It’s a good bet that you’ve heard about or even experienced yourself some plumbing issues. Residential plumbing issues are common for all homeowners. We have the answers and guidelines you need for both minor and major plumbing issues so you’re ready to do what’s right for each, including knowing when to call a professional plumber like Covenant Heating & Air Conditioning.

1. Do I really need to disconnect my hose in the winter if the hose spigot says, “Frost-Free”? 

To prepare for winter you want to do everything necessary to prevent cracked pipes. While many homes have hoses with a “frost-free” spigot, you still need to disconnect it because when the hose is used, water gets trapped in the line going to the spigot. Once you’ve shut off the hose, the water remains and when temperatures drop, this water freezes, causing pipes to crack. With a frost-free spigot, the cracking still occurs, typically behind the washer, inside your house. While a non-frost-free spigot reveals cracks immediately, frost-free spigots mean cracks are less noticeable immediately and water might pour inside your home. So, remove the hose before winter and also use the spigot’s shut-off valve, located inside your home. If you don’t have one, have one installed by a professional plumber. 

2. When going on vacation, do I need to turn off my water? 

Sometimes homeowners don’t include water shut-off as part of a vacation prep list, but it should be part of every vacation prep. While the water system “should” be fine while you are away, “should” and “could” are two different things. Just because faucets are not being used while you’re gone doesn’t mean pipes won’t leak or burst. It can be disastrous if while on vacation even a small leak or other plumbing issues such as water backing up happens. Since no one is home to notice, plumbing issues can continue to pour water into your home for days or weeks, depending on the length of your vacation. So, shut off the water to your home before you leave! 

3. How do I find my main water shut-off valve when I need to turn it off? 

If its your first time shutting off the water to your home, you may not know where to locate the main water shut-off valve. If you experience a burst pipe or need to make repairs to a leak, shutting off the water to the house should be done immediately. The following tips will help you locate the main water shut-off valve: 

• It’s near the perimeter. Explore the inside perimeter of your home to locate it.
• It’s about 3 feet below ground level. If located in the basement, its typically at eye level or lower. If on the main floor, explore by looking lower.
• It’s on the shortest route. Locate the outdoor water meter and look for the nearest point of the home’s exterior. Water lines take the shortest path from the meter to the house, so the shut-off valve should be where the line and your house meet.
• It’s in your inspection report. Have a home inspection report from when you purchased it? The report will have a notation of where the shut-off valve is located.
• It’s behind a panel. Builders typically do not seal water shut-off valves behind drywall, but if your home was remodeled in a way that has hidden your valve, an access panel should be present to reach the valve. Look for any access panels in the walls. 

4. My water is cloudy – how do I fix it? 

When experiencing cloudy water, it’s due to one of the following:

• Bubbles: Most common cause is air bubbles in the water, which often occurs during cold weather. The combination of cold-weather pressure and temperature changes creates air bubbles in the water as it travels to the faucet. Its harmless and will in time dissipate. In fact, if you just let the water sit in an open glass for a few moments, the bubbles will naturally rise to the surface and then cloudiness is gone.
• Dirt: Small particles can get into your water supply. Tiny bits of sand and dirt get suspended in the water to make it cloudy. It’s generally harmless, although most likely you prefer not serving guests cloudy water. To eliminate cloudy water, you need to treat it with a sediment filter.
• Sulfur: If your water smells like rotten eggs that indicates hydrogen sulfide is present. Sulfur bacteria thrive in plumbing systems/wells because there is little oxygen and so the bacteria can thrive on rotting organic matter, producing hydrogen sulfide gas, which gets trapped in your water. Chemical reactions in your water heater also might be causing it, or bacteria may be present in your well. While sulfur is not typically a health threat, you should still have your water tested to be sure it is safe. For water heater issues, have it serviced by a professional. For water source issues, ensure water system offers proper ventilation for the gas and install a home and water filtration unit to eliminate sulfur bacteria. 

5. Water is leaking through the light fixture in my ceiling – what’s going on? 

Sometimes walls or flooring can hide small leaks, resulting in the leaks being undetectable. The first sign might be when the water finds its way through the floor into the light fixture. When it happens, you know a leak is nearby, which is a plumbing emergency. Here are the important steps to take: 

• Don’t touch it. Do not touch light fixture or try to drain the water. Avoid using the fixture’s switch because water and electricity are dangerous companions.
• Cut the power. Don’t turn off the light, instead go to home breaker box and shut off the power.
• Cut the water. If you know the source, such as an overflowing sink, shut off the water supply there. If you aren’t sure where the source is, turn off the water supply at your home’s main shut-off valve.
• Call a professional. Contact a professional plumber to locate the leak and make repairs. Also check with an electrician to determine if your light fixture is safe to use or needs replacement. 

