Water Softener Service/Repair San Antonio

Water Softener Service/Repair

Preventive maintenance service can keep your water softener running smoothly without any problems. Cleaning is the most common and essential part. It removes all the sediments of hard water and the deposits from the internal parts. Inspection of in exchange media, gravel under-bedding, and distributor tube assembly can help in identifying the common problems like contamination.

Salt Keeper (Brine Tank) Service

Salt keeper is a main component of the water softener unit. Deposits of hard and insoluble particles can happen due to the regular working of the water softener.
• Find the “bypass” valve or the button on the softener. The digital softener will have a red button behind the control unit. Or it could be a turning type knob. Follow the manual instruction to shut down the water supply to the softener and get direct water to your home until the softener service is done.
• Open the brine tank top diffuser and the control head. Use a screwdriver or a wrench to unfasten the screws and nuts.
• Empty the water in the tank.
• Remove the salt completely from the tank
• Fill the tank with hot water and add a few spoons of tank washing liquid. Stir well and let the mix soak the tank for 20 minutes.
• Use a long-handled brush and scrub well.
• Empty the soapy water and fill with clean water. Scrub again to take out the remaining debris.
• Clean and dry the tank.
• Fill the tank with the softener manufacturer recommended salt.
• Close the tank and turn off the bypass mode.

Here, we have assumed that the softener has a separate brine tank. If it has an inbuilt tank, you can access it by opening the softener’s top guard. You can do this service once in a week or fifteen days to keep your softener working in good condition. You can also clean the main unit of the softener using the same method.

Component Service

Check the O-rings, bypass valve, screws and nuts (especially the threaded ones), funnel, timer, gauge, distributor, and the fleck-valve. If you find any cracks, loosened parts, or wear and tear, it is a good practice to replace them.

Water Softener Repair

Common problems with the water softener may include control system failure, salt-bridge formation, Ion-exchange breakdown, blockages, and parts breakdown.

Problem Detection

The error code on the display screen of the softener will often tell you the type of problem encountered. For example, it could include motor breakdown, defective PC board, power inlet damage, or resin damages.

Troubleshooting

You need to distinguish between reparable and replaceable parts for the repair. For example, it is possible to repair a problem like salt bridge and resin blockage. Defects in motor drive cap assembly and PC-Board may need part replacement rather than repair.
You should identify the problem to be solvable by the DIY method or with the help of a professional expert. He can help you in the servicing and repairing of the water softener at highly affordable costs.

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Tankless Gas Water Heaters – Are They More Energy Efficien

Tankless Gas Water Heaters – Are They More Energy Efficient

Tank-less-water-heaters have been popular in Europe and Asia for many, many years, but in United States have become popular only recently.

What is a tankless water heater?

It is also call is “on demand” water-heater -increased energy efficiency 10% – 50 % .A tankless unit provide hot water only as it is needed This results in energy savings of from 14% to 50% depending on the size.

The traditional storage tank heaters keep large quantities of water heated whether or not is about to get used. Storage tank heaters also reheat water that has not been used but has cooled inside the tank. On the other hand, a tankless heaters only expends energy to heat water as it is used. The energy savings from using a tankless water heater instead of a storage tank unit are approximately 20% of your energy bill that goes to heating water.

Types of Tankless Gas Heaters

Tankless water heaters are physically smaller than conventional tank heaters and are generally wall mounted.There are two types of tankless-water-heaters:
– Point of use – water-heaters are designed for dedicated use, meaning they supply a single faucet,
shower or appliance. “Point of use” tankless-water heaters are smaller than whole house models and fit easily in a bathroom vanity cabinet or linen closet.
– Whole house tankless-water-heaters will heat water for all needs throughout the house. These water heaters are larger than “point of use” heaters and are best situated in basements, garages or, depending on the climate where you live, outside.

Tankless-heaters can be fueled by gas (natural or propane) or electricity.

Your fuel choice will affect the heater’s price, cost to operate and flow rate.

Gas heaters are generally larger than electric units and cost more initially, but since gas is cheaper than electricity, gas powered tankless heaters are less expensive to operate. They can also generate larger flow rates, making them a more effective whole-house choice. If you’re considering a gas-powered tankless-water-heater choose a model without a pilot light to save energy and reduce operating costs.

Electric heaters are less expensive up front but cost more to operate. They also have lower flow rates than gas-powered units, so they’re better suited for point-of-use needs unless your home’s required flow rate doesn’t exceed its power. To maximize energy savings, look for tankless units with modulating controls that increase or decrease the amount of energy required to heat the-water depending on the flow rate.

