Friday, June 29, 2012

Unclog A Toilet Using A Toilet Auger

The toilet is one of the most important parts of a house. Toilet hygiene should be maintained and this includes avoiding toilet clogs. Toilet clogs are among the most common problems that affect the toilet. When the toilet is clogged, waste material cannot be flushed to the sewage system and if the situation is severe, the water and other waste products spill off and flow to other places in the house.
Unclogging a toilet can be quite tasking depending on how severe the clog is. It is therefore important to ensure that you avoid having a clogged toilet. First of all, you should never flush heavy product papers down the toilet drain. These include polythene papers, photocopy papers and manila papers. The type of toilet paper used should be easy to disintegrate in water. Avoid having too much paper in the toilet as it might lead to clogging. The type of paper thrown into the toilet should be safe for the septic tank and plumbing systems.

You should only flush a small amount of toilet paper at a time to avoid clogging. The non-paper materials like toys, stones, metals and cloths should never be thrown down the drain. These will definitely clog the toilet. Lastly, children and people who are new to using flush toilets should be taught how to use them to avoid clogging occurrences.

If you happen to have a toilet clog, there are several ways to go about it. One of the toilet clog removal methods is using a toilet auger. A toilet auger is basically a tool with a long sleeve handle and an offset hand crank. It also has an auger bit at the tip that is used to unclog a toilet and remove obstructions like a piece of cloth. It is about 3 feet therefore long enough to go deep into the toilet. It is the most effective way of unclogging the toilet therefore it is usually the last option when all the others have failed.

The toilet auger can be purchased at hardware shops or special plumbing shops. It might be quite challenging using the toilet auger for the first time. It is therefore important to have a plumber do the unclogging for you. It is very easy to find a professional plumber in Atlanta. Plumbers in Atlanta can be found online. Before settling on one, it is wise to read reviews on the plumber you are interested in in order to make a wise decision.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Replace and Repair Water Heater Heaters

Many do not know it, but the biggest aspect of your home plumbing system is your hot water heater. This tall cylinder, normally hidden in closet, garage or attic, heats and stores hot water for home consumption.
A hot water heater uses electricity or gas to heat elements inside the tank that in turn heat the water to an appropriate temperature. This temperature is normally well above 120 degrees and is hot enough to severely burn someone. Herein lies part of the danger of a hot water tank system.

Hot water heaters mix electricity and water; two things that do not mix well. For the average homeowner, a clogged toilet may present a serious challenge. Replacing and repair hot water heaters, on the other hand, require the services of a professional plumber.

There are a myriad of things that can go wrong with a hot water system. Commonly, the thermostats that control the temperature of the water will die and need replacing. The average homeowner may have the tools necessary, but not the correct part. A professional plumber will have the tools, parts and most importantly the knowledge to make the repair quickly and safely.

Another common problem is the element itself will burn out. This will require the entire tank drained of water and the element replaced with a new one. Homeowners who lack knowledge of draining tanks and turning off water valves to the tanks should contact a professional for this service. If you do not turn the water off, you stand a good chance of flooding your home.

If you live in an area with extremely hard water or use a water softening system, your tank will eventually need full replacement. This will mean draining the tanks, removing them and replacing them with new systems. Since an average tank holds 50 gallons of water, the homeowner who attempts such a task must have somewhere for the water to drain, or a catastrophe could occur. A professional will be able to drain and replace the tank easily and dispose of the old tank as well.

If you are a real do-it-yourself person, then by all means attempt to repair or replace your hot water tank. When an accident happens and there are pools of water on the wife’s floor, call a professional plumber to come and repair what you have fixed.


In need of a new hot water heater or just need the old one inspected. Contact the pros at Plumbing For Less, Atlanta's premier hot water heater replacement plumber. 404-509-6866