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The toilet is a fixture that’s used around the clock, day in and out. So it’s normal for the average homeowner to experience a clog or two every so often. However, if you have a constantly clogged toilet, you probably wonder why.

Flushing Non-Flushable Items
Flushing non-flushable items such as wipes, paper towels, sanitary products, and even excess toilet paper are the number one reason toilets clog consistently. The only thing that you should ever flush is human waste and proper toilet paper.

Old Plumbing
Old or damaged pipes can become clogged more easily, especially if they are not properly maintained or cleaned regularly by a professional. Over time, mineral deposits build up in pipes, especially if you have hard water, which leads to slow drains and eventual clogs.

Tree Roots
If you have trees on your property, you must be aware of possible tree root invasion into your main sewer line. Roots seek accessible water sources, so if there’s even a tiny crack or hole in your sewer pipe, the roots will get in and grow into a mass, causing a severe clog or other damage.

Sewer Line Clogs
Clogs in the main sewer line can cause your whole home’s drainage system to back up. Main sewer line clogs happen because of non-flushable material, tree roots, physical decay, and soil shifting or construction damage.

Too Much Toilet Paper
We get it; sometimes, you need to use a lot of toilet paper to get the job done. However, putting too much toilet paper into the bowl along with the waste is almost always a recipe for disaster. If you must use a more than average amount of toilet paper, flush the waste first, then the toilet paper. Using more flushes to do the work is better than risking a clogged or overflowing toilet.

Another common problem that many homeowners encounter is running out of hot water sooner than they’re used to. There are several reasons why this can happen.

Your Household Has Grown Larger
If you’ve added new family members to your house, you may be overtaxing your water heater, causing it to run out more quickly. You can solve this by adjusting your usage habits to give the system more time to refill, upgrade to a larger water tank, or invest in a tankless water heater.

Age
The average lifespan of a water heater is between 10 and 15 years, and as they get older, they may not produce as much hot water as when they were new. Sometimes, sediment builds up in the tank, reducing how much water the tank can hold. In other cases, the heating element can weaken or fail.

The Water Heater is Too Small
Similar to the first problem, if you recently moved into a home or apartment and find that you’re constantly running out of hot water, it’s probably because the unit is undersized for your particular needs. The easiest way to solve this is to consult a professional plumber to assess your family’s size and usage habits and recommend an appropriately sized tank.

Faulty Thermostat or Dip Tube
Lastly, if the thermostat or dip tube on your water heater is malfunctioning, it can cause the hot water to run out more quickly.

The best way to avoid water heater problems like running out of hot water is to call a certified plumber for routine maintenance and tank flushing.

With costs rising across the board, it’s normal for families to want to save as much as possible whenever possible. Many people turn to DIY home repairs instead of calling a professional because they think it will save them money. And, with so many easy-to-follow tutorials on YouTube, DIY home repair is a real option for people with little or no skills.

So, when faced with a plumbing issue, you may wonder if it’s better to call a plumber or tackle it yourself. Here’s our advice.

It depends on the complexity of the problem and your own level of expertise and experience. Some simple tasks, such as unclogging a drain, may be safe for homeowners to handle themselves. However, there are a few scenarios where calling a pro is the better option.

First, some plumbing problems are complex to solve, and a professional plumber has the training, experience, and knowledge to diagnose and fix the issue properly. They have the tools and equipment to get the job done quickly and efficiently, saving you time and money in the long run. Online videos make complex repairs look easy, but it’s easy to get in over your head and make the problem worse if you don’t know what you’re doing or how to get out of a jam.

Besides the complexity, some plumbing problems, such as gas leaks or line repairs, can be dangerous. One wrong move could be fatal, which is why if you have a plumbing issue that could impact your health or safety, it’s always better to let a pro handle it.

Finally, if you attempt to fix a plumbing problem yourself and you make a mistake, you may end up causing more damage to your home’s plumbing system, which can be costly to repair. A professional plumber will have the skills and experience to fix the problem correctly the first time, saving you money on repairs in the long run.

