Question: How often should I inspect my septic tank system?

Answer: Septic systems should be inspected and pumped a minimum of once every three to four years.

Question: What would cause water to leak from the vent in the plumbing system?

Answer: Water should not be leaking from your vent system. The only water that should be in your vent system should be the occasional storm water after a big storm.

Question: What could contribute to a high water bill besides leaking faucets and/or pipes?

Answer: Ninety percent of all leaks in residential plumbing systems are found in the toilet tank. Toilet tank leaks typically result from worn parts.

Question: What causes my hot water to smell like rotten eggs? My cold water doesn't smell, what is the solution for this problem?

Answer: The most common cause of “smelly water” is a non-toxic sulfate reducing bacteria, scientifically termed Divibrio Sulfurcans. This bacteria often enters the water system through construction or a break in ground piping. The bacteria creates the energy it needs to survive by converting sulfate (SO4) to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas you smell in the water. Hydrogen sulfide gas is distinctive because of its rotten egg-like stench. Its presence can severely affect the taste as well as the odor of the water.

Question: My toilet randomly empties itself of water. What would make the toilet empty itself without anyone flushing it and how can I fix it?

Answer: Their are a couple answers to this question, but this solution fixes it 99% of the time. Poor venting or no venting of the fixture. Vents allow for air flow to the toilet sewage system. Without the vent, air pockets form in the waste branches witch can cause what is called back-siphonage. The air in the system which, without a vent, can only ecscape through the sewer. It can pull the water in the trap of the toilet with it.

Question: How do you get water in the toilet tank to stop over flowing?

Answer: The fill valve in the tank has a leak in it. Also, if the fill valve has been replaced recently it is possible that it has been set too high. If the fill valve is old, it could do you no harm to replace it. Sometimes the shaft or wire that is used to set the level, corrodes off. By replacing it your problem should be fixed.

Question: Why would a water heater run out of hot water faster than normal?

Answer: If your water heater is running cold easily or frequently then several things could be happening. First check the shower head volume if shower's are too quick. A new shower head puts out about 2.5 gallons a minute. Some older heads put out 5 gallons a minute. Working with the shower head would double shower length in this case. In some cases, the dip tube on the cold water inlet has broken or worn. When this happens, it creates a short loop for the water, water at the bottom half of the tank will not be used, which makes half of your tank useless.