumbing professional can do that too.

Faucet and Fixture Installation and Repair

Got a leaky faucet in your kitchen or bathroom? Or maybe you need brand new faucets or fixtures installed in your home? No problem? Call a professional plumber to do this task for you quickly and efficiently.

Gas Pipe Repair and Installation

A licensed professional plumber can also install or repair gas pipes in your home or business. Switching from electric to gas stoves is no problem for your plumber. They can run new lines in your kitchen, or even outside to a gas grill or fire pit.

Drain and Water Supply Leaks

If you have a leaky drain or water supply a plumber can replace or repair it for you with ease. Sometimes leaks are harder to fix then they first appear. A professional plumber can get the repair done quickly and correctly the first time around.

Other Plumbing Services

A professional plumber can also help you with flood control, pump installation, problems with overhead sewer systems as well as complete any full or partial plumbing system upgrades in your home or business.

Looking For a Plumbing Company in DC

It’s easy to find a reputable plumber in your area. To find the right plumber to make repairs or perform plumbing services for your home or business, do a quick online search. If this doesn’t give you the information you’re looking for, you can always ask a friend, family member, or a co-worker for a recommendation.

Plumbing Codes

November 4, 2016Plumbing Advicematt

Have you ever wondered why plumbing is so complicated? Why should you hire a seasoned plumbing professional instead of doing the work yourself? The answer is that all plumbing tasks must be completed according to a code. And these plumbing codes differ depending on the city and state where you live. A certified, licensed plumbing professional knows and understands the complex nature of plumbing codes. Hiring a professional plumber can eliminate potential problems that can occur if your plumbing service or repair isn’t completed according to the specific plumbing codes in your area.

What Are the Plumbing Codes Where I Live?

Consult the local building department to find out about specific plumbing codes in your area. The professional plumber that you hire to provide plumbing services or perform repairs should also be aware of these plumbing codes. So your plumber should be able to answer any questions that you may have. You can also use the internet to search for information about plumbing codes and repairs in your area. If you live in DC for instance and you need plumbing repairs, simply search DC plumbing repairs.

Plumbing Codes That You and Your Plumber Should Know

One of the most important issues related to plumbing codes has to do with ventilation. Proper ventilation allows your pipes to run efficiently and prevents toxic fumes from entering your home.

Fixtures

Fixtures are another important issue related to plumbing codes. Plumbing fixture should not be placed too close together. This is especially important to remember in smaller rooms in your home such as bathrooms where space is limited.

Size

Another important consideration when it comes to plumbing codes is the size. Plumbing codes determine the right size for vents, drains, and supply lines. In plumbing, size does matter; it can effect many things like water pressure and noise, among others.

Proper Materials

Another key element of plumbing codes has to do with using the proper materials when performing plumbing services or repairs. Most plumbing codes will require plumbers to use copper piping for supply lines and PVC piping for drains. Pex, when used correctly, is often allowed nowadays, as well.

Water Pressure

The water pressure in your home is also very important. If pressure isn’t just right it could cause problems in your home. If the pressure is too low you may need to invest in a pump to boost the pressure. And if the pressure is too high, your plumbing professional might need to install a pressure reduction valve.

Structure of Home

Plumbing services or repairs must not compromise the structural integrity of your home. Sometimes plumbing codes require you or your professional plumber to reinforce joists or to install protective plates over pipes.

Drain Pipe Slope

Plumbing codes require that drainpipes must slope at one quarter inch per running foot. Code also mandates that vent pipes slope at one eighth inch per running foot of pipe. These stipulations keep everything flowing correctly, and help reduce back-ups.

Priming of Pipes

Plumbing codes also require all pipes to be primed. A certified licensed plumbing professional will use purple primer to do this so that it easy to see that pipes have been primed and are in compliance with codes.

These are just a few of the considerations related to plumbing codes that are crucial when your plumbing professional is performing plumbing services or making plumbing repairs in your home.

Plumbing 101: Good Help and Green Cleaning

November 3, 2016DC Plumber, How To, Plumbing Advicematt

Plumbing is very important to the health and safety of your home and family. So it’s crucial that you know how to find out whether or not a plumber is qualified to provide plumbing services for your home or business.

