Pleasanton Plumber - Clogged Drains? The Top Five Home Plumbing Mistakes You Don't Want To Make! Guaranteed Plumbing Danville

Clogged Drains? The Top Five Home Plumbing Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make!



“I thought I could handle it!” a home owner said. “My wife told me the kitchen sink wasn’t draining, so I got some drain cleaner and poured it down the drain. Problem solved, right? At least until my son flushed the toilet and it backed up on him. That’s when I knew I was in trouble!”

Clogged drains and obstructed sewer lines are not uncommon plumbing problems. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t know how to handle the messy, stinky issue of clogged drains. They try, but they make mistakes. Here’s the top five home plumbing mistakes that you don’t want to make:

Mistake #1: Not Using Your Plunger Properly

Many household clogs can be resolved with the strategic use of your plunger. Plungers are really ingenious low-tech tools. By creating a vacuum within your home’s sewer or drain lines, plungers harness the power of suction to dislodge clogs. Plungers work particularly well on clogs that are located close to the drain site. Try using your plunger to dislodge the clog. This can be messy and unpleasant, but it will allow you to get the problem fixed without having to call your plumber.

Mistake #2: Too Much Faith In Chemical Drain Cleaners

The chemical drain cleaners available to the general public at grocery stores and department stores promise a lot. They are effective at dissolving small clogs located close to the drain site, but they work slowly. Often, these chemical drain cleaners don’t completely alleviate the problem. A clog can be dissolved just enough to slip further down the pipe, where it joins up with other accumulated debris and causes a bigger problem.

Additionally, some chemical drain cleaners are extremely harsh on the environment.

Mistake #3: Trusting “Home Remedies” To Fix Your Clogged Drain

Hot water down the drain, solutions containing vinegar and baking soda, and heating drain lines to ‘melt’ the clog within are all purportedly tried and true remedies for clogged drains. However, these home remedies seldom actually fix the problem and can actually damage your home plumbing system. This will lead to more extensive, expensive repairs further down the road.

Mistake #4: Assuming the Worst Case Scenario

Some homeowners plunge into deep despair when they experience a clogged drain or backed up toilet, sure that an expensive excavation and repair job is in their immediate future. That may have been the case once, but plumbing technology has evolved. Now your (ANYTOWN) plumber can perform a visual inspection of your sewer lines, pinpointing exactly what’s causing the problem and what’s necessary to resolve it. This has greatly reduced the need for excavation. An increasing percentage of problems can be fixed ‘in line’ – even when tree roots penetrate your sewer lines. Don’t assume the worst until your (ANYTOWN) plumber has had a chance to examine the situation and discover what the problem really is!

Mistake #5: Skipping Regular Drain Cleaning

Regular drain cleaning should be part of your household’s regular maintenance routines. Organic debris accumulates in pipes over the course of time. Regular sewer drain cleaning and drain cleaning service removes this debris before it has a chance to build up into a problem clog. Additionally, regular drain cleaning allows you to identify any potential plumbing problems before they start. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, particularly when it’s your home on the line!

source: http://drain.ezinemark.com/clogged-drains-the-top-five-home-plumbing-mistakes-you-don-t-want-to-make-31d59f74654.html
by Bill Lane


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Plumbing Alamo - How to get rid of a Bad Smell - Guaranteed Plumbing Co

It is a plumbing ventilation problem.

Plumbing works on gravity, water runs downward and air runs upward. Water and air cannot function separately in pipes. They need to work simultaneously.

In other words, if air is not escaping upwards through your pipes and out through your roof, water will not travel downwards causing all kinds of problems, such as back up flooding and foul air escaping through your home's interior exits (sink/bathtub drains).
How to Fix a Plumbing Ventilation Problem:
1. Clean out ALL of your "P Traps" (the rounded pipe under your interior drains). This will cost you nothing if done properly.
2. If you don't have "P Traps" because of the age of your home, it's time to upgrade. Install "P Traps" everywhere needed. Consult a professional plumber, if needed.
3. If that doesn't stop the problem, you may need a "Total Air Line Flush." Consult a professional plumber.
4. If that doesn't work, you may need to install "Backflow Preventers" in ALL your drain pipes.


source: http://www.womansday.com/home/my-sink-drains-smell-horrific-84030

By Cafe Sheri

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Plumbing Danville - Why is There a Trap under my Sink? - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville

Why is there a trap under my sink?

