A few years ago, tankless water heaters became a popular choice for homeowners looking to save on their energy bills and create more space. Standard water heaters heat on a continuous basis, whereas tankless water heaters only heat when needed, and the result is about a 20% more efficient water heating system.  

But are tankless water heaters all they’re made out to be? The answer really depends on what your needs and personal preferences are. For some, a traditional water heater is still the best option – especially if you don’t want to spend a lot of money up front. For others, a tankless water heater is a great solution if space is limited and you’re looking to save money in the long term. 

Here are the benefits of a tankless water heater. 

Instant hot water. You’ll never have to wait for the water to heat up with a tankless water heater. That’s perhaps one of the best reasons to invest in this kind of heater. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about running out of hot water, either.   

They’re durable. Most tankless water heaters will last about twenty years or even more. That’s about ten years longer than the warranty on the typical traditional water heater.    

Lower month to month costs. Homeowners who invest in a tankless water heater can expect to save a significant amount of money annually, as they’re designed to be extremely energy efficient. 

They save space. Because most tankless water heaters are mounted on a well in the basement, they’re a great choice for homeowners with limited space. 

Special financing and tax breaks. Since they are so efficient, tankless water heaters can qualify you for tax credits. In fact, the federal government will award a 10% tax credit on the cost of buying and installing your tankless water heater.   

Longer warranties. Many tankless water heaters come with a 20 year warranty, which can save homeowners money if a repair is needed. 

The cons of tankless water heaters 

Higher startup costs. Tankless water heaters are significantly higher in price to purchase; most cost double the amount of a traditional water heater. You’ve also got to factor in the cost of installation, which requires a professional experienced in tankless water heater installation.  

More equipment required. Often times, additional equipment like a water softener is needed. That can take up more space, and make the cost of the tankless water heater even more expensive. 

You may need to reroute gas lines. Installing a tankless water heater may mean needing to reroute your home’s gas lines and you may also need to install venting as well.

As you can see, there are many reasons to use a tankless water heater, and some big reasons not to invest in one as well. Still in the fence about which to choose? Call a professional plumber. We can help you make the right decision for your home and family. Call or Contact the at Allied Reddi-Rooter, 513-396-5300.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.

Before you hire a plumber, you’re going to want to do some homework to make sure you’re choosing the very best. It’s a big decision, after all. Choose one that isn’t reputable and you’re in danger of being overcharged, scammed, and you may even need more repairs than when you started. 

But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our eight tips on how to choose a reputable plumber.  

Ask friends. Always start by asking trusted friends to give you a recommendation when choosing a plumber. Today anyone can go online and write a great review for a plumber, so your best bet is to ask friends because they’ll be honest and unbiased. 

Check review websites. Of course, online reviews are still very relevant, but stick with review sites that verify their reviews. Angie’s List, Facebook, and Yelp are good sources, as is Houzz. When you’re looking for plumbing companies on review sites, steer clear of the ones that receive consistent negative reviews. 

Make sure they carry insurance. Before you schedule any plumbing appointments, make sure the company you choose has insurance and that it’s current. That way, if they break something and cause damage to your home while on the job, you won’t have to waste time in court trying to get your money back. 

And that they’re licensed, too. Think anyone with a toolbox can be a plumber? Think again. Professional plumbers have to go through extensive training before they can become licensed. Just as you make sure your plumber is insured, you should also make sure that they are licensed. 

Plumbers should look professional. Sure, plumbing is a messy job – but that doesn’t mean your plumber should show up looking less than professional. Most reputable plumbing companies provide their employees with uniforms or clothing with the company name. And most drive stocked company trucks. If your plumber shows up in everyday clothes in an unmarked truck, be wary. 

They should offer a warranty. Make sure you choose a plumbing company that stands by their work and offers a warranty.  

They provide accurate estimates. All reputable plumbers give accurate estimates and stick to them. They do this for two reasons – not only because it’s good customer service, but a good professional plumber understands before they get started on a job how much time, labor, and materials it should take to do it right. 

