Author: cityranked

Flushable Wipes Are Not So Flushable

Wet wipes are a mother’s best friend and make life much easier when clean-up time comes. They are essential when it comes to keeping our surfaces clean and safe from bacteria and viruses. Many wipes are advertised as “septic safe”, but in reality, flushable wipes are not so flushable and can cost you in plumbing repairs.

What Is Wrong With Flushable Wipes?

The first thing that you might ask is why you can flush toilet paper, but not wet wipes. The answer is that toilet paper is made from finely shredded cotton and is compostable in your septic tank. Wet wipes are often made of synthetic, plastic, or a combination of natural and plastic fibers. Since plastic does not compost, it will accumulate in your septic pipes and tank. Even those that say they are “septic safe” are not truly safe for your system and should never be put down the toilet.

What Problems Do Flushable Wipes Cause?

The problem with flushable wipes is that they get snagged as they travel down the pipes and can cause a clog. The clog can trap other materials and build up over time. This can cause the system to drain slowly or to back up into the house. If this happens, you will have to call a plumber to clear the pipes. Taking care of your pipes by not putting anything down the system that can cause a clogged drain will save you in repair bills and assure that your system works as it should.

Experiencing a Toilet Clog?

If you have a clogged drain, AAA Drain Cleaning in Portland can have your drains running freely again in no time. Our team is highly trained and can get the job done efficiently and professionally. We can do video inspections to locate the problem and take out the guesswork. We can clean out your main line or standard indoor drains. We offer competitive rates, so call us if your drains are running slowly.

Flushable Wipes

4 Tips To Stop Tree Roots From Penetrating Your Sewer or Main Line

tree roots plumbing by AAA Drain Cleaning Vancouver WA and Portland OR

Is your sewer system safe from tree roots?

For homes with trees either on or surrounding the property, tree root infestation on plumbing lines is a common and stressful problem. Tree roots have the tendency to penetrate plumbing lines, especially in older plumbing systems, causing significant and costly repairs. Fortunately, there are things you can do to stop tree roots from penetrating your sewer or main lines in the Gresham, OR and Portland, OR areas. Before tree roots cause serious damage, there are measures you can take to protect your home’s sewer and main lines. A comprehensive sewer video inspection is encouraged before attempting any of the suggestions listed below. Keep reading for a general overview of four tactics that are effective in stopping sewer line root intrusion.

Mechanical Auger: Cracks in your sewer or main line are common occurrences, and typically are fine as long as tree roots do not grow out of control and collapse the pipe. Often times, tree roots will enter the cracks and begin to grow. Clearing your sewer and main line with a mechanical auger at the first sign of tree roots is effective in protecting the integrity of the sewer line. This is not a solution, however it is a relatively inexpensive way to prevent substantial damage to your sewer or main line. Regular mechanical auger cleanings may be necessary to prevent substantial damage to your home’s plumbing system.
Chemical Removal: Another effective method in addressing sewer line root intrusion is using copper sulfate crystals to kill off tree roots before they can grow and expa
Hydro Jetter: This method of clearing tree roots tends to cost a bit more than the first two options, however is extremely effectively and is usually followed by a chemical treatment. A hydro jetter is a machine that uses high pressured water to eliminate tree roots and other debris to clear pipes.
Manually removing tree roots: When you have troublesome tree roots, sometimes digging them up is the only way to effectively resolve the problem. Especially when clearing the roots can actually cause the pipes to collapse as they have grown so large they are essentially a part of the plumbing. This method is expensive and time consuming, however is guaranteed to resolve your problem once and for all.

Questions or Concerns About Roots?

If you are faced with sewer line root intrusion, you have options. Contact AAA Drain Cleaning for more information on how you can resolve your main line root problems quickly, and affordably. We look forward to serving you.

Clogged Kitchen Sink Again…Really?

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No one wants to deal with a smelly, clogged kitchen sink drain. Kitchen drain clogs are a common and irritating part of day to day life, fortunately there are steps you can take for effective kitchen clogged sink prevention. Read on for clogged sink tips and clogged sink prevention methods for those in the Gresham, OR and Portland, OR areas.

How to Prevent a Clogged Kitchen Sink

Your kitchen’s drain encounters food particles, grease, fat and much more on a regular basis. The regular use of your kitchen’s drain is likely to result in a clogged sink if precautions are not taken to avoid an obstruction. Below are clogged kitchen sink tips and clogged sink prevention methods to help ensure the integrity and functional usage of your kitchen drain.

