What is a clean-out and what is the benefit of having one?

A clean-out is an access to your sewer drain with a screw-on cap.  It may be your kitchen sink drain, mainline, or even to a septic lateral line field.  It is intended for easier access to the sewer line to clear stoppages.  Often in the case of a stoppage, the cap can be removed to allow temporary relief until a technician can clean the drain line.  Clean-outs are highly recommended to make access easy.  Not all homes are built with a clean-out, and one can be installed.

I have a septic tank.  Does it need to be pumped when I experience a stoppage?

Not necessarily.  Pumping the septic would not be our first thought for a solution because there are several symptoms to take into consideration.

1. If the stoppage affects only one fixture, cable service to that drain most likely will solve that problem.  If multiple drains were affected, again, cable service would most likely be recommended.  The tank does not always have to be pumped.
2. The capacity of the tank and how many people make use of it influences the frequency of recommended septic pumping.

My electric water heater isn’t putting out hot water.  Do I need to replace it?

Not necessarily.  Our plumbers could diagnose the situation and determine if replacing an element or other minor repair could solve the problem.

I have an old commode that water won’t flush out of.  What do you suggest?

Lime build-up often restricts enough water through the jets and does not allow the bowl to flush properly.  Water in the bowl might swirl around instead of flushing.  Possible cleaning of the entire tank could increase the flow, but replacement of the commode would be much more cost efficient.  Note:  anything other than the energy efficient water saver commodes are illegal to be sold or installed.

My old gas heater is in the garage and needs to be replaced.  What needs to be done?

Our technicians can provide parts and labor to meet city code that requires all gas heaters in a garage to be raised 18 inches from the ground to ensure approval from the inspector.  At completion of the service, we will haul off the old water heater if we supplied the new one.