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It’s Saturday morning. It’s been an exhausting week and you were out late last night. You decide that a hot shower is just what you need, so you shuffle your way sleepily to the bathroom and turn the shower faucet on.

The familiar spitting sound reminds you, almost with insult, that you’ve been meaning to call a plumber for two weeks! Now it’s weekend, and you know there’ll be a weekend surcharge if you call one now!

Dang.

Instead of taking yet another low-pressure, completely un-satisfying shower, read up on some simple plumbing hacks to help you maintain your home, and also avoid unnecessary fees for a plumber.

Quick Plumbing Fixes #1 … Low Pressure in the Shower

We’ll help you with that spitting shower first – the good news is that it’s likely caused by a build-up of scale, which is a fairly easy problem to solve:

1. Before you do anything, switch the water off at your main inlet.
2. Unscrew the shower head, and remove the spray plate.
3. Soak the plate in a descaling agent for a few hours. We recommend white vinegar.
4. Rinse the plate and reassemble the shower.
5. Enjoy! (Remember to switch the water supply back on)

If you’re unsure about what you’re doing, Clovis Plumbing Services is available to meet your needs.

Quick Plumbing Fixes #2 … Unclogging a Sink Drain

A clogged drain is a common problem in any normal household – it’s certainly worth it to try to solve the problem independently, without a plumber. And it’s actually kinda fun:

1. Pour hot water down the drain.
2. Pour a moderate amount of baking soda down the drain, and then carefully pour vinegar directly after it.
3. Take only a moment moment to stand in awe at the spectacle you’ve created – the chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar can be quite exciting, but for safety reasons, please do plug the drain immediately.
4. Give it a few moments before carefully removing the plug, and pouring more hot water down the drain.

A clogged drain should come right with this method, and we love that it’s more eco-friendly than using harsh, and often dangerous, chemicals. If your drain is still misbehaving after a clean, do give us a call.

Quick Plumbing Fixes #3 … Smelly Garbage Disposals

A garbage disposal unit is constantly chewing up food and waste – it stands to reason that over time, rotting food trapped in the blades may develop a nasty odor. You can deal with this quite effectively with the simplest tools and ingredients:

1. Place ice cubes into the garbage disposal, along with a generous portion of lemon peels.
2. Switch the garbage disposal on and let it run for about 30 seconds, while adding a little bit of dishwashing detergent. The debris should harden and become a little slippery, which makes it easier to remove from the blades.
3. The lemon peel is a natural cleaner and leaves your garbage disposal unit smelling super-fresh.

Garbage disposal units don’t have to be overwhelming – maintain them and keep them clean, and they’ll service you for years. Clovis Plumbing Services is able to assist you with repairs.

Quick Plumbing Fixes #4 … Dropped a Ring in the Toilet

As much as you love that shiny diamond ring, we can understand the temptation to flush and walk away. Take a deep breath – you’ve got this:

1. Take out the filter from a wet-and-dry vacuum.
2. If it’s jewellery that you’re trying to retrieve, use a crevice attachment on the hose.
3. Insert the vacuum hose into the toilet as far as possible, and switch it on.
4. You will likely hear the item being sucked up.
5. Throw your vacuum away. (We’re kidding! But you may want to give it a good wash with a sterilizing soap)

This method can also be used to extract items from sink drains, and could save you the hassle of completely dismantling your bathroom, just for a trinket. But if you do need help, we’re a call away.

Quick Plumbing Fixes #5 … Save Water with a Smaller Toilet Tank

Older toilet cisterns are typically larger and they hold a lot more water than the newer cisterns. Newer designs have been refined, and less water is required to flush a toilet.

If your old-school toilet is still functioning really well, it seems a shame to replace the entire thing, but you can still try save water with this simple hack:

1. Fill up a 20-ounce plastic bottle with water and place this into your toilet tank.
2. Make sure that the bottle does not float – you’ll need to ensure that there’s no air in the bottle, so that it sinks.
3. The bottle displaces water in the cistern, so that you’re using 20 ounces less water per flush. Added up over time, that’s a huge contribution to the world water crisis, and to your monthly water bill.

If your old-school toilet is showing signs of giving out, Clovis Plumbing Services offers complete bathroom installation services – and now we’re available for all of your plumbing needs.

