Why Is My Drain Clogged? And other common plumbing FAQs.

Often, when a hard-working plumbing system suddenly springs a leak, overflows, or just generally stops working properly, homeowners aren’t sure how the problem started. 

To help, we’re answering some of the top questions our plumbers get asked every day and throwing in a few tips to keep your system running smoothly. 

Are there things I shouldn’t dump down my garbage disposal?

Garbage disposals are a huge convenience in the kitchen, providing a quick and clean way to dispose of food waste. While plenty of foods are totally okay to dump down the drain, there are others that should be avoided at all cost. Eggshells, corn husks, high-fiber foods, grease, and oils either get caught or solidify between the blades and cause trouble down the road.

Why does my drain get clogged?

Drains were designed to drain water, but that’s rarely the only thing going down. Beauty products, hair, dirt, and food waste are constantly finding their way in. That leads to blocked drains. Drain catchers are a great tool for stopping physical debris. As for the other culprits, it’s important to become more vigilant.

Why is my toilet constantly running? 

The most common reason for a running toilet is the flapper. Over time, the flapper inside your toilet will shrink or wear out. When that happens, it can no longer make a proper seal around the flush valve. It’s a common problem with an easy fix, but one that should not be ignored. A running toilet could be wasting hundreds of gallons of water a day, running up your bill.   

Why is my water pressure so low? 

Low water pressure is a concern for a lot of homeowners. The cause of the problem is not always easy to pinpoint. Low water pressure can be the result of many different problems, including a malfunctioning, shut off valve, a faulty pressure regulator, clogged or corroded pipes, or water meter allocation issues.  

Is there a big difference between hard and soft water?

In a word: yes. Hard water contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, chalk, and lime. Soft water, on the other hand, is treated to remove minerals. The major difference between the two is most apparent when doing household chores. Hard water leaves clothes looking dingy, dishes with water spots, and showers and bathtubs with soap scum.    Hopefully, we’ve answered a few of your questions and provided some solutions. Of course, for most plumbing matters, the best answer we can give is to get help from a credible and professional plumbing company like Raider Rooter.  Our team has been providing South Florida with reliable, affordable, and high-quality plumbing services for over 40 years.