Frequently Asked Questions

Today’s water heaters are robust systems designed to operate without issue for years. However, like all machines, even the best water heater will eventually wear out. It’s understandable to want to hold off replacing your water heater for as long as possible, but here are the most common signs telling you that replacement is on the horizon.

Age

With routine maintenance, a water heater can last up to 15 years. Once a system reaches its advanced age, it’s wise to plan on replacing it – even if it technically still works – as soon as possible.

Lack of Hot Water

Another sign that your water heater will soon need replacing is when you stop getting the volume of hot water you’re used to. If you find that you have to limit your morning showers because the hot water doesn’t last, it’s a good sign your system is declining and should soon be swapped out for a new one.

Rising Energy Bills

Besides your home furnace or heater, your water heater accounts for a significant chunk of your energy costs. As water heaters age, they lose efficiency, causing you to pay more each month. In most cases, it’s more cost-effective to replace the system than to try and keep it going a few more years.

Discolored Water

If you turn on your hot water tap and notice rust-colored or murky water, it could mean the inside of the tank is rusting. Once rust sets in, there’s little you can do to stop it, and replacing the system is the only option.

Frequent Repairs

Another way to know when your water heater is reaching the end of its life is to look back on its repair history. If you find the frequency of repairs is increasing, you’re better off spending that repair money on a new system. At All Pro Plumbing, we have decades’ worth of experience installing water heaters and will find the right system for your needs.

Although tankless water heaters aren’t new, they’re becoming more popular in the United States due to their many benefits. However, tankless water heaters aren’t the best solution in all applications, but installing one in your home may be worth it, and here’s how to know. Perhaps the one benefit people love about tankless water heaters is the instant, unlimited hot water they provide. Gone are the days of waiting for the water to heat up or running out in the middle of your shower. If you have a family with large hot water demands, a tankless water heater may be right for you. Another benefit people like is that tankless water heaters outlast their tank-style counterparts by a large margin. While a typical tank water heater typically lasts 10 to 15 years, tankless systems can double that lifespan. When you factor in that tankless water heaters require less maintenance and are less prone to failure, many people see them as a worthwhile investment for the long term. As mentioned, your water heater is one of the most significant energy users in your home because it must use energy to keep the water in the tank hot and ready for use, which takes a lot of energy. Tankless systems heat water as needed, meaning when you’re not using the system, it’s not consuming energy, making it easier on your finances every month. Lastly, tankless water heaters often qualify for federal tax credits that help offset the installation cost, which is, admittedly, higher than a tank-style water heater. Tankless water heaters aren’t suitable for every household; however, if you’re interested in finding out more, contact one of our experts for a consultation.

When faced with a clogged drain, the average homeowner often reaches for a store-bought drain cleaner. These products are easy to use, are marketed as safe, and seem to work.

So what’s the harm??

Well, what the advertisers don’t tell you is how damaging the chemicals in drain cleaners can be to your plumbing system. If you look at the ingredients in the average drain cleaner, you’ll see chemicals like sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid, both of which are highly acidic. This means that these products generate heat to dissolve the material clogging the drain, so it washes out of the system. The problem with the products that use heat to remove clogs is how damaging they can be to PVC and metal pipes. If you’re constantly pouring these chemicals down the drain every time you have a clog, eventually, the pipes will weaken, begin leaking and require replacing. Another thing producers of these products don’t tell you is that the clog doesn’t leave the system in most cases. Sure, the chemicals break it up, but the junk usually ends up deeper in your plumbing, where it continues to cause problems and requires more drain cleaner. For best results, consider hiring a professional plumber to clean your drains. Plumbers use safe tools and techniques for your pipes and actually remove the debris so your drains remain cleaner longer. If you use drain cleaning products, consider using ones that break up clogs with natural enzymes and use them as maintenance instead of when the drain is fully blocked.

Some plumbing problems obviously require immediate help, like burst pipes or an overflowing toilet. However, sometimes it’s not so clean when to call for emergency help or when it’s safe to wait to make an appointment. Here are a few tips to help you decide if calling for immediate help is warranted.

Do You Need The Affected Plumbing Now?

If you’re facing a clogged drain or toilet that won’t flush, you can probably get by for a while and wait to schedule an appointment. Make sure to let others in the family know to avoid the affected fixture until it’s fixed.

Can You Shut the Water Off?

If you have a leaking pipe, you may panic and think you need a plumber right now. But find out if you can shut off the water to the affected area first. If you can avoid shutting off the main water supply, you can usually wait out this problem until you can schedule a service call.

How Long Is The Wait Time?

If the plumbing problem occurs during the week, you’ll usually have time to call for help and schedule an appointment to get it fixed. However, if you’re facing a long weekend or holiday without water or you have a leak, it’s best to call for help now.

How Bad Will the Damage Be?

Lastly, ask yourself how bad the damage can get if you let the problem go for a day or two. If you’re dealing with a minor leak, you can usually rely on buckets to stop water from spilling over the floor. However, if the bucket strategy isn’t going to cut it, it’s best to call a plumber for immediate help instead of risking damage to your floors, walls, and personal property. If you’re worried about whether to call for emergency plumbing repair or to wait, it’s best to err on the side of caution and call for help.

Does this scenario sound like you? You have a clogged drain. You use a drain cleaner or home remedy to fix it. The clog seems to go away only to return. Recurring clogs are common and are often caused by one of three issues. First, it could be grease, fat, or other debris built up along the walls of your pipes. Most home remedies and drain cleaners fail to remove this sticky mess completely, and you end up with another clog soon after. Another issue could be tree roots. Once tree roots get into your pipes, they’re nearly impossible to get rid of with conventional means. The last issue that causes repeated clogs is damaged pipes. If there’s a leak or partial collapse in the main sewer line, it can block the water flow, and you end up with continuous clogging. The good news is these problems aren’t permanent. In the first scenario, professional drain cleaning typically does the trick because plumbers use tools and techniques that clean the entire circumference of the pipe and remove the debris so it can’t do further damage. In the second case, hydro jetting is strong enough to blast away tree roots and other complex obstructions. Lastly, if the main sewer line is broken, pipe replacement is the answer. If you’re worried about constantly clogged drains, call the drain cleaning experts at All Pro Plumbing for an inspection.

Garbage disposals are convenient kitchen tools that save time during cleanup, and their powerful motors grind up food debris, so it flushes safely down the drain. However, there are items you should never put down your garbage disposal because you can damage the blades and burn out the motor. Avoid putting these items down your garbage disposal.

• Eggshells
• Bones
• Pasta or rice
• Grease
• Coffee grounds
• Pits and seeds
• Fibrous or stringy fruits and vegetables
• Potato peels

Remember, just because it’s called a garbage disposal doesn’t mean you can throw anything down and hope for the best.

Burst pipes often occur because pipes freeze during winter. When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands and can cause ruptures. Once the pipe thaws, the homeowner ends up with a flood on their hands. However, there are steps you can take to minimize the chance your pipes will freeze.

• Keep your garage doors closed if you have water supply lines in the garage.
• Open your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate around the pipes.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature day and night.
• Shut off the water supply to the outside hose bib and consider covering it for the winter.
• Use pipe insulation or thermal tape to keep indoor pipes from freezing.
• Allow faucets to drip slowly, allowing water to flow to prevent freezing.

If you have any questions you’d like answers to, contact us either online or by phone, and we’ll be happy to help.