When do I need to call a plumber?

You need to call a plumber if you experience any of the following:

• "Knocking" in your pipes
• Low water pressure
• Continual dripping
• Slow drains
• Lack of hot water
• Discolored water

Why should I hire a licensed plumber?

Plumbers must demonstrate their competence as installers of plumbing systems to an official executing board prior to being issued a license. A plumbing code which is technically perfect is valueless if its provisions are not observed and enforced. The issuance of a license by a community specifies that the holder is qualified both theoretically and practically and that their technical knowledge is sufficient to maintain the standards of the code.

Is licensing intended to prevent anyone but a plumber from doing sanitation work? NO… Licensing prohibits the irresponsible, incapable person from endangering the health of your family, neighbors, and community. Any person may do the work who has sufficient knowledge to do it in a safe manner, so long as the Rules and Regulations of the plumbing and sanitation code are observed. However, those wishing to do such work must demonstrate their ability by taking out a license and passing an examination.

Many states require that, like a doctor, nurse, dentist or pharmacist, anyone whose work affects the public health and safety shall have adequate knowledge and training. No one wants a "quack doctor" to treat his family or a "soda clerk" to fill his prescriptions. For precisely the same reasons, one does not want a "handyman" to do work in his home, office, or factory which can adversely affect the health of his family, his employees, or his neighbors.

Done improperly this work would probably need to be rectified at the time the property changed hands which means paying twice for the same work. Additionally, licensed plumbing professionals are held to a certain standard of accountability – meaning they must perform their work correctly or risk being liable for accidents, damages, illnesses, etc. caused by improperly performed jobs – and must often hold some form of bonding or insurance that can help to protect you in the event of something happening.

So, while that small bathroom remodel might seem like a great, inexpensive DIY project, it is probably wisest to spend a little more and make sure a licensed plumbing contractor performs the work.

How much will something cost?

This is a big one, and it doesn't necessarily apply to only plumbing. You should never receive a price sight unseen. If a plumber is able to tell you how much something costs before they even look at the problem, I wouldn't trust the price they gave you.

How do I winterize plumbing in areas that are exposed to cold weather?

Depending on what kind of plumbing it is, the most effective way to winterize plumbing is to turn the water off, open the plumbing faucet/valve/etc., and use air to blow the water out of the line. If you don't use air, then water will likely get stuck in the line, eventually freezing and bursting during the cold weather. That will invalidate all your work.

Is there anything I should do to maintain my septic system?

Yes. You should do something to grow bacteria in your septic system, because that's what makes it work.

Why do I have such low water pressure in my home?

When most people ask for water pressure, they're really asking for water volume. It could be caused by a number of factors. The street pressure that's being provided to you might be low. You may be using a well that doesn't have much water. Maybe you have old pipes that are like clogged arteries. The way to increase volume is to install booster pumps, fix the well situation, or replace the pipe to get rid of the clogged arteries in the plumbing system.

Why do I run out of hot water?

It could be because of your water heater. The first thing we do is look at your water heating needs. Then we look to see if the water heater is working properly and delivering the water that it's supposed to. If it is, it may just not be sized properly.

Why does it take so long to get hot water?

You're standing at the sink, waiting for hot water to come out but it takes practically forever. That's because the hot water has to get from the heater to the faucet. If the water heater is physically located a long distance away from the faucet, it's going to take a long time to get there. There are solutions to this problem. It would probably save you money in the long run to install a recirculation system to keep hot water at the faucet.

How hot should my home's water be?

We do not recommend hot water to be any hotter than 120 degrees. Anything higher than that temperature could become dangerous for small children or elderly people.

How long will a water heater last?

This is something that's definitely variable. It depends on many different factors. For example, water quality and how much the system is used will make a difference on how long it lasts. We typically say that a water heater installed today will last around 8-12 years. That's very different from a water heater that was installed 25 years ago. Things just don't last as long as they used to.

Why is my electric bill so high?

Your water heater (especially if it's electric) definitely influences your electric bill. Electric water heaters are normally 30% of the electric bill. If the water heater is old or you have hardness/poor water quality, it can cause your bill to be much higher than necessary.

What can I do to prevent a sump pump failure?

The best way to prevent sump pump failure is with planning and maintenance. It's true that your sump pump could be defective, but more often than not, problems arise due to a lack of maintenance or careless installation.

There are several reasons why your sump pump might be failing, and identifying these problems is key to preventing them. The most common cause of sump pump failure is a power outage. Sump pumps depend on your house for power, and blackouts can be problematic.

There are two ways to deal with this problem. First, it's never a bad idea to have a backup generator in your home, specifically for instances like this. The other, less costly way to prevent sump pump failure during blackouts is to purchase a sump pump battery backup that operates when your power is out. Sump pump battery backups can cost anywhere between $275 and $500 plus labor to install. While the initial cost might not be attractive, they're the best way to prevent basement flooding during a power outage.

Your sump pump might also be failing due to improper installation. Your unit could be too big or small for your house, which makes your pump more prone to failure. Make sure that your pump is the right for your home and the amount of ground water it will need to pump.

You may also have a sump pump switch problem, which is common because the float switch the moving part that gets the most use on a sump pump so it is often the part that wears out first.

Finally, maintenance is key to preventing sump pump failure. If you haven't heard your pump run recently, test it by running a water hose into the sump pit or pouring in a five gallon bucket of water. When the water reaches a predetermined level, the pump should turn itself on, pump out most of the water then turn itself off again. If you have a backup pump, test it a few times each year to determine if it will work in the event of a blackout. And make a note of when the battery is due to be replaced. The backup pump won't work if the battery dies. When testing your pump, make sure the discharge line's airhole is clear. The float switch on the pump shouldn't be restrained so make sure electrical cords aren't tangled around the switch. Finally, remove any gravel in the sump pit and check that the screen that covers the sump pump's water intake is clear of debris.