FAQs

The average water heater works continuously to provide a household with hot water when needed. This continual work puts stress on the system and can cause it to fail prematurely if you don’t maintain it and call for repairs when something seems wrong. Before you call a plumber, get to know these common water heater signs and what they mean for your unit:

• Fluctuation in Water Temperature: If you get water that fluctuates between being too hot or too cold, it might mean one of the heating elements is failing. It can also mean that your water heater has lost efficiency with age and can’t provide the hot water you’re used to.
• Leaks: A leaky water heater doesn’t always require replacement. Sometimes, you might have a faulty temperature and pressure relief valve. Other times, it may be something as simple as a bad gasket.
• Discolored Water: If you notice brown water, it may mean that the tank is corroded or you have a failing anode rod. A corroding tank requires replacement, while an anode rod is easy to swap out.
• Strange Noises: As water heaters age, sediment builds up inside the tank, which can lead to strange sounds coming from the tank. You might hear rumbling, cracking, or popping sounds. Most of the time, this problem is fixed by flushing the tank to remove the sediment. If you hear a high-pitched whining noise, it could be scale build-up on the heating elements. You can also fix this by flushing the tank and cleaning off the scale.

A clog in your main sewer line can be a serious health hazard, especially if raw sewage backs up into your home. Not only can this make you and your family sick, but it can also cause extensive damage to your flooring. Below are the most common causes of sewer line clogs and how you can prevent them:

• Debris From Home: The most common cause of sewer line clogs is debris that comes from inside the house. Many people flush things like paper towels, personal wipes, and feminine hygiene products down the toilet, which leads to clogs in the plumbing. Also, cooking grease and food waste are other culprits that cause clogging problems. To solve this, make sure you only flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet and pour cooking grease and food debris into the trash instead of down the drain.
• Tree Roots: If you have large trees or shrubs on your property, they will naturally seek out available water sources under the ground if they become too dry. Most often, the nearest source of water is your sewer line. Tree roots are notorious for penetrating sewer lines at the joints or through small cracks, and once inside, they grow to cause a significant blockage. Consider upgrading your aging pipes with materials that resist tree roots or remove the trees.
• Damage: It’s not uncommon to see older homes with outdated plumbing run into trouble when the pipes crack and collapse. If the pipes are weak and the ground shifts, it’s often enough to cause the pipes to fail. If your home is 50 years or older, contact a plumber to find out about replacing that old sewer line.
• Excessive Rain: Sewers can only handle so much water at a time, and when heavy rains come, they’re often overwhelmed. When this happens, the overflow of water often finds its way into residential lines, which can cause clogs and backups.

Besides the bathroom, the kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks put a lot of strain on the plumbing and fixtures. Here are the most common plumbing problems you’re likely to see in your kitchen:

• Low Kitchen Sink Water Pressure: If you have a weak water stream coming out of your kitchen faucet, it could be something simple like a clog in the line or aerator. Many residents deal with hard water, which causes mineral deposits to build up in the system, leading to clogs. If the problem lies with the aerator, you can fix this by removing it and cleaning it with vinegar or a scale-removal product.
• Leaky Faucet: Sometimes, a leaking faucet requires a professional to fix or replace but check for these common causes of leaks before you call. If the faucet leaks at the base of the spout, it’s likely a worn O-ring seal, which is easily replaced.
• Kitchen Sink Leaks: Most kitchen sinks use a P-shaped trap that’s designed to stop sewer gas and other odors from coming into your house. Water flows into the curved section of the pipe via gravity to block these gases. However, when soap scum and grease build up in this P-trap, it obstructs the water flow and can cause a leak. You can check the P-trap by loosening the slip nuts at each and removing the trap.
• Leaking Dishwasher: Common causes of leaking dishwashers are broken float switches, bad gaskets, and damaged spray arms. Fortunately, these are easily replaced using a screwdriver.
• Clogged Drains: Most homeowners experience clogged drains, especially in the kitchen. Be careful about what goes down your kitchen sink. You can prevent most clogs by putting food scraps and cooking grease into the trash or a compost heap rather than putting them down the drain. If you do experience a clog, try a homemade remedy like vinegar and baking soda before calling a plumber.

The gas line is one of the most important parts of your home’s plumbing system. The gas line brings in the necessary fuel to provide various functions throughout the house, so it’s crucial that the gas line remains in good condition. Like any line, however, there may come a time when you need gas line repair. Damaged lines can be dangerous, so watch out for these signs that you should call a professional for help:

• Foul Odors: Perhaps the most significant sign pointing to a broken gas line is the odor of rotten eggs, which is a chemical put in by the gas supplier to alert customers of the presence of gas. If you smell this, get out of the house and call for help immediately.
• Hissing Sounds: Do you hear hissing noises coming from a gas appliance? If so, it could be a slow leak.
• Dying Vegetation: Many gas lines run through the lawn, so if you notice portions of your lawn that are dying, it could be a leak in the gas line.
• Spike in Gas Bill: If your gas bill suddenly spikes, you should have a professional check your gas line for leaks.

If you suspect you have a gas leak, make sure you and your family are safe first. Then, call the experts at Cajun Maintenance right away.

Even if your gas lines were installed by a pro, they can still leak because of damage, age, shifting soil, or tree roots. Many times, homeowners don’t know there’s a problem until it’s too late. If you suspect you have a gas leak, follow these steps to ensure your safety and the safety of your home.

1. Get out of the house quickly.
2. Don’t use any electrical devices or turn on any electric items.
3. Leave your doors and windows open to allow gas to escape.
4. Call the gas company, 911, and a plumber.

If you feel nauseated, lightheaded, have a headache, blurred vision, dizzy, or any other symptom associated with carbon monoxide poisoning, seek medical attention immediately.