Plumbing FAQs | Champion Plumbing
Have questions about your home’s plumbing? You’re in the right place. At Champion Plumbing, we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions we receive from homeowners across the Twin Cities metro. Whether you’re wondering about water heater repairs, water softeners, filtration systems, or general plumbing maintenance, this page brings together all our expert FAQs in one easy-to-navigate place.
- All
- Backflow Preventer Testing
- Bradford White Water Heaters
- BritaPro Under the Sink Filters
- General
- North Star Cabinet Softener
- Softener
- Softener + Carbon
- Softener + Iron
- Tankless Reverse Osmosis
- Water Heater Troubleshooting
- Water Heater Warranty
- Whole House Filter
Yes! Bradford White water heaters are proudly manufactured in America at their facilities in Michigan and Pennsylvania, supporting American jobs and ensuring higher quality control.
Yes! Bradford White offers a wide range of Energy Star® certified models, including electric, gas, and hybrid (heat pump) water heaters. These models can lower your utility bills and may qualify for energy rebates.
Absolutely. Each filter is independently certified by NSF, IAPMO R&T, or EPA P231, depending on its model, for trusted water quality protection.
Yes! They’re compact, don’t require major plumbing changes, and can be removed or replaced as needed—perfect for apartments, condos, cabins, and more.
Some of the faucets sold at warehouse “big box” stores are not the same grade or quality; even the better known name brands make lower grade products with plastic internal parts. Often you will find a big difference between a $59 faucet and the $109 faucet, even if though they may look the same. The old adage, “You get what you pay for.” is still as true as ever.
No. Bradford White products are sold exclusively through licensed plumbing contractors like Champion Plumbing. This ensures your water heater is professionally selected, properly installed, and fully supported by warranty.
Yes! Champion Plumbing offers flexible financing options through GreenSky®, making it easy to enjoy clean water now and pay over time. Ask us about our current plans when you request a quote.
Absolutely! It works seamlessly with:
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Brita PRO Whole-House Filters
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Tankless Reverse Osmosis Systems
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Brita PRO Undersink Filters
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Chlorine/Chloramine Filters or PFAS Filters You can build a full-home treatment system tailored to your water.
Yes! We can perform repairs, replacements, and retesting if your device doesn’t pass.
If you purchased your Ruud water heater from CenterPoint Energy and Champion Plumbing installed it, the easiest way to see if it is under warranty is to visit the Ruud Warranty page and look up your serial number.
If you have a valid warranty, contact Ruud, and they will provide warranty support and information.
If your product’s warranty has expired, contact Champion at 651-365-1340 to discuss repair or replacement options.
Champion Plumbing proudly installs Bradford White water heaters. To determine if your Bradford White water heater is under warranty, call us at 651-365-1340 or visit Bradford White’s Warranty Center.
We will help you coordinate warranty service if you have a valid warranty.
If your product’s warranty has expired, we can discuss repair or replacement options.
Yes. All salt-based softeners require regular salt refills, but this system’s efficient design minimizes usage and extends the time between refills.
No, we do not.
We do! All the common repairs, water lines, shut off valves, water heaters (often called hot water heaters) water softeners, filtration systems, toilets, sinks, faucets, all leaks, and anything else that may come up!
Absolutely! As an authorized Brita PRO dealer, we provide full installation, support, and a 1-year labor warranty.
No—this system is designed with high-efficiency performance in mind. It has a 1.5:1 purified-to-wastewater ratio, which is much more efficient than older RO systems that often waste 3–4 gallons for every 1 gallon of clean water. The unique two-handled faucet allows you to have both RO purified water and carbon-filtered water.
Yes, every city requires a plumbing permit for a water heater installation (even if it is just a replacement). We will take care of applying for the permit and sending it to you once we receive the issued permit.
On the permit that you receive, there may be a dollar amount listed. This is NOT a bill, we have already paid the permit fee and included it in your final installation price. All you must do once you receive your permit is call the city to schedule an inspection of our work.*
*Saint Paul and New Brighton require us, as the contractor, to schedule inspections. Once we have received these permits, we will call you to get available dates/times and coordinate with the city inspector.
Not at all. The Northstar Cabinet Softener provides full softening power in a compact footprint, offering simiar performance as many larger systems.
Typically, Bradford White’s manufacturer warranty covers parts replacement but not labor. However, at Champion Plumbing, we offer optional labor warranties or service packages depending on your installation — ask us for details.
No. The Titanium LT is a passive, flow-through filtration system—no electricity, backwashing, or drain lines required.
Yes! The Brita PRO Water Softener + Carbon Mid-Plate Filter is a whole-home system, treating all the water that flows into your home—for drinking, bathing, laundry, and more.