6. How can I reduce my water bill that suddenly spiked?

A recent water bill spike can be due to several things. Some may be major plumbing problems, while others are easily fixed, minor issues. Explore the following:

• Leaking toilet: According to the EPA, toilets account for 24% of the water we use in daily life and are the biggest source of indoor water use. If your toilet leaks, in one day it can waste up to 200 gallons of water.
• Leaky faucets:  This is among the most common bathroom sink problems, wasting water and increasing bills. Per the EPA, a faucet dripping one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.
• Leaky irrigation: It’s possible the spike in your water bill is due to a leak in your lawn sprinkler system. Check your lawn for patches of greener grass or damp areas.
• Leaky line: Cracked or loose underground pipes that connect your home to the meter might be the culprit – commonly caused by animal activity, earthquakes or tree roots.
• Inefficient fixtures: Outdated toilets, faucets and appliances can cause plumbing problems in older homes. Modern appliances and other water fixtures are much more efficient. If experiencing water bills higher than desired, it might be time to upgrade for greater efficiency.
• Lifestyle or seasonal changes: Seasonal changes can impact water usage. Perhaps your household has more laundry in the winter and in summer you fill your swimming pool causing a single spike in one water bill or seasonal cycles (up & down). 
• Water waste: Your household may simply be wasting water by leaving the faucet running while brushing teeth, taking long showers, running small laundry loads, and overwatering lawns. Educate household members and reap the rewards in future water bills. 

7. Why is it bad to have Quest piping?

Quest is a brand name for polybutylene piping (aka poly pipe). Used in home construction in the late 1970s through the mid-1990s, today’s builders and plumbers know to not use poly pipe. Unfortunately, it is still found in many structures from the old days, causing plumbing problems in older homes. The problem is that poly pipe lacks durability. As it is exposed to oxidants present in water systems, poly pipe wears away from within. Since it deteriorates from the inside, it’s nearly impossible to detect issues, looking fine from the outside until it suddenly bursts or leaks. Unfortunately, the leak is usually serious since much of the pipe has deteriorated by then. 

8. My pipes are making a banging noise when I use my appliance – what’s going on? 

Today’s appliances often operate so aggressively they cause pipes to jerk as the water pressure changes. When pipes are not fastened tightly, they may move around and cause banging noises and if not corrected, can wear out the pipes and cause damage. To stop pipes banging, here are solutions: 

• Add pipe straps to securely hold them in place. Straps are available at stores selling plumbing supplies.
• When unable to access the pipes - install water hammer arrestors. These shock absorbers cushion the change in water pressure, preventing the pipes from jerking/banging.
• Contact a professional plumber to assess and then install one of these solutions. 

9. How does a well pump UV light work and what exactly does it do? 

There are a variety of methods used to treat water and ensure your home has clean, safe water. A well pump UV light is an effective method to treat water for bacterial organisms. UV light kills 99.9 percent of biological contaminants, including bacteria, protozoa and viruses and works by removing living organisms from the water by passing it through the UV rays. This alters the organisms’ DNA to prevent them from reproducing, leaving them inert. UV light installed at the point of entry is an effective way to remove biological contaminants from the water as it enters your home. 

10. I have a sewer smell in my home – what’s happening & how do I fix it? 

If you notice your home smelling like the sewer, the smell is typically caused by one of the following: 

• Sewer trap plugs. Missing/loose sewer trap plugs are the most common cause. Sewer access pits contain a house trap, which is a U-shaped piece that traps water to serve as a barrier between the city sewer and your home. If the plug on this trap is poorly fitted or missing, public sewer odor travels into your home. Just replace the plug to fix the odor.
• Dried trap. If the water in the U-trap has dried up, it no longer acts as a barrier to the sewer odor. Run some water into the trap to recreate the barrier and the odor should be eliminated.
• City sewer. If the odor seems to be coming from outside, that can indicate the city sewer, not your home, is experiencing major plumbing problems. But if the outdoor smell persists, it may be the drains from your house. Contact a professional plumber to check for proper functioning of your drainage system. 

Don’t fret over when to call a plumber for a clogged drain or other issue. We’re here ready to take your questions and help. Covenant plumbing products & services include Bathrooms, Kitchens, Drain Cleaning, Bathtubs & Showers, Faucets, Sump Pumps, Bradford White Water Heaters, Leak Repair & Plumbing Protection Plans. We service over 5,000 property owners in this area, providing you with peace of mind you can count on. Consult with the experts at Covenant Heating & Air Conditioning.