Category: Land & Property

This Valentine's Day, Get to Know Your Boiler Better

Homeowners Should Know These Three Boiler Facts 

This Valentine’s Day, homeowners can show their boiler love by getting to know their system a little better. The boiler is an essential piece of home hardware for many and is necessary for the comforts of modern life. These three little-known facts about boilers may change the way homeowners see their boiler system. 

Knowing how the boiler works can help homeowners make sound decisions regarding boiler installation and repairs. It is also essential to see how the boiler works to maintain a boiler maintenance schedule. Proper maintenance and care are crucial in preventing unnecessary boiler repairs. 

Not All Boilers Boil Water

water heater When most people hear the word boiler, their first thought is that it boils water. Despite what the name might imply, not all boilers burn water. Many boilers use something called a heat exchanger to increase the temperature of the air before distributing it throughout the house via the pipes. 

Heat exchange systems work by using a chemical reaction to produce heat. The heat from the hot gases inside the metal heat exchanger is then transferred into water or air. Some high-efficiency heating systems have two heat exchangers to maximize energy savings. 

A damaged or cracked heat exchanger can be dangerous to human health. Flue gas turns into carbon monoxide when released into the home, causing the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Scheduling regular boiler service and inspections help to ensure safe boiler operation. 

 

eco friendly

Boilers Are an Eco-Friendly Heating Option 

Compared to other heating systems, boilers rank pretty high in energy efficiency. They use less energy because they repeatedly recycle the same water. Boiler installation or boiler replacement can help cut down on utility bills and decrease the environmental impact of heating the home. 

Boilers release fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, making them a more eco-friendly heating option for homeowners to consider when choosing a new boiler. A qualified heating technician can assist homeowners trying to figure out which heating system would work the best for their house. 

The Water Pressure Has an Impact on the Boiler’s Efficiency 

Some homeowners are unaware of water pressure's impact on the boiler's efficiency. Most boilers have a gauge somewhere visible that displays the water pressure. Even when the boiler seems to be working perfectly fine, it is recommended for homeowners to check the pressure gauge every so often. 

The pressure gauge will indicate whether the boiler is in a normal, high, or low-pressure range. Homeowners should adjust the pressure when it gets too high or too low to keep it in a normal range for maximum efficiency. When the boiler’s pressure falls too low, it will start failing to heat the water efficiently, causing a spike in utility bills. 

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air 

Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air are proud to have served the people of St. George, UT, with top-of-the-line heating and cooling services for over 20 years. Their experienced plumbers are available 24/7 through their emergency plumbing hotline. Give Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air a call today to schedule an appointment with a local expert HVAC technician in St. George, UT.

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Fight Off the Cold and Dry Season With a Whole-Home Humidifier

The Benefits of Humidifiers During the Winter Months

For many people, including those in Utah, the winter months come with a whole new set of problems. Even inside the home, things like dry skin, respiratory problems, and trouble keeping warm can be caused by the cold and dry air. Unfortunately, these are not problems that can be fixed by increasing the temperature inside the home. 

In fact, it’s the heater that’s to blame for stripping the moisture out of the air during the winter months, bringing humidity levels down below comfortable norms. Luckily, there are some things homeowners can do to avoid these problems.

Respiratory 

woman Dry air can cause problems with the respiratory system. It can actually cause problems for the eyes, nose, mouth, and nasal passages, causing them to dry out, creating irritation. This can cause the respiratory system to become dry because it’s normally lined with a mucous membrane that helps protect it. This mucous membrane means that the respiratory tract is healthy and functioning well. But when it’s dry, it can become more susceptible to the common cold and even the flu virus. This can also cause itchy eyes, a runny nose, and general discomfort. 

Luckily, a whole-home humidifier can put that moisture back into the home’s air. This can help keep the respiratory system healthy, making this important for the overall health of those in the house. It can also prevent existing respiratory issues from worsening thanks to drying air. A 

Skin Care

men Just like the dry air common in winter can sap the moisture from the respiratory system, it can also sap it from the skin. The dry air takes moisture out of the skin, making it dry, itchy, and unhealthy-looking. Anyone who has ever suffered from eczema knows how uncomfortable this can be. 

With a whole-home humidifier, the skin can stay healthy and can actually lead to fewer wrinkles. Dry air can also cause the oil-producing glands in your to work overtime, which can lead to acne, pimples, and scar tissue if it gets bad enough. 

Indoor Plants

Moisture in the air isn’t just good for humans in the house. It’s also good for indoor plants and indoor air quality. Plants need moisture to thrive and produce oxygen and food. This is why greenhouses are always humid when plants, veggies, and fruits are growing. Installing a whole-home humidifier can help protect these houseplants as well as anyone living in the home. 

Whole-home humidifiers work with the existing HVAC system to provide moisture to the home, spreading it out through the air to make sure the house stays comfortable. This can help keep allergies at bay, protect the skin, keep the respiratory system healthy, and protect indoor plants, furniture, and pets. A professional HVAC company can help install one of these whole-home humidifiers to help protect the whole home for winters to come and ensure great indoor air quality. 

