Time For a New Water Heater? Make Sure You Call a Plumber

It's a problem nobody wants to face, especially in the middle of a shower when the water turns ice cold. When a water heater fails to the point of needing repair or replacement, nobody in the house will find relief until the job is done.

How to Tell When You Need a New Water Heater

Don't assume that you need to have the whole appliance replaced if you experience one faulty incident. It's important to discern all the factors before you determine what the purchase and installation of a heater will cost. Note the following before you make that decision:

• Age of current heater: heaters generally last an average of ten to twelve years. If you have a relatively new heater you may just need to call a plumber to inspect it.
• Water quality: if you turn on a faucet and the water has a rusty or dirty color, this could be a sign something is wrong.
• Persistent change in temperature: if you're used to a certain level of heat when you shower and detect something is amiss, this could indicate problems
• Water pooling at the base of the heater: an obvious sign of leaks, you should definitely be on the phone with a plumber if you see this

Hire a Plumber to Install Your New Heater

 

While you may be tempted to handle this job on your own, it is strongly recommended to hire a plumbing mechanic to install or repair your heater. Adjusting a water heater to work in your home requires more than simply setting it in place and affixing the proper pipes. It is a risky job that, if done incorrectly, could require even more time to fix.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach house repairs, commercial plumbers in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake plumbers.

Is it Time to Remodel The Bathroom?

Decades ago, bathrooms were built into homes with necessity, rather than luxury, in mind. Homeowners and family came and went, staying long enough to wash up and use the facilities - consideration for space was left to other parts of the house. Nobody considered the bathroom as an equivalent to a retreat.

These days, that mindset has changed. As bath and shower fixtures become more sophisticated and people look for ways to find relaxation economically, the bathroom has transformed from a closet with a toilet to a place for privacy and stress relief. Roomy garden tubs with jet sprays are desired, and shower heads with pulsing massage options provide maximum opportunity for boosting your mood. Now you can choose a style and color scheme for your bathroom to suit your personality and desires, and slip into your built-in retreat whenever you wish.

For a complete renovation, however, you may require the assistance of a plumber, especially if the jobs calls for reworking pipes and reinstalling a commode or shower. While some cosmetic changes may be applied on your own, it's best to contact a reputable plumbing contractor for an advanced overhaul. You don't want to risk damage to your new bathroom before you're able to enjoy it if the piping is done incorrectly.

Take note of what you're looking for in a new bathroom - ceramic tile, spa-style tub, modern fixtures, then consult with professionals to glean cost. You may find you can afford to beautify a place where you wish to feel relaxed and beautiful.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach home improvement, Virginia Beach commercial plumbing and Virginia Beach bathroom remodeling.

Plumbing Resolutions For Homeowners

The new year traditionally brings to mind a list of resolutions made to improve our bodies. Come every January, thousands of people around the country vow to quit smoking, lose weight, exercise more, and do other things to improve their quality of life. While these aspirations are quite noble and to be admired, one should not neglect making New Year's resolutions for your home, particularly your plumbing.

Yes, you can improve the quality of your house by making small changes over the course of the year. Adaptations to the way you use your plumbing can help you save money in the long run, and give you peace of mind that you have a safe and working home to enjoy every night. This year, as you throw away that pack of cigarettes and browse over health club brochures, take these items into consideration as well.

Have that water heater checked.Do you remember the last time you had a plumber check your water heater? If you can't remember, it's obviously been too long! Heaters, while sturdy, aren't meant to last forever, and while everything on the outset may seem okay with your water, an aging heater could present problems you don't realize. Make an appointment for a check-up.

Consider going green. If you're fed up with high water and energy bills, make this the year you work toward greening your home. Invest in low-flow toilets and shower heads, and ask your plumber about other money-saving options.

Watch what you flush. Lately there are a lot of products on the market like baby wipes and feminine hygiene products labeled as "flushable." Sounds nice to be easily rid of the garbage, but flushing anything besides toilet paper could lead to problems with your plumbing later on. The wise course of action would be to toss something in the trash if you're not sure it can be flushed.

Take care of your pipes, and they'll surely take care of your plumbing in 2010 and beyond.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach garages, Virginia Beach plumbing and Virginia Beach roofing.