Frequently Asked Questions for Plumbing
Faucets and sinks
Water Heaters
Shower Heads
Septic Systems
Toilets
Water Pipes
Water Softening
Faucets and sinks
Q: How can I increase the water pressure in my bath or kitchen faucet?
A: First check the service shutoff valves under your sink to make sure it's fully open. You may also need to clean your aerator. If rubber washers or seals have begun to deteriorate, you'll also lose water pressure. Vertex has several types of water pressure booster systems available to increase the water pressure to the whole house.
Q: What should I do to take care of my faucets and sinks?
A: Even small drips can waste thousands of gallons of water, as much as 150 gallons a day! Be sure to check under sinks for moisture or small leaks. And always repair leaky faucets right away to avoid paying for wasted water and also to avoid water damage to your fixtures and pipes. Remove and clean your faucets aerators annually to ensure an even flow of water. Make sure overflow holes on tubs and vanities are clear and open to prevent water damage to floors and ceilings. These items and more are covered in a Comfort Shield maintenance agreement.
Q: How can I prevent clogged drains?
A: Do not rinse fats or cooking oils down the kitchen sink. Liquid fats solidify in the cold pipes and create clogs. To help prevent clogs, fit all your tubs and shower drains with a strainer that catches hair and soap chips and clean the strainer regularly. You can also use enzyme treatments to keep the drains open. If a particular drain continues to clog over time let the professionals at Vertex evaluate the pipe configuration to determine if the cause might be improper pipe system design. Many drainage problems can be corrected with proper pipe installation.
Q: What should I do if my garbage disposal stops working?
A: Before calling a professional, be sure to try the reset switch located on the bottom of most disposals. Never use your hands to remove items from your garbage disposal.
Q: How can I eliminate foul odors coming from my garbage disposal?
A: Foul odors occur from a buildup of food debris within the disposal. To eliminate this odor, place ice cubes and lemon or orange peels in the disposal and run for 30 seconds. Next, squirt a little liquid dish detergent into the disposal while it is still running. Finally, run cold water for about 30 seconds to rinse all the debris away.
Q: Should I close and open the main water supply shutoff valve periodically?
A: Yes. You want to make sure they are not stuck in the open position just when you have a water emergency. Do the same periodic check for the shutoff valves on your sinks, tubs and toilets. When you close and open a valve there is the possibility of a small leak at the stem. You can repair this small leak by tightening the nut just below the faucet handle.
Q: Are caustic liquid drain openers (like Draino or Liquid Plumber) harmful to pipes?
A: For minor clogs, they are adequate but never use them on a drain that is completely clogged. The caustic ingredients are trapped in your pipes and it can severely damage then. Never use caustic drain openers in a drain that has a garbage disposal.
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Water Heaters
Q: How long can I expect my water heater to last? What is the warranty?
A: A typical warranty is 6 to 12 years, which is also the average life of a tank. The main cause of shortened water heater life is poor water conditions. If you think that your water heater did not last very long, have the water checked for acid and hardness. Vertex Mechanical has systems to correct these water problems. Also most water heaters contain an anode rod that protects the heater from corrosion. These rods are a replaceable part and can greatly extend the life of your water heater. You can pay extra for insurance.
Q: Is my water heater the right size?
A: A thirty gallon tank will just about supply enough hot water for 2 back to back showers. Ask the professionals at Vertex Mechanical if your current tank is appropriately sized for your family or business.
Q: What is the correct setting for the water temperature on my water heater?
A: Generally setting at 120 degrees F is best for both energy savings and safety. The risk of scalding particularly in children increases dramatically as the temperature goes up. If you run out of hot water when set at this temperature, we can install a mixing valve which will extend the amount of usable hot water.
Q: What is the most energy efficient type of water heater?
A: Gas water heaters are more efficient because they reheat the hot water faster than electric water heaters. If your heater is more than 12 years old, it's not transferring heat to the water as quickly as a new water heater.
