Tag: Myersville

Hagerstown Plumber’s Guide: Problems with Older Water Heaters

Posted on by Larry & Sons

A water heater is an important appliance in any Hagerstown home. It makes it possible for you to take a hot shower or bath and use your washing machine or dishwasher. However, like any other home appliance, a water heater also starts to develop problems over time.

Problems with Older Water Heaters

  • Reduced Performance due to Hard Water Contaminants Build Up

Contaminants from hard water accumulate over time on the bottom of your water heater tank. This affects the performance of the heater and reduces its lifespan. You can avoid this problem by having a professional remove these deposits periodically.

  • Not Sufficient Water

This is one of the common problems in older water heater. If your water heater does not heat enough water, you can contact a professional to check the thermostat and heating element. If they are not working properly, they should be replaced with new ones.

  • Not Sufficiently Hot Water

If your older water heater does not heat the water sufficiently, the problem may be in the thermostats or heating elements. Adjusting the thermostat settings or replacing the thermostat can help you solve this problem.

  • Dirty or Discolored Water

Over time, the tank in the water heater becomes rusty. Dirt accumulates on the tank, causing problems. Draining and flushing the tank on a regular basis can help increase the lifespan of the heater. If the tank is rusty, you need to replace the water heater.

  • Strange Noises

If you hear a strange noise whenever you turn on the water heater, it could mean that the tank has lots of buildup in the bottom. The buildup reduces the ability of the tank to keep the water hot for a long period, and so the burner turns on often to keep the water hot. In such cases, you need to hire an experienced professional to fix the problem.

  • Pilot Light Problem

If the pilot light on the heater does not remain lit, the problem may be in the thermocouple. Replacing it can help you get rid of this problem.

If your Hagerstown water heater is nearing the end of its life expectancy period, you can consider replacing it with a new one, so that you can stop wasting money on your energy bill every month. Call Larry & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn about our Hagerstown water heater replacement services!

Myersville Plumber’s Tip: What You Need to Know About Point of Use Water Heaters

Posted on by Larry & Sons

For years, most people in Myersville have used the same system to heat their water. A single tank that heats and stores water at a set temperature for whenever it is needed. That system, as well as it works, is not very efficient, and with costs for gas and oil rising so much in recent years, many people are looking for better ways to heat their water.

That’s where point of use water heating comes in. These tankless water heaters are designed to heat your water when you need it heated instead of filling a tank of 50 or 60 gallons and heating it continuously even when you don’t.

How Point of Use Water Heaters Work

A point of use water heater works by directly heating the water supply to a single fixture. So, you would install a point of use water heater on your kitchen sink and only one water supply pipe would go to that heater. When you turn on the hot water faucet, the point of use heater would turn on (using electricity) and heat your water to 170 degrees F.

These devices only work on a single fixture at a time but they are much less expensive to purchase than a whole house tankless hot water system. Additionally, you can control where hot water is available.

The Advantages of Point of Use Hot Water

A tank hot water system can cost hundreds of dollars of year extra to run, especially if your family doesn’t use much hot water. Imagine what happens if you have four children that go off to college. Your “just big enough” tank suddenly becomes way too big and your bill stays unnecessarily high.

Point of use heaters allow you to decide where hot water is available and have instantly available hot water as you need it. The cost of the units and installation is affordable for most Myersville homeowners and you don’t have to commit to a whole house system if you are not ready.

Thurmont Plumber’s Tip: Benefits of Trenchless Water Line Replacement

Posted on by Larry & Sons

If you have a leaking water line or sewer line near your Thurmont home, time is of the essence. You can’t let it continue to leak for long because at some point you may lose the pipe entirely. But, it’s good that you’re reading this because you may be able to save your property from the destructive digging that most people associate with pipe replacement and/or repair.

The trenchless technology that has been around for about 20 years allows your plumber to access your pipeline for inspection, repairs or replacement without actually digging up your yard. Yes, there are a couple of small pits dug in the yard, but these can be filled with minimal impact on your property while a trench might involve ripping up trees, shrubs, concrete or fences.

Why Trenchless is the Way to Go

Consider the benefits offered by trenchless technology for pipe repair and replacement. First, there’s the obvious benefit in that you don’t have a big ditch in your yard. This means many things. It’s less disruptive to your life and to the lives of your neighbors. It is also a relatively quick process and it rarely costs more and sometimes costs less than traditional pipe replacement methods.

Another thing to keep in mind is that your plumber can be much more accurate with trenchless technology. Instead of digging up the whole yard and replacing the pipe from street to house, they can access the pipe through a single entry point and use video inspection technology to check for the leak or clog.

In some cases, high speed jetting may be all that’s needed to clear out a clog and fix the problem. In other cases, a new liner for the pipe can stop a leak and save you a tremendous amount of money in the process.

Think of trenchless technology as a complete toolbox compared to the sledgehammer used in past instances of water and sewer line problems. Sure, you may need a sledgehammer for some repairs, but a subtler, more precise set of tools will get the job done better and with far less collateral damage. The same is true of trenchless technology – it is minimally invasive, highly effective and environmentally friendly.

5 Reasons to Replace the Furnace in Your Smithsburg Home

Posted on by Larry & Sons

Many Smithsburg homes are heated with furnaces, since they generally provide safe and efficient heat.  Furnaces have also improved dramatically over the years as manufacturers find ways to make them more efficient. Even if your furnace has been reliable for many years, it may be worth the money to replace your old furnace with a newer, more efficient model.

Here are five major benefits to upgrading your furnace.

1. Lowering Your Utility Bills

Whether you realize it or not, your current furnace could be costing you more than it should in heating bills. If your furnace is 15-20 years old, it’s probably not heating your home as efficiently as the newer models with higher AFUE ratings. Even if your heating system has been replaced within the last ten years, the technology has advanced enough to consider an upgrade.

2. Fewer Repairs

Repair costs can add up if you are constantly repairing your furnace. Routine maintenance for your furnace can help reduce the need for repairs, but as furnaces age, they tend to need more repairs and replacement parts. If you need frequent repairs for your furnace, it may be time to replace it with a newer one.

3. More Consistent Heat

While maintaining consistent temperatures throughout your home involves several factors, such as insulation and thermostat control, your furnace could also be the reason you aren’t getting enough heat to all parts of the house. If some rooms are colder than others, or if your heating bills have recently gone up, it may be time for a furnace replacement.

4. Reduce the Chances of a Breakdown

When a furnace breaks down, it not only leaves you without heat, but it is also a major expense. Budgeting for a new furnace before it breaks down will put less financial burden on you than needing an emergency furnace replacement. Newer model furnaces are also more reliable and less likely to give you problems if maintained properly.

5. Safety

There’s higher potential for safety concerns with older or poorly maintained furnaces. In addition to fire hazards, carbon monoxide poisoning is another serious threat. When the heat exchanger stops working because it’s corroded or faulty, carbon monoxide can leak into the home. If you’ve had your furnace for more than 20 years, it could create safety hazards that you may be unaware of.

No matter how long you’ve had the furnace in your Smithsburg home, it’s always wise to speak with a qualified HVAC technician about furnace upgrades, particularly if you have expensive heating costs. Call today to talk with one of our heating experts about furnace upgrades.