Is your home’s hot water discolored or coming out with a foul odor? Is it making showers and fresh laundry less than enjoyable? At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence, we can help. We have water heater repair solutions that address these common problems, and restore your hot water quality. Even if it’s not just your hot water, but all your water that has issues, it makes sense to give us a call. You can experience fresh, clean water in your showers, sinks, washing machine, and anywhere you expect it. Often, repairs like these can also prevent bigger issues from developing, even leaks and tank bursting! It’s a pleasure to help you enjoy the flow of fresh water in your home, hot and cold as you like it.

Why Does Your Hot Water Smell Bad?

Water coming from your taps or shower can sometimes smell foul, like rotten eggs or something similar. It’s a sulfur smell. You might wonder where it’s coming from, such as the pipes, water filter, city water supply, or even the hot water heater. The key to determining the source is often that the hot water alone has this odor, narrowing the potential sources of trouble. Our plumbers can investigate further if necessary, but it’s likely that your hot water heater has developed a problem. In the dark, unventilated space of your hot water tank, and this is typically a tank-based water heater problem, bacteria may grow that produce this offensive odor. It’s possible that tankless hot water heaters may develop odors as well, though, so make sure and call for help diagnosing and remedying it in either case. Odors are common enough that we have solutions at the ready if they happen, and there are also measures that we can take to prevent foul odors in your hot water.

Discoloration 

In addition to odors, your hot water may also appear discolored at times. This happens in both tank-based and tankless water heaters, as a result of buildup in the system that requires cleaning and flushing. Once the material is removed, the discoloration should go away, and any effects it has such as laundry stains as well. If the problem is occurring in both hot and cold water, as we noted, our plumber can look further for the potential cause.

Maintenance and Repair Services

Odors and discoloration of your hot water are usually prevented by routine maintenance and water heater repair. In particular, sediment may come to your attention through crackling or bubbling sounds and reduced heater efficiency. It may eventually cause discoloration, but early servicing can avoid that. For odors, the anode rod in a water heater tank serves a dual purpose of reducing tank corrosion, and preventing bacteria growth. Replacing the anode rod with another of the appropriate composition should avoid odors, and if they’ve already developed replacement of this part along with a thorough cleaning may be needed.

Preventive Care

Water heater problems such as odors and discolored water can be prevented by routine, scheduled maintenance. This helps you avoid unplanned repair service visits, and keeps your hot water enjoyable and fresh. Making sure you have the right kind of anode rod, and that your thermostat is set to a sufficiently high temperature as recommended are helpful. In addition, if your water heater is turned off for a period of time, these bacteria may have a chance to grow.

Water Quality Is a Factor

In many homes, both anode rod depletion in tank-based water heaters, and the accumulation of sediment in both tank-based and tankless are encouraged by “hard” water with high amounts of minerals dissolved in it. Fortunately, in our area hard water is not a common problem, but it is still worth exploring whether water quality is part of the issue. Our water heater repair experts can help you make sure everything is alright with your plumbing, including water heaters and water quality equipment.

Tank and Tankless Hot Water Services

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence, our experienced plumbers can diagnose and repair many unusual problems with your plumbing, including odors and discolored water. We work on all makes and models of standard and hybrid tank-based water heaters, as well as tankless water heaters. Don’t forget to schedule regular water heater maintenance to help avoid problems! Our team can also supply and install quality water heaters, changing your energy supply and water heater type as requested. Reliable plumbing is an enjoyable feature of modern homes, and that goes double for having great hot water available when you call on it.

When a New Water Heater Is Your Best Move

A typical hot water heater will serve you well for up to 10 years, a few more with proper care. For tankless water heaters, that number can be doubled! If you’re having an increasing number of problems, or significant issues in addition to odors and discoloration of your hot water, it might be time for a new water heater. That’s especially true if our plumbers have inspected your tank-based water heater and found problems with tank corrosion. While the temperature and pressure relief valve helps prevent leaks and bursting, as the tank gets older and more corroded, it’s more vulnerable to catastrophic failure. Our water heater experts can help you select the right replacement, or change to another type of water heater. They’ll arrange convenient installation and cleanup, so you’ll be all set and avoid the need for an urgent replacement later on.

