Best Tips to Fix a Clogged Drain in Your Shower or Bath

A variety of factors can cause a clogged drain, with the most common being soap residue and hair accumulation. While a clogged drain may seem like an enormous plumbing problem to solve, you can take care of it yourself by following a few simple steps. Boiling Water First, check to see if your clogged drain is in a metal or PVC pipe. If it’s a metal pipe, go ahead with this solution. For a PVC pipe, move on to the other solutions below. You can quickly remove the clog in your drain using boiled water. Be careful while pouring the boiling water to prevent any burns. Fill your kettle with water and allow it to boil for one minute. Unplug your kettle (if it’s an electric kettle) and slowly pour the hot water directly into your clogged drain. A slow pour will enable the hot water to break up the clog. Baking Soda and Vinegar This solution uses the chemical reaction of combining baking soda and vinegar to remove the clog from your drain. Put a third of a cup of baking soda into a container. Add a third of a cup of vinegar to the baking soda. Once the mixture begins to make a fizzing sound pour it into the drain. Allow the mixture to sit in the pipe for about an hour. Finally, turn on the hot water faucet and allow the tap to run for a minute or so to flush the clog out of the drain. Snakes You won’t need a real snake for this solution, but rather a snake tool that can make its way to the clogged area of your drain. You can create a snake tool using a wire coat hanger or purchase one from your local hardware store. Begin by using a screwdriver to remove the cover of the shower drain. Next put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands from anything you may pull out of the drain. Force the snake tool down into the drain to remove any accumulated hair and soap residue. Pull the snake tool back out of the drain. If necessary follow up this solution with boiling water or the baking soda vinegar mixture depending on the type of plumbing you have in your shower. Finally, replace the shower drain cover. If you are experiencing clogged drain issues in Longview TX, contact Bird Dog Plumbing at...
read more

Handle the Worst Kitchen Sink Issues Like a Professional Plumber

While kitchen sink problems can be common, they are no less irritating! If left alone, these little issues can turn huge in a short time. Some issues can be fixed yourself, while others may require a professional. What are the most common sink problems? A leaky or clogged faucet can be a DIY project or a job for a plumber. If your drain is clogged, call someone if chemical cleaner doesn’t work. Leaking drain baskets can be replaced yourself easily. A broken garbage disposal is more complicated to fix; leave it to the professionals. To fix your kitchen with the best plumber in Longview, Texas, call Bird Dog Plumbing! Learn more at http://birddogplumbingllc.com/. Plumber LongviewBird Dog Plumbing LLC2206 Balsam StLongview, Texas...
read more

Prevent a Clogged Restaurant Drain From Closing Your Business Down

Running a restaurant involves more than just creating and serving food. Restaurateur have to deal with mind-boggling details every day. These details may seem small, but they can make or break a business. The restaurant’s plumbing system, for example, is one of those fine points that can ruin an eating establishment’s reputation in an instant. When it’s not running correctly, it can cause shutdowns, unsanitary conditions and even illness. Unfortunately, a clogged restaurant drain is a common issue that can cause damage and a loss of revenue. With prevention and maintenance, however, you can keep your plumbing in excellent condition. Common Clogging Causes The combination of large pieces of food and plumbing pipes are a recipe for disaster. In the restaurant industry, however, the two often go hand-in-hand. No matter how hard you try to keep food from going down the drain, it’s probably going to happen. What’s worse is some foods, like rice, expand when saturated, blocking up the pipes even more. Cooking oil, grease and other fats can also cause drain trouble in a hurry. As they cool down, they begin to solidify and cling to the pipes and then itself, creating a clog. Add to that, soap scum and detergent, and you’ve got a substantial blockage that can create a giant, unsanitary mess. Preventing a Kitchen Disaster Training employees on proper food disposal is the first step in preventing a clogged restaurant drain. Advise them not to dump oil and grease down the drain, and show them your restaurant’s oil disposal method. Additionally, stress the importance of keeping food particles out of the drain. Grease traps are often useful in preventing buildups in the system. The trap collects the grease and separates it from the water, stopping it from creating a clog. Unfortunately, they aren’t always perfect, and grease can still create havoc. When this happens, you’ll need the help of a professional to get things running. Professional drain cleaners can often use small video cameras to enter the pipe and diagnose the problem. Depending on the type of clog you have, the expert will likely choose one of two methods. Typically, hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water to remove soft clogs.  A plumber will often clear hard clogs with an auger, which looks like a long steel cable with a corkscrew on the end. This process is also known as the snaking method. If your restaurant experiences frequent...
read more

Gas Leak Detection: Five Things to Look For Before Calling a Pro

Natural gas is clean and good for the environment, but also highly combustible so knowing proper gas leak detection in Longview, TX is important for the safety of...
read more

Do You Need to Repair a Toilet That’s Constantly Running?

A few different issues can cause a running toilet, most of which require only simple repairs: Worn-out or broken flapper. A flapper that’s worn from use or mineral deposits allows water to leak from the tank into the toilet, causing the running. Water may be too high. When the water is too high, it will go into the overflow tube and cause the toilet to run constantly. Lower the tank level. The refill tube is out of whack. If the refill tube is too long or out of position, it can cause the toilet to run. If you continue to have issues with a running toilet or need professional help with any of these fixes, Bird Dog Plumbing is here to repair your toilet in Longview TX. Call 903-225-2272. Repair Toilet Longview TXBird Dog Plumbing LLC2206 Balsam StLongview, Texas...
read more

Picking Between Gas & Electric for your Water Heater Installation

It’s time for a new water heater installation to be done in your home in Longview, TX. The question is, how do you decide between gas and electric? Does saving money mean the most to you, or does being energy efficient? Here are how they stack up against to each other: Gas heater has a faster recovery rate Electric heater will not work during a power outage Gas heater is less efficient Electric heater costs more to operate Both have equivalent lifespans It’s time to talk to the specialists at Bird Dog Plumbing to help make your decision easier. Based on your current setup we can determine which option will be best for your situation. Call us today at (903)225-2272 or visit us online at http://birddogplumbingllc.com/. Water Heater Installation Longview TXBird Dog Plumbing LLC2206 Balsam StLongview, Texas...
read more