Frequently Asked Questions

Does plumbing intimidate you? Don't worry. We have hints and tips for performing basic maintenance and minor repair. We're always here to answer your questions and will be updating this section regularly to answer the most frequently asked questions.

Foul Odors

I have a foul odor coming from my garbage disposer. What can I do to eliminate this odor?
Foul odors occur from a buildup of food debris within the disposer. To eliminate this odor, place ice cubes and lemon or orange peels in the disposer and run for 30 seconds. Next, squirt a little liquid dish detergent into the disposer while it is still running. Finally, run cold water for about 30 seconds to rinse all the debris away.

I am getting a foul odor from a bathroom in the basement. We hardly ever use this bathroom except when we have company. This is embarrassing. What can we do?
Plumbing systems are designed to prevent foul odors from entering the house by means of the trap attached to fixtures. Traps contain water to seal out foul odors; if the water seal evaporates, the odors enter the house. To solve this problem, pour a bucket of water in each trap, sink, shower and floor drain. This will prevent the odors from entering the house.