Washing machines are easy to install, especially if you are replacing the old one with a new one. Before you buy a new washing machine, measure the area where you intend to put it to ensure that it will fit. Keep in mind that your dryer will need about four inches of additional space in the back for venting. If the new washing machine is going back in the same place, all you have to do is hook up the drain and supply lines, level the machine, plug it in, and wash a load of laundry.
If you are planning on installing the new washing machine in a new location it is important to make sure:
• That the floor is sturdy enough to support at least 400 pounds.
• If the washer is to be installed on an upper floor of the house, install a washer pan with a drain to prevent damage in the event the washer leaks or overflows.
• Make sure that an adequate provision for draining the washer is in place. Any of the following will work: a 2 in. standpipe at least 30 in. tall, a floor drain fitted with a P-trap or a laundry sink with capacity for draining at least 17 gal. per minute.
•Make sure that hot and cold water supply lines with shutoff valves and threaded hose connections are present within 3 ft. of the location where the clothes washer will be installed.
•You will need a dedicated electrical circuit with a receptacle that is compatible with your washer’s plug within 3 ft. of the washer location. Many local codes require a GFCI-equipped receptacle. Most machines made in the USA operate on 120-volts. For a new circuit, consult with a licensed electrician.
•If a dryer is to be installed nearby, make sure that there’s adequate space for it and that the washer’s water supply and electrical connections won’t interfere with the dryer exhaust duct. The dryer will need its own dedicated circuit.
At My Personal Plumber, we recommend that you hire a professional to install your washing machine, because we will ensure that your washing machine is setup properly for its best performance.
Call the experts RIGHT NOW at My Personal Plumber, we’d love to help or answer any questions you have!
HOW TO FIX A NOISY FAUCET
We know that loud faucets can be very irritating, but the next time you turn on your faucet, pay close attention to the sound it makes. It may help if you know whether the whistling happens only with the hot water or the cold water, or if it happens when you use both. This can steer you to whether the problem is before or after the two different water temperatures are mixed.
Try the following steps to root out the problem:
Check on the Aerator: Unscrew the aerator at the end of the faucet. Check the aerator for mineral deposits and try running the faucet without the aerator. If the noise is gone, purchase and install a new aerator. If the noise continues without the aerator, you will have to take the faucet apart and inspect the parts.
Turn off the water at the shut-off valve: Once you have an idea of what the problem could be turn off the water supply. If there is only one faucet that you need to fix, you can look under your sink for the stop valves…one for hot water, and one for cold. Turn them clockwise until they are tightly closed. To make sure the water is totally off, try turning on the faucet. Let the water run until it stops completely.
Examine Your Faucet: After you have turned off your water supply, you can examine your faucet and pipes for damage.
Install New Washers: Rubber washers age and harden and can make a particular sound when water passes over them in a hurry. Remove the washer and inspect it for cracks or deterioration. Worn out or incorrectly sized washers are a common cause of faucet noises. To replace the old washer, turn off the water supply and take your faucet apart.
High Water Pressure: High water pressure can cause water pipes to clang and clatter. This can be caused by high water pressure being supplied to your home. The pressure should be less than 80-psi and can often be measured with an inexpensive gauge, which can screw onto a hose bib.
Finding the source of your whistling noise in your faucet is not always an easy task, call the experts RIGHT NOW at My Personal Plumber, we’d love to help or answer any questions you have!
WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL YOUR PLUMBER?
Plumbing problems are some of the most common issues of owning a home, but when should you call your plumber? That is one of the questions many homeowners ask themselves. Some homeowners try to perform the repairs themselves to save a few pennies or perhaps with the aid of an over-the-counter solution. In most cases, this can be a big mistake.
However, it is important to be proactive about taking care of your plumbing issues, because leaks can easily cause damage to surrounding floors and walls. In addition to that, even a slight leak can have a significant impact on how much you are paying on your water bill.
Here are some of the signs that you should go ahead and call your plumber.
