General |

Let the Sun Shine In!

You may think you’ll keep heat in by covering your windows with thick drapes that act as an extra insulator against the cold outside. This is true — at night. But on a sunny afternoon, you can raise the temperature indoors naturally if you let UV rays inside. Open those drapes and absorb free heat from the sun.

2. Close Your Fireplace Damper

It’s a common issue — homeowners build fires, but then they forget to close the damper after the logs have turned to ash. Remember to perform this simple task when your fireplace cools, or else the heat from your furnace will escape out your chimney.

3. Turn Down the Temperature on Your Water Heater

Your water heater can account for up to 18 percent of your heating bill. That’s a lot. But you can save by turning down the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You won’t pay more than you have to for hot water and you won’t scald your hands: win-win!

4. Check Weatherstripping

If the weatherstripping around your front door is torn, you’re letting out heat and allowing an unwelcome draft in your entryway. It’s easy and cheap to replace worn-out weatherstripping around your doors, so add it to your weekend to-do list.

5. Don’t Overwork Your Heating System

You might love walking into a home that’s a toasty 74 degrees, but expect to pay significantly for this comfort. If you’re serious about using energy-saving tips to line your pocket, then don a sweatshirt and turn the thermostat down to 68.

Not only will you pay less to the gas or oil company, you’ll preserve the life span of your furnace, ensuring it doesn’t have to work overtime on colder days.

6. Use a Humidifier to Moisten the Air

If you live in a dry climate, a humidifier can help you feel warmer without turning up the thermostat. Moist air feels warmer than dry air, so put a humidifier in your bedroom at night to increase comfort.

7. Schedule a Furnace Tuneup

Most importantly, make sure your furnace is operating at maximum efficiency. That’s one of the most effective energy saving tips, because it means you’re going right to the source of the heat in your home, ensuring small problems are identified and repaired before they contribute to whole-system inefficiencies or breakdowns.

Trust Connectionz Plumbing, Heating & Air to replace furnace filters, assess your unit’s function and make necessary repairs before the cold weather sets in. You can also trust our team for additional energy-saving tips to keep your home warm and your heating bill down this winter.

Why schedule a furnace tuneup in advance, before problems pop up?

Keep Your Family Safe and Warm

Having a furnace fail in the middle of the coldest night of the year is miserable to think about, but it can happen. When your furnace is taxed to the limit and it’s not prepared to work overtime, it can fail. Keep your family safe and warm by having licensed experts double-check that everything is running smoothly, reducing the chance of being left with no heat.

Achieve Optimum Energy Efficiency

A furnace tuneup can help ensure your HVAC system is operating at maximum energy efficiency. This will save you money, especially if you’re the type who likes to keep your home warmer than most.

Repair Minor Issues Before They Escalate

If the blower isn’t clean, it can affect the fan motor. If the system is overheating, it could crack the heat exchanger. There are so many small problems that contribute to huge issues. These small problems are inexpensive to repair, and if they’re caught in time, can help you avoid higher costs later.

Maintain Warranty Coverage

When you replaced your furnace last, you probably received a manufacturer’s warranty valid for a set number of years, with exceptions. Most manufacturers require homeowners to schedule a regular furnace tuneup at least once a year to keep the warranty valid.

Abiding by these requirements can save you money if the system fails early and must be replaced. You will be able to prove you did all you could to keep your furnace in good working order. And what better time of year to plan for a furnace tuneup than right before your system is about to be put to use daily?

Call Connectionz

Connectionz Plumbing, Heating & Air is a local Utah furnace service team you can trust. The top three characteristics that set us apart from the competition is our wide breadth of experience, our dependability and our budget-friendly prices. When you want an affordable, comprehensive furnace tuneup, you know who to call.

Some of the signs that you need new plumbing fixtures are minor and some are more serious. What should you watch out for?

You Can’t Stay on Top of the Leaks

How many times have you fixed a plumbing leak recently? If the faucet keeps breaking, maybe it’s trying to tell you something. Multiple leaks on one fixture is a sign it’s better to replace the entire item. Save time and frustration and put repair costs toward the price of a new faucet — that’s your best bet.

