Tag: clogged drain

If you have ever owned a home, you have probably, at one time or another, run into a plumbing problem.   Many plumbing problems can be easily avoided and, if you still run into a plumbing problem, there are many that you can probably fix yourself.  There is certainly a time and place to hire a professional plumber who’s expertise may be necessary for certain plumbing problems.  But, if you arm yourself with some knowledge and put some tips into practice, you can avoid many common plumbing problems or quickly remedy the ones that do arise. One of the most common plumbing problems  is clogs.  Whether it is one large item or a buildup of smaller items, clogs happen.  Sometimes clogs are completely out of your control but, more often than not, it is the direct result of someone putting something down your drain that should never have been there in the first place.  With toilets, it is important to avoid flushing anything down other than waste and toilet paper.  Make sure everyone in the house, including kids, know this rule.  When you flush anything else down a toilet, you are inviting clogs.   Bathroom drains, whether shower , tubs or sinks, are also prone to clogs.  Hair and soap residue builds up rather quickly so it is important to avoid hair going down the drain as much as possible with the use of strainers.  Additionally, if you see a buildup forming, remove it immediately and run hot water down the drains often to prevent major clogs. With your garbage disposal, avoid putting anything greasy, fibrous or non-biodegradable down the disposal.  Many of these items can cause major clogs for your disposal.  Also, it is always important to run the water for 15-20 seconds before and after running your garbage disposal.  Another common plumbing problem is leaking taps.  Leaking taps are not only a nuisance but they can actually be quite expensive.  Even a small leak can mean big expense for utility bills.  PRWeb.com discusses what is involved with a leaky faucet repair, “Leaky faucets or fixtures are yet another plumbing issue that occurs over time, due to wear and tear. Leaks most often develop from rubber or plastic seals (seals, washers, O-rings) wearing out. Even a slightly damaged or worn out seal can allow a drip of water to pass through every few seconds.  Regardless of which type of faucet, the process of repairing a dripping faucet is similar for all of them. ”  Also, plumbers will note that they are often called when the water heater has problems or stops working.  One way to extend the life of your water heater and keep it running efficiently is to drain the water heater and remove sediment and dirt build up.  With regular maintenance and proper cleaning, you can avoid many common plumbing issues and keep your home running efficiently.]]>

Everyone hates a clogged drain, yet they are very common.  It always seems that clogged drains rear their ugly heads at the worst possible time.  You are having a house party and suddenly, you have a clogged sink or a clogged toilet.  Whenever a clog happens, it is frustrating and inconvenient.  There are some easy, routine things you can do to  prevent clogs from ever happening.  The first way to avoid clogged drains is to avoid putting certain things down your kitchen drain such as grease, coffee grinds, potato peels, pasta and rice.  Even with a well-functioning food processor, food pieces may only get chopped up and washed down but they can then get caught in your pipes causing a clog that will eventually come back up.  Everyone’s first instinct is to use their food processor, even for “ok” items, but really, you should put as little through your food processor as possible.   Second, in the bathroom you should avoid having hair go down the drain and regularly remove any hair that does go down the drain.  Hair, mixed with soap and other residue will build up over time and cause major clogs. Third, one way to help prevent things going down the drain such as hair is to put a strainer over the drain that can catch hair and other particles.  With regular cleaning of the strainer it will protect your drains from major clogs.  Fourth, you should promptly deal with any slow drains.  Things like pop-up stoppers in sinks are handy but are also notorious for collecting soap scum and hair.  You should routinely clean these build up on pop up stoppers can slow your drain down and cause clogs.  A slow drain is a sign that a clog is forming and if you wait much longer, the problem could become a major one.  By promptly dealing with slow drains you can avoid major clogs.  Lastly, while there are chemical drain cleaning products, they are incredibly harsh and can even erode the inside of pipes and simply cause more problems.  There are simple ways to prevent clogs with household products you likely have on hand.  You should regularly rinse all your drains with hot water.  Additionally, you can pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain and then rinse with boiling water and this should help loosen and move things and help prevent more clogs.  By following these five tips and regularly maintaining your drains, you can avoid clogs and keep your house running smoothly.  For any major clogs you should consult a professional.  With a home warranty service, they will handle hiring a reliable professional to come fix any plumbing issues.  A home warranty service can take the stress out of handling home plumbing issues.]]>