Answers to the Most Common Plumbing Questions

The solution: Watch what you’re throwing down there! And treat them regularly with your preferred drain cleaner.

Why does my toilet keep running… and running… and running?

I get asked this all the time. Typically, this is because the flap at the bottom of the tank that seals the water in doesn’t do its job: seal. When this happens, the water is continuously draining and filling up in an endless cycle. Needless to say, that’s a giant waste of water.

The solution: Take the top off the tank and flush. Does the flap completely close? If not, the water will never reach the fill line. The simple, short-term solution is to jiggle the handle until the seal closes. A more permanent fix is to possibly replace the seal or adjust the length of the chain. Both are things you can easily do… or you can call me!

Where does my hot water go?!

There are a couple of reasons you may not have enough hot water running through your house, and they depend on the age and type of your water heater.

In the case of electric water heaters, there are typically two heating elements — one on the top and one on the bottom. If the bottom goes out, only the top portion of the water is heating up. If the top dies… It’ll be cold water for everyone.

There is also a reset button that was possibly tripped. This would lead to the water heater no longer functioning. In this case, it means something is wrong.

The solution: Give your local plumber, like me, to come check out your water heater and make sure there’s no more cold showers.

Hard vs. soft water: Does it really matter?

The short answer: yes. The long answer? Yes! Hard water can actually damage your home and body. It can lead to everything from skin problems, pipe scaling, damaged clothing from the laundry, faucet/fixture deterioration, water stains, tastes or smells from your water… All of these indicate a water problem.

The solution: A variety of products, including a whole house filtration system for your water.

I’m not seeing any leaks, so why is my water bill so high?

The solution: Start with your toilets to ensure they aren’t leaking, then check inside the tank to see if your fill valve is overflowing through the overflow pipe. There should be a small tube connected to it, and the water level should be about an inch below the overflow tube, or level with a manufacturer’s mark if there is one. Lastly, check your flapper. Simply add a couple drops of food coloring to the tank water and let it set. If it hasn’t changed after about 15 to 20 minutes, the flapper will need to be replaced.

What do I do if there is a major leak?

First things first, turn off your water supply. This can be done at the main shut-off valve on the exterior of the house, typically. Make sure you know where this is.

The solution: Once you turn off the water to stop the leak, call a professional plumber to deal with the situation. If any electrical fittings got wet, call an electrician as well. Do not touch any wet electrical areas.

Are chemical drain cleaners safe?

For one, they are usually very toxic to keep around the house — especially with children or pets. That should be obvious. But what you may not know is that the chemicals also damage your pipes, causing them to deteriorate from the inside out. In that case, drain lines will need to be replaced.

The solution: There are several products available that utilize bacteria and enzymes to keep drain sludge and grease from building up. For more serious clogs, it’s best to contact a plumbing professional.

What can actually go down the garbage disposal?

Back to the first question about clogging sinks. If you were curious what kinds of things you can throw down that kitchen sink, here you go. Firstly, make sure to always run the water when turning the disposal on. The moisture helps to break up food, even if it’s just fat and grease.

Soft or brittle debris (ie: egg shells, cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, small pieces of meat) will be ground up and flushed down. Hard materials like bones and coffee grounds will wear out the disposal and dull your blades. Fibrous things like corn husks can jam up the disposal altogether.

The solution: Watch what you throw down the drain!

Why is my water heater making a loud rumbling noise?

The most common causes are steam and sediment. Steam problems can be easily corrected, but sediment can potentially be trickier, especially if left untreated.

The solution: For steam problems, simply turn down the thermostat setting. If you think it may be busted, turn it all the way down. If the heat source doesn’t go off after that, you will need to replace the thermostat.

To clear out sediment, open the drain valve at the bottom of your tank and drain off a little water until it runs clear. This should eliminate noise problems and allow for a more efficient water heater. In more extreme cases, call a professional to examine your water heater.

How do I choose a plumber?

If not in an emergency, do as much research as possible. Make sure they are licensed in your state or area. You can even consult the Better Business Bureau to learn about complaints filed against the plumber or his company and how they were handled. Or ask the plumber for references and call previous clients for their opinion.

The solution: Ask for an estimate about the repair job and don’t be afraid to get a few from different plumbers. Cost matters, but so does making sure the job is done right, the first time.