Plumbing Repair | Our Plumbing Blog

Thanksgiving creates more drain clogs than any other day

November 23rd, 2011 by pabrams

The day after Thanksgiving is the single busiest of the year for Roto-Rooter, nationwide and for our plumbers here in Atlanta. Why? Big holiday meal preparation and cleanup can lead to clogged kitchen sinks and garbage disposals. Extra guests mean more toilet flushes, extra laundry loads,

Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain

more showers, etc. But oddly enough, Thanksgiving itself is not such a busy day for Roto-Rooter. It’s the next day, Black Friday, that gets absolutely crazy! The day after Thanksgiving is the single busiest day of the year for Roto-Rooter plumbers. Incoming calls will jump 50% above an average Friday. We’ll be slammed but thanks to good planning, we’ve staffed up here at Roto-Rooter Plumbers of Atlanta (and nationwide). We know what’s coming and we’ll be fully staffed to deal with all the extra calls so we can still get to your problem FAST!

If you want to avoid having the Roto-Rooter man over for Thanksgiving Dinner (or turkey sandwiches the next day), pay attention to these important tips:

Never pour fats or cooking oils down drains. They solidify in pipes. Instead, wipe grease from pots with paper towels and throw them into the trash.
Avoid putting stringy, fibrous or starch waste in the garbage disposal.
Make sure disposal is running when you put food into it. Don’t wait until it’s full to turn it on.
For homes hosting weekend guests, wait 15 minutes between showers so slow drains have time to do their job.
Never flush cotton balls, swabs, hair or facial scrub pads down a toilet. They don’t dissolve and will cause clogs.

Finally, Roto-Rooter of Atlanta does not charge extra for nights, weekends or holidays. It’s true! So if you’re dealing with a big clog and are fearful of a plumber’s holiday bill, don’t worry! Call Roto-Rooter’s experienced Atlanta plumbers and you’ll pay the same rate on Thanksgiving that you would pay on any other day. And we are a 24-hour plumbing company. Give us a call at 404-209-0001 in Atlanta. Nationally, you can call Roto-Rooter at 1-800-ROTO-911.

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Roto-Rooter gives its customers choices

November 7th, 2011 by pabrams

Root-infested pipe

When it comes to solving customers’ plumbing problems, there are usually a few options. Sometimes, there’s the quick fix or band-aid that costs less but isn’t always the best long-term solution. But that decision is the customer’s to make, not necessarily the plumber’s. You know what you can afford, we don’t. We know that plumbing problems can be expensive and that’s why Roto-Rooter plumbers here in Atlanta and across the country try to provide our customers with as many options as possible so they can decide for themselves which option is right for them.

Take the case of our core business, sewer and drain cleaning. Our company was founded on the invention of a machine that cuts roots and debris out of underground sewer pipes. We can do that for our customers year after year and

Video inspection of a sewer pipe

sometimes several times a year at hundreds of dollars per service call, without ever offering our customers a permanent solution that will fix the problem once and for all and will probably mean that the customer will never again need to call us to cut roots out of their sewer line. For many years, Roto-Rooter has been providing spot repairs and complete sewer line replacements that often cost thousands of dollars. We call this a permanent fix and wouldn’t we be remiss if we didn’t offer this choice to our customers who have problematic sewer pipes?

Would you want to take your car to a mechanic for the same problem several times a year withous his ever offering you a permanent fix? Probably not. In fact, you would probably be very angry with your mechanic for stringing you along with a problem that never goes away while he continues to profit. So why should it be any different with your plumber? The choice belongs with our customers but we feel it is important to give them that choice. If you want choices from your plumber, call Roto-Rooter of Atlanta at 404-209-0001.

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Beware of plumbers who quote prices over the phone

October 22nd, 2011 by pabrams

Sometimes our customers call us on the phone and ask what it will cost for a specific plumbing repair, sewer cleaning or water heater replacement. Sometimes they get huffy when they learn that Roto-Rooter’s Atlanta plumbers don’t give price quotes over the phone. ”Just give me your best price,” they’ll say. Or, “I am just calling plumbers to see who is the cheapest on this kind of job.”

