Archive for August, 2016

When Springtime Awakes: Backwater Valve Installation Partakes.

August 28, 2016Backwater ValveLeave a comment

Maintaining a house is harder than people think. There are so many things that you constantly have to make sure are still in good shape or that need repair. Nothing lasts forever these days. Something that people should keep on their minds in the springtime, when it evidently rains the most. Is it time for a backwater valve installation? it is crucial before springtime rolls around that you look into this installation otherwise there could be problems such as backed up sewers. In addition, springtime is a very busy season for plumbers, so you probably want get it done before the list piles up. At the end of it all if you are unsure of anything or skeptical, leave it to the experts and give them a call.

They will do a full inspection and do the proper installation for your home. Cause let’s face it; doing nothing will make things worse. In addition, another good time to do this installation is before you finish you decide to renovate your basement, which makes perfect sense. Installation of backwater valves is best done in unfinished basements, since it requires a trench of approximately 2- 3 feet long to be dug in your residence to grant room for the mechanism. So I’m sure you wouldn’t want to cause any damage or mess to a newly finished basement. Evidently, get it done now so you don’t have to worry about it later. You want to protect your home. You’ve invested so much time and money in it, so why would you want to see it get damaged. It is probably one of your most prized possessions.

The big question is; do all homeowners need one? Certainly not ladies and gents. Usually if you are in a new home it isn’t a big concern or if you’re in a condo you don’t need to worry about this kind of issue. If your home is a few years old chances are you may not have a backwater valve installed. If you haven’t experienced any flooding don’t let this fool you, you’ve obviously just been blessed. Basement flooding is a major problem for some homeowners in Toronto, especially when we have heavy rainfall.

Backwater valve installation functions to prevent floods in your home from the backup of sewers and drains. What’s important to know if you are experiencing issues with flooding that stopping the water from getting back into your house is only step numero uno. Step two is getting rid of the excess water. The excess of water could lead to damaging of your valued and personal belongings.

The great thing with backwater valve installation is that it doesn’t require too much maintenance, hence for all you lazy people. All is required is that you have it inspected on a year-to-year basis, and have the valve cleaned out. For those also interested here is a video on YouTube of the installation process. Also if there is a problem and homeowners are unaware of it, continually flushing the toilets and running water will only make the matter worse, because more water will be backing up the system.

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Never Fear Trenchless Sewer Pipe Lining is Here!

August 26, 2016Pipe LiningLeave a comment

It seems these days in regards to homeowners that plumbing issues come to be a consistent problem. But never fear, because when there is a problem there is always a solution. According to Angie’s list sewer line repairs are important. If your sewer is up there in age then it’s definitely time for a replacement. It could be clogged or damaged if it is 40 years old. But the issue is that it doesn’t come cheap, and even if you have a new home your plumbing might be connected to an old sewer line, talk about a bummer. Sewer line replacement is not only expensive, but it is also a headache. You are forced to dig up landscaping and your driveway, which leaves a mess. What will save people from this disaster?

The answer is trenchless sewer pipe lining. It is a permanent solution that meets the status quo. Many homeowners are unaware of this option so it is important that the word get spread. It is great because it involves no digging, which means it is environmentally friendly. This method not only saves you money, but also time and damage of your yard. If you think about it logically, the savings add up all around.

You won’t have to take as much time off of work or out of your regular schedule, because lets face it, who wants to waste their day with plumbing issues. You won’t have to pay experts for costly repair work. And the experts can complete the project in much less time, which will not only make them happy, but yourself happy. Lets face it ladies, your husband may think he’s a handyman, but lets leave it to the professionals. The experts repair what your husband claimed he fixed ha-ha. At the end of the day, one call does it all.

It means less effort on their part. A lot of people take pride and put time into their yards, so it would be a shame to see it go to shambles. People spend a lot of money on maintaining a nice backyard and keeping it clean as well as with landscaping it. In addition, especially the older generation that works hard in the summer to maintain their gardens. It would be unfair to have to tear apart their gardens. Those fresh tomatoes are just too sweet and tasty.

