Category: Plumbing Tips

5 Home Plumbing Myths That Cost You Money

Posted on by Eastern Plumbing

Are you a new homeowner or someone learning how to maintain your home plumbing system? There are many myths surrounding home plumbing, all of which can lead to costly repair to systems and pipes. Before you take your mother’s advice and go the “DIY” route, read below for some of the top myths of home plumbing you’ll want to avoid.

Myth #1: Lemons Clean Your Garbage Disposal.

Many people believe that if your drains smell clean, they are clean. However, this is not the case. While running a lemon rind through your disposal may make your drain smell better, it won’t actually get clean. If you want to clean your drains, you will need to use a disinfectant. Spray the cleaning solution into the disposal, wait a few minutes for it to work its magic, and then use a cleaning brush to scrub the disposal. As an added tip, always remember to disconnect the garbage disposal from its power source before you clean.

Myth #2: Running Water While Using the Garbage Disposal Helps the Waste Travel Smoothly.

While using a garbage disposal, many homeowners believe they can put just about anything through the system as long as the faucet is running water. This is not the case, as hard or thick food items such as eggshells, banana peels and even sticky spaghetti can cause a blockage and damage the disposal blades. Before you put thick foods down your disposal, break the food into small pieces and mix them with water to ensure the waste will be disposed of properly.

Myth #3: As Long As Water Keeps Running Down My Drain, It Isn’t Getting Clogged.

This is another common misconception. Blockages are caused from a long term build up on the inside of the pipes that occurs over time. You can prevent and maintain blockages by making sure you routinely use an anti-blockage chemical as well as a drain filter to ensure that hair and non-perishable items do not go down the drain.

Myth #4: It’s OK To Clean Plumbing Fixtures With Hand Soap.

When cleaning the kitchen or bathroom, it is common to see people cleaning their sinks and faucets with hand soap. The truth is, this method is actually causing damage to the surface of material. Sinks, faucets and toilet bowls should always be cleaned with a strong disinfectant to keep them free of germs. Gently clean your faucets with a solution made from cut lemons and baking soda.

Myth #5: Plumbing Fixtures Require Little to No Maintenance.

Out of all the common plumbing myths, this is a dangerous one that will likely cause you the most problems in the future. Pipes are often obstructed by clogs, trees roots, or shifting home foundations, which can result in expensive plumbing repair such as sewer line replacement or a pipe replacement. Homeowners should routinely inspect and maintain sinks, faucets, toilets and pipes to make sure any sign of damage is addressed immediately. Remember, prevention is better than the cure.

Choosing the right plumbing service will be so much more beneficial to you and your family in the future. Having a trustworthy and professional plumbing service such as Eastern Plumbing, on call any time, will provide you with a peace of mind. You can be assured that all of our plumbers are continuously trained on all of the latest plumbing techniques and technological advances to stay ahead of the rest. Eastern Plumbing is always here to assist you with all of your plumbing needs and resolve any plumbing issues quickly, efficiently and at an affordable price.

Drip…Drip…Drip…

Posted on by Eastern Plumbing

 

Your faucets act as a dam for water entering your home, the water is under pressure, therefore a watertight seal is necessary to hold back the incoming water until you are ready to use it. A dripping faucet is generally a sign that this seal or another component is worn and needs to be replaced.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey Water Science School, leaky faucets drip once per minute, that’s an average of 1,440 drips per day, 34 gallons of water per year. Those gallons down the drain translate to money down the drain, fixing the leak can save up to 10% on your water bill.

Culprits of a leak may include:

  • an O ring becoming loose or worn due to over usage
  • water sediment build up/corrosion on the valve seat
  • worn washers or seals from repeat friction with valve seats
  • an improper installation of the washer
  • loose parts caused by continuous usage

When a drip is noticed, whether you DIY or call Eastern Plumbing for a professional plumber, it’s important to address the repair immediately.

Serious Summer Plumbing Problems

Posted on by Eastern Plumbing

Protect Your Property From Serious Summer Plumbing Problems

When we think of potential problems for homeowners in the summer, plumbing issues may not readily come to mind. However, the warmer months are a prime time for plumbing problems that may not occur at other times of the year. How can homeowners protect their property from serious summer plumbing problems and what particular issues should they be careful to avoid? Here are five of the most common plumbing problems that arise during the summer.