They should value your time. The plumber you choose should schedule a time that works for you, and arrive on time. Avoid plumbing companies that won’t commit to a set time or can only give you a big window of time when they may (or may not) show up. The best plumbers value your time because we value your business. 

Call or Contact the at Allied Reddi-Rooter, 513-396-5300.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.

Mold and mildew in your bathroom isn’t just smelly and unsightly, it can also lead to health issues if not treated. Luckily, mold and mildew growth is also easy to control and eliminate. 

One of the best ways to tackle mold and mildew growth in your home is to not let it happen in the first place. But sometimes that’s easier said than done – especially in the humid summer months. 

Here are eight ways to keep mold and mildew at bay. 

Avoid leaks. One of the top causes of mold in the bathroom are from  leaks from faucets or showerheads. Even a small leak can lead to mildew and mold growth. As soon as you detect a leak, locate the source and get it repaired. While you may be able handle a small leak repair on your own, it’s best to contact a plumber if the leak is major. 

Use proper ventilation. Your bathroom should be equipped with a fan or ventilation system to reduce moisture caused from steam and heat. Always use your bathroom’s fan after bathing or showering and keep it turned on until all the humidity and any dampness is gone. If you’re concerned you don’t have adequate ventilation in your bathroom, it’s time to get a professional opinion.

Do a grout check. Look regularly at the grout surrounding your bathtub and shower, sinks and toilets. It’s a good idea to check the grout around tilework as well. Grout should completely seal spaces. If it doesn’t and there are open spots or holes, use grout sealer to fill in those places. This will keep bacteria and mold from growing. 

Replace old shower liners. Shower liners are one of the most common sources for mold and mildew, however,  liners are inexpensive enough that you could ideally replace them every few months. An alternative is to wash them thoroughly every week. 

It’s also a good idea to wash shower curtains, rugs and linens on a regular basis as well. Or, purchase a mildew and mold resistant shower curtain and liner.   

Wipe down the shower. Have a sponge on hand, as well as some shower and bathtub cleaner, when you shower, so that afterwards, you can quickly spray and wipe down the tile and grout. You can keep the spray bottle in the shower, stored with your other bath and shower products.  

Do a major bathroom clean regularly.  While wiping your bathtub and shower often can help with day-to-day mold management, make sure to schedule time to thoroughly clean your bathroom at least once a week. Use a heavy-duty cleaning solution for the shower and bathtub, and take this time to inspect the bathroom for mold, and for leaks as well. 

Control the humidity. To reduce mold and mildew, homes should remain below 50% humidity at all times. Invest in a dehumidifier if needed.  

Store away soaps and shampoos. Mold and mildew can hide on bottles of shampoos, soap containers, toys, and almost anything else that stays in the shower or the bathtub. Make sure to wash and dry all bottles after showering, or better yet, keep them stored in a dry area within easy access when you’re showering. Call or Contact the at Allied Reddi-Rooter, 513-396-5300.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.

While we aren’t the biggest fans of DIY when it comes to your home’s plumbing, we understand the need to be prepared. Especially when you need a quick fix for something like a leaking faucet or broken shower head — at least until the professionals can fix the problem for good.  

If you want to do a little DIY plumbing, especially on simpler jobs like unclogging a drain or fixing a broken pipe, you’re going to need the right tools. Here’s a list of seven plumbing tools we recommend you have on hand. With these, you’ll be ready when the time comes to roll up your sleeves and do a little plumbing. 

Plunger – You probably have a plunger, but if not, this should be the first tool you purchase for your home’s plumbing needs. We recommend visiting your local hardware store for a decent plunger that fits the drains in your home. More than one plunger would be ideal, too. 

Keep the plunger in the bathroom or other room you’ll use it for, so you can unclog drains quickly.  Hint: Adding petroleum jelly on the rim of the plunger will help it secure it to the surface so it works better.

Wrench(es) – That’s right. You’ll need more than one wrench for most plumbing jobs. Start with two basic pipe wrenches – one to do the turning and the other to stabilize. You’ll also want to invest in a basin wrench, which has a clamp-style jaw that can grip and turn bolts and fasteners in hard-to-reach places. Lastly, you should have an adjustable wrench on hand that you can use for various plumbing jobs around the house. 

