Frequently Asked Questions
Sump pumps are generally reliable, but if they fail it’s usually because of a power failure. During a storm (when you rely on your pump the most), a power outage will render your pump useless. To prevent this, consider installing a battery backup. This will kick in a few moments after the power goes out, letting you enjoy peace of mind the next time a storm is headed your way.
If you have a basement that frequently floods or your home is built so water flows toward it, you should definitely have a sump pump. A sump pump will prevent the basement, as well as laundry areas and storage rooms from being damaged during heavy rains or in places where the water table is high.
While it may seem that showers or baths use large amounts of water, the toilet typically uses the most water in the home. This is because your toilets are used most frequently. Keep your water bill low by ensuring that all toilets are running properly, with no leaks.
This can be caused by unsecured pipes. When pipes are not properly supported, they often move and bump against floor joists as water flows through them. Another reason could be what plumbers call “water hammer”, which is caused by unwanted air in the lines. Call us to resolve 209-583-3995.
While tankless water heaters are less susceptible to the negative effects of hard water, they are still affected by it. If you have hard water, it’s best to have water softening treatment whether you use a conventional or tankless water heater. But even with the advancement of technology and water softeners, the hardness of your water may still prevent you from changing over to a tankless system.
When they were first introduced decades ago, tankless water heaters broke down somewhat frequently. These days, thanks to numerous technological advancements, tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years or more – longer than conventional storage tank water heaters!
Everyone’s needs are different so it’s hard to say without knowing exactly what’s going on in your home. To get a rough idea of the size (gallons per minute capacity) you’ll need, think about how much water you use on a daily basis – how long are your family’s showers? How often do you run the dishwasher or washing machine? Do you ever use them at the same time? Try to get a rough estimate of how much water you use, then call us 209-583-3995 or visit our appointment form to install a tankless water heater that meets your family’s needs.
Tankless water heaters are great because they never run out of hot water when properly sized and installed correctly. A storage tank hot water has a limited capacity (whatever the size of the tank), while a tankless can heat unlimited amounts as it passes through the system. Additionally, tankless hot water heaters save you money, since you are only heating the water you use, not the amount that is sitting in the tank.
You may have a silent or hidden leak. This happens often in toilets. Try putting food coloring in the tank of your toilet. Do not use the toilet for 1 hour. After an hour, if there is color in the bowl, you have a leak. Give us a call 209-583-3995 or visit our online appointment form.
If you occasionally start noticing a phantom smell in your kitchen, it might be your garbage disposal, and although many would think of these as self-cleaning… sometimes sludge may stay, or even food bits start to rot. First off, your sink may be in need of cleaning. However, there may also be other issues occurring like poor ventilation, these issues will require a professional, give us a call 209-583-3995 or visit our online appointment form.If you are also disposing of some of the above-listed products, smells may occur and stay due to the piping issues they can bring about.
Garbage disposals have made it extremely easy for us to clean up the kitchen after cooking, however, many people overtake this advantage and simply do not use it correctly. Many different food items can be flushed down. For most grinds, use a strong flow of water when grinding everything to avoid clogs.Materials such as meats, cartilage, fruit pieces, and ice. Always abstain from disposing of eggshells, foods like pasta, potatoes, and rice (which expand within the pipes because of their contact with water), and grease because it solidifies inside your plumbing system!
The water isn’t draining out of my dishwasher. Can I do anything to resolve the problem before calling a plumber?
Sometimes it is possible to fix the problem yourself, but many times you need professional help, and we’re only a phone call away 24-7-365 at 209-583-3995 or complete our online appointment form. We can help remove the clog, clean out the strainer basket, and for the air gap (which vents the dishwasher) we can remove any food buildup or debris. These are the easy steps, then we go further to resolve the plumbing issues.