FAQ

An age old problem that’s universally dreaded! Fear not! We’ve got a few simple remedies you can try before giving us a call.

1. Grab your trusty plunger and make sure the suction cup makes a complete seal around the drainage hole (the bit everything gets flushed down into.) Now, vigorously pump the plunger up and down without breaking this seal until the clog is pushed down or pulled up!
2. If the plunger didn’t work, try pouring some dish washing soap into the bowl. About half a cup. Let it sit for 30 minutes or so. This should lubricate the clog and allow it to flush normally – Repeat step 1. 
3. Still not draining?  You likely have a serious clog on your hands that might get worse. At this stage, we highly recommend calling in a professional. However, there’s one more option available to the average homeowner. A “closet auger” is a long rod with a handle on the top end and a bulb-head snake on the bottom. You can rent it at your local hardware store. Place it into the curve of the toilet, and use the handle to spin it clockwise while pushing down – applying a liberal amount of force. The snake should be able to pull out whatever is causing the stoppage.

There might be several reasons why your toilet is running. Rest assured that it isn’t haunted though! Here’s a quick list of the most common reasons that are easily remedied.

1. A worn flapper! That’s the rubber piece at the bottom of the tank which is attached to the chain. Try replacing it. Also, ensure that there is just a little slack on the chain itself. This is so that the flapper has no chance of getting stuck.
2. Another reason could be a bad fill valve. Universal replacement kits can be found at most local hardware stores. Make sure to completely shutoff the water at the valve under the toilet. Then unscrew the water line under the tank of your toilet. Loosen the lock nut at the bottom of your original fill valve, and replace it with the new parts from your kit in the same order the originals were removed. Easy! No more haunted toilets.

There are a lot of possible causes. Here are a few fixes for the most common. 

1. Fixtures like your toilet, dishwasher, or ice maker might be stopping the flow of water to early. The sudden stoppage of water can sound like a loud thud in your pipes! A simple solution is to strap down the culprit pipes to the studs in your wall or a sturdy surface. This will stop the pipe from moving freely and dampen the sound.
2. Another common problem we see are homes with very high water pressure. Lowering this to the ideal 50-70 PSI is highly recommended. Alternatively, one could install hammer arrestors. 

First things first, check the breaker which is connected to your disposal unit and ensure it hasn’t been tripped! If everything looks good, here are a few things you can check that might fix the issue.

1. Hit the reset button! Yep, your garbage disposal has one. It is usually located under the unit itself. Check around with a flashlight. If power is going into the unit, but there aren’t any signs of life, it might be time for a replacement. 
2. If you hear humming or the sound of a muffled motor however, you most likely have a clog on your hands. Start by turning off all of the power to the unit via the breaker. To remedy the clog, try inserting an Allen or Hex key into the slot under the disposal, and give it a spin in either direction to free the disposal blades. If this doesn’t fix the problem, you need to go at it from the top.
3. Once more, ensure that no power is going to the unit. Check inside the unit with a flashlight first to see if you can physically remove the clog. If you don’t see anything, you can use a tool called a garbage disposal wrench (sold at most local hardware stores),  and spin it clockwise against the blades. 

Some common indicators that you might need to replace you water heater:

1. You can no longer get water to heat up enough. Especially after already replacing the heating elements or turning the heat knob all the way.
2. You see water leaking from the base of the water heater. If this is the case, shut off the water immediately and call in a professional!
3. A lot of times, if the heater is over a decade old, servicing has likely been neglected. Yes! Your water heater requires routine maintenance too! In these cases, it might be a good time to replace your unit preemptively to avoid future problems. 

There are plenty of causes! But the fact of the matter is, water in California is expensive and precious. We can’t afford to waste any if we can help it. Especially if it’s starting to hurt our wallet!

1. The most common reasons are a leak in an appliance or fixture. Perhaps even a supply pipe somewhere on your property. If you believe this is the case, but haven’t located the leaky fixture, call a professional ASAP! Out of control leaks can wreak havoc on your interior.
2. Your fixtures might also be old, and not optimized for their maximum water saving potential. Newer toilets, faucets, and washers are now purpose built to conserve water. So consider purchasing replacements. 
3. The simple fact of the matter is, you might just be using too much water. The toilet is the highest water consuming fixture in the home on average. Accounting for almost 1/3 of a home’s total water usage. Along with long showers and running faucets, it might be a good opportunity to reevaluate how we use this precious resource; and give thought to whether or not we are wasting any.