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Simple Ways to Prevent Sewer Line Clogs

How to Avoid Clogged Sewer Lines

When a home has a clogged sewer line, it can result in many adverse effects for the entire household. Some common issues they can lead to include clogged sinks and toilets, water damage, and foul odors. When these issues occur, they can also lead to raw sewage on the property and even the growth of mold and mildew.

To avoid these problems, homeowners must take precautions to prevent clogs in the sewer lines. They can do this by scheduling professional drain cleaning services, using mesh drain screens, and knowing what foods cannot go down the sink.

Professional Drain Cleaning

pro cleaningPlumbers performing regular drain cleaning services can help homeowners avoid clogged drains and sewer lines. These services allow professionals to clear clogs and prevent blockages from forming by removing residue before they create a clog through hydro jet drain cleaning services. 

Plumbers can also check the sewer lines during the sewer line cleanout services using video camera inspection equipment to look for any defects or damage that needs repair. Drain cleaning services can also remove tough blockages caused by tree roots that have grown into the line and formed a clog. After the services are complete, plumbers may also give property owners tips on proper drain usage and maintenance techniques to prevent future clogs.

Mesh Drain Screens

meshOne of the easiest ways homeowners can help prevent sewer blockages is by getting mesh drain screens. These go over the home’s drains to collect debris, like hair and food scraps, and prevent them from going down the drains and contributing to the formation of clogs. 

These screens are typically put over the drains in showers, bathtubs, bathroom sinks, and kitchen sinks, allowing the mesh screens to collect hair, soap residue, and food particles that can go down the drains and cause blockages. They are cheap, can be easily installed by homeowners, and can be easily cleaned. 

Avoid Putting Food Waste Down the Kitchen Sink

Many households may be contributing to sewer line blockages without even realizing it. If family members put food scraps down the drain, even ones with garbage disposals, it can cause clogs to form. This is a common mistake for households that have garbage disposals. Property owners might think they can dump all types of food scraps down the disposal, but this can still lead to clogs and garbage disposal problems. Drains shouldn’t be used for trash. 

Some foods in particular households should avoid putting down the drain to help prevent clogs are:

  • Grease, fats, and cooking oils
  • Coffee grounds
  • Eggshells
  • Pasta and rice
  • Fruit peels
  • Stringy vegetables
  • Bones and meat 

About Expert Plumbing & Water Heaters, Inc.

Expert Plumbing & Water Heaters, Inc. is a family-owned and operated business serving Soquel and the surrounding areas. They offer same-day services, flat rate pricing, and on-time service. Call them today for drain cleaning services in Soquel, CA. 

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It’s National Wellness Month: Stay Safe From Gas Leaks!

What to Do if There’s a Dangerous Gas Leak

When it comes to dangerous situations at home, gas leaks are near the top of the list for homeowners. If not repaired quickly and safely, these can risk a household’s health and safety and raise concerns over possible explosions.

Homeowners need to be able to spot natural gas leak symptoms as soon as possible to prevent these dangerous situations, know what to do if a leak does occur, and schedule services with a professional to have it repaired quickly to restore safety to a home. 

Signs of a Gas Leak

smellTo protect their family from a gas leak, homeowners need to know the signs to look for that can indicate a leak – including gas leak smells. Some symptoms can include:

  • Odors that are similar to rotten eggs 
  • Hissing or whistling sounds near a gas line, appliance, or gas meter
  • Dead plants or brown patches in a yard can indicate an underground gas pipe leak 
  • Bubbles in standing water outside or inside their home
  • Physical symptoms in household members, such as dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, difficulty breathing, or eye and throat irritation 
  • An unexplained increase in gas bills  

How to Respond to a Gas Leak

Homeowners must follow the proper steps if they suspect a gas leak. Some steps experts recommend they follow are:

  1. Evacuate the house, leaving the doors open behind them to let the gas dissipate. They should not use any electrical devices (including phones) inside or turn on or off light switches to avoid creating a spark.
  2. Avoid lighting candles, matches, cigarettes, or any open flames.
  3. If possible, they should try to shut off the gas supply to avoid more gas entering the house. 
  4. After the family is safely out of the home, they should call for emergency services to report the issue and schedule professional repairs to fix the gas leak.

