A clog occurs in your home when water drains slower than usual or if it does not drain at all. Most of the homeowners resort to chemical cleaners to unclog the drains. However, research has shown that these chemicals do not dislodge the serious clogs and they eventually eat away the sewer pipes, causing major issues and more damage. In some cases, the tree roots find their way into the pipes, and this can completely block sewer access. Some homeowners schedule regular plumbing inspections in order to check and maintain their plumbing lines. However, it is simply a fact that clogs will always occur more often in your home. With a few simple steps, you can unclog your kitchen or bathroom sink and only call a DC clog service when your attempts turn futile. The following are the steps to follow in order to unclog a sink in your home or office.

Seal And Plunge Your Sink

If you have a dual-bowl kitchen sink, place a wet rag into one drain as you plunge the other. In case it is a bathroom sink, the rag will help you plug into the sink’s overflow hole. In the two cases, your rag will provide you with a tight seal which will help you put enough suction to remove the blockage. Fill your sink half way with water before you start plunging. Ensure that you pump severely before you pull off the plunger from the drain.

Remove The Sink Trap And Clean It

In case the sink is still clogged after plunging severely, you should look for a cable auger. Remove the sink trap by unscrewing the large threaded coupling or by the use of a pipe wrench. Remove all the water from the sink trap and ensure that it is not clogged, and then remove the horizontal arm of the sink from the stubout.

Use Your Cable Auger

After removing the horizontal arm, feed your cable into the sink stubout and only stop once you feel some resistance. In case it stops entering smoothly, hold your cable properly as you pull out the body of the auger and then tighten the lock screw. Turn the handle in a clockwise manner as you push it forward in order to drive the head of the auger deeper into the pipe. You should continue with this motion until you have broken the blockage.

Flush And Drain The Sink

Once you have broken up the blockage, re-install your trap and the horizontal pipe. Then turn the water on to check whether your sink is draining properly. If the sink doesn’t drain immediately, don’t worry because the debris from a broken-up clog may turn into a loose blockage. Even if the sink drains, fill it halfway with some hot water severely and plunge it until it drains smoothly. Now that you have unclogged your sink, you can enjoy and feel a sense of accomplishment.

In conclusion, if you did not succeed in unclogging your sink, just call a plumbing service in DC and let them sort it out for you. It is better to take preventive measures with a plumbing service to clear out any developing clogs before they become huge issues. The cost of drain cleaning to prevent major clogs is far better than the massive damage that can be caused by a serious sewer backup.

Often, when issues arise in our homes, we have a pretty clear idea of what the problem is. If the air-conditioner goes out, for example, we know we have to call an HVAC service company here in DC. Some problems, however, are not so cut and dry. Some issues that we deal with as homeowners may take some serious investigating to properly diagnose. This article will cover some of those issues, providing tips on how to uncover them, and who you can turn to in the DC-area to fix them.

Detecting Mice In Your Home

Mice can be a huge problem for DC homeowners, as they get into food, eat away at the structure and wiring of your house, and can even spread diseases. Unfortunately, these creatures can be very hard to detect, as they can squeeze through pin-sized holes, and tend to hide in the walls of your house. If you do happen to see a mouse scurrying across your floor, there are probably several more that you don’t see. Typically, you will know that you have a mouse infestation by paying attention to several clues: scratching or scurrying noises from within your walls, the presence of mouse feces, and food that seems to have been gotten into are all common signs of a mouse infestation. If you suspect that there are mice in your house, try setting traps. There are traps that kill mice outright and traps that simply capture them so that you can release them away from your house. Which type of trap you purchase is up to you, but it is important that you buy a few and make sure they are spread out around your house. Be sure to put them in places where you will not step on them! While we have all seen the cheese on the mousetrap in cartoons, peanut butter is actually the recommended bait, as mice love it, and its stickiness makes it hard to eat without setting off the trap. If you suspect that your mouse problem is serious, call a professional exterminator here in DC.

Detecting Leaks In Your Plumbing

A plumbing leak is another household problem that is not so obvious. In fact, leaks can be very hard to spot. As with mice, there are some common signs that can indicate a probable plumbing leak. A sudden and unexplainable increase in your water bill is a big red flag, as leaks naturally tend to cause increased water usage. The presence of mold and mildew, with an accompanying musty smell is another sign that there could be a leak in your plumbing. If you suspect that you have a leak, call a DC leak detection service to come out and examine your plumbing. This is definitely a task best left to the professionals, as finding a leak can sometimes be as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack. However, a good plumber will use their expert knowledge – as well as high-tech gadgets such as mini video cameras – to pinpoint your leak. Once found, the plumber should be able to fix the leak for you with relative ease.

There are many joys when it comes to being a homeowner. It is wonderful having your own piece of property, that you can decorate or upgrade however you see fit. That being said, there are some headaches to being a homeowner as well. When something needs repaired, you cannot simply call a landlord or superintendent to come and fix it. It is up to you to take care of any problems with your home. One of the great perks of being a homeowner here in Washington, DC is that there are countless repair services who are able to help you out. This article will describe some common repairs that you might need to call a DC-area service provider to come out and help you with.

Plumbing Repairs In DC

If you own a home for several years, you will likely need to make several calls to a DC-area plumber. This is an unfortunate fact of life as a homeowner. One of the most common reasons that homeowners here in DC place calls to plumbers is drain clogs. A drain clog can be a huge inconvenience for you and your family, as it can prevent you from using your sink, shower, or even your toilet! Many homeowners attempt to fix these clogs themselves, either with chemicals or with a “snake” (a motorized metal coil, that reaches deep into drains and breaks up clogs). For minor clogs, this can work, but for major clogs, it is recommended that you call a DC clog service. When you make this call, a service technician will come out to your house and inspect your drain, often using a small video camera. Once the clog is located, the service tech will be able to break it up using sophisticated plumbing equipment.

Electric Repairs In DC

It is a good idea to have the contact information of a knowledgeable and reputable electrician here in DC, as electrical problems can literally pop up in the blink of an eye. Unless you really know what you are doing, it is recommended that you do not attempt to make electrical repairs yourself. Working with electrical systems is very dangerous, as it can lead to electric shock. With a quick call, though, a DC-area electrician will be able to come out to your house and inspect your wiring, then make any repairs that are necessary.

HVAC Repairs In DC

DC is known for many wonderful things: beautiful weather is not one of them. Summers here are hot and humid, while winters are downright cold. For this reason, it is important that you have a working air-conditioner and a working heater. If either of these essential appliances should ever stop working when you need them most, call a local HVAC service technician right away. A good HVAC service technician will be able make the necessary repairs and have you feeling warm and cozy – or nice and cool – again in no time.