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So, why should I care about anode rods?

So, why should I care about anode rods?

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.

TP alternatives: Are they a good idea?

TP alternatives: Are they a good idea?

We all watched as toilet paper quickly started to disappear in our local grocery stores. It was followed by out-of-stock messages online.

So what happens when we can’t get our hands on anymore TP? Being a part of the plumbing industry, we’ve seen what people have been clogging their pipes with. And to say the least, the results have been cloggy. We’re going to share a substitute that can work out great for everyone, and some alternatives you definitely should not be flushing.

Do you have water? Is it safe? Then you have everything you need! That’s right, it’s time to talk bidets. If you’ve ever heard of a bidet, or experienced one for yourself, you know that it’s a type of toilet that provides a stream of water to clean yourself up after using the restroom. They’re also not a new fad. In fact, they’ve been around since the 1700s and are extremely common throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. After using one of these, you may decide to ditch toilet paper altogether! They’re really that good.

Don’t go there

Here’s where we cover the items that really have no business going down your toilet. Think before you flush!

Baby Wipes

We want to start with baby wipes because we know that these are a fan favorite even when toilet paper is in abundant supply. While baby wipes give you that luxurious feel, they’re terrible for your plumbing system.

Disinfectant Wipes

Disinfectant wipes fall under the same umbrella as baby wipes. The problem with wipes like this is that it can clog up and create a clog on their own or they can catch themselves on existing sludge in your plumbing system and create a clog. Either way, it’s bad news.

Paper Towels/ Napkins

Have you taken to wiping with cut up paper towels or napkins? We understand why you’d go down this path, but these thicker paper goods make your home vulnerable to clogs. It’s best to just step away from these as an option.

Looking to learn more about bidets, or ready to install one for your home? 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.

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 keep utility bills manageable while on lockdown.

How to keep utility bills manageable while on lockdown.

We’re all spending a lot more time at home lately. And more time means more utility usage. 

 

Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to make sure you’re saving money where you can, and they’re easy to do. All it takes is being a little proactive.

Large Appliances

A few items that use the most energy in your home are your refrigerator, washer and dryer and dishwasher. Large appliances require more energy to operate, so if you can use them less often or more efficiently, you will save energy.

– Don’t run the dishwasher or the washer and dryer unless you have a full load.

– Hand wash dishes whenever possible, particularly items that take up a large amount of space in the dishwasher. Fill the space with many small dishes instead to maximize use.

– Open dishwasher to air-dry instead of using the heat-dry option.

– Hang-dry all your laundry if you can, or just hang the largest items, such as sheets, blankets, and towels.

Heat & Air Conditioning

The obvious thing here is to adjust your thermostat a few degrees above or below what you would normally choose to save on heating and cooling. But there are also other things you can be doing.

– Use your windows and curtains to your advantage.

– When the weather outside is cooperative, open the windows to let cool, fresh air in.

– Let in more sunlight by opening blinds and curtains when you want the house to be warmer, and close them to block full sunlight when it is too hot.

– Check to make sure nothing is blocking your vents. If furniture is in front of or on top of a vent, you may be wasting a lot of energy heating the underside of your couch instead of your living room.

Hot Water

Heating water for showers, laundry, and dishes also requires a large amount of energy. In addition to using less water, there are ways to save energy while heating up the water before use.

– If you don’t have an energy-efficient water heater, try turning the temperature down whenever possible.

– Can you stand to have the shower slightly less hot?

– Can you wash more of your laundry on the warm or cold cycles?

– You can also add insulation around your water heater and the first 6 feet of hot and cold water pipes.

If you have any other questions about ways to save on your utility bill, 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.

Plumbing, pets and air filters. Oh my!

Plumbing, pets and air filters. Oh my!

Plumbing, pets and air filters. Oh my!

Maintain air filters

Cleaning or replacing air filters on a regular basis is important, even more so when you have pets. It’s best to change filters once a month, especially if you have multiple animals in your home. Filters tend to clog more frequently in homes with pets. Changing filters often increases the efficiency and lifespan of your system while maintaining proper airflow

Groom and bathe often

Not only does grooming help your pet, it reduces the amount of hair, fur and dander that can linger in the air and clog an HVAC system. Pet dander is flakes of skin produced by animals. Like dust, it can become airborne and circulate through an HVAC system, causing residents to breathe it in. Dander also can accumulate on surfaces, causing itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and coughing. The more grooming and bathing an animal receives, the less dander and loose hair around the home.

