Why is a leaning water heater a safety problem? Think about it for a second: you have a large standing tank with water heating up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Imagine that your leaning water heater becomes tilted, slowly moving toward the floor, so most of the water is at the bottom. Would your heating system still function as intended? Let’s find out more!

Why Is A Leaning Water Heater A Safety Problem?

Lately, there have been a lot of reports of leaning water heaters being a safety hazard. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “Leaning water heaters are the leading cause of residential fires and injuries in the United States.” In fact, NFPA estimates that these types of accidents cause over $100 million in property damage each year. 

When a water heater begins to lean out of the plumbing, it will tug on the pipes attached to it at the top, along with the flue connector for gas or electric water heaters. A whole 40-gallon water heater is 500 pounds at its heaviest, making any lateral pressure placed on those connections hazardous. The pipes will eventually fracture from the pressure and cause a flood. 

If you’re planning to buy or install a leaning water heater, take into account the risks involved and follow all the safety guidelines your manufacturer provides.

 

Causes of Tilted Tanks

If you’re noticing that your water heater is leaning, there are two leading causes. 

The first is that the platform had water damage and is no longer as strong as it was. This can happen if you have an older water heater that’s been through a lot of use or if you replaced your old water heater with a bigger one. 

The second cause is when a larger water heater is put on a platform built for a smaller one. This can cause the platform to become weak and unstable. If this happens, your water heater may start to lean.

Potential Dangers of LWH

Knowing the potential dangers of a leaning water heater is essential to avoiding accidents. A tilted tank can lead to a lot of dangerous consequences, including:

Flooding from burst pipes

Gas leaks, which can be deadly

Fire if leaking gas ignites

Slip and fall injuries if the tank leaks slowly

 

How to Avoid a Tilted Water Tank

  • Make sure your water heater is level before you install it

If it’s not level, the tank may tilt in the direction of the imbalance.

  • Don’t overload your water heater

Overloading can cause the tank to tilt in the opposite direction and increase the risk of pipe erosion and flooding.

  • Get a professional to install it

Professional plumbers are trained to follow safety guidelines that will keep you and your home safe.

Ready To Work With An Experienced Team? Call Custom Plumbing Of Arizona Today!

Why is a leaning water heater a safety problem? If you have a water heater with a tilted tank, it’s important to know that there is a potential danger. Contact Custom Plumbing of Arizona at  602-883-2761 if you need help installing your tilting water heater correctly.

Posted on Categories Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZ, Commercial Plumbing Service, Water Heater, Water TreatmentTags , Leave a comment on Leaning Water Heater: Is a Tilted Tank Dangerous?

Being a plumber is about more than fixing leaks. Why do they call me “The Drain WhispererTM?” It’s about both the services we offer and the results we get.

Our full-service, dependable sewer repair and drainage company can handle any plumbing or sewer issue, such as sewer replacement, sewage pipe repair, and drain cleaning. Our services offer you everything from structural fault repairs to root removal and all types of drain cleaning – because we know that sometimes you may need more than just one type of service for your particular home plumbing needs.

We thoroughly examine your sewage pipes using advanced techniques, sewer camera inspection methods, and powerful sewer line cleaning. Let us handle all of your sewage and plumbing cleaning requirements with expertise.

Our Drain Cleaning Plumber Services include:

DRAIN CLEANING SERVICES

Clogged toilets, showers, and sinks are a nightmare for any household. This is especially aggravating if you’ve tried plunging or a chemical cleaning solution, yet the clog persists. Hiring Custom Plumbing for the best home plumbing services is the answer. Our emergency plumber will come to your rescue and clean your drain so you no longer have to struggle with the discomfort and stench.

 

PLUMBING SNAKE DRAIN CLEANING

A plumbing snake is the best answer for a blockage too challenging for a plunger to handle but still easy enough to force through. The most frequently used cleaning equipment is the plumbing snake. The plumbing snake slides down the pipe and pushes through the blockage with a sharp tip on the end of a metal rod, allowing the water to flow again. 

The plumbing snake is an economical alternative to choose when deciding how to deal with the obstruction causing the drain to clog. Our plumbers will clear the block so that you may use your drain on the same day you contact us.

 

HYDRO JETTING DRAIN CLEANING

While drain snakes are quite helpful in most situations, their pointed tips aren’t powerful enough to remove every blockage from your drain. As a result, we also provide hydro jetting drain cleaning services. A hydro jet is a gadget with a powerful water jet that clears clogs in drains by spraying high-pressure water into them. This jet stream is powerful enough to remove any obstruction in the gutter, no matter how large.

Whether there are tree branches or boulders in the drain, the hydro-jet has the power to drive the objects down the drain, allowing water to flow again. Another advantage of the hydro jet is that it can clear the drain walls of any grease buildup that may have caused or is causing the clog. 

The hydro jetting drain cleaning procedure is more expensive than using a plumbing snake because of the effectiveness of high-pressure water, but the extra money our plumbers charge will assure that you will completely clean the drain of anything causing the clog now and in the future.

