Important Tips to Clear a Clogged Drain in Your Miami Home
Almost every home develops a clogged drain once in a while. There can be many reasons why this happens, including tree roots, inappropriate items flushed down the toilet, food or grease in the kitchen sink drain, or soap scum and hair clogs in the bathtub and shower drains. In some cases, these clogs can be quite simple for a homeowner to remove on their own. In other cases, the services of a professional plumber may be needed. Here are some tips for you to learn how to clear a clogged drain, along with some tools that you may be needing.
How to Clear a Clogged Drain
There are several tools that can come in handy when dealing with household drain clogs. The plunger, which is often the first tool you will reach for when trying to unclog any drain. These are quite inexpensive, usually only costing between five and ten dollars. Be sure to buy a well-made and sturdy one, since a cheap flimsy plunger will not be effective. Having one plunger dedicated for the toilets in your home and another for sinks, tubs and showers is the best approach.
You can also use a manual plumber’s snake or drain auger. This tool makes it easier to dislodge clogs that are situated further down inside the drain pipe. They consist of a long flexible steel cable, which is contained in a spool mechanism. A crank is used to move the cable in and out of the drain, thus clearing the clog. These come in various lengths, but a twenty-five foot cable is usually sufficient for most home clogs.
Power Auger for Unclogging Drains
However, for really tough clogs that are located even further away from the fixture, you might need to rent a power auger. These tools work basically the same as a manual plumber’s snake, except that they are powered by an electric motor. These devices have a lot of power and can cut through many different kinds of clogs, including tree roots. However, if you feel you need a power auger to deal with your clog, you might just be better off to call a professional plumber. If you do decide to tackle the job on your own, be sure that you have the rental agent explain the proper way to use the power auger, so that you can do the job safely.
If you have a particularly difficult toilet clog that doesn’t respond to a plunger, you might need to use a closet auger. These devices are designed specifically for toilets and use a cable enclosed in a rigid shaft instead of the spool style used by standard plumber’s snakes. They are also controlled by a hand crank. The end of the auger is configured in a certain way so that it can fit properly through the toilet trap, in spite of the tight curves.
Keeping Drains Running Clear
After you get your drain running clear again, there are some regular maintenance tips you can use to keep them that way. Running very hot water down the drain for about thirty seconds once a week can do a lot to prevent clog problems. You can also pour a tablespoon of salt into the drain, followed by a quarter cup of white vinegar. Allow it to sit for about an hour then flush with hot water. Pouring a half cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a half cup of vinegar can also be effective.
However, if you want the most experienced and professional plumbing service that is hassle free, contact Douglass Orr Plumbing or browse through their website at www.OrrPlumbing.com and discover how these guys work. Backed by 35 years of plumbing experience with thoroughness, aided with high end equipment so they can guarantee quality service that will absolutely top other Plumbing Services. So Just contact them. They will surely find a solution to your problem and you won’t have to ask “How to Clear a Clogged Drain” anymore!
Learn How to Fix Toilets in Your Miami Home
How to Fix a Running Toilet
How to Fix a Running Toilet
How to Fix a Running Toilet
A running and leaky toilet can drive a person nuts, but there are ways of fixing these types of problems yourself. One way of checking to see if you have a leaky toilet is to put food dye into the tank of the toilet and wait to see if any of the colored dye appears in the bowl of the toilet. If the dye does appear in the bowl of the toilet, then yes you have a leaky toilet. So just continue reading and you’ll learn how to fix a running toilet all by yourself!
A running toilet is easy to decipher, as it just seems to run non stop, unless you go and rattle the handle of the toilet. One of the causes of a running toilet is a flapper that does not seal properly. Many hardware stores carry the parts for almost every repair.
Repair Toilet Tip : How to Replace a Toilet Flapper
To replace a flapper, first shut off the water supply valve under the toilet, or the main supply if the valve leaks. Then flush the toilet to drain most of the water out of the toilet and unhook the old flapper. Be sure to take the old flapper with you, so you purchase the correct one when shopping. Follow the instructions that come with the new flapper, and hook the flapper chain onto the flusher lever arm, so that there is a little slack when the flapper is closed.
If the flapper does not leak, and the water still runs when you flush the toilet, then you need to inspect the fill tube connected to the overflow pipe. The end should be above the water line, if it is under the water line, cut it back.
Fix Broken Toilet Tip: Check For Leaks
Next, you should inspect the fill valve for visible signs of wear and test the float. If the float is improperly adjusted, the tank water level can rise above the overflow pipe and drain into it. Replace the old fill valve, if it does not completely shut off, or if it hampers the float arm operation.
Install the new float cup, according to the instructions on the package. Adjust the float to establish the proper water level, and finish the installation by attaching the flapper chain to the flush lever as described above. Turn on the water and flush the toilet to ensure it is running properly. These are the things that you have to take note of when fixing your running toilet.
However, for guaranteed quality of work and materials contact only Douglas Orr Plumbing The number one Plumbing company that you can find in Miami. Over 35 years of plumbing experience, they take pride in being honest and standing by their work. Backed by high-end equipment and state of the art gadgets to make their jobs accurate and consistent. Best of all, you can even call their 24/7 hotline for your plumbing emergencies. We hope that we were able to help and teach you some good tips on how to fix a running toilet.
