The Family Plumber - Surprise, Arizona

Why Do I Run Out Of Hot Water?

"So if one element is bad it's just running off one element out of the two then yes you're not going to have much hot water."  - Bobby Crowder
Running out of hot water? Why is causing this?
Is it an old water heater?  Is your water heater too small? Bobby Crowder, the Family Plumber explains why you run out of hot water.  Check out this episode of The Plumber Podcast to find out...
For more information about The Family Plumber in Surprise, Arizona log on to www.callthefamilyplumber.com or check them out at www.checkapro.com.
 
Visit Us At -  TheFamilyPlumber.com 
You Can Call Anytime:  (623) 738-6171
 
Podcast Episode Transcript:
So if one element is bad it's just running off one element out of the two then yes you're not going to have much hot water this is the check a pro radio show, Check A Pro Joe has assembled a team of pre-qualified home service contractors to bring you the latest in services products and techniques now here's your host the man with a hard hat and tool belt check a pro Joe you know it's 6:00 o'clock in the morning and you get into your shower and the water's cold and you're like why does this happen I know the water heater works because we have hot water at times but why don't we have hot water now so I've asked Bobby Crowder the family plumber to join me here on the program today to answer this question hey Bobby why do we run out of hot water hey Joe thanks for having me on so that is a good question we actually get a lot of calls on that so that depends on the water heater the size of the home and how many people are actually using it so I get a lot of questions on you know it's they're not last it's not lasting long so on and so forth so that depends a gas water heater I'm not really worried about it's more of the electric water heaters that have the elements so if one element is bad it's just running out one element out of the two then yes you're not going to have much hot water but also they say it doesn't last long enough and they have like three people there or you got two people in one person's taking 45 minute shower so on and so forth I will recommend a lower gallon per minute shower head so that that helps out a lot so I even did that in my home lower the you know gallons per minutes on the shower heads someone say you can't get the soap out of your hair if it's too low but the 1.75 depending on the model or the make like kohler's really good they'll they put out enough water like 1.75 and it feels like a lot so compared to the older style which would putting out 2-3 gallons per minute of course now you're going to run out of hot water pretty quickly depending on how long to take it showers for but like I said it just depends on held the water heater is is in good shape how long are your showers so on and so forth so there is a lot of scenarios that's why you know call us out and we'll kind of diagnose that for you and and resolve your problem sure if there's four people taking showers at six 6:30 in the morning and you've got a 30 or 40 gallon water heater that's electric and it's not working well that could be a problem but if you have a 50 gallon gas and it's new you probably don't have a problem right exactly it's just has to be it has to be size for the for the home properly excellent this is great great information thank you so much Bobby,  Bobby Crowder the family plumber and surprise AZ all of his contact information is in the description of this podcast Bobby once again thank you so much for coming on today thanks Joe have a good day check a pro was your local source for pre-qualified contractors stay tuned for more of the check a pro radio show.

What Size Water Softener Do I Need For My Home?

"So you need to know what your hardness is coming into your house and how many people live in there?"
- Bobby Crowder, Plumbing Expert
 
Depending on the size of your family you may need a larger or smaller water softener.  Also, the grains of hardness per gallon need to be checked as well.
Check A Pro Joe (Jim Klauck) has asked plumbing expert, Bobby Crowder from The Family Plumber, to join him on this segment of the show.
The question today - "What Size What Softener Do I Need For My Home?"  How to size a water heater for your home?
Check out this episode of The Plumber Podcast to find out more...
For more information about The Family Plumber in Surprise, Arizona log on to www.callthefamilyplumber.com or check them out at www.checkapro.com.
 
