Frequently Asked Questions
 My kitchen faucet sprays out the sides and the flow
is less than normal. Do I need a new faucet?
This is a very common complaint, and one that many
people unnecessarily call a plumber to repair. While
there may be more than one reason the faucet is
operating poorly, the most probable cause is sand,
calcium or other build-up in the aerator. Simply unscrew
it from the faucet head, noting the exact way all the
components fit together, rinse or use a soft brush to
clean out the material that is blocking normal flow and
screw the aerator back on.
My garbage disposer is supposed to handle a variety of
table scraps, but very often it gets clogged. What's the
problem?
Although your garbage disposer can grind up many
kinds of discarded food items, there are some that will
cause clogging because they can't be liquefied enough to
pass through the drain trap and into the main sewer
line. Items like chicken skins, carrots, celery, and
banana peels are too stringy and fibrous for the
disposer to handle. Put those items into the garbage
instead. Don't fill the disposer with a lot of vegetable
peels all at once. Instead, turn the water and disposer
on first and feed the peels gradually. To reduce the
chance of clogging, run cold water (not hot) down the
drain for about 15 seconds after grinding is completed
to flush the drain line.
Then run hot water down the
drain for a few minutes once a week to help remove any
material that may cause a clog.
My shower has a weak stream. What's the cause?
It could be the pressure is being siphoned off by a
filling toilet tank, the dishwasher, washing machine or
even an irrigation system. If there is plenty of
pressure at other faucets in the house, the culprit
could be a showerhead that's been clogged by hard water
deposits. If the blockage is severe, you must remove and
clean the shower head. If the blockage is not too
severe, you may be able to clean it in place. Pour a cup
of vinegar into a plastic bag, place the bag over the
shower head and secure it with a twist tie. Leave it
there overnight. In the morning remove the bag and use a
toothbrush to gently scrub the softened deposits from
the holes.
Why does my toilet get clogged often?
If you have clogs on a regular basis, and the
bathroom sink is also running slow, you may have an
obstruction in the main sewer line. If the sink runs
free but the toilet is slow, there could be an
obstruction in the toilet trap. We often find things
like toothbrushes, hair clips, and small toys that have
stuck in the trap. If you have small children that have
been taught to flush, they tend to enjoy putting almost
anything into the toilet just to see what happens. If
your plunger can't push the obstruction past the trap,
do not try to free it with a coat hanger or other sharp
implement because you may damage the bowl. It's best to
call Rutan Plumbing at ...
How high do I have to set the temperature control on my
water heater to make sure I have an adequate supply of
hot water?
Most people are comfortable with their hot water set
at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is pre-set by
manufacturers. If you have an older model water heater,
set the thermostat at medium. On gas models there is a
dial on the front of the gas valve. On electric models
the thermostat (there may be two) is concealed behind
one or both panels on the side of the tank. NOTE: Turn
off the electricity before removing the panels to set
the thermostat.
What can I do about a foul odor coming from my garbage
disposer?
Foul odors are usually caused by food debris in the
disposer. To eliminate this odor, place ice cubes and
lemon or orange peels in the disposer and run for 30
seconds. While it is running, squirt a small amount of
liquid dish washing detergent into the disposer, then
run cold water for about 30 seconds after to rinse the
debris away. Repeat the process until there is no odor.
What about a foul odor coming from a floor drain?
Traps under sinks, drains and other plumbing systems
normally hold water to keep sewer odors out of the
house. When the drain or fixture isn't used for a period
of time, the water can evaporate, allowing odors to come
up through the trap. Simply using the fixture or pouring
a bucket of water down the drain will usually get rid of
the odor. If it doesn't, you may have an improperly
installed or damaged trap and should call Rutan Plumbing
at ….
When our water heater is operating, I hear a banging,
bubbling, rumbling sound. Should I have it checked out?
What you are hearing is boiling water that is trapped
in sediment or a layer of mineral deposits inside the
bottom of the water heater tank. Although not a cause
for alarm, it means the water heater is not operating
efficiently. Per the water heater manufacturer's
instructions, you should drain the tank for five minutes
or so every year, or more often if your water is
especially high in iron, calcium, or minerals. You drain
it by running a hose from the faucet on the bottom front
of the tank to a drain outside the house. Do NOT drain
it into a toilet, as the hot water may crack the
porcelain. If your water heater is an older model that
has not been drained regularly, the buildup of sediment
may be too much to drain out, and it will gradually heat
less efficiently until it must be replaced. Newer models
have a feature that prevents or greatly reduces sediment
buildup.
We need to replace a toilet in our home and I have been
told that new toilets don't flush properly. What do you
recommend?
To encourage water conservation, the federal
government mandated new toilets use no more than 1.6
gallons per flush. Some homeowners were not happy about
the performance of the early low-flow models, causing
manufacturers to redesign toilets that put water into
the bowl much more quickly to improve flushing. If you
choose a major brand today, you should not be
disappointed. An option is a pressurized toilet tank
that works like a commercial toilet and surge flushes.
