Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's
- How do I prevent drain stoppages?
  An unpleasant surprise may await you when you finish washing your dishes and discover that the water refuses to drain out of your sink. Most people tend to leave it overnight in the hopes that it will eventually drain, but you can expect to wake up to a sink that is still full of water that has no doubt turned cold, greasy, and smelly. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to help prevent clogged kitchen and shower drains in your home.
  To maintain clean drains, you should:
  1. Avoid grease: It's a common myth that you can drain grease into your kitchen sink as long as you run hot water down the drain with it. The truth is that grease can create a nightmare in your kitchen sink. To avoid a clogged kitchen drain, pour your grease into a large bowl, let it sit until it solidifies, and spoon it into the trash instead.
  2. Keep food out of drains: Unless you own a garbage disposal, you must resist the temptation to push food remnants down the drain. It may seem like only a small bit of food, but it can accumulate and clog your drain. Make a practice of scraping off all the dishes before they make it to the sink. You may also consider having a plumber install a good garbage disposal to make things simpler.
  3. Catch all hair: If you leave giant clumps in your bathtub or shower, you can almost guarantee a clogged drain. If your bath water begins to drain slowly or not at all, then you should first suspect that hair to be the reason. You can’t avoiding shedding hair, but you can save yourself a clogged shower drain by placing a filter or screen over the drain every time you bathe.
  4. Maintain good plumbing habits: There are a few simple tasks that you may implement that may help you prevent clogged kitchen and shower drains. Try running extremely hot water along with a bit of baking soda through all drains when you clean the kitchen and bathrooms. You can also call us for plumbing maintenance services in order to avoid bad clogs, pipe back-ups, and flooding.
  If you still find yourself with a backed up sink or shower despite your best efforts, don't hesitate to contact Continental Plumbing Services, LLC for a free estimate.
- What are the benefits of tankless water heaters?
  Tankless, or on-demand, water heaters operate by supplying heated water only when it’s needed. With tankless technology, the system warms water to your desired temperature immediately. To do this, water flows through tube like pipes that the system heats with gas or electricity.
  Some of the benefits of tankless water heaters include:
  - Lower energy bills: Since tankless units do not store a large amount of heated water, they decrease your energy costs. In fact, a tankless system could lower your energy bill by as much as 40%. This type of heating system uses an exact amount of energy to warm the water being used in the moment.
  - Longer lasting units: Tankless hot water systems generally last longer than traditional containment units. In fact, tankless devices frequently function for 15 to 20 years while hot water tanks typically last for about 10 years.
  - Increased energy efficiency: An on-demand hot water unit is about 30 percent more efficient than a traditional tank that stores 50 gallons of water. By installing a tankless system, you will be aiding the environment since you'll be using less energy. Furthermore, if you purchase an electric model, you’ll have a device that does not generate greenhouse gasses.
  - Cleaner water: When water originates from a hot water tank, it has been stored with rust and scale unless it's new. All traditional hot water tanks accumulate debris over time. A tankless hot water heater is able to deliver cleaner water because the heating system is not using stored water.
  By upgrading your home’s plumbing network to include tankless hot water heaters, you’ll avoid the possibility of flooding, which can occur with traditional hot water tanks. Also, on-demand systems feature safety controls to prevent water temperatures from reaching unsafe levels. When you request exterior installation, the heating devices come with freeze protection to avoid system damage.
- Why is my water heater leaking?
  Traditional water heaters are rugged and dependable but water is corrosive and the components inside the unit will eventually start to rust and wear. A leaking water heater requires immediate attention since unaddressed leaks can cause property damage and will significantly raise utility costs. A small amount of water on a garage or basement floor may be an early warning sign of a much more serious problem. In many instances, you can pinpoint the cause of a leak by determining exactly where the water is coming from.
  The most common sources of a hot water heater leak include:
  - The tank: If water is leaking around the base of the unit, the tank itself may be compromised. Look for damp insulation and water on the seams of the metal jacket. There may also be some moisture inside the heating element inspection panel.
  - The drain valve: A compromised drain valve usually begins to leak immediately after routine maintenance. Since it isn’t used much, opening the valve to drain sediment-rich water may expose corroded gaskets and seals. If the drain doesn’t close properly, a steady trickle of water may continue to leak from the spout. A qualified plumber can remove the faulty unit and install a full-port brass valve to help eliminate future problems.
  - The temperature relief valve (TPR): This critical safety device releases water and steam if the temperature inside the tank exceeds safety design parameters. After many years of operation, the TPR may fail and begin to leak. If lifting the valve to release a small amount of hot water fails to clear accumulated sediment, the valve will need to be replaced by a professional plumber. If the valve is periodically discharging jets of hot water, it may be a sign of a more serious plumbing issue.
  - The inlet and outlet: The connections on your water heater tank are made of steel while the pipes are usually made of copper. An ongoing chemical reaction takes place that eventually may corrode the steel pipes. A slow, steady leak can be identified by unsightly corrosion and rust growing around the connections. If you detect corrosion and moisture around the inlet or outlet pipes, it is advisable to have them replaced before a serious leak develops.
  Water heater problems can be costly and destructive if left unaddressed. If you have a leaking water heater, call the professional New Port Richey plumbers at Continental Plumbing Services, LLC.
- When do I need pipe installation or repair?
  
  A plumbing pipe failure can cause substantial structural damage and create a variety of different health hazards. Uncontrolled water leaks can destroy walls, ceilings, floors, and personal belongings. Hidden leaks can be even worse as the damage continues to escalate while remaining undetected.
  Homeowners often discover they have a piping issue when they receive an unusually high water bill. Other signs you may have leaking pipes include a steady hissing or dripping sound that appears to be coming from behind the drywall in your walls or ceiling.
  According to the EPA, fixture and piping leaks result in over 10,000 gallons of water wasted annually in the average home. Almost 10% of homes in America have serious leaks that result in more than 90 gallons of water wasted every day. In fact, it is estimated that over a trillion gallons of water are wasted every year because of neglected water leaks.
  We recommend scheduling a piping inspection to assess the condition of your pipes. If an inspection reveals deep interior wall pitting and scaling, you may need to consider a new residential plumbing pipe installation.
- What causes low water pressure?
  
  Many homes to suffer from low water pressure. This can be annoying, especially when you are trying to fill the bathtub, clean the dishes, or wash your hair.
  When one or more of your home's fixtures is experiencing low pressure, there may be multiple reasons for the problem. When the low pressure is only at one faucet, it is wise to check and see if the supply valve is fully open (it should be!). If this is not the problem, you should check for kinks or cracks in the pipes. If your bathroom's shower has low pressure, the shower head may be blocked.
  When all your fixtures have low water pressure, more serious issues may be present. Your pipes may be corroded or there may be problems with the municipal water flow.
  Increasing your water pressure is not always complicated. Some simple tips may help you correct the issue. First, you should check the water meter and main shut-off valve. If both of these units are operating correctly and are fully open, it is time to clean the faucet aerators. Soaking them in white vinegar effectively dissolves minerals that tend to deposit over time. For your shower, you can also try switching to a high-pressure shower head.
  When these ideas fail to correct the situation, it may be time to call a plumber. A professional knows what causes low water pressure and has the equipment necessary to fix your problem. To make an appointment with Continental Plumbing Services, LLC or request a free estimate, contact us today.
- Do I have a clogged sewer line?
  It's a dreaded scenario: the sewer line that your home uses gets stopped up. All kinds of materials can plug up a sewer, including the roots of trees and the thick items – like paper towels – that people sometimes flush.
  If your sewer line is stopped up, all of your sewage and waste water will start to build up. If left unchecked, that clogged sewer line will lead to the nightmare of plumbing backflow, where that offensive water will come gurgling up through your sinks, showers, and toilets.
  In order to prevent backflow, it's vital to detect a clogged sewer line as early as you can. Therefore, look for the following three warning signs of an obstructed sewer:
  1. Strong odors: If you notice the horrible smell of sewage when you walk by your drains, you might be facing a clogged sewer.
