AO Smith Hot Water Heater Proper Care And Maintenance

May 17, 2021 Water Heaters No comments yet
  AO Smith Hot Water Heater Proper Care And Maintenance Water heaters are one of the important appliances in your home that you need to maintain. As a certified AO Smith Hot Water Heater technician, we know very well how to maintain the unit. If you own an AO Smith Hot Water Heater or planning to have one, this article will help you how to maintain the unit safely on your own.

Maintaining your AO Smith Hot Water Heater

You can do the unit maintenance by yourself. But before you get your hands working, make sure that you turn off the unit before touching it. In your home’s breaker box, switch off the circuit breaker for the water heater first. After you have turned off the unit, you are good to go. Maintaining your AO Smith Hot Water Heater can be performed with these easy steps.
Check the temperature and pressure relief valve.
This should be done once a year. Annually test the temperature-pressure relief valve by discharging it quickly at least three times. While doing this, keep an eye for small leaks from the valve. If you see any drips, you need to repair the leaks or tighten the connections.
Watch out for leaks.
One of the culprits of water heater leaks is high water pressure or thermal expansion. You can control water pressure by installing a thermal expansion tank. To monitor the water pressure, you will need a water pressure gauge attached to the water heater drain valve or an outside faucet. If you find the water pressure reaches above 80 PSI, we recommend installing a pressure-reducing valve. We recommend setting the home’s water pressure to 50-60 PSI. Higher water pressure can damage your water heater and your plumbing system. Also, check the water heater flue pipe for any leaks that could result in carbon monoxide leaks. Inspection for leaks should be done every month. Do immediate repair if you find any leaks.
Check the anode rod.
This aluminum or magnesium rod should be checked from time to time and needs to be replaced if worn out. The anode rod helps in protecting the tank from leaks. To remove the anode rod, follow the instructions in your owner’s manual. You will know that you need to replace the rod if it looks slightly “chewed up” or most of the metal is gone.
Drain and Flush
Drain and flush the tank at least once a year. The first thing to do is you need to connect a garden hose to the drain valve and place the other end on a drain or outside. Using a screwdriver, open the drain valve and drain a few gallons of water. If the water looks cloudy, drain the tank until the water is clear.

Additional Maintenance and Safety Tips

Aside from routine maintenance, make sure that your water heater is not near any flammable materials such as gasoline, paint, and chemicals. Remove any combustible materials close by the unit to avoid incidents of fire. If you need urgent maintenance assistance, please feel free to contact us.
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Common Problems With Kitchen Sink Drains

April 28, 2021 Drains, Faucets, Plumbing, Sewer Lines No comments yet
  Kitchen Sink Plumbing Service by Leone Plumbing The kitchen sink drain is one of the most essential parts of your kitchen. For your kitchen to perform efficiently and smoothly, it needs to have a well-functioning plumbing system. Many homeowners are still intimidated by kitchen sink plumbing issues. It is not only inconvenient to deal with, but it can also cause serious damage to your home!

Can I fix kitchen plumbing issues by myself or call a professional?

It is important to know when to pick up the phone to call a professional and when to fix the issue by yourself. Regardless, any of these common kitchen sink drain problems can bring you much stress:
Clogged Kitchen Sink Drain
This is a common issue with any kitchen sink drain. Food and other debris may cause a buildup on your sink drain which causes foul odor and may attract insects. One way to deal with this issue is to simply pull out food waste or blockage from the drain. Using a plunger can help to pull the clog out by yourself. You can also use (non-acid-based) chemicals to dissolve clogs.  If these tactics don’t work, you need to call a professional plumber.
Leaking Kitchen Faucet
Before calling a professional, you may attempt to fix it on your own. If the leakage is coming from the base of the spout, the O-ring seal might have been worn out. Before you dismantle the faucet, turn off the water source. To locate the O-ring, pull out the coupling nut and gently coax the spout from its socket.  You can then replace the O-ring seal if it’s worn out.
Leak Under The Sink
The possible reason why there is water beneath your sink is because of a leaking drain basket. It is the area underneath the drain where water should flow into the plumbing. Leaking may happen if there is a bad connection or it is not sealed properly. This kitchen sink plumbing issue is very easy to fix by replacing the part.
Clogged Faucets
This is a kitchen sink plumbing concern that is mostly overlooked. To determine if your faucet is clogged, you need to unscrew it to the very end. You then need to pull out the strainer and check if there is any debris that is causing the obstruction. Clogs can happen when there is a build-up of mineral deposits or sediments in the internal faucet parts. You may attempt to investigate prior to calling in a professional. If not, leave it to us and we will take care of everything!

Kitchen Sink Plumbing Tips

Avoid using acid cleaner products for your kitchen sink drain that can erode the pipes. Go for an enzyme-based cleaner instead. Kitchen sink drain clogs are usually resolved using a small snake machine. Using a plunger might help, but it can be challenging due to several openings that don’t allow the plunger to get good suction.

