3 Signs Your Water Heater is on the Verge of Breaking Down

Let's be real, the water heater in your home isn't a topic your family usually discusses, at least while the appliance is functioning properly. However, when cold showers become a regular occurrence, the health of your home's water heater quickly turns into a main talking point; especially when deciding whether the appliance needs servicing or replacing. If your water heater is displaying any of the symptoms listed below, it's time to call your knowledgeable neighborhood plumber.

Age Matters

The age of your water heater factors in largely when determining whether your appliance needs repairing or replacing. Most water heaters are expected to last 8 to 12 years. Writing down the month and year you purchased the unit in its owner's manual will help you keep track of the appliance's age. If you weren't the one to install your home's water heater, and you're not sure how old it is, go to the manufacturer's website and use the unit's serial number to find out the month and year the appliance was made. Replacing an older malfunctioning water heater with a new and more efficient unit is best for your home and your wallet in the long run.

A Noisy Water Heater

Over time, as your water heater gets older, more and more sediment falls to the bottom of its tank. Eventually, due to heating and reheating, the sediment hardens, which causes your unit to become noisy and less efficient. As the appliance's efficiency drops, the time it takes to heat the water in the tank grows longer, meaning the metal the tank is made out of acquires more wear and becomes brittle faster, which can lead to small holes in the metal. If your water heater clanks or bangs, its time to contact a professional plumber.

Rusty Water Inside the Water Heater Tank

Rust-colored water coming out of your faucets and your shower heads can mean one of two things, your home has galvanized pipes that are corroded or the inside of your water heater is rusted. If you think your hot water heater is the cause, try draining around 10 to 15 gallons of water out of the tank. Once you reach 15 gallons and you discover the water is still rust-colored, a corroded tank is clearly the issue. Unfortunately, that means it's time to start shopping for a new hot water heater.

Knowing when to repair or replace your water heater isn't always easy. Fortunately, contacting a highly trained plumber can get you the answers you're looking for. If you're worried about your units declining performance, please contact us today and we'll be happy to answer all your questions.

5 Common Causes of Plumbing Leaks

If you have a water leak, it may seem like a minor problem. However, left untreated, even small leaks waste water and can also cause costly water damage to your home. That's why you should be aware of what causes water leaks. Here are five of the most common causes.

Clogged Drains

A clog is one of the most common reasons for pipes to leak. While most people consider drain clogs to be a minor inconvenience, untreated clogs can cause serious plumbing issues. You should not try to treat a clog with chemical drain cleaners. These products do not always remove the whole clog, and may damage your pipes further. If you have a clogged drain, contact a plumber for assistance.

Broken Seals

Wherever your pipes connect to plumbing fixtures, a rubber seal keeps the connection watertight. These connectors can start to degrade over time, much like old pipes. Old seals can become corroded and cause plumbing leaks.

Corroded Pipes

If your plumbing system is older, you may have pipes made from galvanized steel or copper. These older pipes are more susceptible to corrosion and rust, which can eat away at your plumbing over time and cause leaks. If you notice signs of corrosion, call a plumber for help.

Tree Roots

Tree roots will always seek a source of water. Plumbing leaks can be caused by tree roots intruding on your pipes. Even a small crack in your pipes allows tree roots to get in.

Excessive Water Pressure

All pipes are constructed to withstand a certain amount of water pressure. If your water pressure is too high, it will strain the pipes, causing them to crack and leak. If the water pressure in your home seems inconsistent, have your plumbing system inspected by a professional. It will save you from a more costly plumbing failure down the road.

If you're experiencing water leaks, contact us to schedule plumbing repair.

Tips on How to Handle a Plumbing Emergency

Plumbing emergencies are bound to happen. However, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage caused by a burst or leaking pipe. Staying calm and following the steps provided below will help you take control of an out-of-control situation.

What Every Homeowner Needs To Know

As a homeowner, you should always know where the main water shut-off is located. When a plumbing emergency hits, this information can save your home and your bank account from serious damage.

