RossCo Service Plumbers: Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the RossCo Service Plumbers Help Center. Whether you are dealing with a sudden pipe leak, a temperamental water heater, or just trying to protect your home before the next Pierce County freeze, we are here to help. Below, you will find direct, expert answers to the most common plumbing questions we hear from our neighbors throughout the South Sound.

Water Heaters & Comfort Systems

Why is my water heater making a knocking sound?

Your water heater is likely making a knocking sound due to sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. As water heats up under this layer of debris, steam bubbles trap and burst, creating loud rumbling or knocking noises that signal your unit needs a professional flush.

Why it matters: Sediment acts as an insulator, making your water heater work harder and run less efficiently.
Risks: Left unserviced, sediment can overheat the bottom of the tank, weakening the steel and leading to premature tank failure.
Solution: We recommend scheduling an annual water heater flush to clear mineral buildup and extend the system’s lifespan.

How long does a traditional tank water heater last in Pierce County?

In Pierce County, a traditional tank water heater typically lasts between 8 and 12 years. Local water chemistry and usage habits affect this lifespan. Still, regular professional maintenance, such as replacing the anode rod and flushing the tank annually, can significantly extend your water heater’s operational life.

Signs it is failing: Rusty hot water, popping or knocking noises, inconsistent water temperatures, or visible pooling water around the base of the tank.
Proactive tip: Replacing the sacrificial anode rod every 3 to 5 years can double your tank’s lifespan by protecting it from internal corrosion.

What are the benefits of switching to a tankless water heater?

Switching to a tankless water heater provides an endless supply of hot water, lower monthly energy bills, and a compact design that saves valuable space. Because tankless models heat water on demand rather than constantly storing it, they operate much more efficiently and can last up to 20 years.

Energy Savings: For households with average daily hot water needs, an on-demand system can improve heating efficiency by up to 34% compared to a conventional storage tank.
Space-Saving Layout: These units are wall-mounted, freeing up valuable floor space in utility closets, garages, or basements.

Why is my hot water running out so fast?

Your hot water is running out fast either because a broken dip tube is mixing cold water with hot water inside the tank, or because heavy sediment accumulation has drastically reduced the tank’s water capacity. A failing heating element could also be preventing the system from heating fully.

The Dip Tube Problem: When the dip tube breaks, incoming cold water remains at the top of the tank near the hot water outlet rather than being pushed to the bottom to heat up.
The Sediment Problem: Years of mineral scale can fill up the bottom third of your tank, leaving less actual physical space available for hot water storage.

What temperature should my water heater be set to?

Your water heater should be set to 120°F to balance energy efficiency, personal safety, and pathogen prevention. Setting the thermostat higher increases the risk of accidental scalding, especially for children and seniors, while setting it lower than 120°F can allow harmful bacteria like Legionella to multiply.

Cost impact: Lowering your water heater temperature from 140°F to 120°F can save your household anywhere from 4% to 11% annually on water heating costs.
Safety note: It takes only two seconds of exposure to 150°F water to cause a third-degree burn.

What causes a rotten egg or sulfur smell in my hot water?

A foul, rotten-egg smell in your hot water occurs when anaerobic bacteria interact with the water heater’s magnesium or aluminum anode rod, producing sulfur gas. This reaction frequently affects certain wells and municipal water sources across Pierce County, requiring a professional system flush and a specialized anode rod replacement to fix.

The Culprit: The smell is caused by harmless but highly unpleasant hydrogen sulfide gas.
The Fix: A professional plumbing technician can flush the tank with a chlorine solution to kill the bacteria and replace the standard magnesium anode rod with a zinc-aluminum alloy rod to prevent the smell from returning.

Is a tankless water heater worth it for homes in the Pacific Northwest?

Yes, a tankless water heater is highly worth it for Pacific Northwest homes because our groundwater is notoriously cold year-round. Tankless units efficiently heat incoming cold water on demand, saving considerable energy costs compared to traditional tanks while ensuring your household never runs out of hot water during winter.

High-Demand Capability: Great for local households with large soaking tubs or high demand for multi-fixture hot water.
Longevity Benefit: Tankless water heaters have a service life of 20+ years, nearly double that of traditional tank water heaters.

Drain Cleaning & Clog SolutionsComfort Systems

What is the best way to clear a clogged kitchen sink?

