F.A.Q.
Below are some common questions we hear from clients and could be beneficial in your search for a trustworthy plumbing & HVAC partner.
If your question is not listed below, please reach out to us and we will be glad to give you an answer. Contact Us
1. Is Petro Plumbing & Heating Inc licensed and insured?
Yes, we have been serving the Hudson Valley for 60+ years and are fully licensed and insured.
2. What are the differences between a handy-man and a licensed/insured plumber?
Licensed plumbers go through specialized training to handle issues with your plumbing, and will make sure the work meets local codes.
When dealing with water and sewage, a mistake or insufficient fix can cause more damage down the road.
3. How do I know if my plumbing is having an issue?
Sometimes there are immediate red flags that you need a plumber’s help such as puddles of water in your house or slow drains.
Other times the problem may exist for years, and you keep putting it off.
Signs to look out for are:
A. Your pipes are making gurgling noises
B. Your water pressure has dropped substantially
C. Your water bill has sky-rocketed even though your usage hasn’t changed
4. Is my plumbing issue an emergency?
Not all plumbing issues are emergencies that require calling a plumber at 2AM.
If there is a burst pipe that is flooding a room, then find the main shut-off and call a plumber ASAP.
If there is raw sewage coming out of a toilet or other drain, then call a plumber ASAP.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you are unsure and we will let you know if we need to come onsite ASAP or if it can wait until the next day.
5. My plumbing leak doesn’t seem that bad. Can I wait to deal with it?
Putting off a small fix now can quickly turn into a significant problem later, if you wait for too long.
Often the problem behind the wall is already worse than what you see in your bathroom/kitchen/basement.
We recommend scheduling someone to come diagnosis the problem as soon as you notice the problem.
6. Can I fix my drain issues myself?
As a homeowner, you can try a plunger and/or a hair snake. If that doesn’t solve the problem, then we recommend you call a plumber to snake further down the line.
Chemicals such as draino are not recommended since they may cause damage to your pipes, and could burn yourself or a plumber if it doesn’t fix the issue.
7. How long should a water heater last?
This answer depends on the manufacturer of the water heater, and the quality of the installation and maintenance.
On average, you should expect 10-15 years from hot water tanks.
Tankless water heaters are usually more efficient and can last 15-20+ years.
8. How often should I do maintenance on my water heater?
Most manufacturers recommend that you perform yearly maintenance to extend the life of your water heater.
The exact maintenance steps vary based on the manufacturer and fuel type.
9. What are some of the benefits of going tankless?
Tankless water heaters are inherently more efficient than reheating a large tank of water, and will use 30-50% less energy. You also have a continuous supply of hot water, so you will no longer need to worry about the size of smaller tanks.