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The Coolest Fictional Plumbers

Who says plumbing isn’t a glamorous job? Let’s take an indulgent moment of escapism to honor some of the awesome plumbers of the silver and small screen (despite the fact that they don’t actually exist).

Mario and Luigi: Remember these guys from the original 1985 Nintendo game, and all the sequels that followed? There was even a Super Mario Bros. movie made in 1993, and Mario remains Nintendo’s mascot to this day. Although these mustachioed, Italian-American brothers were originally supposed to be carpenters, the creators of Mario and his sidekick/brother Luigi ended up making them plumbers, since the game involved a lot of underground scenes and a plethora of pipes (“warp” pipes, to be exact). Memorable quote: “Mamma-mia!”

Happy Gilmore: From the 1996 comedy of the same name, Happy Gilmore is an aspiring hockey player who’s held a number of odd jobs, including that of a plumber. His grandmother’s house is about to be seized by the IRS, and when Happy realizes he has an opportunity to win the money he needs to save it by taking his powerful hockey slapshot to the golf course, he becomes an unlikely Pro Golf Tour participant. Memorable quote: “I played junior hockey and still hold two league records: most time spent in the penalty box; and I was the only guy to ever take off his skate and try to stab somebody.”

Mike Delfino: On the ABC television show “Desperate Housewives”, Mike Delfino is the sexy neighborhood plumber and love interest of Teri Hatcher’s character, Susan. He, of course, gets involved in the all the usual soap opera scenarios – falling into a coma and waking up with amnesia, being falsely accused of murdering a woman with his plumber wrench, etc. Mike’s definitely the plumber to call if you live on Wisteria Lane and want high drama and steamy romance! Memorable quote:  “I hit my hand with a wrench today, and when I cried, only dust came out.”

 

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The Unclog Blog is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

 

(Photo via schrierc)

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Poll: What’s the Best DIY Way to Unclog a Drain?

There are a number of do-it-yourself ways to unclog a drain, ranging from manual solutions (such as using a coat hanger or plunger to remove the clog) to household or store-bought chemical methods (e.g., pouring Coca Cola or Drain-O down the drain).

While a snake is probably the most effective method to remove a tough clog, most people don’t have one of their own.

We’re curious – which of these methods have you found most effective for treating stubborn drain clogs (without having to call a plumber)?

• Store-bought chemicals
• Boiling Water
• Snake
• Cola
• Vinegar
• Plunger
• Other

 

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The Unclog Blog is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

 

Avoid Putting Chemicals Down the Drain

When a drain in your home gets clogged, it’s easy to resort to chemicals that promise to clear it. However, these chemicals are toxic and wind up mixing with our water supply, and then be sorted, processed, and eliminated.

There are several other natural options you can try.

A plunger. You can purchase and small, drain sized plunger (known as a sink plunger) and use this to rid a drain of a clog. If this method works, you’ll have avoided using chemicals altogether.

Boiling water. This is as natural as gets. Pouring a kettle full of boiling water down the clogged drain can loosen debris and hair that might be causing the clog.

Denture tables and vinegar. Sounds like an interesting combination, but when you put these together, they work great for eliminating clogs. Drop three or four tablets down the drain and immediately follow it up with one cup of vinegar. The bubbling action will work its magic to get rid of the clog.

Cola. As you may know, Cola has a high acidity content and lots of fizz. This is what helps break down tough clogs. Pour it down the drain, let it sit overnight, and rinse with hot water.

Using these healthier options will still rid your drain of the pesky clog, and leave our water cleaner in the end.

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The Unclog Blog is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Signs of a Clogged Septic Tank

A clogged septic tank is never good, and it’s not something you can wait to address. If you catch the signs early, it might not be as bad.

If you’re starting to notice sewage odors, several wet areas on your property, slow fixture drains, gurgling drain noises, or backup and overflow around plumbing fixtures, these are the sad signs of a failing septic tank.

Of course, there are several reasons why a septic tank can clog, but there are two very common ones: solid waste and solid waste levels.

Pouring food, or grease, or oil down the drains in your home can easily result in a clogged septic system.

Another reason for a clogged septic tank is if the solid waste inside the tank reaches a level that is blocking anything going in and out of it. This can happen due to using lots of antibacterial soaps, since the bacteria can’t eat the waste. When this happens, the solution is to pump and clean the tank.

If it’s too late to prevent a clog, you can try a few solutions yourself before going to a professional.

Start by snaking the drain between the house and the septic tank to see if there are any obstructions causing the problem. Next, try opening the tank. See if any of the intake or outlet drains are blocked. If so, it might be time to have the tank cleaned. Finally, check the distribution box. If it is flooding, the absorption system is blocked or not working.

Hopefully there is still time to prevent a clogged septic tank, but if not, keep an eye out for the warning signs and get the problem fixed as soon as possible.

 

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The Unclog Blog is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling