The slab is the foundation of your home, both literally and figuratively. It’s the base on which everything else is built and if it begins to break down in some way, everything built on top of it will follow suit. Slab leak repair is the answer to a serious situation and that shouldn’t be ignored. Fixes can be costly if the damage is left to worsen. Here are just a few examples of the extensive damage possible in this situation. 

Swelling forcing slab leak repair 

Situations that call for slab leak repair mean that water is somehow leaking through your slab from the water lines that run underneath your home. This water can collect over time and can even swell depending on the weather in your area. Frozen water trapped in the vicinity of your slab can cause big problems especially shifting your home’s structure.  

Slab leak repair to prevent mold

Water also has a tendency to spread and be absorbed into any building materials that are porous. If you don’t notice these leaks, mold can begin to develop over time. Mold is a costly problem to fix and can impact the health of those living in the home in very critical ways. 

Leaks spreading into floors and walls

Slab leaks will degrade building materials over time and find the path of least resistance to freedom. You might also eventually deal with leaks spreading into floors and walls. In this scenario, you’ll not only have to address the leak at the source but also shell out cash to repair floors and sheetrock, maybe even down to the studs of your wall. It’s always less expensive to deal with a problem as soon as you notice it rather than waiting even a minute.  

Preventing major foundation shifting

Slab leaks aren’t a huge problem when they first start. Repairs for a minor leak might not run more than $500. But once that leak starts to grow and spread, that number will ratchet up quickly. Water collected in one part of your slab could lead to your whole foundation shifting which will cause problems all the way through your house.

Buying a house is an exciting time. You finally find the perfect one where you can picture your family on a daily basis for a long time to come. There is plenty to do to protect yourself as the buyer and your investment in this house well before the papers are signed and the moving boxes are packed. Here’s what to know about plumbing services and water heater installation when buying a house. 

Check all appliances for potential plumbing services 

You can look at a house that you’re interested in buying however many times it takes for you to feel confident in your decision. While looking, be sure to pay very close attention to the appliances in the home, especially the hot water heater installation. You might not know exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s safe to say that any standing water, rust, frayed exposed wires, or broken pieces would be a red flag that the appliance has seen better days.  

Bring along a plumber

If you’re really unsure of what you’re looking for, you can bring a plumber along with you during one of your visits. While in the house he or she can closely inspect the hot water heater and exposed piping underneath the sinks of the home. An experienced plumber would be able to give you a definitive thumbs up or thumbs down on the plumbing services you may need after move-in. 

Ask for repairs during negotiations

When you find a home that you love and decide it’s the one you would like to pursue, the next step is to negotiate a sale price. If you or your trusty plumber friend identified problems in the home during your visits, you can use those to determine your first offer. Your real estate agent can also help guide you through this process. It’s also wise to have a home inspection completed once you’re under contract to purchase the home. You can also negotiate the price of the home lower still depending on the outcome of this report.  

Consider buying a home warranty for plumbing services

Once all the negotiations are done and the papers are signed, it’s time to move in and put your touches on the place to make it your own. At this point, it’s wise to consider buying a home warranty that will cover many problems, even plumbing problems, that could arise in the house over the next few years. Home warranties aren’t prohibitively expensive and there are many reputable companies that can explain the ins and outs of the product to you.

Unheated water enters the plumbing in your home at a cool 50 degrees. That water temperature is fine for many things: household chores, washing your hands, watering the dog or the plants, etc. But could you imagine jumping in a 50-degree bath, or stepping under a stream of shower water at the same temperature? That wouldn’t be a nice way to start your day or wind down from a long one. 

Those cold water temps are exactly why you should be thankful for the water heater in your home which works tirelessly to provide water warmed to comfortable temps, and more conducive to other household chores like dishes and laundry. If you suspect that your hot water heater isn’t operating efficiently, it might be time to call the water heater repair pros in Stuart.  

Leaking or strange noises 

Water heaters typically live in a closet tucked away in the basement or some dark corner of your home. You don’t always look them over carefully, but you should make a point to. If upon inspection, you find any leaking or hear strange noises that the appliance doesn’t normally make, it’s probably time to call in water heater repair services in Stuart.  

Lack of hot water

If you’ve noticed a lack of hot water in your home recently, or that the hot water doesn’t last as long as it used to, that’s another sign that it’s time to call in the pros. As water heaters age they begin to run less efficiently. Less efficient heaters mean less hot water available for use throughout your home.  