Trust The Kitchen Sink Plumbing Experts

If the issue is out of your control, leave it to us. Contact us today and we are here to help!   | Photo Credits: Pixabay, Canva  
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How Are Sewer Cameras Used In Sewer Line Inspection?

April 15, 2021 Plumbing, Sewer Lines No comments yet
Sewer Camera Inspection By Leone Plumbing Before the advent of sewer cameras, excavation was the only option to determine the sewer lines’ condition. Digging may leave a big mess and causes inconvenience not only to you but also with nearby residences or establishment. Today, the job becomes easy with sewer cameras. Doing sewer line inspection with a camera only needs a small entry point. The sewer camera is connected to a flexible cable, and the plumber can watch through a monitor as the gadget travels through the sewer line. Our licensed plumbers now have the ability to see the undetected problems within the sewage pipe.

Common Findings Of Sewer Camera Inspection

The sewer camera findings can help us pinpoint unseen sewer line problems such as:
Tree Roots Invasion
A single undetected crack in your sewer pipe can allow tree roots to invade your sewer line and grow into it. This will cause serious damage to your sewer line if not prevented.
Damaged Pipes
With the help of a sewer camera, unseen damaged pipes can be detected.
Bellied Sewer Line
When the sewer line starts to crumple, waste gets trapped which causes multiple blockages.
Accumulated Blockages
Over time, there can be a build-up of blockages in your sewer line. Items such as towels, feminine bathroom products, and dips in the underground plumbing due to settling dirt over the years can be detected by sewer cameras.

Types of Sewer Cameras

There are many types of sewer cameras available in the market. You can find a wide range of sewer cameras from RIDGID. We have been using RIDGID cameras for our sewer inspection. Here are some of the camera types you can find. Sewer Cameras Used By Leone Plumbing
Manual Feed Black and White Camera
This is the most basic sewer pipe camera. You will only see things black and white. But if your purpose is to only look for blockages in the line, then this is useful.
Power Feed with Either Color or Black and White Camera
This camera type automatically snakes its way through the drain and pipes whenever you press a button and put the camera down the pipe to get it started. It stops when it hits a blockage. You have the option to choose a black and white or full-color video to identify what the blockage is.
Power Feed with Color Camera and Recording Features
The camera system has a recording feature that records what the camera sees in the pipe. With this type of camera, we can further study and find a better solution to solve sewer line issues. This camera has an SD memory card that plugs into a special slot inside the main compartment of the camera’s handheld monitor.

Get Your Sewer Line Inspected

If you are experiencing sewer line issues but the cause of the problem is puzzling you, then you need to get your sewer line inspected. Contact us today to schedule a sewer line inspection. | Photo Credits: Leone Plumbing photos, Canva Actual Sewer Camera Inspection By Leone Plumbing
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Rinnai Tankless Water Heater: The Pros and Cons

March 31, 2021 HVAC, Water Heaters No comments yet
Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Installation by Leone Plumbing

Rinnai tankless water heater installed by Leone Plumbing and Heating.

Tankless water heaters are growing popular with homeowners. Many homes are enjoying the advantage of going tankless. With the growing demand for tankless water heaters, we are picky in choosing the right unit for our installation service. One of the products that we highly recommend is the Rinnai tankless water heater.

Why Choose Rinnai Tankless Water Heater?

In your everyday domestic activities, there will be many instances in which you need hot water to get something done. You may need hot water every time you wash clothes, shower, bathing, doing dishes, and many others. Hot water can be highly on-demand in your home,  and you need a heavy-duty water heater. Rinnai tankless water heater has all the elements that a heavy-duty unit must have – available hot water on demand, durable, and energy-efficient.

The Pros and Cons of  Rinnai Tankless Water Heater

While we highly recommend Rinnai tankless water heater, there is no perfect product. Though we receive generally good points from this product, there are pros and cons too.

Pros:

Energy Saving
Rinnai tankless water heater only operates during the time you need it. That means less energy consumption. The traditional water heater, however, heats the water to a certain degree and stores the water in there (whether you need it or not). It will consume more energy to maintain the temperature throughout the day – which will translate to high energy bills. With a tankless water heater, you will save up to 50% of energy consumption.
Hot Water On Demand
It will take you several minutes to get hot water from a regular tank heater. But with a Rinnai tankless unit, hot water is available in seconds. The perk of having a tankless system is it provides a constant flow of hot water for as long as your household needs it.
Space-Saving
A tankless water heater is ideal for a home that wants enough space for other things. Rinnai tankless units don’t have large holding tanks so they can fit in any small spaces.
It Can Last Longer
Compared to a regular tank heater that can last for 10 years, Rinnai tankless units have a longer lifespan of about 20 years! That is how durable it is.

Cons:

Higher Purchase Cost
Rinnai tankless water heaters are costly to purchase and install compared to conventional heaters. Though the upfront cost is larger, it will save you money on energy bills throughout the year.
Large Units For Big Families
A small unit may not be able to keep up the demand of a household all at once. If you have a big family which uses the unit at the same time, you will need a large Rinnai tankless unit which costs more.

Go Tankless!

