Plumbing Tips & How To Advice for DIY Plumbing Service

Heating and Plumbing (Water Heater Repair, Water Heater Installation)

What if my hot water heater stops working?

Most pilot lights can blow out, make sure that it is lit. If you notice a leak, then more than likely you will need to change it or your thermostat. Some other common plumbing and heating problems with water heaters are a bad igniter if its gas, or a heating element if it is a electric water heater tankless. This usually will require a plumbing and hvac specialist to fix the hot water heater problem.

There is water leaking from my water heater. What’s the cause?

There are a few different possible sources for hot water heaters or boilers to leak. The water tank may be rusted out, which would mean you need a water heater replacement. This can be the most likely cause especially if the water heater is more than ten years old. Another possible culprit can be that the pressure relief valve could be leaking. Try operating the valve and see if it will stop. In addition It might just need to be tightened. Also the gasket around the heating element may need to be replaced. If the leak does not stop you will need a plumber to take care of your water heater repair, and can take the opportunity to upgrade to a tankless water heater.

Clogged Drain or Sewer Line, Drain Cleaning

How can I fix my clogged kitchen sink?

Typically when it’s clogged the U-shaped trap is clogged. Screw off the plastic attachment fittings and remove the trap. Empty it. This drain cleaning service will take care of most sink plumbing problems.

My sink drains slowly or seems to be clogged, what can I do to fix it?

You can first try turning on your hot water and run it for approx. 10 minutes, that should alleviate the problem. If the problem persists you might have a clog in your U-shaped or J-shaped trap. Screw off the plastic attachment fittings and remove and clean out the trap. If that does not help you have a clog in your sewer line. You will need sewer drain cleaning service. 

How can I tell if the main sewer line is clogged and not the drain?

If your back up or slow drain is occurring in more than one area of the home, mostlikely your main sewer line is clogged. One example is if you flush your toilet and your bathtub or shower backs up. For sewer line service you can use commercial drain and sewer cleaner to help with this problem or rooter  your main sewer line with a plumbers snake. This is a good long term fix for residential plumbing and commercial plumbing.

Is using a plumbers snake better than using sewer and drain cleaner? 

If you have a clog in your main sewer line and want a long term fix, than using a plumbers snake is best. This is even more necessary if you have re-occurring clogs as they maybe caused by heavy debry like hair and grease or even roots that drain and sewer cleaners can't clear. Using strong chemical drain cleaners repeatedly can be harmful to your pipes, and septic system if you have a septic tank. 

What can I do about a toilet that keeps clogging or backing up?

If your toilet keeps getting clogged or backing up the most likely cause is that there is an object that was flushed which is stuck in your plumbing. The best solution is to use a toilet auger aka a toilet snake and snake your toilet. This should help your toilet plumbing.

Plumbing Leaks

I have a leaky faucet how can I fix it? Faucet Repair

It all depends on where the faucet is leaking from, the handle or the spout. If it is leaking from the spout then you will have to replace the washer. Also if the seat is corroded, you will have to replace it or dress it. If it is leaking from the handle you will have to tighten the packing nut or replace the packing, Or you may need to replace the O-rings. These plumbing supplies are available in most hardware stores to complete your faucet repair.

There is water leaking from around the base of my toilet, what can I do to solve this bathroom plumbing problem or toilet repair?

You need to remove the toilet and install a new wax ring. While you have the toilet off, you should go ahead and replace the bolts before your toilet installation. This toilet repair should take care of the toilet leak.

I just remodeled my bathroom and now have a leaking toilet after I put a new wax ring. Why is that?

The space between the flange and the bottom of the toilet may be too much. This is common if you recently did bathroom remodeling and may have raised the height of the floor. There are a few things you can do to fix it, either adjust your toilet plumbing by raising the flange and drain  or use a double wax ring or a ring with a plastic sleeve. This should take care of the toilet leak and toilet repair.

Plumbing Noises

What should I do about the plumbing in my house making groaning and thumping noises?

The most likely cause for this is that your pipes lost its “air cushion", so you should not need any pipe repair. In order to get it back, simply turn your main valve off. Open all the faucets around your home, and then turn on the main valve again and shut off each faucet. This should take care of the plumbing problem.

My garbage disposal doesn’t work and just makes a buzzing sound what can I do?

First turn it off and unplug it. Most likely it’s jammed with something. Most disposals have a fitting for an alan wrench underneath to manually jar it loose. Feel for it and use the wrench.

General Plumbing

What is the difference between hard water and soft water?

Hard water is a type of water that has a high mineral content. Clothes washed in hard water often look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy.

What is the difference between PVC and CPVC plastic pipe?

PVC is for cold water only. That is why it usually is used as a drain pipe. CPVC can be used on hot and cold lines.

What can I do about the build up of the white substance around my shower head?

The white substance is a build up of mineral deposits. An easy home remedy that you can use to remove the mineral deposits from the showerhead is to take she shower head off and submerge it in a bowl of vinegar. Leave it over night and then the next day scrub it with a brush. Take this opportunity to replace the pipe tape before you replace your shower head back on. This is a good way to maintain your residential plumbing or your shower plumbing.

Popular Plumbing Brands: American Standard, Bradford White, Bosch, Delta, Jacuzzi, Kohler, Mansfield, Moen, Noritz, Price Pfister, Rheem, Rinnai, Takagi, Toto, Pur, Brita, Culligan.