Many tankless heaters qualify for the $300 Federal tax credit, so will get a well deserved break in that direction. Tankless-water-heater will last up to 20 years twice as long as conventional tank heaters. Add in their energy efficiency and lower operating costs . In most cases , the savings are even more if the heating unit is installed outside.While a tank-less-gas-water-heater is quite an investment, it will pay for itself over time. The best part is that once it has paid for the investment, you will keep saving money each month..

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Avoid Thanksgiving Plumbing Disasters

The day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days for plumbers, as it’s the day after your whole plumbing system receives a workout. Thanksgiving should be all about spending time with friends and family, watching football, and enjoying the crisp fall air. To avoid having to contact a plumber during the holidays, we’re offering some do’s and don’ts so that you can spend time with your loved ones instead of the plumber.

Why Do So Many Plumbing Issues Happen During Thanksgiving?

There are several reasons why plumbing issues are likely to occur during Thanksgiving, but some of the most common are:

● Extra people using your facilities. You may not realize that your drains are slow until there are additional people using your sinks, showers, and bathrooms.
● Guests not being aware that you don’t have a garbage disposal. Often, a house guest may help you with clean up and put food down the drain, not knowing that you don’t have a garbage disposal.
● Garbage disposal overload. A guest trying to clean up can end up clogging the garbage disposal by using it to get rid of ground coffee or other forbidden foods.

Avoid Having to Contact the Plumber in an Emergency

No one want to face a plumbing emergency during Thanksgiving, so in order to avoid having to call your local plumber, try doing some of the following:
Unclog drains before guests arrive: In the days before the arrival of your guests, check your pipes and pay attention to any drains that give you problems, or always seem to be clogged. Keep an ear out for strange gurgling sounds, and keep an eye out for standing water. If you see or hear anything that makes you believe you have a clogged drain, unclog it using an auger or a drain snake.
Ensure your bathroom garbage cans are visible to your guests: The garbage can in your bathroom should not be hidden under the sink, it should be in plain sight. Therefore, guests won’t flush down feminine products or cotton pads down your toilet as they can’t spot the garbage can. If you flush foreign objects down the toilet, it can cause it to clog rapidly and require the visit of a plumber.

Prep your garbage disposal by following these garbage disposal do’s and don’ts:
● Do run water for about a minute, flushing out any leftover grease.
● Don’t dump grease down the drain, as it will solidify, and running hot water afterward will not help.
● Do keep your water flowing whenever you are running the disposal.
● Don’t dispose of large amounts of food all at once
● Do put ice cubes down your garbage disposal, as they assist in sharpening your blades
● Don’t put fibrous food such as celery or potatoes, pasta, coffee, or rice in your disposal, as they are difficult to grind and can end up causing a blockage.
● Do deodorize your drains by putting in small pieces of lemon peel down your disposal.
● Don’t put bones down your disposal, as not only is it very hard to your ears; it also damages the blades.

Even by following all the precautions, things can still take a turn for the worse. If you have any plumbing emergencies, before, during, or after Thanksgiving, don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumber. They are there to help, and by leaving plumbing issues to be taken care of at a later date, they can only get worse, so don’t hesitate to call!

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Plumbing Mistakes all Homeowners Should Avoid

You may feel you know everything when it comes to your home. However, unless you’re a professional plumber, your plumbing system can remain a bit of a mystery. If you want to avoid any common plumbing issues, such as blocked drains or leaky pipes, then you need to ensure that you don’t make any of the following mistakes.

Throwing Everything Down the Drain

Your drains and pipes are designed to handle certain things, such as toothpaste into the sink, food scraps in your garbage disposal and flushed toilet paper. However, a lot of homeowners throw stuff down the drain that they’re not supposed to, which leads to clogged pipes and other plumbing issues. Never pour grease down your kitchen sink, or allow a lot of hair to go down your water drain.

Running Water from Too Many Plumbing Fixtures

Using too many plumbing fixtures at once is a common problem to overlook. If you’ve ever tried to do a load of laundry in the washing machine, take a shower and wash your dishes in the dishwasher at the same time, you’ve probably noticed that you have low water pressure, and not enough hot water.

