drain cleaning

Having a home is one of the most rewarding things, but it becomes a frustrating experience when plumbing problems occur. The more you know the better, since that can save time and money — not to mention keep your little few strands of hair in. Plumbing can seem like a complicated system, and rightly so Read more

Having a home is one of the most rewarding things, but it becomes a frustrating experience when plumbing problems occur. The more you know the better, since that can save time and money — not to mention keep your little few strands of hair in.

Plumbing can seem like a complicated system, and rightly so as we never see the full scope of piping behind our walls. However, learning some basics helps prevent big problems from popping up out of nowhere while also being able to address smaller issues independently.

Here are 10 Important Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know:

  1. Know the Location of Your Water Meter and Main Shut Off Valve

Location of shut-off One of the most important details that any homeowner needs to know is where your manual main water turn-off valve is. A burst pipe can occur unexpectedly, and shutting off the water supply fast is vital to reducing damage in your home.

  1. Understand How Your Water Heater Works

The best setting for most water heaters is 120°F or roughly the Low-Medium setting on gas. This temperature can keep scalding at bay while still offering energy-efficient heat from your unit. Periodically monitor the temperature of your water heater, and flush it annually to eliminate accumulation sediment for efficiency purposes and extended lifespan.

  1. Don’t Treat Your Drains Like a Trash Can

Do not flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste. Specifically, wipes, paper towels, and feminine hygiene products should not make it into your pipes as they cause sewer backups. In addition, never pour grease on the drain of your kitchen because it hardens and adheres to piping creating very serious blockages.

  1. Use Drain Strainers

Placing strainers in your kitchen and bathroom sinks will block hair, food particles, and other debris from entering the drain- as prevention is key. It is essential to routinely clean these filters for optimal water flow.

  1. Fix Leaks Promptly

But a slow drip could waste gallons of water from your pipes over weeks or months, and it can make your utility bills grow. The leaks can also cause water damage and mold. Repair a leaking faucet or pipe quickly and call in expert help if you need it.

  1. Know the Signs of Hard Water

Mineral buildup can cause clogging in your pipes, reduce the efficiency of water heaters, and damage appliances if you live in a hard water area. Hard Water Hard water will leave soap scum on shower doors, no shine to dishes, and dry skin. ~ via Dmarie1031 A water softener can help you avoid the buildup of mineral deposits, which gives them a longer shelf life.

  1. How To Safely Unclog a Toilet

Most people will find a plunger useful when clearing a blocked toilet. When using a plunger, fill the bowl with enough water to cover its rubber part and apply moderate pressure in an even push-pull motion. If this doesn’t solve the problem, avoid using chemical drain cleaners as they can harm your pipes; choose a snake or call in a plumber when needed.

  1. Check Exposed Pipes for Wear

If you have any exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, or under sinks check them for preliminary signs of corrosion around leaks. Check on them periodically and if you notice any rusting, cracking, or leaking chances are high that an issue is about to develop indefinitely- Fix it right away! Dealing with these problems early on can help prevent significant water damage.

  1. Insulate Pipes in Cold Weather

In cold climates, it is important to insulate your pipes to prevent freezing and bursting during winter. Cover exposed pipes in areas like basements, attics, and garages with foam pipe insulation. Additionally, in extremely cold weather, you may want to keep faucets dripping slowly to maintain water flow and minimize the risk of freezing.

  1. Know When to Call a Professional

Knowing when to seek professional help is crucial in plumbing situations. While some issues can be resolved independently, others require the expertise of a licensed plumber. If you encounter recurring clogs, or water heater malfunctions, or suspect a main sewer line blockage, it is advisable to contact a professional.(no follow link) Attempting complicated repairs without adequate knowledge can exacerbate problems and result in higher costs.

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. This is especially true in the world of plumbing. Plumbing issues can quickly translate to costly repairs and unimaginable disruptions if you don’t prevent or address them promptly. Here are some tips to help homeowners prevent common plumbing problems before they happen. Safeguard Pipes from Read more

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. This is especially true in the world of plumbing. Plumbing issues can quickly translate to costly repairs and unimaginable disruptions if you don’t prevent or address them promptly. Here are some tips to help homeowners prevent common plumbing problems before they happen.

