Month: August 2020

It’s one of the appliances you rarely think about until you step into a cold shower. That’s when you realize you’ve been taking your hot water heater for granted. That’s when you can’t wait – you need it fixed immediately! If you’re considering replacing your hot water heater, you should know that you have options. In this post, we’ll take a look at a few of the differences between traditional tank water heaters and tankless water heaters.

IN THE TANK

Traditional tank-based water heaters are still the most common, due to their reliability. However, even newer models can leave something to be desired in terms of efficiency. Because water has to be continuously heated, you’ll spend more money on electricity.

TANKLESS ADVANTAGES

Tankless water heaters are gaining in popularity because of a few advantages:

• Smaller: Traditional tanks take up an entire utility closet, while tankless units are much smaller and can attach to the wall, allowing for increased storage space.
• Efficiency: Tankless water heaters will save you money on your electric bill.  That’s because they only heat as much water as is needed, right as it’s being used, instead of constantly working to keep an entire tank of water warm.
• Endurance: Your hot water will not run out if you have multiple people showering. Because the water is heated as it enters your home, it will stay hot. Traditional tanks can run out of hot water and take a while to refill and reheat.

TRADITIONAL ADVANTAGES

Of course, there are reasons traditional tanks are still widely used: 

• Home size: Larger homes that use and need more water can often be more comfortable with a full tank. This is especially true if you have more than the usual number of bathrooms and other appliances that rely on hot water.
• Installation: The infrastructure for traditional tanks is typically already in place. A tankless water heater will require some new installation. The good news is that once they’re in place, the long-term maintenance costs are low.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

Most times we get a call about a hot water heater, people are in desperate need of repairs or replacement. We’re there in those situations, but sometimes it’s good to think about your options ahead of time. City Plumbing proudly sells Noritz Tankless Water Heaters. If you’re ready to talk, make an appointment today by calling 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

Showers and tub combos can be tough to keep clean – and even more so if you have a separate shower and bathtub in your bathroom. And while goodies like jetted tubs are relaxing, they can be a chore to repair when the time comes. In this post, we’ll look at diagnosing problems in the bathroom and how to fix them!

DOWN THE DRAIN

If your bathtub or shower won’t drain or drains super slowly, that’s a problem. It’s a good idea to clean the drain area regularly, especially if you have a shower/tub combo. Not only will it look a lot nicer, but it will also prevent dirt and other debris from going down the drain. If you’re able to clean out dirt and soap scum before it collects your drain, you’re saving yourself money in the long run!

STOP IT

Pull out and check the stopper near the top of the drain. This may require you to unscrew the cover. If it’s been awhile, there’s a chance that a lot of gunk has built up on it. Dirt, soap scum, hair, and other debris can build up over time. The stopper should be cleaned regularly – about once a week or so. Too much build-up will prevent it from doing its job, and your bathtub won’t hold water when you want it to.

FIND THE CLOG

If the drain is clogged and it just won’t budge, there are a few things you can try. Drain snakes are relatively inexpensive and pretty easy to use. The hook on the end will (hopefully) either break up the clog, push it through the pipe, or grab onto the clog so you can pull it out. You can remove the drain cover and see if there’s anything big at the top and just pull it out. Something may have fallen down there that you may not have realized. You don’t know until you look!

WE’LL COME RUNNING

City Plumbing has the experts to tackle any of your plumbing needs, including a bathtub that won’t drain! And don’t forget – we do HVAC too! Make an appointment today by calling 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!