3 Tips to Improve Your Plumbing and Shower

December 13th, 2018 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Showers can do a number on your plumbing and creating other problems. They are notorious for causing clogs in drains and pipes, and long showers can quickly empty your water heater, leaving the rest of your home with cold water and increasing your energy bill. By making a few changes, you can improve how your shower impacts the rest of your home. Here are three tips to make your shower hot water and plumbing-friendly.

  1. Drain Cover. Every time you take a shower, it is likely you are losing hair that is flushing down the drain. Whether you have short or long hair, those strands can add to existing clogs occurring in your pipes. Add a drain cover to catch hair and other debris from going down the drain and reduce the chance of clogs.
  2. Liquid soap. Did you know that most bar soap is made from fats that congeals and can cause clogs in your plumbing? Even when it is lathered up, the residue causes soap scum on your tub and shower walls. Small pieces can go down the drain and contribute to clogs. Switch to liquid body soap for a cleaner tub and less chance of clogs.
  3. Tankless water heater. Do you run out of hot water in your home at shower time? Switch to a tankless water heater to have on-demand hot water and reduce energy bills with more efficient water heating. Talk to your plumber about the option of installing a tankless water heater.

A few changes can help reduce the chance of clogs in your plumbing and hot water issues from your shower. Follow these tips and enjoy your shower, for as long as you want, without worrying about running out of hot water or having clogs.

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

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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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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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Top 3 Tips on Preventative Drain Care

April 8th, 2018 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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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

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Why You Should Steer Clear of Liquid Drain Cleaners

April 8th, 2018 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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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

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3 Ways to Unplug a Toilet Fast

April 8th, 2018 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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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

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Tips to Keep Grease Out of Your Drains

February 19th, 2018 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Fats and grease are a hazard to plumbing, especially congealing fats like butter, animal fat and shortening. Once it goes down your drains in liquid form, it can begin to congeal in the cooler pipes below, coating the inside and collecting debris to form a clog. While it may be easy to pour grease down the drain, it can be expensive to undo the damage to your plumbing. Here are a few tips to keep grease out of your drains and prevent nasty, expensive grease clogs.

Make a Grease Can

Having a metal container that you can pour grease into after cooking is a good start. However, you want to make sure it is made from hefty metal and has a cover. Open cans of grease can attract pests, which no one wants. Make sure to empty the can into the garbage as soon as the grease cools and congeals.

Wipe Plates and Pans Before Rinsing

Even if you pour out the grease out of pans or eat the food on the plate, there is often still fat left on your dishes. Don’t rinse these items in the sink or stick them in the dishwasher without first wiping them with a paper towel. This will collect any leftover fats and keep grease out of your drains.

Use a Grease Trap

To catch accidental grease that is put down the drain, a grease traps can be used. These need to be cleaned and emptied periodically.

If a grease clog does occur, call your plumber for effective drain cleaning.  They can remove the clog and flush the pipe to ensure all grease is removed to prevent future problems.

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

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How to Keep Your Drains Clog-Free

December 1st, 2017 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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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

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Do You Have a Clogged Drain in Your Future?

August 2nd, 2017 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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It is easy to take your kitchen sink drain for granted, rinsing food debris down the pipes. Grease from pans, coffee grounds from the bottom of your pot and all types of food morsels can end up going down into your pipes. While one rinsing session will not usually clog a drain, over time all those food particles can accumulate in your plumbing. If you have bad kitchen sink habits, a clogged drain could be in your future.

Many people think their garbage disposal will save them from plumbing clogs. Unfortunately, having a garbage disposal can foster bad habits and lead to even more plumbing problems. Just because this device will chop food into smaller pieces doesn’t mean you can put anything down your kitchen sink drain. When those chunks of food encounter grease or fat pockets in your pipes, a major clog can happen.

Preventing Kitchen Drain Problems

To prevent a clogged kitchen drain, start changing your habits. Start by not rinsing food residue down the drain. Scrape plates and pans into the garage or compost bin. Wipe grease and fats away with a paper towel. This will eliminate a large amount of fat that ends up coating the interior of your plumbing pipes.

When it comes to the garbage disposal, remember that not all food is meant to go through the grinder into your drain. Keep fibrous fruit and vegetable peels out of the disposal. Never put egg shells, coffee grounds or bones down the sink drain – these are too hard to dissolve and can get caught in your pipes.

By practicing good kitchen habits, you can avoid many clogs that could have plagued you in the future. If a clog does happen, call in your local plumber to clear your pipes and plan on better habits going forward.

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

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When to Call a Plumber for a Clogged Drain

June 22nd, 2016 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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One of the most common plumbing issues are clogged drains. Almost everyone has experienced a bathroom sink that begins to drain slowly or a kitchen sink that won’t drain at all. Most often this is an easy fix that you can handle yourself. Using a plunger or snake will often dislodge a simple clog and fix your draining issue. But when should you call a plumber? Here are some signs that you may need a professional clog removal:

  • Clog keeps returning. Do you have a sink, shower or toilet that keeps getting clogged over and over? Although you may be dislodging some of the clog, chances are there is something stuck in the pipes which is perpetuating new clogs to form. A plumber can inspect your pipes and clear away any debris that will cause future clogs from forming.
  • Multiple drain issues. All your drains in your house go to the same place. If you have multiple drains that are backing up or draining slowly, you may have a clogged sewer line or pipe. This will require professional attention immediately by a professional plumber.
  • Foul odor. If a drain is backing up or draining slowly and accompanied by a foul odor, call your plumber. You may have a broken pipe or other issue that is blocking your sewer lines and causing sewage to stay trapped in your plumbing.

Although you may want to save money by trying to fix clogged plumbing yourself, often you can make the problem worse if it is not a simple clog. When you have a stubborn drain issue, call in a local plumber to have the issue resolved right the first time.

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

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