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How to Install a Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System

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reverse osmosis installation in California

Reverse osmosis water filtration systems are one of the best solutions when it comes to getting clean water in your home. They have numerous benefits over other options such as carbon filters and ultraviolet setups used to disinfect water. In most households, these units are installed underneath the sink to provide only drinking water due to their supreme inefficiency (as they use about 70% of the water filtered by them is discarded). However, you can also use them to provide clean water in the entire house. In this article, we will guide you through the process of reverse osmosis system installation in California.

Installing a Reverse Osmosis Filter

If you want to carry out reverse osmosis installation in California, you will first need to ensure that the cabinet underneath your sink has enough space for the filter. You will also need to figure out what type of cold water source you will be using, as filter kits come with different types of connections.

Once you have your Home Master reverse osmosis installation kit, you will need to install the sink-top spigot first. To do this, you will need to use an existing spigot opening in your sink or cut a new hole. Next, you will need to put the tank in its intended spot and attach the spigot connected to the tank nipple using some plumber’s tape. Once that’s done, figure out where you are going to put hanger washers on the wall and mark those locations. Attach the hanger washers and put the filter assembly in place.

Next, you will need to shut off your water and attach the green water pipe that came in the kit to your home’s water line. You should also connect the rest of the tubes according to the kit instructions, as these can vary between different types of filtration setups. Next, you will need to connect your filter to the drain using a drain tee. The drain tube of the filter should feed directly into the adapter tee.

Once the installation has been carried out, you should switch the water supply back on and turn on cold water to remove extra air from the pipes. Allow the filtration system to pressurize for about 2 hours and ensure that there are no leaks. Turn on the filter spigot and let it purge for at least 24 hours before starting to use the water from the filter.

Tools and materials needed for the job

  • Water filtration kit.
  • Pipe-seal tape for plumbing.
  • Tape measure.
  • Screwdrivers.
  • Level.
  • Adjustable wrench.
  • Hacksaw.
  • Channel-lock pliers.

Why Reverse Osmosis Installation is Best Left to the Professionals

No matter how much experience you have with home projects, reverse osmosis water filter installation in California is best left to professionals. They have all the necessary training, knowledge, and skills to carry out the job as quickly as possible. Plus, there is no doubt that a professional will carry out reverse osmosis installation near me or reverse osmosis water filter replacement correctly. However, if you do the job yourself, you may make mistakes and damage your plumbing, filtration kit, or even cause a leak. Plus, you will likely need to purchase expensive materials and tools just to complete the job and spend many hours trying to make sense of all the piping. It’s a much better idea to have a professional carry out the installation of reverse osmosis in California for you. 

If you’re looking for quality reverse osmosis repair in the Bay Area, don’t hesitate to call United Plumbing, the best plumbers in San Jose. 

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Why Are Professional Plumbing Services Important

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Being a homeowner is a lot of work. You have to pay utility bills, maintain your yard, and ensure that everything inside your home is in working order. One of the most important systems in your home is, of course, its plumbing. Many homeowners try to diagnose and fix issues with pipes and sewer systems in their homes by themselves, but this can often lead to significant issues and expenses down the line because they don’t have the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge to do the job correctly. In this article, we will explain why plumbing is important and why you should always hire a professional plumbing company to deal with problems.

So, here are the main reasons why getting quality plumbing services is essential:

1. Save money

Even though it may seem like you will be saving money by carrying out repairs on pipes and appliances your own, more often than not these DIY repairs actually lead to you spending more money than if you hired a professional San Jose plumbing company right away. This occurs because you will likely need to purchase tools and materials specifically to carry out the repairs. Plus, if the issue re-emerges later, you will need to spend even more time and money to fix it. On the other hand, if you hire a quality service plumbing company, you will only need to pay the fee for the job. 

2. Minimize risks

While many people don’t realize this, most plumbing tasks are quite dangerous, as they require you to move heavy objects and equipment, work with electricity, etc. If you don’t have the skills and knowledge needed to carry out pipe repairs and appliance installations safely, you should let professionals from United Plumbing services handle the job.

