Tag: avoid!

Avoid These 3 Common Plumbing Mistakes

How to Stop Making Common Plumbing Mistakes 

There are three common plumbing mistakes that professional plumbers want homeowners to know about. In this blog post, we share what the most common plumbing mistakes are and how to avoid them in 2023. The new year is the perfect time to start the year by leaving old bad habits in the past. Here are three bad plumbing habits of leaving behind. 

Proper care for a home plumbing system is essential for preventing plumbing disasters. Knowing the common plumbing mistakes and how to avoid them can help save homeowners from spending unnecessary time and money on plumbing issues this year. Signing up for a maintenance plan at the start of the year can take the hassle out of scheduling appointments for the rest of 2023. 

Mistake #1: Using Liquid Drain Cleaner 

Person pouring liquid drain cleaner into a sink with a red "X" overlay, illustrating the plumbing mistake of using harsh chemicals for clogs.Liquid drain cleaner is a product that has been advertised as a solution to clearing clogged drains. In reality, liquid drain cleaners can do more damage to the plumbing than good. The harsh chemicals in liquid drain cleaners are designed to burn away clogs, but they can also burn away metal pipes leading to corrosion. 

Using too much liquid durian cleaner can lead to the entire plumbing system being replaced. Preventing corrosion is just one of the reasons why plumbers recommend that homeowners never use liquid drain cleaners. These products also contain highly toxic chemicals that can have severe negative health impacts on humans and animals. 

Mistake #2: Skipping Maintenance Appointments 

Person performing maintenance on a water heater, emphasizing the importance of routine plumbing care and efficient performance.The best thing homeowners can do to promote the efficient performance of their plumbing system is to invest in a maintenance schedule. Skipping maintenance appointments can be a costly mistake if the system breaks down. Fixing small problems early on can help to keep them from turning into big problems. 

During plumbing maintenance appointments, the plumber will tighten loose parts, clean, and inspect the plumbing. If any issues are found, the professional plumber can recommend solutions for the homeowner. It is essential to regularly flush out the inside of the water heater tank to prevent mineral sediments from corroding the tank. Routine water heater maintenance protects the homeowner’s investment in their plumbing hardware. 

Mistake #3: Hiring Amateurs or Attempting “DIY”

Before hiring a friend or family member to attempt plumbing repairs, installation, or maintenance, always check to ensure that they are fully licensed and insured for the type of work being prepared. Without the proper business insurance coverage, the homeowner may be liable for any damages during the repairs. Hiring an amateur repairman can be dangerous because someone could get hurt. 

Installation or maintenance from an unqualified person could void the factory warranty on hardware and parts. The best way to ensure the plumbing system is safely installed and maintained is to leave it up to a trustworthy and affordable local plumbing company. A professional plumber will know the most efficient and safe way to perform the necessary maintenance and repairs. They will also be able to make expert recommendations for improving the home plumbing system’s performance. 

What is About Plumbing Inc.?

About Plumbing Inc. is a top-rated provider of plumbing services in the Jefferson County, MO area. This locally-owned plumbing and water heater company provides friendly customer service, expert opinions, and fully stocked worked trucks at every appointment. Giving Plumbing Inc. a call today to schedule an appointment for plumbing repair in Jefferson County, MO!

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Close-up of a sink drain with water flowing

2 Solutions To a Cured Drain - And 1 "Fix" To Avoid!

How To Fix a Home’s Blocked Drain

There is nothing more annoying than a slow drain. When it takes forever for a tub to drain or a sink to empty, it’s tempting to grab a bucket of declogger and call it quits. But, homeowners should know that there’s a right and a wrong way to clear a blocked drain - and many people do it wrong. Find out the best ways to clear a clogged drain at home, and one method to avoid whenever possible! 

The Simple Fix: Drain SnakingPerson using a drain snake to clear a clogged sink, wearing blue gloves, illustrating the drain snaking process discussed in home plumbing maintenance.

A plumber’s most common call generally involves clogged drains. When fixing a clog, they usually reach for the reliable old drain snake to get the job done. Those unfamiliar with the term drain snakes may recognize the other name for the tool: a drain auger.

Snaking a drain requires sliding the long, metal wire of the auger through the pipe. The plumber then turns the crank, either by hand or with a motor, spinning the wire inside the pipe. The wire spins quickly, breaking up any debris or clogs in the pipe.

Benefits of Drain Snaking

Drain snaking is an affordable process for removing clogs in a drain. Most drain snaking visits take only an hour or so and can solve a vast majority of drain clogs. Additionally, it utilizes no chemicals to remove the clogs. 

The Powerful Solution: Hydro-JettingHydro-jetting tool with pressurized water streams, illustrating a powerful method for clearing stubborn clogs in plumbing systems.

When a home faces stubborn or hard-to-access clogs in the pipes, a plumber usually brings out the hydro-jetting. 

Think of the hydro-jetter as a super-powered hose designed to clear clogs from a drain. The plumber slides the hydro-jetter into the drain and releases a constant stream of pressurized water through the plumbing, effectively breaking up any clogs. 

Benefits of Hydro-jetting

Hydro-jetting is a non-invasive way to clear out years of gunk from a home’s plumbing. Hydro-jetting can clean an entire home’s plumbing system from a single point in the line. It also cleans more effectively than drain snaking. 

The Wrong Solution: Liquid Drain Cleaners

The average homeowner probably faces a clogged tub with one solution: liquid drain cleaners. But, unfortunately, the use of liquid drain cleaners can worsen the state of a home’s drains. 

Why Are Liquid Drain Cleaners Bad for Pipes?

Liquid drain cleaners use corrosive materials to break down debris and clogs in a home’s pipes. Common ingredients include bleach and lye. The substances in liquid drain cleaners can build up along the pipes over time, creating a chemical cocktail that can eat through the metal of the pipes. 

The Risks of Liquid Drain Cleaners

There’s more to liquid drain cleaners than just their risk to pipes. The highly corrosive ingredients can burn the skin of any individuals exposed to them, including any plumber working to fix a clogged drain or broken pipe. In addition, exposure to these materials can dissolve skin, and if they get in someone’s eyes, it can lead to blindness.

For homeowners experiencing a slow, clogged drain, give a professional plumber a call. They’ll know what the best solution is to remove the clog safely and quickly, without the use of dangerous chemicals.

Trust About Plumbing Inc.

When a home needs quality plumbing care, look no further than the helpful team at About Plumbing Inc. Their experts have decades of experience solving even the most complex plumbing problems. Homeowners can trust their experts to arrive on time and provide only the best solutions for their plumbing projects. Contact them today for drain cleaning in Barnhart, MO!

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