Plumbing Guides
Plumbing guides for Southwest Florida homeowners
The questions our customers call about most, answered by the people who fix them. Each guide tells you what is going on, what you can safely do yourself, and where the line is. When a job needs a licensed plumber, we say so.
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The guides homeowners use most
Older Homes & Home Buying Just moved to Southwest Florida? Eight plumbing things that are different here Plumbing in Southwest Florida works the same way it did up north, but the house around it is different. There is no basement, the supply lines run through the attic or… Seasonal & Storm Prep Where is my main water shutoff valve, and should I close it when I leave town? In most Lee and Collier County homes the main shutoff is outside, on the wall where the water line enters the house, usually near a hose bib on the front or garage side… Fixtures & Appliances How do I unjam and reset a garbage disposal? Turn the switch off. If the disposal hums but does not spin, it is jammed: put the quarter-inch hex wrench in the socket on the bottom and work it back and forth until… Water Heaters How old is my water heater, and when should I replace it? The manufacture date is coded in the serial number on the label. Most tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years, and less in a hot Florida garage with hard water. Once yours… Leaks & Water Bills Why is my water bill so high? Check your toilets first Most unexplained jumps in a water bill are a toilet flapper that no longer seals, and it wastes water silently around the clock. Put a few drops of food coloring in the… Water Quality What is in Southwest Florida tap water, and do I need whole-home filtration? Southwest Florida tap water is safe to drink, but it is hard, it is disinfected with chlorine or chloramine, and both leave marks: scale in the water heater, spots on…
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Topics
Water HeatersAge, lifespan, warning signs, tank vs tankless, and what Florida requires when one is replaced. Drains & SewerSlow drains, backups, cast iron lines, roots, and when a camera or jetter is the right tool. Leaks & Water BillsHigh bills, running toilets, supply hoses, slab leaks, and the checks you can do in ten minutes. Water QualityWhat is in Lee and Collier County tap water, well water, hardness, and whole-home filtration. Fixtures & AppliancesDisposals, faucets, toilets, washing machines, and the resets and swaps a homeowner can handle. Seasonal & Storm PrepShutoff valves, leaving for the season, hurricane prep, and coming back to a dry house. Older Homes & Home BuyingWhat to inspect before you buy, cast iron, polybutylene, repipes, and what is different if you just moved here. EmergenciesThe first minutes: burst pipes, backups, no water, a leaking heater, and when it can wait until morning. Condos, HOAs & RentalsWho owns what, risers and stacks, backflow schedules, water heater rules, turnovers, and vacant units. Hiring a PlumberLicenses, insurance, permits, what a visit involves, and how to tell a professional from a risk.
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Latest guides
- What should not go down the kitchen sink at Thanksgiving?
- Just moved to Southwest Florida? Eight plumbing things that are different here
- Where is my main water shutoff valve, and should I close it when I leave town?
- How do I unjam and reset a garbage disposal?
- How old is my water heater, and when should I replace it?
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Tell us what is going on in your house. We answer the phone 24 hours a day, and the questions customers ask are where the next guides come from.Not sure what a word on your estimate means? Try theplumbing glossary.
These guides are for general information only. Plumbing work can involve water damage, electricity, gas, permits, and code requirements, and every home is different. If you are not sure, stop and call a licensed plumber. Do-it-yourself work is at your own risk. Read the full disclaimer.