Avoid These Common Dishwasher Mistakes

As a homeowner, it’s not uncommon to take your dishwasher for granted. However, it’s important to remember that it needs to be taken care of properly so that it can operate in optimal condition. You might not even realize it, but you’re probably making some of these common mistakes. As a leading plumbing repair specialist and tankless water heater installer, we’re here to tell you what you need to avoid.

Too Much Food

Modern dishwasher models are amazing at removing food residue without the need to prewash your dishes, but that doesn’t mean they won’t encounter issues later on. Dishwashers can slowly develop issues when too much food is consistently left on dishes. While you may not need to prewash your dishes, scraping them off is a necessary step to keep the dishwasher running smoothly.

Forgetting to Replace the Hose

According to Mark McCleary, vice president of marketing for Beko and Bloomberg, it’s important to change inlet and outlet hoses every five years to avoid calcium buildup. You can try to change the hoses on your own, but if you haven’t changed your hoses before, you may need to call a technician who’s certified to do plumbing inspection jobs to make sure your hoses and plumbing haven’t been affected by the accumulated calcium.

Blocking the Sprayer

Knowing how the sprayer in your dishwasher works can be very beneficial. For best results, you want the sprayer to be able to reach every corner of the dishwasher and clean every dish. If there’s a large bowl or pan that blocks the path of the sprayer, the end of the cycle will reveal dirty dishes, making it inefficient. Make sure that your sprayer has a full range of motion and isn’t being blocked.

Avoiding Regular Inspections

If there’s something wrong with your dishwasher, don’t hesitate to take advantage of our services. It’s still necessary to have your dishwasher professionally checked for any sign of loose and damaged valves, as well as its general condition. 

Whether you need someone to inspect your dishwasher or just need a gas leak repair, consider hiring Oak Plumbing. Give us a call at (800) 397-3799 for more information. You can also contact us through our convenient online form. We serve Benicia, Sacramento, Vacaville, and surrounding areas in CA.

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Should You Get a Tankless Toilet for Your Home?

A tankless toilet is a popular feature that appeals to many homeowners because of the way it can save space and provide a more sophisticated feel to any kind of bathroom. However, tankless toilets aren’t for everyone and may not work for all homes. As a leading specialist in clogged sewer line repair, we’re here to help you decide whether you should have a tankless toilet in your home. Here’s what you need to consider:

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How Tankless Toilets Work

Homeowners don’t just install tankless toilets for aesthetics. In conventional tank toilets, the tank sits above the bowl to allow gravity to draw down the water in the tank for use when flushing the toilet. The tank then gets re-filled with water for the next flush. Meanwhile, a tankless toilet doesn’t need a tank because it doesn’t need to store water. Instead, it’s hooked up to the building’s plumbing system. When flushed, water either enters the bowl at a high pressure directly from the plumbing pipes or via an electric pump in the toilet bowl that provides additional pressure for the flush.

The Benefits of Tankless Toilets

• Ideal for small bathrooms – Because they’re mounted on the wall, tankless toilets are a great space-saving solution for homes with small bathrooms. They can also be installed at any height for custom comfort.

• They use less water – Toilets are required to use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, and some tankless models may use even less. Models with a dual-flush design use as little as 1.28 gallons per flush.

• Modern design and customization options – Tankless toilets feature a streamlined design that can instantly update your bathroom. There are also many different customization options available, such as a heated seat, built-in bidet and nightlight.

Tankless Toilets & Their Drawbacks

• Installation Requirements – Tankless toilets require specialized installation; your bathroom will probably have to be reconfigured as the supply and waste lines are changed, and there may even be an added water heater replacement cost to accommodate the new system. You also need to have high water pressure to operate the tankless model’s flushing mechanism. Consider the cost of remodeling your bathroom to accommodate the new toilet by getting a professional quote on the total cost of installation.

• It’s More Expensive – Tankless toilets usually cost far more than a conventional commode. Due to their high cost, tankless models aren’t ideal for those on a strict budget or who are in need of an emergency toilet replacement. They’re best suited for those who are seeking to upgrade their bathroom’s aesthetic.

• Dependent on Electricity – Tankless toilets require electricity to function. While this isn’t a problem on a daily basis, it does mean that your toilet will not function in the event of a power outage.

