Most hot water heaters have a temperature and pressure release valve. The TPR valve is a safety mechanism of boilers and water heaters that allow the appliances to release water to mitigate temperature or pressure levels in the appliance. Learning about these valves can help you understand issues that can occur with your hot water tank.
The last thing you want this holiday season is a house full of guests when your sewer line decides to fail. The good news is that a sewer line problems rarely occur without first providing a lot of warning. Know the signs of impending sewer lines issues so you can have the problem repaired before major damage occurs.
Water heater tanks are a bit of a mystery to many homeowners. And even basic maintenance can be difficult if you aren’t experienced in water heater care. But did you know that one component of your water heater is designed for frequent replacement? It’s called the anode rod, and it’s a critical part of your water heater.
Some homeowners replace the anode rod on their own, while others have a plumbing contractor perform the switch. But either way, you need to know more about the anode rod to understand why it’s so critical and why it needs replacing so often. Learn about some basics every homeowner should know about the water heater tank and its anode rod.
Anode Rods Are One of Two Protective Measures
A flooded home is no fun at any time of year, whether it occurs in the winter or in the summer. But fortunately, many types of floods are less likely to happen if you take great care of your plumbing. Here are some common ways plumbing malfunctions could cause a flood in your home and how you can avoid this result in your house.
1. Broken Pipes
Pipes can sometimes rust through and develop pinhole leaks. But in other cases they can fail catastrophically and spew water everywhere. Two reasons your pipes might flood in this dramatic fashion include water hammer and freezing.
Water hammer is caused when you use a faucet or appliance and then switch the water off abruptly. The water is pressurized, so it hits the end of the line and sends shock waves radiating back through the pipe. This can cause an audible clatter and can actually cause the pipe to bang against anything nearby, like a wall. Sometimes it bangs long and hard enough to break.
If you suspect you have a problem with water hammer, contact your plumbing contractor. If you cushion the pipes, install an arrestor, and even lower the water pressure slightly, you may help reduce or prevent damage.
A frozen and burst pipe typically occurs when your area experiences a cold snap. The first pipes to freeze are often those that are unprotected: those installed along your home’s attic floor or in your basement, for example.
You can protect these pipes with insulation or heat tape. You can also let the faucet trickle to reduce the chances that the pipes will freeze or burst.
Every gallon of water you conserve helps the environment and helps your pocketbook. Replacing your old water-guzzling toilet with a new high-efficiency toilet is a smart way to save water. Here are three facts about saving water with a new toilet.
1. Old Toilets Are Water Wasters
Since 1980, toilet manufacturers have worked hard to lower the water usage of their toilets and meet government regulations for toilet-flushing efficiency. Toilets manufactured before 1980 used as much as seven gallons of water per flush.
After passage of the Energy Policy Act in 1992, all toilets were required to use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Today, homeowners can choose from toilets that flush with as little as 1.1 gallons of water. Since toilet-flushing represents a large percentage of a home’s water usage, replacing an older toilet with a high-efficiency toilet significantly reduces your total water consumption.