A Blog About Clogs in Oklahoma City

Clogged drains are a common Oklahoma City home plumbing issue, occurring when hair, waste, or food products-depending on the use of the drain-get stuck in the pipe, stopping water or waste from draining. You can deal with some clogs on your own, but for serious issues, you may need to call in a professional Oklahoma City plumber.

One day, your shower, toilet, or kitchen sink is working just fine. The next, you take a shower, use the restroom, or wash the dishes and you’re left with dirty water that just won’t drain - or worse, is overflowing from the basin. What happened? Most likely, the drain is clogged with solid material-hair in the shower, waste and paper in the toilet, or food in the kitchen sink. Clogs start small but can get nasty fast, especially if you don’t deal with them in a timely fashion. There are a number of DIY fixes for minor drain clogs, but if you’ve exhausted your options or the problem is severe, you’ll need to call a professional  Oklahoma City plumber.

DIY Fixes

You can attack a clogged drain head-on using a standard plunger. Fill the basin with enough water to cover the plunger head, and then place the plunger over the affected drain so that it creates a seal. Pump the plunger up and down rapidly, forcing water in and out of the drain, and then pop it off to break the seal. Repeat, if necessary. This should loosen and flush away minor clogs. If plunging several times fails to loosen the blockage, purchase a chemical drain opener and use it as directed on the package. Be aware, however, that the caustic agents in chemical drain openers can actually harm some fixtures. If a plunger and a full container of drain opener don’t do the trick, it might be time to bring in an expert.

What the Pros Do

Professional Oklahoma City plumbers have an array of tools in their arsenal to fight clogs. One of the most basic is the drain snake, also known as a drain auger. Plumbers spiral this long, flexible cable down into the pipe until it reaches the clog, displacing it. A more modern piece of plumbing technology is the hydro-jet, which is designed to blast through and eradicate pipe blockages. While a drain snake is generally effective on basic clogs, hydro-jetting can get rid of years of accumulated sludge inside your pipes.

Preventative Measures

Most Oklahoma City plumbing systems will need occasional maintenance and professional drain cleaning, but you can take steps to decrease the frequency of clogged drains. In the kitchen, avoid pouring cooking grease down the drain, as it can accumulate and harden inside the pipe. If you have a garbage disposal, always flush it with water to keep food from sticking to the pipe. In the bathroom sink and shower, use drain stoppers or strainers to keep hair and other materials from going down the drain. Only flush items down the toilet that are labeled “flushable.” Anything else may clog the plumbing. And finally, always address minor clogs before they become complete blockages. When you notice your water draining more slowly than usual, especially if it gets a little worse each day, it’s time to take action.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Penny_Q_Jones

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing company, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

Beware the FOG

Families these days are eating healthier diets with less fried foods and fatty meats.

Yet many people don’t realize we must remain diligent in preventing fats, oils and grease discharges down our drains.

Cooking fats, oil and grease (FOG) are leading causes of clogged drains, back-ups, and sewage spills.

 

Keeping FOG out of your drains will keep the plumber away, save you money, prevent embarrassing backups, and inconvenient messy cleanups.

So where’s the grease? How can we trim the fat from our sewers and keep our pipes running smoothly?

Below is a list of many typical pipe-clogging foods to avoid washing down Oklahoma City drains:

• Oil and butter
• Mayonnaise and sour cream
• Cheese
• Sauces and dips
• Salad dressing
• Cake frosting
• Pie dough
• Gravy
• Turkey and chicken pan drippings
• Fat remaining on plates from BBQ steak

Eating a healthy diet, low in fat is great for our bodies.

By also placing our drains on fat-free diets, we help protect the environment and do our part to keep city costs down. Now that’s got to make you feel good all over!

Tips for fat-free drains:

Scrape food and grease from plates into the trash – garbage disposals don’t remove grease.

Place a strainer in your sink drains.

Pour off cooking grease from pans and bake ware into a resealable can. Let it cool before placing it in the trash.

Collect turkey frying oil and take it to a Oklahoma City household collection facility for free. The tallow company picks it up and recycles it.

Of course, we are all human - and being such may forget or overlook some of the offenders and wind up with a clogged drain. If that’s the case, rest assured that your Oklahoma City plumber can have your drains cleared in no time.

