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Maintaining your faucets is essential to ensure they last as long as possible. Whether you’re wondering “how long do kitchen faucets last” or “how long do bathroom faucets last,” proper care can significantly extend their lifespan. Most kitchen faucets can last 15-20 years, while bathroom faucets often last up to 10-15 years with regular maintenance. However, wear and tear, water quality, and usage can impact these numbers.

The Importance of Faucet Maintenance

Your faucets are among the most frequently used fixtures in your home. Over time, they are subject to mineral buildup, leaks, and general wear. By addressing these issues early, you can avoid costly faucet repair or the need for replacing bathroom faucet fixtures prematurely. Simple practices like cleaning regularly and fixing small drips promptly can make a big difference.

Why You Should Care

Taking steps to maintain your faucets not only saves money but also ensures convenience and efficiency in your daily routine. From reducing water waste to avoiding unnecessary faucet repair bills, proper care delivers benefits that go beyond the fixture itself. When it’s time for upgrades or replacements, knowing what to do can make tasks like replacing bathroom faucet fixtures easier and more cost-effective.

Ready to keep your faucets in top shape? Explore our practical tips for extending their lifespan. For professional assistance with maintenance, repairs, or replacements, trust Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing to handle all your plumbing needs!

Freezing can cause water pipes to suddenly burst. Water within a pipe expands when it turns to ice, eventually causing the pipe to burst, which can lead to extensive water damage in your home. Call a 24-hour plumber immediately to resolve potential problems, before your home floods and you experience major losses.

The temperature threshold for pipe freezing is 20 F, according to the Building Research Council,¹ although you want to keep your home above the freezing point, which is 32 F. One of the greatest risks of property damage in low temperatures, burst pipes often occur in basements. About 37 percent of all pipe failures happen in a basement, and a water pipe burst typically causes $5,000 in water damage. By comparison, pipe insulation, which can prevent pipe freezing, costs as little as $0.50 per linear foot.¹

Why Do Pipes Freeze?

The simplest answer is that water expands as it turns to ice. The pressure it can exert on a conduit such as a pipe is quite strong. Pipes most susceptible to freezing include those exposed to outdoor temperatures, located near uninsulated exterior walls and in basements, attics, garages, and other unheated interior spaces. The problem with this is that, once the ice thaws, water is then free to flow where it likes, which can result in extensive damage or even flooding if the burst pipe occurs in the basement. This can then lead to damage to foundations, which will call for foundation repair central Missouri or somewhere close to you in order to rectify.

Pipes don’t usually break exactly where an ice blockage forms. One can imagine the radial expansion of ice pushing against the pipe walls, causing them to crack, but that’s not often the case. Freezing and expansion dramatically increase the water pressure between the blockage and a closed faucet. A burst tends to happen somewhere along that length of pipe, often where there is little or no ice.

On the other side of a blockage, water can always return to its source. Pressure buildup there isn’t a problem, yet pipes should be insulated and exposed to heating along their entire lengths. In northern climates, they’re usually installed inside of building insulation. Although not completely immune to problems during extremely cold weather, pipes in northern climates can be further protected by sealing any holes in the building.

In homes built in southern climates, water pipes are more often found in unprotected areas since sub-freezing temperatures occur so rarely. Contractors and homeowners often overlook the need for insulation. A lack of protection means exposed pipes are more vulnerable during southern cold spells. More cracks or openings in walls-especially where TV, cable, and phone lines enter-and the wind chill effect can accelerate ice blockage in pipes.

Potential Damage from Pipe Bursts

Pipes are most at risk from freezing in unheated areas of your home. A heating system failure can, however, increase the risk of freezing anywhere. The higher up the break occurs, the more space the water has to fall because it is under the influence of gravity. It will continue until it reaches the lowest floor, basement, or crawlspace, causing water damage to every flooring material, piece of furniture, and structural component it touches.

