Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air Archives - Page 7 of 14

Benefits of Installing a Water Softener

How Can Water Softeners Help in Your Home?

Hard water is a term used to describe water that contains relatively high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium, and magnesium. These minerals enter the water supply via the natural process of percolation, as groundwater passes through porous rock layers and dissolves various elements such as limestone and dolomite. Hard water can cause problems such as inefficiencies in water heaters, a buildup of mineral deposits in pipes and appliances, and decreased cleaning efficiency of detergents and soaps.

A water softener is designed to remove the excess minerals causing water hardness, thus transforming the hard water into soft water. Various types of water softeners are available, the most common being ion exchange systems. These systems utilize a tank filled with resin beads, which are negatively charged. As the hard water flows through the resin bed, the positively charged calcium and magnesium ions are attracted to the negatively charged beads, effectively being exchanged for sodium ions, which do not contribute to water hardness. Here is a quick guide from local experts to help homeowners learn about the benefits of installing a water softener.

Keep Things Cleaner

One indicator of hard water is the presence of whitish, chalky residue on fixtures, such as faucets and showerheads, resulting from the minerals precipitating from the water when heated. Also, hard water can make it challenging to obtain a lather when using soap, as the minerals interfere with the foam-producing properties of the soap molecules. These effects make it more difficult and time-consuming to keep the home clean.

However, that is not the only way hard water affects cleaning. When washed in hard water, clothes fade and wear out faster, and dishes are left murky or with what looks like water spots. Installing a water softener treats these problems at a molecular level allowing homeowners to clean more effectively and keep their home tidier.

Protect the Plumbing From Hard Water

Hard water can have harmful effects on clothing and dishes, but it is even harder on the plumbing. As hard water flows through piping and plumbing fixtures, a mineral scale can build up inside them. This leads to problems like:

Sediment and scale that interfere with the performance and energy efficiency of water heaters, raising energy bills
Scale and corrosion in pipes that cutoff flow and cause water pressure problems
Shorter lifespans for appliances and plumbing fixtures
Leaks in plumbing from corroded pipes
Interrupted flow from fixtures like taps and shower heads from excessive scale buildup

Installing a water softener can help prevent these problems and keep the water heater working efficiently, avoiding a spike in water heating costs. It also prevents clogs from scale and the negative effects that come with it and help extend the lifespan of the plumbing.

Eliminate Dry Skin and Hair

One often overlooked aspect of personal health and beauty is the impact that water quality has on skin and hair. Hard water, which is high in minerals, can be detrimental to both, leading to dry hair and skin. In contrast, water softeners can significantly improve skin and hair's hydration and overall health.

Soft water can also alleviate skin irritation and dryness often associated with hard water, so no more dry and itchy skin or scalps. Water softeners are also beneficial for those with sensitive skin, as the minerals in hard water can irritate sensitive skin. So get healthier and more hydrated hair and skin immediately by installing a water softener and bathing it in soft water.

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air

Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air has over 20 years of experience serving St. George, UT, and the surrounding areas. They provide straightforward pricing, financing options, and same-day service. Call them today for whole-home water softener installation and services in St. George, UT.

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Easy Ways to Beat Allergies This Spring

Breathe Easier With These Simple Tips

Allergies are the one thing that can turn a beautiful spring day into an exercise in agony. With all the pollen, dust, and other allergens in the air, people suffer from frustrating symptoms like watery eyes, runny noses, sore throats, and sneezing. However, what many people don’t realize is that the indoor air in their home is just as much to blame for their allergies as the spring vegetation.

To gain a simple advantage over the effects of allergies, homeowners should take steps to reduce the pollutants they are exposed to during the spring to clean up the air inside the home and give their lungs a break. Here are some easy tips to help improve indoor air quality in a home and help mitigate the symptoms of allergies and respiratory illnesses.

Let in Fresh Air

The first tip for cleaning up the air in the home can seem counterintuitive. Why should owners risk letting pollen and dust into their homes if they are already suffering? The answer is the air in the house is already host to plenty of allergens, and these pollutants can build up to harmful levels since the air is constantly recirculated around the house.

Opening the windows allows fresh air to come into the home and lets the old stale air out. Sure, the outdoor air will carry some pollen and dust, but the quantities are far lower than the polluted indoor air. For added safety, homeowners should check local forecasts and aim to open windows on days with low pollen counts. Doing so can greatly freshen the air in the home and lead to a reduction of allergy symptoms.

