Hard water is simply water containing minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

Soft water is treated, filtered water containing no minerals except for sodium.

Water from rainfall is naturally soft. As rainwater filters through the Earth and into our drinking water supplies, it naturally picks up certain minerals. These minerals are ,for the most part, essential and are sometimes preferred over soft drinking water. Some mixtures of hard water also tase better!

So why do we soften our water?

Tap water is not normally used for drinking – it’s main use is for cleaning. Hard water is the main culprit for smudged looking glassware, mineral buildup around our faucets, and the scum that accumulates around your bathtub. Even taking a shower in hard water can be a bit less pleasant that soft water. Hard water can also be less energy efficient by making your dishwasher and washing machines work harder.

Soft water is a dream for those who like cleaning their homes. Soap lathers better in soft water, and there is much less buildup around the house to have to clean up in the first place. Even your clothes and skin will feel soft.

How do you get the advantages of both hard and soft water?

Soft water is not recommended for those who need to watch their sodium and need to supplement other lifesaving minerals into their diets. The softening process adds sodium into the water and removes all other minerals.

You can combat the sodium in soft water by reverse osmosis, distillation, and deionization.

How do you know if you have hard or soft water?

The degree of hardness standard as established by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (S-339) and the Water Quality Association (WQA) is:

If you’re looking for the best heating unit to keep your home warm, there are several options on the market. One of the classic options is a furnace, which uses a natural gas flame to heat air and then spread that hot air around your home. If you want to go super “old school,” there’s also always a wood-burning stove.

Another option, however, is a heat pump. Heat pumps are like reverse air conditioners, drawing heat from outside and converting the heat into indoor warmth. If you’re looking to install a new heating system, which one works best for you? First, you need to ask yourself some questions.

1. Should I use an electric heat pump or a natural gas furnace?

While furnaces usually run on natural gas, heat pumps run entirely on electricity. While neither is “better,” each one can provide benefits based on your own needs. Some areas of the United States may not have easy access to natural gas, making an electric heat pump a more desirable option.

Other areas may have very high electricity rates, making a gas furnace seem like a better idea. Take a brief look at your energy options: do you have access to natural gas and electricity? Which one is more costly for you? There is also the danger of carbon monoxide to consider. When natural gas or oil burns within a furnace, it produces carbon monoxide.

While furnaces have mechanisms to filter out carbon monoxide, they can still leak this dangerous gas when old or broken. Gas-burning furnaces, or anything that burns gas, can also pose a fire risk due to the internal flame.

Finally, burning fossil fuels is also harder on the environment, and is itself a limited resource. These issues can be entirely avoided by relying on electricity through your heat pump.

2. What kind of climate do I live in?

Another factor to consider is your climate. Heat pumps were actually originally designed for the coastal United States, especially California. Because they draw heat from outside, heat pumps only truly work at temperatures above freezing, and they work best at temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

A heat pump is perfect for those chilly California winters where your toes are cold at night, but there’s no ice hanging from your doorway. If you deal with snow, icy temperatures, or anything below freezing, a furnace is the better choice.

Is a heat pump more efficient?

Overall, heat pumps can be more efficient and less expensive than a gas-burning furnace. They also avoid the danger of carbon monoxide, pose less of a fire risk, and don’t use fossil fuels.

Because they use the same technology, heat pumps can sometimes even be converted to work as air conditioners, saving you an extra bit of hardware! However, they aren’t designed for everyone—if you experience below freezing temperatures or if you have high electricity rates, a heat pump may not benefit you.

Over at Zierman Plumbing and Heating, we would be happy to work with you and discuss the pros and cons of a heat pump or furnace. We can look at the needs of your home, the climate you’re in, and your gas or electricity rates. From there, we can help you pick the system that best fits you. Call us today to get started!