3. Get fast and efficient service

Many people who face leaks and other plumbing issues believe that they can easily fix the problem simply by watching a YouTube video and following the instructions. However, you should remember that if you don’t know how to carry out a certain task, it will likely take you significantly longer to complete it compared to a professional who has done the job hundreds of times. It will also take you several times just to get things right. And when it comes to plumbing issues, most people don’t have the luxury of wasting that much time on repairs. So if you want to get fast, high quality plumbing services in the San Jose area, you should call professionals at United Plumbing right away.

4. Take advantage of professional experience and experience

Most professional plumbers have many years of experience under their belt. They’ve likely dealt with the same issue you’re experiencing many times and know the best way to carry out the repairs. They can also diagnose your system and spot other issues early on before they cause significant damage. Professionals also know how to properly service and maintain pipes, sewer systems, and appliances can help diagnose and prevent leaks and other problems early on. So don’t hesitate, search for “plumbing repair near me” or call United Plumbing if you live in the Bay Area.

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6 reasons why early leak detection is crucial

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Even though most people don’t think about the pipes in their homes too much in their daily lives, they are incredibly important to having a well-functioning home. Leaking pipes can cause damage to your home and land, disrupt the water supply in your home, and bring about many other serious issues if you fail to repair the breakage in the pipe on time. In this article, we will discuss the top reasons why timely leak detection is so crucial. 

Leaks can cause damage to your home

If a leak occurs in your home or on the surrounding property, the water can cause extensive damage to your home’s foundation, basement, flooring, and other areas. It can also ruin your lawn and other buildings on your property and cause mold. And if water leak repair is not carried out on time, the liquid can also cause damage to the neighboring properties, leaving you financially liable.

Higher utility bills

Even a small break in the pipes can cause a significant increase in your monthly utility bill. This is why if you’re seeing an unexpected increase in the amount of water your household is using, it’s best to hire a water leak detection company to conduct a check.

Interruptions in the water supply

A leak on your property can affect not only the supply of drinking water to your home but also to other houses, businesses, and even emergency service infrastructure in the area. United Plumbing services can help examine the pipes on your property and ensure that they are intact. 

Safety of the water supply

When a pipe breaks, the drinking water that remains inside it and continues to make its way to the end-user can easily become contaminated with chemicals, minerals, dirt, debris, and bacteria. Plus, if there’s a breakage in a sewer pipe, it could cause widespread damage and contamination in the surrounding ground. Using a water leak detector can help ensure that this doesn’t happen and keep your family, employees, and business patrons safe. 

Water conservation

Today, climate change, widespread droughts, and booming population levels are causing significant water shortages all around the US. Pipe breaks on residential and commercial properties only exacerbate this situation. As a result, each property owner who is concerned about the environment and the future of the planet should take steps to conserve water. Hiring a San Jose leak detection company to carry out regular inspections is an easy and affordable step in that journey. 

Increased cost down the road

When a leak first occurs, it is most likely not very expensive or difficult to repair. In some instances, you can use a water pump leak quick fix to get rid of the issue by yourself, in other situations you may need to call a local San Jose plumbing company to help. In any case, fixing a new pipe break is generally fast and inexpensive. However, as time goes on that leak will likely expand and cause additional damage, which can lead to significant expenses and problems. 

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Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe to Use in a Home?

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If you’ve never faced a clogged drain in your house, consider yourself very lucky! But those of you who have known how much pain and struggle it is. And in search of the easiest and fastest solution, a great share of people choose to resort to chemical drain cleaners. But have you ever wondered how dangerous and toxic they are? You should know the whole truth about store-bought chemicals before making a hasty decision and pouring a caustic drain cleaner down your drain pipes.

Top reasons why you shouldn’t use a chemical drain cleaner

Threat to health

Some cleaners may be poisonous since they emit harmful fumes. Their improper use may result in health problems for your family members and pets later down the road. And while these chemicals can dissolve tough blockages in no time, they also can significantly damage your skin if it comes into contact with the cleaner.

