Plumbing FAQs
How to prevent clogged drains?
There are several things you can do to prevent a clogged drain. Here are some tips:
• Place a strainer over drains to trap food, hair, soap, etc. and clean the strainer regularly.
• Do not pour grease or oil down the kitchen sink. Pour into a container and throw in the trash.
• Pour a kettle of boiling water down the kitchen drain weekly to melt any grease that has built up.
• Pour Total C down your drains weekly. It’s 100% natural, environmentally friendly and effective at breaking down grease.
• Watch what you put down the garbage disposal. Avoid banana peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, pasta, rice, potato skins, fruits and vegetables.
• Run plenty of water before, during and after using the garbage disposal.
How to fix a kitchen drain clog?
If your kitchen drain is clogged, you can try these home remedies:
• Remove as much standing water in the sink as you can. Pour an entire kettle of boiling water in the sink and wait. You can repeat a few times if needed.
• Check to make sure it’s not the garbage disposal that’s causing the problem. Run the disposal (while running water) to see if it clears the clog.
• If it’s a double sink, seal off the second side with a wet cloth or stopper. Fill the side to plunge with enough water to cover the bell of the plunger. Plunge vigorously several times.
• Try cleaning the P-trap (curve of drainpipe under the sink). Place a pan or bucket underneath, unfasten the P-trap and clear out anything that is stuck. Replace and run some water.
• Insert a straightened wire coat hanger into the kitchen drain or stub pipe to push or pull out the clog if able to reach it. Be careful not to scratch your sink with the wire.
If the above tips don’t clear the clog, give us a call for professional drain cleaning!
How to prevent frozen pipes?
There are several things you can do to prevent frozen pipes. Follow these tips:
• Insulate attics, basements and crawl spaces.
• Seal any cracks or openings around windows and doors.
• Keep the heat on, even if you will be away from home.
• If pipes are exposed to cold, keep water running at a trickle.
• For plumbing on exterior walls, keep cabinet doors open.
What to do if a pipe is frozen?
If it’s winter and you turn on the faucet but no water comes out, you most likely have a frozen pipe. It’s best to call a professional plumber; however, if you have some home maintenance experience, you can try to thaw the pipe yourself. If you can locate the area of the pipe that’s frozen you can try to thaw it using a space heater, hair dryer or warm towel. You want to avoid using anything with a flame. You also want to keep the faucet open to allow for moving water to run through the pipe. If you need help locating or fixing the pipe, give us a call.
What to do if a pipe bursts?
Turn off the water main valve to prevent further damage. Assess the burst and surrounding area to the best of your ability. If the pipe burst occurred on an upper level, see if the water has moved to a lower level. Turn off electricity to affected areas of your home. Take photographs of the damage for your insurance company. Call us for expert repair.
How to fix a leaking toilet?
There are two main areas where a toilet will leak: the base and the tank. If it’s leaking at the base, check to see if the toilet has shifted. Shifting can break down the wax seal, allowing water to seep out under the toilet. If the toilet has shifted, you can sit on it and try twisting it back into position. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the wax ring. If the toilet tank is leaking, you probably just need to replace some parts that you can get at a hardware store. To check if the tank is leaking, drop a small amount of food coloring into the tank. Check back a half hour later. If the toilet bowl water is colored, the tank is leaking.
How to fix a running toilet?
A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons per day, so it is not something to be ignored. Thankfully, it’s usually a simple fix. If the toilet keeps running, open the tank and check the chain that hangs down vertically and attaches to the rubber flapper at the bottom. The chain should be taut. If the chain is loose, you can shorten it by removing some links with needle-nose pliers.
What can I put down my garbage disposal?
Any kind of soft, edible material can go through your garbage disposal. It’s easier to list the items you should avoid putting down the disposal: banana peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, pasta, rice, potato skins, grease, celery and other fibrous materials.
Why does my sink smell?
There can be a few possible reasons. One important thing is to have a proper P-trap. A P-trap is the curved portion of pipe under the sink. It’s supposed to create a seal by holding water, which prevents sewer gases from coming through. If it’s not working properly, it could be the cause of the smell. There also needs to be a vent that gives backflowing gases somewhere to go. A blocked air vent can also create a smell.
What is water jetting and when would I need it?
Water jetting (aka hydro jetting) is a process we use to clean clogged drains. We use state-of-the-art pumps to propel water through the pipes. Powerful streams of water rush all the way through the pipe, thoroughly cleaning them and pushing out any blockages. Water jetting is usually best for drains that are not completely clogged and where other drain cleaning methods have not helped. Our experts can assess the situation and recommend when this process would be helpful.
You can learn more about water jetting here: https://www.allwaysdrains.com/frequently-asked-questions-about-water-jetting-shoreview/