Next Level PSA: Water Heater Life Expectancy

NEXT LEVEL PLUMBING SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

What’s Your Water Heater’s Life Expectancy?

An Ask & Answer Session by Your Neighborhood Next Level Plumber, Byron!

A lot of us have more time on our hands these days and for many that is turning into organizing and upkeep the house. One of the more frequently asked questions we have is the age and life expectancy of a water heater.

The age is found in the serial number. It is usually in the first four digits representing the month and year it was built. It is best to google to specific brand of the water heater to find which way your brand makes it.

One example could be that the serial number starts as 1106 and that means, depending on manufacture, it was built November of 2006, so it would be 14 years old at the time of this writing.

It may be a different process depending on the water heater you have. Bradford White water heaters give letters that correspond to the year and month. They also have a chart that you can look up to see those ages.

How long should you expect your water heater to last?

We find that many fail in the 10-12 year range.

Some can last longer while others have a shorter lifespan, but when looking at averages it is a good rule of thumb.

How proactive you need to be depends on where it is located, the water heater’s age, and how you want to deal with it. If it is inside without a pan or upstairs, we recommend going with a preventive replacement every 10 years. If it is in the garage and leaking wouldn’t cause any real damage you could push the 12 years much safer. And of course, if you want to make sure you do the replacement on your terms, then earlier is better.

Once you know the age of the water heater, you can have an idea of when you should replace it.

Stay safe everyone!

Concerned about your home and plumbing? Give us a call!
Did you enjoy today’s Next Level blog? If you did, go ahead and check out these other blogs!

PSA: COVID-19 (Part 2)

Next Level PSA: Preventative Maintenance

PSA: Washing Machine Hoses

Hope you enjoy!
As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post Next Level PSA: Water Heater Life Expectancy appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/next-level-psa-water-heater-life-expectancy/

The Interactive Plumber for You!

NEXT LEVEL PLUMBING

The Interactive Plumber for You!

At Next Level Plumbing we communicate directly with you- since we are a small, family run business you can count on having reliable help for your plumbing problems!

Here are all the various ways you can communicate with us whether you’re self isolating, in quarantine, or not!

TEXT!

Not many of your plumbers are reachable by text are they!? When you send us a text it goes directly to our office manager or technician on call- so you’ll get a fast reply- even on the weekends! If you’ve tried calling with an emergency but there was no answer since it was after hours, shoot us a text! That often will do the job!

CALL!

Our office hours are Monday through Friday: 8am to 5pm. We have an emergency technician on call most days but if we don’t answer please leave us a voicemail and/or shoot us a text message on the office line and we’ll respond ASAP!

EMAIL!

Send us an email if you prefer that method! We check our email daily during the week and will get back to you using your preferred method of contact. You can reach out through our website or by sending us an email at nextlevelplumbingoffice@gmail.com.

If you want to reach out to the owner of our business, sending him an email is also the fastest and best form of contact for him.

VIDEO CALL!

Want a Next Level plumber to look at the plumbing issue you’re having- but don’t want anyone in your home at the moment? We totally understand! Due to the recent COVID-19 crisis we have switched things up a bit. You can now schedule a video call with one of our technicians just like you would a normal appointment!

At the scheduled time our plumber will reach out via phone call first to confirm you are ready to video chat and what method you prefer to use, then you’ll be able to video chat with your plumber, show him the problem you’re having, and discuss the best way to fix it! He will be able to quote the work, give advice and even walk you through fixing the problem yourself if he can!

PHONE CONSULTATION?

Just need a phone consultation? We can schedule a time for one of our technicians to call you and briefly discuss whatever you need. If you call our office you will only be able to talk to the scheduling department- not an actual plumber. So, if you want to schedule a time to talk with a tech, make sure to let the scheduler know so she can book a time for you!

OUTSIDE PLUMBING?

Need outside plumbing work done? If so, we might not even need to come inside your house for anything! We might not even need you to be on site in order for us to complete our work! As long as we are able to meet with or communicate with someone about the work before we do it; and also reach someone once the work is completed for payment- we’re good to go! Simple & Easy!

