FAQ

Plumbing Frequently Asked Questions

My garbage disposal stopped working today. How can I fix it?

Always disconnect power to any appliance you are about to work on. Then check to see if there is anything lodged in the disposal. (Sometimes a utensil or other small object will fall in without your knowledge).

If you do not find anything blocking the blades, reconnect the power and use reset feature on your disposal. If your garbage disposal still is not working, it’s time to call the pro’s.

A Better Plumber is your local plumber in Maryland and Garbage Disposal Specialists and we stand by our 100% satisfaction guarantee!

My kitchen sink started draining slowly. What can I do?

We do not recommend using an over the counter liquid drain opener. They are hazardous to your health and can damage your plumbing system.

You can try using a plunger. Sometimes a clog will push through with enough plunging action. If that doesn’t work, you can remove the trap and see if there is any debris.

Be sure to wear gloves if you used a liquid drain opener. If the blockage is further down the pipe, your local hardware store sells drain clearing augers that extend to about 50 feet.

For a preventative measure, we recommend using an enzyme-based drain opener called Bio-Clean. It will help dissolve buildup in pipes, especially in older homes.

My Garbage disposal is emitting a foul odor. How do I stop it?

Most Garbage Disposal odors are coming from rotting food still inside the unit. The easiest and simplest method to avoid odors is to simply clean your garbage disposal.

Simply turn on your hot water and let it run for 30-40 seconds with the garbage disposal turned on.
An Alternative method, is to fill your kitchen sink with hot, soapy water and then release it all at once with the garbage disposal turned on.

Give us a call today for a free estimate to diagnose your plumbing issue. A Better Plumber is your local expert plumber and Garbage Disposal Specialists.

I am interested in a tankless Water Heater. What are the benefits?

The main benefit of tankless water heaters are that they never run out of hot water. Your typical water heater has a storage tank with a limited capacity. A tankless water heater can heat unlimited amounts of water as it passes through the system. Another benefit is that tankless water heaters can save you money by only heating the water you use, not the amount that is sitting in the storage tank.
A Better Plumber is your local expert plumber and Hot Water Specialists.

What is the toilet life expectancy in my home?

I have a white residue around my faucet and shower head?

Mineral deposits in your well water will leave an unsightly buildup. An easy way of removing this residue is with vinegar.

Pour some white vinegar in a Ziploc bag.
Then place the bag over the shower head, make sure the shower head is submerged in the vinegar.
Secure the bag with a rubber band or a twist tie to hold it in place overnight.
Remove the bag the following morning.
Use a brush to scrub the shower head. An old toothbrush works well for this.
It may be possible to remove the aerator from your faucet and allow to soak overnight.
Give us a call today for a free estimate to eliminate mineral deposits and other water issues. A Better Plumber is your local expert plumber and Water Treatment Specialists

My toilet continues to run until I wiggle the handle. How do I stop it?

Most likely, the handle on your toilet is getting stuck, causing the flapper to stay open. Water will continue flowing into the bowl if the flapper is left open.

You can attempt to tighten, oil or even replace the handle. Another thing to try is readjusting the chain in between the handle and flapper.

Give us a call today for a free estimate to repair your toilet or other plumbing fixtures. A Better Plumber is your local expert plumber and Toilet Repair Specialists.

I have a clog in my tub. I have used Drano and a plunger without any luck. What else can I try?

You can try using a drain snake for more stubborn clogs. Carefully feed the drain snake into the drain to dislodge the clog.

Give us a call today for a free estimate for drain cleaning or other plumbing issues. A Better Plumber is your local expert plumber and Drain Cleaning Specialists.

I want to replace my tub. Can I do it myself?

Replacing a tub or shower stall isn’t for the faint of heart. Although it is a job that can be completed by a competent DIY’er, it is a job most people should leave to the pro’s. A few pointers if you are set on doing it yourself:

Since you’re already going to be in there, replace the waste and overflow drain as and if possible the faucet. Replacing these items now could possibly save you from either of them failing later down the road.

Look for tub surrounds that are in two pieces. This insures that the surround will fit through narrow bathroom doors.

When removing an old cast iron tub is much easier when broken into smaller pieces with a sledge hammer. A metal tub can be made into smaller pieces using a Sawzall.

Give us a call today for a free estimate to install a new Tub/Shower Stall and other new plumbing fixtures. A Better Plumber is your local expert plumber and Tub & Shower Installation Specialists.

I have tree roots inside drain pipe. How do I remove them?

Over time, if left undisturbed, tree and shrub roots can fill a drain pipe with root masses. These root masses will quickly clog with grease, toilet paper and anything else flowing from inside your home causing slow draining or in most cases, a complete blockage. Once tree roots have broken into the pipe, they will continue to grow, completely breaking or collapsing the pipe requiring a spot repair or maybe worse, a complete sewer line replacement. Depending on the age of your system, your pipe material can consist of clay tile, concrete or PVC pipe. We can inspect any issue or determine the condition of your pipe using our state-of-the-art inline drain camera. If we find tree roots to be the issue, we can utilize our Hydro-Jetting service to clear out any debris.

Give us a call today for a free estimate to diagnose your plumbing issue. A Better Plumber is your local expert plumber and sewer line & repair specialists

I was told that unused drains will dry up and turn rough inside. Is this true?

It is true, drain pipes will dry out and get rough without frequent use. It is possible to fix with use but usually prevention is best cure. It is best to run water periodically to keep this from occurring.

Give us a call today for a free estimate on pipe repair and other drain issues. A Better Plumber is your local expert plumber and pipe repair service company.

My shower bubbles & overflows when I am using the washing machine. Why is this happening?

If your shower is at a lower level than the washing machine, the most common issues are:

A break or blockage somewhere in the sewer pipe outside of your house.
Your septic tank needs to be pumped out.

These could be just a couple of the many possibilities for the bubbling and backup into your shower. We recommend contacting us to help you diagnose this situation.

Give us a call today for a free estimate to eliminate overflow or any other drain issues. A Better Plumber is your local expert plumber and drain clearing Maryland experts.

Why is my plumbing making groaning and honking noises?

Most likely, the “air cushion” in your system has been lost. You can try the following steps to correct your plumbing issue:

Turn off your water supply at the main valve.
Turn on all your faucets in your home.
Turn on the main valve again and shut off each faucet.

If these steps did not correct your plumbing problem.

Give us a call today for a free estimate to diagnose your plumbing issue. A Better Plumber is your local expert plumber and plumbing system professionals.

What would cause my most recent water bill to be so high?

Often, a running toilet can be the culprit of high water usage. One common toilet issue is water flowing into the overflow pipe. This pipe will be in the middle of the tank and usually has a tube connected to it.

If you find water is in fact pouring into the overflow pipe, adjust the fill valve to shut off at the water mark on the inside of your tank. We can provide plumbing maintenance to ensure proper operation of your toilet.

Give us a call today for a free estimate to repair a running toilet or other plumbing fixtures. A Better Plumber is your local expert plumber and Toilet Repair Specialists.

Contact our licensed professionals today to schedule a service appointment. (301) 278-8786

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