Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes to Avoid

Whether it’s locating a burst pipe, unblocking a drain or a sealing a dripping tap, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to make sure you’re not causing more problems for yourself down the track. However, some jobs are simply best left to the professionals. Gas leaks, faulty hot water systems or a leaking roof can be downright dangerous to attempt alone.

Blocked drains

Blocked drains can be a nightmare, whether it’s your shower drain, external sewers or storm-water drains. DIY-ers often attempt to dislodge any blockages with mops or hoses, but this can lead to bigger problems if the mop head or hose fitting becomes stuck. Even worse, using hydro jet equipment to clear blocked drains is not only dangerous, but it can cause further damage to your pipes and drains. Power drain cleaning equipment should only be operated by a trained, qualified plumber who will understand the likely routing of your concealed underground drains.

If you’d like to tackle a blocked drain yourself, make sure to invest in the correct equipment; a pole-mounted plunger from a specialist plumbing supply store often does the trick. Even a small one can be worth having on hand for those minor blockages in the kitchen or bathroom sink. If the problem can’t be fixed with a plunger, call in a professional to take a look.

Leaking taps

Leaking taps or fixtures can not only be annoying, but they can lead to thousands of litres of precious water wasted. The biggest mistake made by DIY-ers when it comes to leaking taps is failing to remove all pieces of a disintegrated washer or jumper when removing the tap body. This small error can allow debris to be flushed further into the supply pipe, causing additional flow restrictions. Further, this debris could then get caught in the new washers, causing damage to the washers and leading the tap to leak all over again.

When repairing a leaking tap yourself, make sure you turn off all the water to the building before you begin, remove all pieces of disintegrated washer or jumper, and either replace or clean the “O” ring and clean the spindle worm drive with a wire brush and lubricate with silicone grease. If you need extra help, call in a professional plumber in Beverly Hills CA to take the lead.

Burst water pipes

Many burst water pipes involve old galvanised steel pipes that need to be taken out and replaced. It seems simple enough for a keen DIY-er; dig up the pipe, cut out the faulty section and insert a new short pipe connected with gland couplings. However, you need to take great care to prevent additional damage to the already weakened existing pipe while making the repairs. Any stress from fitting the new pipe into position can travel down the old pipe and cause concealed damage and further leaks along the underground piping.

If you’re looking to replace a pipe yourself, make sure you expose the pipe completely; over-dig if you need to allow for flooding of excess water, and try not to allow any floating debris or silt into the open cut piping system. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to call in professional plumbing services in Beverly Hills to carry out the repair for you.

Frequently Asked Questions To The Plumber!

If you’ve ever run into plumbing problems before that have perplexed you to no end, then you can understand why everyone asks plumbers questions because they are anxious to get answers to avoid the same problems in the future.

Many who learn what not to do with their plumbing fixtures or appliances are more likely to keep them running longer and functioning properly, compared to those who are uninformed, so asking plumber in Santa Monica CA, these questions is an excellent idea.

What is that smell coming from Garbage disposal?

If you have a foul smell coming from your garbage disposal unit, then you most likely have food stuck in there. The food can be in the garbage disposal, in the drain, or deep down in the pipes. If there is no food detected anywhere but the smell still lingers, then it’s possible that it’s sewage in the pipes that is causing the smell. The first thing to do is have the garbage disposal checked for food, and if necessary, have the disposal unit dismantled.

Why is the sink clogged when nothing goes down the drain?

Even though you may not see things go down the drain, there is always something going down the sink, whether it’s hair, soaps scum, toothpaste and more. Even though many don’t think twice about letting toothpaste down the drain, it eventually can cling to other things that go down the drain, which can then cause a clog that causes the sink to drain slower or not at all. It’s always best to avoid allowing things to go down the drain, especially hair.

How do you care for the finish on a faucet? 

      

Many don’t realize that they should never wash or clean their faucets with soap because it can damage the finish. It’s best to use a wet rag to wipe down the faucet, and this will keep the finish shining and looking beautiful. Make sure it’s not a scouring pad being used but a soft cloth that won’t damage the finish.

What should be done when a water heater is leaking?