Here in California, we don’t tend to use heaters and furnaces for most of the year. In fact, other than those couple months in the middle of winter, your furnace or heater may go entirely untouched. That may mean saving on heating costs, but it can also lead to several other issues. When your heater sits for that long, it may have problems that you’re not aware of. Here are some problems that a heater may accumulate after months of being unused:

1. Fire Hazards

When you leave anything alone in a home for too long, it starts gathering dust. Dust, debris, spider webs (and spiders!), and other material can gather inside your heater. Check your return and supply vents for dust and webs, and see if any dust has built up on the heating components themselves. Usually, you can wipe these down yourself. Be sure to do this before you turn the heater for the first time. Otherwise, your home will smell a little “burnt” as your heater burns off all of that dust and debris! Even above that, debris could also catch fire, which is extremely dangerous.

2. Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is called the “silent, cold weather killer.” Carbon monoxide is a gas that is produced when fuels are burned. Your stove, furnace, water heater, etc. can produce carbon monoxide, though usually in small, safe amounts. However, an old, poorly ventilated, broken, or improperly maintained furnace can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. The Center for Disease Control recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector. They also recommend an annual maintenance check for your furnace or heating system. This gas can kill, and infants and the elderly are particularly at risk. Be sure to safeguard your home today.

3. Obstructions

Does your garage always seem way too full? In warmer seasons, it may seem tempting to fill up all that extra space near your furnace with beach chairs, old boxes, furniture, and more. It’s so easy to forget about that pile of stuff before you turn your heater on. Obstructions in front of your furnace, especially flammable ones, can be very dangerous. They can catch fire, or stop your furnace from working properly. Be sure to remove anything within a couple feet of your heater before turning it on this season.

This season, beat the rush when it comes to your heater maintenance. Don’t wait until the coldest day of the year to get your furnace checked. Instead, get your annual check today, before you’re left out in the cold! Be sure to install your carbon monoxide detector, remove obstructions, and remove any dust that you can see. Then, call Zierman Plumbing today for your professional heater and furnace maintenance. We will examine all heater and furnace components, make you aware of any issues, and do a full cleaning of your appliance. We will also ensure proper ventilation, and that all parts are in full working order. We’re expecting a lot of heater repair and maintenance calls once it gets colder, so be sure to beat the rush by calling today!

Have You Heard of the “Pipe Within a Pipe”?

While the average person may have a basic understanding of the plumbing and pipes underneath their home, not everyone has heard of pipe relining. Though the process was invented over forty years ago in London, England, pipe relining is something of a new technology used in the plumbing world.

Trenchless Pipe Relining

Also called trenchless pipe relining or cured in place piping (CIPP), this method is a huge new opportunity for any homeowner. While no one ever wants a broken or leaking pipe underneath their home, it’s an even bigger headache when you have to dig up your entire yard (and maybe even government sidewalks!) just to get it fixed. In traditional repiping, you might lose all of your landscaping—not to mention tens of thousands of dollars.

However, trenchless pipe relining changes everything. Instead of digging up an entire yard to replace a broken pipe, one of our expert plumbers would only have to dig a small access hole. From there, they feed a thin epoxy lining throughout your entire pipe system until it overlaps your broken, corroded or leaking areas. Then, using hot water, steam, or UV light, they cure the epoxy until it hardens. This creates a “pipe within a pipe” that is safe, strong, and long-lasting. These epoxy pipes only decrease your pipes’ diameter by a fraction of an inch, meaning that you don’t face a high risk of future clogs or blockages.

Because of their technological advancement, pipe relining materials are generally more costly than traditional PVC pipes. However, the entire process of trenchless pipe relining is often less expensive than the traditional method. It can cost thousands of extra dollars for the labor, time, and tools used to dig large trenches around all of your underground pipes. If your pipes extend even a little bit past your home, this can also mean paying large fees to dig up sidewalks or to redirect neighborhood traffic. Overall, many homeowners have found that trenchless pipe relining saves them a lot of money—and a ton of time—compared to the old way of replacing a pipe.

The patent for pipe relining was only made available to companies like Zierman in 1994, and we were quick to use this amazing new opportunity to serve our customers. We now have years of experience in trenchless pipe relining, whereas many plumbing companies are only just beginning. This means that we know what works and what doesn’t, and what might be the best option for your home and your needs.

Whether you decide to use traditional pipe replacement or trenchless pipe relining, one thing is key: you should never wait to replace a broken or leaking pipe. Broken pipes can lead to home flooding, huge water bill costs, or even one of the worst scenarios: sewer leakage into your home. The longer you wait, the worse the leak usually gets.

