While Arizona’s temperatures rarely get too cold, it’s always a good idea to have your water heater serviced before winter sets in. There’s nothing more unpleasant than a cold shower on a freezing morning. Preventing mishaps is just a matter of calling your plumber for preventative maintenance or performing a few simple tasks yourself.
Here are some of the key benefits of servicing your water heater before winter and how to do it yourself.
Benefits of servicing your water heater before winter
If you own a traditional water heater, it may be housing more sediment and sand than you realize. As this builds up over time, there’s less room for hot water, which means it will run out faster.
On top of that, there are valves, rods and hoses that can wear out over time. Inspecting and servicing your water heater before a problem arises ensures that you won’t find yourself facing icy water before work in the morning—or finding out that your dishwasher wasn’t able to clean the dishes properly because no hot water was available.
Ways to maintain the water heater in your home
Maintaining your water heater is simple. If you don’t want to perform these tasks yourself, the plumbers at PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air will be happy to help get your water heater ready for winter.
Here’s what to do:
Check the temperature and pressure relief valve: The temperature and pressure relief valve works to relieve excess heat or pressure to prevent breakage or explosions. Shut off the water and power supply, and place a bucket under the tank. Lift the valve tab to let some water out and close it. If the water keeps running (or doesn’t come out when it’s open), you’ll need to replace the valve.
Flush the tank: To remove sand and sediment, attach a hose to the drain valve. Run the hose outside or to a floor drain; then shut off the power/gas and water supply. Open the drain valve, and let the tank drain. Repeat until the water runs clear.
Inspect the anode rod: The anode rod attracts corrosive elements in the tank. Turn off the power and water supply; then unscrew the rod head and check the rod. If it’s less than ½ inch in diameter, it needs to be replaced.
Adjust the thermostat: Set the thermostat to 120°F or lower. It’ll prevent scalding and reduce your energy costs, too.
Insulate the tank: Finally, insulate your tank by wrapping it with foil insulating blankets, available at home improvement stores. This will help keep the water warm.
Taking care to maintain your home water heater is a great way to help ensure you have plenty of hot water all winter long—and it might even reduce your energy bills in the process. For help servicing your water heater, or for assistance with any of your other plumbing and HVAC needs, reach out to PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air today to schedule a visit.
Your garbage disposal can be a kitchen MVP—but only if it’s working properly. A garbage disposal makes it easy to get rid of food scraps that come off in the sink, grinding them up so that they won’t clog your pipes. However, you still have to take care of your garbage disposal to keep it working right.
Use cold water: You might use hot water to get rid of traces of grease or fat clinging to your dishes, but hot water is actually bad for the garbage disposal. It can melt the food while the disposal tries to grind it, leaving food clinging to the sides of the garbage disposal. Use cold water when you run the disposal: It hardens the food, which makes it easier to grind up and send down the drain.
Run your disposal longer: You might not be running your disposal long enough. If you shut it off as soon as it sounds like the food has gone down the drain, you might be inadvertently encouraging clogs. Instead, run the water and the garbage disposal for about a minute afterwards. This ensures that all food bits are disposed of and that the water rinses any remaining debris down the drain.
Use the garbage disposal regularly: Use it or lose it—your garbage disposal needs regular use to ensure it doesn’t rust, corrode or freeze up from not running. Even if you’re not sending any food waste down the drain at the time, run the disposal (and cold water) every two to three days. This will help the moving parts stay moving, so it’s ready for the next time you need it.
Grind citrus fruit: Every so often, throw a piece of citrus into your garbage disposal. Lemons, limes and oranges will all help remove excess food waste from the disposal’s inner workings. It will also eliminate any smells from decaying, trapped food bits.
Cut food waste into smaller pieces: If you have particularly large pieces of food in your sink, cut or tear them up into smaller pieces—or throw them in the garbage. Large pieces of food waste can burn out the motor, clog the disposal or jam the blades, which will require expensive repairs.
Know what to avoid: Certain food items should not be put down the disposal. The starch in potato peels, pasta and rice can cause them to cling to the disposal and cause a jam. Fats, oils and grease can harden and clog the disposal. Bones, seeds and pits are too hard for the blades and motor to grind up, and egg shells can stick to the pipes. It’s best to avoid these altogether—unless you miss your plumber and want them to visit.
By following these tips, you’re less likely to have an issue with your garbage disposal. But if you find yourself in a pinch, call PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air right away. We’ll be happy to keep your garbage disposal running right.
