Shower Drain Clogs
Shower Drain Clogs
If you find yourself standing in a puddle of water during your shower one morning, you may have a shower drain clog. While shower drains are designed to filter out most objects before those objects reach your pipes, hair and shower products can become caught in your subsurface pipes. And because of the difficulty in accessing pipes for your shower, you may find these clogs to be among some of the most challenging to resolve.
The majority of shower drain clogs are caused by hair. Consequently, the first solution you will want to try to clear a shower drain clog is a hair removal product like Nair. Try pouring a small amount of hair removal product down your drain, let it sit for a bit and wash away. Another solution to try is a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Again, pour a small amount directly into the shower drain, wait a bit and wash away. If you encounter the hair clog problem often, you may want to consider purchasing a new drain cover for your shower that will catch hair more effectively than the one you currently have to eliminate some of the frustration of standing water in your shower.
If the clog remains after you’ve tried the hair product and/or baking soda, vinegar remedies, you may have a more extensive problem than simply hair in your pipes. Unless you are adept at disassembling and reassembling your shower drain, you may need to contact a licensed plumber to check out the problem.
Ask your plumber to check out the general condition of your shower drain as well as the pipes leading out of the shower. If your plumber determines that you need a new drain system installed make sure he/she uses one of the newer drain assemblies that contain a bondable, waterproof membrane to protect the mortar bed of your shower from becoming saturated. Replacing old and worn shower drains is an inexpensive home improvement that will eliminate
a lot of frustration and early morning surprises.
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Floor Drain Clogs
Floor Drain Clogs
Clearing a floor drain clog is one of the most challenging drain clog chores you may ever have to face. Since floor drains are found predominately in basements, laundry rooms, and garages, the waste products that make their way through these drains are usually clog-inducing waste to begin with. Waste water from washing machines, water heaters, and air conditioners, not to mention the lint, grime and sand that are always present in these areas of your home, filters through a floor drain can result in some pretty substantial clog issues.
Drain unclogging products and home solutions will probably not work on a full-fledged floor drain clog. You will most likely have to contact a plumber or rent a power auger to clear a stubborn, floor drain clog. A power auger is a machine that uses cutting blades to literally cut through the clog. If your drain has a drain basin with a clean-out plug, you can circumvent your drain trap and gain access directly to the pipe to your floor drain. If not, you’ll have to snake the pipe through the floor drain assembly. Having to snake your way through is more difficult, but not an impossible task. Once the auger reached the clog, its blades cut through the clog by alternating the direction of its blades as you move the snake back and forth through the clog.
Most floor drains are designed to accommodate a certain amount of overflow. As a result, pressure builds in a floor drain system and may cause your drain to overflow. There is a standpipe that is supposed to hold back some of the waste water flowing through the drain to help eliminate this pressure buildup and overflow and to keep your pipes and drain assembly from breaking under the pressure, but these can fail. So if you suspect that your floor drain is accepting large quantities of waste water, you may have a more complicated problem than a floor drain clog. Call a qualified licensed plumber to check out your floor drain system before you have to deal with cracked pipes caused from pressure build-up.
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Do You Need a Pressure Booster?
Do You Need a Pressure Booster?
If you live in a hilly community or on the upper floor of a multi-story building where your home is situated at a elevation higher in relationship to the nearest water tower, you may have noticed that your home has low water pressure. If this is the case, you may want to have a pressure booster installed by a licensed plumber to remedy the situation.
Before you invest in a pressure booster, make sure you have a water pressure problem and not a flow-rate problem. If your water line is obstructed, water may not flow properly and a pump will not help. Have a licensed professional plumber inspect your water system for clogs and adjust your pressure-reducing valve before contracting the installation of a pressure booster.
A booster pressure system consists of a pump that is connected to a pressure tank. Just like a well tank, a booster has a shallow well jet pump mounted on the pressure tank that drives the system. However, unlike a well, a booster system’s pressure can build very quickly. You’ll have to install a bypass valve between the tank and the pump to keep the pressure in your tank from building up in the event that the cutout switch fails which will keep the pump primed without releasing water.
Pressure boosters should only be connected to a municipal water supply line where a minimum of 5 psig exists at all times at the tap closest to the location you chose to install the booster. Call your local waterworks to find out what the pressure is at your particular residence.
