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If you live in an area with hard water, you’ll know how problematic limescale can be. Limescale can stop your appliances from working efficiently and give your water a nasty taste.

If you live in Jacksonville, FL, or the surrounding area and are looking for a plumbing service, don’t hesitate to contact Bert Norman’s Plumbing. The company is available for all types of plumbing jobs, including leak detection, drain cleaning, and plumbing installation.

It’s essential to take steps to remove limescale if you live in a hard water area. This article will look at how to remove and prevent limescale. Plumbing employees are often asked questions about hard water and limescale removal.

What is limescale?

Limescale is present when there is a build-up of minerals in the water. It naturally occurs when the water is hard. Hard water contains concentrates of calcium and magnesium. The water leaves behind mineral deposits as it evaporates. If you live in an area with hard water, you’ll notice a white or slightly green crust that is deposited on your plumbing appliances. This is limescale, and it is commonly found around the faucets, in kettles, or other household appliances.

Many homes across America are affected by hard water and the effects of limescale. Where limescale is present, homeowners have to have their appliances serviced or even replaced regularly. Limescale can affect how well appliances such as dishwashers, showers, and washing machines function.

Why should you remove limescale?

There are many reasons that homeowners should try to remove limescale from their appliances. The main reason is that a build-up of limescale can be expensive; if you have to pay to maintain appliances or even replace them, this will be costly. It’s, therefore, beneficial to take steps to reduce limescale.

Over time limescale will reduce the functioning of your appliances and also reduce their life span. You may find yourself frequently replacing items such as showerheads, which can quickly become clogged. Limescale build-up can also lead to reduced water pressure in your shower.

A shower head blockage will be costly as there will be an increase in the amount of energy that’s needed to provide the right heat and pressure. Over time this will cause an increase in your utility bills.

Limescale can also damage the seals around faucets, and over time, this will cause leaks. You’ll then have to call in a plumbing service to fix the issue.

In the worst cases, limescale will devalue your property by ruining the appearance of plumbing fixtures. You may find that you end up with irreversible damage to faucets and other chrome fittings. Limescale can cause the chrome to peel away.

How to remove limescale

It’s essential to take steps to remove limescale as soon as you notice a problem. The longer limescale is left to build up, the more damage it will cause, and the harder it will be to remove. There are a few different things that you can do to remove limescale and prevent it from building up.

If you have noticed any plumbing issues such as leaks that have been caused by limescale, you can call your local plumbing service for help and advice.

Invest in a water softener

The hardness of water can change over time, but if you live in an area where the water is permanently hard, you may like to consider having a water softener installed. This will help to reduce the build-up of limescale.

Water softeners are filters that can be installed under your sink to soften the water as it comes into your home. They use a process called ion exchange to remove minerals from the water. This helps to transform hard water into soft water. Water softeners use polymer resin beads that are negatively charged to attract calcium and magnesium in the water and turn them into sodium ions.

If you’re interested in having a water softener installed in your home, you can contact your local plumber to find out more. A plumber will be able to test the hardness of your water and advise you about the right type of water softener for your home.

Regularly clean your appliances

It’s also a good idea to perfect your cleaning skills in order to remove limescale and avoid build-up. There are several ways you can clean your appliances.

A plumbing company will often recommend wiping all your wet fittings and appliances after every use. This will dry up the water before it has a chance to evaporate and will stop limescale deposits from forming. You can pay particular attention to areas around faucets and showers as this is often where water pools.

Create a natural limescale remover

Limescale that has built up over time can be tricky to remove. You can create a natural cleaning solution using lemon juice or white wine vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. This mixture can be applied to areas of limescale, leave it to soak in for ten minutes, and then scrub the area with an old toothbrush.

Bert Norman’s Plumbing, Plumbing Service

If you live in Jacksonville, FL or the surrounding area and are looking for a plumbing service, contact Bert Norman’s plumbing service. The company is available for all types of plumbing jobs, including leak detection, drain cleaning, and plumbing installation. If you have hard water, you may also like to consider having a water softener installed.

Bert Norman’s plumbing service is a family-owned and operated business that has been in operation since 1985. They have a reputation for providing good quality workmanship at a reasonable price. The team is also available for 24/7 emergency call out.

Bert Norman’s Plumbing service is a BBB accredited business and has achieved an A+ rating. Call Bert Norman’s Plumbing service today on 904-225-5888.

