Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric Blog: Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category

How Do I Flush My Water Heater’s Tank?

Monday, August 1st, 2022

Taking a long, hot shower after a hard day of work is one of life’s finest luxuries. However, have you ever stopped to consider where it’s coming from? The hot water tank is an essential piece of your home’s plumbing system, but it can fall into malfunction over time. Performing routine maintenance like flushing the water tank is important in order to get the most out of it. Fortunately, water heaters are relatively easy to care for as far as household appliances go. That means flushing the tank a task that many homeowners can comfortably do on their own. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step checklist for how to flush the water tank.

Why You Should Flush Your Water Tank

Flushing the water tank yields a variety of benefits for everything from the tank itself to your pocketbook. As minerals collect inside the tank, they gradually decrease the system’s performance and lifespan. Gas-powered units may experience uneven heating that can lead to cracks forming along the wall of the tank. For electric heaters, the lower heating element may burn out as sediment accumulates along the bottom of the tank. Both types of heaters may develop clogged drain valves as a direct result of mineralization.

Letting the sediment sit for a long period of time will allow it to calcify and harden, making it extremely difficult to remove. If the problem gets bad enough, you may have to have the entire unit replaced. Luckily, you can prevent these problems and more by periodically flushing the tank. If you notice your water heater making popping or rumbling sounds, then your tank is most likely suffering from some serious mineral build-up. This telltale sound is produced by gas bubbles struggling to rise through the layer of gunk. These bubbles can create something called “hot pockets” inside gas-powered units, which can eventually cause serious damage or even premature failure.

When Should My Water Tank Be Flushed?

Plumbers recommend flushing the water tank once per year. If you live in an area with hard water, you may need to do it more often. There are a few signs to look out for when your water heater is ready to be flushed. The one homeowners usually notice most often is that they’re getting less and less hot water from the tank before it runs out. If you’ve noticed a gradual drop in hot water quantity, there’s a good chance that mineral build-up is to blame. The second sign requires a bit of investigation work. You’ll need to take a closer look at the water coming out of the tank’s drain valve. If it’s cloudy or white, that means it contains a high level of sediment.

If you haven’t had your water heater flushed in years, it’s best to leave the job to a licensed plumber. This is because sediment can create small cracks along the bottom of the water tank. You won’t notice any water leaking out as long as the sediment remains in place, but once it’s removed via flushing, those cracks will open up and are free to leak water. A leaky water heater can be a crisis situation for a homeowner on their own, but a plumber can patch up the problem before serious damage occurs.

If you do decide to flush your water heater’s tank on your own, we recommend following these steps:

1. Turn Off the Water Supply

Before you start tinkering with the machine, you’ll want to make sure it’s not actively receiving water. You can do this by turning off the cold-water supply valve located on top of the heater. If you live in an older home, you may have to do this by turning off the water where the main supply line enters your house. Once this is done, you have one more step: powering down the unit. To turn off an electrically powered unit, you need to flip the switch on your home’s circuit breaker. For a gas-powered unit, you’ll have to locate the thermostat and switch it to “pilot” mode. Give the unit a while to cool down before you start handling it to minimize the chances of being burned.

2. Attach a Garden Hose to the Drain Valve

Now it’s time to grab a clean garden hose. A ton of water is going to flow out via the hose, so you’ll want to place one end in a floor drain or outdoors if it reaches. Once your hose is in position, attach the receiving end to the drain valve located at the bottom of the water heater.

3. Open the Drain Valve

This step has two parts. First, you’ll need to open a nearby hot water tap to help the tank drain faster. Next, you need to open the drain valve to allow the water to flow from the tank. Keep in mind that this step requires some patience since most hot water tanks hold between forty and sixty gallons. Sediment build-up can slow this process down even further, so be prepared to wait a bit.

4. Turn the Water Supply Back On

Once the tank is fully emptied, it’s time to flush it. You can accomplish this by keeping the drain valve open and turning the cold water back valve back on. As the cold water filters through the tank, it will remove any leftover sediment. Keep repeating this step until the water running out of the garden hose is clean and clear.

