So you’ve discovered your garbage disposal is leaking… This is not good, you say to yourself. But before you panic, let’s go through the best way to deal with the situation. There are three places the garbage disposal can leak from and there are different ways to deal with them. Leaking from the bottom - There are internal seals on the garbage disposal that can wear out over time, which can cause a leak. The fix is to get a new garbage disposal. They can last 5-10 years, so if it has been less time between replacing the disposal, check the warranty on the one you have installed to see if it is still valid. Leaking from the side - This means that the leak is coming from the drain lines. There are two connections on the side of the disposal, the bottom, bigger hose pipe is the drain out the disposal to the sewage system, and the top, smaller pipe is where the dishwasher drains into the disposal. This is an easy fix. Just tighten the connections to your disposal. The metal clamp that is on the pipes can be tightened with a screwdriver. The main drain line is connected with screws, with a rubber gasket on the inside. So you can tighten the screws, or possibly have to replace the rubber gasket. Leaking from the top - There is a seal on the top of your disposal that connects to your sink with a plumber’s putty or a flange. This can loosen or rust over time and cause the top of your disposal to leak. To fix it, you can just re-seal the disposal by removing the old putty and replacing it with new plumber’s putty. If your unit has a flange, then you can tighten the screws. It may need to be replaced, if you can’t get it to tighten. This is a bigger job to do, if you are not familiar with garbage disposals. Some of these fixes, you can handle yourself. But if you find yourself having trouble with repairing these leaks or disposal on your own, you can give us a call at Tony’s Plumbing and we can get it all fixed up and running like new again.
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Pretty much all of us operate our lives on a fixed budget. So when it comes to home repairs, it’s easy to push off any work that needs done as long as possible. Maybe you have to save some money before the repairs happen, so you prolong the inevitable. But when it comes to plumbing, delaying work can cost you. One of the most common plumbing issues is having a leak. These can sometimes be an easy repair and it can definitely be easy to do a quick fix to delay major repairs. But what will it cost you in the long run? On the bigger scale, your small leak can easily turn into a bigger leak and cause flooding, which can damage everything. Floors, walls, furniture… On a smaller scale, if you have a leak in your bathroom sink, bathtub or toilet can lead to rot and mold issues. Leaks can also cause bug damage from water loving insects, higher water bills, and unpleasant odors. Temporary fixes can last for a short amount of time, but it’s best to call the plumber right away to fix a leak, or you’ll end up with much costlier repairs due to the damage a small leak can cause. Mold - One of the biggest problems you could face is mold. Breathing in mold can be dangerous for those living in the house, especially for children with compromised immune systems. If left unattended mold will keep growing and can lead to having a professional to clean it up. Water and Structural Damage - A leak anywhere in the house can lead to water damage on walls, flooring, furniture, and carpeting. And the longer the leak is left to do its business, the greater the water damage gets. In particular cases, if it seeps through cracks and floors, weakening the support of the building, leading to structural damage in the foundation. Water Loss- Leaks can cause water tanks to work harder to pull more water into the system. And it can cause water pressure to drop, so faucets and showers have less pressure when they are running. Since your water tank has to work harder and you’re losing water, this can lead to higher utility bills as well. So whenever you discover a plumbing issue, no matter how small, it’s best to get it taken care of right away. You may be inclined to put off spending money on smaller issues, but ignoring them can lead to much bigger issues that will cost you much more money. If you find yourself with any plumbing problems, call us today at Tony’s Plumbing and we’ll make sure your plumbing is done right. Ewwwww… gross. There is a hair clog in your drain. This might be one of the most wretched tasks that one might have to accomplish. If you have ever cleaned out a hair clog in a drain, you know that it looks gross, smells gross, and is wretch-inducing. So, to avoid having to perform this task, let’s talk about how to prevent the hair from clogging up in the first place. You’re probably not going to remove the source of the hair-causing clogs (i.e. family members and yourself) from your home, so let’s focus on your plumbing. Before taking a shower or bath, clean any loose hairs you see laying on the base of the tub and shower and throw them in the trash can. The same goes for the bathroom sink. This helps reduce the amount of hair that can end up down the drain. Add a protective screen, such as a drain cover for over and under your