Mold is another potential problem. It doesn’t take long to form in the presence of moisture, and it can crop up long after the initial cleanup. Mold can cause further property damage and trigger allergies, asthma, and other health conditions. It can be particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems.

If you have an older home, cleaning up after a broken water pipe can expose you to other dangers. Lead-based paint can be problematic in damaged areas. Asbestos in old homes can be broken loose during a break, or the clean-up process can release asbestos dust into the air. Microscopic abrasive fibers can damage sensitive respiratory tissues and lead to serious health problems over time.

What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze

Once a pipe has burst and water is flooding your home, get to the shut-off valve immediately. Call your local 24-hour plumber for help finding the break and to send an experienced professional to repair the pipe. If the pipe is frozen but hasn’t yet burst, you can thaw it out by:

• Using a portable space heater, electric heating pad, hair dryer, or hot-water-soaked towel.
• Slowly moving the heat source toward the coldest spot you can find.
• Turning on the faucet, letting water run until the pipe thaws out.

Continue applying heat until full water pressure is restored. Be sure to check other faucets as well; if one pipe has frozen, it’s safe to assume others may have.

However, you don’t want to concentrate the heat on a single location. If the ice cracks, it can shatter the pipe. Nor do you want to use a blowtorch or any device with an open flame for thawing pipes, due to the fire risks. Call a plumber if you can’t reach the frozen area or if you suspect there is one, especially if you turn on a faucet and the water just trickles out.

How to Keep Pipes from Freezing

If you are in the middle of a cold spell, there are limited options for eliminating the causes of the problem. However, during cold weather, here are ways you can prevent pipes from freezing:

• Close garage doors to minimize contact between cold air and water supply lines.
• Let cold water drip from faucets; running water helps prevent freezing.
• Open kitchen/bathroom cabinets to bring warmer air closer to plumbing.
• Set the thermostat to the same temperature, day and night.
• Keep the heat no lower than 55 F when away from home.

These long-term solutions can protect your home and pipes during future cold spells:

• Insulate basements, crawlspaces, and attics that don’t have insulation already.
• Seal cracks and openings around doors, windows, and near the foundation.
• Drain any water from swimming pools and water sprinkler supply lines.
• Remove and drain any outdoor hoses and store them indoors.
• Close inside hose bib supply valves and open outside valves so water can expand without breaking your pipes.

Before an impending freeze, you might realize your home has insufficient insulation. There’s little time to schedule a renovation. You can, however, drain and stow away hoses, drain your swimming pool circulation system, and cover vents around the foundation. A quick way to protect faucets and exposed pipes is to wrap them in newspaper, plastic foam, or trash bags. Old rags can prevent frozen pipes as well.

These steps may protect your pipes in cold weather. This, in turn, can help you avoid losses associated with water damage. Contact your insurance company right away if pipe breakage and water damage do occur. The sooner you file a written claim, the more protected you may be.

Also, review your coverage to see whether property repairs, debris removal, and living expenses (if you need to find temporary housing) are covered. Temporary repairs may be required by your homeowner’s insurance policy. Don’t fix anything permanently, or your claim may be denied. Be sure to keep photos and videos of the damage, as well as receipts for any bills associated with temporary repairs or housing costs.

The concern about frozen water pipes is that many insurance policies don’t cover them unless you’ve taken reasonable care to maintain your heating system, drain water from your plumbing system, and shut off the water supply.

Suspect You Have a Frozen Pipe? Call a Plumber

Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing provides all types of plumbing service, including leak repair and emergency services. You can call a technician in Austin or San Antonio who can tell you how to unfreeze pipes or find your water supply shut-off valve.

If in immediate need of service and a 24-hour plumber, call us or request service online, letting us know what the problem is so our technicians are ready to fix it as soon as they arrive. To reach our Austin office, call 512-246-5400. To reach us in San Antonio, call 210-651-1212 today.

