Make Hot Water Heater Maintenance A Priority

No one wants to be thinking about winter quite yet, but now is actually a great time to make sure your water heater is in good working order. Major appliance maintenance such as this might seem like a big task, but if you haven’t had issues in the past, a simple check-up and clean-out can really help it run more efficiently while lengthening its life. Here are some tips. 

As a water heater operates, it collects sediment that can cause decay if left in the tank over time. Drain your water heater at least twice a year to get rid of any buildup, which will prevent corrosion and increase the machine’s energy efficiency. I like to do this in the fall and early spring, before and after its busy season.

First, turn off the unit and give it plenty of time to cool down. Then, using a garden hose and pump, drain the water into a bucket. If the bucket becomes filled with brown, sediment-tainted water, continue to refill and drain your heater until the water looks clean again. When you’re in the clear, you can disconnect your hose and turn the unit back on.

Keep your water heater at a steady 120 degrees and lower it down if you’re planning on leaving the house for three days or more. For every 10 degrees you decrease the temperature, you’ll save five percent in energy costs.

Insulate the tank and pipes with fiberglass. For the tank, fit a fiberglass blanket using foil tape, but be sure not to cover any valve or pipe openings. For the pipes, you can use fiberglass wrap or foam insulation. By adding a layer of insulation to your water heater, you’ll keep the warmth from escaping into the air and you’ll protect the machine from condensation in the warmer months. 

If you have a valve that’s leaking, make sure that the fittings are nice and tight. If anything is loose, you might have to replace the valves or fittings. You can find the parts you’ll need at a local hardware store – just don’t forget to shut off the water before fitting them!

Remember, working with electric or gas appliances can be dangerous. If you’re not familiar with how your unit operates or if you’re not comfortable with this kind of work, contact a plumber for a routine maintenance check.  

The average lifecycle of a water heater is about eight to twelve years and they can cost anywhere from $300 for an electric tank system to well over $1,000 for a tankless energy efficient natural gas appliance. If you’re in the market for a new machine, do your research and make sure you maintain it regularly to ensure that it will go the distance. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

A Storm Prep Kit Is Essential All Year Round

We dodged what could have been a very serious storm last weekend, but don’t think that we’re out of the woods just yet. An active Atlantic hurricane season won’t officially end until November 30th, right around the time that snow can start showing up. So how can you be prepared for a storm of any kind? Here are a few of my favorite supplies. 

1. Portable Generator. When a storm knocks the power out, a generator can be a lifesaver. But a permanent one can be costly. Instead, why not invest in a portable generator that can easily be stored in the garage? Many of the models on the market today are lightweight, efficient, and can handle multiple appliances and electronics at once. 

2. Gas. While gas is essential to run a generator, it’s smart to make sure you have a full tank in your car and a backup can in the garage in case of an emergency. If the power goes out for any length of time, you might need your car for heat, air, or even as a charging station. 

3. Ice. While you’re at the gas station, pick up a few bags of ice to store in the freezer. Food will keep cold in a closed refrigerator for four hours, but after that, time starts ticking. I also recommend getting some dry ice packs, which can be stored anywhere and will only get cold once activated. They don’t stay chilled for long, but they can really come in handy short-term for essentials like medication.

4. Batteries. A lot of people love rechargeable batteries but if the power goes out and you don’t have a way to recharge them, they are pretty much useless. Keep a pack or two of standard batteries for your flashlights and essentials. 

5. Water. This is probably the most obvious one, but well worth a mention. If for any reason you lose access to clean drinking water, having a stash is always a good idea. Before a storm hits, it’s also smart to fill your bathtub so you have access to non-potable water for flushing, washing, and cleaning.

6. Food. Yes, you want to make sure you have food in the house, but don’t go too crazy. If you lose power, you’ll likely end up throwing out a lot of what you bought, so instead focus on pantry items with a long shelf life.

7. Chargers. Keep all essential items such as phones and computers fully charged, and consider purchasing a portable charging bank as a backup. Just don’t forget to keep that backup charged as well.

8. Battery-powered radio. We are all so used to the internet that it seems almost impossible to get news any other way. If you’re left without power and WiFi and you rely on the interweb, you’ll really understand the meaning of feeling disconnected. A battery-powered radio will ensure you can get news and emergency communications.

9. Emergency contacts. Write your emergency contacts on a piece of paper and store them in a safe place. Keeping the phone numbers for police, fire, medical, and power companies will ensure you can reach them if you need to. 

10. A small rake. Yes, that’s what I said. From hurricanes to snowstorms, one of the biggest causes of property damage is flooding. By keeping drainage clear, you’re more likely to direct water away from your home and flowing the way it should be. A rake or shovel is a handy tool to get rid of excess debris that might be clogging downspouts or streetside drainage. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Easy Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Home Cooler

When the weather gets too hot to handle, many homeowners simply crank up their air conditioning to stay comfortable. But what people may not realize is that the combination of cold air and high humidity could lead to leaks. So what can you do to stay cool without putting your home at risk? Here are some tips: 

Keep the filter clean. 

A dirty filter can cut your air conditioner’s efficiency in half, so be sure to replace or wash it at least once a month during the summer. Not only will a clean filter enable more cold air to come through the unit, but it will also decrease the amount of pollen, dander, and even mold that you could be breathing in. Many people don’t know that air conditioning units are rated by their MERV, which stands for minimum efficiency reporting value or, more simply, the effectiveness of the filter. MERV ratings are between one and 20, with most home air conditioning units rating between one and 12. If you’re in the market for a new filter, choose one at the top of the scale as it can trap smaller particles and protect your home from mold spores, dust mites, and other nasty contaminants. 

Make sure your windows are leak-free. 

Window A/C units are tough to fit and often result in large gaps where the hot air outside can come in. Make sure all the space around the air conditioner is sealed up tight with foam for bigger gaps or simple foil tape for smaller areas. The materials you’ll need can all be found at the local hardware store and you’ll be shocked by the difference in air temperature by just plugging up those holes. 

Run the unit on a timer.

There is no point running your A/C on high when you’re at work or away for the weekend. A digital timer will lower the unit’s output when you’re not at home, and then bring the house to a comfortable level by the time you walk in the door. By programming a timer to your preferences, you can lengthen the life of the unit and lower your energy bills without noticing a difference in the level of comfort. If you don’t rely on Alexa, you can buy a smart plug for your outlet to control your A/C from your phone.

Up your insulation.

If your attic isn’t properly insulated, it’s going to be a sauna up there. You don’t even need to go up to check - you can tell simply by touching your ceiling. If it feels hot, then imagine how hard it is for a window unit or even central A/C to compete. A well-insulated and ventilated attic will ensure that hot air can escape while keeping cool air circulating in the living areas of the home. Plus, proper insulation comes in mighty handy during the cold months of the year.  

Watch for leaks. 

Central air conditioning units are notorious for leaks for three reasons: a cracked or broken drain pan, a clogged air filter, or a plugged-up condensate line. If water can’t drain properly, it will end up in your ceiling or walls which can cause serious and expensive damage. If you see even the smallest leak, shut down the unit and inspect these three areas. A simple fix might save you thousands in damage if you act quickly. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.