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Experiencing hard water in homes is largely a regional problem, with the hardest-hit areas in the Upper Midwest. For those who live in a hard water zone, it can be one of the most annoying plumbing problems of them all. Hard water is tap water with an abnormally high mineral count. The reason this is a regional issue is that geographical features like thick limestone layers come into play. When groundwater bubbles up through these layers, it picks up traces of the minerals on its way to the municipal water supply. Minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and even aluminum can give water attributes that make it unpleasant for drinking, unsuitable for washing and damaging to household plumbing. If you suspect you might have hard water, be on the lookout for these telltale signs: · Spotty dishes. Hard water makes it difficult to rinse away soap and detergent. So whether you hand wash your dishes or use a dishwasher, your water hardness will play a role in your rinse cycle. Dishes rinsed in hard water often have chalky streaks and spots – the traces of soap left behind. · Soap scum. Just as soap clings to your dishes, it will stick to your tub, tile and shower curtain. Soap scum can accumulate in shower areas with soft water, too, but hard water will cause it to accumulate much faster. · Laundry problems. Hard water even makes it hard to rinse laundry detergent out of our clothes, and it can prematurely dull bright colors. Clothes washed in hard water often feel scratchy or stiff. · Troublesome showers. As if all those rinsing problems weren’t enough, you can’t even take a satisfying shower with hard water. The mineral deposits make it difficult to work up a lather, and equally difficult to rinse it away. · Dry skin. Because of the soapy film that hard water leaves behind in the shower, homeowners tend to experience dry skin problems when they shower in homes with hard water problems. · Funny taste. Some of the minerals found in hard water have health benefits, but there’s no benefit in the taste department. Hard water generally tastes or smells metallic, sulfuric or sour. · Appliance damage. Those mineral deposits will eventually build up on just about everything they touch, causing damage that can ruin an appliance. The pieces of equipment at risk of hard water damage include water heaters, refrigerator ice makers, dishwashers and washing machines. Do you think you have hard water? If so, your household plumbing could be taking on damage every day. Contact NDI Plumbing for expert hard water testing and effective water softening solutions.

The Saving Grace of a P-Trap As soon as you see an item slide into the drain, turn the water off immediately. This will decrease the chance of the item getting carried down to the drain stack, at which point it will drop into the sewer line, never to be seen again. However, if the water is stopped in time, the item will likely remain in the trap under the sink. Jewelry is probably the most frequent item to get washed into the drain plumbing. Fortunately, it’s also one of the easiest things to retrieve. Because metal and gemstones sink in water, this increases the chance that they will sink to the bottom of the plumbing trap. Nevertheless, you should try to retrieve any solid object that goes down the drain, even if it’s of little or no value. If the object gets stuck in the trap, it will start to accumulate hair and debris and may eventually cause a clog in your drain plumbing. Successful Retrieval The trap under your sink is actually designed to keep sewer odors from backing up into your sink, but it also doubles as a convenient way to catch lost items. To get your valuables back, you’ll first need to open up the trap. The exact procedure will vary depending on your specific drain plumbing, but some general principles apply. Next, set a bucket under the trap to catch any water that spills out. Then, use a wrench or pliers to remove the “J” part of the trap from the rest of the drain plumbing. In some systems that use plastic pipes, you can just unscrew the slip nuts by hand. Once the nuts are loose, you can pull the trap off the pipes and shake out your lost item. This is also a good opportunity to clean the trap- they often get filled with gunk over time, which can potentially harbor harmful biofilm. Putting it All Back Together Once you have your item back, all you need to do is put the drain plumbing back together the same way it came apart. If you don’t succeed on your own and need help retrieving the valuable item that washed down the drain, contact NDI Plumbing today!

