Prevention
Atlanta Home Buyer’s Value Guide to Plumbing
June 1, 2011 | 
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It’s summer, and this is the most common time for home buyers to search the Atlanta real estate market. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of problems that may exist in a home that are not found by inspectors, especially plumbing leaks and poor plumbing systems. Before buying a home filled with plumbing repair needs, be sure to check out the various plumbing fixtures so you know what you’re getting yourself into.
In the bathroom, be sure to inspect the floor; look around the base of the toilet for water damage, and test to make sure there are no soft spots in the floor. These are signs of water leaks, typically existing. If you find black and white stains or rolled vinyl flooring, these are also clues that water leaks may have previously plagued the area or are currently a problem. Also be sure to press tiles on the wall to check for leaks and loose tiling. Before you move on, flush the toilet and make sure it works properly, not draining too slowly or causing water to leak.
To check for adequate piping and water pressure, turn on a bathtub faucet and the kitchen sink faucet. If the pressure is significantly reduced with both running, the piping may have a large amount of calcium and mineral deposits and need to be replaced. While you are in the kitchen, make sure the connections to the dishwasher and garbage disposal are tight and show no signs of leaks. Also, check within the cabinetry to assure there is no water damage, including stains, rotted corkboard, or sagging bottoms. Be sure to check the washing machine hose as well, since these can rupture and lead to extensive water damage.
The first four digits of the serial number on a water heater are the month and year of manufacture. If the water heater in the home is more than 15 years old, you’ll want to contact your local Atlanta plumbing company to replace it. You may also want to check for rust on the tank, as this is a sign of impending issues with the hot water heater. If you are unsure of problems you may find, you can get assistance with inspections from our Atlanta water heater technicians, available to help you assess the value of the plumbing system in your prospective home purchase.
Posted in Atlanta GA, garbage disposal, Maintenance, New Home Plumbing, Pipe, Plumber, Plumbing, Prevention, Repair, Repair, Sink | 
Tags: atlanta, georgia, new home plumbing, pipe replacement, plumber, plumbing, plumbing inspection, plumbing repair | 
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Harsh Chemical Cleaners May Damage Pipes
Your Atlanta area professional plumbers agree that the number one way to unclog drains is to avoid clogs in the first place. Regular maintenance, such as annual septic system inspections, help keep plumbing running smoothly.
Even in the best of circumstances, plumbing problems may still occur. Many home owners perceive a clogged drain as simple enough to try and fix on their own. Plumbers recommend taking several precautions to avoid making the problem worse.
The first step in opening up clogged drains is immediate action. Expert plumbers in the metro Atlanta area recommend employing gentle unclogging techniques while water is still draining. Do not wait until the pipe stops up completely before applying a solution. The most common clogging materials are food particles and grease, which can be cleared using mild home remedies.
Fulton County plumbers agree that running hot water through the pipes regularly can help melt solid materials in the pipes. If you still notice slow drainage, try a homemade drain cleaner. Some of these types of drain cleaning solutions are enzymatic, using bacteria or enzymes that feed on organic waste materials such as hair and food waste. These types of cleaners were originally used in wastewater and septic tanks, because they do not contain dangerous chemicals that may leak into soil and groundwater.
Here is one recipe for unclogging pipes:
- Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain
- Follow up with ½ cup vinegar.
- Allow the two ingredients to interact with foaming and fumes, so replace the drain cover loosely.
- Let the mixture set in the drain pipe for three hours
- Run water through the pipe.
To remove a clog you know is caused by grease, try a treatment of ½ cup of salt, plus ½ cup baking soda, followed by boiling water. Let the mixture sit in the pipe overnight before running more water down the drain. Plumbers explain that these types of drain cleaning solutions take longer to work than more powerful chemical solutions.
Simple Mechanics
The next level of drain cleaning involves simple mechanical plumbing solutions. For example, you can cover any overflow opening in the basin or tub with a wet cloth, then use a plunger over the affected drain for maxiumum leverage against the clog. If you are working with a side-by-side sink, be sure to cover the drain opening of the opposite side to ensure more suction in the pipes.
You may also try drilling through a clog with a drain auger (also known as a plumber’s snake). Move the auger wire slowly as you twist to feed it into the pipe. Pull back and forth to loosen the solid material when you encounter the clog, and attempt to dislodge it as you withdraw the snake. Take care that you are not pushing against another drain or the end of a section of pipe, which may damage the system.
Unclog with Chemicals
If simple cures to not clear the clogged pipe, many do-it-yourselfers turn to the use of chemical drain cleaners, which come in liquid, gel or powder form. Their goal is to fundamentally alter the clogging material at the cellular level to generate heat and clear the blockage. Drain cleaning chemicals come in three basic types:
- Caustic: contains lye and caustic potash
- Oxidizing: contains things like bleach, peroxides and nitrates
- Acid: mostly only available commercially; contains sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid
Most of these chemical drain cleaners create heat to clear solid materials in the drain pipe, however many plumbing pipes are made of PVC, which can melt at high temperatures. Drain cleaners also can corrode the interior of older metal plumbing pipes. Several other downsides to the use of chemical drain cleaners can be noted:
- Highly toxic if swallowed.
- Burns eyes, skin and mucous membranes.
- Dissolves holes in fabric/clothing.
- Releases noxious fumes.
- Can cause explosions.
- Harms septic systems by killing beneficial bacterial.
- Mars finish on bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
If you do try using chemical drain cleaners, plumbers urge you to read all directions carefully, adhere to safety protocol, wear rubber gloves, never mix drain cleaners and never use with a plunger.
If your gentle home remedies prove ineffective, give Fulton Plumbing a call 24/7, anywhere in the Greater Atlanta area.
Posted in Clog, Drain, garbage disposal, Maintenance, Pipe, Plumber, Plumbing, Prevention, Repair, Repair, Sink | Tags: clog, drain, plumbing repair, plumbing tips | Comments Closed
Stop Clogs with Simple Preventive Measures
A clogged drain remains one of the most common plumbing problems reported by residential and commercial plumbing customers in the Greater Atlanta area. All home owners hate the inconvenience created by a clogged drain, and they may try to avoid hiring a professional plumber to fix the problem.
The perceived simplicity of a clogged drain does encourage people to attempt to diagnose and cure this messy plumbing nightmare on their own, but results vary widely with the do-it-yourself approach to plumbing repair.
Before you encounter a nasty clog, heed this advice from experienced Atlanta plumbers: the number one way to unclog drains is to avoid clogs in the first place.
Here are some practical tips to help avoid clogged drains and reduce the need for some plumbing services or repairs:
- Put solid waste such as grease, food and coffee grounds in the trash rather than down the drain.
- Maintain sink strainers over your drains and clean them frequently.
- Run cold water while chopping up waste in your garbage disposal to push chopped solids smoothly down through the pipes.
- At least once a week, pour hot water down the drains to dissolve soap scum, grease and other organic materials.
- Keep your entire plumbing system running smoothly by having water pipes, fixtures, water heaters and septic systems inspected annually by a professional plumber.
By following these tips from your local plumbing company, you can reduce many instances that require a plumber’s help. Most common plumbing problems disappear with a steady dose of preventive plumbing maintenance. If problems do occur, avoid potential pipe damage by calling your local Atlanta plumbing professionals at Fulton Plumbing.
Posted in Atlanta GA, Clog, Drain, Maintenance, Plumber, Plumbing, Prevention, Repair, Repair, Sink | Tags: clog, drain, plumbing repair, plumbing tips, preventive maintenance | Comments Closed