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Making the decision to sell your home is never an easy one. It’s a very emotional experience, and over one-third of Americans who sell their home will cry during the process. Naturally, for some place that you’ve called home for so long, you definitely want to get the best offer possible.

There are so many things that you can do to improve the resale value of your home. Most homeowners will repaint some of their walls or even hire professional cleaners. What many people don’t realize is that they could greatly improve their resale value by opting for some simple plumbing services. While the results of these services may not necessarily be very obvious to the average person, it is something that many realtors will include in their report. These little things can easily improve the attractiveness of a potential home.

So, let’s get right to it and look at some of the plumbing services that you can get in Jacksonville, FL to improve the resale value of your home.

#1. Patch Up All of the Leaks

One of the easiest things that you can do is to patch up all of the leaks that are in your plumbing. Make sure that the plumbing is as good as new. Potential homebuyers are going to be really attracted to a place that they know it won’t come with plumbing issues in the near future.

To patch up all of the leaks, you’re going to need to get a camera inspection from the plumbing service. The camera inspection will also provide homebuyers with some information on the condition of the plumbing. The plumbers can talk about where the leaks were found and also how they were patched up. They can also provide information on how durable the patches are expected to be.

Some plumbing services may even offer some type of warranty or guarantee for their service. For example, if the new homebuyers find that the leaks reappear within a certain timeframe, they can call the plumbing service and the licensed plumbers will come fix up the issue without charging them a dime.

#2. Get Your Drains Cleaned

Drain cleaning services are usually part of regular home maintenance. Most experts recommend that homeowners get their drains cleaned every year in order to keep the plumbing in tiptop shape.

If you plan on selling your home later on in the year, you might want to get the drains cleaned as well. Some homebuyers are going to really appreciate the fact that the drains are going to be in tiptop condition in shape. The drain cleaning service comes with a video inspection. This inspection will also provide potential homebuyers with more information about the plumbing.

You can also take this opportunity to look at whether there are any plumbing issues that need to be addressed. For example, you might notice that some of the joints are a bit loose or you might notice that a section of the plumbing may appear to be rusted or in worse condition than the rest. You can make the changes and fixes that you need before you put the home up on the market.

#3. Upgrade Your Plumbing Appliances

Do you still have the same faucets from two decades ago? Does your bathtub look outdated? Or, have you simply not upgraded your water heater in a very long time and have noticed that it’s not as effective as it is before?

You can make some pretty simple upgrades to improve the market value of your home. These plumbing upgrades do not necessarily have to be expensive at all. For example, upgrading your faucet to a new model can be quite affordable. However, you can completely transform the look of your home. It can make it look a lot more modern and stylish.

When choosing which plumbing appliances to upgrade, there are several factors that you want to consider. For one, you’re going to want to consider whether the plumbing appliance is going to improve the energy efficiency of the home. Smart appliances can be very attractive to potential homebuyers, as they can spend less on energy bills. Second, you’re going to want to consider the aesthetics of the appliance. The key is to create a home that potential buyers can see themselves living in.

When choosing which plumbing appliances to upgrade, you’re going to want to consider the amount of money that you’re going to have to invest into the property compared to the amount of money that you’re going to get out of the upgrade. You might want to talk to a plumbing service or a realtor ahead of time to know what their recommendations may be.

Call Bert Norman’s Plumbing for Plumbing Services 

Simple plumbing services can make a huge difference to the amount of attention that your home gets. Potential homebuyers are more likely to put in a more attractive offer for a home that they feel like they can’t pass down. This is usually a home that they not only see themselves living in, but also a home that is going to come with minimal headaches and issues.

Getting the right plumbing services before you put your home on the market is especially important for older homes. These homes are notorious for having plumbing issues down the road, and the condition of your plumbing is going to be something that homeowners will consider. If the plumbing is in poor shape, some homeowners may ask that you fix it up before they finalize the transaction. Or, they might offer a lower price.

Regardless of what services are upgrades that you’re looking for, Bert Norman’s Plumbing in Jacksonville, FL can help. Our plumbers are licensed, insured and extremely knowledgeable about the different types of plumbing upgrades and services that can help improve the value of your home. We can help you assess your home to see what type of plumbing needs are present.

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The plumbing system in your Fernandina, FL, home is very complex. With all of the videos online these days that can teach you to do home repairs, more and more homeowners are making home repairs DIY projects. While this is fine for some jobs, if you are having an issue with your plumbing system, you should hire a licensed plumber.

If you are having any of the following issues, you should call a licensed professional as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will become.

