Plumbing guides
Grouped by what you need: stopping water right now, working out why something isn't working, tracking down a smell or hidden leak, or deciding whether to repair or replace. Several guides end with the decision that you don't need a plumber yet.
Water where it shouldn't be, right now
Start here if something is leaking, overflowing or backing up. Each guide opens with the first thing to do, which is usually closing a valve, and tells you when to stop and call.
- What to Do When a Pipe Bursts or BreaksShut off the main water valve immediately, turn off electricity to any wet area, open a faucet at the lowest point to drain the lines, then call a plumber and photograph the damage for your insurer.
- How to Find Your Main Water Shutoff ValveThe main shutoff is usually on the water line where it enters the house: in the crawl space or basement near the front wall, in the garage, or near the water heater. There's a second valve at the meter by the street.
- Toilet Overflowing? What to Do Right NowLift the tank lid and push the flapper closed, then turn the shutoff valve behind the toilet clockwise until the water stops. Don't flush again. If other drains are also backing up, the problem is likely the main sewer line, not the toilet.
- Water Heater Leaking? What to Do NowTurn off the cold-water supply valve on top of the heater and shut off the power (electric) or set the gas control to Off. Then find the source: leaks from the relief valve, drain valve or pipe connections are usually repairable, while water coming from the tank body means the heater needs replacement.
Ready for help? 24-hour emergency plumbing
Something isn't working: find the likely cause
Troubleshooting guides for problems that are annoying but not flooding the house. Most include the checks a homeowner can safely make and the point where a plumber is the cheaper option.
- Sink Not Draining? Causes and FixesMost slow or stopped sinks are clogged in the P-trap or the first few feet of drain — hair and soap in bathrooms, grease and food in kitchens. Clean the trap or use a small drain snake. If more than one fixture is slow, the clog is in the main line.
- Why Does My Drain Keep Clogging?A drain that keeps clogging usually has buildup that was only partly cleared, or a defect in the pipe — roots, a sag, or a rough joint — that catches debris. If more than one fixture is affected, the problem is in the main line.
- Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging?A toilet that clogs over and over usually has one of four causes: too much paper or wipes for an older low-flow toilet, a partial blockage in the trap or drain, a blocked vent on the roof, or a problem further down the sewer line. If other drains also gurgle or back up, suspect the main line.
- How to Unclog a Drain Without ChemicalsRemove and clean the stopper, use a cup plunger with the overflow covered, clean the P-trap under the sink, or use a small hand drain snake. Avoid chemical drain cleaners: they rarely clear real clogs and are hazardous for whoever opens the pipe next.
- Garbage Disposal Not Working? Try This FirstIf the disposal hums, the flywheel is jammed: turn the power off and free it with a hex key in the bottom socket. If it's silent, press the red reset button and check the breaker. If it leaks from the unit's body, it needs replacing.
- How to Fix a Toilet That Keeps RunningMost running toilets are caused by a flapper that no longer seals, a float set too high so water spills into the overflow tube, or a worn fill valve. Lower the float or replace the flapper first — both are inexpensive and quick.
- Water Heater Not Heating? How to Troubleshoot ItOn an electric water heater, check the breaker and reset button first; a failed heating element or thermostat is the usual cause. On a gas heater, check that the pilot is lit and the gas valve is on; a failed thermocouple or igniter is common. Leaks from the tank itself mean replacement.
- Why Does My Shower Turn Cold or Hot When Someone Flushes?A shower that suddenly runs hot or cold when someone flushes a toilet or runs a faucet usually has an older valve without pressure balancing, or a pressure-balancing cartridge that's worn out. Replacing the cartridge, or the valve in older homes, stops the swings and prevents scalding.
- What Causes Low Water Pressure?Low pressure at one fixture is usually a clogged aerator, showerhead or cartridge. Low pressure throughout the house usually comes from a failing pressure-reducing valve, a partly closed main shutoff, a leak in the service line, or corroded galvanized pipe.
- Why Do My Pipes Bang When Water Shuts Off?A loud bang when a faucet, washing machine or dishwasher shuts off is usually water hammer: a pressure surge when flowing water stops suddenly. Common causes are high water pressure, loose pipe straps and missing or failed air chambers. Arrestors, a pressure-reducing valve or re-strapping pipes usually solve it.
Ready for help? Drain cleaning
Repair, replace or wait: costs and decisions
What drives the price of the bigger jobs in the Charlotte area, how to compare options, and the questions to ask before approving a written quote.
- Water Heater Replacement Cost in CharlotteThe price of replacing a water heater in the Charlotte area depends mostly on the type (tank or tankless, gas or electric), the size, and what has to change to meet current code: venting, expansion tank, drain pan, gas line and the permit. Like-for-like tank swaps cost the least; switching to tankless or moving the heater costs the most.
- Sewer Line Repair Cost in CharlotteSewer line repair cost in the Charlotte area depends on what the camera inspection finds: a single cracked joint costs far less than a collapsed clay or cast iron line. The main drivers are pipe length and depth, whether trenchless lining or bursting is possible, and what sits on top of the line, such as driveways, trees or landscaping.
- Water Line Replacement Cost in CharlotteReplacing the main water line from the meter to the house costs more when the run is long, deep or under a driveway, and less when it can be pulled or bored with minimal digging. Pipe material, the connection at the meter, and restoring the yard are the other main factors.
- When Should You Replace a Water Heater?Replace a water heater when the tank itself leaks, when it's around 10 years or older and needs a major repair, or when rusty water and loud rumbling show the tank is deteriorating.
- Tank vs. Tankless Water HeatersTank heaters cost less to buy and install and need little maintenance. Tankless heaters provide continuous hot water and use less standby energy, but cost more upfront, may need gas line or venting upgrades, and need yearly descaling.
- Do I Need a Water Filter or Softener in the Charlotte Area?Most Charlotte Water customers don't need whole-house treatment for safety; the utility treats and tests the water. People add filtration for taste, chlorine odor or specific concerns. Homes on private wells in Union, Cabarrus, Iredell and Gaston counties should test annually, because well owners are responsible for their own water quality.
- Planning Plumbing for a Bathroom or Kitchen RemodelDecide fixture locations, the shower valve type and any drain moves before demolition, because they set the plumbing rough-in. Moving a toilet or drain may require new slope and venting, and most plumbing changes need a permit and inspection in North and South Carolina.
Ready for help? Whole-home plumbing inspection
Before the first hard freeze
Carolina freezes are usually short, which is why pipes in crawl spaces and on exterior walls get forgotten until one splits. A few steps in the fall prevent most of those calls.
- How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in the CarolinasClose crawl-space vents, disconnect garden hoses, insulate exposed pipes, open cabinet doors on exterior walls, and let a faucet drip on nights that stay well below freezing.
- How to Find Your Main Water Shutoff ValveThe main shutoff is usually on the water line where it enters the house: in the crawl space or basement near the front wall, in the garage, or near the water heater. There's a second valve at the meter by the street.
Ready for help? Pipe repair
Not finding your problem?
Browse plumbing services by problem, check whether we take calls near you, or read the general plumbing FAQ.