The Benefits of Choosing a Tankless Water Heater

June 14th, 2011 Comments off

tankless water heaterWith the start of summer, people are looking to do two things; save money and become more environmentally “green”.

Letting C&W Plumbing of Lewisville install a tankless water heater can take care of both of these. Gaining more and more popularity with residential clients, tankless water heaters are becoming the people’s choice for water heater service, compared to the traditional, conventional water heater.

Tankless water heaters are a smaller, more efficient version of the conventional water heater. Tankless heaters are about the size of a small garment bag, compared to the large, clunky conventional heaters. They come in either gas or electric models and can have life spans of more than 20 years. Some conventional water heaters only reach about 10 years.

The biggest advantage of tankless water heaters is their ability to provide hot water instantly. Gone are the days of cold showers, especially when you step in after a long line of other family members. Tankless heaters basically heat water as it passes through the device, and they go into standby mode when water is shut off.

Tankless water heaters are more expensive to purchase than conventional water heaters, but the long-term savings are definitely worth the investment. Our Lewisville, Texas plumbing experts can assist you with your choice of  tankless heater installation or answer further questions about the differences between tankless and conventional heaters.

For all your water heater needs contact C&W Plumbing in Lewisville

972-395-2597

How Fun in the Sun Can Affect Your Plumbing

June 2nd, 2011 Comments off

When summertime hits and Lewisville residents are ready to get outdoors and have a good time, the last thing on their mind is their plumbing system. However, it’s important to note that the pleasantries of heat and sunshine that are so compatible with fun in the sun can also cause destruction and devastation to plumbing fixtures. Taking a few precautions can help you avoid costly repairs from your local Lewisville plumbing company.

When you spend a lot of time outdoors, your clothes are bound to get dirty, especially children who play in the dirt or on playgrounds with dust and dirt and mud. This can lead to excess material in your washing machine hose, including additional lint and large amounts of dirt clogging the hose. By moving the washing machine away from the wall a few inches, you can remove kinks that cause additional blockage, which can lead to bulging, cracks and leaks. Make sure to clean out your machine to keep your washer running.

During a cookout, it is best to have garbage cans for leftovers so you can be more careful what you put down the garbage disposal. Residential garbage disposers are not typically equipped for hefty loads such as cornhusks or other fibrous and stringy foods. You may also want to avoid throwing a great deal of fat that can lead to large clogs in the pipes down your drain. A number of “just-add-water” foods, such as stuffing or mashed potatoes, will also create instant clogs.

Something else to watch for so you don’t end up with a disaster during your party is sewer drain backup. Due to excess rainwater that can seep through cracks in the sewer line, as well as new growth of tree roots that can invade your sewer system at any time, spring and summer are the most common times for a sewer problem. Since you don’t want the mess, smell, or hassle – especially during the neighborhood barbecue – have your Lewisville plumbing technicians inspect your sewer lines prior to risking a backup.

Taking a few simple precautions when it comes to proper plumbing can help you pull off your summer fling without a hitch. And if you find any plumbing repairs that need to be addressed, call our local Lewisville plumbers for fast, efficient plumbing service.

 

Go Green for Clogged Drains

May 24th, 2011 Comments off

There are many methods to cleaning clogged drains. The most popular methods are a plunger and a harsh chemical gel or liquid cleaner. If you want to go green and keep the more toxic chemicals out of your home and pipes, then there are a few things to understand.

Green drain cleaners or “enzymatic” drain cleaners feed on the organic waste in the drain through enzymes. They then digest and reproduce creating “good” bacteria that continues to spread all without the use of harsh or dangerous chemical. Undoubtedly, this is better for your pipes and the rest of your home, yard and family.

If you don’t want to purchase a green drain cleaner, there are plenty of home remedy mixtures for unclogging your drain. Try pouring boiling hot water down the drain. Heat can be a great tool to loosen clumped or crusted waste. Mixtures of baking soda, vinegar, and salt flushed with hot water after sitting for 30 minutes to an hour can also help unclog most drains without the use of harsh or toxic chemicals.

The best way to keep your drain clean is through preventative plumbing maintenance. Clean your sink strainers and stoppers. Don’t pour just anything down your sink or shower drain. Avoid pouring grease and large chunks of food down your drain or disposal. Buy screen covers for your shower drain to avoid hair buildup.

When in doubt, always call the professionals at your local Lewisville TX plumbing serviceC&W Plumbing is here for all your residential plumbing repair and maintenance. Give us a call or go online to schedule an appointment now.

Defining & Detecting Slab Leaks

April 25th, 2011 Comments off

Slab Leak DetectionWhen leaks are found around the home, whether found within the foundation or around pipes, there is always room for concern. If you spot a leak but can’t figure out how it got there, you may have a slab leak, and it may be time for one of our Lewisville TX, plumbers, Plano TX plumbers or Flower Mound TX plumbers to assist you.