5. Close the Valve and Restore the Heat

After the tank has been fully flushed, you should close the drain valve, remove the garden hose and turn off the hot water tap. Next, power the unit back on. For gas heaters, you’ll have to turn the natural gas valve back on. Electrical units can be powered up by flipping the circuit breaker back into the “on” position. After everything is up and running again, be sure to check for leaks and tighten the valve if needed.

What About Tankless Water Heaters?

Despite not having water tanks, tankless water heaters can also suffer from mineral build-up and scaling. Due to their unique architecture, the process of flushing a tankless water heater is totally unlike flushing a traditional unit. Most hardware stores carry tankless water heater flush kits that are relatively easy to use.

Quality Water Heater Services

Although flushing a water heater is relatively simple, not all homeowners are comfortable doing it on their own, and that’s okay. Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric has a team of licensed plumbers who would be more than happy to provide expert maintenance. We’ve been in business since 2008 and are proud to have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. In addition to water heater service, we also provide a range of plumbing solutions like drain cleaning and plumbing repair as well as electrical services. Visit our website to learn more about financing and our partner plan!

Give Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric a call to schedule water heater maintenance in Worcester County or learn about our additional service offerings!

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Do Flushable Wipes Damage Plumbing Systems?

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022

Although flushable wipes are labeled and marketed as being safe for toilets, they easily rank among the worst things that you can send down your commodes. If you or anyone else in your Sutton, Massachusetts home has been using flushable wipes, now is the time to stop. Even if you haven’t had any problems with these products moving through your plumbing system before, you may be on track for major plumbing issues in the future.

Why Are Flushable Wipes Marketed as Being Flushable if They Really Aren’t?

Just as their manufacturers suggest, flushable wipes can indeed be flushed. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they should. Although these products will successfully go down your commodes more often than not, they aren’t guaranteed to pass through the entire length of your plumbing system without causing issues. Moreover, when flushable wipes do pass through residential plumbing systems unimpeded, they can still cause trouble once they enter the sewer. The cumulative effects of ongoing and widespread use of flushable wipes have been incredibly detrimental in this respect. Currently, they are the only flushable product on the market that doesn’t decompose. That’s because unlike toilet paper, these wipes aren’t actually made from just paper.

What Flushable Wipes Are Really Made Of

Like toilet paper, wood pulp serves as the basis of moist wipes. This, however, is where the similarity ends. To ensure that these products stand up to heavy use without breaking down, they’re reinforced with synthetic, petroleum-based products. Many flushable wipes are reinforced with polyethylene, polyester, and other like plastics. Moreover, they’re also coated in micro-plastics. These micro-plastics add additional reinforcement, and some even come in the form of cleaning agents.

When you flush toilet paper, moving water breaks it into small-sized pieces in virtually no time. When you send flushable wipes down the commode, these products maintain their integrity indefinitely. This means that they have a higher likelihood of getting caught up on snags on their way out of your plumbing system. Over time, these wipes and the solid wastes that adhere to them can create major blockages.

How Flushable Wipes Affect the Environment

If you’re thinking about using flushable wipes in your home or have been already, it’s also important to note how these products affect the environment. Not only are they marketed as being flushable when they really shouldn’t be sent down into plumbing systems, but they’re also labeled as “biodegradeable.” This places consumers under the mistaken assumption that flushable wipes really do break down over time. However, there’s a big difference between being biodegradeable and being able to decompose.

Natural products that aren’t reinforced with synthetic, petroleum-based materials break down completely. Flushable wipes simply shed small fibers over time. These polyethylene and polyester fibers remain intact for decades. More importantly, the micro-plastics that coat them continue to contaminate public water supplies long after they’ve been sent into plumbing systems. As such, not using flushable wipes as part of your personal care is better for both your plumbing and the environment.

What Plumbing Problems Can Flushable Wipes Cause?

There’s really no limit to the amount of problems that flushable wipes can cause. These products can cause issues even before they’ve successfully cleared the toilet. For instance, if you send them down with lots of human waste, toilet paper, or other flushable wipes, you could be dealing with a messy overflow in no time. Flushable wipes can also:

  • Create blockages in plumbing systems that lead to burst pipes
  • Cause whole-house back-ups that flood the home with black water
  • Create problems at residential plumbing-to-sewer connections

They’re also capable of creating something known as fatbergs. Once wipes are introduced into plumbing systems, any fats that are present in the surrounding waste will adhere to them. These fats attract more fat and more flushable wipes until a large, solid mass is formed. This process is expedited in the alkaline environment of sewer systems, but if you’ve got dirty, grease-covered drains, you run the likelihood of developing fatbergs directly inside of your plumbing system.

