Water Heaters Framingham: Is it time?

Is it time for a new water heater?

That’s a question that never occurs to many homeowners until icy torrents replace the steamy stream of the morning shower or it takes twenty minutes for the faucet to produce water warm enough to wash your hands.  Sometimes the question is prompted by puddles forming near the water heater or circuit breakers that trip on a daily basis. Faulty water heaters can be dangerous – and no  prudent homeowner wants to hear they have a hazard right in their own home! This leaves the homeowner with a choice: is it time to repair or replace their water heater?

What’s The Expected Life of a Water Heater?

Industry professionals and Central Mass plumbers agree: the typical water heater lasts between ten and fifteen years. There are circumstances that affect that lifespan, of course: a family of eight takes more showers, does more laundry, washes more dishes, and generally uses more water than a family of three. As you would expect, the more a hot water heater is used, the shorter its lifespan will be. Water quality can play a huge role in the expected lifespan of a water heater, as can the conditions in which the water heater is kept.

Is Replacement the Only Option for Water Heater Trouble?

Replacement may not be the only option for water heater troubles, but often it is the best option.  If you have a ruptured hot water tank, leaking pipes within the tank, or age related failure of your water heater, you’re looking at a replacement.  It would cost you far more money to fix the problem than it would be to have a new water heater installed! Replacement is the only cost effective option.  However, if you’re dealing with a burned out heating element, thermostatic control issue, or comparable issue, repair may be an option. Talk with your Worcester area plumber about what your options are.

Can I Fix My Water Heater Myself?

Home water heater repair is generally not a do it yourself job.  If you’re confident in your ability to accurately diagnose the problem, and have the requisite plumbing, electric, and perhaps gas skills needed to repair your water heater, you still may not want to deal with the heavy, awkward hot water tank.  Increasingly, homeowners are switching to tankless hot water systems, which require specialized repair skills. If you are installing a new water heater, check your warranty carefully.  Many manufacturers are now requiring that installation be performed by a licensed contractor or plumbing professional.

What Will It Cost to Replace or Repair My Water Heater?

Having your water heater replaced is not an option – it’s the rare family indeed that wants to live without hot water! If you have to have your water heater replaced on an emergency basis, it will cost more than if you’re proactive and have your water heater replaced ahead of time.  Your water heater is a pivotal element in your home’s plumbing system; you want to have it installed by someone who can do a good job! This means selecting your plumber not on price, but on experience, reputation, and ability to do the job right.

Is There an Ideal Time to Replace a Water Heater?

So far, no one has developed a way to accurately predict with any degree of accuracy exactly when a water heater will stop working.  It is possible to make an educated guess, based upon observation of warning signs such as uneven delivery of hot water, slow water heating, puddles, or blown circuits.  Additionally, knowing that most water heaters last between ten to fifteen years, one could predict the best time to replace a heater based on the date the water heater was installed. So if your water heater is twelve years old, you might want to start getting ready to make a change.

Water Heater Repair and Replacement

Finding someone to repair or replace your water heater in the Worcester area means doing your research. You’re looking for a highly qualified, licensed plumber with a great reputation, top skills and reasonable prices.  Talk to your colleagues and neighbors – chances are they’ve had to have a water heater replaced at some point and may be able to refer you to someone qualified.  Go online and investigate your options. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Shrewsbury Plumbing: Making A Good House Great

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

“It’s a nice house.” Barbara, a Shrewsbury realtor, told us. “But in this market?” She shrugged. “Nice just isn’t enough. Buyers have their pick of the market, and they can afford to be picky. So they are.” Barbara pinpointed plumbing as one area that can make or break a house’s chances on the market. “Good plumbing just isn’t enough. That’s the baseline. That’s what buyers expect. But buyers aren’t biting when they find what they expect. They’re waiting for the wow – they want to be blown away!” If you’re not planning to sell, Barbara said, “Do this for yourself. It makes a real difference in the enjoyment you get from your home. And,” she continued, “who knows what tomorrow holds? If this recession has taught us anything, it’s that we need to build real, meaningful equity in our homes.”

Kitchens Count: Start Here For Maximum Impact

One of the best places to upgrade your plumbing is in your kitchen. “Kitchens sell,” Barbara told us. “Every home I show, they want to see the kitchen first.” Features that attract buyers include second sinks and hot water on demand faucets. “Style matters! Go with timeless classic design and focus on quality,” Barbara continued. “As for the refrigerator, the better, the better. Buyers want the fridge to be able to do everything – ice, water, walk the dog…” While your Shrewsbury plumber might not be able to help you out with the dog walking, everything else is a snap!