Stay safe everyone!
Concerned about your home and plumbing? Give us a call!
Did you enjoy today’s Next Level blog?
If you did, go ahead and check out our most recent COVID-19 related blogs for plumbing advice!

Next Level Quarantining: Plumbing Ed.

“Stay at Home” Plumbing DIY’s

PSA: COVID-19 (Part 2)

Hope you enjoy!
As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post The Interactive Plumber for You! appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/the-interactive-plumber-for-you/

Ask Your Plumber: Which Fixture Should I Buy?

Which Fixture Should I Buy & Where Should I Buy It?

(Blog by Next Level Plumbing’s Owner & Master Plumber: Byron Thomson)

A lot of people ask me if they can just buy their fixtures at Lowe’s or Home Depot.

The short answer is that yes, you can, we can install what you purchase provided it fits with the plumbing is there.

But the real answer is a little more complicated.

What is the difference?

You can go to a local plumbing supply store and find a faucet you like, then go to Home Depot and find the exact same faucet for cheaper. So why would you choose the supply house faucet?

HERE’S THE CATCH!

In many cases the manufacturers make models specifically for Lowe’s and Home Depot. They may be the same model name, but the serial number is different because they are not made exactly the same. The amount of difference can vary, but the general idea is that one model is made to be cheaper and has one or more plastic parts in stead of brass, or a lighter grade of brass. They look the same, have the same model name, but are not the same faucet unless the serial numbers line up exactly.

What does that mean for you?

It depends on what you want with your purchase. Do you want to buy the fixture to last longer? Is a cheaper up front option the better fit for you? There are no guarantees as to exactly how long each will last, but the idea is that the higher quality ones will last longer and be worth it in the long run.

So for the next project you come across, either way you chose, now you can make a more informed decision for your household upgrade!

Interested? Curious to know more? Let us know! You can continue to read more of Byron’s blogs by clicking the links below.

Hide & Seek: How Old is My Water Heater?

New to FL Facts: Licensing

Storytime with Byron: “Toilet Truths”

Hope you enjoy!
As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com.

We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post Ask Your Plumber: Which Fixture Should I Buy? appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/ask-your-plumber-which-fixture-should-i-buy/

NEXT LEVEL QUARANTINING: PLUMBING ED.

What are some things you can do to check on your plumbing system while you’re stuck in your house?

Turn your main water shutoff off and back on again.

Do this a couple of times to make sure the inside parts move like they should and it breaks away any buildup trying to freeze it in place. These should be used every 6 months to a year just to make sure they still work and maintain fluid movement by the integral parts. While the water is off, turn on a faucet or hose bib to make sure the water shuts off all the way to make sure it is working correctly. Note: if you have a pump on your water heater, it is best not to run water with it off as it could burn the pump out. But for most people this test is a good idea.

Look at the pipes under the cabinets.

If any of them are turning green it is most likely that bleach is in one of the cleaners under the sink. Bleach gets into the air even through a closed bottle and corrodes copper pipes. If you see this remove the items containing bleach and put them in a place where they aren’t next to pipes.

Give an overall visual inspection.

Look under cabinets, check the floor under pipes for wet spots, look for stains going down pipes to indicate there is or was a leak. Run water for several minutes in the sinks and look for any drips underneath. This is what we will do to see if everything is in good working order. Sometimes you can catch leaks early by running more water or filling the bowl with water and letting it out. It is good to catch theses leaks early before water damage occurs.

Stay safe everyone!
Concerned about your home and plumbing? Give us a call!
Did you enjoy today’s Next Level DIY blog?
If you did, go ahead and check out our most recent COVID-19 related blogs for plumbing advice!