Visit Us At -  CallTheFamilyPlumber.com 
You Can Call Anytime:  (623) 738-6171
Podcast Episode Transcript: 
What size water softener?That's a question that we got here at the Check A Pro Radio show.What size do I need?You know,I've got Bobby Crowder on the program with me.You've heard him here before?You've seen him here before on the show?And I'm going to pose this question to him.And honestly,I didn't think that there were that many size options.Hey,Bobby,how are you?Hey,Joe,how are you doing?Great.All right.So someone emailed the program and they want to know what's the right size water softener for my home?How do you figure that out?Uh It's,it's basic,it's,it's simple,it's simple for us or whatnot.So,like,uh you've got to know the hardness and you know,your grains per gallon and how many people are living there and what kind of water usage they're gonna be doing?So let's say,let's say their gallons,their grains per gallon is 10.You know,the hardness is 10 at their home.And if you got one or two people,you can do a 24.I don't recommend it.But,you know,technically it should be about a 32.Now,if you have 5 to 6 people,you're gonna go 40 grain.Now,remember these will go up once your grains per gallon are higher.So let's let's do it.Uh let's say 20 20 grains per gallon.So now the 3 to 4 people from 32 went to 40 and the 5 to 6 people went from 40 to 48.Now,if you go to the 40 you know,40 grains per gallon,now you're 1 to 2 people is 48,000 grains,Your 3-4 people,about 64,000 grains.So and then up and then and up.So you need to know what your hardness is coming into your house and how many people live in there?That's a good rule of thumb.That'll kind of get you where you,you,you need to be.So definitely get a hardness test,see what you want,you know what your hardness is.You can buy those at any,any store.But you know,for hardness and then then you how many people live in your home and then you kind of have an idea of what,what I need or you can visit my website too.We are softeners will tell you which ones you actually need,you know,per family based.Sure,it's purely mathematical.It's based on your hardness and how much volume you're gonna need,which is usually based on how many people Bobby we're assuming that those people are bathing.So,right,when you say people,we're talking about clean people who are bathing,who are using the toilets,who are using the sinks and so forth.All of Bobby's information is located in the description of this podcast and he said you can find out more about this on his website and that is listed in the description of this podcast.Thank you,Bobby Crowder.Our little expert here on plumbing.Thank you.It's been a pleasure.Thanks Joe.

What Is Causing Low Water Pressure In My Home?

"Just a few of the common things that might cause low water pressure..."
- Bobby Crowder, Plumbing Expert
 
Do have just a trickle coming out of your faucets? This may have just started happening to you.   Plumbing expert, Bobby Crowder, The Family Plumber joins Jim Klauck - aka Check A Pro Joe on the show today to talk about what may be causing your low water pressure in your home.
The question today - "What Is Causing Low Water Pressure In My Home?" 
Check out this episode of The Plumber Podcast to find out more...
For more information about The Family Plumber in Surprise, Arizona log on to www.callthefamilyplumber.com or check them out at www.checkapro.com.
 
Visit Us At -  CallTheFamilyPlumber.com
 
 
You Can Call Anytime:  (623) 738-6171

Why To Hire A Professional Licensed Plumber VS. A Handyman For Your Plumbing Repair?

"Well actually I'm proud of it so when they call me hey you license bought an insurance I'm like yes we are so I like saying that ." 
- Bobby Crowder, Plumbing Expert
To use or not to use liquid drain cleaners in your home's plumbing.  Plumbing expert, Bobby Crowder - "The Family Plumber" answers this question on the Check A Pro Radio Show with host Jim Klauck, AKA Check A Pro Joe! Check out this episode of The Plumber Podcast to find out more... For more information about The Family Plumber in Surprise, Arizona log on to www.callthefamilyplumber.com or check them out at www.checkapro.com. Visit Us At -  TheFamilyPlumber.com
 
You Can Call Anytime:  (623) 738-6171
 
Podcast Episode Transcript:
 
