A clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing issues that can happen in a home. Whether a clogged drain is in your bathroom or kitchen it can be a headache and cause a big mess. Some of the plumbing issues that are caused by clogged drains are slow draining showers or bathtubs, and clothes washers and dishwashers unable to finish their cycle. Nobody likes that feeling of taking that hot shower with water rising up your feet in the tub. A clogged drain can be an easy fix and can also lead to bigger issues if not addressed as quickly as possible.
Signs of a clogged drain:
- If you see or hear your toilet bubbling
- Water backs up to your sink, bathtub, shower, or commode
- Water is coming out from beneath your commode
- Water is slow to drain from your sink, bathtub, shower, or commode
- Bad odor coming from drains
- Puddles of water on the floor near sink, bathtub, shower, commode, or laundry area
- Water coming out of a clean out
Causes of a Clogged Drain around the house:
Kitchen sinks: The build-up of grease, soap, food particles, and ground up food from disposal.
Bathroom sink/tub: The build-up of hair, soap, and toothpaste.
Bathroom toilet: The build-up of toilet paper, wipes, paper towel, and feminine hygiene products.
Air Conditioner Condensation Drains: The build-up with algae, mold, mildew, lime, and minerals
Having plumbing services performed can help avoid any serious issues from occurring. In some instances a drain clog can be severe enough that it can damage your plumbing system. Call Rodgers Plumbing today and have us evaluate your plumbing system.
Did you know that just by installing a new toilet you can save money on your water bill? Older toilets tend to use more water, costing you more on your water bill. A simple repair or a new replacement is beneficial for your bathroom and your wallet. Having a new toilet installed can add value to your bathroom and save you money because many new toilets are environmentally-friendly to conserve water.
There are different types of flushes for different toilets that are installed. These different types of flushes vary in the amount of water used for flush. The Standard Flush uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush, the Dual Flush uses between 1.1 and 1.6 gallons per flush, and the Power Flush uses about 1.0 gallons per flush.
Rodger’s Plumbing can help you with all of your toilet requirements in the surrounding areas of north Dallas, Texas. When you call our plumbing company for toilet repair services we will send a licensed technician to your Dallas, Texas home to inspect your toilets. Rodger’s Plumbing will diligently work to locate the source of the toilet issue. Once the root of the problem is identified, it is our goal to complete the repairs or installations quickly and efficiently. In helping to achieve this, our technicians stock many standard commode parts on their trucks.
Need a new water heater but don’t have enough storage room for a new water heater tank? If you’re tight on space or want to save space for something else you have in mind, you should get a tankless water heater.
Advantages of a Tankless Water Heater:
Tankless water heaters heat without the use of a storage tank which means there is no storage area to keep hot water. They do not produce the energy losses affiliated with storage water heaters. When tap water is turned on cold water travels through the pipe. Either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water for a continuous supply of hot water. Some advantages to a tankless water heater are that it is energy efficient, space saving, longer lifespan than conventional tanks, no cold showers, and continuous hot water.
Other Factors to Consider:
Although there are a lot of advantages that outweigh the disadvantages of a tankless water heater there are a few things to keep in mind. The unit itself can be more expensive than a tank unit. The installation cost is also usually greater because of the changes that need to be made to the area when converting from a traditional tank. You may need to increase the size of the gas line to supply enough fuel to the unit. You may also need to add an electrical outlet for both gas and electric models.
5 Common Dishwasher Mistakes and How to avoid them
Everyone who has owned, or currently owns a dish washer, knows exactly why it is such an important tool in the kitchen. Owning a dishwasher cuts down an individual’s clean up time significantly. However, more importantly, it prevents germ and bacterial growth that hand washing cannot and is more economically friendly. If you do not currently own a dishwashing appliance you may want to consider one, but if you do – here are some common dishwashing mistakes to keep in mind for your next use!
Top Rack vs. Bottom Rack – Believe it or not – where you place your kitchen items actually does matter. Depending on the item, some can melt, crack, or warp as a result of which rack you place them on. What items should go on the top? Glasses, cups, larger serving or cooking utensils and bowls should be placed on the top rack. Likewise, plates, pots, and eating utensils should be placed on the bottom rack. It is also a good idea to carefully read up on some of your dishwasher-safe items, as many items are only “dishwasher-safe” on the top rack.
Dishwasher Detergent – Did you know that using the right dishwasher detergent, and following dishwasher detergent instructions, is actually critical to the entire process. Some believe that the more detergent they use, the cleaner their dishes will be. However, this is not necessary true. Many times this can leave a greasy residue on your plates and cook ware. Be sure to use the best detergent and read the directions carefully!