It is standard practice for the customer to call the manufacturer when a product is defective. Most manufacturers warranty their product, but will not cover a plumber’s labor costs. For example, if you have a defective faucet, the manufacturer may ask you to return the faucet before they will issue a replacement; or they may send you a part to fix the faucet. It then becomes your responsibility to remove/ install, or fix your faucet; or pay a local plumber to do it for you. The manufacturer may also decide to send a representative, usually a local contractor, to resolve the problem. The response time for the contractor could be 2- 7 business days, and in the meantime, you are left without a working faucet.
The install warranty, provided by your plumber, assures you that your product will be repaired or replaced by professionals. This warranty also applies to other plumbing fixtures in your home, such as your water heater. In some situations, the warranty will cover a replacement of the product within 24 hours. The plumbers will also work directly with the manufacturers so you don’t have to!
If you are on a well,
The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with sulfur and the magnesium and aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor.
If you purchased your water heater from Home Depot and Champion Plumbing installed it, the easiest way to see if it is under warranty is to visit the Rheem Warranty page and look up your serial number.
If you have a valid warranty, contact Rheem and they will provide warranty support and information.
If your product’s warranty has expired, contact Champion at 651-365-1340 to discuss repair or replacement options.
Bradford White units are built with superior materials, advanced technology, and offer better long-term value. As authorized warranty repair plumbers, we receive far fewer service calls for Bradford White models compared to other brands — meaning fewer headaches for you.
Common signs include rust-colored stains in sinks, tubs, or toilets, metallic-tasting water, or frequent clogging of faucets and filters. We offer in-home water testing to confirm your iron levels and recommend the right solution.
Our team will assess your household size, water usage, and hardness levels to recommend the right grain capacity and flow rate for your home.
A tankless RO system filters water on-demand, meaning there’s no storage tank that can harbor bacteria or take up space under your sink. It delivers fresh, clean water every time you turn on the tap and typically has a higher flow rate with a more compact design.
A standard softener removes hardness but does not effectively remove high levels of iron. This unit is specially designed to treat up to 10 ppm of iron, including both ferrous (dissolved) and ferric (oxidized) iron.
Filter life varies by water quality and usage, but most filters are designed for long-lasting performance and are easy to replace when needed.
For the Microbiological filter, it is recommended to install a pre-treatment filter (5 micron) – the CTO filter can be used for this.
Average installation time ranges from an hour and a half to two and a half hours from start to finish. It may take longer depending upon the complexity of the venting or piping. We would always say to be prepared to be home for 4 hours, but the plumber will give you a better idea before he starts the project.
In Minnesota, most cities require annual testing for irrigation systems and certain commercial plumbing setups.
Depending on our workload, we are usually able to set up same day or next-day appointments for service work and water heater installations. If you have a bigger project in mind, we will need a few days’ notice depending on the scope of the work.
Not getting hot water from your faucet, here are some things you can check.
If you have a gas water heater, is the burner assembly at the base lit? If the burner is lit, you likely need to adjust the thermostat temperature or replace it. Adjusting the temperature is easy: Turn the dial to the desired temperature. When adjusting the temperature does not help, call Champion Plumbing for service or look up your water heater’s warranty. See the guide above to look up your water heater’s warranty.
If the burner assembly is not lit. Attempt to follow the directions on your water heater to light the pilot.
If you have an electric water heater, ensure the circuit breaker works appropriately. If the breaker is working, you may need to schedule a visit from a plumber. Please note that electric water heaters may require the use of electricians. Plumbers cannot troubleshoot electrical faults, like a defective breaker or wiring, but can test and troubleshoot heating elements.
When in doubt, we are here to help. In many cases, contacting the water heater’s manufacturer will help you determine whether your product is under warranty. See the above guide on warranty lookup.
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No, we do not sell any tools or parts.
More often than not it is the aerator on the end of the faucet. The aerator can be removed and cleaned. To do that you unscrew it with your hand and you will see the debris when you get it off. Rinse it out and reinstall. If you need tools to remove it, be careful as it is can be damaged easily.
Yes. While it’s ideal for municipal water, certain configurations (like the sediment filter + PFAS or VOC filter) are excellent for well water applications. A water analysis can help guide the best setup.
Not at all! The Brita PRO Platinum system features tool-free filter changes and a built-in leak detection shutoff for added peace of mind. Most homeowners can maintain the system easily with simple filter replacements.
Yes. This system helps protect plumbing, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines from scale buildup and iron staining—extending the life of your water-using appliances.
Absolutely. The Brita PRO system is tested and certified by IAPMO R&T to meet NSF/ANSI 42, 44, 61 & 372 standards for performance and safety.