Putty – Often called “jointing compound” or “plumber’s putty,” it’s used to create watertight seals and is very helpful to stop small leaks around your drains and faucets.  

Water pump pliers – These are also commonly called “tongue and groove pliers,” and can be found at your local hardware store. Water pump pliers can be adjusted to grab larger parts and have long handles for loosening and tightening. 

Plumber’s tape – If you’ve got a leaking threaded joint, you’ll need to seal it with plumber’s tape. After wrapping layers around dry threads you should be able to tighten back on the fixture, but this time with a secured seal. Plumber’s tape is also called “Teflon tape,” so look for that at the hardware store if you can’t find plumber’s tape. 

Auger – For more serious toilet and kitchen plumbing repairs, you could invest in an auger. A hand-cranked auger has a metal cable that can infiltrate your toilet drain to rid it of what’s clogging it. Augers can also be used in all sorts of drains. If you have a home with older plumbing, we recommend investing in an auger. 

Hacksaw – Small hacksaws are great for cutting into hard to reach places that other tools can’t access. These are also effective at cutting stubborn rusted nuts and bolts. 

Good luck on your DIY plumbing projects, and remember: nothing replaces professional plumbing services. We’ll make sure your plumbing problem is fixed quickly and right the first time so it doesn’t cause more problems in the future.   

Call or Contact the at Allied Reddi-Rooter, 513-396-5300.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.

When news broke in 2016 that the amount of lead found the city of Flint, Michigan’s water had risen to toxic levels, it was cause for concern across the county. The situation in Flint was so bad that in one home, water was 867 times higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 15 ppb limit. 

As Flint scrambled to find ways to solve the problem while securing ways to get safe water, cities in the U.S. looked into their own lead levels. The dire situation in Flint also shed light on how important clean drinking water is, and how serious the consequences can be if they aren’t.

How safe is Cincinnati’s drinking water? 

The short answer is: very safe.

Flint’s problem, specifically, was lead contamination in the drinking water. The culprit was corrosion in aging lead pipes that was not filtered properly by the city before the water went through city pipes and into homes.  

The good news here in Cincinnati is that Greater Cincinnati Waterworks (GCWW) has had an established corrosion control process long before the issue in Flint arose. In fact, GCWW has always met or exceeded EPA health standards for drinking water. 

Additionally, GCWW’s state-of-the-art water treatment process also includes “sand filtration, Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) and ultraviolet (UV) light to remove and treat for natural and man-made contaminants from our drinking water,” according to its website. 

In fact, the California, Ohio treatment plant was one of the first in the country to use all four treatment methods. 

The GCWW’s extensive water treatment means it’s highly unlikely for something like what happened in Flint to happen here. However, it does not mean that we’re entirely in the clear. That’s because no level of lead in water is healthy. 

In an historic city like Cincinnati, extra attention to lead levels in water need to be given in old homes and especially in schools, because children run the highest risk of anyone of lead poisoning. Fifty percent of lead they ingest gets absorbed by their bones (in adults about ten percent gets absorbed). 

Lead poisoning: Know the signs 

If you’re worried you or your loved one has been exposed to toxic levels of lead, here are the symptoms to watch for, according to mayoclinic.com: 

Testing your home’s water 

Currently there are no lead issues in the city, but if you’re worried about the quality of your drinking water, we recommend getting it tested. GCWW offers a free water testing kit to detect lead in your water. You can also purchase water testing kits on Amazon.com, and at your local hardware store. 

Most kits range in price from $10-$20. That’s a small price to pay for your family’s health, and for your peace of mind.

We also recommend investing in a water filter system for your home. Whole house water systems are ideal, but if they aren’t in your budget, consider adding filters to your faucets, especially in your kitchen. These can not only help filter lead from the water, but other chemicals and pollutants, too.  

Call or Contact the at Allied Reddi-Rooter, 513-396-5300.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.