Tag: water

How to Tell If the Home Needs a Water Softener

What Exactly Is Hard Water?

When people speak of hard and soft water, they’re talking about the mineral content of the water. Hard water has a higher mineral content, usually calcium and magnesium. This results from the water-absorbing minerals as it passes through mineral deposits in the ground. While it’s difficult to tell whether water is hard just by looking at it, there are some tell-tale signs left behind by hard water that homeowners can look for if they’re unsure. 

Signs the Home Has Hard Water

dry hair When homeowners inquire about hard water, they're often concerned about its safety for drinking and bathing. While hard water is generally safe, other negative effects come with hard water in the home.

If the home dishes never seem completely clean, it could be because of hard water when dishes are left with visible water spots. No matter what kind of dishwashing liquid or manner of drying, it’s usually because the water dries but leaves a mineral residue on it. The same can be said for clothes — they often look worn, drab, and possibly even dirty.

Hard water affects more than just clothes and dishes. Skin and hair can also feel the effects, becoming dry and losing their luster. Lastly, it can leave a chalky residue in sinks, faucets, and around drains.  

How Water Softeners Work

water softenerAll water softeners work by extracting or neutralizing the minerals in hard water. This reduces the mineral content of the water and eliminates or lessens the negative effects of hard water. Whole-house water softeners are installed between the water meter and the point of entry to the home, allowing the entire plumbing system to benefit from the softener. 

Water softeners differ in how they negate the water's high mineral content. The most common type uses salt and resin beads to “exchange” the sodium ions from the salt with the mineral ions in the hard water, thereby softening the water. A larger, dual-tank water softener could be the best option for larger homes or those with high water usage. Smaller water softeners can also be installed under sinks to soften water at a particular location in the home. 

The Many Benefits of Whole Home Water Softeners

The biggest benefit of water softeners is that they work to eliminate the issues that come with hard water. No more dry skin and lusterless hair. No more faded clothes and never-clean dishes. Plus, there are added benefits to the plumbing system itself. 

Mineral buildup can damage plumbing systems and appliances, severely lessening the lifespan of dishwashers, washing machines, and water pipes. However, with a whole-house water softener, homeowners can rest easy knowing that their plumbing systems and appliances are healthy and will remain so for as long as the softener is in use. 

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air has served Fairhope, AL, since 1996. They provide expert, on-time service and no surprise pricing. Contact them today for water softener installation in Fairhope, AL. 

Distribution Links +

Signs of a Faulty Water Heater That Needs Service

When to Think About Water Heater Repairs

A home’s water heater is a critical piece of equipment that goes underappreciated until it fails, seemingly out of the blue. Most water heaters show signs before they fail, allowing perceptive homeowners to take preemptive action, like calling for water heater repairs. While some signs are obvious, like leaks or a loss of hot water, others are more subtle, meaning homeowners must stay on their toes. 

Here are three common signs that many homeowners overlook that indicate the need for water heater repairs.

Utility Costs Are Rising

billsUtility costs are always rising. Despite market influences, the price of natural gas and electrical power only seems to worsen. Water heaters already use up to 30% of the energy in the average home, making them expensive to operate. How much worse could the problem be if something went wrong with the water heater?

Monitoring utility bills is a great way to track the water heater’s condition. Since water heaters use so much energy, it can be relatively easy to spot spikes in energy bills. A spreadsheet or utility tracker can be used to monitor water consumption and the energy source used by the water heater. If the two bills correlate higher every month, it is a good sign something is wrong with the water heater. For more correlations, look for things like: 

If these signs are present, along with the rise in bills, water heater repair or a new installation are the best options to get bills back under control. 

Owners Can Hear Strange Sounds

sounds Struggling water heaters often make noises that indicate problems. The trouble is that most people don’t spend enough time near their water heater to know the difference between normal operations and regular noise. Furthermore, a noisy water heater may go undetected simply because no one checks on it. Routinely checking the water heater and scheduling annual water heater maintenance can help find sounds that indicate repairs are needed. Common sounds that indicate abnormal operation are:

  • Thumping
  • Rumbling
  • Whistling
  • Popping
  • Hissing 

If these sounds are heard at any point, a professional should be called to assess the situation. They can recommend whether maintenance, repairs, or replacement are the best actions. 