Turn Off The Water

Even the smallest of leaks can lead to large repair bills when they aren't taken care of in a timely manner. If your toilet or sink is leaking, shutting off the water line that runs to the fixtures should alleviate the problem while you wait for a plumber to arrive. However, if you spot a puddle of water in the middle of your dining room, and you have no clue where the leak is coming from, you'll need to head to your home's main water supply and turn that off. While this may seem like an easy step, it's one of most crucial actions you can take when you're dealing with a serious leak.

Evaluate The Damage

Before making any phone calls take a minute to assess the situation. Having a general idea of where the leak is located and the damage it has caused will help you clearly deliver important information to your emergency plumber in Ledgewood NJ.

Call A Plumber

Getting a plumber to your house as soon as possible is crucial to minimizing the damage. Describing the situation as best as you can over the phone will help the plumber determine whether or not they need to bring any special equipment to repair the problem. You should also ask for a quote, however, some plumbers won't supply one without evaluating the issue in person.

We encourage you to make the smart decision and give The Polite Plumber a call. We’re always happy to help and/or answer any question you may have!

Subtle Signs You Might Have a Leaking Pipe and Need a Plumbing Repair

In your day-to-day life, you probably don’t give the pipes in your home a second thought. As long as you get water when you turn on the faucet and water isn’t pouring out onto the floor, you figure things are great with your pipes. However, pipes wind through the walls and all around your home. Here a few small signs you might have a leaking pipe that you cannot see, and it is time for plumbing in Flanders NJ. 

High Water Bill

It’s that time of the month again, and your water bill comes in the mail. If this month your bill is significantly higher and you don’t have a good reason why it might be, it is possible that you have water leaking somewhere in your home. It can be anything from a faucet dripping throughout the day and night or a pipe hidden out of sight leaking.

Low Water Pressure

You get into your shower and adjust the temperature but the water pressure isn’t at the normal level you enjoy each morning. It could be a temporary thing, or it might be that water is being redirected somewhere else in your home, such as a leaking pipe in or dripping faucet.

Water in Unusual Places

When you walk into your closet, is there a little dampness on the carpet or a stain on the wall behind your child’s bed? If you find water or water stains in places where you don’t have water or a faucet, it might be a sign of a leaking pipe. We encourage you to call The Polite Plumber in Ledgewood NJ with any questions or services you might need. 

Don't Fall for These Common Plumbing Myths

Many homeowners underestimate the complexity of plumbing and try to find solutions to their plumbing problems online. Unfortunately, many of these "quick fixes" are based on incorrect information and can even cause further damage to your plumbing system. The following are a few of the myths that we hear most often.

Low Water Pressure Is Nothing to Worry About:

Low water pressure can be a sign of a water leak. Not only will this hit your wallet in the form of higher water bills, but an undiagnosed leak can cause damage to your home and property that you may not see right away.

Drain Clogs Are Inevitable:

A few preventative steps can prevent most kitchen and bathroom drain clogs. In the kitchen, use a filter or strainer in your drain to prevent food particles from going down the drain. You should also use a filter in the shower or bathtub to catch the hair and run hot water down the drain regularly to help remove soap scum. Finally, never flush anything down your toilet other than human waste and toilet paper. Feminine hygiene products and wipes, even if they say they are flushable, can cause clogs.

Commercial Drain Cleaners Are the Best Way to Unclog a Drain:

Liquid drain cleaners are ineffective against clogs caused by solids. They also contain harsh chemicals that can corrode and damage your pipes. Your best option is to call a professional plumber who can make sure that the clog is removed completely without harming the rest of your plumbing system.

Putting a Brick in the Toilet Tank Will Save Water:

While it is true that the brick will displace water so that the tank will take less water to fill, it is a bad idea for a couple of reasons. First, bricks deteriorate when placed in water for an extended time. The sediment can end up damaging various components of your toilet. You also run the risk of displacing too much water and having to flush twice, which negates any potential water savings.

My Water Is Flowing Fine, So I Do Not Have to Worry About a Clog:

Clogs often develop over time. For example, leftover rice may go down the drain quite easily; however, it will absorb water and bloat over time. Eventually, the clog will reach a size where the water can longer pass and therefore create a nasty backup. Having your pipes inspected once a year is the best way to identify potential clogs before they can cause a major headache.

We encourage you to call The Polite Plumber in Ledgewood NJ with any questions or service needs you may have.