What Plumbers May Not Want You To Know

There is nothing more distracting than a dripping faucet. It is bothersome, and it needs to be fixed and fixed soon. If you own a home, the thought of calling a plumber can be dreadful. Plumbing costs are a regular expense and are often a very costly one. We expect ordinary wear and tear on the property0 as part of the cost of home maintenance. Normal homeowner expenses include things like fixtures and fittings. When a plumbing problem strikes, though, it becomes essential to get it solved as quickly as possible. This often means we just grab the phone book and call the first plumber we can find.

You can save yourself some trouble and some money by doing a little research beforehand. Many minor plumbing problems are avoidable with some regular work and easily gained know-how. This is a much better choice than spending money unexpectedly on big problems. If you doubt that plumbing costs can be expensive, consider the following. Five times more claims are made on home insurance policies for water-related damage than damages related to fire, vandalism, or theft! Here are some tips to reduce the amount you’ll be spending on plumbing services.

1. Buy your own plumbing fixtures. 

You will at some point have to get new plumbing equipment. This should be seen as a chance to reduce spending in at least two ways. First, you can buy water-saving gear for bath and kitchen usage. This helps you reduce your water usage. This is, of course, an environmental good but will also cut down on your water bills. It’s nice to do good and save money each month! The other reason for buying your own fixtures is so that you don’t pay the plumber’s markup price. If you need to have a plumber at your house for an estimate, you can ask what materials are needed. Then you can go purchase them yourself. If you do this, though, don’t go cheap. Quality is important. You don’t want to keep replacing the same thing over and over. That costs more than what you originally saved.

2. Learn to fix small things yourself.

Don’t be afraid of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) work.   There are many minor plumbing issues you can easily fix yourself for a very low cost. It’s valuable to know how to fix something. This is true even if you don’t feel comfortable with doing the actual repair. For example, a leaky faucet is very common. Plumbers can make a lot of money charging for this service. With the right know-how, this can be fixed in a very short amount of time. The same thing is true for blocked drains. You can learn these skills by watching videos on the Internet or in other places. 

3. Get it in writing!

While this point seems obvious, it can’t be overlooked. It’s easy to accept a quote in a phone or in-person conversation. The real eye-popper comes when the job is done, and the bill is due. Your plumber may insist that unexpected difficulty leads to a higher cost and that the estimate is just an estimate. Beforehand, ask the plumber what the hourly rate is and log the time they spend working. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have doubts about what you’re being charged for.

4. Knowledge is power

So you don’t want to go down the DIY path. The next best thing is knowing what to do. Knowledge gives you an advantage. Suppose you understand the basics of how the plumbing in your house works; handling a plumber becomes much easier. Having some know-how also makes choosing a plumber somewhat less of a guessing game. Finding guides to basic plumbing principles online is easy. Knowing these principles is useful for understanding the options a plumber is presenting to you. Or recognizing a good plumber from a bad one. Armed with knowledge, you are much less vulnerable to crooked plumbers if you have a home plumbing emergency.

5. Calling in the pros

You now realize you either don’t want to or can’t do it yourself. It’s now time to call in the professional. Where do you start? First, ask your friends, family, and neighbors if they know anyone good. In most major metropolitan areas, you can find a wide array of plumbers and companies that provide Fayetteville plumbing services. You want someone experienced who can tackle your particular job. Avoid going with someone just because they are cheap. There is nothing that costs more over the long run than a bad plumbing job. Be willing to pay for the experience. 

6. Save time, save money

You’ve made the call, and help is on the way. While you are waiting, make sure your house is ready to be serviced. Most plumbers charge an hourly rate, and any interruptions to work are costs for you. Are your pipes easily accessible? Move furniture, boxes, or other things out of the way. If the sink is to be worked on, move everything from under the sink. Basement work? Move the couch, boxes, or other obstacles beforehand. Don’t pay to set up the plumber’s workspace. Also, remember to make sure all lighting works. Ensure that entering and exiting the basement is no problem.

Furnace Repair In Focus

Occasionally, when furnaces break down, the repair costs can be extortionate. In this situation, people might think that it is more sensible to purchase a new model simply. The right approach depends on several things — and this includes the customer.

