All month long, we're talking about water. When was the last time you stopped and thought about the quality of your water, how it's affecting your appliances and what you can do about it? We sat down with the professional on these matters, Jeff Chapman, and asked him a few questions to find out what to look for and how to prevent damage to your home.
To get started, we wanted to know about the basics, what is hard water and how does it make its way into the home? There are a lot of misconceptions about hard water, where it comes from and what areas are typically impacted by it. Hear from Jeff what hard water is and what it isn't.
Now that we've identified what hard water actually is, we need to find out what to do about it. Hard water is chock full of magnesium, calcium, and other minerals picked up by water as it travels through the ground then through your faucet. Your best option for getting rid of these hard minerals is with a water softener. A water softener is an appliance connected to your home's water supply that filters out these minerals through a process called ion exchange. Earlier this month, we wrote about some of the side effects of hard water. If you've noticed any of these warning signs it's safe to say you have hard water and need a solution. Hear Jeff's explanation for why water softeners are necessary for mineral removal.
Do you take dishes out of the dishwasher and still need to rinse off spots and scum? That's a clear sign it's time to get your water softener checked out. This white residue known as scale builds up to cause those pesky water spots. Scale causes your appliances to work harder, resulting in higher bills and wear on your appliances. Yes, water softeners are great for getting rid of the minerals that cause scale, but they do a lot more. In our conversation with Jeff, we found a few other important reasons to not only have a water softener but one that is running efficiently and effectively.
Efficient systems save money in the long run. A water softener's life span is on average 10-15 years, a well-maintained system can last up to 20 years. Keeping this system in good working order with regular checks and consistent care, the other appliances in the home will have an increased life expectancy as well.
We often think of pipes when thinking about hard water and damage to the home, but the truth is that the appliances that use water every day for their functionality suffer first. Leaky pipes are no fun, and can be expensive to replace, but the real danger of hard water is for the appliances in your home, which are also expensive and difficult to replace.
Now that we know more about hard water, take a look at your own system for removing these harmful minerals. If you've noticed any of these issues around your home or from your appliances, give the plumbing professionals at Chapman a call at 317-291-4909 or schedule an appointment online.
Think you might have a bigger plumbing problem? Read more on the subject here and schedule an appointment with one of our plumbing technicians for everything from pipes to appliances.
Give Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, to provide plumbing services for your home today
Here in Indiana, we're known for things like basketball and Indy Car racing. Ask a plumbing professional and they will tell you Indiana is also known for having very hard water. So, what is hard water and why is Indiana so prone to it?
Hard Water
According to the Indiana Department of Water, hard water is formed when water percolates through deposits of limestone, which is largely made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates. These carbonates are measured by grains per gallon, and with a rate of 14, Indiana water ranks 'very hard'.
We called in one of our professionals, Chuck Colbert, to answer a few questions about water quality in the home and what you should be doing to keep your pipes working and your dishes calcium spot-free.
Hard water is water that has calcium, lime or other minerals in it. We see a lot of lime here because Indiana sits on a limestone bed. These microscopic elements slowly build up in pipes and can do permanent damage.
Indianapolis water hardness does more than leaves spots on your dishes. You'll also notice:
- Corroded pipes
- Unsightly and uncomfortable scum after bathing or cleaning
- Murky or cloudy water in your pool
- Rough feeling clothes and linens
- Scale buildup on faucets
If you notice these signs and symptoms, it's time to call in a professional to diagnose the water in your home. Indiana hard water isn't something you have to live with, you have options when it comes to improving and softening the water in your home.
Water softener
A water softener is a specific type of water conditioner that uses salt to reduce water hardness by grains per gallon. When the quality of your water is improved, the life of your plumbing is increased. Without hard minerals running through your pipes, they are less likely to erode.
With the help of a water softener and regular maintenance, the water quality in your home will noticeably improve. Soft water leads to less pipe erosion, cleaner clothes, and a lower monthly water bill. Water softener systems are a good investment for the long-term health of your home and family. Regular maintenance will keep your system running efficiently and the soap scum out of your bathtub. When you're ready to remedy your hard water headaches, call in a technician to have a look.
Since the age of 14, Chuck Colbert has been learning the ins and outs of the plumbing industry. His career as a plumbing technician started alongside his dad, going along on service calls and learning the trade. After high school, Chuck went into plumbing at the same company his dad worked for, working alongside him just like he had as a teenager. After 19 years, Chuck went looking for something different, that's when he found Chapman.
I was looking for a less stressful environment and I found Chapman. They really are a second family here and they care about my own family as much as they care about the Chapman family. Jeff does a lot to get the families involved. Last year we all went to King's Island and this winter we went bowling. It's great to be with a company that is so caring about the people.
In his 4 years at Chapman, Chuck's duties as a service plumber include assessing and fixing plumbing issues. Working in the field, Chuck is sure to explain to clients the issues and service required to fix plumbing problems in detail
I get told I talk a lot, and I like to talk. I want to make sure nothing gets left out.
