FAQ Bathrooms


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Q: Is it really that expensive if you have a faucet with a slow drip?
A: Not necessarily but it can be. It depends on the cost of water your local purveyor charges you. And even if the immediate expense is not a lot, eventually the pennies do add up. If your faucets are dripping please don't hesitate to call Galaxy Plumbing & Drain. We service ALL faucets.

Q: Why does my toilet come on and refill itself periodically, even when I'm not using it?
A: Your toilet tank is losing water and after enough water is gone the mechanism in the tank opens to fill the water up to it's proper level. There are a couple of reasons your toilet can be losing water but most of the time it's as simple as replacing your flapper. To check for this problem add a few drops of food coloring to your tank. Make sure the tank has stopped filling, then add the drops. If there is a leak the discolored water in the tank will start to bleed into the bowl. Galaxy Plumbing & Drain will be glad to come out and do a leak test on your toilets. Call us today!

Q: Why does my toilet rock? What can I do to fix it?
A: A lot of times your toilet rocks because the floor is uneven (concrete) or warped (wood). Sometimes however it rocks because the bolts that hold it onto the drain pipe (called a flange) are loose and a simple turn of a wrench will solve the problem. If the floor is uneven, which is often the case, a shim is necessary. And multiple shims are sometimes needed. Use something that won't rot or deteriorate to slide between the toilet and the floor. A snug fit is best. You can also buy shims at your local hardware store specifically for this purpose. To check the bolts use a thin screwdriver or butter knife to pry off the cosmetic caps covering each bolt. Be sure not to overtighten the bolts if they are loose. If you tighten them too much you risk breaking the toilet along the bottom edges. Galaxy Plumbing & Drain will fix your rocking toilet. Just call!

Q: I have good water pressure in my bathtub but my sink has very little water pressure. What could be causing the problem?
A: Try removing the aerator at the end of the faucet spout. It could be clogged with debris. If the faucet is old you may need to remove the aerator with a pair of plyers or channel locks. This will invariably scratch the aerator. Just pick up a universal aerator at your hardware store. They are made with interior and exterior threads and are simple to install. Just use your fingers to install it. Make sure it is tight however. If you have to use a tool, cover the aerator surface with a cloth before using the tool to tighten it. If changing the aerator does not fix the problem check the supply valves under the sink and make sure they are fully opened. If neither of these are the cause of your pressure problems you should call us to inspect further possible causes.

Q: Water heaters, faucets, toilets, etc. Is it better to repair or replace these items when they break? Is there a general rule?
A: There are several factors to consider but the general rule is the 50% rule. If you are going to spend over 50% of the replacement cost for a repair, you should consider replacement instead. However, even this rule can be misleading. For example, if you have a 15 year old water heater that needs repair I would consider replacing it no matter what the repair cost is just because of the age. Another example is a garbage disposal. Disposals last an average 7-10 years. Any repair needed inside the 7-10 year range should probably be skipped for a replacement instead. On the other hand, toilets can last quite a long time so repairs to your toilet are usually the way to go (at least until your toilet hits the 25-30 year mark).