We’ve increased our footprint in the Central Valley, and now offer plumbing in Fresno Ca. Our services are comprehensive, from installation to repairs, services, maintenance and leak detection. When DIY doesn’t work, let us help you.

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Although the initial cost for a Rinnai tankless water heater installation is higher than the tank models, they are more cost-effective at the end of the day.

Some of the reasons property owners are opting for tankless water heaters include continuous hot water, extra space for storage and lesser energy bills.

However, many people don’t consider these perks huge enough to make up for the extra cost of purchase and expense incurred for installation.

According to estimates by the U.S. Department of Energy, gas-powered tankless heaters save about $108 in energy costs yearly compared to the traditional tankess heaters, while there’s a $44 savings on electric tankless heaters each year.

Sounds like a good deal right? Just hold off on squandering that savings yet.

It costs about three times extra to purchase a tankless water heater than the regular storage types. While an electric traditional water heater costs just about $1000 for the entire house, its counterpart costs up to $3000 which is not inclusive of the installation charge to be paid to a plumber.

In addition, it is not every home that is prepared to accommodate a tankless water heater. The homeowners that have only electricity-compatible utilities may need to upgrade their electrical system which entails hiring the services of an electrician.

When you are ready to shop for a tankless unit, you must first decide on buying either the natural gas models or the electric models.

However, lots of property holders see beyond energy savings when it comes to the advantages of a tankless water heater.

Some other benefits include the space they save because of its compact design, they are long-lasting and more environmentally friendly since a tank that is rusty doesn’t wind up in the landfill.

According to Tod Dale, owner of Clovis Plumbing Services situated in Clovis, California, many people buy these tankless waters because it is eco-friendly. Also, these heaters usually come with a lengthy warranty.

I know you’re now wondering if a Rinnai tankless water heater installation is the best option for you…

Below are some of the factors to think about before deciding to go for the tankless model:

• Demand: How often is hot water needed at your home? Would you prefer a unit that serves just a single bathroom or one for the whole house?
• Type: Think about the requirements associated with installing the different models. If you want an electric version, you’ll be needing the correct voltage, circuit breaker and amperage while the gas-powered models have need for vents.
• Location: The heaters must be located within 50 feet approximately from its source of power, and be able to mount on an interior or exterior wall.
• Life expectancy: They mainly last for over 20 years which is double the natural life of traditional storage water heaters.
• Installation: You will need to employ an expert heating and A/C contractor or plumber to set it up. Most times though, when you buy the product from a dealer, installation comes with the package.

So now that you’ve come to a decision to buy tankless, what next?

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The first thing you need to do is select a natural gas or an electric model.

Aside the cost of rewiring the house which was earlier mentioned, there are huge differences between the electric and the natural gas models.

There is a 99% efficiency guarantee for the electric models. Nevertheless, they still don’t meet the requirements for discounts or an Energy Star rating, which needs a product that enhances more than 14% energy output compared to older models.

According to the Department of Energy, natural gas tankless water heaters are almost 23% more efficient compared to the traditional storage type, which has only about 60% efficiency.

Most of the tankless units that are gas-powered however, are eligible for a federal tax rebate of $300. A lot of states provide very similar incentives.

In general, the thought behind a tankless system is that hot water is supplied as needed, rather than continuously heating water that is stored in a tank.

Does a Rinnai tankless water heater installation sound like the best option for your home? Just a minute…

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Take a look at these five disadvantages before your plumber makes the switch:

• The price of purchasing and installing a tankless system is much higher than the cost of a traditional tank. It usually costs between $1,000 – $2,000 more to buy without even factoring the installation cost.
• This will be more beneficial and cost-effective to families and people who use lots of water as against someone who lives alone and doesn’t use much water.
• It requires the services of an expert in water heater at least yearly to de-lime tankless heaters. On the other hand, traditional models only need little or no professional maintenance throughout their lifetime.
• As a homeowner, it’ll cost you thousands of dollars to upgrade the electrical systems in order to accommodate the tankless system if you decide to go for the electric model.

What’s the future of traditional heaters?

Tod Dale of Clovis Plumbing Services in Clovis, California, as well as many water heating experts, are of the opinion that the Rinnai tankless water heater installation is the future of water heating.

We expect an improvement on the technology behind the product and newly constructed buildings ought to adjust speedily to the additional electrical requirements.

