The Unclog Blog - HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric

Even More Items You Shouldn't Flush!

The list could on and on, but other items that can also cause clogged drains and backups include paper products, hair, food particles, soap and dirt.

You also never want to put hazardous household wastes in your drains like:

•     Gasoline
•     Motor Oil
•     Antifreeze
•     Pesticides or Fertilizers
•     Paint

Unless your treatment system is designed to handle certain wastes, they can result in the release of pollutants into the environment. They can also interfere with the water treatment process.

When in doubt, ask your favorite plumber!

Related articles

What is Clogging my Bathroom Sink?

Items You Should Never Flush!

There are many items you should never flush down a toilet or pour in a drain.

Large family or small family, one thing that wastes time and patience is a clogged toilet. There are many reasons that a drain in your home will clog up. It could be the drain itself, a three-year old throwing toilet paper in the toilet, or mineral build-up from hard water.

One way to prevent a clogged drain is by remembering – whether you have a septic system or your wastewater goes to a local sewage treatment plant – to NEVER flush these common cloggers down a toilet or pour them down a drain:

• Disposable Diapers
• Feminine hygiene products
• Coffee Grounds
• Hot Wax
• Toothpaste
• Grease
• Cooking Oil

Of course, younger children may cause some problems with the fascination of see how many toys and other items they can flush down the toilet. Many toy cars and building blocks have ultimately resulted in clogging problems.

What is Clogging my Bathroom Sink?

It’s easy to understand why a kitchen sink could get clogged, from food particles or grease, but if you’ve often had trouble with a slow or backed up bathroom sink, it’s time to figure out what’s causing the problem so you can prevent it in the future.

The number one cause of clogs for bathroom sinks remains to be hair and soap. In most causes, soap gets rinsed down the drain, it gets sticky, and hair attaches to it, and the clog gets bigger, causing the draining to slow down, or maybe even stop.

If things get really bad, your bathroom drain could become clogged from biofilm, a black or gray mold, that’s often tough to get rid of.

Before you get under the sink with a pair of pliers, try clearing the sink with a good amount of boiling water. You can also pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain (baking soda first, then rinse it down with vinegar). If neither of these solutions work, you should call a professional.

If you’re able to get the drain clear, your next step is to put some preventative measures in place so this happens less often. Start by paying attention to what you’re rinsing down the drain. If it’s long pieces of hair, start collecting them and putting them in the garbage can.

Next, be sure to thoroughly rinse everything down the sink. Even if it’s face soap or toothpaste, run the water for a few seconds to flush it down. If not, it will dry half way down the drain and could cause buildup.

Finally, make sure you’re not using your sink for things it wasn’t meant for. Don’t use it as a trashcan or a storage unit. You never know what might find its way down the drain and cause problems in the future.

***

Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Unclogging a Rain Gutter

The rain gutters surrounding the roof of your home are important for draining rainwater away from the home and preventing this water from seeping into your foundation and causing damage. However, these gutters often become clogged with debris, such as leaves, disrupting the drainage process. Learn how to clear this gutter and unclog the downspouts that bring the water down to the drain.

Things you’ll need:

• A ladder
• Leather gloves
• Garden trowel
• Garden hose with pressure nozzle
• Salad tongs
• Sink auger

Steps

1. Put on leather gloves and set up your ladder securely. Remove debris and mud from the gutter using your hands and a garden trowel.
2. Find the clogged downspout and use a pair of salad tongs to remove any stuck debris.
3. Flush the downspout using a garden hose fitted with a pressure nozzle. If this does not remove all of the debris, proceed to the next step.
4. Tap the downspout from the top to bottom, listening for a deeper sound: this is where the clog is located. Tapping this area repeatedly should break up the clog. Use the garden hose afterward to see if water will flush through the spout; if it does, you’ll know it worked. If it does not, continue to the next step.
5. Push one end of a sink auger down into the spout and rotate it to clear out the debris. Test again with the hose.
6. If you are still unable to get the downspout to drain, call a plumber to help you.
7. Prevent future clogs by purchasing and installing a gutter guard for the top of the rain gutter and leaf strainers for the tops of the downspouts.

You may also wish to call a plumber to do the entire job if you are unable to safely complete any of these steps yourself.

***

Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

The Basics of Plumbing Safety

When attempting do-it-yourself plumbing projects, it is essential to follow the proper safety precautions in order to prevent injury. Before embarking on a plumbing project – even something relatively simple, like unclogging a drain – review the following plumbing safety basics.

Use a spotter

A spotter or helper will allow you to complete a plumbing project faster and more safely. In addition to a spotter providing the benefit of a spare hand as needed, some jobs, such as running a drain machine, are nearly impossible to complete without a second person to help.

Follow the directions

The importance of this safety essential cannot be overstated. Read and follow the directions for all tools, equipment, machines, chemicals, and other plumbing products. Misuse of tools and other plumbing equipment can cause injury or damage to your home. Also, make sure to maintain and check tools as specified in the user manual.