Are Flushable Wipes Safe for Septic Tanks?

Flushable wipes are just as bad for septic tanks as they are for residential plumbing systems that connect to municipal sewer systems. In fact, they may be even more so. Just as fatbergs are prone to forming in sewers, septic tanks offer the ideal environment for fatberg formation, too.

Are There Easy Alternatives to Flushable Wipes?

Flushable wipes are easy to use and they help people feel fresh. However, the drawbacks of using and flushing these products far outweigh their benefits. One easy way to get the same clean feeling that flushable wipes provide is by investing in low-cost toilet paper sprays. These are gentle cleansing products that turn standard toilet paper into a comfortable, cleansing cloth. They don’t contain any plastics or micro-plastics, and they don’t affect toilet paper’s ability to break down. You can find options that include soothing aloe and other non-irritating, skin-supporting ingredients. When you think about it, this is far preferable to cleaning up with solutions made from micro-plastics.

There are also low-cost bidets that can be installed directly in standard toilets. You don’t have to pay thousands of dollars for a luxury toilet in order to get the functionality of a bidet. These products are offered at home and hardware stores at a fairly nominal cost. Best of all, installing them is simple enough that many homeowners can do it themselves. If you want to install bidets in your home toilets, you can also outsource this job to a trusted plumber.

Finally, if you’re looking for a way to both treat yourself and enhance the value and marketability of your home, you can always opt for a toilet upgrade. A reputable plumber can help you learn more about the best options at your targeted price point. Many products offer bidet functionality, music, heated seats, and lights.

Why It’s Important to Get Everyone in the Home on Board

Flushable wipes may be lurking in more areas of your home than you think. Given that these products are handy, people tend to use them all the time. Moreover, nearly all of them are clearly labeled as being “flushable” and thus, people who aren’t in the know will continue sending them down your commodes. You may have people in your home who are using these or similar products as makeup removal cloths or household cleaning tools.

The best way to avoid backups is to let everyone in your home know the truth about flushable wipes. Sure, they can be flushed, but they probably shouldn’t be. Unless wet, flushable wipes are used to clean bottoms and human waste, it is both safe and sanitary to dispose of them in the trash. Rather than using flushable wipes for personal care after visiting the commode, purchase toilet paper spray or a bidet. You don’t have to subject your plumbing system to extra wear and tear just to feel good about yourself after leaving the bathroom.

At Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric, we’re committed to helping residents of Sutton, MA and the surrounding area keep their residential plumbing in top condition. We’ve been providing reliable HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services since 2008. If you’ve got plumbing problems, we’ve got solutions. Call us today to schedule an appointment for service.

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Understanding What Plumbing Backflow Is and Why It Happens

Friday, July 15th, 2022

Backflow is one of the most dangerous plumbing issues you can face. In addition to damaging your pipes, backflow can also contaminate drinking water and make you sick. To keep backflow from occurring, it is necessary to understand why it happens and how you can stop it.

What Is Backflow?

Backflow is a type of plumbing problem that occurs when your wastewater does not flow in the right direction. Instead of flowing down into your sewer system, the wastewater instead travels into your fresh water supply. There is a variety of different situations that can count as backflow. In some cases, backflow can cause dramatic gushes of discolored water from your faucets. In other situations, backflow can be so subtle that your water supply’s color, smell, or taste might not change noticeably.

There are several different ways that backflow can happen. It is usually divided into back-siphonage backflow and back-pressure backflow. Back siphonage occurs when a vacuum inside of your pipes physically sucks wastewater backward. Meanwhile, back pressure happens when excessive wastewater pressure causes wastewater to flow in the opposite direction.

Both types of backflow have the same basic result. You end up with wastewater from your toilets and drains coming out of your faucets. The contaminated water supply can cause a huge, disgusting mess throughout your home. Even smaller levels of backflow are still problematic. You might not notice a difference, but you can still get sick from the toxic chemicals and dangerous microbes in wastewater. Backflow is also dangerous for your pipes. When your plumbing system has backflow, your pipes are more likely to corrode, warp, or develop leaks.