Safeguard Pipes from Freezing

After installing a plumbing system, you expect it to function optimally in all seasons. However, that’s not always the case in winter, as frigid temperatures cause the water in pipes to freeze. Sometimes, the frozen pipes burst, leading to costly plumbing damage.

Fortunately, you can avoid this by insulating the pipes. Pay more attention to those in unheated areas, like garages, attics, basement, and crawl spaces. You can use heating tape or pipe insulation sleeves to shield them from the dropping temperatures. Other options include sealing any air leaks, allowing your faucets to drip a little bit, and using a thermostat to maintain a consistent temperature.

Keep Drains Clear

A clogged drain and pipe is a common and avoidable plumbing problem. Hair and other debris can ball up into huge clogs in drains, restricting water flow. You can avoid this by simply cleaning your drains daily.

Grease and cooking oils are other culprits for drain clogs. Cooking oil can solidify in your drain pipes, causing blockage while grease attaches to pipes like glue, coating their inside to make them bumpy and sticky.

These bumps capture food particles, slowly reducing the pipe’s diameter. This eventually leads to slowed water pressure and flow. Find better ways to dispose of cooking oil and grease, like transferring them to another container and putting in the trash instead of pouring them down your drain.

Monitor Water Pressure

Extremely high water pressure can excessively strain your plumbing system, resulting in leaks and costly bursts. Consider using a water pressure gauge to keep an eye on your home’s water pressure. Experts recommend a water pressure of about 40 to 60 psi for a home. If yours exceeds these, install a pressure regulator to maintain a safe range.

Pay More Attention to What You Flush

Toilet drains are specifically established to handle toilet paper and human waste. Flushing items, like wet wipes, paper towels, cotton balls, and sanitary products, can be a recipe for blockage.

Even those labeled as flushable, especially wipes, can clog your drains and even the septic tank. A septic tank clog can facilitate the growth of bacteria that can ruin the septic tank itself and its pipes. So, always dispose of such items in the trash rather than flushing them.

Carefully Use Plumbing Cleaners

Avoid overusing DIY plumbing cleaners, as they can wear down your plumbing system’s walls over time. While they do a better job of clearing any unwanted materials from your plumbing system, most of them start to work on the inner lining of the systems themselves if they do not find any dirt or debris to remove.

Make Plans for Regular Plumbing Inspections

Let a professional plumber perform regular plumbing checks to highlight plumbing issues before they become unmanageable. Your routine inspection can include checking for visible signs of wear and tear, corrosion, leaks, and cracks. Your plumber can also inspect the pipes, appliances, and fixtures to ensure they are in good condition and functioning properly.

Plumbing problems cost homeowners a lot of money, yet they are preventable. Consider implementing these proactive steps discussed above and embracing regular maintenance to keep your plumbing system in perfect shape.

The lightweight, compact JM-1000 Mini-Jet gives you 1500 psi of cleaning power, yet weighs just 23 lbs. Clear grease, sand, and ice from 1-1/2″ to 3″ lines. The pump and motor assembly are safely contained in a rugged metal diamond plate case that can handle abuse in the field. The portable package takes little space in your Read more

The lightweight, compact JM-1000 Mini-Jet gives you 1500 psi of cleaning power, yet weighs just 23 lbs. Clear grease, sand, and ice from 1-1/2″ to 3″ lines. The pump and motor assembly are safely contained in a rugged metal diamond plate case that can handle abuse in the field. The portable package takes little space in your truck – It’s only 24″ x 10-1/2″ x 11″.

Water jets use a stream of high-pressure water that hits the stoppage and flushes it away. The thrust of the nozzle drives the hose down the line and gives you wall to wall cleaning action.

Vibration helps the hose slide around tight bends and farther down the line. This is what separates General’s Jet-Set from ordinary pressure washers. It breaks the initial tension between the surface of the hose and the walls of the pipe, increasing cleaning power.

The JM-1000 Mini-Jet generates 1500 psi at 1.4 gpm, yet pulls only 13 amps. The pump and motor are enclosed in a metal housing and protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.

