Resources
Straight answers about home plumbing
Each guide opens with the short answer, then explains the why, what you can check yourself, and when to call a plumber.
Leaks
Why is my water bill so high? A homeowner's leak checklist
A high water bill usually comes from one of four things: a running toilet, a leak in the yard or under the house, an irrigation problem, or seasonal use. Turn off every fixture and the irrigation controller, then watch the meter's leak indicator. If it moves, you have a leak, and a few simple shutoff tests tell you where.
Warm spot on the floor? What it means and what to do
A warm spot on a tile or concrete floor almost always means a hot-water line is leaking under the slab. Confirm it by shutting the cold inlet valve on your water heater. If the meter's leak indicator stops, the leak is on the hot side. Leave the water heater's supply off between uses until it's repaired.
Hard water
White crust on faucets and shower glass: hard water explained
The white or tan crust on faucets, shower heads and glass is scale: calcium and magnesium left behind when hard water dries. Vinegar removes it from surfaces, but the same scale builds up inside water heaters, tankless units and valves. A water softener is the fix that stops it at the source.
Water softener vs. reverse osmosis vs. whole-house filter
They solve different problems. A softener removes hardness to protect plumbing and appliances. Reverse osmosis purifies drinking water at one tap. A whole-house carbon filter improves taste and chlorine at every tap. Many hard-water homes use a softener plus RO, and add a carbon filter if chlorine taste bothers them.
Pipes
Polybutylene pipes: how to spot them and what to do
Polybutylene is a gray (sometimes blue or black) plastic supply pipe used in many homes from about 1978 to 1995. Look for 'PB2110' stamped on the pipe at the water heater, under sinks or at toilet supplies. It can fail without warning, so most owners plan a repipe, usually in PEX.
Is my water pressure too high? How to test it and why it matters
Screw a pressure gauge onto an outdoor hose bib with everything inside off. Readings over 80 psi are too high, and many plumbers aim for 50 to 70. High pressure usually means the pressure reducing valve (PRV) on your main line has failed, and replacing it protects every fixture in the house.
Emergencies
Burst pipe or major leak: what to do in the first 10 minutes
Shut off the main water valve first. In basement homes it's usually on the wall where the main enters, near the meter. In slab homes it's often on the main line near the front hose bib or in the garage by the water heater. Then turn off power to any wet area, move valuables, start removing water, photograph everything for insurance, and call a plumber.
Smell gas at home? What to do right now
Leave the house immediately. Don't switch lights on or off, use the garage door, or make calls inside. From a safe distance, call 911 or your gas utility's emergency number, which is printed on your gas bill. Once the utility has made it safe, a plumber repairs the leak.
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