When you’re looking to get a new water heater system, the first thing you should do is learn as much as you can about the different types of heaters so that you can choose the right one. Generally, there are two types of heating units: the tank and tankless variations. These different types have different benefits and downsides, which is why it’s important that you are able to choose one that suits your needs.
That said, here is our guide on how to choose between the tank and tankless variations:

How Much Does a Water Heater Cost?

Before we can go into detail about the tank and tankless water heaters, you need to know how much a typical unit costs. You can find a decent water heater that can handle your day-to-day needs for around $1,000. However, you should keep in mind that such heaters are on the lower end of the spectrum, as decent ones can go for much higher prices. The most balanced options for residential use generally cost around $2,500 to $3,000, so you shouldn’t always go for the cheapest option.

How Long Does a Water Heater Last?

A proper-sized water heater can last up to 20 years with adequate care, but the models that can last that long without becoming highly inefficient are incredibly rare. You can realistically expect a model to last for around 6 to 12 years before it needs to be changed, so keep that in mind when you’re buying a water heater.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Water Heater?

The installation cost is usually more static than the price of the heater itself, as there aren’t that many factors that can make it vary too much. For a standard 50-gallon heater, you can expect to pay around $1,200 to have it installed. That price can turn out to be cheaper or more expensive, depending on the service charge, expertise, and certifications of an installer.

Now that we’ve cleared that up for you, let’s dive into the pros and cons of the tank and tankless variations so that you can make a decision.

Tank Heater

The Pros:

Relatively cheap

Simpler installation process

Able to handle hefty demands for hot water

High-quality technology

The Cons:

Shorter lifespan

Takes up more room indoors

Unsuitable for outdoor use

Not as energy efficient



Tankless

The Pros:

Energy-efficient

Heats up very quickly

More compact

Lasts longer

Can be installed either indoors or outdoors

The Cons:

More expensive

Installation takes longer

Expensive installation costs due to the intricate layout



Can’t handle quite as much water as the tank system

Choosing the Right Installer

Regardless of the type of unit you choose, it’s imperative that you find the right installer for your home to make sure that you don’t end up throwing your money away. The margin for error on such operations are rather high, so it’s important that you work with a reputable and credible service provider. You should look for their qualifications and certifications to see if they are experienced in the work you will hire them to do. While this may not be a foolproof strategy, it can still help ensure that your property will be protected if anything goes wrong during the installation process. If you’re looking for a plumbing service in Denver, CO get in touch with us today! We’re happy to provide a free quotation.

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Dear Colby Plumbing Family,

We understand what challenges we have before us today with the outbreak of COVID-19. Please know that here at Colby Plumbing Company we take our clients and our personal safety with upmost priority. With that in mind we have taken the following precautions to not only ensure our clients safety and well-being but as well as the well-being of the entire Colby Plumbing staff.

• We have been regularly disinfecting our offices to help ensure that our entire staff is safe from the virus.
• Our plumbers regularly wash their hands to help prevent the spread of the virus.
• We regularly sanitize our trucks to ensure that we are not spreading germs.
• Our plumbers wear all required protective gear: respirator, eye protection and gloves before we enter anyone’s house to ensure germs are not spread throughout your home.

Thank you so very much for using Colby Plumbing and trusting us to take care of you and your home’s plumbing needs. Please reach out to us if you have any further questions or concerns for us during these challenging times.

Sincerely,



Andrew Dupree

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Nowadays, one thing we have to keep in mind is that we should make everything in our home as efficient as possible. You don’t want to pay for something that you don’t need, so we try our best to be careful when it comes to our spending. However, there’s a problem that we might not have considered when it comes to our monthly expenses, which is leaks. You can try to limit your water usage, but when there’s a leaky faucet in your home, there’s not much you can do except to fix it. When you think about this problem, it’s easy to see how it can raise your water bill significantly.

How much is a leak costing me each month?

Depending on the severity of the leak, you might be paying 10% more than your actual water usage because of it. What’s worse, you’re not even getting anything out of that amount of money you’re paying, so however much it is, all of it is just going to waste.

