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Tuesday, February 25th, 2014

No one likes to take a cold shower or spend more than they should on a new appliance. If you’re in the market for a new water heater, you might be overwhelmed by the options. Big manufacturers, like Heatrae Sadia, carry tons of different models of water heaters to choose from. But, picking out the right water heater can be a lot easier than you might think. By understanding the basics of choosing the right model, you can quickly narrow down your options and make the right purchase.

Consider the Fuel Type

Today’s water heater isn’t limited by gas or electric. In fact, you’ll find:

– Electric: uses 1-2 heating elements; less expensive than other forms; offers high efficiency; up to 70 or more gallons.

– Gas: Uses a burner; needs circulating air to operate; more expensive than electric; more energy efficient than electric; offers up to 70 or more gallons.

– Hybrid: Uses air energy to heat water; offers built-in or add-on tank options; larger than standard models; more expensive upfront; lower yearly operational costs; over 70 gallons available.

– Solar: Uses the sun to heat water; requires a backup system for poor weather or cloudy days; offers federal and state tax incentives; lower annual operational costs; more expensive upfront; over 70 gallon units available.

Consider Your Space

Today you have the option of tankless or tank water heaters. If you’re limited on space, you may want to consider a tankless water heater instead. Tankless heaters are half the size of a traditional one, but will cost you a little more upfront.

Heatrae Sadia water heaters are solar-powered, so you’re already saving on operational costs. They also come in a variety of sizes to suit your home’s needs.

Why Go Solar?

The sun is a great source for energy — especially when it comes to a water heater. While you might spend a little more upfront on solar energy, the amount of money you’ll spend each month is minimal in comparison to traditional water heaters.

Need More Assistance?

If you need to install a solar water heater, or you just need help picking the right water heater for your home, contact Seva Call today. Instantly get connected with a trained plumber in your area who can help you pick the perfect water heater to suit your home and personal needs.

Tags: Heatre Sadia, water heaters
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Polyethylene Pipe Sizes

Monday, February 24th, 2014

When it comes to performing your next home improvement project, it is always better to count on the skills, the know-how and the experience of a local specialist. Note that piping system problems can be difficult to evaluate and solve. There are certain things that you may not know, like for instance, which polyethylene pipe sizes are actually suitable for you.

The Benefits of PE Pipes

PE pipes are durable, versatile, and can transport a wide range of products, including clean water, wastewater, compressed gasses, oils, and toxic wastes. They are leak-free and have a considerable hassle-free service life, which means that they represent a smart long-term investment.

Different Types of PE Pipes Currently available on the Market

Since they serve different purposes and they have to respond to different needs and demands, PE pipes are produced in different pressure grades (according to the European standards). PN 2.5, PN4, PN6, PN10 and PN 16 are the main types of PE pipes.

AS-NZS 4130 compliant PE pipes have a size ranging from 16 mm outside diameter (OD) to 1,600 mm OD. Pipes made to transport clean water and wastewater are made from PE100 Polyethylene, pipe that carry gas are manufactured from PE80/100 Polyethylene, while pipes that are utilized in the electrical sector are produced from PE80 Polyethylene. Pipes have a standard 12 meter length, but customized products based on the client’s specifications can be made on demand.

Ask an Expert

Don’t know how to choose the best types of pipes for your next project? Can’t say for sure which polyethylene pipe sizes would be recommended in this case? If so, just discuss your options with a local plumber. Identify the best ones in your area with a little bit of help from Seva Call, your #1 connection to the best professionals.

Tags: Polyethylene Pipe Sizes
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New Water Heater Installation Cost

Friday, February 21st, 2014

On average, a traditional water heater, whether gas or electric, will last only up to 8 to 12 years. When it’s time to replace your water heater and install a new one, cost is always one of the major considerations. However, actual water heater installation cost varies greatly and can range from $623 to $2,000 depending on the installation type, which is unique to each home.

When looking at the average cost of installing a water heater, several factors come into play, such as:

– Delivery costs for local material and/or equipment to the job site.

– Transportation costs of the service provider’s technician to the job site.

– Costs to get the site ready for water heater installation and ensure the job is up to code (adding/renovating structures, replacing, or protecting finishes and other existing components).

– Cleanup and debris removal costs after installation.

– For small water heater installation, minimum hourly rates usually apply.

Planning Your Water Heater Installation

Homeowners should expect their water heater installation cost to be at the higher end of the price range if they work with a licensed, bonded, and insured service provider, which is always the safest and best option. Costs would also be higher for rush or complex installations.

Relocating the new water heater or converting to a different type of water heater will add to the total water heater installation cost. The cost would also increase if the existing plumbing and fuel source connections were altered to accommodate the new water heater installation.

