toilet - Blue Ribbon Plumbing

Sue White Sep 19, 2023May 5, 2024

Your Fall Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

As the fall season takes hold, we all know that colder weather, shorter days, and busier schedules can make home maintenance seem like a big task. When the weather gets chilly, the last thing you want to do is work on your house. That’s why now, at the beginning of fall, is the perfect time to focus on your home’s most important systems, including your plumbing.

Think of your plumbing as the bloodstream of your home. Just like your veins and arteries carry blood throughout your body, your plumbing system carries water to where you need it. And much like your blood removes waste from your cells, your plumbing has drains that whisk away waste and wastewater, keeping your home clean and safe.

If something goes wrong with your circulatory system, it can have serious consequences for your health. Similarly, plumbing problems can cause issues throughout your home.

This is why regular plumbing maintenance is essential to ensure your plumbing stays in good shape. A well-maintained system will be more reliable, predictable, and have a longer lifespan than one that doesn’t get professional attention. Plus, just because your home seems fine and everything is working as it should, it doesn’t mean there aren’t hidden issues lurking beneath the surface.

Here are some simple Myrtle Beach plumbing maintenance tips to help you get your plumbing ready for the upcoming winter and the rest of the year:

Simple Fall Plumbing Maintenance Tips

1. Insulate Exposed Water Lines

Do you have plumbing lines outside or in uninsulated areas like your garage? These exposed pipes can be trouble when winter arrives, especially in places with freezing temperatures. If the water in your pipes freezes, it can cause them to crack or burst, leading to leaks and potential damage.

Insulating your pipes is an easy fix. Visit your local hardware store and buy some pipe insulation (it’s usually quite affordable). Wrap the exposed sections of your pipes with this insulation and use strong tape, like duct tape, to secure it in place. It’s a straightforward way to keep your pipes protected and prevent heat loss.

2. Replace Leaky Toilet Stoppers

Do you have a toilet that runs even when no one has used it recently? This could be due to a leaky stopper, a common issue. Simply purchase a new stopper from your local hardware store, turn off the water supply to your toilet, drain the tank, remove the old stopper (both from the bottom and the handle), and install the new one. As long as the new flapper fits snugly over the drain to the bowl, your toilet should stop leaking once you refill the tank.

This is a straightforward task that doesn’t require any special tools, and the replacement stopper is usually inexpensive. However, keep in mind that the rubber stoppers wear out over time, so you might need to do this every year or two.

3. Relieve Slow Drains with Hydrojetting Services

Are you experiencing slow drains in your home? It could be due to a blockage in your drain line. Clearing blockages used to be a real hassle, but now it’s safer and easier thanks to hydrojetting technology. Think of it as a high-pressure cleaning for your plumbing system.

It blasts away everything from hair and soap scum to tree roots and other debris, making your drains flow smoothly again. Hydrojetting is the safest and most effective way to clear clogs, so consider scheduling this service for your home.

4. Schedule a Plumbing Inspection

When was the last time you had a professional plumber in Myrtle Beach inspect your plumbing system? There might be issues you’re not even aware of. An inspection can uncover everything from minor clogs to potential leaks and problems with seals.

As your plumbing system ages, it’s crucial to have these safety inspections more frequently to ensure it’s in good condition. Regular inspections help you catch potential big problems, such as the need for water heater replacements before they become emergencies.

Don’t wait until you have a plumbing emergency on your hands. Take the proactive step of maintaining your plumbing system this fall, and you’ll enjoy a more comfortable and stress-free winter season.

If you need plumbing services, don’t hesitate to reach out to Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC for assistance.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about services.

Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733
https://www.blueribbonplumbingmb.com/

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

Sue White Aug 23, 2023Jan 16, 2024

Common Mistakes That Can Damage Your Toilet When Attempting to Unclog It

Picture this: you flush the toilet, expecting everything to disappear smoothly, but the water starts rising instead of draining away. It’s a clogged toilet situation, and you’re in a hurry to fix it. You’re not alone!

Many homeowners find themselves in this predicament, and their attempts to unclog the toilet can sometimes lead to costly blunders. To ensure you don’t fall into this trap, let’s explore three ways you could unintentionally damage your toilet while attempting to clear the clog.

1. Misusing Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners seem like a convenient solution to unclog drains by breaking down blockages through chemical reactions. However, the heat generated during this process can result in porcelain cracks, ultimately necessitating a complete toilet replacement.

Moreover, if the drain cleaner proves ineffective and the clog persists, you’ll end up with a toilet bowl filled with harmful chemicals. Plunging in this scenario could potentially splash these toxic substances onto your skin and eyes, causing burns.

Professional Myrtle Beach plumbers strongly advise steering clear of drain cleaning chemicals and instead reaching out to a skilled plumbing contractor for assistance.

2. Overzealous Plunging

When dealing with a clog, homeowners can sometimes get carried away with their plunging efforts, inadvertently causing damage. Excessive force can lead to cracks in the bowl. The key is to plunge correctly. Begin by placing the plunger in the toilet bowl, ensuring that water seals the plunger’s lips.

Gently press down, eliminating any trapped air to achieve a secure seal. With this set-up, pull up the plunger briskly. Repeat the process until the clog clears, or consider enlisting the help of a professional plumber, such as Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC, for expert assistance.

3. Incorrect Use of Plumber’s Snake

While drain cables or plumbing snakes are effective for sink clogs, they can spell trouble for your porcelain toilet bowl. If plunging doesn’t yield results, opt for a toilet auger, also called a closet auger. This specialized plumbing snake features a protective sleeve that safeguards your toilet bowl from harm while effectively removing the obstruction.