Flushing Everything Down the Toilet

It may be common sense not to flush things such as toys or other large items, but a lot of plumbers have had to deal with this type of situation. Children tend to flush stuff down the toilet as a way to experiment, so it’s essential that you teach your children that they should only be flushing toilet paper.
Never dispose of things such as feminine hygiene products or anything else down your toilet, as the item may get stuck, and this means you’ll have to remove the whole toilet to fix the issue.

Not Leaving Enough Space Around the Toilet

Your toilet should have enough space around it; at least 18 inches from the front wall and 15 inches from the side wall. This will give you enough space to move around, and it will ensure that you don’t end up with the bathtub, sink or shower too close to the toilet, making it uncomfortable and awkward to use either of them.

Not Using Matching Pipes

This problem is a widespread one, and many plumbers have had to deal with this issue. Not using matching pipes is a severe issue, that can lead to significant problems. For example, you cannot connect a copper pipe to a galvanized metal pipe, as these materials will corrode very quickly when interacting with one another. If you have an old home and find that your tubes are made out of different materials, then make sure you install a suitable fitting to connect the pipes.

Winging It

A lot of homeowners will attempt a DIY plumbing fixture to save some money. This can be a good idea if the repairs are quick and easy, as long as you know what you’re getting into. If you’re not sure how to fix something, then leave it to the professionals.
Sometimes just because you can take something apart doesn’t mean you’ll be able to put it back together. Don’t learn this the hard way and make sure you contact a plumber before trying to fix a problem if you’re not sure where to start.

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Plumbing Safety Tips for Homeowners

Being a homeowner means that you’re responsible for the maintenance of everything in your home. These responsibilities include your plumbing system and all its fixtures. While it is always recommended that you contact a professional plumber for any significant fixes, there are a few plumbing issues you can take care of yourself around your home.
However, you need to be well versed in the proper safety practices before you start any basic plumbing repairs in your home. Follow these safety tips and avoid making common DIY plumbing mistakes.

Follow The Dos and Don’ts

Make sure you always follow the dos and don’ts of DIY plumbing maintenance and repair.
Do
● Cover Your Hands: You need to protect your hands at all times, primarily if you will be working with pipes and chemicals found in drain cleaners. When you are snaking or cleaning your drains, we recommend using a pair of latex gloves underneath your work gloves, which will protect your hands from coming into contact with any bacteria or germs.
● Shield Your Eyes: You need to wear proper safety glasses whenever you’re doing plumbing work. No matter if you’re hammering, filing down a pipe, drilling, snaking a drain or sawing, you want to make sure that nothing has the chance to fly off and hurt your eyes.
● Have a Partner: Ideally, you should do all plumbing repairs with a partner, who can help you in case you need any assistance. Your partner can turn off a machine quickly, turn off the water when you’re fixing a leak, or assist you in snaking a drain. The situation will only be more productive and safer when you have an extra set of hands and eyes helping you out.
● Leave the Hard Stuff to the Professionals: You can inspect your plumbing on your own, as well as fix small issues. However, keep in mind that any bigger job is best left suited to the professionals. Tackling a more significant task on your own means you could end up doing more harm than good and needing the help of the professionals.

Don’t
● Ignore Strange Smells:
When performing a plumbing fix or maintenance, don’t ignore any strange smells coming out of your drain. These smells could mean that your drain is blocked, and it needs to be cleared. Its also very important that if you smell any gas, you vacate your home immediately and contact your gas company so they can come, verify, and fix any leaks.
● Misuse Your Tools:
Tools are always created with a specific job in mind, so make sure you always read the instructions and use your tool for the job it was designed for. Abusing a device or using it for something it wasn’t meant to could break the tool and you could end up injuring yourself.
● Make It Up As You Go:
When installing a fixture or repairing a plumbing issue, one wrong move could mean you are standing ankle deep in water with a new leak and a new set of problems. If you’re not sure of how to fix something, don’t wing it. Contact your local plumber instead, as they will know how to repair the problem. Calling a plumbing company will mean that you won’t have to pay them to correct both the original issue and the issue you created while trying to fix it.

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Most Common Causes for Leaky Faucets

Most Common Causes for Leaky Faucets
Plumbing issues are a significant cause of headaches for homeowners. It can be something as simple as a leaking faucet or something as substantial as a burst pipe or another plumbing emergency, but any plumbing mishap can leave you with added stress and an expensive repair bill.

One of the most common plumbing issues, and luckily one of the easiest to deal with, is a leaky faucet. The typical reasons a faucet may leak include a mineral deposit on the internal parts, defective washers, gaskets or o-rings, as well as corrosion.

