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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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