Tag: water

How Can Homeowners Identify Water Leaks Around the House?

How to Spot Leaks Before They Waste a Ton of Money

Leaks are one of the most common plumbing problems because they have so many opportunities to form. The plumbing in every home is made up of many stretches of pipes and joints, along with many plumbing fixtures and appliances, and they can all fall victim to leaks. 

Whether the leaks are caused by wear and tear or corrosion, water leaks in the home can cause costly water damage and high water costs, so it makes sense to try and catch them as soon as possible so a plumber can be called for leak detection and repair. Here is a quick guide explaining several ways for homeowners to spot leaks before they waste more money. 

Signs of Water Leaks 

Water leaks can occur out of sight, meaning they may be hidden behind walls or beneath the floor. This can make spotting them difficult if homeowners don’t know what to look for. Here are some common signs that can signal a leak and indicate to call for leak repair:  

  • Dripping or running water sounds when water isn’t being used
  • Reduced water pressure
  • Water stains on walls, floors, or ceilings
  • Water damaged floors
  • Sagging or water-damaged ceilings
  • Mold growth or a musty smell 

Watch Out for High Water Bills

billsAn unusually high water bill could also be the first sign of a hidden leak homeowners notice. It can indicate a leak that, while not immediately visible, is steadily wasting water and driving up costs. Ignoring such a signal can not only result in more excessive water bills but can also lead to more severe damage over time, including structural issues that could be far costlier to repair. 

Addressing a suspected water leak promptly not only helps conserve water but also helps prevent additional water damage to the home, ensuring that small leaks don't escalate into major crises throughout the system, like water damage, which may even affect the structural integrity of the home. So, any time a large spike in water costs is seen, it should tip off homeowners that they need leak detection. 

Use the Water Meter to Test for Leaks 

water meter Monitoring the water meter is a great way to test for hidden leaks if a leak is suspected since it can help homeowners more accurately determine if a leak is present in the home. First, ensure all water-using fixtures and devices are turned off in the home. This includes appliances that use water and sprinkler systems. 

Next, homeowners should find their water meter and check if it has a leak indicator dial, which is often triangular-shaped. If it is moving and rotating when no water is being used, it indicates a leak. But a leak can still be tested for if the meter doesn’t have this. Record the reading on the water meter, then wait an hour or two without using any water. If the reading has changed after this time, there’s likely a leak and a plumber should be called to locate and fix it. 

About West Plumbing LLC

West Plumbing LLC has been serving Chandler, AZ, and the surrounding areas since 2014. They provide upfront, flat-rate pricing, on-time service, and knowledgeable technicians. Call them today for water leak detection and repair services in Chandler, AZ. 

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Why Get a Whole Home Water Softener?

Understanding Hard Water and How It Affects Your Home

Water hardness refers to the amount of minerals present in the water supply. High levels of calcium and magnesium minerals would result in extremely hard water, which, while considered safe, can cause domestic inconveniences that can result in additional expenses for homeowners. For this reason, water softener installation is beneficial. This post will discuss water softeners and the effects of hard water in a home. 

Function of a Water Softener

water softenerWater softeners exist to counteract the effects of hard water. They do this by removing minerals like calcium and magnesium that give water its hardness. There are many different ways to do this, which is why there are different types of water softeners. The most common is the salt-based water softener, also called an ion-exchange water softener. This kind of system works by swapping calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions that come from water-softener resin that is loaded with salt, allowing water softening to occur. 

For homeowners who don’t want to add salt ions to their water, salt-free systems that soften water by using a template-assisted crystallization method in place of the ion exchange method are also available to install. Other popular systems are the reverse osmosis system, which uses several semi-permeable membranes or filters to remove not just minerals but also other contaminants present in the water, and the shower-head water softener, which is specific to removing only minerals from the water that comes out of the showerhead. 

Does Your Home Have Hard Water?

These different water softening systems are game-changing for homeowners who suffer from the effects of having hard water at home, and it’s relatively easy to understand why they choose to invest in water softener installation. This is because hard water can have the following effects not just on materials and devices at home but also on the homeowners themselves. Hard water causes:

  • Spotted dishes and glasses after washing
  • Hard water stains on bathroom fixtures
  • Dull and faded clothing
  • Scale buildup in pipes, which can cause clogs and reduce water pressure
  • Scale buildup in appliances that use water, shortening their lifespan
  • Dry hair and skin 
  • Higher energy bills from inefficiency in water-using appliances

Whole House Water Softeners and Their Many Benefits

save money Thankfully, whole-home water softeners are excellent at negating the effects of hard water. Not only do homeowners come out of their showers with their skin and hair feeling hydrated instead of dry and itchy, but their clothes last longer, their dishes come out cleaner and free from spotting, their fixtures, pipes, and appliances last longer, and they save a ton of time that would have otherwise been spent cleaning scale buildup.