Yes! Brita PRO systems are tested against NSF/ANSI 58 standards for contaminant reduction, performance, and structural integrity. Plus, Champion Plumbing is an authorized Brita PRO partner, so you can trust in professional installation and support.
Yes, it’s tested and certified by NSF International, the Water Quality Association, and CSA, so you can trust in its safety, efficiency, and performance.
Yes. It’s certified by IAPMO R&T to NSF/ANSI Standards 44 & 372, ensuring safe, effective performance.
If you notice water leaking from the base of your water heater, it is an indication that it needs to be replaced. To determine if your water heater is still under warranty, refer to the warranty lookup guide provided above. If it is no longer under warranty, please contact us today to get a quote and schedule a replacement.
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Is water leaking from the fittings above your water heater? If so, call Champion PLumbing for immediate repairs. At Champion Plumbing, we provide a one-year guarantee on all of our work. If we installed the fittings and they are leaking within a year of the installation, we will repair them free of charge. However, if the installation was done by others or it has been over a year, we offer same-day service to come make repairs for you.
Call (651) 365-1340 By Noon For Same Day Service Availability
The valve on your water heater’s side is called the Temperature and Pressure Relief (T&P) valve. This valve is a safety feature that prevents your water heater from overheating or over-pressurizing. If you notice water leaking from this valve, it could indicate the valve is failing, or your home may have very high water pressure. Call Champion Plumbing for service when this valve is leaking.
Call (651) 365-1340 By Noon For Same Day Service Availability
THMs are disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine or chloramines react with organic material in water. One common THM is chloroform, which can be released as a gas during hot showers and is classified as a potential carcinogen.
A garbage disposal’s primary use is to dispose of food. However, there are items that can damage the device. Here are a couple of things you must know to keep your device in peak condition:
Use cold water.
When disposing your unwanted food, make sure you run cold water before, during and after turning the disposal on. It’s suggested to run water at least 10 seconds before and after. Hot water could damage the disposal’s interior blades.
Fruit peels are a good thing.
To take away unwanted smells, feel free to drop fruit peels down your disposal. Run cold water, and use citrus peels (oranges, pears, apples, etc.) to not only give your sink a nice fragrance but also help fight off the growth of bacteria.
Bones, fat and meat grease should not go down the disposal.
These materials can damage the interior of a disposal and cost you hundreds of dollars in repair fees (never try to fix a disposal without a professional).
In addition, make sure your disposal receives proper maintenance from a licensed professional. It is good to have a professional technician come once a year for preventative care. Feel free to call us for additional garbage disposal care tips.
There are several things that could cause low water pressure, including a partially closed or malfunctioning shut off valve, a crimped water line, or mineral deposits that gather in older pipes. If your neighbors have strong water pressure, the problem is most likely between the water meter and your home. A Champion Plumbing technician will be able to identify the problem and explain your options.
Each filter targets different contaminants. Depending on the model, they reduce:
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Sediament and Chlorine – impacting taste and odor – CTO
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Lead, VOCs
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PFAS & Pharmaceuticals
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PFAs, Viruses, Cysts, VOCs, Pharaceuticals, Lead & Bacteria
First and foremost, shut off the main water line to your home. This should immediately stop any further damage. Try to identify the exact location of the leak. You may be able to find a water shut off valve that is closer to the damaged area and you could restore water to the rest of you home. Next, to help reduce potential mold damage, extract as much water as possible. DO NOT use a standard vacuum for water. A shop vac, sponges or rags are necessary. If area is carpeted, pull back carpet and pad. Try to get a strong air flow on both sides of the carpet. Call Champion Plumbing once you feel the damage is contained.
We do not charge per hour, we charge per job. Once onsite, our plumber will give you a final price after assessing the work that needs to be done. We charge $89.00 for a service call but will waive that fee if we do any work or repairs while onsite and only charge the final price given by your plumber.
This system is designed to reduce contaminants like lead, PFAs, PFOs, chlorine, chloramines, fluoride, heavy metals, nitrates, and more. It helps ensure safer, better-tasting water for drinking, cooking, and even your pets. It is NSF/ANSI 58 Certified
Cities may shut off your water supply or issue fines for non-compliance. Testing ensures your system is safe and meets code requirements.
As an authorized service provider, Champion Plumbing can diagnose the issue, process the warranty claim, and make necessary repairs — giving you a smooth, hassle-free experience.
Great question! Many townhomes, condos, and older homes don’t have the space for a full-sized softener with separate tanks. That’s why we offer space-saving solutions, including Brita PRO® systems with a compact 11” x 11” brine tank—perfect for tighter utility rooms or mechanical closets.
