Tag: plumbing

Nothing Could Be Spookier This Halloween Than a Plumbing Emergency

Prevent Plumbing Emergencies 

Halloween is a time for tricks and treats, but nothing could be scarier than a plumbing emergency. If homeowners are not prepared, a plumbing disaster can turn their Halloween into a nightmare. That’s why it’s important to know what to do in case of a plumbing emergency and how to prevent them from happening in the first place. Read on for tips on how to keep the home safe this Halloween – and all year long!

Keep Drains Clear with Drain Cleaning 

Drains make spooky gurgling noises when they start to clog. Free-flowing drains don’t make noise at all, so when homeowners hear the gurgling noises coming from sinks and tubs, it’s time to explore drain cleaning options. 

Drain cleaning can be done to unclog drains or to prevent clogs from forming. Homeowners or qualified plumbers can do drain cleaning. If homeowners try drain cleaning, they should remember tips like:

  • Prevention is easier than a cure
  • Avoid dangerous chemical drain cleaners (they can damage the pipes)
  • Try safe methods as flushing drains with hot water or baking soda and vinegar

If at-home methods don’t unclog drains, professionals have advanced tools to help. These qualified plumbers ensure that drain clogs don’t lead to a complete backup and that the clog and all debris are cleaned out to prevent future clogs. Routine drain cleaning is important to prevent clogs and other plumbing problems that can result from them. 

Stop Creepy Clogged Toilets

toiletA toilet running in the night makes a spooky noise, but the horror of finding that the toilet won’t flush because of a clog is still scarier. Toilet clogs happen for various reasons, but most often, the cause is that they are overwhelmed. To keep toilets from clogging, try tips like:

  • Don’t use too much toilet paper
  • Flush a few times if too much toilet paper is being used in a single session
  • Don’t flush anything other than toilet paper
  • Leave a trash can out for items that shouldn’t be flushed, like hygiene products, paper towels, and wipes 
  • Keep a plunger handy for small clogs

If clogged toilets are becoming a constant problem, there may be a bigger problem in the sewer line. Always call a plumber if clogged toilets become chronic. 

Maintain Water Heaters

maintenanceWater heaters are expensive appliances that make various haunting noises when things aren’t right. How would it feel to awaken in the dead of night to a thumping noise only to find that the thing that went bump in the night was the neglected water heater? Schedule seasonal maintenance with a plumber to quiet sounds like:

  • Thumping that indicates the tank needs to be flushed
  • Hissing that indicates a leak is dripping onto the burner
  • Screeching that indicates a valve has failed 

Routine water heater maintenance lowers energy bills and increases the unit’s lifespan. This service should be done annually by a professional for the best results. 

About Stanley Heating Cooling & Plumbing

Stanley Heating Cooling & Plumbing is a locally-owned and operated company serving Moraine, OH, and the surrounding areas since 2005. They offer flat rate pricing, on-time service, and a satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for water heater services in Moraine, OH.

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How to Prevent Plumbing Disasters

Avoiding Summer Plumbing Problems

Family vacations, birthdays, sports practice, and cookouts are a small list of the exciting events filling the summer schedule. With so many exciting activities to attend and plan, the last thing homeowners and their families want is plumbing issues ruining the fun! 

Plumbing problems can come in many forms with various warning signs, but the conclusion is the same. Once the signs are visible, an immediate call to a professional is needed to determine the extent of the damage. So, this summer, instead of just hoping everything goes as planned, take three different precautions to stop water and sewer line blocks, cracks, and leaks at their source.

Check for Common Plumbing Damage

cracksKnowing the early signs of plumbing issues can save a home from additional damages. In most cases, spotting the early signs of a water or sewer leak can save hundreds in water bills and repairs because the longer a crack or leak sits, the more damage it causes to a home and its foundation.

The main symptoms of a plumbing problem include, but are not limited to:

  • Puddling water around the yard or near the home
  • Unusual increases in water usage and water bill amounts
  • Sounds of running water while no appliance or fixture is on
  • Discolored water from faucets and fixtures
  • Decreased water pressure

Being on the lookout for these tell-tale signs can save the family BBQ and even the lawn from a complete renovation. The sooner a water or sewer leak or crack is discovered, the easier and less invasive it tends to be. Professionals may be able to seal the affected piping from the inside if a homeowner keeps their eyes peeled! 

Stop Putting Grease or Cooking Oil in the Drain!

drainSummer heat brings out the love for grilling and anything else anyone can do with an outdoor fire. But, while grilling food outside on a gas or charcoal grill, the grease and cooking oil that drains into the grease trap can become a problem when cleaning it. 

Where should it go? Some think grease and oil can be poured down the drain, but experts in the plumbing industry will advise against this. If poured down a drain, grease and cooking oils can cause a large build-up deep within the plumbing, creating clogs, cracks, leaks, and drain issues. 

So, to avoid these awful clogs, the best way to discard unwanted substances is to empty the grease traps of a grill into a disposable can and let it solidify before tossing it in the trash. Swapping the drain for an empty can and a trash bin will increase the health of a home’s plumbing and allow for less stress down the road.

Flush Those Pipes!

Another important way to create and keep a healthy plumbing system is to flush the drains routinely. This doesn’t include any harsh chemicals or drain cleaners from the store, as those tend to be mixed with substances that can slowly eat away at plumbing, ultimately causing more harm than good. 

One way to flush a drain is by pouring boiling water into it. After the water, baking soda and vinegar can chase one right after the other to create a fizzing mixture that safely eats at buildup and residue. Lastly, another pot of boiling water is dumped over the drain to finish the job and rinse the affected plumbing. However, homeowners should not use boiling water with PVC pipes as the heat can damage them. This simple and natural method can help ease or prevent the build-up of foreign, harmful substances that create clogs. 

About Stanley Heating Cooling & Plumbing

Stanley Heating Cooling & Plumbing is a locally-owned and operated company with over 15 years of experience serving its neighbors in Dayton, OH, and the surrounding areas. They provide straightforward pricing, 24-hour emergency service, and same-day service. Call them today for plumbing services in Dayton, OH.

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