In 2016 alone, Americans spent over $ 250 million on drain cleaner agents.

Clogged drains are the most common plumbing issue. Whether it’s a blockage on your main pipe or at the kitchen sink, chances are, you have encountered a clogged drain at some point.

When facing a clog, you will notice changes in how water drains which may be combined with foul smells. If the problem is left unattended, major damage might result which might be expensive to fix.

In this article, we will look at some easy plumbing maintenance techniques to prevent your drain from clogging.

Collect Waste at the Sink

Any solid particles that get into your pipes can cause trouble later on even if they appear to be tiny and harmless.

As they build up, the flow of water within the pipes will slow down making it easier for more particles to get caught at the clogged section.

When dirty dishes are piled on the sink for cleaning, ensure that you collect all food remnants. Have a container in place to store such waste. You should do this even if you have a food disposer.

In addition, make sure that all the grease is wiped from the utensils before washing. Grease is actually one of the leading causes of clogged sinks. When it is warm, it will flow well into the pipes.

However, as it starts to cool, it will begin solidifying and form a clog. It will then start blocking the flow of water and trap other materials.

Have a jar in place to collect the grease before throwing it into the trash.

Bacteria for Plumbing Maintenance

There are many chemicals available in the market that can unclog drains. However, they also come with their own problems.

Top on the list is that they corrode pipes. The more you use them, the greater the corrosion which in turn reduces the lifespan of your pipes.

 When clogs occur, the causing agent most of the time is organic matter. Fortunately, there are noncorrosive bacterial drain cleaners that will not damage your pipes. You can get it in liquid or in granular form.

All you have to do is flush it through the drain and it will consume the organic matter.

These bacterial drain cleaners will also not affect the bacteria in your septic tank. To ensure they work well, use the bacterial cleaners when the drains will not be in use.

Use a Lint Catcher on your Washing Machine Hose

Little pieces of fabric, facial tissue, lint, and sometimes a sock can get through your washing machines drain hose and cause a blockage.

To prevent such clogs, put lint trap at the end of the drain hose. Such mesh lint traps are available at hardware stores and home centers. Try holding it in place using a zip tie.

You should check your trap regularly and replace it when it is full. Alternatively, you can also use an old nylon stocking.

Catch Hair and Debris Before It Reaches down the Drain

It is often the things you suspect least that will cause your drain to clog. Little bits of hair and even foam from soap can instigate a clog.

Rather than finding ways to unclog the drain, you are better of preventing such elements from getting into your drains in the first place.

You can do this using a mesh screen that is placed above your sink stopper or replace your stopper altogether with one that has an inbuilt screen.

With the latter, water flow may be obscured as particles caught increase. Therefore, you will have to remove it regularly so that you can clear it.

Do Not over Estimate Your Toilet’s Capacity

Do not let the thunderous flow of your toilet fool you into thinking it is invincible. At times people flush down personal effects. They may make it past the toilet drain, but they probably won’t make it to the sewer.

As more and more of these materials get caught up within the pipes, they may cause major plumbing problems.

Since these materials do not decompose quickly, they also add an extra burden to water treatment facilities.

To protect the environment and yourself from serious clogs, avoid using the toilet as a waste disposal pit.

If your toilet shows signs of clogging, call up a professional plumbing service immediately.

Run Hot Water Through the Sink After Each Use

Even if you wipe and collect the grease off your utensils, it may not be possible to get it all out. The buildup of such oils under the sink will slow down water drainage and lead to clogs.

Once you are done doing the dishes, pour hot water down the drain. This will keep the greases and oils in food products flowing further into the drain.

Throw Baking Soda into the Drain

Do this if you need to get rid of foul odors from your sink. Baking soda is also quite effective in clearing clogs. However, for the best results, wash it down with hot water.

Pour a Glass of Vinegar into the Drain

Vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent. The acetic acid content in it makes it a great organic solvent.

Once you have poured it down the drain, wait for half an hour then wash it down with very hot water. This method will remove all the buildup of organic matter in your pipes.

If you have been having regular clogs, try using a mixture of baking soda, salt, and vinegar. Use this method overnight in order to get the best results. Chase the mixture down with hot water early in the morning.

Do Not Wait for Your Main Drain to Block

The key to preventing your main drain from blocking is proper maintenance of the interior network. Avoid letting any inappropriate substances down the drain and clear minor clogs regularly.

However, if you have had consistent clogs, it may be time for professional plumbing maintenance.

KP Plumbing is a leading plumber in Walnut, CA. We have a team of competent staff and utilize the latest leak detecting technology to nip problems in the bud. Check out our services to see how we can be of help to you.

Water damage is, of course, no laughing matter.

Just check out these statistics:

• The second most commonly filed insurance claim in the US is water damage.
• A 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can cause 250 gallons of water to be released.
• 40% of all homeowners have experienced loss of property from water damage.  