A leaking water heater can have several causes, but plumber in Santa Monica should be called out to determine if the heater can be salvaged or if a new heater needs to be purchased. It’s a good idea to drain the heater completely if it’s leaking too much, especially if you want to avoid a flood in your home. Also, don’t forget to cut the power or gas supply to the water heater.

How to extend the life of the garbage disposal?

Keep your garbage disposals running properly by not putting metal objects or unapproved foods in it. Avoid putting bones down the disposal unit as well, and never overfill it when getting rid of food. Also, avoid using caustic acid chemicals in the unit, and always run water when using the garbage disposal.

What to do of a shaky toilet?

A shaky toilet could be caused by bolts that have worn out and need replacing or possibly the wax ring or both. Have a plumber come to check out the toilet, and replace the bolts or the wax ring if it’s necessary.

Top DIY Plumbing Tips for Beginners

Plumbing issues are so common in every household. We face some of it every day. Clogged drains, leaking pipes and faulty faucets are so common. However, let me tell you that Plumbing problems are not so tough to begin with.

If you know some of the DIY methods, you can avoid so many plumbing problems, before it even starts and save the expense of hiring a plumber. So, here in this Blog, I will guide on how to take care of some of the minor plumbing problems before they become something complicated that only a professional plumber in Beverly Hills CA can solve.

Having that said, it is also essential to have the plumber number is your phone, in case there is an emergency and the plumbing issue is such that you cannot solve.

Don’t hesitate to replace the parts inside your toilet

Trying to take apart the pipes of sinks and shower can lead to a messy issue, if you do not know how to manage it. However, that is not the case with toilet flush, as there is little you can do to damage the toilet flapper.

Let me tell you that worn out flapper are common reason of leaking water between toilet tank and bowl.  It costs only a few dollars and not just that, the package comes along with how to do, follow up instructions.

Remove clog without chemicals

You do not need to buy expensive chemical drain cleaners; you can unclog the drain with the drain snake.  All you have to do is to put the drain snake into the drain and slowly pull it back, and if you are lucky the culprit that has caused the clogging will come attached along with it.

You can also use wet/dry shop vacuum in order to suck out the clog.

Use thread tape on leaking taps

Pipe dope which is also called thread sealing compound can dip and smear. In case of DIY method, thread tape works just fine. You can get a multipurpose tape that is white in color and will work just fine. Thicker yellow tapes are for gas and pink tapes for water. Try one of these thicker options, trust me, it works better! However, make sure to roll the tape in the counter-clock-wise around the threads. Tie around the pipe threads three times for best results, tells plumbing contractors in Santa Monica.

Make your water-heater more efficient

Make sure to check your water heater’s thermostat to see that it is not set to high. Let me tell you that you should be able to go down to 115 degrees and still get enough hot water.  Moreover, if you insulate your water heater, it will remain hot for a long time.

Many utilities provide cheap insulating blankets that are very simple to install. If you live an area that quickly collects the sediment lines, it can cause an issue, so before it is too late, get rid of the grit water by draining the water out of your tank once in every three months.

You can do so by turning off the water heater and opening the drain. It will help in removing a lot of sediment that is settled in the water heater. It will increase the life of your water heater.

Top Homemade Drain Cleaners you Must Know About!

When it comes to plumbing issues at your home, we all know that clogged drains is one of the most common issue and it is one of the biggest reason for the plumber’s everyday bread and butter, the clogged drains.

It is easy to get clogged drains with the blink of an eye as it is a narrow path and t is easy for greasy and oily things to get stuck inside. Most of the people do not bother to even care, that what all things to pour into the drain and mostly treat it like a Bermuda triangle, that can make almost anything disappear, but sadly enough that is not the case.

In this Blog, I will list down some of top homemade drain cleaners that will keep your drains clog-free and of course also keep you away from drain cleaning service in Los Angeles!

However, before you start this drain cleaning process, make sure to remove any drain screen or stopper and remove any kind of Blockage with the help of a paper towel.

Baking soda and vinegar

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar down drain. Plug drain, and let sit for one hour. Then, pour a pot of boiling water down drain. Repeat the process, if necessary.

Baking soda and lemon

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup lemon juice down drain. Plug drain, and let sit for one hour. Finish with a pot of boiling water.

