An off-grid water system can work very well. But adding more homes changes the whole design. More homes need more flow, storage, and pump power. Long pipes also add pressure loss. This setup starts with two 500-gallon water tanks. The tanks are filled by a well when needed. A house pump feeds a 60-gallon pressure… Continue reading Off-Grid Water For 3 Homes: Will It Work?
Tag: water
Phoenix Condo Softener: Replace It or Skip It?
Hard water is a real problem in many Arizona homes. It can leave scale on faucets, shower doors, pipes, and water heaters. That makes this question fair for any Phoenix condo owner. Should you replace a broken water softener if you plan to sell soon? The answer depends on cost, risk, and how long you… Continue reading Phoenix Condo Softener: Replace It or Skip It?
Why Is My Water Softener Timer Leaking?
Question There is water all over the floor around my water softener. I do not know if it is the only source. But I see water leaking from my timer. What would cause that? Answer A water softener timer should not leak water. If water is coming from that area, the leak is usually inside… Continue reading Why Is My Water Softener Timer Leaking?
Tankless Heater Temp Swings? Check This First
A tankless water heater should give steady hot water. When the temperature jumps, something is not right. This homeowner has an A. O. Smith tankless unit bought in 2020. The heater is set to 120 degrees. Yet the display sometimes shows 100 degrees. At other times, the outlet water jumps to 138 degrees. That is… Continue reading Tankless Heater Temp Swings? Check This First
Best Water Heater for Solar and Big Baths
Adding solar panels is a great time to rethink hot water. This is even more true in homes with mixed heat systems. Your setup is not simple, but it can work very well. You already have a 50-gallon indirect water heater. It is heated by a propane boiler during part of the year. In winter,… Continue reading Best Water Heater for Solar and Big Baths
Why Well Water Stops for a Few Seconds
A private well should give steady water during normal use. So, a short water stop can feel strange. One homeowner asked this common well question. Question I have a well and a water supply problem. When I turn on any faucet, the water runs for two or three minutes. Then it shuts off for four… Continue reading Why Well Water Stops for a Few Seconds
Washing Machine Water Hammer Fix That Lasts
Washing machines can be rough on plumbing. Their fast shutoff valves stop water very quickly. That sudden stop can cause water hammer. You may hear a bang, thump, or pipe shake. A homeowner asked a common question. Cheap water hammer arrestors behind the washer lasted about three years. Instead of buying new ones, they wanted… Continue reading Washing Machine Water Hammer Fix That Lasts
Well Pump Runs But No Water? Read This First
A well pump problem can start as a small mystery. One day, the pump runs, but no water comes out. Then you shut the power off. You wait 20 to 30 seconds. After that, the pump starts working again. Pressure returns, and the tank climbs to 60 psi. At first, this may happen once a… Continue reading Well Pump Runs But No Water? Read This First
No Threads? How to Test Faucet Water Pressure
You want to check the water pressure at a faucet. But the spout has no hose threads. A standard gauge will not screw on. Good news. You still have several easy options. Quick Q&A Q: How can I measure pressure without faucet threads? A: Use an aerator adapter, a clamp-on faucet gauge, or test pressure… Continue reading No Threads? How to Test Faucet Water Pressure
Water in the Den? Slab Leak or Pipe Above?
You’re looking at a house as a rental. You walk in and find water in the den. The break is “underneath,” but the source is unknown. It could be a supply line under the slab. It could be a drain line in the slab. It could also be a pipe above the slab. Quick Q&A… Continue reading Water in the Den? Slab Leak or Pipe Above?