Drain Cleaning tips and advice from local area plumbers, learn the leading cause of household drain issue and how to solve them.

The most commonly asked question in Plumbing

The most commonly asked question in Plumbing

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The number one question people ask about plumbing is: How do I fix a clogged drain?

Having clogged drains is one of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face, ranging from minor to severe problems. Fortunately, several ways exist to identify and resolve the issue without calling a professional.

First, it’s essential to determine if the clog is in your main line or a branch line. This can be done by pouring water slowly into both lines (if possible). If the water takes a long time to flow down the pipe, you likely have a clog in that line. Once you’ve identified the problem, it’s time to take action!

The traditional plunger is one of the most common methods to unclog a drain. To use it, you’ll need to plug the adjacent sink or tub so that air pressure can build up in the pipe and push out the clog. However, if this doesn’t work after several attempts, it’s time to move on to other solutions.

A drill (a snake) is another great option for clearing clogs from any drain pipe. The drill has a long wire-like attachment that can be fed through narrow pipes and bends to remove debris blocking the water flow. This should help eliminate your clogged pipes correctly without calling a professional plumber.

Lastly, consider using a chemical drain cleaner if all else fails. Chemical drain cleaners are sold in most hardware stores and can quickly dissolve clogs with corrosive chemicals. However, it’s essential to use caution when handling these products since they can cause irritation or even burns to the skin. Furthermore, chemical cleaners should not be combined with other solutions such as plungers or augers – use one method at a time!

Clogged drains are an unfortunately common plumbing issue that homeowners have to deal with occasionally. So with the proper knowledge and tools, you can care for almost any clog without calling a professional plumber. Understanding what causes clogging and how to address it correctly can save you time, energy, and money in the long run.

Another common plumbing issue that many homeowners face and ask about is a running toilet.

How do I stop my toilet from running?

clogged drain

So, a running toilet can be caused by a few issues, such as an improperly configured flapper, an old or worn float ball, or a broken fill valve. In most cases, the problem can be resolved with basic troubleshooting and DIY repair:

  1. Inspect the flapper to ensure it is positioned correctly over the drain hole at the tank’s bottom. If not, adjust its position to seal off the tank’s water supply when appropriately flushed.
  2. Check for mineral deposits on the float ball or fill valve; these deposits can sometimes prevent them from sealing off the water supply correctly and cause your toilet to run continuously.
  3. Inspect the fill valve for any visible cracks or other damage and replace it if necessary.

With these steps in mind, you should be able to fix a running toilet successfully!

Good luck! And remember – when in doubt, call a professional plumber! They have all of the right equipment and knowledge needed to get your plumbing back up and running like new quickly.

www.poolesplumbing.com

Unclog a Shower Drain

Unclog a Shower Drain

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If you’ve never had to unclog a shower drain you’re lucky. Many issues can arise that almost immediately tell you there is a plumbing problem. The unmistakable sound of a dripping faucet. The noticeable wetness from a leaky toilet. More so than any “telltale” sign, regardless of the issue, though, is that undeniably funky odor coming from your shower drain. This, combined with you noticing the water level higher as you take that morning rinse, means you have probably got a drainage issue. Luckily, your friends here at Poole’s Plumbing have you covered, as below we will instruct you on how to Unclog a Shower Drain.

Now, this is not the most complicated of plumbing issues, nor is it an impossible fix. However, there are a few ways that depending on the blockage; you might need to approach to Unclog a Shower Drain. No worries, though, as we assure you above, we will run through each of these ways. In the end, one way or another, we will get rid of that smell and, most importantly, open up that blockage.

10 Things You Should Never Rinse Down Your Sink

Unclog a Shower Drain Manually

Ideally, this will be the way you Unclog a Shower Drain. Finding and removing whatever obstructs the water from passing through your drain would end the issue. These obstructions can be anything from gobs of hair, oils, soaps, or other debris. But, just removing the cover and Unclogging a Shower Drain by removal will make for a fast solution in many cases. If you can use pliers or even a gloved hand to do this, perfect, case closed, and problem solved. However, if you can see the clog but can not get at it, follow the instructions below and use a simple wire coat hanger to Unclog a Shower Drain.

  1. Use a pair of wire cutters to cut your hanger to the right of the hook
  2. Bend the wire until it is one long, straight wire, and the hook at the top can be used as a handle
  3. Use a pair of needle-nosed pliers to pinch a small hook on the end of your long wire
  4. Lower and guide your hooked wire into the shower drain until you feel some type of resistance. That resistance is your clog.
  5. When you feel this mass, to Unclog a Shower Drain, rotate and poke the wire until you can feel it grasp the clog. Then pull it up and out of the drain. You may need to repeat this a few times to remove all debris fully.

If for some reason the hanger wire does not reach or is not strong enough to pull a clog, follow \the basic same method to Unclog a Shower Drain, but use a hand snake in the place of the wire.