drains. This will catch the hair and prevent it from going down the drains, we suggest the drain covers that are specifically designed to trap hair. Remember to clean the cover regularly by removing the hair and placing it into a trash can. You can also try flushing all of your drains at once, sending a torrent of water to clear up the hair and debris. Several people will have to coordinate for this task. Close all the drains including the bathtub and shower and sinks, and then fill each one with warm water. Have someone standing by each one of your drains and toilets, then coordinate your water attack! Have everyone open the drains and flush all the toilets at the exact same moment. This could flush all the debris out of the pipes, but if this fails, further cleaning of the pipes will need to be done. If these preventative measures don’t quite do the trick, and you still have water that won’t drain, here’s how to clean the clog. If you can see the clog, try removing it with your hands or a bent wire hanger (they also sell plastic, barbed drain-cleaners instead of using a wire hanger). If this doesn’t clear the drain, then you can try a chemical drain cleaner from the store, or you can try this natural solution. Pour ¾ cup of baking soda into the drain, and then pour ½ cup vinegar down the drain after the baking soda. Then plug the drain for about 30 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain. Look to see if you can see the drain is clear and run water for about five minutes to see if this did the trick. If the clog still persists, you might need to bring in the professionals. Give us a call at Tony’s Plumbing to help with your clogged drain needs! Dishwashers are a god-send. Most of us out there do not enjoy washing dishes. So when our dishwasher starts having trouble, it can get frustrating. One source of dishwasher trouble is a clog. This can be caused by not rinsing dishes properly before running them through the washing cycle. Make sure you clear all bits of food off your dishes to help prevent clogging. If there are bits of food, they can accumulate in your filter basket or drain hose causing clogs. But how will you know if it’s clogged? Signs indicating a clog can be water backing up in the sink, gurgling sounds, shaking or thumping while the dishwasher runs. Standing water in your dishwasher after a wash cycle also indicates a clog, because leftover food is clogging the drainage basket. Once you’ve figured out the dishwasher is clogged, how do we fix it? First, clean your drain basket. Make sure it is free and clear of debris. Then you’ll want to gather all the items you’ll need to clear the clog.
If the problem persists, give a plumber a call as there might be a bigger issue. Call Tony’s Plumbing and we’ll get your dishwasher all cleared up and draining smoothly! When it comes time to upgrade your main bathroom, you will most likely be very excited to redecorate and pick out all the pretty stuff you’ll see in the bathroom. But the biggest concern should be upgrading your plumbing, so your bathroom functions properly and you don’t have to worry about any issues down the road. When you decide to remodel your main bathroom, one of the first things to think about is what kind of fixtures you are going to install and what kind of plumbing you need to support that. Whether it’s adding jet spray shower panels or a bidet, these are the types of items that will need additional plumbing. Plan out what types of fixtures you’re adding to your bathroom, and plan for a larger budget for the additional piping that may come with it. Even if you’re not adding new items to the bathroom, you may have to replace or repair your pipes. Especially with older homes, pipes could be rusted or rotted out where you can’t see it until you’ve torn out your old bathroom fixtures. So there may be some additional pipe replacement. This also leads to the opportunity to upgrade your pipes with a 2 inch drain for faster drainage. The standard drain sizes are a half inch to three-quarters inch smaller than a 2 inch drain, and by increasing the size of the drain even minimally, will speed up the drainage in your new bathroom. This is very beneficial if you have multiple members in your household. Also consider installing anti-scald devices that can add cold water to the hot water coming from the water heater to prevent scalding hot temperatures on your skin. Or now may be the time you want to also upgrade your hot water tank to a tankless system. With this, you can control the highest temp that your water will come out of your faucets, which can also prevent scalding. With your upgrade on the new bathroom, you can also add a water softening system if your home has hard water. When you’re ready to tackle your main bathroom remodel, give us a call at Tony’s Plumbing and we’ll get your bathroom all set for your beautiful new bathroom. Now that the frost has thawed and the flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, as we cue baby Bambi to emerge from the forest… You get the idea, the sun is shining, our winter hibernation period is ending, and it’s time to get out there and see the world again! Here are some fun ideas for grabbing our family and leaving our couches to explore the Twin Cities.
