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Can a plumber reliably tell you the cost over the telephone?

October 7th, 2011 by pabrams

Some customers ask what it will cost for a specific plumbing repair, sewer cleaning or water heater replacement when they call for service and sometimes they get huffy when they learn that Roto-Rooter does not give price quotes over the phone.  ”Just give me your best price,” they’ll say.

Well, that sounds simple enough, but here are the facts: Any Tampa plumber who routinely quotes prices over the phone without laying eyes on the caller’s plumbing system is either misleading the customer or putting his business at great risk.  Why? Because every situation is different. A plumber needs to look at the plumbing problem to see if there are other contributing factors at work before an accurate diagnosis can be made. There are simply too many possible variables to make an accurate diagnosis over the phone. That’s why Roto-Rooter’s Tampa plumbers will come to your home or business, evaluate the problem, determine the best solution and give you a free written estimate prior to performing any work.

Many Tampa plumbing contractors will give you a “ballpark quote” over the phone only to raise the price once they see the actual level of difficulty, or worse, once they’re already in the middle of the repair. If you send them away, they may charge you a fee just to have come out and looked at your problem, even if they didn’t actually fix anything. Ultimately, you may have paid a higher price than you needed to.

When you call Roto-Rooter, Tampa’s best local plumbing company, you’ll get a free, professional visit, a thorough analysis of the problem and a solution and cost estimate, in writing. If you think it’s unreasonable, send our plumber away and you won’t be charged a dime. But if you agree to the estimate, the Roto-Rooter plumber will get to work right away and fix your problem and give you a guarantee that the job will be done right. When you’re calling other Tampa plumbing companies, be sure to ask them if they offer free written estimates. Then call Roto-Rooter of Tampa at 813-980-6000, or click here to schedule a free visit and estimate at a time that is most convenient for you.

 

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How to decide if your water heater needs a repair?

September 26th, 2011 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

A water heater is something that you don’t think about until it’s broken. We think little of the hot water coming from our faucets until all that comes out is cold. It’s inconvenient and usually requires a urgent fix in order to return to our daily routine and expectations. Before you call a plumber, though, look at the following symptoms in order to assess if the fix is an easy one that you can do yourself. A water heater repair can be as simple as flipping a switch.

No hot water

The first and easiest fix if you don’t have hot water coming from your water heater, would be the circuit breaker or fuse box. Sometimes the fuse has been blown and you simply need to switch it back. In a similar fashion, sometimes the high temperature limit switch trips as well. If this is the case, all you need to do is reset the switch. If these two tasks do not reveal a problem, check the upper thermostat and heating element. If either of these have failed, you’ll need a replacement.

Not enough hot water

If one person in your household can not get through a shower without the water turning cold, your water heater is failing somehow. The thermostat may be set too low. Try increasing the temperature. If this does not work, it’s possible that you’ll need to replace it. Sediment could have accumulated in the tank and draining it will increase the water heater’s ability to give off hot water for a longer period of time. Another option is to check the dip tube, this could be damaged. If your family has grown, it may also be time to replace a smaller model with larger capacity.

Noise coming from the water heater

If you hear loud or clanky noises coming from your water heater, it’s best to stop using it immediately to investigate the problem. Sometimes sediment in the tank can cause loud noises, other times it is due to low water pressure which causes spot boiling. In other cases, the voltage has exceeded the heating element’s rating and the noise is letting you know that the pressure is too much.

In any of these scenarios, one can make an observation and determine if the fix is feasible by you or if a professional is better suited for the task.

 

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Hurricanes: Preparing and protecting your home’s plumbing system before the storm

August 25th, 2011 by pabrams

Home flooding, as a result of powerful storms, can be a devastating experience. However, good preparation before the storm arrives can minimize the impact on your home. Anyone living in flood prone areas should consider relocating to a safer area until the storm has passed. We recommend that homeowners follow these important guidelines before the storm arrives.

Hurricane Irene

  • Check all downspouts and roof gutters to ensure they are securely fastened, free of debris and draining properly.
  • Make sure yard culverts and street drains are free of debris and can carry water away as fast as possible.
  • Inspect basement sump pump, if you have one. Ensure it is discharging water properly and is not clogged with debris. Do this by pouring a few buckets of water into your sump pit. In a matter of seconds, the pump should discharge the water and shut itself off.
  • Consider installing a battery back-up pump that will operate in the event of a power failure.
  • Inspect all floor drains throughout the house, including those in the garage, driveway, basement and patio. Make sure the covers are unobstructed and the drains aren’t clogged.

