What's that rumbling, popping sound in your water heater?

What's that rumbling, popping noise in your water heater?...Casey knows...watch this short video to find out...

Haunted by dripping faucets, running toilets, not enough hot water, slow drains, water that tastes yucky, persistent craving for candy corn, leaks below your bathroom sink, low water pressure, weird noises, funky smells or roots in your sewer line?

Don't be spooked!

Call Boden Plumbing
the drip busters

707-996-8683 in Sonoma
707-255-8155 in Napa
866-NO-DRIPS Worldwide

Where is the Water Shut-Off? (Quick. This is a quiz.)

One of the most important things you can do when it comes to home maintenance is to prepare for a possible plumbing emergency by locating and identifying all the water shut-offs for the house - before a problem arises.

Take the time to take the tour. Armed with a flashlight, masking tape and a magic marker go through the house with anyone who may also have a need to know and identify and mark the main valves. Test them while you're at it to make sure they turn on and off easily without developing a leak. Then you'll be ready (knock on wood) should a pipe spring a leak.

First stop: main water shut-off. The main water shut-off is usually on the pipe as it exits the house on the street side - or under the house in the basement or crawl space. Go ahead and label it "MAIN H2O."

Next stop: water heater. If you do turn off the main valve, a gas hot water tank must be turned down as low as possible. Yours might have a "vacation" setting on the face of the tank. If so, go ahead and set it to vacation. An electric hot water tank can be shut off at the electrical panel. Label it on the panel to help locate the correct switch in a panic. If you have a hot water heating system, check that the boiler has enough water in it to keep from running dry.

Then head for to the kitchen, where you'll want to identify the hot and cold water shut-offs under the sink. Bathrooms also have valves for the sink, as well as the toilet. Look under the fixtures for them. Then there will be a shut-off for the tub/shower, perhaps in a closet on the other side of the wall or possibly under the house or in the basement.

Make sure you label the valves for the washing machine, dishwasher, ice maker, water softener, hot tub - or any other fixture with a water supply. You might be surprised how many there are once you start. Just as long as you're not surprised in an emergency...

When all else fails or time is of the essence, just head for the main shut-off for the house. Hopefully it's easy enough to get to - and you know just where it is.

Questions? Don't hesitate to call us here at Boden Plumbing (707 996 8683) or send an e-mail if you prefer. We're glad to help.

Periodic plumbing inspection and maintenance pays dividends

No one really wants to call the plumber. (We know, we know. It's understandable so we try not to take it too personally.) Just like no one likes to go to the dentist for a periodic check-up and cleaning - or make that appointment for a yearly physical. And we're all too busy to remember the regular oil change and tune-up for our vehicles.

But if we're honest with ourselves we know that regular inspection and maintenance can pay off big time over time.

The plumbing system is a major component of your home. The disruption to daily activity when a major failure or mishap occurs is always significant, but most plumbing problems don't develop overnight. They can almost always be detected months or years in advance.

Regular inspection can detect leaks from the various fittings and connections - both in the water supply and waste disposal systems - before a major failure or water damage occurs. And you might be surprised the problems inadequate or excessive water pressure can cause. When was the last time you checked the water pressure at your home?

Besides periodic inspection, regular cleaning and maintenance is also key. Fixtures kept clear of mineral and soap build-up operate properly - more smoothly with fewer obstructions. Taps and shower heads hampered by too much build-up can be more difficult to shut-off completely, which can lead to you applying too much pressure to get those annoying drips to stop. Threads are stripped, more drips ensue. It's not a good scenario.

So simple steps when repairs and maintenance are still simple in scope - put it on your calendar. Do your own walk around - or call us to schedule a home inspection. Go ahead and replace leaking toilet parts and faucet washers and cartridges when you first notice an issue. As we're always reminding people, those drips really do add up!

For our customers who like to formalize maintenance and save some money with us on repairs, we do have a customer assurance plan. We call it the 'No Drips Club'. You can read more about it here: Why Not Join the 'No Drips' Club?

So just a piece of advice: check your plumbing system every once in awhile - but regularly - and avoid unnecessary damage and mishaps with proper maintenance. It's always best to be able to plan for major repairs or replacements ahead of time. Sudden failures and disruptions to service never happen at the most convenient time. (It's Murphy's Law.)

Have questions or need advice? Call us! We're here to help. (707) 996-8683. Or stop by the office to chat. We're right on Broadway across from the high school.