Tag: water

Compact white water heater with control dial and copper pipes, wall-mounted for plumbing solutions by Scott Plumbing.

Why Homeowners Should Switch to Tankless Water Heaters

Reasons to Go Tankless

Now and then, something revolutionizes the way people do something. With new options available, people would be quick to switch, but often, there is some hesitance to try something new. When it comes to heating water in the home, there is a better way than with a conventional water tank. Tankless water heaters are better in every way, yet most people are reluctant to try them. 

Here is a guide from local plumbers to help homeowners understand the benefits of upgrading to tankless water heaters. 

Save Money With Better Energy Efficiency

Family saving money together with a piggy bank, emphasizing financial benefits of upgrading to energy-efficient tankless water heaters.Tankless water heaters answer a problem that most homeowners don’t even know they have. Rising energy bills are a problem for everyone. However, most homeowners don’t realize that a significant portion of monthly energy bills goes directly to heating water in an inefficient water heater. Even if the water heater is rated for high efficiency, the technology itself is outdated and costly. 

The biggest source of waste with a water tank is heating water on standby. Water tanks do an okay job of heating incoming water to the desired temperature, but the temperature begins to drop after they sit idle for a while. The water heater will have to cycle on again to reheat the water, and when this cycle continues daily, it can add up on monthly bills. Tankless water heaters skip the waste and perform more efficiently because they only heat water when needed. This results in savings on monthly bills of up to 30%. 

Endless Hot Water Supply and Space Savings

Faucet with steaming hot water flowing, illustrating the benefits of tankless water heaters for endless hot water supply and energy efficiency.A problem homeowners are aware of when relying on a water tank for hot water is the finite supply. Everyone has had the unfortunate experience of running out of hot water just before their shower is done, and this is an inherent flaw of water tanks. To avoid the water running cold, homeowners should invest in tankless water heaters. They provide endless hot water for as long as families need it. 

One downside of conventional water heaters is that their tanks occupy a lot of space. In most homes, water tanks are allocated to a cramped closet, basement, or garage, occupying precious storage space. Tankless water heaters are much smaller and mounted on the wall so homeowners can reclaim storage space. 

Improved Life Expectancy

Water tanks don’t last forever. They only last about ten years before needing major repairs or failing altogether. Most often, the place where they fail is within the tank. The tank is lined with special materials to protect it, but after so many years in service, it will start to leak, and there is no way to repair it. 

If this problem occurs, the best solution is to upgrade to a tankless water heater that doesn’t rely on its greatest vulnerability. By ditching the tank, homeowners can expect a tankless water heater to last around 20 years. 

About Scott Plumbing

Scott Plumbing is a family-owned business with an A+ rating. Trusted technicians are always on time for plumbing repairs, such as water heater installation. Call today for tankless water heater services in Huntsville, AL.

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Vertical water heater with copper plumbing connections and pressure gauge, from Scott Plumbing's renovation services.

Commercial Water Heater Maintenance and Its Benefits

Why Schedule Commercial Water Heater Maintenance? 

Many businesses and properties rely on water heaters to provide hot water, so they must work well to prevent problems in their operation and avoid leaving them with no hot water. The best way to ensure commercial water heaters work well and efficiently is the same as residential water heaters, with routine maintenance. This post will discuss the advantages of commercial water heater maintenance. 

Lower Utility Bills 

Piggy bank in foreground with man working on laptop, symbolizing savings and financial management related to reducing utility bills through efficient water heater maintenance.Most property and business owners are acutely aware of their expenses. One way to reduce water heating costs is to schedule routine maintenance on commercial water heaters. Maintenance will help the water heater’s energy efficiency, which leads to saving money. 

Maintenance visits include several tasks that can improve a water heater’s efficiency, including removing sediments from the water heater by draining and flushing it. When maintenance is neglected, sediment builds up in the tank, causing the water heater to work harder and use more energy to heat water. 

Fewer Repairs 

Technician performing routine maintenance on a commercial water heater, focusing on sediment removal and anode rod replacement to enhance efficiency and prevent damage.When maintenance is neglected, commercial water heaters can incur additional costs besides higher utility bills. Water heaters that are poorly maintained are more likely to experience problems and damage, requiring more water heater repairs and repair costs. 

By scheduling routine maintenance on commercial water heaters, they will be more reliable and experience fewer issues since many things are done during routine maintenance visits to prevent problems and damage, including replacing anode rods when needed and flushing the tank of sediment. Both these tasks help prevent tank corrosion and damage that can lead to leaks.  

