Monthly Archives: December 2018

Top Plumber Scams and How to Avoid Them

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When you need to have a large amount of plumbing work or renovations done to your home, you are on pace for a long, tedious process of protecting yourself. That is because, if you are not diligent in finding a quality contractor to work with, you may fall victim to an appalling plumber scam.

Continue reading to learn about some of the most common plumber scams, and what you can do to avoid being preyed upon by unethical contractors.

Indianapolis Plumbing Re-Piping Services
Indianapolis Plumbing Re-Piping Services 317-784-1870

The Bait and Switch

A common and frustrating plumber scam is the old “bait and switch” of plumbing materials. In this scenario, a terribly-unethical plumbing contractor will suggest a high-end list of plumbing pipes and fixtures, charge you for them, but then use cheaper materials to make a secrete profit. For instance, they may sell you on cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) piping or copper tubing, which are high-quality and high-priced materials, but then when it comes time to install everything, they end up using cheap materials and the homeowner is none the wiser.

To avoid this scam, be sure to always request a specific list of the materials you are paying for, and them cross-reference their price at the local home improvement store. If you see that the plumbing contractor is charging you an outrageous amount of money for something that costs less than your monthly pedicure, it is wise to find another contractor. Likewise, if they are using high-end products, but overcharging you for them, it is important to call them out.

The Price Gouger

Also known as the “Golden Spoon” scam, the price-gouger is a common con that unethical plumbers will use to make more money from a standard job. In this scenario, a plumbing contractor who arrives at a large home in a high-end neighborhood and notices luxury vehicles in the garage may over-charge the homeowners just because they assume they have a lot of money. For instance, your plumber could charge you double or triple if they think you have deep pockets

To protect yourself from being overcharged simply because you have a nice home and live in an affluent area, simply seek out multiple plumbing estimates for the same job. Compare the written estimates to see if there is an average marker. If the alternative estimates are much lower than the initial estimate provided by the contractor, you know you have a price-gouger on your hands. Get rid of them, quickly!

The Evasive Estimate

Another common plumbing scam is not always intentional by a contractor, but it is still irresponsible and bad business practice. Other times, it is completely intentional. This scam is known as the “evasive estimate” because in this scenario, the plumbing contractor can never quite give you a precise estimate on paper until after the work is done. They may go around and tell you everything is “no problem” as they keep a mental tally of all the work needed. Then when it comes time to receive the bill, the mental tally that was talked about before is suddenly tripled.

To avoid this scam, simply be sure to demand a written estimate, upfront, and then sign a contract stating how much will be paid BEFORE any work begins on your home. If the contractor is unwilling, then it is not a good sign and you should move onto another contractor.

Indianapolis Plumbing Service You Can Trust!

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870
Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for licensed Indianapolis plumbing service you can trust. We have been in business for over 100 years because we have earned the trust of thousands of Hoosiers all across the city as a result of our professional service and outstanding results. Call owner, Mark Weilhammer, at 317-784-1870 to request a free estimate or plumbing advice, today.

What is the Point of a Tankless Water Heater?

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If you are on the market for a new water heater, you will soon discover that there is more than one option to choose from. Hot water heaters come in a plethora of make and models, as well as, brands, size, capacity, and fuel source. From gas and electric water heaters, to solar-powered, tank-style, tankless, and more.

With all of these options available to you, it is somewhat challenging coming to a decision that best meets the hot water needs of your home or office. The type of water heater you choose will by mostly influenced by the type of fuel source your property is fitted with, and the number of occupants within the property.

Most people tend to go with traditional, tank-style gas or electric water heaters, but tankless units are becoming more and more popular as a result of the strong Eco-conscience movement in our country. A tankless water heater could be a good choice for you if you are also interesting in making an eco-friendly contribution, but it really depends on your personal preference.

If you are wondering what all the hype is about over tankless water heaters, continue reading to learn some basics about their operation, benefits, prices, and more.

Water Heater Installation and Repair 317-784-1870

Water Heater Installation and Repair 317-784-1870

Eco-Friendly Benefits

Tankless water heaters go by many other names, including instant-on, instantaneous, on-demand, inline, flash, continuous flow, and more. This type of hot water heater varies from standard tank-style designs in many ways, but their most describing attribute is that they only heat up water when it’s needed, making them Eco-friendly in many ways. You see, since tankless water heaters do not come with a tank, they do not store water.

How They Work

Instead, tankless units only heat the water when a faucet or appliance is turned on. When this happens, water travels through the flow sensors, which activate the heater to turn on. A negative feedback loop works to heat the water to the temperature requested. As water circulates around a copper heat exchanger, it heated by means of gas or electricity. Because there is no tank, the supply of water is essentially infinite. It should never run out, even if multiple people are using it.

Cost Savings

Because extra energy is not wasted heating water all day long, monthly heating costs can decrease anywhere from 20 to 30 percent. And because tankless units use less energy to operate, the long-term energy savings are abundant. Not only does this degree of energy conservation save property owners money, it is better for the environment!