  1. Clogged Disposal: Are you having plenty of cookouts this summer? If so, you will need be careful of how you dispose of waste food. While produce may be organic, it is generally not good for your in-sink garbage disposal, particularly if you are getting rid of hard fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon or corn. These types of produce can damage the blades in your disposal unit or lead to stubborn clogs. Used cooking oils are also damaging to garbage disposal systems. Avoid pouring the dirty grease down the drain after grilling out. It is also a good idea to run cold water through your disposal for a few seconds before and after you use it to clear any remaining bits of food.
  1. Sewer Line Backups: Certain areas of the country may be prone to summer rain showers or thunderstorms, especially as the air heats up in the afternoon. Excessive rain can get into sewer pipes through cracks and cause the sewer line to back up. You might also experience trouble if tree roots spread underground and crack the pipes. If you see any signs of sewer line trouble such as water from the toilet backing up into the bathtub drain, call a qualified plumber right away. He or she may recommend a sewer line replacement if the damage is extensive.
  1. Washing Machine Maintenance: Your washing machine may get more of a workout during the summer, especially if you have children who are out of school. Spending days at the pool or the beach results in more laundry to wash. This can put additional stress on your washing machine. It is best to stay at home while the machine is running, so that if a problem arises you can stop the cycle immediately and call a professional if needed. You should also move the machine out from the wall a little to prevent the hose from kinking.
  1. Clogged Toilets: Household toilets are also used more regularly in the summer, thanks to children using the bathroom during the day. Teach your kids to use a modest amount of toilet paper and to flush only after they actually use the bathroom. Common clogs are fairly simple to clear with a plunger, but if you need additional help, call in a professional.
  1. Sprinkler Issues: If you have sprinklers embedded in your lawn, be sure to inspect and clean the heads before the season begins. When you are mowing the lawn, be careful to do so when the sprinkler heads are lowered. This helps with avoiding damaging them.

Seasonal Plumbing Tips for Spring

Posted on by Eastern Plumbing

Spring is here, which means it’s time for “spring cleaning” for your home’s pipe and drainage systems. Eastern Plumbing offers you these quick and simple tips to protect your home against seasonal plumbing problems.

Kitchen/Bathrooms

  • Check faucets for drips or leaks. Make repairs to save water.
  • Check toilets for hidden leaks. Add six drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
  • Inspect tank and bowl for cracks or leaks.
  • Make sure toilets flush properly. If the handle must be held down for a thorough flush or jiggled to stop the water from running you may need to replace worn tank parts. They’re inexpensive and you’ll notice a lower water bill.

Appliances

  • Flush your water heater tank to clear out corrosion causing sediment, which reduces heating efficiency and shortens the life of the heater. Check your water heater manufacturer’s website for specific instructions concerning your make and model.
  • Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. (The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made.) Newer water heaters are more energy efficient.
  • Make sure flammables are not stored near the water heater or furnace.
  • Check dishwasher, washing machine and ice maker supply hoses for bulges or leaks. Replace hoses showing signs of weakness or older than ten years. Use stainless steel hoses where possible; they are more reliable and less prone bursting.

General

  • Pour a gallon of water into infrequently used drains (including floor drains) to fill the trap and prevent odors from entering the house. Slow floor drains should be snaked to ensure they will carry away water quickly in the event of a flood.
  • Check exposed pipes under sinks and in the basement for signs of leaks.
  • If your home has a sump pump, make sure it operates properly by pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit. The pump should quickly turn on, discharge the water then shut off without any problems.
  • Inspect for slow leaks in your home by taking a reading on your water meter.
  • Install flood alarms. Like a smoke alarm, a flood alarm is a battery-operated device that sounds an alarm when it comes in contact with water. It alerts you to potential flooding or leaks.

Outside

  • Make sure yard drains, gutters and downspouts are cleaned out, open, and free of debris. If you let the debris build up, gutters and drains can clog, causing water damage, leakage and mold growth – not something you want to deal with!
  • Check for bird nests in plumbing vent pipes.
  • Check faucets and hose bibs to make sure water flows freely. If an outdoor faucet drips or if there is leakage inside your home the first time the hose is turned on, you may have had a frozen pipe that cracked and needs to be replaced.

Completing this inspection will prepare your home for the heavy rains of spring and will help you discover sooner and not later any damages caused by a long, cold winter. Contact Eastern Plumbing today to ensure you are ready!