Frequently Asked Questions

Remember that your water heater works all day and night to give you a steady supply of hot water. All that work, however, takes a toll on the system and can cause problems. Before you call a plumber, please get to know these signs of trouble and what they mean for your system.

• Fluctuating Water Temperatures – If you get water that fluctuates between being too hot or too cold, it might mean one of the heating elements is failing. It can also mean that your water heater has lost efficiency with age and can’t provide the hot water you’re used to.
• Water leaks – A leaking water heater doesn’t always require replacement. Sometimes, you might have a faulty temperature and pressure relief valve that’s the issue, or it could be something like a bad gasket.
• Discolored Water – If you see brown or cloudy water coming out of the hot water tap, it could mean that you have sediment buildup in the tank, which you can solve by flushing the system, or it could be something worse like a corroding tank.
• Unusual Noises – It’s common in areas with hard water to have scale and sediment build-up on fixtures and in your water tank. If you don’t flush the tank regularly, sediment builds up and hardens, which causes the system to lose efficiency, and you may hear banging or rumbling sounds.

If you suspect that your water heater may be failing, call Platinum Plumbing ASAP to avoid disaster.

Clogged drains are a common household annoyance, but with a bit of prevention, you can avoid most clogs by taking these steps.

• Keep food waste, coffee grounds, and cooking grease out of the drain; put these items into the trash or on a compost pile instead.
• Keep hair from going down the tub and shower drain using a mesh screen or perforated shower drain hair catcher.
• Be mindful about what you flush. Toilets are for flushing human waste and toilet paper –– nothing else. Beware of flushing feminine hygiene products and ‘flushable’ personal wipes because these are known to cause toilet clogs.
• Consider hiring a professional for annual or semi-annual drain cleaning. Professional drain cleaning keeps your pipes and drains in like-new condition and keeps pesky clogs from forming.

Besides the bathroom, the kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks put a lot of strain on the plumbing and fixtures. Here are the most common plumbing problems you’re likely to see in your kitchen.

• Low Water Pressure – Do you have a weak water stream coming out of the kitchen faucet? If so, it could be a clog in the line or the aerator, both of which are best remedied by a call to a professional residential plumber.
• Leaking Faucet – Before you call a plumber for a leaky faucet, check and see if it’s a worn-out O-ring, which is easy to fix. Also, be sure to check the rubber seals and gaskets and replace them if they’re worn.
• Clogged Kitchen Drain – Most kitchen sinks use a P-shaped trap designed to stop sewer gas and other odors from stinking up your house. Gravity causes water to flow into the curved section of the pipe, which blocks gasses from re-entry; however, sometimes soap scum and grease build up in the P-trap, causing an obstruction.
• Leaking Dishwasher – Common causes of leaking dishwashers are broken float switches, bad gaskets, and damaged spray arms. Fortunately, these are easily replaced using a screwdriver.
• Clogged Drains- The most common cause of blocked drains in the kitchen are when people put cooking grease or food debris down the drain. Cooking grease solidifies as it cools, which blocks drains like cholesterol blocks an artery. The best way to deal with these clogs is to prevent them.

When you experience problems in your kitchen plumbing, call the local experts at Platinum Plumbing.

If you’re having plumbing problems, it may not be an individual pipe that’s to blame; it may be a problem in the central water line, which can affect your entire home’s plumbing. Since most main water lines are underground, diagnosing an issue can be challenging; however, here are the most common symptoms of main water line problems.

1. Puddles in the Yard – If you see water puddles in the yard or overly lush patches of grass, it could be that you have a leak in your main water line.
2. Significant Decrease in Water Pressure – If your once-strong stream of water suddenly slows to a trickle, and you can’t fix it with a regulator, it may be a blockage in the central water line that’s causing the issue.
3. Sudden Spike in Water Bills – Have you noticed a sudden rise in your water bill? If so, there could be an unseen water leak in your plumbing system, and that may very well be in the main water line.
4. Foundation Cracks – If you have constant moisture around your home’s foundation, it eventually leads to cracks as the concrete absorbs the water. Failure to deal with this ASAP can result in significant and costly property damage.
5. Strange Gurgling Noises – Do you hear gurgling noises from your toilets when you turn on the sink or vice versa? If so, you have a plumbing issue, and it usually isn’t isolated to just one pipe.

No matter what plumbing issue you have, contact us for help.

Even if a professional plumber installed your gas lines, they could still leak because of damage, age, or shifting soil. Many homeowners, unfortunately, don’t realize there’s a problem until it’s too late. If you suspect you have a gas leak, take the following steps to ensure the safety of your family and your property.

• Get out of the house quickly
• Don’t use any electrical devices or turn on any electric items
• Leave your doors and windows open to allow gas to escape
• Call the gas company, 911, and a plumber
• If you feel nauseated, lightheaded, have a headache, blurred vision, dizzy, or any other symptom associated with carbon monoxide poisoning, seek medical attention immediately