FAQ

This handy guide is intended to help you minimize the damage your plumbing emergency can cause until our plumber arrives at your home or business. 

We suggest you read through this section to familiarize yourself with the various temporary solutions you need to know. 

If you are leaving for vacation, be sure to read our checklist (pdf) before you go

 

Sink or Lavatory Problems

PROBLEM: Sink drains slowly or backs-up to overflowing.

Temporary Solution: Discontinue use.  Use a “force cup” type plunger to clear the obstruction.  Turn off water supply valves below fixture, if necessary.

Probable Cause: Drain blockage.

Permanent Solution: Sink/lavatory drain should be rodded-out with proper power equipment. Contact Aqua Plumbing & Air at 941-366-7676 for a service call.

 

PROBLEM: Faucet drips or fails to shut off all the way.

Temporary Solution: Turn off water supply valves beneath sink/lavatory.

Probable Cause:  Washers, seats, “o” rings or cartridges are worn or broken.  Faucet stems may be wearing out.

Permanent Solution: Mechanisms need to be checked and worn parts replaced.  If faucets are very old, this is a good time to replace them. Aqua Plumbing & Air can help. Call 941-366-7676 for a FREE estimate.

 

PROBLEM: Lavatory or sink won’t hold water.

Temporary Solution: Clean hair or foreign matter from pop-up drain or strainer.

Probable Cause: Worn pop-up drain or basket strainer. Lift rod connection loose.

Permanent Solution: Clean out hair or scum build-up.  Tighten assembly nut connecting lift rod attachment to waste mechanism under lavatory drain.  If waste assembly or basket strainer are worn, they should be replaced.

 

PROBLEM: Leak under fixture drain or at “P” trap.

Temporary Solution: Place bucket or container under drain or “P” trap to protect cabinet from damage.  If leak is severe, discontinue use of fixture.

Probable Cause: Age or neglect.

Permanent Solution: Replace defective drain or “P” trap. Call Aqua Plumbing & Air at 941-366-7676 for this simple repair.

 

Toilet Problems       

PROBLEM: Toilet Overflows.

Temporary Solution: Turn off water supply valve at the toilet.  Do NOT flush again.  Move rugs and other objects off floor.  Soak-up overflow water to avoid water damage.  Try using a plunger.

Probable cause: Obstruction in toilet or sewer line.  Septic tank problem.

Permanent Solution: Toilet and/or sewer need to be rodded-out.  Septic tank may need to be pumped out.

 

PROBLEM: Toilet only flushes partially and without much force.

Temporary solution: Pour a bucket of water into toilet bowl to stimulate flushing and clear the bowl.

Probable Cause: Parts in tank may be worn.  Mineral or foreign matter build-up in or around flushing rim. 

Permanent Solution: Call AQUA Plumbing & Air to replace defective parts.  Adjust flushing mechanism. And if needed, replace toilet fixture.

 

PROBLEM: Toilet continues to run; won’t shut-off.

Temporary Solution: Open tank lid to see if flapper is properly seated over drain.  Turn-off water supply valve if necessary.

Probable Cause: Ball cock, flapper or other parts worn out.

Permanent Solution: Replace defective parts with AQUA’s Toilet Tune Up Special. This includes: NEW Ballcock, NEW Flapper, NEW Supply Connection, FREE Leak Test.
Call Aqua Plumbing & Air at 941-366-7676.

 

PROBLEM: Toilet comes on by itself.

Your toilets are one of your home’s biggest water guzzlers – and leaks are hard for a homeowner to detect. An AQUA Toilet Tune Up will check for leaks and save you water and money… And you’ll be doing your part to protect the environment.

Temporary Solution: Check ball cock inside tank to be sure it isn’t hung-up or binding.

Probable Cause: Defective ball cock or flapper.

Permanent Solution: Replace defective ball cock or flapper.  Call Aqua plumbing & Air at 941-366-7676 for a complete “Toilet Tune-Up” special.

