My Drain Company Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Northridge’

The Best Way to Treat Drain Clogs

Friday, July 18th, 2014

The title of this post is a bit misleading, since there is no single “best” way to treat a clog that has blocked up a sink, shower, tub, or other drain. There is a “worst” way, as we’ll explain. However, the “best” way will depend on the kind of clog you have. If you leave this job to experienced, professional plumbers, they will discover the best way to handle the specific clog, and will have your drain cleaned out quickly and without damage to the plumbing.

For any drain clogs you have afflicting your plumbing, call up the drain experts at My Drain Company. Our experienced plumbers will bring a variety of the best tools to clear out your drain, no matter what has blocked it up.

The Worst Way to Treat Drain Clogs

The one way you do not want to treat drain clogs—and a way that professional plumbers will never use either—is with chemical drain cleaners. Found in plastic bottles on the shelves of grocery and convenience stores, these acidic chemicals are too harsh to use on drainpipes. They may eat through blockages (although they are ineffective against many types of clogs), but the caustic action can cause damage to the pipe interior. They also leave toxic residue and dangerous fumes behind. Avoid using them at all costs.

Some of the Best Ways Professional Plumbers Will Treat Clogs

  • Video pipe inspection equipment: This won’t eliminate a clog, but it is the best way to find out what method will. Using miniaturized cameras mounted on the end on long fiber-optic cables, plumbers can observe the interior of your plumbing on a video monitor and learn exactly where blockages are located and what they consist of. This allows them to determine the speediest and most effective way of clearing the clog.
  • Drain augers: Also known by the more evocative name drain snakes, motorized drain augers are one of the essential tools of any professional plumber. These coils of metal can reach down far into drains and drill into clogs like corkscrews, then pull out the clog or break it up to clear out the pipe. Manual augers are available in many stores, but you should only entrust the work to a plumber who uses a motorized drain auger.
  • Hydro-jetting: This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive ways of clearing out drain clogs and cleaning the inside of plumbing in general. Hydro-jetters are devices that put water under high pressure and then blast it out at scalding temperatures through a line inserted down into the pipes. The scouring action of the pressurized water stream can blast through almost any clog and remove build-up from the interior of the drainpipe to help prevent more clogs in the future.

The Northridge plumbing team at My Drain Company is ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you with clogged and slow drains. We will find the true “best” way to clean your drainpipe and keep the clogs away.

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When You Should Consider Whole-House Repiping

Tuesday, June 24th, 2014

All plumbing will need repairs at some point or another; the amount of work that the pipes in a home do on a daily basis means enough wear and tear to eventually cause leaks and clogs. In some cases, repiping is the best solution to these troubles. Plumber will remove the old pipes and replace them with newer material such as copper or one of the different kinds of plastic pipes (PEX, CPVC, etc.).

But there are times when a more drastic solution is necessary for a home’s plumbing: whole-house repiping. This may sound like an extreme measure, but for older homes it is often the best and most cost-effective way to solve numerous plumbing issues. If you hire an experienced company in Northridge, CA for plumbing work of this magnitude, the job should go fast and with little disruption to your life.

My Drain Company handles whole-house repiping. We can help you decide if repiping is the best solution, and if it is, we will take on the job and provide you with the best service possible.

When whole-house repiping becomes an option

  • You have a house with galvanized steel piping: For many decades, even through the 1960s, the main material used for home plumbing was galvanized steel, which was known for its durability. Unfortunately, what the installers at the time didn’t realize about galvanized steel was its eventual susceptibility to corrosion that would weaken it to the point of extensive leaking and eventual breaks. Copper has long superseded steel for this reason, and if you have a pre-1970s home, you should check to see if you have galvanized steel plumbing. If you do, or if you are encountering numerous corrosion leaks in an older home, it’s time for full repiping services.
  • Constant repair issues: Whether you have older steel pipes or poorly installed copper and plastic ones, experiencing continual plumbing repair issues is a good indicator that the material is simply not up to the task. These repairs don’t need to be just leaks; continually clogging is also a sign of deteriorating pipes that are keeping water from efficiently flowing. High water pressure is another sign of poor quality or deteriorating pipes.
  • Rusting: This is an issue that can strike galvanized steel pipes, but isn’t restricted to them. Copper pipes are rust-resistant, but not rust-proof, and the flux that seals the join pipes is susceptible to rusting. When rust starts to become a frequent issue, it usually means that you should replace all the piping in a home (usually with truly rust-free PEX plastic pipes).

