Top 3 Drain Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs!

A clogged drain can really disrupt your day, especially if it’s a shower drain and you only have one bathroom in your home. Whether it’s a kitchen sink, a bathroom sink, or a shower, drain cleaning is a regular part of home ownership, and unfortunately we see many common drain cleaning mistakes that can make the problems worse. Our team at Cross Town Plumbing explains the top three mistakes you should avoid when cleaning your drains. Please contact us with any questions. 

Improper Plunger Use

A plunger seems like a simple tool and not one that can be used improperly, but we’ve seen it many times. There are two types of plungers – a sink plunger and a toilet plunger – and we recommend you have one of each on hand at all times. When trying to fix a clogged toilet, people often plunge in an up-and-down motion really quickly, which can cause dirty water to splash on themselves and the floor around the toilet.

Instead, make sure the toilet plunger has completely covered the drain, then plunge slowly up and down, never lifting the plunger from the drain. Slow and steady, wins the race and the clog should come loose. 

Don’t Use Liquid Drain Cleaner

You can buy a variety of liquid drain cleaners at any grocery store, and it seems like a quick fix for a clogged drain, but these cleaners contain harmful and corrosive chemicals that can end up causing a lot of damage in the long run. It’s especially important to avoid liquid drain cleaners if you have PVC or older metal pipes because these cleaners can lead to rust and corrosion. Call a professional if you have a stubborn clog you can’t get to come loose. 

Using A Drain Snake Incorrectly

A drain snake is a great tool if it’s used correctly. If you force the drain snake through bends and corners in the pipes, you can cause damage to the lining of your plumbing system, and we’ve seen this happen frequently with the added assistance of power tools. If the drain stake you’re using still isn’t solving the problem, give a professional a call.

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/drain-cleaning-mistakes-to-avoid/

3 Tips for Choosing the Best Plumber

Are you in need of a good plumber? Maybe you’ve just moved to a new area, or you are a new home owner. The plumbing systems in your house  need regular care and maintenance just like everything else, and investing in a trusted plumber is absolutely worth it. Our team at Cross Town Plumbing is happy to share our top three tips for choosing a good plumber, and if you have any questions please contact us. 

Proper Licensing

Your plumber should be licensed, insured, and certified by whichever state you live in. Each state has different requirements and some states do not require licensing, so if this is the case where you live, we recommend you check to see if any formal complaints have been filed against the plumbing company you are considering hiring. Most plumbers have their license, insurance, and certification information available for you to see on their website. 

Business Experience

You want to hire a plumber who has been in business for at least several years, and who has experience working on properties that are similar to yours. Check and see how long your potential plumber has been in business, and also check that they regularly work on homes or businesses with similar plumbing systems to yours. If in doubt, you can always call and ask what their particular specialties are. 

References

A reliable plumber will happily provide you with references from past and current clients. Whether you obtain the references from the plumber themselves, or you do some internet searching before making your decision, checking references is a must. One thing to note about online reviews is that people are more likely to leave negative reviews than positive ones, so if a certain plumber has numerous positive reviews and only a small number of negative ones, don’t put too much emphasis on the not-so-great reviews. 

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/choosing-the-best-plumber/