How to Tell If You Have a Gas Leak: 9 Warning Signs
TL;DR Natural gas leaks announce themselves through smell, sound, sight, and physical symptoms. Any one of these is enough to act on. Smell is the most reliable sign. Natural gas has no odor of its own. Utilities add a sulfur compound so a leak smells like rotten eggs. Do not rely on smell alone. A […]
How to Adjust Toilet Flange Height (5 Proven Fixes)
TL;DR A toilet flange sits at the wrong height in most problem installations, and the direction of the error decides the fix. Correct height is level with the finished floor to a quarter inch above it. The flange belongs on top of the finished floor, not under it. Too low is the more common error […]
Water Heater Leaking: 5 Causes, Risks, and What to Do Next
Water Heater Leaking: 5 Causes, Risks, and What to Do Next A water heater leak starts small. A puddle under the tank. Moisture along a pipe fitting. Dripping from the pressure relief valve. The cause determines whether the fix takes 10 minutes or requires a full unit replacement. Approximately 75% of water heaters fail before […]
Brown Tap Water
Brown Water Coming Out of Faucet: 7 Causes, Safety Risks, and How to Fix It Brown water from a faucet indicates iron oxide, sediment, or organic particles suspended in the water supply. The discoloration originates from 1 of 7 sources: corroded pipes inside the home, a failing water heater, municipal main breaks, heavy rainfall, sediment […]
Four Problems Caused by Hard Water
What Problems Does Hard Water Cause in a Home? Hard water is water with higher amounts of calcium and magnesium minerals that build up inside your plumbing system and on surfaces. These minerals leave a scale that clogs fixtures, narrows pipes, and reduces water flow over time. In a home, hard water scale collects inside […]
What is a Slab Leak, and Do I Have a Slab Leak?
What Is a Slab Leak and How Do You Know If You Have One? A slab leak is a water or sewer line leak that develops underneath a concrete slab foundation where pipes run under the house. It most often involves a pressurized water supply line, although sewer pipes under the slab can also crack […]
How to Handle Low Water Pressure in Your Shower
Why Is the Water Pressure in Your Shower So Low? Low water pressure in a shower usually results from a clogged showerhead, partially closed valves, a built in flow restrictor, a pressure regulator setting, or a wider supply or piping problem in the home plumbing system. Simple checks help separate a minor shower issue from […]
Common Plumbing Problems in Apartments
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Problems in Apartments? Apartments face the same core plumbing problems as houses, including leaky faucets, clogged drains, frozen or damaged pipes, and discolored water, but shared pipes and stacked units mean one issue can affect several apartments at once. An apartment plumbing system connects many apartment units through shared […]
Warning Signs Your Sewer Pipe May Be Broken
What Are the Main Warning Signs That Your Sewer Line Is Breaking? A sewer line that is breaking shows 4 early warning signs. Common signs include sewer gas odors near drains, repeated clogs and backups, mold or damp spots inside, and unusually lush or soggy areas in the yard along the pipe route. The main […]
Why the Garbage Disposal is Not Working
Why Is Your Garbage Disposal Not Working and What To Check First? Most garbage disposals stop working for four main reasons. Common causes include no power to the unit, a jammed flywheel, a clog in the disposal or drain, or a motor that has failed completely. Simple visual checks and a reset can rule out […]