Often times, grease is a major culprit in clogged kitchen drains. Avoid pouring grease down your drain and instead dispose of it through your garbage receptacle.
Refrain from disposing of coffee grounds down your kitchen sink. Toss your coffee grounds into the garbage.
Cease the use of chemical drain cleaners, for any of the drains in your home. These harsh chemicals are known to eat away at pipes and can cause significant damage to your home’s plumbing system.
Utilize drain covers. Purchase a package of drain strainers and cover all of your drains. It is much easier to clean a drain cover than it is to clear a clogged drain.
Clean your kitchen drain weekly by pouring a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water down the drain and letting it sit for 30 minutes.
If your kitchen drain begins draining slowly, check the garbage disposal for a clog. Try running water and turning the garbage disposal on. If the garbage disposal emits a low humming noise, it is jammed. In this case, unplug the garbage disposal and turn the blades of the garbage disposal manually with a screwdriver.
If the garbage disposal does not appear to be clogged, then the clog is in the drain itself. To resolve the clog, fill your kitchen sink up ¼ full of water, put a cloth over the drain then use a plunger to slowly move the clog.
If the plunging technique fails, disassemble the trap under the sink and clear it out.
If the trap is already cleared, and your kitchen drain is still clogged, snake the drain with a plumber’s auger.

More Information about Clogged Kitchen Sinks

If none of the clogged kitchen sink drain prevention tips or clogged drain methods worked for you, it may be time to call in a professional. Small kitchen drain clogs should be easily cleared using the methods described above. Your inability to clear your kitchen drain clog could be an indication of a more severe issue that is best diagnosed by a professional.

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Rain Gutter Cleaning Tips & Maintenance

Rain gutters protect your home from water damage during heavy rainfall which happens year round in the Pacific Northwest. During heavy rainfall, water hits your roof and travels down your gutters and away from your home. The gutters on your home have an important job, and that means rain gutter maintenance is a must to ensure the structure of your home is not compromised by the rain in the Gresham and Portland, OR areas.

Rain Gutter Cleaning Tips

When it comes to rain gutter maintenance, making sure they are clean is on the top of the list. Gutters and downspouts cannot effectively collect and deliver water away from your home if they are cluttered and overburdened with leaves and yard debris. Furthermore, clogged gutters can lead to many problems including rotting gutters and water damage to the structure of the home.

When preparing to clear your gutters of leaves and debris taking precautions to ensure your safety is highly recommended. See below for rain gutter cleaning tips:

Wait for dry weather. Do not attempt to clean your gutters in the elements, especially icy or stormy weather.
Always use a solid and durable ladder on level ground. When using an extension ladder, take extra precautions. If you are comfortable working on the rooftop, you can do that as well.
Wear gloves, safety googles and non-slip shoes.
Have a collection receptacle near-by for the leaves and debris.
For two story homes, hire a professional.
Clean rain gutters twice a year. If your home is surrounded by trees, you may need to clean your rain gutters more often.

Cleaning Rain Gutters

There are a few different methods for cleaning rain gutters. Some will use a leaf blower to clear out clogged gutters. Using a leaf blower to clear your gutters should always be done with protective gloves and dust mask. Another method for cleaning rain gutters is a leaf-catching gutter system however these systems are pricey and also require cleaning which can be burdensome.

To effectively clean your rain gutters, follow the directions below:

Remove leaves and debris by hand from rain gutters: Use a small shovel to begin removing leaves and debris from the outlet of the downspout and into a plastic bucket. Once the downspouts are cleared, use the ladder to clear the gutters attached to the roof.
Spray gutters down with hose: Once you have cleared your gutters of leaves and debris, use a high pressure hose nozzle to wash out the gutters to remove leftover dirt.
Clear downspouts: Flush your downspouts with water to ensure they are clear of debris. If your downspouts are clogged, use a plumbers snake to clean them.

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Home Remedies for a Slow Draining Tub

AAA Drain Cleaning Slow Draining Bathtub tub

Is Your Bathtub Draining Slowly?

