What would life be like without your home’s hot water heater? Miserable, most likely—cold showers, clothes washing limitations, stuck on food in the sink requiring tons of scrubbing. Of course, those are all first world problems and we should all be really grateful that they’re the biggest things we need to worry about. But when your hot water heater goes out, and water heater repair is the order for the day, it probably won’t be fun and here’s what you’ll need to know about the process. 

Call in the water heater repair pros

When it’s clear your water heater is no longer functioning as it should, it’s time to call the pros. You’ll need a knowledgeable plumber to come in inspect the malfunctioning water heater to determine the source of the problem and whether it can be repaired or must be replaced. If repair is the course, you can expect these steps for water heater repair.   

Testing and more testing

One of the first steps that your plumber will make is to test the electrical components of the water heater to find out if they are to blame for the breakdown. Heating elements are a common problem maker and if that’s the root cause of your hot water heater woes, you’ll be back up and running in now time. In fact, considering all hot water heater problems, replacing the heating elements solves the issue in about 90 percent of all cases. 

A leaky appliance calls for water heater repair

If you find that your water heater is leaking and that water is puddling in the vicinity of the appliance, waste no time and call your trusted water heater repair professional. The sooner you act the less water damage you’ll have to contend with once the repair is made. The problem might simply be the drain valve, temperature pressure relief valve, or element gasket. A seasoned pro will have you back up and running in no time. 

If the appliance is making unusual noises

It’s common for water heaters to bubble gurgle as they process and heat water for use throughout your home. If you begin to hear a knocking sound, it might mean that sediments from the water supply have built up in the bottom of the tank and need to be addressed. Humming might point to a faulty heating element and popping might signal an issue with the water supply.  

Great plumbers are a great asset for homeowners. Plumbing problems really have no sense of time and have a tendency to happen when you least expect them and at inconvenient times. If you don’t already have a great plumber in Port St. Lucie on speed dial, here’s how to find one that will be responsive when you need them, knowledgeable, and with the experience it takes to get the job done right. 

How to find the best plumber

Port St. Lucie has plenty of plumbers listed in the yellow pages, but how do you find the best ones? There are a couple of different ways that you can go about this but rest assured, when it’s said and done, you’ll likely have one of the very best in town ready to assist when you need them. A little bit of leg work now when you don’t necessarily need the best plumber in Port St. Lucie will save you time, money, and anxiety when the occasion arises that you do.   

Head to the plumbing store

One of the easiest ways to find a great plumber is to head to the same place they go. There are shops all over that specialize in plumbing supplies and other home hardware. It’s likely that the owners of this shop, and the employees that work there, have a pretty good sense of the plumbers working in your community. March right up to the register, or ask for a store manager, and then inquire if they keep a list of talented and experienced plumbers on hand for homeowners in need just like you. 

Search the internet for the best plumber

Here’s a secret, if you search the internet for the best plumber in Port St. Lucie, you might not necessarily find the best. Ensuring you find the best takes a little more work beyond the search. Once you have a list of candidates, spend some time looking at their websites and social media pages to determine if the best label should apply. Customer reviews left on search engines and social media pages also go a long way in advising if you’re really found one of the best.  

Ask around

Another solid way to find great plumbers in your area is to ask around. You probably have family and friends who have homes of their own and have, most likely, needed a plumber at some point in time. Their experiences could save you some time and money. As your friends, family, and acquaintances for their recommendations and you might be well on your way to peace of mind.

The bathrooms in your home are a great place to spend money. Any improvements that you make to these spaces will impress buyers in the future in the event you decide to list your home. Industry experts agree that bathrooms, and bathtub replacement, are two home improvement projects that deliver the most bang for your buck. So, what are your options?

Bathtub replacement in the same footprint

If the bathroom is ok but the bathtub really needs to go, or has seen better days, replacing it in the same footprint is a relatively easy job. The first step would be to find a dependable plumber that can help you through the bathtub replacement process. He or she can tell you exactly what you need to make the job as easy as possible and direct you to the exact dimensions for your shopping trip to pick out a new tub.  

Bathtub replacement in a different place

A knowledgeable plumber will definitely be involved if you plan to replace your bathtub but place the new tub in a different place. They might need to move the pippin necessary to deliver water to and drain the tub. It’s possible to rearrange your bathroom and it might make a lot of sense in the space. Just be sure you have an experienced plumber advising you along the way.   

Adding a new bathtub in a space

If your bathroom has a shower but no tub, there might be a good reason to add one like small kids in the home, or even pets that need regular bathing. Discuss the space with a plumber to know if there is enough room to add the tub. There are all sizes of tubs on the market, so even if the room is tight, you might still be able to incorporate a new bathtub.   

Major bathroom overhaul 

Real estate experts estimate that homeowners get a 70 percent return on any investments they make in renovating the bathrooms of their home. If you have the budget, and really dislike the space as it exists currently, it might make sense to discuss a full-scale renovation. Find a plumber that you can trust with a solid reputation in the community and plenty of experience to guide you on your renovation journey.

Gone are the days of hiking down to the nearest creek or well to fetch water in a pail for household needs. Modern homes have clean water pumped right into them, and it’s easy to take this modern luxury for granted. If your sink faucet doesn’t function properly, it can be a pretty big nuisance, and can even impact your bottom line. It’s hard to know when you need sink faucets repair. Here are a few signs that you should probably consider it. 

Leaking sink faucets repair

If your sink faucet is leaking water even when it’s completely in the off position, it’s probably a good idea to call in the pros to have a look. Leaking faucets can cost a homeowner significantly on their water bill with gallons of water wasted faster than you might realize. If you’ve noticed dripping or a leak, consider sink faucets repair. 

Mineral deposits and rust

If you have hard water where you live, it means that the mineral breakdown of the water can wreak havoc on your plumbing over time. Hard water causes buildup and that buildup can lead to clogged pipes. If you can see mineral deposits on your sink faucet, it might be smart to have a professional come in to inspect the plumbing system. This will go a long way in averting a potential plumbing disaster in the future.  

Squeaky or rocking handles call for sink faucets repair

If you’ve noticed a little extra play in the handles or spout of your sink faucets, it might be smart to call in a plumber for a look. There’s a good chance that with a few twists of a wrench they can fix the problem. Worst case scenario if they can’t repair, you’ll need to find replacements which they can install quickly. 

No water at all

No water at all is a sure sign that you have a plumbing problem afoot. If you’re sure you paid your water bill on time, then a lack of water is definitely a reason to call in the troops. If it’s winter, you might have frozen pipes on your hand, if the weather is warm, there could be a busted pipe along the line. Either scenario calls for help from a trusted plumbing services provider in your area. 

If you’ve recently bought an old house, hopefully that transaction included a comprehensive inspection that alerted you to problems that need to be addressed. The two biggest systems of concern are the electrical system and the plumbing system. If your inspection alerted you to problems with the plumbing, here’s what you need to know about the process of repiping a house. 

Repiping a house—the material

When it comes to repiping your house, the first two steps will be choosing a professional to handle the job, and choosing the material that he will use. Chances are, if your plumber is knowledgeable and experienced, he’ll be able to tell you exactly what materials you need to get the job done. These days, plumbers prefer copper or flexible plastic pipe. You might even ask him to include materials in his job quote if you’d rather not be bothered for finding the right things.   

Planning and prepping the job

Repiping a house is a pretty big job that will turn your home into a construction zone for a short period of time. Most plumbers can have the job completed in a few days time. In order to access the areas where the pipes will be replaced, the plumber will have to cut holes in your ceilings and walls. All of these holes will be fixed before the job is done.    

Repiping a house means no water

In order to be able to remove bad pieces of pipe and replace with new pipe, your plumber will have to shut off the water to your house at the main valve. This will be inconvenient if your home during this time because it will mean there won’t be running water to sinks, showers, and toilets. If you can be away from your house during the process, that’s the ideal scenario.   

Finishing the job

Once all the new piping has been replaced, and any new water systems that you’ve chosen have been installed, your plumber will be ready to test the system and finish the job. They’ll turn the water back on and check the system for any problems. Once they’ve ensured that all is well, they’ll begin repairing the holes that were made to access plumbing. When they’re finished, it will be hard to tell that any holes were there at all. 

What would life be like without indoor plumbing? Fancy using an outhouse, meandering down to the nearest stream to collect water for the day? Of course not. As property owners, it’s important to keep your plumbing in tip-top shape. The results of anything else could easily be disastrous. Consider these common problems that require plumbing solutions before small problems become much larger, and much messier ones. 