How to Tell if You Have Backflow

Since backflow can happen so gradually, you might not realize you’re dealing with this plumbing issue. Backflow can usually only be confirmed by testing your water quality.

Here are a few signs that it might be time to test your home for backflow.

  • Strange odors around your faucet
  • Slow moving drains
  • Water that is brown, yellow, pink, or otherwise discolored
  • Strong sulfur smells from your water
  • Odd tastes in your water
  • Small particles floating around in your water

Causes of Back-Pressure Backflow

The water pipes throughout your home are all part of a carefully balanced system. A combination of pipe size and pipe placement is supposed to ensure that upstream water supply pressure is always higher than downstream water removal pressure. Water flows in the direction of least resistance, so this allows the clean water to “push” wastewater away from any water supply pipes. However, some plumbing mixups can cause pressure in water removal pipes to become higher than the water supply pressure. When this happens, the wastewater flows back upstream, causing a back pressure backflow to develop.

Back-pressure backflow often happens when your plumbing system was installed incorrectly. There are a lot of little mistakes that can add up to cause water pressure differentials. This is especially true if your plumbing system includes pressure-producing fixtures like elevated water tanks, boilers, or water heating systems. These can dump a lot of water into your drains at once, resulting in backflow. Even small things like the heat expansion from a boiler can increase pressure in the wrong part of your pipes. These disruptions may change water pressure levels enough to cause back pressure backflow to happen.

Back pressure backflow is also sometimes caused by a plumbing problem. If you have a leaky pipe, water supply pressure can drop just enough to let other plumbing issues make your wastewater pressure higher than your water supply pressure. Problems with your wastewater removal lines may also increase downstream pressure. If you have a clog in a drain line, water can back up behind the clog, increasing pressure enough to result in backflow.

Causes of Back-Siphonage Backflow

Back-siphonage backflow is also linked to uneven water pressure levels, but it’s more drastic. Instead of water just accidentally flowing in the wrong direction, back-siphonage happens when a vacuum occurs. The negative pressure can pull wastewater up into your supply lines very suddenly and sharply. Back siphonage is less common than back pressure, but it can result in more clearly contaminated water.

Back siphonage tends to happen when a lot of water is suddenly removed from your water supply system. It is most commonly associated with firefighting efforts. When firefighters are using a hydrant, the extreme drop in water pressure can end up forcing wastewater up into your water supply. Back siphonage can also occur when a water main break lets all your potable water spray out of your system. This tends to create a vacuum in water supply pipes that lets back-siphonage develop.

How to Prevent Backflow From Affecting Your Home

As you can see, there are multiple ways for backflow to occur inside your home. Some of these causes are preventable. Keeping your plumbing system up to code is one of the best things you can do. Local building laws regulate pipe sizes, placements, and angles to help minimize the risk of backflow.

You also need to remember that your entire plumbing system is designed to work together. Doing something like adding a new boiler can disrupt water pressure levels everywhere. To prevent these sorts of plumbing mistakes, you should consult with professionals any time you want to change part of your plumbing system or install a new fixture. They can help you figure out if your wastewater and water supply lines are up to the task.

Even if your plumbing system was perfectly designed, outside forces can still cause backflow to happen. To protect your home, it is a good idea to try some backflow prevention measures. There are a variety of plumbing add-ons that force water to flow in a single direction. These are very useful for halting backflow in case of a water line break or another issue. To protect a single faucet, you can install a hose bib backflow preventer. This compact, affordable device uses a spring-controlled seal to keep water from flowing backward. Another similar option is a pressure-type vacuum breaker. This device continuously monitors water pressure for a specific part of your system and closes a valve if it detects an imminent backflow.

Other backflow prevention measures can be installed within your plumbing system to provide more widespread protection. Barometric loops and air gaps are two styles of pipe placement that help regulate water flow and prevent siphoning. You can also use options like a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer. These more complex systems use multiple valves to control water pressure, and they can protect your whole home from any backflows.

