Monthly Archives: May 2015

Even though it may be easy, and even though you might not care, there are three substances that should NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, go down your drain. And that’s whether you are a homeowner who cares about the health of your plumbing system, or just a renter who doesn’t want to have to deal with a potentially ruinous hassle.

The problem, unfortunately, is that these three things are everywhere, and are all too easy to wash down your drain without thinking about it. Even so, DON’T DO IT! You don’t want to face the world of pain waiting for you if you do.

What are these three substances?

1)   Fat

2)   Oil

3)   Grease

That goes double if you have a garbage disposal, as each of these things will destroy your beloved disposer over time in their own specific way.

These three things are so dastardly because each is a natural by-product of cooking. Everything from butter to eggs to meat releases some form of fat, oil, or grease, none of which are water-soluble. Rather than dissolving, they’ll just float on top of any water used to rinse them away, minding their business until its time to connect to, and harden on, your pipes. When they do, fat, oil, and grease create blockages that must be snaked or flushed or rooted out, each of which costs you money.

They can even back up your sewage system! No drain is safe!

To prevent this kind of damage to your plumbing, don’t ever pour fat, grease, or oil down the sink or any drain. Instead, discard any grease left over in a pan or pot into a separate container where it can harden and be disposed of later (make sure this container is made of glass or aluminum). Furthermore, consider a sink strainer to trap food prior to rinsing off your plates and dishes. Scrape your pans or plates over the garbage, and, if you can, wipe them down with steal wool or a paper towel prior to rinsing.

If it’s too late, and you are already feeling the effects of washing fat, grease, or oil down your drains, call Davis Plumbing & Drain Service. We know what to do, and it’s our pleasure to help.

The term itself seems almost impossible, or like just another name for ice, but hard water can be a real problem for your home. Worse yet, the problems associated with it are not major in the short-term, rather only kind of annoying, which can lead to homeowners letting it slide.

Until, that is, a major issue develops.

The term “hard water” refers to a buildup of minerals in your home’s water supply. Calcium and magnesium are the usual culprits, and there are no health problems associated with their presence in your water. You can drink it and wash yourself and you’ll be perfectly fine.

As to those annoyances, usually they’ll manifest in your soap not lathering as well as it once did when you shower, and then the soap not rinsing clean away. This is not just an issue in your shower, though: it’ll also leave soap residue in your washing machine and on your clothes when the cycles ends, as well as in your dishwasher, and leave your clean cups and plates looking grimy. Elsewhere, white flakes might form near faucets and shower heads, making your bathroom and kitchen sink look dirty and shabby.

If you allow these problems to develop, over time you’re opening your home up to some serious issues. When this water moves through your pipes, mineral deposits can develop. Left untreated, these mineral deposits lower water pressure, which can ultimately lead to leaky or even burst pipes. Beyond your pipes, the appliances to which this hard water feeds will experience similar problems due to the mineral’s presence, and can be damaged beyond repair much faster than your home’s plumbing.

When you notice any of these issues related to hard water, call a professional at Davis Plumbing & Drain Service to ask about a plan of attack. The solution could be as easy as installing a water softener, and we can go over any larger potential issues as we get more information. Hard water isn’t a super difficult issue to deal with, but you have to deal with it! Let us help.

Here in Arizona, we don’t have to worry too much about winter weather. Lucky us! That doesn’t mean we don’t need to worry about our pipes, though. In Phoenix and Mesa and Tempe and everywhere else, there’s an issue that frequently pops up: low-water pressure. People come to us concerned that their water pressure isn’t up to snuff, isn’t like that of their neighbors, and are concerned they need do something about it.

We, in turn, have a question for these customers: are you sure the issue is your water pressure?

While low water pressure is a familiar issue around these parts, not enough people realize that so are clogged pipes. Usually resulting from corrosion or mineral deposits in old, galvanized steel fixtures, these clogs can choke off the smooth flow of water to your fixtures and appliances. What’s more, proper diagnosis is essential so that you spend less money trying to fix the issue.

First, think about your home’s water pressure. Has it gone down recently? Was there an earlier time when your water came out of the tap a little harder than it does now? That’s your first clue. Next, is the water pressure consistent from room to room and fixture to fixture within your house? It might be that different pipes feeding different faucets are in different states of repair, in which case the issue is not with your water pressure itself.

If you think there might be a problem here, it’s always best to call a professional to assist. These are complicated systems vital to your home’s health; to mess something up because you don’t know what you’re doing would be a real shame. Luckily for you, at Davis Plumbing it’s our pleasure to help!

A final note: if you’re planning any renovations or remodeling and those jobs involve your plumbing, take the opportunity to bring in a plumber to go over your pipes and check for problems. With the system off and open, you can get out ahead of any potential issues before they become a real headache for you and your family. Good luck!

Few household appliances enjoy the nearly universal love bestowed upon the humble garbage disposal. It takes care of your freshest, smelliest garbage in the blink of an eye, with a cool sound and throaty rumble, and once that food disappears, it’s like it was never there. It’s almost like magic!

The thing is, though, it’s not magic. Your garbage disposal is a complex little machine at the mouth of one end of your home’s drainage system. If used improperly, it can cause a world of hurt to your home’s plumbing system. It doesn’t take much to do severe damage and initiate a costly repair, either.

On the bright side, proper use of a garbage disposal is pretty easy to get the hang of, and even easier to stick to, once you know these helpful garbage disposal tips.

