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Hot Water Systems: 3 Problems And Solutions

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Hot Water Systems

As long as you have water flowing through your home, it doesn’t matter whether you have hot water or not. After all, water is a necessity, whereas its temperature comes second. However, that kind of thinking doesn’t apply when you’re living somewhere with extremely cold temperatures.

While many problems can arise in a household during cold seasons, there’s no doubt about how challenging it can be to stay on top of everything, especially if one of those issues involves the water system. Admittedly, you can still survive through winter, regardless if your water system is broken. But it does cause a major inconvenience.

Dealing with the problem head-on is the best and quickest way to resolve it. However, considering it’s a sensitive piece of technology, you might hesitate from touching any of it. Thus, leaving it to the professionals probably sounds like the better option. But be that as it may, knowing the basics of how your hot water system works can come in handy—especially if you’ll encounter minor problems with it.

Here are some of the most common problems of hot water systems and their solutions:

  1. Unchanging Temperature

The main job of a hot water system is to provide your household with warm running water. If it’s not doing that, then there is obviously a problem. Despite how pressing the issue is, the solution for this is fairly easy to deal with.

Naturally, the first thing you need to do is see if the valve for the hot water is on. Typically, the valve has a yellow or red color. Check the side of your water tank to see it. Once you see it’s turned off, all you need to do is turn it on for that hot water to start flowing out. For those using an electric water heater, check its fuse box instead and see if its cord is connected properly. As for gas-powered systems, see if there’s enough gas in their chamber.

However, that only applies to hot tap water. If this happens to your shower, the system itself might be the problem, specifically its heating element. Having a faulty upper heater is one sign of a defective system. Since that’s most likely outside your area of expertise, it’s best to leave it to professionals like the Fergusons Plumbing Group.

  1. Water Feels Off

Water is extremely easy to contaminate. Thus, the channels it travels through as well as its storage must be kept clean. Otherwise, drinking it will only cause more harm than good.

However, because of excessive exposure to water and moisture, your hot water system is susceptible to build-up ranging from all sorts of bacteria to mold. Other than infecting the water quality, the build-up can also block the tank’s passageways. Hence, it could cause the water flow to dwindle.

Because it’s a neutral substance, any change in scent or taste should be enough to raise warning signs. If the water is discolored—particularly yellowish or reddish—that typically means it contains high levels of iron. Therefore, your pipes or the water tank might be getting rusty. Once that happens, have your pipes replaced and your water tank checked by a professional.

On the other hand, having foul-smelling water typically points to bacterial contamination. Fortunately, this problem can be easily fixed. All you need to do is leave the hot water on for an hour or so. This way, you can dissolve any organism using high temperatures alone.

  1. Noisy Water System

Your hot water system needs regular maintenance to work more efficiently. It also needs to be cleaned to avoid contamination and build-up. Lack of proper cleaning and maintenance can cause changes to the water quality and blockage. Aside from that, debris and sediments can also collect at the bottom of the tank. Since that’s where heat starts building up, having sediments only hinders the tank from heating properly.

The build-up of debris and sediments will cause the hot water system to let out rumbling noises or even a high-pitched whine. From there, the tank’s condition will only deteriorate until you’re left juggling water bills and tending to the hot water system. Since the sediments are at fault, the best way to resolve this is by flushing out the tank completely.

Takeaway

A hot water system can easily bring more convenience to your household. However, like any system, problems are bound to crop up eventually, especially if the system is not maintained properly. As the homeowner, it’s in your best interests to stay on top of everything. Look out for the first unusual signs that your hot water system is exhibiting. And if the problems are recurring, don’t hesitate to call professionals who can best handle the situation.

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Home Improvement

Prevent Further Damage: The Importance of Professional Water Damage Restoration

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The Importance of Professional Water Damage Restoration

When faced with water damage in your home, taking swift and appropriate action is crucial to prevent further damage and mitigate potential risks. This is where professional water damage restoration services play a vital role. In this post, we will delve into the importance of hiring experts to handle water damage restoration, highlighting the benefits they bring in safeguarding your property and ensuring a successful recovery.