If you’re working with a clogged kitchen sink and prefer the smell of lemon to vinegar, consider this method instead of the first method. Do know that lemon juice costs a bit more than vinegar, though.

Baking soda and salt

Mix 1/2 cup table salt and 1/2 cup baking soda together, and pour down drain. Let sit for about 30 minutes or overnight if it’s a tough clog, and follow with a pot of boiling water for drain cleaning in Los Angeles.

Baking soda, salt and cream of tartar

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup salt and 2 tablespoons cream of tartar in a jar that seals. Close jar, and shake to combine ingredients. Pour half the jar’s contents down drain, and save the other half for later. Follow the solution with a pot of boiling water. Let drain sit for one hour. Then, run tap water to rinse any remaining solution down.

Salt, Borax and vinegar

Pour 1/4 cup salt, followed 1/4 cup Borax down drain. Then, pour 1/2 cup vinegar down. Finish with a pot of boiling water. Let sit for one hour or until it clears; then, run hot tap water to rinse any remaining solution down.

So, these are some of the amazing home-made drain cleaners with the ingredients that are easily available in the kitchen. So, you can keep your drain clean and also ignore the plumber that takes huge amount of money for cleaning the drain.

Isn’t it amazing? What do you think of this Blog? Please share your thoughts with us.

Top Plumbing Mistakes You Should Avoid

Plumbing is a complex work and not everyone can do it. Though there are a lot of everyday small plumbing issues that you can handle by yourself when you DIY plumbing issues, then there are certain facts you must know about it or else you may end up committing a blunder and may have to pay a higher price for it.

So, here I am, listing down the top mistakes of DIY method plumbing that you must avoid.

Keeping a hose outside during winters

It's easy to leave a garden hose connected to an outside faucet during a hot summer, but if left connected during the winter months, it can cause your water lines to freeze and burst. If this happens in your house, you may have thousands of dollars in water damage before you notice any symptoms.

To avoid this problem, always disconnect your outside hoses before freezing temperatures arrive in winter, and if they have a shutoff, turn off the water supply to outside taps as well.

Not turning off the water before repair

If a pipe springs a leak or if you're pressed for time, it's easy to forget the first rule of DIY plumbing services in Los Angeles: Shut off the water. No matter how minor the repair, no matter where it is in a home, always shut off the water before attempting a repair.

At best, forgetting to shut off water lines means a mess on the floor and a little bit of extra damage to pipes as you struggle to reconnect them before more water escapes.

Using too much drain cleaner

While commercial drain cleaners are great at clearing away clogs and getting rid of built-up residue, using too much or using these products too often can damage your drains. Drain cleaners typically include harsh chemicals to break up solid waste and scour pipes clean; overuse can start to eat away the walls of both metal and PVC pipes.

Instead of using a heavy-duty product, consider an eco-friendly alternative such as 1/2 a cup of vinegar followed by 1/2 a cup of baking soda, and then follow that up with a pot of boiling water after an hour. You can also try using a pipe snake to clear out clogs and reduce the wear and tear on your pipes.

Not using drain cleaner at right place

Homeowners also need to be careful where they use drain cleaners, even if they rarely try commercial solutions. While most commercial drain cleaning products are safe to use on bathroom and kitchen sinks as well as tubs and showers, toilets can be damaged if you use the wrong type of cleaner.

You also need to be careful when cleaning a washing machine drain pipe; if you damage the pipe and cause a leak, it can result in serious water damage to your home.

Mismatching pipes

Minor, easily visible water leaks - such as those coming from under a sink or in a basement - often inspire a homeowner to try plumbing on their own. When replacing the leaky pipe, however, many DIY plumbers in Los Angeles choose the wrong size or type or try to make the right size fit with the wrong connectors.

Why is Trenchless Sewer Replacement Method Better?

The trenchless sewer replacement method is much more effective as compared to the traditional sewer replacement method. Not just that trenchless sewer replacement requires less digging and is a lot less messy job as compared to traditional sewer replacement method, but there is more than that which meets the eye.

Want to know what is that? Keep reading!

Difference between Trenchless and traditional sewer line replacement method

Trenchless sewer replacement is a lot less cost-effective than the traditional option of trench replacement. Traditional trenching methods involve digging long trenches in your yard. The process includes apart from the hardscaping, landscaping, driveways and other ground areas near the area where your trench is.

