37fcf2b25437f6f767513716fb7e876e5752e3af92b7b9c4

Plumbing snake: What is it?

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 11:00:02 GMT

Plumbing snake: What is it?

The simplest plumbing snake is a metal cable that has been twisted. It also has a hand crank to propel it along its route. Its purpose is to slide through your bathtub or sink drain to discover the obstruction which is creating a mess.

A manual plumbing snake can be purchased in either 25- or 50-foot length, and many homeowners are aware of them as a must-have. It can be found in a variety of retailers for home improvement and has a low cost.

A Toilet Auger is a distinct style of design suitable for toilets with an odd shape. It features a bend that is designed to be able to pass into an opening in the bowl.

Mini-Rooters are electric snakes at least 50-75 feet long and come with attachments for cutting through obstructions. The attachments make the issue of safety for anyone who isn't comfortable using a tool like this. They're not typically strong enough to make the necessary cuts through the roots of trees.

A sewer Auger is used for those who are adventurous. However, keep in mind that these devices are typical for professional usage and not every plumbing system is exactly the same. Based on the age of the system and general state, using an auger for sewers that are not supervised by a professional could result in harm to the system in your home.

Be aware that working with clogs and getting it right usually involves creating a mess. Set up your work area using towels. The aim is to prevail against a blockage, and at times, that's as simple as pulling the obstruction out and not pressing it down.

If you're struggling with a blockage or need professional installation or plumbing, we can assist you!

Keeping Your Plumbing in Tip-top Shape

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 10:34:15 GMT

Keeping Your Plumbing in Tip-top Shape

Do you know the times you've used your water every day? The majority of us do not keep track of this simple job. We just expect our plumbing systems to function according to the way we want them. Hot water should flow easily. The toilet needs to flush. What happens if neither of these things happens? If your plumbing is in top shape, you don't have to worry about clogs or leaks or backups. Regular maintenance and cleaning can make a big change!

Schedule Plumbing Repairs Early

When you spot any issue in your plumbing system, whether it's the result of a minor blockage or a leak, you should contact an experienced plumber. The earlier you plan plumbing repairs and maintenance, the more efficient it will be. If you notice a leak, particularly the case of a pipe leak, it's likely that water has been flowing through the pipe for a long time. Most people don't realize there are water leaks in plumbing until damages begin to manifest. In the meantime, it's too late. The water accumulates beneath floors or in the walls behind. Contact repairs and leak detection experts when you notice something.

Additionally, addressing a repair promptly means fixing the issue before it gets worse.

Shut Off Valves

As the homeowner, it is important to be aware of the workings of the plumbing systems you have. For instance, do you know where the shut-off valve is in the plumbing system? If not, you need to locate the valve to use to be able to refer back. If your plumbing system is suffering from an overflowing or burst toilet, it is important to be aware of how to turn off the water prior to the situation getting worse.

Additionally, it is important to note that both the water main as well as the sewage line should be at the top of your list when you encounter a plumbing issue. Switch off both until you receive help from a professional. This will lower the likelihood of longer-term plumbing problems.

Basic Plumbing Tips

The scheduling of plumbing repairs and understanding the location of your shut-off valves is a piece of vital information. Let's continue with some helpful plumbing advice to boost efficiency and reduce the need for repairs completely.

Drains. A clogged or slow drain is hands-down the most frequent plumbing problem homeowners face. Check your drains regularly and know the symptoms of a blocked drain. Additionally, you should avoid pouring things down the drain aside from toilet paper, water, and other items that are safe.

Leaks. A slow leak means trouble. If you've got an undiscovered leak that causes water damage, expensive repairs and an increase in your cost of water will soon result. Check regularly the pipes under your sink, around the hot water heater, and behind your appliances to find leaks.

A good water pressure for a home with a family is 40-85 psi. Anything higher than that can put tension on the pipes and fixtures. Get a low-cost gauge from the local plumbing supply store and test the pressure of your water on occasion.