Skyrocketing bills

Another sure-fire sign that it might be time for water heater repair or a new appliance, is a skyrocketing electric bill. Now in this scenario, you need to carefully eliminate any other factors that might have an impact on your bill like a period of cold temperatures or an extended period of time with visitors. If you fear that your water heater might be the cause of the increase, call in the pros to have the appliance checked out for good measure.  

It’s old

The average lifespan of a tank water heater is a short 8-12 years. Tankless water heater varieties can be expected to last a bit longer – more than 20 years. Depending on the type you have in your home, the age of the heater might be an important clue that it’s time to repair or replace the appliance. 

If your water heater is starting to show the wear and tear of the years, you may be considering replacing your water heater. Getting your water heater back online is a priority for anyone who has a water heater that is broken, but many people don’t know whether they should install their water heater themselves or hire a professional to do it. Also sometimes there is a need for water heater repair stuart.

The truth is that although installing a water heater may seem easy, if it isn’t done properly, you could end up costing yourself a ton of money, hurting yourself, or even causing further damage to your house. Having a professional install your water heater will give you the best results possible, and get you back to taking hot showers in no time. 

In this article, we’ll go over five reasons why you should get a water heater installation in Port St. Lucie. 

1. It’s Dangerous

Although installing a water heater may seem like a no-brainer, it can actually be very dangerous if you aren’t careful. When you’re installing a water heater, you’re dealing with a number of possibly deadly elements that could cause you a great deal of harm. 

You have to deal with pressurized water that could easily scald or harm you, but that isn’t your main concern. Most water heaters run off electricity or gas, and mishandling either of those things could cause you serious injury. 

A plumbing professional knows how to deal with these elements and knows the right steps and procedures to make sure that nothing goes wrong during installation. 

2. It’s Time Consuming

In today’s modern world, everyone has a schedule that is so full that they barely have time to get every item on their list done. And if you thought that installing a water heater would be fast and easy, think again. 

Rather than spending hours of your weekend or those precious hours after work down in the basement trying to install a water heater, getting a plumbing professional to do it for you is much easier and saves tons of time. 

3. It Saves Money

You might be thinking that installing your water heater yourself will save you money, but in truth, it could actually end up costing you money. Plumbing professionals have a wide set of installation tools at their disposal, not to mention access to cleaning supplies and tools when the job is done. 

If you try to install your water heater yourself, you may end up having to buy a bunch of tools or other equipment to do it, which will be an additional cost on top of buying the water heater. 

By getting a professional to do it for you, you can be sure that you won’t end up spending extra money on tools or clean up, and that the price you pay will include all services and equipment. 

4. Prevents Damage to Your Home

When you’re installing a water heater, you’re dealing with one of the most destructive forces on the planet: water. Just one small mistake during installation can lead to a flooded basement or damage to your piping or electrical system, which can set you back hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. 

You can’t take the risk of causing significant damage to your home on such a small installation, so having a professional do it will give you the peace of mind you need to feel good about replacing your water heater. Most plumbing professionals also carry insurance, which means that if something were to happen, all damages and costs of repair would be covered under their insurance. 

5. Get the Job Done Right the First Time

In truth, installing a water heater isn’t the most difficult home improvement task you could take on. You may be able to do it yourself, and it may go off without a hitch. But if you don’t do a part of the installation correctly, or you forget a certain step, your water heater may not work correctly, and may not even work at all. This could lead to further costs down the road, or may even put you and your family in danger. 

Having a professional install your water heater ensures that the job will be done right the first time around, meaning that you won’t encounter any surprises down the road or deal with broken equipment. It also means that you can ask your plumber important maintenance and care questions to keep your water heater running for a long time. 

Hire a Water Heater Specialist to Install Your Water Heater 

Now that you know more about water heater installation and why it is so important to have it installed by a professional, you can start the process of replacing your water heater with confidence.

Genesis Plumbing has faithfully provided plumbing services in your area. Our team of licensed and highly trained plumbing professionals is fast, efficient, and can handle just about any job. Give us a call at 772-337-3682 today!

On-demand hot water in the comfort of your own home is a hallmark of modern living. But sometimes, our water heaters begin to act up. They start making awful sounds; hisses, bangs, and rumbles. If your heater is making these noises, it can be difficult to know what to do. You don’t want to damage your water heater trying to fix it, but you also can’t take the risk of keeping it going. You might think to start searching for “plumbers near me” on the internet, but there are steps you can take before calling a plumber. It is time for your water heater replacement.

