Frequently Asked Questions & Helpful Plumbing Tips

St. Pierre Plumbing & Drain Cleaning
At St. Pierre Plumbing & Drain Cleaning, we believe homeowners should have honest answers, real-world plumbing advice, and a local team they can trust when problems happen. Below are some of the most common plumbing questions we hear from New Hampshire homeowners — along with helpful tips that may save you time, stress, and costly repairs.

No matter the issue, our team is always here to help with professional plumbing and drain cleaning services throughout New Hampshire.

Why does my drain keep clogging?

Recurring drain clogs are usually caused by grease buildup, soap residue, hair, wipes, or pipe buildup over time. Store-bought drain cleaners may temporarily open the line but often do not remove the actual blockage

Helpful Tip:
Avoid pouring grease, coffee grounds, or food scraps down kitchen drains. In bathrooms, use drain strainers to catch hair before it enters the pipes.

What should I do if my pipes freeze?

Frozen pipes can burst quickly during New Hampshire winters. If you suspect a frozen pipe, shut off the main water supply immediately and contact a plumbing professional.

Helpful Tip:
Keep cabinet doors open under sinks during cold nights and allow a small trickle of water to run during extreme temperatures.

Why is my water heater running out of hot water?

Sediment buildup, failing heating elements, or an aging water heater can reduce hot water supply.

Helpful Tip:
Most water heaters should be flushed once per year to help improve efficiency and extend the life of the unit.

Is a dripping faucet really a big deal?

Even a small drip can waste thousands of gallons of water over time and increase your utility bill.

Helpful Tip:
Fixing small leaks early can prevent larger plumbing issues later.

Why does my toilet keep running?

A running toilet is commonly caused by a worn flapper, faulty fill valve, or improper chain adjustment inside the tank.

Helpful Tip:
If you hear your toilet randomly refilling, it is usually a sign water is leaking internally.

Can I use chemical drain cleaners?

Most chemical drain cleaners can damage older pipes, weaken joints, and create safety hazards.

Helpful Tip:
Professional drain cleaning is safer and more effective than repeated chemical treatments.

What causes sewer backups?

Tree roots, grease buildup, collapsed pipes, or heavy blockages can all cause sewer line backups.

Helpful Tip:
Slow drains throughout the house are often an early warning sign of a sewer issue

Why does my water smell bad?

Odors can come from bacteria in drains, water heaters, or well systems depending on the source.

Helpful Tip:
A sulfur or “rotten egg” smell should be checked quickly to avoid larger water quality concerns.

How often should drains be professionally cleaned?

Most homes benefit from professional drain cleaning every 1–2 years depending on usage.

Helpful Tip:
Routine maintenance can help prevent emergency plumbing calls and expensive repairs

What should never go down a garbage disposal?

Grease, pasta, rice, bones, eggshells, celery, coffee grounds, and wipes should never go into a disposal.

Helpful Tip:
Run cold water during and after disposal use to help flush debris properly

Why is my water pressure low?

Low water pressure may be caused by clogged fixtures, pipe corrosion, hidden leaks, or water supply issues.

Helpful Tip:
If pressure suddenly drops throughout the house, call a plumber to inspect the system

What are signs of a hidden water leak?

High water bills, damp spots, musty smells, peeling paint, or hearing running water can all indicate hidden leaks.

Helpful Tip:
Catching leaks early helps prevent mold growth and structural damage.

Why do my pipes bang when water shuts off?

This is commonly known as “water hammer” and happens when water flow suddenly stops.

Helpful Tip:
Ignoring water hammer can place stress on pipes and fittings over time

Should I replace old plumbing pipes?

Older homes may contain outdated piping materials that become prone to leaks and corrosion.

Helpful Tip:
Replacing aging plumbing before failure can save thousands in water damage repairs

Why is my sink draining slowly?

Soap buildup, grease, food debris, or partial blockages are common causes of slow drains.

Helpful Tip:
Avoid flushing hot grease down drains even if it looks liquid at the time.

What can cause high water bills?

Leaking toilets, hidden pipe leaks, dripping faucets, or inefficient fixtures can all increase water usage.

Helpful Tip:
Monitor your water bill monthly for sudden changes that could signal a hidden issue.

How do I know if my main sewer line has a problem?

Multiple drains backing up at once, sewer odors, or gurgling toilets often point to sewer line issues.

Helpful Tip:
Do not ignore repeated backups — early repairs can prevent major excavation costs

Is preventative plumbing maintenance worth it?

Absolutely. Preventative maintenance helps identify small issues before they become major emergencies.

Helpful Tip:
Routine inspections can extend the life of your plumbing system and appliances

Why is my basement drain backing up?

Heavy rain, clogged lines, or sewer issues can all cause basement drain backups.

Helpful Tip:
If sewage or dirty water backs up into your basement, avoid contact and call a professional immediately

When should I call a professional plumber?

If a plumbing problem keeps returning, involves water damage, sewer smells, frozen pipes, or no hot water, it is best to call a licensed plumbing professional.

Helpful Tip:
Waiting too long on plumbing repairs usually increases repair costs later.

Need Plumbing Help? We’re Ready to Help.

Whether it is a clogged drain, leaking pipe, sewer backup, water heater problem, or emergency plumbing issue, the team at St. Pierre Plumbing & Drain Cleaning is here for you.

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