At Putman Plumbing, we get a lot of questions from homeowners about pluming problems. Here are some we hear the most often.
How do my drains get clogged?
Most of the time, kitchen drains become clogged when people put things in them that aren’t supposed to go in them, such as food particles, grease and oil. Bathroom showers and sinks become clogged when oil residue from soaps and shampoo build up, or when hair piles up in the drain. To prevent clogs, don’t put those things in your kitchen sink at all, and make sure to rinse bathroom drains with very hot water after you shower. You may need to reach in and pull out hair periodically to keep it from building up.
What makes my faucet drip?
When the internal mechanisms in your faucet get loose or corroded, your faucet will drip. Sometimes the fix requires simply tightening the nut, and sometimes it will need to be replaced if there’s extensive corroding. It’s best to leave it to a plumber to make sure it gets fixed right the first time.
What does it mean if my toilet is running?
If a toilet continues to run into the bowl after you flush it, there’s probably a part in the tank that needs to be replaced or adjusted. It could be as simple as readjusting or bending the float (the plastic or metal ball floating on top of the water), the chain length could be too short, or the flapper could be broken. If you don’t know how to fix these things, call Putman Plumbing or you will pay $100 per year or more than you should be on your water bill. If you suspect a leak but you’re not sure, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank, and wait 30 minutes. Look in the bowl and if you see that same color, call us.
What can I put in my garbage disposal?
Most garbage disposal problems have to do with something that wasn’t supposed to go in there. Under no circumstances should you put any non-food materials through a disposal (although a fork or spoon often falls in accidentally and causes the issue). But even when it comes to food, you should never put fibrous foods such as artichokes and celery, bones, fruit pits or rinds, banana peels, or even potato skins because the blades have a hard time cutting through them. Remember to always run cold water when grinding food to move the waste all the way down the drain lines.
What should I do if my garbage disposal quits?
If your garbage disposal stops working, turn it off before placing your hand in the drain. Feel around for something that could be obstructing the blades, and remove it. Then press the RESET button and flip on the disposal switch. If it’s working, great! If not, check the electric breaker to make sure it’s not tripped, then call Putman Plumbing to figure out the problem.
When should I replace my hot water heater?
Most electric hot water heaters last 10-15 years and gas water heaters survive 8-12 years. You should think about replacing yours when there is water leakage around the bottom of the water heater, there is rust colored water coming from your faucets, or you run out of hot water faster than usual.
Have Other Plumbing Questions? Just Ask!
Putman Plumbing is a trusted plumbing company in Middletown and throughout Frederick County. Our knowledgeable plumbers would love to help you figure out what’s going on with your plumbing issues, so just give us a call and we’ll be happy to help!