In this article, we’ll go over the steps you should take when your water heater breaks and what you should do if you can’t fix it yourself. 

1. Turn Off the Water Heater

Your first step should be to turn off the water heater, especially if it is making a loud banging or rumbling noise. This is a sign that your water heater is about to break, and if you don’t turn it off it might cause irreparable damage. 

You should also turn off the water heater because you want to avoid any danger of electrocution. The problem may be more advanced than it looks, and keeping the heater on while you work on it could cause an electric shock if the components are compromised. 

It will also prevent the water heater from continuing to operate while you fix it. This is important because if there is only a little water in the heater and it continues to heat, it could cause a pressure build-up that could be dangerous. 

First, determine what kind of water heater you have: gas or electric. If you have a gas heater, fin the thermostat on your tank and look for an on/off switch located at the top. Turn the switch to the off position. 

If you have an electric water heater, go to your fuse box and switch the circuit breaker that powers your machine to the off position. 

2. Turn Off the Water Supply

The next step will be to turn off the water supply. This will prevent any new water entering the tank while you work on it. This is important because part of fixing the tank will be draining it, and letting more water into the tank will make more work for yourself. 

Start by locating the water line that leads to the water heater. This pipe will look much like the other water pipes in your home and will lead directly to the tank. Find the water shutoff valve that is located on the water pipe. If you can’t find the water shutoff valve on the water pipe, it may be located on the water heater itself. 

Once you find the water shutoff valve, turn it clockwise to shut off the water. If the valve will not move, or shutting it doesn’t turn off the water, locate the main water shutoff valve for your home and turn it off there. 

3. Drain the Water Heater

Your next step should be to drain the water heater of any water in the tank. To do this, you’ll need a hose that is long enough to reach an outside area or a drain. It will also need to fit the drain valve on your water heater to avoid spilling and flooding. 

Next, locate the drain valve on your water heater. This will be located near the bottom of the water heater and will look like a spout. Connect the hose to the drain valve, and take the other end of the hose to an outside area or a basement drain. 

Next, turn the valve above the spout to start draining the tank. You may need a screwdriver to open this valve, as some drain valves have screws that control the flow of water. Make sure to avoid detaching the hose while the tank is draining, because the water is very hot and may flood your home. 

4. Open the Pressure Relief Valve

Next, you’ll need to open the pressure relief valve. You can locate the pressure relief valve on this side of your water heater, usually near the top of the tank. This is easily identifiable by the lever that sits on top of the valve. You’ll need a bucket of some sort of container to catch the hot water that comes out of the valve.  

Once you’ve located the pressure relief valve, you should hold your container underneath it. Lift the valve up gently and allow the pressure to be released. The water will be very hot, so be careful not to get burned.  

5. Rinse the Water Tank With Cold Water

Finally, you should turn on the water to the tank and let the cold water rinse the inside. This will allow you to rinse out much of the sediment that may be causing your machine to break down. 

Start by turning the water supply valve counter-clockwise to return the flow of water to the tank. This should free up any remaining sediment, which will be flushed out of the drain valve. Once you’re done rinsing the tank, close the drain valve and remove the hose. 

What To Do If Your Water Heater Is Still Broken

If your water heater is still broken after draining it, you’ll probably need to start searching for a “plumber near me”. The professionals at Genesis Plumbing Services will be able to diagnose your problem and fix whatever issues you’re having. 

Genesis Plumbing has faithfully provided plumbing services in your area. Our team of licensed and highly trained plumbing professionals is fast, efficient, and can handle just about any job. Give us a call at 772-337-3682 today!

The pride and joy that comes with owning a home is incredible. Every project you do for your house is one that you’re proud of and always willing to show off. However, owning a home can also be stressful. There are many things that can go wrong with the house if not properly maintained. So how can you determine what needs to be maintained? Well, for starters, your pipes are the most important parts of your home to be maintained. If your pipes aren’t in good condition, your entire house can flood from just one leaky sink. Let’s take a look at the warning signs that your house may need a repiping. 

