Why Is Your Tub Draining Slow?

October 10th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Whether you’re standing in a few inches of water during your morning shower or waiting forever for a full tub to drain, slow draining tubs are a major inconvenience. Sluggish drainage can usually be traced back to one of a few common causes, most of which are easily corrected by an experienced plumber.

The most common cause of slow-moving drains in a bathtub is simple clogged drain pipe. Oils and hair can clump together, effectively reducing the amount of water that can move through the drain. Keep in mind that the average person loses about one hundred hairs per day. In a household consisting of just two people, that equates to thousands of shed hairs over the course of a month.  Mineral deposits from hard water can also build up over time, rendering the drain impassable.

Pay attention to the drains in other plumbing fixtures before fixating on a slow bathtub drain. If sinks and other fixtures drain sluggishly, it may be time to consider the vent system. Blockages in a house drain vent system can create slow draining situations all over the house.

Dumping a bottle of corrosive chemicals purchased at the local home supply chain may lead to a temporary improvement when slow drains are caused by blockages and clogs. However, caustic chemicals can also be damaging to the pipes themselves and to the environment.

Whether you suspect that your slow drain is the result of blockage or vent issues, it’s always best to call in an experienced plumber to clear clogged drains. A licensed plumber will be able to get to the root of a slow moving drain, correcting the problem without inadvertently causing larger ones in the process.

Posted on behalf of Chuck Seagraves, Seagraves Plumbing

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Common Causes of Kitchen Drain Clogs

September 5th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Nothing can be more frustrating than a clogged drain, especially if it is in your kitchen. Has your kitchen drain ever clogged at a convenient time? Usually, of course, the clog occurs when you are at your most hurried, either cooking the family meal or cleaning up afterward. Usually the kitchen sink is the one in the house most used so there really is no convenient time for a clogged drain.

The culprit for most kitchen drain clogs can be traced to a combination of food particles, fat, and soap that has accumulated over time. Because of their dense weight, food particles can lay on the bottom of pipes, piling up until the movement of water only picks up the first loose layers. On the other hand, fat goes down the pipe as a liquid, which comes into contact with the coolness of the piping, causing it to condense. Just like plaque in the human body, the fat solidifies and slowly fills the pipe from the sides, which narrows the passage. Soap, then, soaks into the entire wet mass, sticking to the walls of a horizontal pipe. Since soap is caustic or corrosive, it can slowly erode the pipe wall. Add to this messy mass of clog, hair, if you are in the habit of washing your hair in the kitchen sink.

This type of nasty kitchen sink drain clog may require the services of your local plumbing professional. You can try unclogging it yourself first by running very hot water down the drain, to liquefy the fat. One of the many drain cleaning products available at any hardware store just may work. If your efforts are ineffective, your local plumber should be able to snake free that nasty clog with a water jet cable.

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Drain Clog Getting You Down?

August 1st, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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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.

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Confused About Remedies for Clogged Drains or Blocked Sewer Pipes?

June 6th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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There are several remedies available today to help you with your clogged drain or blocked sewer pipe, but which one should you use? Of course, a drain cleaner would be a first choice for the average homeowner. However, that could be anything from a chemical compound to a handheld auger, from a home remedy to an airburst cleaner, from an electric drain cleaner to a high-pressure water sewer jetter, or, finally, an enzymatic drain cleaner.

Consumer product drain cleaners are chemical compounds that are either alkaline (in solid or liquid form) or acidic (liquid) in composition. Their main function is to open drain clogs of either hair or grease that typically lie close to the drain opening. They are less effective for clogs that are farther down the line, such as that which occurs in toilets or main sewer drains. Augers, manual or electric, are often used for those more problematic clogs, but the estimated distance of the clog and the augers potential damage to ceramic surfaces can be a concern.

Airburst cleaners can also break up clogs that are farther from the drain opening and are faster acting than typical chemicals; however, they work best in “standing water” situations and are ineffective on main sewer drains. High-pressure hydro-jetting is effective for most large clogs in drains and sewer lines and can be done by a professional plumber.  Enzymatic drain cleaners are used to maintain clear drains, since they consist of bacteria and enzymes that react to dissolve forming residue.

