These 10 expert plumbing maintenance tips can help you prevent problems before they start. From easy checks to smart seasonal prep, learn how to keep your home's plumbing in peak condition year-round.
Is a clogged drain playing the villain in your home's daily drama? Fear not! Discovering effective DIY solutions for unclogging drains can be a game-changer. With the plethora of options available, combating these pesky blockages has never been easier. In this blog, the team at Drain Pro Plumbing Services will explore some DIY solutions for unclogging drains.  1. Plunging The plunger is a basic asset in DIY approaches to unclogging drains. A few firm pumps might just be enough to dislodge that blockage. When it comes to plunging, technique matters so remember, it’s all about the push and pull! For sinks and tubs, it’s vital to cover the overflow opening, if there is one, with a wet cloth to create a seal. This ensures the force you exert with the plunger is focused down the drain. Place the plunger over the drain and, with a few strong and deliberate pumps, create suction. The key here is consistency and a rhythmic motion—firm pushes and pulls can create enough pressure to dislodge the blockage.   2. Hot Water Blitz Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective. Boiling water can be a clog’s worst nightmare. It’s a simple yet powerful solution. The heat can melt away greasy buildup and loosen debris clinging to your pipes. But remember, while it’s effective for metal pipes, be cautious with PVC pipes. Very hot water might damage them, so use hot water instead of boiling for PVC.  3. Baking Soda & Vinegar They're not just for baking or salad dressings—baking soda and vinegar make a dynamic duo for unclogging drains. Pour hot water down the drain, followed by a cup of baking soda. Let it sit for a few minutes to work its magic on the gunk. After a few minutes, add a mixture of hot water and vinegar. This chemical reaction generates fizz, which can help break down the na stiest clogs. Cover the drain for about 10-15 minutes to let the fizz work its magic, then flush it all down with more hot water. The fizzing action can help break down gunk and clear minor blockages.   4. Wire Hanger Bent wire hangers can save the day! Straighten it out first, then create a small hook at one end. Gently maneuver this makeshift tool down the drain, like a fishing line, to catch hold of hair, soap scum, or any gunk causing the blockage. Be gentle and cautious, as scratching the pipes could cause damage.   5. DIY Drain Snake If the clog persists, it's time for some craftiness. Try making your own drain snake! Grab a plastic bottle and cut it into a long, spiral strip to create a drain snake. This makeshift tool can navigate the twists and turns of your pipes to dislodge any stubborn obstruction. It's a clever and often effective solution in a pinch!  Tips for Unclogging Drains Regular Maintenance Preventing clogs before they happen is a game-changer. Making a simple ritual [...]
It's crucial to take action to make sure your plumbing is prepared for the change in season when winter gives way to spring, either yourself or with expert plumbing services.
It's crucial to take action to make sure your plumbing is prepared for the change in season when winter gives way to spring, either yourself or with expert plumbing services.
A sump pump serves an invaluable role in every household. However, harsh winter conditions can cause it to malfunction, leaving your house in a vulnerable state.
A clogged drain is an inconvenience that you don’t want to stick around for long. Otherwise, it can lead to bad health conditions, horrible smells and severe water damage in your house. Knowing what causes clogged drains and how to fix/prevent them can save you an enormous amount of money, time and stress. Hence, the team at Drain Pro Plumbing would like you to know some common causes of clogged drains.  Hair Build-Up An accumulation of hair, human or animal, has been known to cause clogged drains often, especially in bathroom sinks and drains. When wet hair becomes tangled and matted, it can create a strong blockage that prevents water from flowing. Other string-like objects like dental floss can also clog drains in a similar manner. To unclog drains choked up with hairs, a plunger works great and leaves your pipes in good condition as well. Drain cleaners, commercial and homemade, can also clear up clogged drains caused by hairs but they can have an adverse effect on your pipes too. If the clog proves especially resilient, use a plumber’s snake to dislodge and break up the clogs. The best way to avoid this problem from causing more clogged drains is to use a strainer guard on your drains. These little devices are able to filter out liquid while catching fine objects, like hairs, that can become one of the many clogged drain causes.  Dirt Even though dirt easily flows into your drains, it can also create clogged drains when it accumulates at the right spot. Enough dirt and water can create mud in your plumbing, creating a stronger blockade. This kind of blockage is mostly found in bathroom showers and tubs. Plunging and snaking a dirt-clogged drain can help resolve the issue. A drain cleaner is another common method that is also effective in this situation. Prevention of this clogged drain cause usually involves shaking or rising the dirt or mud off your clothes and body before entering the bathroom. As long as the dirt doesn’t accumulate in large amounts within short periods, it can easily flow down the drain.  Soap Scum Also known as soap residue, scum builds up over a length of time. It coats the internal walls of pipes and hardens. This causes the diameter to reduce gradually over a period and leads to slow draining of water or complete blockage of the drain. Combined with hair, dirt, and other foreign objects, the clogged drain develops even faster. You will need to use pressure cleaning to unclog drains blocked by soap scum. The only way to avoid this kind of blockage is to use washes that do not use soap.  Solidified Oil Even though they flow like liquids, cooking oil or grease are common clogged drain causes. Similar to soap scum, they can coat the internal walls of pipes, harden, and narrow the available space for water to flow. Fat is particularly good at hardening and clogging up drains. Pouring a mixture [...]
