Category: Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZ

Whether it’s clogged drains, backed-up sinks, or a flooded basement, we all have had to deal with some kind of drain blockage that won’t go away. In this article, learn how to fix these issues safely and effectively by using a few simple ingredients and items in your kitchen cabinet.

How Does Baking Soda Unclog a Drain?

Baking soda is a kitchen staple that can work wonders to clean drains that are smelly and clogged. In kitchen drains, common clogs come from fat, oil, and grease. For bathroom drains, baking soda is a great way to clean drains that are smelly and clogged. In kitchen drains, common clogs come from fat, oil, and grease. For bathroom drains, clogs often form from hair and scum from personal products. So before using chemical drain cleaners or disassembling the drain trap, try baking soda to see if it does the trick.

How to Clean a Clogged Drain With Baking Soda and Vinegar

If you’re having trouble getting your drains cleared, you may want to try using baking soda and vinegar. Here are some clogged drain baking soda techniques:

  • Heat Boiling Water

Boiling water can be heated in a large microwave-safe measuring cup or a tea kettle on the stovetop.

  • Pour Boiling Water and Dish Soap Into the Drain

Squirt a bit of dish soap into the drain and slowly pour boiling water down the drain. The dish soap will help dissolve the grease and clean the drain.

  • Pour Baking Soda Into the Drain

Pour one cup of baking soda into your sink or a bucket. If your sink is too small to pour directly down, use a funnel or measure out the amount you need and pour it in.

  • Follow With Vinegar

Pour a cup of vinegar into the drain and then pour a cup of baking soda after it. You’ll see some bubbling. The reaction will help clean your pipes and remove any build-up from the pipes.

  • Flush With More Hot Water

Wait five minutes after the pipes stop fizzing and flush two cups of water through your drain. Use boiling water if necessary to clean it out. If it still doesn’t work, repeat the preceding instructions.

How to Clean a Clogged Drain With Salt and Baking Soda

If the baking soda and vinegar didn’t work, use a clogged drain baking soda technique with salt. Do this at night to prevent any more waste from accumulating.

  • Pour Baking Soda Into the Drain

Add one cup of baking soda to the clogged drain.

  • Pour Salt Into the Drain

Add 1/2 cup of salt to the baking soda. You can let this combination sit in the drain overnight.

  • Flush With Boiling Water

In the morning, heat two cups of water to a boil, then pour this hot water into the sink. 

  • Flush With Tap Water

If the clog begins to release, continue to flush with hot tap water. If not, you may need to repeat the process or try the baking soda and vinegar method. Moreover, if neither works, it is likely that you will need to disassemble the drain trap to clear the clog.

No More Clogged Drains With Custom Plumbing of Arizona 

If using baking soda, salt, and vinegar to break up a clog doesn’t work, you might need to call a plumber. Custom Plumbing of Arizona can help you get the drainage problem fixed quickly and effectively. To find out more about our drain cleaning services, contact us at 602-883-2761.

Posted on Author adminCategories Emergency Plumber, Drain Cleaning, Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZTags , Leave a comment on Clogged Drain Baking Soda Fix: How to Clear Your Drain Safely

Did you know there are ways to keep a grease trap in good working order? In this article, we will give you some tips on how to clean a grease trap effectively! 

Grease traps are a common plumbing fixture found at home and across commercial establishments. These filters trap grease and other debris before it can reach your drains and sinks. As a result, they need to be cleaned regularly. 

What is the Importance of Installing a Grease Trap?

Regular drain cleaning services can keep your plumbing in good shape. Grease traps are extremely important in preventing grease, and other food from ending up in your sewer system. This can cause blockages and flooding, which can lead to costly repairs. Plus, it’s illegal to discharge wastewater untreated into waterways. So, if you have a grease trap installed, clean it regularly and replace the filter if necessary.

How to Clean a Grease Trap?

Grease traps can be a pain to clean, but it’s important to do so on a regular basis. Here are 8 steps on how to clean a grease trap:

  1. Detach the lid from the grease trap gently with a pry bar

    There are grease trap gaskets right under the cover, so proceed cautiously during this process.