The splash guard is the flapper rubber gasket around your garbage disposal drain. They can last for years when cleaned and taken care of, but like all things over time, it can become cracked and brittle. Once this happens, there’s no excuse not to go ahead and replace it. New gaskets usually cost less than $10 at your local hardware store, and the job can be done in fifteen minutes or less. You’ll Need… Bucket Replacement Splash Guard Screwdriver (flathead or Philips depends on the screws used to connect the drain pipe and dishwasher line to the sides of the disposal). A second set of hands to help reattach the disposal at the end of the process. One person can do this alone, but it’s a lot easier with two. First, you’ll want to disconnect the disposal from its power source. Many disposals have a cord that plugs into an outlet under the sink—unplug it and it’s safe to work. If your disposal is hardwired, go to your breaker box and flip the breaker switch for the disposal. Test to ensure that the disposal is disconnected. Next, you’ll need to disconnect the drainpipe, usually made of plastic or metal, that extends from your disposal to the wastewater line. This is usually connected with two or more screws. If you have a second line connecting the disposal to the dishwasher, remove that connection as well. But keep in mind that there may be water in these lines so position the bucket underneath and be prepared for splashdown when you initially disconnect them. You’ll also need to loosen the locking ring that attaches the disposal to its mount. Slide your screwdriver into one of the tube-shaped fittings around the edges of the ring and use it as leverage to turn the ring counter-clockwise. Once it is loose enough to turn with one hand, move your other hand to support the bottom of the disposal. When you’ve fully loosened the ring, the disposal will drop straight down. Set it on the floor of the cabinet. The splash guard fits snugly on top of the disposal. Just peel the old one off, wipe the top of the disposal clean, and snap the new one on. Here comes the tricky part, holding the heavy disposal in place while you tighten the locking ring with the screwdriver. If someone is available to hold the disposal while you take care of tightening the ring, that’s ideal. If you lie on your back underneath the sink, it may make it easier to reconnect the disposal on your own. You can also stack books or other sturdy objects underneath the disposal to prop it into place. And there you have it, a new splash guard for your disposal! If you run into any issues along the way, give us a call to have or experienced technicians assist you!

Hard water stains come from water that has a high mineral count. Limestone, calcium, and magnesium all love to make their homes in hard water. Their presence creates all kinds of problems. Problems like soap that doesn’t lather, dry skin, limescale, and the dreaded hard water stains. The best way to prevent these problems from happening is by installing a whole-home water softener. While a water softener will prevent future water stains, however, it won’t do anything about the ones that are already there. If you’ve already got some annoying stains, here are three reliable ways to remove them. Vinegar Solution This is a cheap and simple solution. You probably already have regular, white vinegar in the kitchen. Put together a mixture of half water and half vinegar. Mix them in a spray bottle and spray the affected area. Scrub with a sponge or toothbrush depending on the size of the area. Don’t worry about the smell; you can re-clean the surfaces with something that smells a little less pungent afterward. This option is best for light and manageable stains. Elbow Grease and a Little Baking Soda If you’d like to avoid too many chemicals, you could always try some old-fashioned scrubbing. Apply baking soda at the site of the stain and rub it in with a coarse cloth or sponge. It’ll take longer than other methods, but if the stains are new, it’ll get the job done, Hydrochloric Acid Some cleaners are specially designed for the removal of hard water stains. These cleaners contain hydrochloric acid. Be careful, however: hydrochloric acid is a harsh chemical. We only recommend it as a last resort for stains that no other method seems to lift. When using these cleaners, make sure the room is well-ventilated and you’re wearing gloves to protect your hands. Interested in taking some bigger steps toward the prevention of hard water stains in your home? Get in touch with the experts at NDI Plumbing today. We can talk to you about water testing and softening solutions we provide.