The best way to clear a clogged kitchen sink is to use a standard cup plunger or a manual drain snake to break up the blockage physically. Avoid chemical drain cleaners entirely, as their harsh, caustic ingredients can corrode your plumbing and damage the environment without permanently clearing the clog.

Step 1: If you have a double sink, clamp the opposite drain with a wet rag to ensure a tight seal before plunging.
Step 2: Use firm, vertical plunges to dislodge the food debris or grease.
When to call a pro: If the clog remains stubborn or water backs up into adjacent fixtures, it’s time to call a professional drain cleaner.

Why does my shower drain keep getting clogged?

Your shower drain keeps getting clogged because hair, soap scum, and body oils naturally bind together inside the pipe, trapping loose debris and narrowing the water flow. Over time, these materials solidify into a stubborn obstruction that restricts water flow and causes messy backups.

Prevention Tip: Install a stainless steel mesh hair strainer over your shower drain to intercept strands before they wash down into the trap.
Maintenance Routine: Periodically pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to help melt away accumulated soap scum and oils before they can bond with hair.

What is hydro jetting, and when is it necessary?

Hydro jetting clears underground sewer lines by shooting concentrated, high-velocity jets of water to pulverize stubborn tree roots, grease buildup, and mineral scale. This powerful option is required when standard cabling tools fail to clear chronic mainline clogs or complete pipe blockages.

How it works: Specialized equipment pumps water at up to 4,000 PSI through a rotating multi-directional nozzle to scour the entire interior wall of your pipe.
The Outcome: It restores sewer pipes to like-new interior capacity without relying on harmful commercial chemicals.

Why are chemical drain cleaners bad for my plumbing?

Liquid chemical drain clearers damage residential plumbing because their caustic reactions create extreme heat that warps plastic PVC and accelerates corrosion in metal lines. Additionally, these harsh formulas seldom dissolve the entire obstruction completely, leaving toxic standing water in your fixtures and introducing hazardous pollutants into local water systems.

Safety Hazard: Chemical cleaners leave a toxic chemical reservoir inside your sink bowl that can severely burn your skin or eyes if it splashes during later repair attempts.
Septic Damage: If your home uses a private septic tank, chemical cleaners can kill the beneficial bacteria that break down waste solids.

How do I know if my main sewer line is clogged?

You know your main sewer line is clogged if multiple plumbing fixtures back up simultaneously, or if water bubbles up into your shower when you flush the toilet. Other clear warning signs include a persistent raw-sewage smell around your home and gurgling noises from your drains.

Critical Sign: Running your washing machine causes your kitchen sink or nearby floor drain to overflow with dirty wastewater.
Action Required: Turn off your main water line immediately and stop using all water fixtures until an emergency plumber can snake or jet the line.

How do tree roots get into Pierce County sewer pipes?

Tree roots get into Pierce County sewer pipes because older clay, concrete, or cast iron lines develop small cracks or loose joints over time. Seeking moisture and nutrients, nearby tree roots expand into these tiny openings, quickly growing inside the pipe and creating major, recurring sewer blockages.

Local Risk Factors: Heavily wooded residential communities throughout Tacoma, Puyallup, and rural Pierce County are particularly susceptible due to mature root networks.
Solution: We utilize specialized inline sewer camera inspections to confirm the exact location of root intrusion, followed by hydro-jetting to slice out the roots safely.

Why does my sink make a gurgling sound when it drains?

Your sink makes a gurgling sound because air is trapped in the drain lines, usually due to a blocked plumbing vent stack or a developing clog downstream. The restriction forces air to push through the water trap, creating a distinct gurgling noise as the system struggles to breathe.

The Vent Stack Role: Plumbing vents exit through your roof to let air in, allowing wastewater to flow smoothly. If birds’ nests, leaves, or snow block this vent, it pulls air backward through your household drains.
The Danger: Left unaddressed, a gurgling drain often precedes a complete, messy sewage backup.

Leak Detection & Pipe Repair

How can I tell if I have a hidden water leak in my home?

You can tell if you have a hidden water leak by checking your water meter when no fixtures are running, or monitoring for unexplained spikes in your monthly utility bill. Other subtle indicators include mysterious warm spots on the flooring, localized mold growth, and a damp, musty odor.

