Category Archives: DIY Plumbing

How To Avoid Plumbing Emergencies

November 30, 2016DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advicematt

Plumbing problems can not only be a nuisance, but they can also be costly and time consuming to repair. Not to mention the health risks that they can pose to you and your family. Sometimes plumbing emergencies cannot be avoided. In those types of situations you should contact a licensed, certified, plumbing professional as soon as possible. If you do need an emergency plumber right away, the best way to find one is to search online. If you’re in DC for instance, just type DC emergency plumber into your favorite search engine. But there are also a few simple tips that you can use to avoid plumbing problems in the future.

Preventative Plumbing Maintenance

Regular plumbing maintenance can prevent common plumbing problems like clogged drains or leaking faucets. For example, the easiest way to prevent a clogged drain is to avoid pour cooking oil down the drain in your kitchen sink. Pour the used cooking oil into an empty milk carton or can and throw it in the garbage.

Garbage Disposal Maintenance

Another easy way to prevent plumbing problems in your home is to routinely maintain your garbage disposal. It’s easy to maintain your disposal if you follow these simple tips. Don’t let food build up in your garbage disposal. This can not only cause bad odors but the acids from food can corrode the pipes. Use cold water when you run the disposal and run it for at least thirty seconds to ensure the waste is flushed away. If the disposal jams, turn it off right away. Then wait for several minutes before trying to reset it.

What Not To Put In Your Garbage Disposal

You should only use your garbage disposal to dispose of food waste. Never put metal, plastic, string or rubber bands in it. And you should never put flour or cooking oil down it either. And you should also avoid putting peels in the disposal. They can easily build up and clog your pipes.

Preventing Odor In Your Disposal

Use a mixture of bleach and hot water to deodorize your disposal. Fill your sink with hot water, then add a cup of bleach and let it sit for ten minutes before draining. Not only does this deodorize your sink, the bleach sanitizes it, too.

Use Drain Screens

Another simple way to prevent clogged drains is to use a drain screens. Drain screens are inexpensive, and are usually made of plastic or metal. You place them over the drain in your sink or bathtub, and they catch food, hair, soap, or other small items that can clog the drain. But remember to empty, rinse, and replace the drain screens regularly ,too.

Baking Soda

You can also prevent your drain from becoming clogged by mixing one quarter cup of baking soda, warm water, and vinegar. Let the mixture sit in the drain overnight before draining. Doing this procedure once a month can help eliminate the need for harsh drain cleansers and will be safer for both your family and the environment.

Faucet Handles

In order to ensure that your faucets don’t leak, make sure the handles aren’t too tight. Don’t crank the faucet too hard either because that will wear down the washers of the faucet over time.

Washing Machine Hose Screens

Just like a drain screen, a washing machine hose screen can make your washing machine last longer. A professional plumber can install screens on both the cold and hot water hoses so that the pumps and valves of your washing machine don’t get clogged. These are just a few of the things that you can do around your home to help prevent plumbing emergencies.

Common Plumbing Emergencies

November 16, 2016DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How Tomatt

There might be no such thing as a plumbing problem that isn’t an emergency. It’s hard to believe that we have only had running water for a fraction of human history. Almost immediately after we invented complex plumbing systems, it didn’t take long for nearly every human being in a developed country to become completely entitled to a functioning plumbing system in their house twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Any interruption to a house’s water flow, or any intrusion of said water flow onto a part of the house it isn’t supposed to be, and our worlds come crashing down. As with any kind of emergency, the most common reaction to such a problem is, “Why me?” Well, when it comes to plumbing emergencies, it helps to have a little perspective. It isn’t just you. Plumbing emergencies occur with relative frequency. What follows is a list of some of the most common plumbing emergencies. If you’ve experienced them all, congratulations—you are a true plumbing problem pioneer. If you’ve never experienced any, knock on wood (and go check your bathroom!). Some of the following problems may be fixable yourself, but others might require the help of a DC emergency plumber.