Unusual Color or Smell to the Water

The final sign of a struggling water heater has to do with the water quality of the hot water coming from the appliances in the home. Hot water should be identical to cold water except that it is heated. It shouldn’t have any tinge of red to it or carry any sediment. As a water heater corrodes, it can increase the sediment in the water and even allow rust to leech into the water, affecting the appearance and taste. Often, odors accompany this, although there are occasions when the water will appear fine but smell sulfurous. If the water quality from the hot water tank is bad, a professional opinion is needed. 

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air offers upfront pricing on plumbing service and leaves no mess behind once they’re done. Their membership program extends the life of the plumbing in the home, especially the portion dedicated to water heater maintenance. Call today for water heater services in Fairhope, AL.

Distribution Links +

Tankless Water Heaters and Their Benefits

Why Install Tankless Water Heaters?

New technology always takes a while to catch on, but this is especially true when the current technology lasts ten years or more. Nowhere is this more true than with water heaters. Conventional hot water tanks have been in use for over a century, and due to their tenure, most homeowners are reluctant to try newer options. 

To make matters worse, the average hot water tank lasts for about ten years, after which it fails, prompting the homeowner to make a snap judgment to get a new water tank. The choice is usually made in a matter of minutes simply because most people don’t want to take the time to explore other options when faced with a cold shower. 

The truth is better options are now available for heating water. Tankless water heaters represent a new approach to heating water for the home. Instead of heating water and storing it in a tank, a tankless water heater heats water on demand, allowing it to sit idle for long periods. Here is a quick guide discussing the implications of the benefits of tankless water heater installation. 

Better Energy Efficiency 

save money Hot water tanks waste a lot of energy. Most homes only need water at certain times of the day, and for about 23 hours of the day, the water tank heats water so that it is ready. Wouldn’t a better approach be to heat water only when necessary? 

Tankless water heaters take a new approach to providing hot water. Instead of heating and storing incoming water, they heat it as needed. When faucets or fixtures are turned on, they sense the flow in the pipe and use powerful heating elements of burners to heat the incoming water immediately. Since they can sit idle throughout the day, they become much more efficient than conventional water tanks, saving homeowners lots of money on monthly bills. 

Endless Water Hot Water Supply

hot water Conventional water tanks are sized by how many gallons the tank can hold. Tankless water heaters are sized based on how many fixtures need hot water at once. There are two implications hidden in this fact. First, as long as the flow is sensed, the tankless water heater will continue to provide hot water. This means endless hot water for families, so no one ever gets stuck taking a cold shower at the end of the day. Secondly, even a tankless water heater that handles multiple fixtures takes up much less space than a water tank. Switching to tankless water heaters can save valuable storage space by forgoing the bulky storage tank. 

Improved Life Expectancy 

Tankless water heaters spend so much time sitting idle that they add years to a unit’s life. Water tanks are the first point of failure in most water heaters because of their constant expansion and contraction as they heat and store water. By eliminating the tank, tankless water heaters remove the major cause of sudden breakdowns. Coupling this with being able to operate only when necessary, most tankless water heaters last twice as long as water tanks, with up to 20 years.

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air helps keep life affordable for their customers. They can help every homeowner switch to money-saving tankless water heaters with upfront pricing. Call today for tankless water heater installation in Fairhope, AL. 

Distribution Links +

Water Leak Detection: Know the Signs of a Leak

Catch Water Leaks Before They Do Serious Damage

Homeowners often take little notice of their plumbing and connected appliances until a big problem arises. Sometimes, big problems have stemmed from a lack of attention to small problems or a neglect of maintenance. Leaks are often this type of problem. They start small and are hardly noticeable, and before long, they gush water all over the bathroom or the front yard. The earlier a leak is found, the better it is for the plumbing system, the rest of the house, and the people in it. 

This blog will examine signs of a water leak and how homeowners can use their water heater to detect leaks.

What Indicates the Presence of a Leak?

Leaks usually start very small and are hard to notice. Because the majority of a home's pipes are under floors and in walls, it can be hard to detect a leaking pipe, at least at first. The list below contains the common signs that a home leaks.

