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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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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Four Common Items That Cause Drain Clogs

April 14th, 2017 Posted in Drains
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What goes in, must come out, can be a key phrase to many things in life, including your drain plumbing. That is why you need to be careful what goes in your drain, because it many not make it out so easily! Here are four regularly disposed of items that should NOT go down your drains:

  1. Grease. Grease may slide down your drain quite well, especially when it’s warm. The problem is that it can cool quickly and make a mess in your pipes, making it much easier for clogs to begin.
  2. If you have anyone with long hair in your home, you may know about hair clogs. Sure hair can make it down the drain, but it won’t get too far before catching on something. Then it will accumulate quickly, as will your draining problems.
  3. It may be tempting just to scrape those last little crumbs from dinner down your sink drain, but you will soon find out that it is a big no-no. Food can get caught in your drains, cause a clog, or start to rot. That would stink!
  4. Cotton. Many people believe that if they use it in the bathroom and its a cotton disposable, it can be flushed. Not much is meant to fit down your toilet drain. Most packaging will let you know whether or not something can be flushed.

Have you made the mistake of flushing one of these common items down your drain? Don’t be embarrassed! We all learn from our mistakes. In the meantime, you can rely on a professional plumber to get your drains and plumbing clog free, so that you can be worry free.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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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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Preventing Kitchen Plumbing Clogs During the Holidays

January 26th, 2016 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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With the winter holidays quickly approaching, now is a good time to revisit housekeeping tips to keep your kitchen plumbing free of clogs. After all, much of the holiday festivities begin and end in the kitchen. Nothing can ruin a holiday gathering quicker than a plumbing emergency so beware of what is going down the drain this holiday season by adhering to these tips.

  • Fatty foods. Holiday meals are seldom light on fat, with gravy, greasy goodies and lard-laden pies. Make sure you are not letting those fatty foods go down the drain. Rinse plates and pans in a container and dispose of the water outside to avoid the leftover grease from going down the drain.
  • Fiber foods. Your garage disposal can grind almost any food but some items should be kept out of the disposal and drain. Eggs shells, vegetable peels and any hard-fibrous foods should be put in the compost, not down the drain.
  • Be careful of chemical cleansers. Getting your home ready for the holidays means heavy-duty cleaning. Be careful of dumping harsh cleansers down the drains, especially if you have metal plumbing. Many chemicals used in cleaning solutions can corrode pipes and plumbing fixtures that are steel, cast-iron or brass, leading to expensive plumbing repairs. Even those quick-fix drain clog removers can be harmful for your pipes.

Don’t let your holidays be dampened with a nasty clog in your kitchen pipes. Make sure everyone in your family is following these tips to prevent plumbing clogs. However, if you do end up with a back-up, call your local plumber that offers emergency repairs remove that clog fast.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

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When to Call a Plumber for a Clogged Drain

May 5th, 2015 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Clogged drains are a normal occurrence in most homes. In the bathroom, the sink, shower and tub drains are commonly clogged with a combination of hair and soap residue that can slowly plug up the drain pipe. In the kitchen, food is the culprit, especially fats and grease that cling inside the pipe and trapped large food particles to fill the drain line. Many of these clogs can be removed or cleaned without professional help, but when should you call a plumber for a clogged drain?

Reoccurring Clogs

Are you constantly removing a clog, just to have it reappear in a week or two down the road? You may be only removing the top of the clog and leaving the majority of the problem in the pipe. Try using a snake or auger to clear out the entire clog. If it still comes back, call in a plumber to clear out your drain for good.

Multiple Slow Drains

If you have several drains that are slow, it is most likely a major pipe that is clogged, even a sewer pipe. This is not something you can usually fix with a plunger or auger. You may have a broken sewer line, or a sewer pipe that is clogged under the ground outside your home. A plumber with sewer line experience should be called to find and fix the problem

Foul Odors

Is there a foul odor coming out of your clogged drains? There could be some sort of sewer backup occurring. Whether you are on a city sewer or septic system, you should have a plumber come inspect your pipes and get to the root of the issue.