Minor Cracks Can Lead to Major Problems

Check your toilets. Do you see cracks in the porcelain? Even minor cracks are cause for concern. Many parts of a toilet can be fixed, from the stopper inside the tank to the wax ring seal at the bottom. One part that can’t be repaired is the bowl. You must install a new one before those minor cracks lead to major water damage.

You Spend Too Much on Your Water Bill

If your plumbing fixtures are older, consider how much your water bill is. What if you could instantly lower how much you spend on water every quarter? You can. All it takes is a fixture upgrade.

Modern low-flow faucets, shower heads and toilets help you save water right away. You don’t have to sacrifice performance either — you still get the high-pressure flow, but you use less water. The savings add up quickly.

You Have Lower Water Pressure

Low water pressure is less than desirable. No one wants to shower in a trickle of water! Low water pressure could be a sign sediment is building up in your pipes and fixtures, especially if you have hard water.

Changing out your plumbing fixtures could rectify this issue and restore the blast you’re looking for when you need a hot shower.

You’re Ready for a Style Upgrade

Decades-old plumbing fixtures don’t function well, but they also probably look their age! Modern fixtures fit with modern style, and that’s what you’re going for: an enhanced, updated look.

You need new plumbing fixtures if you’re renovating your bathroom or kitchen, but also if you spot any problematic signs. And when you do, Connectionz Plumbing, Heating & Air can help. Give us a call for fast, affordable fixture installation when you don’t have time to handle it yourself!

Unclogging a drain can be a challenge. It’s not as easy as pouring a jug of Liquid Plumr into the pipes and waiting for the magic to happen.

Know the do’s and don’ts of unclogging a drain before you take on the challenge. You may be able to fix the problem on your own, without professional help, but you don’t want to do any damage in the process.

DO Follow These Guidelines

You can use boiling water to dislodge grease and hair, but not if your pipes are made of PVC; boiling water could weaken pipe joints and lead to leaks. If your pipes are made of PVC, just use hot water from the tap.

You can also try vinegar and baking soda to clear out blockages. This can help with bad odors as well.

Another way to dislodge a clog is with a drain snake. Thread it into the pipe to get it to catch on the debris and then pull it out or push it through. They’re designed to twist and bend with your pipes, so they can get out some stubborn clogs.

Sometimes unclogging a drain is as easy as pulling out the stopper. It’s common for hair and debris to get wrapped around this component and quickly lead to a backup. Thoroughly clean it off before putting it back in place.

Also, check the grease trap — sometimes clearing it out can remedy the problem.

DON’T Make These Mistakes

Some homeowners opt to use plungers when unclogging a drain, and that’s OK, but not if you’re plunging too hard. Excessive force can destroy the trap and damage the drain line.

Never pour a strong, hazardous chemical cleaning solution into your drains, no matter what the product’s marketing message is. Chemical drain cleaners aren’t usually biodegradable, and they can cause burns if they get on your skin.

You may rarely or never have to worry about unclogging a drain if you regulate what goes down it! Save your coffee grinds or eggshells for the compost. Keep fats, oils, and grease away. Put paper towels and feminine hygiene products in the garbage; don’t flush them.

When Should You Call a Professional?

Unclogging a drain isn’t always easy, but calling Connectionz is! Connectionz Plumbing, Heating & Air is available 24/7 to help clear the worst blockages and get water flowing smoothly and quickly through your drains again. Call for emergency service whenever you have a clogged or overflowing drain — we’re here to help.

Should you be trying harder to save water? Even though Salt Lake City residents have one of the lowest average water bills when compared to urban areas across the U.S., Utah is still the second-driest state and has the second-highest per capita water usage.

A large portion of the cost of water is related to the cost of maintenance on the public water system. So if Utah decides to update its infrastructure, you can expect your water bill to jump.

In the meantime, your water costs are rising because it’s summer in the desert: You’re using more water for landscaping, for fun and for drinking. It’s normal, but it’s not necessarily good for your budget.

Over the course of the next year, you can learn to save water and lower costs, so when the next dry season comes around, you’re prepared to keep bills lower and avoid breaking the bank.

