Frequently Asked Questions

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Plumbing

Generally, if water that is seeping back into the dishwasher it is because the hose that discharges to the kitchen sink was not installed properly. Dishwasher hoses need to travel uphill from the dishwasher to the under-side of the counter top, then run downhill to the kitchen sink where it's tied in above the sink trap, creating an upward loop which prevents dishwasher plumbing problems like the one you’ve described. If the loop is up as high as possible under the kitchen sink, the water goes down the drain. If the dishwasher hose is installed correctly, then your dishwasher’s drain problems are likely caused by a malfunctioning inlet water solenoid valve. An appliance technician or licensed plumber should evaluate your dishwasher’s plumbing to ensure a proper diagnosis, then repair or replace the valve if necessary.
If you don't have water going to your dishwasher, there may be a blockage in the line to the dishwasher. Shut off the water under the kitchen sink, remove the dishwasher line and then turn on the water to the valve, directing the flow into a small bowl. If water comes out, then you may have either a plugged filter under the dishwasher or a bad solenoid valve on the dishwasher. In either case, contact an appliance repairman or licensed plumber to fully evaluate your dishwasher’s problems, and determine the best course of action. If the line is blocked to the valve, you will need to start removing piping back to the meter to find the block.
When a black ring starts to appear around the base of a toilet under the linoleum it generally means the wax ring that seals the toilet to the floor underneath is leaking. The color is coming from a black bacteria, mold or sewage. The only way to fix this is to pull the toilet off the floor, remove the toilet’s wax ring and replace it with a new wax ring gasket. I would also suggest making sure the drain line is cleared under the toilet – as long as you have it off the floor. If the toilet cannot flush properly, then the water will build up and put pressure on the wax ring causing it to leak. If you're not accustomed to this kind of work, you might save yourself a lot of headache by calling an experienced plumber to check for toilet leaks and to get the job done right the first time.

Septic

Septic systems should be inspected and pumped a minimum of once every three to four years. You may not be experiencing any problems now, but a full septic tank may allow unwanted solids to flow into the drain field, which is the part of the system that consists of a distribution box, with a series of connected pipes. Each pipe allows water to flow into a bed of stone that drains into the ground. If paper and other solids flow into the drain field it becomes blocked and ineffective. A blocked drain field is costly to repair or replace.
Yes, your aerobic system is designed to run on a continual basis. If your air pump is not running contact KD Plumbing.

Tips

Sometimes you have things like toothbrushes, rings, or children’s toys get into your drains and toilets, but a plunger is not always the best way to get these objects out to fix the stoppage. Try using a wet/dry vacuum to suck out the excess water and the object.
If you have to jiggle the hose as you pull out your kitchen sink sprayer, chances are the hose is catching on the shutoff valves. For smooth operation, slip 1/2-in. foam pipe insulation over the pipes and shutoff handles. Tape it if it won't stay put. Get the insulation at home centers for about $3.
You don't have to run to the neighbor's bathroom during a plumbing project. Before you turn off the water supply, fill 2- gallon buckets with water. Flush the toilet by dumping the water in the bowl. You'll get one flush per bucket. Works just as well as the usual method, although it won't refill the bowl.
DEQ recommends using single ply toilet paper because it breaks down in the septic system faster and better then higher ply count toilet paper.
Most companies recommends using non-chlorine, non-ammonia, non-antibacterial, non-toxic and bio-degradable cleaning products. Most all-natural cleaners are septic safe.