A leak is no laughing matter. That slow drip in your bathroom faucet or that wet spot you can’t identify under your washing machine may be hiding severe flooring damage or other types of water issues in your home. In fact, the damages that can be caused by leaking pipes is immeasurable and costly.

• Pipes can become eroded and rusted, which can lead to poor water quality or even burst pipes.
• Wood flooring can become rotted and warped, and can cause whole sections of flooring to bulge.
• Mold can grow in areas that are continually moist, which can cause detrimental health issues if gone untreated.

When it comes to leak detection, it’s wise to handle the issue as soon as it is noticed to best protect your home and family and in order to prevent costly emergency plumbing repair.

Whether you need emergency plumbing repair or just want to know who you can turn to in the event of a plumbing issue or leak, know that the San Antonio plumber you can rely on is Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio. Day and night, we are ready to assist you in all your plumbing needs. Give us a call at 210-549-9944.

• Reuse water from rinsing produce and recycle it for watering house plants or outdoor flowers.

• Keep a pitcher in the refrigerator for cold water instead of running the tap and waiting for it to get cold.

• Choose drought-resistant ground cover. If the homeowner’s association requires a traditional lawn, set the mower’s blade a little higher. A taller grass blade helps the roots grow deeper and become more resistant to drought.

• Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator instead of under running water.

• Check outdoor sprinklers and faucets as well as indoor fixtures for leaks.

• Replace old shower heads and faucets with water-conserving options.

• Soak pots and pans instead of letting water run over them. Fill the sink with hot soapy water instead of running it constantly while hand-washing dirty dishes.

• Avoid watering the lawn or garden on windy days. Before watering, check the moisture at two to three inches below the surface. Water less frequently but more deeply to help reduce evaporation, and set a timer to prevent water runoff.

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio, our San Antonio plumbers offer eco-friendly residential plumbing services that include leak detection, replacement of inefficient fixtures, and updates to home plumbing systems. Our team is available 24/7 to fix urgent plumbing problems and we offer convenient appointment times for all other services.

For more information about conserving water in your home, call us today at 210-549-9944.

Drain Strainers

Drain strainers fit into both sink and shower drains to catch the soap scum, hair and other debris that can contribute to drain clogs. Strainers are inexpensive and easy to find at hardware and similar stores. Outfit each drain with a strainer and clean them out on a daily basis to prevent many clogs.

Clean Drain Stoppers

Most bathroom and kitchen sinks are outfitted with a drain stopper or drain plug that can be used to keep water within the sink. Over time, debris can collect on the stopper and cause the drain to empty slowly.

Once each week, remove the stopper and clean it. Be sure to empty the dirt into the trash can rather than washing it down the sink while cleaning.

Drain Maintenance

Regular drain maintenance for the sink and shower drains is essential for preventing clogs.

1. At least once each month, pour half a cup of baking soda into each drain, followed by half a cup of lemon juice.
2. Plug the stopped-up drain and allow these two natural ingredients to bubble for 30 minutes.
3. Turn on the hot water and flush the drains out for three to five minutes.
4. Alternatively, boil a pot of water and pour the boiling water down the drain. The chemical reaction breaks through the clogs and the hot water flushes away debris.

As your San Antonio plumber, we offer drain cleaning services when clogs do occur. For the most stubborn of drain clogs, we perform plumbing camera inspections to identify the source of the problem.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with our professional plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio, call us at 210-549-9944.

Energy Efficiency

A hybrid unit uses a heat pump to heat water from the ground or air and will use electricity to circulate water. This means that this type of water heater will use up to 60% less energy than a conventional water heater.

Lower Utility Bills

A standard installation will cost a homeowner $2,000 or more based on the price of the water heater. However, the efficiency provided by a hybrid technology may save homeowners up to $700 per year because of decreased energy use. If you have a hybrid unit installed by a plumber in San Antonio, the cost of the installation is easily earned back in a few years.

Low Maintenance

Water heaters with hybrid technology will last up to 20 years or more, whereas a conventional water heater will only have a 10 to 15 year lifespan. Conventional water heaters also need to be flushed periodically because sediment buildup over time. The smaller tank on a hybrid unit means less sediment because there is much less water being stored in the tank.

