Plumbing Services for Treasure Valley Homes

Water Heater Repair & Replacement

Most water heaters give you some warning before they quit. Here's what to look for, and what I look at when I get there.

Water heater leaking from the bottom?

A little water around the base can come from something small, like a loose drain valve or a relief valve doing its job. If it's coming from the tank itself, the tank has rusted through and the fix is a new heater. Turn off the cold water valve above the tank, shut off the gas or the breaker, and text me a photo.

No hot water? Here's what I check first

On a gas heater, I start with the pilot and the thermocouple. On an electric one, it's the breaker, the thermostat, and the heating elements. If a part went bad, I replace the part and you're back in hot water without buying a new heater.

Tankless water heaters

I work on tankless too. Hard water builds scale inside them, which is a common reason one starts throwing error codes or can't hold a temperature. Text me the model and whatever the display says.

What a water heater replacement costs

It comes down to the size, gas or electric, and what it takes to bring the hookups up to code. The label tells me the first two. You'll have the price before I start, and you say yes or no.

How often should you flush it with hard water?

Once a year is a good rule here. Hard water leaves sediment in the bottom of the tank, which makes the heater work harder and can shorten its life. If yours hasn't been flushed in years, ask me first, since stirring up old sediment can start a leak at the drain valve.

Whole-Home Water Filtration

Cleaner water at every tap, sized for your home and where your water comes from.

Softener or filter: which one do you need?

A softener removes the minerals that cause scale. A filter takes out things like sediment and chlorine, along with the taste that comes with them. Plenty of homes only need one, and some do better with both. Tell me what's bugging you about your water and I'll tell you straight which one fits.

Where a whole-home filter goes

It goes on the main line where the water comes in, so every tap, shower, and appliance gets filtered water. It needs a little room around it so changing the filter stays a quick job.

Water Line & Drain Line Repair

If water is spraying, shut off your main water valve first. It's usually where the water line comes into the house.

Leaks, burst pipes, and frozen pipes

A small leak can sit behind a wall for months before it shows. A burst pipe won't wait, so get the water off and then call me. If a pipe is frozen but hasn't split, open the faucet it feeds and warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer. Keep open flame away from it.

Older homes and worn-out pipe

Old galvanized pipe rusts from the inside, and you'll notice it as low pressure or brown water. I work carefully around what's there and tell you straight what's worth replacing and what isn't.