Showing posts with label clog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clog. Show all posts
Monday, October 4, 2010
Common Drain, Sewer and Water Line Problems
We Separate the Minor Inconveniences from the Major Headaches!Got a backed up or slow moving drain? A toilet that won't flush? Waste water that comes back up your sink, shower or tub drains? A foul smell in your yard or basement? JOIN THE CLUB! As the weather gets cooler, we at Horizon Services usually begin to see an increase in drain, sewer and water line service calls. For many homeowners, the recent intense rainfall and flood conditions in the Mid-Atlantic states -- particularly our service area of Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland -- have brought latent drain, sewer and water line problems that have been lurking invisibly in the shadows out into the open in a very dramatic fashion.
Face it...there are many things that can go wrong with your home's drain, sewer and water line system. For example, years of accumulated waste can cause major obstructions in pipes and lines. Old pipes and seals can crack, corrode or collapse. Tree roots can even infiltrate sewer and water lines These are the kinds of drain, sewer and water line problems that can require significant repair and expense.
The good news is that the majority of drain, sewer and water line issues are not that severe. Most are easily and inexpensively repaired. And most are preventable.
The vast majority of drain, sewer and water line problems are usually caused by minor incidents such as something falling down the pipe, clogging due to inappropriate matter being sent down the sink or toilet, and frozen pipes in colder weather.
Identifying the problem is the first step. Visually inspecting your sinks, tubs, showers, toilets and pipes will usually reveal the source of the problem. If the problem isn't deep down in your drains or lines, there's a good chance that you can resolve it yourself...or at least save time and money by pointing your drain or sewer/water line repairman in the right direction when they arrive at your home.
In the case of clogged sinks or toilets that won't flush, if the problem isn’t solved by using a plunger to unblock it, then the cause is probably due to an obstruction further down the line. You can use a plumber's snake or coiled wire (available at most hardware stores) to probe into the drain and get to where a basic plunger cannot to remove the obstruction. If this doesn’t work, your next step may be to remove the toilet bowl or sink to get access to the main pipe. This can be a delicate job, so it is best to call in a professional plumber or drain professional at this point.
In cold weather, frozen pipes is one of the most common causes of backed-up or slow moving drains. This is especially common when homeowners have been away for some time and turned the thermostat right down. Water moving slowly and at a low temperature causes ice to form and expand, causing blockages that exert increasing pressure on the pipes. Wrap the pipes in special wrap heat tape and leave it in place for at least 24 hours or until the blockage is cleared. Also consider leaving the thermostat at a higher setting to keep warm water circulating whilst you’re away for a while.
If you find that your boiler starts making a noise, this is probably because of hot spots forming due to a build up of steam, caused in turn by air building up in the system. The hot spots sometimes make banging noises when they get too hot, which is where the noise in the boiler comes from. The root cause of the build up of air is a lack of water in the system, but it can also be caused by a build up of scale on the inner surface of the boiler, in which case feed a boiler cleanser into the expansion.
Drainage pipes helpfully tend to run in straight lines, which facilitate the sorting out of problems. Inspection chambers covered by manhole covers are placed at each joint, and these covers can be lifted with a crowbar to check for blockages and to clean the manhole of accumulated debris where necessary. If you find the inspection chamber empty, the blockage must be closer to the house, so move on to the next one in that direction, and if it is full move in the opposite direction to look for the blockage. Once the blockage area has been isolated, you can insert the plumber' snake down the pipe in the direction of the blockage to clear it.
The drain cleaning and sewer/water line repair professionals at Horizon Services encourage all homeowners especially cognizant, vigilant and proactive in the maintenance of their home's drains, pipes and lines. Be aware of what you are putting down sinks, garbage disposals and toilets -- particularly large solid objects, grease and hair. Keep your eyes and ears open for the signs of drain, sewer and water line damage or obstruction. Insulate your pipes in cold weather. If you suspect a problem, don't delay -- call a drain cleaning or sewer & water line contractor immediately to fix the problem before it becomes large and expensive.
Related Information from Horizon Services...
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Clog Prevention 101
Tips on Avoiding Common Household Drain ProblemsClogs in toilets, sinks, tubs and other fixtures and appliances may seem to come out of the blue, but they just don't happen without a reason. Nine times out of ten, they were caused by you and your family not paying attention to what or how much you are putting down your drains. But by staying alert and following these incredibly easy tips, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing a clogged drain in your home.
Avoiding Clogged Toilets:
To help prevent clogged toilets, keep in mind that the toilet is not a trash can. Food is never to be flushed down a toilet -- especially greasy or fibrous foods. Cigarette butts are another major no-no; they can easily get stuck in the nooks and crannies of your drain system.
Think paper products are OK? With the exception of toilet paper, the anwer is NO. Soap wrappers or women’s sanitary products should never be put into the toilet because they will expand and create blockage. Even paper towels and facial tissue should be avoided because they do not dissolve as easily as toilet paper. Keep a wastebasket in the bathroom for items like this.
