Homeowners have many different questions about their plumbing, especially when it’s related to a particular problem they are having at the time. Here are four of the most common questions people have about plumbing.
How do I find a good plumber?
The best way to choose a good plumber is to do your homework. This is assuming you have the time to do it, that your home isn’t filling with water, and you need to find someone to help remedy your plumbing emergency.
Do as much research as you can. First, you can check with friends and neighbors for the names of people they might have used. If you have the name of a particular plumber, check to see that he is licensed. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints lodged against him and if he has a good record of taking care of disputes.
Get references from the licensed plumber and then check with them and see what they have to say about him. Ask the plumber for an estimate on the problem you need him to repair. It would also be a good idea to check out several plumbers and get estimates from each. Also, ask the plumber any questions you have to help determine if he is the right fit.
How do I prevent my pipes from freezing?
If the pipes are exposed and you can access them, you can wrap them with foam or insulating material and then bind it with electrical tape. There is also electrical wire heating wrap that will prevent pipes from freezing.
If the pipes are hidden behind a wall, you can drill small holes in the wall and then cover the pipes with insulating foam. If there is no way to access the pipes at all, allowing a small trickle of water to run through them will slow down the freezing.
My water bill is much higher than usual. What is going on?
This usually means that you have a leak somewhere in the house, and you need to do an inspection. Check all of your faucets, inside and outside, to see if any are dripping. Put a little food dye in the tank of each toilet and then wait about 15 to 20 minutes. If you see the dye in the bowl, it means you have a leak.
Check the water heater to make sure it is not leaking. Then look for damp spots on the walls, floors, and ceilings, which is a sign that you may have some leaky pipes.
What uses the most water in the house?
It might seem that running a bath or shower would use the most water. But that isn’t true. Toilets are actually the real water guzzlers in the house. That is why you need to take care of a leaky toilet right away. If you allow it to run continuously, you are going to have a big water bill.
Plumbing Dynamics has more than 25 years of experience serving homeowners and businesses with their plumbing needs. Whether you need an emergency plumbing visit or are looking for some maintenance work on your plumbing, contact us today.
