Kay Plumbing Services

Look online for comparisons on flush ratings, as well as available rebates on high–efficiency models. Consider features such as pressure assists and heightened thrones when choosing a toilet.

Higher water bills, water pressure drop, water heater not reliable, extra green grass, stains and damp areas on ceilings and walls, uneven water levels in toilets, leaks get worse, cracks only lead to more and bigger cracks.

When it gets really cold out, the water that enters your home is much colder. This causes the hot water in your tank to lose a lot more heat when it mixes with the incoming cold water. In addition, you may have a buildup of sediment in your tank that’s inhibiting your water heater’s performance.

High pressure coming from your water heater can cause your relief valve to leak. There are a few reasons for this: Incoming water pressure from the main water line is too high.Thermal expansion (water expanding in volume as it is heated) is causing the pressure to build up.The easiest way to deal with a leaky relief valve is to call a Plumber to replace it!

If you have a basement that frequently floods or your home is built so water flows toward it, you should definitely have a sump pump. A sump pump will prevent the basement, as well as laundry areas and storage rooms from being damaged during heavy rains or in places where the water table is high.

You really shouldn’t put ANYTHING down your toilet, except what’s supposed to go down there. Avoid putting in things like: Baby wipes, napkins, facial tissue or paper towels. While these will flush fine, they don’t break down the way toilet tissue does and will cause clogs or damage your septic system. Sanitary products or diapers Q-tips, cotton balls or dental floss Hair Food scrap Small toys Cat litter

If you think you have a leak in your home, there’s an easy way you can check. Go out to your water meter and record the level. Make sure no one uses any water for a few hours, then go back and check the meter again (it’s easiest to do this when everyone goes to bed, then check it again first thing in the morning). If the level has changed, you probably have a leak

You may be smelling sewage in your home because there’s an issue with your sewer line. Because of health hazards, you should call a plumber ASAP.

A dishwasher that won’t drain may be an easy fix. You can look for a clog or try cleaning out the strainer basket.

Toilet tank leaks are the most common plumbing leak in homes. They can be caused by worn parts or a misalignment of flush mechanisms. By locating these issues as soon as possible will help lower your monthly water bill significantly.

The difference has to do with the minerals and sediment that is found in the water. In its natural state, soft water contains much less mineral content than hard water does when it passes through soil containing limestone or other calcium-rich rocks which cause a buildup of scale and minerals in your pipes from exposure to high levels over time. A water softener is used to remove the excess minerals that cause hard water.

You might want to upgrade your plumbing fixtures if you want a new style of faucet, or when you are having to continuously repair it.

Water StainsThey will often appear as either yellow or brown, and can show up far from where the actual leak is.

This gross buildup is actually made up of minerals. To remove it, soak the shower head in vinegar for 12-24 hours. It should be easy to scrub the minerals right off. However the deposits will come back. Your plumber at Kay Plumbing can explain what options are available to keep these deposits from coming back with a water softening system.

A household water heater typically heats up to between 140 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, but 120 works for most people. It’s important to keep all family members in mind when picking the right temperature; too hot of water can scald or burn someone.

Try resetting your garbage disposal. This can be done by locating the switch on the bottom of most disposals. If this doesn’t work, it’s probably time to call in a professional.

Using cold water will help your disposal save energy, and not putting items like bones down the disposal can extend its life. Never use a chemical drain unclogger in a garbage disposal either!

To prevent clogs, fit all your tubs and shower drains with a strainer that catches hair and soap chips. Clean the strainer regularly to avoid any build up of debris.

When you notice any moisture or small leaks under your sink, make sure to repair the faucet. Be sure that overflows aren’t clogged and clear them out annually so they don’t damage anything below them such as walls and ceilings.

This is not a problem for tankless hot water heater owners, even in the coldest temperatures. Tankless outdoor units are made to function below -30°F!

Old homes with old plumbing may have mineral deposits that can cause a sudden shift in water pressure. This is most common when the shutoff valve isn't opened all the way or there are kinks in incoming lines. In addition to these problems, it's also possible your home has corroded pipes and you should consider replacing them as well if they haven’t been replaced for more than 3 decades!