Well,l actually I'm proud of it so when they call me hey you license bought an insurance I'm like yes we are so I like saying that. This is the check a pro radio show check a pro Joe has assembled a team of pre-qualified home service contractors to bring you the latest in services products and techniques now here's your host the man with a hard hat and tool belt check a pro Joe don't do it everybody I caution you do not hire the handyman to do a plumbers job plumbers are trained their license and they know how to do the job properly their experiences all they do they don't do electrical work they don't do air conditioning work they don't do handyman work they are professional plumbers so when you have a plumbing issue a plumbing problem hire a professional licensed plumber like Bobby Crowder the family plumber and surprise AZ Bobby welcome to the program hi Joe thanks for having me on yeah so why shouldn't people hire a handyman to do plumbing work well The thing is that the handyman is more you know I wouldn't say versatile but they have little bits and pieces here and there they come like the Jack of all trades master of none meaning they don't master one On one trade and that's our profession you know so they had little bits and pieces here and there when it comes to a licensed plumber you're getting somebody that's trained it's been trained for many years in order to get the license they've taken the test they know all the codes not only that they also insured too so something happens you you're covered you know when it comes to handyman if something happens they walk away and now you're stuck with the bill or the repair or the damages so a licensed insured plumber is the way to go just to secure your project that you're having come out to do sure so a handyman is a generalist and plumbers who are licensed are specialists it's kind of the same thing in the medical field this may help people a little bit when you go to your doctor and you're not feeling well you're having some stomach issues they're generalist their General practitioner they'll check you out and they'll probably say I'm going to refer you to a specialist for your stomach issues and off you go to a specialist and the specialist knows the stomach that's what they do so that's what plumbers do plumbers understand plumbing they're licensed and they're insured the problem with the handyman is really no one's looking out after them the state doesn't really have a finger on them and so it's just very risky and you don't want to have a plumbing problem because if the waste backs up in your house it's a smelly mess and if the supply lines let loose in your house that there's a huge disaster and you really want to have a licensed plumber they know what they're doing like Bobby that is correct like I said we get that we get it a lot well actually I'm proud of it so when they call me hell you license by insurance I'm like yes we are so I like saying that because you know it took a lot of my time to do you know to get licensed to you know for the bonds and insurance and maintain my license stuff like that I do that for the homeowners so this way the homeowners are safe no matter what if something happens they can the state can step in and all that other stuff and they're covered you know with the animal they walk away and they're you're out of luck I would definitely go with a licensed plumber 100% I agree Bobby Crowder the family plumber all of his information is in the description of this podcast you can call Bobby for anything in terms of plumbing for your home once again Bobby thank you so much for joining me today thank you Joe thanks for checkup row is your local source for pre-qualified contractors stay tuned for more of the cheka pro radio show.

What Causes My Drain To Clog?

"So keep greases away from the sink."
- Bobby Crowder, Plumbing Expert
 
It can be annoying to hear our toilets constantly run.  Plumbing expert, Bobby Crowder, The Family Plumber joins Jim Klauck - aka Check A Pro Joe on the show today.
The question today - "What Cause My Drain To Clog?" 
Check out this episode of The Plumber Podcast to find out more...
For more information about The Family Plumber in Surprise, Arizona log on to www.callthefamilyplumber.com or check them out at www.checkapro.com.
 
Visit Us At -  CallTheFamilyPlumber.com 
You Can Call Anytime:  (623) 738-6171

What Are The Dangers Of High Water Pressure In My Home?

"When the city starts building around or they start raising pressure up, they don't care about your home's water pressures. That's what I say. It's the home owner's responsibility to maintain it."
- Bobby Crowder, Plumbing Expert
 
The question today - "What Are The Dangers Of High Water Pressure In My Home?" 
Check out this episode of The Plumber Podcast to find out more...
For more information about The Family Plumber in Surprise, Arizona log on to www.callthefamilyplumber.com or check them out at www.checkapro.com.
 
Visit Us At -  CallTheFamilyPlumber.com
 
 
You Can Call Anytime:  (623) 738-6171

Does The Size Of Your Water Heater Make A Difference?

"There's a good rule of thumb, they say 1 to 3 people a 40 gallon gas, 40 gallon,electric,40 gallons is all right. When you go to 3 to 5 people in the home, it's usually about a 50 gallon."
- Bobby Crowder, Plumbing Expert
 
Check A Pro Joe (Jim Klauck) has asked plumbing expert, Bobby Crowder from The Family Plumber, to join him on this segment of the show.
The question today - "Does the size of your water heater matter?"  How to size a water heater for your home?
Check out this episode of The Plumber Podcast to find out more...
For more information about The Family Plumber in Surprise, Arizona log on to www.callthefamilyplumber.com or check them out at www.checkapro.com.
 
