Sewer smell in basement?
Q: I have a sewer smell in my basement. What can be done?
A: Make sure there is water in all of your TRAPS. Most importantly, make sure this is water in the trap of the floor drain. Try running water in every drain at least once per month.
A: Make sure there is water in all of your TRAPS. Most importantly, make sure this is water in the trap of the floor drain. Try running water in every drain at least once per month.
What clogs a drain?
Q: What clogs a drain and how can I prevent it from happening?
A: The most common blockage with a kitchen sink is garbage and grease. Most sinks have a disposal that will grind up food to the consistency of coleslaw and force it down the line. Grease that is put down the line will usually start to gel within 4' or 5'. The longer the line, and if the line is flat, the more problems you will have. After 4' to 5' the grease will start to stick to the line and eventually food waste will stick to the grease. To avoid either of these issues, exercise pre-caution with what you are putting down your drain in the kitchen and "Don't Feed The Beast."
A: The most common blockage with a kitchen sink is garbage and grease. Most sinks have a disposal that will grind up food to the consistency of coleslaw and force it down the line. Grease that is put down the line will usually start to gel within 4' or 5'. The longer the line, and if the line is flat, the more problems you will have. After 4' to 5' the grease will start to stick to the line and eventually food waste will stick to the grease. To avoid either of these issues, exercise pre-caution with what you are putting down your drain in the kitchen and "Don't Feed The Beast."
What clogs the bathroom sink & tub?
Q: What causes the bathtub to clog?
A: In a bathroom, this is the land of soap and hair. Soap and hair is constantly washed down the sink and tub. Soap becomes extremely sticky and the hair will eventually attach to it. This typically happens on the pop-up on the sink and on the cross bars on the tub.
A: In a bathroom, this is the land of soap and hair. Soap and hair is constantly washed down the sink and tub. Soap becomes extremely sticky and the hair will eventually attach to it. This typically happens on the pop-up on the sink and on the cross bars on the tub.
Do It Yourself Tips
Before calling a professional, try doing these simple things yourself to save some money.
1. If your kitchen sink is stopped up, try using a regular household plunger on it. If the sink is a double sink without a disposal, use the stopped on one side while plunging the other side. If the sink has a disposal, place the plunger on the side without the disposal. Run water on the disposal side about 2" to 3" deep, turn on the disposal and begin plunging. If there is a blockage in the trap, it should push it through. (do not add beyond 3" inches of water as this may cause the water to push up and out the vent on the roof).
2. If your bathroom sink is stopped up, remove the pop-up and clean all the hair and soap out of the pop-up (a long bottle brush works well for this). If that doesn't work, place a wet washcloth in the overflow and begin plunging.
**If these helpful hints have not helped your problem at hand, give Drain Smith a call and we will get you all fixed up.
1. If your kitchen sink is stopped up, try using a regular household plunger on it. If the sink is a double sink without a disposal, use the stopped on one side while plunging the other side. If the sink has a disposal, place the plunger on the side without the disposal. Run water on the disposal side about 2" to 3" deep, turn on the disposal and begin plunging. If there is a blockage in the trap, it should push it through. (do not add beyond 3" inches of water as this may cause the water to push up and out the vent on the roof).
2. If your bathroom sink is stopped up, remove the pop-up and clean all the hair and soap out of the pop-up (a long bottle brush works well for this). If that doesn't work, place a wet washcloth in the overflow and begin plunging.
**If these helpful hints have not helped your problem at hand, give Drain Smith a call and we will get you all fixed up.
What if my disposal smells?
Q: What can I do if I have a bad smell in my garbage disposal?
A: Try running about 12 ice cubes through the disposal. The cubes should scrape the sides as it cleans up the disposal. If the cubes block the line, wait a half hour and they will melt.
A: Try running about 12 ice cubes through the disposal. The cubes should scrape the sides as it cleans up the disposal. If the cubes block the line, wait a half hour and they will melt.
What clogs a toilet?
Q: What causes a toilet to clog?
A: One of the most important points to remember is that your stool is not a trash can! Do not dispose of dental floss, tissues, paper towels, cigarette butts, wet wipes, or femail hygiene in your toilet. Also keep an eye on the children. Believe it or not, your children like to experiment with the toilet and watch items go down when you aren't around. Helpful tips include watching what you put down your toilet, keeping an eye on the children, keep calcium build-up away from the flush hole, and if you have "hard stools" see your doctor for a softener.
A: One of the most important points to remember is that your stool is not a trash can! Do not dispose of dental floss, tissues, paper towels, cigarette butts, wet wipes, or femail hygiene in your toilet. Also keep an eye on the children. Believe it or not, your children like to experiment with the toilet and watch items go down when you aren't around. Helpful tips include watching what you put down your toilet, keeping an eye on the children, keep calcium build-up away from the flush hole, and if you have "hard stools" see your doctor for a softener.
Main & sewer line
Q: What potential issues exist for main lines?
A: The main line or sewer line gets everything that is put down your drains plus roots. They are more likely than any other line to have lows spots (bellies) and can be moved out of position (off sets). Root problems tend to come in three stages.
The first stage is roots growing into the line through cracks, but the line remains intact to where we are able to run our cable and blades through to cut out the roots.
The second stage is where the pipe has physically shifted but we are once again still able to get through with a cable to open the line.
The third and most complicated stage is where the pipe has moved completely apart, and as a result we are unable to get the line open. When this happens, we must physically dig it up to repair or replace the line.
Some helpful tips include keeping a floor drain cover on the floor drain and clean it often. If your main has to be ran or cleared often, get an estimate on how much it will cost to have the line repaired or replaced. There is no use in throwing money away having it cleared time and time again if it needs replaced.
A: The main line or sewer line gets everything that is put down your drains plus roots. They are more likely than any other line to have lows spots (bellies) and can be moved out of position (off sets). Root problems tend to come in three stages.
The first stage is roots growing into the line through cracks, but the line remains intact to where we are able to run our cable and blades through to cut out the roots.
The second stage is where the pipe has physically shifted but we are once again still able to get through with a cable to open the line.
The third and most complicated stage is where the pipe has moved completely apart, and as a result we are unable to get the line open. When this happens, we must physically dig it up to repair or replace the line.
Some helpful tips include keeping a floor drain cover on the floor drain and clean it often. If your main has to be ran or cleared often, get an estimate on how much it will cost to have the line repaired or replaced. There is no use in throwing money away having it cleared time and time again if it needs replaced.
Contact Drain Smith Today
For professional and reliable service a cut above the rest, contact Drain Smith today!
(712) 256-2566
(712) 256-2566
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© 2011 Drain Smith. (712) 256-2566 | 2122 Ave. K | Council Bluffs, IA 51501
website created by ANDresults Inc.
© 2011 Drain Smith. (712) 256-2566 | 2122 Ave. K | Council Bluffs, IA 51501
website created by ANDresults Inc.