 

There are several reasons why there is a trap under your sink, and if you are renovating your home, you should always make sure that one is installed in every room in your house where you have a faucet. This includes the kitchen, the bathroom, the utility room and anywhere that you may have plumbing . A P-Trap, which is sometimes called by plumbers as a Stink Trap or water trap is the "U" portion which makes your sink safe from incoming sewer gasses and anything else like vermin that might come into your home through the drain. This is accomplished by the water which rests in the "U" portion of the trap.

The fact of the matter is that without P-Traps in your home the smell would be unbearable. not to mention dangerous, sewer gases contain all sorts of chemicals including methane which besides being explosive is deadly. Every year a plumber dies from inhaling methane while working on sewer piping, In fact it's sewer gas is so bad that a person entering a manhole must be attached by a harness so they can be lifted out incase they pass out.

While it does seem like a simple plumbing device, if you are buying a home, always make sure that the P-Traps are in place. This will insure that your home or condo will not allow vermin or sewer gas to enter your home through the drains.

source: http://www.plumbingpro.com/general-plumbing-faq/why-is-there-a-trap-under-my-sink

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Alamo Plumber - Filtered Water Makes The Best Ice - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville

Ice is Food

 

The average human eats nearly 2 pounds of ice a day. As with every other food, safe ice handling and proper preparation are the only ways to guarantee a healthy, tasty product. Installing an inline filtration system on your commercial ice machine’s water supply assures that residual bacteria, accumulated minerals and other contaminants are removed from the water.

Which Filtration System to Buy

Commercial water filtration systems use one to three filters to totally clean your incoming water. The number you need depends on the size of your commercial ice machine. 

Cube Ice Machines

Flake and Nugget Ice Machines

1 Filter

Up to 650 lbs

Up to 1200

2 Filters

650 – 1300 lbs

Over 1200 lbs

3 Filters

Over 1300 lbs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When To Change

Ice filters need to be changed every 6 months. Failure to change the filter will cause your machine to work harder and wear it out faster. Ice-O-Matic offers a free extended warranty if you agree to change the water filter every six months.

Ice Contaminants

Ice is subject to a variety of contaminants. The most common occur when a machine is poorly maintained or the water supply has dissolved minerals or residual chlorine.

• Mineral Deposits:
  Municipal water companies only remove contaminants that are harmful to human health. Many dissolved minerals are not harmful, therefore are not removed. Mineral laden water results in ice that appears cloudy and can make a drink smell and taste unappealing.
• Slime Build-Up:
  Slime build-up can result from a poorly maintained ice machine. Ice made from a slimy machine will appear cloudy with a slight yellow, green or red tint and can cause illness, especially in those with weakened immune systems. Learn More
• Chlorination:
  Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine to water in order to treat it and kill harmful germs. Residual chlorine remains in the water supply giving the water an unappealing taste.
   
  source:  http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/restaurant-equipment-supply-marketing-articles/product-safety-public-health/filtered-water-makes-the-best-ice-/c28168.aspx
  author Jason Rahm
  
  
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Danville Plumber - Water Heater Expansion Tanks - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville

What is an expansion tank?

An expansion tank is a metal tank connected to a building’s water heating appliance designed to accommodate fluctuations in the volume of a building’s hot water supply system. These fluctuations occur because water expands in volume as it gets hot and loses volume as it cools.

Expanding water volume in a closed system can create dangerously high water pressure. As water is forced into the tank by expansion, it compresses air contained inside of a rubber bladder. Air is used as a cushion because it exerts less force on its container than water, which cannot be compressed.

The function of this bladder is to prevent air from becoming absorbed into the water, a process that could cause the expansion tank to lose its ability to act as a sort of shock absorber. If, over time, the bladder begins to leak some air, a Schrader valve, identical to the fill valve found on bicycle and car tires, can be used to add more air.

 

What does it look like, inside and out?

Expansion tanks are considerably smaller than water heaters, usually holding about two gallons in residential systems, although tank sizes vary in relation to the water volume of the hot water supply system they serve. The design pressure for which a tank is rated is marked on a label on the tank, commonly 150 pounds per square inch (PSI) for a residential tank.

InterNACHI inspectors should check that tanks are positioned high enough above the water heater that water will easily drain back down into the water heater tank. It is best positioned near the water heater and may be installed vertically, either above or below the horizontal supply pipe, but can also be positioned horizontally. Horizontally-hung tanks will need additional support to reduce the stress on the copper piping.

The expansion tank should be inspected for proper location and support, corrosion and leakage. Although many jurisdictions now require an expansion tank to be installed at the same time that a water heater is installed, an expansion tank has not always been required in the past and may still not be required in some regions.