#1 Multiple Clogged Drains

When just one of the drains in your home is clogged, it can be very frustrating. Just one clogged drain can make daily household tasks difficult. When you have multiple clogged drains in your home, it can make things even more challenging. If you have multiple clogged drains, you should call a licensed plumber immediately. The problem could be due to a large clog located deep in the plumbing system, affecting every drain in the house. This is a major job, and it should not be a DIY project. A plumber might need to send a camera down the drain to figure out exactly where the drain is located so that it can be removed. Until you call a professional, your drains won’t function properly.

#2 Leaking Pipes

If your pipes are leaking, it is an emergency situation, and you should call a licensed professional immediately. In some cases, you will see water dripping from the pipes under the faucet. If the leaking pipe is behind a wall or hidden, you will notice water spots on the ceiling, on the walls, or near the floor. If you don’t call a licensed plumber immediately, you are putting your home at great risk. If you don’t call a professional immediately, your home can sustain serious water damage. If the foundation or load-bearing walls are affected, the safety of your home and family will be at risk. Also, the water leaking from the pipes can promote the growth of mildew and mold. These issues can threaten the health of your family, particularly those with allergies and respiratory issues.

When you call a professional, they will repair the leaking pipe and then evaluate the extent of the water damage.

#3 Leaking Faucets

If there is a leaking faucet in your Fernandina, FL home, it is not something that should be ignored. It is important that you call a licensed plumber right away. Some homeowners will try to repair the problem themselves by tightening the faucet with a wrench. Unfortunately, this is just a temporary fix. A faucet is made up of tiny moving parts. If the faucet is leaking, it means that something inside isn’t functioning properly, and it needs to be repaired by a licensed professional.

Some people will just ignore the problem. After a day or so, you get used to the sound of the dripping water to the point where you don’t even hear it anymore. Ignoring the problem is a costly mistake. A dripping faucet can waste up to five gallons of water each day, which will cause a significant increase in your water bill. If you ignore the issue, you will be paying a lot of money for wasted water.

As soon as you notice that the faucet in your home is leaking, you should call a licensed professional.

#4 Water Heater Issues

If your water heater isn’t functioning properly, you should call a professional right away. There are several signs that your water heater needs to be repaired.

  • No hot water: If you aren’t getting any hot water or if it isn’t getting hot enough, you should call a professional. The problem could be with the thermostat, the heating element, or gas or oil water heaters; there could be a pilot light problem. It would take the experience of a plumber to figure out what is causing the problem and then make the necessary repairs.

 

  • Running out of hot water: If you notice that you can’t even make it through a shower without running out of hot water, the water heater is probably the problem. When sediment builds up on the bottom of the tank, there won’t be as much room for the stored hot water. When there is less room, you will have less hot water, which could be why you are running out so fast. The issue could also be a faulty heating element, and only half of the tank is staying heated.

 

  • Rusty hot water: If the hot and cold water is coming out rusty, you likely have corroded pipes. If just the hot water is coming out rusty, the problem is likely with the water heater and should be checked out by a plumber immediately. The rust is likely due to corrosion or sediment that has built up inside the water tank. Rusty water isn’t safe for bathing, cooking, or drinking; therefore, you should call a professional as soon as you notice the problem.

 

  • Strange sounds coming from the water heater: If your water heater is working properly, you shouldn’t hear anything more than a low-level hum. If you hear a banging or clanging sound coming from the water heater, there is likely sediment knocking around inside. If you don’t call a plumber right away, the sediment can damage the tank, resulting in a flood.

 

  • Moisture or water around the water heater: There should never be water or moisture around the water tank. It could be something simple like a broken or disconnected hose or something more serious like a leaking water heater. Because both issues can cause serious water damage, you should call a plumber right away.

If you are having any issues with the plumbing system in your home, contact Bert Norman’s Plumbing Inc. We are a family-owned and operated business and are certified by the state. We have been providing quality plumbing services to residential and business customers in the area since 1985.

We understand that plumbing issues can be serious, and many can put your home and family at risk. Because of this, we offer emergency service 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.

If you need the help of a plumber, give us a call today.

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The average American home utilizes about 300 gallons of water daily, 70 percent of which accounts for indoor water usage. If your plumbing system has defects, it may mean you will have to spend more money on settling your bills since you waste a substantial amount of water. Whenever you realize you are paying for water you are not using, it could mean that your plumbing system has leakages or your appliances do not have water-saving features. If this is you, talk to a plumber to get advice on which plumbing accessories need replacement with water-efficient ones and seek installation services while at it.

