Why Routine Drain Cleaning is Essential to Home Maintenance

by

Did you know plumbing drains can accumulate a lot of debris over time? It’s extremely important to have your drains cleaned regularly, especially if you suspect they may be clogged. Even if you don’t see obvious signs of a clog, we still recommend regular drain cleanings. Why? Learn below.

1. Stop Recurring Clogs
If you experience recurring clogs, you might be dealing with buildup such as calcium, grease, and oils in your pipes. Regular drain cleaning can help get rid of buildup before it becomes a nuisance. This can save you a lot of time, stress, and money!

2. Prevent Odor
Bad smells from your drains are typically a sign that there are waste products that have clogged in your pipes and are decomposing. Hiring skilled drain cleaning services such as Kauer & Son is an excellent way to do away with the foul odor. Regular drain cleaning can help stop odors before they appear, and reduce the need for emergency services.

3. Protect Your Pipes
Remember, clogs grow slowly over time, and might end up leading to severe blockages or even damage to the pipes if you are slow in taking action. Regularly scheduled drain cleaning services can help you assess the condition of your pipes and even increase the lifespan of your pipes. It is good to prevent future problems by getting your drains cleaned on a regular basis.

4. Do not EVER use Chemical Drain Cleaners such as Drain-O Etc.  (We only recommend Bio-Clean)                                                                                                                            

A – They can damage your pipes.
The main downside to chemical drain cleaners is their caustic nature. They work by dissolving blockages in your pipes with a chemical reaction, effectively burning them away. This means they are often so powerful they can damage your pipes, even melting right through plastic plumbing in PVC. The risk of damaged plumbing is higher if your pipes are older or corroded.
Using chemical cleaners several times can cause extensive damage, severely weakening the pipes over time.
B-  They are toxic.
For chemical drain cleaners to do their jobs so effectively, they generally need to be made from fairly aggressive chemicals. Some industrial cleaners contain sulfuric acid, which can be dangerous if misused. More commonly available cleaners tend to contain powerful alkalis’, which can:
Burn the skin
Irritate your eyes
Be hazardous to inhale
Damage your clothes, if spilled.
Chemical cleaners can be extremely harmful or even fatal if swallowed. Always keep them out of reach of children and pets. It’s also important not to mix cleaners, as some combinations may create toxic chlorine gas.
C – They hang around for weeks.
Another problem with chemical cleaners is they are designed to linger for a long time after you use them. They often come in the form of a gel or a thick liquid that clings to the insides of your pipes, ready to tackle blockages as they occur. This gives them even more time to wear away at the inner surfaces of your plumbing.
In addition to sitting within your pipes, the toxic fumes can also linger for an extended period of time after you use them. This means you and your family continue to breathe them in.
D – They can harm your toilet.
You may have noticed that many chemical cleaners come with a warning not to use them in your toilet. This is because they can eat away at the toilet bowl’s Enamel Finish/Porcelain.  Just as it lingers in your clogged sink’s pipes, a chemical drain cleaner used in the toilet will also linger in the bowl and in the toilet’s pipes. This could cause the bowl to crack or the pipes to soften in addition to damaging them.
Note: If you do pour a chemical cleaner down your toilet, do not use a plunger afterward. It could cause the chemicals to splash up onto your skin, eyes, or clothes.
E –  They are bad for the environment.
In addition to being toxic to you, chemical drain cleaners are toxic to the environment. The cleaners you pour down your pipes can negatively affect the local wildlife, water, and plants. They are toxic to animals and may also be contributing to smog. Even the little bit left in the bottle and thrown in the trash can is damaging to the environment.
F –  They don’t always work.
Aside from the dangers associated with chemical drain cleaners, they don’t always clear every blockage. They may work on materials like hair and grease, but if your drains are blocked by a mineral build-up or another stubborn solid, you’d spend your time and money better by opting for another clearing technique. They also won’t help in the case of septic/sewer line issues or a broken pipe.

Our skilled drain technicians would love to help you with all of your drain cleaning needs. Call us at 586-855-8533. Whether you’re dealing with an emergency drain clog or would like to schedule regular drain cleaning, we’re always happy to help.

Kim Kauer is the author of this article.   

 

Repairing a Leaky Toilet Without a Plumber

by

A leaky toilet can lead to other major issues such as it can damage the flooring and sub flooring. More severe problems can also damage ceilings and framings below.

Leaks can be caused at flush valve or fill valve. However, sometimes, it may also be caused due to hairline tank cracks at those locations. These are very severe problems, and in these cases, you may need to replace the tank or possibly even the entire toilet. We have tried to explore a few possible reasons for the leaks, and the procedure to fix it. In order to find out the reasons for the leaks, first tighten all the connections. Dry everything with a towel and then carefully examine the source of the leaks.

Once you have determined the source, you can proceed and fix it using the following steps.

Loose Nuts under Tanks

Tools Required: Flathead screwdriver, Adjustable wrench

Procedure

1. Using the flathead screwdriver, hold the bolt steady.

2. At the same time, tighten the nuts on the underside of the tank by using the adjustable wrench.

3. Check if the water still leaks. If no, that is great. If yes, follow the steps below.

4. Holding the bolt steady (as in step one) using the adjustable wrench, remove the nuts, and change the washer with a proper-size new washer for the bolt.

If Water is Leaking at the Fill Valve

Tools Required: Wrench

Procedure

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet.

2. Drain the tank by flushing it

3. Using a wrench, disconnect the supply-tube coupling nut.

4. Remove the mounting nut of the fill valve.

5. Lift out the fill valve

6. Clean its gasket and washer

7. Carefully examine if it is damaged or dried out. If so, you have no other option but to replace it.

8. Hold the valve vertical, and carefully position it in the center of the hole.

9. Tighten the mounting nut. Make sure not to over-tighten it, as it can crack the porcelain.

10. Reconnect the supply tube

11. Turn on the water supply to the toilet

12. If the problem persists, tighten the mounting nut a little more.

If Water is Leaking at the Flush Valve

Tools: Large standard screwdriver, Socket Wrench, Spud Wrench, Soapy sponge

Procedure

1. Follow the steps 1-3 as discussed above

2. Remove the mounting bolts of the tanks. For this, you can use a large standard screwdriver on the bolt, and a socket wrench on the nut.

3. Put the tank upside down.

4. Pull or twist off the rubber spud washer.

5. Unscrew the large locking nut from the flush valve using a spud wrench.

6. Put the tank aside. However, make sure that you place it on a bath mat or similar padding. This way, you can protect both the flooring and the tank.

7. Remove the flush valve.

8. Take out the beveled cone washer from the flush valve.

9. If they are in poor condition, replace them. If no, just use a soapy sponge and clean them.

10. Reinstall the tank, as discussed above. However, make sure that when you tighten the bolt, you have somebody to hold it level and plumb.

11. Remember, the beveled side of the cone washer must face the inside of the tank, while the beveled side of the spud washer must face the bowl.

Hence, follow the above simple steps and you can do it yourself. However, make sure that you have the necessary plumbing tools available to you.

About Author: Owen Walcher writes for the a Find A Plumber Site which provides plumbing tips to consumer and helps people find quality plumbing contractors in Texas.

Article Source: ArticlesAlley.com