Category: Land & Property

Is It Time to Replace Your Water Heater? Watch for These Issues

Signs You Need to Install a New Water Heater

If a household’s water heater is aging and experiences certain issues, it can signal the end is near, and a new one will need to be installed. Waiting too long to replace a water heater can negatively affect a household, like losing hot water and cold showers. To avoid this, homeowners should schedule water heater replacement when they notice certain signs. 

Signs of Corrosion

old water heater When water heaters age, they can start to break down and experience corrosion. This can cause numerous issues with a system, including leaks and rusty water. To determine if there is corrosion in a hot water tank, homeowners can look for signs of a corroded water heater, like rusty-looking, cloudy, or orange-tinted water, and whether the hot water has a metallic taste or smell. 

Homeowners should also look for visible signs of rust and corrosion on the water heater tank and any noticeable leaks. When households notice these symptoms of water heater corrosion, they must consider water heater replacement. 

Absence of Hot Water or It Runs Out Too Quickly

cold shower As water heaters fail, households may notice the water coming from the water heater isn’t as hot as usual, or they might run out of hot water sooner than expected. This can be due to various causes, some requiring replacement, while others requiring maintenance or repair. 

One common reason for a lack of hot water is a buildup of sediment in the unit. A broken heating element or thermostat can also prevent the water from heating to the proper temperature. When plumbers inspect a water heater, they will also determine if the system is undersized for the demands of the household or nearing the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced. 

Frequent Repairs or an Aging Unit

If a homeowner is scheduling water heater repairs more and more often, it can signal that the water heater is nearing the end of its life and needs replacing. Water heaters that are old and close to their life expectancy will also need to be replaced before they completely break down. 

As water heaters age, they can become less effective and efficient at heating water and encounter more problems that require repairs. The lifespan of a traditional water heater is around 10 to 15 years, while the lifespan of a tankless water heater is about 20 years. These timelines can vary based on the amount of maintenance performed on the units, but if systems are nearing these life expectancies, homeowners should be prepared to replace them soon. 

About The Plumbers Guild

The Plumbers Guild is a locally owned and operated company serving Brookhaven and the surrounding areas. They offer flat rate pricing, easy scheduling, and financing. Call them today for water heater repair and installation services in Brookhaven, GA. 

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Skip Spooky Sounds This Halloween By Fixing Water Hammers

Why Homeowners Hear Banging Pipes in Their Walls

If homeowners hear banging from their walls, they might immediately think someone in the house is playing a trick on them. But after further examination, they might discover it’s not a Halloween prank – it’s a water hammer. These noisy pipes happen when there is a sudden change in pressure or direction of water in the plumbing system. 

When this hydraulic shock occurs, property owners need to schedule plumbing repairs quickly before the increase in pressure causes damage to the lines. This post discusses water hammers, what risks they can cause, and what can be done about them. 

All About Water Hammers

A water hammer is most frequently detected by a loud banging noise coming from a home’s pipes. This disturbing sound occurs when the water flow suddenly changes direction or stops in the piping. This results in a loud noise and can also place stress on the pipes and their joints. 

Water hammer is caused by the sudden change in pressure within the pipes. This pressure is usually absorbed by air chambers or cushioning devices within the system. However, when a valve is closed suddenly, the water flow stops abruptly, causing the kinetic energy and pressure to be released back into the pipes. 

Risks Water Hammers Can Present

water hammer Water hammers can cause more than just annoying sounds. They can also put the plumbing system at risk, as the increased pressure can damage the pipes and their joints. The added pressure to the lines can cause leaks or even burst pipes to occur. 

The leaks and ruptured pipes that can occur due to a water hammer can also negatively affect a household, including water damage, high water bills, and mold growth. To avoid larger problems with the piping and their effects, homeowners should schedule professional plumbing services at the first signs of a water hammer.

Methods Plumbers Use While Fixing Water Hammers

water hammer service Water hammers can cause significant damage, so it’s crucial for homeowners to schedule services with a plumber as soon as possible. When a plumber arrives to perform water hammer fixes, they will first inspect the plumbing system to determine the best solution to stop it. 

Plumbers might install air chambers or water hammer arrestors to absorb the shocks. They may also adjust the pressure-reducing valve or better secure the pipes to stop them from vibrating. Depending on the situation, one or multiple fixes may be needed to remedy water hammers.

About The Plumbers Guild

The Plumbers Guild is a locally owned and operated company serving Brookhaven and the surrounding areas since 2013. They offer straightforward pricing, the latest technology, and on-time arrivals. Call them today for plumbing services in Brookhaven, GA. 

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Prevent Common Causes of Burst Pipes With These Tips

3 Common Causes of Burst Pipes and Ways to Avoid Them

A burst pipe can quickly cause a disaster for households and leave behind significant damage. Homeowners will need to call a plumber for emergency burst pipe repair to fix the line and start cleaning and fixing any problems from water damage. This can involve ripping up and replacing flooring, fixing drywall, and more.

In order to prevent these issues from a burst pipe, homeowners should be aware of the common causes of burst pipes and some tips to help avoid them. Homeowners should do their part to prevent clogs, avoid frozen pipes, and monitor lines for corrosion.

Clogs

clogged pipeA common cause of burst pipes is clogs. If blockages are in pipes, they can cause an increase in pressure in the lines, and it can lead to a pipe burst. To prevent clogs, plumbers recommend that homeowners take certain steps. These can include scheduling routine drain cleaning services on their pipes. During these appointments, experts will remove any blockages and residue from pipes using a method such as hydro jet drain cleaning before they become larger and cause tough clogs.

Property owners can also avoid clogs by taking precautions throughout their homes. This can include installing a mesh screen over the drains in showers, bathtubs, and sinks to collect hair and other debris before it goes down the drain. Homeowners should also only flush toilet paper and avoid putting certain types of food down the drain in the kitchen sink, including grease, stringy vegetables, meats, eggshells, coffee grounds, and more items that can get stuck to the pipes and cause clogs.

Freezing

Another common cause of burst pipes is frozen pipes. During the winter months, if the Georgia temperatures fall too low, pipes freezing is a threat homeowners should be aware of. When this happens, the freezing causes the water in the line to expand, which can cause the pipe to burst.

Some easy ways to avoid frozen pipes are pipe insulation, disconnecting outdoor hoses and draining the line, opening up the interior and cabinet doors to ensure the home’s heat reaches pipes, and during freezing temperatures, leaving faucets dripping keeps water flowing and not stagnant, which helps prevent the water from freezing.

Corrosion

corrosionAging and corroded pipes are also at risk of bursting. When corrosion occurs, the structure of the line may be compromised, putting it at risk of leaking or bursting. To avoid pipe bursts due to corrosion, plumbers recommend that property owners take precautions to identify signs of decay. Some steps homeowners can take include:

  • Having plumbers repair or replace pipes when necessary at the first signs of an issue
  • Scheduling routine plumbing maintenance and pipe inspections lets plumbers check for signs of aging and corrosion
  • Additionally, water softener installation can help prevent pipe corrosion and clogs, as the minerals in hard water can corrode pipes and build up within the lines, causing clogs.

About The Plumbers Guild

The Plumbers Guild is a locally owned and operated company that has been serving Brookhaven and the surrounding areas for more than a decade. They offer flat rate pricing, easy scheduling, and the latest technology. Call them today for plumbing services in Brookhaven, GA.

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