Plumbing hacks: True or False?

Have you seen the latest trending topic about resetting your water heater if there's no hot water? What about the hack to use a plunger to remove any item from your sink? Lance Smith, owner of L.D. Smith Plumbing, separated fact from fiction when it comes to those and other hacks on social media. He visited Fox59's Indy Now recently to play a game of True or False with the hosts. Watch Lance's full interview here.

True or False: Reset your water heater when there's no hot water. FALSE

Resetting your water heater has its risks because of the electrical components involved. If you keep resetting it due to no hot water, it means there is a significant problem that needs to be addressed by a plumber.

True or False: Turn off all toilets in your home before leaving on vacation to eliminate the risk of a water emergency. TRUE

Yes, you can turn off the toilets, but an easier solution is turning off the main water shut-off valve, typically located outside the home. The main water shut-off valve supplies water to your entire home.

Use a plunger to unclog a sink. TRUE

Lance says a plunger is a great solution for most clogs in showers, sinks, and bathtubs. He recommends plungers with a plastic handle.

Need a plumber? Request an appointment with L.D. Smith Plumbing. Our latest deals include $50 off any plumbing repair, $300 off tankless water heaters, and $150 off a water softener installed. Review all coupons here.

Earth Day: Tips to reduce water use in your home

It's Earth Day, a special day to remind us about what we can do to protect our planet. One way to protect the planet for future generations is by using water efficiently. The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides recommendations on what we can do to preserve our nation's water resources. Among the recommendations are:

Find more tips here.

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Considering ​a home water treatment? Here’s what you need to know

GET $150 off any water softener system installed.

It’s impossible not to experience hard water in Indianapolis. In fact, the city is among the top in the U.S. with the hardest water, which can cause significant clogging in your pipes. The most common solution is salt-based water softeners that utilize salt in resin and brine tanks to eliminate the ions that cause hard water. There are saltless options that condition the water and are a viable solution for your home. As options for water treatments and conditioners grow, it could be difficult to determine if saltless or salt-based is the best solution for your home.

Does your home need water treatment?

If you have frequent stains on our faucets, dishes, and shower head, you have hard water. Hard water also causes itchy skin. There are tests available to determine the specific level of hard water in your home. Levels range from 0-3 grains per gallon (gpg) to 15+ gpg, which is extremely hard water. A water softener eliminates hard water by drawing heavy minerals away using a process called ion exchange.

Salt-based water softener

If hard water levels are considerably high (11-15 gpg, salt-based water softener works well. It minimizes limescale and other minerals from your water. You also want to check the basin periodically for a salt bridge, which is a hard crust that forms in the brine tank and creates an empty space between the water and the salt. If you notice salt levels are still high in the basin or hard water has returned, a salt bridge could be the cause. We recommend HydroQuest Water Softener Systems for homes that need a salt-based treatment.

Saltless water treatment    

Saltless water treatments are known as conditioners because they neutralize the minerals that cause hard water. It works by descaling hard water through a process called Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC), which transforms the minerals into crystals that flow through your water system without sticking to the pipes. Typically, these systems are low maintenance and less expensive than salt-based water softeners. L.D. Smith Plumbing installs Flow-Tech, a popular and affordable saltless option.

Seeking hard water solutions for your home? Request an appointment with one of your plumbers to discuss options.