The Meter Test: Locate your water meter box, turn off every faucet and water-using appliance in your house, and watch the small leak indicator on the meter. If it is spinning, water is actively escaping somewhere on your property.
Physical Red Flags: Sudden soft patches in your drywall or peeling, bubbling wallpaper.

What causes water pipes to burst unexpectedly?

Water pipes burst unexpectedly due to freezing winter temperatures, extreme spikes in water pressure, or advanced age-related corrosion. When water freezes inside an uninsulated pipe, it expands, creating immense pressure that can split the pipe open, leading to sudden, catastrophic water damage once the ice thaws completely.

High Water Pressure: Municipal water pressure exceeding 80 PSI places immense stress on joints and weak spots, eventually leading to sudden structural ruptures.
Corrosion Factor: Older homes with galvanized steel lines rust from the inside out, thinning the metal pipe walls until they burst under normal operating pressures.

What should I do if a pipe bursts in my house?

If a pipe bursts in your house, immediately turn off your home’s main water shutoff valve to stop the flooding. Next, open multiple faucets around the property to drain remaining water from the lines, shut off your electricity if water is near outlets, and call an emergency plumber.

Preparation Tip: Make sure every adult in the home can locate the main water shutoff valve, typically positioned near the water meter, garage, or crawlspace entrance.
Mitigation Step: Immediately take time-stamped photographs of all water accumulation and affected building materials for future insurance documentation.

Why is my water pressure suddenly so low?

Your water pressure is suddenly low due to a hidden pipe leak, a malfunctioning pressure-reducing valve, or a disruption to a municipal water main in your area. In older homes, low pressure can also stem from a buildup of mineral scale and rust that restricts flow in galvanized pipes.

Single vs. Multiple Fixtures: If low pressure affects only your kitchen faucet, check the aerator screen for mineral buildup. If it affects the entire home, the root cause lies further upstream in your main supply system.

How do plumbers locate underground water leaks in Pierce County?

Plumbers in Pierce County locate underground water leaks using advanced acoustic listening equipment, thermal imaging cameras, and specialized digital pipe locators. This non-invasive technology allows technicians to pinpoint the exact location of a broken pipe beneath concrete slabs or deep soil without digging up your entire yard.

Acoustic Detection: Highly sensitive ground microphones “hear” the distinct, high-frequency sound of pressurized water escaping from a subsurface pipe breach.
Economic Benefit: Pinpoint accuracy limits excavation to a single small access point, saving homeowners thousands of dollars in unnecessary damage to landscaping and driveways.

What are the signs of a slab leak under my concrete foundation?

The signs of a slab leak include unexplained warm areas on your floorboards, a sudden drop in domestic water pressure, or a constant rushing sound from fixtures when they are off. Cracks in your foundation and high water bills also indicate a broken pipe beneath the concrete.

The Threat: A slab leak happens when plumbing lines buried beneath a concrete floor rupture, creating hidden water damage that can gradually threaten the structural stability of your entire foundation.
Professional Action: Requires immediate expert leak-location assessment and trenchless or localized rerouting to stop active soil erosion beneath the slab.

Why do my pipes make a loud banging noise when I turn off the water?

Your pipes make a loud banging noise due to a phenomenon called water hammer, which occurs when a fast-closing valve suddenly stops the flow of water, sending a shockwave through the plumbing system. This problem is usually caused by worn-out or missing air chambers meant to absorb the shock.

The Mechanics: Fast-closing valves (found in modern washing machines, dishwashers, and single-handle faucets) abruptly stop the flow of water, causing it to slam against the pipe wall.
The Long-Term Damage: The constant shock waves can gradually loosen pipe hangers, stress soldered copper joints, and eventually trigger major hidden pipe leaks.

Emergency Plumbing & Local Services

What counts as a plumbing emergency that requires immediate service?

A plumbing emergency includes any issue that threatens structural damage, poses an immediate health risk, or completely disrupts basic access to utilities. Examples include burst water pipes, a backed-up main sewer line pouring sewage into fixtures, a major gas line leak, or a completely ruptured, leaking water heater tank.

What can wait: A slow-dripping faucet, a slow-draining sink, or a running toilet can generally wait until they are serviced without causing catastrophic harm.
Our Availability: RossCo Service Plumbers provides high-priority emergency scheduling during our standard business hours to rapidly stabilize severe residential plumbing crises.

How quickly can RossCo Service Plumbers respond to an emergency in Puyallup?

During normal business hours, RossCo Service Plumbers prioritizes emergency calls in Puyallup and across Pierce County, typically dispatching a licensed technician within hours. Our local routing ensures rapid daytime response times to mitigate active water damage and restore your home’s plumbing infrastructure quickly.

Fully Equipped Fleet: Our service trucks arrive stocked with professional-grade replacement parts, piping materials, and leak-detection gear so that we can resolve most critical issues on the initial visit.
Call Tip: When calling our emergency line, provide clear details about your main shutoff status so our technicians can give you immediate protective advice while our truck is en route.

What should I do if my toilet is overflowing?

If your toilet is overflowing, immediately reach behind the bowl and turn the chrome shutoff valve clockwise to stop water from filling the tank. If the valve is stuck, carefully lift the toilet tank lid and press down the rubber flapper valve to stop the water flow.

Containment: Use old towels to block water from escaping into hallways or seeping down into lower-level ceilings.
Do Not Re-Flush: Never try to push the flush handle a second time to clear a backup; this will only introduce more wastewater into an already overflowing bowl.

Why is my sump pump running constantly during heavy Pierce County rains?

Your sump pump runs constantly during heavy rains in Pierce County because the local water table rises rapidly, forcing groundwater into your basin. If it never shuts off, the pump may be undersized for the rainfall volume, or the check valve might be broken, allowing pumped water to drain back down.

The Float Switch Check: Debris can sometimes wedge the mechanical float switch into the “on” position, forcing the motor to spin continuously even after the water drains.
Proactive Security: Adding a battery-powered backup pump is highly advisable for maintaining a dry lower level during intense seasonal storms when local electrical grids experience outages.

What are the signs of a residential gas line leak?

Indicators of a home gas leak include a pungent sulfur or rotten-egg odor, strange hissing noises around gas fixtures, and unexplained dead patches of grass above underground pipes. If you suspect a fuel line breach, leave the property right away and contact emergency responders and your utility company from a safe distance.

Strict Safety Protocol: Do not operate light switches, use your house telephone, or start cars near the home, as any small electrical spark could ignite the accumulated gas.
Our Capability: Once your gas company has safely shut off the fuel line at the meter, RossCo Service Plumbers can perform certified gas line repairs and leak pressure tests to restore service during business hours.

Who is responsible for repairing a broken water line in Pierce County?

In Pierce County, the homeowner is responsible for repairing the water service line that runs from the property line or water meter directly into the house. The local water utility municipality is only responsible for maintaining the main distribution water lines located under public streets and easements.

Locating the Line: The line extending from your residential water meter box through your lawn to your interior connection point is entirely your financial responsibility.
Trenchless Solutions: We offer modern directional drilling and pipe-boring options to replace failed exterior water service lines without damaging your landscaping or walkways.

Can I fix a main sewer line backup myself?

No, you cannot safely fix a main sewer line backup yourself, as it requires specialized commercial drain equipment and poses serious biological health hazards. Attempting to clear a mainline clog with consumer tools can damage your underground pipes or cause toxic wastewater to flood further into your home.

Health Risks: Raw sewage contains harmful pathogens, viruses, and bacteria, necessitating commercial-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper sanitation protocols.
The Diagnostic Factor: Professional plumbers use heavy-duty mainline snakes and high-resolution sewer cameras to identify the exact cause of the backup, whether it’s a structural pipe collapse or deep tree-root intrusion.

Preventive Maintenance & Winterization

How does Pierce County’s winter weather affect outdoor pipes?

Pierce County’s winter weather brings freezing temperatures that rapidly cool exposed outdoor pipes, causing trapped water to freeze, expand, and rupture the pipe. Uninsulated hose bibbs, crawlspace lines, and outdoor spigots are highly vulnerable to these seasonal shifts and require proactive winter insulation to prevent catastrophic bursts.

The Expansion Trap: It is not the ice itself at the freeze point that causes the pipe to crack, but rather the extreme water pressure trapped between the expanding ice blockage and the closed indoor valve.
Vulnerable Areas: Homes with open crawlspace vents or uninsulated garden spigots face the highest seasonal risk during standard Pacific Northwest winter freezes.