Visit Us At -  TheFamilyPlumber.com 
You Can Call Anytime:  (623) 738-6171
Podcast Episode Transcript: 
Size may matter.Well,I'm talking water heaters here.I've asked my good friend Bobby Crowder,the family plumber in surprise Arizona to join me here on the program today to talk about the size of your water heater.What is the best size?What is the size you need?And it's interesting because Bobby,I think a lot of people aren't sure what size they have.Welcome.Hey,thanks for having me on Joe.Yeah,they don't,the thing is,is they don't care.They just see a tank out there and like,ok,it's just gonna provide but when they replace it or they get,you know,more people in the home or less people in the home,it's,you know,it's adequate to see what size you should actually have.So,there's a good rule of thumb,you know,they say uh 1 to 3 people is,you know,40 gallon gas,40 gallon,electric,40 gallons is all right.When you go to 3 to 5 people in the home,it's usually about a 50 gallon.So keep in mind,you know,people,you know,running out of water or hot water,blah,blah,blah,you gotta remember.It also depends on your fixtures in your home,your showerheads,if you took out the aerators or,or,or flow restrictor,you're gonna be pushing out 23 gallons per minute.So,yeah,you're gonna drain that water heater down quickly.So I won't,I don't recommend that.You also got to remember the first hour of a water heater is much more than the continuous use of it.So,say like a 40 gallon you're gonna get,uh,like,I think it's 60 58 or 60 gallons for the first hour.So you will gain more that first hour.But if it's continuous,you know,shower after shower,shower.Yeah,then you're going to deplete it pretty,pretty quickly.So it has to be sized for your home and your family and a great way to tell if it's sized,right is by using it.So,if it's relatively new,let's say it's six months old to three years old.It,it still should be in great shape regardless if it's gas or electric,if you're constantly running out of hot water,regardless of why you need a bigger water heater.Because you're drawing you,you,I mean,like if you like,take 30 minute showers and so does your spouse and so do the kids then get a bigger water heater?That's correct.Yeah,it,you gotta to size it properly.Yep,it's important.Now some people in their homes will have two and it's great because it'll be split on both sides of the house.So,maybe the kids have their own and,uh,mom and dad have their own and then of course one of the sides is going to have the kitchen,which is important and,and the laundry,but you can actually split it.So you could have two forties and you really got 80.Correct?Yeah,I've seen that quite a bit.It's,it's,you know,a split system in their home or a holding tank,you know,vice versa.Yeah.Yeah.And I'm kind of greedy.My wife,my wife and I are empty nested and we have two fifties.Oh,nice.It's just about endless.We never run out of hot water.It's great.Hey,Bobby,this has been great.If you want to get a hold of Bobby and his team over at the family plumber.It's right in the description.All his information is right in the description of this podcast,his phone number and his website,Bobby once again.Thank you so much.It's been a pleasure.Thanks,Joe.
 

What Is The Expansion Tank For On My Plumbing System?

Episode 28
"The water heater is heating up. So it's expanding a little bit and that is being handled by the expansion tank - it will take care of all that."
- Bobby Crowder, Plumbing Expert
 
The question today - "What Is The Expansion Tank For On My Plumbing System?" 
Check out this episode of The Plumber Podcast to find out more...
For more information about The Family Plumber in Surprise, Arizona log on to www.callthefamilyplumber.com or check them out at www.checkapro.com.
 
Visit Us At -  CallTheFamilyPlumber.com
 
 
You Can Call Anytime:  (623) 738-6171

Is It Safe To Flush ’Flushable Wipes’ Down The Toilet?