Contracts and Estimates

A skilled and experienced plumbing professional should have no problem providing you with sample contracts or estimates for you to review. Many companies even offer free estimates.

Licensing

Never let anyone claiming to be a plumber perform services or conduct repairs to your home without verifying that the company and the plumber are licensed first. Bonding and insurance are also key factors to consider when selecting a plumber. Bonding means that the company will protect you if doesn’t finish the job or doesn’t follow through on financial obligations.

Years of Experience

A qualified plumber should be able to prove his years of experience and know the history of the company. It’s important to do research on your own and find this out. Don’t rely solely on the company to provide you with this information. Check to see if the company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) too. But again, this shouldn’t be the only factor that you consider when you select a plumbing professional.

Professionalism

A plumber should be professional and courteous to customers. Make sure they are upfront with you about pricing. And they should also talk you through every step in the service and repair process. And be sure they are willing to accommodate your busy schedule as well.

Proper Material Use

An experienced plumber will also know the proper materials to use in order to provide the highest quality services and repairs to your home or business. For example, a qualified, licensed plumber knows that the best materials to use for pipe installation and repairs is a combination of copper and PVC. These materials are easy for the plumber to work with as well as being safe for your home and family. They are also less expensive and more durable than other types of pipes. These are just a few of the things that you need to look out for when you’re choosing the right plumber for your home or business.

Searching For a Plumber in Your Area

If you’re looking for DC plumbing services for example just do a simple online search. Or ask friends or family for a recommendation. This will ensure that you find the right qualified plumbing professional for your home or business.

Green Cleaning Tips

Keeping your home or business clean is just as important as keeping your plumbing systems running efficiently. Using a few simple green and environmentally friendly cleaning tips can save you time and money. Green cleaning gets your home or business clean without using harsh chemicals that can be hazardous to your health.

Green Toilet Cleaning

An easy and green way to clean your toilet is to use a half a cup of vinegar and a spoonful of baking soda. Combine these two ingredients and pour them into the toilet bowl. After thirty minutes, clean your toilet with a toilet brush.

Sparkling Sinks and Vanities

To clean your sink or vanity in an environmentally friendly way, use a spray made from a combination of two cups baking soda, a half a cup of dish soap, one cup of water and half a cup of vinegar. To clean fixtures use a combination that’s one part vinegar and one part baking soda.

Showers and Tubs

To clean your shower and tub, you can also use a combination of baking soda and dish soap. Using these simple cleaning tips will give you a cleaner, greener home.

Fun Facts about Plumbing

November 2, 2016Helpful Hints, Plumbing Advicematt

You might not give much thought to the plumbing system in your home or business. But you shouldn’t take it for granted because it’s essential to the health and safety of you and your family. So here are some fun facts about plumbing to keep in mind. These bits of tips and trivia just might make you laugh and jog your memory about the importance of plumbing in case you ever forget.

Fact or Fiction

It’s a commonly held belief that water in toilets flushes clockwise in some parts of the world, and in the opposite direction in others. In fact this has nothing to do with location and everything to do with the way the toilet’s rim jets are facing. Any toilet can flush in either direction.

Famous Plumbers

Albert Einstein once said that if he could live his life over again he would’ve been a plumber. So he was named an honorary member of The Plumbers and Steamfitters Union. Other famous plumbers include Mario and Luigi of the Super Mario Bros Nintendo games. These two fictional plumbers have been featured in over two hundred games since the game’s invention in the mid nineteen-eighties.

Toilet Paper Talk

A recent study was conducted to find out whether people put their toilet paper on the holder with the flap in the front or in the rear. The study which cost one-hundred thousand dollars to complete concluded that three out of four people have the flap facing the front of the holder.

Entomology of the Word Plumbing

The word plumbing and all the variations of the word come from the Latin word for lead, plumbum. This is because pipes used to be made of lead. The abbreviation for the element of lead on the periodic table of elements is also Pb, and it is based on the same word. During the Vietnam War President Nixon tasked “plumbers” to investigate intelligence leaks.

Toilet Time

The average person spends three years of their life sitting on the toilet. That’s longer than a person spends on vacation. Imagine what else you could accomplish using all that time. A British king even died by falling off of a toilet! Be careful the next time you take a seat!

