Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Plumbing tips: Initial troubleshooting for clogging

A clogged drain can be a major showstopper for the on-the-go average American. Reality would dictate that the responsible homeowner would have some knowledge about common household issues, not the least of which being unwanted clogging. Here are a few tips on troubleshooting your clogged drain.

Image source: sirop.dvrlists.com

The first thing you should do is to observe whether or not the water level is going down at all. Generally, this would give you an idea of the extent of the obstruction. If it goes down even gradually, then it might not be a huge issue. If it remains the same or it barely moves after a few minutes, this might be more complicated. 

The next step is to get your drain plunger and apply pushing and pulling pressure on the drain hole. If there is an improvement, make sure that you do this repeatedly, even if you have to fill your sink or bathtub with some amount of water to see how it goes down again. 

If the problem persists, it’s time to make use of a plumbing snake. This is very effective in negotiating bends so that it may push away physical obstructions. Try to alternate between using the snake and the plunger before resigning to the fact that the problem requires the help of a professional.

Image source: plumberorangecounty.org

Troubleshooting is a huge skill set in maintaining your home. It saves time and unnecessary effort. So before you bring in the cavalry, try to see if you can fix your plumbing on your own ranks first.  

DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC has been providing the community with the best steel pipes and other steel made materials for the household. Leading the firm is Chris Keehner. For more information, visit this website.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Household Habits: Small Mistakes That Cause Big Pipe Problems

Image source: nuhome.com
To ensure that things are in order, proper household care should be a conscious effort. The truth is many of the most common household problems are ones which could be averted, given enough consideration from the part of residents.

Plumbing issues are on the list of American household horrors. Many of us are not aware that small mistakes can lead to huge consequences for our pipe systems at home.

Improper waste disposal is a problem that tends to degenerate gradually. Majority of household wastes are not easily broken down by water. Debris finding its way to pipes causes the accumulation of slime and other sediments that could stem the flow of water. Even toilet paper can cause clogging, and habitual disposal will mean exponential trouble if it collects in your septic tank.

Image source: plumbingmedic.net
Hanging habits might surprise you as one of the culprits in the plumbing problem. People tend to hang their towels, bath robes, and even their shower racks on the various protruding pipes in the home. In worst cases, pipes have been used as attachments for clothes lines. Pipes simply are not designed to support this much weight.

Compulsive tightening also causes issues because eventually, the first to give out is the valve mechanism, which is known to have non-metal parts. When this breaks down to premature wear and tear, this means unnecessary trouble and expense.

Proper household habits can certainly prevent problems. It’s a much smaller price to pay for consistent comfort.

DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC is a key provider of stainless steel pipes and other household and industrial steel items. It is operated by Chris Keehner. For more information about the company, visit this website.