The innovative thing about trenchless pipe repair is that you actually don’t have to replace the pipe. It takes a mere few hours to under a day to fix, which will save you a lot of time and then voila, your problem is fixed and sewer line problems are way behind you. For plumbing experts or companies you might want to consider Anta Plumbing. We are one of the most reputable companies that guarantee a job well done on their part, because customer service is their number one priority and they do quality work at a fair price.

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Every Drop of Water Speaks of Itself: Wastewater and Where It Goes!

August 25, 2016Water WasteLeave a comment

The topic that is going to be discussed in this article is one that probably won’t make the top 10 in topics to have a discussion on, but probably something you have all thought about at least once in your life. Where does the waste that goes down the toilet all go? Before outlining where it goes, I think its important to discuss what happens. According to WSHU, wastewater separates into solid sludge and liquid greywater, as it is in the septic system.

Germs in the system break down natural parts of the waste and adds nutrients to the wastewater. This nutrient-rich wastewater in the end depletes into the soil. When all goes smoothly, the nutrients provides plant growth. So back to the main question; where does it all go? Water leaving our homes commonly goes either into a septic tank in your back yard where it then goes back into the ground or is sent to a sewage-treatment plant. If you want to see footage to envision it, here is a video from YouTube on wastewater.

Focusing solely on Toronto’s wastewater, according to the City of Toronto, Toronto’s wastewater treatment plants are designed to remove chemicals and other unwanted materials in three ways: consistently, cost-effectively and environmentally constructive. It is important to keep our environment clean and safe for cleanliness and health purposes and the City of Toronto enforces that. Toronto’s care process ensures that the water released into Lake Ontario abides all provincial and federal laws.

Although Toronto does its best to keep the city clean that doesn’t mean they haven’t had issues in the past. According to Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, when rain hit the city in July of 2013, it had no place to go. Approximately 50% of Toronto’s surfaces like roads, sidewalks, parking lots and rooftops were not able to soak up the rain. So where did it go? It streamed into storm drains. When all that rain was joined with sewage (i.e., wastewater from toilets) it besieged two of Toronto’s sewage treatment plants. If that doesn’t cry “uh oh” I don’t know what does.

The Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant detoured approximately 367,364 m3 of sewage in excess of 28 hours from the plant and an extra 116,578 m3 was evaded in excess of 19 hours at Berry Road on the Humber River. The additional problem that unfortunately rose was that when the storm had passed people ventured to activities like fishing, paddling and swimming. Without a doubt they weren’t aware of the bypass, so it was not viable for them to take precautions to protect their health against E.coli.

The moral of the story is to make sure our septic tanks don’t get over flown with water. Of course, we can’t control Mother Nature, but we can make sure we don’t flush things like tampons, or overflow toilets, because what we flush down the toilet has an effect on our environment and especially our homes. Sewage problems can lead plumbing issues and that’s that last thing people want to deal with. So I hope you all learned something today, and now you know where it all goes.

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New home new pipes: Plumbing tips for new homeowners

August 22, 2016new homeowners guideLeave a comment

So you’ve finally got around to buying your first house. Whether you’re a newlywed, having a child or looking to tackle the real estate market, buying your first house is a momentous and satisfying achievement.

But there are a lot of responsibilities that come with owning a home and it can seem very daunting at first. The responsibility, the chores, and the multitudinous things you need to keep in check to maintain a healthy and comfortable living space can be stressful.

The good part, however, is that it gets easier as you go along

One aspect of owning a home that often gets overlooked is plumbing. Many people will neglect to give their pipes attention and because of this they end up paying huge sums of money for repairs and damages.

Well that’s not going to be you! With these simple tips, you can get a fresh start on understanding your plumbing system and how to ensure it’s working at its maximum potential.

First things first, the main gas/water valve

When you’re inspecting your new home, it’s always wise to locate the main gas/water valve and make sure it works.

