Facts and Tips Archives

My Sewer is Backing Up – Help! – Ask a Plumber

Posted on April 11, 2024April 17, 2024 by Charlie Avoles

Understanding Sewer Backup Causes Why does my sewer keep backing up? An individual fixture in your home can get backed up, or the main sewer line that goes underneath your basement floor can be backed up. If you are having multiple fixtures in your house backing up at the same time, especially backing up down […]

Low Water Pressure? Here’s what’s wrong and how to fix it

Posted on April 4, 2024June 18, 2026 by Charlie Avoles

There are few things worse than taking a steamy shower, only to be interrupted by a sudden stream of cold, trickling water when a toilet flushes. Having low water pressure can be highly frustrating. From slow dishwashing cycles to showers that feel more like a sprinkle, low water pressure can disrupt the way your home […]

Why do I have two pumps in my basement? Ask a Plumber

Posted on March 14, 2024April 4, 2024 by Charlie Avoles

What is a waste ejector? A common plumbing device in many homes is a sump pump. The purpose of the sump pump is to pump excess groundwater away from your house into your yard or a storm sewer. It pumps groundwater, not wastewater that has gone through your plumbing system. There also may be a […]

How does one become a plumber? Ask a Plumber..

Posted on February 23, 2024February 23, 2024 by Charlie Avoles

What does it take to become a plumber? Plumbing is one of the construction trades that require an individual license for each worker. In other words, the person working in your home is required to have a specific plumbing license. Apprenticeship To get a plumbing license, a person must serve an apprenticeship that requires four […]

Waste Pipes: Where Does My Dirty Water Go? Ask a Plumber…

Posted on February 8, 2024February 9, 2024 by Charlie Avoles

The Riddle of Your Home Waste Pipes Answered. Have you ever wondered where all the water you flush or drain every day goes? Each home boasts at least one primary waste pipe that whisks away used wastewater from the residence. For city dwellers and most urban households, these waste pipes meander to the streets where […]

What’s the difference between an Apprentice, a Journeyman, and a Master Plumber?

Posted on October 26, 2023October 26, 2023 by Charlie Avoles

The plumbing industry and other construction trades use designations to determine the skill level of employees. Much like the designation titles that were used coming out of the Renaissance, the titles that we are familiar with today are Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master. Let’s explore the difference between these different classifications of plumbers. Apprentices are plumbers […]