Call Zierman Plumbing today, and we’ll work with you to discover the best method for replacing your broken or leaking pipe. Chances are, trenchless pipe relining could be the perfect option to save your valuable time and money while getting your home back into working order.

As summer is about to arrive, there are all sorts of good memories waiting to be made. Summer is a great time for family barbecues, running through the sprinklers, getting your overalls muddy, and having all the kids’ friends over. However, one thing can quickly ruin all of these great experiences: a plumbing problem. Barbecues can clog garbage disposals, sprinklers get run over by the lawnmower, and all those extra laundry loads can burn out your washing machine. Still, there’s no need to worry! Zierman Plumbing can help you turn these common plumbing problems into plumbing solutions. Keep an eye out for these common plumbing problems:

1. A Clogged Garbage Disposal

There are several ways that garbage disposals get clogged, but they’re nearly all avoidable. Never put hard fruits and vegetables—like watermelon rinds from that summer barbecue—down the disposal. These can interrupt the motor or harm the blades. Also avoid putting cooking oils or coffee grounds down the drain, as these can build up over time until they become a clog. Finally, don’t put fibrous vegetables like cornhusks or celery down the disposal. When shredded, these fibers get tangled around the blades and trap it. If you avoid these common mistakes, your disposal can last you a long time. If this warning came too late, don’t hesitate to call Zierman plumbing today to get that clog fixed.

2. Broken Sprinklers

Broken sprinklers are a common summer plumbing problem. The most common way for sprinklers to break is through a gardening mistake. After the kids run through the sprinklers, make sure the sprinkler heads have fully sunk back into the ground. Then you can run the lawnmower, weed whacker, etc. If you notice a leaking sprinkler, check to see if any pieces are broken or loose, and then see if you can adjust it by hand. If you can’t seem to find the problem, call your local plumber to diagnose the issue.

3. Overworked Laundry Machine

For families with kids, summer can mean a lot more laundry. As the kids are adventuring, they usually get a lot dirtier than they would by sitting in a classroom during the school year. Not to mention that everyone’s a lot sweatier, and will go through clothes more quickly! To prepare your machine for the summer increase, do a quick check for any red flags. Look for any leaking water around the machine. Then pay careful attention to the hoses behind the washing machine. Make sure they aren’t folded or kinked. Then check for holes, bulges, or cracks. Finally, never run your machine when you’re not home. That way, if there’s any issue or leak, you can immediately call your local plumber to fix the problem.

For your summer plumbing problems, don’t hesitate to call Zierman. Zierman plumbing serves Santa Maria and the Five Cities area, and we can do installation, repair, or maintenance. We also offer 24-hour emergency service. We’ve been around since 1950 and are even EPA-certified Renovators. We’re happy to be the local plumber that you can trust. Don’t let a plumbing problem ruin your summer. Instead, call Zierman plumbing today.

Here at Zierman plumbing, we have over three generations of plumbing experience. We learned a long time ago how to avoid rookie mistakes. However, many homeowners are brand new to the plumbing world. They may try “tips and tricks” that they’ve heard, only to end up with a bigger problem. Here are the top five plumbing mistakes that we see homeowners making, and how to avoid them:

1. Put Lemons Down Your Garbage Disposal to Clean It
Many people have heard the plumbing folklore that lemons can freshen up a smelly garbage disposal. While lemons may smell great, they aren’t the best cleaning method. First, the tough lemon peel could potentially clog your drain.

Next, the harsh citric acid could corrode or damage your disposal and piping. Instead of lemons, try ice cubes to keep your blades sharp. If the smell is still sticking around, try mild soap and lots of water down your drain.

2. It’s OK to Flush X, Y, Z Down the Toilet
Plumbers agree that only human waste and toilet paper should ever be flushed down the toilet. Items like feminine products, wipes, expired prescriptions, or anything else will only clog your pipes or harm the sewage system.

Just because it flushed once doesn’t mean it won’t build up or clog your system another time. Plus, for some products, “flushable” just means that it can get past your toilet’s u-bend. That doesn’t mean it won’t get stuck later in your pipes, or that it will break down in water.