  • Moisture Collecting: If a homeowner notices water or even a bit of dampness out of the ordinary areas, this may indicate a leak. This includes puddles in the yard when there has been no rain and damp carpeting.
  • Mold or Mildew Growth: Mold and mildew on the walls or floor of a room that is not the bathroom show that the area is regularly exposed to water, which helps these microbes thrive. This can indicate a nearby leak. 
  • Sounds of Running Water: This is perhaps the most urgent of the signs because the leak may be severe if a person can hear it. If it sounds like water is running somewhere without faucets or appliances, water is escaping somewhere else. Homeowners in this situation should call for a plumbing professional immediately.
  • Water Damage: This is the deterioration of structures due to exposure to water. If this happens, the leak has been there for a long time and should be investigated quickly.

A High Water Bill May Indicate a Leak

bills Another indicator of a leaking pipe may be a high water bill. If the bill has jumped sharply when there is no apparent change in water usage, then the higher bill may be due to a leak rather than a clerical error. If this is happening, water leak repair must be done immediately. The best way to quickly check if a home leaks is through checking the water meter. That method will be discussed in detail in the next section.

Leak Detection Through Testing the Water Meter

water meterUsing a water meter to see if there is an obvious leak is a simple task. While it will not tell a homeowner where the leak is, it can show how quickly water leaks. This is a good practice so a homeowner can communicate with both the water company and the plumbing technician. The steps are as follows:

  • Ensure all the home's water faucets and appliances are turned off (including ice makers in the fridge, etc.)
  • Go to the water meter and watch the gauge
  • It should hold steady if no water is being used
  • If the gauge continues to move, then there is a leak somewhere

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Offering a 24-hour response in case of emergencies, Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air services in Fairhope, AL, and all of Spanish Fort and Baldwin County. If a homeowner is looking for prompt plumbing service and no overtime charges, they should call today.

Distribution Links +

Lower Water Bills With These Three Easy Tips

Stop Being the Victim of Rising Water Bills 

It seems like the cost of everything is on the rise. To combat this, homeowners everywhere are trying to find ways to cut costs so they can apply savings to more expensive budget items. One of the best ways to cut costs around the home is to figure out ways to lower utility bills. This not only saves money, but it also has the added benefit of being an eco-conscious decision.

One of the bills that routinely gets away from homeowners is the sewer and water bill. Luckily, this utility bill is one of the most lucrative sources of savings for the entire home since it is two bills in one. Here are some easy tips from local experts that can help homeowners easily cut the cost of their water and sewer bills so they have more money to spend on other necessities. 

Shut Off the Tap and Dial in the Irrigation System 

save waterThe first instinct to reduce the cost of anything is simply to use it less. This is a good instinct and has powerful implications for saving water around the home. Most families have habits that could be changed to drastically reduce water usage around the home – starting with the potential for the most waste: the irrigation system. 

The irrigation system is a water hog, especially when used incorrectly. Too often, sprinklers are allowed to run during or within hours of a rain shower, wasting precious water and driving up costs. Rain sensors are the best way to prevent this since they can shut down the sprinkler system during the rain. Additionally, irrigation systems should run just before daybreak to maximize soil penetration. 

Apart from irrigation, other habits of wastewater. To improve water usage in the home start: 

  • Rinsing dishes in a sink of water
  • Turning off the tap while shaving or brushing
  • Flushing the toilet only when solids are present
  • Taking shorter showers instead of baths

Get Plumbing Fixtures That Conserve Water 

Habits are not always easy to change, but this next tip requires no effort. Instead of using less water, simply install plumbing fixtures and appliances that work hard to reduce water. For lower water bills and lower effort, install:

  • Dual flush toilets
  • Flow-flow showerheads
  • Water conserving faucets
  • Eco-friendly clothes washers and dishwashers

These will take a little investment at first, but they can reduce water usage by as much as 20%. 

Repair Water Leaks 

leak repairThe last tip to save water is all about prevention. The biggest waste of water around the home is a water leak. Water leaks can waste hundreds of gallons of water in a year, easily adding up to the cost of a plumber. 

Instead of wasting money and water, look for water leaks and call plumbers at the first sign of trouble. Leaks never stop once they start, so homeowners are better served by paying for repairs now instead of paying for high water bills later. 

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air offers prompt and professional customer service. They always provide upfront pricing, and they never charge overtime prices. Call today for plumbing service in Fairhope, AL. 

Distribution Links +