Blog

Most people don't realize that flushing their tank type water heater every year, will help prolong the life of the water heater and save you money.

Residential boilers are the unsung heroes of our homes, quietly providing warmth and comfort throughout the colder months. However, like any mechanical system, they require maintenance and occasional repairs to ensure they continue to operate efficiently and safely.

Here are some fun facts and a couple myths about plumbers and plumbing that you may not be aware of. 

One of the most costly issues you can have as a homeowner is water damage due to plumbing problems. While some are caused by improper maintenance or installation, there are other times when it is out of your control and it can severely impact your life and finances. Being able to identify potential problems with your plumbing can save you time, money, and stress from water damage.

Long gone are the days of having to dig holes or dig up the entire yard to be able to repair sewer lines. 

When it comes to leak detection, most homeowners don't know that they have a leak until there is damage. Installing the Moen Flo Whole Home System will detect a leak before there is damage, saving you money from the damage and the insurance claims. But what is the Moen Flo Whole Home System?

While we always recommend calling a plumber for all your plumbing needs, we know that not everybody wants to or can pay for plumbing services. If you do need to work on your plumbing yourself, there are tools that you can get that'll make things easier. After taking a poll from some of our plumbers, here is a list of tools that you can keep around your house in case you have to be a plumber for a day.

We've all been hearing about how there is a labor shortage over the last couple of years. This shortage has been attributed to various causes like lack of motivation in the workforce or the requirements needed to perform some of the positions. While these causes may all be contributing to issues that many industries are facing, could it also be because they aren't tapping into some unclaimed potential? Especially in the trades, women are often over looked when it comes to open positions, even though they might be a solution to the labor shortage.

Plumbing has been around for thousands of years, but when it was first developed, it was incredibly basic compared to what we have today. Throughout the years, the need for plumbers has become greater with all the advancements that have come around. Plumbers are a necessary and integral part of how our society functions.

Let’s be honest, no one wants to call a plumber and with all the online resources to help homeowners do their own home repairs you may be asking yourself…Can I take care of this? Or should I call a professional? It’s a good question, fixing something yourself can save you money and it can also be very gratifying.

The heavy rain that comes with some summer storms can cause major damage to your house. One of the best ways to help prevent damage is to make sure you have a working sump pump to handle all that extra rainwater.

Each of us holds the key to saving water. Members of Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) have dedicated themselves to producing WaterSense and other water-efficient products in a wide range of styles and prices. Home and business owners have more options than ever.

Leaks show up in a myriad of ways. From the dreaded loud bang in the middle of the night and water flowing from the ceiling, to a small circle of wet drywall on the ceiling you swore wasn’t there last week. Whether the leak is a total catastrophe or a minor inconvenience, as the homeowner, there are some easy steps to help mitigate the damage and stress.

We all know now more than ever the importance of home. Having a safe, functioning, comfortable place to call home is essential to a good quality of life, especially as one ages. At Gold Seal Plumbing, we’ve been helping our customers with just that for more than 50 years, and have so much to offer for those choosing to age in place at home.

We all know the tell tale sign of water or sewer obstruction: that dreaded drain water back flowing into your home or yard. However, did you know there are other more subtle signs of drain blockage? If you notice your drains making strange gurgling noises or water bubbling up, it could be a sign that you need your drains cleaned. A bad smell coming from your drains, or slow drain times could also indicate a need for a plumbing service.

Hybrid water heaters, also known as heat pump water heaters, are among the best-kept secret in home appliances. Though their heat pump technology makes them ultra-efficient, hybrid water heaters are also notable for performing as well or better than standard electric tanks, with a long lifespan and unmatched savings.

Many aspects of plumbing have changed over the years, and one of the biggest changes recently is how underground sewer pipes are repaired. Since the dawn of modern plumbing, fixing underground broken pipes was done one way. Dig a hole, find the break and replace it. Now new technology is making digging a thing of the past. We can now fix sewer pipes from the inside out.

Do you know what to do when that signature rotten egg smell of natural gas hits your nose? Gold Seal Plumbing wants you to stay safe by being informed on how to handle a gas leak situation if one occurs.

Is your water bill suspiciously high? You might have a leak.

There are a few ways you can instantly tell that you have a leak: Water damage appearing in your home, swampy or green spots springing up in your yard, or even just blatantly observing a leaky faucet or spigot. Even a small leak adds up over time, causing damage and costing you money! Not to fear, however, because our team of specialized plumbers at Gold Seal can identify and repair whatever type of leak is troubling you.

