Plumbing tips aren’t hard to come by, but plumbing tips from the experts are. Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing has dedicated the space below to answering your questions with knowledge that comes from years of experience.

WEEKLY TIP: Clogged Shower Drains

Nothing stops a command performance of singing in the shower faster than a clogged drain. But the following tips from Mr. Rooter Plumbing could be music to your ears when it comes to tackling the problem. Most shower clogs can be corrected easily with a minimum of hassle and mess. All you need are a few simple tools and a little common sense. Hair is usually the culprit when a shower fails to drain properly. In fact, checking the strainer cover that fits over the drain in your shower enclosure may be all it takes to solve the problem. If the perforations are stopped up, clean them out and test the flow of water. If the perforations in the strainer cover are not blocked, don’t panic. All you have to do is follow a few simple steps to remove the clog.

First, determine how the strainer cover is attached. Some covers simply snap into place and can be removed from the drain by lifting them with a screwdriver. Other covers are held in place by a couple of screws, which can be easily removed. Once the strainer cover is removed, shine a flashlight into the drain and visually check for a clog. You should see water a few inches below in the drain, but if you spot an obstruction, use a piece of stiff wire – a metal coat hanger crimped to make a hook on the end works fine – to clear the pipe. Gently snag the clog with the wire, being careful not to push the obstruction deeper into the drain. If you do not see a hair clog blocking the pipe, try using a plunger to clear the drain. Commonly known as the “plumber’s friend,” a plunger works best when there is a firm seal around the drain opening. It might help to coat the rim of the rubber force cup with petroleum jelly.

Next, pour enough water into the shower enclosure to cover the lip of the rubber cup on the plunger, and make sure the cup is securely fitted over the drain opening. Then, move the handle of the plunger up and down rapidly. If the plunger fails to force the clog free, the next step is to try a hand snake. This device features a flexible coil of spring steel with a crank at one end for rotating it. Carefully feed the metal cable into the drain pipe until you hit the obstruction. When you feel the cable stop, crank the handle clockwise. The tip of the metal cable will snag the clog as it turns. Keep up the cranking motion as you slowly pull the cable out of the drain line and the clog should pull free.

If all of these steps fail to clear the drain, call a professional plumber, like Mr. Rooter. Drain cleaners can be poured into drains to remove clogs, but these cleaners contain caustic chemicals and should be used only as directed by the manufacturer. Drains should always be flushed thoroughly after a chemical application. Never use a plunger immediately after pouring a chemical into the drain. And remember, if you choose to use a chemical drain cleaner and then summon a plumber, tell him immediately so he can take the proper precautions.

Plumbing tips aren’t hard to come by, but plumbing tips from the experts are. Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing has dedicated the space below to answering your questions with knowledge that comes from years of experience.

WEEKLY TIP: Bathroom Contractors, Design Options, and Planning

If you are using bathroom contractors to remodel your bathroom, you’ll need to give them some information to help design and plan your new bathroom plumbing needs. If you already have bathroom design ideas, give them to the contractor in advance, and be sure to include the following information:

· Counter top materials – do you prefer stone, a solid surface, or a laminate?

· Electric outlets and fixtures – do you want to add or move something?

· Sink, toilet, and tub – do you want a larger size, a different configuration, or a new location?

· What type of cabinets do you want?

· Do you want new flooring?

If you aren’t sure on any of these bathroom remodeling ideas, check with the sales rep to look through a catalog or see samples of your options. You can look over a wide range of fixtures, toilet diagrams, and bathroom design ideas before committing. Always get multiple estimates on your final design with alternative materials and configurations to see how adding or changing fixtures or materials affect the bottom line.

For more information, visit the Mr. Rooter website www.mrrooter.com.

To post your plumbing question visit HomeRenovationGuide.com or comment below.

Plumbing tips aren’t hard to come by, but plumbing tips from the experts are. Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing has dedicated the space below to answering your questions with knowledge that comes from years of experience. 

Weekly TIP: Bath Sink Options

If you are planning to replace or improve your bathroom plumbing, you have a wide range of options when it comes to bath sinks. A wall-mounted sink is an excellent alternative for modern bathrooms, but if you are after a more traditional look, try a pedestal sink. Regardless of the style and mounting, make sure you have enough elbow room for comfortable sink use. Install your new sink at least a foot away from the closest wall or the toilet to avoid banging your elbows when washing or brushing.

Your bathroom sink construction options include porcelain, marble, and vitreous china. When using china or porcelain, beware of dropping items onto these surfaces as they tend to chip. Metal and fiberglass surfaces are also easily chipped or scratched in the right circumstances. Busy bathroom sinks used by children and teenagers are often better off with durable surfaces, such as enameled iron or steel.

For more information, visit the Mr. Rooter website www.mrrooter.com.

To post your plumbing question visit HomeRenovationGuide.com or comment below.

Plumbing tips aren’t hard to come by, but plumbing tips from the experts are. Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing has dedicated the space below to answering your questions with knowledge that comes from years of experience.

WEEKLY TIP: Bath Sinks and Faucets 101: Replacing Faucets Only
If you want a luxury bathroom design but don’t want to do a compete remodel; there are ways to create the perfect modern bathroom or use traditional bathroom design ideas to upgrade one piece at a time. Sometimes you can change the look of a bath sink simply by replacing the faucets, but keeping the sink itself. Sinks and faucets should be matched carefully since they come in a variety of hole drillings and basins. There’s no such thing as a universal fit. There are four basic types of faucets and their respective drillings:

· Wall-mounted – with a long spout to reach from the wall to the basin plus one or two handles

· Single lever – has a spout and a single handle to mix hot and cold

· Widespread – with a spout and two handles, all mounted as individual pieces

· Center set – a spout and two handles mounted in a center plate

Use the configuration of your original faucet as a guide to buying a replacement; bring the original with you when shopping for the replacement to compare if you aren’t sure. When removing the old faucet, be sure to turn off the water and remove the water supply connection from the faucet before dismantling it.

For more information, visit the Mr. Rooter website www.mrrooter.com.

To post your plumbing question visit HomeRenovationGuide.com or comment below.