Sticky substances, such as wet flour and oils will cause a clog. Over time this causes a slow-down of the drains which could lead to serious plumbing complications.

To protect your pipes from freezing, insulate them well or leave the water in a slow drip when the temperature is below freezing.

If your toilet handle is getting stuck then the flapper may stay open. This means that no matter how many times you flush it won't stop running unless you close this gap in some way- typically by either tightening the existing hardware or by replacing it.

A repipe is a replacement of your water pipe system in a home or business from the water source into the building. This is a commonplace procedure, and normally happens when there is low pressure due to leaks within the underground pipes.

Normally, your water valve is located in your utility room neary your hot water tank.

A dual flush toilet is a toilet that has two flushing options, with varying amounts of water being used in each flush. This is a very economical way to save money!

Your hot water tank has a leak. We would recommend shutting off your water, and then calling a plumber to help diagnose the problem.

Sewer gases can come up from the drain of a toilet, sink, and even bathtubs. If your pipes are giving off a strong odor, call Kay Plumbing and our plumbers will investigate the cause of the sewage smell.

This depends on many different factors, such as water quality and use. Water heaters normally last anywhere from 8-13 years.

A water jetter is a high pressure hose that’s put into pipes to blast away any clogs that may be obstructing your pipes.

It can be somewhat difficult to determine where the leak is. It is important to determine this, as financial responsibility could depend on leak location. We recommend you make a call to your plumber, and the whomever handles the water utility in your area.

To prevent your well from freezing, we recommend using insulation and a well cover. In colder areas, you may need a heat lamp to keep your well flowing.

Grease traps catch grease and oil by cooling the mixture of water and grease enough to let the two separate. The grease floats, and the water is able to freely flow out of the trap.

Normally this is due to other faucets running in your house at the same time, but if this happens when other faucets are off, this is most likely due to a plumbing leak.

This normally happens when either your toilet is clogged, or when your sewer main is backed up. We recommend calling a plumber immediately.

Typically we recommend estimating how much water you and your family are using, based on length of showers/baths, how many people are in your household, and how often other appliances are used, (such as the dishwasher and clothes washer). You can then contact your plumber and give them this information for sizing suggestions.

Typically there’s an issue with your disposal unit. This is due to the dishwasher and garbage disposal drain are normally connected.

Your toilet may be leaking silently. Here’s how we suggest testing for leaks: Put some food coloring into the toilet tank and do not flush for one hour. Then check if any of the food coloring leaked into the bowl.

If you can easily repair the faucet, then we suggest repair. If the faucet is damaged due to corrosion, or too old to find replacement parts, faucet replacement is easier.

It really depends- Do you have the necessary: tools/materials/time/skills/knowledge?

Any leaks, loss of water pressure, and smells could indicate an issue that needs to be repaired.

Yes! Knowing where your water shutoff valve is, properly maintaining appliances, and fixing leaks as soon as possible are all great ways to prevent water damage within your house.

You should replace your water heater once it requires frequent repairs, or if it is more than 10 years old. Old water heaters pose a greater risk of failure, possibly leading to expensive water damage, and newer models generally heat up more quickly while using less energy.

Tree roots are attracted to sewer lines because they provide an easy water source. When there is not enough rain, the roots will seek out water, and your pipes are a prime target. Your pipes may be in danger if tree or plant roots crack the pipe, which lets more root intrusion occur. Certain pipe materials, like metal, are susceptible to cracking with age and thus will be at greater risk over time.

Two of the best ways to lower your water bill are simply to be mindful of your daily water usage and promptly repair any leaks. You can further reduce your water bill by installing low water usage toilets, low flow shower heads, and water efficient appliances such as dishwashers and front-loading washing machines.

Clearing a blocked residential sewer main is not a DIY job as it requires the use of heavy, professional-grade tools like jetters and power augers. In inexperienced hands, these tools pose significant risk of accidentally causing further damage. If the line needs to be replaced, part of your property may need to be excavated with heavy equipment. This sort of repair is best left to plumbing professionals

The signs of a clogged sewer line drain are: multiple drain backups, floor drains filling up, or sewage in your sewer clean-out. A clogged sewer line can cause seriously disgusting issues in your home or result in the temporary closure of your business! If you see any of these symptoms, call us ASAP before things get out of hand.

