The Trusted Name in Home Comfort
St. Paul and Suburbs: 651-332-6633
Minneapolis and Suburbs: 612-332-6633
Service Hours
7:00 am to 10:00 pm
Seven Days a Week
At Regular Rates
Emergency Service 24/7

Plumbing Questions and Answers

Plumbing FAQs

  1. Why does my drain get clogged?
    Usually drains are clogged because people are not careful of what they put in them, especially in the kitchen. Other drains, like in the bathroom, get clogged because of the oil residue from soaps, shampoos and hair. It is recommended that you are conscious of what you put down your drains and treat them regularly with a drain cleaner such as Bio-Clean or RootX, cleaners available to plumbing contractors. Order this from Bonfe's today!
  2. What causes my faucet to drip?
    Usually when a faucet is dripping the problem has a relatively simple solution. The internal mechanisms need to be rebuilt or replaced. This is an easy and inexpensive fix. Did you know that you can extend the life of your washers by turning off your faucets gently rather than forcefully?
  3. How can I prohibit leaking pipes?
    Take the time every once and a while to inspect your pipes. If rust or lime is depositing on them, this may indicate a leak is starting. If this is happening, contact Bonfe's to address the problem. By performing an occasional inspection you could stop a small problem before it turns into a large one. Leaking pipes can damage floors and belongings and become much more costly than if the problem was detected early.
  4. What happens if my water heater is leaking?
    You should call Bonfe's right away. Leaking water heaters usually indicate the bottom of the tank has rusted. There are really no good repairs for this problem. You most likely need a new water heater.
  5. Is it a big deal if my toilet is running?
    This is not only an annoyance but also a waste of water and money. Leaky toilets can cost almost $100 extra per year on your water bills. If the toilet continues to run into the bowl after the toilet is flushed, it indicates that some part of the mechanism is out of order. Sometimes a little jiggling of the flush valve mechanism solves the problem. Otherwise you may need to replace the entire mechanism. Contact Bonfe's to diagnose the problem.
  6. What can I put in my garbage disposal?
    This can be huge problem for homeowners. Here are some tips to keep your disposal in good working order:
    • First, always run cold water when grinding to move the waste all the way down the drain lines. Fats and grease congeal and harden in cold water and can be flushed through the system. Hot water should not be used because it can dissolve fats and grease, which may then accumulate in the drain line.
    • Almost all-biodegradable food waste can be fed into disposers. However, they should not be used to grind clam or oyster shells, cornhusks or other material with high fiber content. Under no circumstances should you put glass, plastic or metal non-food materials through a disposer. This includes bottle caps, tin covers or aluminum foil, which are some of the items service technicians commonly find in clogged or broken disposers.
    • Maintenance is easy. Grinding small bones and eggshells actually helps clean the disposer by scraping away stubborn deposits or citric acid and pulp. Grinding a little ice is another way to clean deposits and get rid of odors. For the most part, though, disposers are self-cleaning.

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