📍 Not sure what will fit? Contact us today for an on-site assessment, and we’ll help you find the right system for your space and water needs.
Great question! Many townhomes, condos, and older homes don’t have the space for a full-sized softener with separate tanks. That’s why we offer space-saving solutions, including Brita PRO® systems with a compact 11” x 11” brine tank—perfect for tighter utility rooms or mechanical closets.
If you’re working with very limited space, we also recommend checking out our Essential Series North Star® Cabinet Softener—a single-tank system designed specifically for smaller homes. View the North Star Cabinet Softener →
📍 Not sure what will fit? Contact us today for an on-site assessment, and we’ll help you find the right system for your space and water needs.
Point-of-use (POU) filters treat water at a single location, typically under a sink, to provide filtered water at a specific faucet—ideal for drinking, cooking, and washing food.
A water softener removes hardness minerals (like calcium and magnesium) through ion exchange, preventing scale buildup in your plumbing and appliances.
AutoSense™ monitors and learns your water usage patterns over time to determine the most efficient regeneration schedule—reducing salt and water waste.AutoSense™ monitors and learns your water usage patterns over time to determine the most efficient regeneration schedule—reducing salt and water waste.Your Content Goes Here
Some Bradford White models feature Microban® antimicrobial technology, which helps prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew on key surfaces inside the water heater, keeping it cleaner and more durable.
Most residential Bradford White models come with a 6-year limited warranty covering the tank and parts. Some models or extended options offer 10-year coverage.
Vitraglas® is Bradford White’s proprietary enamel lining that protects the inside of the tank from corrosion, extending the life of your water heater even in hard water conditions.
The system is designed to be low-maintenance. The control valve is easy to program and operate, and Champion Plumbing is available to provide ongoing service and support as needed.
Brita PRO systems feature smart programming, high efficiency, certified quality, and advanced resin tanks that are custom-fit to your home’s specific needs.
This system addresses hard water issues (scale, soap scum, appliance wear), iron staining (orange or rust-colored stains), and metallic taste or odor caused by high iron or manganese content.
An RPZ is a specific type of backflow preventer designed for high-hazard applications. The terms are often used interchangeably, especially in testing.
A water softener removes hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium to prevent scale buildup. A filter, like the carbon mid-plate in this system, removes chemicals like chlorine, chloramines, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Brita PRO system combines both functions in one unit.
A water softener removes hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium. The Titanium LT filters focus on chemical and particulate contaminants, such as chlorine, chloramine, lead, sediment, PFAS, and VOCs. They can be used together for comprehensive water treatment.
The Plus filter uses advanced catalytic carbon, which removes rather than reduces chlorine and chloramines. It also works more quickly and efficiently, making it ideal for families with higher sensitivity or more aggressive chemical exposure.
If you live in a condo, rental, or have space limitations that prevent softener installation, a polyphosphate filter is a great alternative. It doesn’t soften water but helps protect appliances and plumbing by reducing scale buildup.
Champion Plumbing professionally installs every system and offers expert service and support after installation
Champion Plumbing offers professional installation and support. We’ll help you select the right filter for your home’s water quality needs.
The NSC31 is ideal for households of 1–5 people, especially where space is limited, such as townhomes, apartments, or older homes without utility room space for a traditional two-tank system.
We recommend Bradford White because they are built with higher-quality materials, manufactured in the USA, and sold exclusively through licensed plumbing professionals. They last longer, have fewer service issues, and feature advanced technology like Vitraglas® tank protection, HydroJet® sediment reduction, and Microban® antimicrobial surfaces. We even use them in our own homes.
Municipalities use chlorine and chloramines to disinfect water and kill harmful microorganisms as it travels through distribution lines. While effective for public safety, these chemicals are no longer needed once the water reaches your home—and can negatively affect your health, plumbing, and appliances.
The most common cause of a sewer smell in the house is a dry P-Trap, a curved pipe that is intended to be full of water and acts as a seal to hold out sewer gas. Unused showers or utility floor drains are often the culprits due to evaporation of the water in the trap. Fill all drains with a gallon of water. This should solve the problem. If it persists, call Champion Plumbing for a more thorough diagnosis.
Yes, the NSC31 can reduce up to 8 parts per million (ppm) of clear water iron, helping to eliminate rust stains and protect your fixtures.
Still have a plumbing question? Please call us at 651-365-1340 or Contact Us.
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We work Monday through Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM. After hours emergency service is available. You can find us at 3670 Dodd Road in Eagan, MN 55123 during our open hours. You can also call us at (651) 365-1340 or email us.