You can rely on skilled Northridge, CA plumbing services to select the best material for repiping so that your home will have many decades of pipes capable of handling the stress you and your family will put on them. Contact My Drain Company today to schedule an appointment to look into the possibility of whole-house repiping.

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3 Different Ways to Clean Your Drains

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Most people think of drain cleaning as a simple task easily accomplished with a store-bought cleanser. In point of fact, however, such simple solutions usually only defer the problem instead of properly solving it. If you live in Northridge, our plumbers are nearby who can perform drain cleaning services that properly correct the problem instead of just papering it over with a one-size-fits-all solution. Drain clogs are often very different, and food particles in your kitchen plumbing can differ a great deal from hard-water build up in your bathroom. The professional Northridge plumbers at My Drain Company can tailor the solution to fit the problem, using a wide variety of options.

Here are 3 different ways to clean your drains that plumbers often make use of:

  • Video cameras. Video cameras don’t strictly clear out the drain, but they can be used to get a better idea of what’s causing the cog. The plumber can send a tiny camera down the drain on a flexible line, then monitor what it sees through a video screen on the other end. It lets him or her determine exactly what you’re up against, then find the right tool for the job.
  • Drain snakes. Drain snakes are basically flexible wires with bristle heads on the end, and like cleansers, you can buy generic models in any store. But professional plumbers often use mechanized snakes with a lot more power behind them, as well as snakes with rotating heads that can match the exact nature of the clog. They’ll use that to break up the clog into small pieces, or flat-out pull it up in the case of smaller clogs.
  • Hydro jetting. Hydro jetting uses a fitted hose that shoots concentrated bursts of water down your pipes. The water’s extreme pressure levels scour the pipes clean – dealing with all the build-up, not just the specific clog – while leaving the pipes themselves untouched. Hydro jetting is very safe, but requires a plumber’s training to use properly.

Here at My Drain Company, we are familiar with the different ways to clean your drains and we know how to use them right. If you live in Northridge, our plumbers are just a phone call away. Contact us today to make an appointment!

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Common Causes of Plumbing Repairs in Northridge

Tuesday, April 29th, 2014

No matter how well we maintain our home’s plumbing, eventually we will encounter a problem that needs the services of a professional plumber. Leaks, clogs, loss of water flow, dripping faucets… you’ve probably encountered all of these at one time or another. But remember: a good plumber has encountered them numerous times, and will have no trouble fixing whatever ails your pipes, drains, water heater, or faucets.

My Drain Company has 15 years of working with all types of plumbing repairs in Northridge, CA. We’ve put together a list of three common causes for the repairs we often perform. If any of these afflicts your plumbing, contact us right away (any time of the day or night) and we’ll rush out to help you.

3 Common Culprits Behind Plumbing Repairs

  • Pipe corrosion: If you live in a house built before 1970, chances are high that the plumbing consists of galvanized steel pipes. This is strong and durable material, but it has fallen out of favor among plumbing installers because it eventually corrodes. Corroded pipes will spring leaks, break, and develop blockages. If you encounter numerous problems because of older pipes, you may wish to consider a whole-house repiping to replace the outdated pipes with copper or plastic ones.
  • Fat, oil, and grease: Collectively known as F.O.G., these hot liquids often go down kitchen drains where they create numerous troubles from clogs and high water pressure. Although F.O.G. in liquid form seems innocuous enough, it changes into a waxy solid when it dries. This will start to coat the inside of pipes and choke off the space for water. Clogs will become frequent, and water pressure will spike as the room in the pipes shrinks, leading to leaks. Regular drain cleaning will help get rid of F.O.G., and you should also avoid pouring these substances down your drains and instead put them in a trash receptacle.
  • Hard water: This describes water with a high level of mineral content, principally magnesium and calcites. Hard water comes from the municipal water supply, and it is rarely unhealthy to drink. However, it can damage your plumbing. Hard water leaves calcite deposits inside pipes which will contribute to higher water pressure and clogs. It will also damage appliances like your water heater and promote corrosion.