Most clogs can be removed with a handy plunger and a little elbow grease. However, for those bigger clogged drain problems, call in a plumber for professional assistance.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

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Preventing Bathroom Plumbing Problems

October 28th, 2014 Posted in Drains
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Bathrooms are one of the most common areas for plumbing problems, especially clogged drains. You may be taking a shower one day and notice that your shower is quickly becoming a bath as the water collects in your tub. You may notice after brushing your teeth that the water in your sink is still slowly draining several minutes later. Even worse, a toilet may suddenly overflow. Although some plumbing problems cannot be helped, there are ways to prevent many of these bathroom clog issues.

  • Use drain covers. In bathrooms, the biggest culprit clogging drains is hair. In both the shower and sink, make sure to use a drain cover to collect as much hair as possible before it goes down the drain. Make sure to physically remove collected hair and throw it away.
  • Don’t flush plastic. Anyone on a septic system should know not to flush anything plastic or non-biodegradable down the toilet. This should also be adhered to in homes on city sewer systems. Wrappers, feminine hygiene components and other items can quickly clog a toilet, causing it to back-up.
  • Avoid chemical de-clogging products. As tempting as it is to use chemical clog removers, avoid these products. Instead, use a plunger or other clog removing devices. These chemicals rarely remove the entire clog and can be harmful to your plumbing, possibly causing bigger problems down the road.

Of course, there are some other plumbing issues which will occur, such as a leaky faucet, toilet or shower. Your local plumber can help get these issues resolved quickly and will also be there to remove tough clogs that just will not budge.

Posted on behalf of Metro Septic and Plumbing

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Is Your Dishwasher Leaving Your Dishes Dirty?

August 14th, 2014 Posted in Drains
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If your dishes are coming out of your dishwasher with film or scum on them instead of sparkling clean, it may be time to check your dishwasher’s interior for problems. Even dishwashers can become dirty, or get clogged, due to accumulation of grease and food debris. Periodically performing routine maintenance on this appliance can help improve the cleaning performance, plus help reduce any foul odors from old food trapped in the washer.

How To Clean Your Dishwasher

To clean your dishwasher, start by getting a container of warm water with detergent, such as dish soap or all-purpose cleaner. Use a soft brush to clean the gaskets and rubber seals around the door, as well as the top and bottom racks. After scrubbing the ceiling of the dishwasher, pull out the bottom rack and scrub down the bottom, walls and around the drain. Check to make sure nothing is clogged in the drain; remove any debris which is stuck around the drain.

Once the entire inside has been scrubbed down with soapy water, fill a coffee cup or small glass with white vinegar. Run the dishwasher with only the vinegar cup inside for a full wash. The vinegar will help rinse any leftover residue and eliminate bad odors. You can also reduce odors by sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher between cleanings and running the rinse cycle.

If after cleaning your dishwasher your dishes are still not coming out clean, you may have a partially clogged drain, or problems within the dishwasher’s mechanisms. To explore the problem further, call your local plumber to inspect both the drain and your washer for other possible problems.

Posted on behalf of Metro Septic and Plumbing

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Tips For Maintaining Your Kitchen Plumbing

January 28th, 2014 Posted in Drains
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One of the most common places for plumbing problems is in the kitchen. While bathrooms are also a common source of plumbing issues, kitchens have their own unique problems. Most kitchens have a sink, dishwasher and even refrigerators which all need a water supply and drain, each of which can cause problems if not maintained correctly. By following these simple maintenance tips, you can reduce the chance of plumbing problems in your kitchen.

  • Prevent clogged drains. Food waste is often the culprit of a clogged drain. Oil and grease are one of the main offenders; pour out oil and grease from pans and then wipe them with a paper towel before rinsing in the sink or putting in the dishwasher. Keep fibrous items like produce peels out of the garbage disposal, and avoid other hard items such as coffee grounds and egg shells. For dishwasher drains, make sure all food is scraped off into the garbage then dishes are rinsed before putting them into the dishwasher.
  • Help your garbage disposal. Run water down the drain for 15 seconds before and after you use the garbage disposal. To keep away bad odors, pour a small amount of dish soap in while running the disposal. Never reach your hand into a garbage disposal; call a plumber if there is a problem!
  • Clean your ice maker. Your ice maker water dispenser and drain can get clogged with mildew and mold, which is unhealthy for your family and damaging to the refrigerator. Follow your refrigerator’s scheduled maintenance recommendations for cleaning.
  • Watch for sink leaks. Your kitchen sink has many connections which can become worn and need of replacement. At the first sign of leaks on your faucets, aerator or pipes, make sure to call your plumber to have them repaired before water damage occurs.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing 

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