Top 3 Tips on Preventative Drain Care

Unfortunately, most people don’t think about their drains until they need a clog removed or there is some other plumbing problem. Many common clogs and drain issues are preventable, saving you time, money and frustration. Here are some preventive tips that can keep your drains and pipes clear and free from the need for clogged drain repairs.

Eliminate Grease, Fats and Oils

One of the main issues that cause clogs is the grease and fats from your dishes and pans. While it may be easy and convenient to rinse greasy messes on your plates and pans down the drain, you can expect that that grease will eventually cause a clog. Wipe greasy residue from your plates and pans before rinsing.

Use a Drain Strainer

Hair and soap are another hazard to drains. Make sure your bathroom sinks and shower have a drain strainer. This catches pieces of soap and hair from going down into the drain and cause clogs. It is easier to clean out the strainer every few days than deal with a plumbing clog.

Don’t Use Drain Cleaners

It can seem easier to dump chemicals down your drain to reduce clogs. However, drain cleaner can harm your plumbing and is terrible for septic systems. If you have a clog, call a plumber. They can completely remove the clog and clean your pipes. It will last longer and be safer for your expensive plumbing.

Anything that can accumulate in your pipes should not be put down the drain. Fats, grease, hair, soap and solid food can all cause problems. Think before you put anything down the drain and you can prevent many plumbing issues with your drains in the future.

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

3 Warning Signs That Your Pipes Are Leaking

A leaky pipe in your plumbing is a serious issue. Even a small drip is nothing to ignore. Leaks do not go away on their own; they only get bigger and put you at risk for more damage. If a small leak turns into a burst pipe, you could be looking at much more than just a plumbing bill. Water and mold damage are expensive. It is best to catch leaks in your pipes right away and get them fixed before they become a large problem. Here are three warning signs that your pipes are leaking.

  1. Water spots on walls or ceilings. A discolored ceiling tile or water spots on your walls can mean a pipe is leaking. Even if it is not your plumbing, you have a leak somewhere that needs to be identified.
  2. Warped floor boards. If you notice the floor boards in your bathroom or kitchen are warped or feel spongy, it is time to investigate. You may have a leak that is ruining your subflooring and needs to be fixed before you no longer have a floor.
  3. Water bill increase. For those on municipal water, the water bill can be an eye-opener that you have a major leak. Sometimes a water main can be leaking outside the house and you don’t even know it, or an outdoor water source has a leak. A big water bill or any increase in usage is a good indicator that you may have a leak in one of your pipes.

At the first indication that you have a plumbing leak, call your local plumber for a water line repair. It is worth the investment to get your plumbing fixed right to avoid more costly damage to your home.

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

Why You Should Steer Clear of Liquid Drain Cleaners

It seems like a simple solution. You have a slow drain in the bathroom due to soap and hair going down your drain, or a clogged kitchen sink. Simply dump some liquid drain cleaner into your sink or shower and presto! No more clog. But have you ever stopped to think about what is in drain cleaners and what they may be doing to your plumbing and the environment? Here are few good reasons why you should steer clear of liquid drain cleaners. 

  • Corrosive chemicals. The chemicals in liquid clog removers are meant to breakdown hair, fats, soap and other items that typically are in home drain clogs. However, those chemicals can also breakdown the interior of your plumbing. This is especially true if you have a pipe that already has some corrosion; drain cleaners will weaken the pipe quicker.
  • Toxicity. Drain cleaners are very dangerous to your health and that of your family. Just the fumes alone can make you sick, and getting drain cleaner on your skin can burn. You must be very careful to ensure that kids cannot access this toxic substance and possibly injure themselves.
  • Environmental damage. Chemicals that we put down our drains must be purified to keep them out of our water supply. Drain cleaner is poison and can kill animals, fish and other creatures. Plus, if you have a septic system, it will kill the good bacteria you need to keep your tank healthy.

Next time you have a clog, don’t reach for the drain cleaner. Instead, remove the clog yourself or call a plumber for professional drain cleaning. It is a more effective way to completely clear a drain and will do much less damage to your plumbing, health and the environment.

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

3 Ways to Unplug a Toilet Fast

There is nothing worse than watching a toilet bowl water slowly creep to the rim when you flush. You hope it won’t overflow and that you can get it unplugged in time. A backed-up toilet is not usually a plumbing emergency – at least not one where you need a plumber. But it is an urgent issue that you need to resolve quickly. Here are three ways to unplug a backed-up toilet to avoid a big, nasty mess in your home.

  1. The plunger. First tool to grab when that water starts rising in the toilet bowl is your plunger – no home should be without one. Create a seal around the drain in the bottom of the toilet and push down. This can remove most minor clogs that are in the toilet drain.
  2. The snake. If the plunger is unable to remove the clog, it may be further down the drain. A snake can be used to unclog pipes. You may not have one of these at your home – almost any home improvement or hardware store will have one. The snake allows you to go several feet down through the pipe to remove any clogs.
  3. The phone. If the plunger or snake do not do the trick, you may have a major drain clog that needs a professional drain cleaning. Get on the phone and call your local plumber for a service call to remove your toilet drain blockage.

At least nine out of ten times, you can handle plugged toilets on your own. But when you get a stubborn clog, call in a professional to get your toilet back to flushing the way it should.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 884-467