Avoid the temptation of dumping chemical clog removers down your pipes when dealing with slow or blocked drains. They are little to no help and can actually exacerbate the problem. Give us a call instead.
Strainers can be added to dishes, drains and washing machine runoff lines to catch lint, solids and hair and prevent them from causing clogs in the first place.
Be wary of many of the “home remedies” that are recommended for clearing out clogged drains. While they may work, they tend to be “clog specific” and if you use the wrong cure on the existing clog, you will create a bigger clog.
The optical fibers in drain line inspection cameras rely on the same technology that’s commonly found in industrial devices that check mechanical welds inside pipes and engines and in medical imaging devices like bronchoscopes and endoscopes.
In cold climates, the phenomenon known as “frost heave” can cause drain pipes to shift. As water in the soil freezes, it pushes the pipe up and presses on the pipe sidewalls. This can produce both vertical and horizontal movement, causing cracking, buckling, or separation.
Did you know that using a plumber's snake isn't as simple as shoving it into the drain? You're going to have to know how to properly use the tool as well as the many different attachments that come with it to avoid damaging the pipes.
Moth flies, more commonly known as sewer or drain flies, can live and breed in household drains, with occurrences most commonly in bathroom drains. If you notice these tiny insects in your home, have your drains cleaned to eliminate their habitat and to protect your family from the diseases they are known to carry.
Clogged bathtubs may drain more slowly and are at risk of leaving standing water in the tub. This can cause safety issues as the tub never dries out properly.
Trying to clean your own drains can be difficult and time consuming. It can also be extremely messy. Save yourself the time and trouble by calling a professional drain cleaner who has the equipment and knowledge to do it quickly, easily, and cleanly.
Mismatched metals for the homes main water service can lead to lower pressure and volume. In these pictures you see copper then brass, then steel and galvanized steel. Steel fittings are less expensive but over time corrode and can cause a major issue when the metal fails and they leak.
A common homeowner misconception is that just about anything can be put down the garbage disposal. This is a big cause of clogged kitchen sink drains. A good rule: if it isn't something that can be chewed up, it isn't something that can go down the drain.
Using chemical drain cleaners has limited value, and may do more harm than good. There is no question as to their negative impact on the environment, and if you have a septic system, they could damage its functional capabilities.
While we will gladly clean out any drainage problem you may have, using a plunger or cleaning a trap yourself may save you time and money. However, we do not recommend chemical drain cleaners, as they can be caustic, causing damage to pipes and the environment.
Don't let your drainage problem escalate to a full-scale plumbing emergency. Having your drain cleaned regularly to get rid of grease and other buildup means you'll keep the water flowing smoothly, and you'll also prevent expensive, messy problems further down the line.
Grease and oil, washed down the drain with hot water, cools off the farther it moves from the entry point and coagulates along the line, clogging the pipes and creating significant problems that require a complete reaming and cleaning to correct.
Did you know that the word “drain” is from the same source word from which we derive “drought” and “dry”? When your sinks cannot dry out because your drains won’t drain, a cleaning can clear the way.
When a plumber gets his wife flowers!!
Fiberscope cameras show how well your drain lines are functioning and transmit images you can see on portable monitors. Drain line camera inspections are useful for pinpointing problem spots and assessing the type and extent of damage or stoppages.
If you have a septic system, and the drains are clogged, we recommend exhausting all possibilities of potential sources for clogged drains. Clearing in-house clogs or replacing broken pipes is easier and less expensive than replacing a septic system.
Cast iron pipe has been used in Europe since the 1500s. In fact, the cast iron plumbing that supplies the water fountains of Versailles in France was installed more than 300 years ago and remains in use today.
Knowing if the drain problem is in the building or is an outside problem plays a role in the extent of work that may be needed. If several drains are not clearing out as quickly as they should, the problem is most likely outside.
One method commonly used by professional drain cleaners to clear out clogs and clean drains is high pressure hydrojetting. This is the process of using highly pressurized water to ream out the pipes and send any clogs down into the sewer.
In newer homes that installed PVC pipes for the drain system, the noises you hear of water running through the drain system are normal. PVC has poor sound insulation and noise is easily transmitted. It is not necessarily an indication of a problem.
The stopper in your bathroom sink(s) and tub(s) can trap hair and other materials that will eventually buildup and clog the drain. If using a thin wire to pull out the hair clog does not open the channel, call us for help.