Whether you need someone to install a tankless toilet or just need to inquire about water heater repair costs, consider hiring Oak Plumbing. Give us a call at (800) 397-3799 for more information. You can also contact us through our convenient online form. We serve Benicia and nearby areas in CA.

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Should You Get a Tankless Toilet for Your Home?

A tankless toilet is a popular feature that appeals to many homeowners because of the way it can save space and provide a more sophisticated feel to any kind of bathroom. However, tankless toilets aren’t for everyone and may not work for all homes. As a leading specialist in clogged sewer line repair, we’re here to help you decide whether you should have a tankless toilet in your home. Here’s what you need to consider:

                                                    ——————————————– CONTINUE READING ——————————————–

How Tankless Toilets Work

Homeowners don’t just install tankless toilets for aesthetics. In conventional tank toilets, the tank sits above the bowl to allow gravity to draw down the water in the tank for use when flushing the toilet. The tank then gets re-filled with water for the next flush. Meanwhile, a tankless toilet doesn’t need a tank because it doesn’t need to store water. Instead, it’s hooked up to the building’s plumbing system. When flushed, water either enters the bowl at a high pressure directly from the plumbing pipes or via an electric pump in the toilet bowl that provides additional pressure for the flush.

The Benefits of Tankless Toilets

• Ideal for small bathrooms – Because they’re mounted on the wall, tankless toilets are a great space-saving solution for homes with small bathrooms. They can also be installed at any height for custom comfort.

• They use less water – Toilets are required to use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, and some tankless models may use even less. Models with a dual-flush design use as little as 1.28 gallons per flush.

• Modern design and customization options – Tankless toilets feature a streamlined design that can instantly update your bathroom. There are also many different customization options available, such as a heated seat, built-in bidet and nightlight.

Tankless Toilets & Their Drawbacks

• Installation Requirements – Tankless toilets require specialized installation; your bathroom will probably have to be reconfigured as the supply and waste lines are changed, and there may even be an added water heater replacement cost to accommodate the new system. You also need to have high water pressure to operate the tankless model’s flushing mechanism. Consider the cost of remodeling your bathroom to accommodate the new toilet by getting a professional quote on the total cost of installation.

• It’s More Expensive – Tankless toilets usually cost far more than a conventional commode. Due to their high cost, tankless models aren’t ideal for those on a strict budget or who are in need of an emergency toilet replacement. They’re best suited for those who are seeking to upgrade their bathroom’s aesthetic.

• Dependent on Electricity – Tankless toilets require electricity to function. While this isn’t a problem on a daily basis, it does mean that your toilet will not function in the event of a power outage.

Whether you need someone to install a tankless toilet or just need to inquire about water heater repair costs, consider hiring Oak Plumbing. Give us a call at (800) 397-3799 for more information. You can also contact us through our convenient online form. We serve Benicia and nearby areas in CA.

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How to Get Rid of Drain Flies In Your Home

If you ever notice small, fuzzy insects buzzing around your drains, these are probably drain flies. Measuring  from two to five millimeters, or about one-eighth of an inch, drain flies tend to congregate around standing water. They’re also known as moth flies, sewer flies and filter flies. They’re usually gray or taupe in color, with small, rounded wings that make them hop rather than fly. Having these breeding in and around your sink can be a nuisance, especially in large quantities. Luckily, as a reputable pipe and sewer line repair company, we’re here to help you understand what drain flies are and how you can get rid of them for good. 

 

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What Causes Drain Flies?

 

Stagnant, shallow water, especially near sources of food or bacteria like sinks and showers, can attract drain flies. They often favor areas that have been left untouched for a while or are generally used infrequently. This can include a seldom-used basement, a workshop sink or even your kitchen sink after returning from a long vacation or time away from home. Unlike fruit flies, which thrive on fruits and vegetables, drain flies thrive on moisture and organic debris. Sometimes, they can even pop up in a seemingly clean area.

Are Drain Flies Harmful?

 

Contrary to what their name suggests, drain flies actually don’t “fly” very well, but rather travel by little hops and jumps from surface to surface. They’re also not harmful since they don’t transmit human disease, but their presence is still a sign that your kitchen needs a deep clean by a professional  plumbing repair company. Drain flies can live for up to three weeks, and new eggs can hatch every 48 hours, so as with all potential insect problems, you should address this issue immediately.

 

How Do You Get Rid of Drain Flies?