How to Find a Qualified Plumber in Your Area

A plumber in your area might not know all these fun facts about plumbing but that doesn’t mean that he or she isn’t qualified to provide the necessary plumbing services or repairs to your home or business. If you’re looking for a plumber in DC for example, do a simple online search to find the right plumber for you. Or you can also ask your friends, family or colleagues for a recommendation. No matter how you find a skilled, experienced plumber, these humorous facts about plumbing are sure to remind you just how important plumbing is.

Why Plumbing Is Important

November 1, 2016DC Plumber, Plumbing Advicematt

You may not give the plumbing system in your home or business much thought. Even though some of us may take indoor plumbing for granted, it’s still a luxury in many places. But why is plumbing so important? Proper plumbing can prevent the spread of illness and diseases such as cholera and dysentery. These diseases are spread through contaminated water, and some parts of the world like Zaire in Africa were still grappling with them as recently as 1994.

Plumbing becomes even more important in cities where the population is large. For example, in Chicago, during the early nineteenth century, the population grew so much that too much waste flowed directly into Lake Michigan. Plumbing advances to prevent these waterborne diseases only came about in the late nineteenth century. Think about that next time you go for a swim at the beach.

Water

Plumbing ensures that water is clean and safe for bathing. Plumbing is essential for the health and well-being of your family. It’s a modern convenience that we often take for granted without meaning to. But without it we’d be living in a very different world.

Innovation and Sustainability

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that The United States could save three trillion gallons of water and up to seven billion dollars per year just by switching to eco-friendly plumbing products like low-flow toilets and aerated showerheads. Using water more efficiently reduces energy costs for homes and businesses. And it also makes the world greener and preserves water, which is a finite natural resource.

Plumbing as a Career

Another reason that plumbing is essential is because it provides a viable career path for many people. There’s a constant need for skilled plumbing professionals to install plumbing equipment or make regular plumbing repairs in homes and businesses.

Regular Maintenance

The importance of regular plumbing maintenance for your home or business cannot be understated. Staying on top of plumbing maintenance tasks can prevent costly and inconvenient problems in the future.

Common Plumbing Problems That Require Regular Maintenance

Some areas in your home that require regular plumbing maintenance and inspections are toilets, tubs and showers, and pipes. Water heaters should be checked regularly as well. Their pressure relief valves should be tested once a year, and sediment should be flushed out, also, to prevent build-up.

Plumbing Emergencies

It’s important to have a plumber that you can trust in mind for emergencies that may arise in your home or business. They are inevitable, and having a number handy can make a stressful situation easier.

How to Find a Plumber in Your Area

Use the internet or your local phone book to find a plumber in your area. You can also ask your friends, family or neighbors for a recommendation if you’re in a bind. If you’re in the D.C. area for example, simply Google DC plumbing company to get you started in your search. Don’t take your plumbing for granted! You never really appreciate something until you have to go without it in an emergency situation. That’s why it’s so important to maintain the plumbing system in your home or business. Think about that the next time you take a hot shower or flush the toilet.

5 Fuel Types That Are Used To Power Water Heaters

October 16, 2016Energy Efficiencymatt

One of the most important considerations when buying a water heater is the type of energy or fuel it will use. There are several factors that come into play when thinking about the fuel type of a water heater. For starters, you have to consider the availability of that type of fuel — relative to your locality and the specific installation needs. Secondly, you need to consider the cost of that energy type and compare it with other energy options relative to the initial cost and subsequent operating costs. Finally, the type of fuel will determine the energy efficiency of the water heater; and hence will play a huge role in your decision regarding the size of the water heater you are going to buy.

With all these factors in mind, you might need some assistance when shopping for a new or replacement water heater in your locality. Contact and consult any reliable plumber that provides DC emergency plumbing services and water heater repair and installation services for an informed discussion on this issue. Start by comparing the energy efficiency and resultant operating costs of all the fuel types available in your area. For instance, you will find that an electric heat pump water heater is usually more energy efficient and hence cheaper to operate than an electric or a gas-fired conventional storage water heater. This is despite the fact that local natural gas costs are typically cheaper than electricity. To start with, you need basic knowledge regarding the most common fuel types that are available for water heaters in the United States today.

