FAQs

Often times hair is caught on the grease buildup on the lining of the pipe. Grease buildup comes from shampoos, body oils, soap, toothpaste, shaving creams, etc. Rootering followed by product maintenance is recommended.

Typically the toilet douglas valve seal has become warped and is letting water leak out of the tank. The fill valve has sensed that the toilet has been flushed and is trying to refill the tank to its proper water level. No worries, it’s not a ghost, but it can waste thousands of gallons of water each year and is the number one source of water consumption in a home.

Calcium buildup is the common factor for this noisy problem. When super-cold water collides with super-hot water from the bottom of the water heater, an audible noise is produced, similar to that of water droplets into a hot greasy pan. Imagine your water heater as a teakettle with sediment buildup at the bottom. The water at the bottom of the teakettle is much hotter and as we learned in science class, heat rises. This is not dangerous, but is a concern and can lead to premature failure of your water heater and consumes much more energy, resulting in a higher gas/energy bill. You will also notice a decrease in available hot water.

Lint, grease and improperly installed drains are the primary offenders for this problem. In most homes, the kitchen and laundry drains are connected. When the lint from the laundry drains meets the coagulated grease buildup (from dish soaps, food products and other natural compositions such as pipe material and bacteria), a paper-mache like substance forms, causing blockage. Rootering and/or hydrojetting of the drain is recommended with follow-up treatment to help maintain free-flowing drains.

Roots are the main cause of sewer line stoppage. There are some products to treat or retard root and vegetation growth, although these aren’t permanent solutions. The sewer line will probably need to be repaired or replaced. Call us today for a free estimate: 414-541-9217.

Often, this is due to lack of movement or water flow in your potable water system. Once the water hits the air, it oxidizes and turns orange/red in color.

This is not harmful, but is a telltale sign of old, galvanized piping.

Typically, this is caused by one of two things: old pipes or pipe design. When there is more demand to the cold water system, you lose regulation of the temperature and pressure. Today’s codes require a pressure differential type valve for the shower.

Commonly, it is the lining of the old galvanized pipe that is breaking loose or rotting from the inside out. Chunks of rust, iron & other minerals found in the pipe material and water then flow out of your faucet. This is a serious problem that can lead to pinhole leaks. The only remedy is a re-pipe of your potable water system.

Typically, a galvanized piping system can last 30-50 years before you will begin to notice poor water quality. The quality of the material the pipe is made of, as well as where you live (due to the water quality and soil composition) can also greatly affect the lifespan. We have seen galvanized systems deteriorate in as little as three years and seen pipes that are 75 years old look almost new. One common misconception is that copper piping will last forever. Although copper will typically last longer than galvanized, the lifespan will also be affected by the issues mentioned above, (ie. material, water and soil quality).