Chuck is the go-to resource for all things plumbing and doesn't hesitate to explain things in detail. When we asked Chuck a few questions about common plumbing issues, he had a lot of knowledge to share from his years as a plumbing professional.
The best thing you can do is get things checked out yearly. It depends on the type of pipes you have. Galvanized piping should be inspected and likely replaced soon, this type of piping is mostly found in older homes.
Cooper piping is a little better, but still does require yearly inspection. The biggest issue we find is calcium buildup. If you notice dripping or difficulty turning faucets on and off, it's likely a calcium buildup. Checks and service are the best ways to avoid small problems becoming big, expensive problems.
Outside of work Chuck likes working with cars. Currently, he's working on restoring a 1990 Suburban. Chuck was raised working on cars and any opportunity he has to work with his hands, he takes.
He stays busy with 3 kids and spends a lot of his time with his daughter at the softball diamond. It doesn't seem like there would be much time left in Chuck's schedule for anything else, but he is also a volunteer firefighter and EMT. He has been volunteering since he was 14, giving time to help others is a big part of Chuck's life.
We asked Chuck what his ultimate vacation would be. My ultimate dream is to drive Route 66, or part of Route 66 in an old car. My wife and I both like to travel and with my love of cars, it's always been a dream of mine.
We're lucky to have such a knowledgeable technician taking care of our clients and contributing to our community. If it's time to have your pipes looked at, give us a call and schedule an appointment for Chuck to come assess the plumbing in your home.
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Did you know that pipes have an average lifespan of about 50 years? If your home is older or the plumbing has not been updated, your pipes most likely have issues that could cause costly repairs. Even 10-year-old pipes can start showing their age and compromise the flow of water to your home and appliances.
A surefire way to tell if your pipes are damaged is uneven water flow. The water flow from faucets around your house should be consistent, if you experience different flows, call Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning and plumbing immediately.
Don't wait for that inevitable leak. We'll check all of the pipes, marking those that need to be replaced. We'll also evaluate the benefits of replacement in the original location of the pipe. Or, if they are under a slab or in a location that would require extensive damage to walls or ceilings, we will recommend a repair. , Jeff Chapman, Chapman Heating and Air
Keep an eye on your monthly bill to be sure that your pipes aren't draining water and your wallet. Stay aware of all of the signs and symptoms of bad pipes. Look for leaks, listen for noises and carefully track your monthly bill.
Another thing to look out for is pinhole leaks. These leaks usually sound like a running toilet and will cause the meter to spin while no appliance is in use. If that is the case, you have a pinhole leak and will need repair. Unfortunately, pinhole leaks don't usually happen in just one place. If you have one pinhole leak, odds are you have many pinhole leaks. Leaks like these are bad news for your home and for your wallet.
Repairing an entire plumbing system is a difficult task. The Chapman professionals are highly skilled in replacing pipes and fixing damage with as little damage to your drywall and floors. Damage caused by leaking pipes can be extensive and pipes that leak without notice for long periods of time cause massive amounts of expensive damage as well as one big repair project.
An even bigger costly mistake is not hiring a professional. Leaks inside of walls or under slabs of concrete are typically not a do-it-yourself project (unless you happen to be a certified technician).
If you suspect your pipes are leaking or damaged, call the Chapman Plumbing experts at 317-291-4909. Make sure you're not spending money on a water bill that is also damaging your home from the inside out. Schedule your appointment today.
Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, your source for qualified plumbing repair and installation
Chapman Heating | Air Conditioning | Plumbing honored as one of Bryant's top 15 dealer
We are proud to announce that Chapman has won The Bryant® Medal of Excellence award. The Bryant® Medal of Excellence (MOE) program rewards Bryant Factory Authorized Dealers who do 'Whatever It Takes' to ensure customer satisfaction while improving their overall business and excelling in their marketplace.
"In recognition of unwavering customer service and a dedicated commitment to excellence, Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems is honored to present a Medal of Excellence award to Chapman Heating | Air Conditioning | Plumbing of Indianapolis, Indiana. Bryant, a leading supplier of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment, is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
The Bryant Medal of Excellence is awarded every year at the Bryant Dealer Rally in Indianapolis to recognize the top 15 dealers who distinguish their businesses through outstanding customer service, sales and loyalty to the Bryant brand. The award reflects their business acumen and ability to deliver value for their customers and for Bryant."
Bryant dealers continue to raise the bar as some of the most professional and technically proficient in the HVAC industry, said Matthew Pine, vice president, marketing, Bryant. The Medal of Excellence winners are the very best of that esteemed group of dealers. The entire Bryant family of dealers can look toward Chapman Heating | Air Conditioning | Plumbing as an example of how to take care of customers, run a successful business and always do whatever it takes.
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