Not a Substitute for a Temperature Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve

If water heater controls fail and pressure in the system exceeds 150 PSI, or temperature exceeds 210° F, a temperature and pressure relief valve (TPR valve) installed on the side of the water heater tank will open, safely discharging water from the system. TPR valves are capable of reducing water pressure at a rate greater than the capacity of the water heater to raise it, thus eliminating the possibility that water will become superheated (greater than 212 degrees) and pose a serious threat. The importance of this valve cannot be overstated, and it is crucial that it is examined periodically for rust or corrosion, and the release lever should be exercised monthly by the homeowner, not by the inspector.

If a TPR valve fails to operate when it’s needed, the result can be catastrophic. Pressure will continue to build in the water heater tank as water temperature rises past the boiling point and water becomes superheated. Eventually, pressure in the tank will exceed the ability of the weakest part of the water heater to contain it and the tank will rupture, exposing the superheated water to air and causing an instantaneous and explosive expansion of steam. This situation can propel the water heater like a rocket or make it explode like a bomb, causing extensive property damage, personal injury or death.

In summary, the expansion tank should be inspected for proper location and support, corrosion and leakage. Although not required in every jurisdiction, they are quite crucial to the successful and safe operation of residential potable water systems.

source: http://www.nachi.org/water-heater-expansion-tanks.htm
by Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Kenton Shepard

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Pleasanton Plumber - Have a Slab Leak? 7 Things That Could Have Caused It - Guaranteed Plumbing Co

Slab leaks can be devastating. Some take weeks or months to discover, and they are capable of causing serious damage to your home. All it takes is a pinhole-sized leak to cause major frustration.

Slab leaks occur in the pipes that are under the foundation of your home. You can get a slab leak in your water line – where the water enters your home from the outside – or in your sewer line – where your disposed water exits your home and goes into the sewer. If either of those lines leaks enough, it can cause the soil around it expand and swell. That soil can actually bend your foundation or cause it to have a dome shape – either of which can cause major damage to your home, like cracked walls and floors or even create a damp place for toxic mold to grow.

So, now that you know exactly what slab leaks are, how on earth did you get one? There are 7 things that typically cause them:

1. The chemical composition of your water
Water that has a pH level below 7 is considered “soft”, and it is chock full of acid. As that acidic water travels through your pipes, it can start to dissolve them – especially if you have copper pipes.
But, water with a much higher pH isn’t any better. If you water has a pH level above 8, it is considered “hard”. As hard water flows around under your house, it builds up on the walls of the pipes, and eventually, it starts to corrode them. Once the pipes are corroded, holes start to develop.

2. Your water pressure
Some homes fall victim to slab leaks because their water pressure is simply too high. Other homes don’t have an excessively high water pressure, but they have very narrow pipes that simply cannot handle having a lot of water rushing through them.
Either situation leads to the same damage. If water is moving through your pipes too quickly, it starts to eat away at the pipes’ protective coating. Once that coating is gone, it is easy for the water to corrode the pipes. Pipes that bend or change direction are especially vulnerable to this problem.

3. Your foundationFoundations shift for a couple of different reasons. Sometimes, they just aren’t designed properly. Other times, a change in moisture in the ground can cause them to move. If your foundation shifts enough, it can pull apart the pipes underneath. The end result? A slab leak.

4. Bad workmanship
Unfortunately, your slab leak could be a man-made problem. If you have plumbing supplies that are sub-par, it can lead to slab leaks. But, your leak isn’t necessarily your plumber’s fault. Another worker may have inadvertently nicked one of your pipes, causing a leak.

5. Electrolysis
If the pipes that are underneath your foundation are made out of different metals, it could eventually lead to a slab leak. Different metals have different types of stored energy, and they can react with one another. Those reactions can cause an electrical current that leads to pinhole-sized leaks.

6. Stuff you’re putting down the drainChemicals and solvents that you may not think twice about pouring down the drain could be wreaking major havoc on your pipes. Certain liquids can cause your pipes to break down – especially if you have cast iron piping.

7. RustIf the metal pipes underneath your foundation are sitting in soil that is always wet, it can lead to rusty pipes. That rust will eventually start to wear down your pipes and make them more vulnerable to holes and slab leaks.

source: written by SlabLeakPro.com

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Alamo Plumber - The Proper Drain - Guaranteed Plumbing Co

Drains are an integral part of every home. Unfortunately, it is often left forgotten and ends up getting clogged. We have to admit that not all of us are experts at drains but a good insight can help us avoid these costly hassles. Obviously, we first need to know what drains are in order to understand them. It’s not really rocket science and just about anybody can pick up a thing or two.

