Answers to Frequently Asked
Questions Concerning Plumbing
If you do not see your question answered below, please call your Customer Service Representative or our Customer Service Hotline at 732-225-3777—we welcome your questions, comments, and suggestions!
Q1. How do I shut off the water to a running, leaking, or overflowing toilet?
A1. Customers can turn off the water to an individual toilet by using the flushometer screw. The flushometer screw is located at the right hand corner of the toilet and is covered by a cap. Using a flat head screwdriver, turn the screw two or three times in a clockwise motion. Customers should then either call our Customer Service Hotline at 732-225-3777or their licensed and insured plumber for service.
Q2. What can be done if the toilet’s flush handle gets stuck?
A2. If the handle gets stuck, Customers should turn the water off to the toilet and either call our Customer Service Hotline at 732-225-3777 or their licensed and insured plumber for service. Handles get stuck or break from time to time due to wear and tear.
Q3. How can we increase our water pressure?
A3. The water pressure in the building can be evaluated by Federal Business Centers. Customers should call our Customer Service Hotline at 732-225-3777 if they have any questions or concerns with their water pressure.
Q4. Why does the toilet run constantly?
A4. A toilet may run constantly because the diaphragm may not be working properly due to wear and tear or even dirt or sand in the line. The diaphragm could also be worn out from wear and tear. Customers should either call our Customer Service Hotline at 732-225-3777 or their licensed and insured plumber for service.
Q5. What can be safely flushed down the toilet?
A5. ONLY body waste and toilet tissue should be flushed down the toilet. Nothing else should ever be flushed down the toilet.
Q6. What should I do if the toilet gets clogged?
A6. First and foremost, Customers should not flush the toilet if it appears to be clogged! To plunge, it is important to use a large, heavy-duty rubber plunger, either the ball-shaped type or one with a fold-out rubber flange on the bottom that forms a seal. (Do not use the small, cheap suction-cup type of plunger. These will often not work.)
The plunger should be submerged in water to be effective. It is important to be pushing and pulling with water, not air. Add water from the sink to the bowl if necessary. Pump the plunger over the hole. Start slowly at first, since the first plunge will push air into the bowl. Push down, then pull up sharply to disturb the clog and loosen it. Continue vigorously pushing and pulling until the water begins to drain. It may take 15 to 20 times before the toilet unclogs. Be patient—as long as you're sure there's no hard object, plunging alone often suffices. It might not work immediately, but will often work after a few repeated efforts, with each effort constituting of dozens of plunging. If this doesn’t fix the problem, Customers should then call our Customer Service Hotline at 732-225-3777 or their licensed and insured plumber for service.
Q7. How can I prevent a toilet from clogging?
A7. The only material that should ever be placed in a toilet for flushing (besides human waste, of course) is paper toilet paper and paper toilet seat covers. Trash containers should be used for all other waste.
Q8. Where can I buy hand soap for the dispensers in my bathrooms?
A8. Hand soap for the Kimberly Clark dispensers in your bathrooms can be purchased from Advanced Specialties at 732-803-2508. They are included on our Recommended Companies List.
Q9. Where can I buy janitorial products?
A9. You can purchase janitorial products from several sources right here in Raritan Center®, including Gerrus Maintenance at 732-225-0662 or Laymen Global at 888-656-7766. They are both included on our Recommended Companies List.
Q10. Who is responsible for the maintenance of the feminine hygiene product dispensers?
A10. Customers are responsible for the maintenance of these items.
Q11. Where is the water heater?
A11. Generally, water heaters are installed (with flood protection) above the restrooms. As a part of the flood protection system for the water heater(s), at least one bathroom will have a flood stop mounted on the wall – if this flood stop ever emits a flashing light or an alarm sound, Customers should call our Customer Service Hotline at 732-225-3777 immediately, as this indicates that there is likely a leak.
Q12. What could be the cause of a sewer smell in the bathroom?
A12. Sewer gases build up in bathroom floor drains. If there are any drains in the bathroom floor, Customers should pour a cup full of water into them every few months to avoid the buildup of gases. If this does not alleviate the sewer smell, Customers should call our Customer Service Hotline at 732-225-3777 – it is possible that the drain lines for the water heaters is the source and only we can access them.