Common Plumbing Problems in Large Apartments

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As a landlord or property manager, you’re in charge of maintaining a large plumbing system. With main pipelines and individual pipelines running through units, there’s plenty of room for one issue to wreak havoc on a larger part of the system. 

Residential plumbing services can provide regular maintenance to keep your plumbing in tip-top shape. But when your plumbing management system isn’t set up, the following common problems could worsen without timely rooter service. 

Long service times for clogs and other minor issues

The larger your apartment building, the more likely you’ll have tenants phoning in clogged toilets, sinks and tubs. For large complexes, it can be difficult getting tenants the service they need right on time. Establishing a management system with your tenants can speed up service, such as having tenants text you or another manager about immediate plumbing issues. 

You also should use the same 24/7 residential or commercial plumbing services for quicker fixes. Overtime, your plumber will become familiar with your complex’s plumbing history and provide you with more personalized service. Jumping between various plumbing services can result in a jumble of different plumbing materials and extra time needed to explain plumbing history.

Ceiling damage from upper apartments

Commercial multifamily units have plumbing throughout the building, leading in and out of individual units. These pipes see a lot of activity and often misuse. They can also be old pipes that still have a ways to go before needing replacement or servicing. However, if you or your management company don’t have routine maintenance, chances are higher of ceiling damage caused by leaking pipes.

When units are located below multiple levels, or even just one, there’s a heightened risk of ceiling leaks. This can happen when an above-level tenant’s plumbing gets damaged. Water leaks through the ceiling and causes it to bubble downwards, pulling at the plaster until it comes loose. If the ceiling forms a bubble, call residential plumbing services as soon as your tenant reports the damage.

DIY plumbing disasters from tenants

Sometimes a tenant might get overly confident and attempt a plumbing repair only to worsen the problem or cause a second issue. Clogged toilets can overflow and damage bathroom flooring. Tubs and showers can overflow because of overlooked hair knots. Clogged sink pipes can become damaged if tenants remove them to clear them out and fumble with replacing them, either damaging the pipe or installing them incorrectly and causing leaks.

Tenants might be intimidated to reach out for help if you haven’t yet established a great relationship with them, so be sure to encourage new and current tenants to speak up when plumbing goes wrong. It will prevent simple plumbing issues from spiraling into larger issues and keep your complex running efficiently.

Residential Plumbing Services — Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 residential plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

How to Clear Hair out of Your Shower Drain

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If you have long hair, you might have experienced a handful of clogged shower drains. Long hair has a tendency to cluster in shower pipes, creating a clog that grows with each shower. You can contact your local plumber for rooter service when this happens, or you can save the effort by doing it yourself.

Use a drain snake

If your shower drain is uncovered, hair could be roped around the spokes of your drain. Overtime, this could form a chain of hair and shower products. Insert a drain snake down the pipe and twist to catch hair around the snake’s ridges. Carefully withdraw the snake, especially if it’s made of tough resin and curls when it’s resting. It could flick upwards and splash you.

Make a couple passes through the drain if you suspect there’s more hair. You might have to partially reach into the drain to pull out hair clumps loosened by the snake but not caught. For this you should wear gloves.

Pour an overnight drain cleaner

When hair clogs are deep, residential plumbers recommend the powerful at-home treatment of overnight liquid cleaner. Clogs caused by organic material, such as hair and mold, can be broken down by enzyme-based cleaners instead of chemical cleaners. Enzymes are the safer option for pipes as well, because they don’t contain chemicals. Rather, enzymes feed on organic material, chewing through to make a path for water.

Enzyme-based cleaners also have the benefit of working past their use. The overnight result is a cleared drain with increased water flow. The long-term result is a shower pipe that continues to clean itself with the lingering enzymes. This makes enzyme cleaners great for monthly maintenance. Simply pour it down your drain once every four weeks.

For prevention, use a hair catcher

After your shower drain is clean and allows water to move freely, put a hair catcher in the drain. When hair flushes into your drain, it will spiral around the hair catcher. Once a week, take the catcher out and wipe off the captured hair. You might have to clean the catcher every few days if you use hair products that clog the catcher’s waterflow holes. Also, if your household has people with long hair, you’ll have to clean the catcher more frequently.

Family-Owned Rooter Service with Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

For professional help with your clogged drains, reach out to Ehret. Co Plumbing & Heating through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292. We offer quality rooter services, including water heater repair & replacement and trenchless sewer replacement.

When Slow Draining Sinks are a Major Problem

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Slow drains are a common household problem. They’re usually taken care of with simple household fixes, like a drain snake or plunger. However, in some cases they’re a sign of a major problem in need of major repairs like trenchless sewer replacement. See below for signs that you should contact a residential plumber for further investigation.