Wear protective equipment

Personal protective equipment is a must when working with plumbing. This includes wearing protective eyewear, gloves, and a facemask to protect your lungs. Eyewear is especially important when snaking a drain, hammering, using a drill, using a sawzall, or working on your back under a sink. Depending on the type of job, latex or leather gloves may be preferred. When sawing or sanding, a facemask is an important precaution.

Only work when alert

Do not work when you are sick, tired, or impaired by drugs or alcohol. These states can impair your reflexes or judgment, resulting in injury or property damage.

Use a tool belt, caddy, or box

Carrying tools in your pocket poses a risk of injury.

Follow the proper codes

These include all applicable building and plumbing safety codes and laws. Make sure you know these rules and have obtained the necessary permits before you start working.

If you’re not sure you can complete a plumbing job safely by yourself, consider calling a licensed plumber to complete the job.

***

Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Drain Cleaning: Unclogging the Overflow Drain in a Bathroom Sink

It often goes unnoticed, but it can save you from having to clean up a mess. It’s that small opening near the top of your bathroom sink, usually located beneath the faucet or at the front of the sink.

This little opening in a bathroom sink bowl does have a name. In fact, it is referred to by a number of different names, including the “emergency drain,” “overflow protection device” and the “overflow drain.” Its purpose is to prevent rising water in a clogged sink from overflowing. Instead of pouring out onto the sinktop and the bathroom floor, the rising water will seep into the overflow drain and be directed back into the sink’s drain pipe.

Cleaning a Clogged Overflow Drain

It is a relatively rare occurrence that an overflow hole will become clogged. However, if a clog should develop within an overflow drain, it shouldn’t require the assistance of a plumbing professional.

A clog in a sink drain or overflow hole will typically be caused by the buildup of soap scum, hair and other debris that can often be cleared up by the homeowner without too much trouble. But unlike the drain at the bottom of a sink bowl, overflow drain clogs usually cannot be addressed with a plunger due to their location.

Therefore, the best approach is to use an auger or “plumbing snake” to clear debris from the overflow drain assembly. Simply insert the auger into the overflow hole and twist, push and pull, moving it around within the assembly to dislodge any debris. Once you are confident the drain is clear, use a funnel to flush it with hot water. You may also want to use the funnel to insert the auger to prevent damage to the perimeter of the overflow drain.

It is wise to regularly clean sink drains and overflow drains so clogs and plumbing problems can be avoided. Use a drain brush to clean around the insides of these drains. Then flush the drains with boiling water or a baking soda and vinegar mixture. This should keep the drains in your bathroom sink healthy. It will also help you avoid potentially serious drain problems that may require expensive plumbing repairs.

***

Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Checking the Plumbing Before Buying a Home

When shopping for a home, people often fall in love with a property before the inspection -- and are later disappointed to find out that many costly repairs are needed. One of the main things you should check when deciding whether to buy a new home is the plumbing. For example, a plumbing system with low water pressure can cause frequent toilet clogs and other issues. Fortunately, there are some simple checks that you can do yourself to determine if the house has low water pressure, as well as other problems, like leaks and venting issues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Check all faucets for leaks, including all sinks and the shower. While checking the bathroom faucets, you shouldn’t smell any foul odors; this may indicate improper venting or a drain without a P-trap. Also note the water temperature and pressure, and listen for noisy or banging pipes when the water is turned on.

• Flush the toilet in every bathroom. If the water level drops or takes a long time to refill, this could indicate a partial blockage or low water pressure.

• Look around the house for wet spots that could indicate a leak.

• Check the water pressure at the farthest point from the main valve, and verify that pressure here is just as strong as at the closest point.

• Inspect the hot water heater. Check to see if there are signs of corrosion on the water heater’s elements; if there are, the appliance needs to be replaced. Also make sure the water heater is of an adequate size for your family and find out how old it is.

• Go to the main water shut off valve and make sure it is in working order. When the valve is shut off, no water should come out of any of the taps.

• Ask about the type of sewage system – septic tanks can have problems requiring expensive repairs, and they also need regular maintenance.

• Inquire about the material of the pipes in the home. Copper pipes are the most desirable, followed by brass, and then galvanized steel. As you may know, lead pipes are a safety hazard.

• Ask to see utility bills showing the monthly water usage and costs, or get this information from the utility/billing company if possible. See if the bill fits your budget and if there is any exorbitant usage that could indicate a leak. A good realtor should have this information on-hand.

Don’t be afraid to “nose around” and ask questions; an owner or realtor with nothing to hide will encourage this. Even though you will probably get an official inspection later, it is good to get a picture of what you’re dealing with before then so you can start thinking about negotiating a lower price. If you decide to purchase a home requiring plumbing repairs as-is, be sure to hire a reputable plumber to do the necessary repairs.