This is important because whenever there’s a gas or water leak, you’ll know instantly where the main switch is and to turn it off.

A lot of people will neglect the importance of such knowledge, but a smart homeowner will know their houses plumbing like the back of their hand.

Go out and buy plumbing supplies!

Because it’s your first home, you’re going to want to buy a lot plumbing supplies. The most basic being a plunger, duct tape, some drain cleaner and a toolkit to get your started.

There are many other things you can buy for your plumbing as well like plumber’s snakes, drain catchers and low-flow faucets.

With these basic tools you’ll be able to tackle any plumbing problem that comes your way. Just be sure that if it’s too much for you to handle, call a professional.

Get in the habit of routine maintenance

Every now and then it’s important to do a checkup on your plumbing. If you don’t do this and leave things unnoticed for long periods of time, you’re going to end up paying a lot of money in damage repairs.

Every now and then, you’re going to want to clean out hair in the bathtub and the food in the sink catchers. You’re also going to want to clean out your garbage disposal to ensure it doesn’t get clogged up.

Don’t let running toilets get the better of you

Everybody runs into this problem and it can be devastating. Devastating in the sense that a running toilet can not only waste water, it also drains your bank account in bills.

In fact, toilets can use anywhere from 3.5 to 7 galls of water after each flush. So it’s probably not a good idea to let that water run for so long.

Luckily, this is an easy fix. Simply check if the ball or flapper is completely closed. These can be found inside the tank. If it isn’t closed, just seal the hole and voila, your running toilet is fixed.

Malfunctioning shower head!

If your new home comes with a less than stellar performing showerhead, do not worry because there are DIY solutions to that!

Shower heads are often susceptible to being clogged because of small mineral deposits that get into the small holes in your shower head. These clogs tamper with the showerhead performance, making your showerheads less than ideal.

So to fix this, simply grab a bowl of warm vinegar and place your showerhead into the bowl. After about an hour, take the showerhead out and reattach it. The vinegar will dissolve most of the mineral deposits, but if it doesn’t, you can scrub them away with a scrub or a toothbrush.

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The Significance of Catch Basins Cleaning Service

August 19, 2016Catch BasinLeave a comment

Most of you are probably wondering what Catch Basins is and what its for. Catch basins are related to plumbing and draining services. Probably not the first thing on your list that you want to read about. Evidently though, it is important, because it prevents litter from going into the sewers. You normally see them near the curbs or even in backyards of houses. It is important to keep our environment clean so that means keeping the sewers clean as well. It is important to keep the sewers clean, since sewers flow into streams. Catch Basins act like a shield.

Catch basins are very vital for homeowners. If and when water begins overflowing, the larger problem of basement flooding will commence. This, in the end, will produce a decline of the buildings foundation. In addition, and what I believe to be much more dangerous it can cause accidents. Riding a motorcycle is already dangerous as it is, but as motorists are riding on the streets, they could slip because of the build up of water.

You’re probably also thinking what can I do to lessen the damage and help with Catch Basin cleaning. You can try to avoid these objects getting into the catch basins: litter, car fluids (oils, gas, antifreeze, etc.), metals, sediments, leaves, sand, dirt, grit and/or soil. For starters, if you are cleaning up leaves in the yard, it is crucial to not blow them into the street. Make sure to rack them up and bag the leaves. There are services that will come pick it up for you. It is also imperative that you don’t park your car on top of the basins. Why? A car obviously has a lot of weight to it, so it will cause too much pressure for the basin. Lastly, make sure no oil goes near the basin. Just like when you are frying something in the kitchen and your told not to dump the grease down the drain. It is the same thing really. If you click watch the video it will show you how to maintain your catch basin. Watch the video here.

If you care about your community or your home or neighborhood for that matter, you will do your part by trying to maintain and protect your surroundings. If you’re obsessed with keeping inside your house clean why not do the same for the outside? If left, and not cleaned the pollutants can lead to dangerous garbage levels, which are costly to get rid of. And who really wants to waste their money on that. Help keep mother nature a clean and sanctuary place.

