Q & A: Common Plumbing Questions, Not-So-Common Answers

School taught us that there are no stupid questions. Google taught us that we can easily look up answers to those questions. However, we’re going to help you out by sharing some of the most common questions our employees at Michael’s Plumbing hear daily.

• Why doesn’t my hot water last for very long?

Water heaters come in a variety of types and sizes. A traditional tank water heater can only hold so much water, so once you’ve used up what is in the tank, it takes a while for the tank to fill up and the water to heat up.

There are two other issues you might run into: the reset button could have been tripped, thus shutting off the heater, or one or both of the heating elements has stopped working. This is an easy fix by your experts from Michael’s Plumbing in Orlando.

• What is hard water?

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, hard water is simply the level of dissolved minerals (most commonly calcium and magnesium) is high. If your water system utilizes groundwater, you most likely deal with hard water issues. Heating hard water in your water heater can create solid calcium carbonate deposits, thus lowering the efficiency of your water pipes due to clogs.

• What should I do if my home has a major water leak?

The very first thing you should do if your home is experiencing a major leak is to turn off the water supply at the main shut-off valve. Next, contact Michael’s Plumbing—a major leak is not time for a do-it-yourself project. Finally, avoid any wet electrical fittings; this is another call to a professional electrician.

• Why is my water bill so high? None of my faucets are leaking.

There could be multiple answers to this one. Are your toilets leaking? Is your water heater leaking? What about your main water pipes under your home? A call to Michael’s Plumbing will help you pinpoint the issue and then reverse the problems.

• Is there a chemical drain cleaner you recommend?

Professional plumbers advise avoiding chemical drain cleaners. Not only are they toxic, creating a risk for your children and/or pets, but they can be very harsh to your pipes. The strong chemicals will cause your pipes to deteriorate from the inside out. There is a variety of products containing less harsh ingredients that can prevent sludge from building up in your pipes. For heavy clogs, call Michael’s Plumbing for professional drain cleaning in Orlando.

• How do I prevent clogs in my drain?

Simply put, be conscious of what you put down your drain, whether it’s in your kitchen or in your bathroom. Bathroom drains tend to clog thanks to build-up of hair and residue from soaps and shampoos. Kitchen drains tend to clog thanks to build-up of grease, soap residue and organic material that homeowners think are okay to put down the drain.

• How do I choose the best plumber?

While we assure you that you cannot go wrong by contacting Michael’s Plumbing or calling us at 407-219-9772 we encourage you to ask friends, family, and neighbors for their recommendation for a plumber to come to your home. Ask questions, such as information about the plumbing company’s license, insurance, credentials, service fees, etc.

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