Frequently Asked Questions
If you're experiencing any of the problems listed below or you have further questions for a plumbing or HVAC expert, start by contacting our experienced team of professionals. Moffett Plumbing & Air is ready to help solve any of your plumbing problems and is your family plumber!
Plumbing
Frequently Asked Plumbing Questions in Orange County
How Can I Prevent Clogged Pipes?
Aside from regular maintenance appointments, there’s one simple thing you can do to help keep your Orange, CA, drains from becoming blocked. That is to flush the system with hot water. Occasionally throw in some baking soda and white vinegar, and your pipes will be clear of blockages.
What Is the Best Way to Clear My Property's Plumbing System?
Standard sewer and drain cleaning services methods are an effective way to clear your plumbing system. But the best way to ensure all buildup is removed is to use hydro jetting.
What Is Hydro-Jetting?
Hydro jetting is an effective method of resolving clogged pipes used by plumbers to clean slow-moving drains or obstructed sewer lines. They use a machine to blast high-pressure water into the plumbing system to remove grease, mineral buildup, debris, and tree roots.
How Do I Prevent Pipes from Freezing?
The best way to protect your Orange, CA, pipes from freezing is to ensure your home has proper insulation and wrap the pipes in heat tape or heat cables. You can also adjust the thermostat, open cabinet doors, and let the water drip slowly from any faucet.
What Do I Do If a Pipe Bursts?
Turn off the water at the main water valve to prevent further damage. Inspect the damage around the affected area and turn off the electricity to prevent injuries. Take photographs of the damage because you may need them for an insurance claim. Then, contact a plumber to begin the repair process.
Do Tankless Water Heaters Break Often?
With proper maintenance, a tankless water heater should last approximately 20 years. However, mineral buildup, corrosion, excessive demand, and improper installation can lead to problems. These issues can be addressed when you schedule regular maintenance appointments.
How Long Do Water Heaters Typically Last?
The average lifespan of a water heater is about eight to twelve years. If yours is over ten years old, it may be time for a replacement.
Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth the Cost?
This one really depends on how much you want to pay. Tankless water heaters can be significantly more efficient than other models, and their lifespan is double that of traditional water tanks. Even though the installation costs may be higher, you could end up saving considerable amounts of money in the long run.
What Causes Low Water Pressure?
Sometimes low water pressure is a problem with one specific faucet. But other times, the problem may be more complex. A few causes include the control valves not being open the whole way, faulty pressure regulators, old pipes, leaking or clogged pipes, pipes shared with another home, and changes to your local water policy.
Should I Have a Water Filtration System in Orange County?
Orange County tap water is considered safe to drink and poses no significant health risks. However, chlorine and other contaminants still make their way through your faucets. Water filtration services can improve your water quality, be more friendly to your appliances, and be healthier for your family’s well-being.
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Problems?
The most common plumbing problems in Orange, CA, include clogged drains and toilets, leaky faucets or pipes, and running toilets. Water heater issues and low water pressure also top the list of frequent plumbing problems.
Can Plumbing Leaks Grow Over Time?
Yes! Not only can they grow over time, but they can cause extensive damage to your home and waste precious water. Unchecked leaking can lead to mold growing in your home which is a health risk for your family.
How Are Faucet Leaks Repaired?
First, the water supply should be shut off, and then the faucet handle is removed. The packing nut is loosened so that the plumber can remove the cartridge. Grease is used to help with inserting the replacement cartridge. After that, the handle is reinstalled, and the water flow should be tested.
What Type of Pipe Material Is Used in My Home?
Today, the most popular materials for plumbing pipes are galvanized steel, copper, PVC, and PEX. But if your home was built before 1975, you probably have cast iron sewer pipes.
Galvanized steel pipes are seldom used in residential dwellings anymore since most homeowners turn to copper or PEX pipes. A certified plumber will help you determine what your existing pipes are made from and the best type for a replacement.
How Do I Safely Unclog My Toilet?
When the plunger doesn’t work, you can try a few other things. Use hot, not boiling, water to dump into the toilet and let it sit for a few moments. You can try adding some kitchen dish soap to the water if water alone doesn’t do the trick. Sometimes even adding baking soda to the toilet will loosen up whatever is causing the blockage.
What Foods Are Safe to Put in My Garbage Disposal?
Garbage disposals are designed to break up soft debris only. Things like mashed potatoes, cooked carrots, and eggs are acceptable to place in the disposal.
Harder items like bones, coffee grounds, or eggshells will cause the shredding impellers to wear down and potentially jam the disposal. To help break down the food and flush the drain, allow water to run into the disposal.
My Garbage Disposal Won't Run. Does It Need Replacing?
If your garbage disposal doesn’t run, it’s possible you may need to reset it using the overload protector button on the bottom of the unit. If this doesn’t cause it to run, it’s likely clogged. When running the garbage disposal causes it to overheat, it will need to be reset.
What Is a Slab Leak?
Simply put, a slab leak occurs in the pipes that run underneath your home’s concrete slab foundation. It could be a small trickle of water or a significant stream. Either way, it is a problem that should not be left unaddressed. If you ignore a slab leak for too long, you will have worse problems than an inflated water bill.