The majority of customers don’t realize that there is a dramatic difference between having your drains cleared VS having them cleaned. When you have a stoppage and you call a plumber, your number one goal is to get that stoppage to disappear so you can get back to your busy life without breaking the bank. Most plumbers know and understand this goal, and will provide you with an effective solution, normally in clearing the stoppage with a drain machine using sewer cables to clear the stoppage. This is one of the quickest ways to get the drain to reopen and is usually fairly inexpensive($250-$450). The problem with drain clearing is all the sewer cable did was pop a hole through the stoppage, it didn’t diagnose why the stoppage occurred in the first place and did not remove that problem so it wouldn’t return. With Drain Cleaning we deep clean the line and remove all of the stoppage while also diagnosing and typically fixing the problem. At Bush Family Plumbing we have a structured process to ensure your line is restored back to new. If the line is actively backing up, we normally start by doing a drain clearing service to remove a portion of the stoppage. Once the water has drained out of the line we then use our sewer camera to inspect and diagnose what is causing the problem. In most cases we will then follow behind with our Cyclone FlexShaft machine, which utilizes chains with specialized tips that expand to the diameter of the pipe, scrubbing the walls of the line, removing Grease, Paper, and even Rust buildup off of Cast Iron piping, restoring the line back to its original size. Depending on how bad the line was we may also utilize a Hydro-Jetter machine that uses high pressure water to wash the inside of the piping and flush any debris from the line. We then run the sewer camera back down the drain to ensure that all of the build up has been removed and that the line is clear and ready for use. By inspecting the line we can also find and locate any future issues such as root intrusions, collapsed sewer lines, bellies(dipping of the sewer line allowing water and solids to collect on the bottom of the pipe), and objects stuck in the line. These services are more costly ($500 to $1500 depending on the size of the job and equipment used) but guarantee that the issue has been fixed and renews your aging sewer line extending its lifespan. Here at Bush Family Plumbing we believe in quality solutions that won’t break the bank, and are always working to increase the effectiveness of our solutions while actively trying to reduce their costs. Give us a call today for any of your drain cleaning needs!

Everything you need to know about Tankless Water Heaters

One of the most frequent questions we receive from customers is "Are tankless water heaters worth it" and the answer to the questions really depends on your needs and most importantly if you have Natural Gas or Electric for your current water heater.

Tankless water heaters are alot smaller and can be installed just about anywhere, making them very convenient compared to a traditional tank-style heater. To better explain the Pros and Cons of tankless water heaters, we need to seperate tankless water heaters into two categories, Electric Tankless and Gas Tankless.

Electric Tankless Water Heaters

One of the most versitile styles of tankless water heaters are ones that are powered by electric. These can virtually be installed just about anywhere as they do not require an exhaust vent and have a very small footprint. They are also slightly more efficient compared to traditional water heaters as they are not continually heating a large storage tank full of water and only runs when there is flow. What customers don't realize with electric tankless units is that they can require up to 4-40 amp breakers to power them compared to a traditional water heater which normally has a 2-pole 30 amp breaker. This can become very expensive and will require an electrician to run new electric to your tankless unit, making the cost savings disappear. Also even though in the long run a tankless unit won't use as much electric, they take more power to heat the same amount of water and in most cases are less efficient if you use alot of water. One of the largest Cons in our experience is that electric powered units do not heat the water as well and their lifespan is often shorter than a traditional unit, along with required yearly maintence.

Overall we do not currently recommend Electric tankless for these reasons.

Natural Gas Tankless Water Heaters

Natural Gas (NG) Tankless units are a great alternative compared to a traditional gas powered water heater. Unlike Electric tankless, these units have to be more accesible and most require an exhaust vent limiting where it can be installed. Most NG Tankless units can be easily retrofitted where a traditional tank use to be, along with exterior mounting if needed, and are alot more efficient compared to their traditional tank style counterparts. Like Electric units, they do have to be serviced atleast once a year to extend their lifespan, but boast a fairly long lifespan if serviced regularly. In our experience Natural Gas Tankless water heaters are a great alternative to a traditional tank style, and are worth the upgrade. Also most gas companies offer rebates for this upgrade!

Overall we recommend Natural Gas Tankless Water Heaters.

Are there any other options besides tankless?

Absolutely! If you have electric and are looking for a more effiencent water heater, we recommend a Heat Pump Water Heater. Heat Pump water heaters are not nearly as popular as tankless units as they are the same size or slightly larger than a traditional units. With this being said Heat pump water heaters are 2 to 3 times more effecient compared to a traditional unit.

Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heaters

Heat pump water heaters pull heat out of the air and utilizes it to heat the water instead of primarily using an element to heat the water. This technology allows these units to be upwards of 3 times as efficient compared to traditional units. These units are great to be installed inside the garage and laundry room as they pull heat and humidity from the room, naturally cooling and slightly dehumidifying the air.

Check out this link from AO Smith explaining how these units work, along with rebates for doing this upgrade!

https://www.hotwater.com/water-heaters/residential/electric/proline/xe/voltex-hybrid-electric-heat-pump/

One of the most important things to know as a homeowner or renter is where your water main shut off valve is located. When a water line breaks or bursts in your home, you need to know the quickest way to shut water off to limit the amount of damage the water causes. If you are on Domestic Water (IE: City or County water systems) you will have a shut off in the meter box located in your front yard. If you have a well system there should be multiple valves at your well pump that should isolate your home. Most homes will also have other shut off valves, typically one on the outside of the house where water comes in at and another at the water heater. To use a shut off valve start by carefully turning the handle clockwise to close, depending on the type and brand it may take a 1/4 turn to shut off (Ball Valves) or may take multiple turns (Gate valves). You should exercise (open and close) your main shut off at least once a year to prevent the valve from sticking open and becoming inoperable. Always use care when operating shut offs as with time they become fragile.

Don't know where your shut off is, or is it not working/leaking? No Problem, Give us a call today!