Replace Air Filters On Time

One of the most important steps for improving indoor air quality is to replace air filters on time. Air filters are used to trap and remove airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, and other allergens, from the circulating air in a home. If these particles are not removed by an effective filter, they can accumulate in the house and contribute to health issues such as allergies and other respiratory concerns.

The type of air filter used, the frequency with which it is changed, and how well it fits into the home's HVAC system can all impact the quality of indoor air inside a home. It’s recommended to clean or replace filters every one to three months, depending on the type of filter and factors, such as whether anyone in the household has allergies. Additionally, a clogged filter will restrict airflow and reduce the efficiency of an HVAC system, leading to higher energy bills, so it's important not to wait too long before replacing them.

Practice Good Housekeeping Habits

To improve the air quality in a home and reduce the effects of allergies, homeowners should also practice better housekeeping. Particles that can cause allergy symptoms are often found on furniture, floors, carpets, and bedding. Regularly cleaning these surfaces will help remove these allergens from the air. To reduce the total amount of allergens and pollutants in the house, perform cleaning tasks regularly like:

Sweep and mop hard floors
Vacuum rugs and carpets
Wash curtains
Use a damp cloth to capture dust from surfaces
Launder bedding and towels
Use the exhaust vent when cooking

Additionally, homeowners can reach out to professionals if they need more effective or comprehensive indoor air quality solutions, such as installing an air cleaner or air purifier.

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air

Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air has over two decades of experience serving St. George, UT, and the surrounding areas. They provide straightforward pricing, same-day service, and the latest technology. Call them today for air filter replacement or other indoor air quality services in St. George, UT.

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Why Every Home Needs Professional Drain Cleaning Services

Keeping Pipes Clean Prevents a Host of Plumbing Problems

People rarely want to deal with the plumbing unless there is something wrong, but drain cleaning can actually prevent worse, more expensive plumbing disasters and repairs from happening. This blog will discuss the benefits of routine drain cleaning by a professional plumber and its importance to prevention.

Clears and Prevents Clogs

Chemical drain cleaners from the store may clean the drain, but the corrosive nature of the chemicals can cause damage to the pipes and lead to corrosion. Plumbing professionals are the best bet to perform routine drain cleaning safely. Drain cleaning can be used to unclog pipes or prevent them from clogging in the first place.

Some drain cleaning methods used by plumbers are drain snaking and hydro jetting. Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure stream of water that power washes the inside of the pipe and breaks up any clogs or buildup inside to prevent clogs. A drain snake is a long, flexible wire with a coiled metal wire at the end used to dislodge clogs.

Reduces the Risk of Flooding and Water Damage

Clogs are one of the common causes of leaks and burst pipes because of the pressure they put on the plumbing, so preventing clogs will also help prevent these additional plumbing issues. Clogged pipes can lead to leaks and pipe bursts, which then cause flooding, water damage, and the costly repairs that follow. They can also cause sewage backups, resulting in serious health hazards that require extensive clean-up and safety measures.

Fortunately, regular drain cleaning can help prevent these issues from occurring. Professional drain cleaning can clear out clogged pipes and ensure that water can flow freely, reducing the risk of leaks, burst pipes, and sewage backups and the flooding and water damage they can cause in a home or business.

Fewer Repairs and Cleanups, and Extends the Life of Pipes

Routine drain cleaning is essential to keeping plumbing systems functioning correctly and can help people avoid costly repairs and cleanups due to a plumbing emergency. By having their drains cleaned regularly, homeowners will reduce the chance of encountering an unexpected blockage that could lead to water damage and other costly problems.

In addition, regular drain cleaning extends the life of the plumbing by reducing the amount of buildup in the pipes. This can help prevent problems that require repiping, such as corrosion. Corrosion weakens pipes which can lead to an even higher chance of pipe leaks and bursts. Setting up a preventative drain cleaning visit is cheaper in both time and money than dealing with an emergency plumbing repair and cleanup.

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air

Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air has over 20 years of experience serving St. George, UT, and the surrounding communities. They provide straightforward pricing, 24/7 live answers, and same-day service. Call them today for professional drain cleaning services in St. George, UT.

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Speed Date Your Boiler for Valentine's Day

Get to Know the Boiler Better With These Fast Facts

Many homeowners remain strangers with their boiler, stuck in a misunderstood relationship. Take steps to change things with the boiler this Valentine's Day. Take a few moments to learn some facts about the equipment that keeps the home warm and comfortable. Here is a quick guide from local experts to help homeowners get started and learn things they may not know about their boilers.