 

With careful attention and regular cleaning, most drain fly problems can be resolved within a week. We recommend you start by cleaning the sink with your usual cleaning solution and using a pipe brush to thoroughly scrub in and around the drain. The simplest fix can be as easy as pouring a medium-sized pot of boiling water down the drain once or twice a week. 

 

Another solution involves baking soda, where you combine 1/2 cup of salt with 1/2 cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar, then pour it down the drain. Leave it overnight, and pour boiling water down the drain in the morning. However, if none of these methods seem to work and you still have traces of drain flies around your affected areas, then you may need to call a trusted local professional plumber.

 

Whether you have drain fly problems in your home or just need a pipe leak repair, consider hiring Oak Plumbing. Give us a call at (800) 397-3799 for more information. You can also contact us through our convenient online form. We serve Sacramento, Vacaville, and neighboring  areas i n CA 

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Getting the Right Temperature for Your Shower

Being able to ake a relaxing shower is important, but  your daily shower routine may often start with a three-minute battle with your faucet as you search for just the right water temperature. If you’re wondering why you’re struggling with this issue daily, you should know that it’s partially due to the type of shower mixing valve you have. Chances are you’re using a pressure-balancing mixing valve. As a trusted local plumbing expert, we recommend switching to a thermostatic mixing valve. To understand why, let’s take a closer look by comparing these valves and how they operate differently.

How a Pressure-Balance Valve Works

A pressure-balance valve features just one handle controlling both volume and temperature, as well as a dial or set-screw that sets the stop-point for the handle. The pressure is balanced by either a sliding disc on a piston or a spool that reacts to changes and maintains the pressure ratio. 

For instance, when you flush the toilet while someone is rinsing, cold water is sent to the toilet tank, reducing the cold water pressure arriving at the shower valve. The mechanism inside the pressure-balance valve will move to reduce (or cut off) the hot water, which maintains the balance between hot and cold flows.

Keep in mind that a pressure-balance valve doesn’t exactly pay attention to temperature, so with the valve set at maximum temperature and the handle turned all the way to “hot”, the water coming out of the shower will be as hot as the water heater has to offer or even higher.

 

How a Thermostatic Valve Works

A thermostatic valve has two controllable handles: one for the volume, and one for the water temperature. This is because thermostatic valves react to the temperature, not the pressure of the water. With this valve, you can change the flow volume without affecting the temperature, which makes showering much more convenient. This means you can easily turn down the flow while shampooing or shaving. This is possible due to a wax element inside the valve that expands or contracts in reaction to heat. 

When water exceeds the maximum set temperature, the wax element expands to reduce the flow of hot water and allow more cold water into the mix. Should either the supply of hot or cold water fail, the valve will automatically close off flow from the other side. 

Why You Should Switch to a Thermostatic Mixing Valve 

The advantage with thermostatic valves is that you get to directly control the output temperature of the water. While your water heater can be set to 140° F to protect against bacterial contamination, the water coming out of your shower head can always be 100° F or any other safe temperature you choose, provided a maximum output temperature is set on the valve. When properly installed by the best plumber in your area, a thermostatic mixing valve can also provide you these benefits:

• Direct control of water flow –   Having direct control over the water flow means you can increase or decrease it to your liking. This option allows homeowners to conserve water as well while shampooing or soaping up. This is much better than a pressure-balancing valve, which doesn’t offer any control over water flow.

• Consistent Water Pressure –  Since a thermostatic valve controls the water flow, it also prevents a drop in water pressure when other water-using appliances are in use while you’re showering, such as the toilet.

When it comes to installing a new thermostatic mixing valve or scheduling a leaking kitchen faucet repair, consider hiring Oak Plumbing. Give us a call at (800) 397-3799 for more information. You can also contact us through this convenient online form. We serve Vacaville, Benicia, and surrounding areas in CA.

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Getting the Right Temperature for Your Shower

Being able to ake a relaxing shower is important, but  your daily shower routine may often start with a three-minute battle with your faucet as you search for just the right water temperature. If you’re wondering why you’re struggling with this issue daily, you should know that it’s partially due to the type of shower mixing valve you have. Chances are you’re using a pressure-balancing mixing valve. As a trusted local plumbing expert, we recommend switching to a thermostatic mixing valve. To understand why, let’s take a closer look by comparing these valves and how they operate differently.