The beauty of reaching out to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence is that we get your plumbing working well again, and make sure you can enjoy it. Water heaters can produce more than fresh hot water, and it can be hard to enjoy your daily routine when it’s discolored or smells foul. Our water heater repair experts can help! Call today and get it fixed!

See our most recent blog on this topic here.

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The Biggest Signs You Need Drain Cleaning Service Soon

Most people do not think much about having their drains cleaned. They simply use them without any thought as to what could be happening under the lines and pipes. Yet, even in the most careful homes, material could flow down the drains that should not, including large food particles and grease. When that happens, it poses a risk to the home’s drains. Often, there are signs that you need a drain cleaning service that you should not ignore. These may help you know when you need to get help right away.

Signs Not to Wait to Call for Help

Many property owners will notice changes in how water moves down their drains over time. Paying attention to this can help you to minimize the risk of backups and more costly repairs. You should call a professional to schedule a drain cleaning service whenever you see any of these backups occurring.

You Have Standing Water

One of the most common signs of a problem is having standing water in your sink or the washing machine. When this happens, it may be an indication that the water cannot move freely down the drain as it should. In some situations, it could be due to a blockage in the lines, such as a clump of hair getting caught in the shower drain. However, if you do not have it removed, it could lead to further backups that can impact the entire drain system in the home.

Your Drains Are Moving Slow

Slow-moving drains are one of the most common reasons people call for help related to drain cleaning. It may take a long time, it seems, for the water to drain from your sink. You may find that even if the sink has clean water in it, the water does not move easily down the drains. This often means that, though water is able to move through the lines, there is a clog or narrowing occurring at some point that is limiting the normal flow. Over time, this will worsen until water cannot move down the line at all. Soap, grease, and food particles are some of the most common causes of this, and a drain cleaning can help push it all away.

There Are Gurgling Sounds Coming from the Drain

In some situations, you may start to hear sounds coming from your drain lines. This gurgling sound is often a sign of an underlying problem occurring, often air getting trapped in various areas and not being able to move freely down the lines. This can happen even if the water is able to move freely down the drains and you do not notice any type of backup occurring. Many times it may be possible to remove any type of blockage present to allow for a better flow of water down.

There Is a Water Backup

There are some instances in which you may have water that backups up from the drains. This can occur in any area of the home but often tends to be in the lowest area of the property. You may find that water backups can lead to expensive damage to repair. When the drain lines are completely clogged, the water has nowhere else to go. That means that when someone takes a shower upstairs, the water cannot move down the drains and instead comes up the floor drains in the basement.

When this happens, there is a significant problem. While drain cleaning service is likely recommended at this point, you may also need to amplify that with repairs and additional cleaning of the surface. This is not a problem you should ignore for long because it will continue occurring until that clog is removed.

There’s a Strong Odor Coming from the Drains

You may have drains that seem to flow normally and do not backup, but there’s a strong odor coming from them. When that happens, it could be due to the buildup of material along the interior lines of the drain lines and sewer lines. Over time this can worsen and lead to clogs. You may notice that this is brought on by grease buildup, but other times it can be food particles or even sewage that is trapped behind a clog that is causing the odor.

You Have Fruit Flies in Your Home

It may be possible that you do not smell anything or have drains that seem to be moving slowly, but you have fruit flies that are constantly in your home. You don’t know where they are coming from, and you’ve likely checked all the foods in your home. It could be the drains. The drains can build up food material that is attractive to fruit flies, and that allows them to breed rapidly in that space. Even if your drains are moving just fine, then they may be causing a significant amount of buildup of material that could cause you to have an ongoing infestation problem unless you get the drains cleaned.

Your Toilets Are a Problem

Also, consider your home’s toilets. There are many times when there’s too much paper flushed, or there are instances in which something is dropped into the toilet that leads to a blockage. However, if your toilets are often overflowing, that could be a sign of a problem present here. This could include that there is a sewage clog present that is preventing the normal flow of water down the drains. In this situation, it will continue to back up until you have them cleaned.

Don’t Delay in Getting Professional Help

If you have any of these signs of problems, do not delay in getting help. Calling in a drain cleaning service can make it far easier for you to get your home’s drains working properly. We can help you. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence to learn more about the options available to get your drains moving properly again in your home.

See our most recent blog on this topic here.

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Are You Ready To Get A Water Heater Replacement?

