Question 1

Boiler will not turn on, no heat: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Tripped emergency switch or breaker, thermostat setting or dead batteries, failed ignitor or thermocouple, gas valve or control failure, or on steam boilers a low-water cutoff that has shut it down. We diagnose ignition, controls, gas supply and water level and repair on the first visit in most cases.

Question 2

Boiler keeps shutting off or locking out: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Dirty flame sensor, failing ignitor, blocked venting, low gas pressure, or a boiler too large for the building short-cycling. We clean and test the burner and controls, check venting and gas pressure, and fix the actual cause.

Question 3

Boiler pressure keeps dropping or climbing: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Dropping: a leak in the piping or relief valve discharge. Climbing: a waterlogged expansion tank or a fill valve that will not close. We pressure-test, locate the leak, and replace the expansion tank, relief valve or fill valve as needed.

Question 4

Some radiators hot, others cold: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Hot water systems: air in the loop, a stuck zone valve or failed circulator. Steam: failed radiator vents or main vents, or poor pipe pitch. We bleed or balance the system, replace vents, zone valves or circulators, and correct pitch problems.

Question 5

Banging, knocking or hammering pipes: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

On steam, trapped condensate from poor pipe pitch, partly open radiator valves or failed traps. On water lines, a valve closing fast or loose pipe straps. We correct pitch, replace failed vents and traps, or add water hammer arrestors and secure loose pipe.

Question 6

No hot water: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Pilot out, failed thermocouple or gas valve, tripped high-limit, or a tank at the end of its life. We repair the control or replace the tank. 40, 50 and 75 gallon tanks are on the truck.

Question 7

Hot water runs out quickly: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Sediment taking up tank volume, a failed dip tube, a thermostat set too low, or a tank too small for the household. We flush, repair or upgrade to a larger tank, usually 50 or 75 gallons.

Question 8

Water leaking around the hot water tank: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Relief valve discharge, a leaking supply connection, or a leak from the tank body, which cannot be repaired. Connections and valves are repaired on the spot. A leaking tank body means same-day replacement.

Question 9

Relief valve on the water heater is dripping: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Most often a failed or missing expansion tank letting pressure build. Sometimes high street pressure or a worn valve. We test the expansion tank and incoming pressure, then replace the tank, the valve or a pressure-reducing valve.

Question 10

Water temperature swings hot and cold: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

A failing mixing valve, a thermostat or aquastat problem, or sediment in the tank. We test the mixing valve and controls first, then flush or replace the tank if needed.

Question 11

Sewage coming up a floor drain, tub or toilet: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

A blocked house trap or main drain, or a damaged sewer line between the building and the street. We clear the line, run a camera to find the cause, and repair it.

Question 12

Restaurant kitchen drain backing up: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Grease building up in the kitchen lines or a grease interceptor past its rated capacity. Dishwasher and floor drains are often the first to back up. We clear and jet the lines, service the interceptor, and set a maintenance schedule so it does not repeat.

Question 13

Slow or clogged sink, tub or shower drain: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Hair, soap and grease in the trap or branch line, common in older cast-iron piping. We cable or jet the line. Repeat clogs in one spot get a camera inspection.

Question 14

Sewer smell in the house or apartment: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

A dried-out trap in a rarely used drain, a failed toilet wax ring, or a cracked vent pipe. We trace the source and replace the seal, trap or vent.

Question 15

Faucet or showerhead dripping: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

A worn washer, O-ring or cartridge inside the fixture. Normal wear after several years. We replace the cartridge or washer, or the faucet if its body is corroded.

Question 16

Toilet keeps running or refilling: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

A worn flapper, a fill valve that will not shut off, or a float set too high. We replace the flapper, fill valve or flush valve, usually in under 30 minutes.

Question 17

Tankless water heater goes cold or shows an error: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Scale build-up, a clogged inlet filter, flow too low to keep the burner lit, an undersized gas line, or a venting or ignition fault. We read the code, descale, clean filters and fix the gas, venting or ignition fault.

Question 18

Mini split not cooling, not heating, or dripping water: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Dirty filters, a clogged condensate line, iced coils, low refrigerant from a leak, or an outdoor unit blocked by debris or snow. We clear the condensate line, check refrigerant and electrical, and repair the fault.

Question 19

Low water pressure: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

Clogged aerators or cartridges at one fixture, or building-wide: old galvanized pipe, a partly closed main valve or a failing pressure-reducing valve. We find whether it is a fixture or the supply and repair or replace that component.

Question 20

Frozen or burst pipe: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

An exposed or poorly insulated pipe in an outside wall, crawl space or unheated room. We locate and replace the damaged section and insulate or reroute it.

Question 21

Water stain or drip on the ceiling: what causes it and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

A slow leak from a supply line, drain, toilet seal or shower pan in the unit above. We trace the leak to its source rather than just patching the ceiling.

Plumbing and heating troubleshooting guide

Find your problem

Boiler will not turn on, no heat

Boiler keeps shutting off or locking out

Boiler pressure keeps dropping or climbing

Some radiators hot, others cold

Banging, knocking or hammering pipes

No hot water

Hot water runs out quickly

Water leaking around the hot water tank

Relief valve on the water heater is dripping

Water temperature swings hot and cold

Sewage coming up a floor drain, tub or toilet

Restaurant kitchen drain backing up

Slow or clogged sink, tub or shower drain

Sewer smell in the house or apartment

Faucet or showerhead dripping

Toilet keeps running or refilling

Tankless water heater goes cold or shows an error

Mini split not cooling, not heating, or dripping water

Low water pressure

Frozen or burst pipe

Water stain or drip on the ceiling

Still not working?