Unfortunately for most of our customers, when they need a plumber they need a plumber stat! A toilet might be overflowing, drains clogged and causing a mess, or a leaking water heater. All of these are problems you want to act on quick, and are worth knowing their potential causes. The sooner you recognize the problem, the sooner it can be fixed, the less damage and cost falls to you!

To that end, this time on the Economy Plumbing Services blog, we are looking at what to do in the case of a leaking water heater, how to diagnose the source of the leak and more in this double sized entry!

Handling a Leaking Water Heater

WARNING: Believe it or not, water heaters get water HOT! Most heaters at factory settings heat water to around 125 degrees. That’s hot enough to cause first degree burns, some heaters run hotter and even indirect contact can burn. Be safe here!

Step One – Find the Source

There are a few possible reasons for water to be spotted pooling under a water heater. It could be a leak, yes, or it could just be condensation from pipes, nearby appliances, and the like. If you have a basement or the weather is particularly damp this might be the cause.

It could also be from water softener or furnace drain lines, or other sections of your plumbing could be leaking instead of the water heater. Here’s how to find the source!

1. Dry the area completely and then inspect the plumbing and water heater fittings. Wherever the pipes and appliances join, look for water beading.
2. If no water is spotted, look at possible nearby sources. Look above to where it may drip from. If there is still no obvious source, lay down some towels and check every so often for any additional leaks.
3. If they don’t appear – hey! There’s nothing to be worried about!
4. If water does reappear, and there isn’t any other obvious source, it very well could be the water heater.

Step Two – Turn Off the Power

Now that you know the water heater is the likely culprit, you need to turn the power OFF!

Electricity and water are a rough mix. If you have an electric water heater go to your circuit breaker box and look for the breaker for your water heater (if these aren’t labelled, make a note and take care of those when this is settled!)

Is your water heater running off natural gas? Look for a dial or switch on the tank itself, often near the bottom. Be sure it is set to OFF.

Step Three – Turn Off the Water

Most water heaters have a valve right at the top that supplies the cold water to the tank. Turn that off. Sometimes it’s necessary to shut off the water to the house but if you are still unsure of the leak location that can make it hard to diagnose.

Step Four – Where’s the Leak?!

Looking over your water heater with a closer eye for detail can help you identify the problem before calling in a professional, ensuring that they know as much as they can going into it.

Common Places for Leaks

-Cold Water Inlet/Hot Water Outlet

The water inlet/outlet connections take the cold water to the tank to get heated before it is sent out to the feature needing hot water. These should be on the top of the water heater and if the leak is coming from these connections it might be as simple a fix as getting a pipe wrench and tightening a few connections. Not too bad!

-Drain Valve

At the bottom of the tank is something called the drain valve, bet you can guess what this one does! Check to see if the valve is closed completely. Check where the valve connects, there shouldn’t be any moisture. If the drain valve has a leak it can be fixed, it isn’t too serious.

-Temp/Pressure Relief Valve

Also located on the top (or side) of the tank is the temperature and pressure release valve and pipe. This safety device helps ensure that the water in the tank doesn’t get too hot and that the pressure being built up inside is not to the point of bursting. This lets water out of the tank, relieving pressure and bringing the temp down.  If the valve is closed and water is still flowing through the pipe then the valve is defective and in need of replacing. If the valve is open and the water coming then it’s a good bet the leak is fixable. Call a professional!

-Internal Tank

Now, here’s where it gets tricky. The internal tank of a hot water heater is completely enclosed in insulation and the outer shell. A leak inside the internal tank won’t be visible from the outside and the water will leak through the bottom. It is not an uncommon thing for the internal tank to start leaking. With age comes use, with use comes deterioration – when comes to fixing the internal tank the only real fix is to replace the entire unit.

Repair Yourself or Hire a Professional?

Now, with this information you have the know how to figure out where and what the malfunction might be. For some of these the fixes might well be within your own capabilities! Like we said with the inlet and outlets, simply tightening the fittings might be all that’s needed to settle the problem. For others, like the internal tank, replacing the whole unit is the only option or a fix. Be honest with your own abilities and ask “Is this something I can handle or will it just end up costing more?”

Ready to call in the professionals? Give Economy Plumbing Services a call for prompt, dependable plumbing service. Our professionals can have your problem sorted out before you know it, whether it’s repairing or replacing a leaky water heater, repiping a home or anything else you may need.