Depending on the type of furnace you have, most home heating systems will last around 15 to 20 years with regular furnace maintenance. As your furnace gets older, you will want to start making plans for home furnace replacement, like starting a special savings fund. That way, when your furnace does need to be replaced, you will have—at least part of—the money set aside for a new furnace.

Aside from your furnace wearing out and not working, you should also consider home heating replacement for the following reasons:

1. Problems with the pilot light staying lit.

There are all sorts of underlying causes why pilot lights on gas heating systems will not stay on. There could be a bad thermocouple, which monitors the pilot light and shuts it off if there is something wrong. When the thermocouple wear outs, it will start shutting off gas to the pilot light for no reason whatsoever. You can have your heating installer replace the thermocouple.

There could also be problems with residue on the gas nozzles inside the furnace. Over time, they can become clogged. This can cause your furnace’s heating cycle not to run correctly or not to produce the right amount of heat in the home. You can have these things replaced as well.

However, if issues with the pilot light and related hardware start to become ongoing, where you have to call your home heating installer for service on a weekly or monthly basis, you may want to consider getting a new furnace instead.

2. The blower motor has failed.

The blower motor is responsible for blowing the heated air through the ductwork and into your home. If it goes out, none of the heated air will be forced into the rooms inside your home. Rather, all that heat will remain around the furnace. The cost to get a new blower motor installed could range from $400 to $1,000.

If you compare the costs of a new blower motor with the costs of a new furnace, along with the benefit of a new system, you could end up saving money in the long-run by replacing your furnace right away. New furnaces have modern features like variable speed blower motors to improve heating efficiency. Some models may even offer special incentives like rebates or tax breaks.

3. The heat exchanger inside the furnace is cracked.

The heat exchanger is the part of the furnace that helps keep carbon monoxide and other exhaust gases from getting inside the home. It vents these dangerous gases out through an attached air vent. When the heat exchanger cracks, it allows these deadly gases to move freely into ductwork and be blown around the home.

The cost to replace and install a cracked heat exchanger can end up totaling $2,000 or more. If you were to consider a new, energy-efficient modern furnace, you may be surprised to discover that the costs are very similar. It would make more sense to replace your furnace if you have an issue with the heat exchanger.

4. A circuit board inside the furnace needs to be replaced.

Circuit boards control a wide range of functions on the furnace. These are also required to receive signals and send feedback to the thermostat. Essentially, circuit boards are the furnace’s brain. If one or more goes bad, the furnace will not operate correctly. For instance, the furnace could turn on and run constantly without ever shutting off.

Depending on how technologically advanced your current furnace is, replacement costs for a new circuit board can run from around $300 to $1,200. While it might seem better to replace the circuit board, stop to consider the age of the furnace. If it is already 15 years old, getting a new circuit board may only add another five years or so to the life of the furnace.

On the other hand, investing in a new furnace means you will have between 15 and 20 years of life. Not to mention, you would get all the latest features, options, and energy-efficient updates that your current system lacks.

5. The maintenance and repair costs on your current furnace are becoming more frequent.

If your furnace has reached the point where you are having to replace hardware, parts, and components on a regular basis, or it is constantly breaking down, it is time for a new furnace. Over time, you could end up spending as much on maintenance and repairs as you would for the cost of a brand new furnace.

6. You are replacing your air conditioning unit.

It can be a good idea to replace your furnace at the same time you are replacing your air conditioning unit. Even though you can find new AC systems that are compatible with your current furnace, they will not always allow you to take advantage of all the energy-saving features found on your new AC.

For example, if the new AC offers variable speed cooling but your furnace’s blower motor, which is also used by your AC, is not a variable speed motor, then you will not be able to use this feature. However, if you upgrade your furnace at the same time to one with a variable speed motor, then you would be able to use this feature on your new AC.

7. You are looking to lower your home heating energy bills.

Installing a new furnace will help lower your energy bills. According to Energy.gov, an Energy Star® furnace could save you as much as $1,241 in heating costs. If you choose the best model available, your savings could increase to as much as $1,443.¹

In addition to getting a new furnace installed, ensuring there are no air leaks around doors and windows can help lower your home’s heating cost. In addition, you should have weather stripping and/or have new caulking installed.