If you’re looking to put an end to this, here are three places that you need to check for leaks:

// Leaking Toilet
The toilet tank is prone to leaks and it can be so subtle that you can’t see it with the naked eye. If you suspect there’s a leak in your toilet tank, you can add two drops of food coloring to the water in the tank and see if the water in the toilet changes color. If it doesn’t, that means you’re dealing with a leaky toilet tank and you need to contact a plumber right away.

// Leaking Faucet
The faucet is another part of the home where a leak is most likely to occur. If you see that the faucet is dripping water even when the knob is turned all the way off, that’s what we call a leaky faucet. While it may not seem like a major problem, but if you collect all the water dripping from a leaky faucet until it’s fixed, you’ll have enough for you and your family to use for weeks. That’s a considerable amount of water you’re wasting. Most of the time, leaky faucets occur due to the water seal being broken or worn, so it’s something you can fix without the aid of a plumber.

// Leaking Showerhead
If you think that a leaky faucet is a big problem, a leaky shower head is much worse. Shower heads are larger than faucets, so a leak in one will spill more water, which means that you’ll be wasting more money. You can fix a leaky shower head the same way you would a faucet, but if that doesn’t work, then we advise you to call a professional plumber right away.

If you’re looking for a professional plumbing service to come and take care of any leaks in your home, Colby Plumbing is your best option. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

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Humans grow old. Houses age as well. Their components, such as plumbing pipes, also age. But it’s the prospect of replacing all of these aged pipes which gives homeowners the creeps, as the costs could be too high. Unknown to them, however, is that old pipes can lead to more costly problems and leaks that would affect not only the tubes themselves but other parts of the house, so it’s better to spend on an expensive overhaul of old pipes than to pay fives times as much money to repair damage from leaked or ruptured pipes. Also, it’s not in all cases where all old pipes are replaced in one go. Plumbers may only have to replace some sections at a time, usually those at the brink of a breakdown.

The number one sign of plumbing pipe aging: corrosion

Corrosion isn’t a problem in more modern homes where plumbing pipes are made of PVC material. But if your home’s plumbing pipes are made of galvanized iron or copper, chances are these things would have signs of corrosion in them. Your water contains natural ions that react with the surface of these metallic pipes over time, weakening these material’s integrity. The reaction of these ions with the metal surface of the pipes also forms dregs that can clog your pipe interior. Corrosion is more common in houses decades old.

If water is finding its way out of your plumbing fixtures too difficult, dregs must already be blocking your pipes from within. Corrosion also thins out certain sections of plumbing pipes, which leads to leaks–and higher water bills. Dregs also form fine sediments that discolor the water coming from the tap. These signs of corrosion would tell you to have your pipes replaced as soon as possible. Call us if you see these signs and we’ll have our technicians come over to take a look. We have a borescope, a tiny camera attached to the end of a cable, that will help us spot corrosion surfaces from within your plumbing pipe.

Reasons to replace your corroded pipes with new pipes

Dregs can clog your plumbing pipes, which would disrupt the flow of water within your plumbing system. If these dregs are left ignored, dangerous levels of pressure could build up over time, resulting in rupture or tear in the pipes. Considering the level of damage that a rupturing pipe would bring, that’s enough reason to have your corroded pipes replaced, no matter how pricey it would be.

Don’t make the mistake of ignoring pipe problems like corrosion and dregs. Ignoring these problems could turn out more expensive for you. Let a certified technician from Colby Plumbing come to your home to see what’s wrong. The solution may turn out to be simpler than you thought. But if your pipes would indeed need replacement, we will be transparent with the extent of pipes that need replacing and the cost estimates. With Colby Plumbing, you will not receive a big bill as a surprise. You will only have an estimate and information about your pipes, which you can use to make an informed decision.

Treat new pipes as an added value for your property

By replacing your antiquated pipes with modern ones, you are taking your home to 21st Century plumbing standards. This would boost your selling price should you decide to put it on the market or have your property rented. Additionally, nobody wants to have orange-colored water coming from their tap. Pipe replacement is worth the value and safety it gives to your property and the money you will save from potentially costly repairs in the future.