 

Article Source:  http://www.elocalplumbers.com/blog/clog-prevention-tip-5461#more-5461

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City drain cleaning contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

 

Repeat After Me: Drain, Waste, Vent

Take the Plunge

There are several different types of plungers available to clear partially or completely clogged drains, but all use basically the same principal. A plunger is used to create a positive or negative pressure inside the pipe to loosen the blockage and allow it to flow down the drain. As a first line of defense against any clog, a plunger is a safe bet.  However, if you’re clog proves to be too much for this simple tool, your Oklahoma City plumber can handle any clog you’ve got.

Sink Plunger

This is the standard plunger that we all recognize and has probably been around as long as indoor plumbing. Consisting of a pliable rubber cup and handle, this plunger is capable of creating both a positive pressure (by forcing the cup down) and a negative pressure (vacuum) when pulled away from the fixture. Variations on the design are typically limited to the size of the cup and length of the handle.

The sink plunger; as it name suggests, is best used on sinks or relatively flat fixtures to which it can create a suction seal. When using the sink plunger:

• Cover the overflow hole of the sink or tub;
• Keep the fixture partially full of water, because water is not easily compressed it will place a stronger force on the blockage;
• Plunge forcefully in both directions for several minutes until the drain clears.

Toilet Plunger

The toilet plunger is very similar to the sink plunger but has a larger cup and a fold out flap that will fit into the trap of the toilet. The flap can also be left folded in for use on sinks, floor drains and other fixtures. If used correctly, this plunger will clear nearly all toilet clogs and should be your first line of defense before calling your Oklahoma City plumber. To use a toilet plunger follow these steps:

• Fold out the flap on the plunger;
• Keep the toilet about half full of water;
• Insert the plunger so that the folded out cup goes into the drain opening and try to form a suction seal with the toilet bowl;
• Being careful not to splash yourself, forcefully plunge up and down several times and remove the plunger. Repeat adding more water if necessary.

You want to test and see if the toilet will drain once you think you’ve cleared the clog, but don’t do this by flushing the toilet again until you’re sure the clog is removed. To test for drainage you have to add water. This can be done one of two ways.

The first way is to slowly pour water into the toilet as from a bucket.

The second way is to open the toilet tank lid and SLOWLY lift the flapper seal at the bottom of the tank until water begins to enter the bowl. Do not lift the flapper all the way up or else the toilet will flush.

If water goes down the toilet easily, the clog is cleared. If not, then try again by repeating the previous step and this step a time or two more.

Article Source:  http://www.plumbinghelp.ca/articles_types_of_plungers.php

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City drain cleaning contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

Chemical Drain Cleaners, Electrons And More.

Why do drains clog? The short answer is because of the way we use them. Obviously, even though it’s not supposed to happen, water isn’t the only thing going down most drains. In fact, knowing what has clogged your drain can be an important step in knowing how to clear the clog. At the kitchen sink, grease and small particles of food can make their way into the drain. In the bathroom, hair and soap scum are the biggest offenders. Over time, these substances can build up and begin to line the drain, and then one day, another piece of food or another clump of hair is all it takes to block the drain [source: Goodway].

Foreign objects, such as jewelry, bottle tops or toys, can also fall into a drain and clog it. If that’s the case, drain cleaners won’t help unblock the drain. You’ll need to remove the object or call  your Oklahoma City plumber to do it for you.

Assuming your problem isn’t a foreign object, first try to locate the clog. Start by removing, checking and cleaning the stopper or strainer at the entrance to the drain. Some strainers are easily removed by hand, but others may require a screwdriver or pliers. Remove anything you can reach and then try pouring hot water down the drain.

The next step is to try using a plunger on the drain, and if that doesn’t work, try removing and cleaning the sink’s trap. After that, you may want to try a sewer snake, or auger. If none of these efforts works, it’s time to use a drain-cleaning product [source: Harrison].