8. Your home does not feel as comfortable as you would like it.

As your furnace gets older, it can reach a point where it is no longer capable of maintaining your preferred comfort level. You may notice some rooms seem warmer than others, or that your furnace has to run longer, causing you have to set the thermostat higher to achieve the desired temperature.

Another cause for this type of problem is that your furnace may not have been sized correctly for your home. If the furnace is too small, it will not be able to deliver heat properly. It will have to run more frequently and for longer intervals, which shortens its lifespan, in order to attempt to heat the home. Getting a new furnace installed by your home heating installation company will help resolve either of these issues.

9. You are getting ready to sell your home.

If your home’s current heating and cooling system is more than 10 years old, it can be beneficial to get a new system installed before listing your home. Doing so could potentially increase the value of your home. In addition, you are often able to attract more potential buyers.

10. You like having access to the latest technologies.

If you want to take advantage of new smart home technologies, which can also help reduce energy usage, then you will want to get a new furnace installed. Modern systems could allow you to remotely control the furnace through an app on your smartphone.

You may even have access to energy usage reports and other useful data that can show you ways to lower your energy usage while maintaining your preferred comfort level inside your home.

For additional information about heating replacement and how to get the savings and comfort provided by a new furnace, please feel free to contact your nearest Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing location in New Braunfels, Temple, San Antonio, or Austin Metro to schedule an appointment today!

Source:

1. https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/purchasing-energy-efficient-residential-furnaces

Over the years, our toilet plumbing professionals have encountered a wide range of clogged toilets. We thought it might fun to share some of the things we have encountered, some of which may seem a bit weird and unusual.

A: Automobile Fluids

You should never flush gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluid, or other such fluids down the toilet. While they do not necessarily cause clogs, they are dangerous and could cause your toilet and pipes to explode, crack, and break, creating a much bigger mess.

B: Baby Wipes

If you look at the small fine print on baby wipes’ packaging, it clearly states to not flush these down the toilet, as they can cause a clog.

C: Cotton Balls and Cotton Swabs

The cotton can get stuck and caught in different areas of the toilet’s drain pipes. Cotton will absorb water and continue to expand until there is a clog.

D: Disposable Diapers

This is another baby item that should never be flushed down the toilet. Disposable diapers are meant to absorb liquids, so, if one or more get stuck in the drain pipes, they can expand and eventually clog up the toilet.

E: Extensions

Those hair extensions you have worn for several weeks and which now need to be replaced should never get flushed down the toilet. Even if they are made from real human hair, it can clog up the toilet.

F: Food Scraps

You might be surprised by how many people flush food scraps down the toilet instead of putting them in the garbage or starting a composting pile. Various food products can even cause internal pipe damages, which could lead to leaky pipes.

G: Garbage

Some people get into the habit of emptying their bathroom wastebasket and flushing it down the toilet. Any type of garbage is not good for your pipes, not to mention, it can create problems if you have a septic tank.

H: Hot Grease

The moment you pour hot grease into the cold water in the toilet, it will start to congeal and solidify inside the pipes. Eventually, there can be so much grease on the interior of the pipes, it clogs up.

I: iPhone

If you accidentally drop your iPhone into the toilet, do not flush it—even if it is sitting in bodily waste. The phone can block drain pipes if it is tilted upright as it goes down the drain.

J: Jell-O Gelatin

Gelatin helps turn liquids semi-solid. If you flush Jell-O down the toilet, the gelatin can still cause the water in the drain pipes to start to thicken and create a clog.

K: Kitty Litter

No type of kitty litter should ever be flushed down the toilet. You should also not scoop the litter pan and put cat waste down the toilet, as litter will be stuck to it. Most kitty litters on the market today are clumping types, which means the moment they get wet, they turn solid.

