Top 3 Things That Clog Your Drains

November 6th, 2018 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
Comments Off on Top 3 Things That Clog Your Drains

Clogged drains are the most common plumbing problem that occur. While many clogs can be quickly removed with a plunger or snake device, not all are so simple to release. Even if most of a clog is cleared, residue can be left to start building a new barrier in your pipes. Knowing the common items that cause clogs and keeping them out of your drains can help prevent these annoying plumbing problems. Here are the top three things that can clog your drains.

  1. Fats and grease. The leftover fat in a pan after cooking may be in liquid form when you pour it down the drain, but it doesn’t stay that way. The grease coats the inside of your pipes and congeals as it become colder. This thick lard grabs food debris and other items that go down the drain, creating a solid clog. Avoid allowing grease to go down your drains by wiping out oil and fat from pans and dishes before you rinse them in the sink.
  2. Hair. In the shower, bathtub and bathroom sink, hair combined with soap is a major cause of clogs in drains. This is easily remedied; a good drain strainer will catch hair and can be cleaned out and thrown away to avoid clogs.
  3. Coffee grounds and hard food items. Even if you have a garbage disposal, hard food items can get lodged in your pipes and make a formative clog. Coffee grounds should not be dumped down the drain; they can create a solid wall in your pipes. Also avoid hard food items like egg shells and tough produce peels.

Some other common culprits of clogged drains are feminine hygiene products, cotton balls/swabs and “flushable” wipes. If you have a tough clog that won’t let go or keeps recurring, call your local plumber. They can completely clear a clog and the leftover residue.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(404) 973-2471

, ,
Read More

How to Keep Your Drains Clog-Free

December 1st, 2017 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
Comments Off on How to Keep Your Drains Clog-Free

Drain clogs are the most common problem in plumbing. The substances that go down the drain do not always make it through the piping, getting caught inside. Clogs are usually an accumulation of debris that congeals and creates a blockage. Hair, soap, grease and food debris are common clogging factors. To avoid the cost of professional drain cleaning, there are a few preventive measures you can take. Here are some tips.

Use Liquid Soap

Many people prefer bar soap, but it can lead to problems in your plumbing. Bar soap is made from fats that turn into a solid. The small pieces of soap and even the foam can build up in your plumbing, attracting hair and other debris to form a clog. Liquid soap is less likely to create a clog, since it will not revert to a solid.

Add Drain Catchers

Keep hair, soap pieces and other small items out of your drains with a drain catcher. These are especially needed in your bathroom drains. Hair is the biggest issue in these drains, both human and pet hair. Make sure to keep a drain catcher in your tub, shower and bathroom sink to prevent hair and other debris from going down into your pipes.

Do Not Over Use Your Garage Disposal

Garbage disposals can breakdown food and keep smelly items out of your garbage. However, overusing your disposal can lead to drain clogs. Garbage disposals are not meant to grind up all foods. Keep tough peelings from produce out of your disposal. Also, avoid egg shells, coffee grounds and fats from foods, all which can create drain clogs.

Making an effort to keep clogging elements out of your drains can prevent many drain problems. However, when a clog does occur, make sure to have it completely removed by a professional plumber to keep your drains flowing.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.
106-M Oakgrove Road
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

, ,
Read More

5 Reasons to Hire a Plumber

April 8th, 2015 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
Comments Off on 5 Reasons to Hire a Plumber

Even the most resourceful DIY homeowner will eventually come across a plumbing problem that they cannot fix. Although many minor plumbing issues can be resolved with a trip to the hardware or home improvement center and some elbow grease, there are times when a professional should be called. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or just an average homeowner, here are five situations when you should hire a plumber:

  1. Water heater failure. If your water heater is no longer providing hot water, or worse, is causing a flood in your home, you need to call a plumber. Most likely you will need a new water heater installed which should always be done by a professional.
  2. Sewer line backups. Are all your drains backing up? You may have a sewer line clog. If the clog is underground, you will need a professional plumber or sewer company to fix the problem.
  3. Low water pressure. If your whole home has low water pressure that is not due to an external supply issue, you may need to call in a plumber. You can check the main water valve, but if that is not the problem, it may be corroded pipes or a failed PRV.
  4. Burst pipe. Whether it is due to a deep freeze or just worn out piping, a burst pipe is a good reason to hire a plumber. They can fix the problem and inspect the rest of your plumbing for possible issues.
  5. New installation or remodel. If you are spending money on adding a new bathroom or installing a shower, make sure it is done right by hiring a plumber for installation. It could save you money in the long run.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

, ,
Read More

Drain Clog Getting You Down?

August 1st, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
Comments Off on Drain Clog Getting You Down?

Nothing can stop up business in the kitchen quicker than a clogged drain. Normally, if there is only one fixture clogged, your first choice would be a typical drain cleaner that can remove obstacles that tend to accumulate close to the drain opening (like hair and grease).

Most common drain cleaners you could use would be a chemical drain cleaner readily available at most retail stores, a plunger, a handheld auger or air burst drain cleaners.  However, you can damage your drain pipes if you are not careful and you may be better off calling a plumber to remove the clog.  Caustic chemicals can harm the inside of your pipes and can splash on you, causing burns on exposed skin.  Augers can get stuck in a clogged drain making matters worse and air burst drain cleaners can cause weak pipe joints to separate.

If more than one drain is slow or clogged, it is possible that you’re experiencing a clog in your main sewer line connecting the building to your city’s sewer system or to you septic system. Repairing these types of clogs is best left to a plumbing professional.  Your plumber is equipped with professional drain cleaning equipment such as heavy duty sewer snakes or high pressure hydro-jetting equipment that can clear tough sewer line clogs.   He can also use a high-tech video camera to inspect the inside of the sewer line to determine the cause of the clog.

As you can see, there are several methods to address the drain clog, and all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Should the problem persist or become repetitious, contact your local plumbing professional for an inspection of the building’s plumbing system.

, ,
Read More

A Gritty Problem: Sand Clogged Drains

January 14th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
Comments Off on A Gritty Problem: Sand Clogged Drains

Clogged tub, sink and shower drains are common events, and there are numerous remedies to rectify a clogged drain. Plungers, augers and various drain-cleaning products are available, one of which is likely to clear most clogged drains. Small objects and organic materials are the usual suspects in such backups, but when the trouble is caused by a buildup of sand the solution may be more difficult to achieve.

For one thing, unless you know exactly how the sand got into the drain in the first place, you may be dealing with a situation that is way beyond your control. If you’ve just cleaned out the fish tank in the kitchen sink or the kids have dumped buckets full of beach sand into the tub, it’s one thing, and you can try a few experiments before calling your plumber. Here are a few DIY tips that may be worth a go.

  • Wet-Vac – You might get better results from pulling rather than pushing. If the sand is near the top end of the drain system you may get it back out by vacuuming.
  • Bladder – A bladder is designed to increase the water pressure into the drain, which can break up a sand clog, dispersing the sand so that a regular flow can flush the system clean.
  • Garden Hose Reducer – As with a bladder, a hose reducer will increase the water pressure and may wash the sand away.

If you can’t identify where the sand came from or your initial efforts are unsuccessful, it is time to call in a licensed plumber. The problem could be a broken water line, necessitating major work. Your plumber may even have to “scope” the line with a miniature camera to identify the problem. But, that’s what your professional serviceman is there for, so don’t hesitate to call for help.

, ,
Read More

Find Local Company | Featured Plumbers| Find Local Plumbers| Plumbers Directory