Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Burst Pipes?

If you’re like many homeowners, you may have wondered if your basic insurance policy covers property damage caused by an excess of water. Generally, it depends on the root of the problem. Floods and other natural disasters usually aren’t covered by homeowner’s insurance, but it’s often a different story when the damage is caused by faulty plumbing. Here are some of the factors that may determine whether burst pipes are covered in your policy.                                                    

The Scope of Your Coverage

Homeowner’s insurance usually covers any pipes that burst either inside or outside your home. With outdoor piping, you may need to take certain steps to demonstrate the cause of the issue. Keep in mind that plumbing emergencies caused by poor drainage usually aren’t covered by these policies, so your claim may be denied based on how the damage occurred.

The Nature of the Damage

Some insurers are particular about what constitutes a burst pipe. It’s likely that you won’t be eligible for coverage if it turns out that the problem with your plumbing was caused by a slow leak that wasn’t fixed in a timely manner. When reporting the emergency, it’s recommended that you avoid referring to the situation as a flood; while it might seem like a matter of semantics, the terminology you use can play a big role in whether your claim is accepted.

The Limitations of Your Policy

If there’s evidence that you are at fault for the water damage in your home, there’s a good chance that you might not receive coverage. For example, if your home’s plumbing is damaged because you didn’t set up any form of insulation, your insurer may write the issue off as a result of negligence and refuse to offer the benefits of your policy. Call a plumbing repair specialist and make sure your system is thoroughly inspected each year to ensure that any burst pipes will be covered.


Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical offers same-day service to Seattle-area homeowners in need of inspection or repair. We will waste no time in identifying the source of your problem and ensuring that it is fixed right away. Call (206) 452-4363 or visit our website to find out more about our services.

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How to Keep Your Tankless Water Heater from Freezing

One of the first steps in keeping your tankless water heater damage-free is making sure it doesn’t freeze. Water heaters that break down due to negligence are often not covered by manufacturer’s warranties. The best way to keep this kind of damage from occurring is to drain the system of excess water before the first freeze of the season.

Allow the water to cool for several hours, making sure the heater is off and unplugged. After this, shut off the water supply and drain the liquid from the system. It’s recommended that you detach any pipes and hoses, along with the inlet water filter, so that these parts can dry out as well. If your heater is stored outside, cover it with some form of insulation to keep it sufficiently warm. Any ice or snow that accumulates on its surface should be cleared away as soon as possible.

Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical is the best place to turn in times of crisis. Our repair specialists are always ready to help you with any problem at any hour of the day. Call (206) 452-4363 to learn more about our services.

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Crucial Furnace Safety Tips for Winter

When cold weather arrives, many homeowners throughout the Seattle area quickly turn to their indoor heating system. However, a furnace that hasn’t been properly maintained poses a threat to the safety of its user. Take a look at these tips to find out more about staying safe while enjoying the coziness of your furnace’s warmth.                                                                                          

Schedule a Preemptive Examination

You can have your furnace inspected at any time, but the safest thing to do is to try and have it done before the first use of the year. This way, there will be plenty of time to identify and repair any problems before the climate reaches its worst. Never try to perform this kind of inspection on your own, as the process is best left in the hands of a professional.

Check the Pipes for Leaks

Leaks are a tremendous fire hazard. There should be no cracks or unusual openings along the surface of your furnace’s flue pipe. Although leaks aren’t always fully visible to the naked eye, the presence of soot along the seams often indicates that something isn’t right. Faulty pipes should be repaired by a specialist as soon as possible to reduce the risk of fire.

Inspect the Walls and Ceiling

The walls and ceiling around your furnace and along the chimney line can indicate if repairs may be necessary. They might feel abnormally warm to the touch, or perhaps you’ll be able to spot some discoloration in certain areas. These signs often mean you should ask your heating specialist about repairs.

Since 1999, Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical has been one of Seattle’s most reputed plumbing companies. We provide our customers with 90-day financing on all repair services to ensure that even those working with limited budgets can have safely functioning furnaces. Call (206) 452-4363 or contact us online to learn more about what we have to offer.

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How to Insert a Furnace Air Filter

A dirty air filter can impede the flow of hot air through your home and even stain your furnace motor. In other words, changing the furnace air filter is the easiest thing you can do to improve your comfort and increase the lifespan of your heating equipment. After locating the filter, pull it out and closely inspect it. If the filter is dirty, be sure to discard it. Your new filter will have airflow arrows imprinted along the sides of the filter. These arrows are always meant to point in the direction of the airflow.

