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Helpful Tips
Helpful Plumbing Tips from Bay Point Plumbing
The professionals at Bay Point Plumbing understand that sometimes not all plumbing issues require a professional and can be handled first hand by you with some helpful advice. Try out these helpful tips for minor issues, but don't hesitate to give us a call if you need it.
Q: I am buying a home and wondering if I need a sewer line inspection?
Always have a sewer line inspection. Purchasing a home can be expensive. Nobody wants to move into their new home to find out they need to pay for sewer line replacement, that can cost thousands of dollars. Before you negotiate a price on your new home, make sure you call Bay Point Plumbing for our sewer line video inspection. Bay Point Plumbing will tell you the sewer line condition, provide an estimate for any necessary repairs or replacements, and provide a video of the inspection.
Q: I have a foul odor coming from my kitchen sink disposal unit?
Foul orders can occur from a buildup of food debris within the disposal unit. Simply, place ice cubes, and a dish soap in the disposal to eliminate this unpleasant smell.
Q: Why does the bathroom I never use produce an unpleasant odor?
Plumbing systems are designed to prevent foul odors from entering the house by means of the water trap attached to fixtures. Water traps contain water to seal out sewer gases. If the water seal evaporates, the sewer gases will enter the house. To solve this problem, pour a bucket of water in each trap, sink, shower and floor drain. This will prevent the sewer gas odor from entering the house.
Q: My wall faucet froze and broke last winter when it was shutoff. I thought they were “Frost free”.
Frost free wall faucets only work if no garden hoses are attached to it. Failing to remove all hoses from the wall faucet my prevent it from self-draining, causing the trapped water to freeze inside of it. The expansion of the trapped water will easily break the faucet. Next time be sure to disconnect all hoses.
Q: What happens if roots get inside my sewer pipe?
If roots have entered your pipes, Bay Point Plumbing can remove the roots using powerful cutting blades. We will recommend following up this service with a camera video inspection to assess the root damage to your sewer line.
Q: How often should I have my septic field inspected?
A septic field shall be inspected and pumped out every three to five years. Check with your local health department for local regulations. Some island communities require annual inspections. You may not be experiencing any problem now, but a full septic tank may allow unwanted solids to flow into the drain field, which is the part of the system that consists of a distribution box, with a series of connected pipes. Each pipe allows water to flow into a bed of stone that drains into the ground. If paper and other solids flow into the drain field, it becomes blocked and ineffective. A blocked drain field is costly to repair or replace.
Q: My shower head and faucet aerators have a buildup of a white substance around the area where the water comes out. Is there anything I can do other than replace them?
The unsightly buildup is mineral deposits. To remove these deposits from the showerhead, take a plastic bag and pour a cup of vinegar in it. Place the bag over the showerhead and use a twist tie to hold it in place overnight. 10 hours later, remove the bag and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub off the deposits. You might be able to remove the aerators from the faucets and allow them to soak in the vinegar overnight.
Q: Our kitchen drain is taking longer than usual to drain during the past year. Should we use a chemical to clean it?
We never recommend using a drain chemical to remove a partial clog. The chemical can damage the plumbing pipes and if applicable will kill the anaerobic and aerobic bacteria in your septic tank. This may lead to more expensive services in the future. We do recommend having one of Bay Point Plumbing’s drain experts remove the clog with one of our mechanical drain cleaners.
Q: My well pump is not working, and I have no water.
Turn the pumps breaker on and off. If you still don’t have water, go and find your pressure tank and locate the “Pressure switch”. Some systems may have a “Low water pressure switch”, which will have a small metal lever. Lifting and holding this lever up may turn your pump back on. Ensure to hold the lever up for three to five minutes or until the pressure gauge measures 50PSI. IMPORTANT: never remove the plastic protective cover from the pressure switch as this may pose an electrical shock hazard if removed. Whether your water is back on, we recommend calling Bay Point Plumbing to come out and assess the cause of your no water issue.
If you've tried these helpful tips and are still in need of a professional, give Bay Point Plumbing a call today!