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Sometimes having an issue with home plumbing can be a hassle to deal with for any homeowner. Home plumbing systems generally present the same or similar problems to all homeowners, even those from Pantego, TX. If you have a question for a plumber, rest assured that other homeowners have probably encountered the same ones. In fact, how to unclog the toilet is one of the most commonly asked questions in Google with over 70, 000 searches per month. There must be very many clogged toilets.

As the customer-oriented company we are, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing went on to identify the most common plumbing questions people in the U.S search for on the net. Better yet, we had them answered by our plumbing professionals who have years of experience in the plumbing industry. Look at the following Q&As, which address a variety of common plumbing problems answered by our plumbers.

Why is my water cloudy, and how can I fix it?

Turning on the tap and seeing water that is dusty, cloudy, or milky can be alarming. However, you should take it easy. Several factors can lead to this phenomenon happening. Some of them include:

Dirt

Tiny dust particles can find their way into your water, causing the sudden change in color. The cloudy look may be due to the particles suspended in the water. Although the water looks unhealthy, it may sometimes be drinkable and harmless.

To clear up the water, you can buy a filter and call an emergency plumber from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth for help.

Sulfur

This element is usually the culprit behind a cloudy water look and sometimes a rotten egg smell. If you murky water is accompanied by an unpleasant odor, it means that hydrogen sulfide is present in the water.

Additionally, sulfur bacteria thrive in areas with little oxygen and decaying organic matter. This bacterium produces hydrogen sulfide gas, and it is dissolvable in your water. Although sulfur is not considered a threat to human health, it is still advisable to have a plumber check your water to make sure it is safe.

Bubbles

As easy as it seems, air bubbles are often responsible for foggy waters, especially in the cold season. The changes in temperature and pressure unite to create air bubbles in the water. Air bubbles are harmless and just need time to leave your water. No need for a professional plumber here.

Should I turn my water off when I go on vacation?

Many homeowners do not consider water shut off as part of their vacation preparation list. No matter which way you look at it, water systems will not be fine while you are away. Plumbers will tell you leaving the water valve on when you travel is risky.

Although nobody will be around to use the water, it does not mean that you will not face accidents such as leaks when you are away. A small leak can turn into an entire house flooding by the time you are back. If you remembered to pack all your essentials during your trip, please remember to shut off the water too.

It can be heartbreaking to receive a call from your neighbor informing you that your house has flooded. The most advisable thing to do is to shut off all the water from the main valve before you leave. Also, make sure to turn off the gas valve and electricity. Away from that, also remember to have a nice trip.

Where do I shut off the main water?

The main water shut off valve is the appliance responsible for all the water streaming through your plumbing system. Now that you know you need to shut off the water from your house as you travel, only one problem remains. Where is the main valve?

Although the main valve might vary in position from house to house, finding it should not be a piece of work. Here are some clues from our plumbers:

• Check in the basement
• Check near the perimeter
• Check your home inspection report
• Check behind the access panel
• Locate the outdoor meter and check the nearest point of the exterior of your home.

If it is still hard to locate the main water shut off valve, contact a plumber for help.

Why is my water bill so high?

Nobody likes seeing a hike in any bill—especially not the water bills. If you are used to paying the water bills yourself, then you probably have a monthly budget for all your bills. However, this particular month the bill seems to have sharply increased. The following factors may have caused that:

Leaky taps or faucets

According to EPA, the average US household loses around 10,000 gallons of water annually through leaks. Ten percent of homes lose approximately 90 gallons or more per day. As a resident of Pantego, TX, you do not want to be in that percentage and our plumbers want to help.

Leaking Toilets

Toilets contribute to 24% of the water used daily in an average household. Now picture the damage caused if there is a leak. It is estimated that a leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. 

Leaky line

So, you do not have a leaky toilet or faucet. Maybe the problem is a leaking underground pipe. Tree roots damaging the pipes or earthquakes, causing shifting of the pipes can cause these problems. This problem might prove a bit difficult to identify unless with professional plumber helping.

Water waste

The final reason that many homeowners never accept is that your water bill is high because it is being used recklessly. Overwatering your lawn or long showers could be one of the reasons for this.

Inefficient fixtures

Outdated fixtures are the causes of leaks and many other plumbing problems. If you experience high water bills, it might be time to call a plumber to replace all the obsolete plumbing work.

Should I disconnect my hose during winter even if it is frost-free?

