Plumbing Guides From Clog Heroes
Page 2 of 7
Straight answers on the drain, sewer, water heater, well and toilet problems we see in Fredericksburg-area homes.
All Guides, Page 2
Garbage Disposal Clogged? Four Warning Signs, What Causes Them and What to Check First
Standing water, a hum with no grinding, a sour smell or a unit that won't start at all: each one points to a different problem. Some checks are safe to do yourself. Others mean it's time to call.
Six Toilet Tank Parts: What Each One Does and How to Tell Which One Failed
Most running, slow-filling and weak-flushing toilets trace back to one of six parts inside the tank. Each part fails with its own symptom, so the symptom points to the part.
How a Sewer Backup Alarm Warns You Before Sewage Reaches the Floor
Rising wastewater trips the float or sensor in a sewer backup alarm, which then sounds an alarm, flashes a light or both. It does a different job from a backwater valve, and four steps follow when it goes off.
Offset Toilet Flange: When It Solves the Problem and When It Creates a New One
An offset flange shifts a toilet a short distance to fit a rough-in that's off, and it narrows the flow path in the process. That trade-off decides whether it's the right part or an alternative fits better.
Five Signs Your Sewer Cleanout Is Clogged and What to Do Before You Open It
Slow drains in several rooms, gurgling tubs and water at a floor drain all point to the main sewer line. Check the cleanout safely first. Some clogs clear with jetting; others need repair.
Four Vent Stack Symptoms That Point to a Blocked Plumbing Vent
Slow drains, sewer odors, gurgling and toilets that won't flush right can all trace back to the vent on your roof. Finding a blocked vent stack starts with knowing what it does.
Sewer Smell in the House: Where It Comes From and When It's a Safety Problem
Where and when you smell it narrows a household sewer smell to its source: a dry trap, a failing sewer line, a hidden leak or a blocked vent stack. At some point, sewer gas stops being a nuisance and becomes a safety problem.
Water Leaking From the Ceiling? Four Common Sources and Three Things to Do Right Now
Burst pipes, upstairs plumbing, a water heater above or a drain line can all send water through a ceiling. Shut off the water, protect the area below and stay clear of wiring. Then find the source.
Kitchen Sink Clogged? Three Quick Checks, Then Three Fixes in the Right Order
Grease, food scraps and soap settle in the trap and the line behind the wall. Run three quick checks first. Then plunge, clean the trap and snake the drain, in that order.
Tankless Water Heater Pros and Cons: Four Advantages, Five Trade-Offs and Who Should Switch
Steady hot water and no standby loss are what a tankless heater offers. It also costs more up front, needs yearly flushing and is limited by flow rate in winter. Whether that trade pays off depends on your household.
Drip Your Faucets Below 20°F: Which Taps, How Fast and for How Long
Once it stays below 20°F for several hours, unprotected pipes are at the most risk. Drip the right faucets at one drop every second or two, and know what to do if a pipe freezes anyway.
Copper Sweat vs. SharkBite: Which Joint Lasts Longer and When Each One Makes Sense
Decades for a soldered copper joint. Seconds for a SharkBite push fitting, which also works on CPVC and PEX. Durability, code and cost decide where each one belongs.