Plumbing Tips Archives - Page 2 of 2

Thanksgiving Plumbing Tips

Nov 22, 2023

Gobble Gobble!

Thanksgiving Plumbing Tips from Kokesh Plumbing

Thanksgiving is a time for feasting, family, and friends. But it’s also a time when plumbing problems can strike, especially if you’re not prepared. With all the extra cooking and cleaning, it’s easy for your pipes to get clogged or your toilets to overflow. That’s why it’s important to take some preventive measures before the big day.

Tips to help you avoid calling the plumber over the holidays:

Prepare your plumbing ahead of time. A few days before Thanksgiving, flush all of your toilets and run all of your faucets to make sure everything is working properly.
Clean your garbage disposal. Before you start cooking, take a few minutes to clean your garbage disposal. This will help to prevent clogs and keep your drains flowing freely. To clean your disposal, simply run it with cold water and ice cubes for a few minutes. You can also add a few slices of lemon to help freshen the scent.

Image credit: https://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-clean-your-garbage-disposal-t37756

Don’t put grease down the drain. Grease can solidify and clog your pipes. Instead, scrape grease and food waste into the trash can.
Use a strainer in your sink. A strainer will catch food particles before they go down the drain and cause a clog. This can help to prevent clogs and keep your drains flowing smoothly.
Have your plumbing system inspected. If you’re having any plumbing problems, or if you’re just not sure if your system is up to the task of handling a large Thanksgiving meal, it’s a good idea to have your plumbing system inspected by a professional plumber before the holiday.
Don’t overload your garbage disposal. If you have a lot of food waste to dispose of, do it in batches. Don’t try to cram everything down the disposal at once.

Image credit: https://nativetrailshome.com/product/dr320-3-5-basket-strainer/#lightbox1-10

Be careful with what you put in your dishwasher. Not all dishes are dishwasher safe. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before putting anything in the dishwasher.
Fix any leaky faucets or pipes. Leaky faucets and pipes can waste water and lead to mold growth. If you have any leaks, be sure to have them fixed by Kokesh Plumbing as soon as possible.

Image credit: https://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-clean-dishwasher-t17946

Be careful with what you flush down the toilet. Only flush toilet paper down the toilet. Anything else, such as paper towels, sanitary napkins, or tampons, can clog the toilet. You may also want to put up signs in the bathrooms to remind guest what not to flush down.

A few additional tips to help you avoid plumbing problems on Thanksgiving:

Spread out your cooking.
Don’t try to cook everything at once. This will put a lot of strain on your plumbing system. Instead, spread out your cooking over the course of the day.

Take breaks.
If you’re doing a lot of cooking, take breaks to give your plumbing system a rest. This will help to prevent clogs.

Run the water when you’re done cooking. After you’re done cooking, run the hot water for a few minutes to help clear out any grease or food particles that may be in your pipes.

Call Kokesh Plumbing if you have a problem.
If you do have a plumbing problem on Thanksgiving, don’t hesitate to call Kokesh Plumbing. It’s better to have Kokesh Plumbing fix the problem right away than to wait until it gets worse.

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your Thanksgiving is a stress-free and plumbing-problem-free holiday!

If you do experience a plumbing problem on Thanksgiving Day, don’t panic! Kokesh Plumbing is available 24/7 to help you get your plumbing back on track. Call us at 636-391-1233 and we’ll be there to help you have a happy and stress-free Thanksgiving.

Winter Plumbing Checklist

Nov 2, 2023

What to do when the temperatures stay below freezing:

The first thing to do is when the temperature drops below freezing is to keep your water running. By allowing a small trickle of water to run, water will keep moving through your pipes lowering your chances of your pipes freezing over. Remember that the cost of the extra water you use is usually much cheaper that the cost of repairing a broken pipe.
Another thing that you can do to help your pipes is to open the cabinet doors of your home to let the warm air in your home reach the pipes. This will also help your pipe keep warm enough to help stop them from freezing over.

Image credit: www.liveabout.com/how-to-tell-if-your-pipes-are-frozen-2124985

What to do if your pipes freeze over:

The first thing you should do in the event of frozen pipes is to shut the water off immediately. You should not attempt to thaw your pipes out without turning off the main shut off valve to your home.
The next step that you should take is thaw the frozen pipes with warm air. The idea is to melt the frozen water in the pipes by warming the air around it. Be sure not to leaving any space heaters you use unattended and also do not use kerosene heater or open flames. If you do not feel comfortable doing this part on your own, JJ Kokesh and Son has a special machine that we use to thaw pipes.
Finally, it is important to be careful turning the water back on. Once you get the pipes thawed out, slowly turn the water back on and check pipes and joints for any cracks or leaks that might have been caused by the frozen pipes. If you do find the pipes have been damaged, please give us a call at 636-391-1233 so that our dedicated team of plumber can help you get your pipes back in working order.

Scary Plumbing Issues

Oct 30, 2023

Halloween is a time for spooky fun and frights, but it’s also a time to be on the lookout for scary plumbing issues.

After all, what’s more terrifying than a backed-up toilet overflowing on your living room floor? Or a pipe bursting in the middle of the night?

WATCH OUT FOR….

A toilet that vomits up sewage!

