10 New-Homeowner Plumbing Questions Answered!

Plumbing is one of the major systems in a home.  As a new homeowner, you’ve probably asked yourself several questions already about the plumbing.  Keep in mind regular maintenance of the plumbing system can extend the life of the equipment.  It will also improve the cost of energy used in the household.  Here are a few things you need to know so that you can enjoy trouble-free plumbing.  

There are a few reasons why your toilet might be making noise. If the noise is happening after you flush and seems to be coming from inside the tank, the float valve may just need to be adjusted. This issue is typically associated with high-pitched noise. If your toilet whistles when flushed, there may be an issue with the fill valve not closing. If your toilet is making loud noises randomly or when flushing, it could be due to loose hardware. On older toilets, the ballcock assembly is typically metal and the washer could become loose. This washer would cause the issue. If you suspect your need professional toilet repair, contact us today.

Severe cold weather causes water to freeze and expand, bursting the pipes. Pipes inside the house close to the exterior walls where there is no heat need to be insulated to avoid freezing.  Before the cold weather hits, drain the pool, sprinklers, and water spigots. Keep the outside values open so the remaining water can drain out. Then close the interior shut-off valve leading to the faucets and install a faucet insulator.

Falling rain starts out as soft water. When it hits the ground it picks up minerals – chalk, lime, calcium, and magnesium and becomes hard water. Over time, hard water builds up scale deposits clogging the pipes and preventing the flow of water. Additives are used to convert hard water to soft water. The most noticeable differences are the suds. Soft water lathers better without leaving hard water spots.  Soft water also uses less soap or detergents. If you're interested in installating a home water softening system, contact us today.

Always use cold water when operating the disposal. Cold water keeps the oils in foods from solidifying.  It’s easier for the disposal to chop up the food and move it through the pipes. Cut large pieces into smaller portions before putting them into the disposal. It prevents the blades from jamming. Avoid coffee grinds. They accumulate in the pipes blocking the water flow. Should you be reading this when it's too late and you've already broken your disposal, contact us for quick and easy disposal replacement.

There may be solid material in the pipe causing the clog. Hair, grease, or paper products in the drain systems are usually the cause. Tree roots are notorious for growing around the pipes and crushing them. Structural damage to the pipes caused by age or exterior damage blocks the flow of water. Heavy rains or melting snow can also overload drain capacities causing back-ups. To find out what could be causing the back up you could hire SWAN for a drain camera inspection.

A broken strap that holds the pipe in place causes a rattling noise as water moves through the pipe. You’ll need to locate the noise to re-strap and insulate the pipe. If the noise is coming from behind the wall – the wall needs to be opened. Check the water pressure. Pipes have PSI ratings. Too much pressure can cause noises or damage the piping.

Could it be the number of users in the household using water at the same time?  The water tank may be too small to accommodate the household.  The dip tube in a gas water heater could be broken.  Electrical water tanks have a heating element that can burn out. For further information regarding water heaters, you can check out our water heater pages.

Each of these actions triggers the flow of water. The water distribution at the same time causes the water pressure to drop.  One solution depends on the type of shower control valve. The valves can reduce or eliminate temperature fluctuations. Thermostatic mixing valves automatically balance the hot and cold water.  It prevents drastic fluctuations in shower temperature when someone turns on a faucet or flushes the toilet.

Home filtration systems can reduce the bad taste in water from the tap.  These systems remove the chlorine and odor.  Carbon filtrations help to remove the hydrogen sulfide that smells like rotten eggs.  Reverse Osmosis water filtration systems also remove the chemicals from the tap water.  Most systems are low maintenance. Learn more about how SWAN installs water filtration systems here.

After each flush, a lever opens the flapper in the tank.  The flapper falls back into place when the water level drops. The flapper acts like a plug allowing the tank water to refill on each flush.  If the chain is too long the flapper won’t open for a full flush. A short or tangled chain prevents the flapper from closing to refill the tank.

If you have any additional questions or would like service for any of the issues listed above, call Swan today! Don’t forget to check out our superb reviews !