FAQ's
What is Instant Hot Water? How does it save me money?Instant Hot Water is a system that circulates hot water
in your home. When you open a fixture the warm water is
there. There is no need to wait
for hot water. Did you know that hot water
recirculation systems save water, energy and money -
the
average family of four wastes up to 17,000 gallons of water
per year just waiting for hot water to arrive? A hot
water
recirculation system eliminates waste and provides the
convenience of
instant hot water, and the under-the-sink retrofit
systems are designed for existing
homes.
How do I un-jam my garbage disposal?
You
may be able to insert an Allen wrench into the bottom
of the disposer and "crank" it to help free up a jam. If this doesn’t work, DON’T USE IT! You could cause
serious damage to the disposal motor or even your home
electrical system. We can usually fix a jammed up garbage
disposal.
If we can’t, then the unit will probably need to be replaced.
Our expert technicians can give you the best advice and
make quick work of it to get you grinding again!
I have low water pressure in my home. What can I do about it?
There are several things that could cause low water pressure, including a partially closed or malfunctioning
shut off valve, a crimped water line, or deposits that gather in older galvanized pipes. If your neighbors have strong water pressure, the problem is most
likely between the water meter and your home.
Conventional Water Heaters vs. Tankless Water Heaters.
Conventional water heaters are by far the most common
type of water heater in the U.S. today. They range in
size from 20 to 120 gallons and are fueled
by electricity, natural gas, propane, or oil. Called
‘storage’ units, these water heaters transfer heat from
a burner or coil to water in an insulated tank. The down
side to a conventional water heater is that energy is
consumed even when no hot water is being used. Tankless water heaters do not contain a storage tank like conventional water heaters. A gas burner or electric element heats the water only when there is a demand for hot water.
Our dishwasher does not drain completely. What is the problem?
Dishwashers are to leave some water in the bottom of the unit at the end of each cycle. This is to keep the heating element from burning up. However, if the dishwasher does not empty at all, you’ve got a problem.
I think my toilet is leaking. Is there a test I can do to confirm this?
Yes! All you have to do is put a few drops of food coloring into your toilet tank. Wait a few minutes and then look in the toilet bowl. If you see that your bowl has the same color, then you’ve got a leak!
The scary part is you are probably wasting hundreds of gallons of water each month! We can install a low-flow toilet that will not only save you water dollars
but will flush better than anything you have ever had in the past.
Can
I clear a clogged drain myself?
If you
try to clear a drain yourself, always use a plunger. Most
drain cleaners don’t work. If you try a drain cleaner and
then call a plumber, please let him know. These chemicals
can be a hazard to you and the plumber.
My floor drain has suddenly backed up into my basement. Is this something you
can clear?
If
you have raw sewage coming from a floor drain (i.e. bits
of toilet paper and other waste) and you are in the Metropolitan
Sewer District service area, call them at 513-352-4900
and they will advise how to proceed. For other backups,
call us.
I have a sewer gas odor in my house. What is it from?
Sewer
gas often comes from plumbing fixtures or drains that
are not used very often. When the water in these traps
evaporates, the sewer gas escapes into your house. To
help determine if this is the problem, pour a bucket
of water into all of your drains (including basement
floor drains). The odor should go away within a short
time. If the odor remains, call us to check the problem.
It could be a drain that needs to be cleared, or something
more serious, like a toilet seal that has broken, or
a cracked vent pipe.