It is much less quiet than a conventional toilet, but it
works.
I always run out of hot water by the fourth shower. What
can I do?
There are two possible causes. First, the dip tube is
broken that forces incoming water to the bottom of the
water heater tank so that hot water can be drawn off the
top. Second, with an electric water heater, the lower
heating element may not be operating properly, and only
the upper half of the tank is heating up. In either case
you should call Rutan Plumbing at … and a plumbing
technician can fix the problem.
Can I increase the water pressure in my bathroom faucet?
First, check the emergency shutoff under your sink to
make sure it’s fully open. If rubber washers or seals
have begun to deteriorate, you’ll also lose water
pressure, so check those. Calcium and lime buildup will
also cause low water pressure.
What should I do to take
care of my faucets and sinks?
Even small drips can waste thousands of gallons of
water, as much as 150 gallons a day! Be sure to check
under sinks for moisture or small leaks. And always
repair leaky faucets right away to avoid paying for
wasted water, and also to avoid water damage to your
fixtures and pipes. Remove and clean your faucet
aerators annually to ensure an even flow of water. Make
sure overflow holes on tubs and vanities are clear and
open to prevent water damage to floors and ceilings.
Can I replace my two-handled faucet with a single-handle
faucet?
Usually, faucet dimensions and sink openings are
standard throughout the plumbing industry, so the answer
is usually yes. There are a few exceptions, so check the
size of the sink opening before you buy new fixtures.
How can I prevent clogged drains?
Do not rinse fats or cooking oils down the kitchen sink.
Liquid fats solidify in the cold pipes and create clogs.
To help prevent clogs, fit all your tubs and shower
drains with a strainer that catches hair and soap chips,
and clean the strainer regularly.
What causes my kitchen
sink and washing machine drains to clog?
In most homes, the kitchen and laundry drains are
connected. When the lint from the laundry drains meets
the grease buildup from soap and food products, a nearly
solid substance is formed, causing blockage.
Using filters and strainers will help, but you’ll also
need to get the drains snaked periodically as well.
Should I close and open the main water supply shutoff
valve periodically?
Yes. You want to make sure they’re not stuck in the open
position just when you have a water emergency! Do the
same periodic check for the shutoff valves on your
sinks, tubs, and toilets, too.
Why do I hear a vibrating noise in my pipes?
Noises can be fairly common in plumbing supply lines. If
a washer in a faucet or valve is loose, you’ll hear it
rattling or knocking. If the sound occurs when you open
and close faucets rapidly, it generally means pipes are
loose, and can be corrected by anchoring pipes more
securely. If it really bothers you, you can add air
chambers at the end of long pipe runs. Their
installation will probably require a plumbing
professional.
What can I do about a sewer line blockage?
The main culprit is tree roots, and once they’ve blocked
the line, there is very little you can do. A plumbing
professional can snake the line to get it as clear as
possible, and then use copper sulfide products to kill
the remaining vegetation. But odds are the sewer line
will most likely need to be replaced.
Are caustic liquid drain openers (like Drano or Liquid
Plumber) harmful to pipes?
For minor clogs, they’re fine, but never use them on a
drain that is completely clogged. The caustic
ingredients are trapped in your pipes, and it can
severely damage them. If you can’t snake the drain
yourself, contact a professional to do so. Never use
caustic drain openers in a drain that has a garbage
disposal.
Why doesn’t my old water heater work as well as it used
to?
This is usually due to a sediment buildup in your tank.
As water heaters grow older, they accumulate sediment
and lime deposits. If these deposits are not removed
periodically, the sediment will create a barrier between
the burner and the water, greatly reducing the water
heater’s performance level. At least once every three
months, drain water from the tank. Draining a gallon or
so on a regular basis helps remove the sediment.
You should also periodically inspect your water heater
burner. The flame under the heater should appear blue
with yellow tips. If it’s mostly yellow, or if it’s
sooty under there, your flue may be clogged, which is a
dangerous situation. Contact a professional to check it
out. At least once every two years, have your water
heater inspected by a service technician. He or she will
also check the drain valve for signs of leakage, and the
anode rods for corrosion.
What’s the best way to extend the life of my garbage
disposal?
Always use plenty of cold water when running your
disposal, and avoid overloading it. Never dispose of
very hard items like bones or corn husks. And never use
a caustic drain opener. You can extend the life of your
hands by never using them to remove items dropped inside
– use tongs instead!
What should I do if my garbage disposal stops working?
Before calling a professional, be sure to try the reset
switch located on the bottom of most disposals.
What’s the best way to check for toilet leaks?
Toilet leaks can be wasteful and expensive. At least
once a year, check your toilet for leaks by adding a
small amount of red food coloring to the tank, and then
check the toilet bowl later. If the toilet bowl water is
colored red, water is seeping through from the tank. If
it is leaking, you should replace the tank ball.
Have more questions that weren't answered here?
Send us an e-mail (info@rutanplumbing.com) or call us.
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