Clogged Toilets, Bathtubs And Drains

Clogged toilets, bathtubs and drains are perhaps the most common problem. One way you know a problem is common is if the solution is seemingly ubiquitous. There are drain cleaning, clearing and unclogging problems in the aisles of not only every home improvement store, but nearly every grocery store and drug store as well. Most of these clogs can be taken care of with these over-the-counter products; however, a persistent clog, or a clog that seems to affect multiple drains in your bathroom—both the toilet and the sink, for example—may be indicative of a larger problem with your sewer line, as all of the individual plumbing lines in your bathroom lead to a primary sewer line. If this is the case, all the drain cleaner in the world won’t help you and you’re better served leaving it to the professionals.

Leaking Faucets And Toilets

Leaking faucets and toilets are interesting problems because the initial stress they cause is unrelated to the appliance or fixture itself. Most people are simply horrified at the sight of standing water anywhere in their home outside of a sink or bathtub. Even a small puddle on the bathroom tile can cause people to react as if they’re weathering a tsunami. Only after a towel has dried up the standing water do these people get around to assessing the actual source of the problem, the leaking faucet or toilet itself. If the leak is caused by an overflow it can usually be taken care of yourself. If the water is coming up from a drain or up from under the toilet or sink itself, though, it is again time to call a real plumber.

Hot Water Problems

Nine times out of ten, no hot water is a temporary problem. Either you or someone else has used up the hot water reserves, or there is a temporary malfunction of the system. Occasionally, however, no hot water indicates a more serious problem with the hot water heater or a problem with the larger electrical system. Again, don’t hesitate to call a plumber and get to the bottom of things.

3 DIY Tasks That Should Be Done Before A Plumbing Service Call

October 8, 2016DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hintsmatt

Many homeowners incur high service charges due to poor planning and preparation before a service call. Typically, plumbers charge by the hour, which means that the plumber is paid for every hour he/she spends at the client’s home or premises. However, some of these chargeable hours are actually wasted on relatively mundane tasks that can be handled quite easily by the client before the plumber even arrives. These are simple DIY worksite preparation tasks that require common sense rather than expertise, but which can end up saving you a great deal of money on a service call. Before discussing these DIY tasks, it is important to review the buildup to a plumbing service call. Whether it’s an emergency service call like a backed up sewer system or water heater repair or a big project call like a bathroom renovation undertaking, there are things that should always be done before the plumber arrives. First of all, you should always inspect and assess the magnitude of the plumbing problem before calling in a professional plumber. In this way, you will be able to ascertain whether you really need the services of a professional plumber or if a simple DIY fix will resolve the issue. If the problem is serious enough to warrant a service call, such as a sewer line problem, you can then contact any expert plumber offering DC sewer services for assistance. However, you must do the following things before the plumber arrives — to save time and reduce the service charge.

Clear The Worksite

One of the most important things that should be done before the plumber arrives is to clear out the plumbing area to enable the plumber to work quickly and efficiently. Some plumbing areas are usually cluttered with various household items, such as utensils near and around the sink or home items by the water heater worksite. Although it’s normal to store or place various items near these areas on ordinary days, it is imperative that you remove any unnecessary items from a faulty plumbing section before the plumber comes. Otherwise you will waste precious moments, which could be used to handle the actual plumbing problem, clearing the plumbing site with the professional plumber(s). In order to reduce the billable hours, ensure that the plumber has ample room to work and to store plumbing tools and to place removed faulty parts and even replacement parts before they are installed.

Turn Off The Electricity

Some serious plumbing issues necessitate that the entire home electric system be shut off at the mains, such as a seriously malfunctioning water heater system. Other problems require that the electric connection to a particular area or appliance be shut off at the breaker box, such as a hot tub installation. Depending on the nature of the plumbing problem, you should always turn of the power source of an electric-powered device or system. Switching off the electricity in a faulty system will not only save the plumber time, it will also ensure safety at home.

Shut-Off The Water

Almost all plumbing problems are water-related. As such, the first thing that should be done before the plumber arrives is to turn off the water at the main shut-off valve. Typically, the main shut-off is usually located near the water meter. By turning off the water, you will mitigate the physical damage that might occur due to the plumbing fault, such as leaking pipes, and also save time for the plumber. If there are no leaks or floods occurring, at least locate and know where the shut-off valve is so if the plumber needs it turned off, you are prepared.

Is There Really A Technique For Using A Plunger?

