So, why should I care about anode rods?

by digital.team | Jun 29, 2020 | Uncategorized, Water Heaters

While it doesn’t get a lot of the attention like a dishwasher or refrigerator, the water heater just might be the biggest unsung hero of your home

Just think, without it you wouldn’t have hot water to shower, wash dishes, do the laundry, and so much more. And you know what keeps that unsung hero working? It’s the anode rod.

What is an anode rod?

To put it plainly, the anode rod is the most important factor in determining the life of your water heater. An anode rod is a steel core wire surrounded with one of three different metals. These metals could either be aluminum (best for hard water), magnesium (most common) or zinc (an upgrade from aluminum). The rod is screwed into the top of your water heater and protects your water heater from rusting. When the tank is filled with water the anode rod essentially sacrifices itself (dramatic, we know) to protect the exposed steel of the water heater, through a method called electrolysis. Electrolysis happens when there are two pieces of metal connected inside of water. This process makes the anode rod corrode in place of the exposed steel in your water heater.

Protecting the Tank

Steel is a very useful material, but it will eventually rust. It’s safe to assume that you already know water can and will cause metals to rust. Tank water heater manufacturers know this, too, which is why the tank has a few lines of defense in place.

The first is the glass coating inside the tank. In a new water heater, this lining will prevent water from even coming into contact with the steel of the tank. However, this lining will also start to crack over time. When that happens, the water within the tank can then go to work on the steel that it is composed of. That’s when the anode rod really comes into play.

The rod reacts to the corrosive elements in the water more readily than steel does, so it’s consumed by this material first. This means that your tank itself is protected from corrosion. Because the rod breaks down over time, it also means that it won’t last forever. Keeping a good rod in place is integral to the protection of your hot water tank. Once the tank begins to rust, replacement is your only option.

And this is why you should not only care, but you should celebrate the anode rod.

If you have any other questions about anode rods or water heaters, don’t give it another thought. Just call your local Louisville or Lexington Dauenhauer, any hour.

The Dauenhauer Difference

You'll love your tech. Learn what makes Dauenhauer your best area plumbing choice.See the difference

Bob Lofton was prompt friendly knowledgeable and honest.

He gave me a very fair estimate compared to your competition. I have already called back for Bob's help with another issue and will use him whenever the need arises. I have already shared his name and Dauenhauer plumbing with family and friends.

M.J.

Your plumber in this particular job did a fantastic job.

He did a job for us a few months ago and did fantastic then as well. We use your service solely because of him.

Samuel & Trina Johnson

Matt was great.

He was so caring and informative. He was neat and cleaned up after installing the new toilet.

H.M.

I liked my plumber Tim.

I felt like he explained my repair options and gave me an honest reasonable price. I would recommend Dauenhauer plumbing to my friends and family.

Crystal Fisher

Dependability. Quality. Professionalism.

Cotton the plumber who came out was a true professional. Long time in the business. I appreciate his attention to detail and value plus service.

R.D.

How to avoid water damage from an overflowing toilet

by digital.team | Jun 19, 2020 | Uncategorized

We’ve all shared that moment when we see the rising water inside the toilet.

We try to awaken any telekinesis ability we may have missed and force the water back down. If our superhuman side doesn’t appear, then we wait for that inevitable splash of water as it hits the bathroom floor. It’s an awful, frightening sound.

Then comes the panic. This is where we can offer some advice. The last thing you want is water damage. Just follow these tips, and we’ll get through this:

Turn off the water

When the water is overflowing, you need to stop the water. You can do this by shutting off the water supply line. You can find the water valve below the water tank. After overflowing stops, allow the toilet bowl to drain thoroughly.

Plunge away

Typically when a clog occurs, it will happen in either the toilet bowl or trap. Plungers are lifesavers for resolving the blocked clogs. Make sure you’re using the correct plunger for toilets. A common mistake is people will use a sink plunger, which will not form the proper seal for a toilet.