If you are concerned about backflow, it is essential to get professional input. At Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric, our highly trained technicians can help you get your plumbing up to code and stop backflow in its tracks. We serve the central Massachusetts area around Brookfield and Grafton, and we provide a wide variety of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical installs and repairs. To learn more about the services we offer, give us a call today.

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22 Reasons Why Copper Is Used in Plumbing

Friday, June 3rd, 2022

Whether it’s replacing old pipes or building new ones, copper is often the material of choice for plumbing in Sutton. Copper is non-magnetic and doesn’t rust like other metals. Copper also offers a warmer water temperature, and its excellent conductivity means that hot water can reach all areas of your home faster. Copper pipes are so good at conducting heat that they are used to heat public swimming pools!

Finally, because copper is a soft metal, it can be bent easily, making installation quicker and cheaper than most other piping materials. Here are 22 reasons why copper is used in plumbing:

1. Easy Installation

The fact that copper tubes do not need soldering or brazing during installation simplifies the job further, making it a great choice for plumbers on a budget or beginners who want an easy-to-install fixture without too many complications.

2. Easy to Insulate

The resistance of copper makes it easy to seal and insulate without additional materials. Copper is an excellent choice for tankless water heaters and other heating systems where gas may be used as a backup during extreme temperatures.

3. Easy to Work With

Because of its unique malleability, copper piping is easy to handle and can be manipulated easily, even around corners or other complicated routes. Therefore, copper piping is not just a great choice for plumbing but also electrical work, air conditioning, and more.

4. Great Heat Conductor

Because copper is so malleable, it can be used to direct warm water to the furthest reaches of your home with ease. Furthermore, copper’s superior conductivity means that a hot water tank will heat up very quickly compared to tanks containing other metals. In return, this will reduce energy costs, lower your water bill and reduce strain on the water heating system.

5. Great for Gas Lines

Because copper is a great conductor of heat and non-magnetic, it is also used to connect natural gas lines. Copper tubing is often used in the majority of new construction to ensure reliable performance from water heaters, natural gas stoves, industrial furnaces, and other cooking appliances.

6. Longer Lasting

While it’s important to take proper care of all your plumbing components, copper pipes are highly durable. That’s why they’re commonly found in showers, sinks, water heaters, and other fixtures exposed to a lot of water.

7. Easier to Reuse

Because copper is such a soft metal, it can be easily recycled after it’s been used. Copper can be melted down and reformed into new products without losing quality. Many water heaters and other plumbing fixtures are made from recycled copper.

8. Resistant to Corrosion

Copper does not rust because it oxidizes quickly and forms a protective layer. This makes copper a great choice for outdoor plumbing, including outdoor fixtures, water fountains, and more. Copper is also found in many indoor plumbing products where it is used to prevent rusting down the line.

9. Aesthetically Pleasing

Copper is one of the most beautiful metals available. Its warm color makes it a popular choice for interior design, from kitchens and bathrooms to living rooms.

10. Non-magnetic

You won’t have to worry about powerful magnets affecting your pipes, which can cause irreparable damage to some other metal piping.

11. Durable

It is a durable material that will last for years if properly cared for. Many fixtures are 100 years or older, still working as well as the day it was installed.

12. Lightweight

As with most metals, copper weighs much less than water, so fittings are lighter, making them easier to install and reducing the amount of strain to components it may be connected to.

13. Low Maintenance Cost

Compared to other materials, copper is one of the easiest to maintain. This includes regular cleaning, which can prevent a build-up of mineral deposits and corrosion in your plumbing system.

14. Affordable

Copper is an affordable material that will make it cheaper for you to work on plumbing, especially if you are on a low budget for your bathroom renovation or remodeling.

15. Versatile

Whether it is for a small bathroom or a huge house, copper can be used for all installations. It is also perfect outdoors for preventing algae growth or other sediment build-ups. There are many ways to be used in a bathroom, including shower heads and wall panels. Together with their amazing aesthetics, they give a distinctive look to any bathroom.

16. Easy to Clean

Copper does not have hazardous chemicals or toxins in its design, making it safe for the environment and your plumbing lines. Cleaning all copper fittings is easy as well. You can wipe them down or use a soft cloth to prevent build up.