Professional Solutions for a Gas Leak

pro plumberWhen scheduling gas leak repairs, homeowners must call a trusted professional for gas leak detection services. An experienced plumbing technician is needed to ensure the repair is completed safely and accurately and is not putting the family at risk. Mishandling a leak can result in additional dangers and increase the chances of health problems and explosions.

To repair a gas leak, technicians will take the following actions:

  • Assess the situation to determine the severity and source of the gas leak. 
  • Identify the exact location of the leak with specialized equipment like gas leak detectors.
  • Shut off the gas supply if the gas leak is coming from a specific appliance or gas line. 
  • Ventilate the area to dissipate the accumulated gas and reduce the risk of ignition. 
  • Repair the gas line leak. If the damage is severe, they may need to replace or repair the pipe, valve, or appliance. 
  • After the work is done, professionals will check to ensure the gas leak is repaired and verify that gas levels are within acceptable limits.
  • Before leaving, professionals will likely talk to homeowners about ways to reduce the risk of gas leaks again in the future. One recommendation may be to install a gas detector to alert them to leaks. This is different from a carbon monoxide detector, which only detects carbon monoxide. 

About Expert Plumbing & Water Heaters, Inc.

Expert Plumbing & Water Heaters, Inc. is a family-owned and operated business serving Soquel and the surrounding areas. They offer same-day services, flat rate pricing, and on-time service. Call them today for gas leak detection and repair services in Soquel, CA.

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Why Homes Need Plumbing Maintenance

Benefits of Scheduling Routine Plumbing Maintenance

In most cases, when homeowners call a plumber, it’s because they have a problem that needs to be fixed. And usually, by the time they call a plumber, it’s a big problem. However, households can help prevent these issues with routine plumbing maintenance.

During maintenance visits, plumbers can inspect homes’ plumbing systems and repair issues early before they become larger and more costly repairs. With routine maintenance, plumbers can ensure systems run smoothly and safely, help prolong the plumbing’s lifespan, and enable homeowners to save money.

Run Smoothly and Prevent Repairs

When plumbers are called to perform routine plumbing system maintenance, they will ensure the piping and fixtures are in good condition and running correctly. They will perform essential maintenance tasks to prevent problems from occurring with the plumbing, preventing emergency repairs.

This can include looking for signs of leaks. Plumbers will check all pipes, faucets, and fixtures for signs of leaks and corrosion. Finding leaks early during maintenance will allow them to repair them before they cause significant water damage and waste more money on water bills. They can also perform drain cleaning services to remove any buildups in pipes, which will help prevent clogs from forming.

Extend the Lifespan of the Plumbing

prolong lifeRoutine plumbing maintenance services can extend the lifespan of a plumbing system and fixtures. These preventive services keep the system in good condition and spot issues before they worsen, which keeps it running longer.

As part of a plumbing maintenance checklist, plumbers will:

  • Look for potential problems so they can repair them early before they become more significant problems that shorten the plumbing’s lifespan.
  • Check the condition of the pipes and look for corrosion, as corrosion can lead to needing early replacements of the pipes or water heater.
  • Perform maintenance tasks on plumbing fixtures, including water heaters, faucets, toilets, and showerheads, to help them last longer.

Saves Homeowners Money

save moneyWhile homeowners might hesitate to spend money on plumbing maintenance services, these appointments can actually save them money.

Homeowners can save money through routine plumbing maintenance by:

  • Finding problems early and having them repaired before they require more costly emergency repairs later
  • Extending the life of the plumbing prevents the need to pay for early replacements
  • Preventing costly water damage and high water bills by finding leaks and repairing them
  • Water heater maintenance tasks like flushing the tank and replacing the anode rod can prevent corrosion and early replacement and improve energy efficiency, decreasing energy bills.

About Expert Plumbing & Water Heaters, Inc.

Expert Plumbing & Water Heaters, Inc. is a family-owned and operated business serving Soquel, CA, and the surrounding areas. They provide flat rate pricing, same-day services, and the latest technology. Call them today for plumbing services in Soquel, CA.

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