FAQ Plumbing

My house has a sewer smell.

If your drains are working fine then the easiest solution could be to run water down your pipes. Many home do not use the basement shower or sink very often and with no water running down the lines the p-traps underneath the drains dry up any water that should be in the lines. When this happens there is a sewer smell that escapes from the lines. By running water down each fixtures lines it can eliminate this as a cause of the sewer smell if the smell goes away within 24 hours. If this does not help the problem then you should call in a qualified plumber to access the problem.

I have low water pressure.

Test water pressure. Water pressure is with how much force the water comes out of sink faucets and showerheads. Low water pressure can be a sign of sediment build up in the faucet or shower head. It may also be a sign of a problem with the water line.

My toilet runs constantly.

Check the flushing handle and inside parts of the toilets. Flush each toilet to make sure that it is flushing properly. Check the parts inside the tank of the toilet to see if any parts are broken, rusted, or missing. Make sure the toilet water does not continue to run after flushing and make sure there is no sign of water on the floor around the toilet.

My faucet has a water leak.

While a tiny leak seems like something that should only require an easy fix, it can actually be a complicated job. A number of things can cause your faucet to leak. Before you can fix the faucet’s leak, you need to know what is causing the problem. Unlike pipes, the moving parts of a faucet can wear down more easily with time and they may need to be replaced, repaired, or tightened.

Where is my main water shut off valve?

The shutoff valve is usually found right where the main supply pipe enters the house coming up through your basement floor either next to or very close to the water meter. The main shutoff for the house will be one or two valves near the main water supply pipe that can be turned on and off by hand. If you will need to shut down the system during the course of a project, the city should be contacted to close your external shutoff and open it when you are completed. Don’t depend entirely on the inside shutoff (particularly if you have an older home) — it can break, leak or stop shutting off.

My faucet has low water pressure.

Low water pressure from the faucet or sprayer, or water leaks from the handle, are usually caused by lime buildup and sediment blocking the small openings inside the aerator. You can clean the aerator by carefully unscrewing the aerator from the faucet turning counterclockwise. Use a small brush in vinegar to remove the sediment. Reassemble the aerator and screw back on to the faucet.

My showerhead has developed uneven spray.

This can happen when the holes become clogged with mineral deposits from the water. Gently clean the outlet and inlet holes with a small brush dipped in vinegar as with cleaning an aerator in the faucet with low water pressure above.