1. Do you have low water pressure in your shower or in your kitchen? You could have a defective shower valve or pipes with buildup.
2. Look for wet spots in crawl space or attic. Do you see or smell mold? Leaking pipes often go undetected until they create harmful molds.
3. Check under your sinks in your home for wet spots. Either along the pipes or underneath. You might have a leak.
4. Check your toilet water tanks. Do you see any rust or green build up? Is your water tank leaking? Are you flushing gallons of water down the toilet without knowing because your tank is leaking?
5. Clogged sinks. When a bottle of drain cleaner does not fix the problem?
6. Flooding. While you may be able to spend several days trying to clear a clogged drain, flooding is a problem you must act on immediately. It could be as simple as a clog, or something more serious like a broken pipe.
7. No hot water. It could be a simple fix, or it might require replacing the water heater.
8. Overflowing toilet. The last thing you want is sewer water inside your rooms. The quicker you fix the problem, the less cleanup you will have.
It can be difficult to know when to actually go ahead and call your plumber, but it is also very important to know when it is necessary to do so. If you answered yes to any of these questions you need to give us a call today at
TIPS FOR CHOOSING A NEW HOT WATER HEATER
When you are choosing a replacement or upgrading your water heater, you may wish to consider an energy-efficient unit. These heaters can create hot water while using less energy. There are tankless “on-demand” hot water heaters that only create hot water when you need it, or even more efficient tank models. No matter which way you go, choosing an energy efficient hot water heater can help you save money and the environment.
First check the ratings
EF (energy factor) ratings were established by the U.S. Department of Energy to compare the energy efficiency of various products. The EF scale for water heaters runs from a low of 0.5 for gas storage tank heaters to 2.0 for electric heat pump models. The energy factor (EF) is easy to understand, the higher the EF, the more efficient the water heater unit is.
Types of Water Heaters
Storage Tank Water Heater – Storage tanks are the most common types of water heater. These units have an insulated tank where water is heated and stored until it is needed. They are available in electric, liquid propane (LP), and natural gas models. Natural gas and LP water heaters normally use less energy and are less expensive to operate than electric models of the same size.
•Storage tank water heaters are classified by the amount of water they hold in gallons. Tank size is a major consideration. If you intend to use a storage tank water heater, use our chart as a guide to finding the size you need.
•Another consideration for storage tank water heaters is recovery rate the number of gallons of water they can heat in an hour. The greater your demand for hot water, the higher recovery rate you need.
•When you buy a water heater, look at its cited energy efficiency and yearly operating costs. This information can be found on the Energy Guide label.
Tankless (On-Demand) Water Heater – Also known as “on demand” water heaters. They do not store hot water; they heat water as it passes through a series of coils in the unit. Since the unit only heats water as you use it, a tankless heater is usually more energy-efficient than a traditional storage tank water heater. Most tankless units can provide up to 3.5 gallons of heated water per minute. Tankless models are best for homes that use natural gas to heat the water; electric models might require an expensive upgrade of the home’s electrical capacity.
Condensing Water Heater – Condensing water heaters are an option if you heat with gas and need a unit with a capacity of more than 55 gallons. These models have a tank like a conventional water heater, but capture exhaust gases that would normally go out the flue, which wastes energy. These gases are blown through a coil in the base of the unit, where incoming cold water can absorb most of the heat.
Solar Water Heaters – A solar water heater typically includes collectors mounted on the roof or in a clear area of the yard, a separate storage tank near the conventional heater in the home, connecting pipe, and a controller. Solar water heaters can reduce the annual fuel cost of supplying hot water to your home by more than half. Throughout the year, the solar system preheats the water before it reaches the conventional water heater. During the summer, it may provide all the required heat.
The type of water heater you choose will also affect your water heating cost. One type of water heater may use a fuel type more efficiently than another type of water heater. If you have any questions about replacing your water heater, give us a call today at (407) 233-3142.