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.

• Horizon Drain Cleaning Services
• Horizon Sewer & Water Line Replacement Services
• Horizon Plumbing Services
• Make Sure You're Covered for Sewer Backups
• How To Properly Use a Plunger to Unclog a Toilet, Sink or Tub
• Winter Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Quick and Easy Toilet Repairs That Anyone Can Do!

Even if you’re less than handy when it comes to home plumbing repairs, the following toilet tricks are simple enough for you to tackle on your own.


Phantom Toilet Flushes:

If your toilet frequently refills spontaneously, as though somebody has just flushed it, you’ve got a phantom flush. No, your house probably isn’t haunted, but that sporadic running is caused by a slow leak from the toilet tank into the toilet bowl. The problem is likely a bad flapper or flapper seat. To fix it, drain the toilet tank and the toilet bowl, and check the flapper. Clean the seat if necessary or replace the flapper mechanism if it appears cracked, worn or damaged. Flappers and flapper parts are available at any hardware store.


Toilet Bowl Emptying Too Slowly:

A weak flush, or a toilet bowl that empties too slowly, usually means the flush holes under the rim of the bowl are clogged. Using a curved piece of wire, gently poke each hole to clear away debris. A wire coat hanger works well for this, and you can use a small mirror to help you find the holes inside the toilet rim.


Ugly Toilet Clogs:

By far the most common—and frequently most unpleasant—toilet problem is a clog. To clear a clogged toilet drain, try a force-cup plunger instead of the standard type. A force-cup plunger has a small rubber extension at the bottom that fits into the bowl drain for better suction. Put the bulb into the drain and pump straight up and down with force. Slowly lift the handle and let some water in to see if the clog is cleared.

If you’ve got a really serious toilet clog, you may need something a little stronger than a plunger. Try a closet auger, which you can purchase at any home improvement or plumbing supply store. Insert the auger into the toilet drain and twist the handle as you push the rotor down. Be careful not to scratch the bowl.


Leaky Toilet Seals:

There are at least five seals on a standard toilet, and all of them can leak. Before you can fix it, you have to figure out which seal is leaking. The largest seal is between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl; if you’ve got a leak here, water will shoot out from under the tank every time the toilet is flushed. The smaller seals at the bolts that mount the toilet to the floor and the one at the base of the ballcock will cause smaller leaks. To replace one of these faulty seals, drain the water from the toilet tank first. Then simply take off the damaged seal and put on a new one. If you suspect a leak at one of the smaller seals, you might also try tightening the bolts or nuts; this can often stop a minor leak.

The fifth seal is the wax seal mounted underneath the base of the toilet. If this seal is damaged, you’ll have water leaking from the toilet onto the floor. This can cause the floor to rot, which means big trouble. If you simply caulk the seal without repairing the leak, water will be trapped under the base of the toilet, making the situation worse. You’ll have to remove the entire toilet and replace the wax seal. If you don’t feel up to it, this would be the time to call in a plumbing professional.



Related Plumbing and Toilet Information from Horizon Services...

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• Horizon Drain Cleaning Services
• Horizon Sewer Line Services
• Make Sure You're Covered for Sewer Backups
• How To Properly Use a Plunger to Unclog a Toilet, Sink or Tub
• Winter Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Tips on Avoiding Common Household Drain Problems

Clogs 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.

In this economy, many homeowners are turning to home remodeling and improvement as a safe investment and to increase their home's resale value. Bathroom remodeling is usually the area where most homeowners fix their initial attention.

While do-it-yourself bathroom renovation can be extremely invigorating and empowering when it’s successful, it can be totally devastating and overwhelming when it fails. If you think you want to take on a major bathroom project, here are a few things you should try to avoid.

• Don’t pick a design that’s too trendy. Most new or updated bathrooms should last ten years or more, so don’t choose design elements or plumbing fixtures that are overly modern. These “in” looks can become dated quickly and you’ll be left with a dysfunctional room that you’ll have to live with for years. Instead, go with classic designs that mesh well with the rest of your home’s style.



• Don’t forget about storage. It’s nice when a bathroom looks great, but if it doesn’t work as a functional space then you’ve wasted your time and money. Mix open display shelving with closed cabinets for a balance of style and privacy, organization and aesthetic.



• Don’t do carpets. Sure, carpeting will feel great on your bare feet when you step out of the shower or tub, but it will also trap moisture, odors, bacteria and stains. Not pretty. Choose bathroom flooring that’s easy to clean and can withstand the dampness and humidity.



• Don’t go crazy with color. Just because toilets, tubs and sinks come in different colors doesn’t mean you have to buy them. Opt for simple, tasteful colors—think white—and an understated presentation. Use flooring, decorative tiles and accessories to give pops of color.



• Don’t go it alone. Bathroom remodeling might seem simple, but it can often require complicated pipe work and plumbing repair that only comes to light after you start. If you don’t know what you’re doing, engage the services of a reputable contractor or plumber before you begin the project. Otherwise you may find yourself knee deep in disaster.



• Don’t expect it to go smoothly. There’s no such thing as just doing a bathroom renovation. Make careful plans, choose good quality materials, and make sure you can afford 10-15% more than your projected budget before you begin—unforeseen costs can add up quickly. It also makes total sense to hope for the best but plan for the worst.



• Don’t fall in love with impracticality. Yes, those decorative Spanish tiles are fantastic, but will you be cursing yourself in a month when you’re on your hands and knees trying to scrub them clean? Does that state of the art sink require total overhaul of your pipe work? Are your materials going to be durable enough to withstand every day wear and tear?



• Don’t cut corners. Bathrooms and kitchens return the most on investment when it comes time to sell your home, so this is not the time to be cheap. A good general rule: Anything that’s going inside your walls should be top quality—pipes, insulation, heating units, electrical elements, etc. You can shop the bargain bin for things like paint, some fixtures and accessories. Compare prices and keep notes to help you weigh cost versus value.

More About Plumbing and Bathroom Remodeling...

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Nobody wants to be the one to have to unclog the toilet. Not only is a malfunctioning commode extremely inconvenient, but removing the problem can be really unsanitary. It is possible, though, to safely and cleanly deal with toilet clogs.

If you’ve flushed once without success, don’t try it again. This will only pump more water into the bowl from the toilet tank, raising the water level and causing a messy overflow. It may take a while, but the toilet will eventually drain on its own so avoid the urge to keep flushing until the clog moves.

This is definitely one of those jobs where you’ll want a pair of good quality rubber gloves. If you don’t have cleaning gloves, even a cheap pair of latex gloves will do in a pinch. It’s also a good idea to cover the bathroom floor if you can. Newspapers, old towels you don’t plan to use again, or rags are perfect because you can simply toss them in the trash later.

Hot water and liquid dish soap can help break up most clogs. Microwave or boil a few quarts of water; if you boil the water you’ll want to let it cool a bit before proceeding with this method, until it’s roughly the temperature of a cup of coffee. Add a squirt of dish soap to the toilet bowl and slowly pour in the hot water. If this doesn’t work the first time and the water in the bowl is not overflowing, try once more. If you live in an apartment, skip this method.

Enzymes are a good option as long as you have another toilet you can use while they do their work. These biological materials eat away at waste and are often used to maintain septic systems. You can find enzymes at most home improvement or hardware stores, but they’ll have to sit in the bowl at least overnight in order to dissolve a clog so you should only try this if you have another bathroom you can use in the meantime.

Plungers, while an old standby in many bathrooms, are not exactly the most sanitary method of clearing a clogged toilet, but if you’ve tried hot water and can’t wait for enzymes it may be a reasonable option. If you must use a plunger, invest in a large, good quality device. The bigger the plunger, the better it’ll work which means less splashing, less mess, and less time with your face down in the bowl.

If you’ve tried a plunger to no avail, a pipe snake or auger is the next logical step. Not quite as messy as a plunger, quicker than an enzyme treatment, and generally more effective than hot water and soap, a snake feeds a long tube down the toilet drain and into the pipes. The end of the tube pushes against the clog, clearing it from your pipes and letting the water flow freely again. You can buy a small pipe snake at most home improvement or hardware stores for less than $10. For larger jobs you can rent a bigger snake.

If these methods fail to clear your clogged toilet, STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING; chances are your efforts will just compound the problem and lead to more expensive repair work. Stubborn toilet clogs require professional drain cleaning services like those offered by Horizon Services. Our plumbing and drain cleaning technicians have the tools and training to quickly and safely unclog any toilet.

• Learn More About Clog Removal and Drain Cleaning from Horizon Services!
• How to Properly Use a Plunger to Unclog a Toilet, Sink or Tub