Water Heater Expansion Tanks

by Admin | Oct 24, 2018 | Plumbing Tips

Water Heater Expansion Tanks are a Safety Device

Water Heater Expansion Tanks are a safety devide that can reduce the chance of pressure damage to your plumbing system. This applies to tank water heaters and not to the new tankless systems. E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling will make a recommendation for you to install one if you do not have one and might.

During the heating process, thermal expansion happens. The expansion tank servies as a “overflow” tank. It absorbs fluctuations in the incoming water supply pressure and absorbs excess water volume too. Water expands when heated.

In the Capital Region, there are open systems where the expanding water can push back into the city water lines. There is typically not an issue there.

But many homes have a “closed water supply system” where the water plumbing system in the house has a one-way valve ( sometimes called a backflow preventer valve). In this system, the extra water pressure that is building up with the thermal expansion. It can cause a lot of damage because the water pressure cannot return into the city water pipes. It has no where to go. Many of the areas in the Albany, Troy, Schenectady require expansion tanks. Check your local building code and find out. You may be required to have one.

Even if you do not have a one way valve on your hot water tank, you may benefit having an expansion tank. They sit above the water tank and are about 15 inches long and about 12 inches wide. Having a tank reduces the pressure on your toilet and faucets. This may help those fixtures last much longer. The tank is easy to install and E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling. We like the Amtrol brand name.

We suggest checking your water heater for rust on top and at the bottom of the unit. If your tank is 10-12 years old, you may want to consider a water heater installation and an expansion tank installation.

Call E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling at 518-462-6577 and speak to our Customer Care Reps. We offer Red Runner Treatment that will protect your floors.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors in the Basement

by Admin | Oct 22, 2018 | Plumbing Tips

E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling suggests having a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of the home when you have a fuel-burning appliance of any kind.

We would like to see more units in the home when we do hot water heater tank installations. It is not good enough to have one just in the basement. Especially if you have a very large home. We suggest them when we install gas appliances, water heaters, gas lines and more.

You cannot smell carbon monoxide and it is deadly!

When you go to purchase one, you generally fun into two types of units. One that connects to a smoke alarm. And those that are independent. They may be the most inexpensive. They are easy to install. It is important to be sure that you have enough of them. It might be that you need more than one. One can purchase one that is hard-wired or requires a battery.

Some of the brand names are:

First Alert OneLink Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm. Which goes for about $55 on Amazon. It is a combination unit. It takes AA batteries. It can link to others in the home. So, when one goes off so do the others. This is a great choice for large homes.

Kidde has been another leader in this product market. If you do not need a combination unit there is the Kidde Nighthawk KN-Coop-3 unit. It just plugs right into an outlet and has a battery included that works when the power goes out. Really check out the features because, besides reset buttons, some have power cords, a level button, and LED displays too.

Kidde also makes the Kiddo KN-COB-B-LPN unit. This is a really affordable $20 model. You can place it on a nail, on a table or on a wall. It uses 3 AA batteries and does not plug in. It’s a tad tricky to get the batteries into the unit but it is intentional so there is no way you forget to place them inside. The unit has a low battery indicator also a reset button.

For those who live with their cell phone attached to them, take a look at the NEST Protect Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm. This is very expensive and so we doubt that you will place multiple units in your home. But their unit combines smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. And they can send the alarm to your cell phone. It is one of the more attractive units!

Again, if you have an appliance that uses fuel, you need to have multiple carbon monoxide units in your home to keep you and your family safe.

If you need a hot water heater installed in the Capital Region of New York, call E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling at 518-462-6577

Faucet Finishes in the Capital Region

by Admin | Oct 21, 2018 | Plumbing Tips

WHICH FAUCET FINISH IS FOR YOUR REMODEL?

We, at E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling, see a variety of faucets being installed in the Capital Region. In Loudonville or Rexford, Voorheesville or Saratoga, there are lots of varieties being chosen during remodels.

It is best to match all your fixtures. Different companies have slight variations in their colors and finishes so it’s best to use the same brand.

WHITE FINISH

White faucets look clean. Everything blends with them. They really contrast with dark surfaces. There is something cool about an all-white bathroom and they are generally made out of plastic or porcelain.

Advantages: Looks clean. Water spots and fingerprints do not show much.

Disadvantages: Porcelain fixtures can chip and is expensive.

Styles it works with: Farmhouse and modern.

SATIN BRASS

We are seeing more of this color which looks classy and bold.

Advantages: It is durable and makes a statement and does not show fingerprints and water spots.

Disadvantages: Sometimes it is hard to find other fixtures that match. And it can be expensive.

POLISHED BRASS

An all-time favorite which gives your room a vintage look.

Advantages: Easy to find and sharp looking. It is really durable and matches other fixtures.

Disadvantages: More expensive than other finishes, such as chrome and brushed nickel.

Styles it works with: Looks great and appears to be coming back. Great in modern, traditional and eclectic settings.

OIL-RUBBED BRONZE

Traditional. Looks great. Different from other stuff.

Advantages: Easy to clean and durable and you can find it in plenty of show rooms. It doesnt really show spots and fingerprints.

Disadvantages: It is more expensive than other finishes, like chrome and brushed nickel.

Styles it works with: It really looks nice in traditional homes or those of Mediterranean style.

COPPER FINISH

Want to make a statement ? Copper makes things look rich.

Advantages: Copper has natural antibacterial properties. Many showrooms carry it. Scratches will blend into the rich patina.

Disadvantages: Copper takes some time to age and develop its beautiful patina. it is not as durable as other finishes. You arelly have to let it age. It may require more maintenance. It shows spots.