17. It Is Eco-Friendly

Although it is a metal, copper is free from toxic properties, which makes it safe for the environment while also allowing you to save money. Hence, copper is a wonderful choice for offering a variety of benefits to any plumbing project.

18. It Adds Value to Your Home

Copper adds value to your home because it increases the resale value. Home buyers often want copper plumbing in their new homes, so you can expect a higher return if you plan on selling in the future.

19. It Is Flexible

This explains why copper pipes and tubing are used in many commercial and residential cooling systems. The ability to bend easily helps make copper piping ideal for cooling systems, especially those with tight spaces. Copper is also desirable because it can be shaped when cold and holds its shape when it heats up.

20. It Is Non-Permeable

Copper is so great for plumbing because it does not affect the way water filters through. Because copper is a natural poison-resistant metal that won’t leach into the water. This feature makes copper an excellent choice for plumbing, especially in areas where water may be hard to treat, such as the home’s water supply.

21. Superior Strength

It has high tensile strength and through coiling, it can also be used to create strong and durable supports for furniture and other structures.

22. It Is Easy to Repair

Compare this with other types of tubing, which may become damaged or even break down over time due to their poor construction. With copper, though, you will have no trouble fixing any leaks or other damage that might occur.

Bottom-Line

If you are planning a significant project, it is highly recommended to hire a professional plumber to do all of the installation work. This will prevent mistakes that amateurs make, leading to costly repairs or further damage. Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric has been serving Central and Metro West Massachusetts since 2008, boasting a full staffed office, warehouse and 15 highly trained technicians.

For plumbing, we provide services like repair, drain cleaning, frozen pipes, water filtration, and oil-to-gas conversions. We also install, repair, and replace water heaters, even tankless! For heating and cooling, we can install, repair, and maintain just about any unit or system. If you’re in need of electrical work, we also have you covered. We can perform rewiring, emergency repairs, panel upgrades, and service generators.

Visit our website to learn more about our specials, financing, and partner plan. You can also request service online, or view our FAQ and reviews. Contact us today for plumbing, heating, and AC needs!

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A Guide to Low Water Pressure

Thursday, February 17th, 2022

Call your local utility company immediately if you notice low water pressure or no water at all in your home. Low water pressure can be caused by several things, such as a broken pipe, a leaky faucet, or even a clogged drain. Check your house for leaks before contacting a plumber.

If you find a leak, turn off the main valve on the outside of your house, then go inside to shut off any leaking valves. This will help reduce the flow through the system. Checking the water pressure could save your family from using scarce resources like bottled water.

What Can I Do If I Have Low Water Pressure?

Contact your local plumbing service provider right away if you suspect a problem with your pipes. A quick visit from a professional may solve the problem without causing more damage. For a toilet, fixing a low-water pressure problem can be relatively simple. Here are some tips:

  • Turn off the water supply to the affected area.
  • Remove the toilet handle cover to ensure that there is not anything blocking the flapper.
  • Run cold water into the tank until you hear running water.
  • Wait for the flush valve to release as much water as possible.
  • Flush the toilet again to see if the issue has been resolved.
  • Turn the water back on.
  • Repeat steps 1-5 as necessary until the water pressure returns to normal.

Common Causes in the Plumbing System That Affect Water Pressure

The most common cause of low water pressure is a blocked mainline. If this happens, you might not get water at all or only receive very little water. A blocked mainline can happen when something gets stuck in one of the pipes. It can also happen due to corrosion, which is a chemical reaction that occurs over time.

Your mainline keeps everything flowing smoothly. However, if it is damaged, it will not move the same amount of water as usual. As a result, you will not have enough water pressure to run your appliances properly. You should always keep an eye out for the following signs to ensure that your home stays safe.

Corroded Pipes

When your pipes are corroded, the inside of the pipes narrows, leading to low water pressure. This issue usually happens with older pipes. If your pipes are corroded, you will probably need to replace them.

Leaks in Pipes

A leak somewhere in your pipe is another reason why your water pressure drops. The solution is to call a plumber to repair the leak, as the leak is directing your water elsewhere. Call our plumbers to identify where the leak is. We can use a camera to pinpoint the exact location. Once the leak has been repaired, you’ll see increased water pressure.

