Q & A
Have a question about Hazlett Plumbing?
DOES HAZLETT PLUMBING SERVICE HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN WESTERN NEW YORK?
Yes! We provide plumbing services to residential and commercial properties throughout WNY.
DOES HAZLETT PLUMBING INSTALL AND MAINTENANCE GAS LINES?
Yes! We install and maintenance gas lines in your home or business.
DO YOU REPLACE SEWER AND WATER LINES THAT REQUIRE USING AND EXCAVATOR TO DIG?
Yes we do. Hiring the wrong plumbing company for these jobs can be a regret that costs you, the homeowner, a lot of frustration and unforeseen expense. Trust only a reputable service provider such as Hazlett Plumbing.
IS EVERYONE A CANDIDATE FOR A TANKLESS WATER HEATER?
Not necessarily. There are lots of factors to consider when installing and sizing a tankless water heater. Call us for a free estimate and assessment.
ADDITIONAL FAQS
SUMP PUMP FAQ
Questions About Sump Pumps
SHOULD I INSTALL A BACKUP SUMP PUMP?
ABSOLUTELY YES! A sump pump protects your basement from flooding. Most basements have valuable storage and essential utilities such as water heaters and furnaces. Cleanup and replacement for these items can be very expensive and keepsakes may be irreplaceable. If you have a finished basement don’t think twice have a backup installed! In the event that your primary pump fails or loses power, you will want a backup to keep your basement dry
WHAT KIND OF BACK UP SUMP PUMP IS BEST?
Do you have a municipal water supply (NOT WELL)?
WATER POWERED back up pump - Municipal water is one of the most reliable utilities. When the power goes out to water pressure typically does not. The pumps are the best option as they are designed to run on a utility (water) which typically does not fail. This option will safeguard you on both fronts: (1) when the power goes out and (2) when the primary pump fails.
Do you have water supplied by a well?
BATTERY POWERED – Well water is supplied to a house by electricity powering well pumps. When the power goes out you will lose water pressure. Thus, water powered backup pumps are not a good option for those who have wells. Battery Powered pumps are a decent option in this case. The backup pump is designed to run on a special battery to power the pump. The obvious downside…batteries don’t last forever. If you have a long power outage you will find yourself spending lots of money on batteries or having a flooded basement. We are typically not a huge fan of this option. In this case, a generator would be a better choice.
GENERATOR – if you have a generator you will always have power. Always having power means that you can install a backup pump that runs on electric. With a generator to run your primary pump in the event of a power outage, you only need to safeguard against the sudden failure of a primary pump. Having a secondary electric pump installed will do this. This option is seemingly more expensive than a battery powered pump, but it is a far better option for dependability.
DO I NEED A CHECK VALVE INSTALLED ON MY SUMP PUMP?
Most manufacturers and towns require that one be installed. What is a check valve? A check valve allows water to only move in one direction in a pipe. If a check valve is not installed the water that is left in the discharge piping will drain back into the sump pump crock. This means that the pump will always have to re-pump that quantity of water. Installing a check valve is always a good idea.
WATER HEATER FAQS
Questions About Water Heaters
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY HOT WATER TANK?
Hot water tanks fill with sediment over time. This sediment and the hardness of water destroy tanks. Unfortunately, because of this, tanks are recommended to be replaced every 10-12 years.
But my friend has a tank that has lasted 30 years! That is the exception to the rule. Some tanks may last longer especially if they were manufactured years ago. This is a large part may be due to the fact that older tanks were created with better materials. Things just don’t last like they used to.
MY WATER HEATER SEEMS ALRIGHT BUT ITS 10-12 YEARS OLD. SHOULD I STILL REPLACE IT?
You should start planning to replace the tank. Start a small savings fund and plan to replace it when you reach your goal. Water heaters stop working at the worst times. Don’t inconvenience yourself and push your luck. Sometimes tanks can begin to leak and cause damage without warning. Be proactive if you can.
SHOULD I CHOOSE A CONVENTIONAL TANK OR A TANKLESS?
The answer to this question required the consideration of a few facts and a general understanding of the two:
CONVENTIONAL TANK – heats the water in a storage tank. Once the tank is depleted of hot water you have to wait for the tank to heat back up. Hot water is limited. Storage tank sits on the ground and takes up valuable floor space. More affordable but less gas efficient
TANKLESS – heats water instantly only as needed. This means there is no storage tank. Hot water is unlimited. They save space by conveniently mounting on a wall. These units are very fuel efficient but have a higher install and replacement cost
So, the first questions in determining what is right for you comes down to how much hot water you need. Typically, households that are smaller and don’t have a high demand for hot water can use a typical 40- or 50-gallon conventional water heater. Larger families or businesses that are seem to be using hot water all day would benefit from the endless supply produced by a tankless water heater. Sometimes tankless isn’t an option if you have a finished basement or limited space to run the required new gas line, water and venting.