  2. Inspect the grease trap’s parts once the lid is removed

    During cleaning, you’ll need to remove and replace parts; to put them back in correctly, you’ll need to know where the pieces are and how to install them. To get better results, creating a diagram of the trap’s interior would be beneficial, which you can consult when re-installation is done.

  3. Insert a wooden dowel or measuring stick into the grease trap

    Allow the grease and oils to mark the dowel by gently guiding it to the bottom of the trap and gently swirling it there. Using this guide, you can determine how much debris is in the trap. This needs to be written down and recorded in a FOG report provided by the EPA.

  4. Use a small bucket to remove any standing water from the tank of your grease trap

    Drain out the excess grease trap water with a bucket or small pump. Set this water aside.

  5. Remove the waste from your grease trap with the small bucket

    Fill the trap with the bucket, then remove the solidified waste. Put the debris in a water-tight container, such as a large plastic trash bag.

  6. Scrape down the lid and the sides of the trap with your bucket

    By doing this, you’ll be able to stop debris that you’ve knocked loose but haven’t yet removed from quickly building up.

  7. Clean the lids, trap sides, and parts with soap and room-temperature water

    Use a steel pot scrubber to eliminate extra trash and odor. Rinse the screens and components with water to get rid of the soap and debris.

  8. Properly reinstall any removed parts and replace the lid

    If you have to remove a grease trap, make sure to properly reinstall any removed parts and replace the lid. Grease traps must be tightly fitted and sealed to work properly, so don’t force anything if it doesn’t seem to fit properly.

Ready To Solve Your Grease Trap Problems With Custom Plumbing?

How to clean a grease trap? If you’re tired of dealing with grease trap cleaning, Custom Plumbing of Arizona can help. We offer a variety of services that can help make your life easier, including installing new grease traps, cleaning existing ones, and even providing maintenance services. We’re always here to help; call us at 602-883-2761 today.

Posted on Author adminCategories Emergency Plumber, Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZTags , Leave a comment on How To Clean A Grease Trap: The 8 Best Ways

What does it cost to replace plumbing in an old house? The cost to replace the plumbing in an old house depends on several factors. In this article, we try to lay out a general idea of the financial impact it could have on your bank account.

Buying an old house and fixing it up—it’s a dream for many people, whether they are first-time homeowners or real estate investors. Unfortunately, when you buy an old house, there is a chance that the inner workings have severely deteriorated, and that includes one of the most important systems: the plumbing.

Over time, regardless of the material used, plumbing corrodes and decays, leaving you, the homeowner, with an expensive mess. But just how much is it going to cost to replace plumbing in an old house that you own?

Here’s what you need to know.

Know the Signs That Your Plumbing Is Failing

First things first, if you have not read our piece on the signs that your plumbing needs to be replaced, read that post before moving on.

Done? Okay, let’s talk about costs.

What Is the Range of Cost to Replace Plumbing in an Old House?

If you are looking for a precise number here, you are not going to like this answer. The cost of replacing your old home’s plumbing can range from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $15,000. Sometimes it can cost even more, depending on the size of your home and the types of materials you decide to use. For instance, PVC is a lot cheaper than copper.

How to Make It More Affordable to Replace Your Plumbing

Now that you’ve heard the bad news—or perhaps the unsatisfying news—let’s hear some good news. You don’t usually have to replace all of the plumbing in your home at once. There are many ways that you can spread out the costs associated with removing old pipes and installing a new plumbing system.

One example involves replacing the plumbing in your home as you do renovations. If you are planning to redo a bathroom or a kitchen, you can knock out the deteriorating pipes as you go.

You may also choose to only replace the pipes in your home that are exposed. Taking this route allows you to forego the expense of ripping out and repairing walls, floors, and ceilings until it is absolutely necessary.

This can be especially costly in old homes, which were often built with more expensive materials than we use today. If you want to preserve the integrity of your home’s originality, you will want to use those same materials when you renovate.

