Answers To Common Plumbing Questions From Treasure Valley Homeowners
Plumbing problems can be confusing, especially when you are not sure what is normal and what actually needs attention. This FAQ page covers common questions about drains, sewer lines, water heaters, emergency plumbing, hard water, fixtures, gas lines, new construction plumbing, and more.
Prime Plumbing serves Nampa and communities throughout the Treasure Valley. If you do not see your question below, call (208) 807-5485 and we will help point you in the right direction.
General Plumbing Questions
When should I call a plumber?
If you have an active leak, recurring clog, sewer smell, low water pressure, water heater problem, unusual plumbing noise, or anything that keeps coming back after a temporary fix, it is worth having a plumber take a look.
Small plumbing problems are usually easier to deal with before they become larger ones.
What areas does Prime Plumbing serve?
Prime Plumbing serves Nampa and communities throughout the Treasure Valley, including Meridian, Boise, Caldwell, Kuna, Eagle, Star, Middleton, Garden City, Emmett, and surrounding areas.
Do you work on both residential and commercial plumbing?
Yes. We provide plumbing services for homes, businesses, rental properties, and commercial spaces throughout the Treasure Valley.
Can you help with small plumbing repairs?
Absolutely.
Not every call has to be a major project. We help with toilets, faucets, sinks, showers, garbage disposals, leaks, drains, fixtures, and plenty of other everyday plumbing problems.
Do you provide plumbing inspections?
Yes. Plumbing inspections can be helpful when buying a home, preparing for a remodel, investigating a recurring problem, or simply getting a better idea of the condition of the plumbing system.
Emergency Plumbing Questions
What is considered a plumbing emergency?
A plumbing emergency usually involves something that can cause damage, create a sanitation concern, or make important parts of the plumbing system unusable.
Examples include burst pipes, major leaks, sewer backups, overflowing toilets, and water heater leaks.
What should I do if a pipe bursts?
If you can safely reach your main water shutoff, turn the water off first.
Then call a plumber.
Moving furniture, electronics, boxes, and other belongings away from the water can also help limit damage while you wait for service.
What should I do if my toilet is overflowing?
Stop flushing it.
If the water is continuing to rise, shut off the water valve behind the toilet if you can safely reach it.
If plunging does not solve the issue or the toilet continues backing up, give Prime Plumbing a call.
Is a sewer backup an emergency?
Yes.
If sewage is backing up into toilets, tubs, showers, or floor drains, stop using water in the home and call a plumber.
Drain And Sewer Questions
Why does my drain keep clogging?
Recurring clogs usually mean there is still buildup or another problem inside the line.
Hair, grease, soap, food debris, mineral buildup, roots, and damaged pipes can all contribute to repeated drain problems.
What does it mean if several drains are slow at the same time?
When several drains start acting up together, the problem may be farther down the plumbing system.
It can sometimes point to a main drain or sewer line issue rather than separate clogs at each fixture.
Why is my toilet bubbling when I use another drain?
Bubbling or gurgling can happen when air is having trouble moving through the drain system.
It may be related to a blockage, venting issue, or problem farther down the sewer line.
Should I use chemical drain cleaner?
We generally recommend being careful with chemical drain cleaners.
They may temporarily open some clogs, but they do not always remove the actual buildup causing the problem. Repeated use can also be rough on certain plumbing materials.
What is hydro jetting?
Hydro jetting uses high pressure water to clean buildup from the inside of drain and sewer lines.
It can be useful for stubborn grease, sludge, debris, and other material that has built up over time.
What is trenchless sewer line replacement?
Trenchless sewer line replacement is a way to repair or replace an underground sewer line while reducing the amount of digging needed compared with traditional excavation.
It can be especially useful when the line runs under landscaping, driveways, walkways, or other finished areas.
Not every sewer line is a good candidate, so the line and property need to be evaluated first.
Water Heater Questions
Why am I suddenly running out of hot water?
Several things can cause this.
The water heater may have a failing component, sediment buildup, an issue with the heating system, or simply be struggling to keep up with the amount of hot water the household is using.
Is water around the bottom of my water heater normal?
No.
Water around the tank should be checked.
Sometimes the problem comes from a valve or connection. Other times, the tank itself may be leaking.
Why is my water heater making popping or rumbling noises?
Sediment and mineral buildup inside the tank can cause popping or rumbling noises as the water heats.
Hard water around the Treasure Valley can contribute to this over time.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
It depends on the age of the system, the type of failure, the condition of the tank, and the cost of the repair.
Sometimes a repair makes perfect sense. Other times, putting more money into an older unit is not the best long term choice.
Prime Plumbing can inspect the system and explain both options.
Do you install tankless water heaters?
Yes.
Prime Plumbing installs and services tankless water heaters as well as traditional tank style systems.
Are tankless water heaters better?
They can be a great option, but they are not automatically the best fit for every home.
Household water demand, available utilities, the existing plumbing setup, and budget all matter when deciding between tank and tankless.
Hard Water And Water Quality Questions
Is hard water common in the Treasure Valley?
Hard water is something many homeowners around the Treasure Valley deal with.
Mineral buildup can show up around faucets, showerheads, glass, fixtures, and inside plumbing equipment over time.
Can hard water damage a water heater?
Hard water can contribute to mineral buildup inside both traditional and tankless water heaters.
Over time, that buildup can affect performance and make the system work harder.
Can Prime Plumbing help with water filtration or treatment?
Yes.
We provide water filtration system installation and water treatment services for homeowners looking to improve their water quality or deal with hard water concerns.
Kitchen And Bathroom Plumbing Questions
Why does my faucet keep dripping?
A dripping faucet may have a worn cartridge, seal, washer, valve, or another internal component that needs attention.
It may seem like a small issue, but a constant drip can waste quite a bit of water over time.
Why does my toilet keep running?
Running toilets are often caused by worn or improperly working parts inside the tank.
Sometimes the repair is simple. If the toilet is older or has other problems, replacement may make more sense.
Do you install new plumbing fixtures?
Yes.
We install faucets, sinks, toilets, showers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and other plumbing fixtures.
Gas Line Questions
Do you work on gas lines?
Yes.
Prime Plumbing provides gas line repair and gas line installation services.
Because gas line issues can involve serious safety concerns, suspected leaks should always be taken seriously.
What should I do if I smell gas?
Leave the area and avoid anything that could create a spark or flame.
Contact your gas utility or emergency services from a safe location and follow their instructions.
New Construction Plumbing Questions
Does Prime Plumbing provide plumbing for new construction?
Yes.
We provide residential and commercial new construction plumbing, including rough ins, water lines, sewer lines, fixture connections, and other plumbing work needed during construction.
What is plumbing rough in?
Rough in plumbing is the behind the wall portion of a new plumbing system.
This is when water lines, drain lines, venting, and fixture locations are installed before drywall, cabinets, tile, and finished fixtures go in.
Getting this stage right is important because fixing mistakes becomes much harder once everything is closed up.
Sometimes the easiest thing to do is just call.
If something does not look right, does not sound right, or simply is not working the way it should, Prime Plumbing can help you figure out what is going on.
We provide plumbing service throughout Nampa, Meridian, Boise, Caldwell, Kuna, Eagle, Star, Middleton, Garden City, Emmett, and surrounding Treasure Valley communities.
Call (208) 807-5485 or email Service@primeplumbingid.com to schedule service or ask a question.