How a Pressure-Balance Valve Works

A pressure-balance valve features just one handle controlling both volume and temperature, as well as a dial or set-screw that sets the stop-point for the handle. The pressure is balanced by either a sliding disc on a piston or a spool that reacts to changes and maintains the pressure ratio. 

For instance, when you flush the toilet while someone is rinsing, cold water is sent to the toilet tank, reducing the cold water pressure arriving at the shower valve. The mechanism inside the pressure-balance valve will move to reduce (or cut off) the hot water, which maintains the balance between hot and cold flows.

Keep in mind that a pressure-balance valve doesn’t exactly pay attention to temperature, so with the valve set at maximum temperature and the handle turned all the way to “hot”, the water coming out of the shower will be as hot as the water heater has to offer or even higher.

 

How a Thermostatic Valve Works

A thermostatic valve has two controllable handles: one for the volume, and one for the water temperature. This is because thermostatic valves react to the temperature, not the pressure of the water. With this valve, you can change the flow volume without affecting the temperature, which makes showering much more convenient. This means you can easily turn down the flow while shampooing or shaving. This is possible due to a wax element inside the valve that expands or contracts in reaction to heat. 

When water exceeds the maximum set temperature, the wax element expands to reduce the flow of hot water and allow more cold water into the mix. Should either the supply of hot or cold water fail, the valve will automatically close off flow from the other side. 

Why You Should Switch to a Thermostatic Mixing Valve 

The advantage with thermostatic valves is that you get to directly control the output temperature of the water. While your water heater can be set to 140° F to protect against bacterial contamination, the water coming out of your shower head can always be 100° F or any other safe temperature you choose, provided a maximum output temperature is set on the valve. When properly installed by the best plumber in your area, a thermostatic mixing valve can also provide you these benefits:

• Direct control of water flow –   Having direct control over the water flow means you can increase or decrease it to your liking. This option allows homeowners to conserve water as well while shampooing or soaping up. This is much better than a pressure-balancing valve, which doesn’t offer any control over water flow.

• Consistent Water Pressure –  Since a thermostatic valve controls the water flow, it also prevents a drop in water pressure when other water-using appliances are in use while you’re showering, such as the toilet.

When it comes to installing a new thermostatic mixing valve or scheduling a leaking kitchen faucet repair, consider hiring Oak Plumbing. Give us a call at (800) 397-3799 for more information. You can also contact us through this convenient online form. We serve Vacaville, Benicia, and surrounding areas in CA.

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4 Items That Should Never Go Down Your Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal is a very convenient appliance to have in your home. After all, with it you can easily grind up food scraps instead of throwing them away. However, while you can dump a lot of food items down the drain, such as citrus rinds and meat scraps, plumbing inspection pros say that there are four food items you should never put down the garbage disposal:

 

Bones – When you throw bones into your garbage disposal, you’d better be prepared to handle blocked pipes under your sink. This is because a garbage disposal can’t break down bones. As a result, they stay down in the drain pipes, on the off-chance they even managed to make it past the blades.

 

Coffee Grounds & Egg Shells – Don’t be fooled by their small appearance; according to experts, if you drop coffee grinds or egg shells down your garbage disposal, they can cause a significant problem for your pipes, as these small particles don’t break down easily. This can cause them to become lodged in areas where they’ll eventually cause blockage and restricted water flow.

 

Grease – As much as possible, avoid disposing of grease down your garbage disposal. This is because, according to plumbing pros, it will solidify quickly, creating blockages in your pipes that can restrict water flow, cause your sink to back up or both. To get rid of grease, simply pour it into a tin can and allow it to solidify before throwing it in the garbage. If your pipes are already blocked by solidified grease, however, consider calling a professional like the plumbing and gas leak repair experts at Oak Plumbing to rectify this issue.

 

Potato Peels, Rice & Pasta –  In addition to oil and coffee grounds, avoid throwing starchy foods down your garbage disposal as well. This is because these items may start decomposing and turning into mush, which can create problems for your sink as a result.

 

If you want to keep your home’s plumbing system in top shape, look no further than Oak Plumbing. If you’re in need of a plumbing expert or a tankless water heater installer, we’re the number one service provider to approach, and we won’t let you down! Give us a call at (707) 448-3567 or (800) 397-3799. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an evaluation. We serve homeowners in Sacramento, Benicia, Vacaville, and other nearby areas in CA.

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