Although your plug says frost-free, you still have to move it inside during winter. Why? This is because after every time a hose is used, a certain percentage of water remains inside. During extremely cold temperatures, this water will freeze and cause the pipes to crack.

With a frost-free plug, the crack might go unnoticed, and the water might end up sipping into your home when you are away. Prevent all this by disconnecting the hose from the spigot. 

Why is water leaking through the ceiling from my light fixture?

You were probably having supper when you suddenly noticed that the light right above your dining table or the light holder is full of water or gradually filling up with water. In some cases, the water might even trickle down onto your table.

Even though this is enough to bring panic, you must remain calm. This situation is just a red flag that your house might be leaking somewhere. It also shows that the plumbing emergency that needs correction.

Call an emergency plumber in Pantego, TX, from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, and our experts will be right there to help. In the meantime, to ensure that you and your family are safe before we arrive, follow the following steps:

1. Do not turn off that individual light. Instead, go to the main meter box and cut the power supply of the whole house.
2. If you can identify the cause of the leak, shut off the water straight away. If you have no idea of the cause of the leak, shut off all the water from the main water shut off valve.
3. Do not try to drain water or touch the light even when wearing gloves. Electricity is a strong force of nature that you should stay clear off if you do not have the proper training.
4. Call professional help immediately.

What is safe to put in my garbage disposal?

The garbage disposal goes through a lot. Many homeowners are not sure of what should and should not pass through there. The most common misconception about garbage disposals is that you have to use hot water when running the disposal.

Although you might think that the hot water will help act as an antiseptic, plumbers would suggest it might be doing more bad than good. Hot water can lead to problems with your pipes since soft water naturally softens or melts fats and greases. These fats can then harden down the pipe at problematic locations, leading to clogs. Therefore it is best to use cold water when flushing down fat and grease in huge chunks.

When it comes to the solid, which can pass through your garbage disposal, all food waste qualifies for passing through the disposal. However, you should avoid shells, husks, and high fiber foods that can be stuck. Also, note that you should never pass non-food garbage through the disposal.

I have no hot water in my home, what happened?

Nothing is more stressful than not getting hot water in your home when you least expected it. If warm water is no longer flowing in all of your pipes, the cause might vary depending on the type of water heater you have.

For the homeowners who have gas water heaters, the first suspect for hot water loss might be a lack of gas. You know you have a gas-based system if you see a giant tank somewhere on your property. If for any reason, the gas is disrupted from reaching the heater, there is no way the heater will raise the temperature of the water. A gas disruption might be a sign of a gas leak, which requires checking immediately by a professional plumber.

Another reason might be that you use water faster than it is heating. Traditional gas water heaters are limited to the size of your tank. If by any chance, you use a lot of hot water in a short amount of time, the water will eventually run out until the tank refills and reheats more water. If this is the case, then moving to newer Tankless Water Heaters may be the right option for you.

On the other hand, if your home has an electric water heater and you suddenly lack water, it might be due to a faulty electrical piece inside the heater. With these types of heaters, you use a thermostat to regulate the temperature you want your water heater. Hence, a defective thermostat might lead to the water being heated to a lower temperature than the one you requested.

Another contributor might be a tripped circuit. An electrical water heater requires electricity to function. If the circuit breaker trips, your water heater will not work.

Both of these problems require a professional plumber. Choosing to go the DIY way not only puts your life at risk but those of your loved ones too. Trust our plumbers always to get the job done. As soon as you call, we will be there as soon as we can so you do not have to try fixing the problems yourself.

Is there a difference between hard and soft water?

Yes. Understanding the difference is crucial for your home and health. Hard water can create real issues for appliances and plumbing at home, such as:

• Pipe Scaling
• Undesirable taste or odors from your water
• Excessive soap consumption
• Faucet and fixture deterioration
• In extreme cases a skin condition

Hard water contains a wide range of dissolved minerals, which can build up in appliances causing all these problems.

In contrast, soft water has little to no mineral contents. Both these water types have pros and cons depending on the function within the home. For example, soft water is right for your plumbing system and washing. However, hard water is the best for drinking.

Get Professional Answers to More Plumbing Repair Questions

Do you have more questions or need further assistance with plumbing repairs in Pantego, TX? Do not pause to contact the expert plumbers from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth. Our qualified technicians are always ready to offer you any sort of assistance you may need.

With years of experience, we are dedicated to offering expert plumbing services from a team that understands the value of your time and money. No matter the plumbing issue, whether big or small, Benjamin Franklin has your back. Contact us today to get a quotation from our Plumbers.