Signs of a Superstar Plumber

February 1st, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Having a trustworthy plumber to call on can be important to a homeowner. So what do you look for in a plumber when shopping for one to clear a clogged drain, install a new water heater, or handle any other plumbing job?

Proof of current license and insurance should always be top of the list. No reputable plumber would hesitate to provide you with these upon request. When these documents are provided to you, make sure and check the expiration dates. An expired license or insurance certificate should not be accepted, no matter what excuse is given. A plumbing contractor who can’t take care of keeping these important business items current is not someone you want to do business with.

If they’ve provided you with the proper evidence of current licensure and insurance, your next request should be references of other customers they service. Again, don’t simply take their references at face value, take the time to call and verify the references they provide for you. Reputable business owners will appreciate your thorough investigation and the opportunity to have you hear customer recommendations first hand.

Licensed, insured and recommended. That’s a good foundation for any service related business. Next you may want to ask how long they have been in business; the more experience the better.

You’ll also want to find out if they provide emergency service and what their standard service charges are. You want to be sure they’ll be available if you need them, and that the bill for service won’t be an unexpected surprise.

Finally, what are their standard procedures for service calls? Can they give you an estimated time of arrival? What measures do they take to protect your home during a service call? Professional plumbers will be timely in their arrival and courteous of your home and property.

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Using a Plumber’s Auger to Clear Clogged Drains

January 16th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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When a plunger isn’t accomplishing the job of clearing a clogged drain, using a plumber’s auger or plumber’s snake may be needed to remove the clog. Although a homeowner could purchase this tool and attempt to use it himself, it is recommended that you leave the use of this tool to the professionals who understand when and how to use it. There are different types of plumber’s augers. Using the wrong type of auger on the drain that is plugged could cause more problems than they solve.

The auger that most people are familiar with is a long wire that has spiraled end. These augers are sent down the drain until they reach the clog. The auger is rotated as it progresses down the drainpipe. When the auger reaches the clog it can clear the clog in one of two ways.

If the clog is created by an object, such as a toy or washcloth, the auger may connect itself to the object and be able to pull the object out of the drain. If the clog is created by hair or grease, the auger may simply drill through the clog and then break up the clog into debris that can be flushed out of the pipe. This type of auger works well for sink or bathtub drains but should not be used for a clogged toilet. This type of auger could cause damage to the porcelain bowl and could also get tangled in the larger drainpipe beneath the toilet.

There is a special auger that plumbers use for unclogging toilets. These are often referred to as closet augers, since they are used on water closets or toilets. Clogged toilets that can’t be cleared with a plunger should always be referred to a professional plumber.

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Reasons Your Toilet May Become Clogged

January 16th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Clogged toilets are the bane of the homeowner. They can happen at the most inopportune time and are not always easily remedied. Fixing a clogged toilet can be as simple a few good pushes on a plunger. Other times, clogged toilet repairs can be much more work. What it takes to unclog a toilet depends largely upon what the reason is behind the clog. There are several causes for a clogged toilet and therefore several different means of clearing those clogs. Here are some of the most common causes for a clogged toilet:

  • A foreign object lodged in the toilet is common problem, especially in homes with small children. Small toys or toothbrushes are common culprits. Often times an object is beyond view and the fact that there is something in the drain pathway is not easily evident. Clogs that seem to keep recurring in a toilet may be due to a foreign object.
  • Blockage in the vent pipe. If the toilet’s vent pipe has a blockage it can affect the flushing ability of the toilet.
  • Too much waste at once. Too much paper and organic waste trying to flushed at once can clog a toilet and make a real mess.

A professional plumber will have the tools and experience necessary to determine the reason behind a clogged toilet. He will be sure to check the vent stack as well as the toilet drain for blockage. A plumber will also have a plumbers snake to sure as an auger to break through clogs or fish out foreign objects. If necessary, a plumber can lift the toilet from its seating and then reseal and set it in place again. If the plunger isn’t solving the problem, call your plumber.

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Common Solutions for Clogged Drains

January 16th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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If you’ve been a homeowner for very long, you’ve probably dealt with clogged drains. It may have a sink, bathtub or toilet drain. Often the first sign of a clog is when water begins to drain slower than normal. Occasionally, a slow moving drain will gradually clear out the clog itself and begin draining properly again. In most cases, however, a drain will require some assistance to remove the material that is clogging the drain pipe.

