Frequently Asked Questions

Just Ask Copperhead

• Water Heaters
• Toilets
• Drains
• Faucets
• Gas Lines
• Garbage Disposals
• Heating Systems
• Air Conditioning System
• Water Distribution
• Water Quality and Testing
• Water Filtration
• Septic and Sewer
• Well Pump Systems and Tanks
• Noises
• Smells and Odors

How much is a service call?

Generally the trip charge and diagnostic fee for a Master Plumber to evaluate a problem and advise of costs is only $45. This can vary if more complicated troubleshooting is required. The actual cost for service is most often less than expected.

When should I replace my water heater?

Just a few years beyond the warranty period is when most water heaters fail. Like care tires, it’s best to replace them before they go. We can advise of age and warranty given the model and serial number.

How do I know if my water pressure is too high?

It’s not always obvious, like blood pressure but can be dangerous if left unchecked. Washing machine hoses, water heater relief valves and toilets can leak or spray. This also shortens the life of faucets and water heaters. High water pressure can be corrected for a fraction of the cost of damages as a result of not correcting it. The usual culprit is a bad pressure reducing valve on the incoming water line or a water heater heating water up causing the pressure to spike.

What is a thermal expansion tank?

This is a tank with air in it which compresses as water in the water heater expands upon heating. It keeps the pressure in the water pipes constant. Without it the water pressure may become excessive when the water heater is on.

How do I know if my water heater has failed?

We would generally check the age and warranty first. If there is water on the floor, we need to check the relief valve discharge, water pressure, connections to the tank and examine the burner compartment or elements. What we find will determine whether it’s reparable or needs replacement.

Why does my toilet frequently back up?

The most likely culprit is an inexpensive poorly designed low flush toilet. Sometimes toilets can be snaked and adjusted to flush more powerfully. We can advise of the best toilets to use and the ones to avoid. Also, regardless of what manufacturers say, wipes are bad to flush, only paper, and you know.

Why should I consider a new gas furnace?

The average life of a forced hot air furnace is 20 years. Once the heat exchanger fails they need to be changed immediately. It is common for new furnaces to save at least 10% over older models.

What is the most efficient furnace?

Using advanced controls, the most efficient furnaces heat a house continuously matching the heat output of the furnace with the heat loss of the house. A variable speed blower and variable gas burner modulate and maximize efficiency and comfort. It’s like your car’s accelerator modulating the engine speed for a given road versus your existing furnace which would be like having the engine roaring full blast or shut down, regardless of the road.

What if my water heater is leaking?

We provide emergency response to critical situations during work hours and can be at your home within an hour. After hours you can reach the technician on call through our phone system. He will instruct you how to shut it down or get out to do it for you and replace it the following morning. Remember, it may be something more simple than replacing the entire unit. Having your Model and Serial number when you call is helpful to us to determine the age of the unit and if it’s under warranty.

Why does my drain clog up?

Bathroom sinks, showers and bathtub drains build up hair clogs for which Draino is ineffective. Same goes for toothpaste buildup in sink drains. We often have to run a snake cable down these drains to fully clear them and this lasts for years. Kitchen sink drains receive food particles that build up. We sell Bio-Clean which is an environmentally safe bio enzyme which eats the organic material but unlike Draino, won’t hurt the inorganic pipes.

Do you have a camera to examine pipes?

We have a fiber optic camera which we send down larger drains such as the 4” sewer line to the street. If there’s a rough spot or separation in the pipe we can see what’s wrong and then pinpoint the location outside and the actual depth of the pipe to make a precise excavation and repair. This is good for finding where roots are getting in too.

What causes low water pressure and what can be done about it?

We’ve seen some faucets which simply have clogged aerators or kitchen faucets with kinked hoses. Sometimes a main shutoff valve could be broken half close. Often the incoming water line pressure reducing valve is in need of adjustment or replacement.

Why does my faucet drip?

High water pressure can cause faucets which are normally fine to drip. Repairs to faucets are usually straightforward. We stock repair parts for all the major manufacturers and can also rebuild high end import faucets such as Grohe.

How do I know if my sump pump works?

It has to be tested and run on occasion. In addition if it cycles often it may be ready to fail. We’ve discovered a most unique sump pump which will alert you to many problems such as being unplugged, getting jammed, having a clogged discharge, well before the basement floods. Unlike most other pumps with a 1 year warranty it has a 3 year warranty.

Do you install battery backup sump pumps?

When you’ve invested a fair amount of money finishing a basement you need a backup pump that will pump a good volume of water for a long period of time. We have a superior pump/battery/charger system which leaves the home center pumps in the dust. We refer to the home center pumps as a placebo, they may make you feel good but they’re not effective or dependable.

What if my sewer line backs up?

Call us, we have a professional drain and sewer cleaning equipment and can blast through clogs or cut up roots to get you going again. We can respond within the hour generally or during daylight hours. Late at night if it’s impossible to wait until the following morning we can refer you to an all night sewer service. But then you won’t get out great service.

My well pump’s not working and I have no water?

Call us and we can determine if the problem is a simple fix or time for a new pump. We have the equipment to pull pumps and install the new ones often when needed.

What is my well tank for?

We refer to this as pressure reservoir. Think of wooden tanks on New York City building roof tops. In the day the tank feeds all the water lines. At night a pump pumps water from the street up to the tank. Your tank is partly filled with air. As the water pressure drops during usage eventually the pump turns on and fills the tank back up.