REMEMBER, IF WATER GOES THROUGH IT OR TO IT – WE DO IT! CALL 520 -214-2149!

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Alright so we might have made up the term “plumbing herpetology” but it was too good to pass up. The plumbing snake is one of our key tools here at Economy Plumbing Services and it’s often the first thing people go to when they’re having clogged line troubles. “Can you snake it?” Might just be one of your most common questions. This time on the blog we want to tell you all about the plumbing snake, when we use it and when we’re best off going with something else. Knowing is, after all, half the battle!

The Plumber’s Snake, or Plumbing Snake

It has a few names, the plumber’s snake, plumbing snake, or drain snake, but they all refer to the same thing: a long, flexible drill-like device called an auger. The long and short of it is this, the snake is inserted into a drain line to handle serious clogs that just won’t budge with a plunger.

There are a few different varieties of snakes including hand augers, closet augers, or the suped-up drum auger. 

Hand auger

The hand auger style of plumbing snake is mostly useful when it comes to clearing sink and bathtub drains. It isn’t suitable for toilets because of it’s narrow size and the potential for damaging the porcelain. For those, you’d want a toilet auger.

Toilet auger

The toilet auger (also known as a closet auger ((as in water closet))) feeds a relatively shorter auger through a hook-shaped length of metal tubing. It has a hook shape that makes it easier to maneuver into a toilet and has a plastic boot to it that will protect the porcelain. Since most toilet clogs occur in the trap built into the toilet itself, the short cable is usually enough to break up and remove the clog.

Drum augers

This heavy duty option is motorized and outfitted with blades, designed for all sorts of pipes. These are powerful enough to clear through tree roots that may have grown into the line and blocked off the flow. They can also just as easily damage or destroy plastic pipework like nobodies business, they are best left to professionals.

All of these work on the same principle so let’s get to that.

How the Snake Works

Every snake is made up of a length of wire that has a helix shaped component at the end. This helix has varying space in the coil, so that it can grab ahold and firmly lodge itself into whatever obstruction it finds. Essentially, a plumber will insert the snake (or auger) into the pipe or drain pushing it until the end of the snake comes into contact with the blockage. The snake is then manipulated and pressure applied to either break or clear the obstruction. Here’s the process step by step.

1. Push the end of the snake into the drain opening and turn the handle on the drum that contains the coiled-up snake, pushing until you feel resistance.
2. You may have to apply pressure, when cranking the handle to get it to bend around the tight curve in the trap under the sink for instance. After turning the curve, the snake usually slides through easily until you hit the clog.
3. Rotate the snake against the blockage until you feel it feed freely into the pipe.
4. The rotating action enables the tip of the snake to attach to the clog and spin it away or chop it up. If the clog is a solid object, the auger head entangles the object. If you don’t feel the auger breaking through and twisting getting easier, pull the auger out of the drain — you’ll likely pull the clog out with it.
5. Run water full force for a few minutes to be sure that the drain is unclogged and clear of obstructions.

Sometimes, the clog flushes right down the drain no fuss at all. Others we’ll bring the snake out and with it the prize.

There you have it! Everything you need to know about a plumbing snake and when we use it. Want to know how you can clear a clog without having to call in an expert and their snake? We got you covered with this blog on just that. If you’re having any sort of plumbing problem, any at all, don’t hesitate to reach out! After all…

If water goes through it or to it, we do it!

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Water heaters are a crucial part of the home plumbing system that many folks might not think about.  Water heaters, as you may have guessed, are the appliance responsible for heating up your water for your baths, showers, fixtures, and other appliances. That’s right, the water heater is tied into so many other critical systems in your home that you rely on it every day. And everyday use is bound to build up some heavy wear and tear. That’s why giving your water heater the proper maintenance it needs is crucial! This time on the Economy Plumbing Service blog, tuning up your water heater!