Chemical Drain Cleaners

Be they liquid, gel or powder form, most of the drain cleaners you’ll find on store shelves use strong chemicals, and they come in liquid, gel and powder forms. All chemical reactions involve moving electrons, and drain cleaners work by either taking or giving electrons to the clogging substance, generating heat in the process. There are three main types of drain cleaners:

• Caustic drain cleaners contain substances such as lye and caustic potash. They’re bases, so they give electrons to the clogging substance, and their hydroxide ions create the reaction that clears the clog. Their alkaline, or basic, chemicals release heat and turn grease into a soap-like substance that’s more easily dissolved. These drain cleaners are typically heavier than water, which enables them to reach the clog through standing water.
• Oxidizing drain cleaners contain substances such as household bleach, peroxides and nitrates. These chemicals cause the organic material of the clog to lose electrons and become oxidized. The product is heavier than water, so it can move through standing water, and it releases heat and gas to help clear the blockage.
• Acid drain cleaners aren’t commonly found in stores, and some are sold only to plumbers. These typically contain high concentrations of sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid, substances that increase hydronium ions in a solution and attract electrons from the clog. The hydronium ions react chemically with the material in the clog, and the reaction releases heat, which is necessary to melt congealed grease [source: Sheridan].

Because most of these products generate heat, they may soften the polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, pipes found in most Oklahoma City homes today. However, such damage is rare if you use the drain cleaner as directed — damage is more likely to occur when drain cleaner is used on older, metal pipes.

Aside from their effect on the pipes in your Oklahoma City home, there are other disadvantages to chemical drain cleaners. They’re extremely toxic if swallowed, and they can burn eyes, skin and mucous membranes and eat through clothing. They can release noxious fumes, and if used improperly, they can cause explosions. These products can also harm septic systems by killing beneficial bacteria, and they can mar bathroom and kitchen fixtures.

If you use chemical drain cleaners, read the directions carefully and heed all the warnings. Use the product in a well-ventilated area, wear rubber gloves, and keep children and pets away from the drain. Never mix different drain cleaners, and don’t use a plunger in conjunction with drain cleaners.

Most drain cleaners advise waiting 15 minutes or more after pouring the product into the drain before flushing it with hot water. If your drain is still clogged afterward, you may need to repeat the process. If a few tries yield no results, it may be time to give your Oklahoma City plumber a call.

Article Source:  http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/plumbing/drain-cleaner1.htm

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City drain cleaning contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

Noah Can’t Help You With This One

The laundry room, which can be located in such areas as the basement, the main floor of your Oklahoma City home, or even up in the attic, can be a place where a flood can occur. When a laundry room flood occurs, the damage can be extensive and expensive. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to prevent flooding of your laundry room.

To determine if you have a plumbing issue that could result in a laundry room flood, check to see if the floors and walls around the laundry room sink are damp. Check the joints in the pipe connections to see if they are loose. If they are, you can tighten them yourself. Also, check to see if there are tiny holes or cracks in a pipe. If there is a small hole that can cause a leak, you can wrap the pipe in rubber hose and attach clamps at the top, bottom, and at the source of the leak. There is also plumber’s epoxy you can purchase which is effective at sealing small holes and cracks causing leaks.

Clogs are another cause of a laundry room flood as they can cause the floor drain line or sink drain line to backup. Causes of a clog can include: hair, soap, and lint which can accumulate in the line and eventually cause it to clog. To determine if you have a clogged drain, you can turn off the water, remove the u-shaped pipe, and try to locate the clog. You will also have to examine each side of the straight ends of the pipe to see if there is a clog. Once you have located and removed the clog, put the pipes back in place, turn the water on, and run water through to see if the water flow has returned to normal.

Burst pipes are also a cause of flooding. Burst pipes are often due to old worn pipes or frozen pipes. It is important to have your Oklahoma City plumber restore old and damaged pipes. To prevent frozen pipes, you should wrap the pipes in insulation wrap. Other times, a flood can be caused by worn parts such as a worn hose connection. If you have old, cheap, or worn connections, you should get them replaced. If your water hose bursts, it will flood the room with hundreds of gallons of water. You should consider installing a shut off valve to prevent such a disaster. As well, installing a floor drain can stop flooding of the room. Hiring a Oklahoma City plumber to install a washer tray under your washing machine will help collect water if a leak develops.

When implementing measures to prevent flooding of the laundry room, it is a good idea to have a Oklahoma City plumber inspect the plumbing system, appliances that use water, and plumbing fixtures, to check for damage and old and worn components. An examination and repair of high risk parts and appliances will go a long way in preventing flooding of the laundry room. It will prevent a lot of damage and save you a lot of money. When it comes to laundry room flooding, prevention is the solution.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adriana_N.

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City drain cleaning contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

The Great TP Debate Continues…

If you care about which way the toilet paper roll is installed, you apparently have plenty of company.  Your Oklahoma City plumber does not wish to express an opinion concerning toilet paper orientation, but simply wishes to inform and entertain.  Also be aware that should you, in your frustration, tear off entirely too much toilet paper and manage somehow to clog the toilet, your Oklahoma City plumber will happily take care of your clogged toilet.