Electricity

This is the most widely distributed energy source for water heaters in the U.S. Electricity is used to power most types of water heaters including conventional storage, tankless, and heat pump water heaters. Moreover, electricity is also used to power combination water and AC systems, such as tankless coil and indirect water heaters. Although you might focus only on the construction types of water heaters, you should also consider the local fuel costs and rates before making a decision.

Fuel Oil

This energy source is available in select areas of the United States. Fuel oil is used to power conventional storage water heaters and indirect combination water and space heating systems. Before going any further with this option, you should start by inquiring its availability in the region where you want to install the water heater.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is available throughout the United States in homes that use geothermal heat pump AC systems. These systems draw heat from the ground during winter and from indoor air during summer to warm and cool the house. To heat water, geothermal heat pump AC systems are fitted with specially designed heat exchangers. This energy source is suitable for powering tankless or demand-type water heaters during the summer and conventional storage water heaters during the colder winter, spring, and fall seasons.

Natural Gas And Propane

Natural gas and propane are available in many areas of the United States. They are used to power conventional storage and tankless/instantaneous water heaters. They can also be used to fuel combination water and AC systems, such as tankless coil and indirect water heaters.

Solar

Like electricity, solar energy is available throughout the United States; however, it is most abundant in the Southwest. Ranked among the most energy efficient water heaters, solar is used to power solar water heaters. Although it’s clean, free and renewable, it requires substantial initial costs.

3 Important Service Qualities To Look For In A Commercial Plumber

October 14, 2016Commercial Plumbingmatt

Although you might not realize it, plumbers are an integral cog in the functional system of any home or business. Plumbers nurture, treat and safeguard the supply and disposal system of any home or business. Considering the importance and sensitivity of a typical plumbing system, you should be very careful when hiring a plumber for any type of service call. You should especially be careful when hiring a commercial plumber to cater for your corporate or institutional plumbing needs. Typically, plumbers service two types of clients: residential and commercial clients. Most well established plumbers serve both types of clients but some small-timers cater for only residential clients. Commercial clients include business, corporate, and institutional types of organizations.

Expectedly, commercial clients require resource intensive plumbing solutions; and hence commercial plumbers must have adequate financial, logistical and infrastructural resources to enhance their performance. In addition to the normal factors that must be considered when hiring any plumber, such as experience, reputation and licensing, commercial plumbers should be vetted for the following important service qualities.

Upfront Pricing

Before hiring a commercial plumber, you should inquire or research about their pricing policy. The most recommended pricing policy is the upfront quotation policy. The upfront pricing policy simply means that a plumber has to explain everything that is going to be done and what it will cost to the client before starting to work on any plumbing project. For instance, if you invite a local plumber, who provides DC commercial plumbing services, to your business premises for a pipe leakage repair or any other project, he/she should assess the problem and then explain the solution both technically and financially. In upfront pricing, the professional plumber should explain the most optimal plumbing solution to the client — clearly and satisfactorily.

Number And Type Of Services Offered

Commercial plumbers are either hired on a temporary contract basis or under a full time contract arrangement. In order to avoid unnecessary hassles and inconveniences during plumbing emergencies and also to ensure regular plumbing inspections and maintenance schedules on their premises, some organizations retain the services of a professional plumbing company throughout. Whether it’s a temporary or full time engagement, you should always consider the list of services offered by the plumber to ensure that all your service needs and preferences are included. In any case, it is always advisable to choose a commercial plumber, who provides the most extensive list of services, to avoid performance disappointments and costly last minute rushes. You should also evaluate the types of services offered by a specific commercial plumber. By studying the service roster, you will also be able to gauge the plumber’s professional experience and competence, especially in dealing with other commercial clients like yourself.

Emergency Services

Plumbing problems can occur at any time, any day and at any place. Some of these problems require immediate or urgent remedies, otherwise the subsequent losses due to physical damages and work site disruptions can be monumental. For instance, a sewer line can burst at an office building at midnight on a weekend. If the problem is not fixed immediately, the premises can incur significant damages and people might not be able to work there the following week. To ensure that you are protected against such unprecedented calamities, you should hire a commercial plumber who offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services. Such plumbers respond to a plumbing crisis immediately and they do not charge extra for after-hours service calls.

