Water conservation is extremely important. Here are some ways you can do your part in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Tabb, Grafton, Smithfield, James City County, and Hampton Roads:

• Don’t use excessive amounts of detergents, bleach or chemicals that may kill the natural bacteria in your septic system.
• Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.
• To prevent excessive watering of your lawn in the summertime, purchase an inexpensive spring-loaded timer which attaches directly to your outside faucet. This will prevent overwatering in case you forget to shut off the sprinkler.
• Water pressure in your home above 60 pounds per square inch is harmful to your plumbing system and will cause excessive water usage. Contact your local water authority to find out what the water pressure is on your street. If it exceeds 60 pounds, consider installing a pressure reducing valve that will limit the water pressure within your home.
• Check your water meter during a period of time when no water is being used. Make a note of the meter reading and check it 8 to 10 hours later. If the meter has moved, there is an indication that you may have an undetected water leak, which should be corrected.
• Toilets consume more than 40% of your total water usage. Installation of a new toilet flapper and fill valve will keep your toilet running efficiently.
• Conserve energy by checking the temperature setting on your water heater. It should not be above 120°F or medium setting on older models.
• Replacing an old shower head can save up to 7.5 gallons of water per minute without sacrificing full spray action at low or high water pressures.
• A dripping faucet can waste as much as 150 gallons of water each day, or 4,500 gallons per month. Repair the faucet to save water and reduce your water bill.

Areas Of Expertise
Our commercial and residential plumbing company is expert at drain cleaning, plumbing repairs, water heaters, sewer line replacement, water line replacements, water heater installation, tankless water heaters, leak detection, slab leaks, sewer and drain cleaning, water jetting, backflow meter, backflow prevention, clogged drains, dishwasher installation, drain repair, emergency plumbing repair, faucet and fixture installation, garbage disposals, gas leaks, jewelry retrieval, kitchen fixture installation, leaky faucet repairs, line locating, pipe cleaning, pipe repair, plumbing inspections, professional drain cleaning, root removal, sewer lines, sink problems, shower problems, tank water heaters, toilet installation, toilet repair, water heater repair, and water leak detection.

Service Area
We serve home owners and businesses in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Tabb, Grafton, Smithfield, James City County, and throughout Hampton Roads.

These helpful hints should help keep the plumbing in your basement running efficiently in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Tabb, Grafton, Smithfield, James City County, and Hampton Roads.

• To prevent sewer gases from backing up into your home through your basement floor drain or other infrequently used drains, periodically pour a bucket of water down the drain to keep the trap seal full.
• Check your water meter during a period of time when no water is being used. Make a note of the meter reading and check it eight to 10 hours later. If the meter has moved, there is an indication that you may have an undetected water leak, which should be corrected.
• Stop annoying water hammer noises by installing shock absorbers that absorb vibrations in water lines.
  NEVER store flammable liquids such as gasoline, adhesives or solvents near the water heater, furnace or other gas-fired appliance as they may ignite.
• Check your washing machine hoses for bulges or leaks. Replace any hose showing signs of weakness.
  Conserve energy and prevent scalding by checking the temperature setting on your water heater. It should not be above 120°F or medium setting on older models.
• Septic tanks should be inspected and pumped every three to five years to help prevent costly replacement of the filter field. There are many of these in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Tabb, Grafton, Smithfield, James City County, and Hampton Roads.

Finding Your Water Meter and Main Shutoff Valve

The shutoff valve is usually found right where the main supply pipe enters the house coming up through your basement floor either next to or very close to the water meter.

The main shutoff for the house will be one or two valves near the main water supply pipe that can be turned on and off by hand.

There may also be an additional shutoff outside the house, buried in a cavity that is sometimes referred to as a “buffalo box.” If you have a buffalo box, it will generally be found in the ground near the street or the edge of your property. The box will often have a round metal cover. Pry open the cover and look inside with a flashlight. There will be a valve that you can turn by hand or with a long-handled “key.”

If you will need to shut down the system often during the course of a project, find your external shutoff and use it to shut off the water. Don’t depend entirely on the inside shutoff (particularly if you have an older home) — it can break, leak or stop shutting off.

Annual Maintenance for Water Heaters

• Once a year, drain several gallons of water from the tank to flush your water heater. Flushing will remove sediment buildup that can cause corrosion and reduce heating efficiency.
• Test the pressure relief valve by lifting up on the lever and letting it snap back. The valve should allow a burst of water into the drainpipe, if not, call a professional to have a new valve installed.
• Check your temperature setting on the thermostat, it should be set to 120°F. Lowering the temperature setting lowers your energy use, reduces risk of damage to your tank caused by overheating and prevents scalding.

Areas Of Expertise
Our commercial and residential plumbing company is expert at drain cleaning, plumbing repairs, water heaters, sewer line replacement, water line replacements, water heater installation, tankless water heaters, leak detection, slab leaks, sewer and drain cleaning, water jetting, backflow meter, backflow prevention, clogged drains, dishwasher installation, drain repair, emergency plumbing repair, faucet and fixture installation, garbage disposals, gas leaks, jewelry retrieval, kitchen fixture installation, leaky faucet repairs, line locating, pipe cleaning, pipe repair, plumbing inspections, professional drain cleaning, root removal, sewer lines, sink problems, shower problems, tank water heaters, toilet installation, toilet repair, water heater repair, and water leak detection.