Here are the top six ways to save water at home:

1. Add Insulation to Your Pipes

When you add insulation to your pipes, it takes less time for your water to heat up. This means you’re running your shower or tap less, since you don’t have to wait for it to get warm. Try to focus on pipes that are installed adjacent to an exterior wall — these are the pipes that need insulation the most.

2. Only Run Appliances When They’re Full

Don’t run your washing machine or dishwasher when it’s only half full; it wastes water and energy. Unless your appliance specifically has a setting for half-full loads, wait until the dishes and laundry pile up to run a cycle.

3. Adjust Your Sprinkler System

Are your sprinkler heads watering your lawn or the driveway? Adjust the heads so most of the water lands on the grass. Also, make sure you’re only using your system as much as is needed to keep grass alive, not wasting resources over-soaking the ground.

4. Install Low-Flow Shower Heads and Faucet Aerators

You’ll be surprised what a change you’ll see when you switch out your aging shower head for a low-flow version! You’ll see a faster stream of water that cleans more effectively, but you won’t use as much water. The same goes for your faucets when you install faucet aerators.

5. Transition to Energy-Efficient Appliances

If your appliances are over 10 years old, it might be time to upgrade. Newer appliances are more energy-efficient, and they save you thousands of gallons of water over the course of a year. Make sure your new appliances are Energy Star-approved.

6. Hire a Plumber to Check for Silent Leaks

Silent toilet leaks can waste gallons every day. It’s not easy to detect the source of water leaks in your home, but a plumber can help assess your entire system to make sure it’s functioning at maximum efficiency, making the necessary repairs to any issues discovered along the way.

Connectionz Can Help

Connectionz Plumbing, Heating & Air specializes in affordable, effective plumbing solutions for Utah homeowners. When you need help locating leaks, replacing an outdated dishwasher or fixing any plumbing issue, we are here for you. Call today and get the fast, efficient plumbing assistance you need.

Drain cleaning rids your plumbing of all the built-up grease, minerals, food and any other substances inhibiting the flow of water out of your home.

You could try to clear clogs on your own, or you could trust a professional — someone who has the training and experience to address plumbing issues correctly and safely.

Signs of a Drain Clog

Do you hear gurgling in your pipes? Are your drains sluggish? Do your drains give off a bad odor?

These are all signs you could have a drain clog. They show your drains aren’t operating normally, and unless you do something to remedy the problem, it’s only going to get worse.

How Do You Normally Deal with Clogged Drains?

What is your usual approach to handling a clogged drain?

For many homeowners, the first step is to visit the hardware store. You may buy a drain cleaning product made of strong chemicals. Even though it’s marketed to make you think it’s a cure-all for clogged drains, beware: Many of these products do more harm than good.

Unexpected Consequences

The chemicals in the cleaning solution may generate heat as their main method of cleaning the pipe. This chemical reaction could help dislodge a clog, but it also can ruin a PVC pipe. It softens the inside of the pipe as well as the connecting seal, increasing the likelihood of a leak.

Instead of preventing a drain backup and overflow, chemical cleaners can drastically raise the risk of water damage!

In addition, chemical drain cleaners are toxic and can be dangerous to inhale. And they rarely work! Dumping chemicals down your drain isn’t the answer for a plumbing issue. In most cases, a plumber’s skill can easily dislodge clogs — with no damage to your pipes and no harmful fumes released into your home.

Professional Drain Cleaning Is Your Best Option

Do you want fast-moving, highly efficient drains? Do you want to eliminate foul odors from your drains? Do you want to increase your plumbing’s life span? Professional drain cleaning helps.

Water damage isn’t just unsanitary and inconvenient. It’s also expensive to fix. From flooring replacement to mold remediation, the cost of water damage rises quickly, just like the backup from your drain. Instead of putting your home at risk by ignoring these problems, why not invest in an effective repair?

Professional drain cleaning is affordable and one of the best preventive services you can schedule for your home’s plumbing — call Connectionz Plumbing, Heating & Air to make your appointment today.

Is sewer line damage one of your worst nightmares? Homeowners cringe at the thought of spending thousands to repair a sewer line that one of their beloved trees ruined, but it happens more often than you’d think.