As a bonus, many of these benefits help homeowners save money that could have been allocated to buying new clothes or new appliances when they wear out faster. Homeowners also save money on energy bills that are reduced because appliances using water run more efficiently when there are little to no mineral deposits getting in the way.

About West Plumbing LLC

West Plumbing LLC has been serving Chandler and the surrounding areas since 2014. They offer upfront, flat-rate pricing, financing, and on-time service. Call them today for water softener services in Chandler, AZ. 

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Is Your Household Suffering From a Faulty Water Heater?

3 Signs of Malfunctioning Water Heaters

Water heaters are one of the most important appliances in the home. The good news is that with the right information, families can be prepared to deal with a failing water heater. Before water heaters malfunction, they can show certain signs indicating they need service. Here are some signs indicating that the water heater is experiencing problems and needs repair or replacement. 

Unusual Noises 

sounds

Water heaters aren’t intended to be displayed. They are usually tucked away in a closet or basement, virtually forgotten. One of the reasons they may get neglected is because they are quiet and reliable. Since water heaters are so quiet, the first sign that something is wrong is loud noises from the unit. 

Under normal circumstances, gas water heaters will make a quiet rushing noise as the burner cycles, and electric water heaters make even less noise. So if homeowners hear unusual noises from their water heater, it needs service. The most common noises a water heater will make that indicate a problem are thumping or popping sounds. When water heater maintenance is neglected, sediment can accumulate at the bottom of the hot water tank. These solids interfere with water heating and allow water to boil underneath the scale. Hearing strange sounds from the tank typically means the tank needs to be drained and flushed by a professional to remove the sediment and prevent tank corrosion. 

Discolored, Stinky Water 

sink

Corrosion is an ever-present problem in plumbing. In water heaters, anode rods protect the tank and nearby plumbing from corrosion. However, these anode rods protect the tank by allowing themselves to be corroded instead. Once the anode rod corrodes, the water heater loses its protection. 

One of the signs that the anode rod in a water heater is bad and needs to be replaced is foul-smelling and discolored hot water. Discolored and bad-smelling hot water could also indicate the hot water tank is already corroded. If the tank is corroded, it will likely require a water heater replacement. 

Water Leaks 

One of the risks of neglecting to replace a corroded water heater is leaks become more common. Leaks in the tank of a water heater caused by corrosion will likely require replacing the system. This is why water heater maintenance is so essential. It prevents corrosion and the need for early replacement. 

However, if leaks not caused by corrosion are spotted in the water heater, it may only require repair. A plumbing contractor can inspect the water heating system to determine the extent of the damage and the cause of the leak so they can recommend the best solution, whether it be repair or replacement. 

About West Plumbing LLC

West Plumbing LLC was named on the Best of HomeAdvisor list three years in a row serving Chandler and the surrounding communities. They provide flat rate pricing, always on-time service, and financing. Call them today for water heater services in Chandler, AZ.

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You Don't Have to Suffer High Water Bills This Summer With These Easy Tips

Enjoy the Summer Without Worrying About the Water Bills

Summer fun is usually equated with lots of water and for a good reason. The heat may be a welcome arrival for some, but it can also quickly raise water bills. Swimming pools, splash pads, and refreshing summer drinks require copious amounts of water, but does that automatically mean homeowners should resign themselves to a fate of high water bills? There are several ways homeowners can save money on their water costs this summer, and this post will share water-saving tips!

Water Saving Devices Help Keep Water Bills Low

showerIn this age of technological advancements, it’s easy to find ways to make life more efficient and less wasteful. Many products on the market allow homeowners to make their homes more water efficient, including upgrades in plumbing fixtures. Swapping out regular shower heads for low-flow, WaterSense-labeled versions, for example, can save families about 2,700 gallons of water a year.

Water-saving toilets are another way to conserve water and save money. Installing water-saving WaterSense-labeled toilets to replace old, inefficient ones can save families 20 to 60 percent of the water used by their toilets. These kinds of toilets use less water per flush than a normal toilet, with some models offering the option to use a full flush for solid waste and a half flush for liquid waste.

Find the Right Time to Water the Lawn

lawnWhile not all water-related activities at home can be made efficient with water-saving devices, it’s still possible to save money by timing these activities right. Take watering the lawn, for example. Maintaining the health of the yard, garden, and landscaping is important in the summer, so homeowners would expect that, given the extreme temperatures, they would have to pay a premium to take care of their yards. 