Extended Lifespan 

Another benefit of routine commercial water heater maintenance is that it helps water heaters last longer, which can also save property and business owners money on early water heater replacement. During maintenance, many tasks prevent issues that can shorten a water heater’s lifespan. 

However, allowing plumbers to inspect the water heating system during routine maintenance can also help catch problems early so they can be fixed before the issue worsens and causes damage that can shorten a unit’s lifespan and require an early commercial water heater replacement. So, by extending a water heater’s lifespan, business and property owners won’t have to replace it as often, saving money in the long run. 

About Scott Plumbing

Scott Plumbing is a local family-owned and operated residential and commercial plumbing company serving Huntsville and the surrounding areas. They provide straightforward pricing, on-time arrival, and same-day service. Call them for commercial plumbing and water heater services in Huntsville, AL. 

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Person operating a labeled “PERFORMANCE" water heater, pressing a button with visible valves and cautionary labels.

Signs That the Water Heater Needs Replacing

Three Signs That It May Be Time for Water Heater Replacement 

Nothing lasts forever––and that also goes for water heaters. Standard storage water heaters only last around 10 to 15 years. But how can homeowners know when it may be time for a replacement? Here are some common signs that water heater replacement is needed. 

There’s Corrosion 

Corroded water heater tank showing significant rust and deterioration, indicating potential need for replacement due to compromised integrity and safety hazards.Once there’s corrosion of the water heater, the entire unit generally needs replacing. That’s because: 

  • A rusted tank compromises the entire unit’s integrity: With a corroded water heater, homeowners could find themselves dealing with chronic leaks, low water pressure, and high energy bills. 
  • It can lead to water damage: As noted, a rusted storage tank can cause leaks. This does more than wastewater. It can also damage homeowners’ property, including flooring and sideboards. 
  • Rust can lead to safety hazards: Rust can damage the tank’s integrity, causing the system to leak or burst and flood the home. This does more than damage property. If the water comes into contact with electricity, there could also be an electrical hazard, making the home unsafe. 

 

It Doesn’t Heat Water as Well 

Woman in shower reacting to cold water, emphasizing issues with water heater performance and potential plumbing problems.There’s no use in having a hot water heater if it doesn’t do its job properly. While some reasons for cold, lukewarm water, or hot water that runs out quicker are fixable, some issues causing them may warrant replacing the entire system. A plumber can determine the best solution for the water heater. Some possible causes of water heating issues include: 

  • There’s an issue with the heating element: While this component could be replaced, if the system itself is more than 10 years old, it’s more cost-effective to just replace it. Water heater life expectancy plays a critical role in when it’s time to replace it. 
  • There’s a problem with the pilot light: The pilot light turns on the heating element and heats the water inside the tank. If there’s something wrong with the pilot light, chances are, there are other components that need replacing. 
  • There are gas supply problems: Many water heaters rely on gas to operate. If there’s a gas leak, not only does this make a home unsafe, but it can affect how the appliances that use them operate. 

It’s Old or Constantly Needs Repairs 

It’s not uncommon for a water heater to need repairs now and then. Yet, if it always seems like a plumber is needed to fix a problem with it, this could warrant replacing the system. It can save money since older water heaters are less energy efficient, and the repair and energy costs add up.

Additionally, if a traditional storage water heater is past the 10-year mark or a tankless water heater is nearing the 20-year mark, it should be replaced. This can be beneficial as a new energy-efficient water heater will cost less to operate, and homeowners won’t have to deal with the problems of an aging water heater or a loss of hot water. 

About Scott Plumbing 

Scott Plumbing is a local family-owned business serving Huntsville and the surrounding areas. They offer straightforward pricing, same-day service, and always on-time service. Call them today for water heater installation and repair services in Huntsville, AL. 

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Woman in gray tank top lying in bed, covering ears with a pillow, in a soft-lit bedroom, suggesting themes of discomfort.

It's Not a Halloween Haunting. It's a Water Hammer!

How to Deal With the Noisy Pipes Behind Your Walls

It may be the appropriate season for haunted houses, scary movies, and spooky sounds, but while most of these are for Halloween, that loud banging sound behind the walls is not. They are likely the result of a plumbing phenomenon called a water hammer and should be fixed before they cause damaging consequences.

Water Hammers Explained

The sounds of banging pipes indicate a water hammer, which is often a result of increased pressure that occurs when the quick-moving flow of water is stopped or forced to change directions abruptly. Water hammer can be caused by issues such as fast-acting valves, worn valves, clogged air chambers, and loose pipes that aren't properly secured.   

