Monthly Archives: November 2015

Why Is My Water Heater Running Out Of Hot Water?

Posted on by

Does it seem like your hot water heater isn’t working right? After a couple of minutes in the shower does your hot water turn lukewarm? Your hot water heater may have a problem and there could be a number of reasons for this. The reasons below are typical problems but be sure to contact a professional plumbing service to help determine your specific issue.

Dip Tube

Both gas and electric hot water heaters have a pipe called a dip tube that is supposed to make the unheated water coming into the tank go down to the bottom so the already-hot water can be sent out of the tank to where it’s needed. If your dip tube is broken or it falls off, this won’t happen, meaning new water coming into the tank will mix with the hot water and lower its temperature. Hence, you wind up with lukewarm water.

Thermostat

Your water heater has a thermostat that tells it how much to heat the water before it goes on its way. If the thermostat is not functioning properly, you are likely to wind up with water that isn’t hot. If the thermostat is broken altogether, your water heater won’t heat any more water, so eventually you will run out after whatever in the tank is gone. If the thermostat setting is off, you might get water that’s not heated to the temperature you expect.

Heating Element

If you water heater is electric, you could have a problem with your heating element, especially the one on the lower part of the tank. If it’s not functioning properly, your water heater may only heat the water in the top of the tank, which means you eventually will run out of hot water.

Some of these issues you can investigate on your own, but you likely will need a licensed plumber to assess the situations and either make repairs or suggest a replacement.

3 Signs You Have Hard Water

Posted on by

Hard water refers to water with a high number of minerals — particularly limestone, calcium sulfate, and calcium carbonate — that get absorbed into the water before it makes its way into your home. Water with a high mineral content is called “hard” because, along with the minerals make it hard to lather soap, the mineral content can actually cause damage to your plumbing system.

Hard water can be a problem because it forces appliances like washing machines to work harder and it can cause damage to plumbing. Fortunately, hard water can be corrected with the right water softener. Here are 3 tell-tale signs that your home has hard water.

1. White Buildup On Shower Walls & Faucets

Hard water leaves behind mineral deposits on almost everything, including faucets, sinks, bathtubs, and shower walls. No matter how often you clean, you will likely notice a film on your shower walls or bathtub after the water from bathing dries. Faucets in homes with hard water often develop a thick build-up of mineral deposits, or scale, that’s very hard to get rid of. This problem can’t be avoided without treating the hard water problem.

2. Spotty Dishes

Are your dishes cloudy or spotty when you take them out of the dishwasher or leave them to dry overnight? Spots and cloudiness are caused by hard water deposits that are tough to get rid of.

3. Trouble Getting Clothing Clean

Do you find that clothing is still dirty or stained after it’s been washed? Hard water makes soaps less effective and harder to lather. The minerals can cause clothing to become faded, grayish, or less vibrant. Your clothes may also feel scratchy because the minerals create a salt that clings to the fabric.

Hard water is more than an annoyance; it can actually damage your plumbing by leaving scale build-up that eventually leads to clogs and even leaks. If you have signs of hard water, it may be time to consider the benefits of water softening.

3 Reasons You Might Have Mold Growing In Your House

Posted on by

There are several reasons why a home can have mold growth, but whatever the reason, you need to determine the source to repair the problem before beginning a cleanup. Having mold in your home is dangerous because it causes symptoms such as watery eyes, itchy skin and chronic coughing. Here are three causes of mold inside a home that you must look for and fix.

Leaking Roof

You might not realize that a home’s roof has holes because it is not something you inspect on a regular basis. However, tiny cracks can permit moisture to enter after it rains or snows, and the moisture causes serious problems. Small amounts of moisture can leak into a home to damage ceilings and walls. Because mold spores thrive in moisture, colonies begin to grow rapidly and send out more spores into a home’s ductwork.

Leaking Pipes

Old degraded plumbing can lead to mold growth inside a home because pipes and connectors begin to leak and will need to be re-piped. The tiny drops of water soak into drywall and insulation, helping mold spores to grow. This type of mold can grow inside walls for several years without homeowners noticing, and unless the materials are removed and cleaned thoroughly, the building’s occupants can begin to experience health problems.

Poor Air Circulation

Mold spores will grow quickly in areas of your home that have high humidity levels and poor air circulation. Spaces such as attics, closets and basements are also dark, creating a perfect environment for mold to grow. Homeowners may not enter these spaces for several months and not realize that mold is growing on the walls, floors or ceilings until serious damage occurs that requires tearing out materials before sanitizing underlying surfaces.