Frequently Asked Plumbing Questions

The main difference between drain cleaning and sewer cleaning lies in the specific areas of your plumbing system they address:

• Drain Cleaning: This focuses on clearing clogs and blockages within your house’s drainage system. Drains are the pipes that carry wastewater away from fixtures like sinks, tubs, toilets, and washing machines. These pipes are typically smaller in diameter and run shorter distances within your home. Common culprits for drain clogs include hair, soap scum, food debris, and mineral buildup.
• Sewer Cleaning: This tackles clogs and blockages in the main sewer line, the larger pipe that carries wastewater away from your house and connects it to the city’s sewer system or a septic tank. Sewer lines are located underground and run longer distances outside your home. Causes of sewer line clogs include tree root intrusion, grease buildup, and foreign objects accidentally flushed down the toilet.

The main difference between a water purifier and a water filtration system lies in how they treat water and the types of contaminants they remove:

Water Filtration System

• Purpose: Water filtration systems remove particles and contaminants from water using physical barriers, chemical processes, or biological filters.
• Contaminants Removed: Filters primarily remove larger particles such as sediment, chlorine, sand, rust, and harmful chemicals. However, they do not remove microscopic contaminants like viruses or bacteria.
• Examples: Carbon filters, reverse osmosis filters, and sediment filters.
• Usage: Typically used to improve taste, odor, and clarity and remove harmful chemicals and metals from the water.

Water Purifier

• Purpose: Water purifiers go beyond basic filtration by also eliminating microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, that are too small to be captured by standard filtration methods.
• Contaminants Removed: Purifiers often include advanced technologies like UV purification, distillation, or reverse osmosis, which are effective against biological contaminants as well as chemical and physical impurities.
• Examples: UV purifiers, chemical purifiers (e.g., iodine or chlorine-based), and reverse osmosis systems with purification capabilities.
• Usage: Commonly used in areas where the water source is suspected to contain harmful microorganisms or where water safety is a concern.

In short, filtration systems focus on removing physical and chemical impurities, while water purifiers also target and eliminate harmful microorganisms, providing a more comprehensive level of water treatment.

At Arrow Plumbing, our plumbers suggest scheduling drain cleaning services every 1 to 2 years to keep your pipes flowing properly and prevent blockages from forming.

You should schedule these services sooner if you notice symptoms of a clog, including slow-draining fixtures, recurring clogs, foul odors, backups or overflows, and odd sounds from the drains.

The main difference between a water softener and a water conditioning system lies in how they treat hard water and what specific issues they address:

Water Softener

These remove hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium from the water, which can lead to scale buildup in pipes and appliances. They do this through an ion exchange to replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions, effectively softening the water. This process can reduce scale buildup, prolong the life of appliances, and make soap more effective. They are commonly used in areas with hard water.

Water Conditioning System

These systems treat water by addressing more than just hardness. They may also reduce contaminants, improve taste, and prevent scale formation without removing hardness minerals.

These units prevent scale buildup and may offer additional benefits, such as filtering out chlorine, sediment, and other impurities. They are a more general water treatment solution.

When you have a clogged drain, follow these steps to resolve the issue:

Use a Plunger

For sinks, tubs, or toilets, try using a plunger to dislodge the clog. Ensure enough water to cover the plunger’s cup for a good seal.

Check the Drain Stopper

Remove the stopper or drain cover to see if you can manually clear any visible debris, such as hair or soap scum.

Use a Drain Snake (Plumbing Auger)

If the plunger doesn’t work, use a drain snake to break up the clog. Insert the snake into the drain and twist it to catch and pull out the debris.

Pour Boiling Water

For kitchen sinks, boiling water can help dissolve grease or soap buildup. Carefully pour a kettle of hot water down the drain in stages.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then flush with hot water. This can help break down clogs naturally.

Call a Professional Plumber

If none of these methods work or the clog keeps returning, it’s best to call a professional plumber. They have specialized tools like hydro-jetting and video inspection to clear the clog and diagnose any underlying issues thoroughly.

Avoid flushing inappropriate items (like grease, wipes, or large amounts of hair) down the drain to prevent future clogs.

If your toilet is constantly running, follow these steps to diagnose and fix the problem:

Check the Flapper

The flapper is the rubber seal at the bottom of the tank that controls water flow into the bowl. Over time, it can wear out or become misaligned. Lift the tank lid and check if the flapper is properly seated. If it’s damaged, replace it.

Adjust the Chain

The chain connecting the flapper to the flush handle may be too short or too long. If it’s too short, it can prevent the flapper from fully closing. If it’s too long, it may get stuck under the flapper. Adjust the chain length so it has enough slack to let the flapper close completely.

Inspect the Float

The float controls the water level in the tank. If it’s set too high, excess water will keep flowing into the overflow tube, causing the toilet to run. Adjust the float to lower the water level. For a float ball, bend the rod gently downward. For a float cup, slide it down the rod.

Check the Refill Tube

Ensure the refill tube (the small tube that connects to the overflow pipe) is positioned correctly. It should not be inserted too far into the overflow pipe. Trim it if necessary to prevent excess water from flowing into the bowl.

Replace the Fill Valve

If adjusting the float doesn’t solve the problem, the fill valve might be faulty. The fill valve controls the water flow into the tank after a flush. If it’s not working properly, replace it with a new one.

Check for Leaks

Make sure there are no leaks in the toilet tank itself or at the connections. A worn-out washer or gasket can cause water to leak and keep the toilet running.

By following these steps, you can often stop a constantly running toilet and save on your water bill. If you’re unable to fix the issue or need assistance, consider calling a professional plumber.