Not everyone is in love with Valentine’s Day. For some, the day is a reminder that they’re still looking for someone special to share their life. Others feel pressured to promise a commitment they don’t feel ready to make.
But this Valentine’s Day, make a commitment you know you can keep. Say ‘yes’ to caring for your indoor plumbing. All year long, your pipes flush dirty water and waste from your home, gives you hot showers, and fresh water to drink.
Neglecting your pipes can cause buildup that, if left unchecked, might lead to expensive repairs. Keep reading to find simple solutions to save money and care for your pipes!
Annual Drain Cleaning Key to Pipe Health
Slow draining water in your sink or shower might be pointing to a bigger problem with your pipes. Having your drains professionally cleaned once a year protects your pipes and can save you money on expensive, but preventable plumbing problems.
Hair, grease, and even small objects can block a drain, which puts added pressure on the pipe system. In some cases, the extra pressure causes a pipe to burst.
When it does, you’ll know right away that you have a problem. However, sometimes a pipe will only develop a slow leak, which can go undetected for a long time. Water seeping into walls and floors can cause thousands of dollars of damage.
Get Pipes Clean Fast With Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting uses a special nozzle to force water through your pipes, clearing them of any kind of obstruction. This method is a fast and effective method for making your pipes super clean.
In fact, the pressure from a hydro jet is strong enough that stubborn clogs like those from tree roots get cleared out. Hydro jetting isn’t without risks, however.
If your home has old or fragile pipes, hydro jetting can cause the leak or rupture you’re trying to avoid! That’s why it’s important to let a professional plumber handle the cleaning. A professional will examine the state of your pipes, and adjust the pressure of the hydro jet to keep your pipes safe.
3 DIY Ways to Clear Small Clogs
From time to time, even regularly cleaned pipes can clog. While not substitute for a good annual pipe cleaning, when those emergencies happen, it’s nice to have a few options besides getting out the plunger.
Here are 3 simple tips that can come in handy when you have a small clog:
Baking soda and vinegar -- Here is one eco-friendly solution to a minor clog. Mix ⅓ cup of baking soda with ⅓ cup of vinegar. It fizzes instantly so quickly pour it down the drain. That fizzing will break up clumped hair and other gunk from your pipes. Let it sit a few hours, or even overnight if you can. Then simply rinse with hot water. The hotter the water the better.- Get out your shop vac -- That’s right. Your trusty shop vac might help removes clogs, too! Set the shop vac to liquid mode, and create as tight of a seal as you can around the clogged drain. You can even remove the stick from your plunger to make a super tight seal and place the vacuum nozzle over its hole. When you turn the shop vac on, the suction might be enough to dislodge the clog.
- A good old fashioned snake -- Snaking a clog is a tried and true method of removing clogs. While this method is relatively safe for a DIY project, be careful. Your pipe system has a lot of junctions. If you send the snake down the wrong pipe, you can spend hours working fruitlessly on the clog because you never even reach it.
Use these tips if you get a small clog while waiting to get your pipes professionally cleaned, or, if you’re a renter, these tips can come in handy if you want to handle a clog yourself without getting your landlord involved.
However, if you need a professional plumber for any problem, Premium Plumbing & Septic is your trusted partner for all your plumbing needs!