SIMPLE TIPS TO IMPROVE THE LIFESPAN OF YOUR WATER HEATER BEFORE WINTER

Drain cleaning is an important part of homeownership. Although you might not be as knowledgeable or skilled as professional plumbers, you still have to know the basics when it comes to drain cleaning -- at least cleaning during a drain emergency or when doing a routine wipe down of your kitchen and bathrooms. As long as you're careful with your drains and avoid a few common mistakes, you should be completely fine. Fail to heed this advice, and you could soon have clogged drains that stink up every room in the vicinity. Here are some common drain mistakes that people often make when cleaning out, or at least attempting to clean out, their drains. Improper use of chemicals If you're cleaning your drain, it's essential that you use the right amount of chemicals to do so. If you're using too much of a certain drain unclogging product, for instance, you run the risk of causing further drain and pipe damage. Additionally, if you're not using the right product to clean your drain, you could be doing much more harm than good. There are so many caustic chemicals that can lead to serious problems with your drain and even more serious health concerns. Sticking items down the drain For some reason, so many homeowners think that shoving a broom handle, coat hanger, or other household utensil down the drain will miraculously fix any stubborn clog or issue. That is NOT TRUE. For the most part, drain blockage occurs so far down the drain that no household item will even come close to reaching it. Even if your broom handle does reach it, however, you'll end up pushing the blockage even further and might even snap the handle, getting that stuck down there in the process. Simply put, don't shove things down your drains. Not asking for professional help Professionals recommend having all your drains cleaned at least once every two years. During serious plumbing emergencies, you need to swallow your DIY pride and contact a plumbing or sewer cleaning professional. Drain cleaning is a skill that not everyone possesses -- so you should take advantage of experienced professionals. At the first sign of serious trouble, contact them so they can assist you with your draining problems. Ignore this advice, and overflowing pipes could cause serious water damage to your home. Whether you need assistance with your water heater repairs or just need your drains professionally cleaned, your local plumbing pros should be able to handle problems both large and small. Even if you're a DIY inclined homeowner, you just won't have the necessary equipment to perform adequate drain cleaning or repair. Need drain or sewer cleaning in Elkhart, Indiana? Ace Plumbing is here to help. Contact our team whenever you need assistance. 

As a homeowner, it's easy to take running water and functioning drains for granted. But when these amenities suddenly stop working, your home life seems to be suddenly put on hold. While it may be tempting to attempt to perform sewer cleaning and water heater maintenance yourself, this can often lead to more damage and longer downtime. When the following home plumbing issues happen, it's time to put down your home tools and call a professional plumber. The water isn't draining or flowing well Almost every homeowner has faced this issue at some point. But it's important to notice when this is more than a small issue. If your drain clogs once per month or starts clogging more than ever before, you should schedule professional cleaning. A professional can get to the root of the problem and remove whatever is causing the clog. The sewer line is backing up This issue can be highly stressful, since you likely can't use the toilet, shower, or sink until the sewer backup is cleared. While you might attempt to reach the pipes that you need to, it can be difficult to find a quick fix. Schedule expert sewer cleaning to get the system back in shape. You want to start a plumbing project Installing a new sink or toilet? This is best left to the pros. Unless you are an expert plumber yourself, it's easy to make small mistakes on the pipes and valves that could ultimately ruin the project. A plumber will know where every attachment should be. Your home doesn't have hot water While not having hot water can ruin your daily shower, it usually means bigger trouble for your water heater. By hiring a professional, they can determine whether you need water heater repair or replacement. This way, you can get the most out of your payment. The pipes have burst This issue generally happens in the Winter, when water freezes and expands within your pipes. This is an emergency, since broken pipes can cause major leaks. Call a professional right away to have the pipes repaired. By taking these common home plumbing issues seriously, you can keep your pipes in top condition and allow your home's water to flow properly. This allows you to keep your routine on track and enjoy your home fully. And when the next incident happens, a plumber will be there to help. 