Call for Professional Plumbers in Northridge, CA

Homeowners often try to go the DIY route with plumbing repairs, but simply owning a set of wrenches doesn’t mean you can effectively solve most plumbing issues. You might make the problems worse and end up flooding a room in your house. Let professionals take care of all your plumbing repairs in Northridge, CA. Call My Drain Company the next time you have clogs, leaks, or any other plumbing hassles.

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Dangers of Poor Plumbing Installation

Thursday, April 24th, 2014

Cutting corners on almost any task can lead to poor outcomes. But for plumbing it can be especially disastrous. If you hire amateurs or an inexperienced plumbing contractor to handle your plumbing installation, you could end up with a horde of problems that will far overwhelm the meager upfront savings.

Let’s look at some of the big dangers of a bad plumbing installation. Make sure none of this happens to you: for your plumbing installation in Northridge, CA, use My Drain Company and our experienced team of professional plumbers.

Here is what’s at risk with poor and amateur plumbing installation

Almost anything could go wrong with plumbing because of inferior work. These are three of the issues that show up the most frequently.

  1. Constant leaking problems: This is the #1 most common problem you can encounter from a shoddy job installing in pipes. With inferior workmanship, incorrect gaskets, and poor quality material will come continual leaking at various connectors. Bad caulking or using cheap caulking on toilets and sinks will also lead to leaks. If the installers put in the incorrect pipe sizes, it will also lead to high pressure in the plumbing, and this will trigger leaks (as well as many additional troubles).
  2. Insufficient hot water: Here’s trouble that comes from poorly sizing the water heater, which is a difficult job that requires balancing a number of factors in a home: average water usage, time of usage, number of taps, number of people, etc. This is an easier fix for a professional to remedy, but it is expensive since the whole heater must be replaced, and often the pipes connecting to it as well.
  3. Clogging sinks: Piping in a home must create an easy flow for wastewater that collects at the sewer line out to the street. Poor plumbing management will interrupt this flow and make it easier for sinks, toilets, and various drains around the house to clog, and may lead to serious plumbing problems.

Start off your plumbing installation right: with skilled, experienced professionals handling the job. Your home’s plumbing is too vital a system for your health and comfort to risk with amateur work that may save a little at the front, but end up costing you enormously for many years afterwards.

For your plumbing installation in Northridge, CA, contact My Drain Company. We are a full-service plumbing, drain, sewer, and water heater company with over 15 years in the business. We are fully licensed and insured for your protection.

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Signs to Look for with Water Heater Repair

Monday, March 31st, 2014

Water heaters tend to be the silent heroes of the household: doing their jobs anonymously and in silence while tucked away in some forgotten corner. They’re designed to last for many years, but when problems arise, they tend to be large ones. Water heater repair in Northridge can handle most significant problems, but they can’t get to work until they know that something’s wrong. You can help if you understand the signs to look for with water heater repair, and check your unit regularly to see if you can spot them.

Did you now that My Drain Company handles water heater repair in Northridge? We’re absolutely dedicated to your complete satisfaction. Pick up the phone and call us today!

  • Strange noises. Noise can include humming, rumblings, strange gurgling noises or drips akin to leaks. The sources of the sounds can vary wildly. Gurgling noises, for instance, likely come from water moving through sediment built up in the bottom of the tank, while loud pops suggest problems with the heating components inside the tank itself.
  • Leaks. This one is a bit of a no brainer. If you spot puddles of water around the base of your heater, or along any of the lines leading to and from the tank, there’s a significant problem. A leaking tank usually means you have to replace the whole unit, though leaks around other components may only necessitating changing them out (or perhaps just adjusting their fittings). In any case, a trained technician can examine the heater and determine the best course of action.
  • The water. Water from your tap can provide some important clues on the state of your water heater. For instance, if it appears rusty or muddy, if it struggles to heat up, or if it has a strange metallic taste to it, that could indicate problems with your heater. (It could also stem from issues elsewhere in your plumbing, which is why a trained expert should be called in.)

Now that you know what signs to look for with water heater repair, you can respond by calling My Drain Company to get to the bottom of the problem.

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