In Honor of Presidents' Day: Presidential Clog Prevention

Looking back on this Presidents' Day, did you enjoy it with family and friends? While the weather may not be ideal for a cookout just yet, a holiday weekend is still a perfect time to have guests over to pass the time.

As fun as it is to spend time with loved ones and think back fondly on former leaders of our great nation, Presidents' Day weekend also means lots of people in and out of the kitchen, which can lead to a great big plumbing mess.

Fortunately, though, Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service has gathered some information about how you can avoid clogged pipes this February.

What do You Know About Clog Prevention?

We know the last thing you want to deal with, after a long and enjoyable holiday weekend, is a clogged drain. The first step in clog prevention is to monitor what is being put into your kitchen sink drain.

It's always a good idea to have a functioning garbage disposal in your kitchen sink. We'll get to that in a moment. Without garbage disposal, you should avoid putting anything large enough that it could get stuck in your pipes down your drain.

Additionally, cooking grease should never be disposed of in your drains. While it is sometimes believed that pouring grease down your drain is okay if you run hot water afterward, that is incorrect. Eventually, you will have to turn your water off, and the grease will ultimately settle in your pipe, cool, harden, and cause a clog to form.

Let Your Sink Help With Your Food Disposal

What about the food? Can't you dispose of some foods in your kitchen sink drain? If you have a working garbage disposal, then yes, you can!

Garbage disposals make food disposal simple by grinding up food so that it can pass easily through your pipes. For example, you can drop citrus rinds (especially from a lemon or orange) in your disposal to get rid of the peels while also freshening up your drain.

Even with a garbage disposal, though, some things shouldn't be disposed of in your sink. These include rice, coffee grounds, and high-fiber vegetables.

How do Drain Cleanings Help?

Regular drain cleanings can make a world of difference to the state o your drains and pipes. First and foremost, having a plumber inspect your drains once or twice a year can allow them o spot a potential problem before it causes any damage to your piping system.

Professional drain cleanings can also lower your risk of encountering a plumbing emergency, eliminate slow drains and stubborn clogs, and reduce odors from food caught in your drains.

Holiday weekends like Presidents' Day should be spent having fun with family and friends, not worrying about clogged pipes. That’s why we decided to share some information with you about clog prevention.

The next time you have people over on a long weekend, just remember what you learned here about what not to put in your drains, how to dispose of food properly, and scheduling regular drain cleanings. Do your part to help others have a fun, clog-free, Presidents' Day weekend by sharing the link to this article with your friends and neighbors!

The Reality of Hydro-Jetting Costs

If you have a stubborn or recurring clog in one or more of your drains, you may have considered snaking the drain. Again.

But what if there was a more efficient and more effective way to clean your drains without the use of an auger? What if you had your pipes hydro-jetted?

Have questions about this new method of drain cleaning? Read on to find out precisely what hydro-jetting is, why it works, and how much you can expect to pay for it.

What is Hydro-Jetting? Why is it Necessary?

Hydro-jetting can best be described as a drain cleaning method that uses a stream of highly pressurized water to clean the insides of a pipe or remove a significant blockage.

This method is typically suggested when there is a recurring clog in a line that snaking has not been able to remove, or when multiple lines in your system are clogging at once.

Hydro-jetting is the most effective way to clean the inside of your pipes. While snaking may be able to dislodge a small clog, hydro jetting can do the same thing in less time, while also removing any mineral buildup on the inner walls of the pipe, which can accumulate over time and narrow the passageway.

Thanks to the flexibility of the hose, hydro-jetting can be used to reach just about any block, anywhere in the system, by bending and turning with your pipes. Hydro-jetting is also safer for the integrity of the pipe since it doesn't require poking through the pipe to scrape it out, which was a previously used pipe cleaning method.

How Much Does This Service Usually Cost?

On average, a hydro-jetting service can run you anywhere from $250 to upwards of $1000 for projects that are extraordinarily complicated.

Of course, when the issue is that severe, it may be suggested that you replace the drain pipes rather than try to flush them out.

Simpler projects like a block that is easier to reach, for example, may not even cost you $100. As with most plumbing services, the cost of hydro-jetting depends heavily on your unique situation. Call your local plumber (like Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service, in Evansville) for a closer estimate of what you can expect to pay.

Why Call Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service to Keep Your Drains Clean?

Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service is the best choice for hydro-jetting service in Evansville, IN. Why? Simply put, because we care about you, the customer.

Our top priority, on any job, is to be honest in our recommendations and ensure your satisfaction with the service we provide.

Worried about having to clean up a mess after the plumber leaves? With Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service, you don’t have to be. Our technicians always wear shoe covers and leave your house exactly as we found it, only with cleaner drains!

At Bud's Plumbing and Repair Service, we know you have a busy life, and we respect your time. That's why we always arrive promptly and work efficiently to get the job done in a timely manner. While same day service is available, we do our best to find a time that is most convenient for you. Give us a call today and ask about hydro-jetting!

Your Drains Could use a Makeover in 2018: Try Drain Cleaning Today

Do you watch home design television and enjoy watching the “big reveal” when a space is redone? Although not as glamorous, but just as important for your home is the makeover that your drains will receive with a drain cleaning.

What can you expect from drain cleaning? Free flowing water, lower water bills, and a nicer home to live in. Interested? Here are the top tips for drain cleaning.

Unusual Plumbing Noises: Causes Explained

Is there squeaking or cracking coming from your drains or pipes? There are a number of factors that can cause those sounds to occur.

Most likely it is calcium buildup from other minerals. As water makes its way through the blockage, pressure happens and makes the sound. It’s easy to get rid of. Just get your drains cleaned and it will go away.

Fresh and Flowing Water all Year Long

How do you know if you need a drain cleaning? If your drains are bubbling, slow to clear, or if there is a musty odor coming out of them, it’s time to act.

You can try a homemade drain freshener. Sprinkle baking soda in a smelly drain and pour vinegar down. This will foam up and get rid of the clog and the smell.

Flush with hot water. A longer-term solution is to get drains professionally cleaned, which will improve water flow and hygiene in your house.

Save Your Plumbing (and Your Money)

Did you know that you’ll eventually have to replace the plumbing in your home, but that is there a lot that you can do to extend your plumbing’s lifespan?

Avoid putting commercial drain cleaners down your drains, which will cause corrosion. Other types of clogs can also cause corrosion, which will weaken drain pipes.

That means costly repair bills. Corroded pipes will leak too, which will jack up your water bills, which can be substantial here in Evansville, IN.

Clogs?

In your kitchen, you’ve probably got buildup from grease and food debris in your drains.

In your bathrooms, your drains are likely blocked up with hair and soap scum.

Either way, over time these items can bond together and cause problems.

You may try and tackle these clogs with a plumbing snake or a plunger, but it’s much easier just to get a drain cleaning done every year. This keeps you from having to deal with clogged drains at all. When giving your home a makeover, don’t neglect your drains.