If you have concerns about your plumbing drainage system that go beyond the quick and easy, consumer product solution, it is always best to have your local plumbing professional inspect your system to ensure that all is in good working condition.

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Is the Plumbing for Mobile Homes Different?

May 9th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Many of today’s mobile homes look exactly like site built homes, especially modular units, so one would expect the same in plumbing techniques, however, such is not the case. Because mobile homes are “manufactured,” that method results in a significant difference in the plumbing systems. Furthermore, mobile homes fall under different regulations since they are not built to the same standards as site built homes. People are drawn to mobile homes because they are affordable; therefore, many of the materials used in their manufacture are traditionally lower in cost and sometimes quality. Fortunately, the quality used today in new mobile homes is far better than those built prior to the 1980’s. However, when it comes to types of plumbing materials used or the types of plumbing systems, there remain some major differences.

One major noticeable difference is in the type of piping material used. Instead of copper water pipes, newer mobile homes are piped with CPVC or PEX, which lasts as long or longer than copper. Another major difference in plumbing system design is in how the pipes actually enter the house. Mobile home piping comes up through the floor instead of out from the walls; meaning, there is a difference in how the connections are made for different applications. Some mobile homes do not have venting of drain pipes nor clean-outs. Since these are used to clear clogged pipes, clogged drain repairs and other plumbing maintenance can be more difficult and costly.

Overall, mobile home plumbing is usually easy to work on and often less expensive than site built homes. In addition to standard maintenance or repair, your local plumbing professional can help you with upgrading your water or drain lines should it seem advantageous.

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Making a Plumber’s Emergency Kit

March 13th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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From clogged drains to burst water pipes, emergencies tend to strike unexpectedly – that’s what makes them an emergency. Why should plumbing be any different? But knowing what to do when the unexpected happens isn’t always enough. If you’re prepared for plumbing emergencies, then that makes handling them that much easier.

Consider using a bucket to hold your tools – you can find one of various sizes at any home improvement store. That way you’ll have plenty of room for everything you need to carry, and if a leak springs unexpected, you’ll be ready to catch the water and eliminate some of the mess. You can also buy something called a tool caddy, which can be attached to the bucket for extra space to hold things.

Necessary tools that you should have on hand are plungers, several wrenches of various sizes (either fixed or adjustable), a set of pliers, a multi-bit screwdriver, an Allen key set, along with several styles of tape like duct tape and teflon tape. You could also consider some heavy duty paper towels or rags for cleaning up any small messes.

Other tools you might consider are force plungers, which are used to apply extra force or blow compressed air or CO2 down a drain to break up extra tough clogs. These plungers are also best suited to unclog toilets.

Having an emergency kit is an important step to be prepared for plumbing emergencies, but the best tool you can get for your kit is the number for a trusted local plumber or professional plumbing service. They can give you other tips about what to add to your emergency kit, as well as when to contact them when you need some extra help.

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Basic Plumbing Tips You Should Know

March 13th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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What kind of plumber are you? Even though it’s important to know the name and number of a professional plumber or plumbing service so you know who to contact in case of emergencies, it’s helpful to have a grasp of the basics, in order to fix easy problems or to know what to tell a professional plumber when something goes wrong.

Having a strainer is a good first step for most drains and sinks. Make sure a strainer is covering your drains to collect particles and other debris that would clog it if anything goes down the drain. Any strainer used in your kitchen will need regular cleaning, but you should also clean your bathtub strainer any time it is slow to drain.

Prevention is important for avoiding any expensive repairs to your plumbing. Hair is a common source of clogged drains. You can prevent this by using a screen or drain cover that is designed to keep hair out of your drain and pipes. It’s much easier to clean a screen than to remove a messy hair clog in the pipes.

Don’t use your toilet for anything but waste material and toilet paper in order to keep potential problems to a minimum. Never flush down cotton balls or swabs, sanitary pads, used diapers, paper towels, or anything else that will not dissolve. These items can create major clogs.

When attempting to unclog one of your drains, be careful when using chemical drain cleaners. as they might seriously harm your skin if you get splashed. Make sure that you protect yourself by wearing gloves and handling any harsh cleaning chemicals very carefully.

Lastly, know who to contact in case of a plumbing emergency. Your local plumbing professional or plumbing service can answer any plumbing-related question you might have.