The basic idea or principle of a drain is simple. Water starts at the high end and goes through a pipe or down a trench by the aid of gravity into the low end where it then flows out into a ditch or a sewer. Today’s homes are a little bit more complicated though as they require three things to work properly. These are the trap, the stack and the clean out.
Here are a few things about the drains that we regularly use. Because we use these drains often, it is only right that we know more about how they work so that we can have a easier time assessing the problem if ever it comes to that.

The Sink Drain
One of the most common everyday drain that we see and use often. We do a lot of things here and it is only right that we learn something about it. Every drain in the house ultimately leads to a sewer or septic tank. If you see a curved piece of metal that is shaped like an “S” or a “P”, that is called the trap. What it does is, it prevents the sewer gases from getting up the drainpipe and into our homes by the use of the water that it holds at its lowest point. It also traps solid objects like rings that might get dropped accidentally into the drain. A word of caution though. These traps can also trap other solid wastes that could eventually lead to clogging. There is a “clean out” at the bottom of the trap that you can open to release the clog or whatever that is causing it. Simply unscrew it and let the water come out of the drain. This allows you access to the low end of the drain.

Another thing that most modern drains have is a vent. It is important to most drains as it allows air to get in above the water allowing it to flow smoothly along the pipe. What it is, is an open pipe that is connected to other vents from all the drains and runs out to the top of your roof. Aside from that, vents are part of building requirements for safety because they allow gases in the pipes to escape as well as taking the pressure off the pipes. If you notice that your drain is flowing intermittently and water is “burping” its way out of the pipe, you may have an improperly connected vent. Oftentimes, we see a few novice do-it-yourselfers attempt to fix or modify their drains and forget to connect the vent then wonder why it isn’t working right.

A little know-how can go a long way and the few things that you have learned here will be the start of a good foundation for a hassle-free drain in the future.

Source: http://www.plumbingqa.com/proper-drain/

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Danville Plumber - Naturally Cleaning Clogged Drains - Guaranteed Plumbing Co

Chemical drain cleaners are very popular but they put the environment and your family at risk. If you’ve read the label of one of these cleaners, you can see why a lot people have decided on looking for alternative cleaners. These chemicals can be poisonous and corrosive. Even the fumes that they emit are dangerous enough. They can also damage the pipes,leading to more problems down the road. Cleaners that are based naturally and would not pose any threat to the health of the residents as well as the environment.

Thankfully, there are ways and means to clean you drains naturally.

To prevent clogging the drain, pour boiling water down the drain every week or two. Pour in small amounts a few minutes apart. By doing this practice, you will be keeping the drain free from grease and debris. This will also prevent such buildup to occur.

Try using a plunger instead. This has been used for a long time and has proven to be effective in most cases. Who knows, the suction created by the plunger may be just the thing you were looking for to dislodge whatever it is that is causing the blockage.

Pouring a cup of baking soda to the drain and then following it with about three cups of boiled water can be quite helpful if your drain is draining slowly. This works because the boiling waters makes the baking soda more alkaline making it more powerful to cut through the blockage.

A popular drain cleaner is the combination of baking soda and vinegar. Pour about half a cup of baking soda down the drain and then follow it up with about half a cup of white vinegar. Keep in mind though that you should only do this if you have no plans whatsoever to use the commercial chemical-based cleaners. Getting the chemicals and the solution mixed up can cause an adverse chemical reaction. The baking soda and vinegar solution is powerful enough to cut through hair, small bits of food and grease. After you have poured the vinegar, give it a helping hand by pouring a few cups of boiling water in the drain to help flush out the loosened debris and clogs. If it seems harder to unclog, it could also help if you heat the vinegar before pouring it down the drain.

For more seriously clogged drains where water will not drain at all, you can pour a cup of washing soda onto the water above the drain. Let it sit for awhile and give it time to work its way through the blockage. After you see some results, follow it up with the baking soda and white vinegar solution to help move the clog through the pipes and out of the drain system. A few things to remember though. Washing soda has a higher pH than baking soda so don’t try to overuse this method or risk damaging your PVC pipes. Also, don’t use a chemical based commercial cleaner because of the possible chemical reactions it might produce.

The best way cure clogs is to prevent clogs. Do this by regularly cleaning the drain using some of the lesser evasive but natural methods. Also try a plumber’s snake to clean the drain. If all else fails, ask for the help of a licensed plumber in your area.

Source: http://www.plumbingqa.com/naturally-cleaning-clogged-drains/

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