The Difference Between Water Pressure and Water Volume

Posted on March 27, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

You’ve heard of low water pressure; but are you familiar with low water volume? Not only is there a difference between water pressure and water volume, both can actually have a negative effect on your home’s plumbing, and ultimately, your finances. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about low water pressure and water volume, including what you can do about both.

Low Water Volume? 317-784-1870 — Slow Water? Call 317-784-1870 for help.

Low Pressure or Low Volume?

The most important advantage of understanding the difference between low water pressure and low water volume is that it can help you better identify other plumbing problems around the house. But first, you must be able to tell the difference between the two. You likely already know about low water pressure, as most of us have experienced weak shower heads and slow-filling bathtubs once or twice in our lives. But low water volume can be a bit trickier to see.

You see, water pressure is the amount of force that pushes water through your water lines, while water volume refers to the quantity of water pushed through.

Water volume is regulated by your plumbing pipes and the aerators at the end of your faucet taps. For this reason, you would need to take a look at your faucets to get a better idea of the water volume in your home. And in more serious cases, you will need a licensed plumber to take apart and inspect your pipes for obstructions. Fortunately, low water pressure and low water volume can both be improved with the right solutions.

Low Water Volume

If you believe you have low water volume, there are several options for improvement. One of the main reasons why water volume lowers is due to hard mineral deposits and limescale. Simply take apart your faucets, soak the aerator in distilled white vinegar for 3 to 5 hours, and rinse with clean water. If this doesn’t work, you may need to replace the aerator altogether, or adjust the flow restrictor in the aerator. Read our blog, “How to Locate and Adjust Low Volume Water Restrictors” to learn what to do.

Another fix for low water volume is an obstructed water valve. If your water flow does not improve, check to see if your main water valve is open all the way. If none of the above options work for you, it is necessary to enlist the help of a professional. You may have serious pipe blockages and similar defects causing your low water volume and water pressure, all of which must be inspected by a properly-equipped and licensed professional.

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair and Maintenance

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed Indianapolis plumber you can trust for quality plumbing service and installation at an affordable price. We offer a wide range of standard and master plumber services for both residential and commercial properties. We also offer free estimates, free plumbing advice, and even free haul-away for old plumbing appliances like water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps, and more. Request a free estimate, today.

How to Locate and Adjust Low Volume Water Restrictors

Posted on March 21, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

Low volume restrictors, also known as “flow” or “water” restrictors, are small, disk-shaped barriers that can be installed on certain plumbing fixtures, namely faucets and shower heads, to reduce the amount of water flow for the purpose of conserving water and energy. They are installed in various configurations, and come in numerous brands, makes, and models. Commonly, they are either added as a whole unit to replace a standard flow-directing screen on a plumbing fixture, or built in as a part of the fixture.

Now that you have a better understanding of these efficiency plumbing devices, you may have questions about how to locate and adjust them on your own. Continue reading to learn this and more!

Indianapolis Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

Water Faucets

To remove, replace, or clean a low volume restrictor in your sink faucets, the first step is to close the sink drain so you do not lose any important components in the process. Keep in mind, you need to remember the order of the components as you take them out so that you can put them back together properly. Next, take a look at the end of your faucet to find a screen. Once you confirm there is a screen at the mouth of your faucet, locate the end piece that screws onto the tip of your fixture. If you cannot locate these units, contact a licensed Indianapolis plumber for help. They can sometimes walk you through the process right over the phone!

Using your fingers, loosen the small unit at the tip of the faucet by turning it counter-clockwise. If it is too tight, wrap a rag around it and gently use pliers. After the unit comes free, inspect the end of the faucet for the flow restrictor screen. You may need a hand mirror to get a good look. Sometimes the flow restrictors are built in, and other times, they are installed inside a pre-existing unit. Also, there might be a second unit at the end of a faucet that would also need to be removed.

Once you have your flow restrictor located and removed, you must choose to clean it or replace it. To clean water restrictors, simply soak them in a white vinegar and baking soda solution; and then use a small needle or pin to push out large deposits. If you are replacing your restrictors, consider upgrading to an adjustable flow restrictor, which allows you to control water flow, volume, and even temperature. Talk to a licensed plumber to learn more about these effective, energy-saving devices!

Shower Heads

Locating and removing low volume restrictors on shower heads is a more tedious project that requires some experience with handyman work. You will need a wrench, ladder, work gloves, plumbers’ tape, rag, and paper clip. Your first step will be to remove the shower head from the fixture arm. Once you have this removed, look inside the shower head; there will either be a gasket or black O-ring that you will need to pry up with your paper clip and remove.

Once you have the gasket or O-ring removed, you should be able to see the water restrictor screen. It should be behind a star-shaped metal piece. Using your paper clip again, remove the screen and clean it, or replace it altogether. After you reassemble your shower head, be sure to use your plumbers’ tape to reseal the connections.

Maintenance

Low volume restrictors save a lot of water and energy since they allow less volumes of water to pass through plumbing fixtures, like faucets and shower heads. However, they accomplish this primarily because of their design, which includes a disk-shaped barrier and a small central opening. This opening tends to clog easier and quicker as it accumulates the hard mineral deposits found in tap water. After sometime, these water restrictors can lose performance value, thus requiring cleaning or replacement.

