Signs That You Need a New Water Heater

The heater.

No household can function without a working water heater. Even if you’re overdue to replace your current water heater, however, it isn’t always clear when the time has come to make that investment. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the potential warning signs that your current water heater is due to be replaced.…

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Tips for Preventing Clogs in Your Bathroom Drains

The Mike Council Green Truck.

Tips for Preventing Clogs in Your Bathroom Drains If there’s one thing nobody wants to be greeted by in the morning, it’s a clogged drain in the bathroom. Whether it’s your sink, your bathtub, or your toilet that’s stopped up, a clog in one of your bathroom drains usually means it’s time to call a…

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The Different Types of Plumbing Pipes

Technician Performing Pipe Maintenance in a Residential Area, San Jose, CA

Today’s plumbing industry is rapidly changing as we learn more and more about the health advantages and dangers of different materials used for the pipes that carry our water. Innovation has met design and the result is many types of plumbing pipes that each carry their own unique benefits depending on their use. Pipes are…

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5 Tips for Clearing a Clogged Drain

Clogged Kitchen Sink Showing Blockage, San Jose, CA

It’s easy to forget how useful indoor plumbing is until a clogged sink or toilet disrupts your daily routine. If your pipes have stopped flowing freely, follow these five tips to clear the clog before calling a plumber. First, Assess Your Plumbing Fixtures A single clogged toilet or drain is a common result of accumulated…

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Do I Need a Water Softener?

Water Softener System Installed in a Residential Setting, San Jose, CA

Do I Need a Water Softener? When you turn on a faucet, you expect fresh, clean water to come pouring out. However, did you know that your pipes carry more than just H2O? Hard water also contains dissolved minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and more. While these are not inherently dangerous to drink, they…

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How to Fix a Leaking Faucet

Leaky faucet

The steady drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet is more than just a nuisance—it’s also wasteful. A leak of just one drip per second wastes over 3,000 gallons of water per year. Before attempting to fix your leaking faucet, shut off the water by turning the valve mounted to the wall below the sink.…

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The Essential Water Heater Maintenance Checklist

Close-up of Technician's Hands Working on a Water Heater, San Jose, CA

How much thought do you give your water heater? If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about it very much at all. Many of us just expect it to stay tucked out of sight, providing us with hot water, and we don’t give it a thought until something goes wrong. Unfortunately, this approach…

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Garbage Disposal 101

Gary with Garbage Disposal

You would never dump food scraps into the bathroom sink, but you don’t think twice about rinsing your plate in the kitchen sink. You have your garbage disposal to thank for your confidence. However, even this robust little appliance needs some care and attention if you want it to last. Follow the instructions in this…

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How Rain Affects Your Plumbing

Mike Counsil Plumbing Trucks on Street

    Heavy rainfall can wreak havoc on your plumbing system, causing a variety of issues that can require costly repairs. From overflowing gutters to flooded basements, heavy rain can cause significant damage to your home’s plumbing if not addressed promptly. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the ways heavy rain can affect your…

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What Homeowners Should Know About the New Water Heater Regulations

New Water Heater Regulation by Mike Counsil Plumbing

Are you planning to replace your water heater? Since 2015, federal regulations have required all newly installed water heaters to meet the standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy for energy efficiency. If your old water heater is more than a 55-gallon unit, this means that you might end up needing more space in…

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