ASK THE EXPERTS: FAQ, Expert Tips, Articles & More
QUESTION: When I called a plumber, he said his hourly rate was $45 per hour. He was here only about 15 minutes but charged me for 45 minutes. Is this some sort of scam?
Answer
Plumbers spend almost the majority of their day driving from one job to another. They have to be compensated for this time. Some add a flat service charge to each bill. Some charge a premium for the first hour, and some charge from the moment that they leave their last job.
QUESTION: My plumber said the new toilet I want costs $415 plus installation. I saw the same toilet at a home center store near me for $300. Is the plumber trying to rip me off?
Answer
Probably not. Plumbers usually
will buy their fixtures from a whole sale plumbing supply company.
The plumbing supply company has a wholesale contractor's price and
a higher list or retail price. The plumber buys the fixture at the
wholesale price and sells it to you at the list price.
The price difference pays for his time locating, purchasing, and
delivering the fixture to your home. Home centers are selling more
and more products that used to be available only at plumbing whole
sellers supply stores.
Home-center chains buy fixtures in very large quantities and get
sizeable discounts from manufacturers and distributors. They pass
on some of those savings to you. In most cases, home center prices
will be lower than list prices and, in some cases, even lower than
the contractor’s price at the plumbing supply stores.
QUESTION: What is a pipeline video inspection?
Answer
This is a diagnostic process where a state of the art, high-resolution video camera is inserted in a pipeline to view the pipe from the inside. It takes the guesswork out of diagnosing a pipeline problem and with this we can pinpoint exactly where a problem is and exactly how to fix it in the most cost-effective manner. Mighty Rooter LLC has several of these cameras and qualified technicians to run them.
QUESTION: What is a 're-pipe?'
Answer
A re-pipe is a complete replacement of the water piping system in a home or business from the water meter to all plumbing fixtures. As severe as it sounds, it is actually a very common procedure. It is necessary in situations where the plumbing system pipes have begun to leak due to deterioration.
QUESTION: Why is there a sewer smell in our house?
Answer
The most common cause of a sewer
smell in the house is a dry p-trap, a p-trap is a curved pipe that
is designed to hold water this creates a water seal to hold out
sewer gas order. Unused showers, tubs, sinks, floor drains or utility
room overflow drains are often the culprits due to evaporation of
water in the trap.
Try pouring a gallon of water through the drain every two weeks
or add a trap primer above your p-trap. A trap primer is a mechanical
valve that is designed to automatically release a small amount of
water into your drain to keep your trap seal in your p-trap full.
QUESTION: Recently my water bills appear to be rather high. What 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 overflow by way of the overflow pipe. This is the pipe
in the middle of the tank. It has small tubing connected to it.
If water is running into the overflow, adjust the fill valve to
stop the flow approximately 1inch below the top of the overflow
tube or to level mark stamped on the side of the tank.
Second, put a few drops of food coloring into the tank to test the
flush mechanism. If the water in the bowl changes color within 15
minutes, this is an indication that water is leaking into the bowl
and that the ball or flapper needs to be replaced.
QUESTION: What causes my tub & shower to backup?
Answer
Often, hair is caught on the grease buildup on the lining of the pipe. Grease buildup comes from shampoos, body oils, soap, toothpaste, shaving creams, etc. Rootering followed by product maintenance are recommended.
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 replacement?
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 the deposits off. 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
There is a product available from Mighty Rooter LLC that will help with slow drains. The name of the product is Bio-Clean. We do not recommend chemical drain cleaners for maintenance as they are hard on the piping. Bio-Clean cleans pipes without harming them. If your kitchen sink is completely stopped up however, you will need to have it cleared first. Contact us to get more information on our Bio-Clean products or to have your drain rodded out.
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 hot water for about 30 seconds to rinse all the debris away.
QUESTION: Can I replace my two-handled faucet with a single-handle faucet?
Answer
Usually, faucet dimensions and sink openings are standard throughout the plumbing industry, so the answer is usually yes. There are a few exceptions, some faucets and sinks are drilled for a 4” or a 8” faucet spread. So check the size of the sink opening before you buy new fixtures.
QUESTION: Why do I hear a vibrating noise in my pipes?
Answer
Noises can be fairly common in
plumbing supply lines. If a washer in a faucet or valve is loose,
you’ll hear it rattling or knocking. If the sound occurs when
you open and close faucets rapidly, it generally means pipes are
loose, and can be corrected by anchoring pipes more securely.
If it really bothers you, you can add air chambers at the end of
long pipe runs. Their installation will probably require a plumbing
professional like Mighty Rooter LLC
QUESTION: It’s 2am and my water line just broke! What do I do?
Answer
Try to locate a valve near the break and shut off water to the area. If all else fails, find the main water valve and shut off the water. Next, call MIGHTY ROOTER Inc. and we will do our best to assist you in this matter. If not an emergency, please contact us first thing in the morning and we can set up a time to repair the problem.
QUESTION: What can I do about a sewer line blockage?
Answer
The main culprits are tree roots and once they’ve blocked the line there is very little you can do. Mighty Rooter LLC can snake, rod the line to get it as clear as possible, and then use RootX to kill the remaining vegetation. But odds are the sewer line or a section of the sewer will most likely need to be replaced.
QUESTION: At what temperature should I set my water heater?
Answer
Manufacturers recommend setting water heaters at 120 degrees (F). This will prevent accidental scalding.
QUESTION: Why doesn't my old water heater work as well as it used to?
Answer
This is usually due to a sediment
buildup in your tank. As water heaters grow older, they accumulate
sediment and lime deposits. If these deposits are not removed periodically,
the sediment will create a barrier between the burner and the water,
greatly reducing the water heater's performance level. At least
once every three months, drain water from the tank. Draining a gallon
or so on a regular basis helps remove the sediment.
You should also periodically inspect your gas water heater burner.
The flame under the heater should appear blue with yellow tips.
If it’s mostly yellow, or if it’s sooty under there,
your flue may be clogged, which is a dangerous situation. Contact
Mighty Rooter LLC to check it out. At least once every two
years, have your water heater inspected by a service technician.
We will also check the drain valve for signs of leakage, and the
anode rods for corrosion.
Expert Tips
- Conserving Water
- Preventing Drain Stoppages
- A Stopped-Up Sink
- Garbage Disposals
- Septic System Care
- Emergency ShutOff Tips
- Faucet
- Toilet
- Sink
- Dishwasher
- Clothes washer
- Toilet Problems
- Running
- Inadequate flush
- Water Heater Tips