Plumbing FAQ

The blocked drainage system, broken pipes, and leaking gas are some of the most usual residential emergencies regarding plumbing. Maintenance will let you notice the premature issues and fix them prior to escalating to emergencies of plumbing.

Pipe corrosion can be caused by a number of things, almost all of which are related to water quality, including:

• Chemicals in the water
• The pH of the water
• The amount of oxygen in the water
• The temperature of the water
• The water pressure and the speed at which the water moves through the pipes.

If you think you have a leak in your home, there’s an easy way you can check. Go out to your water meter and record the level. Make sure no one uses any water for a few hours, then go back and check the meter again (it’s easiest to do this when everyone goes to bed, then check it again first thing in the morning). If the level has changed, you probably have a leak – call Porpoise Plumbing to have it taken care of right away!

An overflowing toilet is usually caused by a leak in your tank's fill valve or deterioration of the shaft or wire that sets the fill level. Whatever the cause, contact Porpoise Plumbing for the solution!

Foul smelling water is caused by the combination of hydrogen, sulfur, and bacteria in the water. Sulfur and bacteria are naturally present in the water your appliances use, and they will not make you sick. When the magnesium anode rod in your water heater tank reacts with the sulfur and bacteria in the water, it creates enough hydrogen to create an odor. There are many ways to take care of this, from replacing the magnesium anode rod to purifying the water in your water heater.

A well maintained gas water heater should last you about 8-12 years. An electric water heater will last longer, around 10-15 years. A tankless water heater will last you even longer than that! That said, you should think about having your water heater replaced if you notice any of the following signs:

• Rust colored water
• Lack of hot water
• Moisture or flooding around the base of your water heater

If you are on a well, the hard water can limit your water heater’s lifespan. Water softening or installing a water conditioner will help extend the life of your water heater.

In most cases, yes! There are very few situations in which tankless water heaters will not work, and most will work in areas where conventional storage-tank water heaters would not. Most tankless water heaters are about the size of a briefcase and require about 120V, 60Hz, and 3 amps of power – requirements almost any house meets.

High pressure coming from your water heater can cause your relief valve to leak. There are a few reasons for this:

• Incoming water pressure from the main water line is too high
• Thermal expansion (water expanding in volume as it is heated) is causing the pressure to build-up

The easiest way to deal with a leaky relief valve is to contact Porpoise Plumbing to replace it!