HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical FAQ

While gentle heat can thaw a pipe, it is often best to call a professional. Pipes can crack or burst in hidden locations, and thawing may actually increase the chances of water damage as the ice melts and water pressure returns.

If basic plungers, pipe snakes, or other at-home methods fail, it’s best to call a plumber for professional drain cleaning. Too much force or the use of harsh chemical drain cleaners can actually damage the pipes, making the problem much more expensive to repair.

Avoid flushing anything but paper and waste down the toilet, and do not flush “flushable” moist wipes, hygiene products, or paper towels. Dispose of cooled cooking oils and grease in the garbage, and use baskets or strainers on drains to keep food particles, hair, and foreign objects out of sink and tub drains.

Slow-moving drains can be an early sign of clogging, but they’re also a red flag for myriad other problems. Your pipes might have narrowed from sediment buildup, which needs heat treatment rather than mechanical strength. A universal blockage may also be caused by a badly graded drainage plan. If so, your land might need to be reshaped.

Simultaneous blockages warn you of a serious blockage that usually involves your main sewer drainage pipe. Bubbling in your sinks and toilets is also a red flag for this problem. If your plumbing fixtures are causing blockages in other fixtures, the issue is usually further down where both drains connect. That generally requires an industrial snaking tool and a professional plumber.

Your drains might be hidden, but they still need regular maintenance. Uncleaned drains harbor dangerous microorganisms, so disinfect them every week. A deep monthly clean is a key preventive habit, but you should hire a professional to perform a deeper clean every year.

Frequent drain blockages can usually be avoided. Flushing large objects can cause stubborn indoor problems, so throw hard-to-flush items like paper towels and sanitary products in the dustbin. Hair is another frequent offender, but it’s a little more difficult to manage. Installing a mesh screen over your drains can help, as can brushing before every shower. Use a baking-soda-and-vinegar rinse once a week.

Oils and grease are also notorious for their blocking powers. They harden when cooled, so it’s best to pour them into a container for trash disposal.

Drain cleaning and minor unblocking are key facets of proper drain maintenance, but some problems are too severe for your household handyman. If your blockage is below your U-pipe, everyday solutions are unlikely to work. Household drain cleaners shouldn’t be used on toilets, so they need the kind of attention only professionals can manage. If your connections are rusted, only industrial tools will be effective.

Yes, there are times that a leak from your water heater can be fixed with repair and avoid replacement, but in troubleshooting, you should schedule a visit from a local hot water heater contractor to ensure the best route of recovery for your system.

There are many components of your water heater that could lead to failure, including issues with the pilot light, heating element, thermostat, and more. It’s best to have a professional water heater repair contractor take a look to diagnose the real issue.

Typically, most water heaters can perform well for 10 years. After that, it’s time to consider a replacement.

Most water heaters that are more than 10 years old should be considered for replacement. There are also warning signs that failure is pending, including rusty water, rumbling and noise coming from the unit, water pooling around the unit, and more.

Disposal repair falls into an odd place in the world of home services. Many electricians, plumbers, and general contractors handle this service—though if you had to pick one, we would recommend the plumber. Luckily for you, Bovio Rubino Service covers all of the above, and we have no trouble performing complete repairs. Note that if you need garbage disposal replacement, you need to get in touch with a plumber to ensure drain lines and water lines are intact.

When a disposal hums or produces other noises but isn’t otherwise working, the odds are high that either the disposal blades have worn down or that there is something jammed in the disposal that is preventing normal operation. DO NOT attempt to address this on your own! Disposals are designed to chew up meat, food waste, and bone, and it doesn’t care who the bones belong to.

Provided that the disposal has been maintained and used correctly, you should be able to expect around 10 years of good service without needing a garbage disposal replacement.

The reset button located on the bottom of your disposal (the big red one!) is functionally like a breaker. If the disposal makes no noise, isn’t working, or has overheated, it may “trip” and need to be reset. This is your go-to in an attempt to fix the disposal, but if it trips twice in one day or this doesn’t fix the problem, it’s time to start dialing your garbage disposal repairman!