Drain & Main LLC

The kitchen sink will go down very slowly or it will gargle

If your garbage disposal stopped working there can be a variety of problems that could have taken place. But before proceeding to diagnose the issue turn off the electric breaker that powers the garbage disposal unit and then test the switch to ensure there is no power is running to it. First, determine the overall condition of the garbage disposal. If the disposal has obvious damaged, aged, or has significant surface rust it may be in your best interest to replace the unit rather than repair it.

There are many reasons why your pipes may knock in your house. For example, whether it is a pipe that carries hot water or cold water making the knocking sound can make a big difference. A hot water pipe would make noise due to thermal expansion, though either a hot or cold water pipe may make noise due to improper fastening. Likewise, improper pressure in your water distribution system could also cause your pipes to knock. Usually, your water pressure is too high. Another reason you may hear a banging noise could come from the toilet and its fill valve. The fill valve regulates the water level in the toilet tank. Newer models of this valve tend to close very abruptly. When this happens, it sometimes causes what we call a "water hammer" and can lead to banging noises. In fact, any fast closing valve could potentially cause a water hammer situation, even those found in your dishwashers, washing machines, and ice makers.

There are many reasons why you could have sewer gas entering your home, but the most common causes are: Improperly installed plumbing systems in your home. In most states, becoming a licensed plumber takes years of hard work, training and examination. During this process, licensed plumbers learn everything from what type of material pipes should be used when accessing city water mains, to how to property (and safely) vent appliances such as water heaters to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. Many times, unlicensed plumbers can cause serious harm to your property that may not be readily apparent for several months or years. When looking for a plumbing contractor, always check with your state's Corporation Commission and Licensing Board to make sure your contractor is in good standing, and always ask for proof of insurances and evaluate customer reviews.

If you are suddenly not getting any hot water in your home and you don't know what happened, the cause will vary depending on the type of water heater you have in your home. If Your Home Has a Gas Water Heater Many homes today still use large gas water heaters to get hot water out of faucets and showerheads within the home. You know you have a gas water heater if there is a giant water tank somewhere on your property, probably down in the basement or garage. The first suspect for a hot water outage with a gas-based system is a lack of gas. If for whatever reason your home's gas supply is being disrupted, then there's no way for the heater to raise the temperature of the water. Please be mindful that a problem with the gas supply could be indicative of a gas leak. You should always call a professional plumber to safely complete repairs to gas water heaters.

Suspect that your water heater may be leaking? You may be right. Follow these steps to fix your leak: Turn the water and gas supply off to the water heater unit. On the pipe entering the water heater, there should be a valve within a few feet. Turn the lever a quarter turn, or if it's circular turn it clockwise as much as possible until tight. If you have a gas water heater, turn the gas supply off by finding the valve located on the piping entering the bottom of the unit. This will help prevent water damage until you can have a trained professional come out to make sure no other issues occur.

As homeowners, it's essential to know where your main water shut off valve is and how to turn it off before an emergency happens. A burst pipe inside a house can cause catastrophic damage while you search for the valve or wait for a plumber. Your water shut off valve is on the main water line serving the house. The valve will most likely be located outside the house and close the exterior wall. It is typically attached to an exterior wall or it is located in an accessible underground box. You may have to look around a bit because the valve may also be located in a basement or crawl space.

This is probably the most commonly asked plumbing question. In most cases it is caused by the flapper not closing on or making a proper seal around the flush valve. If the flapper is not closing, then jiggle the handle and that will normally fix the issue.