Plumbing FAQ's: Top 10 Questions People Ask Their Plumber (And the Answers to Them)

Questions Involving Plumbing Concerns

Plumbers that go to homes or even businesses to handle plumbing issues will constantly be asked questions by their customers, and many of these questions are only to help the customer avoid other plumbing problems in the future or just questions that they’ve always wanted the answer to, such as:

How do you unclog a sink?

How do you unclog a toilet?

Why is the water heater leaking?

How can water be conserved in the home?

The toilet is rocking, why?

Is it ok to wash a faucet with soap or chemicals?

Why is there no hot water coming from the tap?

What foods are approved for a garbage disposal?

What should be done if cleaning the P-trap doesn’t remove a clog?

How often should the water heater be drained?

Q & A

Question- How do you unclog a sink?

Answer:

Unclogging a sink is not terribly difficult, but it’s best to use a snake, a plunger or disassemble the sink to get out the clog if possible.

Using chemicals to unclog the sink can damage the pipes, and it’s even worse if it has an acid that can damage a garbage disposal unit, as well as the drain attached to it. It’s always best to disassemble the sink, if necessary, check the P-trap, and use a plunger as well as a snake to completely remove a clog.

Question- How do you unclog a toilet?

Answer:

Unclogging a toilet is something that can also be done with a plunger, but many plumbers prefer to use a snake, especially since a snake can go deep into the toilet where no human hands can reach to pull out clogs that are in the drain. It’s still best not to use chemicals to unclog the toilet, but if chemicals must be used, get ones that won't cause harm to the porcelain or to the pipes connected to the toilet.

Question- Why is the water heater leaking?

Answer:

If the water heater is leaking, then it’s likely that there is a part of the heater that has rusted to the point where it has cracked and burst open, so water is starting to leak from the bottom.

Rusting most likely occurs at the bottom of the water heater, especially since water has been sitting in the heater for months at a time without being drained. It’s also possible that water is leaking from the drain valve at the bottom of the heater, so make sure the valve is completely closed to determine if that will stop the leak.

Question- How can water be conserved in the home?

Answer:

One of the best ways to conserve water in the Reno home is by getting low flow fixtures, such as a water conserving shower head as well as faucets and toilets. Check for any leaks around the home to make sure you’re not losing water unnecessarily, and don’t forget to check any toilets in the home for leaks by conducting the food coloring test.

Don’t allow toilets to run because this wastes water as well, and make sure to conserve water by turning off the faucet if you’re not using the water actively.

Question- The toilet is rocking, why?

Answer:

A rocking toilet is typically because of a problem with the wax ring being loose or the bolts on the bottom of the toilet. It’s possible that one or the other needs to be replaced, so have a plumber come to check the toilet to see what the exact problem is and to replace the parts that need replacing.

Question- Is it ok to wash a faucet with soap or chemicals?

Answer:

Faucets can get dirty and do need cleaning, but it’s never wise to use chemicals to clean a faucet or even regular soap. It’s best to simply take a damp cloth and go over the faucet with the cloth to clean it instead of using any abrasive soaps or chemicals that can damage the finish.

Question- Why is no hot water coming from the tap?

Answer:

When no hot water comes from the tap when it’s turned on, that means that something is wrong with the water heater. Check to see if the hot water heater is functioning properly, and if the water heater works fine, then it’s possible that there is one of  several different issues causing the lack of hot water in the home. A Reno plumber would be the best person to check out the problem and fix it.

Question- What foods are approved for a garbage disposal?

Answer:

Stringy foods, corn husks, uncooked lentils, grains, beans, rice, cabbage stems, metal objects and more are all food items that should never go into a garbage disposal unit.

These products can make the unit cut off, malfunction, or stop working altogether. Only soft foods along with running water should be put into the garbage disposal unit. You can ask your plumber about other specific foods you're unsure of putting down the garbage disposal.

Question- What should be done if cleaning the P-trap doesn’t remove a clog?

Answer:

If the P-trap is clean but there’s still a clog, then the clog is beyond the P-trap, and a snake would be the best way to reach the clog. A plumber can use an electric snake or even do hydro-jetting if necessary to get a clog that may be in the pipes.

Question- How often should the water heater be drained?

Answer:

It’s best to drain a water heater on a yearly basis, and a plumber can come out and do maintenance as well as drain your home's water heater every year.

Never Leave a Plumber Out of the Mix

Don’t neglect a call to your plumber, especially when you’re experiencing plumbing problems that you know you cannot solve on your own. Certain appliances, such as water heaters need the attention of a licensed plumber with a permit, so don’t take on tasks such as these by yourself.

Get a certified plumber by calling Ira Hansen and Sons Plumbing in Reno, NV at (775) 624-8378.