When your tub begins to draining slowly, it could be an indication of a larger problem or it could simply mean you have a clog that needs some attention. There are some slow draining tub remedies that can help people in the, Portland, OR and Gresham, OR areas, clear a bathtub drain. If after conducting the home remedies for a slow draining tub there is no improvement, it is in your best interest to contact a licensed professional to resolve the problem for you.

When it comes to dealing with a slow tub drain, it is never a good idea to use store bought drain cleaners to clear your pipes. Most store bought drain cleaners contain harmful chemicals that can damage your plumbing system and potentially pollute your water. Slow draining bath tub home remedies should never include using potent chemicals as they are not necessary in clearing up a simple clog. Furthermore, these chemicals are also harmful to the environment and are more expensive than proven home remedies using simple ingredients.

The only ingredients you will need to clear your slow draining tub should already be readily available in your pantry. These are common household items that should clear a slow drain up quickly, granted it is not a more serious drainage issue.

Tips to Clear Bathtub Drains

Clear Debris: When the time comes to alleviate the clog in your slow draining tub, the first step is to remove the drain cover and clear out any hair stuck in the drain. Often times, the slow draining tub is the result of a hair clump preventing water from draining properly.
Plunger: If your tub is still draining slowly after careful inspection of the top of the drain, then the next step is to try using a plunger. Fill the tub up with several inches of water, then put the plunger over the drain and slowly pump the drain 6-12 times.
Baking Soda, Vinegar & Salt: When the plunger fails resolve the slow draining tub, another option is to use baking soda, table salt and vinegar as a drain cleaning solution. Let your tub drain completely so there is no sitting water, if possible. Then dump one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by equal parts salt and vinegar. This will result in a foamy texture spewing from your drain which is normal. Wait 20 minutes then pour hot water down the drain. You can also pour the baking soda, salt and vinegar down the drain, plug the drain, then fill the bathtub up with water. One the tub is filled, pull the plug and let the water push the solution through your pipes.
Plumbing Snake: The last slow draining tub home remedy is the use of a plumbing snake which is a long wire made of metal used to clear out clogs. This tool is designed to shred clogs and eliminate them fast.

Call AAA Drain Cleaning for Professional Help

If after attempting all of the slow draining tub home remedies, your tub is still draining slowly, contact or call AAA Drain Cleaning today! Do not risk damaging your pipes by trying other, harsher home remedies as that could end up costing you greatly in the future. Slow draining home remedies should be safe, easy and cost effective.

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Detect Water Pollution in Your Home

Is Your Water Clean?

Many people in the Gresham, OR and Portland, OR areas assume that home water pollution is not an issue in the United States. People often associate water pollution with third world countries and other foreign places. However, many fail to realize that polluted home water affects many people in America and everyone is at risk.

It can be difficult to detect water pollution in your home or business because of the water processing standards imposed by local governments. This does not mean, however, that water pollution does not occur. There are potential water pollution issues to look out for before they affect you and your family.

What Factors Affect Water Pollution?

Location: The location of your home is a large factor in terms of potential water pollution. For example if you live near an area with heavy industrial operations of any sort then you are vulnerable to home water pollution. Regularly checking the quality of your water is highly suggested.
Outdoor Water Pollution: If you have a pool, fountain or other water feature outside of your home, there is the potential for water pollution. Sitting water of any kind has the potential to grow bacteria and become harmful for your home environment. Typically, if the water surrounding your home becomes discolored or smelly, it could be the result of water pollution and should be addressed immediately as it can cause sickness and other health issues.
Water Pollution Indoors: Usually when water pollution occurs indoors, it also includes air pollution as well. This is because water pollution in enclosed spaces is known to cause other issue like mold which can have dire consequences on the respiratory system. It is important to be sure your plumbing system is up to date and completely intact to ensure water pollution does not result.
Well Water: If you get your water supply from a well, regular testing of the quality of your water is a must. Well water is not held to the same standard as city water and requires extra attention for quality and safety.
People Pollution: Everyone has the potential to contribute to water pollution so it is extremely important that you are mindful about using different chemical that can be harmful. For example, cleaning chemicals can be extremely dangerous to your home’s water system and should be used carefully and sparingly.

Home Water Pollution Solutions

If you suspect you have a water pollution issue in your home or business contact a professional immediately. Polluted home water can cause a host of problem that can result in terrifying consequences. Always be mindful of how your actions may influence your local water supply to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones.