Mark Datskiy
Co-owner of Pyper Plumbing. Guides and plain-language plumbing advice for homeowners in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties.
About Mark Datskiy
Mark Datskiy is a co-owner of Pyper Plumbing, a Washington State plumbing company focused on 24/7 emergency plumbing repair across Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties.
On this site, Mark writes how-to guides that explain what is happening, what is safe to try, and when it is time to call a plumber. Every guide lists the sources behind its facts, and none of them make price or response-time promises.
Guides
Guides by Mark Datskiy
Leak detection and repair
How to Find a Hidden Water Leak: The Meter Test
Find a hidden water leak with the water meter test and a toilet dye test. Learn common hiding spots, what a high bill means, and when to call a plumber.
Mark Datskiy · 5 min read
Read the guideWater heaters
Water Heater Warning Signs: Repair or Replace?
Water heater warning signs: leaks, rust, noise, no hot water. See typical lifespans, relief valve safety, and when to repair or replace.
Mark Datskiy · 5 min read
Read the guideRepiping
Signs You May Need to Repipe Your Home
Signs you may need to repipe: galvanized or polybutylene pipes, discolored water, low pressure, repeat leaks, and lead pipes. Learn what repiping involves.
Mark Datskiy · 5 min read
Read the guideLeak detection and repair
Low Water Pressure: Causes, Tests and Fixes
Low water pressure at home? Learn the common causes, how to test pressure with a gauge, healthy ranges, and which fixes are safe to try yourself.
Mark Datskiy · 5 min read
Read the guideWater heaters
No Hot Water? What to Check Before You Call
No hot water at home? Check the breaker, pilot, thermostat, sediment and leaks first, with safety tips on scalds and relief valves. Know when to call.
Mark Datskiy · 5 min read
Read the guideRepiping
Banging Pipes and Water Hammer: Causes and Fixes
Why do pipes bang when water shuts off? Learn the causes of water hammer, what you can check safely, and when banging points to a bigger plumbing issue.
Mark Datskiy · 4 min read
Read the guideLocal story
January 2024 Cold Snap: Why Pipes Burst in Our Region
The January 2024 Arctic outbreak split pipes at Snohomish County schools. Here is why exterior-wall and crawlspace pipes freeze and how to protect yours.
Mark Datskiy · 5 min read
Read the guideLeak detection and repair
Slab Leak Signs and What to Do First
Warm floor spots, running water sounds, a moving meter? Learn the signs of a slab leak, the meter test, what to do first and how repairs compare.
Mark Datskiy · 5 min read
Read the guideWater heaters
Water Heater Leaking? What It Means and What to Do
Water heater leaking? Learn where the water comes from, what to shut off right now, when a leak means replacement, and why not to ignore it.
Mark Datskiy · 4 min read
Read the guideRepiping
Brown or Discolored Tap Water: Causes and Fixes
Brown, yellow or rusty tap water? Learn the common causes, how to tell hot from cold and one tap from all, what to do, and when pipes may need replacing.
Mark Datskiy · 5 min read
Read the guideRepiping
Pinhole Leaks in Copper Pipes: Causes and Fixes
Pinhole leaks in copper pipes: signs to watch for, causes reported by utilities and researchers, spot repair versus repiping, and what to ask a plumber.
Mark Datskiy · 5 min read
Read the guideRepiping
How to Identify Your Home's Plumbing Pipes
Learn what copper, PEX, CPVC, galvanized steel, polybutylene and PVC/ABS pipes look like, when they were used, and which ones often lead to repiping.
Mark Datskiy · 4 min read
Read the guideWater heaters
Tank vs Tankless Water Heater: What to Consider
Tank vs tankless water heaters: how each works, efficiency per the U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR, sizing, venting, and where lifespans differ.
Mark Datskiy · 4 min read
Read the guideLocal story
November 2021 Floods in Whatcom and Skagit: Lessons
What happened in the November 2021 floods in Whatcom and Skagit counties, how water systems fared, and plumbing lessons for homeowners after floods.
Mark Datskiy · 4 min read
Read the guide