How to Make Sure Your Water Heater is Set for Winter

Posted on January 28, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

It may have taken a little while longer than winters’ past, but here in Indiana, the cold seasonal weather is finally upon us, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. This has many Hoosiers dashing to get their homes and businesses prepared for the winter ahead. Everything from storm drains and furnaces, to doors, windows, outdoor plumbing connections, and more, are all on the typical Hoosier’s seasonal To-Do list. But what many tend to leave off this important checklist is the water heater. During the peak of winter, you do not want to be left without hot water, especially if you have young children or elderly ones to cater to.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about routine water heater maintenance, including how to ensure your hot water is set for the Indiana winter season.

Indianapolis Hot Water Heater Services 317-784-1870

Water Heater Inspections are Vital in Winter

Water heaters are known to break down the most during the coldest parts of the winter. A combination of the extreme climate and harsh elements can cause a long list of things to go wrong in a hot water heater, eventually causing it to perform poorly, or fail entirely. Common water heater repair calls in the wintertime include water heater bursts and water heater leaks. You see, your water heater has a cylindrical tank that stores heated water.

As you use your hot water in the home, the water heater depletes its reserves, and then pulls in cold water from outside to replenish. In the winter, it is colder, which means the water coming into your water heater is even colder than usual. As a result, the water heater must work harder to keep up with the hot water demand. If your water heater is old, between 7 and 8 years, it could have rusty parts that are not allowing it to perform as efficiently.

If your water heater is in an non-insulated area, like a garage, the air surrounding it makes the water even cooler, causing the unit to work longer to heat it on demand. Furthermore, factor in the surplus of water usage during the holidays when family and friends come to visit. All of these factors require a water heater to work continuously, which can lead to problems if it is not in tip-top shape before these winter factors become relevant.

Avoid Water Heater Breakdowns and Repairs

By having your water heater inspected and serviced prior to the harshest point of winter, you will avoid potential breakdowns, and costly damages and disasters, such as water leaks and floods. Start each season off with a full water heater inspection to check off on its efficiency, performance, and safety. For those with gas water heaters, you do not want to potentially face a water heater explosion accident, either. It is strongly encouraged to hire a licensed Indianapolis plumber for professional home plumbing inspections for water heaters. However, you can do a preliminary inspection on your own before you call a professional.

Here’s How to Inspect a Water Heater:

Look all around the outside of the water heater. Take note of any rusting, corrosion, or leaking. Also look for dents or ruptures of any kind.

Locate the installation date on the outside of the water heater tank. Take note of the age. If your unit is older than 7 or 8 years, it is in the zone for replacement.

Consider doing a water heater flush to drain and remove sediment inside the tank. Be sure to only do this if you have experience with this type of water heater service, or someone with experience who can assist you.

Tankless Water Heaters

If you have a tankless water heater, your seasonal To-Do checklist will look a little different, but you will still need to have your unit inspected routinely, especially prior to winter, to ensure it is ready to perform efficiently. Outdoor tankless water heaters will need to have proper insulation installed around the pipes.

Professional Water Heater Repair Services in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for free estimates, advice, and information regarding Indianapolis hot water heater service, 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. Contact us today for free advice on choosing a water heater, or to schedule service for your home or office!

Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

Top 4 Signs of a Sewer Line Problem

Posted on January 21, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

Your sewer lines are one of the most vital plumbing systems on your property. If they break or develop an obstruction, they can create a massive disaster that takes a lot of time and money to resolve. For this reason, if you start to notice any signs that your sewer system might be experiencing some trouble, it is important to act fast and contact an emergency plumber for an inspection. Catching and resolving a small plumbing problem early on is the key to avoiding costly plumbing disasters. Not sure what sewer line problems look like?

Continue reading to learn the top 4 signs that indicate a potential breakage or blockage in sewer lines.

Indianapolis Sewer Line Plumber 317-784-1870

Bright Green Spots on the Lawn

Do some areas of your lawn look like normal-colored grass, but other spots are distinctively greener or brighter? If so, you might be looking at the most common sign of a busted or blocked sewer line. If an underground sewage pipe is leaking or cracked open, it is essentially fertilizing your lawn, which as biology shows us, renders greener, lusher grass.

Stagnant Water on the Lawn

Some puddling every now and again after a storm is normal. But if your lawn doesn’t seem to drain its puddles fast enough, or at all, it could be a sign that your sewer line is cracked. A cracked main line, broken septic tank, and obstructions in a drain field can all cause water and sewage to release, which eventually pools into puddles on the surface of the lawn. This can also cause lingering odors, as you would imagine, which is another common indication of a problematic sewer system.

Sewer Odors

As just mentioned above, another common sign that suggests there is something going wrong within your sewer line system is a lingering sewer smell. If sewage water is leaking underground or pooling on the surface, you can guarantee it will carry its odors with it. Such odors can also attract unwanted nuisance wildlife and pests, which can be a threat to people, pets, and property.

Slow Draining

If your drains are draining slower than usual, you might want to focus your attention on your sewer lines. That is because slow drains are a common sign of a backed-up or clogged sewer line. If you have just one or two isolated drains that drains slowly, you likely have a standard clogged drain issue. But if all of your plumbing fixture drains are draining slow, such as the bathtub, kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, and showers, then it is likely your sewer lines.