Do-it-yourself Solutions

Hair Clog: If the clog is in the bathtub drain, the first step would be to remove the drain cover. Bathtub drains often can become clogged with hair that has collected just beneath the drain cover. Simply removed the accumulated hair clog may be all that is needed in this case.

Plunger: For a toilet or sink clog, the use of a plunger may be all it takes to dislodge the clog from the drain. The pressure of air and water being forced through the pipe by the plunger usually will dislodge most simple clogs.

Soda and Boiling Water: If you are not dealing with standing water, just a slow draining sink or tub. After be sure the drain cover is clear of any hair or obvious obstruction, pour one cup of baking soda down the drain and then follow it with three cups of boiling water. You may need to repeat the process a couple of times to fully clear the clog.

Not all clogs can be dislodged with these simple methods. The more stubborn clogs may require the help of a professional plumber who has the tools needed to remove what wasn’t affected by the use of a plunger or the soda and water treatments.

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A Gritty Problem: Sand Clogged Drains

January 14th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Clogged tub, sink and shower drains are common events, and there are numerous remedies to rectify a clogged drain. Plungers, augers and various drain-cleaning products are available, one of which is likely to clear most clogged drains. Small objects and organic materials are the usual suspects in such backups, but when the trouble is caused by a buildup of sand the solution may be more difficult to achieve.

For one thing, unless you know exactly how the sand got into the drain in the first place, you may be dealing with a situation that is way beyond your control. If you’ve just cleaned out the fish tank in the kitchen sink or the kids have dumped buckets full of beach sand into the tub, it’s one thing, and you can try a few experiments before calling your plumber. Here are a few DIY tips that may be worth a go.

  • Wet-Vac – You might get better results from pulling rather than pushing. If the sand is near the top end of the drain system you may get it back out by vacuuming.
  • Bladder – A bladder is designed to increase the water pressure into the drain, which can break up a sand clog, dispersing the sand so that a regular flow can flush the system clean.
  • Garden Hose Reducer – As with a bladder, a hose reducer will increase the water pressure and may wash the sand away.

If you can’t identify where the sand came from or your initial efforts are unsuccessful, it is time to call in a licensed plumber. The problem could be a broken water line, necessitating major work. Your plumber may even have to “scope” the line with a miniature camera to identify the problem. But, that’s what your professional serviceman is there for, so don’t hesitate to call for help.

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Unclog the Toilet

January 14th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Dealing with a clogged toilet is never any fun. Procrastination is usually the first resort when it comes to clearing a clogged toilet. You sit there and watch it, hoping the problem will take care of itself. Surprisingly, this method does work fairly often and the only fix necessary is an extra flush. When this doesn’t work, however, there are a few more steps you can take before calling for a licensed plumber. The following list includes a few tips that not only work pretty well but don’t involve harsh chemicals and unhealthy fumes.

  • The Plunger – As an archaeological relic, the toilet plunger is only about a half-hour younger than the first toilet, and has served mankind commendably since then. While a cup plunger will work, it is best-suited for sinks and tubs. For toilets best results will be achieved with a flanged plunger.
  • Hot Water and Detergent – Sometimes the heat and volume of the extra water and lubricating effect of the detergent are enough to loosen the stoppage.
  • The Snake – As with a plunger, the drain snake (aka the drain auger) should be a mainstay in any basic homeowner tool set. Be careful to not scratch the porcelain bowl with the tip of the auger or get it stuck in the plumbing.
  • Long-Sleeved Rubber Gloves – Sometimes you just have to do things manually to dislodge or retrieve a blockage. Plumbers all have some story to tell about things they have found while clearing a stoppage, everything from organics to combs and hair-clips and cell phones. 

If none of these measures are productive or you just don’t want the hassle, then don’t be afraid to call a pro. A reputable plumber can often handle these problems much quicker than the standard do-it-yourselfer.

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Tips on How to Prevent Clogged Drains

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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A clogged drain can be extremely problematic and can consume a great deal of time and effort. In severe cases requires the services of a plumber to come out and remove the blockage for you. Clogs are most often caused by the things that residents of the properly allow to go down the drain so monitoring and controlling what goes down the drain can help to prevent the occurrence of clogs and blockages and save you money on drain cleaning.

Food is one of the most common causes of clogged drains as even little pieces are easy to get caught up and stuck within debris that builds up on the side of pipes. Make sure that you scrape as much of the food off of your plates and into the trash before putting them into the sink. A drain strainer should also be used to catch any left over large pieces. Grease from your frying pan can be very problematic in drains as fat can solidify on the walls of the pipes. Collect left over fat and oil to be re-used or dispose as much of it as possible before your rinse and wash it.