Most of the time, there are a few ways your faucet will go wrong: it either leaks, sprays, screeches, trickles, or is difficult to turn on and off. We covered fixing leaky faucets in detail on our blog: the average homeowner can handle many of these repairs themselves, but some faucet issues require professional help.

There is no rule of thumb for determining when it is time to replace the plumbing in your home. Cast iron plumbing can last a century when installed correctly, while some types of PVC may only last 40 years. Kay Plumbing is able to come out and perform a full plumbing inspection to help you determine what condition your plumbing is in and estimate its remaining lifespan. Check out our post on how long your pipes can be expected to last to get an idea on how different materials stack up.

Chemical drain cleaners are a convenient tool to tackle drain problems - but they come with major drawbacks. If they fail to quickly clear the clog, then the corrosive drain cleaner may begin to damage the pipes. The result can be disastrous - creating major leaks inside your walls. If you aren’t sure about how your plumbing will hold up to drain cleaning solvents, contact a professional!

Using a powered plumbing snake on old pipes is risky; you risk bursting your pipes, potentially causing flooding inside your walls! For minor clogs that are close to the drain you can try using a small, hand-cranked plumbing snake. If this doesn’t work, or if the clog is more serious, then you’ll want to contact a professional.

If your drain runs slowly your first thought may be clogs - however this may be a symptom of other serious problems such as an incorrectly vented plumbing system. Getting this fixed quickly is important as when pipes are draining slowly they are also experiencing more pressure than they were designed for. If left uncorrected this can lead to leaks. Check out our blog to learn more about how to clear your drains and to determine if you need to contact a professional.

The most common cause of low water pressure is a clogged pipe, however sometimes it’s not so simple. Other issues like leaking pipes, pressure regulator issues, or a faulty valve can cause the same symptoms. Diagnosing this problem is challenging and we recommend contacting a plumbing professional.

Stopping your pipes from making noise can be as simple as preventing the pipes from moving by clamping them to your house’s framing. Sometimes the problem may require installation of water hammer arrestors or insulating the piping to prevent noise transfer. A plumber can help you determine which solution is right for the noises you are experiencing.

There are a number of reasons your toilet may not be flushing properly. The most common is that your toilet is either partially or fully clogged, possibly from flushing non-flushable materials like wet wipes. Sometimes the clog is in your sewer drain line and may require a plumber’s auger to resolve. If this isn’t the case, the problem may lie in the toilet tank, possibly stemming from a damaged flapper, a dislodged lift chain, or a misadjusted fill-valve.

The most common cause of a dripping faucet is a worn gasket or washer. However, sometimes the problem may be caused by corrosion within the valve itself or a loose o-ring. If your faucets are dripping, a plumber can quickly diagnose and repair the issue. Leaking faucets end up costing you a lot on your utility bill over time, so getting the problem fixed early is important.

Your hot water may run out for a variety of reasons including: a leaking hot water heater, a faulty heating element or thermostat, or sediment buildup. In some cases your water heater may simply be undersized for your needs and you may need to install a larger heater or a tankless water heater.

Whether or not you need to replace your pipes during a remodel depends on their condition. If they’re in good working order and not leaking, then they can be left in place. However, if they’re showing signs of wear then this is the best time to replace them.

Yes, you should insulate your water heater! An insulated water heater can save you 10% of your water heating costs and typically the insulation pays for itself within a year. However, you’ll want a professional to perform the installation to get the best results.

When properly cared for toilets can last decades - but they will eventually need replacing. Replace your toilet if you see any cracks in the porcelain, the toilet has an unfixable leak, or if the cost of repairs outweigh the cost of a replacement. Older toilets can be prone to frequent clogs and tend to use more water than newer models.

There are a few key maintenance items to stay on top of to keep your plumbing working great. Pay attention to your drains - if they’re draining slowly get them looked at! Avoid pouring oil down your drains and only use your toilet for flushing waste and toilet paper. Once or twice a year have your water pressure checked and drain your water heater to prevent sediment buildup.