Well, that sounds simple enough, but here are the facts: Any Atlanta plumber who routinely quotes prices over the phone without laying eyes on your plumbing system is either misleading you or putting his business at great risk. Why? Because every situation is different. A plumber needs to look at the plumbing problem to see if there are other contributing factors at work before an accurate diagnosis can be made. There are simply too many possible variables to make an accurate diagnosis over the phone. That’s why Roto-Rooter’s Atlanta plumbers will come to your home or business at no charge to you then evaluate the problem, determine the best solution and give you a free written estimate prior to performing any work.

Many Atlanta plumbing contractors will give you a ballpark quote over the phone only to raise the price once they see the actual level of difficulty, or worse, they’ll up their price when they’re already in the middle of the repair. If you send them away, they may charge you a fee just to have come out and looked at your problem, even if they didn’t actually fix anything. Ultimately, you may have paid a higher price than you needed to.

When you call Roto-Rooter, Atlanta’s best local plumbing company, you’ll get a free, professional visit, a thorough analysis of the problem and a solution and cost estimate, in writing. If you think it’s unreasonable, send our plumber away and you won’t be charged anything. But if you agree to the estimate, the Roto-Rooter plumber will get to work right away and fix your problem and give you a guarantee that the job will be done right. When you’re calling other Atlanta plumbing companies, be sure to ask them if they offer free written estimates.

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Garbage disposals Usually Fade Away Over Time

October 14th, 2011 by pabrams

We’ve said it before, garbage disposals may be the most misused appliance in existence. We stuff all sorts of food down the drain where the disposal chews it to bits and it seemingly disappears. I’ve seen some people literally clean out the refrigerator by dumping leftovers into the sink and washing them down. If only that stuff really did disappear. The food is only chopped to a paste and that paste often clings to the drainpipe and collects so always be sure to use a lot of water when using our disposal. You want that food paste to wash all the way out of the branch pipes. Truthfully, disposals are designed to handle the minor scraps left on a plate AFTER you’ve already scraped the leftovers into a trash can. If you use your disposal that way, you’ll never have a problem.

Here in Atlanta, the plumbers on staff at Roto-Rooter have a lot of experience fixing, installing or replacing garbage disposals. Most plumbers will agree that you get what you pay for in a garbage disposal. The cheapo builder-grade disposals that are installed in most new houses are loud and you’ll probably get five or six years out of them before their performance rapidly degrades. You’ll begin to notice it jamming more often and you’ll find you’ll have to press the little reset button on the bottom more often and then finally, it will just stop working altogether and you’ll be left with a backed up kitchen sink of dirty water.

Choose your new disposal carefully. Decide what you hated about your old one and then visit the big box handyman stores or a plumbing supply house. If noise is an issue, you’ll find very quiet models. They cost more but they also tend to perform better and last longer. Just remember that whichever model you choose, you’ll be living with it for many years to come. Finally, replacing a disposal is not an easy job for the inexperienced. It may look easy but I’ve seen plenty of people who think they’ll have it done in an hour but after three trips back to Home Depot and a lot of frustration, the job ends up taking all day or even an entire weekend. So before you take the DIY route, decide what your time is worth and consider calling an experienced Atlanta plumber to do the job for you while you do something you would rather be doing. You can even buy the disposal you want and hire Roto-Rooter to install it for you. And if you don’t know what you want, our plumber will help you decide by discussing all the options and possibilities and then he’ll get the disposal, bring it back and install it much faster than the average homeowner. Call us for a free estimate at 404-209-0001.

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The toilet overflows ever so slowly

October 7th, 2011 by pabrams

Here’s a question we received a while back from a prospective plumbing customer in Orlando: “My toilet slowly overflows from the flush handle opening over night, but during the day and evening this does not happen. Can you please explain why this is happening and help me solve my plumbing problems?”

Here’s something to try. Take a little blue food coloring and put it into the toilet tank until the color of the water is blue. If the color of the water in the bowl turns blue after about five minutes, then your flapper valve is leaking.

If there is no blue food coloring visible in the bowl, then the water is running into the overflow tube in the center of the toilet tank from the fill valve. After the water shuts off, remove the 1/4 inch tube from the center fill tube and see if the water continues to drip from the fill tube. If it does, then the fill valve needs to be replaced.

In either case, your toilet is partially clogged or the vent pipe is clogged because the toilet bowl should not fill up and overflow even if the flapper and fill valve are leaking.

