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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How to Tell if You Have a Leak in Your Home

A leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water in just a few days. And if that leak is hidden, it can result in extensive water damage over the course of a few weeks or months. Besides the obvious signs of a leak (pooling water, mold, etc.), look at your monthly water bills to determine whether or not you have a leak. If your water bills have been unusually high, there may be a leak somewhere in your home that is wasting water. You can also turn off all fixtures, faucets, and appliances for eight hours, and read the water meter to see if the needle has moved.

If you suspect that your home has a leak, contact the emergency plumbing repair specialists at Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical. Our team can help you save water and avoid expensive water damage repair. Visit our website to learn more about our plumbing services in Seattle, or call us at (206) 452-4363 to schedule a service.

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What Causes a Toilet to Overflow?

Everyone knows the dreaded feeling of flushing a toilet only to have the water (and the contents inside) rush up and flow over the sides of the bowl. Besides being incredibly embarrassing, an overflowing toilet can also cause extensive water damage and may even pose a serious health risk if raw sewage begins to leak out. To help you avoid this frightening plumbing emergency, here is a look at some of the causes of an overflowing toilet.

Clogged Pipes

Your plumbing system uses gravity to deliver water and take water away. If a pipe is clogged with debris, water will sit in the pipe. Adding more water by flushing the toilet will cause the contents of the bowl to leak out over the sides. A plunger or plumbing snake may be able to remove the blockage; if not, contact your plumber to inspect your pipes.

Foreign Objects

Toilets are not garbage disposals. One of the easiest ways to cause your toilet to overflow is by flushing items that do not belong in a toilet. Common examples include food, toys, feminine products, and trash. Even too much toilet paper can cause your pipes to become clogged. To prevent an overflow, review the items that should not be flushed with your family.

Tree Roots

You might not think that your trees can have an influence over the toilets in your home, but if the pipes leading towards and away from your home are above or below tree roots, they certainly do. Tree roots can cause pipes to bend, which in turn affects the pressure and gravity used to flush the toilet. So if your toilet is overflowing and you just can’t seem to troubleshoot it on your own, have your plumber inspect your pipes outside.

If your toilet is overflowing, Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical can fix the problem. We offer same day, 24-hour emergency plumbing repair in Seattle. Visit our website to learn more about our plumbing services, or call us at (206) 452-4363 to schedule service for your home.

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How to Remove a Hair Clog from Your Shower Drain

There are a lot of materials that clog your pipes, but hair is especially common. Over time, stray hairs can accumulate into a huge mass that prevents water from draining. If your shower is not draining as quickly as it used to, you may need to remove a hair clog from the pipe. To do this, you can place a bent wire hanger down the drain and rotate it to collect the blockage. Bring the wire up and discard the hair. Watch this video to see this technique in action.

If this doesn’t clear up your drain, contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical. Our expert plumbers can fix all of your residential and commercial plumbing problems. Browse our complete plumbing services online, or call us at (206) 452-4363 to speak with one of our plumbers in the Seattle area.

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