Take the Plunge

February 8, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Drain Cleaning 

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.

The Great TP Debate Continues…

January 16, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Drain Cleaning 

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

December 21, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Drain Cleaning 

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.

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