Some information that also might be of use to homeowners is the benefits of a garage floor catch basin. It functions by avoiding water dripping from your car and seemingly; it guarantees that no polluted water ends up on your driveway. I don’t know about you, but my dad would love this. When a garage floor catch basin is installed, it is critical to make sure that the floor is somewhat inclined. This is so that the water flows in the direction of the drain.

If you do not have a garage floor catch basin your garage floor might be already built that inclines downhill in the direction of your driveway. This makes sure that the water will drain outside and not build up in the garage I know some people really take pride of their garages, so keeping it sterile is important. If a garage floor catch basin isn’t an option, or something you want to install in your garage, then maybe you should consider installing an elevated concrete floor.

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House Flood? Lets Learn How To Drain That Rain

August 17, 2016drainLeave a comment

Are you one of those people that have had recent trouble with floods in your home? And you want to know how to keep your house dry from destroying your prized possessions and your house itself. Well have no fear I have the answers for you. You may want to consider doing some renovating in your house. Floods and storms can evidently cause water damage to your house and materials in it. By selecting construction materials that are more resistant to water or that are suited for coming in contact with water, you fill find yourself less stressed out. I believe the main problem is that water can easily seep through cracks in homes.

One of the nightmares of householders is, if water gets into your home’s exterior and freezes, it starts to weaken the materials and compromise the structure. A home made with the correct manner attracts water distant from the house. And grading will do that for you. So therefore proper grading is essential in a home to avoid water damage.

According to Canadian underwriter, 40% of all insurance claims are due to water damage. At the end of the day, if your house is prone to water damage you should keep valuable materials away from water leaks. When you are trying to select materials that will keep your house safe from water damage, keep this in mind:

According to Extension Materials that:

Withstand water damage.
Not complicated to clean.
Permit wall or floor systems to drain and dry, or can remove easily in order to dry.
Don’t permit mold growth.
Maintain their strength when in contact with water.

It is important to know that hard surfaces like metal will be easier to clean than other furnishings like ceiling tile. How these materials are united with a wall or floor system will have an affect on how long it takes to dry.

Now focusing on the actual materials you will need to take in order to ensure no damage. I recommend you will need; Rain barrel with screen, Downspout extenders or splash guards, storm drains, Gravel, and filtering fabric. I’m sure you can purchase these items at a hardware store. This is one way to go and if you follow the link provided it gives you step by step of how to fix the problem.

This is one option. You can also check watch our video, we suggest installing a trench drain. It easily protects your house from water damage. You install it by digging a 6-inch wide trench around 24 inches deep. If you want to intercept the water to have your yard dry, you install the trench alongside the uppermost part of your home. If your target is to protect your house from water, you construct the trench approximately 4-6 feet away from the foundation.

In my opinion the trench drain seems like the way to go as the installation process doesn’t seem to difficult and would save household owners a headache and from water entering your basement or crawlspace.

Another way to avoid issues like this with your home is simple. Upgrade, repair, or maintain your home’s drainage system. Even if you’ve never had issues with flooding in your house, you might want to consider upgrading installations in your home to prevent flooding from occurring. These are some things you can do. You can try landscaping, it is probably one of the least expensive things you can do. Primarily it prevents surface water from entering your home. On the plus side, landscaping sparks up your house and adds a nice touch. Landscaped homes always look so much nicer and they add more value to the home. So if you’re considering selling your home you might want to consider landscaping. Lastly, you might want to consider installing a block drain system.

For the best solutions for your home you will probably want to consider calling a plumber or someone you know who is an expert with these types of things. Leave it up to the experts and most importantly, don’t just do nothing and think it will go away.

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Cure for Diseases? Plumbing In, Vaccines Out!