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air

Walker Plumbing, Heating, & Air has proudly served St. George, UT, for over 20 years. They offer same-day service and always provide a satisfaction guarantee. They use the latest technology and never try to upsell their customers. Call them today for whole-home humidifier installation in St. George, UT.

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This Holiday Season, Give Thanks To Your Local Plumbers!

Homeowners Can Be Grateful for These 3 Essential Services Plumbers Provide

This holiday season, as people all over the U.S. take time to slow down and focus on all the things they’re thankful for, there’s one thing that shouldn’t be left out - plumbers. Indoor plumbing, in general, is already something to be grateful for, but it wouldn’t be the same without professional plumbers.

Sure, some plumbing problems can be fixed using DIY solutions, but they’re not always worth the time and effort (not to mention the headache) it takes to get the job done. On the other hand, professional plumbers can make short work of most issues while the homeowner relaxes with a cup of coffee. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the value plumbers provide - read on to learn about a few vital services only a certified plumber can offer!

Repairing Toilet Clogstoilet

Virtually everyone has had to contend with a clogged toilet at some point, and everyone would agree that it’s not very much fun. And while rolling up the sleeves and getting to work with the plunger might do the trick in some cases, sometimes it doesn’t seem to make a lick of difference. Other times, it may even harm the plumbing or make the clog worse. Strange as it sounds, clogged toilet repair is often a more complicated job than most people think.

A professional plumber can determine the root cause of the clog and choose the right solution - one that won’t make matters worse. They can also determine whether the clog is a symptom of a deeper issue such as a toilet malfunction, damaged sewer line, or septic system issue. With that in mind, they can ensure that the solution works for the long term, rather than merely providing a temporary fix. 

water heater Servicing & Installing Water Heaters

Another area where plumbers prove to be indispensable is the water heater. Water heaters require regular maintenance to continue running smoothly, and while some basic tasks can be performed by the homeowners, only a certified pro can tackle certain in-depth tasks. This is especially true of gas water heaters - working with gas components can be extremely dangerous.

Along these lines, if the unit starts acting up, only an expert should attempt water heater repairs, not just for safety’s sake but also to avoid further damage to the unit itself. Likewise, water heater installation should only be performed by a pro who knows what they’re doing. If the water heater is incorrectly sized for the home or poorly installed, the unit will be less efficient, experience more issues, and wear out faster. 

Repairing & Maintaining Sewer Lines

Water heaters aren’t the only aspect of a home’s plumbing system that are best taken care of by professionals. The home’s underground sewer line (officially known as a sewer lateral) carries wastewater from the home’s drainage system to the municipal sewer main. Plumbing contractors provide a range of sewer line services, most of which the typical homeowner lacks the equipment and expertise to perform themselves.

For instance, if tree roots have broken through the pipe and formed an obstruction, a plumber can use a special “rooter” machine with a long cable and cutter attachment to clear them. In cases where the pipe has been ruptured by roots or other forces such as shifting soil, they may be able to seal the pipe without digging it up. In some cases, however, they may need to excavate it and replace the pipe - not exactly a DIY project. 

Aside from sewer line repairs and replacement, plumbers can also perform routine sewer line cleaning using a special hydro-jetting machine to remove buildup that can result in clogs (grease is a common cause of sewer line clogs).

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air

The award-winning Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air has been proud to serve St. George, Utah, for over 20 years. Their licensed and background-checked technicians are standing by 24/7 to respond quickly to any plumbing emergency. Walker guarantees 100% satisfaction on every job. Call now for expert plumbing service!

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Is There a Right Way To Cure a Blocked Drain?

The Best and Worst Ways To Clean a Blocked Drain

Clogged or blocked drains are one of the most common plumbing issues that homeowners experience. They experience them so often in fact that professionals can’t even effectively tally how often because most of the time, homeowners can eradicate the problem themselves with plunging. However, there comes a time when the system is too backed up, and a plunger will no longer suffice. In the past, homeowners have turned to liquid drain cleaners to solve this problem, but professionals want to caution homeowners against doing this. Liquid drain cleaners might be a quick and easy fix, but they aren’t worth it in the long run. 

Continue reading below to learn all about the disadvantages of liquid drain cleaners, as well as the two professional-approved ways to cure a blocked drain. 

Snaking: The Quick Fixsnaking

A snake, sometimes called a toilet jack, is one of the oldest and most effective drain clearing techniques still used today. It’s a relatively simple process but requires the toilet to be removed from the floor. The toilet will then need a new o-ring to replace the toilet after the clog has been cleared, but other than that, it is one of the least expensive ways to clear a clogged toilet when a plunger won’t do the trick. 

After the toilet has been removed, the toilet snake is placed near the hole. It has an arm that extends up to 25 feet. Extending the snake this far might take a while, but if the clog is far within the system, it proves to be one of the most effective ways to clear the clog. 

