Tag Archive for: Tankless Water Heater

10 Things You Should Never Rinse Down Your Sink

10 Things You Should Never Rinse Down Your Sink

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  1. Fats, oils, and greases
  2. Coffee grounds
  3. Eggshells
  4. Fruit pits and seeds
  5. Meat scraps
  6. Dairy products
  7. Disposable diapers
  8. Cigarette butts
  9. Medications
  10. Petroleum products

So, when it comes to your kitchen sink, there are a few things you should never put down the drain. Grease, coffee grounds, and eggshells can all cause serious problems for your plumbing.

Grease may seem like it will wash down the drain, but it can solidify once it hits any cold water in your pipes. This can create a clog that will be very difficult to remove. Coffee grounds can also clog your drains, and eggshells can break up and cause blockages.

So what should you do with all of this waste instead? Grease can be thrown in the trash, coffee grounds can be composted, and eggshells can be added to your compost pile. Following these simple and careful tips, you can keep your drains clear and your plumbing in good working order.

Most people know that certain items, such as grease or food scraps, should not be put down the drain. However, there are other items that many people don’t realize can cause problems when disposed of in this way.

Meat Scraps

When cooking meat, it’s essential to dispose of the scraps properly. Putting them down the sink drain can cause problems in two ways. First, the fat from the meat can solidify and clog your pipes. Second, as the meat decomposes, it can attract pests like flies and rats.

Medication

10 Things You Should Never Rinse Down Your Sink

Never flush medication down the sink or toilet. This can contaminate the water supply and make it difficult for sewage treatment plants to do their job. Instead, dispose of medications safely, such as taking them to a drug take-back program.

Petroleum

Products like gasoline, kerosene and motor oil should never be put down the drain. They can contaminate the water supply and cause fires or explosions. Instead, dispose of them at a hazardous waste facility.

Cigarette Butts

Cigarette butts may seem small, but they can clog up your pipes. Additionally, the chemicals in cigarettes can pollute the water supply. If you’re a smoker, dispose of your cigarette butts in the trash, not the sink.

Following these simple tips can help keep your pipes clean and your water supply safe.

Four Red Flags for Plumbing Problems When Buying a Home

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Prospective home buyers have a lot of factors to consider before making the final decision to purchase a house. Ideally, the building offers move-in condition, allowing the new owner to take up residence a soon as possible. One important step to take before purchasing a home is to check the plumbing system to make sure that everything is in order. Four situations provide red flags that something is amiss and a professional inspection is needed.

Faulty Water Flow
If you turn on one of the faucets and the water flow is minimal, it is an indication that the plumbing system needs maintenance or repair. If the problem exists in more than one area of the home, it might be a serious issue that you should avoid by looking at different properties and giving up on the one that you are looking at currently.

Faulty Black Water Lines
One of the best ways to evaluate the plumbing system’s ability to remove black/grey water is to flush the toilet. Observe how easily the water goes down and take note of any seepage around the base of the toilet. You should also fill up one of the sinks and watch it drain. Be sure to walk around the perimeter of the basement as well as the outside of the home in search of wet spots.

No Hot Water
If you turn on the faucet that is supposed to deliver hot water and you don’t get any, it’s time to check all of the sinks, showers, and bathtubs in the house. If you can’t get any hot water at any of these locations, it is possible that the hot water heater is broken. You should request that repairs or replacement be handled and are made a contingency of any offer that you provide.

Leaks
Minor leaks can usually be repaired with the simple replacement of a washer. However, multiple leaks are indicative of a more serious issue, particularly if they create puddles or wet spots on the walls, floors, or ceilings.

If you are buying a home, it is important to check out the plumbing system to see if it is in good working order. Whether you try out the faucets and flush the toilet on your own or you bring in a professional plumber for a thorough inspection, an evaluation of the plumbing equipment should be a part of your decision-making process. If you aren’t in love with the property, continuing your search might be the wiser choice to make.

 

Hiring a Plumbing Company – 6 Essential Points to Consider Before an Emergency Strikes

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Plumbing is one of those unglamorous but essential services that everyone needs to call on from time to time. With luck, most your dealings with a plumber will be planned in advance, but it’s almost certain you’ll face an emergency at some point.