“Stay at Home” Plumbing DIY’s

Next Level COVID-19 Safety

Next Level COVID Safety: Part 2

Hope you enjoy!
As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post Next Level Quarantining: Plumbing Ed. appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/next-level-quarantining-plumbing-ed/

“Stay at Home” Plumbing DIY’s

NEXT LEVEL

“Stay at Home” Plumbing DIY’s

2020 has definitely been throwing some curveballs at the world. Since the State of Florida issued a mandatory “stay at home” for everyone, more and more people are spending time indoors, and probably realizing just how much can be done with the time spent at home.

For all of you staying home these days, with more time on your hands than you’ve had in a while, we’ve pulled together a compilation of past Next Level posts to share with you! These DIY posts will hopefully provide helpful tips and inspirations for you during your time indoors- please enjoy and keep positive!

Toilet problems but not wanting to call a plumber into your home during all this COVID mess? Check out this DIY Toilet Fix blog from Byron!

Ask Your Plumber: DIY Toilet Fixes?

Spring cleaning is on many people’s to-do list! We’re here to help with a simple DIY plumbing checklist for you to use during your spring cleaning!

Simple Spring Plumbing DIY’s

Been noticing that certain areas of your home could use an upgrade? Check out this “easy DIY ‘Spa Upgrade’ for you bathroom” blog for more inspiration!

8 Easy DIY Spa Upgrades for Your Bathroom

You can be your own “Fix It Felix” if you check out our “Fix It Felix” blog series! We’ve got tons of great advice on plumbing fixes you can do- no plumber necessary!

Fix It Felix: Slow Moving Drain?

Stay safe everyone!
Concerned about your home and plumbing? Give us a call!
Did you enjoy today’s Next Level DIY blog?

If you did, go ahead and check out our most recent COVID-19 related blogs for plumbing advice!

Next Level COVID-19 Safety

Next Level COVID Safety: Part 2

PSA: COVID-19 (Part 2)

Hope you enjoy!
As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post “Stay at Home” Plumbing DIY’s appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/stay-at-home-plumbing-diys/

Next Level PSA: Preventative Maintenance

NEXT LEVEL PSA: PREVENTATIVE PLUMBING

We are spending more time at home right now and for many of us that means we can actually get some stuff done around the house. This makes it a great time to do some preventive maintenance on your plumbing.

Here are a couple things you can do to help your system work better and help you understand the health of your home’s plumbing!

Check your flappers.

If you take the toilet lid off and flush it, you will see a rubber flapper piece lifts up and lets the water out. Take your hand and wipe it off on the bottom flat edge. This can clean off the flapper where it sits against the seal as gunk can build up on it. It should also be flexible in most cases, so if it is hard you know you will have to replace it in the near future.

Test your main water shutoff to your house.

For most homes in Florida the shutoff is located outside. Usually on the side of your house closest to the meter by the street. It will be a lever handle or knob most likely and be about a foot or so from the ground.

Turn it on and off. Test the water inside to make sure it is fully stopped. If it shuts off you know it is working in case you need it in an emergency.

Flush your water heater.

Note: we don’t recommend doing this if your water heater is 6 years old or older and has not been flushed before, or if the drain valve is plastic.

To flush the water heater connect a hose to the bottom valve of the water heater, run it to wherever you would like the hot water to go, and turn the valve on at the water heater. Leave the water on to the water heater, and let run for about 5 minutes or until water runs clear without debris.

Electric can be left on as long as you leave the water on the heater. This is because this is flushing and not draining. Do not drain your water heater.

Clean aerators.

On the end of faucets there is a piece called an aerator that has a screen in it. Some models are very difficult to get to, others just thread onto the faucet where the water comes out.

By unscrewing this you can clean the aerator which can increase the flow in the faucet. Only do this as you are comfortable with it. Do not force it, they come off easily if in good condition, if in bad it is best to leave it alone.

Stay safe everyone!

Concerned about your home and plumbing? Give us a call!
Did you enjoy today’s Next Level blog? If you did, go ahead and check out these other blogs!

Next Level COVID-19 Safety

Next Level COVID Safety: Part 2

PSA: COVID-19 (Part 2)

Hope you enjoy!
As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post Next Level PSA: Preventative Maintenance appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/next-level-psa-preventative-maintenance/