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FAQ's
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Question: Recently
my water bills appear to be rather high. None of the faucets appear to leak. What
else could contribute to a high water bill?
Answer: You may want to check to see if a toilet is leaking. First,
check the water level to ensure that water is not overflowing the tank by way of
the overflow pipe. This is the pipe in the middle of the tank. It has a small tubing
connected to it. If water is running into the overflow, adjust the fill valve to
stop the flow approximately 1 inch below the top of the overflow tube or to the
water level mark stamped on the side of the tank. Second, put a few drops of food
coloring into the tank to test the flush valve mechanism. If the water in the bowl
changes color within 15 minutes, this is an indication that water is leaking into
the toilet bowl and that the ball or flapper needs to be replaced.
Question: How often should I have my septic system
inspected?
Answer: Septic systems should be inspected and pumped a minimum
of once every three to four years. You may not be experiencing any problem now,
but a full septic tank may allow unwanted solids to flow into the drain field, which
is the part of the system that consists of a distribution box, with a series of
connected pipes. Each pipe allows water to flow into a bed of stone that drains
into the ground. If paper and other solids flow into the drain field it becomes
blocked and ineffective. A blocked drain field is costly to repair or replace.
Question: The temperature of my hot water seems
to be higher than what I think I need. How can I conserve energy, yet also be sure
that there is an adequate amount of hot water?
Answer: Most people are comfortable with their hot water set at
120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is also the new standard that manufacturers use when
pre-setting it at the factory. If you have an older model, set the thermostat at
medium. On a gas model, there is a dial on the front of the gas valve. On electric
models, the thermostats (there may be two) are concealed behind the two panels on
the side of the tank. NOTE: Turn off the electricity before removing the panels.
There are exposed wires behind the panels containing HIGH VOLTAGE.
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Question: I have
a foul odor coming from my garbage disposer. What can I do to eliminate this odor?
Answer: Foul odors occur from a buildup of food debris within the
disposer. To eliminate this odor, place ice cubes and lemon or orange peels in the
disposer and run for 30 seconds. Next, squirt a little liquid dish detergent into
the disposer while it is still running. Finally, run cold water for about 30 seconds
to rinse all the debris away.
Question: I am getting
a foul odor from a bathroom in the basement. We hardly ever use this bathroom except
when we have company. This is embarrassing. What can we do?
Answer: Plumbing systems are designed to prevent foul odors from
entering the house by means of the trap attached to fixtures. Traps contain water
to seal out foul odors; if the water seal evaporates, the odors enter the house.
To solve this problem, pour a bucket of water in each trap, sink, shower and floor
drain. This will prevent the odors from entering the house.
Question: We live
in northern Ohio. Winters are cold and we were told to turn off the outside faucets
in the fall before the freezing weather arrives. We did this, however the pipes
leading to our outside faucet still froze and broke. What did we do wrong?
Answer: Turning off the water is not enough. You must also disconnect
the garden hose connected to the faucet to allow the water in the pipe to drain
out. This will allow the piping to withstand the cold weather.
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Question: My shower
head and faucet aerators have a buildup of a white substance around the area where
the water comes out. Is there anything I can do other than replace them?
Answer: The unsightly buildup is mineral deposits. To remove these
deposits from the showerhead, take a plastic bag and pour a cup of vinegar in it.
Place the bag over the showerhead and use a twist tie to hold it in place overnight.
In the morning, remove the bag and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub off the
deposits. You might be able to remove the aerators from the faucets and allow them
to soak in the vinegar overnight.
Question: Our kitchen
drain has taken longer than usual to drain during the past year. Should we have
it cleaned?
Answer: Before you have the drain cleaned, try using the Roto-Rooter
brand drain maintenance products. These products are designed to remove the usual
buildup of soap scum, grease and hair. We also have a product to inhibit root growth
in your main sewer line. All of these products are guaranteed and are available
through your local Roto-Rooter office.
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Question: When I
am in the laundry room and the water heater is operating, I hear a rumbling sound
coming from the water heater. What could cause this?
Answer: Rumbling sounds coming from a water heater are an indication
that sediment is built up on the bottom of the water heater. What you are hearing
is water that is trapped in the sediment and is boiling. This is an indication that
the water heater is not operating efficiently. Sediment will not allow the heat
to transfer to the water in the tank, which sends the heat up the flue.
You may try draining a few gallons of water off the bottom of the water heater tank.
This is done by attaching a drain hose to the valve at the bottom of the tank. Allow
it to drain for about five minutes.
WARNING: HOT WATER IS DANGEROUS. DISCHARGE THE WATER INTO A FLOOR DRAIN, LAUNDRY
TUB OR BATHTUB. HOT WATER WILL KILL YOUR GRASS IF DISCHARGED ONTO THE LAWN. HOT
WATER WILL CRACK A TOILET BOWL IF DISCHARGED INTO THE TOILET.
Many newer models of water heaters have a new feature that prohibits the buildup
of sediment in the tank. If your heater is an older model, it may be cost effective
to replace the water heater if the buildup is severe.
Question: I am hearing
a whistle sound that seems to be connected to the plumbing system. It comes and
goes at times, but I can't find the cause of it. What could cause this?
Answer: The sound you are describing is usually caused by a toilet
fill valve that is slowly leaking. To locate the leaking toilet, remove the lid
of each toilet tank and adjust the fill valve mechanism until it stops. Once you
have found the toilet causing the problem, repair or replace the fill valve.
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Question: We need
to replace a toilet in our home. We have heard coworkers and friends complain that
the new toilets do not flush properly, and that they require multiple flushes. What
is the recommendation for toilet replacement?
Answer: When the federal government mandated that new toilets use
no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, manufacturers had to develop a toilet that would
achieve this but that would also flush properly (clear the bowl) and carry the waste
to the city sewer or septic system. Some of the early models did not do this properly.
Since then, the complaints have forced the manufacturers to develop new ways of
flushing toilets. One new way is the use of a pressurized toilet tank. This model
looks like a regular toilet, but it has a pressure tank inside. When flushed, it
works like a commercial toilet. A large surge of water enters the bowl and clears
the bowl of any waste. These toilets work well, but are not as quiet as a conventional
model.
When considering a new fixture for your home such as a toilet, we recommend that
you choose a fixture made by one of the major manufacturers, such as American Standard,
Kohler or Eljer.
Question: There
are four people in our house, two adults and two teens. We are constantly running
out of hot water. After a five-minute shower, the water starts to turn cold. This
change occurred quite recently. Help!
Answer: There are two possibilities. First, the dip tube has broken
off. This is a tube that forces incoming water to the bottom of the tank so that
hot water will be drawn off of the top. When the dip tube breaks, cold water entering
the tank mixes with the hot water and cools it down. This can occur in both gas
and electric models.
Second, if your water heater is electric, the lower element that heats the water
may not be operating properly, thus only the upper half of the tank will heat up.
The cause of this problem could be a bad element or a thermostat malfunction. This
type of problem should be evaluated by a qualified technician.
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