In fact, large deposits of wipes and products have already broken down several sewage systems. Be sure to throw away anything that doesn’t belong in the toilet bowl.

3. A Little Leak is No Big Deal
How much water could be lost through something as small as the occasional faucet drip? A lot of water, it turns out.

The average household can waste around 10,000 gallons of water each year just through leaks.

Check to make sure your faucets aren’t dripping, and that your toilet isn’t running after it’s flushed. If they are, you may be able to add some washers or tighten some screws to fix the problem.

If that doesn’t stop the leak, call your local plumber.

4. Plumbing Fixtures Can Be Left Alone For Months, Even Years
Many homeowners realize that they can’t leave a car untouched for a few months and expect it to run well.

Similarly, your fireplace or heater may need some cleaning and maintenance before starting it up again in winter.

However, most people expect a toilet or sink to always be ready to use. Then, they have an unpleasant surprise when trying to use a neglected guest room toilet.

Water in the pipe underneath your toilet, the p-trap, can evaporate and let sewage smells leak into your home.

Obstructions can also build over time, and problems like tree roots above your pipes can grow into huge expenses. Be sure to include occasional plumbing maintenance in your home routine.

5. All Plumbers are the Same
While any plumber needs a license, plumbers can opt out of further training.

Instead, our team of experts at Zierman continues to take new training classes, earn new certifications, and learn about the newest plumbing technology.

Be sure to choose a plumber with a proper license, one that’s certified with the Better Business Bureau, and one who knows about the latest, most efficient methods.

Hiring the right plumber can save you problems down the line, and can also keep you from getting scammed or taken advantage of.

Call Zierman today for your plumbing maintenance, installation, or repair needs.

One of the most common reasons for a clogged drain is a clogged p-trap.

The p-trap is the u-shaped pipe underneath your bathroom or kitchen sink, and it creates a constant barrier of water in your pipes.

This is a very useful thing to have, as it prevents sewer smells from coming up through the pipes, and also helps prevent anything from crawling up your drain.

However, if hair or other buildup gets stuck there, it can prevent your pipes from draining properly.

Thankfully, clearing a drain by replacing or cleaning the p-trap is relatively easy fix in the world of DIY plumbing.

If you’re interested in being plumber for a day and doing your own drain cleaning, then this is the project for you.

1. Get the right materials. You’re going to need a bucket to catch any leaking water, a pipe wrench or channel-lock pliers, and a new p-trap set if you plan on replacing it. You’ll also want gloves and a facemask if you expect mold or other sludge. It may seem obvious, but make sure your tap is off!

If you think that the tap may be accidentally turned on while you’re working, turn off the water valves under the sink as well.

2. Take apart the p-trap. Make sure your bucket is underneath the p-trap, as water will naturally come out once you loosen the nuts.

Remove the u-shaped lower piece first by loosening the nuts on either side with your wrench or pliers. From there, you can unscrew them with your hands. Be gentle, especially if any of the pieces are plastic, because you don’t want to crack or break them.

Once you have the u-piece off, you can also remove the piping that connects to your sink as well as the pipe that connects to the wall.

The u-piece will be full of water, so carefully dump it into your bucket. If you’ve never installed a p-trap before, take a picture of the original set-up so that you know how to put it back together later.

3. Examine and clean the p-trap. If your piping is old, leaking, or corroding, you’ll need to completely replace the p-trap.

However, most of the time you can get away with simply cleaning it. Dig out any sludge, mold, hair, or debris.

Use a toothbrush or bottlebrush and some mild soap and water to completely clean out all pipes.

Check the piping in the wall and the sink to ensure those are also clean. If you’ve dropped something down the drain, such as jewelry, you can check the p-trap for your lost item as well.

4. Re-install the p-trap. Take your clean pieces and begin reinstalling it. If you needed a trap replacement, then start installing your brand new replacement parts.

First insert the piping for the trap arm and the pop-up drain (the pipes coming from the wall and the sink). Make sure you have your nut and your washer on each one, and loosely screw them in.

Then, line up your p-trap piping with the other two pipes, with a nut and washer on either end of the p-trap. Tighten everything up by hand.

