Plumbing serves many important functions, from providing potable water to removing waste and heating and cooling facilities. It is made up of a wide variety of materials, from traditional metals like copper to modern plastics, each chosen for its unique properties and purposes.
Proper plumbing maintenance can help prevent costly repairs and extend the life of your pipes. Visit Website to learn more.
If you’ve got a clogged kitchen sink drain, chances are that grease is to blame. Cooking with fatty foods often produces greasy residues on dishes and pans that get washed down the drain when you rinse them in hot water. Unfortunately, these greasy substances can solidify and clog your pipes over time.
Grease clogs are one of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face. They can be very difficult to remove and can damage your plumbing system over the long term. Luckily, you can reduce your chances of getting these clogs by keeping grease out of your drains.
To prevent them, never pour any cooking grease, oil or fat down your sinks or toilets. Instead, collect these liquids in a container and throw them away when they’ve cooled. You can also install a drain strainer in your sinks to catch these liquids and prevent them from washing down the pipes.
If your sink is clogged with grease, try running a pot of boiling water down the drain to melt and dissolve it. You can even use a mixture of hot water and vinegar to help break down grease clogs and clear your drains.
If these techniques don’t work, it might be time to call in a professional to tackle the problem. A professional can use a camera to find the source of the clog and suggest the best way to clean it up. They can also install a drain trap to keep grease out of your pipes in the first place. A professional can also advise you on other steps you can take to prevent these problems in the future. For instance, they can recommend ways to prevent food scraps, coffee grounds and hair from washing down your drains. They can also offer advice on how to properly dispose of these items and help you understand the different types of plumbing systems. Ultimately, these tips will help you avoid costly sewer clogs, so it’s worth taking the time to learn them.
Don’t Flush Non-Flushable Items
It might be tempting to flush anything that isn’t toilet paper, but the toilet is only meant for poo, pee and toilet paper. Flushing items that aren’t appropriate for the toilet can cause massive clogs in your pipes and even in the sewer line that leads to the treatment plant. This puts the environment at risk, creates costly repairs and necessitates a delay in wastewater treatment.
Non-flushable items include wet wipes (even those that are labeled “flushable”), napkins, rags, paper towels, cotton balls, dental floss and feminine hygiene products. These things don’t disperse in water and they can clog toilets, lead to plumbing issues at homes and put a strain on the city’s waste water treatment systems.
The District’s treatment plants are working 24/7 to treat and clean your used water, but these non-flushable materials can impede the process, leading to messy, expensive backups for you, your neighbors and the environment. It’s also dangerous for District staff who have to clear these blockages and deal with the potential health and safety risks.
Many of these items can also contaminate drinking water. Some, like kitty litter and food waste, can solidify when they’re flushed and cause blockages in drains and pipes. Others, like tampons and sanitary pads, are absorbent materials that can expand and clog pipes.
Even though they’re safe for your skin, they can contaminate the water supply if they aren’t properly disposed of. If you use them, make sure they are thrown away in the trash.
Keeping these common causes of clogs in mind, you can help keep your plumbing and the environment healthy by taking these easy steps. You can also protect your plumbing by preventing grease and oil from entering your drains, installing a hair catcher in your sink or tub drains and getting regular professional plumbing inspections.
You can also help prevent clogs by sharing this information with your neighbors! It’s a simple way to spread the word about protecting your pipes, our sewer lines and the environment. Just click on the icons below to share the message on Facebook or X.
Install Strainers in Your Sinks
Sink strainers are a vital plumbing fixture for preventing costly and time-consuming blockages. However, installing them correctly is important to ensure their effectiveness. Choosing the right strainer for your needs depends on a number of variables, including your sink drain size. Knowing this information can help you avoid the frustration of purchasing replacement parts or accessories that don’t match your existing system.
Ensure your new strainer is the correct size by measuring the diameter of the sink drain opening. Then, select the best option for your home and budget. Whether you opt for a plastic (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, or ABS) or brass strainer, ensure the metal is rust-resistant to protect your pipes and plumbing fixtures.
When you’re ready to install your new sink strainer, first remove the old one by unscrewing it from the tailpiece of the drain pipe. Next, make sure the drain opening is clean and free of debris. Then, take out the rubber gasket from underneath the strainer flange and remove the cardboard washer from the drain flange (if it’s included).
Apply Plumber’s Putty Around the Sink Hole
Once the sink hole is clean, roll a small bolus of putty in your hands and press it into the center of the hole to cover the entire surface. Then, smooth it out and let it dry for about an hour.
Insert the Strainer
Once your putty or silicone has dried, screw the strainer’s lock nut on to the threaded section of the drain tailpiece. Tighten it by hand as much as possible, then use a wrench or adjustable screwdriver to tighten it further. Be careful not to over-tighten, which can damage the rubber gasket or create a loose seal.
A sink strainer not only prevents organic waste and food particles from blocking your plumbing, but it also makes cleaning your kitchen and bathroom easier by providing a convenient way to discard scraps. If you’re looking for a new strainer for your bathroom or kitchen, check out the selection at Oatey. We offer a variety of finishes and designs that will complement any decor.
Run Water Through Your Fixtures
Plumbing is your home’s circulatory system, running unseen behind walls and under floorboards to bring water to and from fixtures. It’s essential to modern living but can cause major disruptions if it isn’t properly maintained. Learn how to recognize and resolve common plumbing problems to save yourself money, stress and time.
The plumbing system consists of pipes that carry water supply lines to fixtures and drainage lines that carry wastewater to the sewer line. These pipes can be made from a variety of materials, depending on their purpose and location in the house. Copper pipes are a popular choice for water supply lines because of their durability and natural antimicrobial properties. PVC and PEX pipes are commonly used for drain lines because they are lightweight, corrosion-resistant and affordable.
Your plumbing system also includes a venting system that prevents sewer gases from building up inside your home. This is important because it prevents unpleasant odors and keeps dangerous carbon monoxide from building up in the living space. The venting system consists of a series of pipes that connect to the drainpipes and extend outside the home.
Your plumbing system is constantly working to supply you with fresh, clean water and remove waste. But this is only possible if the proper water pressure is maintained. Check your pressure regularly and fix any issues as soon as you notice them. This will help ensure your plumbing system runs smoothly and efficiently for as long as possible.