September 9, 2016DIY Plumbing, Plumbing Advicematt

Repairing your company’s indoor plumbing can be an easy process, but it can also be a bit tricky. We all depend on our bathroom sinks and toilets so much that when one of them gets clogged, we are suddenly in crisis mode. Not to worry, there are minor clogs that you can clear all by yourself. If you have just the right tools of the trade, you can unclog that pesky drain or toilet in no time without assistance.

To Plunge Or Not To Plunge

Although you may need to call your local DC commercial plumber, it is always important to have the right tools around if you need to attempt the repairs yourself. This is when that plunger will come in very handy. It is also a great idea to have a drain snake in your toolbox, as well. This can help with those much bigger jobs. How do you know if you should use the plunger? If your toilets are clogged, generally a plunger is the best tool to start with.

There are many different types of plungers, so how do you choose the right one? If your company has many different toilets, you will probably need to use a plunger that is made for harder jobs. This is called a flange plunger. It has extended parts which make it much easier for those tough jobs. If you do not have that many people using the restrooms of your company, you can buy a standard plunger. Just make sure that with both of these plungers, the cup of the plunger is a bit larger than the drain itself. Then you can choose what plunger you think is best for your commercial bathrooms.

Got The Plunger, Now What?

Once you are happy with the plunger that you have found, now you must know exactly what to do with it. You may not be able to control the water level in the drain, but it is very important to know if you have too much water or not enough. You can always add more water or take water out. Just be sure that when you are taking water out of the clogged toilet, you wear gloves. If there is too much water, you can end up with a mess all over the floor and you. If there is not enough water, you will have trouble plunging because of the dryness.

When you are ready to attempt the clog, before you begin to plunge, put a very small amount of petroleum jelly on the rim of the plunger cup. This will help to create a better seal. The handle should always be held upright. Plunge the drain for about 30 seconds up and down. If you need to repeat it, do so 3 to 4 times. If you have no luck after that, it will be time to call your commercial plumber.

If you follow these tips, it will be a breeze to get that drain unclogged. The right tools really can help you to have great success with your commercial plumbing issues.

Signs That You Need To Have Your Drains Cleaned

May 15, 2016DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, Plumbing AdviceDC plumbing repairs, DC plumbing servicesmatt

When the drains in your home get backed up, there could be plenty of reasons why. It is a very annoying thing to have to deal with, but there are many professional plumbers that can give you advice on when and how to have your drains cleaned. Following these tips will not only help you to have cleaner drains, but you will also have less plumbing issues to deal with in the future.

Calling Your Local Plumber For Help

There are specific signs that you will see that will let you know when it is time for a drain cleaning. DC plumbing services can help you with all of these needs. As soon as you have seen some of these signs, it is very important to call your plumber immediately. You do not want to have continuous buildup in your drains or you may have to deal with other repairs in the long run. Many different drain problems may not even require a plumber. For most of these issues, you can use a drain opener that you can buy from your local hardware store.

Accumulation In The Shower

When you notice that your drains are frequently stopped up, this is the sure sign that you have a drain problem. Many people notice this right off in the shower or bath. This is one of the easiest drains to clog because of the amount of hair that tends to get accumulate. This is one drain that you can use the store bought products in. If you see that it continues to happen after buying hair catchers and other drain products, it will be time to call your local plumber. They will be able to explain to you more about why this is happening so frequently.

Smells Are A Sign

Bad smells that are coming from your drain are another way to tell that you have a clogged drain. This may mean that you have more than you think backed up in your drains. You may actually have some serious waste problems that you will need to get help for. When you call your plumber, let them know that you have bad smells coming out of your pipes. They will be able to help you with the problem, especially if it is a sewer drain problem.

Slow Draining

If your drains are running and draining very slowly, you have a backup. This is one of those situations that can be taken care of with store bought drain openers. If the problem is too bad though, you may need your plumber to come out to repair it. There are simple ways to fix it yourself, but unless you have some plumbing skills under your belt, you probably should not attempt the repair on your own. Once you are aware of these problems, it is imperative that you have them looked at right away.