 

Water Heater Problems

PROBLEM: Water Heater Leaks.
If your water heater is 8 years or older, it may be worn out, causing leaks and possible flooding.

Temporary Solution: Turn off power supply or gas supply to water heater.  Turn off water supply valve to heater.

Probable Cause: Water heater has hole in tank or element may be leaking.

Permanent Solution: Call Aqua Plumbing & Air at 941-366-7676 for a FREE estimate, or to replace your water heater or defective element.

 

PROBLEM: No hot water; or running out of hot water too soon.

Temporary solution: Check electrical switch or circuit breaker to be sure power is on.

Probable Cause: Heating elements or thermostats may be bad.  Lightning strikes or power surges can damage elements or thermostats.

Permanent Solution: Have Aqua Plumbing & Air check all elements and thermostats. Call 941-366-7676 to set up an appointment.

 

PROBLEM: Very low water pressure in hot water system only.

Temporary Solution: Be sure water supply valve is open all the way.

Probable Cause: Blockage at hot or cold connections to water heater.

Permanent Solution: Call Aqua Plumbing & Air at 941-366-7676 to replace the plumbing connections to your water heater.

 

PROBLEM: Bad odor coming from hot water faucets.

Temporary Solution: Use hot water sparingly.

Probable Cause: Accumulation of iron bacteria in water heater.  Defective anode rod in water heater.  Newly installed water softening equipment may be causing a chemical reaction with the anode rod in the water heater.

Permanent Solution: Call Aqua Plumbing & Air to flush and disinfect your water heater thoroughly.  We’ll replace the anode rod if necessary (Note: removal of anode rod voids warranty on water heater.)

 

Bathtub/Shower Problems

PROBLEM: Tub or shower drains slowly.

Temporary Solution: Use sparingly.

Probable Cause: Accumulation of soap and hair in drain reducing draining capability.

Permanent Solution: Rod-out drain.  Also, tub drain mechanism may be defective and needing a replacement. Aqua Plumbing & Air can help. Call 941-366-7676 for service.

 

PROBLEM: Water backs-up into tub or shower when toilet is flushed or when washing machine is used.

Temporary Solution: Discontinue use of all plumbing fixtures.

Probable Cause: This is an indication of a major drain blockage which could affect the entire system and cause considerable trouble.

Permanent Solution: Main drain needs to be rodded-out.  Or there may be a problem with you septic system.

 

PROBLEM: Shower head or faucet drips.

Temporary Solution: Be sure faucets are turned off tightly.

Probable Cause: Washers, seats, “O” rings and/or cartridge are worn out.

Permanent Solution: A simple solution from Aqua Plumbing & Air… we’ll replace the worn out parts.

 

PROBLEM: Water shows up on floor after bathing or showering.

Temporary Solution: Discontinue use.

Probable cause: Cracked tile grout.  Drain may be broken under tub or shower pan.

Permanent Solution: Tile may have to be re-grouted.  Tub drain may have to be replaced.  Shower pan may need replacement. Contact Aqua Plumbing & Air at 941-366-7676 for a FREE estimate.

 

Garbage Disposer/Dishwasher Problems

PROBLEM: Disposer won’t run.

Temporary Solution: Check reset button on bottom of disposer.  Check circuit breaker.

Probable Cause: Disposer jammed or worn out.

Permanent Solution: Replace the unit.  Call Aqua Plumbing & Air and ask about our “Disposer Special of The Month.”

 

PROBLEM: Disposer makes loud racket when turned on.

Truth is, if your garbage disposer isn’t running right, you might as well be stuffing money down the drain.

Temporary Solution: Discontinue use.

Probable Cause: Foreign object has fallen into disposer.  Blades are loose or worn out.  Bearings worn.

Permanent Solution: Turn off the disposer power. Remove foreign object. If there is no foreign object, the disposer unit may need to be replaced.  Contact Aqua Plumbing & Air… we’ll have the right unit and size disposer that will operate efficiently for you. Ask about our “Disposer Special of the Month” by phoning 941-366-7676.

 

PROBLEM: Disposer has bad odor.

