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Month: July 2021

How to Stop Drains from Constantly Blocking?

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How to Stop Drains from Constantly Blocking?

The drain and sewer system is an essential part of every home and business. We rely on receiving fresh water to our properties and having the old stuff taken away. It’s only when this stops happening, do we realise how lucky we are to have modern plumbing systems!

Drain and sewer maintenance is not thought about, until a blockage occurs. Your home or business can be thrown into chaos if sinks overflow and bacteria filled water refuses to drain away. Not only is this an inconvenience, but health and safety is put at risk. Luckily, there are many preventative measures you can put in place, to stop this happening frequently. Let’s take a look.

Don’t Pour Oil and Grease Down the Sink

Oil and Grease is liquid when entering the sink plughole, but after it cools, it becomes a sticky, solid mass. This builds up over time, eventually blocking pipes and the drain. Try keeping and reusing oil where possible or pour what’s left into a lined, disposable container, to trash when it’s cooled down.

Use Metal, Mesh or Silicone Sink Strainers

The best way to prevent drain and sewer blockages is to trap particles before they get into the drain. Sink strainers are ideal for kitchen and bathroom sinks, stopping hair and food flowing into the pipes. Purchase a metal, mesh or silicone strainer from any home improvement store.

Sink With Running Tap

Don’t Flush Anything but Loo Roll Down the Toilet

It’s amazing what gets thrown down toilets and ends up in the sewer systems. Nappies, sanitary items, cotton buds, food, bottle lids and more end up in drains and eventually getting trapped causing a blockage. Ensure your kids know the importance of not throwing anything into the toilet!

Use a Food Waste Bin for Left Over Food Particles

Coffee grounds and small crumbs left on your plate may seem harmless. But if they’re getting flushed down the sink daily, these can build up, eventually blocking drains. Get yourself a food waste bin to throw leftover food into. Some can even be used for garden compost like egg shells, coffee grounds and fruit and veggie scraps.

Pull Hair Out of the Plughole Regularly

Even if you’re using a plughole strainer, some hair may slip underneath into the plughole. Make a habit of checking after every shower and pulling up any escaped hair. Your drains will thank you for it.

Regularly DIY Clean Your Pipes and Drains

Alongside pulling hair from the plughole and educating your family about not throwing items into the toilet, it’s recommended to regularly deep clean your pipes. You can use simple products you have in the kitchen cupboard. Just pour a handful of baking soda into the drain and follow with a kettle of warm water. This should loosen any current fat build up.

Talk to Your Local Plumbers for Drain Maintenance Services

If you’re extremely careful with your drains and still experience blockages on a regular basis, call in your expert local plumbers to do an inspection. This could point to something larger in the system like tree roots, or that your pipes are past their best. AJP Plumbing are always on call and always happy to help!

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5 Ways to Clear a Blocked Drain Fast

Posted on by freshdigital

5 Ways to Clear a Blocked Drain Fast

Blocked drains are a huge inconvenience in the home or business. Not only that, but they’re nasty, potentially causing bacteria filled water to overflow or sit in the sink refusing to budge. Grease, hair, food particles and other foreign objects are usually the cause of a blocked drain.

Once enough gunk has flowed down into the pipes, this builds up over time causing a blockage. Tree roots may also cause a drain to block. Occasionally they get into the drainage system, stopping water from flowing away. If this is the reason for your blocked drain, you’ll need an expert Logan plumber to remove the problem. For common blockages, take a look at these five ways to clear a blocked drain fast.

Boiling Water

One of the simplest ways to clear a blocked drain is by using boiling water. Take your kettle of boiling water and pour it down the blocked drain in stages. Wait 10 – 15 seconds between each pour. The boiling water will travel down the pipes and dissolve obstructions in its path. If the obstruction refuses to budge, you may need to use a method detailed below.