If you’re grappling with a clogged toilet, don’t hesitate to contact Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC. They can provide the expert guidance and assistance you need to resolve your toilet troubles without causing further damage.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about services.

Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733
https://www.blueribbonplumbingmb.com/

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

Sue White Jun 15, 2023Jan 16, 2024

Why You Should Stop Flushing Wet Wipes Down The Toilet

You flushing wet wipes down the toilet bowl could be causing some of your plumbing issues. They can sometimes cause damage that costs more than $1,000.

Wet wipes are safe to flush, but what about those that the manufacturers claim? These wipes may seem safe, but they can be dangerous to your plumbing system if you flush them regularly. What are some other reasons you shouldn’t flush wipes down your drain?

Why Flushing Wet Wipes Down The Toilet Is A Big No?

1. They don’t break apart

Wet wipes rarely disintegrate when flushed down the toilet. It’s not a question of whether wet wipes can be flushed down the toilet. The wipes may flush down the toilet without any problems. The problem occurs when wipes are flushed down your sewer. Wet wipes are virtually indestructible even after flushing.

Wet wipes can be found in drain pipes intact even months after they have been flushed. They also do not break down, resulting in a buildup of wet wipes that clogs drain lines and can eventually cause Myrtle Beach plumbing systems to become backed up.

In one test, wet wipes were placed in a blender and blended for 10 minutes. Would you believe they were almost unaltered after such a procedure? What is the best method to get rid of wet wipes, then? Toss them in the trash. Try buying a small, sealed can and lining it with a bag scented with your favorite scent if the smell of trash bothers you. It is cheaper and easier to do this than call a plumber.

2. Fatberg Effect

What is a Fatberg? It is when wet wipes are combined with fat, grease and other dirt in the pipes to create an iceberg-like formation. These formations cause huge blockages in drains and plumbing pipes. Fatbergs are 10 feet or longer and can weigh over 100 pounds.

Homeowners often face fatbergs, which can cost thousands of dollars in plumbing repairs. Softball clogs, the smaller versions of fatbergs, can cause as much damage as flushing a ball down the toilet.

3. Wall of Wipes

How old is your house? The older your house, the more vulnerable your plumbing system will be. Many of your pipes will be brittle and corroded. Your drain lines may have many small holes or even be infested with tree roots. Older sewer systems were often constructed of concrete, Orangeburg, or iron pipes. Tree roots can grow in all of these materials. The roots may grow at the joints of the sewer pipes and spread to form a web. Roots can catch things that are passing through pipes.

This wall would prevent anything from getting into the sewer system. A professional plumbing contractor in Myrtle Beach will be needed to fix this problem. It is, therefore, important to have regular plumbing inspections if your home plumbing system is old.

4. Sewer Damage

Even if the wet wipes that you flush don’t get stuck in the pipes or cause a blockage, they can still cause damage. This can damage your septic tank and the sewer system in the city.

Why? It causes a blockage in the septic system rather than clogging the drain lines. This can lead to a backed-up sewer system entering your home via sinks and drains.

Even if you don’t consider the cost of plumbing repairs, cleaning up the mess alone could cost you thousands. If the blockage is severe, you may have to replace your septic system. The best way to prevent this is never to flush wet wipes!

Wet wipes can cause problems at sewage treatment plants, even if they are unharmed through the sewer system. Wet wipes can cause damage to industrial pumps and lead them to overheat. The taxpayers are responsible for paying the pump replacement or repair cost every time this happens. It’s no surprise that these pumps are expensive.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC if you have plumbing issues caused by wet wipes or other reasons.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about plumbing services.

Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733

Home – Myrtle Beach Plumber

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

Sue White Jun 5, 2023Feb 9, 2024

WAYS YOU CAN DAMAGE YOUR TOILET WHEN TRYING TO UNCLOG IT

So, you go, flush, and water begins to rush to clear the toilet. However, you notice that the water won’t stop rising. You find out that your toilet is clogged. You are in a rush to get rid of the clog. You are not alone!

Because of this, many homeowners are making expensive mistakes of tinkering with their plumbing system as they try to unclog their toilets incorrectly. You don’t have to be one of them. Because of that, here are three ways you can damage your toilet when trying to get rid of the clog.

Using Drain Cleaners

Many chemical drain cleaners can get rid of the clogs in your drain by breaking down the obstruction through a chemical reaction. The heat generated by the chemical reaction can lead to cracking the porcelain, which means you eventually need to have it replaced with a new one.

Additionally, in case the drain cleaner fails to work and the toilet is still clogged, you will end up with a toilet that is filled with chemicals. Plunging could splash the potentially toxic chemicals onto your eyes and your skin, which can cause burns. Plumbers recommend that you stay away from drain cleaning chemicals and just call a professional plumbing contractor right away.

Plunging Too Hard

When you are trying to dislodge anything that is clogging your toilet, several homeowners become overzealous. They plunge too hard that they wind up cracking the bowl. You need to use the right way when plunging your toilet. The first thing you need to do is to put the plunger in the toilet bowl and make sure that the water is sealing the lips of the plunger.

The next thing to do is push down gently and get rid of all the air out of the plunger so you can get a good seal. Once that is done, pull the plunger up swiftly. Repeat this process until the toilet drains. You can also call a Myrtle Beach plumber for professional help.

Using The Incorrect Plumber’s Snake

Drain cables or plumbing snakes are used to remove the clogs on sinks but they can unclog the porcelain toilet bowl. In case plunging fails to get the job done, you should go for a toilet auger, also known as a closet auger. The toilet auger is also a plumbing snake. However, it has a protective sleeve that will protect your toilet bowl from being damaged.