A Water Sensor detects the moving water and automatically shuts off the motor if water isn’t flowing through the pump to protect the unit from damage.

Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, the Mini-Jet is a great (and small) investment.

With plenty of raw power for long, tough jobs, field-proven Speedrooter 92® from General Pipe Cleaners clears tree roots and other stubborn stoppages in 3” to 10” lines up to 100 feet long. Plumbing, drain cleaning, and maintenance experts agree: General’s durable design offers rugged reliability with optimal control, ease-of-use, and maneuverability. Power Cable Feed drives Read more

With plenty of raw power for long, tough jobs, field-proven Speedrooter 92® from General Pipe Cleaners clears tree roots and other stubborn stoppages in 3” to 10” lines up to 100 feet long.

Plumbing, drain cleaning, and maintenance experts agree: General’s durable design offers rugged reliability with optimal control, ease-of-use, and maneuverability.

Power Cable Feed drives and retracts cables up to 20 feet per minute – making clog clearing fast and easy. And a guide tube boosts cable efficiency and operator safety by reducing tangling, whipping, and drag.

Adjusting Speedrooter 92 to different cable sizes is simple. Just turn the knob atop the feed – no screwdriver or special tool required.

It transports and handles easily, too. General’s muscular machine rides on 10” ball bearing tires. The adjustable height, swept-back handle provides maximum maneuvering leverage. And one worker can easily load it onto a truck.

Speedrooter 92 features a braced frame at key stress points, heavy-duty 1/2 hp motor, tool box, and 100 ft. of 3/4” or 5/8” Flexicore® cable.

Flexicore cable offers superior kinking resistance and unequalled strength with the right amount of flexibility. General’s tough, industry-leading design carries a one-year warranty against breakage – the industry’s best.

For details, contact the Drain Brains® at General Pipe Cleaners at 800-245-6200 or 412-771-6300, or visit https://drainbrain.com/en/products/speedrooter-92/

Contractors out in the field are always looking for one tool that does it all. Our ClogChopper® is a great tool that can be connected to almost any drum, flexible shaft or sectional style machine, and cuts through obstructions in the pipe. Our ClogChopper has four features that make it the “all-star” attachment – it is Read more

Contractors out in the field are always looking for one tool that does it all. Our ClogChopper® is a great tool that can be connected to almost any drum, flexible shaft or sectional style machine, and cuts through obstructions in the pipe.

Our ClogChopper has four features that make it the “all-star” attachment – it is maneuverable, efficient, versatile and economical. In this blog post, we talk more about these features and how they make the ClogChopper stand out.

Maneuverable

The perfectly balanced ClogChopper automatically negotiates multiple, tricky bends – maintaining a central line position and minimizing pipe wall, elbow, connection and joint damage. The ClogChopper essentially “bounces” around the pipe to get to where the user needs it to go.

Efficient

With “all surface” cutting edges, the ClogChopper clears clogs and scrapes encrusted debris from inner walls – all in one operation. The six inverted cutting edges run smoothly, without rattling or jumping. The spherical design helps to maneuver around tight bends and traps, thoroughly and safely cleaning metal, plastic and clay pipes to make it more efficient while going through the pipe.

Economical

The ClogChopper is durable enough to handle years of demanding use in residential and commercial applications, and self-sharpens while working, making it the perfect tool for handling multiple jobs and lasting a long time for the user.

Versatile

General offers ClogChopper connectors in a variety of sizes for several brands of drain cleaning machines.

The ClogChopper has six self-sharpening blades that dig into encrusted debris and root masses, easily grinding up stoppages, scale and crystallized urine without risking pipe damage. It works in both directions, in and out lines, all in one operation. As it spins, it also self-sharpens as it scrapes along the pipe walls.

It’s available in one-inch, one-and-a-half-inch, two-inch, two-and-a-half-inch, three-inch and four-inch sizes. This drain clearing tool is also excellent for clearing stacks, downspouts and mains, as well as for pipe lining jobs to reinstate the pipe.

For more information, call the Drain Brains at 800-245-6200, or visit www.drainbrain.com/clogchopper.