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Getting a New Water Heater Has its Benefits

Start the New Year With a New Water Heater 

Water heaters play a significant role in the home’s general operations. Without a working one, life can become more difficult for everyone. If a water heater is nearing the end of its life, needs frequent repairs, or shows signs of damage such as corrosion, it’s time to get a new one before a complete breakdown. However, getting a new water heater doesn’t have to be negative. Installing a new water heater has many benefits, three of which will be discussed in this blog. 

Saving Money on Energy Bills 

As water heaters age, they lose efficiency, meaning they have to work harder and use more energy to do the same job. This loss of efficiency leads to increased energy bills. To save money and improve efficiency in the new year, homeowners should consider getting a new water heater. 

EnergyStar produces a wide range of water heaters to meet homeowners’ needs. And, thanks to the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, homeowners can save even more money by installing a new water heater with tax credits and rebates when it meets the energy efficiency requirements.  

Better Hot Water Recovery Rate

waterNobody wants to get in the shower only to have the water get cold in seconds or not get cold at all. Instead, everyone wants a water heater with an excellent hot water recovery rate, meaning it can heat water quickly after the hot water has been used up, so nobody gets stuck taking cold showers.

New water heaters tend to have much better recovery rates than older models. Families can get more hot water faster and without interruptions by replacing an old, inefficient water heater with a new one that has a good hot water recovery rate. Water heaters can come with different recovery rates, and homeowners should consider these factors when deciding on the recovery rate that will work best for a home:

  • The home’s size 
  • How many appliances require hot water 
  • How many people live in the house 

More Space for Storage

heaterSome modern water heaters are designed to be more efficient and take up less space than traditional tank-style models, specifically tankless water heaters. Tankless water heaters are ideal for those looking to maximize their storage space as they're much smaller units that can easily be mounted on a wall. This allows homeowners to free up room in the garage, basement, or closet, making it much easier to store other items that might not have fit before. 

Tankless water heaters are also great because they provide an on-demand hot water supply instead of keeping a tank of water hot like other water heaters. This can help homeowners save significantly on energy costs compared to traditional storage tank water heaters. Not only do tankless water heaters help save money and space, but they also provide convenience and lasting durability that households can rely on.  With so many benefits, it's no surprise tankless water heaters are becoming an increasingly popular choice among homeowners.

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 provide upfront pricing, financing, and emergency plumbing services. Call them today for water heater services in Chandler, AZ.

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Easy Ways to Find a Good Plumber Over the Holidays

Three Traits of Reliable Plumbing Companies 

Whether for repairing a leaky faucet or helping install a new sink, choosing the right plumber is paramount. But with so many companies offering similar services, how do homeowners know which one to choose? Evaluating the qualities of each prospective plumbing service is vital in finding one that will put their mind at ease. Here are three key traits any dependable plumbing company should possess that can help homeowners looking for a reliable and trustworthy plumbing company.

Positive Reviews Online

reviewsThe first thing people should do when they are looking for a plumber during the holidays is to mount an internet search. Most highly-rated companies proudly display reviews from their customers on their websites. Homeowners can also find reviews for plumbing companies on websites like Google, Angi, and Facebook. Reading online reviews is a great way to get a feel for what is important to know about the company from its customers’ perspectives. 

Even bad reviews can provide helpful information about the responsiveness of the company. Not all reviews will be positive, but a reliable plumbing company will have mostly positive reviews. Look for words like “professional” and “prompt” to find attentive companies that value customer service. 

Properly Licensed and Insured 

Once a person has narrowed down the plumbers they might call by finding a handful with good reviews, it’s time to start making phone calls or looking at the plumbing company’s website. Potential customers should know if a company is properly licensed and insured. 

Licensed and insured plumbers are the only ones that homeowners should select. These two things go hand in hand to prove that a plumbing company’s technicians have the knowledge and experience to pass licensing tests and protection for their workers and customers to keep them safe with insurance in case something goes wrong. The easiest way to determine a company’s status with licensing and insurance is to check its website or give them a call. 