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Most homeowners in the Denver area rarely think about their sewer line until it’s too late. What most homeowners don’t realize is that sewer systems play an important role in the day-to-day functions of your home. Sewer line problems tend to begin from inside the house when people throw the wrong stuff down the kitchen sink or toilet. Thus, in the event of sewer line problems, even these fixtures are affected. Repairs will also be expensive, on top of the hassle sewer line problems bring to everybody in your home. This is why regular sewer line maintenance is essential, especially if the system is located on your property. To determine if your sewer system has a problem that needs fixing while it’s still early, here are the three things you need to look out for:

1. Outdoor signs of sewer line problems

Clogged and leaky pipes in your sewer system will manifest outdoors in the form of soggy patches and weeds in your yard. They are indications that something is amiss beneath your yard, which is where your sewer line is. Wastewater will also cause weeds to grow faster and thicker in some areas of your yard, particularly near the damaged pipe. If you think you have a sewer line problem based on any of these signs, you should call a plumber as soon as possible.

2. Indoor manifestations of sewer line problems

Since all your house’s drains are ultimately linked to your sewer line, any problems in your sewer will inevitably affect your drains. Signs of sewer trouble indoors include debris and muck flowing back up the drains, frequent clogging of multiple drains, and water draining very slowly, if at all. You should also look out for strange noises coming from your plumbing fixtures or walls, regardless if there is water flowing in them or not. If you encounter any of these manifestations, call a professional plumber for help. They will know if the signs are indeed caused by problems in the sewer line or if they just happen to affect individual pipes. They can help you find the best way to repair your damaged line.

3. Undesirable odors

Rotten odors frequently emanating from the drain is another sign of sewer line problems. Such odors come from the bacteria and chemicals found in wastewater, and if you smell them, you need to have your sewer line fixed as soon as possible.

Prevention and maintenance: the key to taking care of your sewer line

Tree roots can damage your sewer lines and so can things like tissue paper and toys if they are forced down the drain. The best way to avoid costly repairs is to prevent damage from occurring in the first place. Don’t plant a tree near your sewer line. Make the kids in your home understand that toilets are something they shouldn’t play with. Lead by example through proper disposal of waste, including food scraps and toilet paper. Also, have a professional plumber conduct regular maintenance from time to time to rid your sewer lines of chemicals and deposits.

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With what little time we have in the world, small plumbing problems can be something that most of us tend to set aside until it’s too late. Clogged drains and leaking pipes become more difficult and expensive to repair the longer these problems are left unaddressed. Thus, at the first signs of plumbing problems, you need to have them taken care of immediately. If you find any of the following issues in your home’s plumbing, you must call a plumber from downtown Denver to have these issues dealt with as soon as possible.

1. Leaky faucet

If there’s still water dripping no matter how hard you close the faucet’s lever, you need to have a plumber come over. Every time you leave your faucet dripping, you are wasting up to 34 gallons of water a year, and that’s just for one faucet. The more leaky faucets you have, the more you’ll have to spend in paying unnecessary bills.

Save on wasted water bills by hiring a plumber to repair your leaky faucet. The repair may involve fixing your faucet’s interior washers or stoppers or could require the replacement of your entire faucet fixture, primarily if it’s already corroded. However, high water pressure could also be a reason for leaky faucets. Only a professional plumber knows how to correctly identify the underlying causes of a leaky faucet, saving you money from mistakes that you might make if you decided to repair the faucet yourself.

2. Toilets that don’t stop flushing

If you notice that the water inside the toilet bowl continue to swirl around as if it wants to remove something, that means it won’t stop flushing. You will also hear a continuous rush of water resupplying your toilet tank. This could be a problem on your water bills if left ignored.

Some of the causes behind this problem include issues with the toilet tank’s flapper valve, float, and fill tube. Sediments and silent leaks are also possible causes that might underlie a toilet that doesn’t stop flushing. A plumber can identify the cause of the toilet’s flushing problem and have it fixed.