5 Factors That Affect the Cost to Replace Plumbing

No plumbing equipment is impenetrable, and even the most robust and long-lasting pipe systems will inevitably disintegrate. If your home’s pipes are significantly damaged, a simple repair may not always be enough to stop a leak.

Hiring a professional who knows how to do the needed maintenance is critical when this occurs. Otherwise, you could have water leaks all over your house, and you’ll have to deal with the mess yourself.

What are the Different Factors That Affect the Cost to Replace Plumbing?

When it comes to home improvement, the costs are bound to vary from one house to the next. Factors that affect the costs include the condition of your pipes and gutters, how many years you’ve been without maintenance services, and whether you’re willing to take on a costly project yourself. Here are five of the most critical factors that can affect the cost:

  • Location of Failing Pipes

The placement of damaged pipes influences the cost of replumbing a house. For example, replacing a line in the basement will be more expensive than replacing a pipe in the attic. In addition, more expensive plumbing must be fixed beneath your bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchen walls. There are additional fees associated with these emergency repairs, as well as the extra time required.

  • Size of Home & Total Stories

Replumbing a home larger than 2,600 square feet will cost more because it will require more supplies and time than homes smaller than 640 square feet or with only one floor. Furthermore, homeowners will save money replacing older homes with larger models rather than smaller ones. Similarly, a two-story house will cost more to replumb than a ranch house with a single floor.

  • Quantity of Sinks & Fixtures

The expenditure of a replacement project is higher in homes with multiple plumbing fixtures. This is because the sewer and water lines are corroding, necessitating the installation of additional pipes and supplies. The cost of replacing these pipes is also higher because connecting the pipes to each fixture takes time. Replacing a single sink can cost between $200 and $1,500, while replacing multiple sinks can be much more expensive. 

  • Diameter of the Supply & Drainage Pipes

A large diameter pipe necessitates the production of additional materials, which prove to be more expensive. This can add up when labor is used for installation, as the cost of a larger diameter pipe may be significantly higher.

  • Replacement Pipe Material

The most common types of pipes used in homes are Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX), Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC), and Copper. PEX piping is less expensive to repipe than copper piping because it is more flexible and takes a plumber less time to install behind the walls.

Copper piping costs more than PEX piping because it is more robust and lasts longer. The cost of replacing a home’s pipes with old-fashioned copper wiring can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on several factors.

Tips for Reducing the Cost of Replacing Plumbing

You can do a few things to keep the cost down when it comes to replacing plumbing. Here are four tips:

  • Take advantage of coupons and discounts

Many plumbing companies offer discounts during certain times, such as during summertime. Check with your local businesses to see if they offer any special deals.

  • Ask around for recommendations

Talk to friends, family, and neighbors about their recent plumbing replacement experiences and see if anyone has any good advice or recommendations.

  • Compare prices online

Use online tools like Google Shopping to compare prices between different plumbing retailers in your area. You can also use these tools to find coupons and discounts specific to certain retailers.

The Cost to Replace Plumbing in an Old House Depends on Many Factors

Interested in learning more about the cost to replace plumbing in an old house? Need a quote? Get in touch with Custom Plumbing of Arizona today so that we can send one of our plumbers to your home and give you an estimate.

We are here to help you tackle your plumbing project, so don’t hesitate to contact us now!

Posted on Author Vince VinceCategories Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZ, BlogTags , Leave a comment on What Does it Cost to Replace Plumbing in an Old House?

Toilet slow to fill? Find out why and what you can do to fix it in this article.

When you flush your toilet, does it seem the water fills too slowly? Homeowners often encounter this issue. Many factors can cause this problem. No matter how minor or expensive your toilet problem is, identifying it will allow you to apply the correct solution so the toilet can work optimally as quickly as possible.

What makes a toilet slow to fill, and what can be done to fix it?

The toilet tank usually refills in about a minute, depending on the water pressure in your home. You may have an issue if it’s taking a long time to complete.

●     Clogged vents.