Once the snake reaches the clog, the person operating the snake will twist it to try and grab ahold of the clog. Then they will retract the snake back to pull the clog out of the piping. 

Hyrdo-Jetting: Easy, Effective, Affordablehydrojetting

If snaking doesn’t work or the clog is unreachable via a toilet or sink drain, hydro-jetting is the next best option for homeowners. Hydro-jetting is a little more expensive than snaking but is far more effective at cleaning the entire plumbing system. In the grand scheme of things, the price it costs to clean the whole system and ensure it stays clog-free for months on end is well worth it. 

In fact, homeowners that regularly maintain their plumbing system should only have to invest in hydro-jetting once a year. Homes that are prone to flooding and lots of rainfall may need to have the service performed more often, but the professional will give the homeowner the best advice for their home where this is concerned. 

Hydro-jetting is effective because it shoots water into the plumbing system at a high velocity that is strong enough to remove all debris from the system. After one hydro-jetting service, most systems look spotless when inspected with a plumbing camera. This is the service professionals recommend most. 

Liquid Drain Cleaners: Ditch Them, Now!

Liquid drain cleaners are the arch-nemesis of indoor plumbing. Tv commercials and retail stores may advertise that this is a safe and convenient method for homeowners to remove clogs from their plumbing system without the help of a professional, but that simply is not the case. 

When drain cleaners come in contact with the plumbing system, there is a chemical reaction that occurs. This chemical reaction is what the liquid drain cleaning companies claim will clean the pipes, but it does more than that. The reaction gets so hot that it can eat through the piping altogether. 

Some disadvantages of liquid drain cleaners are: 

  • Cause premature wear and tear of piping system
  • Frequent plumbing issues
  • Burst pipes
  • Increased water bill from leaking pipes

Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air Has the Answers

Whether it’s drain cleaning or some other plumbing service that St. George homeowners need, Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air is there to help. This award-winning company has more than 20 years of experience and will stop at nothing to ensure their customers have effective plumbing systems! Call today to learn more about their drain cleaning services.

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Water Heaters 101 Back to the Basics

Learning the Basics of Hot Water Heaters

The basics of how a water heater works in a home are rather simple and straightforward. It starts with cold water being brought in through the water line and passing through a dip tube at the top of the water heater. What a homeowner will find inside the tank differs based on the type of water heater. There will be a heating element in an electric heater, while a gas heater will have a burner at the bottom with a chimney in the center of the tank to spread the heat. Once the hot water is summoned elsewhere in the home, like for a shower, bath, dishwasher, or washing machine, it flows out of the heat-out pipe, then goes to its final destination.

Every home and homeowner will experience life with a water heater. Knowing at least the bare minimum of information on these units can help save time and money. 

The Types of Water Heaterswater heater

There are a variety of different types of water heaters, each with its own pros and cons. The two most popular types of water heaters are tank heaters and tankless heater systems. Both types can be used with either electric heating elements or gas burners. Tank systems can hold upwards of 80 gallons of water for large household water heaters, while tankless systems offer instant and on-demand unlimited hot water. 

Choosing the correct water heater may seem daunting, but with the help of qualified professionals keeping, updating, or replacing the current system should be no trouble. There are other types of water heaters a homeowner can look into as well, including solar-powered units, hybrid heaters, condensing units, and on-demand. 

Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Keeping up-to-date on a water heater may seem like a trivial thing, but overall, it can lead to a longer and better life span of the unit. Tank units can last upwards of 10 years with proper yearly maintenance and sediment build-up cleanings. Tankless units often don’t need as much upkeep as tank units but are more affected by hard water. The amount of maintenance an on-demand unit will need will depend on the location and hardness of local water. 

Here are a few basic maintenance tips to have done by a professional:

  • Having the system flushed
  • Insulating the tank and pipes
  • Checking the thermostat
  • Inspecting the valves and pipes

Signs of Water Heater Repair Is Neededwater heater

The last way any homeowner wants to learn that their water heater needs repair is mid-shower. That’s why it’s important to know some of the telltale signs repair is needed, including: 
  1. The age of a water heater is the first telling sign. After about 10 years, a tank system is generally in need of replacing. For a tankless system, it is around 20 years.
  2. Rusty-colored water can indicate that something inside the water heater is not pumping correctly, probably due to sediment build-up.
  3. Loud noises, gurgling, or banging sounds can be scary for any homeowner to hear and should be assessed by a professional ASAP. It could be something small like broken off the sediment and indicate a draining and cleaning or something bigger like a broken pressure release valve.
  4. Leaks or pooling water at and around the water heater show a definite sign of needed repair.
  5. No hot water can indicate something as simple as a pilot light that’s gone out, which a technician can relight for any wary homeowner. However, it could also mean something along the lines of a burnt-out heating element that would need replacing.

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Repair

Reliable hot water heater services by Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air in Southern Utah are the best way for homeowners to protect their homes. With upfront pricing, clear communication, tailored solutions, and licensed master plumbers and technicians, Walker’ll Fix That! Contact them today for water heater repairs and services.

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