A professional contractor would be able to help you determine the upfront costs and long-term cost efficiency of operating your heater, as well as the other variables that can affect the overall water heater installation cost. When it comes to hiring a contractor, do so carefully no matter how urgent the need to have a water heater installed. If you’re concerned about costs, you should be doubly concerned about hiring a qualified service professional so make sure you verify the background and credentials of a contractor before hiring.

Needless to say, electric water heaters pose some serious electrocution risks, while improperly installed gas water heaters can lead to dangerous gas leaks so it is worth every dollar to hire a qualified person to do the job.

To save on water heater installation cost, get quotes from multiple providers so you can choose the best offer without sacrificing quality. If you have another related home improvement project, consider combining the work. Being flexible with the project dates may also allow you to take advantage of lower rates from a provider.

Looking to Hire a Professional Plumber?

Seva Call is your go-to resource when you need reliable service professionals quickly. We’ll you connect you with up to three reliable, local plumbers in just a few minutes for free. Contact us now!

Tags: Water Heater Installation Cost
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How to Replace Sewer Lines

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

The sewer line is an essential part of your plumbing system, and plays a major role in ensuring the proper functioning of your home. Unfortunately, sewer lines can break down at any time because of wear and tear, clogs, tree roots, or other factors.

Because they are located underground, it’s difficult to predict sewer line problems. However, when you are confronted with such an issue, it’s important to know what to do. If your sewer line is beyond repair, you will have to replace it.

How Do You Replace Sewer Lines?

Replacing your sewer line is a complex operation, which requires the assistance of a licensed plumber. There are several ways to replace a sewer line, depending on various factors, including sewer line location, access, and deterioration stage.

The Conventional Way to Replace Sewer Lines

The traditional way to replace a sewer line is to dig a trench, remove the old, damaged pipe, and replace it with a new one. Although it sounds simple, it’s a time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly method to change a sewer line. That’s because you might need to tear up your driveway and dig up your yard. Besides the cost of replacing the line itself, you will have to pay for re-landscaping as well.

Sewer Line Leak Detection

If your sewer line leaks, the leaking point can be detected by a plumber with the help of a video camera. This non-invasive method allows you to repair the problem without having to dig a trench to access the sewer line.

Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement

This technique consists of inserting the new sewer line through the old one. To do this, the plumber will only dig two access holes, not an entire trench, to extract the broken pipe. It’s not only a less messy method, but also a more cost-effective one.

Professional Sewer Line Replacement

Having trouble with your sewer line? Let Seva Call connect you with experienced local professionals who can help you replace or repair it right away.

Tags: Replace Sewer Lines
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Polyethylene Pipe Fittings

Wednesday, February 19th, 2014

When it comes to fixing some of the most common household issues that could disrupt your daily balance at home, you can always choose to conduct a DIY project. On the other hand, some challenges could easily exceed your knowledge and require the presence of a specialist.

Problems with your piping system, for instance, could easily be solved by a plumber in a cost effective manner. He could also offer you all the info that you may need, on products that could improve the functionality of your current system, like polyethylene pipe fittings, for instance.

Why are Polyethylene Pipes Such a Great Option at Hand?

Polyethylene pipes are extremely popular these days due to their long list of advantages, including their superior resistance, versatility, and prolonged, trouble-free service life (up to 100 years).

Moreover, they can be used in different applications, such as mining, agriculture, metropolitan, industrial, municipal, cable duct, gas extraction, and so on. They can transport various kinds of materials, like oils, clean water, wastewater, chemicals, compressed gasses, and even toxic waste. These pipes are solid, easy to install, and display a superior corrosion resistance.

Polyethylene Pipe Fittings Overview

There are various types of polyethylene pipe fittings currently available on the market. They have been designed and implemented to improve the functionality of the PE piping system. There are three categories of polyethylene pipe fittings: thermoformed, injection molded, and fabricated.

Reducers, tees, couplings, stub ends, flange adapters, 90 degree, and 45 degree elbows are standard molded fittings. Fabricated PE fittings are produced by uniting the sections of machined blocks, molded fittings, or pipes to obtain the desirable configuration.

Fabricated tee, full pressure reducing tee, fabricated elbow, and flange adapter are some of the most common types of fabricated fittings. Thermoformed fittings are created when a source of heat and a forming tool are utilized to remodel a heated surface, which in this case is a pipe section.

Ask an Expert

Don’t know which type of polyethylene pipe fittings would be more suitable for your next project? In this case, just discuss your options with an expert. Use Seva Call to find the best plumbers in your area. The whole process is free and easy.

Tags: Polyethylene Pipe Fittings
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Frozen Pipes Prevention

Monday, February 17th, 2014

Frozen pipes are a common problem during the cold season, so you want to be prepared in case this happens to you. The best approach to this issue is, of course, prevention. Here’s what you need to know about frozen pipes prevention and what to do in case your water pipes freeze.

