Ask the Lafayette Indiana plumber questions!

Why is my basement flooding?

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Basements can flood at any time. There are those who know the moment the forecast shows torrential rains heading towards Lafayette, Indiana that they must roll up their sleeves and get ready for battle against the incoming water that never drains properly. We also have the overconfident homeowner who stands firm that their home has never flooded and never will. If you have a basement, you’re at risk. Don’t be fooled.

We know basements can flood during large rainfalls or when snow melts rapidly. Basements can also be at risk in the driest of weather. Storm sewer backups, clogged drain lines, foundation leaks and groundwater can all cause unwanted water to make its way into your basement. Since they occupy the lowest level of the home, basements are below ground level and, by nature, susceptible to flooding.  Sometimes, the slope of the land your home is built upon can allow water to accumulate and have nowhere to go but let gravity take over. Read more →

Brenneco Plumbing | Lafayette, IN Professional Plumber

How do I know if I have hard water?

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Hard water is typically pretty easy to diagnose. It leaves signs and symptoms everywhere you use water. Hard water is the term we use for water that has more minerals such as calcium, magnesium carbonate, and manganese than normal. These minerals are, more often than not, introduced at the water source.

Does it seem like your dish washer has a hard time getting your dishes clean? Are you seeing staining in your toilet or tub? Does it seem hard to “lather” your soap in the shower? Does it seem like your coffee maker or other appliances that depend on water seem to malfunction or quit working efficiently?

While these minerals are natural and may not expressly represent any health concerns, they can wreak havoc on your skin, clothes, dishes, plumbing, and appliances. Hard water is HARD on everything it comes in to contact with.

The good news is this, it’s not a new problem. According to the US Geological survey, 85% of homes deal with hard water.

The quickest and easiest way to tell if you have hard water is to do a water test. It’s fairly easy to get a water test, you can even do it yourself. You can buy one, online, here. Read more →

Performing water heater maintenance is vital to it having a long life. Brenneco Plumbing, your Lafayette Plumber, can help!

How big of a water heater should I get?

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Are you thinking about getting a new water heater? Maybe your unit is getting older or it’s just not performing the way you think it should. If you are replacing your water heater, the question of size is going to come up at some point.

In consideration of water heaters, bigger isn’t always better. A water heater tank that is too small will put you in danger of running out of hot water when you need it most. On the other hand, a water heater with a tank that is too big will waste energy on heating water that you and your family will never use.

This means that determining the right size for your situation is vital. The good news? This is easier to do than every before! All you need to do is a follow a few tips and do a little research. You should be able to find the perfect solution for your situation!

There are, essentially, two factors to take in to consideration when factoring the size of the water heater you should get, the FHR and the EF. Read more →