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Frequently Asked Plumbing Questions

Why are traps located under plumbing fixtures?

A trap is a U, S, or J-shaped pipe located below or within a plumbing fixture. These traps use a small pool of water to block the incoming smells from the waste in your sewer or septic system.

What are the advantages of Pex supply lines?

Pex  supply lines reduce installation cost, are more flexible, are non-toxic, and will not corrode.

What is a vent’s contribution to the plumbing system and what does it do?

Vents are visible on all roofs. If hazardous gases remain trapped in your drains they could permeate your house. Liquid must be followed by air, in order for it to go down a pipe. Vents are piped in to direct foul air out of your home when drain action displaces air from the traps.

My toilet fills up every 10 minutes. What is the problem?

This usually indicates that the flush valve in your toilet tank is not seating correctly and water is leaking from the tank into the bowl. This could be the result of the lift chain being tangled, faulty flapper or a problem with the flush valve itself.

Why I am not getting hot water from my electric water heater?

The high temperature cutoff may have been tripped, and may need to be reset. Otherwise it’s generally a faulty heating element or thermostat.

Will tankless water heaters give me instant hot water results?

Tankless water heaters will supply 'endless' hot water and can offer 'instant' hot water at the same time if used with a recirculation system. When you open a fixture the warm water is there. There is no need to run water down the drain waiting for hot water to arrive. Hot water recirculation systems can save water, energy and money.

How do I un-jam my garbage disposal?

You may be able to insert an Allen wrench into the bottom of the disposer and "crank" it to help free up a jam. If this doesn’t work, DON’T USE IT!  You could cause serious damage to the disposal motor or even your home electrical system

What is a fixture's shutoff valve?

Typically found under or besides the actual plumbing fixture, a shutoff valve is used to stop the water supply to a specific fixture. The main shutoff valve will stop water supply to building. The shutoff valves should be turned off in case of water related plumbing emergencies.

My sump pump doesn't seem to be working as well as it once did. What could be causing the failure?

The number one issue related to sump pump problems is a failure in the switch. This can be caused by debris build up or the floating of the pump within the pit.

Can I increase the water pressure in my bathroom faucet?

First, check the emergency shutoff under your sink to make sure it's fully open. If rubber washers or seals have begun to deteriorate, you'll also lose water pressure, so check those. Calcium and lime buildup will also cause low water pressure. You may even need to clean your aerator.

What is the function of an aerator on a faucet?

An aerator is attached at the tip of the faucet to spread water flow into many small streams, and help save on water and reduce extensive splashing, but it can become clogged over time.

What are Compression Faucets?

Compression faucets work by compressing a rubber or nylon washer against a valve seat in the faucet body. Compression faucets are the least expensive and oldest style of faucets. As such they are most common in older homes and where inexpensive faucets are used.


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