A tankless water heater heats water on demand instead of storing the hot water in a tank. Manufacturers recommend their units be flushed at least once a year to eliminate the buildup of calcium and other minerals within the unit. This process of flushing out a tankless water heater typically takes up to an hour. Here are the steps and tools you’ll need to flush out your tankless water heater. You’ll Need…. 1. Screwdriver 2. Non-contact electrical teaser 3. 5-gallon bucket 4. Sump pump 5. 2 sections of garden hose with connectors that are 6 feet long You’ll Need To… 1. Turn off the electrical circuit for the water heater at the breaker panel. If the water heater uses a gas heater, rotate the gas cutoff counterclockwise to turn off the gas to the unit. 2. Remove the cover plate of the water heater unit with a screwdriver to access the unit’s wiring. Hold the tip of a non-contact electrical tester against the wiring leading into the terminals. If the tester light turns on, continue turning off breakers or the main circuit breaker to the house until testing all wires shows that no power is accessing the system. Replace the cover plate. 3. Turn off the water supply valve that feeds cold water to the water heater. Turn off the main hot water valve that sends hot water to the local fixture or multiple fixtures in the house. 4. Connect one end of a 6-foot garden hose to the outlet of a sump pump, then connect the other end of the hose to the cold-water isolation valve. Connect a second garden hose to the hot-water isolation valve. Tighten the garden hose couplers with an adjustable wrench. 5. Place the pump and the open end of the second hose into a 5-gallon bucket. Fill the bucket with 5 gallons of fresh, clean white vinegar. 6. Open the hot and cold isolation valves on the water heater and turn on the pump in the 5-gallon bucket to circulate the vinegar through the heater. 7. Let the pump circulate for 45 minutes, then turn off the pump and let the vinegar drain from the water heater through the hoses into the bucket. Close the cold-water isolation valve. 8. Dump the vinegar out of the bucket, then place the open-ended hose back into the bucket. Turn on the cold-water supply valve and let the water flow back into the bucket for five minutes. Close the cold-water supply valve and disconnect the garden hoses from the inlet valves. 9. Turn off the hot-water isolation valve. Remove the inlet filter screen per the owner’s manual for the water heater and rinse the screen to remove any sediment. Reinstall the screen. 10. Turn on the hot-water supply valve, followed by the cold-water supply valve. Open a couple of hot-water faucets in the hose to bleed any air from the hot-water lines. Close the faucets once no more air is in the lines. 11. Look over the water heater’s connections to make sure there are no leaks. Turn on the gas supply valve, if so equipped, and the circuit breaker for the water heater. Test for hot water at the faucets. If you run into any troubles along the way, be sure to give us a call to have a technician come ou t ASAP!

Have you ever heard a loud “thunk” sound when you turn off a faucet or when the water stops flowing into your washing machine or dishwasher? That’s a phenomenon called “water hammer”- and it’s more than just a disturbing noise, it can also be the sounds of serious plumbing damage. What’s Causing The Sound? When you hear water hammer sounds in the home, this means water in your plumbing pipes is under pressure. When it’s rushing through an open faucet and you turn it off suddenly, the flow of water slams into the closed valve, creating a hydraulic shock. The impact can cause all sorts of problems, including broken pipes, loose fittings, and damage to water-connected appliances. The shock waves from the water hammer can also cause your pipes to physically move from the jolt. If they’re not adequately secured to the joists in your home with suitable pipe straps, the moving pipes may bang against your walls, making even more noise and increasing the odds of damage. How Can I Fix It? Unless your home’s plumbing system is very old, you probably already have one solution in place: air chambers. An air chamber is a short length of vertical pipe installed right behind a valve. Because this piece of pipe is higher than the valve, it fills with air instead of water. The air acts as a shock absorber when the flow of water stops suddenly. Water hammer sometimes occurs at valves that have air chambers installed. When this happens, the cause is usually water bubbling up into the air chamber over time, nullifying its protective effects. Luckily, fixing this is relatively easy. All you would need to do is shut off the home’s main water valve and then open faucets at the highest and lowest points of the structure. As the remaining water drains from your plumbing system, the air chambers will automatically refill with air. Finally, reopen your main water valve and check the noisy faucet or appliance to see if the problem persists. If your plumbing system doesn’t have an air chamber and you’re experiencing water hammer, you might want to consider having them installed. You could also have devices called water hammer arrestors installed in the same place. The main benefit of an arrestor is that it’s a sealed