Household plumbing can be a confusing system to understand and finding a plumbing company you trust can seem impossible. At Stahl Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, we're ready to help you get answers to your most frequently asked plumbing questions.
Why is flushing my toilet so noisy?
Flushing a toilet causes a huge gush of water to be forced through a narrow pipe. Depending on the strength of the flush, this can generate a loud noise, but it's perfectly normal. As long you don't continue to hear running water after the bowl has refilled, there's nothing to worry about.
How do you avoid frozen pipes?
Pipes freeze when water inside the pipes expands. This can burst the pipes at weak points, such as where there are joints in the pipes. To avoid frozen pipes, wrap pipe insulation around both hot and cold pipes in the basement, and any other areas in the home without insulation. Keep the furnace at a minimum of 62 degrees in winter. During cold snaps, keep water running at a slow trickle, since running water can't freeze. You can catch the water in a bucket at the faucet and reuse it for washing, etc.
What's the difference between hard water and soft?
Water naturally contains minerals like magnesium and iron. This is called hard water. Many people like to soften water in order to improve the taste and odor of hard water. Soft water is also said to get laundry cleaner, and is easier on the skin and hair. Soft water has been softened with either chemical additives or salt.
Why does my kitchen faucet leak?
Faucet leaks can be caused by a variety of reasons. One reason might be that your home's water pressure is set too high. The faucet gasket has a hard time keeping back the flow of water, so the faucet leaks. Another reason can be that the gasket in the faucet has degraded. In this case, the gasket has to be replaced. Bear in mind that the faucet handles may be causing the leak, too. If the handles aren't working properly then the water isn't being shut off all the way, causing a constant leak.
Why does our house always run out of hot water?
Your hot water heater might not be operating efficiently. If the heater is 20 years old or more, you should consider replacing it. Newer models are built to be energy efficient, which saves you money and keeps water hot as long as you need it.
For more answers to your household plumbing concerns, please contact the experts at Stahl Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning.