Frequently Asked Questions

When is my water heater near its End of Life?

If your unit is leaking, or, just not producing the hot water it once did. Typical Hot Water Heater lifetime is 8-12 years.

What do I do if my water heater starts leaking?

1. Locate and turn off the water supply valve to the water heater. This will be located near the water heater itself.
2. Locate and turn off the electrical supply in the breaker box. If on gas, locate and turn off the gas supply to the water heater.
3. Open any hot water faucet in the house and allow to run until water stops. This will allow the hot water system to depressurize and slow the leak. If the water does not stop after 2 minutes of running, locate and turn off the main water supply valve to the home and repeat step 3.
4. Contact Putman Plumbing to have a technician repair or replace the unit.

What do I do if a pipe bursts?

1. Stay calm and stay safe. When a pipe bursts in your home your natural reaction is to become alarmed. Try to stay calm and prevent slippage from the present water.
2. Quickly locate and turn off the main water supply valve to the home. This valve is typically located in the utility room or at the front wall of the home when on public water and at the storage tank if on a well system.
3. Assess the damages and possible source of the leak if exposed.
4. Contact Putman Plumbing for the repair.
5. Contact your homeowners insurance company to notify them of the issue and file a claim for restoration.

What is a Tankless water heater?

A Tankless water heater is a on demand water heating unit. Being the size of a suit case, the unit produces a endless flow of hot water for the home when a fixture is being used. Tankless water heater are beginning to take the place of your conventional tank style water heater dues to their compact size, 98% efficiency, and their ability to produce endless amounts of hot water for your daily activities.

Why do I have low water pressure?

There are multiple reasons why a home could be experiencing low water pressure. If you are of municipal water, it could be from a failing Pressure Reducing Valve or PRV. This device is installed to regulate your water pressure down from the cities 100psi to a safer pressure range of 50-75psi. As the device ages, it can fail and over compensate its regulation, causing a decrease in pressure. Contact Putman Plumbing to have one of our professionally trained technicians identify the operation of you Pressure Reducing Valve or any other possible causes.

Well water systems with failed water storage tanks or failing well pumps can also cause a decrease, or fluctuation in water pressure. If you have any water filtration equipment installed, one of the units could also cause a restriction. First, identify if a filter needs to be changed. If the pressure does not return, bypass each units manually to see which unit could be causing the issue. Contact our office to have your well system evaluated for possible causes if you do not feel comfortable proceeding with these tests.

What do I do if I have a drain stoppage?

Drain stoppages are no fun at any time. Whether it’s the kitchen/bath sinks bathtubs, or a main line blockage, its an ordeal no one wants to have to deal with for very long.

1. Identify which fixture is being affected and if any other drains in the home are experiencing the same issue.
2. DO NOT add acid or chemical based products to the drain in an attempt to clear. These products are harmful to the plumbing system, yourself and any service technicians that are called to take care of the problem. These “Drain Cleaners” are known to cause serious chemical burns if they come in contact with your skin. So be safe and DO NOT use them.
3. Contact Putman Plumbing to have an experience technician clear the blockage and inspect the line for causes and a long term solution.

When should I check my sump pump?

The sump pump is one of the most crucial units in the protection of your home from outside ground and foundation water. However they are the most over looked by homeowners, as they only run when its raining. The best time to inspect the operation of your sump pump in the Maryland area is in March-April before the heavy rains of spring and summer fall and in August-September before hurricane/tropical storm season. Follow these easy steps to see if you will be ready.

1. Locate the sump pump basin in the lowest level of the home.
2. Run a water hose to the basin or begin pouring buckets of water in to test if the pump engages and begins to pump.
3. If the pump does not begin to operate, check that GFI receptacles are not tripped. If not GFI protected, check receptacle by plugging in another device like a fan of hair dryer to see if power is present.
4. Contact Putman Plumbing to have the unit replaced.

On average, your sump pump should be replaced every 8-10 year as preventative maintenance. Some other preventative measure you can take are to place a battery operate alarm at the basin to alert you to a possible problem. You can also have a battery back up or water powered back up system installed. These precautionary measure will ensure your basement will stay dry this rainy season.