Plumbing Guides From Clog Heroes
Page 4 of 7
Straight answers on the drain, sewer, water heater, well and toilet problems we see in Fredericksburg-area homes.
All Guides, Page 4
Heat Tape on Water Pipes: Where It Goes, How to Install It Safely and How Long It Lasts
Expect 3 to 5 years from most heat tape, the electric cable that keeps exposed pipes above freezing. Before you wrap a pipe, learn the difference between manual and self-regulating tape and the four installation mistakes to avoid.
How Often Should You Flush a Tankless Water Heater? Once a Year, Twice With Hard Water
Flush a tankless water heater once a year, or every six months if you have hard water. Minerals build up inside the heat exchanger and choke its flow, and a few signs tell you a flush is due.
Water Heater Leaking From the Bottom? Three Causes and What to Do First
A loose drain valve, condensation or a corroded tank causes most leaks at the base of a water heater. Shut off the power and water first. Then use this guide to tell which one you have.
Four Ways to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger, Using What's Already in Your House
No plunger in the house? Hot water and dish soap, baking soda and vinegar or a straightened wire hanger can clear most toilet clogs. When none of them works, the clog is likely deeper than the toilet.
Five Things That Corrode Bathroom Faucets, and How to Slow Each One Down
Hard water, metal-on-metal reactions, damp air, harsh cleaners and plain age all eat at a faucet. Some habits slow the damage. Past a certain point, replacing the faucet makes more sense.
Prime a Well Pump in Six Steps and Get Your Water Running Again
When a well pump loses its prime, the faucets sputter or go dry. Six steps refill the pump with water so it can pull from the well again, and a few checks tell you why it happened.
Shower Drain Size: Why 2 Inches Is the Standard and When a 1½-Inch Drain Won't Pass
Most modern showers need a 2-inch drain, and the International Plumbing Code that Virginia follows requires it for most showers. Older homes often have 1½-inch drains that struggle with today's shower heads.
The Seven Parts Inside a Tank Water Heater and What Each One Does
A tank water heater has seven main parts, from the dip tube to the drain valve. Knowing what each one does helps you match a symptom to the part behind it.
Toilet Not Filling With Water? Check These Five Parts in Order
Five things stop most toilet tanks from refilling: a closed supply valve, a worn fill valve, clogged rim holes, low water pressure or a stuck float. Each can be checked in turn before you call a plumber.
Six Reasons the Water Pressure Is Low in Your House, and How to Tell Which One You Have
Low pressure at one faucet points to that fixture. Low pressure everywhere points to a valve, a leak, the pressure regulator or the city supply. Four checks narrow it down.
How Long Do Water Softeners Last? 10 to 15 Years, and Seven Signs Yours Is Wearing Out
Seven signs tell you a water softener is wearing out. Most last 10 to 15 years, and water hardness, salt type and maintenance decide where yours falls in that range.
Well Pump Check Valve: What It Does and Five Signs It's Failing
When the pump shuts off, a check valve keeps water from draining back down the well. Lose that and both your pressure and your pump pay for it.