Plumbing FAQ

Plumbing FAQfotex2020-11-26T14:03:24-08:00
What do I do if my toilet overflows?fotex2020-11-26T13:19:38-08:00

If your toilet overflows, give us a call! The wire or shaft that set the fill level may be deteriorating, or there’s a leak in the tank’s fill valve. 

What are the benefits of tankless water heaters vs. conventional heaters?fotex2020-11-26T13:19:10-08:00

One of the main benefits a tankless water heater has over a conventional heater is that it never runs out of hot water! Conventional heaters usually only have 40-60 gallons of hot water, while tankless water heaters heat the water while it passes through the system. Another benefit is that there is no risk of flooding or leaks because there’s no stored water. You’ll also see a reduction in your energy bills since you’re only heating the water your using.  

Why does the hot water in my home smell like rotten eggs?fotex2020-11-26T13:18:19-08:00

The smell of rotting eggs in the water comes from a combination of hydrogen, bacteria, and sulfur. Bacteria and sulfur are already present in the water your appliances use and will not make your sick. When the magnesium anode rod from the water heater reacts with the bacteria and sulfur in the water, it can create enough hydrogen to create an odor. Luckily, there are many ways we can fix this.

What do I do if my garbage disposal stops working?fotex2020-11-26T13:17:47-08:00

If your garbage disposal isn’t working, there are a couple of things you can try before calling anyone. First, turn off the garbage disposal and disconnect it from the power, and check if anything is jamming it (spoon, food, hard object, etc.). If you can’t find anything, plug it back in and hit the RESET button. If these two don’t work, try checking the breaker switch in your breaker box. If none of these methods work, call Atlas HVAC, Inc.

My toilet sounds like it’s constantly running. Can I fix this?fotex2020-11-26T13:17:21-08:00

Yes! There are a couple of quick and easy fixes for this:

  • In the toilet tank, there’s a little ball that rests on top of the water. This is called the float and determines how high the toilet fills. What happens is that sometimes the ball will have a crack in it, and water will seep inside the ball. If this happens, the ball won’t sit above the water, so the toilet will overfill, and water will leak into the overflow tube. This will cause an endless cycle of water flowing in and out and can wreak havoc on your water bill.
  • If the floating ball doesn’t appear to be the problem, check the chain attached to the handle. If it’s too long, it may get stuck under the flap, letting water through. If the chain’s too short, the flap won’t be able to full close and seal. Depending on the issue, you can shorten the chain or replace it with a new one.
  • If it’s neither the chain nor the float, you may have a leaky flapper valve. It’s located at the bottom of the tank and can easily be replaced with a new one.
What causes a faucet to leak?fotex2020-11-26T13:16:41-08:00

Three components hold the water back until the faucet is turned on. They are the O-ring, the gasket, and the valve seat. If one of these components is corroded, you’ll get a dripping faucet. 

What should I not put down the garbage disposal?fotex2020-11-26T13:16:10-08:00

Not everything can go down your garbage disposal. Some things can damage the blades, clog your drains, and lead to further plumbing issues down the road. Here are a couple of food items you should avoid:

  • Coffee grounds
  • Bones
  • Potato peels
  • Unpopped popcorn kernels
  • Banana peels
  • Onion skins
  • Fruit pits
  • Stringy vegetables (asparagus, celery, etc.)
  • Eggshells
  • Corn husks
What are the most common causes of pipe corrosion?fotex2020-11-26T13:15:41-08:00

Pipe corrosion can happen from many things, which are typically related to water quality. Some of the common causes are:

  • The pH of the water
  • The temperature of the water
  • The chemicals in the water
  • The amount of oxygen in the water
  • The water pressure
How much water does a dripping faucet waste?fotex2020-11-26T13:15:12-08:00

While it may not seem like a lot, a dripping water faucet can add up fast. One gallon is equal to 15,140 drops. Suppose a faucet drips 10 times in a minute. That adds up to 14,400 drips per day or 347 gallons per year. Now, that’s only from one tap. If you had three doing this, that comes out to 1,041 gallons per year! If you have a dripping faucet, don’t wait!

How do I know if I should repair or replace a leaky faucet?fotex2020-11-26T13:14:44-08:00

If the faucet is repairable, then we recommend doing that. But if it’s too far corroded or so old you can’t find replacement parts; we recommend getting a replacement.

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