3 Water Heater Maintenance Tips to Extend Its Lifespan
Your trusty ol’ water heater is one of those home comfort systems you don’t give much thought to— until your water runs cold or your energy bill hits a new high! And we get it. Your water heater is probably tucked away behind the closed doors of a closet or cabinet, in a dark and dusty corner of your garage, basement, or utility room. It’s easy to overlook and underestimate. That’s why today we’re sharing three easy maintenance tips for Omaha homeowners that will improve your performance, extend the life of your system, and help you avoid a sooner-than-necessary water [...]
Got Noisy Pipes? Here’s Why
Older houses can be as noisy as they are charming! Creaky stairs, squeaky doors, and whistling windows may come with the territory, but if you’ve got noisy pipes, there can be a bigger problem just below the surface… Here’s why your noisy pipes go bump in the night—and morning and afternoon! Loose fasteners Notice a knocking sound even when no one’s at the front door? Loose pipes may be to blame! When you turn your water on and off, a powerful shock wave travels through your pipes. Known as a hydraulic shock, this wave of pressure causes your pipes to [...]
7 Tips to Protect Your Plumbing From Freezing This Winter
Ahh Omaha winters… The perfect time of year for cozy fireplaces, warm scarves, hot chocolate, and taking extra precautions to protect your plumbing! If you’ve spent a winter in a snowy town, you already know just how dangerous cold weather can be for your pipes. The lower the temperature drops, the higher your risk of frozen plumbing, burst pipes, and a flooded basement, attic, or garage. But with a bit of foresight, an eye on the forecast, and these 7 handy tips, you can stop this emergency plumbing repair before it starts. Follow these 7 simple tips to keep your [...]
Hunger Action Month: It’s Time for Happy Homes and Fed Families
September is Hunger Action Month— our opportunity to unite in the fight against hunger. Hunger Action Month is an initiative launched by Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief organization in the nation. Every September, Feeding America partners with hundreds of food banks and thousands of Americans to restock pantries nationwide, just in time for winter. At Burton, we take every opportunity we can get to serve and support this local community. And Hunger Action Month is no different. That’s why we’re bringing back our annual hunger-fighting special for the 4th year in a row: This September, a $55 Furnace Inspection and [...]
The Best— and Worst!— Time to Flush Your Water Heater
Dear Burton, I heard that you should empty out your water heater every so often, so sediment doesn’t build up inside. Before I tackle this project myself, is there anything I need to know? New Home Newcomer Dear Newcomer, Great question. You’re right that flushing your water heater periodically reduces the gunk that collects in the bottom of your tank. Over time, sediment from your water lines can flow into the tank, settle at the bottom, and slowly block the heating elements from doing their best work. Not only does this shorten the life of your tank because it [...]
Are Water-Saving Devices Really Worth the Hype?
The short answer is…. YES! The best water-saving devices are efficient, easily installed by your home handyperson or local plumber, and have little to no impact on your comfort. Trust us, green plumbing has come a long way from the trickling shower you probably think of when you consider water conservation. From high-efficiency toilets to shower timers, water-saving is the biggest trend in modern plumbing for good reason. These are the most common (and convenient!) water-saving devices we recommend and install for our Burton customers: Dual-flush toilet triggers. These two-button toilets give you the option of a full flush or [...]
How To Plan for Plumbing in Your Home Remodel Project
Dear Burton, We’re getting ready to start a major home renovation project, updating our kitchen, bathrooms, and a couple other spaces. Is there anything we should know about our plumbing before we start the remodel? - The Demolition Dad Dear Demolition, Before you start swinging that sledgehammer (as satisfying as a good tear down may be) you need to know exactly what’s behind your sheetrock. Otherwise, you’ll have a major flood on your hands faster than you can say “extreme home makeover!” Always shut off your main power, turn off your water, and carefully cut away the wall—before you go [...]
4 Reasons Your Water Heater Isn’t Working Right – and When to Call a Plumbing Service
Are you a hot morning-shower person? Or do you prefer a relaxing bubble bath after work? If your water heater is acting up, you might not get either one! And hot water isn’t just important for bathing. If your water heater is unreliable, your dishwasher and washing machine suffer too. Here are four common reasons why your water heater might not be operating at peak performance, and when it’s time to call a plumbing service. 1. It’s not plugged in… This may seem like an obvious issue, but you’d be surprised at how often electric water heater issues are caused [...]
3 Easy Seasonal Plumbing Service Tips for Fall
Feel that chill in the air? That basically means two things in Omaha—it’s Husker football season and it’s time to protect your pipes from being caught out in the cold. A plumbing service tip a day keeps the plumbing repairs away! Love a hot bubble bath? Better flush your water heater Throughout the year, your water heater can fill with sediment. In the summer, when heating water is a breeze, it’s not a big problem. But when your water heater has to fight against the bitter chill of an Omaha cold snap, that sediment makes your heater work harder. A [...]
Money-Saving Water Heater Tips
Did you know water heaters consume about 17% of the total energy of your home? That quite a hefty percentage. But do not fret. We have some helpful tips for how to save money on your next bill! Burton’s Best Water Heater Tips Lower The Temperature Check your water heater setting. The higher the temperature, the more power is needed. When you buy a water heater, the default setting is usually around 140F. However, most households can reduce the setting to be a more comfortable 120F. This reduction consumes 3%-5% less electricity and can significantly reduce your heating bills over [...]
Everything You Need to Know about Water Heater Replacement
Water heaters are a crucial part of every household. They give you warm and hot water whenever you want.. But what happens if something goes awry you need a replacement? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about water heater replacement. How Long do Water Heaters Last? Traditional water heaters with tanks should last up to 8-12 years and tankless water heaters can last over 20 years. Manufacturers generally suggest a water heater replacement every 12 years for traditional heaters and every 20 years for tankless water heaters. However, these estimations are not guaranteed. Water heaters may last [...]
Four Appliance Checks You Should Do Before Winter
Frigid temperatures can wreak havoc on your home’s appliances. Before the winter season is in full swing, it is important to address any potential problems that could cause lasting damage to your home. Here are four appliances you should inspect before cold weather hits, and continue to inspect throughout the winter season. Furnace An unchecked furnace can result in serious consequences. Carbon monoxide can be released into the air when the fuel in your furnace builds up instead of burning. Unchecked systems can also be a fire hazard when a broken interior part blocks ventilation or penetrates a heat source. [...]