Unclogging a Toilet

November 15th, 2018 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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The last thing anyone wants to deal with in their home is a clogged toilet. The prospect of digging around to find the cause of the clog is not a pleasant thought. However, to avoid a worse outcome, like an overflowing bowl, it must be dealt with immediately.

Do not pour chemicals into your toilet. They are mostly meant for sink drains.  You do not want corrosive materials in your bowl if they do not clear the clog.

The obvious first step is always plunging. Most of the time plunging the bowl will clear the drain. Be sure to position the plunger completely over the toilet drain and plunge a few times to loosen the clog. A plunger with an extension flange on the end is the most effective and is designed specifically for toilets. Keep the seal of the plunger for several plunges while you try to clear the clog.

If plunging doesn’t work, a toilet snake may be necessary.  A toilet snake is a long metal coil that is inserted into the toilet. It has a corkscrew tip that is meant to snag onto the clog as it is twisted and grab the material that is causing the blockage. Most clogs occur after the first bend of he toilet so it won’t go far into the drain line.

If neither of these tools clears the clog, it may be necessary to call in the experts.  An experienced plumber can clear clogs quickly and they have the tools for even the worst blockages. Most plumbers have emergency services, so they can be reached at any time should you have the need.  There is nothing worse than a clogged toilet in a one bathroom home!

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

 

 

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What is Green Plumbing?

November 6th, 2018 Posted in Water Conservation
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The word “green” gets thrown around a lot when referring to environmental issues. Living green is choosing better options for the environment when buying products, using natural resources and disposing of waste. When it comes to plumbing, there are a few ways you can “go green” and make your home or business more environmentally-friendly. Here are some options that are available for green plumbing to reduce water and energy waste that can help sustain our planet.

  • Tankless water heaters. The standard tank water heater uses gas or electricity to keep hundreds of gallons of water hot 24/7, whether it is being used or not. This can waste natural resources and cost more on energy bills. Tankless water heaters are “green” due to their on-demand heating of water, using much less energy.
  • Low-flow fixtures. You can reduce the amount of water your household or business uses by simply changing your water fixtures. Low-flow toilets, faucets, shower heads and other fixtures reduce the amount of water you use throughout the day. This can save hundreds of gallons of water used without changing your normal routine.
  • Efficient appliances. Upgrading your dishwasher and clothes washer to more energy and water-efficient models can help reduce waste in your home. These green options often have the Energy Star certification to make it simple to find a good choice for your water appliances.

If you are interested in options to reduce water and energy waste around your home or business, talk to your local plumber that specializes in green plumbing. They can help you identify areas in your plumbing that can be improved or upgraded to reduce waste and help you install new green plumbing options.

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

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How to Prevent Common Plumbing Emergencies

November 6th, 2018 Posted in Emergency Plumbing
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No one wants to call a plumber for an emergency repair. Clogged drains, busted pipes and water heater leaks can cause extensive problems and damage in your home. Yet, many of these issues can be prevented with proper plumbing maintenance. Here are a few tips to prevent these common plumbing emergencies.

  • Clogged drains. Clogs are caused by items that go down the drain that adhere to the inside of your pipes. Not allowing these items to go down your drains is the best way to prevent clogs. In the kitchen, avoid putting grease, fibrous peels, egg shells and coffee grounds down the drain. In the bathroom, use drain strainers and avoid flushing non-biodegradable items.
  • Busted pipes. You may not be able to prevent all busted pipes, but those that burst due to freezing temperatures can be prevented. Insulating pipes in garages, crawl spaces and outdoor faucets can help prevent freezing in unexpected cold weather that can lead to a plumbing emergency.
  • Water heaters. Tank water heaters have been the source of many plumbing emergencies. Leaking tanks can cause extensive water damage in homes. Keeping your water heater maintained to prevent tank corrosion and leaks can help prevent these issues. Another option is investing in a tankless water heater that doesn’t hold hundreds of gallons of water that can flood your home.

Using preventive measures can help reduce the chance of a plumbing emergency. But when a leak or clogged pipe occurs, make sure to get the help you need as quickly as possible to avoid more damage to your home by calling a professional plumber for your emergency.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 884-4678

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What to Do About a Stinky Kitchen Sink

November 6th, 2018 Posted in Garbage Disposals
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Have you ever had a bad odor in your kitchen, but you are not sure where it is coming from? You take out the garbage, look for spoiled food in the fridge and spray disinfectant, but the odor still hits you from time to time. Often, that stinky smell is not in your garbage or refrigerator, but in your sink. All the food particles that go down the drain don’t always make it out of the plumbing. You can have rotting food in your pipes or garage disposal, causing a nasty smell in your kitchen. Here are some tips to freshen your kitchen drains and get rid of the stinky odor.

  • Clean your garage disposal. Often it is not your drain, but your garbage disposal, that is the source of the smell. To avoid kitchen sink stink, put about two cups of ice and a cup of salt down the drain and run the water while turning on the disposal until the ice is gone. Do this once a week to clean out any debris.
  • Cleanse your drain. The curvy pipes under your kitchen sink are often where food particles get stuck, creating a bad odor. Cleanse the drain with a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar once a week. Let this mixture do its job for at least ten minutes, then rinse it clean with boiling water.
  • Add a little fresh scent. To deodorize after cleaning, you can put some very small lemon or orange rinds down the garage disposal and grind them up to add a pleasant odor.

Sometimes, the bad smell is more than just a few pieces of rotting food under your sink. If cleansing your disposal and drain does not eliminate the odor, call your plumber. You may have a bigger problem, like a larger clog or sewage backup that will only get worse and cause more than just an odor if not fixed soon.

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

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Top 3 Things That Clog Your Drains

November 6th, 2018 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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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

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