What to Avoid Putting Down the Garbage Disposal

If you have a garbage disposal in your home or business then you already know how convenient and useful they can be at eliminating food waste. However, there are several things that you should avoid putting down your disposal for fear of causing damage to the unit and/or clogging your drainage system. Let’s talk about just what shouldn’t be put down your garbage disposal.

Types of Food Waste to Keep Out of the Disposal

While most types of food waste are perfectly fine to put down the disposal, some types of food waste can cause damage to your garbage disposal. Food items that can damage your disposal include things like:

  • Eggshells
  • Coffee grounds
  • Hard or tough raw vegetables like carrots and celery

And, in addition to food items that can damage your unit, there are also types of food waste that can cause serious clogs in your drainage system. Foods that can clog a garbage disposal include things like:

  • Potato peels
  • Fat or grease
  • Oil-based sauces and marinades

Other Types of Waste to Avoid Putting in the Garbage Disposal

Besides food waste, there are other types of waste that are often found in kitchen sinks that should be kept out of the disposal. They include things like:

  • Ice
  • Napkins and paper towels
  • Paper plates
  • Muffin/cupcake wrappers
  • Garbage in general
  • Vomit (we know this is gross, but you’d be surprised how many people run straight to the sink when they have to vomit)

Broken or Clogged Disposal? Contact Scott English Plumbing, Inc.

If you have a damaged or clogged garbage disposal, then we can help! Here at Scott English Plumbing, Inc., we employ a team of professional plumbers that are always standing by to help you with your garbage disposal problems. Contact us today!

Memorial Day Plumbing Problems

Memorial Day is this weekend! And, if you’re having a party, then there are a few plumbing problems that occur due to these parties that the experts here at Scott English Plumbing, Inc. want you to be aware of. They are:

  • Clogged Toilets
  • Clogged Drains
  • Garbage Dipsosal Clogs and Obstuctions

Clogged Toilets

Preventing clogged toilets during your Memorial Day party is as easy as lettting your guests use more than one bathroom on your property. Or, if you don’t have more than one bathroom, then you can always rent a portable toilet. Another way to keep your toilets free and clear during your party is to inform your guests of the things that are not supposed to be flushed down the toilet. Things to avoid flushing down the toilet include:

  • Wet wipes
  • Garbage
  • Food
  • Ice
  • Napkins
  • Paper towels
  • Feminine hygeine products

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are one of the most common problems that occur during a Memorial Day party. However, preventing them doesn’t have to be difficult. To keep your drains free and clear this Memorial Day weekend, then simply inform your guests on what types of things are not supposed to be put in your drains. Some things to keep out of your drains include:

  • Food waste (unless you have a garbage disposal)
  • Garbage
  • Fat and/or grease
  • Vomit (as gross as that is, you’d be surprised to know how many people think that sink drains are able to handle human vomit)

Garbage Disposal Clogs and Obstructions

There are things that should never be put down a garbage disposal. Unfortunately, not everyone knows what should and shouldn’t go down the disposal. To keep things simple, you can always block off the garbage disposal with a plug that you can find at almost any home goods store. You can also make a list and place it on a sign in front of the disposal telling your guests what they can and cannot put in it.

Things to avoid putting down your garbage disposal include:

  • Egg shells
  • Bones
  • Fat or grease
  • Hard vegetables (raw carrots, celery, etc.)
  • Non food related waste
  • Ice

Contact Scott English Plumbing, Inc. if You Need Plumbing Assistance this Memorial Day Weekend

If you have plumbing problems after your Memorial Day party this weekend, then don’t fret! The professional plumbers here at Scott English Plumbing, Inc. are always standing by to help you with your plumbing problems. Contact us at the first sign of plumbing problems this Memorial Day Weekend!

How to Clear a Shower Drain

Here at Scott English Plumbing, Inc., we get asked “how do I unclog my shower drain?” quite a lot. In fact, we get asked it so often that we decided to write up this little how-to blog post to help better explain the procedure to our customers. So, without further ado, let’s explore how you, the average homeowner, can clear your shower drain.

Step 1 – Determine the Source of the Clog

The first, and most obvious, step in clearing a shower drain is to determine what clogged it in the first place. There are several things that end up going down the shower drain that can cause a clog. Some of the most common sources of shower drain clogs include:

  • Hair
  • Soap scum
  • Hard water deposits
  • Trash and other waste

Once you have determined what is causing your drain clog, you can start attacking it at the source with the proper techniques for dealing with your type of clog.

Step 2 – Remove Hair Using a Hair Snake

If you are decently sure that hair is the cause of your clogged shower drain, then pop on over to your local hardware store and pick up a drain snake made specifically for hair. These snakes are usually plastic and have either barbed hooks or a ribbed texture in order to latch onto hair-based clogs. To use the snake, simply remove the guard for the drain and insert the snake as far as it will go into your pipe. Then remove it slowly to remove any hair. Repeat this process until the snake comes back up from the drain free of any hair.