Beware of the leaky pipe

A single leaky pipe can have a disastrous impact on your home. The worst part is that leaky pipes can leak undetected for a while causing problems that you can’t even see on the surface. If you spot any signs that you might be dealing with a leak, you should call an expert in plumbing solutions. Trained plumbers have equipment that they can use to navigate your plumbing system and isolate where the problems might occur.   

Toilet problems need plumbing solutions

It’s a moment that pretty much everyone dreads—the toilet gurgle or the reluctance of the toilet to flush at all. What to do? At the first sign of toilet troubles, it’s best to call in the pros. Over time debris can get trapped in the pipes of your septic system and cleaning them out requires expertise and know-how. This is one problem that you will want to address as soon as possible or else you might end up with a pretty stinky problem.   

Signs of hard water

If you have hard water in your home, it means that the water you eat, drink, and bathe in has a high concentration of dissolved minerals—namely calcium and magnesium. These minerals have a tendency to build up in pipes and signs of their presence are pretty easy to spot. If you suspect hard water build up in your pipes, it’s best to call in a trained plumber to have a look at things and solve the problem. 

Dysfunctional hot water heater

The average lifespan of a hot water heater is between 15-20 years. Some don’t last very long, and other dinosaurs keep on heating water. Over time, rust and other minerals can build up in the hot water heater and cause the whole system to malfunction. It’s smart to have a pro come in once a year to flush the system and all of its contaminants out. 

The thing about plumbing is that it’s a pretty thing to take for granted, that is until you don’t have it when you need it. Plumbing problems are a common scenario that homeowners face and it’s hard to know when you should fix something yourself or call in the pros. Here are four scenarios when you should absolutely call plumbers near you

Hot water heater problems

Hot waters are more complicated than they look and should always be left up to the pros to handle. If you suspect you have a hot water heater issue on your hands, it could very well be time to call plumbers near me. These appliances are often powered by natural gas which if left leaking could present a deadly problem for your household.  

Multiple clogged drains

It’s one thing to have a single clogged drain in your home that you could probably treat with some drain cleaner picked up at a neighborhood store. It’s another thing to have multiple clogged drains in your house and this situation could point to a bigger problem. Multiple clogs could point to a problem with the main drain and this calls from a professional’s touch. 

Leaking pipes

It’s not an entirely rare occurrence—you get your monthly water bill and notice the total due is astronomically higher than the same bill last month. You’re not sure what to do about it. The first step would be to call a professional plumber to check out your system and look for cracked and leaking pipes—the number one culprit behind markedly increased water bills.  

Frozen pipes

Yet another reason to call in the plumbing pros is if you have reason to believe your pipes might be frozen. This is a common occurrence in the winter months when temperatures dip below freezing for days at a time. The telltale sign that your pipes are frozen would be a lack of water coming out of your faucets when you turn them on. The danger is that when your pipes finally start to thaw, they can also crack and burst sending damaging water into your home. 

You probably don’t give much thought to your home’s hot water heater. Most people don’t until that opportune moment that they need hot water and none flows out of the tap. The average lifespan of this appliance is 8-12 years. Although you might be tempted to try installing a new one yourself, here are four reasons why you should leave the water heater installation to the pros. 

Water heater installation and risk of explosion or fire 

Most water heaters are powered by some type of natural gas. Natural gas can be volatile to work with, and unless you have plenty of experience under your belt, this is a major reason to leave water heater installation to the pros. The last thing you want is to cause significant damage or danger just for the sake of trying to save a few dollars on installation costs.  

More potential problems with natural gas

Hot water heaters that are fueled by natural gas have a pilot light that must be lit before use. This flame continues burning throughout the lifecycle of the appliance. If the flame is extinguished, it’s no longer burning the gas that’s fueling the heater and the gas instead is seeping into your home. This deadly situation can also happen if you’ve neglected the appliance for a long time, installed it incorrectly on your own, or didn’t know that the appliance needs to have ventilation. This scenario could be deadly and is commonly called carbon monoxide poisoning.   

Knowledge about water heater installation and brands

One of the most valuable things you get when hiring the pros is their knowledge. Communicating with a professional about your appliance needs opens up a conversation about what products are on the market, what size you need for your home, and which will perform best according to your use. They will also be able to ensure and certify that your new hot water heater has been properly installed, vented, and good to serve you for a decade or more.  