system, so it won’t fill up with water over time. The main drawback is that arrestors will eventually need to be replaced, whereas air chambers will keep working for decades. Check Your Water Pressure Even with air chambers or water hammer arrestors, you could continue to experience this problem if your home’s water pressure is too high. This is easy enough to check if you have a water pressure gauge, which you can buy for a few dollars at most hardware stores. Simply screw the gauge onto your hose bib and fully open the faucet while all of the other faucets and fixtures in your home are closed. Safe water pressure can range anywhere from 50-80 psi. If your water pressure is above this range, it’s a good idea to take action. One way to correct this is to contact your local water utility to report your high-pressure problem and see what they’re able to do. They may be able to send someone to your home to reduce the pressure at the water meter. Another option is to hire a licensed plumber to install a water pressure regulator. Tracking down the cause of water hammer and even fixing the problem can be a fairly simple DIY exercise. But if you ever need some professional assistance with more complicated steps like installing new water hammer arrestors or pressure regulators, reach out to NDI Plumbing. Our certified technicians are equipped to handle any problem!

It’s easy to take your dishwasher for granted. When everything is in ideal working order, you can load up the day’s dishes, run a cleaning cycle, and spend the next hour working on other chores or simply relaxing after a long day. Most of the time, the biggest challenge you’ll face is taking the time to put the clean dishes away before you have more dirty dishes to wash But like any appliance that sees regular use, your dishwasher can sometimes encounter problems. An accumulation of food, paper, and other scraps can create clogs and cause a backup. This can be caused by a clogged filter, or it could be a sign of another problem somewhere further down the line. If water is standing at the bottom of your dishwasher, there are a few steps you can take in order to drain it. If you can’t fix the clog on your own, calling a professional will be necessary to get your drains flowing freely. You could have a clogged filter basket. Your dishwasher has a filter basket fitted in the drain that prevents scraps of food and other items from entering the pipes. They can be tricky to remove, but with patience, you can get it free. Grasp the basket firmly and gently pull. It needs to be cleaned routinely so that your dishes come out sparkling clean. If your home has hard water, you may need to soak the drain basket in a little vinegar to remove the deposits because over time they can clog the holes of a dishwasher’s filter basket. The drain hose could be clogged. If clearing the filter basket doesn’t fix the dishwasher clog and it’s still not draining, then this is the next step to take. Your dishwasher drains through a hose that can be connected to your kitchen sink drain or garbage disposal. The drain hose can get an interior build-up of sludge, blocking it from draining. For those of you who are handy around the house, if you are cleaning the dishwasher drainpipe, take the time to clean the other drainpipes under your sink and you will be able to eliminate them as a source of your drainage issues. If you replaced your garbage disposal recently, and your dishwasher became clogged, check to make sure that the knockout plug was removed from the disposal when it was installed. If it has not been removed, it can prevent the dishwasher from draining. Removal of this plug may solve your issue. If your garbage disposal is older, it may be contributing to a drain clog, especially if you haven’t been careful about what you’ve been putting down the disposal. A clogged drain further down the sewer line may be the reason that the dishwasher isn’t draining properly. If you have more than one clogged drain, however, or if the water is gurgling back up into the sink when your dishwasher drains, you may have more than a small clog that has nothing to do with your dishwasher. While it’s not what most people would think of when the dishwasher is clogged, a broken sewer pipe could block all of the drains in your home. If the dishwasher, guest toilet, and shower will not drain, it’s time for a professional assessment of your home or business sewer pipes. Sewer lines can fail because they are old, pipes can separate due to shifting ground, getting sections out of alignment, or tree roots can infiltrate them. Trenchless plumbing techniques like sectional point repair can rehabilitate and replace the older piping and are less invasive than traditional sewer line, replacement methods. The product used to replace your sewer pipes has a life cycle of 50 years, giving you many years of carefree use. If you have done all the above and are still having dishwasher drain issues, it may be time to call a professional. Although the sewer system of your home quietly works in the background, when it fails, everyone is aware of the problem and it needs to be addressed immediately. If your pipes are continually clogging and causing backups, contact NDI Plumbing for an assessment of the sewer lines in your home.