August 16, 2016plumbingLeave a comment

Anyone and everyone who owns a toilet and clean drinking water should be thankful right now. Why you ask? Well unlike many people in India who are not privileged with having toilets or access to clean drinking water, are facing adversity. Why? Well think about it. If you don’t have access to a toilet then you would have to be dumping your own human waste somewhere. The cleanest way to do that would probably be by burying it. But who would really want live that kind of life. Well people, some are living it as we speak, which cries for injustice. This scenario is just not right. Also, if you don’t have access to clean drinking water that has to spark a warning sign. No clean drinking water and having to be exposed to disposing human waste. Those are two things you won’t want in the same sentence.

No wonder India is at high rates for being contaminated with Polio disease. This was in 2009. As of 2014 there have been no cases. Indians were receiving a high amount of vaccines due to their populous country. Statistics state that $ 9 billion was spent on a vaccination health campaign. If that doesn’t strike help, I don’t know what does. The matter is that vaccines are being pushed onto civilians who don’t have access to clean drinking water or access to a toilet, which is understandable, because this is not sanitary. But the new story is that vaccines are the objects doing the damage to individuals. There have been many cases of vaccines doing damage. Hence, causing harm and death, which was clearly not expected. A disease outside from Polio (NPAFP) stands for non-polio acute flaccid paralysis. It represents those vaccinated. It is an illness that is two times as toxic that is caused by the moving, destabilized, polio viruses that are in the vaccine. Now how ironic is that?

According to the (WHO) World Health Organization, they anticipated every 2 per 100,000 people in India would get NPAFP. But they were off as it is every 12 per 100,000. And in terms of the amount of actual cases of the disease, there have been 53,563 cases. That is not a number that should be overlooked. So what’s the answer then? The answer according to plumbers is to advance India’s water transportation and better India’s cleanliness and hygiene. It would be much more successful and less costly. Spending $9 billion dollars on a health campaign is definitely too much.

So the reality is to not throw or force vaccines on people who are suffering without the luxuries of clean water. It might some like an easy fix, but evidently it has made things worse. The truth is that vaccines time and time again have pollutants like aluminum and mercury. So you can see why many people would be against vaccines and why there is so much controversy surrounding it. The other reality is that if you choose to still forego taking vaccines there will be precautions and that you will have to go the extra step in order to not catch diseases. You would have to maintain a hale and hearty diet, work out, keep your stress levels low, and get a good nights rest. Some might not mind doing these steps, because maybe they already incorporate them in their daily lifestyle, but maybe some don’t want to partake in the extra work. At the end of the day it is your choice. Whatever decisions you make in life you know the potential consequences and stakes in the end.

At the end of the day the people we should be thanking for the longer life expectancy are plumbers. I bet if you ask most middle class people or who are well off they wouldn’t say. “Oh I am so lucky that I have a toilet, and that I don’t have to dump my own human waste.” Well people, be happy that you have clean drinking water and a toilet. There are so many people that get overlooked in today’s society for their hard work and it’s evident that plumbers are one of them. They are the experts and they do the dirty work; they should at minimum get the credit and praise.

If anyone has been vaccinated they should consider doing a detox. There are actually certain foods that you can eat that will detoxify your body. In addition, you can look up online how to stay unaffected to diseases. Staying healthy is very important and key to longevity. Canadians are probably the luckiest as we have access to free healthcare. It is unfortunate that these third world countries have to go through tragedies like this, but the reality is that every country is run differently and functions differently according to their governments and population. The fact is also that Canada has a population of approximately 36,286,378 versus India that has a much larger population of 1,328,864, 313. Countries like India and China are overpopulated and they lead and are more likely to develop health issues. The poverty rate in Canada versus India differs largely due to these circumstances, but of course matters are being taken to lessen the damage as stated.

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The strange smells of poor ventilation: How tell if you need to fix your DWV system

August 15, 2016VentilationLeave a comment

Drainage systems usually come equipped with a ventilation infrastructure that helps regulate air pressure as well as stop bad and dangerous odours from escaping your pipes.

Drain pipes are designed so that waste is pushed along with the help of gravity. That’s why they’re often angled to the floor. But they also need the help of natural pressure, which functions better with ventilation. The combination of these two things helps water and waste move without difficulty.