Temporary Solution: Fill disposer with ice cubes and let run until ice is gone.  Flush with cold water.

Probable Cause: Accumulation of rotting wastes in mechanism.

Permanent Solution: Let Aqua Plumbing & Air service your disposer with our exclusive “Disposer Sani-service.”  We’ll degrease, disinfect, deodorize and clean the grinding blades for a very nominal fee. Call 941-366-7676 to set up a service call today.

 

PROBLEM: Disposer leaks under sink.

Temporary Solution: Discontinue use of sink.

Probable Cause: Seals worn out.  Disposer base is rusted through.

Permanent Solution: Replace Seals.  Replace unit if needed.  Contact Aqua Plumbing & Air at 941.366.7676, for the best service and the lowest prices on the Suncoast!

 

PROBLEM: Sink drain or garbage disposer backs up when dishwasher is running.

Temporary Solution: Discontinue use of dishwasher.

Probable Cause: Garbage disposer full of garbage or partial blockage in sink waste drain.

Permanent Solution: Run garbage disposer until clear.  Have sink waste drain rodded out

 

Washing Machine Problems

PROBLEM: Low water pressure at washing machine.  Takes too long for machine to fill.

Temporary Solution: Be sure intake valves are open wide.

Probable Cause: Screens in washing machine hoses are clogged.

Permanent Solution: Remove hoses from washing machine and clean screens.  Reattach hoses. Contact Aqua Plumbing & Air for a FREE estimate at 941.366.7676.

 

PROBLEM: Washing machine is flooding floor.

Temporary Solution: Turn off water supply valves behind washing machine and discontinue use.

Probable Cause: Defective washing machine hose or drain blockage.

Permanent Solution: Replace both hoses and rod out drain. Ask Aqua Plumbing & Air about our money saving Maintenance Contract and SAVE!

 

MISCELLANEOUS PLUMBING PROBLEMS

Plumbing Noise or Banging

 

PROBLEM: Water hammer.

Water hammer is a common occurrence in many homes and can be easily corrected.  When a faucet is turned off rapidly, a banging sound is heard.  This happens because water is trying to be compressed but water will not compress, thus vibrations reverberate throughout the plumbing system.  This is hard on your plumbing system and can cause damage.  Air chambers provide a cushion of air which allows the water to expand into them.  All homes are equipped with air chambers which are not accessible.  However, quite often these air chambers become water logged and lose their effectiveness.  This can happen in a few years.

Permanent Solution: Install new air chambers on the water lines at the water heater or under vanities where they’ll be accessible for servicing when needed.  Contact Aqua Plumbing & Air at 941-366-7676 for a FREE estimate and to set up a service call.

 

PROBLEM: You can hear water running through pipes but all water is shut off and no water is visible.

Probable Cause: Leak under house slab.

Permanent Solution: This problem will require the services of a highly trained plumbing professional.  The leak has to be located and repaired.  This repair may be covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy.  Check your policy or with your insurance agent.  Even though a leak can be detected under the slab and repaired, a similar leak may reappear at any time.  The best solution is to re-pipe the entire home with new piping.  (Note: Dark stains or damp areas developing under floors or carpeting or in walls could indicate this same problem.)  *Refer to repipe tab for more information.

 

Water Filter Problems

PROBLEM: Flow from water filter is slow or stopped altogether.

Probable Cause: Filter media or cartridge is blocked.

Permanent Solution: Replace cartridge or filtering media. Shut off valves.
If your main water line doesn’t have a shut-off valve, Aqua Plumbing & Air can install one for you. Contact us 24/7 at 941-366-7676.

NOTE: Modern plumbing systems have shut-off valves installed on all plumbing fixtures for ease of maintenance and for emergency uses.  You should know where these valves are located and if they work properly.  You may wish to tag them as follows: kitchen sink cold; kitchen sink hot; dishwasher, icemaker line to refrigerator; etc.  Know where the shut-off valve is located that supplies water to your water heater.  Know where the main water shut-off valve is for the line that supplies your home.