Wilson Bathroom & Kitchen Plumbing

Toilet leaks occur in two ways and very often are difficult to detect. First, the most common toilet leak and often hardest to detect is caused by a deteriorated or defected flush valve (flapper) or “tank” ball at the bottom of the toilet tank. If the flapper or ball valve does not seat properly and form a water-tight seal, water will leak around it into the toilet bowl. Often, this leak will occur without being heard. Here is an easy way to check for flush valve leaks and in just minutes, you can find out if a toilet is wasting thousands of gallons due to an undiscovered water leak. Remove the tank lid, then flush. After the flapper/tank ball drops and the tank refills, add several drops of dark food coloring) or a Fluidmaster leak detector tablet. Wait at least 20 minutes. If any trace of color appears in the toilet bowl, there is a leak.

The second most-common type of leak is caused by improperly adjusted or broken fill valve. If the float is set too high or the shut-off valve fails to close completely, water will continue to enter the tank and flow into the overflow tube. This type of leak can be seen simply by taking the tank top off and observing if water is flowing into the overflow tube once the tank is full. Excess water pressure can also have a negative effect on the operating system in your toilet.

If you are experiencing either of these types of leaks and need service to fix them, contact our office.

There are several reasons we do not recommend this course of action; most drain chemicals are very toxic in nature and not a good thing to keep around the home if you have children or pets. If they do make it down the drain, the chemicals are contributing to global pollution. In addition, over time these chemicals may deteriorate your pipes from the inside out. When this happens, the drain line(s) will have to be replaced and creates a huge expense.

Do not confuse toxic drain cleaners with the various drain maintenance products that are on the market. These products contain ‘friendly” bacteria and enzymes. They work great to keep any drain sludge and grease from building up in the pipes.

Most often the cause is the fill valve in the tank has a leak in it. If the fill valve is old, you should replace it. Sometimes the shaft or wire that is used to set the level corrodes off. If the shaft or wire seems to be your problem then replacing it should fix your problem. Another possibility, if the fill valve has been replaced recently, is that it could be set too high.

First, make sure the water supply is turned on. If it is, remove the lid to the toilet tank and check to see if the chain or strap to the flapper is broken or come loose. You could also have a blockage in the toilet “jets” just under the rim of the toilet.

This condensation on the outside of the tank is caused by cold water filling the tank and humid air in the bathroom. There are a few of things you can do. You can insulate the inside of your tank. They sell kits for this and they work fairly well. The tank covers you can put on the outside help somewhat as well. You can also get a mixing valve. This is put on your cold water supply. It will add just enough hot water to the cold to warm it up. When the tank is filled with water at room temperature it won’t sweat.

More often than not the flapper in the bottom of the tank is the cause of the problem, which you can simply replace. Also the chain can be too long and get caught under the flapper. The chain should be long enough to reach from the lever arm to the top of the flapper without pulling on it.

A toilet that runs continuously is wasting water and adding to your bill, but it’s not typically an emergency. A leak at the base of the toilet is a different matter since it can cause floor damage over time and should be addressed soon. Either way, give Prostar a call and we’ll take a look.

Often, yes. Worn cartridges, O-rings, or washers are the most common culprits, and swapping those parts is usually a straightforward repair. If the faucet is older or the body itself has corroded, full replacement may be the better value long-term. We’ll give you an honest recommendation either way.

Low pressure at a single faucet or showerhead is usually a localized issue, like a clogged aerator, a partially closed shutoff valve, or a failing cartridge. If pressure is low throughout the home, that points to something further upstream. Our plumbers can track down the cause and fix it.

Yes. Whether you’re relocating fixtures, adding a bathroom, or replacing everything in an existing space, Prostar can handle both the rough-in plumbing and the final fixture connections. Calling us early in your project makes coordination much easier.

Garbage disposals typically last around 10 years. If yours is leaking, jamming regularly, or not grinding well anymore, replacement is often cheaper in the long run than repeated repairs. We can assess it quickly and help you decide.