 

In addition to this, lots of homeowners fail to read and therefore follow the guidelines and safety recommendations on the labels of these products. When using a chemical drain cleaner you must:

  • Make sure the area is well-ventilated
  • Restrict access to children and pets
  • Never combine different drain cleaners
  • Always use rubber gloves when handling chemicals
  • Avoid using a plunge

If you ignore these safety precautions, a clogged drain will be the least of your issues.

Corrosion

A drain cleaning solution contains chemicals that are powerful enough to cut through hair, grease, and other debris. Since these chemicals are so corrosive, they can cause pipes to soften and become susceptible to damage. If they are used frequently, over time, the pipes will ultimately need to be replaced.

Environmental impact

Chemical drain cleaners ultimately end up in water and soil, posing a great environmental risk since the majority of these products contain bleach and other chemicals that produce fumes. Plus, a small amount of chemical solution will always remain in the packaging, which might become an issue when its dropped off in a landfill.

Questionable efficacy

We’ve all seen ads telling us how effective drain cleaners are. But the key point all commercials fail to mention is that these solutions can’t eliminate all causes of clogs. For instance, if the blockage happens because of a damaged pipe, applying a chemical cleaner will not fix your problem. Instead, it will create further issues by allowing the solution to seep from your pipe. At the same time, some clogs may be caused by tree roots and there is no way chemicals can fix that. In this case, you’ll need to seek the help of a professional who can use specialized equipment to fix the issue.

 

At first glance, it may seem like a store-bought drain cleaner is the best thing that ever happened to you, but this can be deceiving, and sometimes the easiest solution isn’t the right one.

 

Sometimes, all our efforts just aren’t enough to clean a clogged drain. In that case, it is a good idea to stop wasting effort and time on DIY methods and get some professional help! Give us a call to schedule a visit from one of our skilled plumbers to fix and clean your drains.

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Do I Need to Turn Off My Water When I Go on a Long Vacation?

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Imagine that you are laying on a sandy beach, slowly sipping a cocktail. And suddenly, a phone call utterly shatters this paradise. Next thing you know, you are dealing with a flooded home, ruined furniture, and a damaged water supply system. And you keep asking yourself: What could I have done to prevent this disaster? The answer is pretty simple: you should have turned off the water.

 

Turning off water in your house before going on vacation is one of the wisest decisions you can ever make. It can spare you a lot of possible water damage and save you from huge repair expenses caused by a broken pipe.

There are various reasons why shutting off the water is so important and we will explain them in this article.

Why is turning off the water so vital?

Coming back to a flooded home isn’t exactly what you dream of when going on vacation, is it? Such a disaster may have a negative impact not only on your mood but on the state of the wiring, furniture, and electronics in your home. The expenses you will face will likely be exorbitant, even if you have full insurance coverage. And rewiring the entire electrical system and repairing the water supply line can require you to tear up flooring and walls, which will cause further damage and require more repair work to be done.

 

Taking into consideration everything mentioned above, we are sure you’ll agree that turning the water off in your house is a wise choice that can save you a lot of money, stress, and time. 

 

And if you feel like simply shutting off water isn’t enough and you will still be worried, there is one more step you can take to prevent flooding, which is emptying your water lines.  

Do I need to empty water lines before going on a vacation?

This task is actually quite simple to accomplish since all you have to do is to turn off the main water supply valve, which can be found inside your house in the spot where the main pipe enters the building. In some houses, the valve is located on the outside where the line connects to the water meter. You can safely leave the rest of the valves open.

Last tip before you leave

A week before leaving the house, schedule a final check-up of your home’s faucets, water supply lines, and carefully search for any visible pipes damage or leaks. Leave yourself ample time to hire a plumber. Don’t forget to tighten loose fittings and make sure other systems work properly.

If you turn off your water at the main supply before leaving, you’ll prevent any unexpected surprises when you return home. Our company will be happy to help you deal with any plumbing issues you may experience. We can even help you find your water supply shut off valve and show you how to properly switch it off! To learn more, call us or send an email right away.