Water Heater Maintenance and You

Real quick, let’s go over the four main types of water heaters. They can roughly be broken down into four categories: tank, tankless, hybrid, and point-of-use water heaters. The most common are tank and tankless, while hybrid heaters are build for energy efficiency. Point-of-use heaters are a perfect solution for fixtures or appliances that are a distance away from the main heater itself, supplying hot water, faster. Regardless of which of the four kinds of water heaters you have, good maintenance is essential

Why Regular Water Heater Maintenance is Important 

Regular maintenance is important for just about everything, from cars to computers so it should come as no surprise that even plumbing systems need regular looking after. Maintenance will increase the lifespan of your water heater, ensuring its long use and efficient performance for as long as possible. Not only that, but regular maintenance will also save you money on your utility bills! Nice!

Here’s what to look out for!

Increased Sediment Reduces Efficiency

Sediment is any natural material that ends up sitting at the bottom of a liquid. That’s the dictionary definition at least, for us that means any of the dirt or material that ends up building at the bottom of your tank. Sediment can be anything from dust, dirt, calcium, and other metals found in the water. This the worst enemy of your hot water heater tank. Sediment can cause all of the following: 

• Corrosion
• Decreased efficiency
• Decreased water volume
• Shorter life

Sediment shortens the lifespan of your water heater, making it work harder for less and burning itself out. Sediment builds up naturally, that part is totally normal but over time it will get to a point where it will severely damage your system. 

In a gas water heater, sediment can create hot spots that will cause damage. In an electric water heater, these minerals can cause the heating element to fail. Flushing and maintaining your water heater regularly will help.

Regularly flushing your hot water heater will get rid of any sediments that built up over time. The flush will empty out the tank of the current sediment build up, putting it in the perfect place to keep working as it should for another year or so. Flushing your water heater will save you money and help your system heat the water faster! It also allows your hot water heater to maintain full volume. 

Tips for Flushing Out Your Water Heater

You can flush out your water heater without the help of a professional, if you know where all the water valves are and have access to a drain. Once you know how it’s surprisingly simple and this is a job you should look at doing every six months to a year, depending on the quality of your local water lines.

Corrosion Causes Catastrophic Failure

Check for signs of corrosion at least once a year Corrosion is the gradual destruction of metal due to a chemical reaction to the environment. We’ve talked about it before, it’s the low level electrical current running through the soil and dirt that changes the chemical composition  of the lines, depending on their make. More simply, it’s rust. 

If you find rust on the outside of your tank or on your waterline, it’s definitely a cause for concern. Contact a professional immediately, we can decide if repairs can fix the problem or if you need a replacement. 

Ignoring the damage won’t make it go away! In fact, it could lead to the line or heater failing, leaking, pipes bursting, or flooding your home causing catastrophic damage. One way to know if there’s any rust in your plumbing is to look at your water. Rust can have a number of effects on the quality of your water,  including a metallic flavor and discoloration. Watch out! This can stain your sink, appliances, and skin. 

Check the Temperature Relief Valve 

The temperature relief valve protects your water heater from problems if the temperature or pressure inside your tank gets too high. It is basically the unit’s failsafe switch. If you notice that it seems damaged, or are worried that it’s not working properly, a professional can check it out to ensure it’s letting out pressure and keeping everything in check. Test the valve at least once a year to make sure it’s working as it should.

And of course…

Schedule Regular Inspections and Tune Ups

The best thing you can do to keep your water heater in order is to have regular inspections and repair work handled by professionals on a yearly basis. A qualified plumber like Economy Plumbing Service will check all wiring, plumbing connections, fixtures, and appliances for signs of corrosion to ensure everything is working like it should. If somethings wrong, we’re already on the scene to get it repaired or replaced in no time.

Worried your electric water heater isn’t working like it should? Unsure if you have a clog that needs help? Give Economy Plumbing Service a call and we can get you sorted in no time!

If water goes through it or to it, we do it!

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Welcome back to the Economy Plumbing Service blog where we dish all the tips, info, and know-how you might need to handle your own plumbing problems and to better understand what it is plumbers like us can help with. The more you understand, the better we all can diagnose potential problems and get it sorted. So, without further ado, let’s talk about galvanized plumbing!

What is Galvanized Plumbing

Galvanized plumbing or piping means that the pipes used in your plumbing system are galvanized. Galvanizing is a process in which a protective zinc coating is added to steel or iron (for plumbing it’s typically iron) to prevent rusting. The most common method is hot-dip galvanizing, in which the parts are submerged in a bath of molten hot zinc.

Galvanized pipes became popular in the early 20th century, before that all plumbing pipes were lead or a cast iron. 