When you’ve got water gushing down your walls, you don’t want to be scrabbling for a good plumbing company to come to your rescue. It pays to do your research first, so that you have a number to call without delay. Here’s what to look for when finding a good plumbing company.

 

Availability

Does the company offer a 24-hour call-out service? Are there any charges for attending your home at unsocial hours? Will they guarantee to fix the problem on their first visit, or at least to make it safe and prevent further damage? In an emergency, you need help straight away, so make sure you know the answer to these questions in advance.

Experience and Qualifications

It’s vital to ask how long the plumbing company has been providing their services, and which qualifications the individual plumbers possess. Is the company as a whole regulated by any trade association or official body? These questions are particularly important if the work involves gas or electrical components, when safety is absolutely crucial.

Who’s Actually Doing the Work?

Is the person you speak to the one who will be carrying out the work, or will it be an employee or even a subcontractor? Any of these options can be perfectly acceptable. For your own peace of mind, however, you may want to first meet the person carrying out the work, especially if the job is inside your home.

Liability Cover

Is the company properly insured? If something goes wrong, you need to know that you won’t lose out financially, and so it’s essential they have a comprehensive liability insurance policy in place.

Warranty and Guarantees

It’s also a good idea to ask what will happen if you’re unhappy with the work for any other reason. What’s the procedure if you’re not satisfied with the job that’s been done? For how long will the parts they’ve used be under warranty, and will they replace them without a call-out charge if needed?

Prices and Payment

Although the exact prices will vary depending on the details of the work, you should ask the typical costs for a range of common jobs so you can get a rough idea of the expense involved. Also, is payment required upon completion or partly or fully in advance? Are installment terms available?

Plumbing work is often needed in an emergency situation when you have no time to waste. Asking these questions of a company in advance will ensure you can get quick and efficient assistance when you need it most.

Tankless Water Heater

Improvements and Innovations Making Choice to go with a Tankless Water Heater an Easy One

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With the Raleigh plumbing experts at Poole’s Plumbing specializing in installation, and manufacturers using the technology they are afforded for continuous innovations to the always economically sound Tankless Water Heater models, many of the question marks that consumers have had when deciding upon a new unit are slowly being erased.Tankless Water Heater

 

As discussed in a recent article published by Consumer Reports, despite the obvious upside in switching to a Tankless Water Heater, when the units were first introduced, did give customers a few reasons to debate whether or not to stick wit their conventional model water heater. However, as time has passed, many of the major producers of the Tankless Water Heater have worked to consistently improve the technology in the units, addressing the three main issues below over the course of the past seven years that make the switch to a Tankless Water Heater in many cases today a much less uncertain move.

Issue 1: Expensive and Complicated Installation Process

How it’s improved: Manufacturers have addressed the installation process issues by improving upon the design of the Tankless Water Heater and making the switch from tanked to tankless an easier process. For example, in the Noritz tankless models the input and output waterlines have been moved to the top of the unit, much like the tanked units, to make a much smoother transition on a change out. The addition of a flexible exhaust pipe and a proprietary adaptor also make connecting to ductwork far easier than the standard PVC piping.

Issue 2: Inconsistency in Temperature

How it’s improved: One of the initial worries with a Tankless Water Heater was what many refer to as the “Cold Water Sandwich,” or inconsistency in temperature. Manufacturers have for the most part completely rectified this issue, as in the case with Rinnai models, where a circulation pump has been added to guarantee that water comes out hot and stays that way for the duration of its usage. Some units have even evolved to include a buffer tank that stores a backup supply of hot water.

Issue 3: Need for Constant Maintenance

How it’s improved: A major issue many that chose the Tankless Water Heater seemed to run into initially was a need for constant maintenance to their model due to scale buildup. This could restrict water flow, decrease efficiency, and eventually damage the units. With major companies adding isolation valves to their models, the descaling process and routine maintenance has been made far easier.

Whether you need a new unit, or are just interested in the possibility of exploring whether a Tankless Water Heater is the right fit for you, the specialists at Poole’s Plumbing can bring you the knowledge and know how to help you make this decision.