Clearly, water-related issues in the house have major repercussions.

One common source of water damage is getting a leak somewhere in the wall. This can create serious problems if left untreated for long enough. For instance, even small leaks can lead to flooding, electrical issues, mold, and structural damage.

It’s in your absolute interest to get a leak sorted as quickly as possible! But how do you do it?

Keep reading to learn exactly what to do if there’s a water leak in the wall in Diamond Bar, CA.

5 Signs of a Water Leak

The first step to stopping a leak is knowing it’s there in the first place.

Major leaks will become obvious quite quickly. But smaller ones can go undetected for considerable lengths of time. The damage can be done before you realize it’s even there.

Here are some leak identification tips to find the leak before it becomes a serious problem.

1. Dampness and Puddles

One clear sign of a leak is the sudden appearance of dampness.

You might smell the damp before you see it. There may be a mustiness to the air that can indicate water in the building materials. Likewise, depending on the colors of your walls, you may need to touch the area to discover the wetness there.

Whether you spot damp on the floor, wall or ceiling, you need to act immediately. Don’t wait and hope it gets better! There’s almost certainly a water problem that needs fixing.

Likewise, standing puddles are further evidence of a leak to address.

2. Discolored Areas

You know your house better than anyone.

Keep an eye out for any discoloration of the surface areas in your home. Pay particular attention to areas you know there’s piping around. Think kitchen and bathroom sinks, showers and bathtubs.

Discolored areas are often another clear indicator of a leak. That’s especially true if you notice the area getting larger over time. Any evidence of staining should be taken seriously.

3. Wallpaper Changes

Do you have wallpaper decorating your walls?

It’s normal for it to start peeling over time. However, be wary if it starts happening unexpectedly. Any moisture that gets trapped in the wall will make the paper begin to peel. If the wallpaper seams start separating, or paint starts flaking, then you may have a water problem.

4. Warps and Buckles

Your walls, floors, and ceilings were all made straight.

That’s to say, it’s unlikely that any warps, bends, and buckles would be evident after construction. As a result, it’s a bad sign if they start to appear!

Indeed, leaks have a habit of warping walls and buckling floors and ceilings. Water collects in a certain place, materials absorb it, and the forces of nature alter them accordingly.

Spot anything like this start to happen? Take immediate steps to resolve the problem. You’ve probably got a leak.

5. Strange Sounds in the Walls

A final sign of a leak is fairly clear cut:

You hear sounds of running or dripping water where there once was none. Be sure to keep an ear out. If there are no faucets turned on anywhere, but the noises persist, then you probably have yourself a problem!

The sounds may be more subtle though. Think hisses and high pitched noises. These can also indicate slight cracks in pipes that are releasing water.

How to Solve a Water Leak in the Wall

Now you know how to identify a leak, let’s turn to how to stop it. Here are some essential steps to take if you find a leak in your home in Diamond Bar, CA.

1. Pinpoint the Leak

Let’s imagine you now know there’s a leak.

The next step is to identify its exact location. This is often easier said than done! However, a moisture detector can make your life easier. You place this device against the area to detect the level of moisture there.

With multiple readings, you can pinpoint the area with the highest water content. Oftentimes the leak itself will be just above this area as the water drips/flows downwards.

2. Get Access to the Pipes

The next step can feel somewhat drastic if you’ve never done this before.

But to fix a leak you need to get access to the pipe itself. With the location identified, use a drywall saw to create a hole. Keep it small to begin and use a torch to look inside. Check for moisture on the pipe.

You may need to repeat this process multiple times to find the exact source of the leak. Once you have, make the hole larger to provide easier pipe access.

3. Seal the Pipe

The next step is to stop the leak itself by fixing the pipe.

Start by turning off the water to the house. Next, the right approach will depend on the type of pipe.

You might have a plastic, copper or iron pipe behind the wall. The basic process involves cutting out the damaged part of the pipe and replacing it with a new bit of the same material (using glue, pressure fittings or clamps). But the exact process varies.

However, to do the job correctly we’d always recommend to…

4. Call a Professional

The best way to effectively solve a leak is to hire a professional plumber.

They have the right tools and know-how for the job.

Likewise, they can help you identify the leak in the first place. It’s often hard to be sure when there’s a problem. Speak with a trained plumber will guarantee peace of mind. They’ll come and inspect your home to see if there’s a problem. If there is, then they can take steps to stop it then and there.

Time to Wrap Up

There you have it: exactly what to do if there’s a water leak in the wall of your Diamond Bar, CA house.

Water damage can have severe negative effects on any house. It’s in every homeowner’s interest to find and stop any leak before it causes major problems. Water leaks in the wall are all too common.

Hopefully, the post has highlighted the key steps in identifying and resolving the issue.

Remember, calling an expert plumber is always your best option. Looking for help detecting a wall leak and/or stopping one ASAP? Check out our services now and give us a call for swift, professional support.