Is your water heater not working? Water heater problems are something that you may not notice until the worst possible time: taking an early morning shower and getting caught in freezing water! While water heater problems are not necessarily threatening to health, they are certainly annoying and can cause problems if left untreated.
Your home’s plumbing system includes various components. One that plays a central role in your system is your main sewer line. […]
As winter draws closer, so too does the need to prepare for the inevitable occurrence of pipes freezing. Since water expands when it freezes, the pressure that creates increases the chances that frozen pipes burst. To avoid the many costly plumbing issues associated with the winter season, the professionals at Drain Pro Plumbing has some tips on how to avoid frozen pipes in the winter season. Insulate Your Home Insulating your house from drafts is a great, long-term solution to keep your pipes from freezing. Attics, basements, and crawlspaces are especially key when insulating your house. Any cracks or openings around doors and windows should also be sealed shut. This will maintain higher temperatures in your home and reduces the likelihood that your pipes will become frozen. Regulate Your Thermostat Thermostat maintenance can also prevent frozen water pipes. It may be tempting to set it back to save some money but all that money can disappear if you have to pay for winter plumbing issues. Keeping a steady temperature of 21 degrees Celsius or higher during the day and night can keep your pipes from freezing. Let Your Faucets Drip Allowing water to drip from a faucet supplied through an exposed pipe is a small but helpful way to stop frozen pipes from bursting. Moving water is less likely to freeze and can also reduce any built-up ice in the lines. A little trickle is more than enough to reduce the possibility of your pipes becoming frozen. Open Cabinet Doors Opening the doors around your indoor plumbing allows air to circulate around them and keeps your pipes from freezing. This is particularly useful for sinks that are attached to exterior walls. If those locations contain harmful chemicals like cleaning supplies, please move them somewhere children cannot reach. In addition to this, closing garage doors, especially if water supply lines run through the garage, can prevent cold air from icing up your plumbing. Drain Exterior Pipes Any water lines leading outdoors should be shut off and drained. The outdoor pipes are at a higher risk of bursting from frozen water since they are located in areas where heat and insulation are non- existent. Use Heating Pads Applying heating tape to exposed pipes can provide an extra layer of defense against frozen pipes. Manual heating tape will require to power it on and off when needed. Self-monitoring heating tape can sense when the pipes need heating and automatically turn on and off as required. Turn Off Water Main In the case of an extended absence or power outage, you should turn off the water main and drain as much water as possible from the house. Turn on taps, flush toilets, empty washing machines, and drain hot water tanks to fully drain the house during your absence or during the outage. If there is no water in the pipes, it cannot freeze, expand and burst your pipes. Drain Pro Plumbing Service – Nights, Weekends, Whenever By following these simple steps, you can [...]
Plumbing emergencies can be extremely stressful and costly. They’re especially common during the colder months, so implementing preventative measures is something you should consider. Summer is the best time to repair and replace plumbing, so here are some tips to avoid those awful winter plumbing emergencies for this upcoming season. Insulate Your Water Pipes Cold winter weather can cause your pipes to freeze and burst. To prevent this from happening, you can insulate them to ensure their warmth throughout the colder seasons. Getting this sort of insulation installed not only helps reduce the likelihood of winter plumbing emergencies but also helps reduce water heating bills. Insulating your water pipes can be done on your own, but hiring a professional plumber is the safer option. Check Your Pipes, Faucets, And Drains For Damages An important preventative measure is to check the main plumbing areas of your home that might be likely to cause emergency issues. Conducting regular household checkups by inspecting and cleaning pipes, drains, and faucet screens will let you know about problems before they happen or get worse. Call the experts at Drain Pro Plumbing immediately if you notice that anything has gone awry. Clean Your Water Heater Having access to hot water during the winter time is vital for our homes to run safely and effectively. To prevent issues arising with your water heater, it’s a good idea to clean, drain, and refill your water heater at least once a year. You can hire a plumbing service like Drain Pro Plumbing if you want to go ahead with this sort of water heater maintenance. Doing this will help prevent long-term issues and keep your heater in tip-top shape. Water heaters last about 15-20 years so continuing with maintenance like this can keep your heater lasting as long as possible. Take Care Of Your Drains Large parties and holiday cooking before winter can often result in clogged drains. Don’t neglect your drains! Below we’ll list a few preventative steps as an easy way to keep your pipes running smoothly: Don’t pour grease or fat down your sink drains. Don’t flush anything except toilet paper down your toilet. Install drain traps on all your household drains. If you have a garbage disposal, don’t grind sticky or overly hard items down the drain. 24/7 Emergency Plumbing Services in Victoria Taking precautionary measures to avoid winter plumbing emergencies can significantly reduce the risk of them happening in your home. However, sometimes no matter how hard you try, things can come up unexpectedly. If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, or do in the future, we have four decades of experience as Victoria Plumbing Contractors. We are locally owned and operated, licensed, insured, and all our work is guaranteed.
