Plumbing Advice

Bathroom odor, by any other name, is just as off putting, and possibly dangerous. When there’s a buildup of bathroom smells and your basic air freshener is not knocking out the bad odors then it may be time for either a deep clean, where every crack and crevice has been touched; this is one way to address that foul smell. There could also be a deeper plumbing problem that is causing the toilet odor and you’ll need more than a DIY solution like baking soda, bleach, lemon juice, essential oils, white vinegar or a cup of vinegar and hot water, and will need to be addressed by a professional. The odors could be from mildew  on the grout that you clean . What’s Causing the Foul Odor?  Unfortunately, we don’t have a definitive answer because there can be a number of causes and without being there, it can be difficult

When it comes to strange noises in homes, few things can make the types of sounds that your water pipes can make when things are not as they should be, and for young or first-time homeowners, it can be downright freaky when pipes make noise. What kind of noises could you hear? Loud banging Gurgling Squeaking Humming noise Squealing Hammering Buzzing Whistling Let’s look at some of the possible causes of these noisy pipes and see what may need professional help and may be a DIY project you can take on as a homeowner. Common Causes of Noisy Pipes Water Pressure Water pressure, typically high water pressure, is often to blame for buzzing sounds, due to the vibration of the pipes as the water flows through. Water pressure regulators are an option to fix this issue, or sometimes called pressure reducers. Many modern homes already have these installed, but they

As a homeowner, it’s inevitable that you’re going to deal with plumbing issues every now and then. If you’re like most people, you have a pretty good idea what’s wrong when the bathroom sink clogs (likely culprits hair and soap scum), or when the kitchen sink clogs (grease, debris, food scum). However, there’s a lesser-known cause of some plumbing problems, and it’s sitting on top of your house right now: it’s called a “plumbing vent.” Plumbing vents are situated on the roof of homes, with the 2 to 3-inch pipe extending upwards. The purpose of this pipe is to allow air into the drainage system. The problem is that when this vent gets blocked, the blockage can cause the flow of water to slow down, or stop, and then foul smelling sewer gasses can enter the home. Blockages Create ‘Negative’ Pressure When this vent gets blocked, the flow of water

Have you noticed that occasionally when you run the faucet you have brown water, where your cold or hot water is dirty, or discolored? If so, you’re probably wondering if it’s safe to drink the water and if you have a major plumbing issue on your hands that needs tackling. Your water is brown, what should you do? Occasionally, tap water can appear slightly brown because sediment, contaminants and corrosion in the water main have been stirred up. You see, some water mains are made out of iron, and as time passes, rust deposits can settle inside the pipes, causing that “dirty” water discoloration that can cause health concerns for homeowners. This can lead to the point where they contact plumbing services to address the home’s water supply, water quality and the corroding iron pipes. Common Causes of Brown Water Essentially, the rust settlement can be disturbed if there is

Let’s say you just moved into a new home and every time you turn on the kitchen sink faucet, you hear this ominous “hammering” noise in the pipes. Now, you’re worried that one day you’ll turn on your kitchen faucet to rinse off a few dishes and all of a sudden your pipes will burst. What gives? If your pipes are making a mysterious “hammering” sound, there’s a good chance that there is air trapped inside the household plumbing, especially if you live in an older home. One of the most common causes of noisy plumbing is trapped air. For example, trapped air can cause strange vibrating noises or a worrisome jack-hammer sound – one that often leads to a phone call to the plumber! You see, air can get trapped inside the circuit, especially higher pipes, and when this happens, it can lead to loud, vibrating sounds or repeat

When you turn on one or more of the faucets in your home, do you hear a strange tapping sound (sometimes also referred to as water hammer sounds) that comes from the pipes? If so, you may be worried that you have a large, expensive plumbing problem on your hands, but the good news is that it’s probably not a serious issue and some DIY know-how can help troubleshoot the issue. Just like a radiator in a central heating system or automotive setups, if there’s trapped air in the system, you can have issues, whether in your hot water pipes, cold water pipes, hose pipes, or hot water systems. There are DIY ways to address this, knowing that the air is trying to get to the high points of the system, and can cause issues such as vapor lock with your spout, shower head, garden hose, cold water tap, kitchen

If the Water is Staying in the Washing Machine Does the water sit in the machine after your load has finished and the water level doesn’t go down, or do you have a slow water flow when draining? The issue probably lies with the washer. This problem could be traced to the drain tube (which comes out of the machine), the lid switch or the drain pump (an internal issue).  There are generally 2 types of washing machines: front load washer and top-loading washing machines. Both of these will attach to washing machine drain pipes, and both the top and front loader washing machines can be susceptible to kinks or a blockage in the drain hose, or a clog in the drain line. Troubleshooting this is simple enough and with a little know how you can determine the cause of the problem. Use pliers to squeeze the spring fitting or

There are numerous reasons that a toilet clog could be occurring, even on a daily basis. This could happen because of how the toilet is used, from problems in the toilet’s mechanics, toilet drain, sewer lines or main sewer line issues, or perhaps even problems with your water supply, water pressure or plumbing vents. There are some DIY solutions that are implemented like chemical drain cleaners, however those are almost always inferior to an auger – chemical drain cleaners will have no impact on tree roots or other large blockages in drain pipes. This post will cover several of these reasons a homeowner’s toilet could be clogged and provide some fixes, as well as offer plumbing tips to keep your toilet from clogging! Common Causes for a Clogged Toilet Low Flow Toilet Simply put, one reason that a toilet could experience frequent clogging is that too much is being asked

WATER HEATER MAINTENANCE IN KANSAS CITY, KS HOW TO KEEP YOUR WATER HEATER FREE FROM RUST If your water heater’s tank is like most others, it is made of steel, but there is also a layer of glass. If water seeps through that glass though, then rust will develop along with the tank, causing a leak. The problem is, you probably can’t be aware that there is rust forming until the leak actually happens. And if a leak is coming from the tank itself, then you cannot fix your water heater; you will have to replace it altogether. That being said, you can still take measures to prevent rust in your water heater. Actually, you have a rust-fighting element included in the water heater, and this is the cathodic anode (it could also be called the sacrificial anode). This anode can be three to five feet in length, and its

Believe it or not, plumbing has played a major role in developing human civilization, facilitating the transport of safe drinking water and disposal of waste that makes large human settlements possible. Plumbing has been around for millennia, and pioneers in this field have greatly contributed to the advancement of human health and industrial development. Consider these important dates in the history of plumbing: 4000 B.C. – Copper water pipes were used in palaces in the Indus River valley in India. 500 B.C. to A.D. 455 – The ancient Romans developed sophisticated plumbing systems that included underground sewer systems, public and private baths, and water piping systems. 1596 – Sir John Harington develops the first recorded flushing water closet. 1848 – The National Public Health Act was passed in the U.K. The law, which set rules for drainage and sewers and clean drinking water became a model for legislation adopted by