Learn the value of the anode rod, the unsung hero of a water heater, and why anode rod replacement can save you money and grief.
Plumbing
5 Signs You May Need a Water Softener
Prevent Drain Pipes From Freezing
Which Are the Best Pipe Materials During the Winter?
Frozen pipes can split open and cause severe water damage that's costly to repair. One way to minimize or even avoid this frustrating event is to use the best pipes in freezing temperatures. Let's help you out by discussing the three common pipe materials and their ability to withstand freezing conditions.
Copper
Copper pipes lose heat quickly. Additionally, the thin pipe walls don't expand to accommodate swelling frozen water. As a result, copper pipes are more prone to bursting in freezing conditions than the other two pipe materials.
PVC/CPVC
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) are from the same plastic-pipes family. CPVC pipes are stronger and can handle higher water temperatures than PVC pipes. CPVC pipes are less rigid and have thicker walls than copper pipes. CPVC pipes expand slightly, so it won't burst as fast as copper. Nevertheless, it's vulnerable to frozen weather. CPVC pipes will crack if they endure low temperatures for very long.
PEX
PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) has the best chance of surviving freezing temperatures compared to copper and PVC/CPVC pipe materials. The chemical structure of PEX allows it to stretch farther to accommodate the water in the pipe as it freezes and expands. PEX pipes can thaw and contract back to their original dimensions without rupturing.
PEX piping is better at withstanding pressure increases and accommodating frozen water in the winter than the alternatives. Nevertheless, it can burst if there's considerable swelling and pressure from frozen water. There are several ways to make PEX and other plumbing materials more resistant to freezing, including:
Insulating the pipes, especially those in attics, basements, and those close to outside walls
Sealing leaks that could allow cold air into your home
Shutting off the water to your outdoor faucets and disconnecting and storing garden hoses
Opening cabinet doors to let warm air reach your pipes
While PEX is the best pipe material in freezing conditions, it may not be ideal for every plumbing application in your home. A local plumber can help you choose the best pipe materials for different applications. Contact us at Air Assurance for all your plumbing needs in the Broken Arrow area.
Ways to Avoid Frozen Pipes in Your Home This Winter
One of the most daunting aspects of winter is an ice storm, when trees freeze and limbs fall on power lines — or when power lines are weighed down by ice to the point of breaking. Homeowners are then confronted with a period — usually from a few hours to perhaps even days — of no power. The greatest concern, aside from the discomfort of living in the cold, is the possibility of frozen pipes.
Did you know that you don't have to have a power outage to be concerned with frozen pipes? They may occur whenever the temperature plunges to 32 degrees (or lower) and unprotected pipes freeze overnight. While pipes may thaw with no problem, it's also possible the frozen water will expand inside the pipes and cause them to burst. That can be an expensive repair.
Here are some tips to prevent frozen pipes the next time temperatures plunge:
Keep your thermostat set at 55 degrees or higher whenever temperatures outdoors are at freezing or below.
Water moving in your pipes will keep them from freezing, so turn water into a trickle in the faucet that's farthest from the main valve. Keep cold water flowing through faucets so they won't freeze.
Pipes in unheated areas of the home may freeze, so wrap pipes in the garage, attic, or basement with insulation or heat tape.
Open cabinets with pipes if they are located on an exterior wall. This will allow heat to circulate in them. In some cases, it may be wise to heat cabinet spaces with a space heater.
Drain outdoor faucets and protect them with a cover. Drain hoses and put them away.
Close valves inside the house that supply outdoor hose bibs. Open outside bibs so that water can drain, then keep it open so any water that's still in the pipe can expand without the pipe breaking.
If you turn on a faucet and nothing comes out, the pipe is likely frozen. Turn off the water at the main valve so it doesn't flood the home when the pipe thaws.
For more on frozen pipes, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.
Tulsa Water Heater Repair & Replacement Services
TULSA WATER HEATER REPAIR SERVICES
If your water heater doesn’t seem to be delivering as much hot water in the winter, it may not have anything to do with cold temperatures. Fresh water does cool off in the winter, but if your water heating appliance is fully functional, the incoming temperature shouldn’t matter .Most problems with heating water occur when the heater:
Needs flushing.