Let us assess the variables you should take into account when it is time to make a choice.

If the furnace repair costs get near to $1000, it is wise to research the prices of new units. Also, you should think about the frequency of repairs — if you have paid for numerous repairs over the last couple of years, it might be too expensive.

You could have a brand new furnace fitted for $3000 or more. If you time things correctly, you might even be able to get a rebate. (We can not provide exact prices for furnaces here, because they vary significantly based on the features and model).

Request a consultation about a new furnace, then get several quotes for models that suit your property. Research what the monthly fees and interest will be for financing options too.

By doing this, you can compare the different prices and decide what suits you best.

The age of the Furnace

If your furnace is more than a decade old, think about getting a new one instead of getting a heating repar. Normally, furnaces last a minimum of fifteen years and they could go for last longer, particularly with frequent maintenance. However, like many machines, furnaces might develop problems over time.

To discover the age of your furnace, simply read the label on its’ front. Typically, installers write the date of installation on this. If not, locate the serial number and model from your appliance documents and contact the manufacturer. In the event that you have lost the original documents, it can be located on a label inside the door of the main cabinet. Request that your technician writes this down when he opens the cabinet. (Please note: It can be hazardous to open a furnace if you are unsure of what to do, so do not do this alone).

The technology used in furnaces has advanced considerably over the past ten to fifteen years. This has resulted in far more efficient systems being offered for sale. We will discuss this shortly.

If you have a newer furnace, it might be covered by its’ warranty still. Read your information package and manual to check.

Staying Safe

Furnaces are fuel-burning appliances, so certain byproducts are naturally produced from them that are hazardous, and should be vented outdoors. CO, or Carbon monoxide, is the most dangerous of these byproducts. It is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you.

Sometimes, a furnace problem (for instance, a heat exchanger that is cracked) means that gasses such as carbon monoxide can enter your property. If you are alerted to such a problem by your technician, it is certainly time to buy a new furnace. A furnace crack will enlarge while the heat exchanger produces heat. It is extremely costly to replace heat exchangers, so you might as well purchase another furnace.

(While we’re on the subject, we trust that you have installed a carbon monoxide alarm in your property — these alarms are affordable and could save your life. In some states, you are legally required to install these).

Monthly gas Charges and Efficiency

One thing that many people overlook when their furnace is old is fuel efficiency. Your outdated system could be burning a hole in your bank account. Modern furnaces tend to be about twenty-five percent better than old fashioned models, in terms of efficiency.

To find out about this, compare the yearly fuel usage efficiency (AFUE) figures for the new furnace and the old one. If it was made in the eighties, a furnace might be seventy or eighty percent AFUE, whereas modern furnaces are legally required to be at least ninety percent AFUE.

If your old fashioned furnace is seventy percent and the model you want to buy is ninety-five percent, you would end up with twenty-five percent more efficiency. Once you have this data, you can read through your previous energy bills and calculate what savings you should make.

Bear in mind, AFUE ratings reflect a furnace’s potential. If your furnace is not maintained properly, it might become less efficient, particularly if it is an older model.

Hard to Heat Rooms

Certain properties have whole floors or rooms that cannot be heated properly. There might be a number of reasons for this, such as poor insulation, a wrong sized furnace, or badly designed ductwork. Certain furnaces simply aren’t good at maintaining a steady temperature, when they only have one gas burner and/or blower motor speed.

Although it costs money to get another furnace, it also gives you the chance to make your living space more comfortable. Gather all the necessary data and calculate the associated costs.

Levels of Noise

Some older or cheaper furnaces do not have the noise reduction features of modern models. From cabinet sound insulation to the design of the motor, there’s much you can do to keep your furnace quiet.

What level of noise does your furnace make? There’s plenty of smartphone apps you can use to find out. Contrast that to the level of noise specified for the new furnaces you might be interested in. If the leaflet does not provide the noise level in decibels, find out the correct reading from your heating consultant.

We do all phases of Residential and Commercial Plumbing and Heating.