Q: How do conventional water heaters compare with tankless water heaters?
A: Conventional water heaters are by far the most common type of water heater in the U.S. today. They range in size from 20 to 80 gallons (or larger) and are fueled by electricity, natural gas, propane, or oil. Called ‘storage’ units, these water heaters transfer heat from a burner or coil to water in an insulated tank. The total costs for hot water are three-fold. First, there's the energy cost, secondly the heat transfer efficiency, and thirdly, the heat loss to the atmosphere from storage, or "stand-bye losses". We won't discuss energy cost comparisons here, so we'll focus on heat transfer and stand-bye losses. In an electric water heater, the heat transfer is near 100% efficient, where as in a gas water heater it may be as low as 60% efficient. Then there's the stand-bye loss. Older tanks can have a loss of up to 6 degrees per hour. Tankless water heaters do not contain a storage tank like conventional water heaters so they eliminate stand-bye losses. The Navien models Vertex installs have a combustion efficiency of 98% vs 60%, using less fuel in the process. Water heaters can be replaced easily even on holidays. Tankless water heaters cannot usually be repaired on a holiday, parts are expensive with a longer waiting time. Tankless water heaters have a longer wait time as no water is hot when you turn on your faucet since it has to pass through a coil to be heated.
Q: What is Instant Hot Water? How does it save me money?
A: Instant Hot Water is a hot water recirculation system that circulates hot water in your home. When you open a fixture the warm water is there. There is no need to run water down the drain waiting for hot water to arrive. Did you know that hot water recirculation systems save water, energy and money; the average family of four wastes up to 17,000 gallons of water per year just waiting for hot water to arrive. A hot water recirculation system eliminates waste and provides the convenience of instant hot water. They work in existing homes, too! Vertex Mechanical has systems that will work in residential and commercial settings.
Q: What if my water heater tank bursts?
A: Vertex has several products available to stop the damage from leaking water heaters or other appliances. Sadly most customers only think of this option after the water heater has leaked. These devices function automatically to stop the water flow before large scale damage occurs.
Q: Why doesn't my old water heater work as well as it used to?
A: This is usually due to a sediment buildup in your tank. As water heaters grow older they accumulate sediment and lime deposits. If these deposits are not removed periodically, the sediment will create a barrier between the burner and the water, greatly reducing the water heater's performance level. At least once every year, drain all of the water from the tank. Draining the heater on a regular basis helps remove the sediment. Water treatment (softener or filter) will eliminate or greatly reduce this problem. Call Vertex for a free water test. 717-335-2633
Q: I can hear a rumbling sound coming from our water heater. What could be causing this?
A: Rumbling sounds coming from a water heater are an indication that sediment has built up on the bottom of the water heater. What you are hearing is water that is trapped in the sediment and is boiling. This is an indication that the water heater is not operating efficiently. Sediment will not allow the heat to transfer to the water in the tank, which sends the heat up the flue. You may try draining a few gallons of water off the bottom of the water heater tank. This is done by attaching a drain hose to the valve at the bottom of the tank. Allow it to drain for about 5 minutes. Again, water treatment is a long term solution to this problem. Ask Vertex about whole house water treatment systems.
WARNING: HOT WATER IS DANGEROUS. DISCHARGE THE WATER INTO A FLOOR DRAIN, LAUNDRY TUB OR BATHTUB. HOT WATER WILL KILL YOUR GRASS IF DISCHARDED ONTO THE LAWN. HOT WATER WILL CRACK A TOILET BOWL, IF DISCHARGED INTO THE TOILET.
Q: What causes the rusty, or blue/green staining of fixtures and faucets?