How old is your water heater? For tank-type water heaters, homeowners have up to 10 years to use their units and 20 years for tankless water heaters. However, if you have a water heater that keeps giving you problems, it might be time to get a water heater replacement. Read this article for signs that your water heater is failing and why you should consider switching to the tankless water heater as a replacement. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

Signs It May Be Time to Get a New Water Heater

How do you know it’s time to call a plumber for either repairs or replacements? Watch out for these signs and call us right away for an inspection.

You See Discolored Water

How’s the quality of your water? When the water coming out of your faucet seems rusty, this could be the sediment building up at the bottom of the tank. Unless you drain the water heater, you’ll continue to get discolored water from your faucets or showers. All you need to do is get rid of the remaining water to remove the sediment buildup and resolve the issue.

If it doesn’t correct the problem, we suggest you call a plumber for an inspection. There might be something else wrong with your water heater and it would be better to get help to avoid a more costly repair or replacement.

Inconsistent Water Temperature

When the water heater is a few years old, it’s expected to encounter problems with the unit especially when it’s not properly maintained. One of the issues you may have to deal with includes having an inconsistent water temperature. This could be due to your thermostat malfunctioning or perhaps you accidentally changed the settings. Before calling a plumber, make sure it isn’t a thermostat issue first.

When the problem persists, it might indicate an issue with your water heater’s heating elements. Call our plumbers right away for an inspection and we’ll let you know if you should get your unit repaired or get a water heater replacement.

Unusual Noises

Strange or loud noises from the water heater can indicate a problem. This could be due to the buildup of sediment or other things that affect the efficiency of your water heater. We suggest you contact a plumber to thoroughly inspect your unit. A professional can flush your system and determine if there might be other issues that need to be addressed.

You Keep Running Out of Water

If you have a tank-type water heater, it’s necessary to drain the tank and get rid of the sediment buildup. Otherwise, you will have less space for hot water and the result is that you’ll keep running out of hot water. You can fix this problem by flushing your water. If it doesn’t fix it though, we recommend calling a plumber for an inspection. We can help determine if it’s better to get a water heater repaired or replaced.

To avoid getting a water heater replacement, make sure you know how to properly maintain your unit. It’s recommended to drain the unit at least once a year but you may have to do it more than once when there’s low water pressure or you have hard water in your plumbing. Also, if you suspect an issue with your plumbing, call for help immediately. Never postpone any repairs to avoid more problems.

Why Switch to Tankless Water Heaters

If you’re getting a new unit, we highly encourage you to switch to tankless as it offers more benefits. Below are some of the benefits of switching to tankless water heaters:

1. More Energy Savings

The tankless unit is designed to use less energy, helping you save more money. You will only use up electricity or gas when turning on the unit, whereas with the tank-type version, it’s necessary to keep it on or it’s going to take forever to heat the water. If your first priority is to save energy, go with the tankless water heater instead.

2. Reduces Chances of Leaks

Are you worried the water heater might suddenly leak and you’ll end up with a flooded home or basement? You can avoid this by switching to a tankless water heater. The tankless unit can be installed on the bathroom wall, saving you space and giving you peace of mind as well. Without the tank, there’s no need to worry about leaks in the basement. Of course, you’re still expected to do a little maintenance though. Check with your plumber or manufacturer on how to properly maintain the tankless water heater.

3. Lasts Longer

As mentioned at the start of the article, the tankless water heater lasts longer. Switching means you don’t have to worry about getting a new water heater every few years or so. The tankless unit also requires less maintenance compared to the tank-type water heater. Also, no need to have a bigger space for this because you can just install this inside your bathroom. Need more information about tankless water heaters? Call us today. Our team can help you decide which water heater size to install for your home.

Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence Today

If you need water heater replacement or installation today, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our plumbing experts can install both types of water heaters. We can help with repairs and inspections as well, or advise you which type of water heater to install for your home. Additionally, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence also offers a wide range of plumbing services including emergency service to all homeowners and businesses in the area. We’re just a call or an email away if you need help with pipe repairs or toilet installation. Or if you simply need routine plumbing inspections, we can help as well. Just call us today and our professional team will schedule you ASAP for an appointment.

Need plumbing service today? It’s time to pick up that phone and call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence!

See our recent blog on this topic here.