Don’t do any of the following things. Seriously, NONE of them:

• DON’T put your hand in a garbage disposal to remove a clog. Ever. Use tongs, a wooden spoon, or a flexible spatula.
• DON’T put potato peels down your garbage disposal. The peels will turn to paste, and you’ll need a new appliance.
• DON’T use hot water when grinding garbage. Use cool water instead, which rinses grease and refreshes your disposal blades in ways hot water does not.
• DON’T overload your disposal. If you’ve got a bunch of food to put down it, take it slow, put in a little a time, and cut up larger pieces.
• DON’T attempt to grind up animal bones, metal, paper, plastic, or drain chemicals.
• DON’T forget to use your garbage disposal regularly. Using it more often prevents corrosion.

And if you screw up any of the above, DON’T SWEAT IT! Just get in touch with us at Davis Plumbing & Drain Service. We’re here to help.

One of the most common plumbing emergencies homeowners come across is a clogged drain. Simple maintenance like cleaning stoppers and strainers can help, but every so often something develops necessitating further action.

Most homeowners don’t own a snake, and calling a plumber for every clogged drain is obviously not necessary if it’s something minor. Luckily, learning how to fix things is one of the joys of home ownership, let’s get to work!

First Step: Hot Water

When you first notice a slowing drain, run scalding hot water down it.

Hot water can break down grease and grime, but it won’t work for larger obstructions. In the case of something more stubborn, try one of the following solutions:

Second Step: Chemical Drain Cleaner

If going with a chemical solution you must BE CAREFUL. These drain cleaners are calibrated to dissolve obstructions, so as you might imagine, they are not intended to contact human skin. Wear gloves, and don’t look into the drain while pouring, nor immediately thereafter. Follow the directions on the bottle exactly as written, and be sure to wait the entire recommended amount of time before attempting to use the unclogged drain. Also, don’t ever mix chemical drain cleaners, for reasons that should be obvious.

Third Step: A Plunger

Don’t use the one you use in the toilet, and be sure to grab one with a suction cup big enough to completely cover the drain. Insert the plunger into the stopped-up sink or tub and push it down over the drain until there is no more air remaining beneath the suction cup. Fill the sink or tub with enough water to cover the suction cup, and stop up any other outlets affected by the pipe in question (the overflow drain in a double sink, or any connected fixture) with wet towels. Pump away, vigorously, around 20 times. Don’t do it just a couple and stop; really let the drain have it.

If none of the above tips work you may have a real stubborn clog or possibly a bigger problem. Call Davis Plumbing Services in Mesa that you expect and deserve. You’ve earned it.

Low water pressure isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s often a quick fix.

Any time plumbing of any complexity is involved, you should let a professional handle it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t attempt to diagnose and, in some cases, treat certain issues. In any case, Davis Plumbing is here to help.

In the event you’re dealing with low water pressure, consider the following questions:

Where is your house located?

One of the biggest factors in sub-standard water pressure is geography. How close are you to the source? Do you live on top of a hill? Simple physics can sometimes explain these issues.

Are your shower heads and faucets dirty?

If you’re having big, and, more importantly, new, problems with your water pressure, undo your shower head and faucet and clean them out. Anything impeding the easy flow of water lowers its corresponding pressure.

When does it happen?

Have you ever noticed, for instance, that you can’t take a shower and do a load of wash at the same time? Or something similar? Pay close attention to when your water pressure weakens.

How do you irrigate your yard?

Hydration systems use a lot more water than you might think. There’s always the chance that not enough water is getting to your house because so much of it is being used outside.

Have you had repairs or renovations done recently?

Even the most reliable plumbers size pipes wrong and incorrectly calibrate faucets. Be sure to check your faucets and showers to make sure the pressure you want is available immediately following any home improvements.

These are only 5 simple things to consider. While the problem may be larger than this, your home’s issues might also be more basic than you expect. Figure them out for yourself, and it’s that much easier to A) let the plumber know where the problems are, or B) fix them yourself.

Water is our most precious natural resource, and we waste so much of it. This doesn’t have to be the case. Everyone can do a little something to conserve water when and where they can and it doesn’t need to be complicated or super difficult, either.

A little bit of extra awareness can make a major difference. That’s why we’ve whipped up a list of five things that you can begin working on today, right now, to lower your water usage.

More often than not, they simply come down to paying attention and making a small effort.

1. Shorten Shower Times

A long, hot shower feels great, but all that running water just goes down the drain. By limiting showers to five minutes or less, you can save hundreds of gallons of water a month. Even simply getting out a minute or two earlier than normal helps.

2. Tighten Faucets and Shower Heads

That drip-drip-drip is annoying, sure, but it’s also incredibly wasteful. By checking your faucets and shower heads, and tightening everything up, you’re saved a headache and a lot of water in the long run.

3. Let Your Grass be Taller

Tall grass needs less watering. The longer the blades, the more shade they provide thirsty roots. Two inches or so, and you’ll need less water for a healthy lawn.

4. Throw Out Bugs and Tissues

Every time you flush your toilet, gallons of water vanish. Ensure you only flush the commode when waste is present. A garbage can works just fine for bugs and tissues.

5. Collect Running Water for Use on Plants

While waiting on tap water to go from cold to hot, collect what runs out along the way for later use watering plants. It’s not like that water’s bad after all, and your plants do not discriminate.

If you have a leak, or any other type of water issues call Davis Plumbing for a Free plumbing service estimate.