Frequently Asked Plumbing Related Questions

Consider water efficiency and the toilet's flushing capabilities. There are pressurized toilet tanks available today that work like a commercial toilet, and there water-efficient models. Talk to a professional who can advise on what toilet features will suit your needs. You might consider toilet brands such as Kohler, American Standard, which are major manufacturers that offer a range of toilets that can be installed by an Active Rooter Plumbing and Drain professional.

A buildup of food debris can cause a foul odor in your garbage disposal. Try placing lemon or orange peels in the disposal and running it for 30 seconds. Pour a small amount of dish liquid in to the garbage disposal while it is still running, then flush out with cold water to rinse away debris. Talk to an Active Rooter Plumbing and Drain professional about garbage disposal maintenance and get a free assessment to determine whether yours is working properly.

You should turn off outside faucets before freezing weather, and also disconnect the garden hose to allow water in the pipe to drain out.

Even if you are not having problems with your septic tank now, you should have it inspected and pumped a minimum of every three to four years. A full septic tank can allow solids to release into the drain field, which is where the distribution box and connected pipes are located. Those pipes allow water to flow into a bed of stone that drains into the ground. Paper and solids can block that drain field?and this is costly to repair or replace. Prevention is the key. Talk to Active Rooter Plumbing and Drain about regular septic tank maintenance services.

Before winter, when your water heater works harder, be sure to flush out your water heater to remove sediment buildup. Corrosion reduces heating efficiency. Test the water heater pressure relief valve by lifting on the lever and letting it snap back. If a bust of hot water does not flow into the drainpipe, you might need a new valve. Set the water heater thermostat at 120 degrees Fahrenheit for optimum performance. Call Active Rooter Plumbing and Drain for a free inspection.

Tankless hot water heaters provide hot water only as needed, unlike traditional storage water heaters that produce standby hot water, costing you more money. Tankless hot water heaters only heat water when there is demand. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the tankless hot water heater. The electric element or gas burner (depending on your heat supply) heats the water on demand. You do not have to wait for a storage tank to fill up with enough hot water. Be sure to choose tankless hot water with capacity to provide hot water for the whole household. Also know that the venting on tankless hot water heaters can be complicated because of city and state codes?these water heaters must have stainless steel piping. An Active Rooter Plumbing and Drain professional can help choose and install a tankless hot water heater that suits your needs and ensure that these codes are met.

We recommend replacing a sump pump every 5 to 7 years. It's better to replace this mechanical device before it fails than to deal with backup and other consequences of a failed sump pump. Talk to an Active Rooter Plumbing and Drain professional for a free assessment of your sump pump to see if it's time for you to replace the unit.

Think of a battery backup sump pump as your best insurance policy against flooding. If you lose electricity during a storm, your sump pump will fail. This can ruin a basement and for those who have invested in finishing this extra room in the home, the results can be total ruin. A battery backup sump pump gives you peace of mind that in case of a power outage or storm where you lose electricity, your sump pump will continue to do its important job. An Active Rooter Plumbing and Drain professional can evaluate your current system and install a battery backup sump pump.

Tune in to a few signs of sewer drain backup. Do you smell a foul odor coming from your drain? Do you notice sewer flies? These cues could indicate a clogged line or a cracked pipe. Active Rooter Plumbing and Drain can provide free estimates and diagnose the problem. The best strategy is to avoid backups with simple maintenance practices. Avoid flushing wipes (even "flushable" ones) that can actually expand and clog lines. Do not use chemical drain-cleaners if your home has PVC pipes because these products will actually dissolve the cement ponding PVC sections together, and you could have to eventually replace sections of pipe. If regular sewer backup is a problem for you, consider annual preventive maintenance to keep sewer pipes free and clear. Hydro jet and other Active Rooter Plumbing and Drain professionals can clean out a sewer line. An Active Rooter Plumbing and Drain professional can offer solutions to address your problem, so you can avoid future backups.