There are two reasons why most stopper malfunctions occur- either it’s out of alignment, or it’s clogged with hair and gunk. You can address both problems in the same repair. Best of all, you don’t need to buy a new toolkit. For most sink setups, all you need to fix a problem with the stopper is a pair of adjustable pliers and a cleaning brush. All you have to do is crawl under the sink and look for the nut that sticks out of the back of the drain plumbing. A rod comes out of the nut and is connected to a bar that leads p toward the faucet handle. Use the pliers to loosen the nut and remove the rod from the pipe, which will allow you to pull the stopper out of the sink entirely. Since you’re here, this is your opportunity to clean off years of accumulated goo and hair from the stopper. Use the brush and give it a thorough scrubbing. That alone might be enough to fix the problem and allow the stopper to move up and down normally while providing a tight seal. You should also use the brush to clean out goo and biofilm from the inside of your drain plumbing while you have it open. Then, when you put the stopper back together, you simply adjust it to your liking. Place the stopper back down in the drain, then run the rod through the pipe and the hole in the bottom of the stopper. You can then manually unclip the rod from the flat bar that leads to the faucet handle and reattach it at a point that pulls the stopper down to make a tight seal in the drain. Finally, when everything is where you want it, tighten the nut. That’s all there is to it. Move the handle on the faucet up and down and make sure the stopper responds to your liking. If not, give it another adjustment. Run some water down the sink and take a look underneath to make sure you tightened the nut properly and didn’t create a leak.

Are you having more clogs than usual lately? Strange noises coming from plumbing fixtures? Today, we’re going to discuss the signs that your sewer line is clogged. 1. Multiple clogs in your plumbing fixtures: Now, I’m not talking about the occasional toilet or drain clog. This type of clogging is among multiple toilets or drains at the same time. 2. Strange noises coming from your plumbing fixtures: Gurgling noises are a common sign of clogged sewer lines. These unusual sounds are caused by the movement of wastewater past the clog. As this happens, air pockets around the clog will release bubbles that float to the surface of the water in your plumbing fixtures. This gurgling sound caused by air bubbles will typically be more noticeable as you use more water. 3. Unusual responses when using your plumbing fixtures: This can include odd sounds, foul odors, and backups in one (or more) plumbing fixture(s) when you’re using others. This happens because wastewater has no place to go, it ends up being forced back into your drain lines. 4. Foul odors coming from your drains: If you notice sewage-like smells coming from your drains, your wastewater is likely not draining properly due to a clog. 5. Backups in the lowest drains in your home: Clogs will be ground zero for backups. From there, backups will work their way up, impacting the lowest drains in homes first. If you start noticing problems with the lowest drains in your home, be on the lookout for these common signs of sewage backups: standing water, sewage and foul odors coming from drains, and mold problems. 6. Drainage in the sewer cleanout: The sewer cleanout pipe, which is usually located outside or in basements, directly connects to your main sewer line. It provides access to the line to unclog it or inspect it further. Whenever sewage is coming out of a cleanout pipe, you have a main line sewer clog (or other sewer line problems). If you notice one or more of these signs in your home, give us a call to schedule an appointment to have a technician take care of the problem for you!