Salt and Baking Soda

Mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of salt and pour it into the blocked drain. Leave for 10 – 20 minutes and follow with boiling water. Salt, baking soda and boiling water produce a chemical reaction which should break through the majority of nasty drain blockages.
Sink

Baking Soda and Vinegar

A top natural home remedy for clearing drains is baking soda and vinegar. Both can usually be found in home cupboards and when mixed, are a powerful way to dislodge blockages. Mix 1/3 of a cup of vinegar with 1/3 of a cup of baking soda. They will start to fizz immediately and should be poured straight into your blocked sink or drain. Leave overnight or at least an hour and flush with hot water.

Using a Plunger

Plungers are one of the oldest and simplest ways to unblock a drain. But, they do require persistence and strength to be effective. Fill your sink half with water, place the plunger over the sinkhole creating an airtight seal and plunge up and down for 60 seconds. Remove and see if the water drains. If not, repeat.

Chemical Cleaner

If all the above methods don’t work, try a strong chemical drain cleaner which can be purchased from most supermarkets. Each will have individual instructions, but the usual method is to pour the cleaner down the drain. Let it sit and run hot water to finish clearing the blockage.

If You Still Have a Blockage – Call AJP Plumbing

Has the blockage refused to budge? Is water threatening to overflow your sink, toilet or drain? Sometimes it is necessary to call in professional plumbers to sort the problem for you. Contact AJP Plumbing on 07 3290 1977 or fill out the online form.

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How Do You Unblock a Badly Clogged Toilet?

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How Do You Unblock a Badly Clogged Toilet?

Easy Ways to Unclog a Toilet That Won’t Drain

Has your toilet got seriously clogged up? There’s never a convenient time for this to happen, but knowing what to do when it happens will save you a headache and some money. Clearing a blocked loo is not the most glamorous of jobs and it can be a bit messy.
 
Make sure you have some good old fashioned rubber gloves and wear old clothes just in case. Unclogging a backed up toilet can usually be done with a plunger or general items you find around your home. Here’s a few easy ways to unclog a toilet that won’t drain.
Flushing Toilet

Unclog Your Toilet with a Plunger

The majority of blocked toilets can be unclogged with a basic plunger and elbow grease. If you can, buy a toilet plunger with an extension flange which fits the toilet hole a little better. The flange can be wrapped backwards if you need to use it on a sink. How to use the plunger on your toilet;
 
  • Place your plunger in the blocked toilet with the flange out as a seal
  • Push gently to begin with. If you push too hard when the bell is full of air, the force could blow toilet water all over you!
  • Once the air is gone, start to pump more vigorously
  • The pumping action will force air in either direction which should move any clog along
  • Make sure there is enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger
  • Keep pumping alternating between strong and gentle motions

Unclog Your Toilet with a Coat Hanger

If the plunger did not remove your toilet clog, an unraveled coat hanger may do the job. Cut the coat hanger and straighten it out. Push the coat hanger down the blocked toilet and try to push the blockage through with a twisting motion. If you can’t feel the blockage, it may be out of reach and need professional attention.

Unclog Your Toilet with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Another way to unclog your toilet is by using baking soda and vinegar to hopefully dissolve a blockage. First remove half the water from the toilet bowl. Next, pour one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar down the toilet. It will bubble quite frantically, but do not panic, this is normal. Leave it to sit for around 20 minutes before trying a flush.

If all Fails, Call Your Plumber to Unclog Your Toilet

If your toilet refuses to unblock, you’ll need to call your local Logan plumber. It may be that your toilet has a broken part or that the blockage is way down in the piping system. AJP Plumbing are experts at drain unblocking, residential and commercial plumbing issues and emergency plumbing. Call anytime to get your toilet unblocked fast.

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5 Key Things to Look for When Hiring a Residential Plumber

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5 Key Things to Look for When Hiring a Residential Plumber

Plumbing is the life blood of your home. When things go wrong it can be a super stressful time. What is even more stressful is finding an experienced plumber you can trust to get the job done. Problems can occur at the most convenient times and general wear and tear happens as your property ages.

