Question 1

What is the most common plumbing item to fail in a residential home?

Accepted Answer

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Many parts of your plumbing system can fail, but clogged drains are one of the biggest plumbing problems you’ll likely encounter. From your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, or bathtub, there are plenty of opportunities for gunk, hair, food scraps, and more to get stuck in drains. When this happens, water will slowly drain, leading to standing water, bad odors, drain flies, and other issues.

Many homeowners can handle a minor clog themselves, but if you have a clog in your main line, you’re best off hiring a local plumber to get the drain back to its normal flow rate.

Question 2

How much does an emergency plumber cost?

Accepted Answer

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Emergency plumbers charge a significantly higher rate than for standard service, typically 1.5 to 3 times the normal hourly cost. You can expect to pay between $100 and $500 per hour, with an average of around $200 per hour. In addition to the higher hourly rate, many plumbers charge a flat emergency service or trip fee, which can be between $150 and $300. The final cost depends on the timing of the call; prices are highest for major holidays, followed by weekends and after-hours service on weekdays. For a complex job on a major holiday, a master plumber's rate could reach as high as $600 per hour.

Question 3

Why is my toilet still leaking after replacing the toilet flapper?

Accepted Answer

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If your toilet is still leaking after replacing the toilet flapper, then you may not have installed the toilet flapper correctly. Double-check that you have placed the flapper over the overflow tube correctly, and check the flapper chain is at the right length. If your toilet is still leaking, then you may have another problem on hand. For example, you may need to replace the toilet wax ring or replace the toilet fill valve if your toilet is wobbly and leaking from around the base.

Question 4

Should a toilet flange be glued?

Accepted Answer

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While gasket-sealed PVC flanges are the type most commonly found in homes, flanges come in a range of different materials, including copper, brass, stainless steel, cast iron, and aluminum, that pros sometimes secure with glue. If this is the case in your bathroom, the replacement is a job better left to the pros.

Question 5

Does flushing a clogged toilet make it worse?

Accepted Answer

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Yes, continuing to flush a clogged toilet is not likely to break up the clog. Instead, it will continue to put pressure on the clog while filling the bowl with more water, which can potentially cause the toilet to overflow—leading to an even bigger mess. Rather than repeatedly flushing, use a toilet plunger or plumber’s snake to dislodge the clog.