If you have small children, keep toys out of the bathroom and the lid down. A child may decide that the toilet makes a good “swimming pool” for their toys, and the next thing you know you have a clogged toilet.
Eliminating Clogs in Showers and Sinks:
The most common clogging culprits in bathroom showers and sinks are soap scraps and human hair.
Hair is a real problem. It doesn’t deteriorate, and, in fact, it coils up like a spring and builds up to lodge in the drainpipe. Check the strainers at the sink or tub drain outlets to make sure they are in proper condition and not worn Good strainers will help keep hair from going into the drain and then lodging in clumps and blocking the drains. However, remember to remove the hair the strainer catches after each use, otherwise hair will work its way into the drain.
The problem with soap is when you get down to that last sliver, and it ends up down the drain and contributing to the clog. You can prevent this by remembering to throw the soap in the wastebasket before it becomes a tiny sliver.
Keeping Clogs Out of the Kitchen:
Of course, kitchen sinks are usually equipped with a strainer to keep food particles or other things from getting into the drain. If your sink doesn’t have a strainer, by all means buy one; it could be one of the best investments you ever made!
However, grease, which will pass through the strainer, is a common cause for kitchen sink clogs. When cooking fatty foods, try to capture the grease and poor it into a cup or bowl rather than letting it go into the drain when you clean up. When the grease hardens in the cup you can scrape it into the garbage. Also, after cleaning up greasy pots and plates, fill the sink with warm water and let it drain. This will help reduce grease build up.
And special care should be exercised in using a garbage disposal, if you have one. First, check the manual and make sure you know which food materials the disposal is designed to handle without becoming clogged. Second, when you put food scraps in the disposal, put them in loosely; tightly packed scraps can clog the machine. Third, make sure you’re running cold water (not hot) when you’re operating the disposal, and let the water keep running for a minute or two after you turn the disposal off to flush food residue out of the drainpipe. Also, when you’re not using the disposal, it’s a good idea to keep the cover on it so that stray kitchen items don’t fall in and either clog or damage the machine.
Minimizing Lint Clogs in the Laundry:
To prevent clogs in laundry machines, clean out the lint trap in the washing machine after each use. Additionally, you can install a nylon mesh lint trap over the washing machine’s discharge hose, to catch excess lint and keep it from entering the drain.
Also, after you’ve done your laundry, it’s a good idea to turn off the shutoff valves on the hot and cold water lines that bring water into your machine. This is an especially good idea if you’re going to be away from home for a while. Here’s why: when you leave the water on, these water hoses will be under constant pressure, and if the water hoses happen to burst when you’re away from home, you’ll come home to a flooded laundry area.
Related Information from Horizon Services...
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Simple Clog Removal to Keep Your Pipes Flowing Freely
Clogged and slow running drains are most definitely a nuisance and can cause serious damage to pipes, fixtures or appliances if left too long. Grease, hair, food, soap waste and other materials can easily accumulate in pipes and drains. If detected and addressed early, removing these common clogs can be an easy fix for even the most inexperienced do-it-yourselfer. And regular cleaning and maintainance of your drain systems is a simple, effective way to prevent costly problems amd repair work down the road.The most popular tool for removing blockages is a common plunger, which you can purchase at just about any home improvement, hardware or discount store for less than $10. Put the plunger over the drain and press down firmly. Pull straight up with gentle force. Repeat the pushing and pulling a couple of times. Adding a little water to the sink, toilet or tub can help to create suction around the drain, making the plunger work more effectively.
Chemical drain solutions are widely available at hardware and grocery stores. These affordable cleaners are easy to use—just pour, wait and flush—and are great for removing small clogs or stubborn build-up. Always read the product label carefully, though, as some of these chemicals can be corrosive to plastic plumbing or are not recommended for use in kitchen sinks.
If you’ve tried a plunger and a chemical drain opener with little success, it may be time to use a pipe cleaner or snake. These specialty devices are easy to find or rent from home improvement or plumbing supply retailers and are perfect for getting rid of clogs close to the drain. The tool is inserted into the drain and maneuvered until the clog is pushed away and out.
Here are a few simple recipes for dissolving clogs caused by grease or debris buildup:
- Combine a pound of powder detergent with three gallons of boiling water. Hold the container close to the drain and pour slowly to prevent scalding. Flush the drain by running water from the tap a few minutes afterward.
- Baking soda and vinegar is also an effective drain opener. Pour ½ cup of regular household baking soda into the drain, then add ½ cup white vinegar; cover the drain if you can. Let the mixture stand in the drain for several minutes before adding boiling water, at least five or six cups. Never try this method immediately after using a commercial drain opener, as the baking soda and vinegar can cause a harmful reaction when they come in contact with the chemicals.
- You can also use salt and baking soda to dissolve a grease clog. Pour ½ cup coarse salt and ½ cup baking soda into the drain, followed by about six cups of boiling hot water. Let the mixture sit for at least eight hours and then flush with water from the tap.
More Information on Clogs and Drains...
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