Could Your Water Heater Use a Tune Up?

Most water heater manufacturers recommend draining & flushing your water heater tank once a year - or every 6 months in hard water areas. This helps remove sediment and minerals that collect on the bottom of the tank.

And it is a pretty good idea to periodically remove any gunge from the tank. This sediment "sludge" can cause a few problems like discoloration of your hot water and a reduction of the efficiency of your heater. The sediment can also react with the chlorine in the water to produce an unhealthy hot water supply.

Tip: Draining your hot water heater tank on a regular basis can save money and improve on the longevity of the tank.

If your hot water heater is old, it might be best not to drain it as this could cause problems with leaking at the drain spigot. Also, if sediment is a serious problem, you might need to consider steps to eliminate sediment from the house water supply.

The following advice comes courtesy of Maytag...

The steps to drain and flush the tank apply to both electric and gas hot water heaters:

1. Turn off the water supply to the heater.
2. Turn off the power to the heater at the main service entrance (circuit breaker or fuse box). Turn off the gas at the main supply line.
3. Place a water bucket or attach a garden hose (if a floor drain is available) to the drain valve of the heater which is positioned at the bottom of the heater. Run the other end of the hose into the floor drain.
4. Turn on a hot water faucet to allow air to replace draining water.
5. Open the drain valve and drain a few gallons of water from the heater tank. If you use a bucket to catch the water, turn off the water at the drain valve while emptying the bucket.
6. Close the drain valve and turn on the water supply while leaving a hot water faucet open. When water starts coming out of the faucet, the tank is full.
7. Repeat, as necessary, until water runs clear.
8. Turn on power/gas supply.

Could you use a visual? There's a video on This Old House website that might help.

If you're still not confident about attempting this yourself - or you just don't have the time - give us a call. We can drain and inspect your water heater for you.

***
Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477
www.nodrips.com

Do You Know Why You're "Living with a Drip?"

***
Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477
www.nodrips.com

Boden Plumbing says Go Green Sonoma

Sonoma Valley is a nice place - so is Petaluma and Napa for that matter, and we at Boden Plumbing think there are simple but important things we all can do to keep them that way.

That's why Terry Boden has gotten involved with GreenPlumbersUSA. In fact, Boden Plumbing is now accredited with GreenPlumbersUSA, and we're going gung ho to help our customers use water and energy efficiently.

One way to make a start is to take the h2ouse home tour. When it comes time to replace fixtures and appliances, it really pays to choose replacements that work on multiple levels - for you, your budget and the environment.

But it's not only about replacing things. Maintenance is just as important, if not more so. Well maintained fixtures and appliances last longer, which means more value to you in the long run and less stuff ending up in the landfill. Plus, when working properly, they don't leak or use extra power to operate.

Think about it. Even the smallest gestures add up. With everyone working towards the same goal in whatever capacity is appropriate or possible, we're thinking we can all look forward to a green Sonoma, Napa and Petaluma for a long time to come.

:: US plumbers follow lead from Down Under
:: US EPA WaterSense program
:: Alliance for Water Efficiency
:: Water Conservation and Energy Links from GreenPlumbers USA.

***
Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477
www.nodrips.com

Winterize Plumbing - even in Sonoma

Last January Sonoma Valley had a cold snap that lasted for awhile. Well, compared to what we're used to here in the Bay Area it seemed like it lasted for awhile...

Anyway, Sonoma might not be Buffalo, but it does get cold enough to freeze - and burst - outside water pipes. Now is a good time to make sure your pipes are protected.

Tip: Always do this before 8 p.m. the night a freeze is forecast. Otherwise Friedman's will be closed, and you'll be running around looking for MacGyver tape and old blankets. It will be cold and dark, and you will get annoyed with yourself. You might even kick the dog. And we can't have any of that.

So before you get all caught up in holiday hoopla, set aside time to assess the state of your outdoor pipes. Check existing insulation and replace any damaged or missing bits. Cover any pipes that haven't yet been insulated. Go ahead and put away your garden hoses for the winter and cover outdoor hose bibbs. There are inexpensive insulated foam covers available that just screw on over the faucet.

If you happen to have a valve that shuts off water to your outside faucets, you can easily shut down all of them at once. Then open the faucets outside to allow any water in the pipe to drip out.

Important: Don't forget your pool or hot tub. While you might very well leave the water in your pool or spa through the winter months, there may be plumbing leading to it that should be insulated. Check it out - just to be sure.

***
Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477
www.nodrips.com

Sonoma Valley Water Supply Questioned

Fourteen local conservation groups have argued successfully to the Sonoma County Superior Court that the Sonoma County Water Agencey (SCWA) essentially over estimated supply and under estimated demand when formulating its Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP).

In his ruling, Superior Court Judge Gary Nadler wrote, “While the UWMP identified a potential water shortfall by 2020, it relies on certain assumptions including constructing facilities for transporting the water; that Endangered Species Act considerations for salmonids would not present a problem, and that necessary licenses necessary to meet the shortfall will be obtained.”

You can read more background on the issue in this week's Sonoma Valley Sun article, Water agency plan under fire.

In response to the ruling and the resulting question mark hanging over Valley water supplies, then Sonoma Mayor Joanne Sanders called a meeting for Wednesday, December 10, at 6 p.m. at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma.

The meeting is billed as a Water Study Session of the City Council, Planning Commission and Community Services and Environment Commission. City staff and the SCWA will be presenting information regarding the water system and supply, demand projections, and water planning and development issues. Show up and be heard - or at least be informed.

And then...? Due diligence - get your water conservation mojo going!

***
Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477
www.nodrips.com