“Almost everyone wins in this situation,” he says. “But at this instant, just not everybody.”

Call Us at (559) 940-0890

Call Us at (559) 940-0890

Is your water heater starting to act up? There’s more to think about besides a water heater service. Servicing a water heater can be extremely dangerous, so it’s best to hire a licensed plumber.

If your showers are becoming shorter due to the lack of hot water flow, it’s very likely that you’ve asked yourself how much it costs to repair an old water heater and which factors affect the cost?

According to top rated plumbing companies, the average lifespan of a typical tank-type natural gas or electric water heater is only 8 to 12 years, making a water heater replacement a very common home improvement.

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So how much should you pay? According to professionals, the hard costs for a water heater service, whether it’s a tank-type or a tankless water heater, vary depending on your service area.

Each water heater service is different

“Pricing starts at about $200.00 and can go up to $1,000.00 to repair a water heater,” says Tod Dale, Owner of Clovis Plumbing Services in Clovis, Ca. “It’s difficult to give an accurate estimate without seeing the water heater firsthand.”

“The cost will depend on the type of repair and that is going to be unique to each project,” he says. “It will also depend on what type of water heater the customer currently has, if they want to repair or replace it, and what has to change to comply with local code.”

He adds that for his local community, most customers have existing 50 gallon natural gas water heaters, which can range from $200 to $1,000 to repair and $1,250 to 1,550 to replace.

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Hiring a licensed plumber ensures that electrical, gas and plumbing systems are properly repaired and meet local code. “You’re getting a licensed professional who is going to repair or replace the water heater correctly, confirm all safety features are functioning, and the water heater service or replacement meets local plumbing codes,” says Tod Dale, a licensed plumber in Clovis, Ca.

“A water heater service can be dangerous and we discover poorly repaired or installed water heaters on a regular basis,” he says. “On electric water heaters, you are working with 240 volts of electricity,” Tod notes.

If a gas leak develops on a gas water heater and it’s not corrected, it could result in major property damage or loss of life to the occupants.

Other considerations for a water heater include making sure it is plumbed correctly, including maintaining clearances established by code or the manufacturer and installing overflow pans if required.

Tod says one of the most important elements for gas tank-type water heaters or tankless water heaters is making sure the units are vented correctly to prevent being exposed to carbon monoxide gases produced by the water heater expelling combusted fuel.

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According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), carbon monoxide poisoning causes close to 500 deaths each year and over 25,000 visits to emergency rooms.

Hiring a licensed professional plumber with experience in water heater installation is a safety measure every homeowner should take when repairing a water heater, Tod says.

Energy efficient water heaters

If you’ve thought about investing in higher energy efficiency tankless water heater, then you should expect to pay substantially more. “For a gas water heater, the typical cost will be in the $3,000 to $4,000 range,” Tod says.

Tankless water heaters take much longer to install, a full 8 to 10 hours as opposed to 2 to 3 hours for a tank-type water heater. And it’s something only licensed contractors should attempt.

This is due to many factors, including the installation of a dedicated gas line that can handle the large gas flow requirements when the unit is in use, any electrical modifications and special venting requirements.

So before you perform a water heater service, take a close look at all of the available options.

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Need a water heater replacement?

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Residential water heaters can last between 8 to 12 years before they need to be replaced. Since the internal parts become corroded with calcium, magnesium and other minerals or debris, the water heater becomes less efficient over time.

Flushing the water heater on a regular basis may help keep it working longer, however, there are telltale signs that will alert you that it’s time for a water heater replacement before it fails completely.

Signs you need a water heater replacement.

• If the water is unclear and rusty
• If your tank has any rust or corrosion
• The water is not getting hot enough
• If the water has a strange odor or a metallic taste
• Leakage around the water heater is a sign of trouble indicating the major failure.
• If it’s over 10 years old, it’s the end of the lifespan

If you’re water heater calls for replacement, you can either get the same unit or upgrade it depending upon your needs. For example… you may either increase or decrease the units holding capacity depending on the number of members in your family and the type of use.

Some of the important features to be considered for water heater replacement

• Gallon capacity
• Number of gallons heater will heat in an hour
• Energy efficiency

When replacing your existing water heater, choose carefully. Select the water heater that satisfies your needs and one which uses as little energy as possible.