If you want to reduce your overall energy use, replacing your old water heater is the best place to start. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio at 210-549-9944 to ask any questions about water heaters with hybrid technology.

1. Clogged sink

Sink drains handle a lot of waste, so clogs are inevitable. Try to work on drain cleaning as soon as you notice the problem to avoid more waste buildup. If the culprit is close enough to the opening of the drain, you can usually fix the problem with a simple sink plunger. If you don’t get results with a plunger, check the trap underneath your sink. Remember to use a bucket if you plan to disconnect any of your pipes to clean them.

2. Pipe leak

Leaky pipes are often the result of worn-out fittings. To stop water flow, you can close a minor leak off with plumber’s putty or wrap it with fiberglass repair tape. Keep in mind that these are temporary fixes for small leaks that are clearly visible to the naked eye. Pipes that are beginning to show signs of wear and tear will need to be replaced eventually and can sometimes be indicative of a bigger problem, so you should call a professional plumber in San Antonio as soon as possible for advice.

3. Low water pressure

Low water pressure is often caused by calcium deposits that build up slowly over time in the faucet aerator. You can remove the aerator and clean it to improve the water flow and pressure.

These common plumbing problems have easy fixes, but it’s important to remember that you should always call professional plumbing repair services for complex cases. Small plumbing issues can sometimes turn into big and expensive repairs if they aren’t addressed immediately.

Our knowledgeable professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio can diagnose your problem and help you find an affordable solution. To speak with one of our experts or to schedule a plumbing repair appointment, contact us at 210-549-9944.

The cost of utilities is steadily rising, and it’s wise to find ways to lower them in the state of the economy. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio brings you these useful tips to help you save money on your monthly water bill. Incorporate them into your home to reduce overall water usage and your monthly bill.

Invest in Low-Flow Fixtures

Water-saving toilets, showers, and sink faucets use less water. A San Antonio plumber can replace these fixtures for you to make water conservation easy. Best of all, you won’t have to remember to do anything special, like turning off fixtures, but you will watch your water bill drop.

Wait Until It’s Full

One of our best tips for homeowners is to not run your laundry or dishes until you have a full load. Running partial loads uses the same amount of water as a full load, plus the cost of the extra electricity every time you run the appliance.

Additionally, try not using water to pre-rinse your plates once food particles have been scraped off. Newer dishwashing systems are made to handle small amounts of food and leave the plates clean.

Invest in Timely Repair

Keep up with your routine plumbing maintenance to avoid wasting water. When fixtures start to break and fail, water leaks are not far behind. A leaking faucet wastes water and drives your bill higher—some estimates show that a single faucet leak can cost you over 3,000 extra gallons of water each year, which amounts to hundreds of dollars wasted each month.

We advise you to call for plumbing repair as soon as you notice a leaking faucet to avoid serious problems and high bills later.

Water Smart

We understand that you want to water your yard to keep the grass lush and green, but we also know you don’t want to waste water in the process. Lawns should only be watered once a week, but only to a depth of one inch. This encourages deep, strong grass roots and makes your grass resistant to drought and disease so you will not have to water it as frequently.

Use these water conservation tips from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio to save water around your house and lower your monthly water bill. They are easy to implement and can save you a substantial amount of money every month. Call our team at 210-5449-9944 if you want to invest in new low-flow fixtures or water-saving appliances, or if you simply want more tips you can use in your San Antonio home.

Avoid the Smell

Garbage disposals can start to smell, but they don’t have to. After you are finished with dishes and the scraps have been washed down the drain, run some cold water into the system while the disposal is on. Pour in some dish soap and let it run for another minute to clean the blades. You can also keep it smelling fresh by putting lemon or orange peels down the disposal.

Scour the Blades

Your San Antonio Plumber will tell you to be careful about what you put down the disposal. However, there are some foods that are good for the disposal and can help clean it. Small chicken and fish bones, egg shells, and bits of fruit pits or peels will clean the blades by creating a scouring action.

Avoid Repairs

Avoid costly garbage disposal repair by remembering that some items should never go down the disposal.

• These include man-made items like glass, plastic, metal, and paper, as well as combustible items and cigarette butts.
• Grease can clog the system, so avoid putting grease down the disposal for any reason.
• Very fibrous scraps like celery stalks, corn husks, and onion skins can also jam the machine and should be thrown away.
• Large animal bones like pork and beef can damage the blades.
• Coffee grounds are known for creating clogs.
• Expandable foods like pasta and rice also should be put in the trash rather than the disposal.

