General Plumbing Questions
You can't snake through the tub drain. You'll have to start by taking off the overflow plate first. It's located above the drain, it's round and held in place by a couple of screws. There is a hinged mechanism behind the plate that comes out and then you can snake from there.
With our proximity to Chicago, we deal with freezing pipes regularly. Here are a few things you can do to try and prevent the pipes from freezing up on you.
1.) Put the faucet on a trickle. The movement of the water will help prevent freezing in the plumbing line.
2.) Open your bathroom cabinets so warm air can flow and reach the pipes under your sink.
3.) Heating cables that run alongside the pipe can be installed and insulated.
4.) Make sure your HVAC system is working properly. Most pipes freeze because of a furnace going out.
A toilet plunger has a cup shape that will allow you to create a tight seal, a sink plunger doesn't and is made for flat surfaces. Get a toilet plunger, make a tight seal around the drain and vigorously plunge the device up and down. If it's still stuck, we would recommend calling a plumber.
Anytime you are performing a plumbing repair that use the water line. Additionally, we recommend turning the water off when you go on vacation. Not only to protect your home but to stop the neighbor from using your spigot to fill up their pool (we've seen it happen).
If the dishwasher is humming but water isn't coming through, start by checking the float switch. The float assembly is at the bottom of the dishwasher tub. As water levels increase the float sensor turns off the water. Sometimes it can get stuck and a simple rinse and shake will fix it.
Next, check the water supply line. If it's operating correctly, the next item to check is the inlet valve. Before you replace the inlet valve, check the filter for any debris that may be causing the blockage. Most of the time cleaning this filter will put things back to normal. If it doesn't, the next step would be replacing the entire inlet filter. This is a fairly easy and inexpensive repair if you do it yourself.
Sewer Line Questions
Signs of a sewer collapse include:
Frequent backups.
Multiple fixtures clogs.
Plumbing acts weird (Tubs backing up when toilets are flushed).
Wet, waterlogged patches of grass on top of the sewer.
Slow drains throughout the house.
It all depends on the material and the conditions but in general:
- Orangeburg pipe: 30-50 years.
- Clay pipe: 30-50 years.
- Cast Iron pipe: 50-75 years.
- PVC pipe: 100 years +.
Looking for an answer?
Attached to this page is a list of our most common questions and answers. It only covers a small portion of what we do. If you have a specific question that is not listed here, don't hesitate to contact us. We can handle any plumbing-related problem. From faucets and sewer lines to whole house filtration systems, we do it all. You can reach us online or by phone 24 hours a day.
