FREQUENTLY ASKED PLUMBING QUESTIONS

You Ask, We Answer

How Can I Prolong the Life of My Plumbing Fixtures and Water Heater?

There are two main ways to prolong the life of all your plumbing fixtures.
First, catch a problem like a leaky faucet before it develops further and call for its repair.
Second, determine if you have excess water pressure (above 80 lbs. during the day) and install a pressure-reducing valve to lessen the wear and tear of your faucet's inner parts.

Why Does My Drain Get Clogged?

Usually, drains are clogged because people are not careful about what they put in them, especially in the kitchen. Other drains, like in the bathroom, get clogged because of the oil residue from soaps, shampoos, and hair.
It is recommended that you are conscious of what you put down your drains and treat them regularly with a drain cleaner such as Bio-Clean.

What Causes My Faucet to Drip?

Usually, when a faucet is dripping, the problem has a relatively simple solution: the internal mechanisms need to be rebuilt or replaced. This is an easy and inexpensive fix.

Did you know that you could extend the life of your washers by turning off your faucets gently rather than forcefully?

How Can I Prevent Leaking Pipes?

Take the time every once in a while to inspect your pipes. If rust or lime is depositing on them, this may indicate a leak is starting. If this is happening, contact American Plumbing Co. to address the problem.

By performing an occasional inspection, you could stop a small problem before it turns into a large one. Leaking pipes can damage floors and belongings, becoming much more costly than if the problem was detected early.

What Happens if My Water Heater is Leaking?

You should call American Plumbing Co. right away. Leaking water heaters usually indicate the bottom of the tank has rusted.
There are really no good repairs for this problem. You most likely need a new water heater.

Is it a Big Deal if My Toilet is Running?

This is not only an annoyance but also a waste of water and money. Leaky toilets can cost almost $100 extra per year on your water bills.

If the toilet continues to run into the bowl after the toilet is flushed, it indicates that some part of the mechanism is out of order and needs to be replaced.

What Can I Put in My Garbage Disposal?

This can be a huge problem for homeowners. Here are some tips to keep your disposal in good working order:

First, always run cold water when grinding to move the waste all the way down the drain lines.

Fats and grease congeal and harden in cold water and can be flushed through the system. Hot water should not be used because it can dissolve fats and grease, which may then accumulate in the drain line.

Almost all biodegradable food waste can be fed into disposers. However, they should not be used to grind clam or oyster shells, cornhusks, or other materials with high fiber content.

Under no circumstances should you put glass, plastic, or metal non-food materials through a disposal. This includes bottle caps, tin covers, or aluminum foil, which are some of the items service technicians commonly find in clogged or broken disposers.

Maintenance is easy. Grinding small bones and eggshells actually helps clean the disposer by scraping away stubborn deposits of citric acid and pulp. Grinding a little ice is another way to clean deposits and get rid of odors.

For the most part, though, disposers are self-cleaning.

When I Use My Dishwasher, Water Backs Up Into The Garbage Disposal. Why?

Water backing up into the garbage disposal and then the sink is generally caused by food that is left in the disposal.

If you leave food particles in the disposal and then forget about them without grinding them up and then sending them through the drain pipes with a good amount of cold water, these food particles will clog up your drainage system.

Since the dishwasher and the garbage disposal share the same drainage pipes, you will have plumbing problems in the kitchen if you do not make sure that food particles from the disposal are cleared before using the dishwasher.

How Long Should a Water Heater Last?

How long a water heater lasts depends on how well it is maintained, the water quality in your area, proper installation, and the amount of use.

When you buy a water heater, it's always good to look at all of the information that comes with it. That way, you will know what to expect.

If you install your new water heater properly and maintain it, you can expect great results. For example, if your less expensive water heater is guaranteed to last for six years, with proper maintenance, it will probably last for eight.

It's always better to buy a higher-quality water heater. This is because it works twenty-four hours every day for the whole year! So when you buy a water heater that is guaranteed to last for ten years, it will probably last for twelve.

Considering that the average family has a forty-gallon water tank and uses quite a bit of hot water, it's worth it to get the best hot water tank you can and have one of our APC Plumbers professionally install it.

Is There a Water Heater that Can Give us All the Hot Water We Need?

Besides the conventional storage heater, there is now available a "tankless" heater that operates on gas and never runs out.
Tankless systems heat water sufficiently as the water runs through a specially designed heat exchanger. Because it only fires when you turn your faucet on, it saves you money.

Can You Locate My Water Leak Under My Concrete Foundation?

Yes! Not only can we find it electronically, but we also can often fix it on the initial trip out.

We have had lots of experience with these repairs and can provide your insurance company with documentation that can help you.
What Can We Do to Prevent the Recurring Stoppages in Our Drain System?

For kitchen sink drains, avoid any grease and all but small amounts of disposal cuttings flushed by plenty of cold water. Never allow any stringy products like cornhusks or celery down your disposal.

For sewer lines, make sure the access the plumber uses to clean your drain is well sealed to prevent dirt and root intrusion. Ask your plumber to pinpoint the problem area and give you a price to excavate and repair.

Some systems may need to be checked with our video pipe camera to locate and/or accurately diagnose the problem.
Lastly, ask your plumber to recommend a drain chemical for maintaining your lines.

What Do I Do if I Smell Gas?

If the smell is strong, it is safest to leave the building and turn the valve off at your meter.

For slight odors, leave a window open in the area of the leak and call for a plumber. We can respond promptly to locate and repair the leaks and inspect for any existing safety hazards, like copper in the gas system. If needed, we can arrange for the reset of the meter.

What Can I Do if My Water Looks Rusty Intermittently?

You may have some galvanized piping in your system. Galvanized installations are decades old and need replacing before they clog your flow or burst.

We can replace any and all piping with one of several products, from copper to the high-tech "cross-pex" piping.