Make Sure Your Water Heater Keeps You Warm

We’ve had a relatively pleasant winter so far this year, but as we all know, a sudden cold spell in February or March can make it feel like spring will never come. With a few more months left of winter, now is a great time to make sure your water heater is working the way it should. Here is what you need to know.

As a water heater operates, it collects sediment that can cause decay if left in the tank over time. Don’t let this happen to yours. 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.  To do this, 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 normal 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 that doesn’t work, 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 first!

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 machine. If you’re in the market for a new machine, do your research and make sure you maintain it regularly to ensure 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.

Updating Kitchen Counters Makes for a Fun Winter Project

Old counters can make a kitchen seem drab and out-of-date. Luckily, there are a few options for counter replacements that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. If you’d love to give well-worn or boring old countertops a new look without breaking the bank, this week’s column is for you.

Paint. Assuming you’re working with old laminate counters, a fresh lick of paint can give you an easy update to a dark, faded kitchen. Brands such as Rust-oleum offer special paint just for countertops that come in a dozen colors and don’t require a coat of primer if you’re just going over laminate. Many also contain antimicrobial protection which will protect the painted surface against mold, mildew and other odor and stain causing microbes.

Concrete. Concrete countertops and floors are very fashionable in home trends, but having to deal with the process of pouring a real slab can be expensive and challenging. Not to worry - you can always skim coat your current counters to make them look like the real thing. Ardex sells a feather finish which will help the concrete bond to the countertop, and while it might not have the same durability as a solid concrete counter, you’ll be able to achieve the look for a lot less.

Tile. I love the aesthetic of tile because it can add lots of color and style to a kitchen at a really affordable price. While you can technically tile over laminate, I’d recommend building new countertops out of plywood and then using an underlayment of tile backer to secure each piece into place. A tile countertop can look great, but it also involves a lot of grout which can be tough to clean. If you’re tiling, be sure to invest in a proper sealant.

Stainless Steel. If you’re comfortable building and sanding down new plywood countertops, consider wrapping them with stainless steel sheet metal. For a metal look without the real thing, you can purchase liquid stainless steel paint made by a company called Giani. Both will give your kitchen a modern look which can be brightened up with colored cabinets, or left with more natural materials for an industrial feel.

Corian. If you love the look of stone but granite and marble are out of your budget, you might want to consider a less expensive alternative such as Corian, which is a solid surface material derived from bauxite. It’s durable, comes in a variety of thicknesses and can mimic the look of marble, sandstone or other popular, more expensive natural stone materials. It also comes in solid colors if you’re after a more contemporary look.

Do you have a tip or trick to give countertops a breath of fresh air without spending a ton of money? I’ve love to hear from you - send me a message on Facebook at facebook.com/odonnellbros

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.

Spruce Up Those Suspended Ceilings with Head Turning Tiles

I received a question from a reader this week that I thought was well worth sharing.

Dear Bob,

We are remodeling our basement this winter and my husband says we should keep the suspended ceiling even though I think it looks terrible. He says it makes it easier to get into our wiring and plumbing. Is there anything we can do maintain the accessibility but make it a little more stylish?

Thanks,

Sue G.

Dear Sue, I’m so glad you asked this question because suspended or drop ceilings make a lot of sense for basements and office spaces. A suspended ceiling consists of a simple grid of lightweight tiles or panels, and they are popular because they are simple to install and allow easy access to internal wires and pipes. There are other benefits too: suspended ceilings are great for absorbing acoustics, they are more moisture and fire resistant than drywall ceilings, and they are naturally insulating which gives them a tick in terms of energy efficiency.

For all these reasons, suspended ceilings are a popular choice and your husband is right for wanting to keep them. However, I agree with you -  those mineral fiber panels aren’t the nicest to look at. Luckily, manufacturers have recently been thinking the same thing and there are now tons of options to create a really great looking ceiling to match your remodeling project.

One of my favorite options is pressed tin tiles, which were popular in the early 1900’s and can still be found in townhouses and brownstones in urban areas like New York City. They are making a huge comeback in modern design too. Tin plated tiles come in a range of patterns and finishes and the detailing adds a lot of flare to a room, even if you choose a white finish. Personally, I love the warmth of a copper look.

The faux wood is another popular choice, which comes in a ton of stains and colors. I like a dark walnut or cherry for a den or home office, while a lighter color would look great in a kitchen or darker basement.

Lastly, let’s not forget about vinyl. Vinyl tiles allow you to get interesting textures above your head and some of the 3-D and built in crown molding options can give a room a classy upgrade without forgoing durability. They are very easy to clean and are stain and water resistant if you’re looking for a solution in a leak prone area.

I hope these ideas answer your question Sue and best of luck with your basement makeover!

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.