10 Useful Guides to Your Home’s Water

With the average American home using 100 gallons of water per day, it’s no surprise that the importance of water is on everyone’s minds. From conservation to water heating or tap water taste, it’s good to know as much as possible when it comes to your home’s water. Here are 10 guides full of tips, tricks, information and expert advice on all things water from the master plumbers at Chas Roberts.

Water Taste and Treatment

The water that comes out of your tap might not always have the best taste, smell, or color. Fortunately, you don’t need to resort to buying bottled water. Water softening and water treatments can take transform the water in your home to what you want it to be.

Hard Water 101

The frustrating cloudy spots on your dishes and soap scum in your shower have a common culprit: Hard water. 85% of homes in the United States have some degree of hard water, and Arizona is no exception. Despite the challenges hard water can create, including mineral build-up and water heater failure, with the right knowledge it’s easy for anyone to tackle the problem head on. In Hard Water 101, we give homeowners a crash course on everything they need to know to address the challenges of hard water.

Which Water Treatment System is Right for Your Home?

From particle filtration to distillation, there are a variety of options if you’re not satisfied with the taste, smell, or color of your tap water. You can narrow these options down by asking a few questions to establish exactly your goals for water treatment. Do you want to soften the water, or just improve the taste? Do you have well water, or are you on the municipal water supply? Our guide, Which Water Treatment System is Right for Your Home?, provides an overview of the most common water treatment systems and tips on how to choose the one that’s right for your home.

Water Heating how-tos

Hot water is no longer a luxury—it’s a modern necessity. Your hot water heater is an important appliance that’s often overlooked. With the guides below, you can choose the right heater for your home and understand the ins and outs of what makes it work.

Tankless vs Traditional Water Heaters: The Pros and Cons

Compact and efficient tankless water heaters are growing in popularity. But, is it worth upgrading from a tried-and-true traditional water heater? Both systems have their benefits and drawbacks, and it’s up to you to weigh the good and the not so good before deciding on one for your home. In Tankless vs Traditional Water Heaters: The Pros and Cons we break down everything from energy-efficiency and utility bill savings to costs and maintenance requirements. That way, you can make an informed decision before purchasing a new water heater.

Understanding How Your Hot Water Heater Works

Even though it only takes a second for hot water to flow after you turn on the tap, the process behind the scenes isn’t so simple. By understanding the main parts and mechanics that keep your hot water heater up and running, you’ll be better prepared to act when things go wrong. You’ll also have the upper hand when it comes to things like maintenance and fixing common problems without needing to call a plumber. Get to know your heater inside and out in Understanding How Your Hot Water Heater Works.

What is a “Hybrid” or Heat Pump Water Heater?

Just as hybrid cars combine features from gas and electric models, hybrid water heaters offer the best of traditional and tankless water heaters. They’re energy-efficient and perfect for warm climates like Arizona. But they have their fair share of drawbacks as well—including upfront costs. Learn all about this innovative water heating option in What is a “Hybrid” or Heat Pump Water Heater?.

How to Drain and Flush a Hot Water Heater

When water heater problems pop up and you find yourself searching for a solution, draining the heater is a good place to start. In How to Drain and Flush a Hot Water Heater, we break down the step-by-step process you’ll use to remove sediment buildup by flushing your water heater’s tank. If you flush the tank at least once a year, you can help make sure your heater doesn’t lose efficiency or water pressure.

Water pressure woes

When the water coming from your sinks, showers, and bathtubs slows to a low flow or frustrating drip, you’re dealing with low water pressure. It can be frustrating, but the good news is, most causes of low water pressure can easily be fixed without a plumber. All it takes is a little troubleshooting and quick thinking.

How to Troubleshoot and Fix Low Water Pressure

When troubleshooting low water pressure, you’ll need to ask a few key questions that we cover in our guide to How to Troubleshoot Low Water Pressure in Your House.  They include:

• Is the problem localized?
• Is there a leak?
• Is the problem occurring throughout the home?
• Do your neighbors have the same problem?

The answers to these questions will help you determine the best course of action. Whether the problem is limited to an upstairs sink or happening to every fixture in the home, our tips will help you get to the bottom of it.

4 Things to Do When You Suddenly Lose Water Pressure

A sudden loss of water pressure can indicate everything from a major leak or blockage to problems with your hot water heater. When your showers go from relaxing to frustrating with a dull trickle of water, check out our guide to 4 Things to Do When You Suddenly Lose Water Pressure

Saving water (and money)

According to the EPA, you can save up to $170 a year just by reducing the amount of water you use. That’s why Chas Roberts’ team of knowledgeable plumbers is here to give you the inside scoop on how you can save money and lower your water bill while saving energy and water in the process.

9 Ways to Conserve Water in the Summer (and all year long)

When the temperatures spike in the summer, home water usage does too. In 9 Ways to Conserve Water in the Summer, we cover tips and tricks you can use to reduce water usage and lower your water bill in the process. From fixing leaking faucets and shortening showers to skipping the extra rinse cycle when you do laundry, lowering water usage doesn’t have to be difficult. And, you can use our advice all year round, in the summer and beyond.

Quick Fixes for Minor Leaks

If your water bill went from manageable to out of control, a leak might be to blame. The constant drip, drip, drip of a faucet adds up in a major way. With Quick Fixes for Minor Leaks, you can stop the water waste with simple solutions until a plumber arrives to fix the problem. You’ll also learn how to stop leaks from happening in the first place with easy plumbing maintenance tips.

Plumbing advice and more: Chas Roberts

For all your water questions, trust the experts at Chas Roberts for the answer. Contact us for all your plumbing needs.