If there is advanced warning of a major storm, the water in your home’s plumbing system can be protected from contamination and made available for use.

  • Shut off the main water valve coming into the home. This prevents contaminated water from getting into the house.
  • Open a faucet at the highest point in the house (such as an upstairs bathroom) to allow air into the system. Then draw water as needed from the lowest faucet in the home.
  • Water in the water heater or a pressure tank represents many gallons of safe water for use in an emergency.
  • If there is enough advanced warning of the emergency, assure the freshest water supply by flushing the tank and allowing it to refill with clean water.
  • Turn off electricity or gas to the water heater, so that there is no risk that the heating unit could come on while the tank is being emptied. Draw water as needed from the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.
  • Water stored in your home’s plumbing system is safe for a few days. After a longer time, it must be disinfected before it is used for drinking or cooking.
  • Sinks and bathtubs and can be filled with water for emergency use. Water stored this way is perfect for cleaning dishes, bathing or flushing toilets. However, due to the difficulty in getting tubs and sinks clean, this water is not recommended for drinking and cooking unless it is first disinfected

Water safety after the storm

Upon returning to your home after a hurricane or flood, tap water may be unsafe to drink. Bacteria, viruses, debris, or chemicals may have gotten into the water. Water treatment plants may be damaged and unable to clean the water. Here’s what you can do:

  • If you don’t know whether the water is safe to use, boil water before using it for any purpose (example: Bathing, brushing teeth, cooking, drinking).
  • Once your community declares its water safe, be sure to flush your home’s water system by opening all faucets for several minutes.

 Specializing in Emergencies

As a 24 hour plumbing company, Roto-Rooter specializes in emergency service and is always on call and available 24/7. Homes and businesses that need help getting plumbing back on-line in the wake of an emergency can call 1-800-ROTO-911 or service can be scheduled by e-mail at rotorooter.com. If we are part of an evacuation, we will be part of it but we will return to work as soon as it is safe to do so.

 

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Brooklyn Plumbers offer a few quick tips to ensure your water heater is working properly. Brooklyn Plumbers of Roto-Rooter Offer Water Heater Maintenance Tips

May 28th, 2010 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

The Brooklyn plumbers of Roto-Rooter recommend annual water heater maintenance. Here are a few quick tips below to ensure your water heater is working properly.

  • Each year, several gallons of water should be drained from the tank to flush out the system. Flushing will remove any sediment buildup, which has the potential to cause corrosion and reduce heating efficiency.
  • It is important to test the pressure of the relief valve as well. This can be done by lifting up on the valve lever and letting it snap back. A burst of water should be released into the drainpipe, if this does not occur there is an issue with its functionality and it will need to be replaced.
  • Keeps the temperature setting on your thermostat at 120°F. This will lower your energy use and reduce the risk of tank damage and scalding, which can be caused by overheating.

If you are in the Brooklyn area and are in need of water heater maintenance, give us a call at (718) 485-1265 or visit the Brooklyn plumber web site for more information and online scheduling.

 

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Water heater problems

April 27th, 2010 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

Roto-Rooter Plumbers in Memphis can repair or replace your water heater. We have a staff of qualified plumbers who are experts in all areas of plumbing. If you are having an issue with your water heater, Roto-Rooter's experienced Memphis plumbers can send a technician to your home to give you a free estimate to repair or replace your water heater.

If your water heater needs to be replaced, Roto-Rooter will pull all the proper plumbing permits and set up and inspection for you with the local regulatory authority to ensure everything is done professionally and above board, so you won't have to worry. Water heaters should not be worked on by the inexperienced. They are simply too dangerous for novices to play around with.

Remember If you are having trouble with your water heater Roto-Rooter in Memphis is the Memphis plumbing company to call when you want any and all commercial or residential plumbing problems solved.

Whether your heater is electric or gas, tank-less or conventional, call Roto-Rooter - your water heater experts. The Memphis Branch can be reached at 901-323-4285.

 

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