Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A Closer Look at Energy-Saving Tankless Water Heaters

Traditional water heaters have tanks that hold a large volume of water at a constant temperature. When you aren’t using any hot water, these heaters are still consuming energy, because the burner or electric coil has to switch on at regular intervals to keep the water in the tank hot and ready for use.

A tankless water heater saves energy because the heating element is only switched on when you turn on a hot water tap. Tankless water heaters quickly and efficiently heat water when you need it and don’t consume extra energy when your sinks and showers are off.


Call Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical today at (206) 452-4363 to find out how a tankless water heater can save you money. We are also available 24 hours a day to tend to any plumbing emergencies you might experience.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Why You Need to Invest in a Commercial Water Filtration System if You Own a Restaurant

Restaurant owners work hard to give their customers high-quality food expertly prepared from the freshest ingredients, but hard water can spoil the taste of even the most gourmet meal. While pitcher filters work fine for home use, using a commercial water filtration system in a restaurant setting is more economical and cost effective. When you hire a plumber to install a filtration system for your restaurant, these are a few of the benefits you’ll enjoy:






















Fresher Tap Water

Your customers want to enjoy a clean, fresh-tasting glass of water, but many no longer want to pay for bottled water. Tap water, however, often has an off-taste, which may result from impurities in the municipal supply or old plumbing in your building. A commercial water filtration system ensures that your tap water is clean, safe to drink, and tastes pure and fresh.
 
Tastier Food

The dissolved minerals in your town’s water supply not only affect the taste of a glass of water, but also the taste of your food. If you use unfiltered water to make stocks and soups or boil pasta, all the hard work you put into your dishes might go to waste, because hard water can lend an off-taste to even the most lovingly prepared food. Using filtered water in all cooking applications will ensure that the flavors of your ingredients and recipes shine through.
 
Reduced Risk of Health Issues

Filtration and purification can also remove harmful microbes from your water supply. If just one customer gets sick from the water in your restaurant, your entire business will suffer. You may fail your health inspection and even be forced to close. To protect the safety of your patrons and your business, invest in a water filtration system.

Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical provides complete commercial plumbing services for many businesses, including restaurants. Call us today at (206) 452-4363 and we can discuss water filtration options for your Seattle-area restaurant.


Monday, January 28, 2013

Browse Through These Links To Learn How Beacon Plumbing Can Keep Your Family Comfortable Year Round

Explore these links to find out what kind of plumbing emergencies need the immediate attention of a professional and what causes low water pressure in the home. Contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical at (206) 452-4363 for more information on these topics, or head to our website to find out how you can earn 50 Beacon Bucks for your next service.





















This article by The Washington Post and Tim Carter from Ask the Builder can help you learn how to solve low water pressure problems.

Keep your plumbing in top shape with these great maintenance tips from HGTV.com.

Head to AngiesList.com to explore several causes of low water pressure in the average plumbing system.
Save yourself from the costly damage and frustration of plumbing leaks by following the advice presented in this article from HouseLogic.com.

Read this page from DIYNetwork.com to understand what kinds of tools can come in handy in a plumbing emergency.

A Look at What May Be Causing Your Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can be a huge nuisance when it affects your showers and faucets. There are a few common causes of low water pressure, depending on where these issues occur. Mineral buildup can interfere with water delivery from faucets or showerheads, while problems affecting water supply lines or the entire plumbing system can cause whole-home low pressure.






                                                                                   


Mineral Deposits

You might only experience low water pressure in one area, such as your bathroom faucet or showerhead. Localized problems can be caused by a few different things. The faucet aerator or showerhead could be clogged with mineral buildup. Such buildup can lower the amount of water coming out of the fixture. Sometimes soaking a showerhead or faucet aerator in an environmentally safe mixture of water and vinegar is enough to eliminate most mineral scale and restore water flow.

Faulty Valves

It’s always a good idea to check localized valves on your water supply lines. Partially closed valves near your toilet or faucet can be causing low pressure. If the valves are open and the aerator or showerhead is not clogged, the problem may be within the wall or a different portion of your plumbing system, and you’ll need to call your plumber.

If you experience low pressure throughout your entire home, the first place to check is the shutoff valve located inside your house. Typically in the basement, this valve should be in the fully open position. You can also check the valve at the water meter outside your house to ensure that it is completely open as well.

Municipal Water Supply Problems

Not all water pressure problems originate in the home. If you live far from the municipal water supply, you will likely have low water pressure simply due to distance. Or, the municipal source may be experiencing such problems as corroded pipes, debris buildup, leaky plumbing, or malfunctioning backflow prevention devices.

Contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical at (206) 452-4363 to address your water pressure concerns. We can identify the cause of the issue and provide either the necessary repairs or pressure-boosting solutions to deliver adequate water pressure throughout your house.

Mineral Deposits Beacon Plumbing Low Water Pressure Mineral buildup adequate water pressure

Monday, January 14, 2013

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

Frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time if they burst. By simply keeping closet or cabinet doors open in areas where pipes run through the walls, you can help prevent freezing. Open cabinet doors promote air circulation, keeping the pipes warm. You can learn about other preventative measures by watching this video.

 

Pipes in garages or crawlspaces should be insulated. Additional measures like heat tape can warm up the pipes directly when several days of freezing or below-freezing temperatures occur.

Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical of Seattle provides same-day 24-hour emergency service and can rescue your pipes if they freeze. To learn more about how to prevent your pipes from freezing and what we can do to protect your home, visit us online or give us a call at (206) 452-4363 today.


Pipes and Plumbing: Stunning Stats and Fascinating Facts [INFOGRAPHIC]

With the conveniences of modern plumbing, it can be easy to take that water coming out of your faucet for granted. However, plumbing in the U.S. and throughout the world wasn’t always so simple. The profession has a long history of development and innovation that transformed America’s plumbing from odorous outhouses to extraordinarily efficient flushes. Take a look at this interesting infographic from a Seattle plumber to discover some fascinating facts about plumbing, piping, and water usage in the U.S. Feel free to spread the word about sustainability and wow your friends and family with these stunning stats by sharing this infographic with them!




















































































HELP! Plumbing Emergencies That Need to be Addressed Immediately

No homeowner ever wants to encounter a plumbing emergency, but it’s important to know the signs of an urgent situation so you can take action to prevent further damage to your property. Flooding water or sewage can cause a vast amount of damage in a very short time and needs to be addressed immediately by a professional plumber.





















Clogged Drains and Backups

A clogged drain can become a serious problem, especially if water begins backing up into your home. A particularly stubborn clog can progress further into your plumbing system and affect more than one drain in your home. If you have a clogged drain or sewage is backing up into your home, contact an emergency plumber right away. Sewage can not only cause immediate water damage, but also transmit harmful pathogens and encourage mold growth.
 
Burst Pipes

Burst pipes can occur due to age, unseen damage, or freezing. Regular inspections of your plumbing system will allow you to repair or replace pipes that are likely to burst as a result of age or damage, but frozen pipes can be harder to predict. Taking preventative measures, like insulating your pipes, can help you avoid these situations. If a pipe does burst, the first thing to do is shut off the water supply at the main valve. This can save you thousands of dollars in damage.
 
Sewer Line Leaks

Older, clay sewer lines are subject to shifting soils, cracks, and tree root infiltration. A leak in this line can release large amounts of water into the ground and surrounding area, which presents a health hazard and can cause damage to your landscaping.
You don’t have to face these and other plumbing emergencies alone. Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical provides 24/7 emergency services to our residential and commercial customers. No matter the scale of your plumbing emergency, we can handle it. Visit us online for more information or call us at (206) 452-4363.