With a proper drain-waste-vent system you should be able to avoid the strange oddities that come with poor ventilation.

Things like gurgling, foul smells, noisy pipes, and bubbly toilets are all sometimes the result of poor ventilation in your house.

This article will go over all of the ways in which you can identify clear ventilation problems and distinguish them from other plumbing issues like drain clogs.

Strange sounds and smells

As mentioned above, a drain-waste-vent system is not only important because it equalizes pressure in the drain line, but also because it removes sewage and stench from your house.

Those wiggly shaped pipes, called water seal traps, under your sinks and in your toilets hold a small amount of water that catches odours from passing through your sink.

Within these traps there’s something called a water seal, which is the “maximum vertical depth of liquid that a trap will retain measured from the crown weir and the top of the dip of the trap.” The higher the depth of this water seal, the better your trap will work on catching those odours.

With a poorly ventilated system, however, it won’t matter how affective your traps are when there’s no water. You’ll know right away when this happens as the smell can be awful and dangerous. But before resorting to any extreme measures, it’s always good to clean out any possible clogs.

Another obvious sign your ventilation system is acting up is when your pipes start emitting strange gurgling sounds.

It’s important to note that drains are designed to be silent, so if you hear anything from them then it’s probably a sign that there’s poor ventilation.

Without proper airflow it is difficult for water and waste to flow through the drain line. The same concept applies when you puncture a can with only one hole. Without a second hole, it is difficult for water to flow out.

Bubbling up and slowing down

Slow drains are most often the result of a clog, but if you’re unfortunate you may encounter a plugged vent.

Plugged vents can slow down your drain action making it sluggish. These are probably the most difficult to fix because it can sometimes require breaking through walls. Once all resources have been exhausted, you’re probably going to want to call a plumber for this one.

Aside from slow drains, another strange phenomenon that occurs with poor ventilation is bubbling. When there isn’t enough air to equalize pressure in your drain pipes, it can cause bubbles to form.

If you experience this, don’t panic, it’s just a plumbing issue. There’s no need to call the doctor.

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6 Reasons Your Plumbing May Need an Upgrade

August 12, 2016Plumbing TipsLeave a comment

Most people don’t think about their plumbing until it’s too late.

That’s why it’s important to keep up to date with the current trends in plumbing. You could be living in an incredibly old house with lead pipes and dangerous water pressures without even knowing it.

While calling a plumbing and getting an inspection is the best way to determine whether or not your house needs an upgrade, you can also do a few things on your own to ensure your plumbing is top notch.

Following these tips, you’ll learn when it’s time for an upgrade and how to check if your plumbing is operating at maximum efficiency.

With these tips you’ll never get your pipes in a bunch again.

High hydro bills

Toilets use a lot of water. In fact, toilets can use up to 5 to 7 gallons of water a day, or 38 percent of the total water used inside in a typical US home.

Upgrading to a newer low-flow toilet can save significant amounts of water as they use only 1.6 gallons per flush.

Low-flow toilets use gravity or pressure-assisted technology to work. With improved hydraulics of tanks and bowls, modern low-flow toilets use significantly less water. This can reduce your use of bathroom water by 50 percent, saving you approximately $78 per year.

When there’s wearing and tearing on the pipes

Upon first moving in, you should examine the pipes in your house to get a clear understanding of where they are in their lifespan. Take pictures and make observations of them concerning rust, corrosive damage and functionality.

You can also call a plumber to do a free inspection of your home.

If your pipes are damaged, then it’s probably time to upgrade to a new system.

Low Water pressure

Low water pressure can be anything from a clogged pipe to a serious mold infestation. Whatever the case, low water pressure is a tell-tale sign that your pipes and washroom needs an upgrade.

But before calling a plumber, try cleaning out your pipes with proper cleaners. This will ensure that it isn’t just a simple clog.

If matters are more serious, for instance, if your pipes are eroding significantly, then it’s probably best to call a plumber.