According to a survey at The Toilet Paper Encyclopedia website, 68% of the people who took the survey prefer to hang toilet paper with the sheets coming out over the roll, with 25% preferring the sheets coming out under the roll. That adds up to 93%, so I’m not sure what happened with the other 7% who took the survey, since this would seem to be an either-or type of question.

Google search results for the phrase “toilet paper over or under” confirm that there are lots of  people out there who have taken the time to think about and weigh in with all sorts of rationalizations on this issue:

• Installing the toilet paper “under” may prevent toddlers or cats from pulling all of the paper off the roll.
• Installing the toilet paper “over” lets it hang freely, making it easier to tear off.
• Installing the paper “under” makes it more difficult to get more than a couple of sheets at a time, thus conserving paper.
• Installing the paper “over” makes it easier to locate and restart a sheet.
• People who install toilet paper “under” are ignorant, imbecilic half-wits incapable of basic hygiene.
• People who install toilet paper “over” are anal-obsessive, addle-brained Neanderthals who can barely manage to wipe themselves.

Even weirder than people who take the time to think about this issue are those people who get militant about it. These Toilet Paper Nazis actually believe  they have the God-given right to flip toilet paper that is not installed according to their preference.

When visiting friends or relatives, do you flip the toilet paper to conform with your preferred orientation? If so, I just have to ask: what are you THINKING? Are you completely INSANE? Do you also rearrange their furniture, make them put on different outfits, rename their children and pets? Where is your sense of propriety?

And do you have any idea how dangerous toilet paper flipping can be? There are a lot of weird people out there, and reactions can range from mild consternation all the way up to psychotic rage and violent attack. Is toilet paper alignment really worth dying for?

Apparently people have faced divorce, friendships have been ruined, and families have been torn apart over the “over” vs. “under” issue.  Therefore, as a public service, here are a few suggestions to help you cope when a friend or loved one disagrees with you about toilet paper alignment:

• Recognize that it doesn’t really matter, let them have their way, and get on with your life.
• Don’t argue — just keep flipping the toilet paper every time you use the bathroom. Over a period of months or years, the situation will work itself out. Or not.
• Set up a monthly toilet paper schedule: “over” on even days, “under” on odd days.
• Install two toilet paper holders side-by-side in each bathroom; one for “over,” one for “under.”
• Rotate the toilet paper dispenser 90 degrees, so that the roll is installed vertically, thus eliminating the over vs. under debate. But realize that this will likely lead to arguments over “clockwise” vs. “counterclockwise.”
• Just get a bidet and be done with it!

You should also try to understand that, in the end, “over” and “under” are really just complementary opposites within a greater whole. Or greater roll. Or something…

Article Source: http://www.stuffweirdpeoplelike.com/2009/08/24/6-caring-about-the-toilet-paper-over-vs-under/

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City drain cleaning contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

 

Can’t Flush This

A clogged toilet can be a huge inconvenience, and can be expensive if the homeowner is unable to clear the clog and is forced to hire an Oklahoma City plumber. The problem is especially common with modern toilets. Older models use larger amounts of water per flush, and therefore use more “mass” to push waste through the plumbing. Newer models, however, are designed to use water more efficiently. They use only as much water as is required for an average flush, but don’t stand up to large items as well. Owners must therefore use extra caution with them in order to ensure that all waste loads are within the toilet’s flushing capability. Avoiding putting certain items in a toilet can prevent many clogs.

Toilet paper is designed to dissolve and break up in water, preventing it from creating either a bundled up mass or a “net” in the plumbing. However, it is common for many people to use other materials in its place. Paper towels are the most common, but users should never flush these down a toilet, since they are designed to do the opposite of toilet paper: maintain durability when wet. They tend to bunch up and form tough masses that are larger than the diameter of the pipe.

Even toilet paper will fail to flush properly if used in large amounts and flushed all at once. It can ball up so that only the outside of the “ball” will dissolve in the water. It is best to use only a few sheets at a time between flushes to prevent a clogged toilet bowl.

