Iselin-based Middlesex Water Co will begin an $11.1 million project to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Carteret and the Port Reading section of Woodbridge this month. The work will involve replacing 26,000 linear feet of water mains, along with service lines, valves and fire hydrants.
Clogged Drains
If you notice that a drain seems to be taking longer than usual to empty, you may have a clog. Clogs usually form over time as hair, soap scum, and grease build up on the inside of pipe walls. This can cause water to back up into your home and create a nasty mess.
If your clog appears to be caused by solid waste, you might need a professional drain cleaning service. These professionals use advanced tools to break up and remove even the most stubborn clogs without damaging your pipes or plumbing system. They can also recommend preventative services, like a regular drain cleaning service, to keep your home free of clogs in the future.
Most clogs are caused by items that shouldn’t be flushed down toilets or down sink drains. Baby wipes and other disposal wipes should never be flushed, even if they are labeled as “flushable”. These can stick to and build up on other debris in your toilet pipes, leading to a serious clog.
Fats, oils, and grease can also stick to the insides of your pipes. This will cause a hard substance to form that blocks water flow and can be extremely difficult to break down. Many homeowners try pouring chemical drain cleaners down their sink or toilet, but these products can corrode older pipes and cause other problems for your plumbing system.
Clogged drains can often be prevented by regularly using a wire snake or other professional drain cleaning tool. These tools can get rid of the majority of clogs that occur in home plumbing systems, but they can’t help with some problems. For example, if you have hard water in your home, it can clog your pipes with mineral deposits that can’t be broken down with a snake or chemical drain cleaners.
Clogged drains can be very frustrating and inconvenient for your family. If you notice that a drain seems to take longer than usual to empty, or you have a bad smell coming from a sink or tub, contact your local Quality Maintenance and Landscape, New Jersey drain cleaning & rooter experts ASAP for fast answers & reliable service at an honest cost.
Clogged Toilets
The toilet is the most used bathroom fixture in your home and also one of the most frequently clogged fixtures. The reason is that a lot of waste passes through them every day and can get trapped in the drain system, especially if there are issues with water pressure or the flush system. The best way to keep your toilets working properly is to identify the major causes of clogs and prevent them from reoccurring.
Non-flushable items are the most common cause of clogged toilets. These include cotton balls, paper towels, dental floss and feminine products. The toilet is not designed to carry these and they can easily catch on the U-shaped trap or clog the entire drain line. Keeping a bag of trash in the restroom can help prevent these objects from accidentally being dropped into the toilet.
A clogged toilet can lead to problems in other parts of the plumbing system. For example, if a toilet is continually clogged it could indicate that the main sewer line is blocked by debris or other issues. It is important to address these problems as soon as possible to avoid a flood in the bathroom and damage to the house plumbing.
It is also helpful to have a plunger on hand so that you can try to clear the clog before calling a professional. However, if your clogged toilet isn’t responding to plunging or the toilet clog is deeper than what can be removed by plunging, it may be time to call a professional. They can use a variety of tools to force the clog through to the sewer line or break up and extract larger clogs.
Clogged Showers
If the water in your shower or tub doesn’t drain quickly enough, it may be due to a clog. The hair, soap scum, and dirt that accumulates in the drain will prevent water from flowing properly through your pipes. This can cause a stench and lead to damage to your plumbing system.
The most common cause of a clogged shower is hair. As people wash and condition their hair, loose strands can fall down the drain. Then they collect around the drain cover and create a barrier that other debris can’t pass through. This is particularly problematic if you have long or thick hair.
You should brush your hair before taking a shower to remove loose strands and minimize the amount that goes down the drain. Using a plastic drain cover or inexpensive drain catcher (like the kind that you use in sinks without garbage disposals) can also reduce the amount of hair that gets into your pipes. You can even try switching to a milder shampoo or conditioner that’s less likely to contribute to soap scum buildup.
If you have hard water in your home, you should invest in a water softener to help reduce the minerals that can clog your drains. You should also clean out your shower drain regularly to eliminate the odor and prevent clogs.
Another common culprit of clogged showers is oil-based bath products. They are more likely to cause a clog than their water-based counterparts, and they can be difficult to dissolve. Alternatively, you can switch to using only water-based soaps, shampoos, and conditioners in your bathroom.
Sometimes, a clog is caused by a broken or damaged pipe. In these cases, it’s best to call a plumber for professional assistance.
If you’re able to clear a clog on your own, it’s a good idea to use boiling water down the drain. This heats up the clog, liquefying it so that it can be flushed away. You can also try combining baking soda and vinegar to create a chemical reaction that releases significant amounts of gas. If the problem persists, you can use a plunger. Just make sure that you’ve drained or blocked the overflow opening and that the pipes aren’t made of corrosive materials.