You may want to call a respected Orlando plumbing company to diagnose and fix your drain and plumbing problems. Roto-Rooter has a solid and reliable staff of plumbers in Orlando that can handle any residential plumbing repair. You can visit the website here or give us a call at 407-886-7311.

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When the plumber’s price seems too good to be true…

October 7th, 2011 by pabrams

Any little plumbing repair can turn into a big deal if it’s done wrong. If you’re thinking about cutting corners and using one of the many unlicensed ”handymen” or fly-by-night plumbing contractors here in Atlanta who may or may not have any real training, you may do well to reconsider and look for a plumbing brand that stands behind its work.

We all want a low price, especially in times like these with a tanking economy and a weak dollar. But it’s not just lip servicewhen I use the old saying, “you get what you pay for.” There is more to consider when hiring plumbing contractors here in the Atlanta area than just a low price.

Consider a few things that could go wrong. First, does the guy offer a warranty for his plumbing services? Will you be able to find him in six months if that pipe starts leaking again and floods your home? Does Joe Schmo carry adequate liability insurance just in case that gas pipe he ran to your water heater leaks and causes a fire or an explosion? Does he hold a plumber’s license? And will he get the proper local permits required by law? These are things you never have to worry about with Roto-Rooter. We do it right and by the book and we’re easy to find if something goes wrong. And we’re a 24-Hour plumbing company that doesn’t charge extra for nights, weekends or holidays. If you want an honest assessment and a free written estimate, call us at 404-209-0001.

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Can a plumber reliably tell you the cost over the telephone?

October 7th, 2011 by pabrams

Some customers ask what it will cost for a specific plumbing repair, sewer cleaning or water heater replacement when they call for service and sometimes they get huffy when they learn that Roto-Rooter does not give price quotes over the phone. ”Just give me your best price,” they’ll say.

Well, that sounds simple enough, but here are the facts: Any Tampa plumber who routinely quotes prices over the phone without laying eyes on the caller’s plumbing system is either misleading the customer or putting his business at great risk. Why? Because every situation is different. A plumber needs to look at the plumbing problem to see if there are other contributing factors at work before an accurate diagnosis can be made. There are simply too many possible variables to make an accurate diagnosis over the phone. That’s why Roto-Rooter’s Tampa plumbers will come to your home or business, evaluate the problem, determine the best solution and give you a free written estimate prior to performing any work.

Many Tampa plumbing contractors will give you a “ballpark quote” over the phone only to raise the price once they see the actual level of difficulty, or worse, once they’re already in the middle of the repair. If you send them away, they may charge you a fee just to have come out and looked at your problem, even if they didn’t actually fix anything. Ultimately, you may have paid a higher price than you needed to.

When you call Roto-Rooter, Tampa’s best local plumbing company, you’ll get a free, professional visit, a thorough analysis of the problem and a solution and cost estimate, in writing. If you think it’s unreasonable, send our plumber away and you won’t be charged a dime. But if you agree to the estimate, the Roto-Rooter plumber will get to work right away and fix your problem and give you a guarantee that the job will be done right. When you’re calling other Tampa plumbing companies, be sure to ask them if they offer free written estimates. Then call Roto-Rooter of Tampa at 813-980-6000, or click here to schedule a free visit and estimate at a time that is most convenient for you.

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When the garbage disposal stops working. Roto-Rooter tips to get it going again

September 30th, 2011 by pabrams

Most of us use garbage disposals on a regular basis in our home kitchens and typically don’t encounter many issues along the way, but if you do, here are a few steps recommended by some of our plumbers in Orlando to get it working again.

What to do when the disposal stops working: All disposals have an overload protection sensor, which determines if the motor is overheating. This sensor has the ability to shut off the disposal and occasionally your disposal will shut off during this process if there is a broken electrical connection. To assess the situation follow the steps provided below.

Do not put your hands or any object down the drain or you could end up creating more of a problem than you started with.
Turn the disposal off and make sure the appliance is plugged in properly. Press the reset button, which should be located on the front or bottom of the disposal. Restart the disposal and it should begin to function as it normally would. Sometimes they get jammed. When this happens, find the hex key or the right size allen wrench and put it through the hole in the bottom of the disposal. You’ll be able to tell if it’s the right size because it will lock in and will allow you to turn the inner chamber of the disposal. You’ll feel it moving and dislodging the clog.
If you are still experiencing an issue with your garbage disposal and would like to schedule service from a qualified Orlando plumber, call Roto-Rooter at 407-886-7311. Or you can schedule online.