L: Latex and Nitrile Condoms

These items are not intended to be flushed down the toilet. They can get stuck in the drain. Plus, it could be embarrassing to have your plumber find the cause of your clog was from latex and nitrile condoms.

M: Menstrual Products

Personal hygiene menstrual products, including sanitary napkins and tampons, weren’t designed to be flushed in the toilet. They absorb bodily fluids and will continue to absorb water and expand if you flush them.

N: Neon Tetra Fish

While these fish look great in your tank, you should avoid flushing them down the toilet when they die. Even though they might not seem that big, they can and do get caught on various parts of the plumbing. As they degrade, they not only smell bad but could cause a clog.

O: Oil

Any type of oil—whether it is olive oil, cooking oil, motor oil, or oil from a hot oil hair treatment—should not get flushed. Not only is it damaging to your pipes but also the environment.

P: Prescription Drugs

Aside from posing risks to reclaimed water sources, prescription drugs can be the cause of a clogged toilet. The drugs are made using various capsules, gelatin, and other such coatings and materials that could stick to the inside of pipes.

Q: Quills and Feathers

It might seem like a great idea to flush the quills and feathers of a chicken, duck, or another wild bird you caught and are getting ready to cook. However, quills and feathers can get stuck in the pipes and are difficult to remove.

R: Rubber Gloves

Rubber gloves are not meant to be flushed. Rubber is a flexible material, but if it covers and blocks the drain pipe, your toilet will become clogged.

S: Sponge Animal Toys

Those toys that expand when they get wet and which come in a capsule can clog up the toilet drain pipe. Once the capsule part gets wet, the toys will start expanding inside the pipes and, before you know it, the toilet is overflowing into the home.

T: Toilet Paper

An excessive amount of toilet paper can lead to a clog. Generally, you should only use a small amount per flush. If you must use a lot, it is highly recommended to flush several times.

U: Underwear

Underwear and socks are common items that cause clogs in toilet drains. This problem commonly occurs in homes with children and teens.

V: Vegetable and Fruit Peelings

Any type of peelings from vegetables and fruit should not be flushed. If you have ever attempted to put potato peelings in a garbage disposal, you know they can quickly clog up the drain.

W: Wigs

When you grow tired of wearing the same wig, do not flush it. Just like extensions, the hair and materials the wig is made from can result in a backed-up toilet.

X: Xylophone

This popular kid’s toy sometimes ends up getting flushed by toddlers. They are fascinated at seeing the toy go down the drain, but they do not understand when it does not come back and the water overflows onto the bathroom floor.

Y: Yo-Yos

Yo-yos are another kid’s toy that gets flushed down the toilet. Children often hold onto the end of the string to pull the yo-yo back up. Yet, that does not always work as well as they might have planned.

Z: ZhuZhu Pets

Little kids might want to give these popular animal toys a “bath” in the toilet. Then they decide to rinse off it off by flushing, and there goes their ZhuZhu Pet!

Toilet plumbing is not designed to handle everything, even though it might seem like it can. In fact, certain foreign objects can not only cause a toilet clog but potentially break your pipes.

When to Call in a Toilet Plumbing Professional

You may be able to remove your average type of toilet clogs on your own using a plunger. However, you should avoid using chemical-based drain cleaners and clog removers. Most of these products are not effective at completely removing the clog. Many contain corrosive chemicals that could cause damage to your drain pipes.

It is time to call in your local toilet plumbing professional for help if one or more of the following continues to occur:

• The clog keeps reoccurring.
• You are not able to remove the clog with a plunger.
• There is waste or sewage overflowing into the bathroom.
• The toilet is gurgling.
• There is water that is spilling over the sides of the toilet.
• You hear water running and the toilet tank is not refilling.
• You notice the water is not shutting off after flushing the toilet.

Please feel free to contact your nearest Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing location in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Temple, or Austin Metro to schedule toilet plumbing clog removal services today! Our plumbers are also available for emergency plumbing service calls 24/7!