One of the most basic systems in any home is its plumbing system. The whole system is designed around the principle that water flows from high ground to low ground. Water comes into the system under pressure to reach the top and then flows downhill and out through the drains. Understanding these basic principles helps you when you try to convey a problem to area plumbing contractors like those at Top Notch Tucson Plumbers.

Where Does the Water Come From?

Every home gets its water from one of two places; the municipal system or a well. Regardless of where the water comes from, one main line enters the home bringing water under pressure. The main line is underground to keep it from freezing or being otherwise damaged.

As the line enters the house, there is the main shutoff valve that stops the flow of water. It is used mainly when homeowners add new outlets to the line or when pipes burst and begin flooding the house. The force of the water allows it to fill all the pipes, whether in the basement or on the top floor.

It is stopped at each fixture by the handles. Appliances like washing machines and dishwashers will have an internal valve that is electronically opened and closed when it receives a signal from the control panel. Generally, each fixture will also have a shut-off valve. This is so the whole house is not interrupted when updating sinks or toilets.

Where Does It Go?

Once water is able to come into the house, there needs to be a way for it to leave. This is completed by the drainage system. All of the work in the drainage system is done by gravity.

Drains on sinks point straight down and gravity pulls the water down and out. These drains are usually shaped like the letter P; where a little water is trapped to prevent sewer gases from coming back up into the home.

A lot of clogged drains are caused by buildup in the P-trap. A cleanout plug on the trap allows so access to the trap, so it can be cleaned out. All of these drain lines come together in a sewer line that is sloped to keep it all moving along in the direction away from the home. Additionally, there are vent pipes extending up and out of the roof.

The vent pipes serve two purposes. First, they allow the gases that build up in all the drain lines and waste lines to escape without affecting the living areas. They also equal out the air pressure in the waste lines to keep the air moving backward due to the suction created by the water pressure.

Communication

The whole system can be a little intimidating when it’s not working. Worrying about a pipe bursting or the sewer backing up can be scary. Understanding the whole system before a catastrophe happens can go a long way. Being able to communicate the problem with plumbing contractors makes the diagnosis easy and saves a lot of money.

Are You Having Plumbing Problems?

If you’re experiencing plumbing problems at your home, call Top Notch Tucson Plumbers. Our plumbing contractors in Tucson have decades of combined experience and use the latest technology to find leaks, repair sewer lines, and remove the toughest clogs. No matter what type of plumbing repair or replacement service you need, count on our team 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It’s a moment that leaves you sick to your stomach. It’s that split second that you didn’t pay attention and now your wedding ring, heirloom necklace, or another piece of valuable jewelry is lost down the drain. What now? At Top Notch Tucson Plumbers, we receive calls from people all the time who have lost items down the drain and want to know if they’re recoverable. Sometimes they are, most times they’re not. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Here are some tips from your drain cleaning plumber.

Turn Off the Water Immediately

The second you realize you’ve lost the jewelry in the drain turn the water off. The longer the water stays on, the more likely it is that it will push the item farther into the plumbing system making it unrecoverable.

Take Apart the Piping Under the Sink

If you’ve turned the water off quickly, you may be able to find the item in the piping under the sink. It’s fairly easy to take the piping apart. With any luck the lost item will be there waiting to be recovered. When you put the piping back together, back sure it is tight to prevent leakage.

Use a Coat Hanger

Remember the game, Operation? If you have steady hands and little bit of patience, you can practice your “operating” skills by using a coat hanger to retrieve the item. This is really a game of luck, though. More likely than not you won’t be able to see what you’re doing and will have to rely on luck. You may also end up pushing the item farther into the pipe. Therefore, we recommend the following method.

Attach a Magnet to a String

If it’s metal jewelry, this can be way to retrieve it. Attach a strong magnet to a string and insert it down the drain. This method works well in toilets and floor drains that are wider. Take special care to make sure the magnet is attached securely to prevent it from coming loose and falling into the drain

Call a Drain Cleaning Plumber in Tucson

Although it may be hard for a drain cleaning plumber in Tucson to retrieve your jewelry, you can still give us a call. We can go over your options and provide you with solutions for preventing this from happening in the future.

We’re not going to argue that chemical cleaners can unclog a drain quickly and cheaply. What we will tell you is that every time you pour chemicals down your drain, you’re playing Russian roulette. Here is why Tucson plumbers never want you to use chemical drain cleaners.

You’ll Need Water Pipe Repair

The fact is that chemical drain cleaners are damaging to pipes. The acid in these products is what dissolves the clog, but it also eats away at your pipes. It won’t happen overnight, but the more you use chemicals, the more your putting your piping at risk of corrosion and leaks. When this happens, you may need extensive water pipe repair that can cost hundreds of dollars.

Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Toxic

The chemicals used in store-bought cleaners are a health hazard. When you use these products, you don’t realize that you’re releasing harmful toxins into the air that can cause health problems. Also, trace amounts of chemicals can be released into the water supply. Oh, and that empty bottle? Well, there are still traces of chemicals that coat the inside of the bottle. When you throw away that bottle, these chemicals are toxins that seep into landfills creating a negative environmental impact.

You Can Damage Your Sewer or Septic System

Sewer and septic systems rely on natural bacteria to help breakdown and neutralize water. When chemicals from drain cleaners make their way into these systems, the natural bacteria are destroyed and it makes sewer and septic systems less effective.

Consider Professional Drain Cleaning Service in Tucson

The best way to unclog a drain in Tucson that isn’t responding to natural methods is to call for professional drain cleaning service. At Top Notch Tucson Plumbers, we offer homeowners a number of drain cleaning methods that are budget-friendly, highly-effective, and available 24 hours a day. Give us a call at your earliest convenience to learn more!