Well Water Testing

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Does Your Well Water Need Testing?

clear-water-being-poured-into-a-glass

Test Your Water to Ensure Its Quality

Many of us who reside outside the city limits depend on private wells for our water supply. Well water can sometimes not taste or smell the best, and if it has high sulfur or iron content, it can be a problem down the road with our plumbing.

Even with these conditions well water is normally very safe to drink. But there are times when we have had a great deal of rain and flooding that we need to be aware of potential contamination of our well water supply.  Also if you live near an industrial area or large farm, the odds are higher that your water supply may be suspect.

Test Your Water Supply

Having your water tested periodically can identify if any harmful bacteria or pollutants are present.  It is recommended that you test your private well annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. If you suspect the presence of other contaminants in your ground water, you should test for those also.

water testing

Water Testing is Easy and Quick

You may want to test more frequently if small children or elderly adults live in your house, or if someone in your house is pregnant or nursing. These individuals are often more vulnerable to pollutants than others.

You should also test your private well immediately if:

  • There are known problems with ground water or drinking water in your area
  • Conditions near your well have changed significantly i.e. flooding, land disturbances, and new construction or industrial activity
  • You replace or repair any part of your well system.
  • You notice a change in your water quality i.e. odor, color, taste.
  • Members of your family have recurring gastro-intestinal illness
  • Live near areas of intensive agriculture
  • Smell odor of gasoline or fuel oil near buried fuel tanks

Brenneco Plumbing Can Help

If you suspect problems with your water supply, Brenneco Plumbing will test your water at no charge for a number of compounds and other substances.  If a major issue is uncovered Brenneco Plumbing will direct you to your local health department. Additional information can be found at https://www.in.gov/health/eph/water-supply-information/.

Brenneco Plumbing can be reached at 765-448-6190.

sump pump

Test Your Sump Pump Regularly

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Testing Your Sump Pump Regularly Can Prevent a Big Mess

sump pumpSump pumps are absolutely crucial in some homes because they are used to stop water from entering your basement. For homes with finished basements, this can prevent significant losses due to flooding.

Sump pumps work hard to move water away from the home’s foundation, ensuring that your home remains free of water damage from built-up groundwater or an abundance of rainwater.

How Often Should A Sump Pump Be Tested?

Sump pumps require regular testing. How often varies depending on how often it runs and the amount of particulate that is found in your ground water.  In most cases, sump pumps should be tested every three to four months. This should involve opening the inlet screen and cleaning it, as well as, inspecting for any worn electrical cords.

The pit in which the sump pump sits should also be inspected for size and depth, as well as for evidence that the pump is working well. And the discharge location should be inspected to make sure the system is draining properly.

backup sump pump system

Sump pumps protect those important items we keep in our basements.

Do You Need A Back Up System?

Unfortunately sump pumps are mechanical devices that will eventually fail. Most are also electrically powered and do us little good when our electricity goes out in the midst of a severe storm.

To address the somewhat inevitable event of the primary sump pump in your home failing, or not working due to a power outage, backup sump pump systems are available. They come in different configurations and varying degrees of capability.

What to do if your sump pump is not working.

If you find that your sump pump is not working properly, it is important to have it repaired or replaced quickly.  Not knowing when Mother Nature will strike again, you want to make sure your sump pump is ready when it is needed.

Give Brenneco Plumbing a call at 765-448-6190 if you need help replacing your sump pump or want to look into installing a back-up sump pump system. We’ll be happy to discuss your options.

spring cleaning pix

Drain Cleaning Tips

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Don’t Forget Your Drains When Spring Cleaning  

Spring cleaning is a ritual many of us take part in every year when the temperatures warm and the days get longer.  This often entails cleaning windows, dusting everything, and making sure our homes smell fresh. But what about your drains?

Don’t Wait for a Problem to Clean Your Drains

Cleaning your drains may not be an item on your traditional spring-cleaning list, but taking a little time to clean your drains thoroughly can avoid some major problems down the road. Read more →

Burst water pipe

Being Ready for Cold Weather

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Frigid Temps Can Cause Significant Water Damage

Frigid temperatures are forecast over the next several days and weeks. Taking a few preventative actions now can help avoid major plumbing issues and potential water damage to your home or business.

Very cold weather can lead to broken water lines and substantial water damage, especially for older homes. Cold temperatures and winter winds can push very cold air into your home and cause poorly insulated pipes in your walls, basements, and crawl spaces to freeze. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.  An 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold.

Read more →

man working on water heater

Hot Water Heater Maintenance

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How Your Hot Water Heater Can Save You Money

man working on water heater

It pays to keep your water heater working efficiently.

Did you know that 18% of your average energy bill comes from heating your water? Heating water requires more energy than any other household task except heating and cooling your whole home. Making sure your water heater is as efficient as it can be will save you money.

Inefficient water heaters do a poorer job of heating your water which increases your utility bills. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps that every homeowner can take to improve the energy efficiency and lower the cost of operating their water heater. Read more →

Man thinking about which plumber to choose.

Choosing a Plumber

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Your Options When Calling a Plumber

Licensed, experienced plumber

Certified, experienced plumbers can offer several options to address your plumbing problem.

When a plumber or any trades person is called to make a service call there are normally several options available to solve your problem.

If a water line is leaking, there may be a simple fix, like patching the hole in the pipe … or you may find that, although the pipe is leaking in one spot, the entire pipe is corroded and it may be wiser to replace the entire section of pipe.

Read more →

PVC pipe plumbing repair

Drain Blockages and Leaks

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What Lies Beneath Your Home Might Surprise You

Plumbing repair

A home’s plumbing, while often unseen, keeps everything flowing smoothly.

Under every home is a network of drainage pipes that keep everything in our home flowing smoothly.  But like anything else, out of sight also means out of mind for most of us.  Plumbing is something we don’t often give much thought to until we have a sink, shower or toilet back up on us.

Like anything else that has been around awhile all plumbing pipes have a life span.  Over time clay tiles, galvanized pipe, copper pipe and even plastic pipe will deteriorate.  When it does breakdown, because of corrosion or roots growing into it, that’s when we have to deal with back upped drains or leaks. Read more →

tankless water heater installed

Tank-Style vs. Tankless Water Heaters

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Should I Get a Tankless Water Heater?

Three to four times a month we get an inquiry at Brenneco Plumbing about “Should I get a tankless or a standard tank-style water heater?”  Of course the proverbial answer to that question is, “It depends”.  Both provide hot water for your needs, but they work differently. Depending on your home and personal water needs, one may be a better fit over the other. Read more →