From there, use your pliers or wrench to tighten it another quarter turn to make sure everything is completely tight. Don’t pull it too tight, as this could crack the piping.

5. Enjoy your handiwork! Go ahead and run the tap for a few seconds, then run your hand over each part of the piping to make sure there aren’t any leaks.

Leaks could mean serious water damage under your sink, which means you’d have to call a plumbing company.

If there aren’t any leaks, you can probably assume that you did good work! Your drain should now run smoothly. If not, there may be a more serious blockage. In that case, call your local plumber.

If this doesn’t solve your problem, or if you notice water damage underneath your sink, it might be time to call your local plumber.

If you live near Santa Maria, call Zierman Plumbing today. We’ve been around since 1950, and can offer general check-ups as well as problem solving. We also offer 24/7 emergency services. We also offer several coupons on our website.

Call now to get your plumbing services fully operational!

An old furnace can be a serious headache—both literally and figuratively. Older furnaces are unreliable and inefficient, meaning that they can eat up a lot more energy for the same amount of heating as a newer heater. More energy usage also means higher electric bills.

The United States Energy Department warns against using an old furnace, and even Time Magazine notes that installing a new energy efficient furnace can be a real money-saver.

However—even more importantly—with a continuous pilot light and a poor exhaust system, older HVAC systems can also be extremely dangerous.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, residential heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in the United States, second only to cooking accidents. They also noted that the main factor in heating fires was simple: failure to properly clean and maintain the equipment as it got older.

Over 30,000 furnaces were recalled in 2001 because of the high fire risk that they posed. Old furnace filters can compromise your system, and any dust or buildup near the furnace could easily cause a fire.

The “invisible killer”

Another serious danger in old furnaces is the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.

As furnaces get older, the heat exchanger can rust or crack, leaking carbon monoxide. Old or clogged vents and chimneys can also cause carbon monoxide to leak into homes.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) clearly warns against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and urges families to carefully inspect their heating systems.

Called the “invisible killer” by organizations like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), carbon monoxide is impossible to detect with the naked eye.

It’s colorless and odorless, and symptoms can often be too subtle to immediately detect. At first, carbon monoxide poisoning causes common symptoms like headache, nausea, or fatigue. However, it also builds up in blood over time, and can ultimately lead to loss of motor control and death.

According to fire officials, an estimated 400-450 people die each year in the United States alone due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

So, what can you do about it?

If your furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan—usually around fifteen years—it’s time to replace.

Call Zierman Plumbing today, and we’ll be happy to work with you to find the best heating system that meets your home’s needs as well as your budget. However, if your system is relatively newer, it’s still important and safe to have your system evaluated and cleaned.

The CPSC recommends an annual HVAC service, at the very least. Our HVAC specialists are able to carefully inspect your system, remove any debris, ensure that the exhaust system is properly working, and inform you of any necessary repairs.

They also thoroughly clean your system, and make sure that it’s operating at the desired temperature.

Lower your energy bills and keep your family safe

There’s no reason to continue to pay extra money on your energy bills because of an old system, and certainly no reason to put yourself, your family, and your home at risk for fire due to an old furnace—not to mention the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Call Zierman today for a FREE estimate!

In this season, families all across the U.S. are shopping for gifts. Most people are familiar with Black Friday—but a new movement gaining popularity is Small Business Saturday, where shoppers intentionally buy from smaller businesses rather than large, nationally-owned corporations. Why might so many people be choosing to shop local?

Benefits to Shopping Local

There are several benefits to shopping local, according to many research groups. For example, Michigan State University, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), and more, all found that local businesses were much more beneficial to local economies than large corporations.

The 2010 MSU study found that local businesses keep money in the community by spending money on local marketing, business services, supplies, and more—whereas nationally owned corporations export all of these.

Time Magazine compared money in a local economy to blood: if it’s moving, that’s good—but if it’s only flowing out, that means you have a wound!

Local Businesses are Also More Reliable

Local businesses are also more reliable, meaning that they are less likely to leave their city or town for the promise of greater profit. This means greater job stability. In fact, that same MSU study showed that local businesses create two out of every three new jobs.