Styles it works with: Tuscan and farmhouse.

SATIN BRONZE

This is a finish that is sort of like copper and sort of like bronze.

Advantages: Durable, easy to clean and maintain, this is a great alternative to copper and a lighter option than oil-rubbed bronze. Water spots and fingerprints won’t show.

Disadvantages: We think it is a tad hard to find and it is pricey. . It’s hard to match accessories and other fixtures to satin bronze.

Styles it works with: Traditional, eclectic and Mediterranean.

POLISHED NICKEL

This is popular. Many like the shiny finish that si smooth. It is a tad draker than chrome.

Advantages: Easy to clean. Durable finish. A great alternative to brushed nickel.

Disadvantages: More expensive. It’s hard to find matching accessories or fixtures for it. Be sure that all the fixtures are from the same company.

MATTE BLACK FINISH

Black is striking! We are seeing it in more bathrooms. It really makes a classy statement.

Advantages: Easy to clean and it does not show dirt, fingerprints or water spots. It’s easy to coordinate a matte black faucet with bathroom accessories. We like the options.

Disadvantages: Sometimes it is hard to find fixtures to match. So, try to get them all at once at the same supply house.

Styles it works with: Modern and eclectic.

BRUSHED NICKEL

Brushed nickel is the #1 finish we install for faucets.

Advantages: It is really durable. It seems to last longer than bronze and chrome. It doesnt show water sports and fingerprints. It is available everywhere and is easy to clean.

Disadvantages: In a kitchen it is not going to match with your stainless steel refrigertor and dishwasher… it will not be as striking as other finishes.

Styles it works with: Every style

CHROME FINISH

It appears to be the most popular because it goes with everything!

Advantages: It’s generally the most inexpensive finish. It’s a very easy finish to clean and maintain. It’s durable, easy to find and easy to match with accessories and other fixtures.

Disadvantages: Shows water spots and fingerprints.

Styles it works with: Almost every style.

CALL E.W. TOMPKINS PLUMBING HEATING COOLING AT 518-462-6577 FOR YOUR FAUCET IINSTALLATION

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Kallista Faucets Are Elegant

by Admin | Oct 20, 2018 | Plumbing Tips

Kallista faucets are Elegant!

When you are looking for sleek lines and great form you may want to explore the luxurious Kallista faucets line for your next faucet installation.

Kallista in Greek means “most beautiful”. They use the best materials.

Kallista offers simplicity and great elegance for your home! E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling does faucet installations in the Albany – Schenectady and Troy areas.

Kallista sports a wonderful collection of faucets, sinks, and amazing claw foot tubs.

If you want something special in your home check their line locally at Security Supply’s Bath Expression showroom on Central Avenue in Albany. Check out the Youtube on this page from Bath Expressions at Security Supply. They are very helpful and solve problems.

Make your remodeling dreams come true with Kallista faucets, fixtures and accessories.

If you need an faucet or toilet installation in Loudonville, East Greenbush, Colonie, Rexford, Niskayuna, Slingerlands, Saratoga Springs and anywhere in between, please contact us at E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling

518-462-6577

What is the Best Toilet Height ?

by Admin | Oct 15, 2018 | Plumbing Tips

What is the best toilet height when doing new toilet installations in the Capital Region ?

We always get asked, at E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling, “what the best toilet height?

In general you want to be able to sit down and stand up with comfort. You want to be able to have two feet on the floor when you are seated on the toilet. So, the answer comes down to how tall you are, your physical needs and if you are getting up standing or transferring yourself into a wheelchair.

If you are tall then the 15-16 inches of a regular toilet will be uncomfortable. You might want to look for a “ADA” or a “comfort height” unit. They will range from 17-19 inches when you measure from the floor to the top of the new seat.

Remember that you have the option of a round or elongated toilet these days. Elongated units are far more popular when we do toilet installations in the Albany, Troy, Schenectady areas.

Did you know that the seats have changed ? When we do toilet installations we suggest the “quiet close” toilet seats because they do not make that slamming down noise.

If you are on the shorter side and are interested in a toilet installation in the Capital Region, you might regret purchasing the taller “comfort height”.

We suggest going to a bath showroom like Security Supply on Central Avenue in Albany and sit on a few units. They have one of the nicest showrooms in the Capital Region. Tell them you are working with E.W. Tompkins.

Check out their video on this page!!!

If you are in a wheelchair and you transfer laterally on to the toilet, it is uaually best to stick with a toilet that has about the same height as your chair.

Adults – 17-19 inches

Kids tyically at ages 3/4 can use a 11-12 inch

Kids 5-8 – 12-15 inches

Children 9-15 – 15-18 inches

A.O. Smith Tankless Water Heater Technology

by Admin | Oct 5, 2018 | Plumbing Tips

A.O. SMITH TANKLESS WATER HEATERS IN THE CAPITAL REGION INSTALLED BY E.W. TOMPKINS PLUMBING HEATING COOLING

ProLine^® XE Tankless

When considering tankless water heater units in the Capital Region of New York, consider high efficiency tankless water heaters from innovative A.O. Smith. No one comes close to matching their expertise. The ProLine XE tankless units have high efficience ratings and great new desins. The ProLine XE tankless heaters feature non condensing and condensing technology.

All condensing models are ENERGY STAR® qualified
Ultra-Low NOx options are available

Contact E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling serving Saratoga, Rexford, Niskayuna, East Greenbush, Clifton Park, Slingerlands, Voorheesville and more in the Capital Region.

Plumbing Heating Cooling in Albany Area since 1921

(518) 462-6577