4 Most Common Types Of Sewer Drain Services

October 12, 2016Plumbing Advicematt

Inarguably, sewer drain problems are some of the most sensitive and intensive undertakings in the plumbing industry. Compared to other routine plumbing tasks, such as supply pipe leakages or fixture installation, sewer drain problems require immense expertise and significant resources to resolve satisfactorily. Basically, sewer drain services span three main areas: sewer line installation, maintenance and repair. Expectedly, plumbing companies that provide residential and commercial sewer drain services are well equipped, adequately staffed, and highly experienced in such issues. If you have a sewer line problem, you should be very careful when hiring a plumber to fix it. Search for a reliable plumber offering sewer services in DC and research his/her background information to assess the experience, competence and industry reputation. Incidentally, there are four main types of sewer services that you should consider before hiring a plumber.

Sewer Camera Inspection

Modern technological breakthroughs in various industries have simplified jobs and created a better working environment for everyone. The plumbing industry has not lagged behind technologically. Modern plumbers are using high tech equipment to handled seemingly impossible tasks, such as underground sewer line inspections. A sewer system requires regular inspection and maintenance. However, the sewer system, especially the sewer lines, is the most inaccessible and obscure section of the entire plumbing system. This is because the largest section runs several feet underground; and hence it is quite impossible to inspect the sewer lines thoroughly using normal methods. Luckily, modern plumbers use high tech cameras for sewer line inspections. Using these high tech gadgets, professional plumbers are able to produce detailed video surveys showing the condition of any sewer system. From checking the materials used to construct the sewer lines like cast iron, tar paper, PVC or ceramic to assessing whether the lines are installed properly, sewer camera inspections provide invaluable sewer line maintenance information.

Sewer Drain Cleaning

Sewer drain cleaning is one of the most common plumbing tasks. Sewer drains are easily clogged due to several possible reasons including poor household disposal habits, grunge buildup, and underground root damage. Sewer drain problems can range in seriousness from minor clogs that can be resolved with simple DIY fixes to major sewer line backups that require specialized skills and equipment to fix. Professional plumbers offer sewer drain cleaning services either as regular sewer line maintenance services or under their routine plumbing service calls. In either case, these companies use recommended drain cleaning solutions like enzyme drain cleaners; thereby ensuring safety and satisfactory service provision.

Sewer Main Replacement/Repair

Sewer main line repair and replacement is ranked among the biggest and most challenging plumbing jobs. Sewer lines are usually buried several feet below the ground, sometimes under various structures like buildings and roads. For this task, a plumber requires the right equipment and manpower to dig up the sewer lines, prepare the tunnels for replacement or laying down the repaired pipes, and then bury the pipes back and leave the site just as it was (or even better) before the work.

Sewer Line Installation

Finally, there are the sewer line installation services. Regarded as one of the most resource intensive and sensitive services, sewer line installations are done by the crème de la crème in the plumbing industry. The sewer lines must be installed properly to ensure proper functionality, otherwise the client risks damages worth a lot of money and ugly inconveniences. Therefore, hire a highly experienced plumber for this task, preferably one with up-to-date knowledge of zoning and safety codes and is experienced in dealing with building inspectors and acquiring permits.

3 Most Common Types Of Emergency Plumbing Problems

October 10, 2016Plumbing Advicematt

Plumbing emergencies are some of the scariest system malfunctions that you will ever experience. Plumbing emergencies can affect any part of the plumbing system and they can occur at any time of the day, any day of the week. Responsible for some of the most frantic service calls in any household, plumbing emergencies can cause messy inconveniences and extensive and costly damages in a residential or commercial setting. Most plumbers, who offer both residential and commercial services in a professional capacity, advertise emergency plumbing services as part of their service offerings. Typically, emergency plumbing services refer to conditional service calls that are placed to plumbing companies requesting immediate deployment of plumbing technicians to a client’s home or premises to fix an abrupt crisis regardless of the time of day or day of the week — and at no extra cost. There are many types of plumbing crises that can force you to call a DC emergency plumber in the wee hours of the night. Some of the most common include the following.

Leaks

Leaks can occur in any plumbing appliance or installation including fixtures, water heater systems, pipes, or even the sewer lines. The most common leaks that can cause you to request for emergency plumbing services past midnight on a weekend are pipe leakages. If ignored, leaking pipes can become burst pipes, especially if the water pressure is high. Pipe leaks can be caused by many different incidents including accidental damage when fixing nails into a wall to hang stuff, old age and wear, poor maintenance. To avoid an adrenaline-filled experience following an emergency pipe burst, you should inspect your piping network regularly. Consider both the interior and exterior pipes and check for “sweating” walls and floors for signs of internal pipe leakages. Fix the pipe leakage as soon as possible to avoid water loss and prevent pipe bursts.