Rapid Response and Mitigation:

Professional water damage restoration services understand the urgency of the situation and provide a prompt response. Time is of the essence when dealing with water damage as it can quickly spread and cause extensive harm. Trained technicians arrive quickly to assess the damage and implement mitigation strategies, such as water extraction, drying techniques, and mold prevention, to prevent further deterioration of your property.

Comprehensive Damage Assessment:

Assessing the extent of water damage requires expertise and experience. Professional restoration specialists conduct a thorough evaluation of the affected areas, identifying hidden water sources and assessing the structural integrity of your property. This comprehensive assessment helps in devising an effective restoration plan tailored to your specific needs, ensuring that no damage goes unnoticed.

Advanced Equipment and Techniques:

Professional water damage restoration companies utilize state-of-the-art equipment and advanced techniques to expedite the restoration process. Industrial-grade pumps, dehumidifiers, air movers, and moisture meters are just a few examples of the specialized tools employed by experts. These advanced technologies aid in efficient water extraction, drying, and restoration, significantly reducing the time required for recovery.

Mold Prevention and Remediation:

Water damage often leads to the growth of mold, posing health risks and further compromising your property’s integrity. Professional restoration services include thorough mold detection and remediation processes. Experts employ industry-approved methods to eliminate existing mold and prevent its reoccurrence, safeguarding the health of your family and preserving the quality of your home.

Expertise in Salvaging Possessions:

Water damage can cause irreparable harm to personal belongings such as furniture, documents, and sentimental items. Professional restoration teams have the knowledge and tools to salvage and restore as many of your possessions as possible. Through specialized cleaning, drying, and restoration techniques, they can recover items that hold both monetary and sentimental value, alleviating the emotional toll of the water damage event.

Insurance Claims Assistance:

Navigating the complexities of insurance claims can be overwhelming, especially during a stressful water damage situation. Professional water damage restoration services often have experience working with insurance companies. They can assist you in documenting the damage, providing detailed reports, and communicating with the insurance adjusters to ensure a smoother and more favorable claims process.

Structural Stability and Long-term Protection:

Water damage can weaken the structural integrity of your property, compromising its stability and safety. Professional restoration services prioritize the restoration of your property’s structure, ensuring it regains its strength and stability. By addressing hidden moisture, drying thoroughly, and implementing necessary repairs, they help prevent future issues like rot, decay, and structural damage, providing long-term protection for your investment.

Peace of Mind and Time Efficiency:

Dealing with water damage can be an overwhelming and time-consuming task. By entrusting the restoration process to professionals, you can experience peace of mind knowing that experts are handling the situation. They alleviate the burden from your shoulders, allowing you to focus on other priorities while they efficiently restore your property to its pre-damage condition.

Conclusion:Water damage can be a distressing experience, but with the assistance of a professional water damage restoration service, you can prevent further damage and ensure a successful recovery. Their rapid response, expertise in damage assessment, advanced equipment, techniques, and ability to salvage possessions and assist with insurance claims make them invaluable assets during these challenging times.
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Home Improvement

Is it best to invest in a garage in 2023?

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Is it best to invest in a garage in 2023?

The city of Alexandria VA is becoming famous across the US – as the pinnacle of personal car ownership in the nation.

Three elements have combined to create a ‘perfect storm’ of cars-per-capita that impacts on the city’s traffic, roads and parking.

  • The community has an unusually high mix of single-person households
  • It has more generous average incomes
  • The vast majority of residents are of driving age

This has created a community environment with almost as many cars as people.

At the last count more than 104,000 vehicles are registered in Alexandria – which has a total population of about 115,000 and a driving-age population of just 100,000.

That means the city is now one of the leaders of a nationwide trend in which almost every American adult will end up feeling they should own a car – and many in this city already have more than one.

Other factors to note are:

* Alexandria is a suburban community with neighbourhoods that are unusually spread out. This suburban lifestyle means residents need to have a car to get around – public transport is not often the quickest or most convenient.

* Many Alexandria residents also commute to work outside the city. They need their own car to make that journey a more efficient and convenient way to travel to their workplace.

