Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

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drain cleaning

With the holidays coming up, and the additional cooking and cleaning that come along with them, you can count on your drains taking a beating. It can be tough to ensure that nothing that shouldn’t go down your drains actually doesn’t go down your drains—especially when you’ve got extra help in the kitchen. But the holidays are not the only time you should be thinking about your drains. They’re also not the only time when things go wrong.

Today, we’ll talk a bit about what can cause drain problems. We’ll also talk about why you should really leave the resolution of those problems to the professionals. We know, we know. They sell drain cleaners at the hardware store. But we also know that that’s not the quick-fix that so many people seem to believe. In truth, nothing beats a good drain cleaning from a professional plumber in Loveland, CO.

 

What Clogs Drains?

So. Many. Things.

We spoke about the kitchen dilemma up above. Failure to drain off fat and grease, or putting starchy materials that can absorb water and swell up down the drain, often account for kitchen drain clogs. However, there is also the bathroom. That’s where hair winds up in the tub drain, where parents mistakenly flush baby wipes, etc.

Put covers over your drains, empty them regularly, and make sure that everyone in your house, resident or visitor, knows the expectations when it comes to your plumbing system. It may seem intrusive to tell someone not to flush wipes or to put rice in the garbage disposal, but it’s a heck of a lot better than needing professional plumbing services!

Why Is Professional Drain Cleaning the Way to Go?

Two reasons. It’s the most effective way to handle the issue, and it can give your plumber the chance to recognize more serious problems brewing. We aren’t saying that you’re not allowed to try and plunge your toilet or anything. That’s totally within reason. However, if you can clear a clog with that simple procedure, you should really stop and think before dumping a bunch of harsh chemicals down the drain—or trying to snake out the drain yourself.

Those harsh chemicals are not easy on the environment or on your plumbing system. And they will most likely just clear enough of the clog to allow the cleanser to pass through. That leaves enough behind that the problem will probably pop back up before long, anyway. And if you try and snake the drain out yourself, you may well just force that snake through the clog. Again, that may give the illusion of having solved the problem, but it’s only a matter of time before you’re dealing with it again.

Let Us Clean Your Drains the Right Way

Our professional plumbers have the tools and training that they need to get your drains cleaned out properly. That way, you won’t have to worry about what’s left behind or how much time you’re buying yourself. Yes, it’s a professional service that comes with a charge, but you’ll be saving money in the long run thanks to the lasting results that a professional provides.

Schedule your plumbing services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Drain Cleaning Loveland CO

If there were a way in which you could completely avoid clogged drains in the future, trust us: we’d share it with you. Sure, it would cut into our service calls, but we would never withhold that kind of information just to keep some revenue coming in! Unfortunately, your drains are going to get clogged up from time to time. It’s not about eliminating drain clogs, but about limiting them as much as possible.

How do you do that? Prevention. While there are  situations in which drain clogs cannot be avoided, more often than not they are the result of user error. Oversights happen, but being more careful to do what you can to avoid clogs is really the best way to keep them to a minimum.

So keep the following in mind and, when your drains do stop flowing, remember to schedule your drain cleaning in Loveland, CO with our team. 

Put Drain Covers In—And Clean Them!

First things first—cover your drains. No, not with plugs that won’t let water pass through. With straining covers that will only let water pass through! That will keep hair in the bathtub from making its way down the drain and food scraps from going down the kitchen sink drain. Then, there is the matter of cleaning your drain covers regularly.

If you let the cover clog up, some of those trapped materials are likely to be forced through or around the covers. Plus, you’ll have your tub or sinks back up on you. Then, when you remove the submerged trap, some materials in the water are going to make it down the drain. Don’t let things get so clogged that your drains become vulnerable!

Do Not Flush Anything Other Than Toilet Paper

Well, and bodily waste, but that should go without saying. Yes, some baby wipes are going to claim to be “flushable.” We’re very familiar with such products. We often remove clogs that developed because of these “flushable” wipes! Waste and toilet paper, seriously. That’s it.

This applies to your company, too. Look, no one wants to stick their nose in other people’s business. Just remember that your plumbing system is your business. Let guests know, especially if they have kids, that nothing other than toilet paper should be flushed. And make it easy for them by having a trash bin right there in the bathroom!

Scrape Those Plates, Drain Those Pans

Cooking is a fun family activity. Sometimes it is a less fun necessity. Whatever the situation, remember that cleaning those dishes after cooking can make or break the plumbing system. Do not let food scraps go down your drain, unless you have a garbage disposal and you are disposing of appropriate types of food scraps.

Even trickier is the role grease plays in clogging drains. Yes, we know, it’s a liquid that easily pours down the drain when it’s hot. When it cools down, though, grease will congeal and trap other scraps in the drain, leading to serious clogs. Drain off fat and grease into empty cans, freeze it, and throw it out to avoid clogs in the drains.

Schedule your drain cleaning services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Your Sewer Line

There are two main plumbing lines connected to your home: your main water line and your sewer line. Both are equally as important, though we often think less about our sewer lines. This is because problems often go unnoticed until disaster strikes, and the common signs can be quite subtle. However, it’s important to be aware of the signs we’ve provided for you in this blog. We’re all too aware of what the damage can be when issues with your sewer line are left unattended. That’s why it is best to schedule regular maintenance to avoid costly repair bills. If you are looking for a plumber in Loveland, CO, look no further than Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

Your sewer line is the plumbing line responsible for channeling out all the waste from your home. Without this vital plumbing line, things would be quite stinky! It is important to remember that even though the sewer line is connected to a city sewer system, the homeowner is responsible for their own line. So, if your main sewer line becomes clogged, it is up to you to contact a professional to locate the source of the clog and resolve it! Below we have provided a list of warning signs that suggest your sewer line is in trouble.

Puddles in Your Yard

When there is a leak in your main sewer line, you might notice puddles in your yard. It is easy to shrug this off as a symptom of something else, so check to see that it isn’t coming from another source, like your garden hose or a sprinkler. If neither of those things are the cause, call a plumber.

Excess Greenery

If you begin to see more greenery spurt up in your lawn, it might be due to a leak in the sewer line. The leakage acts as a fertilizer, making vegetation grow more rapidly. Often, you will notice that the vegetation appears to be healthier and greener.

Foul Odors

Let’s face it, a clogged sewer line is going to emit some funky odors. If you notice any unpleasant smells coming from your drains or in your basement, it is time to contact a plumber. Trust us, you would not want to wait until the sewer line backs up into your home.

Slow Drains

If the water in your sinks, bathtub, or shower doesn’t drain as fast as it used to, it might be due to a clogged sewer line. If you notice multiple drains appear clogged, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a professional.

Mold and Mildew

A leak in the sewer line creates an excess amount of moisture, which can lead to mold. If you see a sudden growth of mold, or smell mildew, there might be trouble with the sewer line.

The best way to avoid a damaged sewer line is to schedule regular maintenance and inspection. A plumber can check for minor problems that could eventually grow into a major one. However, if a problem does arise, Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help. We offer a variety of plumbing services including installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning today!

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