1. Expert Diagnosis Accurate Problem Identification: Professionals have the expertise to diagnose the cause of the clog, whether it’s a simple blockage, tree roots, or a deeper plumbing issue. They can determine the most appropriate solution, ensuring the problem is addressed effectively and not just temporarily fixed. 2. Advanced Tools and Equipment State-of-the-Art Technology: Professional plumbers use specialized equipment, such as hydro jetting, advanced snakes, or video inspection tools, that can clear out tough clogs and identify blockages in pipes more effectively than household tools. 3. Long-Term Solutions Pipe Maintenance: Regular professional drain cleaning helps maintain your plumbing system’s health, preventing the build-up of grease, tree roots, and debris, which could lead to more severe and costly problems down the road. 4. Prevents Damage to Plumbing Avoiding DIY Mistakes: Using improper tools or techniques can cause damage to your pipes. For example, overuse of chemical drain cleaners can corrode pipes, while using a drain snake incorrectly can puncture or crack pipes. 5. Saves Time and Effort Quick and Efficient: Professionals can typically clear a clog much faster than you can. While you may spend hours trying to resolve the issue yourself, a plumber can fix the problem in a fraction of the time. 6. Health and Safety Hygiene Concerns: Clogged drains can lead to unsanitary conditions, such as foul odors or the growth of mold and bacteria. A professional will ensure the area is properly cleaned, restoring hygiene and preventing health issues. 7. Cost-Effective in the Long Run Avoiding Bigger Issues: If left untreated, a simple clog can evolve into a much bigger plumbing problem, such as a burst pipe or a sewer backup, which can be costly to repair. Hiring a professional to address the issue early can prevent these more expensive situations. 8. Peace of Mind Confidence in the Outcome: With a professional plumber, you can rest assured that your plumbing system will be fully repaired and that the clog will be effectively addressed. Conclusion While it might seem tempting to tackle a clogged drain on your own, hiring a professional plumber is often the best choice. Their expertise, access to advanced tools, ability to prevent future problems, and focus on long-term solutions will save you time, money, and stress in the long run. Additionally, you’ll avoid causing further damage to your plumbing system and ensure your home remains safe and sanitary.

If pipes are left unattended, they can quickly cause significant damage to other home fixtures. While the strain of repair costs and the potential for further damage to your property is a troublesome thought, the risk of health problems caused by severe leaks is an even greater cause for concern. I In most circumstances, it’s not the leaks themselves that cause harm, but rather the mold and mildew that tend to thrive in moisture-rich habitats. These hazards can lead to a slew of respiratory problems, which put yourself and any in your property in danger. Characteristics of Mildew and Mold Although mildew and mold are both fungi, they are slightly different in appearance and characteristics. In addition to moisture, they require air, food, and a temperature between 41 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit to grow and thrive. Unfortunately, cutting them off from air in the home is all but impossible. When it comes to food, they can feed on any number of household surfaces, including wood, fabrics, wallpaper, and even paint. And since you’re not likely to set your home’s thermostat below 42 degrees or above 104, the only reliable method for combatting mildew and mold is keeping the house as dry and ventilated as possible. Mildew Mildew is considered the less severe of the two. Usually grayish-white or brown with a powdery texture, mildew forms only on the surface of materials. It’s commonly found growing on bathroom tile or in damp corners. While its spores can sometimes cause severe allergic reactions, mildew is easily killed with bleach or vinegar. Mold Mold, on the other hand, is both more serious and more difficult to deal with. It grows quickly when exposed to moisture, producing spores within 24 to 48 hours. These spores contain allergens and irritants that can cause serious health problems if they get into the respiratory system. Mold is typically darker than mildew and comes in a variety of colors ranging from black to bright red to dark green. Its presence is usually accompanied by a foul, pungent odor. At a glance, mold often looks like a path of dirt. Unfortunately, unlike mildew, mold penetrates surfaces, making it much more difficult to remove. Left untreated, mold can also cause significant structural damage as it eats away materials