Plumbing FAQs
Q: Can I use a chemical drain cleaner to clear a clog in my pipes?
A: Many homeowners choose to buy and use chemical drain cleaners often found in major retail stores. While these may seem like the easy, quick-fix, they pose a huge risk to your children and pets. These products are often very toxic and the chemical can pose a danger to your household members if not stored and used properly. In addition to the risk of safety, chemical drain cleaners also erode pipes and lead to damage that will need to be repaired by a professional plumbing company in the future. If your pipes are clogged, it’s safest and best to call Top Notch to professionally and correctly unclog them.
Q: I have a major leak in my home—what should I do?
A: In the event of an emergency, first turn off your water. If you have a major leak inside your home or your pipe bursts (common during extremely cold winters), turn off the water supply at the main shutoff valve. If you can’t get to your main shutoff valve or don’t know where it is, you can turn off your water at the meter (only recommended in emergency situations).
In such major leak emergencies, contact a local Kansas City plumbing company. You may also need to contact your insurance company if there has been great damage to your home or property.
Q: Why is water coming into my sink when I run the dishwasher?
A: If there is water backing up into your sink when you load and run the dishwasher, there is likely food stuck in your garbage disposal. The garbage disposal drain and the dishwasher drain are connected, so if one is clogged it can back up into the other.
As a best practice, always run your garbage disposal with cold water before running the dishwasher. This should clear up any food that is clogging the drain. If you already know that food is stuck, try plugging the sink, filling the sink with water, and then removing the plug while turning on the garbage disposal. The weight of the water and force of the disposal should eliminate any food particles blocking the drain.
If that doesn’t work, call a local plumbing company, like Top Notch, to clear the drain and ensure that all your appliances and drains are working properly.
Q: How do I know if I have a water leak?
A: If you think your home has a water leak, the easiest way to check is to first record the level on your water meter. Wait a few hours—ensuring that no one in your home uses any water—and then go back and check the meter once more. If the level has changed, you likely have a leak and should call a professional plumber. For your convenience, our plumbers recommend checking the water meter before you go to bed and then again first thing in the morning.
Remember, leaks can get bigger over time and even grow enough to cause corrosion and damage to your home. If you believe you have a leak in your pipes, call Top Notch today for full-service plumbing repair and maintenance.
Q: What plumbing services does Top Notch offer?
A: The plumbers at Top Notch offer a range of services throughout the Lenexa, KS and Kansas City, MO area. Our technicians are licensed in and experienced with sinks, toilets, and even sewer drains.
Some of our plumbing services include:
- Faucet repairs
- Garbage disposals
- Toilet repairs and replacement
- Water heaters
- Pipe repairs and replacement
Give us a call and one of our trained plumbers will be dispatched to your location to provide you with the friendliest and highest quality service in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