" When I go to these houses I'll see you know these wipes on the toilets on top of the toilet tanks and I see a lot of baby wipes and those are a no no..."
- Bobby Crowder, Plumbing Expert
Bobby Crowder from The Family Plumber joins Jim Klauck (Check A Pro Joe) today on the show!
To flush or not to flush wipes down the toilet?  That is the question today on the program!
Check out this episode of The Plumber Podcast to find out more... For more information about The Family Plumber in Surprise, Arizona log on to www.callthefamilyplumber.com or check them out at www.checkapro.com. Visit Us At -  TheFamilyPlumber.com
 
You Can Call Anytime:  (623) 738-6171
 
Podcast Episode Transcript:
This question comes up all the time are those flushable wipes that we use those personal wipes something that we should be putting in the toilet aren't they safe to flush down the toilet I've asked my good friend Bobby Crowder he's the family plumber in surprise AZ to answer this question for my listeners here today on the program hey Bobby how are you hey Joe how are you I'm doing fantastic thanks for joining me here on the program so some people don't ask the question they just throw everything including the kitchen sink into the toilet and they wonder why they call you out to you know have you clean out that line you know to get it unclogged so are these flushable wipes flushable well actually when I go to these houses a lot I'll see you know these wipes on the toilets you know on top of the toilet tanks and stuff like that the I see a lot of baby wipes and those are of no so any flushable wipes even though it says you know biodegradable it really is not most of them are not there is one that does do quite well we've done a lot of research and done tests and stuff and the one that does is the Cottonelle it actually breaks down the other ones do not after 24 hours they're just they're still like a big cotton mess so you've heard of icebergs before right yeah now these are called fatbergs is what we call that birds are softballs so if that bird is just like a big mass of fluid you know flushable wipes feminine hygiene products disposable diapers everything down and then it's combined with you know solidified fats so it just becomes big softball fat bird is what we call them so mostly residentials or the we call them softballs but yeah those are not the best thing if you're going to do that I highly suggest you know put them in a trash can or something like that because you're just going to mess up your sewer line and you have to have one of us come out and unblock that for you but if you're going to do anything I would definitely you know start the cotton mills that's for sure the tip of the day is don't put Q-tips in there don't put anything in there even Kleenex but just you know anything that's you know toilet paper disgusting fine but I have a recommendation which is totally coming from left field don't use toilet paper and you're like what do you mean don't use toilet paper well Europeans often don't they use the bidet and you're actually going to bathe yourself clean it's odd to us here in North America but it's very common in other countries isn't it oh for sure you know like the Europeans they've gotten a lot of stuff before we've gotten like the tankless water heaters all that stuff so we're kind of you know behind everything behind them so but yeah but days are very nice you know I would recommend a bidet and no pun with the behind you clean the behind with water and it's it is it's either another fixture like a toilet in your bathroom or you have toilets now that can do all in one but it's kind of nice because you're saving money on toilet paper you're saving money on plumbers coming out to fix the mess and the only thing going down is human waste and really that's all that should be going into the sewer system or the septic system exactly 100% hey Bobby this has been great hey all of Bobby Crowder's information from the family plumber is listed in the description of this podcast you can easily Click to get ahold of him or his phone number is there as well to get ahold of him Bobby once again thank you so much for joining me today on the program thanks for having me Joe appreciate it!
 

What Can I Put In My Garbage Disposal?

"I've seen bones,I've seen,I meat,yeah,accidental stuff like,you know,forks and silverware and stuff like that."
- Bobby Crowder, Plumbing Expert
 
Why do we continue to abuse our garbage disposal and plumbing system?  The garbage disposal should not be used for most food items.  Plumbing expert, Bobby Crowder, The Family Plumber joins Jim Klauck - aka Check A Pro Joe on the show today.
The question today - "What Can I Put In My Garbage Disposal?" 
Check out this episode of The Plumber Podcast to find out more...
For more information about The Family Plumber in Surprise, Arizona log on to www.callthefamilyplumber.com or check them out at www.checkapro.com.
 