Additionally, if you are an environmental enthusiast, turning your plumbing system into an efficient one is one of the ideas you can implement in your home. Homeowners can have a glimpse of multiple water and energy-saving plumbing fixtures and fittings and how great they work to save on utilities, and here are some of them.

Tankless water heaters

Water heaters are considered the second-highest source of energy use in homes, and they account for about 18 percent of the total home energy usage. Some homeowners cannot do without hot water, especially during the cold winter seasons. Imagine the ice-cold water hitting your back during the cold winter season. You will probably not enjoy your shower, and that might prompt you to buy a water heater and seek installation services from a plumber. Well, being the second-highest energy consumers in homes, you might want to be on to look out to avert high energy bills.

It would be wise to seek advice from your local plumber and suppliers regarding tankless water heaters. That is because tankless water heaters are good energy and water savers. Other benefits of these heaters include an instant supply of hot water, eliminated repair and maintenance costs, and tax rebates upon purchase. Choose a tankless water heater for your water heating needs, and get a professional to fix it for you to avoid future malfunctions associated with poor installation.

High-efficiency showerheads

Showering is one of the activities on the daily schedule for home occupants since it contributes significantly towards making people look presentable and clean. In the US, showering accounts for a significant amount of the total water used indoors. Apart from the water factor, these appliances utilize electricity for water heating purposes. If you want to save water and energy resources as well as eliminate high utility bills, consider purchasing the low-flow cum energy-efficient showerheads and have a certified plumber handle the installation.

According to EPA, an average family can save up to 2700 gallons of water and an amount of electricity that can power a home for about 11 days each year if it embraces the high efficient showerheads. Worth noting is that these fixtures have aerators to reduce the amount of water flowing out.

Low flow and touchless faucets

Leaks are a notorious cause of water wastage in multiple homes in Fernandina, FL. Without even knowing it, your home might be wasting hundreds of gallons of water each day. That translates to thousands of dollars in utility bills every year. One of the causes of these leaks is the improper installation of faucets or having faulty ones. A plumber can help you reverse or prevent that problem by replacing the old fixtures with water-efficient faucets that have features such as aerators that minimize the quantity of water flowing out as well as motion sensors that enable the taps to open and close without touch.

Having a professional install energy-efficient bathroom faucets will help you save a sizable amount of water. Upgrade your standard plumbing fixtures to energy-efficient ones, and you will put a smile on your face once your monthly utility bill arrives. And with that, you will contribute to a happy planet by saving the world some trees.

Low and dual flush toilets

In any regular home, the toilet is among the places that water usage is high. And if you have multiple family members, each flush goes down with gallons of water. That is worse for houses with older inefficient toilets that consume quite an amount of water if compared to their efficient counterparts. That implies that a lot of water goes to waste, especially if you use the same amount of water to flush down the liquid and solid waste. Apart from costing you high water bills, these toilets can make you incur additional expenses in terms of getting your sewer emptied due to frequent fillups.

Thanks to modern technology and inventions, manufacturers have come up with low flow and dual flush toilets that have drastically reduced the amount of water to about 1.28 gallons per flush. That is 20 percent less than the current federal standard of 1.6 gallons per flush and much lower than the 6 gallons for older, inefficient water closets. With all these satisfying statistics, homeowners can rest with the assurance that the money they use to purchase efficient toilets and seek installation services from a plumber will be worthwhile in the long run due to a reduction in utility costs.

Hot water recirculation kits

Although not popular amongst some homeowners, hot water recirculation kits are essential devices that help minimize water heating and usage bills. They boost the time in which water takes to heat and are a suitable option for water heaters located relatively far from the pipes leading to showerheads and faucets. The devices can circulate water in the pipes back to the water heater for reheating. They are activated through automatic motion sensors or using a switch or button when it is time for releasing hot water in the bathroom or sanitary and kitchen sinks.

These hot water recirculation systems are available in plumbing stores. You can ask a plumber about the quality products and let them handle the installations. Otherwise, you may end up a victim of hot water burns if you decide to try the DIY method and have no one to blame but yourself. Needless to say, there is also the high cost of hospital care!

Get a seasoned plumber 

Bert Norman’s Plumbing handles plumbing issues that homeowners in the area face. Our plumbers are available 24/7 to deliver emergency plumbing service. If you are a homeowner here or in the surrounding areas and need services such as installing energy and water-efficient plumbing accessories, reach us via a phone call, and we will be ready to serve you.

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