FAQ o5

Water softeners remove minerals from your water supply. Minerals are naturally occurring in the water supply, since San Antonio’s water comes from limestone aquifers, where it picks up traces of calcium, magnesium and other minerals.

If your home has hard water, a water softener can make a big difference. Removing minerals from your water supply can ease dry, itchy skin, help keep your laundry soft and comfy, prevent water spots on your dishes and eliminate crusty mineral buildup on your faucets and pipes that can collect, causing reduced water flow and other problems.

If you live in San Antonio or surrounding areas, chances are you have hard water and would benefit from a water softener. The experts at o5 can test the mineral content of your water and if necessary, present you with options based on the results.

Reverse osmosis is a form of filtration that removes chemicals, metals, fluoride, PFAS, dysentery bi-products, bacteria and other contaminants, leaving you with purified drinking water. It’s a popular and cost-effective solution for ensuring your family has good tasting, contaminant-free drinking water.

Whether you get your water from a municipal water system or a well, all drinking water contains some level of contaminants, even when it meets government safety regulations. These include sanitizing chemicals, minerals picked up from the aquifer, fluoride and other impurities. The only way to know exactly what’s in your home’s water is through testing. The water experts at o5 Plumbing can test your water, let you know exactly what’s in it, and if necessary, offer solutions to ensure your family has access to safe, pure water in your home.

There are several options that can help. A reverse osmosis system can provide high-quality drinking water when installed in your kitchen. A whole house filtration system will deliver clean, purified water to every faucet in your home. These solutions in combination with a water softening system can deliver pure water – and peace of mind – for your family.

Preventive maintenance should be performed on your water heater tank annually by flushing your water heater. An annual flush, where you drain your water heater, prevents hard water build up. This is also the time to inspect your tank’s anode rod. This is a vital component of your water heater; it’s a metal rod that protects the tank from rust and contaminants in the water. The trained technicians at o5 Plumbing can help maintain your water heater annually for maximum lifespan.

Great question! A conventional tank is more common in homes and can be a direct swap out. A tankless water heater retrofit can be more energy efficient and assist in endless hot water supply. What’s right for your particular situation? The experts at o5 Plumbing can assess your home and needs so you’re informed to make the best decision.

Before a crisis strikes, become familiar with the water shut off valves to your home. Most emergency shut-off valves are located at the main water meter and/or water softener if one is located in the home. Shutting off the water supply into your home is the first thing to do if a pipe bursts. Next, call o5 Plumbing.

Locate the shut off valve located on the cold-water inlet and open a hot water side faucet to relieve the water pressure to minimize the leak. Then call o5 Plumbing to help solve the problem.

Toilets typically flush on their down due to hard water build-up or a breakdown of mechanical parts in the tank. This can be a sign that maintenance and possibly a water softener are needed. The experts at o5 Plumbing can help diagnose your particular problem and recommend the best solution for you.

A noisy water softener doesn’t always mean you have a problem, but it does indicate that you might have one soon. Noises can be caused by a variety of factors including cracks in fittings or hoses, worn or sticky valves, or broken gears. Take this opportunity to call o5 for a water softener servicing. We’ll evaluate your water hardness and your softening system for optimum performance.

The most common causes are due to a failing pressure regulating valve, a failing water softening system or a main water leak supplying the home. The o5 Plumbing team can help diagnose the problem and offer you options for improving your home’s water pressure.

Most plumbing fixtures have wearable parts that can fail over time. That in conjunction with poor water quality can lead to faucet leaks.

Noisy water pipes are commonly caused by a failing PRV. Most homes in San Antonio and surrounding areas have high water pressure that require a pressure regulating valve installed on the main water service line for safer operating pressure.

A rotten egg smell coming from your water is commonly due to a failed anode rod, the main component inside your water tank. Your water tank needs to be maintained regularly for optimum performance. The team at o5 Plumbing can diagnose your water problems and offer the best solutions for you.

There are many variables to consider. A skilled technician can diagnose your issue and offer options for solving the problem.

A slow drain can be caused by bacteria, soap scum, scale or grease build up, among other possibilities. A technician can determine the cause of your slow or clogged drain and take care of the problem.

Chemical drain cleaner products are extremely harsh on plumbing systems, and repeated use can damage metal and plastic pipes and even porcelain fixtures. Avoid chemical drain clearing products and get help from a licensed plumbing technician.

Your disposal unit is made to handle many types of food waste, including fruit scraps, vegetable scraps, chopped meats and soft foods. It’s not meant to handle fat, oil, grease, coffee grounds, egg shells or any non-food items. Avoid stringy materials like celery or corn husks, or large amounts of starchy foods or thin peelings such as potato peels.

Start with a visual inspection of your water meter when no water is running inside your home. If you still see movement on the meter, there’s a leak somewhere in your system. Call o5 Plumbing to diagnose and solve your problem.

A home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your lifetime, so it pays to make sure the plumbing system is in good working order before you buy, especially when purchasing an older home. o5 Plumbing offers whole-house plumbing inspection, including sewer camera inspection and hydrostatic testing on the home’s potable water and drain system, so you can purchase your home with confidence.