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Do You Want To Safeguard Your Home From Water Damage? Follow These Helpful Tips From A Plumber

Dealing with a plumbing emergency is never easy. It can be really stressful especially when it involves leaks in your plumbing. You’d want to avoid this as much as possible because of the costs associated with plumbing leaks. Thankfully, we have gathered a few tips from a plumber on how to take care of your plumbing and ensure it’s in good shape. Well-maintained plumbing lets you avoid costly repairs down the road. If you have questions about our tips below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us anytime. We’re always happy to help.

Tips That Help You Save Money

Want to ensure your plumbing stays in excellent shape? Follow the effective tips below:

Take Care of Your Plumbing Appliances

One of the best ways to ensure your plumbing stays in top shape is by taking care of your appliances. You can do this by first getting a professional installation. When buying new appliances, it’s recommended to only hire a licensed professional to ensure the unit is properly installed. Never attempt to install it on your own because you don’t only void the warranty, you might end up damaging your unit. This will cost even more money down the road. Call us if you’re planning to replace your old appliances and our team will help you.

You can also take care of your appliances by reading the manual and understanding how to properly operate the unit. Do make sure you know how to use it or you might pay for a costly repair. The manual should tell you everything you need to know about how to operate the unit properly. If you have questions, feel free to get in touch with a licensed plumber in the area. Our team is more than happy to help. When reading the manual, make sure you include the part about how to maintain your unit. The water heater for example – you need to drain the water heater at least once a year to get rid of the mineral buildup that will only cause problems and reduce the lifespan of your unit when not removed. If it’s not in the manual, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer. You can also go online and search for your unit and find out how to best maintain it.

Additionally, don’t strain the appliance or the fixture because you might end up damaging them. For the plumbing pipes, high water pressure can strain them and this can lead to a costly repair. Make sure you get a water pressure regulator to avoid straining the pipes and paying for a costly repair.

Get Routine Inspection

While you’re expected to periodically check your appliances and fixtures for any signs of damage or wear and tear, it’s also recommended to hire a licensed plumbing expert to professionally inspect our entire plumbing system and ensure everything is in good condition. During the appointment, a professional will thoroughly check your water heater or pipes for any problems. He may also check the water pressure levels and inspect the heating elements of your water and make sure your water isn’t contaminated. If there are issues, he will inform you right away so that you can resolve them.

Call us if you need routine plumbing inspections and we will make sure your plumbing is in top shape and there are no issues with it. Should there be a problem, our team will fix it right away, on the same day.

If there’s one good thing about plumbing, it’s that plumbing emergencies don’t just happen. They can be avoided. It’s better not to ignore any problems, especially signs of hidden leaks because these can eventually lead to costly repairs or replacements. Get in touch with us immediately so we can assist with any concerns you may have about your plumbing and avoid a costly repair.

Install Safety Devices

To provide maximum protection for your home, we suggest you consider installing leak detection devices and a sump pump, if you have a basement. A leak detection device can alert you when there are leaks in your plumbing or when there are strange activities in your plumbing. You need this device especially when you’re always away from home. Choose a leak detection device that can also turn off the valves to prevent further damage.

If you have a basement, we recommend you consider installing a sump pump. This device can protect your appliance stored there and save your home from water damage. Talk to us about the installation. Make sure you also get extra batteries in case there are storms that might lead to a power outage. Don’t forget to also test the sump pump to ensure it really works.

For more information about sump pumps and leak detection devices, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. Our team is more than happy to assist.

Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence Right Away

Homeowners need the services of a trusted, skilled and reliable plumber who can get the job done right the first time. He must be highly trained and experienced to ensure the task is properly carried out. He must also adhere to rules and must be a professional. And this is where we come in. Our plumbing experts are good at what they do. We’re also fully insured and equipped, so need to purchase other equipment. We guarantee our service because we’re confident in our skills. As a plumbing company committed to excellence, you can trust that we’ll do our jobs exceptionally well.

Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence today for an appointment and we will quickly send a skilled plumber to your location ASAP.

See our previous post on this topic here.

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Reasons Why You Should Hire A Plumbing Company Routinely To Test Your Home’s Water Quality

Water quality is an essential aspect of our daily lives. Knowing how safe our drinking water is and if it’s suitable for our use is vital. Installing a water filtration system or buying bottled water is not enough to ensure water safety. To have peace of mind, hiring a plumbing company routinely to test your home’s water quality is necessary. This blog post outlines some reasons you should consider water testing.

Protects Your Appliances

Having your water tested regularly by a plumbing company can protect your plumbing and increase its lifespan. Depending on the test results you will get from your professional, you may need to install a quality water treatment system, such as a water softener, to address issues with your water quality. Hard water contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can cause excess scale buildup in your plumbing. When there is too much scale buildup, the efficiency of your plumbing pipes, fixtures, and appliances will be reduced. Sometimes, your plumbing will have to overwork to meet your needs, leading to premature wear and tear.

When your water is tested regularly, any issues with your water quality can be addressed, and the right water treatment system can be installed. For example, when a water softener is installed, minerals that cause water hardness will be removed, preventing damage to your plumbing.

In addition, water testing can help identify other problems that can damage your plumbing, including high levels of chlorine or acidity, which can corrode your pipes or deteriorate rubber seals. Identifying the issues early through water testing will protect your plumbing and save money on costly repairs and replacements.

Prevents Health Issues

When an expert tests your water regularly, potential contaminants or harmful substances in your water supply can be identified. You can take necessary measures to ensure your water is safe and reduce the risk of health problems by identifying the issues.

Some health issues caused by contaminated water include skin irritation, gastrointestinal illness, neurological disorders, and reproductive problems. Having your water tested regularly helps identify harmful substances such as pesticides, viruses, bacteria, and heavy metals, which can affect your health.

Other than identifying potential contaminants, water testing can help your experts determine the best water treatment option for your home. For instance, if there are high lead levels in the water, a lead filtration system can be installed to reduce the risk of lead poisoning.

Compliance with Regulations

Municipalities have water quality standards that ensure safe drinking water for citizens. Hiring a plumbing company to test your water ensures you comply with these regulations. You can avoid hefty fines and legal issues by ensuring your water supply is safe for consumption.

Helps You Save Money

When you regularly hire a certified plumbing services company to test your water, you can save a lot of money in the long run. Water testing is essential as it helps you identify water quality problems and take the necessary measures. One of the common issues that affect water quality is hard water. Hard water is unsuitable for your plumbing and appliances as it contains high minerals. When the minerals accumulate over time, they can cause clogs, costing you money on repairs or replacements.

If the plumbing services company’s expert detects high levels of minerals in your water during a test, they can advise you to install a water softener. A water softener reduces the amount of minerals in your water, which helps protect your appliances and fixtures from damage.

Furthermore, by hiring a plumbing services company to test your water, you can identify common contaminants that can put your health at risk. When you detect the issues early, you will take steps to protect yourself and your family from health problems that can lead to expensive medical costs. Overall, investing in regular water testing will enable you to avoid health issues and prevent costly repairs, saving you money.

Peace of Mind

Nothing beats the peace of mind of knowing your home’s water supply is safe and clean. Hiring a plumbing services company routinely to test your home’s water quality and fixing any problems along the way will give you that peace of mind, as you don’t have to worry about diseases associated with contaminated water.

Why Should a Certified Expert Test Your Water?

While there are many water testing kits a homeowner can use to test water quality, contacting an expert from a certified plumbing services company is always advisable. When you hire an expert, you can get accurate results about your water quality. Professionals have the expertise and training to precisely test your water for various contaminants and give the right results. Other than giving you the results, they will help you understand the results of the tests and provide recommendations on how to address the problems identified. Therefore, instead of testing the water yourself, hire a plumbing services company to send an expert to your home quickly.

Get Your Water Tested Today

The benefits of hiring a plumbing company to test your home’s water quality cannot be ignored. Water testing ensures that your water is safe for use, prevents the spread of diseases, saves on medical costs, protects your appliances, and ensures compliance with regulations. The testing frequency depends on your location, water source, and use. However, testing your water quality at least once a year or whenever you suspect a problem is recommended. Contact a professional plumbing services company and start testing your water quality today for peace of mind and a healthy household.

We Are the Plumbing Services Company to Contact

Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence for professional water quality testing services. We are a reputable plumbing services company with certified and experienced experts who will test your water and give accurate results. We will also offer recommendations on fixing any water quality issues if found. Call us now to book an appointment.

See our most recent blog on this topic here.

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