Where To Get Trusted Water Heater Advice

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for free estimates, advice, and information regarding hot water heaters, anytime. Not only are we state-licensed master plumbers who specialize in water heater repair and installation, we gladly provide recommendations and advice. Whether residential or commercial, we can provide all the water heater services you need. Call 317-784-1870 to get started.

A Quick Guide to Using Plumbers Thread Seal Tape

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The difficulty with plumber’s thread seal tape is not figuring out how to use it, but rather, where to find it! Doesn’t it always seems like that roll of plumber’s tape is always missing? Well, once you do finally remember where you left it, using it like a pro is easy with this quick guide we’ve prepared for you! Continue reading to get started.

Indianapolis Plumbers 317-784-1870

Indianapolis Plumbers 317-784-1870

PTFE Tape

Plumber’s thread seal tape is a polytetrafluoroethylene film used to provide needed seals and lubrication for pipes threads. It also goes by other names too, such as PTFE tape and tape dope. Understanding these common monikers will help clear up any confusion you have at the store when purchasing more product. Now that you know what plumber’s tape is, it is time to learn the best ways to use it for your plumbing needs.

White, Blue or Yellow?

PTFE tape comes in a wide variety of colors, all of which are designed for variant plumbing applications. For basic residential plumbing seal and lubrication needs, the most common PTFE tape is the white roll. You will also find yellow and blue plumber’s tape, which are used for commercial or industrial applications. Yellow PTFE tape is often used for gas piping due to its double density properties, while blue PTFE tape is commonly used for oxygen piping due to its triple density properties.

How to Use PTFE Tape

Using plumber’s tape is easy, and only requires a short series of steps, along with a few materials. Aside from your tape, you will also need some paper towels or cloth rags, as well as, some store-bought pipe cleaner. Before taking a look at the steps below, it is important to know that you should not use too much tape. You must also be careful to wrap the tape properly. For more difficult angles, you may be better off using tape dope, which is softer and more spreadable.

Step ❶ – Using your pipe cleaner and cloths, remove all dirt and grease from the pipe threads.

Step ❷ – Using your paper towels, dry the pipe threads thoroughly. Be sure to dry in between each thread groove.

Step ❸ – Starting at the second thread, begin wrapping the tape around the pipe in the same direction of the threading. Use your finger to hold the tape in place while you work in the direction of the pipe. Be very careful to wrap evenly without using too much tape. When overlapping the tape as you make your way around, be sure to only cross ½ of the width of the tape.

Step ❹ – Cut the tape at the end and use your hands to press the tape all the way against the pipe threads. You should be able to clearly see the shape of the threads.

When in Doubt, Call a Professional Plumber!

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to give you free plumbing advice. Our highly trained and licensed plumbers provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services; and as a family owned and operated company since 1901, you can trust us to deliver outstanding workmanship and customer support. Request a free estimate, today.

The Average Lifespan of Common Plumbing Pipe Materials

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At some point along the way of owning a house or building, you will have you ask yourself a very important question, which is “Do I need to replace the plumbing?” Regardless of a property’s intended use, the plumbing is a critical factor in the overall comfort, safety, performance, and value. But after some time, it does expire. Like most man-made materials, plumbing pipes are made from metals and polymers that come with a certain life expectancy.

If you want to know whether or not you need to replace your plumbing, it helps to learn the average lifespan of your plumbing pipes. Continue reading to get started now.

Indianapolis Master Plumbers

Indianapolis Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

Types of Plumbing Pipes

Whether commercial or residential, a failing plumbing system is a huge liability. Not only does it pose a long list of structural damages and costly repairs, it can also cause several health and safety risks. If your plumbing is old, it is in the best interest of your investment, as well as the safety of everyone around, to replace the plumbing when it has reached the end of its life cycle.

In order to determine when you need to replace your plumbing, you need to know which kind of piping material your property is fitted with. Lifespans of plumbing pipes can range from a few years to 100 years, depending on the material. The most common residential and commercial plumbing pipe materials include brass, cast iron, copper, galvanized steel, and PVC.

Here are the expected average lifespan of these plumbing pipe materials:

Brass – 40 to 45 Years
Cast Iron – 75 to 100 Years
Copper – 50 Years or More
Galvanized Steel – 20 to 50 Years
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – Indefinite

Plumbing Fixtures and More

In addition to thinking about piping material lifespan when deciding when the right time is to replace your plumbing, you must also consider various other areas that connect your plumbing to your fixtures, such as pipe joints, fittings, and mechanical components. These areas can also affect how soon you need to replace or repair your plumbing systems. Furthermore, if you notice an increase in plumbing leaks, cracks, and corrosion, you can assume it is time for some replacements.

Professional Plumbing Service and Repair

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to give you free plumbing advice. Our highly trained and licensed plumbers provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services; and as a family owned and operated company since 1901, you can trust us to deliver outstanding workmanship and customer support. Request a free estimate, today.