Ask Our Experts
Umbrella Plumbing & Drain Cleaning LLC has more than 20 years' plumbing and drain cleaning experience. Here are some useful plumbing tips and answers to some common questions from our experts.
Plumbing Tips
Leaks
To prevent minor leaks in pipes or fixtures from causing major water damage, make sure you know the location of all area shut-off valves throughout your home. Most new houses will have a shut-off valve for each fixture, and all homes have a main water shut-off valve. The main shut-off is usually in the basement where the water line enters the house from either the borough or your well. If a leak does occur, close the appropriate shut-off valve to prevent further water damage, and then call Umbrella Plumbing & Drain Cleaning LLC to schedule a service call.
Gas Water Heaters
A clean and unobstructed vent is very important for a gas water heater to operate safely. Keep obstructions (snow, leaves, etc.) clear of the outside vent of a power-vented water heater. If your water heater has cycled off due to a power outage, breaker trip, or some other similar reason, first unplug the power vent and then plug it back in again. The water heater should restart. If it does not, call Umbrella Plumbing & Drain Cleaning LLC to schedule a service call.
Cleaning Plumbing Fixtures
When cleaning tubs, whirlpools, sinks, faucets, etc., be sure to use non-abrasive cleaners. Abrasive cleaners may scratch or crack your new accessories. To prolong the shine of polished brass fixtures, wipe off any excess moisture. When finished using your sink or tub/shower, use a dry towel to wipe off the excess moisture. This, too, will prolong the finish of the brass. Clean acrylic fixtures with multi-purpose or glass cleaner, as foaming cleansers tend to damage the finish and cause the fixtures to crack. If you are thinking about replacing old, damaged faucets and fixtures, call Umbrella Plumbing & Drain Cleaning LLC to discover what is available.
Outside Faucets
During winter months, never leave a hose hooked up to an outside faucet. A connected hose prevents proper drainage, causing the faucet to freeze and split. New-style outside faucets, connected to a hose, may spray you if not turned off properly. With the hose still attached, slowly turn the faucet handle off. Water will run out of the faucet head until all the pressure has been released. The faucet sprays to release excess water, thus making it frost proof.
Toilets
The federal government requires the installation of 1.6 gallon-per-flush toilets in all new construction and remodel applications. This saves water but also has caused toilets to become easily clogged. Avoid dropping foreign objects into the toilet. Toys, pencils, rags, diapers, or even excessive amounts of toilet paper can clog your toilet. If a clog does occur, the use of a plunger may resolve the problem. If you face consistent clogs with your toilet and do not like using a plunger, installing a power flush toilet (air pressure system) may be a solution for you. Call Umbrella Plumbing & Drain Cleaning LLC to find out more about this option.
Common Questions
Q: Why don't I have any hot water?
A: If you have an electric water heater, push the reset button on the thermostat. If it does not restart, call Umbrella Plumbing & Drain Cleaning LLC to schedule a service call. If you have a power-vented gas water heater (a motor on top of the unit forces the vent gases out of the house), unplug the motor, wait 15 seconds, then plug it back in to reset the unit. (Some units may have a power switch. You will need to turn the switch completely off, wait 15 seconds, then turn it back on.) These two solutions are a temporary fix, and could be due to a power surge or some similar scenario. If you have to reset the water heater a second time within a one month period, you may have a more serious problem and should call Umbrella Plumbing & Drain Cleaning LLC to schedule a service call. If you have a B-vented gas water heater (which relies on gravity to exhaust the vent gases out of the house) and you have no hot water, the problem will require professional attention. Call Umbrella Plumbing & Drain Cleaning LLC to schedule a service call.
Q: Why won't my garbage disposal work?
A: You may have jammed the disposal, in which case it will shut down. Try to remove any jammed items, then hit the reset button located on the disposal and try to turn the disposal back on. If you continue to have problems, call Umbrella Plumbing & Drain Cleaning LLC to schedule a service call.