The good news is you can stay proactive and prevent this problem. It may take the help of a professional plumber, but with the right team backing you up, you can keep your money in the bank and not worry about major sewer line damage.

Tree Roots Love Plumbing Lines

Tree roots are attracted to moisture, nutrients and oxygen, so naturally they’re drawn to your sewer pipes. They grow toward the sewer line and when they find a crack in the pipe, they slowly creep inside, blocking the flow of waste, causing expensive backups into your home and sometimes cracking the pipe. You will need cleanup and a pipe replacement — two extensive jobs with high bills.

Map Out Your Sewer System

To prevent this issue, you first must know where your sewer line is. If you can’t find the clean-out caps, call your local water and sewer department and ask them to point out the location for you.

Then, check to see if any trees are in close proximity. If not, you’re in luck. If any trees are within a 10-foot radius, it’s time to move on to the next step.

Schedule a Professional Inspection

Call your local plumber and schedule an inspection. This is the fastest and most effective way to tell if your tree roots are already causing damage. Using a camera, your plumber will check the sewer line from the inside, looking for blockages and ingrown roots.

Remove Roots and Repair the Pipe if Needed

Depending on their findings, your plumber may suggest cutting intruding roots using a hydro-cutting technique or a mechanical auger. You can also use chemical solutions to kill the root system and prevent regrowth.

Once roots are removed, repairing the pipe is easily handled by expert plumbers who can give you pricing estimates on your options.

Avoid Planting Fast-Growing Trees

Going forward, consult with a landscaper to determine the best trees to plant in your yard. Try to avoid planting trees with fast-growing roots anywhere near your sewer system. Some trees to avoid include the aspen, sycamore and cottonwood. Slow-growing trees that are safer include the paperbark maple, flowering dogwood and cypress.

Trust Our Team

Connectionz Plumbing, Heating & Air is here when you’re experiencing sewer line damage or you’d like to prevent it. We will assess the your sewer system and offer affordable, free quotes on all work — call today.

Are noisy pipes normal, or is something is wrong with your plumbing? What’s the cause of the rattling, banging and clanging, and what can you do to fix it?

Noisy pipes have three common causes.

The “Water Hammer” Effect

The “water hammer” noise is caused when water is rushing along at high speed, then all of a sudden, the valve closes and blocks the current. The hydraulic shock wave reverberates through the pipe, and causes a loud banging sound.

It’s not just a bother in terms of noise. The sudden pressure can damage the pipe’s joints and connections over time. It may loosen the hardware that holds the pipe in place, and this will only make the banging louder, since the pipe will slam against metal or wood.

Heat Causing Expansion and Contraction

Maybe the sound isn’t so much of a bang as it is a ticking. These noisy pipes are likely made of copper, and you probably hear the ticking when you start using your hot water.

As the hot water hits the cold metal, it starts to expand — that’s where the ticking sound comes from. Once the heat is gone, the pipes start contracting, which produces more of a creaking sound.

Mineral Buildup Could Be the Cause

If you have significant mineral buildup, you’re likely to have noisy pipes. The minerals create a coating on the inside of the pipes, allowing air pockets to form. Once the water gets hot, the air bubbles burst and produce the popping or rattling sounds you hear.

Possible Solutions

For noisy pipes that make a loud banging noise, plumbers can install air chambers that absorb the shock and eliminate the water hammer effect. It’s also possible to install water hammer arrestors — small, spring-loaded devices that absorb the water’s momentum and significantly reduce noise. Or you could try lowering your home’s water pressure.

For pipes that tick or creak, consider lowering the temperature of your water heater so that the hot water doesn’t prove as much of a shock to the cold metal. You can also wrap insulation around the pipes to muffle the sound.

Sounds from mineral buildup can be cured by flushing your water heater on a regular basis or installing a water softener to decrease the hardness of the water supply.

Talk to Your Plumber

Connectionz Plumbing, Heating & Air is here for you — call us today. We have fast, affordable solutions for homeowners with noisy pipes.

Knowing whether to repair or replace your broken water heater can be difficult. You want to get the most out of your appliance, but you don’t want to spend money to fix it if it’s not going to last much longer anyway.

Water heater issues almost always pop up for homeowners at some point, and once the problems start, it’s usually best to think about scheduling a replacement.