Caution needs to be taken when working with a pressure booster system because even when the pump is turned to the off position, pressure remains in the system. Therefore, pressure boosters should be installed where a tank failure will not damage property. Also, the pump should never be used in series with another pump, should have a check valve installed to prevent backflow into the city water system, and have a pressure relief valve installed in case the limit switch fails.
Install a pressure booster yourself is probably not a good idea so contract a licensed professional to accomplish the installation to reduce the potential risks associated with booster pressure system. And, remember that after the initial installation, your tank should never be re-pressurized.
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Energy-Efficient Water Heating Tips
Energy-Efficient Water Heating Tips
With the ever-increasing cost of just about everything, saving even a small amount on your energy bill is helpful. As for lowering your water heating bills there are several energy-saving strategies that may help you save a little money each month on your water heating bill. Installing a new, more, energy-efficient water heater than the one you have now is an easy option for lowering that bill. Short of that you can reduce your hot water use or lower the water heating temperature on your hot water heater. Other strategies for lowering your water heating expenses include insulation of your water heater tank and hot water pipes, installation of heat traps, timers, and/or a drain-water heat recovery system.
Insulate Your Water Heater and Hot Water Pipes
Insulating your water heater tank and pipes will save you about 4 to 9 percent in water heating costs. To insulate hot water pipes use blankets or other heat infusing material. You can usually purchase and install an insulating pre-cut jacket or blanket yourself on an electric water heater, available for about $10.00 to $20.00. You’ll want to choose one with an insulating value of at least R-8 and make sure your thermostat is set below 130 degrees Fahrenheit. For a gas water heater, the installation of a blanket or jacket is a bit more difficult so make sure you carefully read and follow the installation instructions so as not to block the drain at the bottom or the flue at the top of your heater. You’ll want to be careful not to block the airflow to the burner and not cover the thermostat to prevent your insulation from igniting.
Install a Drain-Water Heat Recovery System
A drain-water heat recovery system captures water before it goes down the drain from other water sources and preheats the cold water from this drainage before it enters the water heater. By trapping and recovering heat from hot water used in showers, bathtubs, sinks, dishwashers, and clothes washers, a drain-water heat recovery system can save you valuable dollars on your hot water expenses. You’ll need a qualified water heater plumber and heating contractor to install your system with the range of expense being $300 to $500.
Other easy ways to lower your water heating costs is by being careful not to waste hot water, fix leaks, install low-flow fixtures, and purchase energy-efficient appliances. Being a conscientious homeowner will always pay off with lower household expenses.
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Septic Tank Maintenance
Septic Tank Maintenance
Septic tank maintenance is not a difficult task so long as you follow some proven guidelines for keeping your septic tank digestively activated and unclogged. You’ll know if you are not maintaining your septic tank properly by the bad septic smells that arise when things need attending.
Controlling bacteria growth in your septic tank is a must. Various proprietary chemicals and enzymes are used in septic tanks to curb bacteria growth; but be careful of the additives you use in yours. Those that claim to eliminate tank cleaning may, in fact, cause a sludge layer to build, that when washed out into your drain field will plug soil pores and cause property damage. Other additives, particularly degreasers, contain carcinogens and can infiltrate your soil and seep into foliage. While you do want to control bacterial growth, be careful what you use to do so.
To assure that your environment is safe, send all sewage into the septic tank and do not run laundry wastes directly into your drain field. Normal amounts of household bleaches, drain cleaners, detergents, and such are safe to filter through your septic tank; however be careful not to dump cleaning water for latex paint brushes and cans into your house sewer as this will contaminate the area.
To avoid clogs, don’t dispose of coffee grounds, cooking fats, paper towels, disposable diapers, facial tissues, cigarette butts, or any other non-decomposable items in your house sewer. Make sure you use a quality toilet tissue that breaks up easily when wet. Those with high wet strength and scented brands are more likely to clog your toilet, than those that break up easily.
In your kitchen, avoid pouring grease down the drain as it will plug up sewer pipes or build up in your septic tank, causing the inlet to be plugged. Try to make it a habit to dispose of cooking grease in the garbage. When using your garbage disposal, be conscientious to follow the guidelines for what you can deposit in it and what you cannot, to relieve your septic tank of the possibility of a build-up of food items and clogs.
Even taking the above-mentioned precautions, you will probably need to clean your septic tank every four years. Contact a licensed septic professional to pump out your tank to ensure that the septic tank is cleaned in an effective and environmentally responsible manner.
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Water Conservation Tips
Water Conservation Tips
Whether you are interested in the green movement or not, it never hurts to conserve water. Residential water conservation is a great way to contribute to the environment as well as your pocketbook.