A slab leak is a crack in the pipes creating a water leak within the concrete foundation of a building. This is a very serious issue, as slab leaks cause extreme damage to a home inside and out. There are several symptoms that you can look for to detect a slab leak early and, most importantly, save yourself a lot of time, energy and money down the road.

For more information on slab leak detection and prevention, feel free to check out our Plumbing Tips section. For information on all other plumbing needs, contact our Lewisville plumbing company by phone, or visit us online.

Using a Hot Water Recirculation System

April 4th, 2011 Comments off

Hot Water Recirculation SystemDo you live in a home that has hot water, but it takes seconds – and sometimes minutes – for the water to get hot? If so, you are not alone. This problem affects large numbers of households each year.

One way to avoid this problem is to purchase and install a hot water recirculation system. These devices deliver instant hot water to faucets without having to wait on the water to heat.

These systems can be operated by either the push of a button or using a timer, motion sensor or thermometer. Our experienced plumbers at C&W Plumbing offer Grundfos hot water recirculation pumps. Find out more information about hot water recirculation system installation and maintenance on our plumbing tips section.

With hot water recirculation systems, you always will have hot water available at any time of day. Our Plano TX plumbers, our Frisco TX plumbers and our Flower Mound TX plumbers specialize in hot water recirculation system installation and maintenance. Give our Flower Mound TX instant hot water specialists a call today, or visit us online for more information.

Avoid Accidents in the Bathroom

March 23rd, 2011 Comments off

Bathroom Grab BarAccidents in the bathroom, whether it is slipping in the bathtub or hitting your head on a countertop, are no laughing matter. According to the National Safety Council, roughly 200,000 people are injured each year in the bathroom.

Installing bathroom fixtures such as grab bars or slip-resistant flooring can aid in preventing these unwanted accidents. Our Lewisville TX plumbers have provided three other tips that may save you from serious injury in the bathroom.

View these tips in our Plumbing Tips section. Our plumbers are concerned with each customer, and we are willing to do all we can from a plumbing aspect to assure your safety. We ask that you stay safe and to be careful in the bathroom.

Give our Lewisville plumbing company a call, or contact us online today for additional safety suggestions.

Support World Plumbing Day

March 9th, 2011 Comments off

World Plumbing DayFriday is a big day for plumbers all over the world, as it officially marked the second annual World Plumbing Day. This day serves as one to educate residential and commercial property owners about the important role that plumbers and the plumbing industry have in not only health and safety but also protecting the global environment.

The World Plumbing Council established World Plumbing Day last year. This year’s World Plumbing Day theme is “Plumbing vital to global health.” According to Robert D. Burgon, chairman of the World Plumbing Council, the day was founded because too many individuals tend to take for granted the importance of good plumbing and even better plumbers in everyday situations.

Check out our Plumbing Tips section for more details on World Plumbing Day or for other tips on residential or commercial plumbing. Contact our Lewisville TX plumbing company today, or visit us online for additional information.

Choosing a Shower Valve

February 24th, 2011 Comments off

Shower ValveInstalling a new shower valve shouldn’t be something taken lightly. Learning about the different types of shower valves available should be a high priority, and in making your final decision, you will make your shower much more productive for the future.

Your shower valve is supposed to have a very long life expectancy, so it is very important to choose which shower valve is right for you. They can come as thermostatic valves or manual valves. Make sure you do your own research on shower valves and which one could be best for you.

Check out our Plumbing Tips section for additional information on shower valve installation and maintenance. For additional information, contact our Lewisville TX plumbing company, or visit us online.

Money-Saving Water Tips

February 11th, 2011 Comments off

Water-Saving TipsA leaky faucet or a spigot that isn’t completely turned off may be seen to some merely as “something around the house.” It can be a common thing that eventually could lead to a very small rise in your water bill – a few pennies per month at the most.

It’s been noted by experts that one drip of water can lead to more than 1,500 gallons accumulated in a year, and those gallons can add up to significant dollars that could be saved. Our Lewisville TX plumbers have offered three basic tips that will help you trim your water costs. Check out our Plumbing Tips section for more.

Contact our Lewisville plumbing company for more information, or visit us online.

Your Pipes and the Frozen Elements

February 2nd, 2011 Comments off

Frozen PipeTake a glance outside. If you live in north Texas, chances are, your environment is currently covered in ice. The National Weather Service has issued a hard freeze warning for the north Texas area.

A hard freeze warning is a relatively new term, as it heeds caution to potentially devastating freezes that can not only cause widespread damage but also completely destroy vegetation and other crops. Freezes such as the ones we’ve seen and the others expected can be monumental problems for your water pipes.

When water freezes, it expands, and when water expands in a pipe, it can cause the pipe to burst. A ruptured pipe will mean a dent in your bank account, as these plumbing troubles are not cheap to fix. Keep in mind that water pipes in Texas are used to warm temperatures, so they may be more susceptible to the frozen weather conditions. Our Lewisville TX plumbers want to offer basic tips to get you, your family and your pipes through these icy conditions.

Check out our Plumbing Tips section and receive more details. For additional information, call our Lewisville TX plumbing company today, or contact us online.