Plumbing maintenance is vital, as it is the key to plumbing longevity and dependable performance. Be sure to provide routine maintenance for all your plumbing-related appliances and systems; from as small as these flow restrictors, to as large as your water heater and sump pump. If you have questions about plumbing maintenance or repair, contact a local and licensed Indianapolis master plumber for free information you can trust.

Indianapolis Plumbing Service You Can Trust!

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.

Why Does it Take So Long for My Water to Heat Up?

Posted on March 14, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

The morning rush to get ready for work certainly tests your patience when it takes several minutes for your shower to get hot. So why is your water taking so long to heat up? Well, there are four likely answers at the top of the list of common possibilities, and one easy way to determine which one is causing your hot water woes. Continue reading to learn the 4 common causes of slowly heating water, including how to identify and resolve your particular hot water deficiency issue.

There are several reasons why your water takes too long to heat up. However, topping the list of possibilities include the following 4 culprits:

⚠ Old or Defective Water Heater

The most common and obvious reason why your water takes too long to heat up is due to an old or defective unit. Water heaters are designed to last between 8 to 10 years on average; so if your unit is close to 8 years old, or older, it is likely time to have your water heater replaced with a more efficient and innovative model. See our blog, “The Water Heater Repair Facts You Need to Know” to learn how to distinguish between the need to replace or repair a water heater.

⚠ Water Heater Sediment Buildup

The next most common cause of delayed water heating is sediment buildup inside your water heater tank. Hard water contains hard minerals that are extracted from the water when heated, but settle at the bottom of the tank. If you do not stay on top of routine water heater maintenance, including regular flushes, this sediment will begin to negatively affect the overall performance and efficiency of your unit. See our blog, “Learning About Sediment Buildup in Water Heaters” to understand the effects of water heater sediment, and what you can do to prevent sediment issues.

⚠ Hot Water Heater Distance

If there is no obvious reason for your delayed water heating, it could be due to the fact that your water heater is far away from your shower. The distance of water heaters from the demand source (in this case, your shower head) can affect the length of time it takes to reach the temperature that is set on your water heater. You can combat this issue by installing a point-of-use water heater, or similar alternative. Otherwise, you would have to re-do the entire plumbing architecture of your home.

⚠ Low Volume Restrictors

If nothing else seems to jump out as a reason for your delayed water heating, it could be because you have low volume restrictors set on some of your plumbing fixtures, like your shower. These restrictors delay the amount of water delivered, as well as, the level of heat achieved. Talk to a licensed and insured Indianapolis plumber to learn how to fix or adjust your home’s low volume restrictors.

How to Confirm Your Water Heater Issue

The most accurate and efficient method to determining the problem with your unit is to call in a professional Indianapolis plumber who specializes in hot water heater repair and service. They have the proper training, experience, and resources to make correct diagnostics in a convenient time frame. Just be sure to choose a reputable plumbing company that is state-licensed and fully-equipped for the job.

Who Can You Trust for Water Heater Service?

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 service, 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.

Top 3 Attributes to Look for in a Master Plumber

Posted on March 8, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

Your property, whether residential or commercial, is fully-reliant on operational plumbing. The plumbing system is arguably one of the most important operations within a home or business, making it vital to stay on top of regular maintenance and repair. Sometimes, your plumbing needs require a more skilled level of service than what your everyday plumber can offer.

When you have extensive plumbing repairs, replacements, conversions, or remodels on the agenda, a master plumber is the proper contractor to call. But be very careful who you hire for your master plumbing work; there are thousands of scammers and fly-by-the-night plumbers who advertise as master plumbing professionals, but in fact, are not.

Continue reading to learn the top 3 most important attributes to look for in a qualified master plumber, as well as, where to begin your search.

❶ License and Insurance

If you want to make sure you are hiring an actual, state-licensed master plumber, you need to be prepared to ask them for their license number. In fact, it is state law for plumbers to display their plumbing license numbers in all of their marketing, including their websites, coupons, ads, and more. If a master plumber is state-licensed as they should be, they are not hesitant to provide it, whether upon request or through advertising their services. If you ask, and they give you a bunch of excuses, move onto the next candidate.

❷ Experience

Even if you find a state-licensed master plumber, it is still important to consider length of experience and extent of knowledge. For small work, like appliance installations and replacements, a beginner master plumber might be the right fit, but for more larger-scale or serious work, you probable want someone who has decades of experience under their belts. Look for a state-licensed master plumber who has at least 10 years of hands-on experience for best skills and knowledge.

❸ Referrals

In addition to licensing and experience, you want to know that their past clients are happy with their service. The best way to know this is to read customer reviews and testimonials. You can also directly ask the master plumber for actual referrals that you can contact and ask about their experience with the contractor. Keep in mind that plumbing can be an unpredictable and complex industry, so it is common to see a few bad or negative reviews. However, more than a few can be a red flag that they are problematic in some way or another.

Indianapolis Master Plumbers You Can Trust

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional master plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and Master plumber (#106214), 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.