Service Area
We serve home owners and businesses in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Tabb, Grafton, Smithfield, James City County, and throughout Hampton Roads.

These helpful hints should help keep the plumbing in your kitchen running efficiently.

• Never put hard-to-grind, stringy or fibrous waste (poultry skins, carrots, celery or banana peels) into the garbage disposer.
• Run cold water down the drain for 15 seconds before and after using the garbage disposer to flush waste through the line.
• Don’t pour liquid grease down the drain. Wipe congealed grease from pots and pans with a paper towel and dispose of in the trash.

Cleaning Your Garbage Disposer

Foul odors can occur from a buildup of food debris within the disposer. Try these steps to eliminate odors:

(Coming Soon)

Use these helpful hints to keep the plumbing in your bathroom running efficiently.

• Once a week run hot water down the drain to help keep it free-flowing.
• Repair leaky faucets to avoid further damage to the fixtures and faucets.
• Tubs and showers should be fitted with strainers that catch hair and soap chips. Clean the strainers regularly.
• To remove unsightly mineral deposits on your shower head, put one cup of vinegar in a plastic bag and place it over the shower head. Hold it in place with a twist tie and let stand overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and wipe off the mineral deposits with a damp cloth.
• Do not use your toilet as a wastebasket. Do not flush facial tissue, sanitary products or diapers as they do not dissolve and can clog the lines. Keep a trash container in each bathroom.

Showerhead Maintenance

Showerheads develop uneven spray when the holes become clogged with mineral deposits from the water. To clean:

• Unscrew swivel ball nut – you will need adjustable wrench or channel‑type pliers. (Hint: to protect the finish from scratches, first wrap the jaws of the tool with masking tape.)
• Unscrew collar nut from showerhead.
• Gently clean the outlet and inlet holes of the showerhead using a thin wire.
• Flush the head with clean water.
• You may want to soak the showerhead in vinegar overnight to remove all mineral deposits.

Testing a Toilet for Leaks

Check the water level in the tank to be sure that the water is not overflowing by way of the overflow pipe (the pipe in the middle of the tank with a small piece of tubing connected to it).

• If water is running into the overflow pipe, adjust the fill valve until the water stops approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube (there may be a water level mark stamped on the side of the tank).
• Test the flush valve mechanism by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank
  Check the bowl after 15 minutes, if the water has changed color, the ball or flapper is leaking and needs to be replaced.

Cleaning an Aerator

Low water pressure from the sprayer or water leaks from the handle are usually caused by lime buildup and sediment blocking the small openings inside the sprayer head. Clean the head using the following steps:

• By hand, carefully unscrew the aerator from the faucet turning counterclockwise. If it will not unscrew, wrap the jaws of your pliers with masking tape and loosen the aerator with the pliers. Continue by hand.
• Take aerator or spray head apart.
• Use a small brush dipped in vinegar to remove sediment.
• Reassemble the unit and screw back on to the faucet.

Plumbing problems can happen in any home, at any time. This section offers tips for basic plumbing maintenance and problem prevention.

Plumbing In Your Home
Want to learn how to handle some basic plumbing repairs yourself? First, become familiar with the plumbing system in your home. Then learn some easy techniques and procedures you can use to perform basic preventive maintenance and repair around the house.

The best time to choose a plumber is before you experience a plumbing emergency. Unfortunately, most people facing an emergency have very little time to research a plumber. When the toilet springs a leak or the basement ceiling is wet from a broken pipe upstairs, finding help is imperative.

Here are some tips for finding help before the water is rising:

1. Call a homeowner acquaintance whose opinion you trust. Most homeowners at one time or another need to hire a plumber and can advise you on one with a good reputation.
2. Try calling a builder or contractor if you know one. Contractors deal with plumbers frequently and usually have well-formed opinions about various local plumbers, the quality of their work and the competitiveness of their prices.
3. Talk to the real estate salesperson who represented you when you purchased your home. Real estate experts often recommend plumbers and other subcontractors to their clients. Because most agents want to keep you as a repeat customer, they will be happy to recommend a plumber for you.
4. Avoid leaving your name and phone number on a plumber’s answering machine unless you’re calling after hours. Likewise, be wary if a child answers the phone. Although reputable plumbers may work out of their home in small communities and rural areas most plumbers who have been in business for a while answer their own phones or have a receptionist.
5. Request the plumber’s license number before you hang up. If you feel nervous about doing this, tell him that you’re going to turn the claim into your homeowner’s insurance agent and that it is a requirement.
6. Ask for a price before the job starts. Most reputable plumbers will give you a bid, or at least an estimate with a ceiling price. The exception is when the plumbing problem occurs within a closed wall or ceiling. In that case, the plumber might be hesitant to quote a firm bid until he sees the extent of the problem. In this situation, ask for a “worst-case scenario” price.
7. Consider the plumber’s service warranty before hiring him. If he can’t guarantee the work for an acceptable period, it should send up a red flag. Unless you have very old pipes and fixtures and your home needs extensive plumbing work, a good plumber will return to fix a leak or a problem that was his error.