How to Repair a Broken Sewer Line in Indianapolis

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need drain clearing plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed master plumbers provide a wide range of plumbing services for both residential and commercial properties, including home plumbing inspections for damaged sewer lines. We also offer free estimates, free plumbing advice, and even free haul-away for old plumbing appliances. Request a free estimate, today.

How to Fix a Leaky Garbage Disposal

Posted on January 14, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

Whether your garbage disposal is leaking from the top, the side, or the bottom, it needs to be an immediate priority to resolve the issue, before any permanent or costly damages can occur. Continue below to learn why your garbage disposal is leaking, and what you can do to fix the problem, correctly and cost-effectively.

Indianapolis Garbage Disposal Repair 317-784-1870

Top Causes of Garbage Disposal Leaks

There are many reasons why garbage disposals leak, from incompatible plumbing fittings to improper installation. But the top causes of a leaking garbage disposal are generally loose sink flanges, damaged or detached drain line connections, and damaged internal seals. Be sure to routinely clean and service your garbage disposal by a licensed and certified and trusted plumber to prevent major issues such as these. More importantly, if you notice garbage disposal leakage, act fast, immediately in fact, because small water leak can quickly turn into a disaster.

Garbage Disposals That Leak from the Top

The most common cause for a garbage disposal that leaks from the top is a loose sink flange. Fortunately, this is a minor and quick fix, so long as you know what you are doing, or you hire a professional to do it for you. A sink flange is a component that connects the garbage disposal to the sink. Sometimes, the plumbers’ putty can wear away, causing the flange to become loose. To fix, loosen the bolts, add some more plumbers’ putty around the seal of the sink flange, and then tighten the bolts back up. If you see that there is plenty of putty, simply check that the bolts are tight enough, as this could be the overall cause of the loose flange.

Garbage Disposals That Leak from the Bottom

A damaged, cracked, or worn out internal seal is the common cause of a bottom-leaking garbage disposal. In this case, it means that the garbage disposal is the component that needs repaired. If the water is leaking from a crack on the outside of the garbage disposal, it cannot be repaired, and instead, the entire unit must be replaced. Sometimes, the disposal unit gets shifted around as a result of storing items underneath the sink. Check that is it properly aligned, and make any necessary adjustments to put it back into its place.

Garbage Disposals That Leak from the Sides

A side leak on a garbage disposal unit typically indications a poor or lost drain line connection. In many residential kitchen systems, it is common for a dishwasher to be connected to the garbage disposal via a drainpipe, which directs all the collected debris and dirty water out of the house after the dish washing cycle. In some cases, the metal clamp that keeps the drainpipe in place can come loose or detach if the screws and rubber gasket sealing the pipe loses adhesiveness. Check this metal clamp to see if this is what’s causing your garbage disposal to leak. Tighten them back up with a screwdriver, and then check to see that the actual hose to ensure it has not been torn or compromised in any way.

Where to Get Trusted Plumbing Service and Garbage Disposal Repair in Indianapolis

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional garbage disposal repair and water leak repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to provide free estimates, free advice, and a wide range of affordable plumbing services for residential and commercial properties, including full-service plumbing inspections to ensure you are protected against water leaks and do not have any current or impending water damage. Request a free estimate, today.

Do I Need My Plumbing Inspected?

Posted on January 8, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

When it comes to plumbing maintenance, an inspection is not typically on the routine To-D- list. However, they are one of the most vital plumbing services you can outsource because they are the key to unveiling small or medium problems, including malfunctions and insufficiency, before they can turn into large, costly, and invasive repairs. But how do you know you need a plumbing inspection. Well, you must keep your eyes open for the common, tell-tale signs.

Continue below to learn the most common indications that suggest you should schedule an inspection for your plumbing ASAP, and where to get a free quote for your plumbing repair needs near you.

Indianapolis Plumbing Inspections and Service 317-784-1870

Signs of Plumbing Problems

If your home or office show any signs of plumbing problems below, you can likely assume there is an internal defect or variable causing it to happen. Regardless of the root of your plumbing problem, if you do not act fast, a small issue can turn disastrous in as little as 24 hours. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring a minor plumbing problem, like a clogged or slow-draining sink. Mitigate the risk of be liable for massive repairs, replacements, and renovations by putting a plumbing inspection in the books, now.

Thudding, Banging, and Hissing Noises

If your plumbing pipes are in good shape, they should not make a sound. But if your pipes make loud whistling or thudding noises every time you turn on a faucet or stop the shower, you can safely assume that there is a problem. This type of continuous and predictable noise can be an indication of loose piping, a soon-to-be water leak, or worse, an impending pipe rupture.

Old Age and Old Plumbing

The older the house, the older the plumbing, that is, unless the house has been renovated. If your home is older than 20 years, and you have not replaced or updated your plumbing system in that time, you would be wise to schedule a plumbing inspection to learn what you can do to improve your energy efficiency, water quality, and home comfort. Things like pipe corrosion, metal aging, and minute slab leaks are common in old homes.

Reduced Water Quality

If you are starting to notice, or have been living with, a wide scope of water quality issues, a plumbing inspection will help identify the causes, and present the workable solutions that fit your budget. Such water quality issues include poor tasting water, or beverages and soup made with your water, as well as, cloudy dishes, greasy hair, dry skin, low water pressure, hot water that takes too long to heat up, not enough hot water, poor soap lather in the bath, limescale residue all over your fixtures, and dingy or faded laundry.

Professional Plumbing Inspection and Service in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed Indianapolis plumber you can trust for quality plumbing inspection and service 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.