Fast Plumbing Tips Worth Knowing
Plumbing Tips & Guides for Portland Homeowners
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How to Replace, and Why You Should…Your Water Heater Anode Rod
At 100% Plumbing, we’re here to shed light on a crucial aspect of water heater maintenance that often slips under the radar: changing the anode rod. Your water heater is a vital appliance that ensures a steady supply of hot…
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The Ice Cube Method: Keeping Your Garbage Disposal Fresh and Efficient
At 100% Plumbing we understand that a well-maintained garbage disposal is crucial for the smooth functioning of your kitchen. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to the Ice Cube Method, a simple yet effective technique recommended by Mont Stephenson,…
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3 Reasons You Should Never Flush Wipes
Why You Shouldn’t Flush Cleaning Wipes: Protecting Your Plumbing and the Environment – Tales from the Toilet (Literally) The convenience of disposable cleaning wipes cannot be debated. They are perfect for a quick toilet clean-up, especially when it comes to…
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3 Reasons You Should Not Use Drano In Your Toilet
When you’re facing a stubborn toilet clog, the need for a quick solution is urgent. But….before reaching for harsh chemical cleaners, let’s explore a safer and more effective method to unclog your toilet. Traditional drain cleaners, like Drano, rely on…
Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency
A plumbing emergency moves fast. The first step in almost every situation is the same: shut off the water. For a burst pipe or major leak, that means the main shut off valve. For an overflowing toilet, the local shut off behind the base of the toilet. Getting the water off quickly limits the damage while you call for help.
Once the water is off, document what you are seeing with photos before cleanup begins. This matters for insurance claims. Do not attempt to open walls or make permanent repairs yourself in an emergency situation. Get a plumber on the phone and follow their guidance while you wait. Knowing where your shut off valves are before a plumbing emergency happens is what makes this sequence possible.
DIY vs. When to Call a Plumber
Some plumbing tasks are reasonable for a capable homeowner. Replacing a faucet, swapping a showerhead, tightening supply line fittings, or using a plunger to clear a minor clog are all within reach with basic tools and a willingness to follow instructions. Plumber's tape, a wrench, and knowing when to hand-tighten versus overtighten will get you through most small jobs.
The line is crossed when the work involves the main water line, sewer lines, gas lines, permit-required installation, or anything that opens up walls and floors. A failed DIY repair on any of these can cause far more damage than the original problem and may void insurance coverage or fail a home inspection. When in doubt, the cost of a professional plumber's diagnosis is almost always less than the cost of fixing a DIY repair that went wrong. Persistent clogs, foul odors from drains, major leaks, and anything involving water pressure throughout the house rather than at one fixture are all reasons to call.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs Service
Most water heaters give you warning before they fail. Rusty or discolored hot water, popping or rumbling noises when the unit runs, inconsistent water temperatures, a pilot light that will not stay lit, or visible leaking around the base are all signs the unit needs attention. A water heater over ten years old showing any of these symptoms is worth having inspected before it fails completely, because a failed water heater rarely chooses a convenient moment.
Annual flushing removes sediment buildup from the bottom of the tank, which improves efficiency and reduces the noise that comes with it. A licensed plumber should inspect the unit annually to keep the warranty valid and catch early signs of wear.
How to Shut Off Your Main Water
Knowing where your main shut off valve is and how to use it is the single most useful thing you can do before a plumbing emergency happens. The main water line shut off is typically near the water meter, either in the basement, crawl space, or utility area. When a pipe bursts or a major leak starts, closing that valve immediately stops water from continuing to flow into the affected area and limits the damage while you wait for a plumber.
Beyond the main valve, most fixtures have individual shut off valves directly beneath or behind them. Toilets, sinks, and water heaters all have local shut offs that let you isolate a single fixture without cutting water to the whole house. Test yours at least once a year to confirm they turn freely. A shut off valve that has not been touched in years can seize, which is exactly when you need it most.
How to Prevent Clogged Drains
Most drain clogs are preventable. In kitchen drains, grease is the main culprit. It enters the pipe as a liquid and hardens into a sticky coating that catches everything that follows. Pour grease into a container and throw it in the trash, not down the sink. Run cold water while using the garbage disposal and for thirty seconds after to flush food particles through the line. In bathroom drains, hair and soap scum are the primary cause. A simple hair catcher over the shower drain is one of the most cost effective plumbing habits you can build.
Baking soda and hot water flushed monthly keep minor buildup from becoming a blockage. Avoid chemical drain cleaners. They corrode older metal pipes and often do not fully clear the clog, just delay it.
How to Read Your Water Bill for Leak Signs
Your water bill is one of the most useful early warning tools for hidden plumbing leaks. An unexplained increase in usage without a change in household habits is a strong signal that water is escaping somewhere in the system. Around 10% of homes have leaks wasting more than 90 gallons per day, most of which go unnoticed because the leak is inside a wall, under a slab, or in an underground pipe.
