Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Casselberry’

Hidden Problems that Could Affect Your Water Heater

Wednesday, March 4th, 2015

The way your water heater operates is actually rather simplistic. Hot water naturally rises over cold water, which has a higher density, and the design of a storage tank water heater takes advantage of this. Water heats up at the bottom of the tank as it enters and then rises to the top where it returns to your pipes after it exits through a small tube located at the top. Despite the relatively simple operation of this unit, it can still run into some common problems without the proper maintenance.

A tankless water is a little bit more complex, as a computer alerts the unit when to turn on and off. But tankless units can run into some of the same issues that storage tanks do. When you notice any of the following problems with your system, call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) for water heater repair. And be sure to call regularly for maintenance to prevent such trouble from occurring.

  • Rust – Unfortunately, rust often means that you need to replace your water heater. Rust leads to corrosion, and a leak in your water heater would be disastrous. However, sometimes, only one or two parts need replacement. Rust can afflict both a tankless or storage tank water heater, but yearly maintenance can help to prevent it.
  • Mineral Buildup – A large percentage of homes have a problem with “hard water.” Hard water means that there is an excess of minerals in the water, which can affect your plumbing system and your water heater. When too many minerals are in the tank, they can block the pipes and increase the pressure, leading to dangerous conditions in the tank. Technicians will flush the tank and may recommend a water softener for your water supply.
  • Improper Sizing – Another problem common to water heaters that sometimes leads to an early demise is improper sizing. Do you assume that running out of hot water quickly is a normal part of owning a water heater? It shouldn’t be. This often means that your water heater is too small. You may need a larger tank to get the heating you need, or you may need an additional tankless unit.

Call on the friendly folks at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) for water heater repair in Casselberry or for an annual maintenance visit.

Continue Reading

Warning Signs That It’s Time for Drain Cleaning

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Drains are the unsung heroes of your water system. They provide a clear route of egress for sink, shower, and dishwasher water, allowing the appliances that you use every day to keep running smoothly. Like all things, however, your drainage system needs regular care to stave off eventual decline and breakdown. How can you tell that it’s time to have your drainage system cleaned? Read on to find out.

Slow Drainage

Because of the nature of drain blockages, chances are there will be a slow buildup before the drain is completely plugged. If you notice that one of your drains is draining more and more slowly, it is a good sign that the drain is becoming clogged. If this happens, don’t wait for it to become completely clogged! Call a plumber before the problem gets worse.

Bad Smells

One of the most common signs of drainage problems is the presence of horrible smells coming from your drain. In some cases, like the garbage disposal, this may be a temporary result of food or other waste being flushed down. If the smell is persistent, however, you likely have a part of your drainage system backing up. This will need to be addressed by a professional.

Backflow

One of the worst results of a clogged drain system is backflow of dirty water. This most commonly happens when you do something like turn on the dishwasher, causing water from the sewage line to bubble up in your sink. This kind of backflow is an indication of a serious clog in your drainage system, and should be addressed as soon as possible. If you see this happening, call a plumber immediately. If left unchecked, this issue can cause serious damage not only to your drainage system, but to other areas of your house as well.

A lot of drain issues start small and get progressively worse. Even if it seems trivial, don’t take a chance by ignoring your drain when it is acting strange. If you are experiencing any sort of problem with the drains in your house, call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) to schedule an appointment. We provide quality drain cleaning services throughout Casselberry, FL.

Continue Reading

Reasons That You May Need Pipe Replacement

Wednesday, September 10th, 2014

Your plumbing system is made up of fixtures, faucets, and drains that all rely on a complex network of pressurized pipes. Unfortunately, even the smallest change in pressure can affect your plumbing to the point that pipe replacement may be necessary. When leaks threaten your home, you want to fix the problem as soon as possible, which is why it’s imperative that you call a plumbing professional, like the technicians at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) in Casselberry. So why might your pipes need replacement? Is pipe replacement preventable?

If the water pressure changes even slightly inside of your plumbing system, you may need repairs or replacement. One example is the effects of hard water. If you have an excess of minerals in your water supply, deposits may build up along the inside of pipes, changing the water pressure to the point that a pipe may spring a leak. This issue is preventable if you install a water softener at the first sign of hard water.

Another reason pipes may need replacement is if tree roots infiltrate your water or sewer line. Roots naturally grow towards a source of water, so if there is a weak point in your pipes, a root may take hold and work its way inside. If water or sewage leaks into your yard, you may need to schedule pipe replacement services, but your new pipes may offer better protection against tree roots.

Finally, you may need pipe replacement if there are signs that your pipes are older and may soon corrode from rust. While modern plumbing systems are made up of copper or plastic pipes, some older homes may still have pipes made from galvanized steel that can rust through, causing major leaks. If your water is discolored or you notice reddish-brown flakes, pipe replacement may be urgent. If corrosion affects one part of your plumbing system, you’ll probably need to replace all of the older pipes with new copper or plastic piping.

One of the ways to prevent pipe replacement is with regular plumbing repair or maintenance. When you schedule maintenance, a plumber will clean and inspect your entire system to reduce the need for repairs or replacement later on. Whether you need maintenance, repairs, or pipe replacement in Casselberry, call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) today!

Continue Reading

3 Common Water Heater Repairs

Thursday, July 10th, 2014

A well-installed and maintained water heater can sometimes last up to 20 years, which is a great bargain on an initial investment. But to reach a grand old age like this, a water heater also needs to have repairs done as soon as problems start to emerge. With fast action and a trained technician who knows how to handle any water heater problem, you can stop a malfunction from growing and threatening your entire hot water supply.

At Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI), we have almost four decades of experience with water heater repair in Casselberry, FL and all of Central Florida. When you call us for repairs (and we have staff ready 24/7 for emergencies), you will get top-of-the-line work from technicians who keep on the edge of plumbing technology.

These are 3 of the more common repairs that we do to help water heaters reach their full lifespan:

1. Flushing the tank

This is a standard step that is done as part of annual maintenance. However, it is often a necessary repair. Sediment build-up in the water tank can lead to problems with blocked valves, and will also encourage the development of scale along the inside of the tank and lead to overheating. If you notice discoloration in your water, or you hear rumbling from the tank, call for repair professionals; they will see if flushing the tank will fix the problem.

2. Replacing broken dip tube

The dip tube carries fresh, cold water from the municipal system down into the tank of a water heater and deposits it at the bottom, near the heating elements/heat exchanger, where it receives energy to heat it and then rise to the top of the tank. If the dip tube breaks, cold water will start to gather at the top of the tank and mix with the heated water, resulting in a drop in the water temperature from your faucets and showerheads and causing you to run out of hot water earlier than usual. To fix this, technicians will open up the tank and replace the broken tube.

3. Replacing burnt-out heating elements

In an electric-powered water heater, two heating elements inside the tank directly transfer heat to the water. Like any electrical device, these elements can fail. If the temperature of your hot water turns lukewarm, it may be the fault of a broken heating element in the tank. Repair technicians can replace the burnt-out element with a new one.

Do not try to perform repairs on your own without proper training and tools—especially for gas-powered water heaters. Instead, call on the people who can perform the job fast and accurately: Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI). We are ready to help you with your water heater in Casselberry, FL when you need it. Give us a call today to set up an appointment.

Continue Reading