Outdoor safety

Keep pets away from your outdoor air conditioning unit, for their safety and for the life of the system. Some animals like to chew on the wires or will rub against or even urinate on an outdoor unit.

Clean those air ducts

Air ducts transport the air throughout your home, and if they are filled with dander or hair, it can make it difficult to breathe. Adding air duct cleaning to a regular maintenance plan can alleviate the problem.

If you have any other questions about pets and your HVAC, 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.

4 signs you really need to call a plumber

4 signs you really need to call a plumber

There are some plumbing jobs that are pretty easy to tackle. Then there are the other ones.

The ones that immediately make you pause, but you inevitably still try to fix anyway. And later regret it. What starts out as a tiny trickle of water underneath your bathroom sink could quickly escalate to a Niagara Falls catastrophe, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Here are a few scenarios that you should probably leave to the experts:

Your Sink is Slow to Drain

When you’re taking a shower, does it feel like you’re wading in a kiddie pool? Does the water in your kitchen sink fill up to your elbows while you’re washing dishes? If so, you may have a drainage issue.

While there can be many culprits, the crux of the matter is that something is clogging up your plumbing. From children’s toys to food waste and even small rodents, anything could be stuck in your pipes and you won’t know just by looking down your dark drain.

Water Pressure is Non-Existent

Do you have to spend 20 minutes in the shower just to wash the shampoo out of your hair? Poor water pressure is often to blame. When this is the case, there is most likely a small clog in the faucet’s aerator. This is preventing water from fully flowing out of it, even when you turn the handle to full capacity. Simple enough, right? No. No it’s not. Give us a call.

No Water

There’s arguably nothing more disheartening than going to turn on the faucet at your kitchen sink and being surprised to find nothing comes out. There are various reasons why water isn’t being delivered to your home. There could be an undiscovered blockage somewhere or even a leak. It would be simple enough to tell if all of your plumbing was exposed and you could pinpoint the issue that way. Well, it’s not. This is where a plumber comes in and diagnoses the issue, without tearing up your home. 

Water Doesn’t Get Hot

Longing for a hot shower, only to discover that a stone cold one is the only thing on the menu at your house? Most of the time, a failed water heater is the cause when you’ve lost hot water. Your system may be totally shot or it might just require a little maintenance. Either way, it’s best to bring in a plumber.

Your Basement is Soggy

Have you started to dread going downstairs every time a big rain comes through? If your basement stays damp, don’t dismiss it and don’t assume it’s the weather. Though faulty insulation and weatherproofing could be at play, leaking pipes could also be a major cause.

If you have any other questions about a potential plumbing problem, 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.

What causes sewage to backup?

What causes sewage to backup?

The bad news:  backups happen.

The good news:  we can help tell you why backups happen, which in turn can help solve the problem. Let’s cover a few possibilities why your sewage is paying a return visit, shall we?

It’s a clog
Just like your drainpipes, your main sewer line can become clogged. No surprise there. And typically, this wouldn’t be a big deal, but in some cases, it can lead to a sewage backup. If it is just one toilet, sink or tub that seems to be giving you a problem, it may just be a clog in that drain. However, if every flush creates a sewage backup in your home, you likely have a blockage in your sewer line.

Broken or Collapsed Sewer Lines
Do you happen to have an older home? Then your sewer backup could be caused by broken, cracked or collapsed lines. Although plastic sewer lines have now become the norm, older homes were built using cast iron and clay piping that can break down over time and create sewer problems. Fortunately, there is plenty of technology today that can replace sewer pipes with a system that causes minimal disturbance in your yard or home. In fact, we’ve written a few articles about this!

Tree Roots Can Cause a Sewer Backup

Most sewer pipes lie just beneath the surface of your lawn. You know what else is on your lawn? – trees!  So, as your trees grow, their roots can unfortunately penetrate your sewer line, which ends up clogging it. That’s where we can help. With the use of sewer video inspection, we’ll be able to look directly into your pipes and find the problem.

I know what you’re thinking: wait, I don’t even have any trees on my lawn. Well, even though you may not have a tree near your sewer lines, tree roots can cross property boundaries and may be located far away from their source. If you have a sewer line that’s been infiltrated, the roots will need to be cut away and the pipe repaired or replaced.

Do you have a question about your sewer line? 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.

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.