Plumbing Tips
These tips are meant to be helpful resources. Corley Plumbing & Electric strongly suggests consulting a licensed contractor and referencing the manufacturer's instructions.
How to Free a Garbage Disposal Jam - Have tongs and 1/4" Allen wrench handy.
- Make sure the water and disposal are turned off.
- On the underside of the disposal, insert the wrench into the center hole.
- Wiggle the wrench back and forth until it can move freely.
- Use the tongs to extract the impediments inside the disposal.
- Allow the motor to cool off from the jam for approximately 5 minutes.
- Reactivate the disposal by pushing the red reset button.
How to Clean a Trap in your bathroom or kitchen sink - Loosen the slip nuts on the trap (the curved pipe under you sink) with water pump pliers.
- Unscrew the nuts by hand and slide them away from the connections.
- Once you have the trap in your hand, carefully dump out its contents and clean it with a small wire brush. We suggest that you watch our for falling water and debris from your trap, so put a bucket underneath it.
Preventing a Kitchen Drain Clog
Kitchen sink drains clog most often because of a buildup of grease that traps food particles. Hair and soap are often at fault in bathroom drains. Drains can usually be cleared easily and inexpensively, but taking some simple precautions will help you avoid stop-ups. Proper disposal of kitchen waste will keep sink drain clogs to a minimum. - Don't pour grease down the kitchen sink.
- Don't wash coffee grounds down the sink. Throw them out.
- Be sparing with chemical cleaners, particularly if you have brass, steel, or cast-iron traps and drainpipes; some caustic chemicals can corrode metal pipes.
- If used no more than once every few months, cleaners containing sodium hydroxide and sodium nitrate can be safe and effective.
- Clean pop up stoppers in the bathroom sink and the tub regularly. Lift out sink pop-ups once a week and rinse them off.
- Every few months, remove the overflow plate on a tub and pull up the pop-up assembly to reach the spring or rocker arm. Remove accumulated hair and rinse thoroughly.
- Flush the drain-waste and vent systems whenever you go onto your house roof to clean out downspouts or gutters. Run water from a garden hose into all vents, giving them a minute or two of full flow.
How to Troubleshoot a ToiletIf the Water in tank is constantly running- Look to see if the ball is touching that back tank wall.
- To move ball or rod, bend float rod slightly and slowly.
- Scum or corrosion may appear on lip of valve - if so, scrape this away.
- If the tank ball appears worn, replace it.
- If the ball is not falling straight, adjust the lift wires.
- Replace washers.
- Replace toilet.
If toilet is not flushing properly
- Remove the blockage in the drain with a wire hanger and mirror, if necessary.
- Bend the float rod to adjust the level of water to make it higher.
- Move guide up so that tank ball can rise to a higher level.
- Tighten the spud nuts or replace the spud washer.
- To bring hot water to the tank, try installing a tank cover, drip catcher or a unit.
If you have a whining tank- Replace washers or ball cock unit.
- Check that there is no corrosion or scum on the valve.
- Make sure the cutoff is fully open.
Still stumped? Schedule an appointment with Corley Plumbing & Electric. |
