Steve's Affordable Sewer & Drain Cleaning

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
We currently accept cash, personal/business checks, Visa and MasterCard. Payment is due upon completion of services.

We are also a member of the following barter and trade organizations:
International Credit Reserve Exchange (ICRE)
ITEX Retail Trade Exchange

Q: What are your rates?
Click here to view rates.

Q: Do you have service hours in on evenings or weekends?
Yes, but subject to availability. See rates for additional charges.

Q: Do you have 24 hour service?
Yes, but subject to availability.

Q: What do I need to do to prepare for you to do your work?
All you should have to do is move any fragile pieces of furniture, artwork or personal property from the immediate work area. We respect your property and will do everything possible to protect all the items in your home. But it is always best to protect them as a preventative measure.

Q: Why do faucets leak?
Leaks occur when seals inside the faucet become dirty or worn. Though you may choose to replace worn parts, replacing your old faucet with a new one can upgrade the look of your kitchen, bathroom or tub/shower decor and avoid further repair problems.

Q: Why do some faucets cost so much more than others?
Some faucets are simply made better than others with higher quality materials such as solid brass or chrome-plated solid brass to achieve superior levels of appearance, performance, and durability. Although you may pay more for a quality faucet, you will receive a higher value for your money as a result of a longer-lasting and more reliable product.

Q: Can I replace my two-handle faucet with a single-handle faucet?
The answer in most cases is yes. Generally, faucet dimensions and sink openings are standard throughout the plumbing industry. There are few exceptions however, so it is a good idea to check sizes first.

Q: What is meant by a "pressure balancing" shower faucet?
A pressure balancing shower faucet senses fluctuations in hot or cold water pressure, caused by actions such as flushing toilets or starting dishwashers. A pressure balancing valve compensates for these fluctuations, keeping the water temperature constant and comfortable.

Q: How should I clean polished brass faucets?
To remove dry water spots, use warm water and a soft, damp cloth. Never use cleansers that contain abrasives, harsh chemicals, alcohol or other solvents. To maintain the luster of your decorator faucet, occasionally apply a high quality automotive wax - making sure that it does not contain abrasives.

Q: My shower head and faucet aerators have a buildup of a white substance around the area where the water comes out. Is there anything I can do other than replace them?
The unsightly buildup is mineral deposits. To remove these deposits from the showerhead, take a plastic bag and pour a cup of vinegar in it. Place the bag over the showerhead and use a twist tie to hold it in place overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub off the deposits. You might be able to remove the aerators from the faucets and allow them to soak in the vinegar overnight.

Q: Why doesn't my old water heater work as well as it used to?
This is usually due to a sediment buildup in your tank. As water heaters grow older, they accumulate sediment and lime deposits. If these deposits are not removed periodically, the sediment will create a barrier between the burner and the water, greatly reducing the water heater's performance level. This results in an increase in the amount of fuel required to deliver hot water.

Q: When I am in the laundry room and the water heater is operating, I hear a rumbling sound coming from the water heater. What could cause this?
Rumbling sounds coming from a water heater are an indication that sediment is built up on the bottom of the water heater. What you are hearing is water that is trapped in the sediment and is boiling. This is an indication that the water heater is not operating efficiently. Sediment will not allow the heat to transfer to the water in the tank, which sends the heat up the flue. You may try draining a few gallons of water off the bottom of the water heater tank. This is done by attaching a drain hose to the valve at the bottom of the tank. Allow it to drain for about five minutes. WARNING: HOT WATER IS DANGEROUS! DISCHARGE THE WATER INTO A FLOOR DRAIN, LAUNDRY TUB OR BATHTUB. HOT WATER WILL KILL YOUR GRASS IF DISCHARGED ONTO THE LAWN. HOT WATER WILL CRACK A TOILET BOWL IF DISCHARGED INTO THE TOILET. Many newer models of water heaters have a new feature that prohibits the buildup of sediment in the tank. If your heater is an older model, it may be cost effective to replace the water heater if the buildup is severe.

Q: Recently my water bills appear to be rather high. None of the faucets appear to leak. What else could contribute to a high water bill?
You may want to check to see if a toilet is leaking. First, check the water level to ensure that water is not overflowing the tank by way of the overflow pipe. This is the pipe in the middle of the tank. It has a small tubing connected to it. If water is running into the overflow, adjust the fill valve to stop the flow approximately 1 inch below the top of the overflow tube or to the water level mark stamped on the side of the tank. Second, put a few drops of food coloring into the tank to test the flush valve mechanism. If the water in the bowl changes color within 15 minutes, this is an indication that water is leaking into the toilet bowl and that the ball or flapper needs to be replaced.

Q: The temperature of my hot water seems to be higher than what I think I need. How can I conserve energy, yet also be sure that there is an adequate amount of hot water?
Most people are comfortable with their hot water set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is also the new standard that manufacturers use when pre-setting it at the factory. If you have an older model, set the thermostat at medium. On a gas model, there is a dial on the front of the gas valve. On electric models, the thermostats (there may be two) are concealed behind the two panels on the side of the tank. [NOTE: Always turn off the electricity before removing the panels. There are exposed wires behind the panels containing HIGH VOLTAGE.]

Q: I have a foul odor coming from my garbage disposer. What can I do to eliminate this odor?
Foul odors occur from a buildup of food debris within the disposer. To eliminate this odor, place ice cubes and lemon or orange peels in the disposer and run for 30 seconds. Next, squirt a little liquid dish detergent into the disposer while it is still running. Finally, run cold water for about 30 seconds to rinse all the debris away.

Q: I am getting a foul odor from a bathroom in the basement that we hardly ever use, what can we do?
Plumbing systems are designed to prevent foul odors from entering the house by means of the trap attached to fixtures. Traps contain water to seal out foul odors; if the water seal evaporates, the odors enter the house. To solve this problem, pour a bucket of water in each trap, sink, shower and floor drain. This will prevent the odors from entering the house.

Q: How can I prevent my shower water from going cold when someone turns on the kitchen sink?
What you are experiencing is referred to as a water pressure drop. This may be due to the size and condition of your water distribution piping, low static and residual water pressure or the quality or working condition of your shower valve. I suggest that if your domestic water system is fed by a public water service, you should contact the water department and inquire about the water pressure in your area. Low water pressure can sometimes be solved with a water pressure booster pump. You also may want to consider increasing the size of your water distribution mains and risers which will improve the volume of water available. If your plumbing system is not of historical significance, you might consider replacing old brass and lead piping that may be clogged with build up on the interior of the pipe walls. However, if your shower valve is old, non-balancing or is not functioning properly, it would be far less expensive to replace the shower valve than make any of the modifications above.

Q: My toilet bowl works fine except that after attaining its proper level of water following a flush the water level drops about two to four inches in about 10 minutes. There is no leak, why does it do that?
Some of the much older type reverse trap toilets will do this. In most instances your water level will drop about 3 inches in 5 minutes. Installing a new toilet will should eliminate this problem.

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Although we do specialize in plumbing repair and have 21 years of experience in the field,
any work requiring a permit will be referred to a carefully screened master plumber.