Traditional trenching jobs can cost $20,000 or more depending on the amount of construction needed.

This process also involves getting approvals from the government, permits, and traffic control for the area that will need to be cut off for the repair.

Trenchless sewer replacement is a newer method for homes. They have been around for about 20 or so years, but many homeowners are not aware of the option.

The most frequent types of trenchless sewer line replacement are:

• Pipe-lining
• Pipe-bursting

About Pipe-Lining

A pipe liner is a flexible tube coated with a resin that is blown or pulled into the damaged pipe which is then inflated into the new pipe. The resin hardens, creating a pipe tube within a pipe. An added benefit of this pipe is that it is joint-less and corrosion-resistant. Pipelining is a process of creating a new seamless plastic pipe within the old pipe.

About Pipe Bursting

Pipe bursting is a trenchless sewer replacement method where a large cone shape head is hydraulically pulled by steel cable through the old sewer line, breaking apart the old pipe underground while at the same time pulling into place a seamless HDPE pipe that is the same size or larger than the old pipe.

Costs for trenchless replacement vary, depending on factors like

• Price for materials
• Type of soil needed
• Length of digging required to reach sewers

At last, I would say that It’s important to note that trenchless sewer repair in Los Angeles isn’t for everyone. There are certain scenarios in which we’ll be unable to diagnose and deal with the problem from above and we’ll need to get to digging. But trust us, at Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer, & Rooter, we want what’s best for you, and we only employ trenchless sewer repair in Seattle we can safely and effectively utilize it.

Whatever your sewer needs are, whether it’s an inspection, maintenance, repair, or cleaning, the experts at Bob Oates plumbing can help you diagnose and deal with your sewer’s issues as cost-effectively as possible.

So, now you know how the traditional and trenchless method differs so vastly from each other and it has its own set of advantages.

I hope you liked this Blog. Please share your thoughts about this blog in the comment section below.

Why Trenchless Replacement of Damaged Sewer Lines is Considered as the Best Solution?

Following a traditional technique for sewer line replacement will come with a lot of mess as it will require you to tear the whole yard and also consumes a lot of time and effort. Not only this, but the task will also add up more labor costs to your end that you have to pay to the service provider. Fortunately, there is a technique which is known as trenchless sewer line replacement to help you with an effortless and quick transform of damaged sewer pipes. It is the favorite method adopted by the professional plumbing contractors because it takes very little time and also benefits their clients as well.

An easy and effective process of sewer pipe repair:

If there is a problem in the old sewer line and it requires a complete replacement then with the help of a trenchless sewer replacement contractor you can execute the task very efficiently. It is an entirely different task from the traditional method as it involves minimal digging of the ground as the professionals will dig one or two small holes in the ground to soak a fiberglass pipeline in an epoxy liner that will replace the existing damaged pipe and will be left to cure within 24 hours.

Top-notch replacement service:

When it comes to using a trenchless sewer line replacement service to transform the old sewer line then you will get assurance for the use of the best piping material. Professionals will use polyethylene piping material that will deal with the severe plumbing problems like cracks and invasive tree roots so it will eliminate the chances of repairs in the future. Along with the high-quality piping material you will also get the best workmanship by the expert plumbing company that will add more precision to work, durability, and effectiveness.

Environment-friendly process:

Trenchless sewer replacement is purely an environment-friendly method to replace or repair the damaged drain line as it does not involve digging of the soil that needs the use of heavy machinery. The small digging will not spoil your landscaping and does not harm the plants so it will prove a safe and eco-friendly technique to get new and solid sewer lines beneath the ground. The safer and minimal digging of the earth will not pollute the climate thus by using this service you can fulfill the responsibility towards the environment very well.

Speedy process:

When it comes to resolving a drain line issue as soon as possible, the trenchless technique always works. In the event of a blocked or damaged drain line, you should call an expert to resolve the problem because it can become worse over time and can cause water flooding inside your property which can lead to expensive restoration. So, when you find severe clogging in the drain line then it is always beneficial to opt for this modern treatment because of its speedy procedure and quality results. It can solve the problem without letting you wait and you can prevent your property from a big disaster.