Why Should I Be Concerned About Galvanized Plumbing?

Well, there’s a few reasons actually. For one, if you’re trying to sell your home you’re bound to find that the presence of galvanized piping detracts from the appraised value of the house. If you’re looking to purchase it will drive the cost of the home down and for good reason. 

Galvanized Plumbing Will Fail

The galvanization process was meant to make a better pipe, preventing rust but it doesn’t work quite like that. The pipes will rust from the inside out, first building up a layer of plaque on the inside of the pipe which will cut off water supply and mess with the water pressure. The plaque also will flake off into the water leading to rusty color or other visible impurities in the water.

The presence of an electrical current in the ground, nearby grids, or the natural electrical charge that exists (though imperceptible to us) also can cause chemical corrosion in the pipe. More importantly than any visible impurities is that these pipes can fail catastrophically and flood your home or cause hundreds of thousands of dollars of water damage.

That’s the big problem with these pipes for most Americans right now. In ideal conditions, galvanized pipes have a lifespan of about 70 years at the max. And around the country we have passed that or are fast approaching the end of the line. Thousands of homes, commercial properties, are sitting on piping that might as well be a ticking bomb.

What do I do about my galvanized plumbing?

That’s easy. You replace it. Since the end of WWII plumbers all around the world have been using newer materials for plumbing, replacing galvanized piping with copper or pex piping! 

Repiping a whole home is by no means an easy task for most homeowners, but for us in the bizz we’ve been doing it day in day out for years! That’s why Economy Plumbing Service can guarantee a 2 Day repiping for any house. We know what we’re doing, we know how to get it done right, and we know how to get it done fast! If you’re worried your home has galvanized pipes, or know it does and are ready to make the change before disaster strikes, give us a call!

If water goes through it or to it, we do it!

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Last time on the blog we dialed it back and talked about the basic plumber services available here at Economy Plumbing Service LLC. This time we’re going to stick in that angle of bigger picture discussion and answer a question many might have but feel a bit silly to ask: just how does plumbing work? Curious? Read more, we’ll give you a basic rundown of this wonderful system.

How Does Plumbing Work

Plumbing works on a few different laws of nature. Gravity, pressure, the natural movement of water. It leverages those forces to direct the water where we want it to go. Let’s simplify it even further.

Think of a giant hose. This is your city’s utility lines. The hose is turned on and water flows out the end. But lets say the end of it is blocked, like a spray nozzle is added to the hose. The water stops flowing but the hose stays full right? That’s because of water pressure. Now imagine a hundred small hoses all with faucets, all running from that giant hose. These are the plumbing systems in your neighborhood. With the water to the giant hose still turned on, those small hoses all fill up and are ready to be used! You open the faucet of the smaller hose and water comes out, pushed out from the small hose which is pushed out from the giant hose.

That’s all because of pressure. That pressure is built sometimes by gravity, by having water towers higher up, the water wants to shoot down, creating that pressure down the pipes and lines. Of course, pumps can also be used to move water where gravity and pressure alone don’t do that job.

The Two Plumbing Subsystems

Plumbing is made up of two different water systems. One to bring freshwater in, the other to take away wastewater.  The pressure we talked about is only present in the freshwater system. That’s what allows clean water to go up through walls, around corners, move upstairs and get wherever else you need it to. When the freshwater is used it then enters the drainage systems.

Drainage systems do not depend on the pressure as the freshwater (or supply) system does. Instead, wastewater leaves your home through drainage pipes that are angled downward, allowing gravity to get to work and pull the water (and waste) down with it! There are a few more pieces involved in drain lines to make sure everything works like it out to including traps, vents, and cleanouts. They help the wastewater flow correctly, as well as create seals with water to prevent gas or smells from developing.

Let’s lay it all out in a sort of step by step process.

1. Water comes through the city utility supply lines via pressure.
2. The water moves through the supply lines into your home pipes and fixtures.
3. The water is used, flowing from the fixtures to fill sinks, basins, water heaters, etc.
4. The used water drains down the sinks and drains into drain lines, running away from your home (thanks gravity!)
5. The wastewater runs to treatment plants where it is processed and made somewhat usable again.

Where Does Our Clean Water Come From? 