Water Heater Problems

Water heaters are sensitive and functional plumbing installations that can turn out to be quite hazardous if handled carelessly and left unmaintained for long. Old water heaters are especially prone to dramatic stalls, leakages, and emergency malfunctions. A malfunctioning water heater can cause you to skip vital business meetings because you cannot take a cold shower in the freezing winter season. Water heaters, particularly gas and electric-fired models, can be quite hazardous if they are denied proper maintenance. They can shock people or even short electric systems if they are neglected and left to “rot” for too long. If you are dealing with such a water heater, do not hesitate to call an emergency plumber as soon as possible.

Drain Cleaning Problems

Clogged drains and sewer backups are some of the most common plumbing problems in a typical American household. Poor garbage disposal habits coupled with a variety of other causes like root pipe damage and grime buildup can cause drains to get clogged intermittently. Simple clogging problems can be resolved quickly using various DIY fixes, such as using a plunger or hot water to flush the blocked drainage pipes. However, serious drain clogs require expert skills and special equipment to fix. If you try the usual DIY unclogging fixes only to discover that the situation is deteriorating instead of improving, call an emergency plumber immediately. You will save yourself a lot of trouble in terms of unforeseen complications, unnecessary inconveniences, and costly repairs by doing so.

Pros And Cons Of Using Conventional Storage Water Heaters

October 9, 2016Plumbing Advicematt

Water heaters are some of the most vital plumbing systems in any home or office. They are functional systems that heat cold water ensuring that all the basic hot water needs, such as showering and cleaning, are met satisfactorily. Obviously, you should choose the most befitting type or model of a water heater depending on your specific hot water needs and preferences as a homeowner or business owner. Conventional storage water heaters are still the most popular heating systems for the home. They are also very common in commercial and corporate settings. Basically, conventional storage water heaters consist of a heating element and a storage reservoir that holds hot water throughout. Storage water heaters are powered by various energy sources including natural gas, fuel oil, electricity, and propane. Before you learn about the advantages and disadvantages of using conventional storage water heaters, you need to know how they work.

How They Work

Conventional storage water heaters produce hot water from the top of the storage tank upon turning on the hot water tap. Consequently, cold water flows into the bottom of the storage tank; thereby refilling the reservoir automatically. Because the system maintains a steady supply of hot water, storage water heaters are characterized by energy loss in the form of standby heat loss. Although they are relatively easy to acquire and install, storage water heaters require regular inspection and maintenance to enhance performance. For instance, the storage tank should be flushed with water regularly to remove sediments and the temperature and pressure valves should be inspected for damage every few months.

Pros

The first advantage of installing a conventional storage water heater system is that it requires very low initial costs. Compared to other water heaters, storage water heaters are the most affordable models in the market today; hence their popularity. Secondly, storage water heaters are very easy to install. Before you purchase any type of water, it is advisable to consult a reliable plumber in your locality for professional advice on the project. Even if you are getting a heater for your business or company, discuss the acquisition and installation details with any professional DC commercial plumber before implementing the project. Conventional storage water heaters also allow for multiple/simultaneous use of hot water at home. These models are simple, reliable and very versatile to install. Finally, storage heaters are long lasting because they have no fans or pumps that can get worn out with time.

Cons

The main setback of using conventional storage water heaters is that they are highly inefficient in terms of energy usage. Unlike tankless water heaters, storage water heaters are plagued by standby heat loss problems; whereby energy is wasted even when the hot tap is shut off. As such, they are very expensive to operate and maintain. Actually, even the cheapest storage heaters might turn out to be the most expensive when their operating and maintenance costs are factored in. To mitigate this energy loss, modern conventional storage water heaters have thickly insulated tanks and pipes and motorized dampers. Gas and oil storage water heaters feature special modifications to reduce standby heat loss. They have venting modifications, such as the fan-assisted gas water heaters and the atmospheric sealed-combustion water heaters, which ensure minimal energy loss.