Blocking the Sprayer – Are you aware of where your dishwasher sprayer is? If not, it is a good idea to become familiar with its location. The dishwasher sprayer should be able to reach every dish in the cycle; this becomes difficult when the sprayer is blocked by a larger pot or pan. Sometimes your cycle will not end as clean as you would like, so be sure to leave room for your sprayer!
Nesting Utensils – Nesting utensils are the clusters of knives, forks, or spoons in the dishwasher that are notorious for sticking together and holding onto food or residue in the dishwasher. It is a great idea to alternate utensils in every which way to prevent these clusters. It will allow for a cleaner, residue-free cycle!
Unloading – Ah, the final step in the dishwasher process. A quick tip for unloading the dishwasher is to unload the bottom rack first. Many times the top rack items will pool excess water. If you unload the top rack first, this water will drip and spill on the cleaned and dried bottom dishes below.
How to remove rust stains from sinks, tubs, and toilets
Are you noticing harsh rust stains on your sinks, tubs, or toilets? Here at Rodger’s Plumbing, we know that such stains can be unsightly, luckily most staining can be successfully removed. We’ve provided some quick and easy options to successfully remove rust stains from your household.
Pumice Sticks – Pumice scouring sticks are great tools to remove stains from porcelain. All you have to do is wet the bar and rub the bar directly on the stain; the pumice paste that evolves will clean and polish the surface. Be sure to rinse off the pumice paste with water after scrubbing.
Lemon Juice and Salt – If you’re looking for a quick home remedy, that does not require a trip to the hardware store, try lemon juice and salt! This option works great on flat surfaces such as sinks and tub drains. Simply mix the two ingredients together, let the mixture sit on the surface for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours), and scrub away with a tooth brush. Rinse well with water.
Chemical Cleaners – Chemical cleaners such as The Works or Zud are great options for removing rust stains. Simply spray or pour the product on the problem area, let it set properly, and scrub the residue away with an abrasive surface or cleaning brush. Again, be sure to rinse properly with water.
Buying a new home is an incredible, monumental time in someone’s life and everyone wants their new home to be the perfect match for them! This means careful examination of all that the home has to offer – with that is proper plumbing. When searching for a new home, keep an eye out for the following:
Leaky Pipes – Don’t be afraid to check under the kitchen or bathroom sinks for leaky pipes. In fact, this is critical in order to avoid future plumbing problems.
Water Heaters – The average life span of a water heater is 10 years, depending on the water quality, maintenance, and installation. Be sure to consider this and the location of the water heater when purchasing a new home. Will the location or age of the water heater cause an issue down the road if leaking or damaged?
Brown/Yellow stains on the ceiling – When you are walking through your potential new home don’t forget to examine the ceilings in each room. Visible brown or yellow spots on the ceilings can mean two things: leaky pipes or a leaking roof. Be sure to get this issue addressed prior to purchasing your new home.
Low water pressure/slow drainage – It is important to test every faucet, shower head, and bathtub in your potential new home prior to making an offer. If there is a lack of water pressure or water draining, this could mean a big plumbing problem. There could be some sort of blockage in the pipes and could be costly for you down the road.
Rattling, whistling, or loud pipes can be an annoyance in any household. Many wonder why this phenomenon occurs and if this serves as a serious plumbing issue. This answer to this question is quite simple – water hammer. Water hammer occurs when a member of a household has turned on a faucet, bathtub, etc. and has suddenly shut it off. All of the water that was running from the pipe suddenly crashes into the valve that blocks the water from continuing through the pipe, thus, creating a crashing or rattling sound in your home.
It is true not all homes encounter water hammer. That’s because it is determined by the age of your home…
Homes built before 1960’s – Many of these homes were built with air chambers installed in their pipe work to act as absorbers. These air chambers were meant to reduce water hammer from occurring, however, over a long period of time these chambers can become filled with water ultimately making them ineffective.
Homes built between the 1970s and 1990s – Homes built during this time frame typically have little to no protection from water hammer. Luckily, water arrestors can be installed and can stop water hammer from happening in your home. Leave it to the experts. Please contact Rodger’s Plumbing if you would like water arrestors installed in your home.
Homes built after 1990s – Fortunately the majority of modern homes were installed with water hammer arrestors. However, if you are still experiencing water hammer please contact Rodger’s Plumbing today!
