Homeowner Plumbing Guides
Plain-English answers for Tri-Cities homeowners — written by the owner of Sonlight Plumbing, not a content farm. No prices, no pressure: just how your plumbing actually works.
Hard water
How hard water affects water heaters, faucets, and fixtures in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, and West Pasco…
Water heater maintenance
Why tank water heaters in hard-water areas need periodic flushing, what the anode rod does, and the signs a tank is near…
Frozen pipes
Practical steps Tri-Cities homeowners can take before a freeze: outdoor faucets, exposed lines, and what to do if a pipe…
Water pressure & PRVs
What a PRV does, the signs of high water pressure in a home, and why pressure above about 80 psi quietly damages fixture…
Galvanized pipe
How to recognize galvanized steel water lines, why they fail from the inside out, and what the realistic options are for…
Main-line backups
The early symptoms of a main-line problem — gurgling, multi-fixture slowdowns, floor drain backups — and what they mean.…
Gas vs. electric
How gas and electric tank water heaters differ in recovery speed, operating cost, venting, and installation — explained …
Customer-supplied fixtures
What homeowners should check before buying their own faucet, toilet, or disposal for a plumber to install — compatibilit…
Emergency shutoff
Where the main water shutoff usually is in Tri-Cities homes, how to close it, and the per-fixture stops that can save th…