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The team at Bewley’s Plumbing has gathered some of the most commonly answered questions about our services to provide our customers with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their plumbing. These answers will hopefully provide you with the peace of mind that you need. When it comes to your plumbing needs, our team has you covered.

1. What Causes Pipe Corrosion?

Pipe corrosion can be caused by several different things, but poor water quality is the biggest culprit. The most common causes of pipe corrosion are as follows:

Low pH

If the water’s pH level is below 8, then the acidity of the water will wear away the protective barrier on your copper pipes, leaving them exposed to corrosion. Over time, this corrosion can lead to leaks.

High Oxygen Levels

The oxygen in the water can undergo a chemical reaction known as internal oxidation with your metal pipes. This occurs when the water’s oxygen levels are too high and results in the pipes rusting.

Water Turbulence

The high velocity of the water in your pipes can result in turbulence. When fast-moving water encounters sharp turns, elbows, or other obstacles, it can wear away at the pipes. Over time, this can lead to cracks and leaks.

2. What Is the Easiest Way to Check If I Have a Water Leak?

There is a neat little trick to check your home for a water leak. First, go to your water meter and record the level. Next, make sure everyone in your family knows not to use the water for the next few hours. Once a couple of hours has passed, go back to the water meter again and check the levels. If the level has changed, you most likely have a leak. 

It is typically easiest to do this check at nighttime when people are going to bed. You can re-check the level first thing in the morning after you get up. Just make sure no one uses the water between the time you go to bed and the next morning when you wake up. 

3. How Should I Clean My New Faucets?

Your faucets can be cleaned with a damp, soft cloth. Be sure to avoid any abrasive cleaning fluids or pads, as these can scratch the surface and remove the finish of your new faucet.

Silver bathroom faucet dripping water

4. How Much Water Is Actually Wasted From a Dripping Faucet?

It takes about 15,140 drops of water to equal a gallon, so it may seem like that single drop of water from your faucet is not a lot.  However, if one faucet is leaking at just 10 drops a minute, that’s about 14,400 drops a day, which comes out to be 347 gallons a year.

Now, if you have more than one faucet leaking, this can quickly equal well over 1,000 gallons of water being wasted. Don’t let little drops of water raise your water bill and wash your hard-earned money away. Instead, contact your trusted professionals at Bewley Plumbing.

5. Should I Repair or Replace a Leaking Faucet?

Most faucets can easily be repaired and refinished. However, if the issue is major corrosion or that the part is older and constantly experiencing issues, it may be easier and more cost-efficient to just replace the faucet. 

What Causes a Faucet to Leak?

The most common cause of faucet leaks is a corroded O-ring, gasket, or valve seats. These components work together to hold back the water until the faucet is opened and the water is needed. If even one part of this three-part team is corroded, your faucet may leak.

If after replacing one of these pieces, the faucet is still leaking, it may be a larger issue such as corrosion of the faucet itself. Contact Bewley Plumbing for leak detection and repair services!

6. How Can I Tell If My Toilet Is Leaking?

If you suspect your toilet is leaking, you can check by putting a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. Make sure no one uses that toilet for about half-an-hour.

Once the half-hour is up, come back and check to see if any of the food coloring has leaked into the bowl. If it did, then your toilet has a leak.

7. Why Does Water Back Up Into the Sink When I Run the Dishwasher?

Typically, water backing up into the sink when the dishwasher is on means that there is food stuck in your disposal. This occurs because the garbage disposal and the dishwasher share the same drain. Before you run your dishwasher, make sure your garbage disposal is clear of any food particles.

Always run the disposal with cold water going down the drain; the weight of the water will push any food particles down the drain, ridding the drain of the blockage. If this doesn’t work, contact Bewley Plumbing and we will get your disposal and dishwasher up and running.

8. Why Does My Hot Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

Foul-smelling water is a result of hydrogen, sulfur, and bacteria being present in the water. The sulfur and bacteria are naturally present in water that comes from appliances, but they are still safe for drinking or usage.

When the magnesium anode rod in your water heater reacts with the sulfur or bacteria, it can result in hydrogen that creates the odor you are smelling. This is typically a sign that the magnesium rod in your water heater needs to be replaced.

Plumbing Tips and Best Practices

An ounce of prevention will go a long way towards keeping your home’s plumbing in excellent working order and helping you avoid costly repairs.

Faucet and Sinks

  • Remove and clean your faucet aerators annually to ensure an even flow of water.
  • Make sure overflow holes on tubs and vanities are clear and open to prevent water damage to floors and ceilings.
  • At the end of October, remove all hoses connected to your outside faucets. This will allow the faucet to drain down and avoid freeze breaks during the winter months.

Water Heaters

  • Drain your water heater annually. Doing so will help remove the built-up sediment that can settle in the bottom of the unit which may harden, causing your heater to be noisy, run less efficiently, and even clog valves.
  • Anytime you leave your home for a long period of time, adjust the temperature to a “vacation” setting or lower the temperature so that your water heater isn’t turning on often while you are gone.
  • If a gas water heater begins to pop and crackle as the burner is running, there is likely scale-build up. This issue reduces the amount of hot water and decreases the efficiency of the water heater.
  • At least once every two years, have your water heater inspected by a service technician. He or she will also check the drain valve for signs of leakage, and the anode rods for corrosion.

Clogs

  • To prevent clogs, fit all your tubs and shower drains with a strainer that catches hair and soap chips. Clean the strainer regularly.
  • Do not rinse fats or cooking oils down the kitchen sink. Liquid fats solidify in the cold pipes and create clogs.
  • Avoid using caustic liquid drain openers, such as Drano or Liquid Plumber, on a drain that is completely clogged. The caustic ingredients can become trapped in your pipe and severely damage them. If you can’t snake the drain yourself, contact a professional to do so. 

Garbage Disposal

  • Use plenty of cold water when running your disposal
  • Make sure to avoid overloading your disposal
  • Never dispose of bones or corn husks in your disposal
  • Never use a caustic drain opener

Trusted Plumbing Services in McKinney, Texas

No matter what kind of plumbing problem your residential or commercial property faces, you can be sure that the team at Bewley Plumbing has your back! Contact our team today for more information on our services or to schedule your plumbing service!