Common Plumbing Questions

Recurring clogs can be caused by grease, hair, wipes, buildup, tree roots, aging piping or damage farther down the drain or sewer line. If the same drain keeps clogging, there may be an underlying problem that needs more than a temporary clearing.

Common warning signs include several fixtures draining slowly, toilets bubbling when another fixture drains, water backing up into a basement floor drain or sewage appearing at the lowest drain in the home.

Yes. Tree roots can enter older sewer piping through joints, cracks and damaged sections. Once inside, the roots can catch waste and create recurring sewer backups.

Sewer rodding uses professional drain-cleaning equipment and cable to clear blockages from a main sewer or drain line. Different cutting tools may be used depending on the type of obstruction.

A sewer camera can be helpful when the line repeatedly backs up, tree roots continue returning or there is concern about damaged, separated or deteriorated piping.

Yes. A Drop Above Plumbing provides residential drain and main-sewer cleaning throughout the Rockford region. We can evaluate the symptoms and determine the appropriate equipment and next step.

Many residential tank water heaters last around 8–12 years. Water quality, installation, usage and maintenance can all affect actual service life.

It depends on the age of the heater, what failed, the overall condition of the equipment and the cost of the repair. A leaking tank itself generally requires replacement, while many component failures can still be repaired.

Possible causes include a failed component, sediment buildup, increased household demand, an undersized heater or an aging water heater that is no longer performing correctly.

Tankless water heaters can provide long-duration hot water and eliminate a storage tank, but they are not automatically the best choice for every home. Gas supply, venting, household demand, water quality and installation requirements should be evaluated first.

We install and service residential tank and tankless systems, including gas, electric and power-vent water heaters. We also specialize in Bradford White tank water heaters.

Common signs of hard water include mineral buildup on fixtures, spotting on glass, soap that does not lather well and scale accumulation inside plumbing fixtures and equipment.

Rotten-egg odors can be associated with sulfur or hydrogen sulfide, certain bacteria or conditions inside the water heater. Determining whether the odor occurs in the hot water, cold water or both helps narrow down the cause.

A water softener primarily reduces hardness minerals. An iron-filtration system is designed to address certain types and concentrations of iron and other water-quality concerns. Some homes benefit from both systems.

Yes. We install reverse-osmosis drinking-water systems along with water softeners, iron filtration and whole-home water treatment equipment.

Heavy groundwater, a stuck float, a failed check valve, discharge problems or an undersized or aging pump can all contribute to frequent sump-pump operation.

A backup system can provide additional protection if the primary pump fails or electrical power is lost. Backup protection can be especially valuable in homes with finished basements or frequent groundwater.

Sewer odors can result from an improperly sealed ejector basin, damaged piping, venting problems or another opening that allows sewer gas into the home.

We provide residential plumbing service for water heaters, tankless water heaters, sump and ejector pumps, water treatment, drains and sewers, leaks, toilets, faucets, shower valves, disposals and other everyday plumbing repairs.

Yes. We inspect the plumbing issue, explain the available options and review pricing before approved work begins.

Same-day and next-day appointments are available when scheduling allows. Calling or texting during our Monday–Friday, 7 AM–4 PM business hours is the fastest way to check availability.

Yes. A Drop Above Plumbing is licensed and insured in Illinois. Illinois Plumbing Contractor License #055-045511.

We stand behind our workmanship. Warranty coverage varies by service and equipment. Plumbing repairs and installations include applicable labor coverage, while water heaters, tankless systems and water-treatment equipment may also include manufacturer warranties. We explain the applicable warranty for your project before installation.