Clogged vents prevent air from escaping the tank, which will cause the water to take longer to fill. Remove the roof cover and inspect the vent to determine if it is clogged. Make sure it’s clear of leaves or debris if it has gotten clogged up.

How to fix it?

Remove anything clogging the vent with needle-nose pliers if it is clogged. Run a vinegar/baking soda plunger through your drain to clear it. One cup of baking soda should be added to six cups of vinegar. Allow the toilet to soak for 10 minutes before flushing.

●     Problem with water supply valves

The flapper is located just above the water supply valve of your toilet tank, which controls the water flow leading to your toilet tank. If it is partially closed or if it is not performing correctly, the water may not be able to reach the right place at the right time.

An additional issue with the valve could be debris build-up in the valve, which could restrict the flow of water, causing the valve to fill slower.

How to fix it?

The fill valve can be adjusted by following these steps:

  •     The fill valve can most often be found on the left side of the tank when you remove the tank lid.
  •     Attach the fill valve evenly and securely to the tube.
  •     Older toilets need an adjustment screw that can be loosened with a flathead screwdriver or their fill valves raised to let more water in.
  •     You can add more water to the tank of a newer toilet by turning the fill valve adjustment knob with your hand.
  •     Ensure that the overflow tube is about one inch below the top of the water level on all toilets that have them.
  •     Ensure that the tank is filling properly and that the correct amount of water is being pumped into the tank when you flush it.

 

●     Waterlogged Float Ball

If you have a toilet that is slow to fill, it could be the float ball. The float ball on the water surface controls the level of incoming water. Flooding the float ball with water prevents the tank from filling efficiently. There are, therefore, chances of the tank not filling with enough water or that it will take longer than expected to refill with water.

How to fix it?

  •     Ensure that the float ball does not float too low in the water, ensure that the float arm is firmly attached to the tank. It might be necessary to bend the arm upward slightly. When the ball is raised from the bottom of the tank, water can flow more freely into the tank since the ball has been raised.
  •     A replacement float ball will possibly need to be installed if this does not solve the problem and you are still persuaded that the float ball is the cause.

 

●      Fill valve tube problems

Inside the toilet tank, there is a device that looks like a vertical tube having a fill valve on the end. The primary purpose of the fill valve is to regulate how much water goes into the tank.

Additionally, fill valves might become clogged, worn down, or displaced over time. The result is that the toilet may be unable to fill completely with water.

How to fix it?

Clean the valve tube of debris to fix a clogged valve.

  •     Put an end to the water supply by shutting off the taps.
  •     Disconnect the valve’s hardware.
  •     If the tube is dirty, clean it out with a bottle brush or a wire.
  •     We recommend opening and closing the water supply valve a few times to flush out any leftover residue and see if any clogs have been cleaned.
  •     To see if the toilet is filling properly after flushing, you may need to replace the hardware and the tube.

Replace the valve tube if it is cracked, ripped, or appears worn or damaged, or if it has any holes or tears

Toilet Slow to Fill: Conclusion

Toilet slow to fill? The toilet tank fills slowly, making flushing much more difficult. Moreover, the problem can occur with either a two-piece or one-piece toilet. Sometimes, when you flush the toilet after a weak sound and poor flow, you find the freshly flushed feces staring back at you after those awkward times.

Hopefully, this post will provide you with enough information to help you understand your problem with your toilet tank.

Need help? Contact a professional plumber at Custom Plumbing of Arizona today.

Posted on Author adminCategories Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZTags Leave a comment on 4 Reasons Your Toilet Is Slow to Fill

Got a smelly shower drain? Check out some of the reasons for the unpleasant odors here, as well as some helpful tips.

A hideous smell from the shower drain will deter you from feeling clean. Showering is an essential part of the daily routine of most people. Getting into the shower is an expectation that you will smell the scent of soap. There are times when problems with the shower drain, such as mildew or sewer odors can get in, and you cut your shower short.

There is nothing worse than smelling the odor of your shower drain rising up in the air since it can feel too embarrassing. The truth is, however, that drains often come with unpleasant odors.