Overloading the garbage disposal
Having a garbage disposal in your home is a powerful, handy tool – however, garbage disposals are not indestructible. In fact, it is possible to damage and overload your garbage disposal. For 2018, avoid tossing any egg shells, grease, pits or seeds, bones, coffee grounds, or stringy foods down your disposal.
Treating your toilet as a trash can
As we all know, it is very easy to simply flush smaller, harmless objects down the toilet when a trash can is not near. However, are these foreign objects actually harmless? Unfortunately, this is a common misconception and causes more damage then we think. Items such as paper towels, dental floss, wet wipes, cigarettes, or q-tips should not be flushed.
Pushing too hard on faucets
Ah – leaky faucets! Everyone’s biggest pet peeve. The biggest misconception when we are faced with a leaky faucet is to push down harder on the handle to make the leak stop. However, this will not solve the problem. Avoid this mistake in 2018 and call Rodger’s Plumbing to help!
Conserving Water
Fresh, clean water is a limited resource on our planet. Conserving water for 2018 can reduce energy use and save households money!
Hair in drain
We all know how easily lose hair can flow down our drains, however, stopping this in 2018 will save you the hassle of dealing with clogged drains in the future and will ultimately save you money. The best way to address this issue is by purchasing a hair stopper that catches the hair before it flows down your drain.
Pipes
Pipes are one of the most important parts of a plumbing system. They help water and debris flow from one place to the next without contamination or leakage. You may be wondering what the pipes under your sink are made of. Let us visit a few different materials used in piping through the years.</P
- Ceramic/Tile: Some pipes are made of ceramic or Clay Tile. This type of piping is inexpensive, but only useable in low-pressure applications such as drainage.
- Lead: Lead is a toxic metal linked to neurological disorders, so lead pipes should be replaced as soon as possible. They are common in old homes, built before safety regulations preventing their legal use in homes. This type of piping was mainly used for potable water lines.
- Steel: Steel was chosen for pipes in the middle of the 20th Steel pipes replaced lead pipes for safety reasons. Steel exposed to water eventually rusts and is also very, very heavy, making the pipes unwieldy. Steel is still used in some applications today.
- Copper: Copper pipes are the standard for metal pipes in homes, being lightweight, non-toxic, and they do not rust. However, copper piping is expensive and can corrode over time. Copper can be used in a wide variety of applications, but is more commonly used for potable water. Copper pipes can also handle hot and pressurized water more easily than other types.
- PVC: PVC is a common option for piping because it is durable and lightweight. It is also easier to install than other types, does not rust or corrode like some metal pipes do, and is non-toxic. PVC is used for drainage more often than potable water, but can be used for both.
- Pex: PEX pipe is made from cross-linked HDPE (high density polyethylene). This pipe is suitable for a variety of potable plumbing applications. It is a new type of piping that is being installed more often due to its ease of use and durability. Pex pipe is cost efficient, however, the fittings and tools needed to connect it are not. This type of pipe is also not approved for outdoor applications because of continuous UV exposure.
If your copper pipes have a leak, or you think your old steel pipes need to be replaced, call Rodger’s Plumbing at (972) 931-1021! We’ll help fix any plumbing problems that may arise in your home.
Plumbing in the Ancient Era
We all know how uncomfortable it can be when we don’t have access to a toilet but need to go. It begs the question of how people in the ancient times used to make use of plumbing. You would be surprised to know that a lot of the plumbing fixtures we use today were invented in one way or another a long time ago!
One of the most amazing feats of ancient plumbing was the Roman aqueduct and sewer system. Owing to the wealth, prosperity, and engineering know-how of the Romans, they were also able to create a water system that would be one of the most advanced in the world up into the 1800’s. Romans built aqueducts to carry fresh running water over hundreds of miles for use in homes and baths. The Romans also had a sewer, which carried waste out of the city and into the River Tiber. The aqueducts poured unused water into the sewer, which helped to flush waste out of the city and keep it clean. The Romans even had a goddess who they thought watched over the sewer!
Of course, the Romans were not the only or first ones to develop plumbing systems. Over 4000 years ago, the Indus Valley Civilization demonstrated some sophisticated plumbing, with a working toilet system. The Greeks also made developments in the plumbing field with clay pipes during the Minoan period. The Mayans at Palenque had flush toilets, aqueducts, and even water filters. The Chapultepec aqueduct in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan was destroyed by Hernan Cortes, eventually helping his conquest of the city.
Of course, modern advancements in plumbing helped spread these innovations from a few major cities to a large, growing portion of the population of the United States. There is a lot of history in your toilet, so do not take it for granted! If your drains need some cleaning, call Rodger’s Plumbing at (972) 931-1021!