Tired of waiting for hot water at your bathroom sink or in your shower? At Gold Seal Plumbing, we have the solution for you. We install Grundfos Hot Water Recirculation Pumps that will bring instant hot water wherever and whenever you need it! Not only will you cut down on the annoying time wasted waiting for hot water to reach you, but you will also cut down on thousands of gallons of wasted water every month. That’s right, thousands!

As the temperature begins to creep up in the spring, homeowners know that the water bill begins to creep up as well. As we use more water for sprinklers and watering the garden, many consumers find that their water bill drastically increases with the warmer weather. But, your water bills do not have to be ridiculously high! There are many ways to reduce your water bill and usage around the house year round, and Gold Seal Plumbing can help you with them all! Here are several solutions to help reduce water usage, and save money.

As the days grow longer and summer creeps up on us, we’re all looking forward to being able to come together again and bask in the sunlight. If you’re hoping to get your BBQ on this summer and enjoy the season with friends and family, us at Gold Seal want to ensure that no common plumbing problems go unchecked and put a damper on your plans.

Gold Seal is emphasizing the assistance of seniors aging in place with safety and ease. In these times, it is especially important to have a well functioning home that works for you. We have a multitude of options to help age in place as easily as possible for you or a family member.

As we close in on Thanksgiving, people always seem to have leftover food that goes uneaten. And after days sitting in the refrigerator, taking up space, you want a quick way to dispose of it. So, the quick answer to the question of, “should you flush food down the toilet” is no, never, ever!

When temperatures plummet, the risk of your pipes freezing and bursting skyrockets. In fact, burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during frigid weather and can cause thousands of dollars in water damage.

Are you aware of the largest energy-cost culprits in your home? Surprisingly, your water heater is one of them, and it is the second largest at that. Conventional storage tank water heaters generally cost anywhere from $350 to $450 a year, and while gas-powered heaters tend to cost less than electric heaters by around $100 annually, it still begs the question: is there a better way to heat my water? This is where hybrid – or “heat pump” – water heaters step up to the plate, bringing customers’ yearly energy costs down into the $100's.

Often people are surprised to hear that a water heater needs to be descaled, and even more so to find out it should be descaled at least every two years! Descaling helps protect the water heater and maintain efficiency and safety, and is just one of the many ways Gold Seal Plumbing can help maintain your home.

When water starts to pool up in the toilet, sink, or shower, it’s never a pleasant find. Having clogged pipes is one of the most frustrating and common plumbing issues faced in the home, and thinking about everything that we tend to wash down the drain without a second thought, it’s no surprise that buildups happen so frequently. With consideration of a few drain no-no’s, however, you’ll find yourself facing this hiccup less and less, and perhaps save yourself from a plumbing emergency!

Bidet toilet seats have become more popular, easy to use, and accessible in the last several years. At Gold Seal Plumbing we have several different models we offer for install with great features for customers aging in place, or those who are looking for the luxury (without the huge price tag!) and cleanliness of a bidet toilet seat.

As the baby boomers are all reaching retirement age, many are now planning on remaining in their own home, or what we refer it to as “aging in place”. However, as the body ages, we no longer have the strength and flexibility we once did, and accommodations must be made. Add to that, medical issues and it becomes clear that aging in place means changes to the house, and more specifically the plumbing.

Did you know that more than one-fifth of U.S. households utilize an individual onsite septic system or small community cluster septic system to treat their wastewater? These systems treat and dispose of relatively small volumes of wastewater and include a wide range of options to process household and commercial sewage.

From leaks to a lack of hot water, there are several clear signs that your hot water heater is no longer working properly. Some issues can be repaired. Other problems indicate a need for replacement. This guide will address when to replace a water heater. It also includes tips for taking better care of your water heater.

You've probably heard about Radon but you might not know exactly what it is and why it's important to test for it. Here's an overview of Radon gas and why testing for it in your home could improve your health.

Stay ahead of the freezing weather this year by taking care of your exterior pipes. It may still seem early to some of us to start preparing our house for the winter, but we are here to remind you to take care of your plumbing before it becomes a problem. The Inland Northwest usually gets starts to freeze in December, so November is a good time to winterize.

Getting to the bottom of a leaky toilet can be perplexing. Depending on the extent of the leak, a warped or poorly fitting flapper can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day and may cost hundreds of dollars a year. That's enough water to fill an average swimming pool 4 times in less than a year.