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What kinds of plumbing fixtures help to save water?

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Whether you want to save money on your water bill, be more environmentally conscious, or simply rescue water consumption because your area experiences frequent water shortages, you should definitely look into installing water-saving plumbing fixtures in your home. Let’s talk about the most common options you can use to save water in your home:

Pressure-reducing valve

A pressure-reducing valve or PRV can be installed in many homes to reduce the water in the house. In many houses, the water pressure is more than 35psi, however, your plumbing will work just fine if the pressure is about 35 psi. While reducing the water pressure won’t cause a lot of issues or discomfort, it can help you save a significant amount of water.

Water-saving dishwasher and washing machine

You’re already saving lots of water if you use a dishwasher instead of doing your dishes by hand and put your clothes in a washing machine instead of washing them yourself (if anyone even does that anymore). However, you can further reduce water consumption if you opt for a modern water-efficient dishwasher and washing machine.

Performance showerheads

You can reduce the amount of water you use to shower by about 30% simply by installing performance showerheads. These simple fixtures use about 1.75 gallons of water per minute, while regular showerheads use about 2.5 GPM. 

Smaller bathtub

If you like to take baths often, you likely use up a ton of water. One way to reduce water consumption is to replace your old bathtub with a new model that has an ergonomic design. These tubs have a smaller volume, so you will automatically use less water to fill them up, however, their design ensures that you can still feel comfortable and enjoy your bath.

High-efficiency toilet

Many modern toilets feature high-efficiency technology that allows them to use significantly less water during every flush. While old toilets use about 2.5 gallons of water during every flush, high-efficiency models use less than 1.3 gallons. These toilets feature a “water sense” label from the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Faucet aerators

These simple fixtures inject air into the water stream, which reduces the amount of water you use while maintaining the same level of pressure.

Re-circulating hot water system

These systems allow you to have hot water coming out of your faucets and showerheads as soon as you open the water flow instead of having to wait for the water to warm up.

Water-saving faucets

Just like performance showerheads, water-saving faucets allow you to reduce water consumption by about 30% whenever you open a faucet. The upside of these fixtures is that you likely won’t even notice a change in the water pressure.

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How to choose a toilet – Buying guide

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Many homeowners are willing to spend hours looking at different TVs or stereos trying to choose the best model for their home but don’t feel the need to spend as much effort on selecting a toilet. Even though this plumbing fixture is not fancy and you don’t hear a lot of people talking about their amazing new toilet, it’s very important to put some time and thought into selecting it. After all, each member of your family will be using it at least several times a day for the next 20 years or so. But how do you select a good toilet? We will explain it in this article.

Step 1: Determine the size

Every bathroom is different, so you should make sure that the toilet you choose can fit in the space you have available. If it doesn’t, this can cause a lot of issues and require pricey modifications. The best solution is to measure the space you have available while your old toilet is still in place. You will need to measure the distance from the bolts that hold your toilet in place on the floor to the wall behind it. In most bathrooms, this distance will be 12 inches, but it could also be 10 or 14. If the old toilet has already been removed, measure the distance between the wall and the center of the drainpipe. 

Step 2: Choose the type of toilet

There are many types of toilets you can choose from. Let’s take a look at some of them:

Two-piece toilets

Two-piece toilets are the most common choice you will see in most homes in the USA. These toilets consist of the bottom part and the top part (water tank) which are connected together with several bolts. These models are affordable but a little hard to clean.

One-piece toilets

In these toilets, the bowl and the tank are seamlessly fused together, which makes the fixture much easier to clean.

Wall-hung toilets

These toilets are an excellent choice if you’re working with a small space or if you want your bathroom to look extra sleek. Plus, they make it much easier to clean the floor and the toilet itself since it’s attached to the wall rather than standing on the floor like a regular toilet. However, the plumbing for these toilets is different from conventional fixtures, so you will likely only be able to install a wall-hung toilet if you’re building a home from scratch or carrying out an extensive renovation. 

