Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
High Water Bills
Question: Recently my water bills appear to be rather
high. None of the faucets appear to leak. What else could contribute to
a high water bill?
Answer: You may want to check to see if a toilet is leaking.
First, check the water level to ensure that water is not overflowing the
tank by way of the overflow pipe. This is the pipe in the middle of the
tank. It has a small tubing connected to it. If water is running into
the overflow, adjust the fill valve to stop the flow approximately 1 inch
below the top of the overflow tube or to the water level mark stamped
on the side of the tank. Second, put a few drops of food colouring into
the tank to test the flush valve mechanism. If the water in the bowl changes
colour within 15 minutes, this is an indication that water is leaking
into the toilet bowl and that the ball or flapper needs to be replaced.
How
often should my septic tank system be inspected?
Question: How often should I have my septic system inspected?
Answer: Septic systems should be inspected and pumped
a minimum of once every three to four years. You may not be experiencing
any problem now, but a full septic tank may allow unwanted solids to flow
into the drain field, which is the part of the system that consists of
a distribution box, with a series of connected pipes. Each pipe allows
water to flow into a bed of stone that drains into the ground. If paper
and other solids flow into the drain field it becomes blocked and ineffective.
A blocked drain field is costly to repair or replace.
Temp of hot water too
high
Question: The temperature of my hot water seems to be
higher than what I think I need. How can I conserve energy, yet also be
sure that there is an adequate amount of hot water?
Answer: Most people are comfortable with their hot water
set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is also the new standard that manufacturers
use when pre-setting it at the factory. If you have an older model, set
the thermostat at medium. On a gas model, there is a dial on the front
of the gas valve. On electric models, the thermostats (there may be two)
are concealed behind the two panels on the side of the tank. NOTE: Turn
off the electricity before removing the panels. There are exposed wires
behind the panels containing HIGH VOLTAGE.
Foul odour
coming from garbage disposer
Question: I have a foul odour coming from my garbage
disposer. What can I do to eliminate this odour?
Answer: Foul odours occur from a buildup of food debris
within the disposer. To eliminate this odour, place ice cubes and lemon
or orange peels in the disposer and run for 30 seconds. Next, squirt a
little liquid dish detergent into the disposer while it is still running.
Finally, run cold water for about 30 seconds to rinse all the debris away.
Foul odour from
basement bathroom
Question: I am getting a foul odour from a bathroom in
the basement. We hardly ever use this bathroom except when we have company.
This is embarrassing. What can we do?
Answer: Plumbing systems are designed to prevent foul
odours from entering the house by means of the trap attached to fixtures.
Traps contain water to seal out foul odours; if the water seal evaporates,
the odours enter the house. To solve this problem, pour a bucket of water
in each trap, sink, shower and floor drain. This will prevent the odours
from entering the house.
Shower Head/Faucet
Buildup
Question: My shower head and faucet aerators have a buildup
of a white substance around the area where the water comes out. Is there
anything I can do other than replace them?
Answer: The unsightly buildup is mineral deposits. To
remove these deposits from the showerhead, take a plastic bag and pour
a cup of vinegar in it. Place the bag over the showerhead and use a twist
tie to hold it in place overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and
use an old toothbrush to gently scrub off the deposits. You might be able
to remove the aerators from the faucets and allow them to soak in the
vinegar overnight.
Slow Drain
Question: Our kitchen drain has taken longer than usual
to drain during the past year. Should we have it cleaned?
Answer: Before you have the drain cleaned, try using
drain cleaner maintenance products. These products are designed to remove
the usual buildup of soap scum, grease and hair. We also have a product
to inhibit root growth in your main sewer line.
Rumbling Sound
from Water Heater
Question: When I am in the laundry room and the water
heater is operating, I hear a rumbling sound coming from the water heater.
What could cause this?
Answer: Rumbling sounds coming from a water heater are
an indication that sediment is built up on the bottom of the water heater.
What you are hearing is water that is trapped in the sediment and is boiling.
This is an indication that the water heater is not operating efficiently.
Sediment will not allow the heat to transfer to the water in the tank,
which sends the heat up the flue.
You may try draining a few gallons of water off the bottom of the water
heater tank. This is done by attaching a drain hose to the valve at the
bottom of the tank. Allow it to drain for about five minutes.
WARNING: HOT WATER IS DANGEROUS. DISCHARGE THE WATER INTO A FLOOR DRAIN,
LAUNDRY TUB OR BATHTUB. HOT WATER WILL KILL YOUR GRASS IF DISCHARGED ONTO
THE LAWN. HOT WATER WILL CRACK A TOILET BOWL IF DISCHARGED INTO THE TOILET.
Many newer models of water heaters have a new feature that prohibits the
buildup of sediment in the tank. If your heater is an older model, it
may be cost effective to replace the water heater if the buildup is severe.
Whistle Sound
Heard in Plumbing
Question: I am hearing a whistle sound that seems to
be connected to the plumbing system. It comes and goes at times, but I
can't find the cause of it. What could cause this?
Answer: The sound you are describing is usually caused
by a toilet inlet valve that is slowly leaking. To locate the leaking
toilet, remove the lid of each toilet tank and adjust the inlet valve
mechanism until it stops. Once you have found the toilet causing the problem,
repair or replace the inlet valve.
Not Enough Hot Water
Question: There are four people in our house, two adults
and two teens. We are constantly running out of hot water. After a five-minute
shower, the water starts to turn cold. This change occurred quite recently.
Help!
Answer: There are two possibilities. First, the dip tube
has broken off. This is a tube that forces incoming water to the bottom
of the tank so that hot water will be drawn off of the top. When the dip
tube breaks, cold water entering the tank mixes with the hot water and
cools it down. This can occur in both gas and electric models.
Second, if your water heater is electric, the element that heats the water
may not be operating properly, thus not heating the water to the correct
temperature. The cause of this problem could be a bad element or a thermostat
malfunction. This type of problem should be evaluated by a qualified technician.
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Plumbing Cairns
Reece Plumbing
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