August Tip: Your Garbage Disposal

First, stop flushing. Every flush on a clogged toilet risks an overflow. If a standard plunger (the kind with the flange on the bottom, not the flat one) isn't clearing it after a few solid attempts, the clog is probably deeper than the trap. This usually means something is stuck in the line that needs professional equipment to remove. Give us a call or text before you try anything that could make it worse.

Sometimes. If it's a minor grease or food buildup, running hot water for a few minutes can help loosen things. But if the water is standing or barely moving, the buildup is too far down the line for hot water to reach. Skip the chemical drain cleaners. They rarely solve the problem and they can damage your pipes over time. If it's been slow for more than a day or two, it's time for a professional cleaning.

Probably not. A humming disposal usually means something is jammed between the blades. Turn it off and unplug it first. Most disposals have a small hex key slot on the bottom of the unit. Insert an Allen wrench and manually turn it back and forth to free the jam. If that doesn't work, or if the motor has stopped humming entirely, give us a call. Replacement is quick and affordable if the motor is burned out.

For electric water heaters, check your breaker panel first. A tripped breaker is the simplest fix. For gas water heaters, check the pilot light. If the pilot is out, follow the relighting instructions on the unit's label. If the pilot won't stay lit, or the breaker keeps tripping, that's a sign of a deeper issue and it's time to call a plumber.

First, check the obvious sources. Look under sinks, around the base of toilets, near the water heater, and at any visible supply lines. If you can see where it's coming from, turn off the nearest shut-off valve. If you can't find the source, or if the water is spreading, turn off your main water supply and call us. If you can, text us a picture of the area. It helps us know what we're walking into.

It depends on the source. If the water is coming up through a floor drain or sewer line, that's a plumbing issue and you should call us right away. If it's coming through the walls or foundation from outside, that's more of a waterproofing issue. If your sump pump isn't running and the pit is full, that's also us. When in doubt, call and describe what you're seeing. We'll tell you if it's something we can help with.

Check the power first. Make sure it's plugged in and the outlet is working. Then check the float switch inside the pit. Sometimes it gets stuck against the side of the pit or tangled on the cord. If the pump has power and the float moves freely but it's still not running, the motor may have failed. If a storm is coming and your pump isn't working, call us as soon as possible. A dead sump pump during heavy rain is how basements flood.

Not always, but it's worth investigating quickly. Check a few faucets around the house. If only one has low pressure, the problem is local. A clogged aerator or a partially closed shut-off valve under the sink is usually the fix. If the whole house has low pressure, check your main shut-off valve to make sure it's fully open. If everything checks out and the pressure is still low, there could be a leak in your supply line or a problem with the municipal supply. Call us and we'll help narrow it down.

Your main water shut-off valve is usually in the basement, crawl space, utility room, or near the water heater. It's typically a gate valve (round handle you turn clockwise) or a ball valve (lever handle you turn a quarter turn). Every homeowner should know where this valve is before an emergency happens. If you can't find yours, we're happy to help you locate it during any service visit.

Good rule of thumb: if the problem involves your main sewer line, gas lines, water supply lines inside walls, or anything you're not 100% confident about, call a professional. DIY is great for changing a showerhead or replacing a toilet flapper. But plumbing mistakes can cause water damage, code violations, or safety hazards that cost more to fix than the original problem. When in doubt, text us a picture and ask. We'd rather answer a quick question than show up to a DIY project that went sideways.