Step 3: Choose the flush system

Modern toilets use several different types of flush systems. The type of the system can influence how well the water cleans the toilet during the flush, how much water your toilet uses, etc. Here are the most common flush systems:

Dual flush

Dual flush toilets have two flush buttons. One button causes the toilet to flush with half of the volume of the water in the tank. This is used to flush liquid waste. The second button uses the entire tank to flush solid waste. This system can reduce your water usage by up to 67%. 

Gravity flush

This is the conventional flush system installed on most toilets. It uses the weight of the water to generate the force to remove waste from the toilet. These systems are cheap to purchase and repair.

Pressure-assisted flush

These systems are generally used in commercial settings, as they use added pressure to make the toilet bowl cleaner. Plus, they reduce the chance of the toilet getting clogged.

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How to Locate and Operate a Water Shut Off Valve in Your Home

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Each adult should know how to open a bank account, pay taxes, and, of course, how to shut off the water in their home. Because if at some point in the future your find water gushing from a connection in the pipes inside your kitchen or bathroom, each minute you spend looking for the shut-off valve can cost you additional hundreds of dollars worth of damage. So if you want to be prepared and figure out the location of the water shut-off pipe and find out how to use it before you actually need it, keep reading this article.

3 Methods For Locating a Water Shut Off Valve

Find the valve inside your home

Most often, homeowners can locate the water shut off valve inside their homes. The valve is usually found on the perimeter of the house. If you’re using municipal water in your home, the valve will likely be located on the side of the house that faces the street. But if you’re using water from a well, the valve can be located on the side or back of the house, depending on the location of the well. Essentially, the valve will be located on the pipe through which all water enters your home. 

Use the property inspection report to locate the shut off valve

If you own your home, you should have a property inspection report. This document is usually given to the future owner of the house just after an inspection conducted just before the purchase of the house. If you can find this report, locate the plumbing section of the report. This section should have a location and photo of the shut off valve even if the inspector didn’t find any issues with it. 

Locate the Streetside Valve

If you’ve been unable to find the water valve in your home, you can try to find the curb valve instead. This is the valve located in the spot where your home’s water main connects to the municipal pipe that goes through your street. Curb valves are usually located in utility boxes next to the sidewalk or road at the edge of your property. Don’t try to shut off this valve by yourself. Instead, call the emergency contact line of your water company and ask for their permission to shut off the valve. They may allow you to shut the water off yourself or send a team to do it instead.

Operating a Shut Off Valve

If you need to shut off the water in your home, you need to understand how to operate the valve correctly. If you are working with a ball valve that has a straight handle, you need to put the handle in the position perpendicular to the pipe to turn off the water. When the handle is perpendicular to the direction of the pipe the water is on. 

 

If you are working with a gate valve that has a circle-shaped handle, you will need to turn the handle clockwise until the water shuts off. You will likely need to turn the handle several times. To turn the water back on, turn the valve counter-clockwise until water flow resumes. 

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How to Fix a Clogged Sewer Line?

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Does the water level in your toilet intermittently change without any reason, your sink emits foul odors, and after showering you notice gnarly noises coming from the walls? All of these could be indications that the sewer lines in your home are clogged and need to be cleaned. The main goal of cleaning a sewer line is to eliminate non-biodegradable debris, sludge buildup, and grease from a sewer pipe. If you noticed at least one of the signs listed above occurring in your home, it is necessary to act immediately since such blockages can result in the wastewater coming back up the pipes, which is considered a major health hazard. In this article, we will describe several cleaning techniques that can be used to unclog blocked pipes.

Five Ways to Unclog A Sewer Line

1. Bent Wire Hanger

This is probably one of the simplest and safest ways to clean pipes. This particular method requires an ordinary wire hanger, which needs to be unwound and straightened out. Next, you need to shape the end of the hanger into a hook in order to pull out all debris that might be blocking the sewer line. Be cautious and try not to push the tool too far down the drain. After getting everything out, clear the clogged pipe with hot water.