If you’re facing a plumbing problem and unsure whether you can fix it yourself, don’t take the chance; call one of our certified technicians and be safe.

Most new kitchens include a sink with a garbage disposal, so if you don’t have one, you may wonder whether it’s worth it to install one and if they’re as effective as people say. Let’s break down the pros and cons.

The Pros of a Garbage Disposal Installation

Convenience: A garbage disposal allows you to quickly and easily dispose of food waste, reducing the need to store it in a separate container. If you dread cleaning up after meals, using a garbage disposal makes the process smoother and quicker, allowing you to relax sooner.

Hygiene: If you put food waste into the kitchen trash, you know it’s only a matter of time before it starts stinking. Using a garbage disposal significantly reduces or eliminates the odor that comes from leaving food scraps in the trash for too long.

Better for the environment: Garbage disposals can help reduce the amount of food waste in landfills. Also, because you don’t use as many garbage bags, you cut down on the amount of plastic that goes into the environment.

Clog prevention: Using a garbage disposal can help to prevent clogs in your drain lines, as it breaks up food waste and sends it down the drain.

The Cons of a Garbage Disposal Installation

Noise: Garbage disposals can be loud and disruptive to some people.

Limited food waste: It’s a common misconception that you can put all of your food waste down the garbage disposal, but that’s not true. Bones, grease, starchy foods, fruit pits and seeds, and fibrous materials are difficult for the disposal to grind and could cause clogs or damage to the unit.

Impact on septic systems: If you have a septic system, a garbage disposal can increase its load because you use more water when running the disposal. Also, relying on your garbage disposal heavily can increase the solids going into the septic system, leading to clogs and an overload. Finally, your septic system relies on bacteria to work, and too much waste from a garbage disposal can disrupt the beneficial bacteria throwing your septic system out of whack.

A toilet that constantly runs is annoying and will send your water bills through the roof. What can cause a toilet to run continually?

Broken Flapper
The flapper is a rubber component that opens to allow water to fill the tank and closes once it’s full. Over time, the rubber can become brittle and fail to form a good seal, causing water to leak continually.

Fill Tube
The fill tube is a plastic or rubber hose that carries water from the fill valve to the overflow pipe in the tank. Water can seep in if the tube is too low, causing the toilet to run constantly.

Fortunately, fixing a running toilet is pretty straightforward. If the flapper is worn out, replace it with a new one. And, if it’s the fill tube, adjust its position. If your toilet still runs after taking these steps, call a plumber for help.

You know that changing your HVAC filter is one of the best things you can do to keep your system running efficiently and your indoor air clean. But, how often should you do it? The answer is it depends on several factors.

Type of filter: Different types of filters have different lifespans. For example, fiberglass filters should be changed every 1-3 months, while pleated filters can last up to 6 months.

Household conditions: Another factor is what your indoor climate is like. For example, if you have pets, you’ll probably have to change your filter more often because of the dander and hair it collects.

Usage: How often do you use your air conditioner? If it runs day and night, the filter will get dirty more quickly and require replacement more frequently.

Most HVAC experts agree that, as a general rule of thumb, you should change your filter every three to six months. It’s important to keep your filter clean because a dirty air filter will restrict airflow, causing your HVAC system to work harder and resulting in higher energy expenses and a reduced system lifespan.

Many homeowners are frustrated by low water pressure, either at one particular fixture or throughout the house. Water pressure problems are common and can happen for various reasons.

Clogged pipes: If you have hard water, the minerals can build up over time, limiting the water flow through your plumbing system. Also, as pipes deteriorate, rust and debris can flake off, causing minor clogs.

Municipal water supply issues: Sometimes, water pressure can drop because of a problem with your municipal water supplier or a break in a city water line. If you have low water pressure, the first thing to do is check with your city supplier and find out if they’re experiencing problems.

Poorly designed plumbing system: If the contractor didn’t install enough pipes or installed them too far away from the water source, it could lead to water pressure issues.

High demand: If everyone in the neighborhood uses water simultaneously, like during a heat wave, it can drop the water pressure for everyone.