Tag: water

The Noises From Behind the Wall Aren't Ghosts, But a Water Hammer

Water Hammer Haunting the House This Halloween?

Halloween is the time of chills and scares. People often like to be startled by people in costumes or jumpscares in movies, but rarely like to be startled in their own home when they turn off the sink or the washing machine shuts off.  

When a homeowner hears bangs and rattles that are unexpected, it can be discomfiting. While it’s not an indication of supernatural activity, it does indicate something that can be a problem for a plumbing system, a water hammer.  

Defining Water Hammer

Water hammer or hydraulic shock is the banging sound that comes from the vibration of pipes due to water hitting against a quickly closed valve. When water flows through the line to a faucet, there is force behind that water. If the valve closes too quickly, that energy is trapped and can only be expended through the pipes and the walls, thus, a vibration occurs. 

Water hammers occur most often with appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines. It can be a benign occurrence of noisy pipes, but it can also be damaging not only to the water pipes, but to the building structure that contains them.

The Dangers of Water Hammer

waterThough noisy water pipes are certainly annoying, hydraulic shock is a bit more than a minor annoyance, especially if the banging pipes are happening more and more often. The problem arises from the force behind the water hammer that causes things that are meant to stay in place to move. 

Pipes and wall supports are meant to be solid structures. Movement within them can cause damage and loosening of connections. If a household is experiencing particularly loud water hammer, the following problems can result from that repeated banging:

  • Pipe connections become loose
  • Pipe corrosion
  • Pipe breakage
  • Water leaks
  • Structural damage due to water
  • Electrical shock hazards from leaks
  • Mold and mildew

Fixing Water Hammer: What the Pros Do

plumberIf a homeowner has a concern about the pipes that go bump in the walls, they should enlist the help of a qualified professional. There are several steps that can be taken, but the work should be done by a plumber or plumbing technician. Here are a few of the changes that can be made to reduce the occurrence of water hammers:

  • Securing Pipes: If the pipes are properly secured, hydraulic shock will be less likely to cause loosening or damage.
  • Checking/Replacing Valves: If one particular faucet or appliance seems to be primarily responsible for the water hammer in the house, then a professional may check that valve for issues and replace it if necessary.
  • Air Chambers: These are capped extensions of water pipes near a valve that allow water to flow back into them, expending some of the energy and reducing the vibration on the pipes.
  • Water Hammer Arrestor: Like the air chambers, the water hammer arrestor also has an air-filled chamber into which water can flow. It improves upon the air chamber by adding a flexible membrane that helps slow the water down.

About West Plumbing LLC

The award-winning West Plumbing LLC has served the community of Chandler, AZ, and the greater Phoenix area since 2014. They offer flat rate pricing, financing, and always on-time service. Call them today for plumbing services in Chandler, AZ, and the surrounding areas. 

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The Benefits of Installing a Water Filtration System

Exciting Benefits of Water Filtration

Make this year the best year ever with help from a water filtration system installed inside the home. Homeowners with water filtration systems enjoy perks like better tasting, safer water, and the chance to save money.

More benefits of water filtration system installation include:

  • Helps the Environment: With Americans buying over 50 million bottles of water every year, the effects on the environment can be tremendous. A reverse osmosis system helps reduce the pollution and decay bottled water causes to the earth.
  • Saves Money: Bottled water is generally considered a safer alternative to water from the tap, but with a filtration system, homeowners can stop paying for water bottles. Buying bottled water is expensive and can be bad for the environment.
  • Fewer Toxic Chemicals: Most tap water contains 2,000+ toxic chemicals, only 66 of which are monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency. Water filtration systems help remove these harmful toxins.
  • Reduce Corrosion:  Hard water is problematic for families across Chandler. It’s rough on skin, dishes, and plumbing and can result in pipe corrosion. Install a water filtration system, and that worry subsides.

The Push for Safer, Better-Tasting Drinking Water

water Tap water often tastes bad because it’s infiltrated with so many toxins. People buy bottled water because they want better-tasting, safer water. An alternative is a water filtration system. Water tastes better because the system removes those harmful toxins and improves water quality.

