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Signs You Have Poor Water Quality And How To Fix It?

Are you concerned you may have hazardous contaminants in the water you're consuming? Does your tap water taste like chemicals? There are many signs that you have poor water quality. Luckily, there are ways to resolve that. Getting rid of bacteria and toxins in your water can improve the taste, smell, and water supply. Not only that, but it can also help reduce expensive and the carbon footprint related to bottled water.

Here are the signs to look for that will indicate an issue with your water quality.

1. Metallic or Bitter Taste

A metallic or bitter taste when you take a sip of your water could be due to a number of different things, including:

Tap water that tastes metallic can not only be unappealing, but it can also be harmful to your health - especially if the cause of the metallic taste is due to the presence of metals, like lead, zinc, or copper. The best way to remove the metallic taste and the worry is to invest in professional water conditioning solutions.

2. Low Water Pressure

There's nothing like turning on the shower after a long day at work, only to have extremely low water pressure. Low water pressure can be caused by a number of things, but one of the causes is from corroded plumbing. This often happens with older, galvanized iron pipes. If your water is acidic and has low pH levels, it can cause corrosion, which in turn causes small holes and leaks in your pipes. This means that the water is escaping before it ever reaches your faucet, which is why you're noticing the drop in water pressure. To see if this is the cause of your low water pressure, you can have your water tested. If your water comes back as being contaminated and toxic, then a water conditioning solution may just be what's in the cards for you next.

3. Bad Smells

Water shouldn't have a smell. However, if your water smells like chlorine, sulfur, or detergent, then you may want to consider having your water tested and conditioned. While small traces of sulfur, chlorine, and detergent aren't necessarily harmful to your health, large traces can be. Not only that, but bad smelling water can just be unappealing altogether. We don't blame you if you have a hard time swallowing a glass of water that smells like rotten eggs or a swimming pool!

4. Discolored Water

If your water appears murky, tinted, or oily, then you have poor water quality. Drinking water should always be clear. Unclear water can signal the presence of unsafe contaminants, which can be resolved using a water conditioning system in your home.

Benefits of Professional Water Conditioning Solutions:

Worried You May Have Poor Water Quality? Contact The Pros At Peter Levi Today For All Your Water Conditioning Needs In Northern California!

For over 35 years, Peter Levi has been providing fast, professional water conditioning services you can count on. The experts at Peter Levi are here to help with all your water conditioning needs. Contact us today at 800-868-6885 or online here.

8 Tips To Prepare Your Plumbing For Summer

With summer, comes an increase in activity around your home. The kids are all home for summer and you may be hosting out-of-town guests, which means more toilet flushes and more water usage. Not only that, but you're certainly using more water to fill up that pool and to water that lawn. Is your plumbing as ready as you are for those things? Here are the top 8 tips to prepare your plumbing for summer.

1.  Inspect Your Water Heater

Summer is the ideal time to inspect your water heater and make sure it's in great working condition. While your water heater won't be working as hard as it did in the colder winter months, that's truthfully exactly why it needs your attention now. Every time you use your water heater, it builds up sediment deposits and debris, which can greatly reduce the efficiency of your unit. You used your water heater a lot over the winter, so have it looked at this summer to avoid any potential breakdowns!

2. Check Your Toilet

If you're planning on hosting guests this summer, it's important to make sure you're checking your toilet for any blockages and leaks. The last thing you want to deal with is a toilet not working properly - especially if you only have one the guests use. One way to check for leaks is to try the good old fashioned food coloring test. Add some food coloring into the tank and wait 20-30 minutes. If you notice the food coloring in the bowl, then you have a leak that needs to be fixed.

3. Clear Your Gutters

We don't often think about our gutters being part of our plumbing checklist, but it is one of the most important things to check. If your gutters are clogged with all that debris and water from over the winter, water won't be able to properly move away from your home. Instead, you may find the water to make its way into the walls of your home, causing significant foundation damage or structural issues.

4. Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning

Planning some backyard BBQ's with family and friends? All that extra food you'll be preparing can put your drains under a lot of pressure. Remember not to put certain things down there, like oils, grease, bones, and large bits of food. This can lead to blockages and clogs. To start your summer off right, schedule a professional drain cleaning. Avoid chemical drain cleaners at all cost, as these can wreak havoc on your pipes.

5. Check Your Water Pressure

Your shower, washer and other utilities around your home will certainly see a increase in activity over the summer. Make sure you have good water pressure! If you're noticing low water pressure when you turn on your shower and sink, for example, contact a plumber to fix it right away.

6. Check Your Sprinkler System

Before turning on your sprinkler system tis summer, check for leaks and make sure to thoroughly clean the sprinkler heads. To avoid any risks of flooding, or an increase in water bills due to underground leaks, make sure your sprinkler system is in good working condition!

7. Inspect Your Washing Machine

Contrary to popular belief, summer is actually a time when your washer is used more - not winter. Kids are likely to change more frequently when playing outside, you may find that you get sweaty and want to change, or you may be hosting guests that require you to run your washing machine more. Before summer starts, inspect your washing machine and all its moving parts. Check the connections and the appearances of the hose, and replace any parts that are cracked or damaged.

