Month: February 2021

When the weather gets cold outside, it’s more important to stay warm inside! That not only goes for a good heater but a good hot water heater, as well. If it’s not providing hot water, or only providing a limited supply, you’ll want to get it fixed right away. In this post, we’ll take a look at some common problems to look out for.

SPRUNG A LEAK

As with anything plumbing-related, a leak is something you always want to avoid. A leak on a water heater could be the result of a broken valve, rust or corrosion, or too much pressure in the tank. If you notice water around your water heater, get it checked out immediately!

LOST EFFICIENCY

Has your electric bill been going up for no apparent reason? How about a delay in the time it takes for water to heat up? Mineral deposits in hard water can build up inside your tank or pipes and cause them to lose efficiency. Get it fixed before you’re left out in the cold.

SHORT ON HOT WATER

A short-lived shower is one of the worst things about an old or broken water heater. A variety of things can cause this including a broken thermostat, faulty element, loose wiring, or maybe your tank is just too small! If a quick adjustment on your thermostat doesn’t heat things up, it could be time for a new tank. And don’t forget about the tankless option – where you never run out of hot water!

DIRTY WATER

If your water appears dirty, or possibly rusty, this is a sign that sediment has accumulated in your tank. It’s easy to see if the water is discolored when running into your tub or sink. Sometimes this can be solved by flushing out the tank. Replacing the anode rod is another fix that can add life to your tank.

NOISY WATER HEATER

If your water heater is making loud gurgling noises, that’s an indicator that it needs to be drained to help get rid of the sentiment that’s built up inside. The minerals can collect on their way to the tank, then accumulate at the bottom.

CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKS

If you have a gas water heater, you should be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide. It’s colorless, odorless, and can kill you if you breathe it in! Make sure the exhaust pipe is properly maintained. If you ever experience extreme dizziness or are gasping for air, get fresh air immediately! You should also have a CO detector in your home!

WE’LL COME RUNNING

These are just a few of the potential problems that can happen with your water heater. The certified professionals at City Plumbing can help you maintain your current water heater, and help you decide if it’s time for a new one. We are proud to install Noritz Tankless Water Heaters for those who want to ditch the tank and enjoy never-ending hot water. Call us today for an appointment at 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

Heaters are supposed to blow heat and air conditioners are supposed to cool, right? But have you ever cranked up the thermostat only to find that when the air turns on it actually feels cold? Even if the temperature eventually does rise, it can leave you uncomfortable in the meantime. In this post, we’ll explain some quick fixes for your heat pump.

HEAT PUMP = COLD AIR?

Air from a heat pump should be about 90 degrees. If it feels cold, something is obviously wrong! Here’s a list of things to check:

• Thermostat settings: Make sure the thermostat is set to HEAT and that you have your desired temperature set. Make sure the HEAT PUMP setting is selected and that the batteries are properly charged.
• Condenser coils: The coils on your outside unit can get jammed up with dirt, leaves, or other debris. Make sure to keep them clean so the unit can function properly!
• Heat pump freeze: A combination of factors can cause the pump to freeze up, making it impossible to produce warm air. This can include dirty coils, clogged filters, or low refrigerant.
• Reversing valve: The reversing valve switches the pump from cool to heat. If it’s not working, your unit will not produce hot air.
• General maintenance: It’s a good idea to get your whole HVAC system inspected at least once a year. The certified pros at City Plumbing can check and clean everything listed above, as well as take care of other routine things that can cause lost efficiency.

CLEAN AND CHECK

City Plumbing recommends HVAC tune-ups twice a year. The fall and spring are a great time to get it checked out, as you prepare to switch from heat to cool and vice-versa. For $89.99, our experts will check your filters, clean your condenser coil, inspect safety controls, calibrate your thermostat, and much more. To make an appointment, call us today at 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

People in most of the country can drink tap water without giving it a second thought. Unfortunately, that’s not the case here in West Texas, where hard water and minerals make it nearly impossible to enjoy water from the tap. That doesn’t necessarily make it unsafe, it just means it tastes horrible! Bottled water is an option that can get expensive and creates a lot of trash. What if there was a way to purify your water so you could drink it straight from the tap? In this post, we’ll explain the Reverse Osmosis process and how an R.O. system could work for you and your household!

WHAT IS OSMOSIS?

To define reverse osmosis, you must first define osmosis. Osmosis is when differing molecules merge together to balance each other. Here’s an example: If you poured a glass of dirty water into a glass of clean water, the two would merge. You would still have a glass of water, but it would be cleaner than the dirty water and dirtier than the clean water. That’s because all of the particles would naturally merge together when they are put together. This process is called osmosis.

WHAT IS REVERSE OSMOSIS?

So if osmosis occurs naturally, reverse osmosis does not occur naturally. To make the water clean again, you have to apply a force. An easier way to explain reverse osmosis is to call it a filter. The filter acts as a selectively permeable membrane, meaning the smaller particles will get through, but the larger ones will be left behind. In the example with water, if you force the dirty water through the filter, it will leave the contaminants behind, only allowing pure water to pass through.

PURIFICATION FILTERS

The water purification filters trap particles like calcium and rust before they get into your drinking water. Many systems use a second carbon filter to catch more chemicals – things like chlorine which come in even smaller particles. Finally, a Reverse Osmosis membrane filter uses an ultraviolet lamp to sterilize any remaining contaminants. Depending on the filter type, the sizes of the membrane pores can vary. The smaller the filter, the cleaner the water.

You are essentially doing the opposite of the merging process that occurs during the natural process of osmosis. Hence, this process is called reverse osmosis. Simple, right?

WE’LL COME RUNNING

City Plumbing has the R.O. solution that’s right for your home. Call us today for an appointment at 432-366-2401. We’ll show you your options and help you enjoy cleaner water in your own home. Give us a call and we’ll come running!