A- There are a lot of choices when it comes to shopping for a new kitchen or bathroom faucet. At Emerald City Plumbing and Heating we recommend purchasing name brand fixtures like Moen, Delta, and Kohler. With a brand name product you can rest assured that they will be durable and economical. Many also offer lifetime warranties. At Emerald City Plumbing and Heating our vans are always stocked with the most common service parts for name brands like Moen, Delta, and Kohler to provide you with the best service.

A- A toilet with a weak flush can be very frustrating. To start, you want to check to see if there is a clog. A clogged toilet will usually cause the water level in the bowl to rise and possibly overflow out of the bowl when flushed. If there is no clog, you want to check for proper operation of the flapper and fill valve. Check for proper water level in the tank. Not all toilets will have the same flushing power. If you are looking for a new toilet with a stronger flush, we recommend purchasing a new Kohler toilet. At Emerald City Plumbing and Heating we recommend Kohler toilets for their strong and consistent flushing capabilities.

A- A dripping faucet is typically caused by a worn-out faucet cartridge or dirt and debris that gets stuck inside of the faucet. Some older styles of faucets may use small gaskets and springs that can get worn out over time. A whole house water filtration system may also help to prevent your faucet from dripping by removing the dirt and debris in your pipes and by removing harmful chlorine in your water that causes long term damage to the rubber components in your faucet. At Emerald City Plumbing and Heating we stock our vans with all the most common faucet repair parts to make repairing your faucet quick and easy.

A- In most cases a shower that does not regulate temperature will be a faulty shower cartridge or a broken handle. Newer showers may use a pressure-balancing mixing valve that may be your issue. If you have tried to replace your shower cartridge and are still having issues, the culprit may be your water heater. Check to see if your water heater can keep up with the demand for hot water. Either upgrading your water heater or installing a mixing valve on your water heater may help get you more consistent shower temperatures.

A- Pin hole leaks in copper pipes are usually caused by pitting and corrosion on the inside of your plumbing. Water quality and water velocity can contribute to failure of copper pipes. To help prevent pin hole leaks, check your water pressure. If your water pressure is above 80PSI, a pressure reducing valve should be installed on your water main. Check for high levels of chlorine in your water. Chlorine can damage copper and PEX piping. Most pinhole leaks occur on hot water piping due to scale buildup of the minerals in the water. A good water filter system will help protect your pipes and your water heater. Pin hole leaks in copper pipes can also simply be a factor of age. Copper has an average lifespan of 50 years. If your home was built before 1980, then you may want to consider upgrading your plumbing.