One thing to consider before having your pipes cleaned with hydro jetting is the type of pipes you have. Due to its force, hydro jetting drain cleaning may be too much for old, rusted pipes that are starting to break down and pipes composed of fragile materials like PEX or PVC plumbing.

Need help with a problematic drain? Get in touch with a plumber from Custom Plumbing of Arizona today.

Posted on Categories Residential Plumbing Services, Commercial Plumbing ServiceTags , Leave a comment on More Than a Plumber: Why Do They Call Me “The Drain WhispererTM”?

An emergency water heater leak can cause massive headaches if not repaired quickly and completely. Take these steps immediately if you notice your hot water heater is leaking.

On average, traditional water heaters last about 10 years. Tankless water heaters typically work for 18 years without major problems. While those time frames might sound reassuring, even the most reliable water heater will leak now and then, and that can mean serious damage to your home and your personal property if the leak goes unchecked for too long.

Imagine what dozens of gallons could do to your home. The destroyed flooring and the increased chance of mold infestation—nothing good comes from a leaking water heater.

Here are the steps you need to take if you discover leaking water coming from your water heater.

What To Do When You Have an Emergency Water Heater Leak

  1. Turn off the water supply.
  2. Turn off the power supply.
  3. Clean up the water.
  4. Locate the leak.
  5. Get professional help.

 

1. Turn off the water supply.

On your water heater, you should notice a valve that controls the cold water intake line. The first step you need to take when you have an emergency water heater leak is to cut off the water supply. If there’s no water going into your unit, no water will come out.

Be sure that the valve is completely closed before proceeding.

2. Turn off the power supply.

Next, turn off the power supply to your unit. For many gas models, turning off the power is as easy as flipping the on/off switch on the heater. In some cases, you may need to find the breaker switch that controls your water heater. If you have the manual to your unit handy, refer to it before trying to turn it off.

Once you have turned off the power supply, you will be able to clean up the water, find where the water is coming from, and assess any damage.

3. Clean up the water.

Standing water can increase your risk of slipping and injuring yourself as well as your risk of electric shock. It is always best to clean up the water that has leaked before trying to find and repair a leak. For this step, a wet/dry vacuum, towels, and a dehumidifier will be useful.

4. Locate the leak.

An emergency water heater leak usually occurs at one of a few common locations on your unit—the water lines leading in and out of the heater, the pressure relief valve, or the drain valve. If you can locate the leak, you will be able to determine your next steps, which may include calling a professional plumber.

5. Get professional help.

In some cases, you may be able to repair your water heater yourself. In others, you may need to reach out to a professional so they can make an assessment. If you can’t figure out what is causing your leak, your best course of action is to find a plumber you can trust.

Your emergency water heater leak can’t wait. We won’t make you.

Not sure how to fix your leaking water heater? Get in touch with the experts at Custom Plumbing of Arizona. Schedule your appointment today.

Posted on Categories Emergency Plumber, 24 Hour Plumbing, Residential Plumbing ServicesTags Leave a comment on Emergency Water Heater Leak? Take These 5 Steps

The knowledge that a commercial plumber must have to do quality work is different from the knowledge of a residential plumber. While both professions use the same principles to fix and maintain plumbing systems, a plumber whose experience is with residential plumbing may have trouble completing a commercial job to the high standards the customer needs.

If you operate a business or own commercial space, you should ask whether your plumber’s resume includes commercial work. Before hiring a plumber for your place of business, be sure to ask these four critical questions, as well.

Are You Licensed?

In the State of Arizona, you must be a licensed plumber before performing work in the profession. Of course, that does not stop everyone from doing work under the table. Your business space cannot afford to suffer the expensive consequences of poor workmanship, so be sure to ask to see proof that your commercial plumber is licensed before hiring them for a job.

Another thing to consider—in Arizona, there are two different licenses for commercial and residential plumbers. Does your plumber have the correct one?

Are You Insured?

Unfortunately, costly mistakes can still happen if your plumber is licensed, which is why asking about liability insurance is a must. Liability insurance protects you and the plumber in case damage occurs during repairs.

How Long Have You Been a Plumber?

In addition to being licensed, your commercial plumber should also have plenty of experience. If the job that you need help with is complicated, do not be afraid to ask if your plumber has experience working on similar jobs. Companies that have several plumbers on staff are more likely to have someone who has experience with the type of repair that you need.

What Are Your Rates?

As a business, you need to make sure that you are bringing in more money that you are spending, which means you need to watch your costs on things like plumbing repairs. When you hire a commercial plumber to make repairs so you can run your business without interruption, don’t hesitate to ask up front what their rates are. Also, don’t forget to ask whether their rates are a flat fee or hourly. As the customer, you are entitled to know approximately how much you might have to pay when the job is done.

Even before you decide to hire a plumber, make sure you know whether they charge for an inspection.

Talk to a Commercial Plumber at Custom Plumbing Today

When you run a business, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your plumbing is going to cause problems for your bottom line. If you are looking for a commercial plumber you can trust to do the job right the first time, get in touch with us today. The plumbers at Custom Plumbing of Arizona are happy to help.

Posted on Categories Commercial PlumbingTags