Take out those lead pipes!

Some homes are very old and despite the fact that they have beautiful antique aesthetics, they also house dangerous materials that can be harmful to your body.

Things like lead pipes, which were commonly used in the early 1990s before people realized that they can be a serious health hazard.

Not only can they contaminate your water, but their lifespans are much shorter than modern pipes, being that they are extremely prone to breakage.

Make sure to check in with a plumber to figure out whether or not your pipes need to be replaced.

Water discolouration

If your water isn’t clear, then it’s time to upgrade your pipes.

For the most part, pipes have a long life span, ranging anywhere from 25-years to 100-years. When they get to a point where they are no longer functional, however, you’ll definitely see it in your water.

Discolouration in water is caused by pipes being rusty or clogged. If you don’t treat this immediately, it can lead to too much pressure causing the pipes to burst. If this happens, you may have to shell out a ton of cash to repair it.

So the moment your water becomes discoloured, maybe it’s time to upgrade.

Exposed pipes are your friends

Using exposed pipes as a guideline, you can determine the state of your plumbing.

Typically, houses that are 60-years and up have exposed pipes running along the basement. This will allow you to do a quick inspection on your pipes.

Make sure you look out for pipe discoloration, flaking, dimpling and bumps. Use common sense to determine if the pipe needs replacing. You should also look for moisture accumulation on the pipes. If you come across this, it means that your pipes aren’t sealed correctly. This just means that they probably need to be tightened.

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Avoid clogged pipes with these 4 simple tips

August 11, 2016Backflow Valves, PipesLeave a comment

Maintaining your plumbing system may seem like a pain at first, but once you get in the habit of periodically cleaning your pipes you’ll learn that it’s not all that bad.

Knowing how to maintain your pipes is not only important for yourself, it’s also important for the environment. A lot of people ruin their plumbing system by flushing and pouring down harmful chemicals or materials that decompose slowly and that can actually have a negative effect on sewage systems.

Not only will you get clogs in your pipes, but you’ll also throw city officials in a fit as they hastily try to rid sewers and pipes of thousands of wet wipes.

By exercising caution and common sense, you can avoid causing damage.

In this list we cover some tips on maintaining your pipes, using the right materials and what you shouldn’t put in your drain.

Let’s hope that with these simple tips, you may never have to experience the agony of clogged pipes.

Use a basket strainer

You can buy a basket strainer online for as low as $1 in varying shapes and sizes.

These little things come in handy in showers and kitchen sinks. Simply emptying a basket strainer every now and then versus calling a plumber is much easier and takes little time and effort.

The amount of food and hair you’ll catch using these things is quite surprising.

Clean those pipes!

Every now and then you’re going to want to clean your pipes so that they can operate with maximum efficiency.

One of the easiest methods is to simply pour enzymatic cleaner down your drains. These work better than corrosive or acid-based cleaners because they don’t ruin pipes, septic systems and plumbing equipment.

Instead, enzymatic cleaners are made up of bacterial cultures and enzymes that slowly break down material inside pipes.

Do this every now and then and you’ll avoid major potential headaches.

Careful what you pour down the drain!

There are a whole array of things that you shouldn’t be pouring down the drain. Including, egg shells, grease, oil, fat, car fluids, paper towel, and tons of other things that are pretty obvious.

Generally, it’s common sense what you can and can’t pour down the drain. But if you’re on the fence about it, you can always do a quick search online to see if it’ll go down.

Exercise caution and common sense, treat your pipes with care.

Heat up those sinks after your done

One cool trick to keep your pipes clean is to run hot water after you’re done using the sink. This keeps oils on foods and off your pipes preventing build ups and clogs.

Fats, oils and grease can accumulate inside pipes and restrict flow. This can cause untreated wastewater to back up into homes, businesses and streets, resulting in high costs for cleanup and restoration.

Once you’re done you can also put baking soda into the drain. This will not only help your pipes clear up, but it will also help them smell nice too.