Want to learn how to unclog shower drain blockages? This article gives you four simple methods to try.

You might be familiar with the occasional clogged shower drain, made worse because many have no idea what to do about it. You can’t just run the water, and everything will work again – that’s not how it works! But you don’t have to worry about these pesky clogs when you try out these four simple methods to unclog shower drain blockages.

Why do Clogs Happen in the First Place?

One of the most common reasons clogs occur in shower drains is the buildup of soap in the drain. Soap residue and hair can form a clog when combined with water. This can cause the pipe to become blocked, preventing water from flowing properly. This is why regular drain cleaning services are critical.

What to do if you Suspect a Clogged Shower Drain?

First thing’s first: If you’re experiencing problems with your shower, it might be time to check out the drain. Clumps of hair are the most common culprit for clogged drains, but other things can get stuck there. If nothing is visible outside the grate or plug, you can try removing it and looking into the drain hole if necessary. 

 

Next: If you suspect that your shower drain is clogged, the first thing you should do is double-check that your drain is open. You’ll need to inspect the stopper and pipe close to the shower head to do this. If there’s room for water to flow between the plug and line, your drain is likely clogged.

4 Simple Methods to Unclog Shower Drain

Showering can be a relaxing experience, but it can also be frustrating when your shower drainage is slow or clogged. However, you can use a few simple methods to unclog your shower drain.

 

  1. Remove the clog by hand: An obstruction can be visible on the surface and is easily accessible. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and do your best to remove the clog. Small metal hooks made from a coat hanger are great just for this purpose, so your hands won’t get wet or dirty.

If the clog is more difficult to remove, try using a plunger or an auger. But, be careful not to damage the pipe or surrounding area.

 

  1. Use a drain snake: A drain snake, often identified as a plumber’s snake, is a piece of convenient, extendable drilling equipment available at hardware stores. You’ll use the snake’s hand crank to send a metal wire down your drain to extract whatever is clogging it.

Again, it’s important to use the right snake for the job; avoid using a drain snake designed for removing tree roots. The most common type of drain snake is the bendable type, which can go down drains as small as 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

 

  1. Use a pot of boiling water: If there are no visible obstacles and a drain snake hasn’t worked, contact with hot water can assist dissolve softer build-up like soap scum around the drain’s edges.

Repeat filling a pot with water and dumping it down the drain. Call a plumber if the obstruction is still not cleared after 30 minutes.

 

  1. Use a natural drain cleaner: If you want to clean your drains in a safe and natural method, choose a drain cleaner composed entirely of natural materials. While there are a few exceptions, most all-natural drain cleaners are safe to use and will not damage your pipes. 

They also have a pleasant odor, so you won’t have to worry about the smell of bleach or other chemicals. Use an apple cider vinegar-based drain cleaner if you want an all-natural, effective, and safe drain cleaner.

Let us Help you fix Your Shower With Quick Solutions From our Team of Plumbers

Do you need a hand to unclog shower drain blockages? Don’t panic! Contact Custom Plumbing of Arizona today, and we can help you get the problem fixed as fast as possible.

We have decades of experience dealing with all types of plumbing issues, so we are sure to be able to handle the situation quickly and efficiently. Don’t wait – call us today!

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How long does it take to fix a slab leak? Find out in this article, then get in touch with us to fix the problem!

Are you seeing warm water spots on the floor, low water pressure in the shower, or a higher-than-expected water bill? Your property may have a slab leak.

A slab leak occurs if the pipes under your home’s concrete foundation get broken. Initially, these leaks may seem minor. However, if you do nothing, they may cause considerable damage. 

Since there is no simple access to the underground pipes, the whole process of fixing a slab leak may be stressful, complex, and expensive. Also, if you didn’t know, it’s likely that your insurance won’t pay for the repairs.

 

What causes a slab leak?

There are many possible causes of a pipe leak beneath the slab. Perhaps the most important is the faulty building of your home. The problem may happen if the pipes’ quality is substandard or if the pipes are bent or damaged during installation.

Sometimes, pipes are made of copper, which is more likely to corrode, so a new pipe needs to be installed instead of just repaired. Abrasion can cause pipes to leak. Abrasion occurs when tubes rub against other materials, like other pipes, gravel, or concrete.