Fall has officially arrived, which means cooler weather and the holiday season are coming right behind it. All of this means more time spent indoors and in the kitchen cooking.
Given the increased demands you’ll be placing on your kitchen during the fall, now is a good time to perform some basic maintenance to make sure your kitchen and all your appliances are ready to go for the fall and winter.
Here are a few maintenance tips to use in your kitchen this fall that will help you get the best operation out of your appliances all season long:
Clean your refrigerator: There are a lot of steps you can take to clean your refrigerator, both inside and out, to get the best and most efficient operation out of the system while keeping it highly sanitary. First, consider removing all items from the fridge, fully wiping down all surfaces and throwing out expired or unusable items before you put everything back in. Next, carefully inspect the refrigerator coils. All of these coils need to be vacuumed on a routine basis, as they serve as traps for dirt, dust, pet hair and other debris, thus making operation less efficient. Finally, check all door gaskets and make sure they’re clean and clear of gunk so the doors close and seal properly, preventing air leaks and food quality issues.
Go up under the hood: Range hoods help you to cut down on heat and filter out odors, so it’s important to make sure they’re clean and functioning properly. The metal filters on the hood should be washed in hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher. If you have charcoal or paper filters, replace them on a seasonal basis.
Check the oven seal: You’re probably aware of the importance of fridge seals, but don’t forget about your oven seals! The oven door should seal correctly to trap all the heat inside. If the oven is not sealed properly, it will lose a significant portion of the heat it generates, which will warm up your home and cause your oven to waste energy. The heat loss also lengthens the amount of time it takes for you to cook your food, and could compromise the quality of your baking.
Deep cleaning: Now is a great time to deep clean all of your appliances and fixtures. Cleaning out your appliances will get you prepared for all the extra cooking you’ll likely be doing over the holidays. Clean as thoroughly as possible, inside and out. This includes your dishwasher—get rid of that food debris and soap scum so you can keep it looking and functioning great.
These tips provide you with an introductory glance at how to maintain your kitchen during the fall. If, however, you find yourself in need of more maintenance tips for your kitchen this fall, contact the team at PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating & Air and we will be happy to provide you with further advice geared toward keeping all your plumbing and appliances in great shape.
You rely on your furnace to keep your family warm during the coldest months of the year. As fall gets in full swing and winter starts to approach, you want to make sure your furnace is ready to handle the job of keeping your home comfortable when the temperatures outside start to dip.
Homeowners need to stay up to date on furnace maintenance to ensure this important appliance is ready to fire up as soon as they need it. When is the best time to get a furnace checked? The answer is, before the winter hits—here’s why.
Safety concerns
If you’re asking yourself, “Should I get my heater checked before winter?” the answer depends on whether or not you want to do what you can to ensure your family’s safety. Pre-winter heater checks keep your family safe all winter long. If your furnace runs on oil, natural gas or propane, it’s crucial to get your unit checked once a year, preferably before winter, to make sure it’s functioning as it should.
All it takes is one tiny crack in a line or joint, and harmful gas can leak into your home. Make sure all components are in excellent shape before the winter season by having your system checked out by a professional.
Enhance performance
Even if you don’t live in the coldest climate in the country, you’re likely going to be using your furnace throughout the winter to take the chill off the house when temperatures outside dip a little too low for comfort. The best time to get a furnace checked is always before winter because you can ensure that your appliance is running at peak performance all season long. A pre-winter checkup gets all components clean, and the filter is also replaced to promote efficiency.
Electricity concerns
During your annual pre-winter checkup, your HVAC technician will perform an electrical test to confirm your furnace is operating as it should. Your technician will use special equipment to test voltage and currents being sent to your unit. They’ll also tighten all electrical connections. This is a vital step in the checkup process, since loose or dirty electrical connections don’t conduct as well and become hotter, posing a safety risk for you and your family.
Warranty concerns
In many cases, manufacturers require annual furnace checkups in order to keep the warranty on the unit valid. To conform with most warranties, you’ll want to be sure that your HVAC service professional is certified to work on your brand of furnace, since having work done by uncertified technicians can void the warranty. Always keep service records on hand for future reference and to validate your warranty, if necessary.
Should you get your heater checked before winter? Absolutely—and you shouldn’t delay making an appointment with your preferred HVAC professionals, since demand for service is high at this time of year. Reach out to PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air to schedule your service and to learn more about proper HVAC maintenance for winter and beyond.
A garbage disposal is a handy appliance to have in your kitchen, but only if it’s working properly. Like any household appliance, garbage disposals experience wear and tear over time. If your unit isn’t working its best, it may require replacement. When does your garbage disposal need to be replaced? Read on to find out what you need to know.
