Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my toilet leaking at the base?

One of the most common reasons for a toilet to leak at the base is a failure of the seal beneath the toilet itself. This can be as simple of a fix as pulling and resetting the toilet with a new wax ring or may require repair and/or replacement of the toilet flange itself. The toilet flange, sometimes called a closet flange, is the pipe fitting that connects the toilet to the drainage system while also securing the toilet to the floor. Below are a few other possible culprits for water leaking at the base of the toilet:

Bowl and/or tank condensation
Leak from the water supply line to the toilet
Loose or not properly tightened toilet bolts

Why am I only getting lukewarm water?

If you have an electric water heater, it’s possible the breaker has been tripped. This would be the easiest cause to check for. Some other common reasons for “lukewarm” water may be as follows:

The thermostat may be set incorrectly.
Sediment buildup may be affecting the heating element.
One of the electrical heating elements may be faulty.
The propane tank may be empty (applies to propane sourced heaters only).
Worst case scenario is the water heater needs replacement.

Why are plumbing fixtures in my home backing up?

Your home has incoming water lines and outgoing sewer lines. The sewer (wastewater) lines need to move the used water from your washing machine, tub, shower, toilets and sinks away from your home. When the waste line gets blocked or breached, water will back up into your home. Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners face. Although a clogged drain can be a major inconvenience, it is a relatively easy problem to fix!

Why is my home’s water discolored?

After an extended trip away from home, the water coming out of your faucet could be slightly discolored—luckily, the discoloration usually goes away on its own in less than a minute. But what if this happens to your water regularly? Is the discolored water dangerous to your health? Can you use it to cook, bathe, or clean? Often the water is safe to use, and can often be associated with an aging water heater, rusty pipes or the need for water treatment to remove commonly found contaminants and/or unwanted components such as hardness and iron.

How do I prevent my pipes from freezing?

The wintertime in northern Wisconsin is known for producing freezing temperatures that frequently drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit — which means homeowners in the area should take steps to prevent frozen pipes. When water freezes, it expands, which can cause your pipes to burst. This can cause major problems and result in extensive repairs and costly plumbing bills. Each year we encounter many situations that are a result of a plumbing system being exposed to subzero temperatures. Rapid drops in temperature, poor insulation, improperly set thermostats, as well as location of water lines are the major culprits behind frozen pipes.

Why is my well pump short cycling?

When your well pump is cycling on and off, it’s a red flag something is wrong. One of the most common reasons for short cycling is loss of air from the pressure tank, often referred to as a “water logged” pressure tank. When this happens there is an imbalance between the air and water ratio within the tank itself causing the pump to short cycle (turn on and off frequently) as it’s not able to build and maintain pressure properly. In this type of situation, a new pressure tank is needed as short cycling of the well pump can cause damage to the pump and ultimately the pump will fail resulting in a costly replacement.