Q: My garbage disposal is not working.

A: Garbage disposals can often be fixed quickly by following these steps. Do not at any time put your hand down the drain as this can prove to be very dangerous. If you turn the disposal on and hear a faint buzzing sound the disposal is most likely jammed. Pen caps, coins, and paper clips are all items that could inadvertently slip down the drain and get caught under the disposal teeth. Most disposals come with an align key that fits in a slot on the bottom of the disposal. Insert the key and turn it back and forth to free the lodged item. Once free it is advisable to use a magnet or long skinny pliers to pull the item out of the drain. Again, do not put your hand down the drain. If you do not hear a faint buzzing sound the disposal may have been tripped. Check to see if there is a reset button, often red in color, on the bottom and press it to reset the disposal. Also, check the power cord to be sure it is plugged in and you may have to check your electrical panel to see if a main breaker has tripped and reset that as well. After checking the above if you are still experiencing problems call us for service.

 

Q: My toilet is constantly running.

A: Not only can this be very annoying but in many cases it can be wasting several gallons of water per day. The two items to check are the flapper and the fill valve inside the tank. Over time these two items can wear and may not seal completely. To determine if the flapper is the culprit you can look inside the bowl and see if water is running down the sides of it. It will be easier to spot if you put a few drops of food coloring into the water inside the tank. If this is the case and you wish to replace the flapper yourself, turn the water off to the toilet and remove the existing flapper and take it with you to purchase a new one to be sure you get the correct flapper for your toilet. If the flapper seems to be fine then it may be the diaphragm inside the fill valve which can be replaced as well.

 

Q: I have been experiencing very high water bills. Could I have a leak?

A: It is a possibility that you do have a leak in your water lines but it could also be a faucet or fixture that is need of repairs. Toilets running constantly, faucets constantly dripping, and outside spigots that drip all are reasons that your water bill may be higher than usual. A visual inspection of all of the plumbing fixtures inside and outside your home may determine where you are losing water. Another area of concern may be your irrigation system if you are irrigating off of the metered water. Broken sprinkler heads or lines could be losing several gallons of water every time your irrigation system runs through its cycle. Again a visual inspection of all heads and visible lines may help you determine where the problem may be. If you cannot find any problem with any of the above mentioned then you should be sure that there is not any water being used in your home and then you can check your water meter. If it is running and you are certain that no water is on in your home then you should call us for service and we can help you diagnose the problem and offer solutions for the repairs.

 

Q: I am interested in going “Green.” What are some things I can do to Green up my plumbing?

A: First, there are many products on the market in many different industries claiming to be Green. Be sure to do your homework when selecting items and don’t let the marketing for products misguide your decision. When looking at how to Green up your Plumbing the obvious answer is taking steps to conserve water but we also believe that while conserving water it should not increase the cost of energy. There are several ways to conserve water in the home without making any plumbing improvements. Turning the tap off while brushing your teeth, only running the dishwasher or washing machine when they are full, and monitoring your toilets, showers, and faucets to assure there are not any leaks are some simple behavioral steps to take to conserve water. If you are ready to take the plunge into changing some of your fixtures out then we can really look into some major water savings that will not only save you water and money at the home level but can also help your Water Utility conserve water and energy. Changing an older 3.5 gallon toilet and even a newer low flow 1.6 gallon toilet out to a new High Efficiency 1.28 gallon or 1.6/0.9 gallon dual flush toilet can save a minimum of 20% on your water consumption. Installing High Efficiency 1.5 gallon shower heads and 1.5 sink faucets can also help you save thousands of gallons a year over the traditional 2.5 gallon shower heads and 2.2 gallon sink faucets in most homes today. Installing a hot water recirculating pump on your existing hot water system can also help you save water that would normally run the drain while you are waiting for your shower to get hot enough. Rainwater harvesting for irrigation is an alternative to watering with municipal water. We are happy to discuss many other opportunities to save water if you contact us. If we all can find ways to reduce the amount of water we use each day it is possible that our water utilities can continue supply a growing population without tapping additional water resources and without the costly development of infrastructure.

 

Q: I am considering a Tankless Hot Water Heater, what should I know before I make my purchase?

A: Tankless Hot Water Heaters are definitely the “Hot” item these days. However, there are some factors to consider before finalizing your decision. While we believe there are many applications in which a Tankless heater is well suited there may be others in which they are not well suited. First, what is your hot water demand? Are you a family of five who are home and using hot water at the same time? If so, you may need multiple units. If you only have access to electric as a power source you may not have the required wiring available to install a Tankless Electric unit. You should consult an Electrician to see if your Electric panel will handle the additional breakers the unit may require as well as the wiring required. If you have access to Natural Gas or Propane then you also need to consider the venting required if the unit will be installed indoors. Depending on what unit you choose and where it is located the venting could be quite an expense if the venting the unit requires is stainless steel. You should ask if there may be factors that affect the manufacturer’s warranty. Some brands reduce their warranty if the unit is connected to a hot water recirculation pump. What is the required maintenance if any on the unit you are interested in? Many manufacturers recommend routine maintenance be performed annually on their units. Many of the manufacturer’s websites can provide you with many of these answers and we are happy to assist our customers with decision as well.

 

Q: It takes forever to get hot water to my shower or other faucets. Is there something I can do to get hot water quickly if my point of use is a long way away from my water heater?

A: A Hot Water recirculation pump may be installed in most any existing home and this will help deliver hot water to the areas of your home that typically take a longer time. There are a few manufacturers that make these retro fit hot water recirculation systems. Some are installed on the hot side of your water heater and then a crossover valve is installed under the furthest point lavoratories which allows the hot water to be pumped from the hot water heater toward the fixture and then the hot water crosses over into the cold water line to be returned. Another type is a pump that is installed under the furthest point lavoratory and is operated by an on/off button, remote control, or motion sensors. It also uses the cold water line for the return. Both types require an electrical outlet so you may need to hire an Electrician to run one to the location the pump is to be installed. Grundfos, Taco, Metlund, and Laing are all brands that we are familiar with and we can assist with making a decision based on your specific needs.

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