A: Several causes can explain these color changes. Most indicate a particular water condition, most of which can be corrected. Rust stains often indicate iron in the water supply. Several types of water treatment are available to remove iron from the water. Let Vertex test your water free of charge and help to determine the best way to remove the iron. Rusty water can be caused by old galvanized pipe. This pipe has often been misidentified as lead pipe. It is steel pipe with a zinc coating. After the coating wears off of the inside, the steel rusts. This causes the discoloring. Repiping may be the only way to eliminate this problem. The blue or blue green color is most often caused by the interaction of acid in the water with copper or brass in the plumbing system. Again this is a treatable water condition. An acid neutralizer uses a calcium based natural mineral to neutralize the acid in the water.
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Shower Heads
Q: My shower head and faucet aerators have a build up of a white substance around the area where the water comes out. Is there anything I can do other than replace them?
A: The unsightly buildup is mineral deposits. To remove these deposits from the shower head, take a plastic bag and pour a cup of vinegar in it. Place the bag over the shower head and use a twist tie to hold it in place overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub off the deposits. You might be able to remove the aerators from the faucets and allow them to soak in the vinegar over night. A water softener will correct this problem.
Septic Systems
Q: How often should I have my septic system inspected?
A: Septic systems should be inspected and pumped a minimum of once every three years. You may not be experiencing any problem now, but a full septic tank may allow unwanted solids to flow into the drain field, which is the part of the system that consists of a distribution box with a series of connected pipes. Each pipe allows water to flow into a bed of stone that drains into the ground. If paper and other solids flow into the drain field it becomes blocked and ineffective. A blocked drain field is costly to repair or replace.
Q: How can I prevent the invasion of roots in the main sewer line?
A: The best long term solution to root problems is to replace the pipe. Because this is a very expensive prospect, Vertex Mechanical offers these alternatives to replacement. Vertex has equipment to remove roots from the sewer system. And preventing the return of roots can be done with a two or three part maintenance program. First the pipe will probably need to be cleaned on a yearly basis. Second a chemical root destroyer can be added on a monthly or more often basis. Thirdly if the roots are at a known spot in the pipe, a root destroyer can be added outside the pipe to kill the roots (but not the tree) in the area of the pipe.
Toilets
Q: Recently my water bills appear to be rather high. None of the faucets appear to leak. What else could contribute to a high water bill?
A: Toilets are often the source of an unseen water leak. To find a toilet water leak, first check the water level to ensure that water is not overflowing the tank by way of the overflow pipe. This is the pipe in the middle of the tank. It has small tubing connected to it. If water is running into the overflow, the e fill valve can be adjusted to stop the flow approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube or to the water level mark stamped on the side of the tank. If this does not work, the fill valve will need to be replaced. Second, put a few drops of food coloring into the tank to test the flush valve mechanism. If the water in the bowl changes color within 15 minutes, this is an indication that water is leaking into the toilet bowl and that the ball or flapper needs to be replaced. Vertex offers a toilet rebuild program that replaces all of the working parts in the toilet and includes a one year warranty on the parts and service.
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Water Pipes
Q: How can I prevent my water pipes from bursting during the severe cold weather months?
A: Make sure all outside faucets have the garden hose disconnected. Make sure all vents are covered on crawl space to allow for no drafts. Proper insulation and pipe routing is the best method of preventing freeze problems. All plumbing on outside walls should be protected by properly insulating the wall and effectively placing the pipe in the heated space. Some temporary measures include leaving faucets dripping and leaving cabinet doors open for room temperature ventilation during extreme cold. Some pipes can have heat tape added to prevent freezing problems.
Water Softening
Q: Is there really a difference between hard water and soft?
A: Yes. Water treatment is a solution to many plumbing problems. Quite often, "hard water" is the culprit. Hard water has a large amount of calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water at the source. Some of the symptoms of hard water are excessive soap consumption, pipe scaling, faucet and fixture deterioration, skin problems, excessive wear or dull drab laundry. However, water problems go far beyond “hard” water. If you have, discoloration, taste and odor problems then you have a water problem. Also remember that you could have bacteria in a non public water supply. Vertex Mechanical can install a treatment system in your home that will not only provide you with soft water for cleaning and bathing, but also solve your problem drinking and cooking water issues.
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