Local businesses have many incentives keeping them from packing up shop, especially their own families and community relationships.

They are actively invested in staying in and improving their communities, whereas larger corporations are primarily interested in making as much profit as possible.

Many large corporations may move to a town, take advantage of tax incentives, and then leave when things are less profitable—leaving behind a broken economy and hundreds of layoffs, not to mention large abandoned buildings and parking lots.

Local businesses aren’t about to move overseas in order to avoid taxes or new business regulations. In fact, a study quoted by BALLE showed that, when it comes to net jobs, nonlocal jobs in a town in Oregon were thirty-three times more expensive to the local community and economy than local jobs, largely because they were so likely to take tax incentives and then leave.

Better Customer Experience

Another benefit of local businesses is that they create a better customer experience by ensuring diversity in their products and preserving community character. When it comes to “Best Restaurants” in Santa Maria, CA, for example, you won’t see many large chains topping the list.

Local businesses add character and charm to any town, and showcase the diversity and interests of the unique residents. When traveling, why go the same stores and restaurants you can find anywhere instead of having a unique and interesting experience locally?

Large corporations can create homogeny, and can make fascinating fringe products or experiences go extinct.

Many smaller stores offer a better experience because of their community relationships. A small business owner is interested in getting to know his or her customers and building relationships in the community, and is also able to give knowledgeable local recommendations.

The average large corporation worker simply can’t do that.

Support Your Local Business

At Zierman Plumbing & Heating, for example, we know the benefits of being a smaller, local business because we are one. We know that when it comes to heater repair and maintenance, or heating and plumbing, there are many big-name options out there.

But if you’re in Santa Maria and are interested in continuing to see our unique community thrive, Zierman is your local option.

Whether you’re looking to repair your furnace or you just need a plumber, Zierman is happy to help. Don’t let Small Business Saturday be just once a year — call Zierman today to support your local business!

Winter is the perfect time to curl up, watch a family movie, and drink something warm in your cozy home. But what happens when your home isn’t cozy at all, but instead is much too chilly? If your heater isn’t in working order, a warm night at home can quickly become unbearable. Proper heater repair and maintenance is essential, especially before the winter season hits.

If your heater has been sitting idle for almost a year, it’s important to make sure that it works properly before you really need it. Servicing your heating system once a year can ensure that your winter nights stay warm. Professional heating services—or in Zierman’s case, professional heating and plumbing services—are specially trained in how to keep your heater at peak performance.

What might a heating specialist do to improve your system?

They thoroughly inspect everything, from air filters to thermostats to blower shafts. Just like you wouldn’t ever let your sink or car or fridge go a year without cleaning and maintenance, it’s important to never let your heater go a full year without an inspection. After all, when you use your heater for the first time in a while, you don’t want it blowing dust and dirt into your home!

Heating specialists will make sure your furnace is in optimal condition

Heating specialists will examine your furnace inside and out for any necessary cleaning or repairs. They evaluate the motor and fan belt, examine drain lines, and check the blower for dust or debris.

They also check your ductwork for any cracks and leaks, pay attention to any unusual noise or odors, and make sure your heating unit isn’t vibrating or shaking too heavily.

An expert in heating repair and maintenance is always sure to check that the thermostat is turning on and off at the correct temperature, and they also evaluate any electrical connections.

Heating repair and maintenance for your safety

Up to 75% of reported heater failure in the winter is simply due to a lack of maintenance. Heating repair and maintenance is not only an issue of making sure that you and your family are warm in the winter, but it’s also an issue of safety.

Heating experts check for carbon monoxide leaks, any harmful substances in your ductwork, and change any air filters so that you can be sure that you’re breathing in clean air.

Faulty heating systems can also increase your monthly energy bills, because the heater is working much harder to try reach the desired temperature. Dirty air filters, an improperly lubricated motor, or obstructed blowers can all prevent your system from being as efficient and functional as it is meant to be.

Don’t be left in the cold this winter. Be sure to inspect your system now, while you still have time to make any necessary repairs before you really need to use it. No one wants to pay extra on their electric bills, put themselves at risk, or have undesirable odors filling their home.

A heating inspection and cleaning can prevent these issues now, before they become urgent.