It’s time to take a nice, relaxing hot shower... but what happens when the water is too hot. If your water is suddenly burning hot when you try to take a shower, there are several things that could be wrong. Let’s take a look at how to fix this problem.
Hearing rattling in your garbage disposal? Or just generally concerned on how to maintain this particular appliance in your home to avoid repairs or replacement? Here are a few tips to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly.
If you have any questions or need help with your disposal, give Tony’s Plumbing a call and we can get your garbage disposal moving. Ewwwww… gross. There is a hair clog in your drain. This might be one of the most wretched tasks that one might have to accomplish. If you have ever cleaned out a hair clog in a drain, you know that it looks gross, smells gross, and is wretch-inducing. So, to avoid having to perform this task, let’s talk about how to prevent the hair from clogging up in the first place. You’re probably not going to remove the source of the hair-causing clogs (i.e. family members and yourself) from your home, so let’s focus on your plumbing. Before taking a shower or bath, clean any loose hairs you see laying on the base of the tub and shower and throw them in the trash can. The same goes for the bathroom sink. This helps reduce the amount of hair that can end up down the drain. Add a protective screen, such as a drain cover for over and under your drains. This will catch the hair and prevent it from going down the drains, we suggest the drain covers that are specifically designed to trap hair. Remember to clean the cover regularly by removing the hair and placing it into a trash can. You can also try flushing all of your drains at once, sending a torrent of water to clear up the hair and debris. Several people will have to coordinate for this task. Close all the drains including the bathtub and shower and sinks, and then fill each one with warm water. Have someone standing by each one of your drains and toilets, then coordinate your water attack! Have everyone open the drains and flush all the toilets at the exact same moment. This could flush all the debris out of the pipes, but if this fails, further cleaning of the pipes will need to be done. If these preventative measures don’t quite do the trick, and you still have water that won’t drain, here’s how to clean the clog. If you can see the clog, try removing it with your hands or a bent wire hanger (they also sell plastic, barbed drain-cleaners instead of using a wire hanger). If this doesn’t clear the drain, then you can try a chemical drain cleaner from the store, or you can try this natural solution. Pour ¾ cup of baking soda into the drain, and then pour ½ cup vinegar down the drain after the baking soda. Then plug the drain for about 30 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain. Look to see if you can see the drain is clear and run water for about five minutes to see if this did the trick. If the clog still persists, you might need to bring in the professionals. Give us a call at Tony’s Plumbing to help with your clogged drain needs! You get up in the morning and you’re all ready for a nice hot shower to help energize you and get you going for your day. You turn on the faucet, and the strength of the water is not quite what it used to be... Your water pressure is suddenly low. But what could be the cause? If the water pressure is only low for a certain period of time, then it could be a water supplier issue. Call your water service supplier and see if there is work being done and that might be a cause for your temporary low water pressure. If this isn’t the case, the following reasons could be the culprit.
If you need help figuring out why your water pressure is low or are in need of service and repairs, give us a shout at Tony’s Plumbing and we’ll take care of your plumbing needs! |
AuthorAt Tony's Plumbing & Heating, we offer outstanding residential and commercial plumbing and heating services in the East Twin Cities metro. With our blog, we hope to bring you useful tips and tricks for ever day life! Archives
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