Troubleshooting Common Drain Problems You May Experience This Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time we set aside to remember and honor those who have lost their lives while serving our country in the military. As a day of observance, it's common for friends and families to gather for activities, cookouts, and other outdoor activities. Nothing ruins a nice day quite like plumbing problems, however. If you are experiencing drain issues this Memorial Day, there are a few things that you may be able to do on your own before you call Flatley's Plumbing Express. Here are some ways to troubleshoot drain problems throughout your home:

Toilets

Perhaps the most unpleasant area of the home to experience drain problems is the toilet. Backups are not only a major inconvenience, they can lead to costly water damage and potential health hazards in your home. They typically occur when people try to flush items that don’t dissolve in water.

Plunging should be your number one go-to when it comes to a clogged toilet. If that doesn’t work, call Flatley's! We offer a wide range of services that can get your toilet and other plumbing fixtures working properly in no time.

Tub and Shower Drains

Like your bathroom sink, your shower or tub drain is exposed to a substantial amount of substances that can cause buildup. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair, dirt – all of these find their way into your drain and sewer system.

To flush out the clog, try pouring boiling water down and plunging. If this doesn’t help, you should give us a call.

Bathroom Sink

Your bathroom sink is used very often. Every time you brush your teeth or wash your hands, you’re putting soap and toothpaste down your drain. This area sees its fair share of hair, skin cells, and lotions as well. As soap scum sticks to the walls of your pipes, it attracts other debris on their way down. This can restrict water flow, and result in unpleasant backups.

To troubleshoot, you can try plunging. While its not the most enjoyable activity, its highly effective in removing small clogs or buildup that’s close to the surface. If that doesn’t work after a few tries, the issue may be located deeper in your system.

Kitchen Sink

Think about all of the things that make their way down the drain in your kitchen. Food particles, grease, peels; even more goes down if you have a garbage disposal. These materials can quickly build up along the sides of your pipes, causing slow drainage and backups.

To try and fix the problem yourself, pour some boiling water, vinegar and baking soda down your drain. Avoid chemical cleaners, as they can contain harmful substances that damage your pipes. It’s helpful to know what to keep out of your kitchen drains for future reference, such as:

• Cooking fats, oils, and grease
• Paper products
• Egg shells
• Bones
• Coffee grounds
• Peels

If your kitchen drain is still acting up, call us to schedule a service.

Why Choose Flatley's Plumbing Express?

We want your drain and sewer system to work properly year round - not just this Memorial Day weekend. To help keep your plumbing system free of clogs and buildup, we offer:

• Camera inspections. This is an inspection method that it completely safe and gentle on your plumbing, no matter what condition it may be in. One of our trained plumbing technicians will insert a small camera attached to a thin, flexible rod into your system. From there, they will be able to locate where the clog is in your system and determine how to take care of it.
• Hydro jetting. For clogs deeper in your system, you may need hydro jetting. This is another safe clearing method in which a high pressured stream of water is introduced into your pipes, removing gunk and buildup and pushing it out of your system.

These are just a few ways to troubleshoot drain issues in your home. We want you to enjoy your time with friends and family as much as possible. When you think that you need us, don’t hesitate to call! We’re ready to help!

For all of your drain and sewer problems, call Flatley's Plumbing Express.