Common plumbing problems, explained straight.
Real answers from a Midlands plumber. What that error code means, what’s safe to try yourself, and when it’s time to call. No scare tactics. If it’s a DIY fix, we’ll say so.
Water heaters
Water heater leaking from the bottom?
Sometimes it’s a five-dollar fix. Sometimes the tank is done. Here’s how to tell which one you’ve got.
What does Rinnai error code 11 mean?
The unit tried to light and couldn’t. What to check yourself before you call.
Why does my tankless go hot, then cold, then hot?
Three usual causes for the temperature roulette, and the one we find most around here.
How often should a tankless be descaled?
Around here: once a year. Why that interval, and what happens when it’s skipped.
Why is my water heater popping and rumbling?
That noise is sediment hardening in the tank. What it means, and whether a flush is worth it.
Why does my hot water run out so fast?
Sediment, a broken dip tube, or a tank that’s too small. How to tell which, and the tankless option.
No hot water, but the pilot light’s on?
The burner isn’t firing. The dial to check first, and what’s safe to touch before you call.
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs?
Hot only, or both hot and cold? What the smell means, and the well-water connection.
Water heater leaking from the top?
A top leak doesn’t always mean the tank’s done. The usual sources, and what it tells you.
Service plumbing
Why is my water bill suddenly so high?
Usually it’s a toilet that never shuts off. The two-minute meter test that tells you if it’s a leak.
Why won’t my toilet stop running?
Usually a worn flapper or a fill valve that won’t shut off, both can spike your bill.
Why is my water pressure so low?
One fixture or the whole house? The usual causes, from a clogged aerator to a failing PRV.
Don’t see your problem? Just describe what’s happening. That’s usually all we need.