Storage tank water heater

• One of the most common types of water heater is a storage tank water heater which are available in electric and gas models.
• It has an insulated tank where the water is heated. Hot water is pulled out of the top of the water heater by replacing the cold water flow in the bottom. So the hot water is always available for use.
• The tank capacity of storage water heater ranges from 30 to 100 gallons. You can select the tank size according to your use.
• You should also consider the recovery rate of a storage water heater that is the number of water they can heat in an hour.

Tankless water heater

• This type of water heater supplies hot water on demand.
• The water is heated when it passes through a heat exchanger.
• Tankless water heaters are available in electric and gas models.
• The flow rate of hot water is limited it provides 5 to 11 gallons per minute.

Pros and Cons of a tank type water heater

1. It is less expensive and available in varied range of sizes.
2. Installation can cost up to 1500.00 for a 40 to 50 gallon tank.
3. Life span is 10 to 12 years.
4. Short time installation around 2 to 3 hours.
5. Loss of energy as the heating process is a continuous process.
6. It is bulky in size taking up a good amount of space of your house.

Pros and Cons of a tankless water heater

1. Energy efficient, uses 20% to 30% less energy as compared to storage water tanks.
2. It heats the water only at the time of use so very little or no standby energy loss.
3. It doesn’t take up much space as it is compact in size and can be installed outside.
4. It is expensive to install. Installation charges are as high as $3500.
5. Flow of hot water is limited according to the size of the unit.
6. Long installation time around 8 hours.
7. Life span is up to 20 years.

A water heater installation should always be done by a professional plumber so as to avoid any problems. Clovis Plumbing Services provides you with the best solution for your next water heater replacement.

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Need water heater service?

A kitchen faucet installation is the most common project in a home. It is the central point that connects the people in your home.

Therefore, choosing the best items to install in your kitchen is essential to the comfort of your home. Especially for the people who love cooking or spending time in the kitchen they need to choose the most beautiful and effective kitchen faucets.

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Elegant kitchen faucets that are profound for the water system can be the cornerstone that gives the desired sharp look that you want. When choosing the best kitchen faucet, you need to consider the functions that it should serve and the options available.

There are two main types of faucets, differentiated by their structure, namely, single–handle and two-handle faucet. As their names suggest, the single-handle faucet is made of a single handle.

It is more commonly used than the two-handle kitchen faucet. It has the advantage of temperature adjustment functions that can be easily operated with one hand.

Choosing the Right Kitchen Faucet Installation

Modern faucets such as Moen have integral pull-out spray head. Such modern single faucets may need one or more faucets depending on the way they are to be used. If the sink is not pre-drilled or has an under-mount model, these faucets are a good option.

There are those single faucets that require four holes. The extra holes are for fitting the side sprayer and lotion dispenser. There are single-handle faucets that have a high arc and a movable sprayer.

The two-handle faucets are the choices for most traditional kitchens. However, some modern sinks are shallow and unsuitable for installation of these faucets. The spouts of these faucets are shaped with elegance.

Faucets may also be classified as pullout faucets or pull-down faucets. The pull out kitchen faucet has a spout that is adjustable by pulling out to extend its reach. It is useful when a person needs to fill water in buckets or items that do not fit in the sink.

On the other hand, pull down faucets are adjusted downwards. It may be replaced by use of a hose pipe to achieve its functionality. It is the most commonly used as a commercial kitchen faucet.

Moreover, the faucets are also differentiated by their body. There are those that have a preset spacing between the tailpieces, with taps and spouts mounted on the body. Widespread faucets have independent taps that allow you to install them wherever you wish, adjusting the spacing between the tailpieces using tubes.

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Depending on the home architecture and the budget, a person has a variety of kitchen faucet models to choose from. On purchase, one may seek the services of a plumber for installation or simply do it themselves.

Choosing the best kitchen faucet is advantageous in that, the flow of water in the sink is steady and consistent so that you can perform house chores without inconvenience. The water flows calmly and does not necessarily splash all over the kitchen and wet the room.

Depending on the faucet bought, there are different ways used to install them. Additionally, there are dealers that provide kitchen faucet installation quotes on purchase of the faucet which when included in your order, allows the dealer to send an installer for your faucet.

Need a faucet repair?