* Bathroom Remodeling – Plumbing
* Bathroom Modification For Disabled
* Boilers – New Installations And Replacements – Natural Gas And Oil Fired
* Boiler Repair 
* Relief Valves
* Coils
* Circulators
* Expansion Tanks
* Wiring
* Oil Lines, Tanks & Filters
* Zone Valves
* Fill Valves
* Baseboard Heating Systems Installed And Repaired
* Ejector Pumps & Sump Pumps Supplied And Installed
* Floor Drains Installed
* Frozen Pipes Repaired
* Gas Lines – All Phases Installed And Pressure Tested
* Hose Bibs
* Hot Tub And Spa Installation
* Kick Heaters Installed
* Kitchen Remodeling – Plumbing
* New Construction – Plumbing
* Pex Pipe Certified
* Slab Leaks Detected And Repaired
* Waste Piping
* Water Filters, Water Softeners & Water Pressure Problems

Kitchen Appliance and Fixture Installation For: 

* Dishwashers
* Faucets
* Garbage Disposals
* Ice Maker Lines
* Pot Fillers
* Refrigerator Water Lines
* Sinks

Gas Appliance Hook Up For:

* Barbeques
* Fireplaces
* Pool Heaters
* Space Heaters
* Stoves

Bathroom Fixtures Repaired and Replaced:

* Bidet’s
* Faucets
* Showers
* Sinks
* Toilets
* Tubs
* Urinals

Water Heaters Installed :

* Electric
* Indirect
* LP Gas
* Natural Gas 
* Oil Fired
* Tankless
* Water Storage Tanks

How To Choose An Air Conditioning System

Most air conditioning systems aren’t designed to last for longer than ten years, even though a central air system is one of the most expensive home purchases most of us make. And most homeowners ask a lot from their air conditioner, expecting it to function correctly at all times, coping effectively in summer while lowering the humidity level, and remaining energy efficient.

However, you may suspect it’s time to replace your air conditioning system especially if it just isn’t keeping your home cool during the summer, even though you are maintaining it regularly and generally keeping it in good condition. It may be time to replace your air conditioner if any of the following apply:

How Old Is Your System?

It may be time to replace your central air conditioning system instead of repairing it if it’s not working as it should, and it’s at least ten years old, as most systems last between 10 and 15 years. And your air conditioner just may not be working as efficiently as it could if you are paying over the average in utility costs for your area. As a general rule, cooling and heating prices are about 44 percent of a homeowner’s utility costs.

New environmental protection regulations have meant that R22, a refrigerant commonly used in many older air conditioners, is being phased out. Because of this, it can be expensive to replace this refrigerant in an older system, making it more practical and affordable to restore the system. Newer systems emit less potentially harmful carbon and are generally designed to be more environmentally friendly and more energy efficient than most older models. You can expect your home’s resale value to increase if you install a modern and more efficient air conditioner, and the air quality inside your home will be a lot healthier too.

Dust and Noise

You may have leaks in your ductwork if you notice dust present in your home, even after you’ve given everything a thorough dusting. Your system won’t operate as efficiently if it has leaked, and that means it will cost you more to run it. Your ductwork may not be large enough to cope with the size of your home if you notice your system is extremely noisy. A problem with the unit’s indoor coil can also mean your system seems louder than it should be.

Higher Energy Bills

Your air conditioning system may not be as efficient as it was if your energy bills are higher, despite the fact you’re using the system the same way as always. If you have to spend a lot more money on repairs or call out the technician more than you used to, it may be time to replace the system.

Inconsistencies With Cooling and Humidity

You can expect to enjoy a constant temperature throughout your home when your system is working as it should, as one of its jobs is to remove any excess humidity from the air. You may have a problem with your ductwork, or your system is malfunctioning somehow if the cooling part of your system isn’t cooling as well as it should do. Many homeowners reach a point when it’s just more cost effective in the long run to replace their air conditioning system, rather than always have to pay for repairs.

However, many homeowners are understandably reluctant to replace their old air conditioning unit, although the signs indicated above should tell you it’s perhaps time to do just that. You should look upon it as a positive move and one that will save you money over the next ten years or so, even though it is a substantial initial investment. It may not be too long before you recoup much of that investment, through lower energy bills and not having to pay for repairs as often. And don’t forget, the value of your home will increase if you install a new system.