Plumbing needs to be fixed quickly to make sure the problem doesn’t become larger and costlier. While you’ll probably jump straight onto Google to find the nearest, most affordable plumber. You need to know what to look for and what questions to ask. Here are five key things to look for when hiring a residential plumber.

Check Credentials and Insurance

The first thing you need to find out is if the plumber is licensed and insured. This should be clearly available on their website and you can verify this by running the company name through http://www.licensedtrades.com.au/.
 
All plumbing contractors are licensed by the Plumbing Industry Council which is supervised by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.
Ajp Van

Reviews and Recommendations

Ask your friends and relatives for plumber recommendations. There’s nothing better than getting a first-hand review from someone you trust. Next, check reviews and recommendations online on the company website, on Google and on social media where they have a presence. These can be very eye-opening and give you a great insight to a plumber’s reputation.

Experience History

How long has the plumber been trading for? It’s a good idea to check the plumber is experienced enough to do the work you need. If they’ve been trading around your area for many years, it’s likely they have a great reputation for good work. New plumbers shouldn’t be written off though; everyone has to start somewhere. But just make sure they have the skillset to work on your problem.

Compare Rates with Other Plumbers

While it’s tempting to always go for the cheapest rate, try not to make a rash decision. Ask around and get estimates from three local plumbers. Don’t be afraid to ask for a breakdown of pricing e.g. labour costs, materials, travel time etc. While material costs should be the same with all Queensland plumbers, labour cost may vary due to experience.

Get a Written Contract or Agreement

Once you’ve chosen the best plumber for the job, ask for a written contract or agreement. This should include a summary of the job, materials required and costs to finish the job. It’s also a good idea to agree on a date to have the work finished by. Having everything written down, protects you and the plumber and makes everyone aware what is expected.

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How Do I Install a New Toilet Seat?

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How Do I Install a New Toilet Seat?

If your toilet seat is old, damaged or completely broken you’ll need to install a new one. While you can call in your local plumber, it’s actually a straightforward job that only requires basic tools. There are many different toilet shapes and sizes on the market today. This means you’ll need to measure up your toilet to get a new loo seat that fits snugly.

The most common toilet shapes seen are; D-shaped toilet seat, round nose toilet seat and the traditional pointed nose toilet seat. Safety is paramount when dealing with unsanitary areas like the toilet. It’s advised to use an anti-bacterial spray to clean first and you should wear protective gloves.

Guide to measuring Your Toilet Seat

You need to measure your toilet seat so you can buy a new one in the correct dimensions. While most toilet seats are adjustable to fit various toilet bowls, it’s best to get one that is the most compatible. Here are some key measurements you need to take;

  • The distance between the fixing holes. Often this measurement is 155mm but check to be safe
  • The width of the bowl at its widest points
  • Measure from the very front to the mid-point of the fixing holes
Toilet

What Tools Are Needed to Replace a Toilet Seat?

Pliers and an adjustable wrench are needed to remove the nuts and release the screws. If plastic caps are on the nuts, you may also need a screw driver.

Some new toilet seats you buy will come with an attachment kit. Many modern toilet seats use a slot-in assembly. Check this before you buy at the hardware store so you know what tools are needed.

How to Replace a Toilet Seat Step by Step?

Use your screwdriver to remove any plastic caps you find. Underneath, you should find metal or plastic wingnuts. Take your pliers and carefully loosen them and you can finish the job unscrewing with your hands.

Now you’ve removed your old loo seat, you can now fit your new one. Here’s the simple steps;

  • Line your new toilet seat up with the fixing holes. Check it sits evenly all around the perimeter of the bowl
  • Slot the bolts through the fixing holes. Secure the wingnuts with your pliers
  • If plastic caps came with the purchase of your new toilet seat, push them down onto the bolts and snap into place
  • Check the toilet is in the correct position and give one last tighten of the wingnuts if necessary

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