Even if the building of your house is perfect, the water pressure can cause the pipes to leak. Erosion from an earthquake can cause the soil under the foundation to move, putting pressure on the pipes. Leaks in slabs can cause a lot of damage and cause flooding if they are not fixed.

The pH of the water can also cause slab leaks. Anything too acidic or too basic will damage the pipes over time.

 

Slab leak detection and repair

When a leak is discovered, the expert begins the repair procedure. Your plumber will decide how to fix it. Most slab leaks can be fixed in one of three ways:

  • Re-piping: Sometimes, the entire plumbing system will need replacement. This is because it’s very old. In this instance, the re-piping procedure is used. Instead of fixing just one pipe, a professional might choose to repair the whole system.
  • Opening Foundation: This is the most intrusive option because you must dig through the slab to reach the damaged pipe.
  • Pipe coating is among the simplest and most highly recommended methods since the pipe can be recoated using the epoxy mixture. It is inexpensive and less disruptive, as well as eco-friendly.

 

How long does it take to fix a slab leak?

Naturally, plumbers must first locate the slab leak’s specific position. They do this by using modern equipment like pressure sensors, video pipe cameras, and other devices. They may then proceed to repair the leak.

On average, repairing a slab leak might take one to three days. The time might vary depending on two factors:

  • The severity of the damage
  • Plumbers’ preferred method of repair

 

What happens if you don’t fix a slab leak?

If you don’t catch a slab leak early enough, you might anticipate significant damage of numerous kinds. The following are the most common effects of an undetected slab leak:

Slab leaks may cause your foundation to slide or possibly break, depending on the severity of the leak.

  • Flooring deterioration: If you wait too long for the leak to stop, you’ll have soaked carpets, broken tiles, and wet flooring.
  • Yard flooding: Leaks in your concrete foundation may spread and even end up in your yard, causing damage to your grass, landscaping, and outdoor pools.
  • Mold: Mold develops when water from slab leaks reaches the drywall. As a consequence, drywall becomes saturated, and mold begins to form. This slab leak byproduct is extremely harmful since it may cause respiratory infections and other health issues.

Conclusion

How long does it take to fix a slab leak? If you hire a professional, repairing a slab leak can be quick and easy. Look for someone who has done it before. Ask around, get reviews, and only then make a decision. If you hire someone who doesn’t have any idea of what they’re doing, they’ll probably make a mess. Your plumbing system is pretty complicated. If you do something wrong, the whole system can be broken.

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Not sure how to unclog a urinal? Try these three simple methods to get your urinal working properly again.

A commercial property owner needs to know how to unclog a urinal because this is a typical building maintenance issue. It is common for urinals to become clogged in unisex and male restrooms. Although unclogging a urinal might seem like a messy undertaking depending on the state of the restroom, it’s much easier than you think, as long as you have the right tools. Clogs in foul-smelling urinals have the advantage that they are easily decomposable since they are slowly broken down. When taking the necessary steps, unclogging a clogged urinal should not be too difficult. However, it will depend on the severity of the clog.

Methods for unclogging urinals

It is mainly a problem in public restrooms because urinals are designed to operate without clogging for the most extended amount of time. There is nothing romantic about filling the urinal up with obstructions. Below are some methods of unclogging a urinal that you may find helpful.

      Using a plunger to unclog a urinal

If the problem appears to be a simple blockage, a plunger is the best tool to clear a clogged urinal. It is a good idea to remove any cake or plastic insert on top of the drain in the urinal and any other debris that should not be there. Unscrew the drain cover from its hole in the wall and remove the drain cover.

 

Using a plunger, you should plunge the drain again once it has been cleaned. You will likely hear noise coming from the drainpipe after you pump the plunger several times. Also, you should check if the clogged urinal has been successfully cleaned by flushing it. You have fixed your urinal if you can see the water going all the way down before it stops.

 

Nevertheless, a few urinals become blocked by a buildup of debris that a plunger can’t remove. In such a case, urinal augers might be necessary to remove the obstruction in the urinal.

      Drill With a Drain Auger

Unclogging toilets and urinals is accomplished with drain augers. An auger for a toilet is different from an auger for a urinal. The longer rod on the latter makes it more challenging to unclog urinals. With a drum attached to the auger, it can be wound and pushed inside the urinal easier.

Manual or electric augers can be used without a problem as well. There is a motorized drum for the electric one, so no work is required. By hand cranking augers, you extend their lifetimes and reduce vibrations.

