Quick Help

Garbage Disposals:

Problem: My disposal quit on me. Is there anything that I can do to fix my garbage disposal?

Solution: If the disposal doesn’t work at all – no *hum* or any sound, then push the red (reset) button on the bottom of the disposal. If that doesn’t work, check the breaker in the electrical panel. If the unit *hums* but doesn’t turn then you can try freeing it.. Some units come with a wrench that you can use to turn the cutter flywheel from the bottom. (An allen wrench will work). If you are unable to start the unit it’s time to call Precision Plumbing to service or replace it.

Problem: I’ve always been under the impression that it’s not a good thing to put a garbage disposal on a septic tank system but recently a friend told me it’s OK. What is the truth of the matter?

Solution: Adding a disposal to a septic system will work as long as you install a disposal that is made for a septic system. Call Precision Plumbing today and ask about septic disposals.

Problem: My garbage disposal always has foul odors. Is there anything that I can do to at least neutralize the smells?

Solution: If your garbage disposal is powerful enough, it’s a very good idea to put orange or lemon peels down it to make it smell good. Putting orange and lemon peels down the garbage disposal makes the drain, sink, and entire kitchen smell fresh and clean. Older citrus fruits that may be going partially bad, can still be cut up and put into the garbage disposal.

Solution: Alternatively, pour a half cup of baking soda into the drain, and then pour some white vinegar on top of it. This will foam, cleaning the area and making it smell fresh.

Drains:

Problem: How do roots get into my sewer pipes?

Solution: Many of the older pipes are installed with joints that have gaskets or are filled with lead. These joints shift over time and hairline openings are formed around the gaskets or lead. If you’ve seen a crack in the sidewalk you know that it doesn’t take much of an opening for something to grow.

Problem: Why does water back up into my kitchen sink when I use my washing machine?

Solution: Your kitchen sink and laundry drains often share the same line and connect in multiple places. If a blockage occurs in one place, this can cause blockage symptoms in another section of the same drain line.

Problem: I see water bubbling up into my tub or shower when I flush the toilet – what would cause this?

Solution: Your toilet and bathtub or shower usually shares the same drain line. If you have a sewer line blockage instead of a fixture blockage, waste water from your home isn’t able to flow properly to the main sewer line. If this happens, the waste water can then start to back up into your home.

Fixture Problems:

Problem: How do I keep from “getting a hot blast or a cold shock” in the shower? Drastic changes in water temperature in the shower can be dangerous. Let’s say someone flushes a toilet while you’re in the shower and you get a blast of hot water. Temperature extremes in the other direction can also happen depending on which fixture is being used. Temperature extremes are dangerous with people slipping and falling trying to avoid a suddenly very cold shower. These problems are exacerbated when very young or very old people are involved.

Solution: The problem is usually that the shower valve is a non pressure balanced shower valve. The solution to the problem is to install a pressure balance shower valve. Call Precision Plumbing for a quote today.

Problem: How can you stop water leaking through the shower head even when both water valves are off?

Solution: Be aware that for the first few minutes after turning off you will get the shower head leak a little. This is because the shower head has a large cavity inside that fills up with water in use. When you turn off, that water has to go somewhere, so it dribbles through the outlets of the shower head. If the shower continues to drip after a couple of minutes, the shower valve could be leaking past and should be serviced.

Problem: Do you need to replace the existing shower valve if you want to change to color and style of the valve?

Solution: Not always. If you stay with the brand of the shower valve you can often find a more attractive trim that will fit it. This is not an absolute. Some valves become obsolete and so there is no trim being made for them. Most brands have several offerings of in-wall valves with different options. In other words, don’t go out and buy a trim for your valve just because you’ve found one you like and it’s the same brand. Call Precision Plumbing we can help.

Problem: Why doesn’t my toilet bowl fill up after a flush?

Solution: If the plastic hose from the fill valve is not in the overflow tube, or the hose is clogged, the bowl will not fill correctly. Check that first. Next, check the water level in the tank. It should be 3/4″ below the top of the overflow. Adjust it as needed.

Problem: How can I locate the sewer gas smell in my home?

Solution: If there’s a sink, tub or toilet that does not get used often, then sometimes the all the water can evaporate out of the trap. This can allow sewer smells into the house. Just run some water through the fixture to fill the trap back up. A few teaspoon of cooking oil poured into the trap will float on top of the water and keep it from evaporating.

Solution: Another possibility is the vent in the wall isn’t connected properly. Even a small crack in the fitting can cause quite a smell if the sewer gas in the house is strong. If none of the above steps seem to work call Precision Plumbing we can help.

Water Heaters:

Problem: Why would you replace a water heater?