A simple check: turn off every fixture and appliance in the house and watch your water meter for a few minutes. If the dial is still moving, water is leaving the system. Adding food coloring to your toilet tank and watching whether color appears in the bowl without flushing is an easy way to check for a flapper leak, one of the most common sources of continuous water waste. If your bill is climbing and you cannot find the source, that is a reason to schedule a leak detection inspection.
Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency
A plumbing emergency moves fast. The first step in almost every situation is the same: shut off the water. For a burst pipe or major leak, that means the main shut off valve. For an overflowing toilet, the local shut off behind the base of the toilet. Getting the water off quickly limits the damage while you call for help.
Once the water is off, document what you are seeing with photos before cleanup begins. This matters for insurance claims. Do not attempt to open walls or make permanent repairs yourself in an emergency situation. Get a plumber on the phone and follow their guidance while you wait. Knowing where your shut off valves are before a plumbing emergency happens is what makes this sequence possible.
DIY vs. When to Call a Plumber
Some plumbing tasks are reasonable for a capable homeowner. Replacing a faucet, swapping a showerhead, tightening supply line fittings, or using a plunger to clear a minor clog are all within reach with basic tools and a willingness to follow instructions. Plumber's tape, a wrench, and knowing when to hand-tighten versus overtighten will get you through most small jobs.
The line is crossed when the work involves the main water line, sewer lines, gas lines, permit-required installation, or anything that opens up walls and floors. A failed DIY repair on any of these can cause far more damage than the original problem and may void insurance coverage or fail a home inspection. When in doubt, the cost of a professional plumber's diagnosis is almost always less than the cost of fixing a DIY repair that went wrong. Persistent clogs, foul odors from drains, major leaks, and anything involving water pressure throughout the house rather than at one fixture are all reasons to call.
How to Prevent Clogged Drains
Most drain clogs are preventable. In kitchen drains, grease is the main culprit. It enters the pipe as a liquid and hardens into a sticky coating that catches everything that follows. Pour grease into a container and throw it in the trash, not down the sink. Run cold water while using the garbage disposal and for thirty seconds after to flush food particles through the line. In bathroom drains, hair and soap scum are the primary cause. A simple hair catcher over the shower drain is one of the most cost effective plumbing habits you can build.
Baking soda and hot water flushed monthly keep minor buildup from becoming a blockage. Avoid chemical drain cleaners. They corrode older metal pipes and often do not fully clear the clog, just delay it.
How to Shut Off Your Main Water
Knowing where your main shut off valve is and how to use it is the single most useful thing you can do before a plumbing emergency happens. The main water line shut off is typically near the water meter, either in the basement, crawl space, or utility area. When a pipe bursts or a major leak starts, closing that valve immediately stops water from continuing to flow into the affected area and limits the damage while you wait for a plumber.
Beyond the main valve, most fixtures have individual shut off valves directly beneath or behind them. Toilets, sinks, and water heaters all have local shut offs that let you isolate a single fixture without cutting water to the whole house. Test yours at least once a year to confirm they turn freely. A shut off valve that has not been touched in years can seize, which is exactly when you need it most.
How to Read Your Water Bill for Leak Signs
Your water bill is one of the most useful early warning tools for hidden plumbing leaks. An unexplained increase in usage without a change in household habits is a strong signal that water is escaping somewhere in the system. Around 10% of homes have leaks wasting more than 90 gallons per day, most of which go unnoticed because the leak is inside a wall, under a slab, or in an underground pipe.
A simple check: turn off every fixture and appliance in the house and watch your water meter for a few minutes. If the dial is still moving, water is leaving the system. Adding food coloring to your toilet tank and watching whether color appears in the bowl without flushing is an easy way to check for a flapper leak, one of the most common sources of continuous water waste. If your bill is climbing and you cannot find the source, that is a reason to schedule a leak detection inspection.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs Service
Most water heaters give you warning before they fail. Rusty or discolored hot water, popping or rumbling noises when the unit runs, inconsistent water temperatures, a pilot light that will not stay lit, or visible leaking around the base are all signs the unit needs attention. A water heater over ten years old showing any of these symptoms is worth having inspected before it fails completely, because a failed water heater rarely chooses a convenient moment.
Annual flushing removes sediment buildup from the bottom of the tank, which improves efficiency and reduces the noise that comes with it. A licensed plumber should inspect the unit annually to keep the warranty valid and catch early signs of wear.
"Relax. Real tips from real plumbers.
I supervised every word."
— Flash, Chief Plumbing Supervisor, 100% Plumbing Portland
"Relax. Real tips from real plumbers. I supervised every word."
— Flash, Chief Plumbing Supervisor
When to Call a Professional Plumber
Think insurance might cover your repair? Check your deductible, then call us. We provide a written report with photos for your claim and can refer you to contractors who handle the insurance side.