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Troubleshooting
Get to the root of the problem.
Sometimes there are home fixes that can save you hundreds of dollars. The first step is to identify the problem.
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I have brown water in my toilet or sink.First, verify that both the hot water and cold water are both discolored. If the hot water only is discoloredm then the problem might be with rust the hot water heater. After determining that the brown water is coming from the cold water tap also, it is still possible that there is rust in the plumbing fixtures or the piping, but it would typically manifest in only one sink or tub and not uniformly throughout the house (unless the rust is in the main water pipe from the well). However, it is to be noted that when a water supply has been shut off for a period of time, any rust in the systems is likely to be dislodged when the water supply is turned back on. This is true for wells and public supply water systems. After rust in the household fixtures, there are three likely causes for well water to be brown or brownish, surface infiltration, well collapsing or water level dropping or iron (and/or manganese) in the water. Have your water tested to find the root of the problem
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I have a blue/green stain in my shower.Water with a low pH can cause metals that come into contact with water to corrode. Low pH means that the water is acidic, and acidic water can be extremely corrosive. One of the more obvious symptoms of acidic water is blue-green stains. Low levels of pH can most often be treated by installing a Neutralizer.
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My copper pipes are corroded and leaking.Copper corrosion in home plumbing systems is a common phenomenon, which can have many causes. Besides actual piping failure, the blue stains the oxidized copper leaves on sinks, tubs, and fixtures can identify copper corrosion. Identify the source and severity of the problem by inspection of the piping system and getting an accurate water analysis especially if you are on well water.
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There are particles floating in my water.Particles floating in a glass of water can be unpleasant, but these issues are usually not harmful to your health and are merely aesthetic. White particles or cloudy water can be caused by organic materials picked up as the water flows through the ground, or inorganic particles, such as minerals, suspended in the water. Brown sediment in water can appear when a well is recently dug, or could indicate a problem with the well. Solutions for particles in your water could include installing a Sand & Sediment filter, or possible raising the well pump a few feet from the bottom of the well.
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My dishes appear cloudy after washing them.Have you done a load of dishes in the dishwasher, taken out the glasses, and noticed spots or film on them? This is most likely the result of Hard Water. The simple definition of water hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. Hard water is high in dissolved minerals, both calcium and magnesium. You may have felt the effects of hard water the last time you washed your hands or took a shower. Depending on the hardness of your water, after using soap to wash you may have felt like there was a film of residue left on your hands or body. In hard water, soap reacts with the calcium to form "soap scum". When using hard water, more soap or detergent is needed to get things clean, be it your hands, hair, or your laundry. One solution to solving the issues with hard water is to install a water softner. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
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My well pump doesn't seem to be working.Check to see if the well pump breaker is tripped. If the well pump is bad or if there is a bad wire, the breaker may be tripped. First try to reset the breaker in your panel box. If the pump turns back on, wait a few minutes and see if the pump remains on. If the pump turns off again, and the breaker is tripped, it may be an issue with the pump or the wiring.
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I don't have any water - Clogged Water Filter.If you turn on your faucets and don't have any water or very little water, this may be a result of a clogged or dirty water filter. If the lack of water is present it all of your fixtures in the house, check the water filter attached to your main water supply. If the filter is dirty, this will prevent the flow of water to the rest of the house. If the lack of water is isolated to only a single fixture, the water may be restricted by mineral deposits accumulating in the spout aerator or screen. If this is the case, the faucet should run normally when you remove it from the end of the faucet. You can clean it by soaking it overnight in white vinegar.
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What causes low water pressure?There are many reasons why a home may have low water pressure. It is a legitimate concern when you notice low water pressure in your home or office. Simple problems like the shut-off valve being closed or a faucet being blocked can cause low water pressure. More serious issues like plumbing blockages or water leaks decrease water pressure, too. There are multiple causes to low water pressure, but there are many ways that you can troubleshoot this problem. There may be more than one cause to your problem, so it is a good idea to check multiple areas. Determine if all locations within your home have low water pressure. Run water in all faucets and showers in your home to determine if all locations have low water pressure or if it is only one location. Run both hot and cold water through all faucets. If your water pressure is low only with hot water, the issue is likely your water heater Check for leaking pipes inside and outside of the house. Most houses are equipped with a Pressure Reducing Valve, which is usually located on the line where it enters the home or office. This can be adjusted to increase the pressure. Are there any toilets running in the house? This is the most common cause of low water pressure.
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I don't have much water pressure.If you turn on your faucets and very little water comes out, this may be a result of a clogged or dirty water filter. If the lack of water is present it all of your fixtures in the house, check the water filter attached to your main water supply. If the filter is dirty, this will prevent the flow of water to the rest of the house. If the lack of water is isolated to only a single fixture, the water may be restricted by mineral deposits accumulating in the spout aerator or screen. If this is the case, the faucet should run normally when you remove it from the end of the faucet. You can clean it by soaking it overnight in white vinegar.
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Low HOT water pressure.If your low water pressure only affects your hot water, inspect the water heater. In this case the water heater shut off valve is the most common source of this problem. Verify the shut-off valve is completely open. For safety, each water heater includes a shut-off valve to use in case of emergencies. If the valve is shut even slightly, this can affect your water pressure.
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