Author Archive for Dorothy Skinner – Page 7

Truth Or Dare – The Reality Of Tankless Water Heaters

The lit burner on a gas water heater.

Originally featured in The OffBeat Business Magazine March 2016 issue.

By Adam Proctor

There is a misconception about “instant” hot water, meaning not having to wait for it. People want ‘endless’ hot water, but that’s dependent on several things.

  • Water temperatures,
  • Gas and electrical demands and supplies,
  • Distances to fixtures,
  • Temperature loss between unit to fixture(s), etc.

Costs and expectations vary. An average install on a traditional water heater (with permit) ranges from $1100-$1400.00. If your water heater is upstairs, in an attic, or worse yet – a second floor attic – you can expect to pay more. Depending on the age of the unit, there may be necessary adjustments to agree with code. If your water heater is 20 years old you will probably need more than minor upgrades.

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Why We Appreciate Veterans

Why we appreciate veterans on Veteran's Day.We honor all our veterans Nov 11 each year. So many gave their all to keep us free. Many of those that fought and died in years past would not recognize what is going on in the name of freedom today. Freedom should be cherished. Please take some time on this national holiday to reflect on how freedom affects you personally. Let’s pray that our present and future leaders will be led to make decisions that will keep us free. We appreciate all our veterans that gave their lives – and all those survivors still with us from past wars. And for all current veterans and those still on duty, Thank you for your service!

Kitchen and Bathroom Makeover? Count the Cost

A beautiful large tile shower with brass fittings might be part of your kitchen and bathroom makeover.Who doesn’t want a kitchen and bathroom makeover? I mean, we all have a natural desire to upgrade our bathroom and kitchen fixtures from time to time, especially when the manufacturers are designing and producing such beautiful and functional items. Without change, our homes begin to look dated and out of style. This time of the year especially when we are thinking of the upcoming holidays – still in the distant future – but hey, we need time to get all this done, right? All of our guests see the kitchen and bathrooms.

We can do this upgrade on a large or small budget. But remember to consider the entire job.

A problem we encounter is that once we have purchased our new fixtures, we expect to find a reputable, qualified plumbing company to install our purchase – and by the way, we don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on the install.

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Tell-tale Signs of Foundation Problems in Texas

A crack between bricks is one tell-tale sign of foundation problems in Texas.The weather is heating up and we’ve had lots of rain. This can cause our soil to shift and cause foundation problems in Texas. If the soil is too wet or too dry, keep a close eye on your home’s foundation.

A shift in foundation can cause serious problems including gas, sewer, and water leaks. If pipes are not properly protected during installation they can be in weakened state from being exposed to the elements. Over time the metal of the pipe will be eaten away by rust and corrosion causing the pipe to snap when the foundation shifts. Read More→

How to turn off water heater when it’s leaking

Do you know how to turn off the water heater when it’s leaking? Many people don’t.

Our Master Plumber, Adam Proctor, has this to say about leaking water heaters:

There are two kinds of water heater leaks: large ones and small ones. The pans underneath will not handle a large leak. This is especially important if your water heater is above or attached to living space. Water always flows downhill and you can’t always tell which way it is going. A pan located in the garage can still overflow and damage items in your garage or worse, go into living spaces. “Which way is really downhill?”

When you notice that your water heater has sprung a leak, here’s what to do first:

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