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Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Garbage Disposal Lifespan

Garbage Disposal Lifespan

The garbage disposal lifespan might not be what think. As a small but powerful piece of your home plumbing system, the garbage disposal is popular. It shreds food and waste that goes down your drain to make it small enough to pass through the pipes without causing clogs. In addition, they help prevent expensive and messy plumbing repairs.

How Long Does a Garbage Disposal Last?

Depending on the brand, installation, and use, the lifespan of a garbage disposal varies. Usually, they last between five and seven years with usual wear and tear. When used properly, we’ve seen some garbage disposals last up to 20 years! However, when neglected or overused, your garbage disposal may need to be replaced much earlier.

Professional Maintenance

To prolong the life of your garbage disposal the most important thing you can do is conduct regular preventative maintenance. The best way to ensure that your disposal is working well and has a long life is to have a professional inspect it yearly. It’s also important to have a professional plumber inspect related pipes and drains every 3 or 4 years. They check for clogs or minor problems that, if gone unchecked, could turn into expensive repairs.

Homeowner Maintenance

Refer to the owner’s manual to learn how to properly clean and care for your system. If you choose not to consult a professional plumber, you can at least try to keep the pipes clear of major debris that would cause an expensive plumbing issue down the line.

Signs You May Need A New Garbage Disposal

When a garbage disposal isn’t working properly, you should check the reset button. If depressing the button doesn’t work, call a licensed plumber right away.

If the garbage disposal doesn’t run, makes a grinding louder than usual sound or leaks below the sink, a professional evaluation will confirm the need.

If you notice any of these signs that your garbage disposal is not working properly, call Superior Plumbing & Drain today.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Dripping Faucet

dripping faucet

A dripping faucet is a waste of water and a nuisance. Here are a few issues that cause a dripping faucet. At Superior Plumbing & Drain, we are faucet experts and we’re here to help.

A Damaged Cartridge

With a two-handle faucet, one is for hot water and the other for cold, which means you have a cartridge-style faucet. The cartridge is a valve on each handle that controls the flow of the water into the faucet spout. When the faucet is dripping water, this is a sign of damage to the cartridge.

Broken Washers

A common cause of a leaking faucet is broken washers. Washers rest against the valve seat, and overtime, friction can cause the washers to wear out. This then leads to leaking. If a washer is the wrong size or not installed properly, it can also lead to leaking.

Water Pressure

If you notice that the faucet in your bathroom only drips water during certain times or when your faucet’s handles move a certain way, then it could be your home’s water pressure that is causing the leaks.

Malfunctioning O-Ring

An O-ring is located in the sink’s faucet. It is a small disc that is attached to the stem screw to hold the handle of the faucet in place. Similar to washers, O-rings can get worn out or loose. If one of your faucet’s handles is leaking, this is probably the cause.

Deteriorated Valve Seat

If your faucet is leaking from the spout, then it could be the valve seat. The valve seat connects the faucet to the spout. Sediment can build up and corrode the seat, causing a leak.

Superior Plumbing & Drain


We are a family owned and operated company serving Las Vegas, NV. Call our team for all your plumbing needs at (702) 478-9643

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Las Vegas Water Conservation

Las Vegas Water Conservation

Las Vegas water conservation is a hot topic. With the federal government declaring a water shortage on the Colorado River and the recent drought, conservation is more important than ever.

According to the Las Vegas Valley Water District, the following reductions are in place: “As part of an agreement with the federal government and the other Colorado River Basin states, Southern Nevada’s Colorado River water supplies were reduced by 3 percent beginning in 2020 due to low water levels in Lake Mead.

Under the Lower Basin Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan, Nevada, Arizona, California and Mexico reduced the amount of water diverted from the Colorado River to reduce risks from ongoing drought.

The amount of water available to Nevada will be further reduced by another nearly 7 billion gallons (21,000 acre-feet) in 2022 in accordance with the federal government’s August 2021 declaration of a shortage along the Colorado River.”

As Southern Nevada residence, we all must do our part to conserve water. Here’s what we can do:

  • Follow the mandatory watering schedule and set your watering clock accordingly
  • Replace decorative grass with ecofriendly landscaping
  • Fix sprinklers and other water fixtures to stop leaks
  • Report anyone that is wasting water
  • While washing a car at home is allowed, using a car wash is better where the water gets captured and recycled

These measures help the Las Vegas valley conserve water and allows the community to grow.

Superior Plumbing & Drain

For water checks on your system, call Superior Plumbing & Drain today at (702) 478-9643. Our trained technicians use the latest equipment to detect water leaks and fix the problem. Open 24/7, our team is always on call. Licensed, bonded and insured, we do all work right the first time. Click here to make an appointment for your residential plumbing needs.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Las Vegas Water Heaters

Las Vegas Water Heaters

Las Vegas water heaters must be monitored regularly due to the minerals causing hard water. The hard water causes a build up on the water heater and plumbing systems usually causing a failure. When a plumbing failure is detected, it’s usually after water has been leaking. This article walks you through how a water heater works and what to look for before it fails.

Las Vegas Water Heaters

The main job of the water heater is to warm up water for use on dishes, in the bathtub and in the sink or shower. The water we use travels through a series of pipes before entering the home. Once it reaches our walls, water is diverted to the water heater for proper warming before use. The water heater, usually located in a close or the garage, is the large cylinder with pipes coming from the wall.

The water heater has many components including the tank, shut-off valve, thermostat, drain valve and anode rod. While every component is important, these are the main areas to focus your attention.

Most water heaters fail when the inside of the tank rusts and the tank leaks. For this type of failure, the entire heater must be replaced. This is the most expensive because the pipes and the heater itself should also be replaced.

Regular maintenance of the water heater helps prolong the life of the unit. Draining the unit once per year is a great first step. This is easy to do as long as the drain has a hose bib connection. Consult the manual for more details.

A second maintenance tip is a check of the anode rod. This rod is suspended at the top of the unit and into the water tank. The rod attracts minerals in the water to help remove minerals and keep the tank from rusting.

For maintenance on your water heater, call Superior Plumbing & Drain today at (702) 478-9643.