faq plumbing
Plumbing is to your home like veins are to your body. Without plumbing, your house won’t operate. Therefore, keeping your pipes healthy is necessary if you plan on having hassle-free showers, want to wash clothes, and use the toilet. While you might not think about plumbing until a problem occurs, knowing a little bit about the plumbing network and some common issues, you can better maintain the system to avoid issues in the future.
 

What is hard and soft water?

 

Rain water is known as soft water. Once this water absorbs into the ground, picking up minerals and substances like calcium, lime, magnesium, and so on, it becomes categorized as hard water. The issue with hard water is that it can clog your pipes. You can even feel the difference between hard and soft water. Also, soft water lathers up better and requires less detergent when washing clothes.

 

How do I keep my pipes from freezing?

 

Pipes may freeze whenever the temperature goes below freezing. When a home isn’t properly heated, the extreme cold endangers the plumbing. The main concern is that the frozen water expands when it turns to ice, causing the pipes to burst. Before any cold weather arrives, thoroughly drain the outside valves then close the interior valve leading inside. You might also want to use faucet insulators.

 

Why is my toilet so noisy during flushing?

 

While all toilets make noise when flushed, a sudden change in volume could be because the water flowing into the tank has been restricted somehow. The ballcock assembly, which regulates the water entering the tank could be broken, as well as other parts. If the ballcock isn’t working, you can easily replace the entire assembly.

 

Why do I keep having drainage problems?

 

Drainage problems can be the result of clogging. The age of your pipes might also be a factor. Slow drainage might indicate a large clog, roots in the pipeline, or backups from the sewer. If these problems become frequent or worsen, be sure to contact a professional plumber.

 

Why does the water pressure and temperature change when someone flushes a toilet?

 

If you notice the temperature fluctuating when showering, this could be because a large portion of water is flowing out of the shower head. When someone flushes a toilet or turns on a faucet in another section of the house, the flow of water is suddenly altered. This causes the pressure and temperature to change.

 

Is seems like my toilet is constantly running. Is that normal?

 

Whenever you flush your toilet, a lever inside pulls on a flap that opens the water tank. When this lever falls back into place, the water level recedes accordingly. Should the chain on the flapper be too long or short, the toilet may end up running longer because the flushing mechanism was unsuccessful.

 

Are noisy pipes normal?

 

No, noises are not normal. Strange sounds, like clunking, rattling, and other noises can mean that the pipes are blocked. Have a professional look into the issue immediately.

Plumbing can be confusing at times, but if you know a little bit about it, you can start to determine which problems require a professional. If you have any more questions that weren’t listed here, a plumber will be happy to help.