My Drain Company Blog : Archive for October, 2014

How to Prevent Kitchen Plumbing Repair

Friday, October 24th, 2014

If you’ve ever had to call a contractor for unexpected repairs, you know that it can be a hassle. You need to take time out of your busy day to wait for a technician to be available. And if a plumbing problem poses a threat to your home in the late hours of the night, you may feel like there is no one you can call.

Luckily, there are plumbing companies that offer 24-hour emergency service, like the plumbers at My Drain Company. But before major leaks and clogs leave you rushing to call a plumber, try these 3 simple tips that can help prevent problems from occurring with your kitchen plumbing.

Don’t Put Extra Strain on Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals can process a lot of foods, breaking them down into smaller pieces so that they may move down the drain pipes easily. However, there are several foods your garbage disposal simply cannot handle. Of course, non-food items such as cigarette butts and plastic wrappers are simply off limits. These will not break up and may get caught in the drain pipe, leading to backup in your home. However, there are some foods to avoid as well. Harder foods like meat bones and corn cobs will not break down, while fibrous food like celery can wrap around the blades until the motor becomes stuck, leading to garbage disposal repair or replacement.

Avoid F.O.G.

F.O.G. stands for fats, oils, and grease, and these can be a real hazard to your drain pipes. Fat, oil, and grease seem fairly harmless, until your pipes become clogged and require professional drain cleaning services. That’s because melted fat and oil become solid as they cool down. When it moves down the drain, it can solidify in the pipes. Always run cool water when you use your garbage disposal so that it can break up any lingering F.O.G. and be sure to dump these substances in a separate trash container.

Schedule Annual Plumbing Maintenance

Finally, scheduling annual plumbing maintenance can help prevent problems from occurring. Plumbers will check the pipes and fixtures in every room of your home for leaks and clogs. You can also schedule professional drain cleaning with your visit, which means you may not notice any drain clogs for a very long time.

If you’re looking for skilled plumbers in Glendale, look no further than My Drain Company, with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Call us today!

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What Not to Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

Friday, October 17th, 2014

Without a working garbage disposal, cooking and cleanup would become far more difficult. Trash would accumulate quickly, and cleaning dishes would become quite the chore. The garbage disposal is a sturdy modern convenience you rely on nearly every day but it is certainly not indestructible. Like any mechanical fixture, a garbage disposal requires maintenance in order to continue working as it should. And one of the most important parts of garbage disposal maintenance involves knowing what can and cannot go into the drain.

Garbage disposals do not have sharp “blades” as you may expect. Garbage disposals break up food into smaller pieces, since large portions of food may become stuck in the drain and lead to backup in your sink. Take care of your unit and avoid frequent calls to plumbers as well as problems with your drainage system by disposing of the following items in a separate trash receptacle.

  • Non-Food Items: A garbage disposal can take on a lot of different food items, but materials such as paper, plastic, and glass simply do not belong in your drain. Similarly, avoid hard food items such as popcorn kernels and meat bones. Your system may become overworked attempting to process these, and they can severely damage your pipes.
  • Large Amounts of Food: Garbage disposals cannot process large amounts of food. You should break apart hefty chunks of food and scrape only a bit off of your plate at a time, running cold water while you do.
  • F.O.G.: Fats, oils, and grease seem fairly harmless, but these can cause major problems in your drain pipes and for your disposal unit. These substances solidify when they cool, clogging the drain pipes as other food items become attached as well. Furthermore, it can build up along the disposal, inhibiting performance. Running cold water may help somewhat with greasy foods, as the disposal may have an easier time processing F.O.G. when it is solid.
  • Fibrous Foods: Fibrous vegetables like celery will wrap around the blades of the disposal, keeping them from moving as they should and interfering with the operation of the motor.
  • Expandable Foods: Finally, foods such as pasta and rice can expand in the pipes, creating blockages that could allow food waste to back up through the drains.

For experienced, qualified plumbers in Glendale, call My Drain Company today!

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How to Tell You Need Sump Pump Repair

Friday, October 10th, 2014

Thankfully, flooding is fairly uncommon in Southern California, but if a sudden flood does occur, it could ruin your belongings or the foundation of your home. The sewer system that services your house may be unable to handle heavy rainfall, especially in the hilly areas of Glendale. This combined with the possibility of burst pipes is why a sump pump is sometimes necessary.

Calling a plumber to install a sump pump is the best way to protect your possessions from unexpected water damage. This system is usually installed in the basement or the lowest point of your home. As water flows into the basin—the “sump” portion of the sump pump—a motor sucks it out so it can move into the drain pipes instead.

But even if you don’t get a lot of use out of your sump pump, you may need repairs from time to time. Keep an eye out for the following problems, and call on professional plumbers at the first sign of trouble.

  • Sump Pump Does Not Turn On: Of course, if your sump pump does not appear to turn on at all, it’s time to call for repairs.
  • Strange Noises: Strange noises may indicate a problem with the motor. A professional can assess the problem and decide whether you need a new part or a new system.
  • Does Not Evacuate Water Quickly Enough: You should make sure that your unit is capable of draining large volumes of water at a time. If not, it may not have been installed properly, or it may have a faulty component.

Unfortunately, you may not notice these signs until it is too late. It is important that you test your sump pump from time to time to make sure that it can handle heavy volumes of water. One way to do this is by simply pouring water into the collection pit. However, it’s also important to make sure an expert inspects your sump pump as part of your annual plumbing maintenance.

The professional technicians at My Drain Company have experience inspecting, repairing, and maintaining both pedestal sump pumps and submersible models. Whether you need sump pump repair, plumbing maintenance, or sump pump installation, professional plumbers in Glendale are here to help. Give us a call today!

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What Causes Leaks in Gas Pipes?

Friday, October 3rd, 2014

If you suspect you may have a leak in your gas pipes, it’s important that you take action immediately. Natural gas is generally a safe way to fuel some of the appliances in your home as well as your heating system. Clothes dryers, water heaters, and gas furnaces and boilers all rely on a supply of gas in order to function. And depending on the cost of natural gas in your area, these gas appliances may save you money over time and could last longer than some electrical appliances.

But as soon as you believe a gas pipe leak threatens your home, you should evacuate immediately. You may notice the smell of rotten eggs or a hissing sound. Do not turn on any light switches or electronic devices or use matches and lighters, and call your utility company right away.

If you need gas piping installation or replacement, or for drain cleaning or plumbing repairs, be sure to call the experts at My Drain Company. We know the ins and outs of pipes, so you can be certain your gas piping is installed properly, preventing the need for repairs. So what causes leaks in the gas pipes?

  • Rust and Corrosion: One of the most common reasons for leaks has to do with faulty installation. If your gas line is near a water source or appliance that could have a leak, water may cause the pipe to rust and, eventually, to corrode.
  • Faulty Joints: As with your plumbing system, the pipes are connected with joints that may wear down over time, which is why it’s important to have the pipes inspected from time to time.
  • Loose Seals: The gas pipes are also sealed to your appliances, but these seals could also deteriorate someday.

Proper installation can keep your gas pipes from threatening your home in the future. The experts at My Drain Company also know what to look for to make sure your current system is not at risk for leaks. For anything from gas pipe installation to plumbing repairs in Glendale, give us a call today!

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