Slide the filter into the filter air box and close up the filter. It’s really that easy!
If you are having any trouble locating your furnace filter, or if you don’t know how to replace the filter, contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical. We provide heating and furnace repair throughout the Seattle area. No furnace problem is too big or small for our experienced heating repair technicians. Call us at (206) 452-4363 to schedule an appointment.

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The Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

Imagine if you could run the dishwasher and the washing machine at the same time, or even take a soothing hot shower while the laundry finishes up. This isn’t fantasy or science fiction; it’s possible with a tankless water heater. The basic idea behind a tankless water heater is that it heats water as you need it instead of continually heating water stored in a tank. In addition to providing virtually endless amounts of hot water, a tankless water heater can dramatically reduce your monthly bills. Read on to learn a bit more about how these amazing water heaters work.

“On Demand” Water Heating

A traditional water heater continually heats the water to maintain a constant temperature, even when it’s not being used. This is called standby heat loss and it wastes energy and money. To avoid standby heat loss, a tankless water heater only heats as much water as necessary. For this reason, tankless water heaters are often referred to as “on demand” water heaters, and why they can significantly reduce your monthly bills. Talk to your water heater supplier to learn how much you could save every month by switching to tankless.

Point-of-Use vs. Whole-House

In order to provide hot water needed throughout the house, a tankless water heater uses a powerful heat exchanger to raise the temperature of the water in a matter of seconds. There are two varieties of tankless water heater systems: point-of-use and whole-house heaters. Point-of-use systems are compact and only heat water for one of two outlets. Whole-house tankless water heaters are larger and more expensive, but can provide hot water on demand for multiple outlets throughout the home.

If you are thinking about replacing your traditional water heater with a tankless system, contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical. Our water heater experts are happy to answer any questions you have about tankless systems, including whether or not the switch to tankless is a good financial decision. Contact us online or call (206) 452-4363 for additional information.

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Preventing Home Sewer Problems

A broken sewer pipe can be a major headache to deal with, and the cost of sewer line repair can come as a shock if you are not prepared for it. To prevent unexpected problems, have your sewer line inspected, especially if your home is more than 40 years old. During an inspection, a sewer repair company will use a camera to look at your sewer line. This inspection will reveal any potential problems and give you the option of traditional or trenchless sewer line repair. Watch this video for more tips on preventing and dealing with home sewer problems.

If you can’t remember the last time your sewer line was inspected, contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical. We use advanced video cameras to inspect the condition of your home’s sewer line, and we offer trenchless sewer line repair to maintain your property. For additional information about our sewer line inspection and repair services, call us at (206) 452-4363.

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Getting Your Furnace Ready for Cooler Weather

Fall will soon turn into winter, and that means freezing temperatures are on the way. To stay warm this winter, you will need the help of your furnace. Before you turn up the heat in your home, take some time to prepare your furnace for the upcoming heating season. Preparing your furnace will keep you and your family comfortable when the cold weather arrives, and it will lower the chances that your furnace will breakdown over the winter. Here are a few ways to get your furnace ready for cooler weather.

Inspect and Replace the Air Filter

Before you run your furnace, locate the air filter and pull it out. If the filter is dirty, replace it. You should also consider upgrading to a pleated filter, HEPA filter, or electrostatic filter. These high-efficiency air filters allow the warm air to flow unimpeded through your home. They may even increase the energy efficiency of your furnace.

Clear Area around Exhaust Flue

Find out where your furnace’s exhaust flue is located and make sure that the area is free of obstructions such as branches or animal nests. If the exhaust flue becomes blocked, the gases and fumes produced by your furnace can begin to circulate through your home. Exposure to these exhaust fumes can be dangerous, so be sure to inspect the exhaust flue before you run your furnace during the winter.

Hire a Professional

Unless your furnace is brand new, it might be a good idea to hire a heating and furnace repair company to inspect your furnace before the cooler weather sets in for good. A simple furnace inspection might reveal a hidden problem that would have shut down your home’s heating system had it gone unnoticed.

For the best furnace maintenance, repair, and testing in Seattle, contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical. We can keep your home comfortable all winter long with our residential heating services, including emergency furnace repair, furnace installation, furnace testing, and more. Call us today at (206) 452-4363 to learn more about our heating and furnace repair services.

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