Modern Boilers Don’t Boil Water

The term “boiler” can be somewhat of a misnomer. In the old days, boilers evaporated boiling water into steam that was then distributed around the home as a means of heating it. Since steam pressure is much more dangerous than hot water, modern boilers are engineered to heat water to near-boiling temperatures to supply heat while staying safe and efficient.

A modern boiler uses a structure called a heat exchanger to heat water. Natural gas, propane, or fuel oil is burnt in a chamber in the heat exchanger. Water flows past the heat exchanger’s walls outside the chamber to be heated. The heated water is then pumped around the home to radiators that run along baseboards or stand-alone cast-iron radiators. The water circulates in a closed loop, continuously providing hot water to the house.

Boilers are Eco-Friendly

Since nearly all boilers run on fossil fuels, they have a reputation for contributing soot to the air and carbon to the atmosphere. While any fossil fuel combustion does add carbon to the atmosphere, boilers are one of the most energy-efficient heating devices a homeowner can install.

Every appliance designed and installed in the US must meet ever-increasing emission standards, and boilers are no different. When installing a boiler, homeowners can purchase high-efficiency boilers that are 98% efficient. Since boilers recycle water around the home and are efficient, they are an eco-friendly heating option.

Low Pressure Can Affect a Boiler’s Efficiency

Low-pressure situations in a boiler are common problems resulting from leaks and air entering the recycled water. When pressure drops in a boiler's water piping, the system has too little water to transfer heat around the home efficiently. This causes the boiler to have to work harder to keep up. A spike in utility bills is often the first noticeable sign of low pressure in the boiler, although pressure gauges on the boiler are an immediate indication. Unfortunately, these are often ignored until utility bills go up.

If homeowners notice their boiler has low pressure, they should get a qualified professional to fix it before it damages the boiler. Routine boiler maintenance is the best way to avoid this problem. Homeowners should schedule boiler maintenance once a year to ensure their boiler lasts as long as it can and operates efficiently over the years.

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air

Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air has more than 20 years of experience serving St. George, UT, and surrounding areas. They offer straightforward pricing, same-day service, and financing. Call them today for boiler services in St. George, UT.

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Kick Off the New Year in Comfort With a New Water Heater

Reasons to Install a New Water Heater

With plenty of winter weather left to endure before spring, everyone is pulling out all of the stops to stay warm during the winter. A great way to heat cold bones is a hot bath or shower provided by the water heater in the home. How treacherous could it be if the water heater failed during the time of year when it is most appreciated?

Installing a new water heater may be the best bet to avoid being left without hot water during the winter if a water heater is over ten years old or needs frequent repairs. Not only will a new water heater provide hot water reliably, but it will also provide many other benefits to justify the installation cost. Here are the benefits of installing a new water heater in 2023.

Better Efficiency Means Reduced Cost

Water heaters lose efficiency as they age, increasing water heating costs. Having an efficient water heater is important because it requires less energy to heat water than an inefficient one. Installing a new water heater will improve efficiency and save homeowners money on utility bills.

To maintain good efficiency and low water heating costs, it is vital to get maintenance from a professional plumber annually. This will also extend the life of the water heater and prevent damage by catching issues early.

Faster Hot Water Recovery Rate

As soon as hot water is used in the home, cold water rushes into the water heater to replace the hot water. Immediately the burners kick on to start heating the rapidly cooling water. The measure of how well the water heater can keep up with the influx of cold water is called the “recovery rate.”

Newer water heaters tend to have better hot water recovery rates, meaning nobody will get stuck taking a cold shower. It is of the features that homeowners should look for when purchasing a new water heater to ensure it meets their household's hot water needs.

Save Space With Tankless Water Heaters

If it’s time to upgrade the water heater, then there is no better time than now to explore new options. Technological developments have provided a style of water heater that is more efficient than its conventional counterpart and provides an endless supply of hot water. Tankless water heaters heat water rapidly on demand, meaning they don’t waste energy keeping a tank full of water warm. This also means they don’t have bulky tanks that occupy a ton of space.

Tankless water heaters can be mounted on the wall to save even more space where an old water heater would’ve sat, like in garages or basements. This frees up space for more storage. While tankless water heaters may cost more to install upfront, they pay for themselves over time with energy savings and a longer lifespan. To save space while sticking with a conventional storage-tank water heater, homeowners can install a smaller tank water heater with a faster recovery rate.

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air

Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air has more than 20 years of expertise serving St. George, UT, and the surrounding areas. They provide straightforward pricing, 24/7 live answer, and a satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for water heater or tankless water heater services in St. George, UT.