Knowing When Your Water Heater Needs Replacement: An Interview with Poole’s Plumbing

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raleigh-plumber-interview By Kristen Bosse
Please describe a little bit about your company and the services you offer?
Poole’s Plumbing, Inc. is a fully licensed and insured residential and commercial Raleigh plumbing contracting company created in 1999 by Robert K. Poole. With two men, a truck, and a dream, Robert started this journey by doing new construction and renovation work. By 2007, Poole’s Plumbing had 60+ employees and plumbed approximately 1,300 new homes per year. Poole’s Plumbing, Inc. maintains a client portfolio that includes some of the largest national tract home building companies as well as some of the most well-respected custom home builders in the triangle area. We offer full-service turn-key new construction, remodeling, & repair services. The moral/ethical position of Poole’s Plumbing is to create an environment of Honesty and Integrity and to maintain a high level of service without compromising quality or craftsmanship. Our desired public image is “plumbing done right the first time” at the best possible cost.


What is your position at Poole’s Plumbing?Robert (Bob) K. Poole
Owner/President

Joseph Favara
Operations Manager

What are some eco-friendly services you offer?
Tankless Water Heaters, High Efficient Tank Type Water Heaters, Electric Heat Pump Hybrid Water Heaters, Low-Flow Faucets & Fixtures, Dual-Flush & High Efficient Toilets.

What are the dangers of hard water?
Hard water, unlike softened water, features a buildup of mineral content. This buildup usually consists of magnesium and calcium ions as well as a collection of other dissolved compounds. This high mineral count in hard water leads to a number of potential negative effects.

Film. Hard water affects the quality of your shower or bath. Hard water and soap can make removing body cleansers more difficult, leaving a film on your skin called soap curd. Soap curd is responsible for dull looking hair and can also cause irritation to your skin. Further, soap curd collects as a film on shower walls and along with your bathtub.

Washing Problems. Other problems can occur when washing dishes or clothing as a result of hard water. Hard water often makes clothes feel rougher and more irritable following a wash than they may normally due to the mineral density of the water. Hard water can also cause your clothes to wear out more quickly over repeated washes. These same minerals in hard water also leave a residue when washing dishes, making it more difficult to clean your plates, cups, and utensils in just one normal wash.

Efficiency and Limescale. Hard water can impact the efficiency of hot water heaters. There is a greater amount of sediment in hard water, and this can build up inside water heaters and make it more difficult for the device to heat the water. This causes a greater amount of energy usage, leading to higher energy bills over time. Additionally, other appliances that are used to heat water can become clogged with minerals that are found in abundance in hard water. This limescale buildup will also cause the devices in question to suffer from poor energy usage.

How do I know if it is time to receive maintenance on my water heater?
Performing maintenance on your water heater is highly unlikely to be on the top of your weekend to-do list, but proper maintenance at critical junctures in the life of your water heater can often save the headache of complete replacement- not to mention spare you the task of some serious water cleanup.

Signs your water heater is “under the weather”:

    • Water coming from the heater that appears rusty or brown is typically an indicator of impending water heater failure. Similarly, if the water smells unusual or “metallic” it is another giveaway that your water heater has seen better days. Check the water emerging from your water heater and determine whether its quality has been affected in the aforementioned ways. If you’re wary of tasting the water, a sniff test should suffice.
    • Sediment within your water heater’s water is another indicator your heater’s condition is rapidly deteriorating. This often occurs from mineral build up over time on the bottom of the heater’s tank.
    • Loud pops coming from your water heater are not normal. Also, be sure to monitor for any sounds that crop up that did not previously emanate from the device. Such sounds should be treated as anomalies and may be a symptom of the aforementioned mineral buildup. This buildup will usually lead to failure in the short-term.
    • A symptom of internal water heater failures is leaking water. If water begins noticeably leaking from your heater, disconnect the unit and consider immediate replacement. Do not hesitate to replace your heater in the event of leaking water, as any delay will likely lead not only to a cessation in its operation but also a serious mess that can impact other aspects of your home’s interior, causing associated repair costs to spiral upward.