The end of that step by step process might have made you a little scared. ‘The wastewater does what now?’ Don’t worry! Here in Tucson our clean water comes from groundwater, specifically two sources: local precipitation and the Colorado River. That water moves from the Colorado River through the Central Arizona Project canal, some 335 miles from Lake Havasu to just past Tuscon.

Alright, let’s wrap it up here. We hope this little bit has helped you understand how plumbing works.  Luckily for you, if you’re not a plumber you can say ‘Ah forget it!’ and give us experts a call whenever you need the help!

If water goes through it or to it, we do it!

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Turns out some folks think plumbers only handle toilets and drains. The truth however is that plumber services cover a range of different parts of your home. This time on the Economy Plumbing Services blog, we’re giving a brief rundown of the different work we do, plumber services for residential and commercial clients!

What Do Plumbing and Plumber Services Cover?

While we know it’s not the ‘best’ way to begin an essay in college, it’s worth mentioning here, the Merriam Webster’s definition of plumbing is a: the apparatus (such as pipes and fixtures) concerned in the distribution and use of water in a building b: an internal system that resembles plumbing, especially: one consisting of conduits or channels for conveying fluids.

Plumbing is the pipes and fixtures that move fluids about your home. That includes things like:

• potable cold and hot tap water supply
• plumbing drainage venting
• sewage systems and septic systems with or without hot water heat recycling and graywater recovery and treatment systems
• Rainwater, surface, and subsurface water drainage
• fuel gas piping
• hydronics, i.e. heating and cooling systems utilizing water to transport thermal energy, as in district heating systems, like for example the New York City steam system.

Plumbing Installation

Perhaps the biggest job of all is the initial installation of plumbing lines and features! Pipes from the city lines under your home and up through the walls to the fixtures they need to go.  If you ever expand your home, or renovate a space and need to run water to or from (or gas) you’ll need a plumber to install the plumbing!

EXPERT INSTALLATION SERVICES INCLUDE:

• New toilets
• Tubs
• Sinks
• Faucets
• New outdoor hose bibs
• Water heaters
• New pipes

Plumbing Repair

The most common services we perform and the most self-explanatory. When something isn’t working right, we repair it.

EXPERT PLUMBING REPAIR SERVICES 

• Pipe replacements
• Repiping
• Repairs for water heaters
• Sewer lines
• Drain cleaning
• Clog removal

Leak Detection

Not all leaks are so easily spotted. If you suspect a leak hidden leak, it is crucial to get a licensed, trusted professional plumber out for leak detection and repair as soon as possible. There are some signs to look for to indicate you may have a hidden leak that needs immediate attention.

SIGNS YOU HAVE A HIDDEN LEAK

• Water meter readings change even when not using water
• Increased water bill when water usage has not changed
• Unusual plant or grass growth in the yard or lawn areas
• Toilets that are continually running or dripping faucets
• Running water sounds when nothing is in use
• Spongy, soft, or discolored walls or ceilings
• Musty odor from floors, walls near drains, or sewers
• Cracked or unusually damp foundations or slabs
• Sewer backup problems that become chronic
• Visible mildew or excessive moisture under carpet

Water Heaters

Water heaters a critical piece of any plumbing system. They allow us to have hot water, on-demand, whether in our sinks, dishwashers, or morning showers. Your water heater is used every day (the average family of four uses about 65 gallons of hot water a day)! If it’s not working as efficiently as it should, your day to day comfort will immediately be impacted. Water heater services include repair, Same Day Replacement, and Installation.

Sewer Lines

Services that fall under this umbrella: 

• Sewer lines 
• Sewer line repairs
• Cleanouts
• Installations
• New sewer connections
• Repairs for collapsed pipes
• Repairs and replacements for old cast iron pipes
• Repairs for cracked pipes

Gas Lines

This you might not expect to find under plumber services but we absolutely do it! Repairing or installing gas lines is a crucial step in maintaining or building a home. From minor repairs to complete replacements of gas lines, the experts at Economy Plumbing Service LLC can fix it all and keep you and your family safe.

Repiping

Similar to plumbing installation, repiping is when we replace all the pipes in a home with new pipe. Whether it’s replacing old galvanized metal pipes with PEX piping, or other materials, repiping gives a home a whole new lease on their plumbing life.

