Doing Your Own Plumbing

Your water bill probably isn't your highest monthly expense, but it's never the wrong time to save some cash. Higher usage can mean more costly payments at the end of the month, but an increase in your bill doesn't always mean that you're intentionally using more water. Instead, you may have one or more plumbing issues that are wasting water and draining your wallet. Of course, not all plumbing issues will lead to several inches of water across your basement floor.

High water bills aren't always the result of rising rates. If your bill jumps suddenly, you may be dealing with a water leak. If you suddenly have a higher water bill, one of these problems could be the culprit. 1. Water Line Leaks A major increase in water usage over a few weeks is often a result of a leak in the water main feeding into your home. Often, this leak springs up underground first, so it can take time for other symptoms to become obvious.

You depend on your home's heating system to keep your family snug and warm through the cold months. Unfortunately, poor maintenance practice and malfunctions can be a dangerous combination. Knowing how to maintain your furnace's safety is key. 1. Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can cause severe illness or even death. It is especially concerning for homes with children, as they can be affected by a carbon monoxide leak much more quickly due to their smaller size.

Your home's well not only provides you with fresh, clean drinking water but it's also one of the most costly parts of your property. Replacing a submerged pump can cost several thousand dollars, and more significant well failures can be even more expensive. Not every problem with your water well necessarily means that a pricey replacement is in your future, however. If you're experiencing well pump issues, this list will offer three common problems that won't require you to install an entirely new pump.

Whatever type of residential furnace you have, it will have parts that get dirty. That won't have to concern you if you hire a heating contractor, which is a professional that can clean these parts for you for optimal heating performance year-round.  Vents Many homeowners are capable of cleaning their furnace's vents, but then there are times when they are extremely high near the ceiling. If you have said vents, you probably should just let a heating contractor take care of this part cleaning as to avoid hurting yourself.

In your bid to make your home more energy-efficient and functional, you may decide to install the newest model of water heater. However, you realize that you lack the skills and tools to put in a tankless water heater. To ensure that it works properly and is safe to use, you can hire a tankless water heater installer. These benefits come with hiring a water heater technician who offers tankless water heater installation services for homeowners like you.

When your old hot water heater finally goes out, you are faced with a decision: either stick with a tank-style heater or switch to a modern tankless style. The following can help you make an informed choice on the best route. Tankless Heater A tankless heater is sometimes called an on-demand water heater. The water is not heated until you turn on the tap, but the heating process is nearly instantaneous.

If a home has a basement, that is usually where the hot water heater will be installed. But what if it's not? What if the home's old owner, for some reason or another, decided to install the water heater in a hall closet or in the bathroom? Should you have the water heater moved to the basement when you have a new one installed? Every situation is different, but in most cases, this is a good idea — and here's why.