We have all seen how hair tends to collect around the drain and removing that collected hair after each shower or bath and disposing of it rather than forcing it down the drain will help to prevent clogs. Soap is another item that is often responsible for clogs and soap and hair mixed together is a deadly combination responsible for difficult to remove clogs. Remember to throw soap in the garbage once it has become too small to use.

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Clear Your Clogged Pipes Properly and Professionally

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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A clogged sink drain or toilet can be a real nuisance and even the simplest clogged drain cleaning task can involve technical issues that can make the job challenging for the average home owner to tackle alone. Clogged pipes and drains should be cleared properly and professionally or you will find that they frequently will quickly become clogged again.  In addition, a homeowner can inadvertently cause damage to their plumbing or create a clog that is even more difficult to remove.

Having said that, depending on the type and severity of the blockage in the drain there may be some simple techniques that you can try before calling on the services of a plumber.  Stoppers and strainers in the sinks and bathtub regularly accumulate grime and hair so the first step when you notice that the water is not draining properly is to remove them and give them a good cleaning.

If cleaning the stoppers doesn’t make a difference we turn to the trusted plunger. There is a reason this simple tool has been around for so long and that is because it is highly effective.  A little petroleum jelly on the rim of the plunger can help make a good seal.  Put the plunger into the clogged sink or toilet and carefully but firmly push down on the plunger to force the clog to break loose.

If the plunger doesn’t work, the blockage may be too servere or too far down the line to get to yourself. More specialist tools will be required and you may decide that this the time to call in a plumber. A plumber will know exactly how to remove the entire clog, leaving your pipes in good condition and your water draining freely.

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Top 5 Reasons Homeowners Hire a Plumber

December 11th, 2012 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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There are many plumbing repairs and installations that most homeowners are capable of doing on their own, but there are a few that should be or must be handled by a professional, licensed plumber. Here are the top 5 reasons why homeowners hire a licensed plumber.

  1. New Plumbing. If you’re building a new home or building an addition to a home that includes new plumbing, a licensed plumber will be required in most locations to gain the proper permits and ensure proper installation to local and state building codes.
  2. Changes to Existing Plumbing. Remodels that require re-routing or moving of existing plumbing lines and fixtures are also a top reason for hiring a professional plumber. Again, a licensed plumber will know whether permits are needed and what needs to be done to keep your plumbing installation within the code mandates.
  3. Water Heaters. When your water heater is no longer providing hot water, a call to the plumber is often in order. A licensed plumber can diagnose the problem and advise the homeowner on the pros and cons of repairs versus replacement of their current water heater. If replacement is the best option, the plumber can generally provide the water heater and install it, as well.
  4. Clogged Toilets. Most clogged toilets can be cleared with the help of a plunger, but when the clog is more stubborn or sewage is backing up into the house, a professional plumber is the one who gets called in to fix the problem.
  5. Plumbing Leaks. When water is founding pooling under the sink or in other areas under home plumbing, it is usually a wise decision to call in a licensed plumber to make sure the problem is properly corrected.

 

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Preventing Drain Clogs

November 6th, 2012 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Everyone has most likely at one time or another had to deal with a clogged drain. These messy nuisances can sometimes be an easy fix, but stubborn clogs require professional drain cleaning by a good plumber. The best way to avoid these aggravating and sometimes expensive clogs is to use some prevention measures to keep them from happening in the first place. 

Watch What Goes Down The Drain

The most common reason drains get clogged is from food, grease, hair and other particles that are allowed to go down the drain. Even small particles can get caught within the pipes and start attracting more and more debris until they clog the drain completely.

  • Food. Make sure to scrape as much food off plates as possible into the garbage. When rinsing them, put in the drain strainer to catch any excess food that comes off and empty the strainer into the garbage.
  • Grease. Never dump grease from a pan into the sink. Dispose of as much grease out of a pan as possible first, then, wipe it out with a paper towel. If possible, run the water until hot, put a small amount into the pan to rinse any greasy residue and dump the water outside.
  • Soap and hair. Bathroom drains are often clogged by small pieces of soap and hair that get into the pipes. Throw away soap once the bar gets too small and clean hair from outside of the drain after each bath or shower. 

By just keeping as many of these particles out of your plumbing as possible, you can prevent most drain clogs from ever happening. Make sure everyone in your household is watching what they allow to go down the drain and you wont have to deal with clogs as often.

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