HELPFUL ANSWERS
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common plumbing questions about water heaters, fixtures, repairs, and service.
CAPITAL PLUMBING FAQ
Common Questions from Our Customers
Here are a few helpful answers to questions customers often ask before scheduling plumbing service.
Water Heaters
Tank-style water heaters usually last 8–12 years. Tankless heaters can last longer, often 15–20 years with proper care.
If a water heater is leaking from the tank itself, it is not repairable and must be replaced.
A tank-style water heater should be flushed once a year to clear accumulated calcium and mineral sediment, helping the heater run efficiently.
An anode rod is a sacrificial metal rod inside the tank that attracts corrosive elements in the water. It helps protect the tank from rusting. The rod slowly dissolves over time and should be replaced before the metal is completely dissolved.
Warning signs to watch for include smelly water, rusty-colored water, or rumbling noises from the tank.
If there is hot water but it runs out quickly, this can be a sign that the upper or lower heating elements may be failing and need to be replaced.
A pilot light usually won’t stay lit because of a faulty thermocouple or thermopile that fails to sense the flame and keep the gas valve open.
This can be caused by a deteriorated or misaligned flapper that fails to create a watertight seal. It can also be caused by an incorrectly adjusted fill valve float.
Water Closets
This can be caused by a deteriorated or misaligned flapper that fails to create a watertight seal. It can also be caused by an incorrectly adjusted fill valve float.
The most common cause of water leaking from the base is an old wax ring. Other causes can include a loose tee-bolt, a cracked tank, or condensation dripping down.
Gurgling can indicate a vent stack blockage or a main sewer line clog.
The handle is likely disconnected. The lift chain inside the tank may have snapped, become unhooked from the handle arm, or become too loose to lift the flapper.
If your water closet randomly cycles on and off without anyone flushing it, there may be a slow internal leak. Water is escaping the tank, forcing the fill valve to turn on and refill it.
An overflow usually means there is a blockage in the water closet trap or further down the drain line.
A weak flush can happen if the water level in the tank is too low or the flapper closes too quickly.
Garbage Disposal
Never put grease, starchy foods, fibrous vegetables, bones, coffee grounds, eggshells, or non-food items in the garbage disposal.
A humming noise without grinding usually means the internal flywheel is jammed by a foreign object. The motor is receiving power, but cannot turn.
Always use cold water. Cold water helps keep incidental grease or fat in a more solid form so it can move through the disposal and drain line more easily.
Bad smells are often caused by decomposing food particles caught under the black rubber splash guard or stuck to the grinding chamber walls. We recommend placing a handful of ice cubes and chopped citrus peels, such as lemon or lime, into the unit. Run cold water and turn the disposal on for about 30 seconds. The ice helps clean the chamber walls while the citrus helps neutralize odors.