TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

Troubleshooting Tips

Steve, Dr. Plumber, would like to help you save your money by providing the following tips that the average homeowner can handle. If the issue at hand is too big and you find that the suggestions did not help, call Steve right away. He will provide you with an estimate and get to work right away. Don't let a small repair become a huge mess and cause you to stress in your life. Residential and commercial clients in the Southeastern Wisconsin area can call 414-698-4528.

Plumber Holding Clipboard — Franklin, WI — Dr. Plumber

Prevent Frozen Pipes

Heat any part of the house that water pipes pass-through
Open the cabinet doors on any walls with pipes to allow the room heat to have access
Turn on a lamp or ceiling fixture; the heat from the bulb will raise the room temperature, and it may be enough to prevent the pipes from freezing
Install foam sleeve pads on all water pipes
Install heat tape around the pipes where the insulation may not be enough: under kitchen sinks in older or mobile homes, cabins, barns, etc.

No Hot Water?

Check the breaker, make sure it hasn't flipped (electric water heaters)
Check the pilot light (gas water heaters)

A flipped breaker or a pilot light that has gone out can signify a more significant problem; contact Dr. Plumber at 414-698-4528 as soon as possible.

Check the breaker, make sure it hasn't flipped (electric water heaters)
Check the pilot light (gas water heaters)

A flipped breaker or a pilot light that has gone out can signify a more significant problem; contact Dr. Plumber at 414-698-4528 as soon as possible.

Perform Regular Maintenance of Water heaters

Drain the sediment from the bottom of the water heater once a year

Hook a hose up to the low point on the water heater
Weight the other end down next to a floor drain
Open the tap on the water heater and allow the water to flow for 10-15 seconds
Close the tap; undo the hose

Keep the drains clear with a natural enzyme product or a bioproduct which you use regularly, (i.e., once a month)

These products are not fast-acting
Use them only if you are prepared to wait the time stated on the product label, for example, if you go away for a weekend, etc.

Using Your Garbage Disposal

Never put grease or fats down your garbage disposal
Allow the water to continue to run for 10-15 seconds after you turn off the garbage disposal

What You Can Handle/ What I Should Handle

WHAT YOU CAN HANDLE	WHAT I SHOULD HANDLE
Winterizations Especially for vacation homes, motor homes, foreclosures, commercial properties
Shut off exterior water Drain hose bibbs	Pipes drained Anti-freeze added to traps and toilets Drain water heater and hydronic boiler Drain in-floor heating Empty toilets Disconnect water meter Blow out waterlines Protect exterior hose bibs
Sinks, Tubs, and Toilets
Check sinks, tubs, toilets, and outside hose bibs to ensure they are not leaking and wasting water Replace faucet aerators	Most faucets and bibbs are old and need replacing; I have the special tools needed for these types of repair—keep the wife happy, call me instead Faucet repair and/or replacement Change the height of the collar for the toilet (if you replace the bathroom flooring) Toilet repair and/or replacement
Sump Pumps
Check if the sump pump is working	Sump pump repair or replacement Install battery backup systems for sump pumps
Sewers, Pipes, and Drains
Use a drain cleaning product as part of preventative maintenance to keep your drains open; do NOT use such products when the drain is actually plugged—it's too late then	Let me cut/replace piping Sewer and drain cleaning Water pipe and drain pipe repairs and/or replacements Gas piping repair and/or installation Install backwater valves
Kitchens
	Garbage disposal repair or installation Install and troubleshoot icemaker lines
Major Appliances
Check washing machine hoses Replace as needed with burst-proof hoses	Repair or replace water heaters