It is a wise investment to have a Rinnai tankless unit at home. If you want to go tankless or get your current unit serviced, we are always available for you! Talk to us today to find out more.  
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Sump Pump Installers: Sump Pump Replacement and Installation

March 13, 2021 Basement No comments yet
  Sump Pump Installers Service by Leone PlumbingA sump pump is an important piece of equipment in your home. It prevents groundwater from entering your basement. As springtime approaches,  the snow starts to melt and the water goes into people’s basements. Frequent basement flooding may cause the sump pump to fail and may require replacement. If this happens, you need a reliable service from trusted sump pump installers.

Common Issue With Sump Pumps

One of the common issues that our sump pump installers have encountered is stuck sump pump float. The usual reasons for stuck sump pump float are blockages, dirt build-up, and damaged attachment arms. Any obstructions may cause the float to get out of place. If water has been sloshed on your sump pump and expelled a lot of air, this may cause the float to stuck on the sides of the sump pit. With this scenario, our sump pump installers may reset the pump into a better position to avoid obstructions.

When to replace a sump pump?

Any appliance will one day reach its end of life. If a sump pump isn’t working, then it’s cost-effective to replace the sump pump entirely. When the time approaches to replace the unit, you will begin to see these obvious signs.
Loud Noises
You will get to hear the sump pump operating if you get really close to it. It is very odd to hear loud grinding or gurgling noise from a sump pump. It is an obvious sign that the motor is malfunctioning.
No Water in the Sump Pit
If there is no water in the sump pit while the sump pump is running, then this tells you that it’s not connected to the drainage system. The pit is empty maybe because the sump pump was not installed properly or due to clogged drainage.  As soon as you see the pit is empty, call a professional plumber immediately.
Contaminants in the Sump Pit
With heavy flooding,  debris and contaminants may get into the sump pump and clog the system. Eventually, this will slow down the equipment until it fails.
No Power
Most sump pumps operate on electricity and will stop working without power. A sump pump may lose power due to a blown fuse, dead battery backup, and accidental removal of the plug from the outlet.
Recommendation: 
We recommend a “water-powered backup” system and water alert sensors. The water-powered backup will take over during a power outage if the water level rises too high. The alerting sensors will alert the homeowner’s cell phone if the basement starts to flood (this does require that the internet is working though).

Trust The Sump Pump Experts

Sump pump replacement is cost-effective than persistent repairs. Our team of sump pump installers is highly trained for all your sump pump installation and replacement needs. Contact us right away so we can help you resolve your sump pump concern today. Sump Pump Replacement Service by Leone Plumbing  |   Photo Credits: Canva  
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How to choose shower tile?

February 27, 2021 Bathroom Remodeling No comments yet
Choosing shower tile. Bathroom renovation by Leone Plumbing

How to choose shower tile?

The crowning glory of your bathroom is the shower. Choosing the right shower tile is essential to make your bathroom shine. It can be an overwhelming and disappointing experience if the right tile is not selected for its purpose. You need to choose a good shower tile to avoid untimely tile repairs or updates that can be costly. Determining a good tile can help you pick the right choice and avoid regrets.

What makes a good shower tile?

There are three points to consider to identify a good shower tile.

Proportion

Proportion is critical with all wall tiles, and it’s the same with shower tile. Your choice of tile should be proportionate to what is inside your bathroom. A good tile should fit very well in the area where you will be installing it. Nowadays, large tiles are more popular for a modern look. If you would like your bathroom or shower to look spacious, consider using large format tiles. The beauty of large shower tile is it creates a wide space look with less grout line.

Long-term performance

A good tile should also have a long lifespan and can withstand damages. We recommend porcelain tiles as it is known to be durable, and won’t scuff, tear, dent, or puncture. If you compare porcelain from ceramic tiles, they are denser and less porous. This makes porcelain tile more impervious to moisture than ceramic. On the other hand, ceramic tiles are less dense and more prone to cracks and breaks. To test, you may try chipping a piece of porcelain tile. You can see that the damage is nearly invisible and the color continues all the way through. We highly recommend porcelain tile due to its durability which is suited for heavy usage than ceramic tile. Leone Plumbing Shower Tile Guide  

Aesthetics

The overall look of your shower tile adds beauty to your bathroom. For your bathroom and shower to look sleek or classy, choose light shades of tiles. A light shade tile does not only offer an elegant look, but it will also make the bathroom look more spacious. To achieve that “rich and clean” look, another choice is glass tile. The translucence of glass with its variety of colors is an excellent material you can choose. The light that glass tiles reflect gives a brighter and larger appearance to your bathroom. Glass Tile

The best place to shop for shower tile.

Now you know how to determine a good tile, it’s time to shop! Our choice of suppliers is tried and tested. They have a large selection of tile choices for your bathroom makeover. The top tile suppliers we recommend are Best Tile, The Tile Shop, and Artwalk Design. They provide top-quality tiles at a relatively good price.

Renovate your bathroom with us!

Knowing the best shower tile is the first step towards achieving your dream bathroom. Contact us today and let our creative experts help you with your bathroom renovation needs.     | Photo Credits: Pixabay  
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