Comprehensive Maintenance 

maintenanceAn essential part of keeping the plumbing in tip-top shape is to have it routinely maintained by a qualified professional, so it’s important to hire plumbing companies that offer maintenance services. Plumbing maintenance helps ensure that the plumbing system in a home or business is working correctly and safely. It includes various services, from inspecting pipes and drains to flushing the water heater tank, removing scale buildup, and checking for potential leakages. 

Regular maintenance can help prevent costly repairs down the road by catching minor issues before they become bigger problems. It can also help extend the life of a plumbing system by ensuring everything is running smoothly and efficiently. It can even help reduce utility bills. So by reducing the number of repairs, the frequency of replacements, and lowering energy bills, regularly maintaining the plumbing can save homeowners a lot of money. 

About West Plumbing LLC

The team at West Plumbing LLC was named on the Best of HomeAdvisor list three years in a row for their customer service, serving Chandler, AZ, and the surrounding areas. They provide flat-rate pricing and financing and are fully licensed and insured. Call them today for plumbing services in Chandler, AZ.

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Don't Let Preventable Plumbing Problems Ruin Thanksgiving!

Prepare the Plumbing For Extra People Before the Holidays

When the Thanksgiving feast is prepared, and the family sits around the table, it can be a wonderfully pleasant time of togetherness. The aftermath, however, may not be so pleasant. Having extra people in the house who need to use the toilet can strain a household’s plumbing system. 

If the toilet and the kitchen sink are properly cared for, there is less likelihood of an embarrassing plumbing debacle. This article will cover some preventative measures that can be done by the homeowner, but also when it may be time to get professional assistance.

The Horror of a Preventable Clogged Toilet

toiletClogged toilets may be one of the most common and disgusting plumbing issues. It can be embarrassing for guests to admit something is wrong and embarrassing for homeowners whose toilets aren’t working. Though nothing is foolproof, here are several ways to help prevent a clogged toilet.

  • Consider installing a water flow limiting device on the toilet, such as a flapper valve or dual flush mechanism, to help reduce the amount of excess water flowing into the bowl and eventually down the drain.
  • Try to use less toilet paper or flush more than once to break up the amount of toilet paper that goes down the toilet at once. 
  • Avoid flushing items not intended for disposal in a toilet, such as paper towels, feminine hygiene products, diapers, and wipes.

Blockage in the Sewer Lines

sewer lineClogs can form further in the sewer line due to various causes, including tree roots intruding on pipes, broken or collapsed pipes, and debris buildup caused by improper disposal of items such as cooking grease. These clogs can cause massive wastewater backups in homes and businesses that have overwhelmed their local wastewater systems. The negative effects are many – from sewage overflows damaging property and posing health risks to increased costs related to repairs or replacement of damaged lines. 

Prevention is the best way to avoid these extreme clogs. Here are some tips: avoid flushing items that don't belong down the toilet (such as diapers or dental floss); make sure kitchen grease is disposed of properly (not down drains); schedule regular cleaning of the sewer line by a plumber, and avoid tree roots or other obstructions near the plumbing. These steps can help keep sewer line clogs from happening and prevent costly repairs.

Thankfully There’s Plumbing Maintenance To Help Prepare

Regular drain cleaning and maintenance help keep plumbing systems in optimal condition, preventing various issues, such as clogged pipes, unpleasant odors, and even water damage. Professional drain cleaning is an essential part of preventative maintenance that can help maintain the longevity and efficiency of a plumbing system. By having a professional clean and unclog drains regularly, homeowners can protect against major plumbing problems that could cost them time and money down the road. 

Professional plumbers have access to specialized tools like hydro jetting machines that are designed to effectively remove debris from inside pipes without damaging them. Plumbers can also detect any underlying issues in the drainage system during maintenance before they cause more severe problems. Additionally, if there is an issue with the sewer line, a professional can locate the problem and diagnose it correctly so that repairs can be made quickly. This means homeowners avoid costly damage from backed-up water or flooding in their homes due to an undetected issue.

About West Plumbing LLC

West Plumbing LLC is a reliable and friendly neighborhood plumbing company serving Chandler, AZ, and the surrounding areas since 2014. They provide flat-rate pricing, financing, and emergency plumbing services. Call them today for plumbing and drain cleaning services in Chandler, AZ.

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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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