Better Bathrooms = Better Home

Second only to the kitchen, bathrooms are one of the most frequently used rooms in the house. “More is, of course, better,” Barbara told us. “We’re seeing more and more half baths being installed, now that a toilet can be installed almost anywhere. That adds a lot of value, particularly in a larger home.” Luxury upgrades, such as whirlpool or edgeless tubs, attract buyers and add enjoyment for the homeowner. A bathroom can be your private retreat, a place to hide out and relax after a stressful day at the office. Multi-jet showers are the plumbing upgrade of choice for many.

Outdoor Living Brings Instant Appeal

“Whatever you can do to make outdoor living easier, do it!” Barbara advised. “People don’t want to be inside. They want to barbecue. They want to hang out on the porch. They want to have fun.” Make the fun easy and safe by having your Shrewsbury plumber fix you up. An outdoor sink is a boon to grill masters – no worry about cross contamination or food borne illness when you can wash everything easily and frequently. Hoses for gardens – and garden sprinklers, the favorite lawn feature of grandchildren everywhere – are an easy upgrade. Fountains and other water features add aesthetic appeal and an element of elegance to your yard.

Ecologically Aware Plumbing

“Green, green, green! Some buyers, that’s the number one thing they’re after. They want the green home. Sustainability is a big word. So is conservation.” Capitalize on Barbara’s wisdom by making smart upgrades to your home’s plumbing system. The single biggest upgrade to make is to a low consumption toilet. You can save gallons of water with every flush – an easy and effortless way to make the planet breathe a little easier. Older appliances are often ‘thirsty’ – using far more water and electricity than they need to. Upgrading water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and other major appliances saves water – and in some regions can result in a tax credit or incentive payment! Save the planet and save money!

Think Long Term: Plumbing Upgrades For Seniors

“You have to think like a Baby Boomer,” Barbara said. “They’re looking for homes they can live in for the rest of their lives. These are people who aren’t planning on ever going to the nursing home.” Long term independence for seniors is easier when the plumbing is easy to use and operate. Universal design faucets, for example, can be turned on and off even by people with severe arthritis. “Step in tubs are big,” Barbara explained. “Showers that can be used while you’re sitting down. Think convenience, think easy to use.” Universal design is stylish and attractive, and works well in any home. “It doesn’t look industrial anymore,” Barbara assured us. “Which is great news.” Your (ANYTOWN) plumber can perform these upgrades.

Enhance Your Home’s Appeal With the Perfect Plumbing

PlumbingByFiveStar can be your secret weapon in getting your house ready to sell – or ready for you to enjoy it yourselves! Contact us about your plans. We can make it happen for you!

Worcester Drain Cleaning: When Pipes Back Up

Code Brown! When Pipes Back Up

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

“Talk about disgusting! I have never been so grossed out in my entire life!” Mary Ann Lane, a Worcester mother of three, said.  “I don’t know what the kids put down the toilet, but they did something.  Race cars, McDonald’s toys, they love to watch it all disappear down the drain. I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner!” The it that Mary Ann is talking about was a backed up toilet that flooded her small upstairs bathroom, sending water and worse things spilling into the hallway, soaking the carpet, and creating all sorts of chaos. “I tried to fix it with the plunger, but that just wasn’t happening!”

A backed up toilet, clogged sink or slow draining bathtub may send you running for the plunger, but the truth is that a plunger can’t fix everything for you.  When the plunger doesn’t work, many homeowners turn to the harsh chemical drain cleaners that are available at grocery or discount stores.  They can work, but if they don’t, it may be time to call your Worcester plumber.  Trying to resolve a clog on your own requires a certain amount of knowledge, including identifying what the material blocking your pipes is and what is the best way to resolve it.

How do you know what’s clogging your pipes? 

Consider the location, and think about what things – besides water – are going down the drain.  In the kitchen, grease is the most common problem.  When grease is warm, it’s a liquid, and it slips easily down the drain.  However, once it cools off, grease solidifies.  This blocks your pipes, making it impossible for water to get by.  The old home remedy of pouring hot water down the train to clear the clog can work – but only for a while, as all you are doing is moving the grease further down the pipe, where it will once again cool and solidify.

Moving into the bathroom, grease gives way to the oils and fats that are in so many of the toiletries we use every day: shampoo, soap, shaving cream, bath oils, bubble bath.  These all can contribute to bathtub and bathroom sink clogs, as, of course, can hair.  If you wash your dog in the tub, you’ve got another great source of clogs!  The toilet can be clogged by everything from diapers and feminine hygiene products to the toys a fast moving toddler wants to see flush away. These objects can be particularly troublesome clogs, as they don’t dissolve the way organic matter does. Chemical drain cleaners and organic solvents don’t do much to remove Thomas the Tank Engine when he’s parked in your sewer drain!

