3 Tips for Regular Drain Cleaning

Drain Cleaning

Most of us don’t worry about drain cleaning until our pipes become clogged. Certain substances can gather in our pipes and cause clogs. These are annoying by themselves, but if you have frequent clogs, they could build up pressure in your pipes and cause a leak. There are ways you can keep your drains clear with some simple drain cleaning practices and precautions.

Prevention is the Best Drain Cleaning Practice

The best method of drain cleaning is keeping certain foods out of your drains in the first place. Some items, like coffee grounds and eggshells, should never go down your drain. Even if you have a garbage disposal, these things don’t break down easily. Also, you never want to put grease or oil down your drains. The grease can solidify and cause a huge clog, while oil can mix with other particles in your drain and cause the same issue. Try to scrape as much grease and oil off your dishes as possible before putting them in the sink.

Also, after doing the dishes, run your hot water down the drain for about 20 seconds, or boil some water and put that down the drain with a squirt of dish soap. This will keep any grease from solidifying, and the dish soap will break down oil. Hot water is a very cost-effective method of drain cleaning.

Use a Drain Catcher

These are especially useful in the bathroom. Cleaning out hair from your drains is just gross. A drain catcher goes over your drain to catch hair or other types of particles that could clog your drains, such as exfoliants from your cleanser.

If you don’t have a garbage disposal, then these can help in the kitchen, too. Even if you do have a garbage disposal, it can only handle so much. A drain catcher can help your disposal not have to work so hard. Some types of food do not break down very well in the garbage disposal. A drain catcher can catch things, such as coffee grounds, so they don’t cause problems in your drains.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Another simple drain cleaning tip is putting half a cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by a cup of vinegar, and flushing that with hot water. You can do this once a month to help keep your drains clear. Alternatively, you can use dish soap and hot water; this is especially helpful for kitchen drains where grease and oil are more common.

It’s not recommended to use store-bought clog removers. Every once in a while isn’t harmful, but if you are using clog removers a lot, you could be damaging your pipes. Also, the chemicals in them are not safe. Instead of using more drain clog remover, you might want to call in the professionals at Team Rooter to get rid of your clog problems for good.

If you are using all of these methods and your drains still aren’t flowing properly, then give Team Rooter a call. Slow and clogged drains can benefit from a professional drain cleaning. Our technicians will get your drains flowing quickly again. Give us a call today!

Is Copper Repiping Right for Your Home?

Copper Repiping

All types of piping have a lifespan. Copper pipes can last about 70 to 80 years; however, other factors such as tree roots and corrosion can cause them to lose integrity. There are a few signs that you might need to consider copper repiping.

Signs You Need Copper Repiping

If your home or business is new or relatively new and you are having issues with your plumbing, there is most likely another issue.  If you have an older home, your copper pipes may be nearing the end of their lifespan. Pipes that are rusting can cause discolored water and lead to unsafe drinking water. Likewise, if there is a weird taste or smell, then you need to get your pipes checked.

How is your water pressure? Any dip in your water pressure can be a sign of a leak somewhere. If your water pressure lowers when the water is on somewhere else, this could also be a sign of a leak somewhere in your pipes. You actually are not supposed to lose water pressure when you turn on the tap in multiple areas of your house. This is something that is usually accepted as normal plumbing. But the fact is that water pressure in your home should be sufficient to have multiple taps running without a loss in pressure.

Old pipes are more susceptible to clogs. This is because the inside of the pipe gets corroded over time, making it easier for dirt and other particles to get stuck. Clogs cause pressure, which could lead to a burst pipe and a higher repair bill. If you notice you are having more issues with clogging and slow drains, then it’s time to have your pipes checked out.

Benefits of Repiping

The cost of repiping your home can put people off. But if you wait until your pipes fail, you are in for a bigger repair bill, you risk water damage to your home, and you will still need to undergo copper repiping anyway. With new pipes, any issues with water pressure are fixed and will save you money on your water bill. In addition to that, old pipes can contaminate your drinking water and make it potentially unsafe. This is a preventive maintenance measure that could save you thousands of dollars in the future.

How Long Does It Take?

Living without plumbing for any length of time is frustrating. The good news is that it usually only takes a few days to complete a copper repiping project. At Team Rooter, our copper repiping services come with a lifetime guarantee. If we have to cut through walls to get to the pipes, we will completely repair and restore the wall ourselves. The only sign that we were ever there will be clean pipes and good water pressure. Pipe issues can lead to bigger problems down the line, so don’t wait until it’s too late. Give Team Rooter a call today!