How often should I have my home's plumbing system inspected?

You should have your home’s plumbing system professionally inspected at least once a year. Annual maintenance allows licensed plumbers to detect hidden water leaks, evaluate water heater performance, test water pressure, check emergency shutoff valves, and identify minor plumbing vulnerabilities before they become costly, destructive emergencies.

What We Inspect: We check all exposed drain lines, test household water pressure, inspect water heater anode rods, evaluate toilet seals, and operationalize emergency shutoff valves to ensure they aren’t seized.
Financial Protection: Proactive checks catch minor micro-leaks early, preventing expensive dry rot repairs, structural mold growth, and high utility bills.

What should I do to winterize my plumbing before freezing temperatures hit?

To winterize your plumbing, disconnect all outdoor hoses, install insulated foam covers over outdoor spigots, and wrap any exposed pipes in unheated areas, such as basements or crawlspaces, with pipe insulation. During extreme cold snaps, leave cabinet doors open under sinks and keep a slow drip running on cold faucets.

Hose Removal Rule: Leaving a frozen garden hose attached to an outdoor spigot traps water in the faucet assembly, virtually guaranteeing that the internal copper pipe will freeze and split in your wall.
Thermal Management: Keep your indoor home thermostat set no lower than 55°F when traveling during the winter season to ensure your walls stay warm enough to prevent hidden pipe freezes.

Why should I avoid putting grease down my garbage disposal?

You should avoid putting grease down your garbage disposal because liquified fats cool and solidify inside your drain pipes, trapping other food debris and creating a thick, stubborn clog. Over time, grease accumulation coats the interior plumbing walls, narrowing the passage and leading to persistent kitchen drain backups.

The Proper Method: Pour warm cooking grease, bacon fat, and oils into an empty tin can or jar, let it cool into a solid mass, then discard it in your garbage can.
Disposal Best Practice: Always run a heavy stream of cold water for 15 seconds before and after running your disposal to ensure light food particles are thoroughly flushed out of the trap.

How do I know if my home needs a whole-house water filtration system?

You know your home needs a whole-house water filtration system if you experience persistent mineral scale buildup on fixtures, dry skin or hair after showering, a chemical chlorine odor, or stained laundry. Installing a filtration system protects your plumbing pipes, extends appliance lifespans, and delivers cleaner drinking water.

Pipe Protection: Whole-home filtration removes aggressive minerals and scale that would otherwise accumulate on the interior walls of your copper or PEX lines, keeping your plumbing free-flowing.
Appliance Benefit: Removing hard water minerals prevents internal heating element burnouts in washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters.

What are the benefits of installing a pressure-reducing valve (PRV)?

Installing a pressure-reducing valve protects your entire plumbing system by lowering high municipal water pressure to a safe, stable level. This prevents chronic strain on pipe joints, stops water hammer noises, protects delicate household appliances like washing machines, and extends the overall operational lifespan of your fixtures.

The Safe Zone: Ideal residential plumbing pressure should consistently measure between 40 and 60 PSI.
The Risk of High Pressure: Municipal water supply lines frequently exceed 80-100 PSI. Unmanaged high pressure continuously strains flexible supply lines, toilet fill valves, and appliance solenoids until they suddenly burst.

How do I properly maintain my residential septic system in Pierce County?

To properly maintain your residential septic system in Pierce County, schedule professional tank pumping every 3 to 5 years and avoid flushing non-biodegradable items or harsh household chemicals down your drains. Conserving water and keeping heavy vehicles or structures off your drainfield also protects system health.

The No-Flush List: Never flush baby wipes, facial tissues, feminine hygiene products, or paper towels down the toilet, as they do not dissolve and will rapidly clog your septic baffle or tank inlet.
Drainfield Care: Avoid driving cars over your drainfield area or planting trees with invasive root systems nearby, as soil compaction and root intrusion can easily damage the perforated distribution pipes underground.

Still Need Help? Contact Pierce County’s Plumbing Experts Today

Plumbing problems don’t wait, and you shouldn’t have to either. If you didn’t find the exact answer to your question above, or if you are facing a plumbing issue that requires immediate professional attention, the team at RossCo Service Plumbers is ready to step in.

We proudly serve homeowners throughout Puyallup, Tacoma, and the greater Pierce County area with upfront pricing and reliable service.