  2. Water bubbling up: Another signal to look for is water that emerges from places that it shouldn't. For instance, you might find that water comes into your toilet whenever you're doing laundry or water that enters your bathtub immediately after someone flushes a toilet.
  3. At least two malfunctioning drains: If the water is going down slowly in just one drain in your home, it's likely that you have a clog in that drain. However, if the water is draining gradually in more than one sink as well as in your showers and toilets, there's a good chance that a blocked sewer line is to blame.
  If you are noticing any of the above signs, you will want to locate your home's water shut-off valve at once. This will temporarily cut off your water supply. As soon as you do so, contact us at Continental Plumbing Services, LLC. We can help you to avoid a major plumbing backflow and the costly damages that such an event can cause.
- What are the most common plumbing problems?
  Your plumbing system is one of the most important parts of your home. It is also the system that is most likely to present problems periodically that typically require the help of a reliable plumbing company.
  Some of the most common issues that you are likely to encounter with your plumbing system are:
  - Water heater problems: Whether your water heater is gas or electric, a service professional should be called as quickly as possible to diagnose and repair your water heater. Working on a water heater should never be a do-it-yourself project.
  - Clogged drains: A clog is often caused by the improper disposal of materials into the drain piping. Particular caution should be taken with the kitchen sink and the toilet, as these are typically the most used fixtures, making them prone to plumbing issues if not properly used and maintained. If you cannot clear the clog with a plunger, avoid the use of caustic drain openers that can damage your plumbing and call a professional instead.
  - Toilet leaks: A leak within the toilet tank caused by broken or worn components can cause excessive loss of water and a sizable addition to your water bill over time. Exterior leaks from the water supply line or from around the base can result in floor or sub-floor damage and can eventually cause structural damage to your home requiring costly repairs.
  - Leaking pipes: When a leaking pipe occurs within a wall or under the house, a plumber should be called immediately to prevent structural damage. Minimize the use of any fixture that develops a leak and place a bowl or basin under the leak until a plumber can arrive to repair the problem.
  - No water pressure at the faucet: This plumbing issue is often caused by a clogged aerator but can also be a more serious problem originating from the water cut-off valve that controls water flow to the fixture. Low water pressure to your home that originates from the municipal water supply should be diagnosed by a plumber.
  - Garbage disposal problems: A garbage disposal must be installed correctly, especially if a dishwasher is present. Because of the complexity of the installation and servicing of the unit, which also involves electrical connections, a licensed plumber should perform any work involving this appliance. When using a garbage disposal, turn the faucet on first and gradually add refuse to avoid clogging.
  - Faucet issues: A dripping faucet at either the spout or around the handles indicates a valve problem and will require internal troubleshooting of various components for proper repair by a professional plumber.
  - Slow drains: Sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets that drain slowly could indicate a partial clog or a drain line problem involving collapsed, disconnected, or corroded pipes. This could also indicate an obstruction outside the house from tree roots. Call our New Port Richey plumbers for proper inspection of the drainpipes.
  - Back-ups: If water is backing up into your tub or shower after running the water in a sink or flushing a toilet, this may indicate a blockage within the drain line that will require proper diagnosis to locate the obstruction and remove it.
  Continental Plumbing Services, LLC has been providing outstanding services to customers for more than 25 years. Your satisfaction is guaranteed when you ask us to help solve your plumbing-related problems.
- Why should I install a reverse osmosis system?
  If you're in the process of researching reverse osmosis systems for your home, we can help! Our New Port Richey plumbers understand that water quality in our region varies. Some areas have an extremely high salt content while others have excessive amounts of chlorine in the water. Our team has experience installing both whole-house reverse osmosis systems and under-counter reverse osmosis systems. Either type of water purification system will improve the water quality in your home or business significantly. After installing a reverse osmosis water system, all of the water that enters the home will go through a cleaning process that removes over 99% of contaminants, regardless of whether the source is rain water, a private well, or municipal water.
  Both whole-house and under-counter reverse osmosis systems effectively remove:
  - Lead
  - Bacteria
  - Chlorine
  - Mercury

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's