***

Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

 

(Photo via Flickr)

Plumbing Problems: Addressing Drain-Clogging Calcium Deposits

Pipes and drains in a home can become clogged as a result of the buildup of hair, soap scum, food and other debris. But water with a high mineral content, also referred to as “hard water,” can also be a major culprit in restricting water flow and causing a variety of other plumbing problems within a home.

Hard water is notorious for leaving a calcified residue around faucets, shower heads and drain covers. This residue usually has a light-colored “rusty” or “flaky” appearance, and is quite noticeable on the outside of these and other plumbing devices around the home. But calcium deposits can also build up within pipes and on the inside of drains, which can not only diminish water flow rates, but can damage pipes and cause hot water to run cold.

What Can the Homeowner Do?

If any of these circumstances should arise, there are ways for the homeowner to address calcium buildup problems before beginning a search for plumbing contractors. To remove calcified residue from “detachable” fixtures such as shower heads, faucet tips and drain covers, place them in a container of white vinegar, or a commercial lime and calcium remover such as CLR, and let them soak for a few hours.

These solutions can also be used for drain cleaning and to flush your water pipes if calcium deposit buildup is suspected within your plumbing. Of course always carefully follow the instructions whenever commercial chemical-based cleaning products are used; these products are often required to be diluted with a certain percentage of water. Also, be sure to keep any cleaning solutions away from reservoirs reserved for drinking water.

To prevent future calcium and mineral deposit buildup problems, long-term solutions are available. These include having a water-softening or water filtration system installed in your home. Although these systems are not cheap, they can save you maintenance headaches and potentially costly repairs down the road. These can be purchased at your local hardware store or through a plumbing supply outlet. If you are not comfortable with even minor do-it-yourself plumbing repairs, maintenance or the installation of plumbing devices, don’t hesitate to consult with a professional.

***

Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Will Going Green Prevent Clogs?

Many products we use daily now have an alternative option that promises it will be good for the environment, better for us, and will eventually reduce our carbon footprint. But will some of these items, such as eco-friendly soaps and toilet tissues, be better for the drains in our homes today?

A big reason the pipes and drains in our homes clog comes from soap scum. It forms when soap combines with calcium and magnesium in the water, which forms a hard substances that’s difficult to remove and continues to build up. While there are several eco-friendly options for body soaps, facial cleansers, and even laundry detergents, soap is still soap and soap leads to soap scum.

The solution is utilizing non-soap products, which range from the non-soap body bars to hair cleansers without detergents. These products not only don’t lead to soap scum, they are also said to be better for our skin and hair.

Another eco-friendly product on the market is toilet paper. Several brands offer 100% recycled toilet paper, which saves our forests, but what does it do for our pipes? Believe it or not, these are the best for your plumbing. The fibers dissolve easily and are biodegradable. Thicker, more-absorbent tissue is probably the worst type of bathroom tissue you can flush down the toilet.

As for detergents, go for ones that will be gentle on your septic tank. The tank actually needs bacteria to break down waste, so powerful cleansers can cause a clog, even if it says its safe for your septic system. Look for all-natural drain cleaners, nontoxic liquid laundry detergents (powder soaps don’t break down well), and phosphate free dishwashing detergent. If possible, try to limit the use of antibacterial cleaners or bleach, as these items are your septic tanks worst enemy.

Choose carefully when picking up items for your home. Just because its says it’s eco-friendly, doesn’t meant it’s the best option for the plumbing.

***

Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

 

(Photo via Flickr)

What are the Main Costs of Clogged Drains?

Clogged drains are a common occurrence around the holidays. Our homes are bustling with company, you’re cooking more, and things are going down the home drains that probably shouldn’t. Clogged drains probably cost more than you think, especially if a plumber has to make a house call on a holiday.

Depending on the going rate in your area, calling a plumber to fix a clogged drain can range between $50-$250, depending on how bad of a clog you’re facing. A clogged tub is an average of $90, while a backed up sink runs an average of $60.

Since most plumbers charge by the hour, and not necessarily by the type of service, is it worth it to try fixing the problem yourself? Of course, it depends on how bad the clog seems to be and how much you trust yourself as a handyman. You don’t want to make the problem worse and end up calling a plumber for an even bigger problem than what you started with.

A plunger could remove basic toilet and bathtub clogs, while a sink plunger might rid smaller clogs, for about $15, if you don’t have one already. A plumber’s snake, made for bigger clogs, costs between $25-$125, or you could rent one if you think that will solve your problem.

Trying to prevent the clogs is free. If you’re having a house full of guests this holiday season, let them know your plumbing system can’t handle anything outside of the ordinary. Place trashcans near the toilet for trash, cotton swaps, wet wipes, and other items that don’t belong in the sewer system. Place mesh catchers over your shower drains to prevent hair from clogging up the pipes.

In the kitchen, throw food scraps and trash in the garbage can instead of in the sink or garbage disposal. It might be a change of pace, but it will save you money in the future.

***

Written and published by Thompson Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.