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.

The sudden smell of chlorine from your tap water is a result of the chlorination process used to disinfect public drinking water. Chlorine is used by your local water authority to kill bacteria and other microorganisms. While the chlorination process is safe and necessary, a whole house water filter is recommended to help remove the chlorine once it enters your home. A whole house water filter will remove the taste and odor of chlorine as well as provide other great benefits.

For most homes, the best way to remove PFAS from your drinking water is by installing a reverse osmosis water filter system. While many whole house point-of- entry water filters that use granulated active carbon may help in the removal of some PFAS, a reverse osmosis water filter can remove up to 99%. This is achieved by a high-pressure membrane that forces the water molecules through small holes that may range from .0001-.001 microns.

Switching to an electric water heater may have some Pros and some Cons for your family. If you have Solar panels installed in your home, then you may benefit from “Free” hot water for some parts of the year. Basic Electric water heaters also have the lowest installation cost compared to other types. If you are switching from a gas, tankless, or Indirect water heater then some cons may include insufficient hot water. Electric water heaters have very poor recovery times compared to other types. This is a consideration to make depending upon your family size and hot water usage.

A leaking relief valve from a water heater can either be caused by too much pressure, too hot water, a faulty relief valve, or debris caught in the valve seat. In many cases a thermal expansion tank may need to be installed or checked for proper air charge. When a water heater is heating up, the pressure in the tank can rise and start to leak after 150PSI. A thermal expansion tank can help to equalize the pressure in the water heater and prevent the relief valve from dripping.

To detect a slab leak, first start at the water meter. A spinning dial is a good indication of a slab leak. Thermal imaging cameras are useful in detecting hot or cold spots on the floor. For difficult locating, a high frequency microphone can be used to listen to noises under the floor or out in the yard. Slab leak repairs are often best left to a professional plumbing company to prevent unnecessary damage to your home.

The short answer, Yes! Automatic water shutoff valves can help prevent costly water damage in your home. They will detect even the smallest drip behind walls. In an extreme event like a burst pipe, the water will automatically shut off to prevent as much damage as possible. Automatic shutoff valves like Flo by Moen can also possibly reduce your homeowner’s insurance.

High efficiency boilers have a higher upfront cost for installation when converting from a standard cast iron boiler. However, the fuel savings and increased comfort in your home often out way the upfront cost. Some manufacturers even include built in Wi-Fi capabilities that allow for remote monitoring of your boiler. High efficiency boilers are also extremely quiet. At Emerald City Plumbing and Heating we recommend Viessmann boilers for their quality, longevity, and built in Wi-Fi for remote monitoring.

The average life expectancy of a high efficiency boiler is 15 years. Some brands have a longer life expectancy of 20 years on average. Proper maintenance and installation also plays a large role in the performance and longevity of a high efficiency boiler. Proper water quality and water filtration may help to increase the average lifespan.