Keeping Your Plumbing Flowing Smoothly

If you deal with plumbing clogs on a regular basis, you might find yourself struggling with bent wire hangers, chemical drain cleaner, and unfamiliar pipes. Unfortunately, unless you are a trained professional, all of your efforts might be in vain. Most people don't realize it, but it is possible to damage your plumbing by making a few missteps. If you use the wrong chemicals or you push a little too hard, you might end up dealing with damaged pipes or your clogging problem could get worse. Fortunately, you might be able to use this blog to help you to keep your plumbing flowing smoothly.

Preparing For Your Water Heater Installation Appointment

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Installing a water heater is not easy if you don't know what you're doing. This is certainly a job best left to a plumber, and since most plumbers will quote you a price that includes installation for a new water heater, it just makes sense to have them install it. They'll handle the hard part. But there are some things you can and should do in preparation for your water heater installation.

Turn off the gas or electrical supply

If you don't do this, your plumber will, but they will certainly appreciate showing up to find that the gas or electric supply has already been turned off to your old hot water heater. It will take you less time to do this since you are more familiar with the location of your breaker box or gas valves. For an electric water heater, just turn off the breaker it is connected to. (Water heaters are almost always on their own breaker, enabling you to do this.) For a gas water heater, just locate the gas valve, which is usually right above the gas line that leads into the water heater, and turn it so that it is perpendicular to the gas line.

Clear the way

The plumber will have to carry the old hot water heater out and the new hot water heater in. Even though they are used to doing this, the appliances are still heavy. Make sure the path is clear so they don't have to step over things or struggle any more than necessary. Pick up rugs in the way, too. They're too easy to catch a foot under when carrying a hot water heater!

Make sure a drain is accessible

If you're feeling really generous, you can turn off the water to the old water heater and drain it. But your plumber will do this if you do not; it's technically part of the job. If you do not drain the water heater yourself, make sure the path to the nearest drain is clear. If you have a basement drain, for instance, make sure it is uncovered. The plumber could drain the tank into the sump pump pit, too, so clear the way to the sump pump if that's the closest option.

It should not take you long to prepare for your water heater installation, but your plumber will really appreciate that you did take this time.

For more tips about water heater installation, reach out to a local plumber.

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15 September 2020