The main water shut off, to every building in Sioux Falls is usually located in the furnace or water heater room. If you are having troubles locating your shutoff, you may be able to trace the water lines from the right inlet (cold side) of the water heater, to its source.

There will some form of shutting the water off, just before the large brass body of the water meter. If the valve is circular, gently turn it clockwise until the water turns off. If the valve has a flat handle, turn the handle perpendicular to the pipe it’s attached to.

If your water heater is leaking from anywhere other than the pressure relief valve (tube on the side), it’s beyond repair and should be replaced immediately.

Additionally, water heaters aged ten years and up, or those showing trace signs of water damage along the outer rim, should be seriously considered for replacement.

The longevity of a water heater is extremely variable. In the not-so-distant past, water heaters were known to last upwards of 18 – 30 years. However, modern “standard” heaters are more likely to last between 6 – 12 years, where “advanced” heaters will typically last upwards of 12 years.

An expansion tank is a device installed on the water supply distribution system of businesses and homes that have dual check valves located near the water meters.

Dual check valves prevent water from flowing back into the city water system, therefore, creating a water locked system within the residence.

Expansion tanks are required by code, because they ease the fluctuation and pressure increase that is cause by water heaters simply doing their job – heating water.

There are 3 key ways to insure your expansion tank is in working condition:

1. Check the pressure relief valve (tube on the side) of your water heater. If you have a working expansion tank, your relief valve should never show any signs of a leak.
   

2. Tap the tank. If your expansion tank feels waterlogged, it most likely is.
   

3. Check the airport (Not recommended to do frequently). If you are fairly certain your expansion tank is bad, you can also depress the airport on the bottom to check the air level of the tank. If water sprays from the port, the tank needs replacement. Furthermore, the working pressure of an expansion tank should be within 5 lbs of the incoming water pressure from the city.

Sewer gas smells arise from many variables. If the smell is most noticeable in a bathroom, first try cleaning the overflow of the bathroom sink with bleach. If the smell persists, the number one culprit is a bad wax ring on the toilet bowl.

If the smell continues to be elusive, contact Sioux Falls Plumbing, and we offer an affordable method to check for leaks using a liquid smoke machine.

All garbage disposals are equipped with a reset button, usually located on the bottom or side of the garbage disposal. After pressing the reset button, if the garbage disposal still doesn’t work, you may also try an alan wrench on the bottom of the disposal to loosen the gears. However, if the garbage disposal is leaking, replacement is recommended.

Every kitchen, bathroom and shower faucet are equipped with an aerator which may become backed up by sediment over time. Aerators are generally easy to remove and clean, although most new faucets are packaged with the appropriate tool in the box. The preferred method for cleaning aerators is by hand, or soaking in a vinegar solution.

All tubs and showers have a valve in the wall equipped with a shower cartridge that balances the supply of hot to cold water. Over time, sediment can build up and plug these cartridges, which would cause tub/shower fixtures to drip, stiffen, or reduce the flow of hot and cold water. This is generally an easy fix, but calling Sioux Falls Plumbing is highly recommended.