It helps to know where the leak is coming from when it comes to leaks. Check under sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, and tubs. Also, look around the kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms. If you notice dripping, you might want to seal around pipes or fixtures. This reduces the amount of water escaping into the floor.

Another good idea is to put down towels over any cracks and crevices. This will catch any extra drips and stop them from getting onto the floor. These steps will not fix the leak but temporarily protect your property while you wait for our plumbers to arrive.

Water Heater Valve Not Fully Open

If your water heater valve is not fully open, you will have low water pressure every time you take a shower or bath. Make sure the valve is fully open. Doing so should return your water pressure to normal.

Mineral Buildup in Your Water Heater

Another reason for low water pressure is mineral buildup in your water heater. The more buildup that exists in your water heater, the less room there is for water. Also, buildup affects water going in and out, creating a low water pressure problem.

Broken Pipes

A broken pipe is a major problem that not only leads to low water pressure but can also cause flooding. If you notice that you have a broken pipe, contact us immediately.

How Do You Fix Low Pressure?

Dealing with low water pressure can get frustrating. But you do not have to live with it for long. Below are three simple tips to solve the problem.

Replace Your Washers

Washers are usually made of rubber or plastic. They are designed to hold water inside the fixture. When there is not enough water flowing through the sink, the washer may wear away. So, make sure to replace the washers every few months. That way, you will prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.

Adjust Your Faucets

Faucets play a significant role when it comes to maintaining water pressure. Make sure that you adjust the flow whenever you need more water. For instance, if you wash dishes by hand, you might need to reduce the amount of water to avoid flooding the sink.

Seal Your Pipes

Leaks can occur anywhere, so make sure to be on the lookout for them. Then, take steps to fix the problem right away. If you see a leak, call us. We can place caulking around pipes, install new lines, and fix existing ones. Fixing low water pressure takes some work, but it is worth it. It will help save you money on repairs and maintenance costs.

If you suspect that your water heater is leaking, turn off the power supply first. Then, open up the valves and check whether they’re appropriately closed. Once you have checked everything out, contact an expert at Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric. We will be able to tell you exactly how to fix the issue.

What Damage Can Low Water Pressure Cause in My Home?

Although low water pressure is not life-threatening, it can cause all sorts of damage. It can affect your home’s plumbing system and make it work less efficiently. A flawed plumbing system means you may have to pay more in energy bills, too. This is because water is being lost elsewhere, and you’re not getting all of it.

The most dangerous thing that low water pressure can do is create a flood inside of your home. When this happens, it can be very costly to fix.

Professional Services

Even though preventive maintenance checks are essential, things still sometimes break down. In such cases, it is best to call a plumber immediately. Plumbers can fix minor issues like leaks, clogged drains, and similar problems. They can also replace old parts with new ones. At Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric, you can trust us to do our job right the first time around.

If you want your plumbing work done professionally, contact Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric in Sutton, MA today. We offer 24/7 emergency services and provide affordable service rates. Our team offers heating, cooling, and electrical services in the Sutton area. We are looking forward to working with you.

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Top Heating New Year’s Resolutions to Make

Tuesday, January 4th, 2022

At the end of the year, it’s time to set some resolutions for the coming year. If you’re like most people, your resolutions have to do with financial and health goals. However, don’t be afraid to throw in some household goals like optimizing your home’s heating system.

Learn More About Your Heating System

It can be a little bit frustrating when you must look up information regarding your heating system to understand what’s wrong with it. Why not make it a resolution this coming new year to gain more knowledge about your heating system? You can learn how to fix small issues, perform necessary maintenance tasks, and understand the best ways to make your system as energy-efficient as possible. Additionally, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision regarding the purchase of future heating systems for your home.

Sign Up for Annual Maintenance Appointments

The end of summer can be extremely busy for most people. It’s not uncommon to forget to schedule your annual heating system maintenance appointment. Do yourself a favor and simply sign up for annual service with your heating professional. This will take the guesswork out of having to remember as your service provider will call you when it’s time for your heating system to be professionally serviced.

More Consistent Household Cleaning

It’s not uncommon to fall in and out of consistent household cleaning schedules. As life gets busier, it’s easy to put off cleaning your home. However, it’s time to make cleaning a consistent priority for the new year. Realize that the more you clean your home, the cleaner your ducting, heating system, and indoor air are going to be. When you leave airborne particles, such as pollen and dust mites, in your home, your return vents will circulate that dirty air right into your heating system.