Your house was built more than 50 years ago

The first thing to note here is that it is important to know how old your house is. If your house is more than 50 years old, your house will most likely have very old pipes that need to be replaced. Homes that are as old as 50 years have pipes made out of galvanized steel or cast iron. Over time, those materials start to decay, causing irreparable damage to the pipes. Replacing those outdated materials with copper or plastics like PEX and CPVC will give your plumbing system a whole new life.

Water pressure is dropping

Another key warning sign is your home’s water pressure. If you notice that the water pressure is lower than it was when you moved in, that’s because there’s a buildup of rust or mineral blocking the pipes. A substantial buildup of rust and mineral takes time, meaning that your pipes may be older than you thought they were. If your water pressure has significantly lowered, call a plumbing professional for a whole house repiping. 

Pipe leaks

Pipe leaks are the most obvious sign that the pipes are rusting and decaying, and you’ll need a whole house repiping. You should arrange to have leak detection conducted by a plumbing professional every few years to find any hidden water leaks in pipes. If you experience frequent plumbing problems, it is time to get your whole house repiped.

Rust colored water or dirty water

If you notice rust colored water or dirty water coming out of your water appliances, your pipes are probably rusted and decayed and require a replacement. To determine whether the rust is coming from inside of your house or your municipal water system, have your pipes inspected by a professional.

Polybutylene pipes

Polybutylene piping is a cheap, flexible material that was originally used for residential piping from 1978 to 1995. However, due to its ability to break easily, it is no longer accepted for residential piping by U.S building codes. To check if your pipes are polybutylene pipes, check your pipes to see if they have white plastic and the letters “PB.” If they do, you need to replace them with new piping as soon as possible.

 If you determined that you need a whole house repiping and are looking for a professional and reliable plumbing service, contact Genesis Plumbing for a free estimate. We offer high quality, honest plumbing services to customers in Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Fort Pierce, Palm City, Stuart and Hobe Sound, Florida.

Your home’s pipes and drainage system is extremely important to the function and comfort of your home. For those reasons, you should do your research to find the right plumber for the job.

So, how do you choose the best plumbing contractor near you in Port St. Lucie? Ask yourself these important questions before deciding on a plumbing contractor.

Does your plumbing company hire master plumbers?

There are three distinct training statuses a plumber can have: Apprentice, Journeyman and Master. A master plumber is the highest level a plumber can reach. Every plumber starts as an apprentice, and spends a state regulated number of years as a Journeyman before achieving a master level. This should be the first question your ask because you want to make sure you are employing a master level plumber to work on your home plumbing system.  

Are you licensed or registered?

Different states have different requirements for a contract plumber, however most states require a license. If a plumber earns receives a license, that means he or she has passed all written exams, successfully proven their trade competence, and completed all training.  A registered plumber is not equal to a licensed plumber. The major difference here is a registered plumber has not demonstrated their proficiency as a plumber, but rather filled out paperwork to let the state know of their chosen profession. Hiring a non-licensed or registered plumber can result in a poor quality of work and additional costly repairs, so asking if a contractor has a license is paramount.

Are you bonded and insured?

All reputable plumbers should be able to show you proof of insurance and bonding. Commercial liability insurance covers property damage or bodily injury claims if your contractor is at fault. A bond is designed to pay for the things the insurance doesn’t cover like poor workmanship, additional repairs as a result of faulty work, stolen goods or a plumber’s illegal practices. It is in yours and your plumber’s best interest to be bonded and insured, so do not hesitate to ask!

What’s this going to cost?

It’s important to decide how much a plumber’s services will cost and then shop around using that quote. You wouldn’t buy the first car you looked at, so why would you hire the first plumber you found? Simply put, you wouldn’t! Plumbers charge different rates for different projects, so before signing a contract you will also want to discuss a flat or hourly rate of the job. Once you have compared quotes and decided on a plumbing contractor near you, you will also want to lay out a budget and plan for the potential of unexpected expenses.

Is your work guaranteed or under warranty?

Plumbing work can be expensive and the last thing you want to happen is to hire a plumber without a warranty or guarantee. While a quality plumber will do good work for you, things break and fall apart over time. A warranty gives you peace of mind knowing that if something were to go wrong, that you were not responsible for, you wouldn’t have to pay to get it corrected. Of course, any verbal agreements on guarantees or warranties should be in the contract before signing.

Now, the only question you might have is, ‘where can I find a reputable plumbing contractor near me?’ Luckily Genesis Plumbing is located right here in Port St. Lucie, Florida.