Straight answers to common plumbing questions.

Call a professional plumber right away to determine the location of the leak. If the source of the leak is after the meter and not between the meter and your house, it is usually the responsibility of your water utility provider.

Leaky faucets are usually caused by worn-out rubber washers, damaged cartridges, or corroded internal valve seats. In many cases a simple replacement of these parts fixes the issue, but sometimes the entire faucet needs to be replaced.

If your disposal stops working during normal use, it is most likely jammed or needs to be reset. First, locate the red reset button on the bottom and press it gently to see if the disposal resumes. If not, insert the manufacturer-supplied wrench into the hole at the bottom of the motor and rotate it back and forth to dislodge whatever is jamming it.

Always keep in mind what is being flushed or dumped down your drains. Things like hair, oils, grease, coffee grounds, pasta, or rice should not go in the sink. A drain stopper or filter can help, but remember that oils and grease can go through a stopper and should never be poured down a drain.

A drain line inspection is performed with a waterproof camera that is inserted into your drain lines. It determines the cause of drain blockages, the condition of your drain pipes, and can also determine if there are any cracks, sags, or roots present.

Tankless water heaters can be a good fit for some homes, but they need the right gas, venting, water-quality, and maintenance plan. A plumber should review the existing setup before you choose one.

Send your city, the service you need, how urgent it is, and a short description of what is happening. Photos can help when the problem is visible.