FAQ

There are many possible causes, including clogs in the pipes; a bad flapper or flapper seat causing a slow leak from the tank into the bowl; or a bad float, refill tube, or inlet-valve assembly, which lets water slowly trickle into the tank. No matter the cause, call a profes­sional to have it fixed sooner rather than later. Left untreated, a running toilet can cause your water bill to rise and damage your water system.

Here are the most common causes of a clogged drain:

• Hair
• Soap
• Dirt
• Food waste
• Mineral buildup
• Toilet paper buildup

Besides being annoying, clogged drains can cause backups and serious damage to your plumbing. Ask one of our plumbing profes­sionals to conduct an inspection, find the cause, and make recommen­dations. We’ll share tips for avoiding a recurrence.

A good rule of thumb is to never put anything into your garbage disposal that’s not a biodegradable food. Non-biodegradable foods can damage the blades and motor and cause clogs. Keep these foods out of your disposal at all costs:

• Bones
• Celery
• Coffee grounds
• Fruit pits
• Grease
• Pasta
• Potato peels
• Oatmeal
• Onion skins
• Corn husks
• Rice
• Carrots

To keep your garbage disposal in good condition:

• After washing dishes, pour a little dish soap in the drain and let the garbage disposal run for a minute or so with a cold stream of water.
• Use it regularly to avoid rust and corrosion.
• Always run cold water when using your garbage disposal. This solidifies any grease or oils to keep them moving and avoid clogs and buildups.

It isn’t a good sign. It’s caused by water hammer (also called hydraulic shock), which occurs when water flow is disrupted within the pipe. Left untreated, water hammer can weaken pipe joints and cause a leak, or even break a faucet in half. Call for profes­sional service right away.

Find the outlet where your sump pump is plugged in. You’ll see two separate plugs. Unplug them both and then plug in just the one for the pump. If it doesn’t immediately turn on, it likely needs repair. You can also test your sump pump by pouring in enough water to raise the float (or you can raise it by hand). Your sump pump should kick in to pump the water away. During testing, don’t let your pump run for more than a few seconds, otherwise you could damage its motor.

• Strange rattling, clanking, or scraping noises
• An unexplained rise in your energy bills
• Less heating comfort than usual
• Overly dusty, dry, or humid indoor air
• The system is nearing the end of its average lifespan

Once a year. Annual maintenance is the only way to keep your furnace and air conditioner running at peak performance throughout the year. It can also help extend your system’s life, reduce energy bills, and improve your overall comfort.

• It rattles, scrapes, or grinds when it runs
• Warm air blows out instead of cold
• An unexplained rise in your energy bills
• There’s ice on your current unit
• The system is nearing the end of its average lifespan (typically 20 years)

No. In fact, we recommend you don’t — air conditioners are built to withstand the elements year-round, even in the harshest of winters. Plus, covered units are perfect places for rodents and critters to set up shop during the fall and winter, meaning they could damage the system itself.

The answer depends on the type of air filters you use and several household factors, including whether someone in the house has an illness or allergies, whether someone in the hose smokes indoors and whether you have pets. In general, replace standard one-inch filters every one to three months. If you use a media or high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter, clean or replace it every six to 12 months. Don’t know what filter your system needs? Our team is happy to help.

Believe it or not, indoor air pollutants can stem from anything — even cooking, carpeting and household cleaners. Here are a few common culprits:

• Mold
• Mildew
• Carbon monoxide
• Pollen
• Radon
• Pet hair
• Dust 
• Dirt

Between 30 and 50 percent. It’s important to monitor your levels because too much or too little moisture can cause comfort problems, including dry and itchy skin, bloody noses and even certain illnesses. Ask us about a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier to ensure your moisture levels stay right where they should be.

Our process is built around your needs. We’ll visit your house to get an idea of your space and the scope of the project. Then we’ll discuss your vision and what you want done, taking into account any design ideas you may have, as well as your budget. From there, we’ll draw up a design that reflects your vision and provide an estimate. Once agreed upon, we’ll get to work, making your remodeling project stress-free and streamlined. We’ll take care of everything — ordering materials, securing permits, performing the instal­lation, making sure the project meets inspection, and more.

One great way is to visit our showroom and design center, where you’ll learn about the many products and options available to you and see some inspiring design ideas. You can browse a wide range of colors, textures, patterns, materials and more. We can also refer you to our wholesalers to give you even more options. If you’re interested in our remodeling services, feel free to reach out to us to schedule a meeting with our designer!

You bet. We’re an all-inclusive, all-in-one licensed, bonded and insured plumbing contractor, able to handle all your needs.

We’ve got you covered. Whenever a project requires permits we will take care of doing the paperwork. We’ll also make sure the project meets inspection.