frequently asked questions

Flush the water heater, test the sump pump, check under sinks for dampness, exercise the main shutoff, and clean faucet aerators. Twenty minutes annually prevents most of the emergencies we get called for. Write the date somewhere you will find it.

A dry trap in a rarely used fixture is the usual cause, since the water seal evaporates and lets gas rise. Cracked vent piping, a failed toilet seal, and blocked vents also produce it. Running water in unused fixtures usually solves it.

A fast closing valve stops moving water abruptly, and the energy travels back through the piping as a bang. Excessive pressure makes it worse. Arrestors at the offending fixtures absorb the shock. Correcting the underlying pressure addresses the whole house.

A partially closed main shutoff, a failing pressure regulator, corroded galvanized supply piping, or a leak on the service line are the usual culprits. Testing at an outside hose bib narrows it quickly. Comparing readings before and after the regulator helps.

Vents let air into the drainage system so water flows freely and trap seals stay intact. A blocked vent causes gurgling, slow drainage, and sewer odor even when nothing is actually clogged. Roof vent openings can also fill with debris.

Shut off the main and open a low faucet to drain pressure, or at minimum close supply valves to washing machines and dishwashers. Keep heat above 55 degrees so nothing freezes while you are gone. Ask someone to check the house periodically.

Yes. Houses built before the 1980s often still run galvanized supply piping and clay sewer laterals, both of which fail predictably. Our team at JAC's Plumbing works on those systems throughout Commerce City, CO. Camera inspections settle the question quickly.

Fix running toilets promptly, install aerators and efficient fixtures, run full loads only, and check the meter periodically with everything off. Silent leaks account for a surprising share of most household bills. A running toilet alone can waste hundreds of gallons.

A partially closed fixture shutoff, a clogged aerator or cartridge, or a failed mixing valve at that fixture explain most cases. A whole house shortage points instead to the water heater itself. Checking one fixture at a time narrows it down.

Run water in every fixture for a minute each month to refill the trap seals. Pouring a small amount of mineral oil into a floor drain slows evaporation in bathrooms that sit unused seasonally. Vacation homes benefit from this most.

Yes. Roots follow moisture toward leaking water service lines, irrigation piping, and foundation drains, widening small cracks over time. Planting large species well away from utility runs prevents most of that damage. Mature cottonwoods and willows are the usual offenders.

Every two to three years suits most homes, and annually for properties over 50 years old. JAC's Plumbing inspects supply lines, drains, and water heaters together for Commerce City, CO homeowners in a single visit. Findings come with photographs and notes.

Supply pipe material and condition, water heater age, visible leaks, water pressure, drain performance at every fixture, and a camera pass on the sewer lateral. The lateral is the one most commonly skipped. Ask specifically whether the lateral was scoped.

Modern systems generally handle it, though older homes with narrow supply piping may see pressure drop noticeably. Repeated backing up when both run together suggests a partial blockage in the shared drain line. Simultaneous use is a useful diagnostic test.

Address anything actively leaking or backing up first, then replace equipment near the end of its service life, then comfort upgrades. Failure risk and water damage potential should drive the order. We are happy to walk through the list with you.