Did this winter season take a toll on your plumbing? Were you dealing with uncomfortable problems or irritating noises? Many homeowners might try to ignore issues until the weather warms up, but many also end up having to pay for expensive emergency repair. No matter what issue you dealt with, the team here at Best Plumbing can help you fix it for good and better prepare for future winters.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes don’t just turn your water to ice and keep you from running your faucet; they can crack your pipes or break rubber gaskets leading to leaks. Some of these leaks may be too small or too hidden to notice, but over time they can add up to big water bills or big damage to your home.

Water Heater Problems

It might take longer to feel hot water since the water sitting in your pipes is colder, but your water heater should maintain the same temperature even during winter. If your hot water isn’t coming out at the set temperature, it could be a sign that your water heater is poorly insulated or that you have a leak allowing cold water to come in even when only the hot water valve is open. Remember: the more your water heater has to work, the more money you have to spend, so don’t settle for turning up the heat a little or deciding your water is “warm enough.”

Clogs

If you flush more things down your pipes than you should, you can end up with a bad clog. Cold weather can make us hope for the best and put off finding a fix until it warms up. At best, you’ll be faced with an irritatingly slow drain until the problem is fixed. However, ignoring a clog could lead to a backup in your pipes or end up with a leak.

Get Help Now

Avoid running up your utility bills or having to pay for an emergency repair next winter. Talk to Seattle’s Best Plumbing and trust us to make repairs that will last many winters to come! We can take a look at any problem areas or do a full inspection of your home. Contact us now for an appointment.

Your water heater is an appliance that can last for decades, yet daily usage will take its toll and your water heater will eventually need to be replaced. Here are four indicators to watch out for so that you have plenty of time to repair or update your system before a malfunction leaves you in the cold.

Age

If your water heater is more than 10 years old then you should consider getting it professionally inspected to determine whether or not it needs to be replaced. If you’re not sure of its age, look for the manufacturer’s label on the upper part of the water heater. This label will feature the serial number for the unit and a date code for when it was made. To read the date code, look at the first letter and the first two digits. The letter “A” represents the first month of the year (i.e. January), the letter “B” represents February, and so forth. The next two digits represent the year. If the beginning of the date code says D07, it means that the water heater was made in April 2007. You can also use the manufacturer’s website to help you determine the date of your water heater.

Less Hot Water

A sure sign that your water heater is wearing out is when it starts producing less hot water. This issue could be caused by several factors. Over time, sediment can build up in the tank, reducing the volume of hot water available for your home. Another common problem is that the heating element starts to fail and is unable to heat the water to the desired temperature.

Leakage & Rust

Leakage and rust are two common signs that it’s time to get an inspection or go shopping for a new water heater. Water pooling on the floor around the heater indicates that the inner tank sealing has failed. If you turn on the hot water and it looks brownish-red, this is the sign of rust in the tank.

High Energy Costs

Older water heaters are less efficient and upgrading to a newer model, such as a tankless water heater, can really help cut energy costs. It can also help reduce water waste, as you’ll no longer have to keep the tap running constantly, waiting for the hot water to arrive.

Best Plumbing is available to help homeowners with all of their plumbing needs. Call or contact us today if you think your water heater needs an inspection or that you might benefit from a system upgrade. Our expert plumbers will come out and help you determine the best solution for your needs and budget.

Radiant heated flooring is used to bring comfort and energy efficiency to homes all over Seattle and the Greater Puget Sound area. The advantages of radiant heat over forced-air systems are derived from the way they deliver heat.

Advantages of Radiant Heating Systems

More Comfort: Forced air-systems disperse heat through vents causing heat to be distributed unevenly near vents and on second stories. Radiant heating systems deliver heat consistently throughout the entire floor, so the temperature is the same no matter where you are in the room or house. Radiant heating is also more comfortable for Seattleites who suffer from allergies because they don’t continually stir up allergens the way that forced-air systems can.

Better Efficiency: According to the Department of Energy, radiant heating is generally more efficient than forced-air systems which tend to let air escape as it travels through the ducts. An important caveat to this statement is that the level of efficiency depends on which type of radiant heating you’re talking about. There are two types of radiant heating commonly used, electric and hydronic, both of which have advantages and things to take into consideration.

Electric Radiant Heating Systems

An electric radiant heating system uses a mesh of electrical cables to beneath the floor to deliver heat.

Advantages: The main benefits of electric radiant heat are that it’s easy to install and that it can be used to heat rooms individually.

Considerations: While electric radiant heat is great for heating specific rooms, it isn’t always efficient. Depending on several factors, including the size of the room, the thickness of your subfloor, and whether or not your utility company offers off-peak pricing, electric radiant heating systems can be expensive to operate.

Hydronic Radiant Heating Systems

Hydronic radiant heat works much in the same way as an electric system but rather than using coils of electrical cable, hydronic systems use tubes of heated water.

Advantages: Hydronic radiant heat systems are far more efficient than electric systems at maintaining the temperature in a room for long periods, offering you considerable long-term savings.

Considerations: Hydronic systems are typically more take longer and are costlier to install. Additionally, they aren’t as responsive as electric radiant heating systems, meaning they may take a bit longer to heat up and cool down than electric systems.

Get Help from Your Local Experts!

If you have questions about a radiant heating system or any other plumbing issues, don’t hesitate to call Seattle’s Best Plumbing. With over 50 years proudly serving the Greater Seattle area, we’re your locally owned and operated experts. Call or stop by our showroom today!