      Snake a Urinal

On the other hand, simply plunging your urinal will not be sufficient to remove the obstruction, you might need to try to snake the drain rather than merely plunging; otherwise, you may just have to flush. To do the snaking of your urinal, you have two options: hire a professional or make it yourself using a urinal auger that you can get from a store. Drain augers can be used to remove tougher blockages and snake drains.

Drain augers consist of a drum that is fed through the drain and allows you to break up blockages by feeding the drum through the drain. The coil at the end of the drainpipe is specifically designed to capture any pieces of debris to prevent them from blocking your drain line after they have been dislodged.

 

Initially, you will have to insert the cable into the drain opening by pulling out several feet of cable from the middle. If the cable is already in the drain opening, you should begin turning the handle immediately after inserting it. Keep turning the handle until the coil is fed down the drainpipe; you may feel some resistance as you are doing this. After you have reached the last 3–4 feet of the coil in the drum, stop turning the handle when you have reached the end of it. You will need to slowly pull the cable back through the drainpipe as soon as you have completed this step. You will have to inspect the top of the cable once you have completed this step to check if anything has been caught on the end.

 

It is possible that the coil did not pull anything out of the pipe, depending on the type of blockage. Nonetheless, this does not mean the blockage was not cleared. It’s possible that you didn’t remove all the blockages on the coil if there is a lot of grime. Clean it by hand again just to be sure. By flushing the urinal again, test if all the water is flushed away as it should. If so, then it has been cleared.

Don’t Know How to Unclog a Urinal?

Not sure how to unclog a urinal? Your next step should be to call a professional plumber if you are sure you cannot unclog the urinal using the plumbing tools you already own. Your commercial property shouldn’t have clogged urinals just sitting around. Follow the guide mentioned above as well. These solutions will all assist you in removing irritating clogs in your urinal. Once you have cleaned your urinal, all you have to do is prevent future problems.

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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.

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What are the different types of toilet flanges? One of the most important components in any bathroom is the toilet. Its position, shape, and even color can dictate the feel of an entire room. This blog post is a large compilation of different types of toilet flanges and their construction, so you might want to check it out if you’ve ever wondered which type your toilet uses!

Before learning what types of toilet flanges are available, what exactly are toilet flanges?

Every toilet flange on a bowl is designed to provide the flow of water from the bowl to the sewer. Depending on what kind of toilet and plumbing you have, there are numerous types that can be found.

What are the different types of toilet flanges?

Copper

Copper is a unique metal because it has the ability to form into different alloys when mixed with other metals, resulting in a range of advantages. These benefits include better conductivity and strength, as well as greater corrosion resistance, which is essential for all types of toilet flanges. Copper is also relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which makes it a popular choice for plumbing applications.

PVC

PVC is a type of plastic that is used in the manufacture of flanges. PVC was first produced by Bayer in Germany in 1872 and was originally intended for use as a medicinal compound. PVC toilet flanges are commonly used in both residential and commercial plumbing systems. This type of toilet flange comes in a few different forms—either completely made of PVC or with a metal top. These types of toilet flanges fit drainpipes that are three or four inches across.

Brass

Brass is one of the most commonly used types of toilet flanges. Like copper, brass is malleable and resistant to corrosion, which makes this material a great choice if you want a toilet flange that lasts.

Cast Iron

Cast iron flanges are meant to be used with cast iron pipes. Cast iron is extremely durable and resistant to damage. In some cases, it may be possible to repair a cast iron flange instead of replacing it completely.

Aluminum

Because it is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and durable, aluminum is an excellent choice for your toilet flange. This metal will not rust or corrode, so it should last for years before needing to be replaced again. Some aluminum flanges are pure aluminum and others are manufactured with copper or zinc. While the pure aluminum type is generally better, both are suitable for use on your toilet.

How to Tell When a Toilet Flange Needs to Be Replaced

Now that you know what are the different types of toilet flanges, if you are not sure when your flange was last replaced, you can continue using it until it malfunctions, or if you want to avoid a mess, you can replace it to start fresh. A worn-out flange can cause a wide range of problems, including:

  • Leaking at the base of the toilet.
  • Loose toilet that rocks back and forth and may be unsecured.
  • Unpleasant smells coming from the sewer because of gases leaking through the seal.

If you notice any of these signs, it may be time to replace your toilet’s flange sooner rather than later.

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