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.