In plumbing systems that are correctly installed and regularly maintained, this hydraulic shock doesn’t often occur because devices like water hammer arrestors and air chambers cushion the shock and prevent the vibration of pipes. However, when these air chambers become clogged or filled with water, or water hammer arrestors break, the buffer that prevents water hammer from occurring becomes nonexistent.

Hazards of a Water Hammer

Copper pipe with a leak, water spraying out, illustrating plumbing issues related to water hammer and potential hazards for homeowners.While the first symptom of a water hammer homeowners notice, noisy pipes, may seem like a minor inconvenience that can be easily ignored, professional plumbers caution against neglecting this plumbing problem as it can lead to much worse problems for the pipes. 

The hazards of a water hammer are severe enough to warrant immediate attention because the stress it causes on the pipes can cause them to crack or burst. When a leak or rupture occurs in the piping, homeowners could find themselves with significant water damage to their homes, which can be costly and time-consuming to repair. 

Fixing a Water Hammer 

Plumber adjusting water pressure valve under sink to address water hammer issue, showcasing plumbing maintenance practices.Fortunately, fixing water hammer is something that plumbing professionals can do in a number of ways. One method for solving this problem is simply adjusting the water pressure-reducing valve to decrease the pressure in the pipes if high water pressure is causing it. 

Another potential fix is the installation of water hammer arrestors. A water hammer arrestor is a device that contains air-filled cylinders that are designed to absorb the hydraulic shock of a sudden valve shutoff. Air chambers filled with water will need to be drained to fix the water hammer if that is a cause.

Other possible methods to get rid of water hammers include fastening loose pipes with straps and screws to decrease movement or buffering pipelines with insulation to absorb shockwaves. Any number of these methods should be able to fix the problem, and plumbers can determine which needs to be done in a home to stop water hammers. 

About Scott Plumbing

Scott Plumbing has nearly ten years of expertise serving Huntsville and the surrounding areas. They offer straightforward pricing, on-time service, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for plumbing services in Huntsville, AL. 

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Chrome faucet with a droplet, representing plumbing maintenance and water conservation at Scott Plumbing.

Keep an Eye Out for Water Leaks

Tips for Identifying a Leak Early

A water leak in a home’s plumbing is an issue that isn’t entirely unavoidable. Most homeowners will have dealt with a water leak at some point, and the best thing for them to do is to catch it early before it becomes a full-blown plumbing emergency that causes extensive water damage that requires significant time and money to resolve. To find leaks early, homeowners must know what to look for. 

Common Symptoms of a Leak at Home 

Some leaks at home will be visible and easy to spot, such as dripping faucets, leaking toilets, and puddles of water around fixtures. However, some leaks aren’t as apparent and require homeowners to know some of the common signs that point to a leak. 

Some indicators of a leak include poor water pressure from plumbing fixtures, mold growth, the sound of water running when nothing is using water, and signs of water damage, such as water stains, peeling paint, sagging ceilings, and damaged or warped floors. 

Monitor the Water Bills

Dollar bills in a sink drain, symbolizing wasted money due to water leaks and high water bills, relevant to plumbing issues and leak detection.While most signs of a water leak rely on a homeowner’s senses of sight and hearing, another important sign of leaks requires homeowners to develop a habit. Homeowners should track how much they spend each month on water costs, as a spike in the water bill can also indicate a leak.  

If the water bill is higher than what the household is usually charged, barring any drastic changes in water consumption, then chances are high that the cost difference is due to a leak. Even small leaks like a dripping faucet can waste significant amounts of water, which is reflected in the water bills.

Watch the Water Meter

Water meter with a blue casing and dial, used for monitoring water usage and detecting leaks, relevant to plumbing maintenance and leak identification.Homeowners can also use their home’s water meter to determine the presence of a leak. Some water meter models have a built-in leak indicator, which usually takes the form of a red or blue triangle that moves or spins when it detects a leak. But even without this built-in leak detector, water meters are still a helpful tool for homeowners to identify a leak. 

A homeowner should first shut off all appliances and plumbing fixtures that use water and then take note of the water meter reading. After a few hours, the water meter should be rechecked, and if the reading has changed, it means that water has continued to run even when it wasn’t being used, which points to a water leak. Then, homeowners can move on from confirming its presence to scheduling professional services for water leak repair. 

About Scott Plumbing

Scott Plumbing is a family-owned and operated business serving Huntsville and the surrounding areas since 2014. They offer same-day service, straightforward pricing, and on-time service. Call them today for water leak detection and repair services in Huntsville, AL. 

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