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Important Plumbing Tips

March 11th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Nobody likes dealing with leaking pipes, slow drains and other plumbing headaches. The importance of knowing a reliable local plumbing professional is vital for the health and longevity of the pipes and fixtures in your home. But do you know some basic tips for handling the plumbing in your own home?

Never flush anything but toilet paper in the toilet: It’s important that you and your family should never flush other paper-like material such as sanitary napkins or baby wipes. Because of the density of these materials, they can block the pipe in your home, and that can lead to unsightly (and messy) clogged toilets and other plumbing backups.

Learn how to handle slow draining pipes and sinks: Some sinks and drain pipes, especially in old homes, can become clogged with unpleasant sludge and other build up. Your local plumbing professional will have industrial tools and other methods for cleaning out your pipes, but one method to try is called “snaking.” You can either buy or rent a snake pipe which attaches to your tub or sink faucet, and run it down the drain to the source of a clog. Turning on the water will shoot high pressure water streams to break up any loose mater in the pipe.

Locate the shut-off value for your home: Not every homeowner knows where this valve is located, but it’s important enough that everyone should learn how to locate it. Make sure that you know both where the valve is located inside of your home, as well as the public shut-off outside of the house. The main shut-off is usually at the curb for most residences.

Remember to contact your plumbing professional for any larger jobs or those you aren’t sure about how to handle.

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Why Clogged Drains Might Be More Serious Than You Think

February 26th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Clogged or slow-moving drains are one of the most common plumbing problems that a homeowner faces, and often leave you reaching for a bottle of commercial drain cleaner. While these chemical solutions may clear out stubborn hair clogs, you may want to think twice before dumping them down a slow-moving drain.

First and foremost, liquid drain cleaners contain corrosive chemicals that are designed to completely dissolve the materials blocking the drain. Pipes in older homes can become thin or damaged over time, and the same chemicals that blast a clog can erode them even further. A damaged pipe is a pipe that leaks, which can lead to very expensive repairs and property damage. The money you think you’re saving by taking matters into your own hands can be spent several times over to repair damage you inadvertently caused by tackling problems bigger than they appear.

Clogs can also occur as a result of massive hard water build-up, or be located farther down the pipe than you can reach with a chemical drain cleaner or pipe snake. These problems will not only render your efforts useless, but could also cause more problems if you’re damaging already weak pipes. Slow-moving or clogged drains in more than one area of your home can indicate problems with your house drain or a soil drain. Before you attempt to clear out a stubborn clog or clean a slow-moving drain, it’s wise to seek the advice and diagnostic services of a licensed, professional plumber. In the long run, you could save far more money by getting professional attention than if you take on the task yourself and perform repairs incorrectly.

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Verbal Plumbing Quotes – As Good as the Paper They AREN’T Written On

February 1st, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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A verbal quote with a friendly handshake sounds like a good way to do business to some people, but true plumbing professionals will always provide a written estimate or work order for you to sign.

Written agreements protect both parties and help clarify expectations on both sides. Whether it is an estimate, a work order, proposal or contract, a written agreement should always include payment terms and a detailed description of the work to be completed. For small jobs such as clearing a cloggged drain or toilet, the description can be short and simple. The bigger the project, the more detail you should expect to be included on the agreement. The agreement should also be signed by the owner or authorized agent of the plumbing company.

If your plumbing contractor is an honest, trustworthy individual, why is the written agreement so important? Even when you have a plumbing contractor that you’ve worked with for years and that you trust completely, a written agreement is still important. No one’s memory is without fault. A written agreement protects you and your plumber from misunderstandings that could arise if one of the parties doesn’t remember the terms of the agreement in the same way as the other. Many good relationships have been destroyed over misunderstandings that could have been prevented by simply recording the details of the agreement in writing instead of depending on memories to hold the details correctly over time.

Why risk spoiling what could be a good relationship by ignoring this simple step?  Get your estimates in writing. Have contracts signed by the plumbing contractor and yourself. If there are additions or changes to the original agreement, have those changes recorded in writing with dates and signatures at well. Avoiding verbal agreements in favor of written ones will maintain a positive, trustworthy relationship with your plumber.

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