A: This is actually the most common question I get. First…
no your toilet is not haunted and your cat probably isn’t
that smart! The most common cause of “ghost flushing”
is a worn flapper, though on occasion the problem may be worse.
Click Here To Read More....
What do I do if I have no hot water?
If you find yourself in this situation, the first thing you should
do is establish that the water heater is still powered. For electric
water heaters occasional power fluctuations have been known to cause
the breaker to trip, so this is your best first step. Locate your
electric panel and check to see if the breaker is still on. If that
is not the problem, try resetting the thermostat located behind the
cover plate on the side of the heater. Doing this is as simple as
removing two screws and a small piece of insulation. The thermostat
will be looking right at you and the red “reset” button will be
right in the middle of it. If you hear it click then you probably
fixed it. Give the heater 30 minutes to heat and if you still have
no hot water, call the professionals!
I run out of hot water quickly. Is it my water heater?
The problem could be a slab leak, thermostat, or element. Call a
professional to come and check out your unit.
I have rusty water coming out of my fixtures.
This is a sign that the liner in your tank is ruptured and the unit
needs to be replaced.
I have a bad smell and some air coming out my faucets when I
turn them on.
This is a sign your anode rod, which protects your tank from
corrosion, has gone bad. Call a professional to have it replaced.
Do I really need to flush out my water heater?
No, but you should. You will be surprised at all junk that will
settle at the bottom of your heater especially if it’s been a couple
of years since you’ve done it. Scale build up, along with other
particles can cause your heater to work harder and actually cause
you to lose gallons of water storage in the tank.
What is the average life of an electric water heater?
Depending on your water quality the life span could be five to seven
years. Gas water heaters have a longer life span of seven to ten
years.
I have a lot of corrosion on the pipes and valve at the top of
my water heater.
This is a flood waiting to happen! I know because it happened to
me!! Replace the connections as soon as possible and if the heater
is more than six years old, consider replacing the whole unit. The
heater may have a couple years left in it, but if you are making the
investment on new connections then now may be the time for a change.
How much will your visit cost me?
I don’t know and I warn you to be wary of anyone that will give you
a fixed price over the phone. I guarantee you that your problem,
what ever it may be is unique to you, no matter how hard or simple
it is. Giving you a solid quote over the phone means someone is
guessing how long it will take and betting that their plumber will
do it in less time.
You will receive your best value by: 1) Giving your plumber as
much information about the problem BEFORE he/she gets there. 2)
Having the affected area clear of household items. 3) Try these tips
to either fix it your self or isolate the problem to a certain area.
Why do I not have any pressure on the hot or cold side of my
faucet?
Unscrew the aerator and turn the faucet on. If it works, the aerator
was plugged so flush the aerator with water or soak it in white
vinegar for about two hours. If the aerator wasn’t the problem, then
it could be in the fixture's cartridge or further back into the
water pipes.
How do I find parts for my faucet?
Many of the manufacturer's web sites have breakdowns of their
faucets for your review. If you know the manufacturer’s name, then
it can be as easy as a Google search, or try looking on my links
page.
My fixtures are showing signs of corrosion. What should I do?
Most corrosion is caused by hard water. Most of your hardware stores
will carry a variety of non abrasive cleaners such as CLR or Lime
Away. Following their directions and keeping your faucets clean is a
good way of extending the life of the finishes.
A soft water system is also an excellent investment in limiting
the damage caused by hard water deposits.
What do I do about the bad odor coming from my disposer?
Run a hand full of ice cubes through it once a month. Also, pour a
small amount of liquid dishwasher soap once a month into the
disposer and let it set for a couple of hours.
I hear a strange moaning noise whenever I turn my faucet off.
What causes that?
You may have excess water pressure coming into your house. There are
many areas across the county where the pressure commonly exceeds
125PSI. This kind of excess pressure will stress the pipes and
possible damage your laves.
Any hardware store, Home Depot, or Lowes carries a test gauge you
can put on your hose bib. Make sure it has a tell tail on it so your
can record the highest pressures that you get in a 24 hour period.
How much pressure should I have?
Somewhere between 45 and 75 PSI is optimal. If your pressure exceeds
this guide line, a pressure reducing valve can be installed to
control the problem.
What is a backflow assembly and why does the city/county want
it certified?
A backflow assembly is used to protect the municipality’s water
supply from contamination that may occur as a result of back
siphoning of an individuals contaminated source into the general
water supply. The device is generally located next to your water
meter and to insure that it is properly function, the municipality
can mandate that you have an annual certification performed.
Do I need a backflow assembly on my irrigation system?
Yes, it is required by the UPC.
Do I need a backflow assembly on my potable water supply?
In most cases backflow assemblies are required on all properties,
but check with your local water providers.
How do I find out more on backflow assemblies and pressure
regulators?
Click on the manufacturer's logo above.
My backflow assembly is leaking. Can it be fixed?
Yes, in most cases parts kits are available. To help control the
cost to you, know the manufacture’s name, model number and serial
number before calling. Allowing us to verify that we have the parts
we need to fix it the first time out will save you valuable time.
Don’t be shocked to find out that it is cheaper to replace it than
fix it.
