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You may have heard that chemical drain cleaners are terrible for your pipes. Harsh chemicals that dissolve clogs can also wreak havoc on your plumbing–particularly if your pipes are made of plastic or galvanized steel. What you may not have heard is that many homeowners have been clearing their own clogs for years, without the use of harsh chemicals. These natural solutions will dissolve clogs, clean your pipes and keep them clog-free without the use of expensive drain cleaners. Materials used to Clean Drains There isn’t a single recipe for natural homemade drain cleaner. There are many recipes, and most […]
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First and foremost, it’s important to understand that a leaking water heater can be a very serious problem. A breached water heater has the potential to cause a massive flood, leading to devastating water damage. Should you attempt to repair the leak and are unsuccessful, you could face thousands of dollars in home repairs. For this reason, some beginners may feel more comfortable seeking help from a certified plumber. That said, some water heater leaks have some easy fixes. If you feel comfortable fixing your own water heater, these tips will help you. Identify the Problem Your first course of […]
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Ok, you know what a toilet is for. Toilets serve a very specific, very special role in the household, and for many toilets, this role doesn’t change very much. However there are some instances where people don’t use the toilet for its intended purpose. Toilet Tow Zone Imagine how Tom Suica’s toilet must have felt when it got strapped to a bicycle and left in a parking spot outside. Mr. Suica was angry because the steakhouse had claimed three parking spots in the street in front of Mr. Suica’s home. To protest, Mr. Suica did what any good plumber might […]
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Owning a vacation property, such as a cabin in the woods, is great fun, until the pipes freeze and burst in the winter. Luckily, there are a number of steps that homeowners can take to prepare their plumbing, heating and gas for those long months of winter. These tips will help you preserve your plumbing and prevent freezing temperatures from doing major damage to your property in your absence. Turn off the water supply to the house. The main water valve is usually found at the water meter around the home’s exterior, or in the basement. After turning off the water […]
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Clearing a clog can be a headache. Many people turn to Drano and other harsh chemical cleaners, but they may not be safe in some situations. Read on to learn the truth about Drano, when its okay to use, and how less harsh alternatives can get the job done just as well. Drano in the Toilet Drano has long been advertised as a quick and easy way to eliminate clogs and prevent septic tank backup. However, many plumbers advise against using Drano at all. Liquids placed in the toilet will sit for a while. The chemicals in Drano are volatile […]
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Winter’s frigid temperatures can take a toll on your home’s exposed pipes. During periods of extreme cold, these pipes can freeze up and burst, leading to costly water damage. You can reduce the risk of this happening by insulating exposed pipes to prevent them from freezing. Insulating these pipes also helps reduce heat loss and prevents them from sweating, which decreases the risk of moisture damage. This project doesn’t require expensive materials or a lot of time, but it’s important to make sure you do it correctly. Materials To insulate exposed pipes, you’ll need the following: Rag and mild cleaning […]
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If you’re like most people, you’ll be relying heavily on your water heater this Fall & Winter. Proper maintenance of the hot water heater, including periodic draining of the sediment, is a critical part of keeping it running throughout the cold months of Fall and Winter. Sediment that isn’t properly drained from the heater can circulate through your pipes and decrease its efficiency, thus shortening the life of the unit. The owner’s manual for your water heater should tell you how often to drain the sediment, but in general, it’s a good idea to do this every one to three years. […]
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As fall approaches, many homeowners may be thinking about gutter cleaning as a part of their regular home-maintenance routine. At this time it’s also important to address any clogged downspouts that could be preventing the gutter system from properly draining. Rain water that can’t properly drain can cause water damage to a home’s foundation, and may cause the formation of an ice dam in the winter. Some homes have downspouts that end at a location above ground, others have downspouts that feed into an underground PVC pipe. Downspout systems can become clogged in any location, above or below ground. Clearing […]
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Disposing of cat waste on a daily basis can be a pain. Many cat owners eventually find themselves wondering if used litter can simply be flushed down the toilet. This question is logical enough. After all, cat litter contains a form of excrement. The simple answer is “No“. Although there are some types of cat litter that are marketed as flushable, this does not mean that flushing is an acceptable method for disposal. Clogs Not all types of cat litter are flushable, and flushing the non-flushable cat litter can clog pipes. Many types of cat litter are designed to absorb […]
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Many homeowners take pleasure in completing basic home improvement tasks. Avoiding these common DIY plumbing mistakes will help you maintain your home more effectively and efficiently. Failure to Turn Off the Water Turning off the water is the first step in 90% of most plumbing projects, but it’s also an easy step to forget. Attempting to remove a fixture or fix a pipe before turning off the water can result in a nasty spray of water and a big mess to clean up. The shut off valve for most fixtures can be found on the wall beneath the fixture. Sometimes turning […]
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