Safer water comes along with its better taste. Those harmful toxins can cause numerous health-related issues, but those concerns disappear when a water filtration system is used inside the home. The most popular type of water filtration system is a reverse osmosis filter.

Lower Home Costs

saveThe average American spends $266 per year on bottled water. For one person. Water filtration system installations incur a one-time fee, a cost that can pay for itself during the very first year of usage for families. Great-tasting water at home eliminates the desire to buy bottled water.

Another way water filtration saves money is by eliminating heavy metals from the water. Heavy metals can corrode the pipes in the home’s plumbing system and damage water-using appliances. Homehomers looking for money-saving strategies can drastically cut costs after installing a water filtration system.

A Greener Home

Eliminating the need to buy plastic bottles not only saves money but is one of the best ways to reduce environmental pollution and dangers. The water bottling process releases 2.5 million tons of toxic chemicals into the environment and kills 1.1 million aquatic creatures yearly. 

Everyone who uses their home’s water rather than bottled water helps lessen the damage the environment sustains from plastic water bottles. It’s a simple and easy way to make a difference and help the environment and sea creatures.

About West Plumbing LLC

Named “Best of Home Advisor” for three years and counting, West Plumbing LLC serves Chandler, AZ, and the surrounding areas. They offer upfront pricing, financing, and clean and tidy service. Call them today for water filtration system installation in Chandler, AZ.

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Back To School Plumbing Basics: A Guide To Water Heaters

Everything A Homeowner Needs to Know About Their Water Heater

Something that often gets taken for granted until it’s gone is hot water. Water heaters are usually tucked away in the back of a utility closet, garage, or laundry room, so they are easy to ignore. However, just like every other appliance in the house, a water heater occasionally needs attention to work at its most efficient.

This is not something a homeowner should be expected to do alone; plumbing professionals are here to help. This article should help homeowners with a basic understanding of water heaters, the maintenance they need, and when it’s time to call in the pros.

Different Water Heaters

types of water heatersNot all water heaters are the same. Traditional storage tank water heaters can have different-sized tanks, holding anywhere from 20 to 80 gallons of water. Water heaters can have different fuels maintaining the water temperature, and the designs and how it heats the water may be completely different. Here are a few of the most common types of water heaters:

  • Electric Water Heater: The electric water heater is perhaps the most common. It has a storage tank heated by an element using electricity to create heat. The storage tanks may be different sizes depending on the household needs.
  • Gas Water Heater: A gas water heater uses a natural gas or propane flame from a burner to heat the storage tank. The storage tanks can also be of different sizes.
  • Heat Pump Water Heater: These incredibly efficient systems use the heat available in the air to heat the water in the storage tank. There is no heat source in these systems, and they are often part of a heating and cooling system for the entire house.
  • Tankless Water Heater: Also called an instant water heater and on-demand water heater. These systems heat water very quickly and do not have to maintain the water temperature in a large storage tank, making them very efficient. Though it is called tankless, there is usually a tank holding 1 to 5 gallons of water.

The Basics of Water Heater Maintenance

professional maintenanceThere are ways to keep a water heater running at its best and most efficient. Calling a professional for water heater maintenance is best because they have the knowledge and training to perform the tasks safely. This can prevent an emergency plumbing call later. Some of the tasks done by plumbers for water heater maintenance are:

  • Drain and Flush Water Heater
  • Inspect Anode Rod and Replace if Needed
  • Inspect and Tighten Pipe Connections
  • Inspect PRV (Pressure Release Valve)
  • Check For Leaks and Corrosion

Warning Signs That Indicate a Need for Water Heater Repair

Several signs can notify homeowners that their water heater needs professional attention. Perhaps an individual has kept up with their water heater maintenance, but the unit has started making banging or popping noises. Maybe the unit is more than fifteen years old, or rusty and smelly water comes from the tap when initially turned on. Perhaps the water just doesn’t seem as hot for as long.

All these things can be signs of a need for water heater replacement or repair. A homeowner should immediately call a professional to check out their water heater if they see any of these signs. The quicker a homeowner has a professional inspect the water heater after they notice signs, the less time is available for the problem to worsen.

About West Plumbing LLC

West Plumbing LLC has been a trusted plumbing company serving the residents of Chandler, AZ, and the surrounding areas since 2014. 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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