Owning a home means learning all sorts of things about the plumbing system. Being able to make quick plumbing fixes yourself can save money and time. It can also provide you with a great sense of accomplishment. With these tips from our plumbing repair specialists at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Bay Area, you can learn how to easily fix many common plumbing problems.
Unclogging Drains
Drain cleaning is an essential part of home maintenance and can prevent many plumbing problems. Once each week, clean the drain using the baking soda and vinegar method. To do this, pour one-half cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one-half cup of white vinegar. Plug the drain and allow the mixture to bubble for 30 minutes. After the mixture has bubbled, run hot water down the drain for about three minutes to flush away built up debris.
Cleaning Garbage Disposals
Garbage disposals are a frequently abused kitchen appliance. Putting too much or the wrong kind of foods down the disposal can cause a pipe clog, break the disposer or create a huge mess. To clean out the disposal and maintain sharp blades, dump a tray of ice cubes into the disposal once a week. When running the disposal, always allow the water to run for a few minutes even after the blades have stopped spinning.
Unclogging a Toilet
A clogged toilet often happens due to flushing inappropriate items. However, it can happen even if the toilet isn’t being misused. To unclog the toilet, first try a plunger dedicated for use in the toilet only. Stubborn clogs might require several minutes of vigorous plunging. If the clog persists and you find yourself in an unwanted situation, an emergency plumbing repair might be needed.
Taking care of minor plumbing mishaps could save a homeowner hundreds of dollars a year. When a plumbing problem is more than you can handle, our Bay Area plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Bay Area are available 24/7 to fix the problem. Call us today at 415-459-3266 for professional, reliable and friendly service day or night.
Here is more about common plumbing issues.