3. Clogged or slow drains

Plungers only dislodge but not remove the debris that is causing your drains to be blocked. Drain cleaners can damage your drain fixtures if used too often or in too large amounts. A professional plumber has the equipment and expertise to clear your drain pipes. They also know the kind of technique and equipment to use depending on the type of material that causes the drain to flow slowly. Trash, grease, human waste, eggshells, and other objects respond differently to plungers and drain cleaners, which is why you will need a professional to have the declogging done efficiently and correctly.

4. Foul odors and smells

Leaks and obstructions within plumbing fixtures can contribute to foul odors and smells coming from your drains, walls, and floors. Leaks, in particular, are responsible for moisture where molds and bacteria can grow, causing the unpleasant smells in your house. These leaks can cause your house’s wooden parts to decay, threatening the safety of your family. Obstructions can contribute to leaks. Whether it’s a leak or obstruction or both which are causing foul odors and smells, you would need to have a plumber inspect and fix your plumbing immediately to prevent further damage.

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A plumbing problem is a major household concern. It can be such a hassle to attend to things like clogged drains, dripping faucets, leaking hose bibb, leaky pipes, low water pressure, running toilets, and sump pump failure, among others. If you’re at home, you can fix these problems yourself if you know what to do. If you don’t, or if a major plumbing disaster strikes, you can immediately contact a plumber for help.

But here’s the thing: what if you aren’t at home when these plumbing issues happen? After a relaxing and satisfying vacation, you don’t want to face all the plumbing problems in the world. The last thing you want is to go home to a flooded basement. It can be such a pain in the ass. To prevent this from happening, you need to resort to preventive measures prior to going on a vacation. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent a plumbing emergency. Here are some tips on how you can avoid plumbing problems while you’re on vacation.

Flapper Valve: seal the valve properly.

If you didn’t know, a flapper valve is a simple mechanism in your toilet tank. It allows your tank to refill after every flush. But flapper valves can sometimes get hung up, which means they either do not form a proper seal or do not close at all. In that case, the water will fill up the tank and continuously drip. If you are at home, you can simply run to the toilet and fix the problem immediately. But what if you aren’t? You’ll end up with an expensive water bill. That’s why you should make sure to seal the flapper valves properly. If there’s a problem, seek help from a plumber before you go on vacation.

Main Water Supply: shut it off.

Shutting off the main water supply is another preventive measure you can take. Doing so will give you peace of mind, particularly if you’ll be on vacation for several weeks at a time. Shutting off the main water supply will minimize the risk of water leakage. It’s best if you are familiar with where your main water supply is and how you can turn it off and on. Before leaving your home, you should make sure it is completely turned off. Even when you’re not on vacation, knowing how to turn it off will help in case you have sudden plumbing problems.

Water Heater: turn it off.

Apart from the main water supply, it’s imperative that you turn off the water heater before leaving. The former works in tandem with the latter. If you leave your hot water heater on without water, it will continue to heat up, which may cause damage to your home. You know that a water heater is used to heat water for baths, showers, and washing dishes and clothes. That said, it’s practical to turn it off when no one’s going to use it, since you’re going on vacation. Before leaving, you need to check if your water heater is working properly. If you suspect there’s an issue, you need to call a plumber as soon as possible.

Caretaker: have someone check in.

Finally, when you’re on vacation, what better way to avoid plumbing problems at home than to ask someone reliable to check up on your home? Have a friend or relative drop by and attend to things such as watering the plants or collecting your mail. Tell him or her to check the house for plumbing problems as well. He or she can simply walk through the house to check for any leaks or whatever. That will go a long way towards preventing plumbing problems while you’re on a relaxing vacation.

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The drains are an integral part of your home, as it helps to clear the dirty water. Having a clogged drain can be the most frustrating and disgusting thing you will ever experience, so it’s best that you avoid that scenario entirely. For this reason, it’s best that you work with a professional plumber to have them take care of your drains for you.
If you don’t believe that working with a professional plumber is the best thing you can do, here are six reasons why you should consider otherwise:

Preventing Clogging & Blockages

Hair, oil, and dirt will slowly build up in your drain until it becomes too thick for water to pass through. When that happens, you will notice that your drain doesn’t flow as quickly as it should, which causes the water to rise back up from the tub. You have to clear out the blockage before you can start using the sink, shower, or tub again. A professional plumber can take care of this issue in minutes, which can help to save a considerable amount of time for you.

