Frequently asked plumbing
questions
Q:
Are you a licensed plumbing company in the area?
Q:
What areas do you service?
Q:
Can you provide me with the cost to replace my sewer?
Q:
Do you provide plumbing services to restaurants?
Q:
If my toilet is backing up could it be that my sewer has roots
causing the problem?
Q:
When I flush my toilet what is coming up in the bathtub. What
causes this?
Q:
My garbage disposal just stopped working. Do I need to buy a
new one?
Q:
What is the round grate cover in the parking lot at work?
Q:
There is water in my crawlspace in my basement? What does this
mean?
Q:
What does the plumbing term clean out mean?
Q:
Why did the plumber go on the roof to unplug my kitchen sink
drain?
Q:
I noticed my water bills have increased. I don't see any leaks
in my faucets; could there be another problem?
Q:
I have a septic system. How often should I have my septic system
inspected by professional plumbers?
Q:
The temperature of my hot water seems to be higher than what
I think I need. How can I conserve energy, yet also be sure that
there is an adequate amount of hot water?
Q:
I have a foul odor coming from my garbage disposal. What can
I do to eliminate this odor?
Q:
I notice a foul odor coming from the bathroom in the basement.
This bathroom is not used except for when we have company. What
could be the problem and how can I eliminate the odor?
Q:
I live in a northern state where winters are cold. I was told
to turn off the outside faucets before winter. I did this and
the pipes leading to the outside faucet froze and burst. What
did I do wrong?
Q:
My showerhead and faucet aerators have a buildup of a white substance
around the area where the water comes out. Is there anything
I can do other than replace them?
Q: Are you a licensed plumbing company in the
area?
A: Yes, we are licensed in Oregon, CCB #102535 and Washington
CCAD# MALMEEI926NG
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Q: What areas do you service?
A: We at Malmedal Plumbing provide all plumbing services to
the entire state of Oregon and Washington including Vancouver,
Banks, Vernonia, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Portland,
Washington County, St. Helens, Scappoose, Redmond and Bend, Oregon.
Some travel charges may be added if outside of the metro area,
however, service to Multnoma, Clackamas, Washington, Clark, and
Cowlitz is without a travel time charge.
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Q: Can you provide me with the cost to replace
my sewer?
A: We will be happy to inspect your sewer and provide you with
an honest assessment.
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Q: Do you provide plumbing services to restaurants?
A: Yes. We provide full plumbing services to restaurants along
with pumping and maintain grease traps.
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Q: If my toilet is backing up could it be that
my sewer has roots causing the problem?
A: No. In most cases, if the toilet is backing up, the problem
is your toilet. Using an auger or plunger should clear the problem
quickly.
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Q: When I flush my toilet what is coming up
in the bathtub. What causes this?
A: In most cases, you main sewer line is clogged. If you locate
the main line clean out you can screw out the plug and this should
relieve the pressure in the plumbing system. However, if the
drain is on the inside of your home, do not open it. You will
need professional help.
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Q: My garbage disposal just stopped working.
Do I need to buy a new one?
A: Not necessarily. In most cases, garbage disposals are often
just jammed. You can first try the reset button on the bottom
of the disposal. Some disposals also have a hole in the bottom
that allows you to use a wrench to un-jam the motor.
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Q:What is the round grate cover in the parking
lot at work?
A: This is a catch basin. It can have a round or square grate
cover. The catch basin is about 3 feet deep and has the drain
line towards the top. The heavy material settles to the bottom
and the water flows out. They should be cleaned on an annual
basis; yes, Malmedal Plumbing provides this service.
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Q: There is water in my crawlspace in my basement?
What does this mean?
A: This could mean that your rain drain is the problem and not
a broken pipe. Check it first to see if it could be overflowing.
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Q: What does the plumbing term clean out mean?
A: A clean out is what a plumber will use to access the drain
line to clean the drain or sewer. Not all drains will have one.
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Q: Why did the plumber go on the roof to unplug
my kitchen sink drain?
A: All drain lines should have a vent that goes through the
roof. When you were a child and you would pull up your soda straw
with your thumb over the top of it and the soda would straw in
the straw until your thumb was removed this is the same principal.
The plumbing needs to be vented to drain and carry off sewer
gases. It also allows the service man to clean the line without
entering the house.
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Q: I noticed my water bills have increased.
I do not see any leaks in my faucets; could there be another
problem?
A: You may want to check to see if a toilet is leaking. First,
check the water level to ensure that water is not overflowing
the tank by way of the overflow pipe. This is the pipe in the
middle of the tank. It has a small tube connected to it. If water
is running into the overflow, adjust the fill valve to stop the
flow approximately one (1) inch below the top of the overflow
tube or to the water level mark stamped on the side of the tank.
Second, put a few drops of food coloring into the tank to test
the flush valve mechanism. If the water in the bowl changes color
within 15 minutes, this is an indication that water is leaking
into the toilet bowl and that the ball or flapper needs to be
replaced.
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Q: I have a septic system. How often should
I have my septic system inspected by professional plumbers?
A: Septic systems should be inspected and pumped a minimum of
once every three to four years. You may not be experiencing any
problems now, but a full septic tank may allow unwanted solids
to flow into the drain field, which is the part of the system
that consists of a distribution box, with a series of connected
pipes. Each pipe allows water to flow into a bed of stone that
drains into the ground. If paper and other solids flow into the
drain field, it becomes blocked and ineffective. A blocked drain
field is costly to repair or replace.
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Q: The temperature of my hot water seems to
be higher than what I think I need. How can I conserve energy,
yet also be sure that there is an adequate amount of hot water?
A: Most people are comfortable with their hot water set at 120
degrees Fahrenheit, which is also the new standard that manufacturers
use when pre-setting it at the factory. If you have an older
model, set the thermostat at medium. On a gas model, there is
a dial on the front of the gas valve. On electric models, the
thermostats (there may be two) are concealed behind the two panels
on the side of the tank. NOTE: Turn off the electricity before
removing the panels. There are exposed wires behind the panels
containing HIGH VOLTAGE.
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Q: I have a foul odor coming from my garbage
disposal. What can I do to eliminate this odor?
A: Foul odors occur from a buildup of food debris within the
disposal. To eliminate this odor, place ice cubes and lemon or
orange peels in the disposal and run for 30 seconds. Next, squirt
a little liquid dish detergent into the disposal, while it is
still running. Finally, run cold water for about 30 seconds to
rinse all the debris away.
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Q: I notice a foul odor coming from the bathroom
in the basement. This bathroom is not used except for when we
have company. What could be the problem and how can I eliminate
the odor?
A: Plumbing systems are designed to prevent foul odors from
entering the house by means of the trap attached to fixtures.
Traps contain water to seal out foul odors; if the water seal
evaporates, the odors enter the house. To solve this problem,
pour a bucket of water in each trap, sink, shower, and floor
drain. This will prevent the odors from entering the house.
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Q: I live in a northern state where winters
are cold. I was told to turn off the outside faucets before winter.
I did this and the pipes leading to the outside faucet froze
and burst. What did I do wrong?
A: Turning off the water is not enough. You must also disconnect
the garden hose connected to the faucet to allow the water in
the pipe to drain out. This will allow the piping to withstand
the cold weather.
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Q: My showerhead and faucet aerators have a
buildup of a white substance around the area where the water
comes out. Is there anything I can do other than replace them?
A: The unsightly buildup are mineral deposits. To remove these
deposits from the showerhead, take a plastic bag and pour a cup
of vinegar in it. Place the bag over the showerhead and use a
twist tie to hold it in place overnight. In the morning, remove
the bag and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub off the deposits.
You might be able to remove the aerators from the faucets and
allow them to soak in the vinegar overnight.
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