No Laughing When Tap Water Tastes Funny

Unpleasant tap water can be really irritating to deal with. As much of a problem as it is to have water that tastes bad to drink, what about if that water tastes so bad that cooking with it seems like a bad idea? Today's question comes from a reader who's having a problem with bad tasting water:

"My tap water tastes awful. I have two filtering pitchers in my fridge so that I always have water to drink and so I can cook with it if I need to. Is there something I can do about this?"

Varying levels of mineral content in water are a big factor in the taste difference. However, metallic tasting water may be the result of iron or copper leaching from pipes. Chlorine tastes can result from too much disinfectant being used by the water supplier or the disinfectant interacting with organic material within the plumbing system.

If the problem is a chlorine or metallic taste and it happens with the tap water in the entire house, it is most likely an issue with the water supplier. Contact the water supplier about the problem or get the well water tested.

When the taste is only coming from a single tap and it goes away after running the water for a few minutes, flush the system or call a plumber.

Another possible solution is to purchase an under the counter water purifier. A purifier with a high quality activated carbon filter will remove heavy metals, bacteria and other contaminates that can cause odors and bad tastes. Filters like this with a replaceable cartridge typically cost between $150 and $200 for the unit.

Toilets Running a Marathon

Toilet tanks that keep refilling aren't just irritating but are also wasteful and can get costly. As the parts in a toilet get older they can start to wear out and cause problems like what this reader is asking about:

"Sometimes the toilet in my guest bathroom will just start refilling on its own. Why is this happening? I'm sure this isn't good for my water bill."

Interior toilet parts can wear out over time. It's possible that water is constantly leaking out of the tank. This would cause the water level in the tank to continually lower and eventually trigger the refill mechanism. This cycle can waste 1,500 gallons every month.

Check the chain for the flapper to make sure it isn't tangled or too tight. If there's too much tension it could be preventing the flapper from completely closing and allowing water to leak out of the flush valve. Another may be to slightly bend the tube connected to the float ball. It could be too high and triggering the refill mechanism.

If neither of those solutions work, replace the valve and flapper inside the toilet tank. Kits for this are often available for under $25 and are fairly easy install for the average do it yourselfer.

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning isn't just about cleaning, it's also a good time to make sure things are in good repair and to address any small maintenance issues. A deep cleaning provides an opportunity to take a good look at areas that may not normally be noticed. This means that keeping an eye out for water damage or mold growth is very important because it the sooner either of these issues are spotted and addressed, the less severe the damage will be.

There are a few things to make sure to check during spring cleaning:

Roof - Make sure to inspect the roof for signs of wear or damage. Any damaged areas should be addressed before the monsoon rains come to prevent water damage inside the home.

Gutters - Check gutters for debris. Clear gutters will do a better job of directing water away from a home's foundation. For homes with flat roofs, make sure that the scuppers are clear. Clogged scuppers can quickly turn a roof into a swimming pool.

Water Heater - Inspect the pipes going to and from the water heater for signs of wear or damage.      Check all connections for any signs of leaking.

Heating and AC Filters - Check filters for heating and air conditioning units. Dirty or damaged air filters should be replaced. Clean air filters will allow for better performance of the units and reduce energy costs.

Water Filters - Homes with water softening systems or other sorts of water filtration systems should have the filters in those systems checked. Worn out filters will reduce performance and can eventually lead to damage in these systems. Water in Arizona has a tendency to have a lot of minerals in it and can wear these filters out quickly.

Weep Holes - Weep holes are the small holes at the base of the window. These holes are designed to allow water to drain out of the window instead of building up in the track. Make sure these are cleared to prevent water from coming into the home.

Dryer Ducts - Inspect and clear out all dryer ducts. This will improve the performance of the dryer.

Also, make sure to watch for signs of mold growth or water damage. For tips on locating mold take a look at this article on mold identification.

Customer Feedback - Jim Blair

We were recently approached by Cherry Creek Radio's Jim Blair about some work that we did for him. Jim has been a a subscriber to our newsletter since it began and asked if he would be able to write about what we did for him as a feature in the newsletter.

Jim writes:
I had SSVEC come to my house and do an energy audit. Their findings let to them suggesting that I replace my old doors and windows with more energy efficient ones. I got bids from several contractors and the bid I got from Mr. Fix It ended up being lower than the others. The work was done very well and the work site was always cleaned up when the guys left for the day. Since then I have noticed a significant drop in both my gas and electric bills. I was very pleased with the job and I recommend Mr. Fix It to people that I know.

We really appreciate your feedback Jim and we're glad that we could help you with your project.

If you have a Mr. Fix It experience that you'd like to share, just contact us on our Facebook and let us know how we did!

Roof Inspections

Monsoon rains are still a few months away but this is the time to inspect the roof for signs of damage and get repairs scheduled. This time of year gets really busy for companies who handle roof installation or repair so it's very important to not put off scheduling repairs that need to be done before the monsoons start.

This brings up an important question though; "What should I be looking for?". For homeowners who aren't roofing experts, it can be hard to know where to start.

So what's the first thing to look at? As strange as it may seem, the first thing to do when inspecting a roof is not to look at the roof itself at all. The first step is to look under it.

This means to look in the attic. If the home does not have an attic, check to see if there is an access panel for a crawlspace of some sort. If that isn't present then check the ceiling.