If you encounter a serious clog and the sink won’t drain, call on Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio for non-invasive camera inspections. However, you are less likely to encounter clogs and problems if you follow these tips. Call us today at 210-549-9944 to learn more about garbage disposal care and maintenance.

Conventional Water Heaters

In the conventional water heating system setup, cold water flows into a tank that may hold between 30 and 80 gallons of water. A heater, powered by gas or electricity, brings the water up to a predetermined temperature and holds it in the tank until you call for it at a faucet or appliance. The heating element must cycle on and off throughout the day and night to keep the water at the proper temperature.

Tankless Operation

Switching to a tankless system eliminates the need to spend money on keeping water hot when you are not using it. Tankless heaters work on demand. When you open a tap, cold water passes through the heater and delivers hot water to you. You heat only as much water as you will use.

Instant Hot Water

One of the features of a tankless water heater is that it delivers hot water noticeably faster than a conventional heater. You will save water because you will not have to run the water while waiting for the cold water in a conventional tank to heat up. Tankless units have infinite hot water ready whenever you need it.

Maximize Efficiency with Proper Installation

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing specializes in water heater installation, and we can help you select the best size and type for your home. Your water heater will only perform at peak efficiency if it receives enough water and gas pressure that only the right pipes and fittings can deliver. Relying on our experienced San Antonio plumbers means that you won’t have to worry about figuring out whether your gas and water lines are the proper sizes and dimensions for your heater—let us do the hard work for you!

Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio at 210-549-9944 to start saving money with a professionally installed tankless heating system.

Visa Home Projects Card

When a plumbing emergency happens, you should not wait until you have the cash on hand to pay for the repair. Waiting to perform a needed plumbing repair could result in more costly and extensive damage to your home or business.

For the convenience of our customers, we offer the Visa Home Projects Card through Wells Fargo National Retail Bank. The benefits of this financing system include:

• Easy online, at-home, or in-store application for credit
• Immediate access to your generous revolving credit line
• Convenient purchasing opportunities anywhere that Visa is accepted
• Ability to pay your bill online in an easy-to-use website
• Competitive interest rates and affordable monthly payments that fit into any budget
• No yearly card fees or penalties for pre-paying the entire balance
• Card and credit line backed by a trusted and reliable financial services corporation

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio, we are here for all of your plumbing needs. Whether you need a new tankless water heater or an emergency repair, we will help you finance your home projects so that you don’t have to wait for the plumbing services you need. Our dedicated team of plumbing professionals has built a solid reputation throughout the San Antonio community for assisting customers, offering excellent customer service, and making plumbing services affordable for all. Call us today at 210-549-9944 to schedule your plumbing service.

Signs of Hidden Leaks

Leaks have an array of causes, from intrusive tree roots and shifting soil to broken seals on joints and deteriorated pipes. Signs of a leak include:

• A persistent damp spot on a wall or floor
• The sound of water running when no fixtures or appliances are in use
• An uneven floor
• The presence of mold or mildew
• Dry or damp spots on irrigated soil
• Cracked pavement
• A drop in water pressure, volume, or flow
• An unexpected rise in water bills

The Water Meter Test

Tracking your household water use on your home’s water meter can help you determine if you have a leak. For accuracy, it’s first necessary to turn off any devices that use water, including automated sprinkler systems, drip irrigation systems, and refrigerators with ice makers. If the settings on the meter move after an hour or two with no water usage, it’s likely that a leak is to blame.

Professional Leak Detection Services

Locating the exact source of a leak requires the expertise of an experienced professional plumber. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio, our plumbing pros use specialized equipment like video cameras to pinpoint the exact location of a leak. In-line cameras allow our expert plumbers to locate leaks without damaging your property or disrupting your daily routine.

Prompt action is critical if you suspect that there may a leak in your San Antonio home. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of San Antonio, we realize that even a small leak can require an emergency plumbing repair. That’s why our skilled plumbers are available around the clock for punctual and effective service. Call us today at 210-549-9944 for a fast and reliable resolution for household leaks.