like wood and drywall. Unless your walls are made of plaster (which is non-porous), if you find mold on a wall surface, there is a good chance there’s more mold growing on the backside of the paneling or drywall. Health Effects and Symptoms When mold, mildew, and harmful fungi grow within a home or property, they can quickly lead to severe respiratory problems if unnoticed or unresolved. Most commonly, these symptoms include: Throat, nose and skin irritation Itchy eyes or redness Frequent coughing or sneezing, as if affected by a severe allergy Upper and lower respiratory infection Sinus congestion Rashes Fatigue Fever and/or difficulty breathing In many cases, mold and fungi-related health problems are caused by simply breathing in harmful spores, which are easily transferrable and fill the air around surfaces affected. Direct skin contact, of course, can also cause allergic reactions or irritation. These problems are made even more severe when combined with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma. That’s why it’s so important to act quickly whenever symptoms develop, or mold is detected. What Should You Do… Mold and other hazardous spores cannot live without water, so the first step in resolving a mold or mildew problem in your home is determining the source of the moisture. In most cases, the problem is caused by excess moisture gathering within walls, ceilings, or other surfaces. Some sources, such as a leaky faucet, sweating pipes, or run-off from an air conditioner or appliance are easy enough to spot. The difficulty comes when water is trapped within walls due to a leaky pipe. Not all pipes leaks are immediately noticeable, but even minor leaks can cause a mold problem within your home. The worst part is that the issue may go completely unnoticed until you or a family member develop the first symptoms of respiratory problems. If you find a source of mold somewhere in your home, such as under your sink or in the bathroom, the first thing you should do is call a team of mold removal experts to safely deal with the issue. However, if anyone in the home is exhibiting symptoms similar to those listed above for no discernible reason, you should reach out to a leak detection expert immediately. The problem may very well be a hidden leak within your property’s walls and will only grow worse over time. When it comes to dealing with hidden leaks, its usually best to seek out the services of a professional plumbing contractor. At NDI Plumbing, we’ve been tackling plumbing challenges large and small in the Northern Nevada region for years. With our FREE estimates (in the Reno/Sparks area), we’ve built a strong reputation for expert workmanship and unparalleled customer service. If you suspect your home is suffering from a hidden leak, give us a call and we’ll make sure mold and mildew never have a chance to take root.

After seeing countless commercials for liquid drain cleaners, your first thought is to reach for that bottle of thick blue liquid with scary-sounding chemicals in it because it’ll get the job done quickly, right? What companies don’t say is that these chemicals are always harmful on pipes, regardless if the bottle says, “harmless on pipes”. There are even warnings on the back of the bottle to call your local poison control center if the chemicals touch your skin. If you insist on trying a liquid-based solution to clear up minor clogs, choose an all-natural enzymatic product. These products use natural enzymes to break up organic material and bacteria clogging your pipes, but they won’t break down particularly tough clogs. These products are better used for monthly drain maintenance rather than cleaning up clogs, but we have simpler (and less expensive) DIY solutions that you can try before buying a pricey product. Here are two ways to clear that slow drain: 1. Hot water Pour a large pot of very hot (but not boiling) water down the drain you’re having issues with or want to clean. Follow it up with some cool water to flush clogs you just melted away. 2. Baking soda and vinegar Pour half a cup of baking soda down your drain and chase it with half a cup of vinegar. Plug the sink and let it sit overnight. Flush the drains with hot water in the morning and they’ll work (and smell) like they’re brand new! We recommend doing this once per month If you end up with a clogged drain, you’ll either need to use a snake or auger to break up clogs. Cup plungers are your best option for small clogs. Here’s a list of things to AVOID putting down your drain to prevent any more clogs Grease, fats, or oils Eggshells Pasta, rice, and potatoes Bones Stringy or fibrous foods Coffee grounds Feminine products Tissues and paper towels “flushable” wipes Hair If all else fails, call our experts to solve your plumbing issues.