Snake it

So you tried to plunge but that didn’t pan out. Now it’s time to use the snake or auger. Both of them work closely. Toilet augers are designed specifically to crawl through your drainpipes and snag the clog. It works with the shape of the toilet and the s-shaped trap.

Clean things up

Time is precious when it comes to cleanup. The longer the water sits the more damage it will cause. Besides the obvious mess, water can be absorbed into the walls, thus letting the bacteria to grow. Consider using a dry/wet vacuum to suck up the standing water and waste. Go ahead and use towels and blankets to soak in the water. You can always wash those afterwards.

Dry things out

Once the waste and water is removed, make sure to use high-powered fans and air movers to dry out the damaged material from the backed up toilet. You can typically rent air movers from a local hardware store.

Looking for a few more answers to your overflowing toilet? No problem. Simply call your Louisville or Lexington Dauenhauer, any hour.

The Dauenhauer Difference

You'll love your tech. Learn what makes Dauenhauer your best area plumbing choice.See the difference

Bob Lofton was prompt friendly knowledgeable and honest.

M.J.

Your plumber in this particular job did a fantastic job.

He did a job for us a few months ago and did fantastic then as well. We use your service solely because of him.

Samuel & Trina Johnson

Matt was great.

He was so caring and informative. He was neat and cleaned up after installing the new toilet.

H.M.

I liked my plumber Tim.

I felt like he explained my repair options and gave me an honest reasonable price. I would recommend Dauenhauer plumbing to my friends and family.

Crystal Fisher

Dependability. Quality. Professionalism.

Cotton the plumber who came out was a true professional. Long time in the business. I appreciate his attention to detail and value plus service.

R.D.

What can you expect during an HVAC repair?

by digital.team | Jun 19, 2020 | Heating

There’s never a “right time” to have your HVAC quit working.

In fact, we believe there’s a law that states it will happen at the worst possible time, every time. This is why it’s best to stay ahead of the game and schedule routine maintenance. In fact, it’s suggested each year an HVAC technician should come to your home to fully inspect your system for potential problems. Thinking about going this route? Fantastic! Here’s what you should expect during that visit.

Meeting the Technician

First things first, your HVAC tech will come to your door to introduce himself or herself. He or she should arrive in a truck that displays the company logo, and he or she should be wearing a company uniform that includes his or her first name. You may ask for identification, which the technician is obligated to provide at your request. With your permission, the tech will enter your home and ask you to point out the location of your AC unit and your breaker box.

General Assessment

When Dauenhauer techs arrive, they’ll ask a few standard questions. This is just to make sure it’s not just an issue with the thermostat before digging in further. You’ll also be asked what specific issues you’ve noticed. Be as descriptive as possible.

Q&A

With any type of HVAC system, furnace, or standalone air conditioner, the issue could be any number of things. After the initial inspection, we’ll have a good understanding of what your HVAC’s problem is. After clearing explaining what’s going on, we’d love to answer any questions you may have about the issue and discuss what options are available.

The Job

So, after you’ve made an informed decision about how to proceed with repairs, the final step in the process is to actually complete all necessary repair work. If you’re in a situation where you are debating whether or not it’s time to invest in a new HVAC system, we can also help point you in the most appropriate direction.

Have questions about your upcoming HVAC maintenance? Just call your local Louisville or Lexington Dauenhauer, any hour.

The Dauenhauer Difference

You'll love your tech. Learn what makes Dauenhauer your best area plumbing choice.See the difference

Bob Lofton was prompt friendly knowledgeable and honest.

M.J.

Your plumber in this particular job did a fantastic job.

He did a job for us a few months ago and did fantastic then as well. We use your service solely because of him.

Samuel & Trina Johnson

Matt was great.

He was so caring and informative. He was neat and cleaned up after installing the new toilet.

H.M.

I liked my plumber Tim.

I felt like he explained my repair options and gave me an honest reasonable price. I would recommend Dauenhauer plumbing to my friends and family.

Crystal Fisher

Dependability. Quality. Professionalism.

Cotton the plumber who came out was a true professional. Long time in the business. I appreciate his attention to detail and value plus service.

R.D.