No matter what area of your home you start with begin your water conservation campaign, always repair leaky faucets, both indoors and out. If you live in an older home, consider replacing old toilets, dishwashers and clothes washers with newer, more water and energy efficient alternatives.
Kitchen Conservation Tips
Fill your sink or basin when washing and rinsing dishes to save on running water. When cooking, peel and clean your vegetables in a large bowl instead of under running water. Only run your dishwasher when it is full. Try not to use your garbage disposal unless absolutely necessary. Install faucet aerators to cut down on water usage.
Bathroom Conservation Tips
Take showers instead of baths, and turn off the water to brush your teeth and shave. Repair leaky toilets and install a toilet dam, low-flow showerheads, and faucet aerators.
Laundry Conservation Tips
Purchase a water saving model of clothes washer. Chose one where you can adjust the load size to use only the amount of water you need. Try to let delay washing a load of clothes until you have a full one.
Outdoor Conservation Tips
Only water your lawn when necessary, once per week should be sufficient even when there is no rainfall. Avoid watering on windy and hot days. Try to water your lawn in the late evening or morning to minimize evaporation of water. Soaker hoses get the water down where you need it; sprinklers are sometimes wasteful because they water buildings as well as vegetation. Mulch applied around flower beds and shrubs will also reduce evaporation (an added bonus is that mulch promotes plant growth and controls weeds). Compost or organic matter added to your soil will improve soil conditions as well as aid in water retention. When you mow, set your mower blades to two to three inches high since longer grass will shade your soil and improve its moisture retention capabilities. Planting plants native to your area will reduce the need for watering as these plants have adapted to the weather of your location. Besides lawn care conservation methods, you can also conserve outdoor usage by collecting rainfall for irrigation, wash your car sparingly and quickly, and use a broom to clean walkways, decks and porches instead of hosing them off.
Taking these simple steps to conserve water at your own home will go a long way towards not only helping the environment, but may save you a little money as well.
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Common Household Plumbing Tools
Common Household Plumbing Tools
Every household needs some sort of plumbing tools. Many of the most common plumbing tools are not plumbing tools at all. In fact, you probably already have many of the tools necessary for simple plumbing jobs around your house right now. However, certain plumbing jobs may require more specialized tools to complete the job. At a minimum, you should have wrenches, a plunger and an auger available to solve your simple plumbing problems. Having basic plumbing tools around the house will prevent routine calls to a licensed plumbing company.
Pipe Wrench
Buy yourself a sturdy pipe wrench for when you need a wrench that is the appropriate size and with the appropriate grip to loosen pipes. A medium-size, adjustable pipe wrench will suffice to tighten and loosen pipes and other plumbing connections. Your local hardware or plumbing-supply store will have these in stock in a variety of styles and prices.
A basin wrench is a specialized tool that will enable you to reach tight spots under sinks and basins. The jaws of a basin wrench are adjustable and accommodate nuts of different sizes. In addition, a basin wrench, when flipped over, allows you to keep turning the wrench without removing it from the nut.
A socket wrench set is another useful plumbing tool to have around. It is used for removing recessed packing nuts and on tub and shower fixtures. You’ll also find it handy to have around to complete other do-it-yourself household repairs.
If you need to change a toilet seat, a deep socket wrench will do the trick. And to remove a toilet for replacement or repair, you’ll most likely need a spud wrench. Older toilets sometimes have a large pipe (called a spud) which connects the tank to the bowl. An extra-large hexagonal slip nut holds the bowl to the tank. Consequently, a spud wrench is required to remove these slip nuts. Purchase an adjustable type of spud wrench as it will be more versatile than the nonadjustable type, which has a fixed opening at each end.
Other Plumbing Tools to Have Around
Augers, plungers, and snakes are tools designed specifically for plumbing. You’ll find these useful in almost any home repair project as well as most plumbing repair tasks. Plumbers’ snakes (or drain-and-trap augers) vary in length. For general use, a short snake is all you’ll need for most plumbing repairs. Look for a closet auger, a version of the plumbers’ snake designed specifically for clearing clogs in toilets. It will be a bit shorter than a regular snake, and comes encased in a plastic or metal housing with an easy-to-use crank.
Having some plumbing repair tools available to solve simple plumbing issues is paramount to being a responsible homeowner. Investing in these tools is ultimately an investment in the longevity of your home.
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