Your drains frequently clog

One clogged drain typically isn’t a sign of a major problem. Two clogged drains at the same time is a larger problem. Worse is if multiple drains are slow draining. Though this could be an incredible coincidence, it’s far more likely that the main pipe they all connect to needs professional attention. 

Your sewer line might be obstructed by tree roots, causing buildup and sewage to leak into your lawn. It might have a pipe belly, which is a sagging section of pipe that builds up blockage over time. Whatever the reason, a household inspection can help you determine the root cause and best form of repair.

Pipe snakes and cleaners don’t help

The majority of clogs can be cleared with traditional at-home methods. First try using a pipe snake to corkscrew into your drains and break through physical clogs. Typical clogs are caused by hair, excessive food, congealed products, and grease. If the snake doesn’t break through, or there doesn’t seem to be a clog, try an overnight drain cleaner.

If the snake and cleaner don’t work, call a residential plumber for an inspection. Chances are your clog lies deeper in your plumbing system. Your main line might be obstructed and require trenchless sewer replacement.

You have additional plumbing issues

If slow draining sinks aren’t your only problem, there’s a high chance your sewer line is obstructed. These issues could include water backing up in sinks and tubs. Your toilet could make gurgling noises with air bubbles. Sewage might seep into your lawn or pour out of the overflow cap. The smell of sewage might draw pests like rats and insects into your crawl spaces, garage, or home.

A damaged sewer line can also destroy the structural integrity of your home by causing cracks in your foundation. Left untreated, your home might fall victim to sinkholes. If you’re experiencing multiple signs of a damaged sewer line, immediately contact your local trenchless sewer replacement experts. The sooner your line is repaired, the quicker your life can return to normal.

Trenchless Sewer Replacement in the Bay Area

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating can investigate your slow drains and guide you through the best solution. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for quick, safe, and quality trenchless sewer replacement.

The Most Effective Methods to Clear Your Clogged Drains

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Without proper prevention, your drains will clog over time. You’ll know an obstruction is building when your sink or tub takes longer to drain. If you don’t act quickly, the obstruction can become significant enough to require a professional rooter service.

For plumbing that stays functional and doesn’t upend your daily routine, use the following methods before contacting a residential plumber.

Use boiling water or a mix of baking soda and vinegar

If your sink or tub drain is clogged, you can directly attack the clog by dissolving the obstruction. The easiest method is slowly pouring boiling water down the drain. If this doesn’t completely clear out the obstruction, repeat a few more times. If the obstruction won’t dissolve, you can try using baking soda and vinegar.

Pour ¼ cup of baking soda into the drain, then follow up with 1 ¼ cup of white vinegar. Plug the drain with a stopper and let the mixture sit for 20 minutes. Next, slowly pour boiling water down the drain. You can repeat this a few more times. If this doesn’t work either, you can try chemical drain cleaners.

Using the appropriate plunger

Not all plungers function the same. If you’re a homeowner or business owner, you should have a plunger for the sink and toilet. Sink plungers are also called cup plungers. They have a round cup with a handle attached to the center. It only works on flat surfaces, such as a sink or tub drain. 

The curve of a toilet bowl requires a flange plunger, which has a fold-out flap attached to a larger cup. The fold-out flap seals around the toilet’s curve drain. While the flap can fold inwards to make it suitable for sink and tub drains, it’s unhygienic to use it on all drains. To avoid cross contamination, have a cup plunger for your sinks and tubs, and a flange plunger for your toilets.

There are several other types of plungers, but the cup and flange plungers are traditional fix-it-all tools for common clogs. As a general rule, if traditional plungers don’t work on your clog, you should call a residential plumber. The clog could be too deep or wedged in too tightly, requiring hydro jetting.

Pouring an professional drain cleaner overnight

Walk down the plumbing aisle of a home improvement store and you’ll find a variety of chemical drain cleaners. Some are best for tub and sink drains, some are specialized for dissolving hair, and others are for clog prevention. Look for a cleaner that’s well-reviewed by homeowners and plumbers alike. For best results, get one that clears clogs and prevents future ones.

For grease and oil clogs, try the Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver, which is odorless and uses biodegradable ingredients. For hair clogs, try Instant Power Hair and Grease Drain Cleaner. Some cleaners can work in toilets, but if your toilet clog wasn’t solved with plunging, you should contact a plumber for rooter services.

24/7 Rooter Service with Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

For professional help with your clogged drains, reach out to Ehret. Co Plumbing & Heating through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292. We offer quality rooter services, including water heater repair & replacement and trenchless sewer replacement.