 

It is often possible to clear up a smelly shower drain with a good clean of the trap and drain. Still, sometimes the smell can be a sign of something more serious that requires the help of a professional plumber. Depending on the cause, we can attribute the smelly shower to various reasons.

4 Possible Reasons for a Smelly Shower Drain

It is important to note the unpleasant smell you notice in the bathroom when a shower drain makes your nose wrinkle. This way, you can identify the possible source of the smell. Following are some possible reasons behind the smelly shower drain.

●     Clogged Drains

It is important to clean your shower drain regularly. Several reasons may contribute to it becoming blocked, including hair that can accumulate in soap scum, debris, or the P-Trap.

A solid clog can result in unpleasant odors emanating from the shower as a result. Such clogs can easily be cleaned up using the right tools, chemical solutions, or a professional’s help.

How to Clear a Drain Clog

To clear out a drain clog, you’ll need to take off the face shield on your plunger to get a better grip before plunging it into the blockage. Common causes of smelly shower drain like this can be very difficult because it requires you to use one hand inside the dirty p-trap while using the other for the plunge – which is uncomfortable at best.

●     Problem with the P-trap

P-trap problems are common issues. The P-trap may cause an unpleasant smell that appears in your bathroom after a shower if it smells like a sewer. There is a U-shaped pipe underneath your shower drain where the water passes.

If you can see it, you will be able to see how it works. It is called the P-trap. Its purpose is to prevent sewage gasses from returning up the pipe and into the bathroom by holding a small amount of water at all times.

How to Clean Shower P-Traps

When cleaning this section of pipe, check the trap for debris. A paper towel or old rag can help unclog its passage if it appears that something is blocking it.

To fill the P-trap completely with no air pockets, take care to remove all debris from inside the tub, then fill the tub with cold water. By flushing out other blockages, the bad smell can be eliminated.

●     Biofilms build-up

Biofilm is another common cause of shower odor. It is possible to build up biofilm inside the shower drain and on the shower wall, resulting in musty, unpleasant odors. You are likely suffering from mold or a biofilm inside the shower drain if the drain smells like mildew.

Biofilm can have negative health effects. The bathtub drain and the rest of your shower need to be cleaned to avoid these dangers and odors. It is possible that your drain needs to be jetted or cleaned by a professional if it still smells mildew despite your best efforts. It is an inexpensive and simple fix.

How to fix it?

For a biofilm problem to be solved, you will need to use a special enzyme-based product that targets bacteria and germs. Additionally, you will also require a few other techniques.

In many cases, unclean maintenance of these areas in the shower drain is at the root of the problem, leading to build-up.

●     Pipes with leaks

It may be that your shower drain still smells if the water is draining well and the pipes are not clogged with hair or biofilm. You will smell rotten eggs from your shower drain if there are leaks in your bathroom wall or under the shower, allowing sewer gasses to escape.

 

For sewer gasses to be contained, they need to come from the P-trap, and if they don’t, there is a leak somewhere in the drain line.

 

Usually, shower leaks result in rotten egg-like odors because sulfurous gasses are expelled through the drain system. Shower drain smells can be caused by corrosion on your pipes and by loose joints such as those below your toilet seat or on the taps on your sink.

How to Fix it?

Changing corroded joints in your drain system to tighten them and replacing sections of pipe that could be rusting are both things you can do to get rid of shower smells emanating from your drain system.

As daunting as this task may seem, it is absolutely necessary to maintain a safe interior living environment within the bathroom to maintain the quality of life there.

Final Verdict for Your Smelly Shower Drain

The smell of a smelly shower drain or, even worse, stench spread throughout your home due to leaks, and other causes aren’t desirable. To prevent unwanted odors and other health hazards, it is essential to identify and address problems at the earliest possible time.

A professional plumber can handle all of your plumbing issues in your home, inspecting and resolving any issues that might arise.

Posted on Author adminCategories Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZTags , Leave a comment on Smelly Shower Drain? This Could Be Why