Downey Plumbing Tips

Drain clogs can happen to anyone. That being the case, it is a good thing to know the best ways to unclog a drain. We should also know and practice good prevention to keep the clog from forming in the first place. Usually, drain clogs can be cleared by the home owner without having to call the plumber.

Different drains require different clearing techniques, of course. Your sink drains will likely have an accessible bend under them. This section can be removed to allow an auger to be inserted in order to reach and remove the clog. A bathtub or shower drain may well have no access except the drain hole itself. Of course, different drains will have different clog problems, food and kitchen waste in one, and hair in another. As to the toilet, who knows what’s been put in there?

If the situation does get out of control, you can always call on your local plumbing service to help. They will have a combination of modern diagnostic tools and old fashioned know-how that will enable them to clear your clog and get you back to a state of plumbing perfection.

Do you need to locate your septic tank? You can do that yourself, quite likely, without calling the plumbers. There may be documentation, in your “papers related to the house purchase” drawer, and you can spend some time searching there. Or maybe the previous owners can still be contacted. But if you can’t locate the paperwork, you could take some simple tools and venture out into the yard. An example of a simple tool would be a steel rod, perhaps five or six feet long. You will need to probe down several feet. Or you could try a metal locator. Start at the point where the sewage pipe leaves the house. Probe gently. You want want to poke a hole in a pipe and complicate the issue.

Your probing may find something unexpected, buried in your yard. Or perhaps you’ll find nothing. If you do find something you don’t understand, or you fail to find anything at all, consider calling in the professionals. Your local plumbing company will be able to tell you what you have and what you need as well.

There is no time like the present to purchase and install a new water heater. With energy costs on the  rise, a new water heater can save you lots of money, and save our planet’s dwindling natural resources as well. The new water heaters are so much more efficient than the older models. While all types of  water heaters have been improved and made more efficient, the natural gas water heaters are among the best and most fuel-efficient types available today.

The most common home water heater type is the storage tank style. There are electric models of these, but the natural gas storage tank style water heaters can cost as little as one-third the energy bills to  operate. Natural gas is an excellent and cost-saving choice, but there are excellent and highly efficient electric and other models available as well. Your local plumbing and heating contractor is the best  resource to call for advice concerning the installation of a new water heater.

As the winter slowly begins to wind down, it’s time to give some thought to spring cleaning your home.  While you are at it, you should have a reputable plumber check the following items in your home.

• Have all faucets checked for drips or leaks. Making repairs now will save you money in the long run;
• Check all drains for strainers that can help prevent hair, soap and debris from causing problems due to build up;
• Your toilet may have a leak that you’re not aware of. A reputable, licensed plumber can check and make sure there are no leaks;
• Make sure that your plumber inspects both your toilet tank and bowl for cracks or leaks that could cause problems;
• All water supply valves under sinks and toilets should be checked to ensure they are operating freely;
• Check to see if the toilet handle has to be held down for proper flushing or it needs to be jiggled to stop  water running.  If so, your plumber may recommend you replace worn tank parts. This will help keep your water bill lower as well.

These are just a few things that can be done to prepare your home plumbing system for spring.