Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Tankless Water Heaters FAQ

Here are some common tankless water heaters questions:

Unlike traditional water heaters, tankless ones only heat water as demand, thereby supplying a continuous flow of a hot water.

Can it be installed in the same place as my old water heater?
Yes. They are compact and easy to install, and can be placed into a utility room, garage, basement or other room. They are mounted onto a wall to avoid taking up useful space.

Do they have lower operation costs?
Most have an Energy Factor of .82, while tank water heaters have a .65 EF. A higher EF is one reason why tankless ones cost much less to operate.

Do they work well with hard water?
It’s recommended hard water be softened or filtered, as lime scale can build up in lines with hard water.

Can they be installed in a mobile or manufactured home?
Unfortunately, most can’t and if they are, the warranty tends to be avoided.

Brainerd MN plumber Northern Air Plumbing & Heating can assist you with your plumbing needs. Contact them now by visiting www.NorthernAirPlumbing.com

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Plumbing FAQ

 Here are some of the more common questions we get about plumbing:

Can’t I just fix my leaky faucet or clogged drain?
Even though the issue might be seem like an easy fix, you may not know everything a plumber does. Plumbers are expert craftsmen at installing and repairing pipes and other plumbing fixtures. They can diagnose and solve all problems related to your water systems.

Isn’t it just better if I install a new sink, toilet or fixture?
There’s no doubt many homeowners are more than capable of handling these jobs. You can even receive instructions from some of the bigger chain stores. For the bigger projects, however, you should have it handled by a professional plumber. You don’t want to wind up stuck in the middle of a bathtub or shower installation.

What can I do about low water pressure?
The loss of pressure could be caused by several things: a malfunctioning shut-off valve, crimped water line or deposits in older pipes. If it’s just you and not your neighbors, it’s probably between the water meter and your house. A qualified plumber will be able to find the problem and inform you about your options.

How do I tell if my toilet is leaking?
Put a few drops of food coloring into the tank. Check the bowl in a few minutes, and if you see the color, then you have a leak.

What’s the best way to unclog my garbage disposal?
Be very careful when attempting to unjam the disposal. Insert into the bottom of the disposal an Allen wrench and crank it to free up the jam. If this doesn’t work, then call a professional plumber to figure out the problem.

Brainerd MN plumber Northern Air Plumbing & Heating can help you with all your plumbing needs. Get in contact with them today by visiting www.NorthernAirPlumbing.com