Plumbing Q and A

Questions

1. How do I know what size water heater I need so I don’t pay for more than is necessary to heat the water in my home?
2. How do I know where to set my water heater for the right safety and comfort?
3. How do I know if there is a problem with my water heaters temperature and pressure valve?
4. With so many sources of water coming into my home, how can I protect against flooding and flood damage in Dallas?
5. Why is my shower cold all of a sudden?
6. Are small leaks in the toilet and sink costly?
7. Will I save money by hiring a Dallas plumber to stop these small leaks?
8. I’ve heard that I need to have my water heater set to above 130 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that Legionella bacteria is killed, but at these temperatures it only takes seconds to be scalded. What can I do?
9. What water temperature prevents the spread of Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease?
10. Is there a particular kind of toilet that will prevent toilet paper clogs from happening?
11. My bathroom and/or kitchen has a musky smell. What gives?
12. Toilet clogs are happening more and more frequently, and I’m getting tired of using that nasty plunger. What can I do?
13. How do I prepare for the increased plumbing demands caused by cold winter weather?
14. When I have a clog can I buy a drain cleaner to solve the problem.
15. What can I do after the winter is over to ensure that the colder weather has not created any plumbing dangers or problems?
16. Do I have to take any plumbing precautions when I go on vacation?
17. My toilet is making lots of noise… running long after it’s been used… and I think it’s trying to tell me something. What’s it saying?
18. What do I do when my toilet is about to overflow?
19. What are the "do's" and "do not's" of garbage disposal usage?

Answers

1. How do I know what size water heater I need so I don’t pay for more than is necessary to heat the water in my home?
   
   There is actually a relatively simple formula you can use. You can easily measure the gallons per minute (GPM) of your shower head by seeing how long it takes for one gallon to flow from your shower. With this information you can consult our chart to determine what size water heater you need given the number of showers being taken within an hours time.
2. How do I know where to set my water heater for the right safety and comfort?
   
   Sometimes it seems like your shower or sinks are too hot, or not hot enough. But raising the temperature valve on your water heater can be dangerous or a waste of energy. If there are children, elderly, or disabled persons in your household, for example, you might not want to set the thermostat above 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid contact with “hot” water. The following chart, courtesy of Shriners Burn Institute, may help you determine the right temperature for your water heater. Of course, you can call us for help whenever you need us!
   
   

   Time/ Temperature	Relationships in Scalds
   125 Degrees	1 ½ -2 minutes
   130 Degrees	about 30 seconds
   135 Degrees	about 10 seconds
   140 Degrees	about 5 seconds
   145 Degrees	about 3 seconds
   150 Degrees	about 1 ½ seconds
   155 Degrees	about 1 second

3. How do I know if there is a problem with my water heaters temperature and pressure valve?
   
   There are 3 T&P valve warning signs that you should pay attention to. The first is simply the age of your water heater. Risk is considerable higher for water heaters that are more than 5 years old. Other warning signs include visible wetness or dripping at the end of the valve drain piping… and corrosion or mineral buildup around the valve. Proper testing should be done at least once per year. You can uncover the standard procedure by clicking here.
4. With so many sources of water coming into my home, how can I protect against flooding and flood damage in Dallas?
   
   We strongly recommend that our customers utilize small electronic devices known as water alarms that detect even the slightest amount of wetness where no moisture should be. These alarms can be placed in several high-risk areas in your home to insure that problems are detected as early as possible – often preventing any damage from occurring.
5. Why is my shower cold all of a sudden?
   
   One possibility is that the “flame arrestor” built into your water heater has become clogged with dust bunnies, preventing air flow. The flame cannot light without this air. When this happens, your water heater will fail to operate, and proper cleaning is required to restore reliable functionality.
6. Are small leaks in the toilet and sink costly?
   
   They certainly are. In fact, an estimated 14% of the water you pay for each month is wasted water that could have been prevented. Simple tests can be done to determine how much water is being wasted in your home. These small leaks can be fixed quite easily and at a minimum of expense.
7. Will I save money by hiring a plumber to stop these small leaks?
   
   Almost definitely. Taking care of these small leaks is often very quick work. Since it doesn’t take us much time to fix, we don’t charge very much to do it. The savings on your water bill should far outweigh the expense, making this a very worthwhile investment.
8. I’ve heard that I need to have my water heater set to above 130 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that Legionella bacteria is killed, but at these temperatures it only takes seconds to be scalded. What can I do?
   
   Fortunately, the solution is a simple one. A device known as a water mixer allows your water to be heated to a point that will kill off all harmful bacteria, but sets a different max temperature to water being distributed to your tap water in sinks and showers. Give us a call anytime to have one of these units installed.
9. What water temperature prevents the spread of Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease?
   