Outdoor pipes, which are not insulated, and therefore exposed to cold weather, are likely to freeze. Also, pipes that are located in unheated spaces, such as the basement, crawl space, or garage, are prone to freezing. To prevent freezing, it’s important to act before winter settles in, or if you haven’t done it in due time, apply the necessary measures immediately to minimize risks.

Prevention Measures

1. Check outdoor water supply pipes. All pipes that are located in unheated spaces, including the garage, basement, or attic need to be properly insulated. You can use heat tape or other typical products that are specially designed to insulate exposed water pipes.

2. If you have a swimming pool, make sure you drain the water, as prompted by manufacturer’s instructions.

3. Drain the supply line of your water sprinkler, if you have one.

4. Drain and store outdoor hoses.

5. Insulate the water pipes in your garage, if there are any located in there, and avoid leaving the door open more than necessary.

6. Maintain a relatively constant temperature throughout the day; otherwise, pipes may freeze because of temperature variations.

7. Use the faucets that are connected to outdoor pipes. Water flowing through the pipe prevents freezing.

8. If you leave your house for several days during winter, don’t turn off the thermostat or you risk your pipes freezing.

How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe

If the water pressure drops suddenly, you might have a frozen pipe. Open the faucet and start thawing the frozen pipe. Use a hair dryer or a space heater to heat the frozen pipe. When the ice begins to melt, the water will start flowing, speeding the melting process.

In case you cannot locate the frozen pipe or if don’t have access to it, it’s advisable to call a plumber. Seva Call can connect you with reliable professionals in your local area in minutes.

Tags: Frozen Pipes Prevention
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How to Tell When to Repair or Replace a Water Line

Friday, February 14th, 2014

Your home’s water line serves to give your household fresh water for drinking and all other important daily living tasks. Therefore, when there’s a problem with your water line, it’s something that must be addressed right away. Plumbing specialists are trained to quickly repair, replace water lines, or simply inspect the system for any signs of trouble without compromising the quality of their service.

As a homeowner, you can do your part in routinely checking for any sign of a problem in your system and then calling in a professional when you suspect or determine an issue. Here are the some of the telltale signs that you may need to repair or replace your water line:

1. Drop in water pressure

You will most likely notice this right away when the pressure in your water suddenly drops or, worse, you’ve completely lost your water supply. If the water line is leaking significantly, water pressure will naturally drop until the flow of water reduces to a trickle or slow drip. When this happens, it will take longer for toilets to refill and sinks will have very little flow of water. You can also expect that taking a shower can be quite frustrating in this situation.

2. Increase in water bill

Despite your household actually using less water than before, you will notice your monthly water bill is going up. Until you find and fix the leak, water will keep on flowing out of the pipe but not into your home, which is a waste of money and resources, because you still have to pay the utility company.

3. Changes in your yard

With the water line leaking from below the ground, you may notice some unusual conditions in your yard. For instance, water may collect in one specific area even when there’s no evident water source like rain or sprinklers in use. In addition, the shrubs and grass directly within this watered area may be healthier or not than normal. You might also notice the earth itself may have risen up a little as it gets soaked with water from below and expands.

Hire a Qualified Plumber

Knowing how to tell whether you need a professional to repair or replace a water line in your home is the first step to dealing with the problem. After this, the best thing to do is to hire a qualified local plumber who has the experience and knowledge in handling water main leaks or breaks. Seva Call is your quick connection to service professionals in your area. Contact us now and use our free service!

Tags: Repair or Replace a Water Line
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Why Water Line Fittings Are So Important

Thursday, February 13th, 2014

In order to avoid common household problems that could easily overbalance your monthly budget, you have to make sure that your plumbing system is fully functional. Water line fittings play an important part in this equation, because these elements connect your water pipes.

Whenever plumbers need to make certain modifications, they have to choose the right type of fittings and link them to the existing pipes in an ideal manner. Keep reading to find out more about some of the most common types of fittings currently available on the market.

Plastic Water Line Fittings

Plastic is a very versatile material that is used in a wide range of applications. It should not surprise you to find out that plumbers make the most of PVC fittings to connect water pipes. These elements are usually utilized for outdoor water lines. They are glued in an ideal position, and the adhesive ensures a watertight seal.

Copper Fittings

Copper fittings are ideal for indoor applications for a number of reasons.

– They are corrosion-resistant.

– They are relatively easy to cut and install.

– They are durable and resistant.

Just like the ones made from PVC, copper fittings include tees, plugs, crosses, couplings, and elbows.

