FAQ

If you’re experiencing issues with your electric water heater, there are several things you can do to troubleshoot it before you call a professional plumber. Before you begin any troubleshooting or work, turn off the power to the electrical parts of the heater, and double check that the power is off by using a non-contact voltage tester before doing any work. If you have no hot water, make sure the water heater hasn’t tripped a circuit breaker. If the breaker hasn’t tripped, try to reset the high-temperature limit on the unit. For users that aren’t getting adequate hot water, make sure you have the right sized unit for your home. Maybe the water heater was right when you moved in, but has become underpowered as the family grew. If the unit is the right size and you’re not getting the hot water you’re used to, it could be that the heating element is failing. If you get a constant stream of lukewarm water, it’s likely the heating element. If the water temperature is too hot, check the thermostat settings. The heat setting on the thermostat should be between 115 and 125 F. For rusty water or foul smelling water, it may be that there’s corrosion inside your water tank or a buildup of bacteria. If you can perform these basic troubleshooting tips, your plumber will know how to best deal with it when they arrive.

Clogged drains are one of the most common household annoyances, but most are easily preventable by following a few basic tips.

• Be Mindful About What Goes Down – If you’re used to pouring cooking grease or coffee grounds down the drain, then you’re asking for a clog. Put these items into the trash or onto a compost heap in the yard.
• Use Screens – Use wire mesh drain screens and covers to trap debris before it enters the drains. You can find these items at your local hardware store.
• Run Hot Water – To keep drains free-flowing, get into the habit of running hot water down the drain after use, especially in the kitchen.
• Use Baking Soda – Another easy tip for keeping drains clean is to toss in a handful of baking soda followed by hot water into the drains. Not only does this keep the drains clear, it helps reduce foul odors too.
• Call a Pro – One of the best ways to keep your drains free and clear is to have them professionally cleaned at least once a year.

Nobody likes to deal with burst pipes; they make a mess and can cause hundreds of dollars in property damage. Burst pipes are common in the winter when pipes freeze and the water inside expands. However, sometimes pipes burst due to age. Here are a few ways you can prevent your pipes from blowing out and flooding your home.

 

• Keep Faucets Running – When the temperature outside drops below freezing, it’s good to keep one or two faucets slowly running to keep water moving through the system so it doesn’t freeze.
• Channel Warm Air Through the House – Pipes located near walls or windows are more prone to freezing than others, so try to direct warm air to those areas of your home that are colder.
• Leave Cabinet Doors Open – Most kitchen sink plumbing sits along an outside wall, which increases the chances of freezing. By keeping the cabinet doors open, you allow warm air in to keep pipes safe.
• Disconnect Outside Hoses – Before winter sets in, disconnect the hose from the outside faucet to prevent the hose bib from freezing.
• Use Heat Tape – Most hardware or plumbing stores have heat tape, which can be applied to pies to keep them warm during freezing temperatures.
• Beef Up Insulation – Most homes have portions where cold air leaks in, so by sealing these areas up, and adding more insulation, you can keep the interior warmer and reduce the chance of pipes freezing.
• Call an Expert – Before winter arrives, you can best guard against pipe freezing by calling a professional plumber to ‘winterize’ your home’s plumbing.

Whether you take on the role of culinary expert or use the kitchen to make sandwiches and frozen dinners, you rely on your kitchen’s plumbing to give you plenty of clean water to drink and use for washing. However, kitchen plumbing often takes more of a beating than other pipes in the house, so here are the most common problems you may have.

• Grease Clogs – Many clogs occur in the kitchen because people aren’t careful about what goes down the drain. People routinely pour cooking grease down the drain, which thickens and over time forms a clog.
• Dripping Faucet – Everyone has experienced a dripping faucet and knows how annoying it can be. While it may only drip once every few seconds, those several drops can add up to multiple gallons lost per day — and that’s water you’re paying for.
• Dishwasher Drain Problems – Sometimes, problems with the dishwasher drain are the result of poor installation. If the plumber installed the drain without a high loop, the system might not drain properly.
• Under Sink Leaks – Besides a dripping faucet, leaks under the sink are another common kitchen annoyance. Pinning down the cause of under sink leaks can be tricky, which is why it’s best to enlist the help of a professional plumber.

Many homes rely on natural gas as their primary fuel source. And while most people go their entire lifetimes without incident, the fact is that gas has dangers and must be respected. The last thing you want to do if you smell gas in your house is the wrong thing, because it can turn deadly in an instant. Here are the things you should not do if you think you have a gas leak.

• Don’t go inside if there’s a strong odor of gas or you see evidence of a gas leak.
• Don’t smoke, light a match, or a lighter.
• Don’t turn on any electrical switches or appliances because it could create a spark.
• Don’t use your cellphone inside.

Here are the proper things to do if you suspect that you have a gas leak.

• Leave the home or building as quickly as possible and get to a safe place.
• Once at a safe location, call the gas company to report the leak and call a plumber for repairs.
• Warn neighbors or others in the area of the potential leak.
  Schrader Plumbing has over two decades detecting and repairing gas leaks so you can depend on us when there’s a problem.

Water heaters are a costly necessity for homeowners and it’s a decision you’ll have to live with for a decade or more. So, whether you’re building a new home or it’s time to replace your water heater, you may be wondering if you should get a convention tank-style water heater or opt for a tankless model. Tankless water heaters are becoming more popular because they provide instant, unlimited hot water. Because these heaters don’t have to store water in a tank and heat it for use, they’re more efficient and can save money on your energy bills. So, which is right for you? Well, it depends. Tankless water heaters — while more expensive to purchase and install — save money over time. The website energy.gov states, “For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, (tankless) water heaters can be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.” Another advantage tankless water heaters have is longevity. The average lifespan for a conventional water heater is 10 to 12 years, while a tankless model can last nearly twice as long. Perhaps the biggest advantage of tankless water heaters is that they provide instant hot water for as long as you need it, while conventional water heaters can run out through heavy demand. The biggest advantage of tank water heaters is the price – they’re less expensive to purchase and install than tankless systems. Also, tank water heaters are ubiquitous, which means they’re easier to repair and cost less to maintain. The best way to decide which system is best for you is to call an expert who can assess your family’s needs and recommend a system best suited for your home.