   Legionella cannot survive at water temperatures above 131 degrees Fahrenheit but it thrives at temperatures between 105 and 115 degrees. To ensure your water is Legionella-free it is recommended that your water heater be set to 140 degrees. Installing a water mixing valve will mix cold water with your hot water preventing scalds, but eliminating the risk of Legionella in your water.
10. Is there a particular kind of toilet that will prevent toilet paper clogs from happening?
    
    Yup. “Low flow” toilets are a great alternative to “no flow” toilets which clog more often. The brand of toilet paper you use also has an effect on the frequency and severity of your clogs. Since toilet paper that’s easier on your toilet is actually rougher on your septic system, “low flow” toilets are often the best solution and investment for your home.
11. My bathroom and/or kitchen has a musky smell. What gives?
    
    ... and unfortunately bad odors will continue to lurk. Give us a call to find out what can be done.
12. Toilet clogs are happening more and more frequently, and I’m getting tired of using that nasty plunger. What can I do?
    
    Since a 1992 Energy policy cut the amount of water your toilet can use per flush by more than half, clogs can happen all to frequently. In response, toilet design has improved to a point that you can throw away that plunger for good. These power assisted toilets save you time, hassle, and embarrassment. Next time you replace a toilet be sure to look into power assisted models, and feel free to call us with questions and assistance on the model that’s right for you.
13. How do I prepare for the increased plumbing demands caused by cold winter weather?
    
    Check behind your dryer for excess lint – which could indicate a loose or damaged hose. Disconnect your garden hose from the hydrant to prevent freezing damage, and frost proof your hydrants. Check your water heater to compensate for the effects of colder water. Turn off sprinkler systems.
14. When I have a clog can I buy a drain cleaner to solve the problem.
    
    Yes you can. But please read the bottle as these chemicals can be very dangerous, or even fatal. Precautions must be taken whenever you find yourself using one. Additionally, under no circumstances should you mix different drain cleaners (or even try a second cleaner when the first one doesn’t work). Chemical reactions take place causing dangerous or deadly fumes. Be sure to alert your technician if you have used any drain cleaners in your attempt to fix a clog.
15. What can I do after the winter is over to ensure that the colder weather has not created any plumbing dangers or problems?
    
    The most important thing to do is to check the water hoses and valves behind your washer and dryer for moisture, corrosion, excessive lint or swelling. Since a damaged vent hose on your dryer can cause a carbon monoxide leak, it’s a vital safety step. Damage to these hoses can also increase air condition bills, and affect home cleanliness and humidity. Check your water heater and water heater closet as well for signs of damage, flammables, and proper settings. Check under your sinks for mold and moisture.
16. Do I have to take any plumbing precautions when I go on vacation?
    
    Yes. There should be a “vacation” or “pilot” setting on your water heater to be used when you are away. Set your water heater to that setting to reduce the pressure that occurs when plumbing fixtures are not being used. It is also generally a good idea to close the main water valve completely. This will relieve all prevents you from coming home to a plumbing disaster.
17. My toilet is making lots of noise… running long after it’s been used… and I think it’s trying to tell me something. What’s it saying?
    
    It sounds like you have a leaky flush valve seal. It’s a noisy nuisance, but it’s also a sign of wasted water, and could lead to other problems. Definitely look into having it fixed.
18. What do I do when my toilet is about to overflow?
    
    When you face your toilet there should be an emergency shut off valve below the left side of the tank. Make sure you test it before you have a problem so that you know it works. Act fast and you’ll be able to avert that overflow and fix the problem at hand.
19. What are the "do's" and "do not's" of garbage disposal usage?
    
    Do: use cold water, especially when grease is present; let the water run for at least 30 seconds after the last scraps have gone down; freshen your disposer with baking soda; give your garbage disposal time in between “loads” of scraps; make sure there is plenty of water when washing coffee grounds down the drain; use ice to clean the disposal;
    
    Do Not: put celery stalks, potato skins, corn husks, shrimp shells, and other fibrous materials down your disposal – especially if you have a “builders-grade” disposer; stuff lots of bones and chicken carcasses down the disposal all at once (bones are actually good for the disposal though, just not a lot of them shoved in at one time.)

Texas Plumbing License Number M-35912

Koen Plumbing Company - Dallas plumbing contractor services include: leak detection, clogs, pipes, sump pumps, sewer problems, repair, standard and tankless hot water heaters, installation, kitchen and bathroom plumbing and fixtures, shower pan replacement, bathtubs (tubs), tub repair, toilets, dishwashers, disposals, faucets, sinks, water filters, ice makers, washing machine hoses, and more in the following Dallas area suburbs: Addison, Allen, Arlington, Carrollton, Coppell, Fairview, Farmers Branch, Flower Mound, Frisco, Garland, Grapevine, Highland Park, Highland Village, Irving, Lake Dallas, Lewisville, Lucas, McKinney, Mesquite, Plano, Princeton, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Southlake, Trophy Club, University Park, and Wylie. If you don't see your city on the list, it doesn't mean we don't work there. Please contact us to discuss your plumbing needs!