Tips on How to Fix a Clogged Drain in Miami
How to Fix a Clogged Drain
How to Fix a Clogged Drain
How to Fix a Clogged Drain
It may seem like your kitchen and bathroom drains get clogged on a regular basis. Professional plumbing companies offer a complete variety of services and will repair your clogged drains at your home or office, but many recommend some green ways to keep your drains open, without using powerful industrial chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. These products may contain lye or acid, and can be dangerous to the wastewater system, your PVC pipes, as well as your health. By reading through this article you will learn many simple ways on how to fix a clogged drain.
You may want to use a more natural approach to keep your drains from getting clogged. Some health food stores carry bacteria based enzyme cleaners. Pouring a cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by about 3 cups of boiling water may also work, as long as water has not yet backed up in your drain. The chemical composition of the baking soda is changed by the boiling water, making it more alkaline.
Fix Clogged Floor Drain in Your Tub
If the water is not draining from your sink or bathtub, pour a cup of washing soda down the drain and let it set there for awhile to work its way down to where the clog is. Washing soda is more alkaline than baking soda, so be careful using it if you have already used a commercial drain cleaner, which will tend to be very acidic. This will result in the two chemicals reacting with each other and causing an even bigger problem. Also, washing soda can damage the plastic in your PVC pipes if you use it too often. This is another reason it may be best to call your plumbers in the first place.
Combining baking soda and vinegar, along with boiling water, will cause bubbles and fizzing that can help to unclog your drains. This method works particularly well when it is hair that is clogging the drain. Again, use caution with any of these methods.
How to Fix Clogged Kitchen Drain
If your kitchen drains are clogged, natural living enzyme culture drain cleaners will work well. These enzymes break down any organic matter that is clogging up your drains. This method also keeps your garbage disposal from emitting a strong odor in your kitchen. Enzymes do not work well on drains that are clogged by hair, so your shower, bath, and bathroom sink drains will not be cleared with this method. These types of clogs are better treated with washing soda and water.
As you can probably see, calling in a professional plumbing company as soon as you have a problem with your drains clogging up is the best way to make sure you are protecting your home and caring for your plumbing system.
However, for more serious repairs, leave it to the hands of professionals and contact only Douglas Orr Plumbing for all your plumbing needs. These guys are armed with top of the line equipment and high-end gadgets to make their jobs accurate and consistent. Backed by over 35 years of plumbing experience, they pride themselves in standing behind their work and being honest. These basic principles have allowed them to grow into one of the largest and most respected plumbing companies in South Florida. You can even call their 24/7 emergency hotline and rest-assured they will be right at your door step in no time. We hope that we were able to help you in a way and answer your questions on how to fix a clogged drain.
Steps to Change Your Shower Head In Your Miami Home
How to Replace a Shower Head
How to Replace a Shower Head
How to Replace a Shower Head
Replacing a shower head can be quite a simple task. There are several different reasons why you may want to install a new shower fixture in your bathroom; possibly for cosmetic reasons or because the current head isn’t spraying correctly. The problem with spraying is often caused by lime and calcium deposits that build up over time or even just natural corrosion. This guide will help and show you how to replace a shower head in your Miami home.
Before you begin any work, make sure the shower faucets have firmly been shut off. Now we will need to remove the existing shower head by turning counter clock-wise with a wrench on the flat spots located at the base of the shower fixture. The flat spots are located on the pipe nipple. This is where the head screws into the goose neck pipe, which is the part sticking out of the wall. Once removed, thoroughly clean the threads on the goose neck as debris may have built up.
Replace Shower Head Pipe
Next is the preparation process for the goose-neck threads. Once the threads are clean or you can also have to option to replace the goose-neck for better flowing water, then wrap them in a Teflon tape. Once the new shower head is installed, the Teflon will prevent any leakage. You should wrap the threads about 4 to 5 turns in a clockwise direction. In order to prevent the tape from showing, do not extend the tape above the threaded area. To finish this step, gently press the tape into the threads.
Once the threads are prepared, screw the new head onto the new goose-neck. We would recommend also changing the goose-neck to be sure no deposits are left inside. Some shower heads will come with a rubber washer, while some don’t use a washer at all. I usually prefer shower heads with a washer.
If you don’t have a washer included in the package, screw the shower head onto the goose-neck arm and tighten with your hands. Make sure it’s firm and tightly screwed on. To test it out, turn the water on and make sure the water is flowing smoothly without any leaks. If there are any leaks coming out of the shower arm, you may need to tighten the head using a wrench. To be safe, place a cloth under the wrench to prevent damaging the shower hear. Proceed to test again and keep tightening until there are no leaks.
Change Shower Heads
When you buy a new shower head and if your shower head comes with a washer, you’ll then proceed by placing the rubber washer into the head. Then take the shower head and screw it onto the goose-neck and tighten with your hands. Make sure it’s as tight as possible. Proceed to check for leaks and tighten again if there are any. Do not use a wrench if you’re using a washer as you may potentially force the washer inside the shower arm.
It’s quite a simple process to install a new head. Do not try to skip any of these quick steps as it will only cause problems down the road. Always make sure the shower is dry inside while doing this work to prevent slipping. There are many different types of shower heads available and also shower goose-necks. You can find a huge selection online, so always shop around before making a purchase!
However, look no further and contact only Douglas Orr Plumbing for all your plumbing needs. These guys are armed with top of the line equipment and high-end gadgets to make their jobs accurate and consistent. Backed by over 35 years of plumbing experience, they pride themselves in standing behind their work and being honest. You can even call their 24/7 emergency hotline and rest-assured they will be right at your door step in no time. We hope that we have provided you answers with your question on “how to replace a shower head?”
