Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know About

Your home is a system. Every element of your home makes up that system, and your plumbing is an especially integral part of it.

At Trust 1 Services, our priority is to provide exceptional service to our beloved customers. We install, replace, maintain, and repair your plumbing system in the blink of an eye, and we can solve any plumbing problem you may be dealing with.

Another key part of our job is to educate you. We take pride in our team’s years of plumbing experience. Read on for tips from a professional plumber for homeowners.

If you’re a homeowner, learn more about Trust 1’s plumbing services on our website.

Tip 1: Treat Your Water Heater Well

In many respects, the water heater is the heart of the entire plumbing system. Without it, your home has no way to run water at a particular temperature. To make your water heater run efficiently, you need to take excellent care of it.

Pick a Good Water Heater

Because water heaters are so essential, you must pick a good one. But picking one out for the first time may leave you wondering what makes a sturdy water heater.

Consider these factors:

• Fuel type/efficiency. We strongly suggest you decide what type of fuel you’d prefer before buying the heater itself. There are a few different types, such as electricity, gas, and solar, and they all vary in efficiency. Plus, settling on a type of fuel first will influence your decision on the actual product.
• Capacity. This is another important detail in your final decision. How many gallons of water does your home need? Ask a professional plumber if you aren’t sure.
• Renting vs. buying. There are pros and cons to each option. Buying may be more expensive up front, but it pays for itself in the long run by saving on maintenance costs, whereas renting is cheaper only in the short run. Your income and home size, as well as other specifics of your living situation, can help you determine whether to rent or buy.
• Energy efficiency. Consider purchasing a brand of water heater that is kind to the environment while also delivering great results. Look for the “ENERGY STAR” symbol, which indicates that your system meets green standards. (See below for our tank vs. tankless comparison.)

If you have questions about what makes a good water heater, give us a call. An experienced technician will point you in the right direction.

Should I Go Tankless?

Many of our customers have switched to tankless water heaters. Here are some of the benefits of “going tankless”:

• Saves energy. Tankless water heaters are the way of the future. They operate on an on-demand schedule, reducing energy consumption by up to 35%.
• Longer lifespan. When well maintained, tankless heaters can last twice as long as traditional heaters.
• Easy to maintain. These systems require maintenance, but not extremely expensive or intensive maintenance. They need cleaning every six months to a year and can be flushed out with ease.

Our team is proud to provide all tankless water heater services. Give us a call if you have any more questions.

When Your Water Heater Breaks

Water heaters are delicate systems that last around 13 years when maintained properly. Otherwise, water heaters will break down sooner, paving the way for lots of pricey problems.

Here are some signs your water heater is on its last legs:

• Strange sounds coming from pipes
• Foul odors exuding from the water
• Water discoloration
• Poor water flow or quality
• Wonky temperatures that seem to change randomly
• Leaks

Remember, using water from a damaged heater can be dangerous. All kinds of bacteria live in broken heaters. As soon as you notice these kinds of issues, give us a call; we’d be happy to replace your water heater.

Tip 2: Know Your Shut-Off Valves

Another imperative part of a plumbing system is its valves. Shut-off valves connect various drains and faucets to the pipes. Understandably, damaged shut-off valves contribute to a range of plumbing problems.

Many who have limited plumbing knowledge have never heard of shut-off valves, but that’s why we’re here: to help you understand the plumbing process as a whole.

What Does a Shut-Off Valve Do?

A shut-off valve’s function seems simple. And it is—but it’s also very important. It manages the compressed air and the flow of water out of certain orifices.

Types of Shut-Off Valves

You’ll find lots of different shut-off valves around your home, such as:

• Globe valves, often found in the backs of toilets
• Gate valves, which are commonly found in older houses and are becoming more obsolete
• Stop-and-waste valves, sometimes used in yards for irrigation
• Straight-fixtured valves, often used under sinks
• Angled-fixtured valves, usually used for faucets

Our team has vast experience with shut-off valves of all kinds. Whenever you need a repair, we will take great care in getting it done smoothly and quickly. We’re also happy to replace shut-off valves when necessary.

Tip 3: The Garbage Disposal

If your home has a garbage disposal, great! They’re excellent additions to any home. They also need lots of care to work properly.

Here’s how to make sure your garbage disposal behaves:

• Beware of clogs. Garbage disposals can easily clog and wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Dirt, debris, and objects can clog up your disposal.
• Never overload. Rinsing dirty dishes in the sink without scraping them off first is a recipe for clogging the disposal.
• Make sure to get it checked. Your garbage disposal needs frequent attention. Contact us for a thorough disposal examination.

Tip 4: Have a Professional Plumber on Your Side

You need your plumbing system to be in the best hands. That’s where we come in. We’ll be with you for all your plumbing needs, including:

• Repairs
• Installations
• Maintenance
• Replacements
• Pipe and leak services
• Flooding prevention
• and much more!

For anyone needing plumbers in Braintree, MA, we’re here. Call our emergency hotline at (617) 958-6252, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.