Galvanized Fittings

A few years back, this type of fitting was used on a large scale for a wide range of interior water lines. However, because this material is often affected by extensive corrosion, it has gradually been replaced with copper. The extremities of the galvanized pipes used to be threaded, and the plumber used to screw the galvanized fittings on the existing pipes.

Consult an Expert

Finding and installing the best water line fittings can be quite a hassle, especially if you know very little or nothing at all about plumbing systems. In this case, it is better to rely on the skills and the know-how of a certified plumber. Find the best one in your area by using Seva Call, a free service designed to connect you with the best professionals in your area.

Tags: water line fittings
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AO Smith Hot Water Heater Options for the Home

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

A. O. Smith is a water heater manufacturer based in Tennessee with products for residential and commercial use. It’s a trusted name that has been in the business for more than 70 years. For your home, you will find several AO Smith hot water heater options to choose from. In fact, they have around 160 models on their website just for propane water heaters.

Of course, they offer all the other types of water heaters, such as tankless water heaters, solar water heaters, electric water heaters, and hybrid water heaters. Once you’ve chosen the type of AO Smith hot water heater to buy, you can then narrow down your choices by different filter options like capacity, BTU input, or emissions to specific product lines, features, and fuel type.

Product Models

Because of the myriad of AO Smith hot water heater options available, it will make shopping much easier if you become familiar with the most popular AO Smith hot water heater models and what each can do.

Energy Saver: These gas- or propane-fueled water heaters are designed to completely meet all governmental safety requirements for the installation of manufactured housing. They come in either standard venting or direct venting units, with your choice of natural gas or propane operation.

Conservationist®: This line is available in either gas or electric models and is one of the most energy-efficient water heaters around. The gas-fueled model features corrosion resistant glass coating and environmentally friendly gas burners designed to reduce nitrogen oxide (NO) emissions by more than 30 percent compared to regular burners. The electric models feature heating elements than can last thrice as long as regular elements made of copper.

Vertex™: These innovative models are also highly efficient, delivering long-lasting hot water supply that can match larger water heaters, so they are perfect for homes with high water heating needs. They are about the same size as the regular units, making them easy to install.

Effex®: This line of state-of-the-art conventional vent gas water heaters are the most efficient models available in today’s market. It is perfect for homeowners looking for a hassle-free way to upgrade old, inefficient water heaters.

ProMax®: This is a line of gas and electric water heaters that are designed to give you huge energy savings. The gas models feature side loop vents, very low NO emissions, and high recovery, which makes them suitable for households with high water needs. The electric models are engineered for reduced sediment and lime buildup. Thick foam insulation (CFC-free) provides exceptional efficiency.

Voltex®: This AO Smith’s line of hybrid electric water heaters utilizes heat pump technology that allows it to store more energy and, thus, boost savings. It is simple to use and comes in 50- to 80-gallon units.

Are You Ready to Buy?

You can only purchase an AO Smith hot water heater exclusively from plumbing contractors and wholesalers. Find a plumber near you – quickly and at no cost – with Seva Call‘s help! Try us now.

Tags: AO Smith Hot Water Heater
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How to Choose From Whirlpool Water Heaters

Tuesday, February 11th, 2014

Running out of hot water or paying too much for water and heating costs is something no homeowner looks forward to. However, when you’re shopping for a new water heater, it’s hard to tell which unit will be dependable and which might leave you taking a cold shower in the morning. Whirlpool water heaters come in all sorts of sizes, heat units, etc. and they have a reputation for being dependable. If you’re having trouble figuring out which is right for your home, consider these tips for picking out the perfect unit.

Write Down Your Current Unit’s Requirements

Before you pick a new water heater, write down what your current unit has. You’ll need to write down the gallon capacity, fuel units required (gas or electric), whether it needs natural gas or propane, and the diameter of the exhaust vent (if applicable).

Use a Water Heating Size Guide

Whirlpool water heaters offer water heater sizing guides to help you determine what size unit you’ll need. For example, a family of five or more would need 80 to 119 gallons for electric and 50 to 100 gallons for a gas water heater. The higher number of gallons is appropriate if your house is a high-demand house (meaning you use a lot of hot water on a daily basis), while the lower number is for a regular or low-demand house.

Other Things to Consider

Even though you know what size and fuel type you need, there are special circumstances that can change your purchase decision. Some additional things to consider can include:

1. If your home has an oversized or jetted tub, people shower at the same time, or you do several loads of hot laundry per day, you might want a larger capacity unit.

2. If you’re going to stay in your home for a long time, pick a model that has a longer warranty period.

Install Your Water Heater Right and Maintain It

Proper installation and maintenance is what keeps Whirlpool water heaters lasting for a long time. Try Seva Call today to find a plumber in your area that knows how to install and maintain Whirlpool units so you can maximize the return on your investment.

Tags: whirlpool water heater
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