Visit Us At -  CallTheFamilyPlumber.com 
You Can Call Anytime:  (623) 738-6171
Podcast Episode Transcript: 
My good friend,Bobby Crowder is joining me the family plumber.Hey,Bobby,how are you doing,Bud?Hey,how you doing?Nice to,nice to be here.Yeah,it's great to have you here.Ok.You're my go to guy when it comes to plumbing questions out here in Arizona.And I'll tell you,people don't know what they're doing with their garbage disposal.For some reason,people think that they can put everything down there,including the kitchen sink.That's funny.So there are things that we should and should not put in our garbage disposal.Correct?Oh,that is 100% correct.Hey,I've gone to houses that you won't believe where?I don't know.They just think that it's a,it's a,it's a trash compactor.I mean,it's like a,like a big giant garbage truck that's gonna compact and just bring it down the drain.I mean,I've seen bones,I've seen,I meat,yeah,accidental stuff like,you know,forks and silverware and stuff like that.But there's stuff that just not,they've,I've,I've seen,they've tried to put,uh,like paper towels and just everything they can,they just think it's,it's a,you know,it says garbage disposal but,you know,there's things that you shouldn't be putting down there for 100%.I think it should be called light vegetables and fruit.That's rotting disposal because,because those are soft.Um,and many of you may not know this but really what's to go into your sewer line or certainly if you have your own septic system should only be human waste.It really shouldn't be food products.It's not what the systems are designed for.Now,a sewer system isn't really your problem.It goes to the city if you will and they process it.But,but if anyone is listening,if you ever get a septic system,yes.Do not throw it off balance.It's like our stomachs.There's certain things you should not put in there.And so,uh,you know,don't put bones in there.It's bad for the,the actual machine itself.The garbage disposal.I'll tell you something else is big and Bobby backed me up on this isn't your busiest time around the holidays around Thanksgiving and Christmas you'll put too much grease in there.Oh,yeah,that's so,so the thing is,is like,uh,I think my busy.Exactly.It's gonna be Thanksgiving and around Christmas and it's usually the day before it's always at night.So it's,it's a constant basis.So where,you know,they're just like,uh,potato peels.No,nos,uh,carrot peels.No,nose eggshells.No,no.Uh,I,I can,the list can go on and on.Grease.100.We put it in a jar,seal it up,throw it away.Yeah.Don't,don't put that down there.That's just bad for the drain.So,the thing is here,here,here's the thing.They could put a lot of that stuff down the garbage disposal and they'll run it.The thing,the,the garbage disposal will handle it.It's the drain that will not.And that's where it just kind of compacts in the drain.And then that's when they have,they have a backup and it just,it just doesn't work so light stuff.Uh,you know,vegetables,fruits,you know,little scraps off your plate is fine.Uh,like I said,septic tanks,you know,we try to,when it comes to septic tanks,I always look for it towards customer that,you know,eliminating the garbage disposal,even though,even though I'll educate the homeowner,who knows what their kids might do and stuff like that.So we try to stay away from that kind of stuff.But,you know,let's,let's keep it light.It's,let's prevent from one of us coming out if you would like.But we're more than welcome to come out if you want us to.Yeah.So I'm,I'm kind of anti garbage disposal.I don't have one.I,I live on a ranch.We have a septic system and it's,it's a balanced system.It actually is designed to break down human waste and process that.It's not designed to take the carrot peels and the,and,and a banana peel for that matter.And you're just looking for trouble and it's really better to throw it in the trash and let the trash guy deal with it.Even things like,you know,gravy,which has fat in it,but any kind of,you know,fatty substance,uh if you have,you know,some,you know,leftover butter that's starting to smell,don't throw it in the sink or garbage disposal,put it in the trash and have it carted away.Here's the thing,it's easier for them to just to step over and put it into a sink than it is to walk over and put it into a garbage.It's kind of,you know,it's shorter distance for or quicker distance to get it,get it done.So it's just,it's,we see that a lot,everybody,it's not a garbage chute.It is really designed for,for liquid to travel through.And if you put this stuff in it,it's gonna make it more difficult for the liquid to travel through.If the liquid has trouble traveling,it will back up.And that's when you call Bobby Crowder.Bobby's information.All of his information is located in the description of this podcast for all of your plumbing needs,including your garbage disposal needs.Contact him at the family plumber.Thanks Bobby.I appreciate it,buddy.