If you have any plumbing maintenance or plumbing repair requirements, call us for the best service. Contact us anytime for this support.

"Jiggle the Handle": How to Fix It?

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 10:00:01 GMT

"Jiggle the Handle": How to Fix It?

You likely have a favorite restaurant that has been around forever. It is probably the best and most affordable restaurant in town, with one of the oldest bathrooms you've ever seen. Then, there is a sign on the toilet that says, "jiggle the handle."

Although it makes the restaurant appear more authentic and hole in the wall, it may be a good idea to avoid using the same method at your home this holiday season. These tips will help you avoid embarrassing moments like this.

It is time to see what amazing feats of human engineering lie beneath that lid at the back. Now flush the toilet. Get a front-row seat and learn what goes on between the flap and the handle.

Now, try jiggling the handle to find out what that does. Did the chain get in the way of flaps, or was the float ball getting in the path? It might only take a small adjustment to get the flap working properly and the water tank to stop filling up.

If you still haven't found the answer, your flapper might need to be replaced. If you're comfortable replacing it yourself, take note of where your flapper attaches. Most attach to the sides of your flush valve tube.

You don't have to do this job if it isn't something you want to add to your holiday list. Give us a call. We love helping holiday guests with their toilet needs.

Here are 4 reasons not to flush feminine products down the toilet

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:51:09 GMT

Here are 4 reasons not to flush feminine products down the toilet

There are many things that should not be flushed down your toilet (e.g., grease and fat, condoms, or flushable wipes), but one product is known for causing damage to plumbing -- feminine products like tampons. Here are four reasons you shouldn't flush feminine products down the toilet.

1. Tampons don't break down while being absorbent.

Why are tampons so harmful to plumbing? To fulfill their function, tampons should be absorbent, so they don't break down too quickly. Even biodegradable products can take up to a few months to decay. If you flush a tampon and it passes through your pipes, it will either be completely intact at the sewage treatment plants, or it will slowly build up a blockage in your septic system with all the other tampons that have been flushed before. Tampons are intended to "clog" the plumbing.

2. Pipes can be clogged by tampons.

They can double their size if they are soaked in liquid. If the sewer pipes are corroded or roots have grown into the pipes, tampons may get trapped in the pipes and cause a dam effect. It is important not to allow any other items to be flushed down the drain. The cog will eventually get so bad that the drains will be filled with human waste.

3. Tampons can damage septic systems.

Flushed tampons, which can make it into your home's pipes and into the septic tank, can cause more problems. They don't break down, take up space in your septic tank, and can block distribution tubes. This can lead to sewage seeping through your home's drains.

4. Tampons cost water utilities billions in repair and maintenance costs.

This is not an accurate statement. According to the NACWA, tampons and other items not meant for flushing are costing taxpayers billions of dollars. These items should be removed from water through screens and chemically treated. They can be sent to landfills once they have been removed from the water. This means that regardless of how you dispose of the tampons, they will be sent to the landfill. Tampons that are flushed can cause plumbing damage and add costs to our already stressed infrastructure.

There is no reason to flush a toilet with a tampon and other similar items. Toilet paper and human waste should be the only ones to be flushed. The rest can go in the garbage or recycling.

Call us if you are worried about what is being flushed down your toilet or if you notice slow drains and gurgling water pipes. We will diagnose the problem and restore your plumbing.

Kitchen Tips: Items You Shouldn't Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 13:00:06 GMT

Kitchen Tips: Items You Shouldn't Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

If used correctly, the garbage disposal can be an extremely efficient and useful appliance for kitchens. If it is not handled with care, it could be more trouble than it is a convenience. We'll go over the top reasons you must avoid doing at your disposal. There are some you might know about - other things could be unexpected.

Oils and grease are a major no-no: If hot, fatty liquids like grease and oil are dumped into the drain, they'll eventually cool, becomes solid, and create a blockage.