Reassurance

Hiring a professional for your hot water heater installation also give you a healthy amount of reassurance. You’ll know that the appliance will function just like it should and in a safe manner. You’ll also know that if something goes wrong with the appliance or the install, you’ll know exactly where to turn for help. 

Plumbing is a critical component of your home that you probably don’t think about much on any given day. However, when things go wrong with your plumbing, they tend to be hard to ignore. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cautions that a family of four using more than 12,000 gallons of water in a winter month based on their water bills could signify a problem.   Here are plumbing issues that homeowners deal with most frequently. 

Dripping faucet and low water pressure 

You might think that the small drip from your bathroom sink isn’t a big deal and an issue that can be dealt with later. You might be wrong, and dealing with it now could save you big on water costs and further damage. A dripping faucet can water more than 5 gallons of water every day and is an issue that a professional plumber can fix in no time. If you’re experiencing low water pressure, there’s a good chance they can help with that by checking your pipes for clogs, and your water meter valves for proper function. 

Slow-draining sinks and clogged drains

Clogged pipes are the pits and can often cause slow draining sinks and clogged drains. This situation can be caused by external factors like tree roots that cause an obstruction in the pipe that backs up the drainage. But most often, they’re caused by those living inside of the home and their hair, bathroom products, oil and grease, and the natural buildup of scale from your water. The good news is that plumbing services can clear the obstructions right up and have your slow draining sinks and clogged drains repaired in no time.  

Plumbing services for a bad water heater

Your water heater keeps warm and hot water running through your pipes on demand. These appliances don’t last forever, though, and an average lifespan is about 8 to 12 years. If your hot water heater calls it quits, fixing it or replacing it is a job for the pros.  

Running or clogged toilets

The telltale sign of a running toilet is if you hear water trickling through the toilet well after you flushed it. This is a common plumbing problem but one that you shouldn’t ignore. A running toilet can waste as much as one gallon of water per hour which might have a huge impact on your water bill. A clogged toilet might not impact your household budget, but it will have an impact on your ability to take care of business. Try using a plunger to clear the clog and call in a pro if that fails. 

Busted pipes that require plumbing services

Each winter many homeowners find themselves faced with cleaning up after a busted pipe. Oftentimes pipes will freeze during prolonged periods of below freezing temperatures. The ice in the pipe expands and causes it to burst which isn’t such a big problem until the ice thaws and finds its way into your home or on your property.

Did you know that replacing an old toilet with a newer, more efficient version could mean using 13,000 gallons less water each year? That statistic also translates to big savings on your water bill. Maybe you’re wondering if toilet installation is a home improvement that you should tackle yourself. Here’s how to do it and here’s when to know if it’s time to call in a professional plumber to help. 

Measure first for trouble free toilet installation 

One of the worst things that could happen when you’re attempting to install a new toilet yourself is to buy the wrong size toilet, lug it home, remove the old one, and get it into position before even realizing. It’s always wise to measure a couple of times to be sure you have the right dimensions before you head to the home goods store for toilet shopping. All toilets are not created equal and even a 2 inch difference in size could cause big headaches during installation. If in doubt, ask a pro to help you get the right measurements that will mean a successful installation. 

Remove the old toilet

You will want to turn the water off to the toilet, or the bathroom, or to be extra safe, the house while you’re working on your toilet installation. Drain the remaining water from the toilet tank by holding down the flushing handle. Once it’s close to empty, you can begin working to remove the old toilet. The first step is to free the bolts that attach the toilet to the floor. These can be stubborn and time can cause corrosion to set it. Once the bolts are removed, you should be able to lift the toilet up out of position. Never drag the toilet out of place because you could destroy the base that will remain in place.    

Set the new bowl

Once the old toilet is removed, you’ll see the two screws that come up from the floor to which you’ll attach the new toilet. You will need to align the two screws with the predrilled holes in the toilet, and gently lower the toilet onto the screws. Once the new bowl is in place, you can fasten the nuts to the bolts and assemble the remaining toilet pieces.  

Toilet installation problems

You might run into problems along the way that could call for a professional hand. A few things you might encounter might be a major water leak caused by a broken connection despite your best efforts at the DIY installation. Problems encountered with the flange or wax ring that exists on the floor below where you place your toilet, or a toilet that rocks despite your best efforts to shore it up with a shim. A knowledgeable plumber can help with any of these scenarios.