It may be possible to remove the clog yourself. 

The plunger is a great first choice: every homeowner should have one.  By using suction, it’s sometimes possible to dislodge the clog.  Ideally, the debris will continue to its intended destination or be removed by the homeowner: simply shifting its position will let the water run but you haven’t fixed the problem.  Chemical drain cleaners work in some instances, but many homeowners prefer not to handle such toxic substances themselves.  Organic enzyme cleaners are a green option, but they require a great deal of time to work and may not be the way to resolve an emergency situation.

Your Worcester plumber can save the day. 

Because plumbers deal with clogged pipes on a regular basis, they know how to perform drain cleaning quickly and efficiently.  They have a wide range of tools and strategies to allow them to unclog your pipes in the appropriate manner.  They also know how to clean your drains without damaging your home or making a big mess – not something that every home handyman can promise! Do your research, ask friends for references, and look for a plumber who puts a high value on the quality of their  work and the speediness of their response to your call. When your toilet is backing up into the upstairs hall, you don’t want to wait hours – even days! – for someone to get back to you.

Eliminate headaches ahead of time with preventative drain cleaning. 

Your Worcester plumber can perform regular drain cleaning as part of your household maintenance routine.  Avoid headaches and protect the investment you’ve made in your home.  The peace of mind alone will make the expense well worth it – especially compared to the cost of an emergency service call!

Plumber in Auburn, MA or Do it Yourself?

“That sink is driving me crazy! You can turn the knob and turn the knob but it never stops dripping!” Picture your wife’s frustration as she turns to you. “Are you ever going to do something about this?” That leaves you in an awkward position, and you have to make a decision. Do you attempt to fix the dripping faucet on your own, or do you call your Auburn, MA plumber and have them handle the job? It’s not a simple question. There are several criteria to consider, which we’ll cover here, in order to help you make your decision.

What’s Your Skill Set? Be totally honest with yourself here.  Are you really adept at fixing things?  If you’re not sure, look around your house.  Is that closet door still squeaking every time you close it? Has the burned out garage light bulb remained perpetually gray, as it was when you bought the house, in 1983? Have you ever used duct tape to fix holes in window screen? Set aside any thoughts of what you ‘should’ be able to do and focus on the reality of the situation.  Plumbing repairs do require that you have a certain amount of mechanical ability, critical thinking skills, and tool using prowess.  If you don’t have any of these three, it’s well worth it to build your skill set before attempting the repair.  If you’re not interested in building your skill set, you will have better results if you call your Auburn plumber and let them handle the job.

How Much Do You Know About Plumbing? Being handy is a plus. You also want to make sure you have the specific plumbing knowledge you need to do the job.  For example, there are four types of faucets: compression, disc, cartridge and ball.  What type do you have? Are you sure what’s causing the problem in your home? One of the advantages of working with your Auburn plumber is that they have the knowledge to diagnose the real cause of many common plumbing issues. These causes may not be immediately apparent at first glance: you need the relevant experience and expertise to be able to ‘spot’ them.

How Much Time Do You Have? Time is the most valuable thing in the universe.  None of us have enough of it, and that includes Auburn, MA plumbers.  That’s why they’ve learned to work fast, efficiently, and with a focus on getting the job done right the first time.  Consider how long it will take you do the repairs yourself. Assuming everything goes perfectly, you’ll still be completing the task for the first time.  You have to allow time to navigate the learning curve. Is this the best use of your time? Only you can answer that question.

Air Conditioning Worcester County: Take it easy In the Comfort of Your Own House

Worcester area plumbers are getting geared up. They’ve seen winter grudgingly give up its last grasp on central Massachusetts, and the few bold signs of spring making themselves known. After spring comes summer time, and with summer time, the heat, scorching sunlight, and slower still air that makes comfort an elusive goal, not something that one can count on. Unless, of course, one has an air conditioning system in place that will stand up to the season’s challenges and provide the best in cool comfort. It’s possible to transform your private home into an oasis of delight – but you should begin planning now.

Make Living Uncomplicated For Yourself and Pick the best Air Conditioning System. Check with your Central MA plumber or air conditioning professional to pick what’s right for your unique home, your distinctive family, and your unique living situation. Not all air conditioning systems are created equal. You need something different if you own a 1,500 sq ft holiday cottage or a 5,000 sq ft mini-mansion with an open floor plan. Your Worcester area plumber understands what works best in Central MA: this area has distinctive geographical issues that can’t be addressed by someone that works within your local home improvement superstore. You need relevant, local knowledge in your favor.