This is one of the most disgusting and terrifying plumbing problems that can happen. It’s caused by a blockage in the sewer line, and it can happen for a number of reasons, such as tree roots growing into the line, grease and fat buildup, or a clog caused by flushing something that shouldn’t be flushed. If you experience this, it’s important to call a plumber immediately to have the line cleared before the sewage backs up into your home.

A shower that turns into a bloodbath!

This is another plumbing nightmare that can make your Halloween even scarier. It’s caused by a rusty pipe that has corroded and started to leak. The rust can mix with the water to create a reddish-brown color that looks like blood. If you see this happening, it’s important to turn off the water supply to the shower immediately and call a plumber to have the pipe repaired.

BlackCat_KitchenSink_ScaryPlumbingIssues

A sink that gurgles and moans!

This is a plumbing sound that is sure to send shivers down your spine. It’s caused by a buildup of air in the pipes. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as a clog in the drain, a loose fitting, or a faulty vent. If you hear this sound, it’s important to call a plumber to have the pipes inspected and repaired.

A bathtub that fills up with slime!

This is a plumbing problem that is both disgusting and disturbing. It’s caused by a buildup of bacteria and mold in the bathtub. This can happen if the bathtub is not properly cleaned and sanitized. If you see slime in your bathtub, it’s important to clean it immediately with a bleach solution. If the slime persists, you may need to call a plumber to have the bathtub drained and cleaned professionally.

If you experience any of these Halloween-themed plumbing problems, don’t hesitate to call Kokesh Plumbing. We’ll help you get rid of the ghosts, leprechauns, trolls, and malevolent spirits, and we’ll fix your plumbing problems so you can sleep soundly at night.

Tips to Avoid Scary Plumbing Problems:

Have your plumbing system inspected regularly by a licensed plumber. This will help to identify and fix any potential problems before they cause a major disaster.
Be careful what you flush down the toilet. Flushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, and other non-biodegradable materials can clog your drains and cause major problems.
Fix leaky faucets promptly. Leaky faucets can waste a lot of water and money, and they can also lead to water damage.
Be aware of the signs of sewer gas leaks. Sewer gas leaks can be dangerous, so it’s important to be able to identify them early on.
Don’t flush too much toilet paper or flushable wipes. These items can clog your drains and lead to backups.
Insulate your pipes and wrap them in heat tape during the winter months. This will help to prevent them from freezing.
Know where your main shutoff valve is located. This will be helpful in the event of a plumbing emergency.

Image credit: https://www.lus.org/toilets/

Types of Water Shut-Off Valves For Home Plumbing

Image credit: https://gharpedia.com/blog/main-water-shut-off-valves/

10 Plumber Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

Jun 19, 2023

We asked our team of plumbers for some tips to share with homeowners. Hope this helps you avoid a plumbing problem!

Ceramic toilet bowl and plunger near blue wall

1.

Know where your main shut off is before the emergency, because an emergency is going to happen at some point and being able to get to and turn off the water to your home fast can make a huge difference.

2.

Never use a brick in your toilet tank as a water saver. The brick can disintegrate and break the fill and flush mechanisms in the tank.

3.

The BIGGEST No-No for your toilet?? “FLUSHABLE” Wipes – they actually don’t disintegrate and cause clogs all the time.

4.

That broken disposal? You might be able to fix it with out calling the plumber. Underneath the disposal there is usually a button or an inset for an allen wrench. Pressing this button or inserting and turning the allen wrench will free us a jammed disposal making it work again.

5.

Want another garbage disposal tip?? To get rid of any smell or to clean the disposal fill the disposal with lemons and ice.

6.

Winterize your outside faucet to avoid frozen pipes in the winter – take the hose off, turn off the shut off valve inside and open up the faucet to allow it to drain.

7.

Think your toilet is running? There is a simple way to find out – add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait 30 minutes. If you see color in the bowl you have a leak.

8.

Don’t use chemical drain cleaners down your drains. Any splash back could be extremely dangerous and can disintegrate pipes.

9.

Water pipes are never a good place to hang things – even something you think is light could be enough weight to cause a failure, break, or leak.

10.

Yes, Licensed and Insured Plumbers are going to be more expensive but this also gives the homeowner recourse if something isn’t done right. A homeowner can appeal to the city who issues the license and a properly insured contracted will be able to handle any problem that comes up on a job.

New Year’s Tips for Saving Water and Money

Jan 1, 2022

Happy New Year! We love to make New Year’s resolutions and we think that saving water and money should be a part of your New Year’s goals. Making sure that your house is in tip-top shape at the beginning of the year helps set the tone for how the rest of your year will go. Here are a few tips that get you home in order for a smooth year:

Insulate water pipes by wrapping them with insulation tubes made from polyethylene of fiberglass in unheated areas of your home. This will help them from freezing during the coldest days of winter.
Use low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators that will reduce the water flow without reducing the pressure
You should check your pipes, toilets and faucets often for leaks, and if you do find a leak, please give us a call at 636-391-1233 so that we can help you fix that leak.
Make sure to drip your faucets when the temperature stays below freezing by letting a small trickle run over night. This should help prevent the pipes from freeing over
Check for leaks in and out of your home after the first big thaw
Have us come out to walk your property line after the first thaw to inspect waterlines
Only run your dish and clothing washers when they are full and use the water-saving cycle if available on your washers

Next Entries »