Kitchen Ingredients to Combat the Clog

Now, as we said, the first way would be ideal to Unclog a Shower Drain. But we also said we know some clogs are worse than others. Likewise, people develop and have their own methods that they grow to trust. Other ways to safely Unclog a Shower Drain that have been used over the years include the use of some basic kitchen ingredients.

This way of unclogging a Shower Drain will keep your hands clean and usually are effective. Below we have three different “potions” for your shower drain that will get things flowing right again.

  • Liquid Dish Soap- Yep. That is exactly what it states. Pour between a half and a full cup of liquid dish soap directly into the shower drain. Wait 20-30 minutes, then flush through with extremely hot or even boiling water.
  • Baking Soda and Vinegar Combo- A safe alternative to harsh chemicals when looking to Unclog a Shower Drain. This involves first pouring one cup of baking soda into your drain. Immediately following that, pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into the same drain. Then cover the drain and again wait 20-30 minutes. At that point, flush with boiling water, and you should be successful in this attempt to Unclog a Shower Drain.
  • The “Fizzy Cola” Method- It is what it sounds like. No surprises here; just looking to Unclog a Shower Drain simply. To use this method, pour a liter of cola (or fizzy, carbonated soda) down the drain. Follow this with our trusty boiling water, which is said sometimes to do the trick.

What About When Already Dealing with Standing Water?

This is a valid question with a not-so-difficult-to-accomplish answer. If your clogged drain already has you with water standing as you shower, we simply start by grabbing the plunger. Placing its head over the drain, plunge up and down quickly between five and ten times. Pull away from the drain and repeat this simple process if needed. You will begin to see the standing water recede, and to Unclog a Shower Drain completely, refer to the above methods once the standing water has been cleared.

What if None of These Helps to Unclog a Shower Drain

These may seem obvious and easy ways to unclog. But the truth is, these methods are proven to work. If you try these, though, and they do not work, you may need some professional help. The most reliable name in Raleigh area plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing, is here and waiting to assist you with this or any other of your plumbing needs.

To contact the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbing for over two decades, visit poolesplumbing.com.

How to prevent build-ups that clog drains

How to prevent build-ups that clog drains

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Buildup, buildup, buildup. Do you see your clogged drain as the bane of your shower-taking existence? You can do certain things to make sure that doesn’t happen again. So, here may be some common reasons, and we’ll give you some tips on how to prevent build-ups that clog drains, without breaking a sweat.

 

A Clogged Drain Can Be a Pain to Fix

With busy lives, we may not be paying attention to the hair that drops into your shower drain every day, but it tends to pile up rather quickly-especially if you have long hair or live with a variety of people who also tend to shed their hair. This excess hair can clog up your drain, and clogs are relatively tricky to cleanout. Sometimes you have to call a plumber to pry it free, but here are some ideas for clogged drains that might save you the trouble of getting someone else involved if you can do it yourself.

clogged-drainImportant Tips

  1. Make sure you squeeze the excess water from your hair before you go clogging up your shower drain.
  2. If you have a clog, try using a plunger on the clogged drain first – this will probably do the trick most of the time!
  3. Make sure you’re not overloading your washing machine with too much soap or fabric softener. This can cause residue to clog up your drains. If you’re using a lot of soap, try switching to a liquid version instead.
  4. Try boiling water down the clogged drain – pouring a pot or two of boiling water into a clogged shower sink might help melt any clogs sitting on top of the drain without getting too far inside.
  5. Make sure you’re not clogging your drains with food scraps, especially grease or oil, which can solidify and clog up pipes like cement!
  1. If all else fails, make sure to call a professional to take care of your clogged shower drain for you! It might be frustrating to pay someone else to clear the clog when you know how to do it yourself, but they’ve got the equipment necessary to get clogs out that you don’t have.

How to prevent build-ups that clog drains

When the weather starts to get cooler, drains can become clogged. A few steps can be taken to prevent this and save money in the long run. Follow these steps to avoid clogged drains this season.

Keep Drains Clear

Drains are more likely to become clogged in the fall, so it’s essential to keep them clear this season. To keep drains clear of grease and other buildups, run hot water with a cup of baking soda and vinegar, and if there is still standing water in the drain, use boiling water. Like this, you can prevent your drains from becoming clogged with grease or dirt debris.

Get Rid of Excess Hair

Before it gets cold, be sure to get rid of excess hair in the shower. This means cleaning out drains and disposing of hair that won’t come free promptly.

Run the Heat and Air

The heater and air conditioner can be used to prevent clogged drains. Running these appliances will help dry out the drain and remove excess moisture that could cause a clog.

If these steps are taken, you can prevent your drain from becoming clogged and save money in the long run.

A clogged drain is a bummer, but there are plenty of different things that can cause clogs in your shower. You have to find the right solution for your clog and keep your drains unclogged so you can keep taking relaxing showers without all of the clogs.