2. Vinegar and Baking Soda

Baking soda is an excellent cleaning product, which effortlessly removes dirt, while vinegar counteracts unpleasant smells. To prepare this cleaning solution, combine 1/3 cup vinegar and 1/3 cup baking soda. When the mixture is ready, you need to pour it into the clogged pipe immediately and wait one hour before flushing the pipe with hot water.

3. The Wet and Dry Vacuum

When it comes to unblocking a clogged sewage line, a wet and dry vacuum is an effective and convenient tool. Make sure that you cover the vent to prevent dirt from getting everywhere and create a thigh seal over the drain. Don’t forget to change the vacuum settings to Liquids, so it has enough power to bring up the contents from the pipe.

4. Cleaning the U-Pipe

Dirt that has accumulated in the pipe underneath the skin can be the reason for pipe clogging. To clean this pipe, loosen the nuts around the pipe with a wrench and remove them. Put a bucket underneath the sink and fill it with the contents of the U-shaped pipe. Remove all remaining debris from the pipe with a toothbrush. After flushing it with hot water, tighten the nuts and bolts to secure the pipe.

5. Dish Detergent

Another simple way to unclog a pipe is to pour 1/4 cup of dish detergent into the toilet bowl, then add some boiling water to it. Hot water will loosen the dirt. Add more water and use a plunger to clear the pipes.

Hire A Professional Plumber to Unclog the Line

If after taking all those actions the situation doesn’t improve, it could indicate that the issue is more serious or that the issue is municipal and not related to your sewer line. In that case, you have only one option left: call a professional who will snake or hydro-jet the pipe that connects the drains in your home to the municipal sewer line. 

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Where are water heaters usually located?

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A water heater is one of the most important appliances in any home. This is why it is crucial to be very careful when choosing and installing a new water heater in your house. After all, picking the wrong heater placement can result in higher electric bills, colder water in your faucet, and even significant damage to your home if the heater malfunctions. In this article, we will talk about the best places to install different types of hot water tanks in a home. 

Most common residential water heater locations

Conventional water heaters feature a tank where water is collected, heated, and kept hot until it is used. These appliances are typically quite large in size, as they store hot water for the entire household. Most tanks hold anywhere from 20 to 100 gallons of hot water at a time. Given their size, water heating appliances are usually installed in areas of the house where they don’t get in the way. This could be a basement, garage, or even a dedicated utility room. Some homeowners install their tanks in the attic, but this is often not a great idea, as if the heater leaks or bursts, the water will cause a lot of damage to the lower levels of the home. 

If your home has two or more water heaters, these will usually be installed in different parts of the house.

Tankless water heater locations

Unlike conventional hot water tanks, tankless appliances are significantly smaller in size. This means that you can fit them in a variety of locations in your home. For example, tankless units are often installed in bathrooms, closets, or pantries, underneath the stairs, or even underneath sinks. Some tankless units can even be installed outside the house.

Choosing a place to install a water heater

Each home is different, so you need to consider the unique parameters of your house when selecting a place for a hot water tank. First of all, make sure that you choose a place that will be easy to access. This location should be in close proximity to faucets and other places where hot water is actually used. Ideally, you should try to find a place where you could install the tank without making any major changes to the plumbing.  You should also avoid placing the water heater near combustible materials, in places that are too humid or dusty, or in locations where the unit could freeze, be exposed to direct sunlight, or rain.  If you’re swapping out your old water heater tank for a tankless appliance, you can simply install the new heater in the location of the old unit to minimize additional plumbing expenses.  Keep in mind that if you install a water heater foo far away from the faucets where hot water is used, the liquid could get cool before it gets to the faucet. This can significantly increase your energy bills and even force the people in your household to constantly take lukewarm showers instead of hot ones.  If you hire an experienced plumber to install your water heater, they will be able to correctly determine the ideal water heater location in your home, so we advise you to consult a professional before making any changes to the plumbing.