The plumbing experts at Economy Plumbing Services come into the home and assess the current network of pipes. Thankfully, there is a standard way of doing things and this means most plumbing is laid out in a fairly straightforward way, no matter who works on the plumbing. After the assessment, EPS will go through the wall, attic, wherever necessary to run new pipes throughout the home. For us at Economy Plumbing Service LLC, we get these jobs done in two days 

No matter what plumber services you require, Economy Plumbing Service LLC is here to help!

If water goes through it or to it, we do it!

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Summer is fully here! Aside from the intense heat, it also means schools are out, kids are home, and folks are getting up to all the fun activities summer has to offer! Believe or not, summer can cause some plumbing problems for you! So here are some considerations for you from the experts at Economy Plumbing Service LLC!

Summer Fun and the Plumbing Problems to Look For

Outdoor Activities Makes Plumbing Difficulties.

Okay, this one might be a bit of a struggle year-round here in Tucson thanks to our lovely weather!  Whether it’s heading out camping, going hiking, or taking trips to the beach, it’s a safe bet your home is going to have a lot more dirt and dust coming its way.

Washing up post-adventure is what to be aware of here! Your home’s drains weren’t designed with tons of mud, gravel, and grit in mind! Do your best to use a hose outside or knock loose any excess mud etc from your clothes before washing them and you’ll be doing your due diligence to prevent clogs or damaging your pipes.

Garbage Disposal Vigilance 

Your garbage disposal does some heavy-duty defense work for your drains year-round but some summertime favorites are especially difficult for it to handle! Fibrous foods should never go down the disposal as they can jam it something fierce. Doing a lot of grilling? Make sure no bones or fat find their way to your disposal. Bones will blunt and break the machinery inside and fat is a one-way ticket to clogs-ville.

Winter Coats = Summer Clogs 

Some pets shed heavily come the summer as they get rid of their bulkier winter coats. All this excess hair can get into your tub drain or washing machine and clog it up right quick. To avoid that, make sure you brush your pet plenty to get rid of their hair before it covers your clothes and finds its way into the wash. Wash your dog outside if at all possible to prevent any hair from finding it’s way to the drain – you should do this anyways, the amount of dirt and mud a dogs fur can hide is astonishing!

Include Plumbing Preparation in Your Summer Vacation Plans

Hoping to travel this summer? Make sure your home is ready for your extended absence! Check your appliances for any leaks, turn the water heater down to save energy (some even have a vacation setting!). If you’re going to be gone awhile consider turning off the water to your water heater and draining it entirely. 

With all that handled you should be ready to have a great summer! Does your plumbing need a bit of a professional touch before vacation? Already have clogs you need to handle? You give Economy Plumbing Service LLC a call and we’ll get you sorted. No job is too big for us to tackle! 

IF WATER RUNS THROUGH IT OR TO IT, WE DO IT!

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If you’ve spent any time on our site you know we love PEX piping. It’s a damn good tool for our job and makes things like repiping houses in two days possible! But it isn’t the only pipe and it’s not the best pipe for every job. This time on the Economy Plumbing Services blog, we’re looking PEX vs copper pipes, a duel for the ages!

PEX vs Copper

Copper pipes have been used for decades but so has PEX, and in that time they have both shown their advantages and disadvantages for plumbers and homeowners everywhere. Let’s lay it out.

PEX Pros and Cons

• FEWER CONNECTIONS

PEX is a flexible pipe so it requires fewer connectors and joint pieces to make turns and get the water where it needs to go. Makes installing it a breeze!

• CHEAPER

PEX as a material is just flat out cheaper than copper. It’s also lighter and easier to ship and handle so all those costs that might be incurred in the production and shipping don’t get passed on to the consumer.

• CENTRAL SHUT OFF

PEX allows for a central shut off for all the water fixtures and features in your house. The ‘manifold’ connects all of the hot and cold water and can be labeled for ease of use. Think of it like a breaker box for your water!

• SAFER TO INSTALL

Unlike copper piping, PEX doesn’t need a torch on hand for installation, eliminating a potential fire hazard just like that!

• DIY FRIENDLY

Because it’s so flexible and cheap, it’s a great material to work with for DIY-ers.

• SHORTER LIFE EXPECTANCY

While it’s not certain, PEX is expected to have a lifespan of about 50 years. It’s been in use since the 60s in England and we’re only now reaching the years where we’re expecting the pipes to fully fail. This con is easily avoided however, as PEX is so cheap and easy to work with, replacing it out is no trouble at all.