Solution: The #1 problem that kills water heaters is rust. When the tank rusts through and begins to leak, it doesn’t matter how good the components are on the water heater – that water heater is dead.

Problem: What can I do to extend the life of my water heater?

Solution: Just as you perform maintenance on your car or your heating and air conditioning, there is regular maintenance that you can perform on your water heater. Maintaining your water heater can add years to it’s life. The maintenance we’re talking of flushing the water heater and maintaining the anode rod.

Problem: What is the water heater anode rod and why is it important?

Solution: The anode rod is a self sacrificing metal rod installed in water heaters so that aggressive water will attack the anode rod instead of the glass lined iron water heater tank. It also removes sulfur from the water so you don’t get a “rotten egg” smell. If the anode rod is used up or well on it’s way, chances are good that rust may have begun inside.

Problem: How long do anode rods last?

Solution: Anode rods normally should be inspected every 3 – 4 years. If you have very hard, acidic or softened water, check your anode rod every 1 – 2 years. So, depending on your water, anode rods should be inspected every 1-4 years.

Problem: Why does my water heater run out so quickly now?

Solution: Several things could happen. If showers are running out to quickly check the shower head. A new shower head puts out about 2.5 gallons a minute. Some older heads put out 5 gallons a minute. Changing the shower head would double shower length in this case.

Solution: In some cases, the dip tube on the cold water inlet may have dislodged and fallen into the tank. When this happens, it creates a short loop for the water, water at the bottom half of the tank will not be used.

Solution: On electric water heaters, they commonly have two heating elements that work in turns. First the top element heats up the top of the tank, then power goes to the lower element. If the lower element is out, only the top of the tank gets heated. If the top element isn’t working, there will be no hot water.

Solution: On electric water heaters, sometimes you can push the reset button under the cover of the top element. Though this may get the water heater to start heating again, a tripped reset button indicates that there is a problem in the system that needs to be remedied. (watch out for the live wires connected to the thermostat) If problem persists call Precision Plumbing we can help.

Water Pressure:

Problem: How can you increase water pressure in a faucet?

Solution: If you’re lucky you may have a plugged aerator or an emergency supply valve (under the sink) that is not turned on all the way. It is possible that a supply line could be kinked and needs to be replaced. If you get a water supply tube to connect to your emergency shut off valve under the sink, you could attach it and blow the water into a bucket to see if you have pressure there. If there is good pressure there, then you know the problem is above the shut off valve.

Solution: If you have galvanized pipe, it may be that your line is clogged with minerals. This is a situation that requires repiping. In other types of water piping we have found obstructions such as small stones or construction debris in the water lines that were either introduced when the house was being built or during remodel.

Problem: Why do you loose pressure at a sink or shower when a tap is turned on elsewhere in the house?

Solution: If you have a water softener you might also check the prefilter to see that it’s not clogged. Many softeners also have screens in the inlet to keep debris out. Check them.

Solution: Poor water pressure can be due to mineral buildup in lines or improper sizing in your water lines. The lines don’t have enough volume to handle everything that’s running. Water tries to take the easiest path that it can so if you turn on something that is closer to the water main or has less bends in the line the water will go there.

Solution: Check washing machine screens, water softener screens, aerators, shower heads – All have a tendency to plug.

Problem: Low to no water pressure at my washing machine?

Solution: Turn off water supply to washing machine, remove hose and check the screen to see if trash has built up. Reinstall hose, turn water on, check to see if water pressure has improved

Water Quality:

Problem: What causes my water to come out rusty and brown?

Solution: Has anyone shut the water off recently? A change in water pressure will cause rust in the system to turn loose and come through into the bathtub or other fixtures.

Solution: When the city flushes its water main lines you may experience brown water for a day or two.

Solution: The glass lining in the water heater may be compromised, allowing the metal jacket to rust. If this is the case, you are not long till it starts to leak.

Solution: If you are on a well, iron bacteria may be growing, and may not be showing up in the cold water because it remains invisible in solution until it is heated, or has more time to react with oxygen in the water heater. A simple test by a water treatment company will tell this.

Toilets:

Problem: I think my toilet is leaking. Is there a test I can do to confirm this?

Solution: Yes! All you have to do is put a few drops of food coloring into your toilet tank. Wait a few minutes and then look in the toilet bowl. If you see that your bowl has the same color, then you’ve got a leak! The scary part is you are probably wasting hundreds of gallons of water each month! In most cases all this problem requires is a new flapper. Or if you prefer we can install a new low consumption toilet, to keep your money from going down the drain.

Problem: My toilet runs continuously, what can I do?

Solution: Replace tank flapper, Adjust water level in tank, Adjust and clean flush valve, Replace flush valve, Repair or replace fill valve, if you still have a problem call Precision Plumbing we can help.