Reputation Makes a difference: Work with specialists you can trust. When picking a plumber or air conditioning specialist to work in your home or business, seek information. You’re trying to find a proven history of experience, professionalism, and most importantly, unimpeachable ethics. Ask about guarantees and service: you could be making a substantial expenditure in your house, and you want to make sure that cash is well spent. If there’s a problem, can you call up and get fast help? If the temperature is precariously hot – as has happened more than a few times in recent memory, throughout the land – you can’t afford to wait days or several weeks for help!

Consider the Environment: Becoming enviromentally friendly means keeping cool can be good for yourself and for the ecosystem. Discuss with your plumber or air conditioning professional regarding energy efficient systems that can significantly lower your carbon footprint. In certain locations, selecting more energy efficient systems can bring about tax savings and refunds from your electric company. Your Central Mass plumber may be able to tell you just what programs are available for your residence, and help you choose the correct energy efficient, eco sensitive air conditioning system. Becoming enviromentally friendly also favorably effects the resale price of your home, making this a wise investment decision.

Enhance Your Quality of Life: Being uncomfortable, such as in a hot, closed in space, is inherently stressful. Research indicates that lessened stress rates leads right to greater health and fitness, greater satisfaction with one’s quality of life, enhanced efficiency – you can do superior work, faster, when you’re operating at your best. Are there areas in your life where you’d like to perform better? Then make the effort to give yourself a comfortable atmosphere to function in. Air conditioning can help make certain that you are enjoying maximum energy levels and allow you to sustain focus. Let’s be realistic: it’s hard to give full attention to what you’re studying if you’re constantly wiping sweat out of your face!

Boost the Value of Your Home: Realtors will tell you: it’s a buyer’s market place right now. With the amount of homeowners desperate to unload their houses, potential buyers can be picky. What are they opting for? Most importantly: comfort. These are prospective buyers who are planning to keep the residences they purchase for a lengthier than normal period of time: think about the immediate appeal and selling power of an current, energy efficient, eminently comfy house to this marketplace. You’ll recoup your expenditure without difficulty.

Plan To Appreciate Your Entire Summer Season in Comfort! Arranging now to take care of your home’s air conditioning needs is a sensible move. Most people put this job off until it is way too late, as the mercury rises continuously and the heat waves begin moving in. By then, Worcester County plumbers are already booked solid, and you might have to wait around days, even several weeks, to have your system installed. By acting now, you can take advantage of other’s stalling: have your system installed and all set to go ahead of time. That way, when the sun starts beating down and summer arrives in earnest, you won’t have to sweat it: all it will require is a flick of a button, and you can delight in the air conditioned ease and comfort of your own home.

Pick your Worcester Area Plumber

As someone who is a first time home owner will no doubt find out, being in charge of all the utilities and repairs of the home can be a bit overwhelming. Owning a home can be hard. There is no landlord to call on, and you are the one that has to seek out suitable repair for your home.

How to Start the hunt for a Worcester Plumber (or just call us!)

The first order of business would be to find a good plumber. Some people will leave this task for later, such as when they have an emergency. Believe us when we say that you do not want to leave this for when you have an emergency, because when that huge leak finally does strike you want to have someone you can call right away.

Finding a Plumber can be as Easy as Asking your Friends

You can find a plumber fairly easily by asking your friends and family whether or not they know of anyone that can help you with your problems. What you want to do is find a plumber that members of your family or even your friends have been using for a while. You need to find a plumber that can be trusted, and the one that your friends and family trust are your best bet.

Internet Searches

If you want, you can always look for a plumber online. There are many sites out there that do a great job of reviewing the different local services. Just search for plumbers on these websites and you are bound to get plenty of reviews that will point you in the right direction. Interview the possible plumbers, and in the end you should be able to pick out a nice one that will fix the watery problems you’ve been having.

Check those References!

You may talk to a number of plumbers, and the key here is to get their references. Look at the people they have worked for in the past, and see if they have been satisfied with the service they received. Remember that good plumbers will have a license and a license number to go along with it.

Ask About the Upfront Pricing

There are many different plumbing situations, and nearly all of them involve some sort of incredible disaster. The important thing is to not panic and turn off the water. Once you do that, you will have some quiet time to look through the phone book and decide which plumber is best.

Ask for a Warranty

If you have work done on your house, ask if there is a warranty. If you have chosen a good plumber, he or she will guarantee their work for a certain period of time. In that time you can be assured that if something goes awry with that particular piece of plumbing again, the plumber will return and fix the problem free of charge.

The Right Price

If you want a good plumber then you have to be prepared to pay the price. There are many plumbers out there who don’t seem to charge much, and while they may be good, it is best to look for the ones that are licensed and take pride in their work. So shop around and find the best deal. Your plumbing depends on it.