Rice and pasta: Starchy food items like rice and pasta can expand after they are soaked in water (even after cooking) and turn sticky, which means they are more likely to be sucked up and clog your pipes.

Grounds from coffee: Not only do coffee grounds clog the cutters on your dishwasher, but huge amounts of them can be filled with debris and block the drain.

Bones: Even tiny bones such as chicken wings are too much for garbage disposals to deal with. There's a chance of damaging the blades as well as the motor.

Seeds, pits, and fruits: Like bones, seeds and pits are too hard for blades. Furthermore, round objects bounce around the disposal, making quite a groaning sound.

Produce stickers: When washing fruits, be sure to take off the sticker and dispose of it in the garbage. If it falls into the disposal for garbage, then the glue is likely to get stuck on the blades.

Celery: Stringy vegetables can become entangled in the blades, which can damage the motor. The same is true for other reasons. Beware of onion peels and asparagus, lettuce, or corn kernels.

Shells of seafood: Shells from crab, shrimp, and lobster are often too thick and cause wear on your disposal's blades.

Eggshells: While some claim eggshells may assist in sharpening the blades, that's actually not the situation. The membranes of eggshells could be entangled and cause damage to the disposal.

Non-food items: This ought to be obvious, but things such as medications, paper towels, and even harsh chemicals should not go in the trash. They not only cause damage to your garbage disposal, but they could cause sewer line backups and can affect the quality of water.

The message is clear: Take good control of garbage disposals and they will eventually take good care of you. A tiny amount of objects that go down the drain by accident will not cause any major problems; however, try to avoid letting it happen again.

When your disposal seems not to get the job done and you're seeing that your kitchen sink is draining slow, do not hesitate to contact us.

What to Do if Your Hose Bibb Froze Over the Winter

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 12:39:39 GMT

What to Do if Your Hose Bibb Froze Over the Winter

Spring means it's the perfect time to take advantage of the warmer temperatures and complete chores outside, like cleaning your car, washing it, or putting in the new garden. But one of the fastest ways to ruin those wonderful springtime feelings is to find out that your faucet outside leaks.

If you didn't winterize your hose bibb, the water inside might have frozen over time which could cause damage to the plumbing inside, causing a huge mess, and turn out to be very expensive if it is not addressed promptly.

This is the time of the year when a lot of our clients call us to repair the frozen bibb of their hose. Here's the information you should be aware of.

A frozen hose bibb sign

It is possible that you don't know that the hose bibb of your hose has frozen during the winter months until you switch on the faucet for the very first time in spring. When do you notice a drop in pressure in the water and the sound of running water inside your home from the opposite part of the tub? This is a sign that water was frozen expanding, bursting, and puncturing the pipe.

What causes a hose bibb to freeze?

When water accumulates in the hose's bibb and inside pipes during the winter, it is exposed to freezing temperatures and then freezes (even if the house is well-insulated). Older hose bibbs are vulnerable because they are shorter and permit water to be able to sit up the faucet.

Modern outdoor faucets, often called frost-proofed bibbs, have a better chance of safeguarding your plumbing since the shut-off valve extends further within the home to keep it from frigid temperatures. If you didn't leave the hose connected to the frost-proof bibb, water in the hose could be frozen and back up to the faucet.

What you can do?

The first step is to inspect the hose's bibb, inside the pipe, as well as the supply valve after turning the external faucet the initial time. If you notice any water spots on the walls or on the floor or you notice that the pipe is damaged or broken, ensure that the valve for the supply is shut.

If you're not experienced with plumbing, replacing a hose bib that's broken is best left to an authorized plumber. It's crucial to place and install a hose bib with frost protection properly, so that the water is pitched toward the wall's exterior, in addition to other things. If it's not installed correctly, it could end up in the same spot next spring. The difficulty of the task will depend on the location of the hose bibb that is visible in your basement or concealed behind a wall.