Children’s toys are another common cause of backed-up toilets. Ever-curious children are often fascinated by toilets, and will place objects into them just to watch them as they flush down. However, most toys are awkwardly shaped, inflexible, and bigger than the pipe. An Oklahoma City plumber may have to be called to extract them. The best way to avoid this problem is to keep the toilet seat down when not in use and keep the bathroom door closed. Children should be monitored to make sure that they don’t play in the bathroom. An added benefit of this is that children will not be unnecessarily exposed to unsanitary conditions.

Simple tools such as a plunger and a plumbing snake can be used to fix many clogs when they do occur. Drain cleaners may be useful for clearing most types of waste, but will be ineffective on foreign objects such as toys. Following these simple guidelines and learning the proper use of common clog-busting tools can save most Oklahoma City homeowners from expensive plumber bills.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicholas_Chua

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City drain cleaning contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

How Often Should You Have Your Oklahoma City Drains Professionally Cleaned?

If you want to keep your drains clean and working, regular drain cleaning is a must. For sewer lines and basement drains and other bigger drains, your Oklahoma City professional plumber recommends regular inspections approximately once every two to three years depending on the proximity of typical clogging culprits like roots and the age of the system. It will greatly help you to ensure the longevity of your drains and drain pipes.

Drains can become clogged for many reasons most often due to an accumulation of things like grease, hair, scale and dirt.

The most common remedy used by Oklahoma City homeowners for attempting to unclog drains is the chemical drain cleaners. Most homeowners see it as the most convenient way to relieve clogged pipes. This method just requires that you pour a solution down the drain and leave it alone for a while. Please be advised this method poses many health risks for anyone who uses it. Chemical drain openers are very corrosive by nature and present the risk of damage to any part of the skin or the body that will come in contact with it. The fumes from these chemicals are very potent and can cause severe damage to the respiratory tract. This damage to the respiratory tract can be permanent and can happen easily without you realizing it.

An emergency drain cleaning situation is a nightmare for most Oklahoma City homeowners. Your main sewer line can also become clogged from debris the other household drains wash into it and also by tree roots that penetrate pipe joints from the surrounding soil. Of course, if there is a recurring issue with one of the smaller drains in the house, like a toilet or a garbage disposal, this could be a sign of a more troublesome blockage in the sewer line that needs immediate professional attention.

Like many other things today, drain cleaning technology has also become state-of-the-art and highly efficient. High pressure water jetting equipment sometimes is needed for your home, but more often for commercial businesses and municipalities and isn’t owned by many drain cleaning businesses. Because the equipment is so expensive and potentially dangerous to use, it’s important to find a professional OklahomaCity plumber that has a good reputation, professional workers, and fair prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sybil_Richardson

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing company, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

Got a Blockage Problem? What Oklahoma City Homeowners Should Do

What’s the situation?

Is it something you need to fix immediately or it can wait for few days? Will the small leakage affect other water supply systems or it’s alone need to be fixed? Trying to fix a major and interrelated plumbing or drain problem would not be a good idea. People sometimes try to fix the leakage all by themselves or call a good-neighbour for this to save the money they would need to pay the professional service provider. Decide the situation and the urgency. Trying to fix a major blockage or pipe fix all by yourself can cost you even more in the long run. If the problem is deep, it would require specialized equipments, high-tech machinery, skills and expertise to solve it. Trying to solve such a major issue would only make it more complex. Your professional drain cleaning contractor can unblock clogged drains without even damaging the pipes and flooring of the home but your good-neighbour can create a bigger damage. It is often better to call a professional service if you’ve other tasks to finish. The costs are often affordable and the repair work is done pretty perfectly.

What’s the reason behind the blockage or damage?

Do you have any clue what could be the possible reason for the blockage or damage? Did it happen only because the whole system has been running for a very long and needs replacement, for casual issues or an unexpected issue like tree roots? Usually when the plumbing system, water supply and pipes work flawlessly people don’t give it a thought but when pipes block up and overflow, they take some quick decision to fix it. To prevent such a catastrophe monitor your Water supply stem and pipes and when the blockage or leakage happens try to find out the reason behind it to take the right steps.

Selecting the professional service provider:

Selecting the most appropriate professional for your cleaning and blockage problem needs some serious thought. A random selection can be a frustrating experience and more costly eventually. Go for the right one who can ensure that the quality job was done to make your building infrastructure was not affected. Emphasize the task at hand while selecting the service provider: is it because of a makeover of a kitchen, bathroom or even a renewal of a plumbing system or renovating an old house you have bought.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6591054

 

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