Frequently Asked Questions
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How can I adjust my water temperature if it's much higher than I believe it should be?
New water heaters are set at the factory to 120°F. This is what the manufacturer feels is the standard setting for most households. Some of the older models allow you to set the temperature by changing the dial on the front of the water heater. Sometimes the electric water heaters will have one or two panes along the side of the tank for adjusting the temperature. This should only be done after turning off the electricity to the water heater to avoid shock. Plumbing EXPERTS can help you determine the right temperature for your household.
IMPORTANT NOTE: To prevent shock from any exposed electrical wires and before doing any work with the electric water heater, always switch off electricity to the water heater.
What is the rumbling sound coming from the hot water heater?
Sometimes after the water heater has been on a while you may hear noises coming from it like humming or rumbling. This is because there are mineral deposits which have accumulated inside the water heater at the base and the water becomes trapped and then actually starts to boil.
This can be remedied at times by draining the water heater into a bathtub or floor drain. Let the water drain through the water heater for 5 minutes or so. This will help clean out the sediment. Newer models are designed to prevent this mineral sediment build up.
You can give us a call for the general maintenance of your water heater.
WARNING: Hot water may be dangerous. If possible allow the water to drain from the water heater into a floor drain, tub or laundry tub. If you permit it to flow onto your lawn it could kill it. Remember to switch off the power to an electric hot water heater before emptying in order to keep it from burning up.
If roots get their way to drain lines, what could happen?
Roots from plants, shrubs and trees can grow into a leaky pipe and will eventually fill the pipe with hairy roots and will cause the drain pipe to become clogged. As time passes, no toilet tissue, grease or waste isn't going to pass through the sewer. Eventually you will have a drain that empties slow and in the end become totally blocked.
Roots that are in the pipe will continue to grow until the pipe is forced to crack, collapse, or break. Your only option right here is to go ahead and replace the pipe.
The pipe types which generally have an issue with roots are clay-based, concrete and Pvc material. Although Pvc material is less likely to experience a problem, because it has fewer joints and are less likely to have leaks.
Call Plumbing EXPERTS and they will come out with their modern drain cameras and do a recording of your drain problems from inside the pipes.
What's the white material that seems to grow on my shower head and faucets?
The buildup you can see growing on your shower head and faucets is caused by mineral deposits commonly known as as hard water. You can remove these deposits by placing some vinegar in a plastic bag and put it over the shower head or faucet. It may be tied on with some string or a garbage bag twist tie. Leave it on through the night and then in the morning take off the bag and clean the shower head or faucet with a small brush or old toothbrush to remove the leftover deposits. Plumbing EXPERTS can show you how water softening might help this problem.
How do I get rid of the awful odors coming from my garbage disposal?
No one likes these smells. They originate from food buildup within the disposal. The best way to eliminate odors can be to put some ice cubes along with lemon or orange peels into the disposal and turn it on for around half a minute. Next, squirt a little liquid dish detergent or a little bit of bleach into the disposal and let it run about twenty seconds. Now let cold water run in the disposal while it is running for around half a minute to remove the remaining debris.
I want to change a toilet inside my home. What do you recommend?
Be sure to only buy a toilet bowl fixture from a major manufacturer. If you purchase from an off brand you could get something with fractures or fissures in it and this will impact the operation of the fixture. If the fixture is poorly installed or it's seals and rings are no good, this will impact the way it works also. New government standards declare that they use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush.
Recently my water bill went up extremely high. What may be the reasons?
First check and find out if your toilet is leaky or running all the time. Sometimes this can be caused because the water isn't shutting off and will continue to flow into your overflow tube. You might want to adjust a small screw on the float so the tank fills just to about an inch beneath the top of the overflow tube or at the level for the water as marked inside the tank. An inspection by a plumbing specialist can save you a lot on your water bills.
The plumbing inside my home makes humming as well as other noises. How can I fix this?
You might have lost the air cushion in your plumbing. To regain it shut off the water main to your home. Then turn on all of the faucets in your house. Then go back and switch on the water main valve again and then go around and shut off each faucet one by one. This ought to get all of the air out of your lines and get rid of the noises.
How can I get my kitchen sink drain unstopped because it drains slowly?
Using a plunger is the first step. If that doesn't work you may have clogged hair or grease in the drain. Next use some liquid drain opener. Use it with caution as it contains chemicals which can burn your skin or eyes. If the plunging as well as the liquid drain opener will not help then you will need to take out the drain trap from under the sink and wash it out. Be careful if you previouslyused the liquid drain opener as there could possibly be some in the drain when you remove it. You want to avoid splattering it into your eyes. Finally if none of that works you may need to use a drain auger that goes down in to the drain and can go up to 50 feet. There are enzyme based drain cleaners that work well in older homes to completely clean out any build up of debris.