What areas of my home should I look out for when it comes to plumbing issues?
Plumbing runs throughout the entirety of your home, and where there is plumbing, the potential for plumbing problems arises. The four main areas of the house that often encounter plumbing issues include the kitchen, bathroom, hot water heater and septic system. A licensed plumber provides professional service that can extend the life of your home’s plumbing system.

Kitchen: As one of the most used areas of the home, the kitchen plumbing sees a great deal of wear and tear every single day. This includes everything from leaky faucets to busted pipes. Appliances, such as dishwashers and ice-makers, can pose all kinds of threats that may not be noticed until water damage has already occurred. Keeping up with regular maintenance and repairs is critical to preventing such disasters. Always have a licensed plumber do renovation, remodel and repair work to ensure that the job is done right the first time.

Bathroom: As another commonly used room that is full of pipes and fixtures, plumbers often get called upon to service this area of the home. Clogged drains and toilets are among the more minor repairs. However, small problems can grow into larger ones posing a new set of problems, such as mold and mildew.

Hot Water Heaters: This metal tank cycles through a large amount of water each day and is rather prone to leaks due to corrosion over time. Six to eight years is the general lifespan before the unit begins to deteriorate or experience electrical problems. Even things as simple as the heating element or thermostat can wear out rather quickly. If extensive repairs are needed, consider installing a tankless or solar water heater as a replacement.

Septic System: This crucial but often overlooked component is responsible for carting waste products away from your home. Regular maintenance is essential, and a licensed plumber can inspect the system as needed. Repairs and remodeling projects serve as a perfect opportunity for your plumber to assess the overall function of your septic system.

Please describe a water softener and how it works.
Water softeners perform an “ion swap” procedure within the water in order to achieve softening. The harmful excess calcium and magnesium ions that create water hardness are swapped out with sodium ions, restoring the quality of the water. Sodium most often works for this purpose because sodium “plays nice” with soap and doesn’t react poorly when other elements are introduced. Generally, the amount of sodium that accumulates within your water as a result of this softening process is of no concern and lies far below the FDA’s “very low sodium” classification.

How Ion Swapping Works: A tank full of negatively charged polystyrene beads are bonded to the positively charged sodium ions. The sodium ions “swap” with the harmful magnesium and calcium ions as the water rushes by the beads. Eventually and after numerous cycles however, the sodium within the polystyrene beads is completely replaced by the calcium and magnesium, and the water softening unit can no longer perform its duties without a regeneration cycle. Salt is added back into the water softener to begin this cycle, and the beads are soaked in this solution of salt and water. The beads are regenerated with the proper levels of sodium and any excess solution flows out of the water softener through a drainpipe.

While most home water softeners utilize polystyrene beads, not all determine when it’s necessary to regenerate in the same way. Some water softeners utilize a mechanical water meter that begins the regeneration cycle only when the ratio of existing water to sodium requires activation. Other water softeners operate on a regular, timed schedule due to electric timers, and some instead simply use a computer that begins the regeneration cycle when it deems enough water use has transpired.

What are the advantages/disadvantages to tankless water heater systems?
Traditional water heaters consume large amounts of electricity or natural gas and can only supply enough hot water for two or three showers. Because of these issues, many energy conscious homeowners are making the switch to tankless water heaters to save money and avoid headaches.

    • Unlimited Hot Water: With a tankless water heater, you will enjoy an unlimited supply of hot water. Instead of heating dozens of gallons of water in a large tank and maintaining it at a certain temperature, a tankless water heater simply heats water as it passes through the heating elements. You’ll receive water at your desired temperature within seconds, and you could leave the hot water running for a whole week without running out.
    • Size: A water heater tank can fill up an entire closet by itself, which limits where it can be placed in the house. A tankless water heater is small by comparison, often measuring as tiny as two cubic feet. Because it doesn’t store water, it is lightweight and can easily be mounted to the wall. Even if you place it inside of a closet, you will still be able to use most of the closet for storage however it must be placed on an outside wall so that it can be properly vented to the outside.
    • Energy Savings: Tankless water heaters are incredibly energy efficient. Although they can use 15 to 30 kW of electricity, they actually end up using less energy than water heat tanks. Remember that tankless water heater only turns on when you need them, but water heater tanks can take hours to warm 50 gallons of water to the target temperature.