* The city is located near many major regional highways including the Capital Beltway, making it easier for residents to travel to other parts of the state. Cars are simply the best way to get around Alexandria.

The high level of car ownership means parking is a serious problem however, particularly in Old Town. Cars often line residential roads, spoiling the atmosphere.

This strange combination of affluence and awkwardness means that more and more Alexandria homeowners are investing in an obvious solution: a new garage.

Whether they are a considering a bespoke stone-built multi-car climate-controlled warehouse – or one of the most popular metal garage kits, the advantage of this is an immediate increase in storage space. A new garage can provide a huge boost in space for vehicles, tools, equipment, and long-term clutter.

Many enthusiasts also value the protection that a new garage can give to their cars. In car-mad Alexandria this has resulted in some multi-vehicle homes investing in matching multi-vehicle garages.

A garage can certainly help protect vehicles from rain, snow, and sun damage, which in turn can help extend their lifespan and maintain their value. Having a garage can also make it easier to access and store things in vehicles, especially during bad weather.

Of course it can also improve vehicle security, protecting them from theft.

A new garage is also good for the neighbourhood. More cars in garages means less cars kerbside.

Finally, many home-owners have discovered that a new garage can increase the value of any home.

A future buyer may not even want to use it for car storage – a new garage can also serve as a multipurpose space, like a home gym, workshop or household storage area.

With local house prices soaring in this part of Virginia, it shows that a new garage could prove to be a very sound investment that pays for itself.

Overall, investing in a garage can be a smart choice for homeowners in Alexandria. Whether they need additional storage space or want to enhance the value of their home it can make financial and practical sense.

Remember to consider the costs carefully though. There’s no need to overspend but make sure you choose the right type of structure.

If you plan to use the garage for storage or as a workshop, your new building may need to include features such as shelving, cabinets, or a workbench.

And always choose a design that fits with the style of the house – this will enhance its appeal and value to future buyers.

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Home Improvement

How You Can Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

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How You Can Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

There is more and more reason for homes (and businesses) to become more environmentally friendly. There is the added bonus of increasing energy efficiency as well as lowering bills and protecting the environment for following generations for years to come.

However, knowing what you can do to make the biggest impact that you can without breaking the bank requires a lot of research. Of course, there are always professional businesses that are willing to take you by the hand and educate you on the solutions that are available to you.

#1 Add solar panels or wind turbines

Using solar panels and wind turbines as a method for gaining energy in your home makes sense. Energy generated from these sources is easily turned into electricity and can be stored for later use. Although you don’t need masses of sunlight to have your solar panels work for you, you may find it beneficial to also invest in a small wind turbine as a backup provider.

Wind turbines are particularly effective at collecting even the slightest breeze and can be angled to follow the weather as the wind changes direction.

#2 Wash your laundry at 60–80 degrees F

Lower the heat of your laundry washes to a 60–80 degree F wash. This saves on energy, as the water will not require heating before it enters the washing machine. Many modern garments react well to being washed in cooler temperatures, although you should always read the label before washing.

However, it is important not to wash your garments in water less than 60 degrees F as they are unlikely to be cleaned well. Any staining can be treated before the wash is started by using specific stain removers and then being left to soak.

#3 Install an instant hot water system to aid in cleaning

There are many harmful chemicals used in cleaning products that are used around a home every day. Hot water, particularly boiling water and steam, is a good way of getting certain areas of your home clean. However, to get a deep clean, you may have to use some form of eco-friendly cleaner as well.

Installing a hot water dispenser faucet in your kitchen will ensure that you are not constantly boiling the kettle to get your hot water, which makes it more of an eco-friendly option. It will also provide you with an easy way of rinsing and cleaning those small items that can be carried and cleaned over the sink. However, do be mindful of whether the item itself can withstand the hot water you are going to subject it to.

Final thoughts

If you want to put more eco-friendly methods in place tomorrow, you can start with your laundry. However, if you are looking more to make an investment, you can opt for a hot water dispenser faucet or, for a larger investment than that, solar panels for your roof or a wind turbine in your yard.

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