Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I prevent my drains from clogging?

A: Unfortunately, drain clogs are a pretty common occurrence in households everywhere. While you may not be able to permanently prevent them from clogging up, there are a few things you can do to try. The first is to ensure you are not rinsing fats or cooking oils down your kitchen sink, as fats solidify in the pipes and create clogs. Another thing you can do is to install a strainer on your tub and shower drains to catch hair and other debris that may fall down there. Lastly, try using Bio-Clean to clear your pipes.

Q: Bio-Clean? I thought liquid drain cleaners were harmful to my pipes?

A: In many cases, they are. Chemicals like Drano and Liquid Plumber are harmful to your drains, as they erode your pipes and cause them to leak. Our team here at Outstanding Plumbing will only suggest you use Bio-Clean, as it's a safe, natural drain cleaning option.

Q: What is the best way I can check to see if I have a toilet leak?

A: If you suspect that you have a leak in your home, and think it's because of the toilet, you can perform a "Dye Test" to confirm. A dye test is done by placing a tablet in the toilet tank that will change the color of the water, and watching to see if it seeps into your toilet bowl.

Q: The water pressure in my bathroom faucet is pretty low. How can I increase it?

A: Increasing the water pressure yourself might be a little difficult, especially if you are in an area where there is commonly low water pressure. In that case, the proper equipment and application can fix the problem. But, if it's a sudden change in pressure, remove the aerator - located at the very end of the spout - and check for sediment. Too much buildup could be restricting the flow and causing a decrease in pressure. Either way, you'd want to call us in to restore it!

Q: What can you do to stop my pipes from vibrating?

A: Because this could be caused by a number of different things, we would need to do an evaluation to determine exactly what the problem is. However, most commonly we would suggest installing a domestic expansion tank.

Q: Why doesn't my water heater work as well as it used to?

A: The number one thing to look at is how old your current unit is. If it's more than 12 years old, you are probably due for a new tank and that's why you are seeing problems with the old one. The biggest problem we see with older water heaters is sediment that has built up on the bottom of the tank. Going forward, if you want to prevent this problem from happening to your tank - new or old - it's suggested that you have it flushed out annually.

If you have any further questions you need answered, or just need immediate service, call Outstanding Plumbing today!