Step 3 – Pour Boiling Water Down the Drain

The next step in clearing a shower drain is to simply pour some boiling water down the drain. Once you have removed any hair from your drain, then boil some water on the stove and simply pour the entire contents of the pot into the drain itself. The heat from the boiling water will help break up any stubborn clogs.

Step 4 – Use a Plunger

After you’ve poured some boiling water down your drain, the next step is to use a plunger to help free any remaining clog material. However, you want to make sure to use the right type of plunger for this job. The correct type of plunger to use for cleaning a shower (or sink) drain is called a cup plunger. When you imagine a plunger, this is most likely the type you think of. To plunge your shower drain, simply place the plunger over the drain and pump it like you would for a toilet clog. This creates suction (negative pressure) that can help pull clogs from the drain line.

Step 5 – Boiling Water Again

After you have plunged your shower drain, it’s time to pour another load of boiling water down it. Doing this a second time serves two purposes: it can further break apart and loosen existing clogs, and it also helps sanitize your drain line.

Step 6 – Call the Professionals

If you have tried all of the aforementioned procedures to no avail, then rather than reach for dangerous chemical drain cleaners simply call the Scott English Plumbing, Inc. team of drain cleaning professionals. We are always standing by to help and we don’t like clogged shower drains any more than you do. Give us a call and we’ll take care of your clogged shower drain right away!

Summertime Plumbing Hints and Tips

Summer is right around the corner! But, before the warmer weather and longer days arrive, you should stop and take a look at your plumbing appliances and system overall to make sure its ready for the season. Some things you should check before summer rears its head include:

  • Check for drain clogs
  • Find and fix any Leaky faucets
  • Check for leaks in your toilet tank
  • Look out for loose toilets and other plumbing fixtures
  • Check for burst or leaking pipes
  • Look over your water heater
  • Check and fix any issues with your water pressure

Let’s explore each of the aforementioned hints and tips in detail so that you can feel confident in your plumbing system this summer!

Check for Drain Clogs and Obstructions

There are several signs that point towards you having clogged or obstructed drains. And, if you find yourself facing down any one of those signs, then now is the right time to get in touch with the Scott English Plumbing, Inc. team of drain cleaning professionals. Some of the more common signs of drain clogs and obstructions include:

  • Slow moving drains
  • Bubbling or gurgling drains
  • Strange or bad smelling odors coming up from your drains
  • Backed up plumbing appliances elseewheere in your home or business

Find and Fix Any Leaky Faucets

The next tip on our list is to find and fix any leaky faucets in your home or business. Leaky faucets can waste gallons of water every month and they should be fixed as soon as you realize you have one. Leaky faucets are often signified by slowly dripping water coming from any of our faucets or spigots. The faster you fix a leaky faucet, the less likely it is to lead to worse plumbing problems in the future. It can also save you money on your water bill.

Check for Leaks in Your Toilet Tank

Just like with leaky faucets, you’ll want to check for any leaks in your toilet tank. These types of leaks can waste water and drastically affect your monthly water usage bill. To check for toilet leaks, simply place a little food coloring in the tank in the back and wait a few hours. If you notice any colored water in the bowl of your toilet, then you have a leak and you should call in the plumbing professionals.

Look Out for Loose Toilets and Plumbing Fixtures

Other things to check in on before summer arrives are loose toilets and plumbing fixtures. If your toilet rocks when you sit on it, then its loose and needs to be adjusted. You can also check for loose plumbing appliances in a similar way. Simply apply a little force to the appliance in question and see if it moves. If it moves easily (don’t force it to), then it probably needs adjustment from licensed plumbing professional.

Check Your Home for Burst and/or Leaking Pipes

Before summer arrives, it is always a good idea to inspect the pipes in your home or business for bursts or leaks. Burst and leaking pipes waste tons of water, and if you leave them untreated they will only get worse as time goes on. Summer is the perfect time to have your leaky pipes replaced. So, don’t hesitate! Contact the experts here at Scott English Plumbing, Inc. if you have burst and/or leaking pipes at your home or business.

Look Over Your Water Heater

While it may seem counterintuitive, statistics show that people increase the use of their hot water heaters during the summer months. This may come from an increase in dishes to be done or showers that need to be taken. Regardless of the source of the increased usage, summer is a good time to give your water heater a once over to make sure that it is functioning as it should. If you don’t know what to look for, contact the water heater repair experts from us here at Scott English Plumbing, Inc. right away.

Check and Restore Water Pressure

The average water pressure for American households and businesses is 40 to 45 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch). If your water pressure is too low, then you will face issues. If your water pressure is too high, then you could potentially damage your plumbing appliances.

To check your water pressure you will need a special tool that you can buy at your local hardware store. This tool screws onto a faucet or any spigot in your home and then gives you a readout of the water pressure from that source. If you find that it is too high or too low, then you will need to adjust the pressure at your water regulator valve.

Too Much For You? Just Contact Scott English Plumbing, Inc.

If all this seems like too much for you to handle, or if any of these hints and tips seem beyond the scope of your abilities, then don’t hesitate to give us a call. The professional plumbers here at Scott English Plumbing, Inc. are always standing by to help get your home plumbing system ready for summer! Call today!