The Importance of Water Heater Maintenance

We might not think about them often, but water heaters are an integral part of a well-functioning home. What do water heaters do? Essentially water heaters heat all of the water in your home, which includes showers, baths, kitchen and bathroom faucets, washing machines and dishwashers.
One of the last things you want to break in your home, especially during the colder months, is the water heater. This is why water heater maintenance is so important. Below are a few tips and tricks to ensure your water heater runs properly year round.

• As water heaters age they tend to not function as well as they used to due to a sediment buildup in the tank. As water heaters grow older, they accumulate sediment and lime deposits. If these deposits are not removed periodically, the sediment will create a barrier between the burner and the water, greatly reducing the water heater's performance level. At least once every three months drain water from the tank. Tip: Draining a gallon or so on a regular basis helps remove the sediment.
• Periodically inspect your water heater’s burner. The flame under the heater should be blue with yellow tips. If the flame is mostly yellow, or if there appears to be soot beneath the burner, the flue might be clogged. This could be a dangerous situation. Please call a professional to check out the water heater and make sure it’s safe.
• Every one to two years call us to inspect your water heater. We will make sure the drain valves aren’t leaking and that there isn’t any corrosion on the anode rods.

Call Shelton Plumbing at (254) 751–9655 to request a service call for your water heater. We will make sure it’s ready for the cold months ahead.

Faucet and Sinks Tips

A little drip here and there may not seem like much at the time, but in the end these little wastes of water can costs you tons. Check out some tips from us here at Shelton Plumbing in order to keep your sinks from falling apart!

• Always address the problem as soon as you find it! Check your entire sink and identify where the leak is coming from. Leaving a bowl underneath your sink will not help and could cause a bigger problem in the end.
• Figure out what type of faucet you have before trying to fix it. There are 4 types of faucets; compression, cartridge, ceramic disk, and ball type. Not all faucets need the same type of treatment or parts!
• Here are some tools you should always have handy in case of a leak: slip join pliers, flat-head screw driver, pipe thread compound, pocket knife, and short-handled pliers.
• Try to keep underneath your sink as organized as possible! If it’s too crowded it can be hard to get to the link or ruin your cleaning supplies and tools you might have stored there!
• Before trying to fix a problem with your sink, you must turn off your water supply. What looks like a small leak could easily turn into a heavy leak and ruin your floors.
• Something you should do every year, even if you haven’t encountered any problems is clean your faucet aerators. The aerator can be found at the tip of your faucet. This is what shapes the water coming out of your faucet!
• If you’ve recently remodeled your home and put a new sink in, check your warranty policy! Most of the newer sinks of a great warranty policy and will be able to send you the parts you need for your sink.
• Our last tip is to never take on a small leak if you’re not positive on how to fix it! We are always here to help and would be happy to fix whatever problem you are having.

We hope these tips help you when dealing with a problem with your sink or faucets. Call Shelton Plumbing at (254) 751-9655 if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to working with you!

Preventing Clogged Drains

What’s the best way to avoid clogged drains? Do not rinse fats or cooking oils down the kitchen sink. We know it’s hard, but try to drain the fats and oils into a cup and throw them out. Why? Liquid fats solidify in the cold pipes and create clogs. Using filters and strainers will help, but getting drains snaked periodically is also a good idea.

We also recommend following the tips listed below.

1. Install strainers in sinks and bathtubs to catch hair and soap.
2. Pour boiling water down sinks and tubs monthly to dislodge trapped hair, food and grease.
3. Clean sink and bath stoppers regularly.
4. Run lots of cold water when running the garbage disposal.

Good to know...

Do not use caustic liquid drain openers (like Drano or Liquid Plumber) on a drain that is completely clogged. The caustic ingredients can become trapped in your pipes, and it can severely damage them. If you can't snake the drain yourself, contact us today!

Call Shelton Plumbing at (254) 751-9655 if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to working with you!

How to Prep Your Plumbing System for Fall and Winter

Fall has arrived and winter isn’t far behind! It’s important to know what you should do to prep your plumbing system for the cooler seasons. Below are a few tips and suggestions that we have for you.

• Fix any leaky sinks or faucets that you might have around your home. If you wait until the cold weather has arrived to fix the leaks, the pipes could freeze causing additional issues.
• Be sure to insulate any exposed pipes in or around your home. Exposed pipes will mainly be located in your attic, crawl space and garage.
• If you have outdoor hoses be sure to disconnect them from the outdoor faucets. Store the hose in your shed or garage to protect it from the cold weather.
• Do you know where your water main is located? If not, figure it out BEFORE the cold weather hits. If your pipes freeze and burst this winter you’ll want to be able to shut off the water quickly in order to minimize further damage.

Contact Shelton Plumbing to request a service call, and make sure your plumbing system is ready for the cold months that lie ahead.

Common Summer Plumbing Issues and How to Protect Your Plumbing System

Summer is here and it’s time to talk about summer plumbing issues and how you can protect your plumbing system. The tips listed below will save you both money and energy!

• During the summer Americans spend A LOT of time outdoors, so that means clothes get dirty faster! You will probably be using your washing machine a lot this summer. Be sure to check your washing machine hose for leaks, cracks and bulges. The hose should be replaced every three years.
• When it’s humid outside it isn’t uncommon for ductwork to sweat, which creates condensation. This can backup drains. Keep an eye on the ductwork and make sure it’s up to speed. If isn’t, call us and we will fix it for you.
• DO NOT put banana peels, cornhusks, celery or other fibrous foods in the garbage disposal. It will just clog the system, and cause you major headache.
• While you’re on vacation turn down the temperature on your water heater.
• When trees grow during the spring the new tree roots can mess with sewer lines. Call us so that we can inspect your sewer line, and prevent any future issues.

Call Shelton Plumbing today and let us know if you have any questions! We look forward to hearing from you!

Resource: http://www.rescuerooter.com

Shelton Plumbing’s RSVP Plan

The RSVP Program stands for “Rick’s Service Value Plan.” The RSVP Program allows members to automatically receive the RSVP rate, which is a lower rate in our “Customer Assured Price Manual.”  In addition, you will receive an extended warranty, free quotes, and annual inspection and safety checks.
As an RSVP Member you will receive the following:

1.    Emergency cut off tags will be placed on your incoming water service valve and on your water heater.
2.    RSVP pricing on all service calls – an approximate savings of 15% on labor and material.
3.    Guaranteed pricing – in writing – on all recommended repairs.
4.    Specials and promotions, just for RSVP members.
5.    Priority scheduling – for emergencies or routine service calls – our next appointment is yours.
6.    Never pay a service charge or quote fee when Shelton Plumbing provides the service.

Visit our website for more detailed information shelton-plumbing.com/rsvp.php!

You’re probably wondering how you can become an RSVP member.  Call Shelton Plumbing today and we will give you the details! We can be reached at (254) 751-9655.

How to Shut Off Your Water Supply in an Emergency

The answer to this question is rather straightforward! What you will want to do is locate the internal stop tap on your property, and turn it off. Your next question probably is, where is my water shutoff valve located? Water valve placement is different for each property, but we can give you a few general tips on where it could be located!

• Turn the water off using the main valve.
• If you live in a mild-warm climate there is a good chance the valve is on an exterior wall of your home, or in an underground box.
• If you live in a cold climate it is likely the valve is located in your basement.
• Typically, there is also a main valve near the front curb. This is intended only for city workers when turning off water in a general area.
• If you’re having trouble locating the valve give us a call!
Important note, we recommend finding the valve BEFORE you have an emergency.
Please give us a call or send us an email if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to working with you!