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Ask a Stupid Question Day Doesn’t apply to plumbing – there are no stupid questions

September 28th, 2011 by pabrams

Who knew there was such a thing as a National Ask a Stupid Question Day? Well there is and it is today, September 28th. Any of our Atlanta plumbers on staff will tell you that plumbing can get technical. In fact, we’ve come to realize that most non-plumbers don’t know a ballcock from a flapper valve so they sometimes feel a bit intimidated asking questions about water heaters, garbage disposals and even the parts in their toilet tank. That’s why we at Roto-Rooter like to say “there are no stupid plumbing questions.” For that reason, Roto-Rooter has a pretty nifty Frequently Asked Questions page on its website where visitors can search see if someone else has already asked the question and gotten an answer from one of our plumbers.

Home and business owners might want to consider bookmarking the FAQ page for future reference. We think it will prove to be a much appreciated resource. And for those times when you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, Roto-Rooter has a free Ask the Plumber feature on the website too. Just key in your question and you’ll get a detailed answer within a day or two from one of our licensed plumbing specialists. How’s that for simple? There are a lot of plumbing companies in Atlanta and across the country, but not many hand out free advice or answers to plumbing problems.

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Hurricanes: Preparing and protecting your home’s plumbing system before the storm

August 25th, 2011 by pabrams

Home flooding, as a result of powerful storms, can be a devastating experience. However, good preparation before the storm arrives can minimize the impact on your home. Anyone living in flood prone areas should consider relocating to a safer area until the storm has passed. We recommend that homeowners follow these important guidelines before the storm arrives.

Hurricane Irene

Check all downspouts and roof gutters to ensure they are securely fastened, free of debris and draining properly.
Make sure yard culverts and street drains are free of debris and can carry water away as fast as possible.
Inspect basement sump pump, if you have one. Ensure it is discharging water properly and is not clogged with debris. Do this by pouring a few buckets of water into your sump pit. In a matter of seconds, the pump should discharge the water and shut itself off.
Consider installing a battery back-up pump that will operate in the event of a power failure.
Inspect all floor drains throughout the house, including those in the garage, driveway, basement and patio. Make sure the covers are unobstructed and the drains aren’t clogged.

If there is advanced warning of a major storm, the water in your home’s plumbing system can be protected from contamination and made available for use.

Shut off the main water valve coming into the home. This prevents contaminated water from getting into the house.
Open a faucet at the highest point in the house (such as an upstairs bathroom) to allow air into the system. Then draw water as needed from the lowest faucet in the home.
Water in the water heater or a pressure tank represents many gallons of safe water for use in an emergency.
If there is enough advanced warning of the emergency, assure the freshest water supply by flushing the tank and allowing it to refill with clean water.
Turn off electricity or gas to the water heater, so that there is no risk that the heating unit could come on while the tank is being emptied. Draw water as needed from the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.
Water stored in your home’s plumbing system is safe for a few days. After a longer time, it must be disinfected before it is used for drinking or cooking.
Sinks and bathtubs and can be filled with water for emergency use. Water stored this way is perfect for cleaning dishes, bathing or flushing toilets. However, due to the difficulty in getting tubs and sinks clean, this water is not recommended for drinking and cooking unless it is first disinfected

Water safety after the storm

Upon returning to your home after a hurricane or flood, tap water may be unsafe to drink. Bacteria, viruses, debris, or chemicals may have gotten into the water. Water treatment plants may be damaged and unable to clean the water. Here’s what you can do:

If you don’t know whether the water is safe to use, boil water before using it for any purpose (example: Bathing, brushing teeth, cooking, drinking).
Once your community declares its water safe, be sure to flush your home’s water system by opening all faucets for several minutes.

Specializing in Emergencies

As a 24 hour plumbing company, Roto-Rooter specializes in emergency service and is always on call and available 24/7. Homes and businesses that need help getting plumbing back on-line in the wake of an emergency can call 1-800-ROTO-911 or service can be scheduled by e-mail at rotorooter.com. If we are part of an evacuation, we will be part of it but we will return to work as soon as it is safe to do so.

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