Unblock Your Vents

Speaking of return vents, it’s time to commit to being more mindful of both your supply and return vents. These vents need to have open space around them so that air can flow freely. Unfortunately, it can be very easy to unintentionally set down objects or rearrange furniture to be right in front of them. Take a few minutes each month to make sure that all your vents have adequate space around them. When air can flow freely in and out of your vents, your fan blower motor doesn’t have to overwork.

Beef Up Your Insulation

You’ve likely thought about it before. If you’re like most homeowners, every time you end up paying that high power bill, you think about upgrading your insulation. However, you never do it. Now is the time to plan.

Start by looking up the recommended R-value for homes in your area. Then, assess what the R-value is on your existing insulation. If it doesn’t meet or exceed the recommended value, it’s time to beef up your insulation. Just adding more insulation batts to your attic can drastically help to keep the cold air out and your warm air in during the winter months.

Weatherize to Keep Drafts Out

Air drafts can send a chill up your spine and cause your heating system to overwork. Fortunately, there is something that you can do about it. Get yourself some weatherstripping and door sweeps. If you feel any cold air coming in around your doors or windows, get that draft covered. You’ll likely be blown away at how much lower your energy bills will be when you have your home completely free of drafts.

Upgrade to a New Thermostat

Homes that are still running on the old dial thermostat model are spending more money than is necessary on their heating bill. Do yourself a favor and upgrade your existing thermostat for a more technologically advanced one. Ideally, you’ll want to invest in a smart thermostat as these come with many energy-saving benefits.

Smart thermostats are programmable, meaning that you can set a lower temperature for times when you’re going to be away from your home. They can be controlled via your smartphone no matter where you’re located at. Smart thermostats also track your usage history so you can review it, and they make suggestions for more energy-efficient settings.

Replace Your Air Filters More Often

It’s easy to forget to replace your air filter on a consistent basis. In fact, most homeowners find that they only need to replace their air filter every two to three months. Unfortunately, when your air filter reaches the end of its lifespan, it becomes clogged, and your heating system must work harder to move air through it.

Instead of falling into the usual trap of spending money on higher than necessary power and fuel bills, it’s time to make it a resolution to pay close attention to your air filter. Decide to check it at the start or end of every month. Make sure that you have a replacement filter ready so that you can swap it out when your existing filter is clogged.

Clean Your Air Vents More Often

Because your air vents are usually hidden in your home, it can be hard to remember to clean them on a consistent basis. Just like making checking your filter a monthly priority, you should include cleaning your vents on the same list. Since air is being pulled in and out of those vents, it’s easy for airborne particles and debris to end up on the vent’s grates. Use your vacuum to sweep up the debris, and don’t be afraid to pop your vents out and give them a thorough washing every couple of months.

Find a Comfortable, Energy-Optimizing Temperature

It can be easy to simply turn your heating system back on and use the same settings as last year. However, that likely won’t lead you to optimal energy savings. Rather, it’s time to make it a resolution to test out various temperatures to find one that is both comfortable and energy-optimizing.

Start with a temperature setting of 68 degrees for times when you’re going to be at home. See if you and your family remain comfortable inside of your home at this temperature. If not, increase it by one degree each day until you find the lowest temperature setting that you’re comfortable with. It’s amazing how much money you can save on your annual heating bill when you turn your temperature down a single degree.

Consider Investing in a Whole-Home Humidifier

During the winter months, the air is very cold and dry. Did you know that the lower the humidity is inside of your home, the colder it feels? Humidifiers not only help to remedy that dry, itchy skin, but they help you to feel more comfortable. Consider investing in a whole-home humidifier for the new year.

When you can increase the relative humidity level inside of your home to around 30 percent, you can start to turn down your thermostat. It’s highly likely that you’ll be more comfortable with a lower temperature setting when the humidity levels are ideal instead of low.

Trusted Heating Services

Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric offers trusted heating services for the Central & Metro West Massachusetts area. We’re also here for all your plumbing, cooling, and electrical service needs. Call our helpful staff today to schedule a service appointment.

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