Frequently Asked Questions

When you need a residential plumbing contractor that you can trust to treat you fairly and do the job right the first time, call Swell Plumbing in Salem, OR.

Swell Plumbing is the go-to plumbing provider for residents in Salem, OR, and the surrounding areas. Whether you need water heater repair, clogged drain repair, gas leak repair, kitchen fixture installation, a whole-home repipe, or more, we’re your local one-stop shop.

We serve many customers and, as you can imagine, we get many questions. However, some come up more frequently than others. Here are the ones we get asked the most.

Low water pressure is a common plumbing problem, but the specific cause depends on whether you’re dealing with isolated or multiple fixtures.

Say you have low water pressure in your bathroom sink. In that case, it’s typically caused by a clogged aerator or mineral buildup in the pipe. Both problems are easy to fix — clean or replace the aerator or hire a plumber to snake the pipe and remove the deposits.

However, low water pressure throughout the house is more serious. It could be a problem with the city’s water system or a block or break in your main water line. If it’s the former, there’s little you can do but wait until the city sorts it out. If it’s the latter, you’ll need a plumber to determine the problem and how to fix it.

Running toilets are often caused by a faulty flapper, fill valve, or float. The flapper is a rubber or plastic component that sits at the bottom of the tank and controls the water flow into the bow. If worn out or broken, it can’t form a tight seal, and the water continuously runs.

Another possible issue is the fill valve, which regulates the water level after you flush. Your toilet will constantly run if the valve fails to shut off the water.

Finally, the float stops the water flow once it reaches the desired level in the tank, similar to the fill valve. If the float arm is loose or maladjusted, you get a toilet that won’t stop running.

Most people use drain cleaners when dealing with a clogged drain. They’re inexpensive, easy to use, and often work. But you may have read that they’re dangerous and you shouldn’t use them. Here’s our take.

How safe drain cleaners are depends on the product and how you use them. Most over-the-counter drain cleaners use harsh chemicals like lye or sulfuric acid, which dissolve material causing the clog to clear the drain. These chemicals are extremely toxic and can be fatal if swallowed. Moreover, they can cause chemical burns and toxic fumes, which have sent people to the ER.

Moreover, some chemical drain cleaners can eat away your metal pipes if you use them too much.

We recommend bio-drain cleaners, which are harmless to people, pets, and your pipes. Bio drain cleaners use engineered bacteria to dissolve organic material like hair, food, and soap scum. Between bio-drain cleanings, we also recommend hiring a plumber for regular drain cleaning as maintenance to prevent clogs.

Imagine relaxing on the couch and suddenly hearing a loud banging or popping sound from your water heater. You’ve heard stories about water heaters exploding and wonder if you should grab the kids and evacuate.

The short answer is: most likely no.

Water heater explosions happen, but they’re extremely rare. In most cases, the noises you hear are caused by sediment buildup in the tank. Call a plumber to flush the tank, and the noises go away. And, if you’re still worried about a water heater explosion, remember that it almost always happens with poorly maintained water heaters, so call a plumber for routine water heater maintenance, and you’ll be fine.

Whether a garbage disposal is worth getting depends on your needs, budget, and commitment to waste management. The benefits include:

  • Reducing food waste in the drain
  • Reducing drain clogs and odors
  • Reducing the amount of trash in the landfill
  • Reducing the money you spend on garbage bags

However, there are drawbacks, including:

  • You must keep them well-maintained
  • They’re limited in what they can grind
  • They’re a safety risk if you don’t use them correctly

Call us for a consultation if you’re on the fence about installing a garbage disposal in your kitchen.

For professional plumbing help that you can count on, call the pros at Swell Plumbing in Salem, OR, at 503-884-4072.