Plumbing

taps

At Prima, we bring both experience and innovation to our plumbing services. Over the past 16 years we’ve solved a lot of problems for our customers. Today we maintain that reputation, by keeping up-to-date with the latest technology. We can inspect your pipes and identify problems without tearing up your lawn (or your walls) using our colour camera system to visually check before we dig. Considering replacing your pipes? Let us tell you about the latest materials, developed for maximum longevity and minimum worries. Want to make sure your home is as energy efficient as possible? We can help you design home heating, plumbing, and cooling systems that are big on comfort while maintaining a small environmental footprint.

Hot Water Tank Replacement

The average homeowner will need to replace their hot water heater roughly every 10 years. When that time comes, Prima can recommend the best size and type for your home and explain your options when it comes to choosing between gas and electric, or a tank or tankless system. To extend the life of your current hot water tank, consider an annual tank flush, to reduce scaling, corrosion, and sediment. You can also lower the temperature of the hot water. The hotter the water in your tank, the faster the minerals in the water will corrode the tank’s lining. It’s also safer. Reducing the tank temperature to 120° Fahrenheit (49° Celsius) greatly reduces the risk of scalding. Hot water tanks are relatively trouble-free appliances, but it makes good sense to check them periodically for signs of trouble. Small leaks, strange noises, and mineral build-up are all signs that your hot water tank may be ready for replacement.

If your hot water tank just started leaking, here’s what you need to do:

Your hot water tank isn’t likely to suddenly fail catastrophically and dump gallons of water into your home, so don’t panic. Turn off the taps feeding the hot water tank and put towels around the bottom of the heater. That will take care of any immediate problems and will help protect carpets and other flooring. Don’t try to drain the tank unless you are absolutely sure you know what you are doing. A mistake could mean scalding hot water spraying around the room and the potential for serious injury or property damage.

Tankless Water Heaters

With so many of us looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment, tankless water heaters have quickly become a popular way to save energy, without having to sacrifice comfort or convenience. For years a common sight in Europe, where the high cost of energy has made tankless systems a popular choice, they are also becoming more common here in North America, as concern for the environment and rising energy costs have homeowners considering options other than the typical hot water tank.

Tankless systems do more than just save up to 75% on your hot water heating bill however. They also take up less space in your home and usually last twice as long as a regular hot water tank. If it’s time to replace your old hot water tank, or you’re building a new home and deciding which system you’re going to get, a tankless water heater could well be the right choice for your home.