3 Ways To Prevent Clogged Drains

by | Oct 18, 2012 | Plumbing Tips

Some plumbing problems you just can’t avoid, due to faulty materials, poor installation, or simple wear and tear over time. However, there are ways to prevent clogged drains in your home or business by being careful never to allow certain materials to enter into the system. Therefore Durance Plumbing believes certain plumbing problems can be avoided by taking proper precautionary measures.
Following are some basic techniques to save yourself from unnecessary spending and unwanted plumbing headaches:
One of the simplest plumbing problems – and easiest to prevent – is that of clogged drains. How do you keep from blocking up your plumbing in such a way?

Here are three ways to prevent clogged drains:

  1. Use Drain screens. These are very simple little contraptions that can go a long way in protecting your drains from clogs. Drain screens are exactly what they sound like: screens that cover your drains. They are generally made of metal or plastic, and can be found in any chain retail, hardware, or home improvement store. Simply place the drain screen over the drain to block hair and soap scum from drains, and be sure to clean the screens frequently.
  2. Boiling water. Even if your drains don’t become clogged with things like hair and other debris, you can bet that there is a collection of buildup from things like soap scum, water calcium, and other substances that grow on each other to form a nasty, mucky build up. One of the best, most simple, ways to clear out this buildup and keep drains free and clear of clogs is to pour boiling water down your drains once every week. Simply heat a pot of water on the stove to boiling, and then slowly pour it down each drain.
  3. Be careful of what you allow into your drain. Even the smallest things, like hairs, sand, and food remnants, can work together over time to create some major drainage problems. Pay close attention to what you are allowing down your drain, and use a screen, stopper, and/or drain filter whenever necessary. Also, you should never pour hot grease down a drain. That grease may be in liquid form while it is hot, but it will harden when it cools and could very easily stick to your pipes and clog your drain. *And as an added warning for the fall season…We want to remind everyone to never ever dump pumpkin guts down your drains or you risk clogged pipes.The seeds are hard and we’ve seen them jam garbage disposals. It can also clog toilets and should not be flushed. Flushing could cause problems further down in the sewage system. The guts are also stringy and slimy and cause other stuff to attach and stop up the drain. Sometimes, there’s so much it won’t even make it around the turn of the trap.

Your home’s plumbing is a major investment, and one that you will need to last for many years to come. Don’t take any chances with faulty plumbing materials or installation. Put all of your plumbing needs in the hands of competent, locally owned, trustworthy professionals like us, Durance Plumbing.

We can be reached by telephone at 301-270-6663, or via email: Kirk@DurancePlumbing.com.

Top 3 Reasons You Might Need a Plumber

by | Oct 12, 2012 | Plumbing Tips

Top 3 Reasons You Might Need a Plumber

It may be tempting to attempt to do your own home repairs in order to save some money. However, there are some circumstances in which you absolutely should call in the experts. In this article we are identifying three reasons you may need to call a professional plumber. If your repair need has to do with your home’s water system or plumbing, then it is a good idea to know when you can handle a job on your own, and when you should turn to the expertise of a plumbing professional. Here are the top three reasons you might need a plumber:

It can be hard to identify the real problem. Sure, you may be able to easily determine that you have a water leak, or that your water pressure is too low. However, are you aware of the several different causes that may lead to the same problems you are experiencing? A reputable plumber will be able to approach your repair issue from a variety of angles, in order to correctly identify the real culprit, rather than just attacking the symptoms of the problem.

Plumbers can see into the future. No –not in a “crystal ball” kind of way – but rather in the “we have experience and know what your current problem can lead to in the future” kind of way. If you don’t know a whole lot about your current repair need, other than the immediate ways in which you might be able to fix it, then you need to stop and consider the fact that your small problem might in fact be related to something much bigger in your home’s overall plumbing system. In turn, this means that your small problem could erupt into a much bigger problem down the road, if you don’t take proper precautions now. A good plumber will be able to assess your situation more accurately, according to years of experience.

You could make a bad problem worse. It may seem simple enough to replace a pipe or two, but are you equipped to handle unforeseen repair issues that may arise while you are working on that seemingly isolated problem? Most likely, the answer to that question is “no,” in which case you should recruit the help of a professional.

Your home’s plumbing is a major investment, and one that you will need to last for many years to come. Don’t take any chances with faulty plumbing materials or installation. Put all of your plumbing needs in the hands of competent, trustworthy professionals like us, Durance Plumbing. We can be reached by telephone, at 301-270-6663, or via email: info@duranceplumbing.com.