When you find yourself in need of a skilled plumbing technicians in Watertown or the surrounding areas, Akian Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help. No matter how large or small the project may be, we are committed to offering top-quality care you can depend on for years to come. Here at Akian Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning we want all of our customers to have access to many of the resources we use when we’re working towards your plumbing & home services solutions. Please take advantage of these:

Useful links

FAQs

What is a plumbing trap/p-trap?

A plumbing trap is a U-shaped component that is required for every plumbing fixture. Its purpose is to prevent sewer gases from coming into the home or building by maintaining a water seal. It is important to have a properly installed drain and vent system for this to work properly.

How do I identify my water heater make, model, serial number, and capacity?

Rating tags can be found on all units. Most of the time there is SO much literature that it can be difficult to see, but if you look for it, it should look something like this:

When I run my washing machine, dishwasher, shower, or toilet I hear pipes banging. Is this something I should be concerned about?

The fixtures mentioned above have valves that are known in the industry as “quick closing” valves or solenoid valves. They quickly and suddenly stop water flow causing what we know as “water hammer.” A system experiencing hammer is like a car with no shocks. The vibrations are caused by water having nowhere to go, which can lead to even worse hammer over time by loosening or breaking pipe clips, hangers, or supports in the wall. It can even lead to fixtures prematurely failing as the water slams into the internal components of shower valves, faucets, or toilet components. Worst case scenario, a break or leak occurs due to a fitting or pipe coming apart or repeatedly hitting against an object in the wall or ceiling. If this is something you are concerned about and want to have handled, Akian Plumbing & Home Services can provide a solution.

Why is my water bill so high?

If you find that you have a higher water bill than usual, first check your rates! If nothing has changed, you may have a leak somewhere in your system.
Perform the following steps to quickly check if you have a leak:
– Make sure no fixtures are running (including washing machine or dishwasher)
– Locate your water meter
– Identify the slow flow/leak indicator (pic below)
– If this is spinning while nothing is running, you have a leak
– Contact Akian Plumbing & Home Services to schedule an appointment
We will take care of the rest!

What is the difference between a water heater and a boiler/furnace?

Water heaters create hot water for plumbing fixtures such as faucets, showers, dishwashers, and washing machines. Boilers and furnaces are heating systems that heat your home or business. High-efficiency combination units also exist that provide your heat AND hot water within one unit.

How do I identify the type of water heater I have?

There are many different kinds of water heaters:

Atmospheric tank-type water heaters typically have a metallic exhaust that vents into your chimney.
Power vent tank-type water heaters have a PVC (plastic) exhaust that vents through the side of your home.
Direct vent tank-type units have two (2) PVC pipes that vent through the side of your home (one intake and one exhaust).
Indirect tank-type units work by heating the domestic hot water through a coil that is inside of the tank and heated by the boiler water.
Tankless wall-hung units are typically high-efficiency units and require servicing every one to two years.
High-efficiency combination units also exist that provide both your heat AND hot water within one unit.
All of the units mentioned above are either heated through gas, electricity, indirectly (heated by boiler water), or utilize another fuel source. Click here to see pictures of these different types of units.

I believe I have high water pressure. Is this something I should be concerned about?

Short answer: Yes. Plumbing systems are designed for a maximum 80 psi. High pressure can lead to the premature failure of equipment (boilers, water heaters, water filters), fixtures (faucets, showers, toilets, etc.), pipe, valves, and fittings. A system with high pressure will cost more to maintain in the long run as you most likely will be repairing or replacing items more frequently.

What is the difference between a furnace and a boiler?

A furnace is a heating system that utilizes natural gas, propane or oil to create hot air. These systems typically have square vents that are set in the floor, wall and/or ceiling (as shown in the photo below). Sometimes these systems are paired with a central air conditioning system for cooling during the summer months.

What is a heat pump?

Air to air heat pumps offer an energy efficient means to supply heating and cooling to your home! Similar to a refrigerator, they use electricity to move heat from a cool space to a warm space. This makes the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. In the winter or during heat mode, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoor air into your home or the space being heated and vice versa during the cooling period. These high efficiency heat pump systems also are capable of dehumidifying more effectively than a traditional ducted furnace system making for a more comfortable summer season! For homes without ductwork this is a great way to add efficient cooling AND heating!

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