Look for the following when inspecting the attic:

• Signs of water damage or leaking - Vent pipes, chimneys, skylights and valleys are places that will most commonly exhibit these problems
• Dark spots or trails - Press into the wood with a sharp screwdriver to see if the spots are wet. Soft wood is a sign of rot. If the area is dry and there has been rain recently than it may be an area that had been repaired in the past.
• Pinpoints of light - Run some wire up through the hole so the area can be located on the roof. Make sure not to widen the hole at all.
• Sagging sheathing between rafters - This is a sign that a roof is old and in serious need of repair. Check for cracked or sagging rafters and make arrangements to have them replaced.

By checking the attic first, problem areas can be identified without even stepping foot on the roof. This helps to provide a reference of where to look for problems.


After the underside of the roof has been looked at, it's time to go on top and take a look. While on the roof, make sure to check for these things:

• Damaged, loose or missing shingles - Check for blistering, curling or splits. A few can be replaced but if it's a widespread problem then it could be time to re-roof.
• Excessive shingle grain in gutters - Asphalt shingles have a granular surface. As the asphalt ages, it becomes brittle and these granules will fall out. A lot of these grains in the gutters is a sign that the roof is aging. Dark patches on the roof are another sign that this granular surface has worn away.
• Signs of moss build up -
• Exposed nails - These are a common cause of leaks.
• Roof flashing - Inspect all flashing, including flashing around chimneys, vent stacks, roof edges, dormers, and skylights. Make sure it isn't rusty or loose.
• Louvers and Vents - Check to ensure air movement, clean screens and remove bird nests or other obstructions.
• Gutters - Check gutters, downspouts, hangers and strainers. Check for leaks, rust and sagging. Clean out any debris and make sure downspouts are directing water away from the foundation.
• Roof sheathing - Inspect lower edge for water damage. 

 Metal roofs are designed to have a life span of 50 years if properly maintained. These roofs usually come in galvanized iron or steel, aluminum or copper. Look for the following when inspecting a metal roof:

• Open seams or joints.
• Pitting, rusting or corrosion.

Tile roofs are very popular here in the southwest. They are commonly made of slate or clay tile and will last for a very long time if properly cared for. These tiles are often brittle and can be easily broken. Using binoculars is usually the best way to check for broken, chipped or missing tiles.

Flat roofs are also very common in this area. These roofs usually need to be re-coated every 2 or 3 years. Make sure to keep drains clear and check for the following when inspecting these roofs;

• Blistering or peeling in coating.
• Depressions around vent pipes.
• Separations in flashing.

If getting up onto the roof isn't an option, contact a professional to handle the roof inspection. Roofs should always be inspected at least once a year.

Curse of the Sink Stink

Few things are as frustrating to live with as unpleasant odors. Generally, the presence of an unpleasant odor is a sign of something wrong in the home. The dank and musty smell of mold is a good example. Unpleasant smells in the bathroom may indicate a problem with the plumbing lines or ventilation. This reader has a problem of another sort:

"I've got a rotten egg smell in my kitchen. I think it's something with my sink but I'm not sure. I tried using some garbage disposal cleaner but that didn't end up working. How do I fix this?"

The rotten egg smell in this case is likely caused by bacteria producing hydrogen sulfide gas. These bacteria could be growing in your sink or in your plumbing.

There are some techniques to determine where the bacteria is growing. Check the drain by filling a glass with hot water and pouring it down the drain. Step away from the sink and smell. If there isn't a sulfur smell anymore, the bacteria is in the drain.

Bacterial growth in a sink drain can be addressed very easily. Simply take a bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide, available at just about any drug store, and pour it down the drain. This will kill the bacteria.

If the sulfur or rotten egg smell is only present when the hot water is on, the problem is in the water heater. If this is the case, contact a plumber to disinfect the water heater or replace the tank's magnesium node.

If both the hot and cold water smell then the problem may be outside of the home. Contact the water supplier. If the home is supplied by a well then contact the health department.

Flickering lights

Few things irritate in quite the same way as a light that flickers or just doesn't behave the way it should. However, these problems can be more than a minor inconvenience. Sometimes they can be a sign of a more serious electrical problem. This reader writes: 

"The overhead light in my bedroom keeps flickering. It doesn't happen every time I turn it on but it just seems to flicker sometimes for no reason. I've tried replacing the bulbs but that didn't work."

Usually a flickering bulb is due to the bulb being loose or needing replacement. Simply tightening or replacing the bulb will fix the problem in those cases. If that isn't the cause then the problem becomes much trickier.

If there is flickering or dimming when an appliance turns on, then the problem could be an overloaded circuit. A short term solution would be to find another circuit to plug the appliance into. If that isn't an option, or a more permanent solution is desired; the circuit will need to be upgraded to handle the amount of power being used. If a large number of lights flicker, such as all the lights in an entire room or lights in adjacent rooms, there could be a loose connection in the electrical panel or somewhere else. If this is the case then electricity is arching (jumping) over the gaps. This is a very serious problem and can cause fires.

If the problem is more than a loose or damaged bulb then calling a licensed electrician is the best course of action. Replacing a circuit or electrical panel isn't likely to be a cheap repair but it's much less expensive than recovering from a fire.