Copper Pros and Cons

• LONG-LASTING

Copper is long-lasting, no doubt about it. It is a rigid metal pipe and under ideal conditions will last up to 70 years. 

• MORE EXPENSIVE

The cost of copper has risen substantially lately, partly due to its increased ability to be recycled. With more copper being recycled, more products using it are made (demand), and with it cost. On average, installing copper pipes will run you about 60% (closer to 63% if you want to be really precise) more expensive than PEX.

• RIGID

Copper pipes are sturdy, but that rigidness comes with a cost. To properly fit a house with copper pipes requires plenty of precise cuts, connections, and joints to make it work. That means some serious labor.

• LONG HISTORY

Because copper has been used for so long, it is a ‘known’ entity. We understand how it works, how it interacts with the soil, etc. so even the difficulties are understood. For some plumbers that tried and true history is good enough for them and they prefer it.

Here’s the thing. As we said, there’s no one ‘right’ tool for every job. That’s why Economy Plumbing Services LLC uses both PEX and copper piping. PEX when it makes sense to run through walls and in the home, and copper for exterior work where we need rigid, durable piping. A combined system gives you the best of both worlds, and when it’s done by the experts here at EPS, there’s no downside!

Need help getting your plumbing working right? Repiping a house, or want to run water to a new refrigerator with the fancy water filter in the door? You give us a call and we’ll get it done right!

IF WATER RUNS THROUGH IT OR TO IT, WE DO IT!

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Here’s a hot tip (literally)! There’s an easy maintenance job you can handle at home, today, with the tools you have on hand that can get your water heater working better instantly – and extend its lifespan to boot! This time on the Economy Plumbing Services blog, we’re going to teach you how to drain a water heater and answer how and why you might want to!

How to Drain a Water Heater 

Draining a water heater is a surprisingly straightforward job and with a bit of know-how and confidence, it’s a job you can easily tackle yourself at home. So let’s go ahead and get you the know-how!

Start with a Flush

Perform a quick flush. Before turning off the water, connect a garden hose to the drain valve and try and flush the water heater tank a bit while the water pressure is on. You do this by opening the drain valve for a few seconds and then closing it again. 

The pressure in the tank will blow out any sediment stuck in the valve. and help the tank drain faster. If quite a bit of sediment comes out, you can repeat this a couple of times.

Shut Down the Water Heater

Shut off the gas or power to your water heater (depending on what kind it is). Now shut off the water, using either the valve in the cold-water pipe above the water heater. You can also shut off water to the whole house if you find the main water supply but that’s not totally necessary. If you do so, make sure the pressure is off by testing the water faucets in the house, turning them on, and checking for hot water.

Open Up The Drain Valve

With a drain hose attached, open up the drain valve. It won’t drain too fast at first, as there will be a vacuum in the tank. To help speed it up, remove one end of the hot water pipe above the water heater to let some air in. The water will rush out of the drain.

Flush the Tank

Once the tank is fully drained, you will want to flush it. Use a few gallons at a time by turning the water on for few seconds and then letting it drain out again. 

Refill the Tank and Relight the Heater

Disconnect the drain hose and close the drain valve. Make sure you reconnect the hot water pipe if you opened it up, and tighten it right. Now you can turn the water back on and let it refill. You also want to make sure there isn’t any air trapped in the line, that’ll make for an unpleasant surprise later! Open the hot tap of a fixture in your house, you can just go for whatever is closest to your water heater, or using the bathtub  Leave the fixture running until all the air is out of the lines and you are getting nothing but water out of the fixture, then turn off the water.

Relight the water heater pilot, or turn the power back on if it is an electric heater. Give it some time for the tank to heat and you’ll be back in business!

Check the Valve

The last thing you want is to leave your drain valve open and leaking! See if your water heater drain closed completely by looking for leaks at the spout. If it did not close completely, you can put a cap over the hose thread of the outlet to stop the leak. If it’s giving you more trouble, give us a call, we got it covered.

When to Drain a Water Heater

This depends entirely on the make of your water heater! Check your owner’s manual for a good idea, most recommend draining it once every 6 – 12 months. Some may ask you to only do a gallon or so at a time, but to do it more regularly. But here’s the thing about those manuals, they can’t account for the quality of your water. 