Equipment failure
When it comes to signs that indicate you need to replace your garbage disposal, the complete failure of the unit to turn on is the most obvious of them all. Make sure the power cord is firmly connected and that the reset button on the bottom of the unit is engaged. If the unit doesn’t respond and turn on, check your circuit breaker for a tripped circuit. In some cases, your unit may actually be on, but seem to not be working due to a clog. It’s best to call a professional plumber to see whether you’re facing true equipment failure or to handle the clog if there is one.
Smelly odors
When food waste and moisture combine, there’s bound to be some funky smells going on. Unfortunately for some, garbage disposals aren’t meant to deal with all types of food waste. Sticky and oily foods, grease, nuts, eggshells and stringy vegetables should never go down a garbage disposal. These foods, and many more, can stick to the sides of the disposal or get tangled in the blades.
Usually, running hot water and pouring degreasing soap down the drain can cut through minor clogs. Keep the blades in functioning order by sharpening them regularly. If food particles and clogs get to be too much, though, you may need to replace the appliance entirely.
Poor drainage
Waiting around for water and waste to run down the drain as you’re running your garbage disposal? Poor drainage is one of the tell-tale signs that indicates when your garbage disposal needs to be replaced or repaired. The drainage problems may be caused by a clog in the disposal itself or clogs further down the drain.
See if you can fix the problem by manually turning the blades and plunging the drain. Fill the sink with water and forcefully plunge over the drain. If the water drains, run hot water to further loosen up any clogs. When plunging is unsuccessful, reach out to your preferred plumber to get the drain unclogged or replace the unit if absolutely necessary.
Water leakage
Depending on the source of the problem, a garbage disposal can leak from several different areas. You could be dealing with a damaged flange or seal where the disposal connects to the drain. In this case, count yourself lucky, since these features are easily replaced. Leaks from the bottom are much more serious and are usually caused by damaged seals within the unit. In most cases, it’s more cost-effective to replace the unit rather than repair it.
If you’re currently experiencing any of the signs that indicate you need to replace your garbage disposal, it’s best to give your trusted plumber a call before you make any hasty decisions. The experts at PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air can troubleshoot the unit and perform simple repairs or provide a full replacement, but only if necessary. Reach out to schedule an appointment!
Water softeners are great tools for delivering clean, great-tasting water to your home—but they can require some troubleshooting from time to time. Since your water softener is, in essence, a plumbing fixture, you need to care for it the same way you might care for your pipes and other fixtures. Sometimes, you’ll need to call professional plumbing services for help.
Here are five of the most common water softener problems to watch out for.
Clogs: Hard water contains a lot of minerals, which can build up inside your water softener and pipes. If you notice mineral buildup occurring on the interior side walls of your water softener, that’s a sign that blockages may be right around the corner. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning out the clog. If that fails, you may need to call in a plumbing contractor for assistance.
Dirty filters: If you’ve noticed poor performance from your water softener, check the filter first. Most filters need to be changed every three to five months, depending on how high the mineral content is. Water softeners use filters to screen out sediment and larger mineral particles, so the resin beads don’t have to work as hard to soften the water. When you forget to change the filter, the water may not be flowing as easily as it should.
Spent resin beads: If your water softener uses salt and resin beads, there may be an issue with the beads themselves. Although they can typically last for the entire water softener lifespan, they may fail early. If your beads are spent, you may notice them floating around on the surface of the water. If you notice this, it’s time to replace your water softener beads.
Salt crust formation: Sometimes your water softener’s brine tank will develop a salt crust or “bridge,” which prevents the water from flowing properly. It may also prevent your water softener from using the salt to soften the water. This often happens in high humidity areas as well as when you add too much salt to the water. Call your plumber to fix this problem—while you can try to break up the salt crust on your own, you don’t want to risk damaging the mechanical components of the water softener. They’ll also help you troubleshoot so you can avoid encountering this problem again in the future.
Motor failures: Finally, you may experience mechanical or motor failures during your water softener’s lifespan. As with any piece of machinery, water softener motors have a finite lifespan. You can extend that lifespan with regular maintenance and repair, changing the filter on time and emptying the water softener for cleaning.
If you run into these common water softener problems, it’s a good idea to call a professional plumbing service for assistance. Your plumber can help diagnose and solve the problem, offer tips to avoid further issues and make sure your water supply is functioning as it should. Get in touch with PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air today to get started.