Putting a Stop to the Unpleasant Odors

The kitchen drain has to process a considerable amount of food particles, which can cause unpleasant smells to rise from the drain. The plumber will come in with a special tool that can help clear out all the stains from the inside of the drain, which can help to get rid of all the smells along with it.

Helping to Keep Your Home Clean

When the drains are dirty, you will notice that there are more insects like flies and cockroaches in your home. Therefore, it’s best that you keep the drains clean to make sure that you don’t have to deal with the pest issues on the side. A plumbing service can help to make sure that the drains are clean to prevent these insects from nesting in your drain pipes, helping to keep your home clean and spotless. What’s more is that when the drain is clean, you will notice that your home will stay clean for longer, as there won’t be any dirt from the drains that you have to clean up after.

Protecting Your Family

When the drain is clogged, the chances of the water accidentally getting into your food or drinking water is increased exponentially. Therefore, it’s best that you avoid this issue entirely by having a plumber clear out the clogged drain altogether.

Sustainable & Reliable Repairs

When you tell people that you have a clogged drain, they will tell you about the thousands of ways to get rid of that issue. In reality, half of these methods don’t work and the other half can cause significant damage to your pipework. It’s always a better idea to have a professional take care of these issues, as that’s the only sustainable and safe way to complete the repair process.

Identifying Future Issues Before They Happen

A professional plumber can identify a problem that may occur long before it happens, which allows you to protect yourself from these problems. For example, if they see that your pipework is mostly rusted and corroded, they may suggest that you reinstall your pipework to ensure that you won’t have to deal with a more significant issue in the future. If you’re looking for a plumbing service in Denver, CO get in touch with us today! We’re happy to provide a free quotation.

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Despite the rise in the number of plumbers entering the plumbing industry, looking for one to service your home’s needs continues to be a challenge. With the proliferation of discounts and other promos, it’s easy to go for the first one that offers you the most affordable rate. But is that enough of a reason to hire someone to see to your plumbing needs? Although such offers may be tempting, you should never have to settle when it comes to finding a plumber. Choosing a cheap plumber might cost you more than what you would’ve shelled out if you had gone with a more expensive but more qualified plumber.
So, what qualities should you look for in someone who can come fix your plumbing?

Qualifications and Experience

When it comes to finding the best plumber for you, checking their experience and qualifications is definitely a must. Any plumber worth their salt should be able to show you their certifications. The one you hire should be fully licensed and registered with a reputable plumbing company. It would also be a good idea for you to go on the internet and check out other people’s honest reviews of someone’s work before you hire them.

Punctuality

Plumbers are typically portrayed as delinquent professionals in the media. While that may be somewhat unfair, it still isn’t something you can shrug off because you can never be too careful when hiring someone to do any kind of repair work on your home. That said, a professional plumber will be respectful of your time and arrive at your door promptly, especially during emergency situations.

Trust

To get straight to the point, you should be able to trust your plumber, especially because they’ll spend a lot of time in your home. The possibility of being overcharged or even robbed can exist, so it’s always a good idea to get a plumber trusted by your family and friends, or one who comes highly recommended on the internet, just so you know what to expect.

Reliability

Because their work involves dealing with the inner workings of your home, your plumber should definitely be reliable. A reliable plumber should be able to deal with your plumbing issues quickly and efficiently. The quality of a plumber’s work should come into play when you’re deciding whether to hire someone or not. If you hire someone who can’t be relied on to do good work, you’ll have to find another plumber to fix the mess they made of your plumbing.

Skillset and specialization

It should go without saying that your plumber should be skilled. There are some plumbers who specialize in fixing specific issues that can be found in different homes, but any decent plumber should be able to tell you what the problem is and what needs to be done right away, even if you only communicate over the phone or via text message.

If you’re looking for a plumbing service in Denver, CO get in touch with us today! We’re happy to provide a free quotation.

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