8. Look At Your Sump Pump

We associate summer with warmth and sunshine, however, we often forget that summer can also mean an increase ins summer storms. If you have a sump pump, take time this summer to test it. Test it by first making sure it has power. Then, turn it on and pour a bucket of water into it. If it's working as it should, your sump pump should turn on and begin to process the water. However, if it doesn't, then you may need to look at getting it repaired or replaced. You'll want to do this before you find yourself in the middle of a summer thunderstorm!

Contact The Pros At Peter Levi Today For All Your Summer Plumbing Needs In Northern California

For over 35 years, Peter Levi has been providing fast, professional plumbing services you can count on. The experts at Peter Levi are here to help with all your summer plumbing needs. Contact us today at 800-868-6885 or online here.

6 Ways To Maximize Your AC System's Energy Efficiency

Summer means family BBQs, beach days, and warmer weather, but it doesn't have to equal higher electricity bills. By taking the proper steps you can maximize the efficiency of your A/C system this summer, so you can save money and enjoy the warmth outside while looking forward to a comfortable, cool home at the end of the day. Continue reading to see 6 ways to maximize your A/C system’s energy efficiency explained by our experts.

1. Regularly Replace Your Air Filters

You should change your air filters every 60 to 90 days, even more frequently if you have pets or allergies. Clogged filters cause your system to work harder, which can not only make it less efficient but may also wear it out earlier than it should.

2. Avoid Temperature Changes

Try to avoid constantly and drastically changing temperatures inside your home, this increases your energy use and can put a strain on your system.

3. Use a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats allow you to control the temperature in your home even when you’re not there. Instead of worrying about shutting off the A/C before you leave for work and running the risk of wasting energy when you’re not home, use a programmable thermostat and keep your house at ideal temperatures 24/7.

4. Inspect Your Ductwork

If there’s a leak in your ductwork, you can lose about a third of the airflow that’s supposed to be heating or cooling your home, affecting your comfort and your energy use.

5. Use Other Methods To Control Temperatures

You don’t have to rely on your HVAC system alone to heat or cool your home. You can use drapes, curtains, and blinds to let in the sun on colder days and block it on warmer ones.

6. Schedule Regular Maintenance

Have your air conditioner inspected and maintained by a professional. Routine maintenance is one of the most important things you can do to keep your system running smoothly and at maximum energy efficiency.

There are just a few ways you can keep your energy costs DOWN and your energy efficiency UP this summer. If you are having trouble with your A/C system or are in need of system maintenance, don’t wait! You don’t want to be left struggling in the summer heat. Let our team TAKE CARE OF YOU today!

Contact The Pros At Peter Levi Today For All Your A/C Needs In Northern California

For over 35 years, Peter Levi has been providing fast, professional A/C maintenance, repair, installation, and replacement services you can count on. The experts at Peter Levi are here to help with all your A/C needs. Contact us today at 800-868-6885 or online here.

Avoid These Common A/C Mistakes

Being a homeowner requires you to wear many hats which makes it easy to overlook tasks and make common mistakes. These mistakes can end up costing you a big chunk of money and decrease the overall efficiency of your home. Let our experts at Peter Levi explain the most common A/C mistakes homeowners make, so you can stay cool and comfortable without interruption this summer.

1. Poor A/C Placement

The location of where your A/C system is in relation to your home is crucial to its overall efficiency. Placement is an easy aspect that often gets overlooked when installing an A/C system or when touring a potential home. It is ideal to have your system on the east side of your home, so it avoids direct sunlight during the peak temperature of the day - right when your system needs to be working its hardest to cool off your home.

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2. Attempting To DIY Your Repairs

If you are thinking about trying a DIY attempt on your home’s A/C system, think again! Today’s A/C systems are complex and require expert hands and eyes of an HVAC professional. When you attempt to repair your own A/C, you risk damaging your equipment and could even void your warranty.

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3. Ceiling Fan Misuse

Ceiling fans are the ideal way to cool down your home while keeping your thermostat at the same temperature. Ceiling fans allow you to reach the cooler temperature you want without using additional energy or increasing your energy bill! However, the direction that your fan is spinning will dictate if it is in “winter mode” or “summer mode.” If your fan is spinning counterclockwise, it will pull air towards the ceiling and down the walls, doing little to provide comfort. To ensure you are staying COOL this summer, make sure to switch your fan to the correct rotation!

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4. Delaying Annual Maintenance

All of these common A/C mistakes can lead to higher bills, but this one can be the most costly. Ignoring A/C maintenance can result in extensive and expensive repairs in the long run and no one wants that! A/C systems that receive annual maintenance can last up to 10 years longer than neglected systems. A/C tune-ups are a perfect way to prevent a costly repair!

Contact The Pros At Peter Levi Today For All Your A/C Needs In Northern California

Getting an A/C tune-up is just what you need to get you ready for the summer season! Having fewer repairs and less money spent on your A/C will be beneficial for the longevity of your home and your wallet. Give our team of experts a call today so we can TAKE CARE OF YOU - (833)201-4719.

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