Why is my faucet dripping?

If you hear a constant drip, drip, drip of a faucet, this could be due to a few problems:

  • Parts are damaged — there are many parts that make up a sink and any number of them could malfunction at one point or another. Check out all of the moving parts of the sink, including the inlet seals, outlet seals, O rings, etc.
  • Cartridge needs to be replaced — the faucet cartridge is the valve that turns the water on and off. Over time, these cartridges can stop up, causing a constant drip.
  • Water pressure is too high — Having high water pressure can cause a backup in which the water leaks at any available place.

Broken plumbing — Having a problem with a pipe or fitting may extend to issues with the water pressure. Once again, this can cause leaking and dripping in the available areas of water outlet.

Why won’t my toilet stop running?

A running toilet is not only annoying, but it is a waste of water and therefore money. When the toilet runs even after flushing it is because the water is continuing to leak into the bowl from the tank. This is most likely due to a malfunctioning flapper or flapper seat. You will need to drain the tank and then check the flapper, cleaning it or replacing it if necessary.

How can I prevent leaking pipes?

Take the time to inspect your pipes at least twice a year. This can prevent a small problem from developing into a big and expensive one. Look out for rust or lime which are usually an indication of deterioration that causes leaking and insulate them to ensure they do not freeze, further weakening them.

Why is my water heater leaking?

A leak can be coming from a number of places, such as the temperature and pressure relief valve or the drain valve. Check these areas and look for any problems. Very commonly, the bottom of the tank might be leaking due to rust. When this happens, the water heater may need to be replaced.

Why isn’t the water draining in my sink?

This is due to a number of reasons including food, grease, cracked or collapsed pipes, etc. Oftentimes, your drain piping may need to be cleaned and flushed from roots or other impurities that can cause stoppages. Still having issues? Call us today and set up an appointment.

What shouldn’t I put into the garbage disposal?

The short answer to this would be what you CAN put into the disposal, which would be limited to liquids and soft foods. A funny way to think of it would be if a baby can handle it, so can your disposal. What you want to stay away from would be:

  • Fibrous foods like certain vegetables that can wrap around the grinding teeth and make it run inefficiently
  • Grease, fats, and oils which can be damaging to the shredders, clog the drain up, or it can cause an unpleasant odor.
  • Pasta, potatoes, rice, beans are bad for the garbage disposal because they can expand in water, becoming paste-like or clogging the drain.

Anything that isn’t food or liquid. Some people make this mistake because they think when it says “garbage” disposal, they can literally throw their garbage into it. You should refrain from throwing any non-food items which can’t break down enough in the disposal.

Is there a way I can have “endless” hot water?

Rinnai offers endless hot water for as long as you can stand it with their line of tankless water heaters.  Contact us today for more information.

Why do I have low water pressure?

Low water pressure can be frustrating when cleaning dishes, trying to take a shower, or washing your hands. This can be caused by many things such as a clog, deposits gathering in the pipes, a malfunctioning shut off valve, a crimped water line and many more issues. To diagnose the problem properly, call the experts at BR McGinty!

What is the difference between hard water and soft water?

The main difference is that hard water contains quantities of dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, chalk, and lime. Soft water, on the other hand, is treated and only contains the ion sodium.

People prefer to soften their water because hard water can be damaging not only to your home’s fixtures and pipes, but also has an undesirable taste and gives you skin problems. By installing a water system in your home that utilizes softer water, you will be able to taste and feel the difference!

What’s the difference between conventional water heaters and tankless?

Tankless water heaters don’t contain storage tanks. They use a gas burner or other electric element to heat the water only when the hot water is demanded.

A conventional water heater, on the other hand, uses electricity, propane, gas or oil. They transfer heat from a coil or burner to the water in an insulated tank. This option consumes energy even when hot water is not being demanded.

There are benefits to each, but only a trained professional can take your situation into account to give you the best option for your home.

Why isn’t my dishwasher draining?

This could be due to a clogged drain line, a clogged filter, a faulty motor or an electrical issue. This does not always mean that the dishwasher needs to be replaced, though. Dishwashers are extremely difficult to work with, so call a professional to diagnose the problem and get your appliance back to working condition in no time!

How can I eliminate the odor coming from my garbage disposal?

If you smell a foul odor coming from your garbage disposal, this is oftentimes because of food debris left in there. Before you turn to pouring any chemicals down the drain that could harm the disposal, try placing ice cubes with orange or lemon peels in there and run it for 20-30 seconds. Then squirt some dish soap and finish it off with hot water for 30 more seconds.

Why is water backing up into the sink when I use the dishwasher?

Since the garbage disposal and dishwasher share the same draining pipes, there may be problems with the food that is left in garbage disposal. Try to clear out this food debris by running the disposal and use lots of hot water. This will hopefully unclog the drainage pipes and stop the water from coming up through the sink.