How to Prevent Sand From Clogging Your Drain

Summer is finally here, which means you’ll probably be spending more time on the south shore beaches of Long Island! After a fun day of laying in the sun and swimming in the ocean, it’s almost impossible to keep those tiny particles of sand from clinging to your skin. And if you’re not careful about keeping those grains away from your house and out of your shower, you’re looking at a potential plumbing problem. Although the sand itself won’t damage your pipes, the blockage it creates certainly will!

As your trusted Long Island plumbing company, we’ve put together the following list of ways you can prevent sand from ruining your pipes:

Newer is better.
Before hopping in the shower with your feet covered in sand, ask yourself this question: how old are your pipes? In newer homes, pipes are typically made of plastic ABS and PVC, which have smooth interiors that are more forgiving of grains you rinse down the drain. However, if your home is older, your pipes are probably made of cast-iron or steel, which can become rough over time and attract all the bad things you wash away. This is especially true for sand, which attaches to the pipe and causes a backup. If your pipes are old, it may be time for an upgrade.

Rinse at the beach.
How many times have you jumped into the car without shaking off the sand? If you don’t clean off most of the dirt you pick up at the beach, you’ll inevitably carry it into your car and into your home. With that being said, take advantage of shower stalls and shake off your legs and feet with a dry towel. This will get rid of those larger patches of sand before you get in the car.

Keep it at the door.
To avoid a shower drain clog at all costs, the best solution is to keep sand out of the house. Before walking in the door, use a broom to brush off the grains that cling to your legs and feet. You can also try rubbing baby powder on your skin to prevent sand from sticking, and if that’s not enough, use the garden hose to wash off the rest. By the time you jump into the shower, your body should be sand-free and so should your drain!

If you find that your shower drain is already backed up, you’ll want to clear out your pipes entirely! Call your local plumber and ask them to help fix the problem with services like sewer jetting.

Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter offers sewer jetting services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information. And don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook for more tips on how to prevent clogged drains this summer!

11 Things You Should Never Put in Your Drain

Clogging up your drains can be easier than you think! We all have those moments where we watch some unwanted item slip in to our sink and think "That's alright, it won't be a big deal." The truth, however, is it may become a big deal sooner than later.

Homeowners spend more money unclogging their drains then necessary. Thanks to Huffington Post, we have a list of 11 items you should never put in your drain, to save you some frustration and money!

1. Fat
2. Grease and Oil
3. Orange Peels
4. Coffee Grinds
5. Eggshells
6. Tea Leaves
7. Semolina
8. Metamucil And Other Medications
9. Jello
10. Potato Peels
11. Rice

Make your life simpler and start breaking any bad habits today! Too late? Call New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter to get your drains cleared.

Learn more on why these 11 items should never be found in your drain at huffingtonpost.com.

Preparing your Plumbing Vents for the Winter

We had our first snowfall of the year today!  This reminds us to get our plumbing ready for the winter months.  Frozen pipes aren't the only plumbing issues during the winter.   The freezing weather can cause blockages in your plumbing vents, which will dramatically affect how your plumbing works.  Taking a few preventative steps will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

1. Keep vents clear of snow. 
2. Make sure you have proper venting. 
3. Make sure your vents are the correct size.
4. Do not ignore warning signs of problems. 

For more information and explanation on how to properly prep and take care of your plumbing vents please visit: http://goo.gl/2ziNlG.

If you do experience any problems with your plumbing vents or any other part of your plumbing, please call New York Plumber & Sewer Rooter, we are available 24/7!
516-874-7937

Prevent Drain Clogs

Nassau Plumbing & Sewer Rooter

30 Minute Emergency Service

 Call: 516-874-7937

http://www.nassaucountyplumbingandsewerrooter.com

 
Taking steps to prevent drain clogs from ever happening is much easier than dealing with the mess afterwards.  One of the best ways to prevent slow or clogged drains is to be careful about what you are putting into them.  Four of the worst things you can put down a drain are cooking grease, coffee grounds, hair and soap scum.  Here are some alternative methods to dispose of these things.

• Save cooking grease in an old coffee can or cardboard milk container, then dispose of it in the trash later. 
• Throw coffee grounds away in the garbage or add them to your garden.
• Use a screen or drain-grate on the drain's opening to minimize problems with hair and soap scum. 

After taking this preventative steps try:

• Running hot water through the sink after each use.  Hot water keeps oils in food products from sticking and building up on the surface of pipes. 
• Throw a handful of baking soda into the drain and follow it with hot water.  Baking soda is great for cleaning and absorbing odors.
• Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes followed by very hot water.  Vinegar's acetic properties act as an organic solvent in removing organic buildup in pipes.

For more drain cleaning ideas visit http://goo.gl/y9KXip
Or Call New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter at 516-874-7937 and visit us online at http://www.nassaucountyplumbingandsewerrooter.com/.