But too many times amateur plumbers misdiagnose the situation, which leads to time and money down the drain. Trial and error just won’t cut it when it comes to your plumbing problems. Experience matters and with Sunshine Plumbing, you can see the difference.
Often times, a shower stream will be weak when water pressure is being shared by the filling of a toilet tank, a running washing machine or dishwasher, or a cycling lawn irrigation system. If water pressure is good throughout the home, the showerhead may be clogged from hard water deposits. To clean a clogged showerhead, pour one cup of vinegar in a plastic bag and attach it to the showerhead with a twist-tie. Soak overnight and then gently scrub it clean with a soft brush.
Constant clogging of the toilet can indicate an obstruction in the main sewer line or in the toilet trap. Check to see if the bathroom sink runs normal or slow. If it runs normal, the clog is most likely in the toilet trap. If the sink runs slow, the clog is most likely in the main sewer line. If a plunger does not free the obstruction from the toilet trap, call a professional plumber for assistance.
When determining whether it is more cost efficient to repair or replace home fixtures and appliances, here are some important factors to consider:
While many repairs can be made on HVAC systems that will keep them operational for years to come, a crack to a boiler section leads to the replacement of the entire unit.
The average water heater can last for more than a decade, and nearly all components on a water heater can be repaired. The tank, however, is the only exception. Once the tank rusts, the water heater must be replaced. Make sure to check its manufacturer’s warranty and care guide for suggested maintenance. If yearly maintenance is followed, a water heater should last for ten years. Most manufacturers suggest flushing or draining the tank to avoid sediment build up which might cause the tank to rust if not properly maintained.
In Florida, many homeowners and building owners encounter leaks in their slabs. These leaks are typically due to copper pipes failing. Our coastal environment, sulfurs in our soil and hard water limit the life of the copper. This decay may cause tiny pinholes which eventually larger and develop into leaks under the slab. Our plumbers can locate and repair these leaks, however, once you have had a few, it becomes cost prohibitive to keep repairing and a re-pipe of the hot and cold water pipes may be advantageous.
Many new home builders and communities are moving to more efficient gas tankless heaters. Gas tankless heaters are great in that as long as you have gas, you will not run out of hot water. Large families really enjoy this feature. Tankless Gas heaters are also more efficient because the Homeowner is not paying for electric to keep a water heater hot all of the time. But a common misconception is that they are instant hot water. They are not. The hot water is generated on demand. It takes approx. 4 gallons of flowing water for the tankless heating elements to fire. The hot water will need to move through the water lines from the tankless heater to the fixture. Energy efficient low flow faucets are also more common today so this may extend the wait time for hot water as well. In larger homes, consider the placement of your heater to the fixtures it services. So remember tankless heaters are on demand not instant. Good news is, for the discriminant Homeowner, an upgraded type of tankless heater is available that keeps recirculating hot water in your pipes at all times or metered by a timer. Contact our office for more information.
