Have A Fear Of What’s Below Your Sink?

A lot of the time, finding your plumbing problems may not be entirely obvious, but with a bit of sleuthing you may be able to find the source of it yourself. Although you may think a ghost or ghoul is playing tricks on you, there is a good chance that foul odors around your home are due to one of these things:

– Drainage full of bacteria

– Clogged or broken garbage disposals

– Mold under the sink

Mold

We’ll start off by looking for one of the most prevalent causes, and one that can affect the health of everyone, including pets, in your home. Check around your kitchen and bathroom sinks for any signs of water leaks. This may include chipping paint, distorted coloring on your walls, or worse even is finding moisture trapped.

If you aren’t finding mold by your sinks, there is still one more place to check; your overhead space, such as an attic or storage space. If you find wet spots, dripping pipes, or plant and mold growth, you will need to get repairs made right away to prevent further damages in your home.

Broke Disposals & Bacteria

Another leading cause in a smelly home comes down to the one object that has the most food processed around it every day; your garbage disposal. Over time and lots of use, food particles and grease can build up inside the pipes and even around the blades of the disposal, which will not only affect how effective the blades work, but also cause some nasty smells to come through. We recommend you first plug your sink, fill it with hot water or a cleaning solution, and then draining it down while running the disposal. If you find this hasn’t helped, you can also try to sprinkle salt and crushed ice instead; the ice will break and move around to help clear any obstructions by the teeth.

Bacteria buildup makes for an awful space, especially when you consider that your food preparation is all done nearby. Nothing worse than losing your appetite to dinner because of particles that weren’t properly cleaned. Run some lemon or orange peels through the disposal once you finish your cleaning to help give a natural, citrus scent and remove the invasive smells!

It may be time for you to bring in the professionals if these DIY tips don’t help. Sometimes the problem is bigger and needs trained technicians to take care of it, which is why Reddi Services is prepared 24/7 to come and help take care of the monster in your drains! Save time and get your home back to how you remember it, and let’s eliminate the source of bad odors from your home altogether.

Reddi Services covers what many home warranty companies don’t, giving you peace of mind and knowing your home and appliances are being well-kept. Call today to learn more and secure you home with our RPM Program!

DIY Plumbing: Leaks, Clogs, And Other Plumbing Issues You Can Fix at Home

While some plumbing jobs are too big to handle on your own, there are plenty of everyday situations that could pop up that you should be ready for. Read ahead for some DIY tips from Reddi Service’s to clear clogs, fix leaks, and solve other common problems!

Tackling A Draining Dishwasher

A common household problem almost all owners will face is the sight of standing water at the bottom of a dishwasher. You may be able to clear the drain on your own before getting a service professional to help you, as daunting as it may first seem. If you’re having issues with draining your dishwasher, give these tips a try.

• Run the garbage disposal. If the disposal is full, or if there is a gap with the connecting hose, water will be blocked from draining correctly.
• Check the drain at the bottom of your dishwasher for any internal obstructions. Be on the lookout for dishware or utensils that may have slipped or for food buildup.
• Not all dishwashers are created equal. Make sure you understand the proper operating instructions for your dishwasher.
• Begin to regularly check your dishwasher filter to see if it is clogged. Most dishwashers have a filter located on the bottom of the inside of the dishwasher, although if you have difficulty finding it you should refer to your user manual.
• Check the drain hose connected to the garbage disposal as a faulty hose can cause a broken seal. Be sure to adjust any bends and poke a hanger through to check for any clogs that may be inside.
• Check the drain valve on the valve bracket. This piece should be located at the bottom of the dishwasher and should be able to move freely.
• If you start your dishwasher and hear clicking or humming noises that are irregular, there is a good chance the drain pump and motor need to be replaced.
• To drain still water from the bottom, grab a ladle or measuring cup and move water to a bowl or into the sink. To avoid large spills, place towels on the floor and use paper towels to clean up any remaining water.

While clogs are inevitable, there are steps you can take to prevent them from happening. If you use a garbage disposal, be sure to only feed small amounts through at a time, so you do not risk overloading it. Grease, oil, and coffee grounds should never be run down a disposal, and should be disposed of properly. Once your sink is cleared, you can routinely pour in equal parts vinegar and baking soda for a few minutes before draining with hot water. This will help keep buildup minimized and also work to keep foul odors trapped. If you have found that these tips have not brought any solutions, then it may be time to call for help – Reddi Services is here and ready to come to you today!

DIY Plumbing: Leaks, Clogs, And Other Plumbing Issues You Can Fix at Home

While some plumbing jobs are too big to handle on your own, there are plenty of everyday situations that you should be ready for. Read ahead for some of our DIY tips to clear clogs, fix leaks, and solve other common problems in your kitchen sink.

Unclogging A Kitchen Sink

Clogged sinks often happen at the worst of times – with guests over, or large piles of dishes on the side, it may be your first thought to call for plumbing services. Before placing a call, we recommend these few home remedies to get your sink flowing as usual.

• Boil a pot or pitcher of water while you drain your sink of any still water. Pour the boiling water into the sink and give it a few minutes to start draining. If you have no success the first time, you may need to be patient and give it a few more attempts. You can also add a half cup of salt in the drain before pouring any more water.
• Check your garbage disposal for any clogs. If your disposal is overheated, you may need to flip the switch.
• Remove any standing water and pour in one cup of baking soda followed by the same amount of white or apple cider vinegar. The solution should bubble and die down, at which point you need to cover with a stopper and wait for 20 minutes. Run hot water afterwards and see if the clog has cleared.
• If you have no vinegar, you can mix a cup of baking soda with a half cup of salt and allow it to sit in the sink for a few hours. Pour in boiling water to see if the clog has cleared.
• Use a plunger. If you have a double sink, be sure to cover one side. You will need a tight seal around the plunger, so be sure to leave some water in the sink you plan to unclog. Plunge for a few minutes and listen for a suction noise indicating a cleared clog.
• Check the P-trap, often located at the curve of your drainpipe under the sink. You can unfasten the pipe and attempt to clear any clogs inside. Reconnect and run water through to test it again.
• You can attempt to use a plumber’s snake. This tool is inserted inside the stubout behind your cabinet wall, and will require you to disconnect the drain pipe and P-trap. Insert the snake until you feel resistance, and try to dislodge whatever is stuck. If you do not own a plumber’s snake, a home solution is to use a wire hanger wrapped in a cloth. The downside to using a hanger is the short length you will be limited to, although in some cases it may be enough to clear any clogs.

Prevention Tips

While clogs are inevitable, there are steps you can take to prevent them from happening frequently. If you use a garbage disposal, be sure to only feed in small amounts of appropriate scraps at a time, so you do not risk overloading it. Grease, oil, and coffee grounds should never be run down a disposal, and should be disposed of properly. Once your sink is cleared, you can routinely pour in equal parts vinegar and baking soda for a few minutes before draining with hot water. This will help keep buildup minimized and also work to keep foul odors trapped. If you’ve found that nothing has helped your clogged sink, Reddi Services is here to help – give us a call and we’ll clear it out right away!