The Answers to the Most Common Plumbing Questions

Are you experiencing plumbing problems? Gladiator Services can help. Call us at 201-571-1715.

A functioning plumbing system is essential to clean, comfortable, and healthy living. We're Hillsdale's plumbing experts and are a top-rated provider of plumbing services.

Gladiator Services can tell you everything you want to know about plumbing. If you have plumbing questions, keep reading to discover the answers. 

Why Does My Drain Clog?

A clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing problems. Most issues occur from ignoring regular cleaning and washing the wrong materials down your drain.

Kitchen Drains

Kitchen drains are susceptible to build up from grease and other food waste. Never empty fat or grease from meat into your sink, and avoid washing food waste down the drain as much as possible.

Soap from washing your hands or doing dishes can also clog your drains, so it's important to clean them regularly.

Bathroom Drains

Bathroom drains are most vulnerable to the buildup of soap scum, shampoo, and other hygiene products. Another common problem for shower drains is clogs from discarded hair. You can prevent these blockages by installing a hair catcher and cleaning and emptying it at least once a week, depending on how many people use your shower.

Why Is My Toilet Running?

A running toilet isn't just annoying background noise; it wastes a lot of water and increases your water bills. The most common and easy-to-fix problem is the flap at the bottom of the tank not sealing properly. You can examine it by taking the cover off the tank and seeing if it closes when you flush.

Jiggling the handle can help by repositioning the flap, but it's not 100% effective. A damaged or aging flapper requires complete replacement, which is an easy and affordable job for your plumber.

Why Don't I Have Enough Hot Water?

No one likes a cold shower they didn't expect, but if your water heater frequently runs out of hot water, that's exactly what you'll experience. The most common cause of losing hot water is your water heater's tank type.

In an electric water heater, either of the two heating elements can fail, requiring replacement before you can reclaim your hot water. In gas heaters, it's the dip tube. You also might not have the proper tank size for your family's needs.

If you believe your water heater is below the required capacity, consider upgrading to a larger size or installing a tankless water heater, which is much more efficient.

What's the Difference Between Hard and Soft Water?

Ignoring the differences between hard and soft water can actually damage your home and health. Whereas hard water contains large concentrations of minerals like calcium and magnesium, soft water contains low levels of these minerals.

Hard water can cause damage to your clothes and bathroom fixtures and can cause skin issues for sensitive people. If you have hard water, consider installing a water softener.

Why Is My Water Bill So High?

As one of the most important plumbing questions, the answer can help you save money long-term. Leaky pipes are the most common cause of sustained high water bills, but if you don't detect a leak, there are a few other things to check.

Check your toilet to make sure it's not running. You can also check your water meter. If it's running even when you're not using water, you have a leak somewhere you can't detect.

How Do I Handle a Major Water Leak?

When your home suffers burst pipes, it's a plumbing emergency. If you don't get help fast, you'll cause serious damage to your home and likely develop mold that can damage your health.

To mitigate damage, shut off your water at the main supply line. If you don't know where that is, find it now and make sure every member of your family knows where it is and how to shut it off.

With the water access controlled, call your plumber for emergency service. Do not touch any electrical components that go wet during the burst.

Should I Use Chemical Drain Cleaners?

There's no reason to use chemical cleaners on your drain. Not only are they extremely dangerous to pets and children, but they can also damage and degrade your pipes.

To practice good drain maintenance, use cleaners that utilize natural bacteria and avoid drain-clogging materials like hair or food waste. For serious clogs, contact a professional plumber who can use specialized tools to clear the blockage.

What Can I Put Down My Garbage Disposal?

Many people think they can put anything down their garbage disposal, but that isn't the case. Hard or compacted materials like bone or coffee grounds can wear out your disposal and reduce its effectiveness, and fibrous substances like corn husks can jam it. Most other small or soft food waste is fine.

Always run water when you use your garbage disposal to help break up the food.

How Do I Choose a Plumber?

If it's not an emergency, take time to do your research by reading the company's online reviews and testimonials. You can also check with your local Better Business Bureau for their ratings.

Why Does My Water Heater Rumble?

Your water heater naturally makes some noise, but if you notice rumbling, it could mean one of two problems: steam or sediment in the tank. If the problem is steam, you can often correct the issue by turning down the heater's thermostat.

To drain the sediment, open the drain valve until the water runs clear. Make sure you empty the water into a bucket or your basement's drain to avoid flooding.

Call Gladiator Services for All Your Plumbing Needs

When you have plumbing questions and plumbing problems, Gladiator Services gives you the answers and solutions you're seeking. From maintenance to installation and repairs, our expert technicians can handle it all.

Whether you're wondering about types of plumbing pipes or why you smell sewage, Gladiator Services can answer all your questions. When you need repairs, call 201-571-1715 to book an appointment.