clogged drains

January 20 2022

The Rudimentary Guide to Drain Cleaning for the DIY Enthusiast

pech704 Drain Cleaning clogged drain, clogged drains, drain cleaning

Our homes are the havens of rest and safety where we return after a day in the fields, trenches and offices. The safety and convenience of our natural surroundings is easily taken for granted until, quite unexpectedly, the amenities that make our life so great suddenly go on the blink. One of the most overlooked feature of the home is the indoor plumbing.

Products to clear drains

The way the wastewater is carried away through the tubes is a marvel of physics and engineering. It takes experience and insights to address issues with this system effectively. With this in mind, let’s look at the topic of drains and how they should be cleaned. As long as water is passing through the tubes, there will be a blockage eventually.

The responsibility of keeping these tubes and pipes flowing freely falls on the home occupants and the skills of a reliable plumber.

Regular maintenance ensures that the drains are kept:

– Sanitary
– Safe
– Clean
– Healthy to those living nearby

There are also many signs that drains and pipes are not functioning properly, including:

– Water that does not flow down the sink
– Foul odors emanating from sewers and pipes
– Overflow in the toilets
– Stale pools of standing water forming around the home

Drain cleaning is an important treatment that can restore the sewages works and drainage systems that have been affected by a clog. Serious plumbing issues are a more consistent situation in heavily populated regions and cities. If left unaddressed a serious health hazard as well as extensive property damage can ensue.

Leaking Drain Line

A clogged drain line can begin to leak in the most unexpected places and locating the site can take time while damage increases.

This is why it is important to perform a thorough drain cleaning to avoid the onset of this minor catastrophe.

DIY Drain Cleaning Methods

In one scenario, a drain cleaning can be a minor operation which could even be handled by the novice DIY enthusiast. This involves a simple chemical compound available at your local supplies store. This can be effective at clearing moderately blocked passages and tubes. The strong chemicals can effectively melt the grease, hair and other debris that obstruct the drainage. This is the considered the most basic method of cleaning drains and pipes.

Professional Drain Cleaning Tools

But, drain cleaning is not always addressed with a chemical solution. There are actually a great many tools, agents and implements in a plumber’s tool box that can be unleashed on the most stubborn clog. The home pump is an example of one device that can be used as easily of the floor drains, kitchen sinks and bathtubs drains alike.

Drain cleaning is a fairly straightforward task except that it can become especially difficult when the home’s occupants become lethargic about their task. This can lead to inevitable clogs and obstructions that will need hefty reparations to restore. The smallest obstructions can cause major problems as well if they are not addressed promptly.

The Cause of Most Clogged Drains

– Hair
– Dead Skin Cells and Soap Scum
– Oils and Grease
– Other debris including paper, pieces of jewelry, plastic and more.

It is most unfortunate when other larger harder materials find their way into the drains. Steel, stones, bones and metals can seriously damage the pipes from the inside and eventually require serious reconstruction.

Plumbing Tools: Snakes and Augers

Other implements that can address more serious clogs include drain augers, the plumber’s snake as well as pressurized air or water. When using these implements and tools to address clog it is essential that all obstructions are removed or the task has not been fully accomplished and will soon present itself in a new and more complex clog.

Many of these tools and implements are very potent or sharp and can inflict serious damage on the home’s plumbing from the inside if wielded by inexperienced plumbers.

If you are not sure you have the capacity to address the clog that presents itself on your home and property, it may be the best idea to call in the professionals. This can help to avoid further drainage issues.

October 21 2021

Red Flags That Indicate It’s Time To Hire A Plumber

pech704 General Plumbing clogged drains, hire a plumber, plumbing leaks

Of all of the different types of issues that occur in a home, plumbing issues tend to be the worst. After all, any plumbing problems can result in significant damage that can be very costly to repair. Along with this, they can end up increasing the price of home utility bills at the same time. By correcting a water leak, a homeowner can save as much as 10 percent on their utility bills. The single best way to minimize the chances of having to deal with expensive plumbing repairs is to be proactive about things.

plumber checking for leaks under the sink

Here are some of the major red flags that you should be looking for that should give you the sign to hire a professional plumber.

1. Unusual Noises

While it is entirely normal to hear water flowing when someone is using the shower or sink, it’s not normal if no one is touching anything. You can walk through your entire home and see whether or not you can spot any signs of potential leaks. You can typically notice leaks by looking for stains on the walls, floors, or even the ceiling. If you can spot where the leak is stemming from, you can feel the water temperature. This will give you the ability to proactively tell an experienced plumber about it ahead of time. That way, you don’t have to speak too much time locating it.

If you aren’t necessarily sure whether or not the sounds you are hearing are normal, you could always look at your home’s water meter to spot signs of increased use. If you aren’t using the water more than usual and the meter indicates you are, you are likely dealing with a leak. Likewise, if it’s spinning when no one is using the water, there is a definitive leak that needs to be addressed.

2. Slow Draining

If you have a drain that has been clogged with various debris, you will likely find that it takes a lot longer to drain. A lot of times, you can solve this problem temporarily with a drain cleaning product. However, if you have a clog that doesn’t get better with the use of traditional drain cleaning methods, you will want to pivot to hiring a professional. When you try too hard to unclog a drain, you could end up causing more problems that you have to deal with and that can add to the repair bill.

3. Dealing With Low Water Pressure

Another sign that you should be on the lookout for would have to be low water pressure. This could be a major indicator that you are dealing with a plumbing issue. A lot of times you can restore your water pressure by cleaning out the faucet’s aerator. However, if you are dealing with a persisting problem, you likely have a much larger issue at hand. You could be potentially dealing with a cracked pipe, a damaged water line, or an undiagnosed water leak. If so, you will want to hire a professional plumber as soon as possible.

Call a Charlotte Plumber Now

By being as proactive as possible with your plumbing system you can avoid a lot of the issues you might otherwise be faced with. You need to be aware of when it’s necessary to call on a professional plumber. If you are in a situation where you need to call one, contact Plumbing Emergency Charlotte right now. We are available 24/7 and can handle almost all of your plumbing needs, including, broken pipe repair, water heater repair and installations, fixing clogged toilets and drains, and more.