Here are seven signs it might be time to replace your water heater:

1. It’s Old

Water heaters only last 10 to 15 years. If you don’t even remember when you got yours, it’s probably time to have it replaced. Don’t wait until it gives out and leaves you cold and shivering in the shower.

2. The Bathtub Fills with Yellow, Rusty Water

You’re finally ready to draw your bath for your Friday night relaxation ritual, but rusty, yellow water comes out of the tap. When the tank is rusting on the inside, you can tell from the color of the water. It’s a sign the tank will leak soon or is already leaking, since the inner seal is rusting away.

3. Your “Hot” Shower Lasts 20 Seconds

When you get a full 20 seconds of hot water before it turns frigid, the tank’s heating element is starting to fade. This is bad news, because that means your dishwasher and washing machine can’t clean effectively either. Plus, you’re tired of cold showers!

4. Your Water Is Warm, Not Hot

Your “hot” water never seems to get really hot. If you crank up the temperature on the tank and still only have lukewarm water, it’s a heating element issue.

5. You Jump When You Hear it Crackle or Pop

You venture down into the basement or garage (or wherever your water heater is located) and you hear a sudden loud pop. Excessive crackling or rumbling can be scary, and it’s a sign of too much built-up sediment at the bottom of the tank.

6. You’ve Paid for Too Many Repairs

Your water heater isn’t getting any younger! It might not sprout gray hair, but when it’s forced you to pay for too many minor repairs, it’s probably better to just invest in a new one.

7. You Step in a Puddle

When you try to adjust the heat settings on the tank, you notice water on the floor. Quick! Call a plumber right away. This is a tank leak, and it’s time to get a replacement.

At Connectionz Plumbing Heating & Air, we replace your water heater before it’s too late, ensuring uninterrupted hot water flow for all your future morning showers. Don’t wait until it fails — call us today so we can diagnose, repair or replace this appliance as needed.

When you purchase a home, the sewer line that leads from the street to your residence becomes your responsibility. But that’s just part of the cost of homeownership — you can handle it, right?

It may come as a surprise when you find out the cost of replacing an entire sewer line. While price can vary widely depending on the location, the length of the pipe and any added charges involved with connecting it to the main line can cost $50 to $100 per foot. A burst 50-foot pipe can quickly turn into a $5,000 bill.

If you’re like many homeowners, you don’t have thousands available for a sewer line problem. This is where a warranty may begin to make sense. Is it worth the annual premium?

Your Homeowners Insurance Won’t Help

Sadly, your standard homeowners insurance policy won’t help with the costs when it comes to sewer line issues, not even if the sewer backs up into your home. Even flood insurance doesn’t cover sewer backups or the damage they cause to floors, walls and belongings.

With most homeowners insurance policies, it’s possible to purchase an add-on that covers sewer backups, but still, if you’re looking for specific coverage on the sewer line itself, homeowners insurance won’t provide the answer.

Considering a Warranty? Read the Fine Print

Should you pay an annual premium for a sewer line warranty? This seems like the right solution for many homeowners. With America’s aging infrastructure, sewer lines are reaching the end of their life spans. It often makes sense to pay for coverage now, before you have a problem.

A warranty can provide you with peace of mind. You know that whether it leaks, clogs or breaks, you’re off the hook for most of the costs associated with repair or replacement. Many programs take care of the repairs so you don’t even have to research a reputable contractor.

Still, it pays to dig a little deeper and look at the warranty’s fine print. Many exclusions can void your coverage claim and leave you confused and frustrated in the midst of a sewer line break.

For example, Service Line Warranties of America doesn’t cover damage to sewer lines caused by the homeowner, a third party, an act of God, a natural disaster or other “insurable causes.” That leaves a limited span of scenarios in which you can successfully claim coverage.

Also, the warranty won’t cover the septic system, and it won’t cover the inside of the home. Any other damages you’ll have to pay for on your own, or with the help of additional insurance.

Call a Pro

Want to find out more about sewer line warranties and the condition of your plumbing? Call Connectionz Plumbing, Heating and Air to schedule a sewer inspection. We will help you decide if a warranty is worth it.