5 Ways to Reduce Clogs in Your Plumbing

August 23rd, 2019 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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When your kitchen sink or bathtub are slow to drain, it is usually a sign a clog is forming in the pipes below. Sticky residue builds up on the inside of the pipes and food, hair and other items collect in these spots, slowly creating a blockage. To reduce the occurrence of clogs in your pipes, make a few changes how you maintain your drains. Improve the drains in your home and reduce calls to your local plumber with these five tips.

  1. Add drain strainers. Use strainers in your kitchen sink and bathtub/shower drains to keep hair, pieces of soap and food debris from going down the drain.
  2. Stop using bar soap. Most bar soaps are made with congealing fats. Switch to liquid soaps to keep the fats in bar soaps from coating the inside of your pipes.
  3. Add a garbage disposal. If you do not have a garbage disposal, consider adding one. Those with 1/2 to 1 HP are the best at grinding food finer to reduce clogs in your kitchen drain pipes.
  4. Keep grease out of your drains. Never rinse out a greasy pan in your sink. First, pour the grease into a container and then wipe the pain with a paper towel. Grease is usually the culprit when it comes to kitchen drain clogs.
  5. Be careful what you flush. Do not flush cotton balls or swabs down the toilet, or anything with plastic, cardboard or rubber. Anything that is not biodegradable should not be flushed.

Make sure to educate everyone in your family on how to reduce clogs to keep your plumbing pipes clear. If you do get a clog, let a plumber handle the removal to protect your pipes from damage.

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

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Red Flags to Look for When Hiring a Plumber

August 23rd, 2019 Posted in Choosing a Reputable Plumber
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Whenever you hire someone to work in your home, you want to know you are hiring a trusted, experienced professional. Plumbing companies are plentiful, but not all offer the same quality of service. If you are researching plumbers, there are a few red flags that can alert you to possible issues. These red flags can help you avoid hiring the wrong plumber for the job.

No Local Phone Number

If the plumber has an out-of-town area code or only has a 1-800 number, look a little closer. Where is the company based out of and are they local? There have been instances where companies come into a town, posing as local contractors, scamming people out of their money before they quickly leave town. Make sure the company you hire has a local address, phone number and location.

Bad or No Reviews

Check out the reviews online for a company. Keep in mind that one bad review can happen, even to the best contractors. However, if there are no good reviews or a pattern of bad reviews, this is a bright red flag to avoid this plumber.

Licensed and Insured

You want to make sure any plumber you hire is legitimate. They should have a contractor number through the state and carry insurance to cover their employees and any damage. This is quick to check – most reputable plumbers have their contractor license number on their website that you can verify through your state’s business licensing agency.

Checking a plumber’s background can save you time, money and frustration in the long run. Make sure to vet your plumber to avoid hiring the wrong company to perform your next plumbing project.

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

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Preventing Plumbing Flooding Problems

August 23rd, 2019 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Flooding can create disastrous problems in your home. From damaging walls, floorings and furnishing, to the mold issues left behind, flooding is something you want to avoid. While you cannot prevent natural disasters from occurring, flooding from plumbing can often be prevented or quickly handled. Knowing the possible causes of plumbing flooding can help you look for the signs to avoid this disaster in your home.

Leaking Pipes

A small plumbing drip or leak never stays small. Any leaking plumbing needs to be fixed before it becomes larger. Look for water stains on walls or ceilings; bubbling or soft flooring can also be a sign of leaks. Get these issues fixed before a pipe bursts and causes serious water damage in your home.

Water Heater Tank Leaks

One of the most common causes of plumbing flooding is tank water heaters. The interior of these tanks deteriorates over time from mineral buildup. Eventually, the tank can corrode or the release valve can stop working, releasing dozens of gallons of water into your home. Keeping up with maintenance and proactive replacement for your water heater can prevent leaks and expensive flood damage.

Frozen Pipes

Freezing pipes can cause damage that can lead to a burst pipe either during the freeze or down the road. Make sure all exposed pipes are insulated to prevent freezing. If a pipe does freeze, call a plumber to inspect the pipes for damage to prevent leaks later.

If you have a water heater or leaking pipe problem flooding your home, turn off your main water valve and call your local plumber. The quicker you can catch, stop and fix the leak, the less damage that will be done to your home.

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

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Does Your Water Heater Need Maintenance?

August 23rd, 2019 Posted in Water Heaters
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Has your water heater tank been flushed in the last year? Do you know if your anode rod needs to be replaced? Tank water heaters need routine maintenance to prevent premature wear and tear on components. If you are not sure when your water heater received preventive maintenance or if it has never been serviced, it is time to schedule a flush and inspection.

Why Flush a Water Heater?

Tank water heaters hold water heated to around 120 degrees 24/7, 365-days a year. The minerals in the water can collect inside the tank, causing corrosion. Flushing the tank once a year can allow some of these minerals to be released, helping lower corrosion in the tank. This is simple to do – most homeowners can flush their heater as a DIY task – but it can also be completed with routine maintenance.

Inspection of Components

If you schedule routine maintenance through your local plumber, they can flush your tank and do a complete inspection. This will include checking the anode rod to see it needs replacement. It will also include inspecting the pressure release valve – this is a common component that can fail and cause a major leak that can flood your home with hot water from your tank. Annual inspections can identify components that need replacement, reducing the chance of a water heater tank leak or other emergency repairs.

Routine maintenance can help extend the life of your water heater. With regular service, a tank water heater can last well over 10 years, even close to 20 years in some cases. Make sure to schedule your next water heater service if it has been more than a year since your unit has been flushed or inspected.

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

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