Fortunately, most leaky taps can be easily fixed by the homeowner, you just need to have the proper tools. You never want to ignore a leaky faucet, as not only will you be wasting hundreds of gallons of water a month, but also your repair bill can rise from $200 to over a $1000.

Read on for the most common causes of leaking faucets, as well on how you can fix them, and save yourself water, time and money.
O-Ring issues: Your O-Ring is responsible for keeping the seals airtight on your faucet. A leaky faucet, especially when the leak is happening by the handle where the O-Ring is located, means that you will need a replacement. This usually is an easy fix, and it just means that your O-Ring was worn out and not creating as much of a seal as it should have.

Broken seals: Outlet and inlet seals play a vital part in controlling water flow. Over time, these seals can wear out due to use and sediment buildup, causing the faucet to leak. To have the tap work effectively, you can either replace the seals and repair the issue, or have a plumber clean out the sediment from the seals.

Loose parts: The packing nuts and adjusting ring in the steam screw can become loose with time and usage, causing the handle of the faucet to leak. If you notice the water dripping from near the handle, you need to either tighten or completely replace the packing nut.

Changes in water pressure: Unstable water pressure can be the reason why your faucet is leaking, especially if it only leaks at certain times during the course of the day. Too high water pressure means water is backed up and looks for ways to be released, which tend to include your faucet. If you believe water pressure is the reason behind your problem, then contacting a plumber to inspect the pressure is the most efficient way to deal with this issue.

Broken plumbing: If you have checked the seal, replaced the O-Ring and you are confident your water pressure is stable, the cause of your leaky faucet could be a busted plumbing fixture. Constant use and age can crack fixtures, causing them to leak water. The smartest way to handle this situation is to contact a professional plumber, as DIY on this issue is not recommended.
Sediment buildup and corrosion: Sediment build up causes corrosion, and it’s a significant contributor to leaky faucets. The faucet connections or the valve seat can be affected by corrosion, which leads to leaks. To avoid corrosion, we recommend regularly cleaning out the sediments from the valve seat.

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Warning Signs That You Need A Pipe Repair

If you want to reduce your utility bills this fall, one of the most essential plumbing services to consider is pipe repair. It can be difficult for homeowners to spot problems with their pipes, as they are typically located under floors and between walls.
Therefore, you could have a problem with your pipes and not even know it, meaning the problem could be growing and becoming worse. If the issue is a leaky pipe, this can cost you a lot of money on wasted water and an increased water bill, or even lead to an expensive water damage restoration service.
However, there’s no need to despair as identifying the signs of a pipe problem is not that complicated. You just need to take a closer look around your home, which will help you in determining if your pipes are in need of professional repair.
When Should I Contact a Plumber for Pipe Repair?
Signs of leaky pipes may not be what you expect, so take note of the following warning signs that you need pipe repair.
Rust spots: Your water pipes run throughout the whole of your house, so if you spot a rust spot, even if it’s in a place you wouldn’t expect to find it, it could mean that your pipes are old and rusting, and need replacing.
Replacing your pipes can be very expensive, so before you start to panic or spend lots of money restoring your pipes, contact a trusted local plumber. They will advise you if your pipes can be fixed, or if a replacement is imminent.
Unexplained holes and cracks: Any pipes with visible cracks or holes is a need for concern. The older your pipes, the more at risk they are of physical damage. If you allow this damage to persist, it will only get worse, so make sure you contact a plumber at the first visible sign of physical pipe damage.
Corrosion in your pipes: Some pipes will be visible, such as the pipes in your basement and the outside of your house. You need to check these pipes for corrosion regularly. If there are any corroded pipes, then the pipes inside your home are also corroding, and they need immediate attention before they burst.
Decrease in water pressure: If you start to notice that the water pressure in your home has decreased, making it more difficult to wash dishes and take showers, this usually means that your pipes are failing. When experiencing any unexplained drops in water pressure, you need to contact a plumber to inspect your pipes, as they could collapse at any moment.
Old Home: If your home was built a long time ago, it’s possible that you still have the home’s original pipes, which can become an issue. The older the house gets, so do the pipes, making corrosion and rust very likely. If you believe that your pipes are original, then contact a plumber to inspect them, just in case.
Damp floors and walls: Any water stains on your floors or walls mean that you need to contact a professional for pipe leak repair as quickly as possible before severe water damage occurs. Damp floors and walls will lead to mold growth, decreasing your air quality and the health of you and your family.

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