But most homeowners need to know that if they simply schedule this activity in the morning, they can save money on watering the lawn. This is because mornings are cooler than the rest of the day, and if plants are watered at this early hour, the water doesn’t evaporate as quickly, leaving more for the plants to absorb. This allows homeowners to cut down on their water usage to keep their yards healthy.

Some More Ways to Save Water

Apart from the tips mentioned above, there are also several simple habit changes that, when done consistently, can help homeowners not just conserve water but also keep them from running up an excessively high water bill.

  • Keep showers short: While it may be tempting to stay in the shower longer than necessary, shorter showers have the incentive of keeping water bills low - something that should motivate most people to hop out as soon as they’re done.
  • Don’t leave the water running: One of the easiest ways to save water is to turn off the tap when not in use. According to the EPA, 8 gallons of water a day can be saved by turning off the tap when brushing teeth, and 10 gallons of water can be saved per shave. 
  • Maximize the use of water-efficient appliances: Most modern household appliances like clothes washers and dishwashing machines are built to be water efficient, so homeowners would do well to maximize their water efficiency by opting, for example, to use water-efficient dishwashers instead of washing dishes by hand. Washing machines should also be run on a full load to save water.

About West Plumbing LLC

West Plumbing LLC has nearly a decade of experience serving Chandler, AZ, and the surrounding areas. They provide flat rate pricing, always on-time service, and emergency plumbing services. Call them today for kitchen and bathroom plumbing services in Chandler, AZ. 

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Three Reasons to Install a Water Softener

How Does a Water Softener Help Around the Home?

A water softener is a filtration system specifically designed to remove minerals from hard water, thus transforming it into soft water. Hard water contains a high concentration of dissolved calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, which can cause a variety of issues around the home and for the people living in it. However, installing a water softener can help people avoid the issues stemming from hard water and provide many benefits. This blog post will go over some of the benefits of water softeners. 

Better Cleaning 

cleaningWater softeners play a vital role in enhancing the effectiveness of cleaning because hard water can lead to several issues that hamper the cleaning process. One common problem with hard water is spotted glasses after washing dishes. This occurs due to the reaction between the mineral content in hard water and soap, leading to the formation of soap scum. When this residue dries on glassware or cutlery, it leaves unsightly spots and streaks.

Similarly, stains and deposits on bathroom fixtures are another prime concern resulting from hard water. The excessive minerals in the water build up over time, forming stubborn, crusty deposits known as limescale. Additionally, continued use of hard water for laundry causes clothes to fade and become worn out more quickly. This is because the minerals in hard water can weaken the fabric fibers, making them less resilient and prone to damage.

Installing water softeners can alleviate these issues by eliminating or reducing the mineral content, making the water more conducive to cleaning. Softened water reacts better with soap and detergent, forming a rich lather that's much more effective at breaking down dirt, grime, and stains.

Keep the Plumbing Safe 

The minerals in hard water can also cause issues for the plumbing, fixtures, and appliances besides just deposits on the fixtures. The mineral scale can also build up within the pipes and water heaters and cause issues such as: 

  • Reduced water pressure
  • Clogs 
  • Shorter lifespan for pipes, fixtures, and appliances such as water heaters
  • Reduces energy efficiency of water heaters, leading to higher water heating costs

Water softeners help protect the plumbing and extend its lifespan by preventing these complications due to the minerals in hard water. With water softeners, homeowners can expect fewer plumbing problems and lower energy bills. 

Protect the Health of Skin and Hair 

healthWater softeners play an essential role in enhancing skin and hair health by addressing the problems caused by hard water. Hard water contains high amounts of minerals, which can have detrimental effects on skin and hair when used for bathing and showering. Water softeners can reduce the concentration of these minerals and make a significant improvement in the health and appearance of skin and hair.

One of the prevalent issues caused by hard water is dry skin and hair. The minerals in hard water create a layer on the skin and hair, preventing moisture from being absorbed. This layer of soap and minerals is difficult to rinse out, making it challenging for moisture to reach the skin and hair. As a result, skin and hair are left feeling dry, itchy, and irritated. With a water softener, everyone in the home can enjoy radiant, moisturized skin and shiny, hydrated hair while also protecting the plumbing and keeping the home clean.

About West Plumbing LLC

West Plumbing LLC was on the Best of HomeAdvisor list 3 years in a row serving Chandler, AZ, and the surrounding areas. They provide flat rate pricing, always on-time service, and financing. Call them today for water softener installation and services in Chandler, AZ.

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