The most common cause of high water heating bills and premature tank failure are the hard water deposits that collect at the bottom of the tank. A few won’t interfere with water heating, but if there are too many, the heating process will slow, especially in gas water heaters. A gas water heater heats from the bottom only, and when that surface is covered with hard water deposits, there won’t be as much hot water.Most electric units have two heating elements. One sits close to the bottom of the tank and the other near the top. If the bottom is covered with solids, the water won’t heat as well. One of the heating elements may also not be working and needs replacing.
Has a broken dip tube.
The dip tube is made from plastic that can become brittle and break over time. This tube connects to the cold water inlet and sends the water to the bottom of the tank where it heats up. If it’s broken, the cold water stays at the top of the tank and the water you get won’t feel as hot.
Needs insulation to combat cold temperatures.
If the tank feels hot to the touch, consider wrapping an insulation blanket around it to keep the heat inside longer.
Is too small.
If your family size has changed, someone’s taking longer showers, or you’re washing more clothes in hot water might force you to install a bigger water heater.Some of these water heater maintenance tasks might be better done by a pro. If you’d like assistance, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC and plumbing services for Broken Arrow.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.
superior plumbing Services - drain Cleaning, Repair, installation
SUPERIOR PLUMBING SERVICES - DRAIN CLEANING, REPAIR, INSTALLATION
Got sewer drain problems? You’ll find this group of professionals in the ditch, in the cold, out at night serving our community. What an incredible team of superior plumbers – and you’ll only find them at Air Assurance. Uniformed Plumbing Professionals for your water, sewer, or gas line repairs service, installation, estimates, and maintenance. You’ll find our superior drain cleaning services in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby and more!
Providing a plumbing Diagnosis and Permanent Solution
There are few things worse than calling a plumber out to your home only to receive a temporary solution. When you are in need of a permanent fix to your plumbing problem, Air Assurance’s superior plumbing and drains professioals can find the right solution for your property and your concerns. Our company takes pride in arriving promptly, diagnosing problems with haste, and taking immediate action to correct the issue.
Whether in Tulsa or Broken Arrow Oklahoma, our plumbers will arrive fully equipped to handle any possible issue. From the most common plumbing problems to the harder to fix areas of concern, we are well-trained to find the problem and offer a budget-friendly solution. Once we have identified the area of concern, we will communicate with you directly to explain how we plan to fix it. We will also provide you with our upfront rates before we ever begin our plumbing repairs so that you are in control every step of the way!
Plumbing Installation Services
Our plumbing installation services are curated to offer the most comprehensive services to our customers. We handle a series of plumbing installations for both residential and commercial projects and you can rest easy at night knowing your work was handled by the best in the business.
Kitchen Faucet Installation
Toilet Installation
Hot Water Dispenser Installation
Water Heater Installation
Tankless Water Heater Installation
Water Filtration System
Garbage Disposal Installation
And more!
Our Superior PLUMBING & drain SERVICES
For years, Air Assurance has built a reputation for delivering the most experienced, courteous, and highest trained professionals for your heating and air conditioning needs. Whether it be residential or commercial, we've been there for you since 1985. Over the years, we've been asked countless times if we knew of a good plumbing company that could offer the same type of service our HVAC customers have grown accustomed to. Clean cut, drug tested, background checked technicians, full of integrity, that breathe customer service. We are excited to announce that Air Assurance is now your one-stop shop for all your heating, air conditioning, and now Plumbing needs.
our plumbing services include:
+ Hydrostatic Sewer Testing
+ Drain Cleaning Services
+ Repairs and Remodels
+ Hot Water Tanks / Water Heaters
+ Tankless Hot Water Heaters
+ Tulsa Hydro Jetting
+ Sewer Repairs & Installations
+ Troubleshooting
+ Plumbing Service Plans
Reasons to count on us for plumbing:
Certified plumbers
Emergency plumbing services
Angie’s List Super Service Award
A+ from the BBB
Schedule A Plumber in Broken Arrow Today
We serve Broken Arrow, OK, and the surrounding areas. If you need plumbing services, we are your go-to plumbing service company. Contact us today for any questions or to schedule a plumber to come to your home.