So, after you’ve gone ahead and flushed your water heater, set a reminder, and do it again in six months. See how much sediment as accumulated again in that amount of time. It may be your water necessitates a more frequent (or relaxed) draining schedule.

Of course, if just reading this has given you a bit of a headache or caused your hands to get sweaty don’t stress. You don’t have to know how to drain a water heater, you can simply call in the professionals. We’re happy to take care of any job, no matter the size from a simple clog to a full-blown, whole-house repiping. Economy Plumbing Service LLC is here for you! Give us a call and one of our guys will be out in no time to get it working again, exactly as it should.

IF WATER RUNS THROUGH IT OR TO IT, WE DO IT!

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Few things put such immediate dread as the toilet not flushing like it should. You wait for a moment, heart pounding, ‘Is this about to happen? Am I ready for it? Where’s the plunger.’ If you are lucky the flush picks up strength and you breathe a heavy sigh of relief. If you’re not you might end up with a wet floor at least. Why do toilets clog? They’re made out of non-abrasive porcelain so what’s happening to cause this jam? Read on! We’ll cover every clog causing conundrum!

Why Do Toilets Clog?

Toilets, like the sewer pipes they lead into, are made of non-abrasive materials that allow for waste water to move freely through. In a perfect world, there would never be any snags – unfortunately, the real world is far from perfect and a number of different circumstances can cause toilets to clog.

Irresponsible Flushing

We’ve talked about what not to pour down the drain before, but with all the worries about toilet paper right now (thanks COVID-19) it bears repeating: only flush toilet paper down your toilet!

THESE WILL CLOG YOUR TOILET

• Tampons
• Facial tissues
• Cotton swabs
• Condoms
• Dental floss
• Diapers

Any of those materials can get lodged in the pipes and create an environment for other things to get stuck on. A single cotton swab could get jammed right across the middle of the pipe and soon enough toilet paper is catching too. Even facial tissues can clog a toilet despite their seeming similarity to toilet paper, they aren’t made to break down in water in the same way. 

How to Fix:  Just don’t do it! Avoid the clog, avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper.

A Blocked Vent

It might surprise you to learn but a portion of your plumbing runs through the roof! That’s right, the plumbing vent, or vent stack, helps regulate air pressure in your plumbing system. The plumbing vent pipe removes gas and odors from the system, just like the drain pipes remove the waste water. It also allows for fresh air to get into the plumbing to help water flow more smoothly. When everything is working as it should, the vent keeps the proper pressure in the plumbing system. But what happens when it’s not working?

If the vent becomes blocked, the toilet will begin to flush slower, and that reduced speed will cause the flushes to not be drained completely. This can cause a clog to develop as not all of the waste is flushed each time.

How to Fix: Plumbing vents are located on the roof, so fixing any blockages here are best left to professionals!

Flapper Fluctuations

The flapper (find out more about toilet parts here) is the part of your toilet that releases water from the tank down the back of the bowl and creates the flush. If the flapper isn’t opening entirely, the amount of water that gets through and generates the flush may not be enough to create a strong flush. When the flush is weak, clogs are more likely to form.

How to Fix: Take a look in the toilet tank and adjust the chain connecting the flush handle to the flapper. With the chain tightened, the flapper should open up completely when the flush handle is operated.

Older Fixtures

If you have an older toilet, especially if its an old ‘low-flow’ model, the toilet may not be able to generate enough flushing power. When those low-flow models were first introduced the engineering wasn’t entirely developed leading to some lackluster performance. Now a days the designs have drastically improved allowing for a more powerful low-flow flush.

How to Fix: The only way to fix an old, poorly performing toilet is to replace it.

Sewer Struggles

It’s entirely possible that the clog isn’t in your toilet at all, but rather the sewer lines down stream. A clog later in the line or tree roots bursting through can create backup problems.

How to Fix: Hire a professional to clear out the lines. While they’re at it, get a Sewer-Oscopy!

If you are having any troubles with your plumbing at all, from a clogged toilet to a leaky water heater, Economy Plumbing Service is here to help! Give us a call and our guys will be out in no time to get your plumbing working right and give you the peace of mind.

Remember, if water flows to it or through it, we do it!

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