Tank water heaters typically last anywhere between 10 to 13 years whereas tankless waters can last for a total of 20 years with proper maintenance and repair. However, not every homeowner moves into a home with a brand new water heater and are therefore unaware of the exact age of their tank. Yet it isn't always age that leads to the failure of one's water heater. Some homeowners are simply unlucky. To keep your home from suffering damage and to keep your family safe, here are some of the most common signs that your water heater is failing fast. Your water heater's age As mentioned before, some homeowners are unaware of the exact age of their water heater. This can be dangerous as many water heaters can sometimes show no signs of failure before their age causes them to bite the dust. Your water heater's age is surprisingly easy to find. Locate the manufacturing sticker along the upper side of the water heater and then find the serial number that correlates with the sticker. The serial number will contain the date of the water heater's manufacturing. The actual date indicated on the sticker may seem complicated to read because it isn't quite written the way an average date would be. The first letter of the code will correlate to a specific month. For instance, A is the first letter of the alphabet and therefore represents the first month of the year, January. The next two digits in the code will represent the year itself. For instance, if the next two digits are 96 in the code, the water heater was manufactured in the year 1996. If your water heater is over 10 years old and has shown signs of leaking or damage in the past, it may be in your best interest to seek a new water heater installation. Changes in the water Since your water is filtered through the water heater, one of the best indicators of a problem is the water itself. If you see rust-colored water in your shower or sink when you have the temperature turned to hot, it's definitely a sign you'll need a water heater replacement or at least a water heater repair. The rusty water is a sign that the anode rod inside your water heater has decomposed and now the inside of the tank is rusting away. Should your water continue to come out rust-colored despite filtering out the rusty water from your tank, it may be a sign for a new water heater installation. Another sign to look for is any leaking around your tank. Small leaks may not be a problem and can be easily fixed by a water heater installation company. However, if your water heater continues to leak despite maintenance and repairs, you may need a replacement. Taking care of your water heater is essential, but especially now with winter fast approaching. Be sure to know the date of your water heater's manufacturing and that you pay careful attention to any leaks. A water heater failure is no homeowner's cup of tea. 

Many homeowners choose to turn their heat off if they're going away for the holidays. However, you can help prevent frozen plumbing by keeping your HVAC system on.

Water heater failure is another common winter plumbing problem. During the winter, your water heater is forced to work harder because the changing temperature makes the water coming into the water heater a lower temperature.

Save Money on Your Energy Bill by Having an Efficient Water Heater

Most homeowners are "gifted" with the casual common plumbing problems such as a leaky faucet or frozen pipes. In fact, up to 10% of American homes experience leaks that waste almost 90 gallons of water every day. However, other unfortunate homeowners get to experience plumbing problems they never thought they'd see. Or, in this case, hear. Vibrating pipes can have three potential causes. Either one of the pipes is loose, you have water hammer, or you may have a problem with your home's water pressure. If your own plumbing system has been making strange, vibrating sounds consider the following possible causes to help you find the solution. Loose pipes One possible cause of vibrating pipes is that one of them is loose somewhere in the wood framing of your home. A plumber should be able to locate the loose pipe and proceed by securing the pipe with pipe clips. The plumber will need to open a space in the area where the pipes are accessible. This is typically in the basement or where an access panel is available. The plumber will then watch the pipes for any additional rattling when the water is turned on. Water hammer Water hammer is another possible cause of vibrating and noisy pipes. Water hammer is when water repeatedly stops and starts in the pipes because of valves that close too fast. The result is a hammering sound. Water hammer can be fixed by adding a water hammer arrestor to the pipes with the fast-closing valves. However, because this process typically involves cutting the pipes it's absolutely essential this job is performed by professionally licensed plumbers. Water pressure Finally, another problem that could be causing your noisy pipes is that the water pressure in your home is too high. High water pressure can cause not only a vibrating noise but also major damage to your pipes. Fortunately, a plumber should be able to fix the problem by adding a pressure-reducing valve to your plumbing system's main line. If you're experiencing noisy pipes, there could be a deeper underlying problem that requires the professional eye of a plumbing contractor Michiana IN trusts. Contact the plumbing and water heater services of Ace Plumbing today for more information on water heater repair, drain cleaning, and plumbing repair.

Homeowners can save approximately 10% on their water bills by fixing household water leaks. However, did you know you can save on your water bill by switching to a tankless water heater? ​ Tankless water heaters provide the home with hot water when it's needed rather than creating standby energy like other water heaters do. If you're in need of a water heater replacement, consider the following reasons why you may want to install a tankless water heater. 1. Tankless water heaters save energy Tankless water heaters don't use as much energy as the boxed water heater. This is because they're able to provide water directly without using a storage tank. When you need hot water, cold water is brought to the unit via the pipes and warmed in the electric or gas burner of the unit. 2. Tankless water heaters are compact Another benefit of tankless water heaters to talk to your plumbing contractor about is the unit's compact design. Because the unit is smaller, it takes up less room and also lasts longer than a boxed water heater and therefore usually have a longer warranty. 3. Tankless water heaters are good for the environment While it's good for your utility bills to save on energy, it's also good for the environment. You're using less electricity and gas as you would use with a boxed water heater. What's more, because the tankless water heater doesn't rust it lasts longer and is less likely to be dumped in a landfill once its life is over. 4. Tankless water heaters can run on electric or gas Homeowners have the option to choose between gas and electric tankless water heaters. Electric units don't have an Energy Star rating but are still energy efficient and can help to reduce both water and electric bills. Gas units do have an Energy Star rating and are great for those who'd like their electric bill to be separate from their water system. If you're in need of a new water heater installation, consider talking to your plumbing contractor about tankless water heaters. Contact Ace Plumbing today for more information on our plumbing services, water heater repair, and backflow prevention.

There are a wide array of facts about water heaters that not very many people know about.