Will Your Home's Faucet Type Affect Plumbing Efficiency?
Choosing new faucets for the bathroom and/or kitchen seems straightforward enough, but there are a few basic things to know. First, you want to get the right faucet valve type, as choosing the faucet type that works best with your shower, kitchen sink, bathroom sink, or laundry room will make life easier.
You'll also be looking at faucet types and functions and what works best in your sinks and shower.
First, learn about faucet valve types.
Compression valve. Simple and inexpensive, these have a screw stem which rises and is lowered as the handle is turned. A rubber washer is lifted out of the water inlet; water enters the faucet. When the stem is lowered, the washer blocks the flow. These leak easily, as the washer becomes deformed or cracks and disintegrates.
Ball valve. These valves, found in single-handle faucets, are likewise relatively inexpensive. There is a steel ball with a network of grooves and holes that align with hot- and cold-water inlets. Adjusting the ball with the handle controls water temperature and flow rate. These faucets are somewhat complex and prone to leaking once parts wear out.
Cartridge valve. Cartridge valve faucets have a small cylinder (either plastic or brass), with a network of channels that control temperature and direct-water flow rates. These faucets work for single-handle faucets or two-handle faucets and are easy to replace.
Ceramic disc valve. A new type of faucet valve, the ceramic disc valve has two rotating ceramic discs. The discs have channels that, when rotated, align and allow water to flow and control temperature. These disc valves are sturdy, reliable, and rarely need repairing. They tend to be expensive.
Next, shop for the faucet type from among these options:
Pull down. Has a spray nozzle that extends from the spout. Strong spray.
Pull-out. Similar to pull-down, but has a hose instead of a spout and can retract.
Single handle. Controls water pressure and temperature.
Double handle. Two-handle faucet has controls for water volume and temperature. Very efficient.
For questions about which faucet type to choose, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.
How You Can Tell the Pipe Age of Your Home's Plumbing
Your pipes may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're considering home maintenance. Nevertheless, they're one of the systems that deserves more attention because they're at the heart of your home's normal operations. Pipe age is a crucial aspect of the health of your plumbing system. A plumbing system that's too old will likely need significant repairs soon. Here are ways to find out if your pipes may be old and need replacement.
Type of Pipes
The material used to make your pipes determines their longevity. Knowing the materials your plumbing pipes are made of can help you establish their pipe age and whether they're nearing the end of their life span. Check the home-inspection report or hire an experienced plumber to help you identify the type of pipes in your home.
Galvanized steel pipes can last anywhere from 20 to 40 years, after which they usually develop calcification or rust marks. After 30 to 40 years, cast-iron pipes tend to experience collapses, blockages, and corrosion. PVC drain lines usually last 20 to 40 years, brass pipes can last 40 to 70 years, and copper pipes typically last 50 to 80 years.
Corrosion on Exposed Pipes
Check your exposed piping for discoloration, flaking, staining, or dimpling. These irregularities should be a cause for concern. If you spot them, chances are that the inside of the pipes and the other pipes in your house could also be compromised.
Color of Water
If the water from your tap is brown or dark, that could be due to the corrosion of your pipes. Rust may be leaching into the water as it flows through the pipes.
Weak Water Pressure
Water pressure that has reduced over time could also indicate you have an aging plumbing system.
Hidden Plumbing Leaks
You may have old pipes if you experience frequent leaks or notice signs of hidden leaks, which may include:
Peeling or bubbling paint
Water stains on your ceiling or wall
A water bill that's rising despite your usage remaining constant
Persistently wet or green spots in your yard
If you notice these signs of increasing pipe age, it's advisable to hire a plumber to inspect your plumbing system. Failure to take pipe age seriously could lead to disastrous water damage. If you need any household plumbing services in the Broken Arrow area, contact the experienced professionals at Air Assurance.