Setting water heater temperature

Hot Water Heater $$$ Tips

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Easy to Overlook Hot Water Heater Can Be Costing You More Than You Realize

Setting water heater temperature

Turn down the temperature setting on your water heater.

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.

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Labor Day

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Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day?

For many Americans, Labor Day means two things: a day off from work and the end of summer. But why do we celebrate Labor Day?

A Tribute to the American Worker

Labor Day is a day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women. It has been celebrated as a national holiday in the United States and Canada since 1894.

Labor unions originally celebrated the first Labor Days in the United States as a day for workers to show their solidarity. Read more →

iron water filter systems

Hard and Rusty Water

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How to Deal with Rusty and/or Hard Water

Most U.S. family homes have hard water. You notice this most when washing dishes, doing laundry, or showering.  There’s excessive lime and chalk buildup in your sinks and showers. And even your skin and hair feel dry and itchy after you’ve washed.

water softener working diagram

Water softeners remove unwanted minerals and improve the quality of your water.

If you have red or brown deposits in your sinks or drains, then you most likely have a high concentration of iron in your water.  These are two common problems that can be addressed with different water conditioning solutions.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that has collected a large amount of calcium, magnesium and other minerals in it. Hard water is not harmful to your health, but it is harmful to your home.  Living in a home with hard water can be a costly problem.  When dissolved minerals combine with heat, it leaves scale and buildup that damages pipes, appliances and fixtures.

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New faucets and sink

Small Bathroom and Kitchen Remodels

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Sometimes doing something small can pay big benefits.

remodeled shower

Updated showers enhance accessibility.

Making upgrades to your kitchen and bathrooms without doing complete remodels can increase accessibility and add to the value of your home.  Updating your shower, putting in a bigger bathtub or a raised toilet, new sinks and faucet sets, or even relocating your appliances can have a big impact.

Doing a partial remodel can provide a number of key benefits.

Improved Safety

As we get a little older, bathrooms can become harder to get around in. Adding grab bars, handheld showerheads, walk-in tubs and chair-height toilets can make getting around much easier.  Long-term these upgrades may allow you to stay in your home longer. Read more →

Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration

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Don’t Want to Drink Smelly or Rusty Water

women smelling bad water

Although O.K. to drink, water with nasty smells and discoloration can be hard to swallow.

No one likes to drink smelly or rusty water.  Both of which are common problems in our area.  In many homes water smells like rotten eggs or has a metallic taste and also appearance.

Dealing With Smelly or Rusty Water

In most cases water that smells or looks rusty is not harmful to your health. That still doesn’t make it taste or smell any better … or very appealing to drink. For some the solution is to buy bottled water which can be costly and has a negative environmental impact.

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Spring Sump Pump Maintenance

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You Really Want Your Sump Pump to Work Properly

Routine maintenance on your sump pump will ensure it is ready when needed.

For those who depend on their sump pump to keep their basement dry, it is important to take some simple measures to ensure your sump pump is in proper working order before the spring rains come. 

Helpful Tips to Maintain Your Sump Pump This Spring

  1. Look for debris in your sump pump’s pit. Make sure there’s no dirt, sludge or other debris in your sump pump’s pit. These foreign objects can cause clogs in your pump’s intake or discharge pipes.
  2. Inspect the intake valve and impeller. Your sump pump consists of many moving parts that can wear down or need replacement.
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Brenneco plumping van

Brenneco Plumbing Services

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Brenneco Plumbing is Ready to Handle Your Plumbing Problems

Brenneco Plumbing logoKnowing a good plumber can come in handy when you find water collecting on your floor, a drain plugged up, or you are tired of drinking rusty or smelly water.

Brenneco Plumbing has been taking care of our community’s plumbing needs for over 40 years.  It has the experienced and trained plumbers that can help you with any of your plumbing needs. Read more →

Brenneco plumping van

Menu Pricing Options

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New Service and Pricing Options from Brenneco Plumbing

Brenneco plumping vanEveryone likes choices.  Looking at different options allows you, the customer, to have more say in the end result.  When it comes to having your plumbing worked on, being able to choose the extent of the work done and what you pay, gives you more input into the level of service you receive.

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Frozen Pipes Lead to Water Damage

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Frozen Pipes Can Lead to Substantial 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.

What to Do When Temperatures Really Drop

Very cold weather can lead to frozen water lines and substantial water damage if those lines burst, 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.
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cold weather sign

Winter Plumbing Tips

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How to Avoid Frozen Water Pipes this Winter Inside and Outside Your Home

cold weather signThe recent evening temperatures that have fallen below freezing remind us that winter is near and now is the time to do a few simple plumbing tasks to avoid major issues later this winter.

Frozen pipes are the #1 contributor to water damage in any home.  Ensuring that your water pipes are well insulated can avoid thousands of dollars of water damage when temperatures drop below freezing.

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