fbpx

Putman & Sons Plumbing

Plumber, Plumbing Company, Master Plumbers

24/7 Emergency Hotline

Free Estimates | Financing Available
Give Us a Call! (248) 652-0990

water heater

5 Water Heater Maintenance Tips That Can Save You Money

Putman and Sons Plumbing Water Heater Maintenance

A water heater is an essential part of any modern home. It can be expensive to replace. The best way to get your money’s worth is to keep it running at maximum capacity for as long as possible. The following tips will help you maintain your water heater.

  • Add Insulation to Save Energy

A fiberglass insulation jacket can help your water heater operate efficiently, especially if it is an older model. Insulation can reduce heat loss by as much as 45% which can translate to up to a 9% reduction on your water heating expenses.

  • Flush Sediment from the Tank

Your water heater tank should be drained at least once per year. If it’s a newer system, you may only need to drain a few gallons. Check the water for debris and sediment.

If you notice either, then you should do a full flush. To do this, turn the temperature down and empty the tank. Turn the water flow on while the drain is still open and let water flush it out for a minute or so to remove remaining sediment.

  • Test the Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve

Test your temperature-pressure relief valve once per year. This is done by discharging it a few times. Look for small leaks in the valve after testing.

  • Use Vacation Mode When Traveling

Vacation mode is available on gas water heater models. This setting will keep the pilot light burning without heating the water. Vacation mode should be used when you are away from home for an extended period of time.

  • Inspect Annually for Leaks & Corrosion

Perform an annual water heater inspection to look for leaks or corrosion on the tank, pipes, and in the general area of the appliance. Also, make sure nothing is being stored close to the water heater.

If you need an inspection, notice issues, or have questions, contact Putman & Son’s Plumbing. We are available to help customers throughout Southeast Michigan prolong the life of their water heaters and replace them when needed.

Fall Plumbing Tips | Prepare Your Home

Putman and Sons Fall Plumbing Tips 2017

Many homeowners find themselves tackling avoidable issues once colder temperatures arrive. Now is the perfect time to perform regular and preventative plumbing maintenance to prepare your home for the winter season, which is when most plumbing issues arise.

Below are five important Fall plumbing tips:

#1. Drain and close interior shut-off valves after removing hoses and shutting off your outdoor faucet. Older homes may not have this feature. It’s important to close these valves once you have finished using your exterior water faucets. Closing this valve helps interior pipes from freezing and bursting.

#2. Apply insulating material to pipes in unheated areas of your home. This is a common reason for a pipe to burst in a seemingly well-prepared home.

#3. Make sure your water heater is in good operating condition. Inspecting your water heater independently or as part of a plumber’s yearly inspection is critical both for the efficiency of your home and the longevity of the heater itself. Trained plumbers will perform a flush of the system to remove sediment that has built up.

#4. Leaving your home for an extended period? Shut off the main water lines in your home to keep pipes healthy. There’s little point in heating a home with no inhabitants, though it’s common for homeowners to forget this crucial step. If you are planning on taking a mid-winter trip, make a calendar note a day before you leave.

#5 Adjust the temperature setting of your home’s water heater. The optimal temperature for most water heaters is 120° F, but you can consult your unit’s manual for more information. Setting your unit too high will incur extra expense and may make hot water unsafe for bathing.

If you are interested in Putman & Son’s Plumbing Maintenance program or want to learn more, please contact us.

Benefits of a Professional Water Heater Installation

Putman and Sons Plumbing Water Heaters

Benefits of a Professional Water Heater Installation

When a new water heater is needed, most people hire a technician or plumbing company for installation to handle the job. You’ll get several significant benefits from hiring a professional with experience for your water heater installation rather than trying it yourself if you haven’t connected a water heater before. It’s recommended to choose a company that has a proven track record of success. Putman & Son’s Plumbing has been installing water heaters since 1985.

Your water heater will be installed the right way the first time.

You don’t want to have to deal with issues with your water heater installation such as having to re-install it, leaks, or having to spend money to replace it. The certified, experienced plumbing professionals at Putman & Son’s Plumbing will do the job right the first time around, ensuring that you don’t have to deal with costly repairs or mistakes that will end up being a major inconvenience in the future if they lead to water heater issues or leaks.

You’ll save time and have a functional water heater fast.

When your water heater isn’t working you want to get it back up and running in the shortest amount of time possible. Putman & Son’s Plumbing has a 24/7 hotline in order for you to have a new water heater working quickly and the way you need it to so that you can get on with your life. To learn more about types of water heaters that will best meet your particular needs or to schedule an installation, contact Putman & Son’s Plumbing today.

Preparing Your Home’s Plumbing for the Fall and Winter

putman and sons plumbing-fall and winter maintenance

Below are cost saving, fall and winter preparatory tips to do now to prevent many common plumbing issues.

Prepare your pipes for freezing temperatures

It is highly recommended to prepare your pipes for freezing temperatures as fall gets underway. When the temperature drops below freezing there is the potential for your pipes to burst, which can produce quite a mess and be expensive to fix.

To protect against this, be sure to check for any areas of your home that have uninsulated pipes. Common areas that are not insulated include: the outer walls, the garage, and the cellar. You can purchase a plumbing insulation kit from most hardware stores, and it is fairly easy to install on your home.

Make sure your water heater is running properly

Check to make certain your water heater is properly functioning, as it is important for it to work adequately during the fall and winter. Now is a good time to check that no repairs are needed and that the sacrificial anode rod is working correctly.

You can inspect your heater yourself if you have the experience and knowledge or hire one of our professional master plumbers.

Set your water heater temperature at no greater than 120 F to prevent energy waste and scalding.

Call us if you need a plumbing inspection

If you are in need of a plumbing inspection before the winter to prevent your pipes from freezing and/or to have a professional check of your water heater, contact Putman & Sons Plumbing for an appointment. We also have maintenance plans for all seasons to proactively help prevent costly plumbing problems.

Ice Cold Shower?

Putman and Sons Ice Cold Shower

Many of us find out we have a broken or faulty water heater the moment we step in the shower and are shocked awake by a cascade of ice cold water. We depend greatly on hot water and therefore the boiler is of major importance. When the boiler breaks down, a loss of hot water in the house is the result. You may not need a new boiler. It may be a loose connection or a broken part that can easily be replaced. Many problems can be fixed with new heating supplies which can save you a lot of money. Call Putman & Son’s master plumbers and we will come out quickly to access your boiler and let you know the best fix for your particular problem.
Call Now Button