Dallas Plumbing Services: February 2017

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

4 Winter Plumbing Problems Dallas Doesn’t Have

Remember to pack close-toed shoes and a jacket if you head up north to visit family and friends this year. You can also be comforted in your travels this year knowing your Dallas pipes will still be running when you come home.

The holiday season usually means cold weather and a risk of freezing pipes, but in Dallas temperatures below 50 degrees are extremely rare. Lucky Dallasians have the advantage of watching most of the country freeze under a blanket of snow and ice from the comfort of their warm and sunny homes.

That doesn’t mean that Dallas gets to avoid plumbing problems all together, but here are 4 winter plumbing issues that Dallas doesn’t have to worry about.

Handy Plumbing Tips and Tricks

Use pipe insulation to prevent sprayer snarls - If you have to jiggle the hose as you pull out your kitchen sink sprayer, chances are the hose is catching on the shutoff valves. For smooth operation, slip 1/2-in. foam pipe insulation over the pipes and shutoff handles. Tape it if it won't stay put. Get the insulation at home centers for about $3.
Wrap pipes in adhesive-backed felt - Running hot water can cause copper pipes to expand and grind against pipe hangers and joists. So pick up some adhesive-backed felt at the hardware store and cut it into strips. Then remove each hanger and wrap the pipe before refastening the hanger.
Deaden sounds with expanding foam - Fill the space between two stainless steel sink basins with expanding foam. The foam deadens vibrations and lessens the gong effect. It's possible to do this with the sink in place but much neater and easier before installation. Either way, let the foam harden and then trim away the excess with a knife.
Use a shop vacuum to remove hard objects - When a hard object like a toothbrush, comb or toy plugs a toilet or drain, a plunger may not be the solution—it might only push the obstruction in deeper. Instead, suck out the water and the obstruction with a wet/dry shop vacuum.
Use a strong magnet to find hidden pipes - When trying to locate a pipe under the floor, attach a rare earth (neodymium) magnet to an electrical fish tape and feed it into drain lines through the cleanout plug. Locate the magnet (and the pipe) under the floor using an ordinary compass, which will turn wildly when it finds the strong magnet
Use a bucket of water to flush the toilet - You don't have to run to the neighbor's bathroom during a plumbing project. Before you turn off the water supply, fill 2- gallon buckets with water. Flush the toilet by dumping the water in the bowl. You'll get one flush per bucket. Works just as well as the usual method, although it won't refill the bowl.