Tips On Making The Change To Plastic Pipes

May 13, 2016DIY Plumbing, Plumbing Adviceadmin

Many homeowners are deciding to put plastic pipes in their homes. A lot of them are switching from copper and bronze because of the wear and tear. Plastic has become one of the most popular types of pipe to use in the home recently. Is it right for your home? There are a few tips from professional plumbers that can help you decide.

What Are The Advantages?

There are quite a few reasons that home owners decide to make the switch to plastic pipes. A plumber in DC will make sure that you know all there is to know about changing over to plastic pipes. These pipes are very flexible. Most of them have been made to be joint free which means that they will not leak as much as your current pipes. Less leaks means that you will have fewer problems with your pipes.

Plastic pipes are much easier to install and they cost less. This will save you money on parts and labor when you go to make the switch. Plastic pipes have also been shown to last much longer than others. Some tests show that these pipes will last up to 100 years longer than bronze or copper pipes. Lastly, plastic pipes can be used again and recycled. This seems to be the best choice for those thinking of the earth.

The Different Types Of Pipes

There are quite a few types of plastic pipes to choose from. PVC and CPVC are two of the most well-known of these pipes. PVC pipes are mostly used for colder water whereas CPVC are used for hot water. PVC pipes are the white, plastic pipes that are very rigid. PE pipes are a type of plastic pipe that is incredibly flexible. These types of pipes have been shaped and curved in a very specific way so that there is no need to fit the pipes together. This also helps to keep the leaks away. Finally, there is ABS piping. This is made out of black plastic and is quite rigid as well. This type of piping is mostly used for drainage lines. This type of plastic piping is actually cheaper than PVC pipes.

You can probably walk around your local do-it-yourself store and see the sudden change in the piping sections. You will see that plastic pipes seem to be taking over in the world of plumbing. If you are seriously interested in making the switch, your local plumber can give you quite a lot of helpful tips and information that can help you decide. Making the change can be difficult to grasp, but once you have decided, you will be saving more money and even energy. The pipes that you have in your home are probably very old and could use a remodel. Changing them out will even give you a cleaner water supply and you will have less of a chance of having freezing pipes in the winter time. Talk with your local plumber about making the switch today.

Tips On Keeping The Kitchen Drain Clean

May 9, 2016DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hintsmatt

One of the hardest drains in the home to maintain is the one in the kitchen. Many homeowners have garbage disposals and that happens to be one of the easiest types of drains to become dirty and clogged. For those homeowners who do not have a disposal, it seems that food is constantly getting caught in the drain and causing the kitchen drain to be the most clogged in the entire house. There are many ways of keeping the kitchen drain clean and maintained and some professional plumbers have tips for you.

Wear And Tear

When you hire a plumbing company in DC, they will more than likely inspect your kitchen sink drain once you tell them there could be a possible clog. Kitchen drains are not the easiest to maintain. These drains have quite a lot of wear and tear that they endure because of how much is used on a daily basis. Those with garbage disposals see even more wear and tear.

Grease, Oils, and Fats

There are items that you should never put down the drain in the kitchen. These items are some of the worst for your drains and could cause severe damage. Grease, oils, and fats are three items to never throw down the kitchen drain. When these items are thrown down the drain, they are usually hot, considering the fact that you probably have been cooking with them. Once they cool, they end up becoming very hard and freeze up all over the drain. For those that have a disposal, they freeze up onto the blades of it. This will immediately cause damage to the garbage disposal and you will have to call your local plumber to come out and do some repairs. If you do cook with these materials, it is best to just throw them away.

Getting Rid Of Unwanted Drain Waste

There are a few ways that you can get rid of the unwanted waste in your drains. One of the best ways is by pouring boiling water down the drain. The hot water helps to really loosen up all of the extra food waste that is piling up in the drain. If you have made the mistake of pouring oils or grease down the drain, this is a great way to keep it from hardening onto your disposal blades. This is not the way to get rid of all of the food waste in your drain, but this will really help to loosen it up so your plumber won’t have too hard of job when they come to make drain repairs for you.

Keeping your kitchen drain cleaned and well-maintained will allow you to not have to deal with bad smells, clogs, or a disposal that won’t work. If you have noticed any of these things and cannot get a drain cleaner to work, it is time to call your local plumber. They will be able to help repair some of the damages and wear and tear.