Manufacturing processes have improved over the past few years as tankless water heaters have become more popular, and they now cost little more than some traditional models. However, the energy savings will quickly make up for any extra installation costs. Depending on your family’s hot water usage, you will save 25 to 40 percent off of your hot water heating costs every year.

Disadvantages: The only disadvantage that we could see is that if you lose power, you will have no hot water. But then again you could invest in a whole house generator to solve that problem.
What’s the best way for people to get in contact with you?

There are many ways to contact us. You can simply call us at 919-661-6334 or use our contact form located at: https://www.poolesplumbing.com/contact-us

Tank Water Heater vs. Tankless Water Heater: Which is Right for Me?

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Tank water heater or Tankless Water Heater Learn which is right for your home.There are many questions that consumers are posed with when deciding on a water heater. Is a high efficiency gas storage tank for me? Or would the whole-home gas tankless water heater better serve me and my home? Depending on your current water heater situation, your skill level in maintaining your water heater, and in some cases just your own preference, many things can factor into your final decision making process. Anyway you choose to go however it is best to know the facts and the pros and cons of either type when making your final decision.

A very helpful spot to learn more about both the “tank water heater” and “tankless water heater” is the Energy Star website (www.energystar.gov) which details each very thoroughly. According to the site, one should give serious consideration to the whole-home gas tankless water heater model if you are in the process of building a new home or taking on a significant remodeling project at your home. In choosing the tankless water heater route, it is essential that you first be sure that there is a large enough gas line at your home (this would typically need to be a ¾” line) in addition to having enough space to install the proper venting.

Energy Star also suggests the tankless water heater model for those who are looking to replace their existing water heater before it actually breaks down or if you presently find yourself running out of hot water often. The tankless heaters would more than likely require that you be willing to either take on the responsibility of some additional maintenance tasks or be sure to schedule a regular check on the unit every few years, and while you will have to pay a bit more upfront when choosing to go this route, in the long run this type of  heater will reduce your heating bill by an estimated 30 percent. Another plus in “going “tankless” is that the water heater will have a longer lifetime than the other options available to you.


The high-efficiency gas storage water heaters or the “tank” heaters also are a viable option in many cases, especially for those looking for more routine installation and maintenance of their water heater, Energy Star recommends this type to consumers who are satisfied with the style of water heater that they currently have and for those not looking to make a major change. These are also ideal for those who currently have a “tank” heater that is no , longer functioning and needs to be replaced. Much like the “tankless” option, the gas storage heater can lower heating bills in the long run for those willing to pay a little more up front, as on average these models of heaters will reduce one’s water heating bills by around 7 percent.

For an in-depth look at estimated savings and other information that can help you to decide whether the “tankless water heater” or “tank water heater” is for you, a great resource is the aforementioned www.energystar.gov, under the section titled “products.”

 

What is a Tankless Water Heater?

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Here is a great source for learning about Tankless Water Heaters, and helping you decide if it’s really the right choice for your lifestyle and needs. Poole’s Plumbing is your Raleigh Rinnai Authorized Service Provider and Tankless Water Heater Specialist.

Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters
What is a Tankless Water Heater?

We offer a best price in town guarantee on water heaters. We are a certified Raleigh NC Plumber since 1999. But don’t just take our word for it. See what our customers have to say about the many types of plumbing services we provide. When you’re ready for questions or a free in-home proposal, just give one of our friendly and knowledgeable certified plumbing experts a call and Get Plumbing Done Right the First Time.

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Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters

Rinnai Authorized Service Provider

Raleigh Plumbing Best Price in Town Guarantee!

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Are you looking for a certified Raleigh plumber that’s honest and trust worthy? Poole’s Plumbing is one of the only plumbers in Raleigh that offers the Best Price in Town Guarantee. So if your water heater needs to be replaced or upgraded to a new efficient tankless water heater, don’t pay too much for plumbing services or repairs. Call Poole’s plumbing today and get the best price in town, Guaranteed! Don’t just take our word for it… check out what our customers have to say about our plumbing professionals and second to none services.