David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Anita Ginsburg Pets are a wonderful addition to any home, but if you aren't careful, they can also be the source of some expensive plumbing repairs. Keep these tips in mind to prevent your cat or dog from damaging your home's pipes: Keep Pet Hair Out of the Drains Your furry friend will need a bath from time to time. However, it's best to do this outside whenever possible. Besides preventing your bathroom from becoming a mess, this also keeps pet hair out of the drains. Shedding fur can quickly clog your plumbing. If your pet spends a lot of time outside, there may be a lot of dirt or mud on them. This muck can mix with the pet hair and create a tough clog. Don't Flush Cat Litter Some cat litter claims to be safe to flush down the toilet. The truth is that any kind of cat litter is better disposed of in the garbage. Flushing cat litter can create a blockage that is almost as hard as concrete. Cover Exposed Pipes Cats and do...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Anita Ginsburg Just when you think it's going to be the best day ever, you're stopped dead in your tracks. You need to use your sink, toilet or shower but you notice that something isn't right. There is a horrible odor, and it won't drain.   You know that regardless of what plumbing issue is, you need to act fast. You call a plumber and see them use a method you may have never seen before: hydro jetting. Here's why many plumbers prefer using hydro jetting over snaking or using chemicals:   Efficiency When you contact a plumber, you probably expect them to put a snake down your drain or use high-quality chemical products to fix a clog. Hydro jetting is essentially both of these methods in one except with over 4,000 pounds of water pressure.   Hydro jetting is when a plumber uses a professional-grade hose and sprays with high-intensity water pressure to clean out pipes. Due to the enormous amount of force hydro jetting prod...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Homeowners flush a lot of things down their toilets without considering the potential plumbing issues it may cause. If they’re lucky, they’ll only have to use a plunger to tackle a minor clog. But if a major issue arises, they may need to call a plumber and pay for costly repairs. Whether your home has a septic tank or sewage line, there are certain items you should never flush. To prevent unnecessary clogs and damage to your home’s plumbing, take some advice from the pros. Harts Services, a Tacoma, Wash.-based plumbing company, shares its list of the top items that shouldn’t go down your toilet: Dental Floss.  Not only is floss non-biodegradable, but it can also tangle up with other debris and turn small clogs into big ones. If flushed into a septic tank, floss can wind itself around a motor and cause it to burn out. Paper Towels.  It may seem okay to flush paper towels because they look a lot like toilet paper, but flushed paper towe...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Drains and plumbing systems are designed to dispose of liquids, but many people mistakenly think it’s fine to put other things down the drain. Common foods, cooking byproducts, and household items can damage your pipes, leave you with clogs and expensive plumbing repair bills, and even affect human and animal health. Foods That Are Dangerous to Drains Greasy items, such as cooking oil, mayonnaise, salad dressing, butter, margarine and grease left over after cooking meat, can congeal and block pipes over time. They can also combine with other things that go down the drain and form sludge that makes it difficult or impossible for water to get through. Pour grease, fat or oil into a jar, let it cool, then dispose of it in the trash. Coffee grounds can be a problem because they aren’t completely water soluble. If they mix with grease or oil already in the pipes, the combination can cause a blockage. Pasta and rice that go down the ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Virn Del Valle Poor plumbing conditions in your home can escalate to bigger problems such as flooding and accidents. On top of that, you'll most likely find your monthly water bills with exceeding charges. Avoid these troublesome and costly issues by keeping your home's plumbing system properly functioning all the time. Fix plumbing issues before they become a real threat. Here are clear signs that will tell you it's time to call a plumber: Low Water Pressure Leaks, piping issues and outdated fixtures are among the primary causes of low water pressure. This occurrence provides inconvenience in both households and business places, slowing down the performance of any task that uses water on a daily basis. When faced with poor or inconsistent water pressure, don't hesitate to call a plumber right away to fix the problem. Slow Draining Slow draining in your bathroom or kitchen sink may indicate ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Your drains impact the overall health of your home, yet it's likely that you rarely stop to think about them unless something is wrong. "Most plumbing problems are totally preventable," says Tommy Webber, owner of T.Webber Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric.  "Knowing what to do and, most importantly, what not to do can really alleviate a lot of stress and save both time and money." Below, T.Webber offers the following best practices with regard to drain maintenance. Do minimize the amount of food that gets washed down the kitchen sink. A few leftover crumbs here and there are bound to end up going down the kitchen sink when you rinse your dishes after eating. As much as possible though, try to scrape all of the food you can out into a garbage container before rinsing your plate. Do regularly apply natural cleaners to your drains . It's best not to regularly use harsh, chemical cleaners on your ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com You likely think of recycling, food choices and transportation reduction when you think of eco-friendly behavior. But what about your plumbing? "You don't have to overhaul your plumbing system to have an impact on your wallet and the environment," says Joseph Giannone, owner of Joseph Giannone Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. "When it's time to replace a toilet, sink or washing machine, consider low-impact models that use less water to get the job done. It might be a little more expensive, but it won't take long to recover the cost once you start saving money on your water bill every month." New equipment is one reliable way to save money, but you don't have to splurge on a full bathroom update to have a noticeable effect. A few simple habits can reduce the amount of water you and your family use, and just remember to look for eco-friendly features when it is time to replace outdated fix...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Heading out of town this summer? Good for you! But before you pack your bags, consider prepping your plumbing. "As vacationers embark on their trips, it's easy to get so focused on the destination that they can lose sight of their return," says Richard Hart, co-owner of Harts Services. "Before even leaving, it's important to take a few small precautions to avoid returning to any plumbing disasters back at home. That's the last thing you want after a relaxing time on the beach, in the mountains or wherever you choose to go." Hart advises that residents take the following steps to prevent any plumbing disasters from taking place while they are away from their homes: Turn off the water main valve – Water damage from a pipe leak or burst is among the most damaging plumbing issues one can have while away from home. A significant leak that flows unchecked for days can do massive amounts of damage. To avo...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com From the annoyance of a clogged drain to the nightmare of a flooded basement, plumbing problems can wreak a wide variety of havoc on a homeowner’s life. What many don’t realize, however, is that most of these problems are avoidable with a little preventative maintenance. If you wait for an issue to become obvious, the damage may already be done and the necessary repairs expensive. So grab your clipboard and a flashlight, and perform the following inspections recommended by Harts Services. 1. Survey the outside of your home . Take a close look at storm drains, gutters, pipe vents and downspouts to make sure they’re properly cleaned. If they’re clogged with debris, that could prevent water from flowing freely and cause it to leak into your home. Be sure to also check outdoor faucets for drips, which could be a sign of cracks. 2. Test your sump pump. If you have a sump pump in your basement, pour a gallon of water into the pit. Thi...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Does one of your drains always seem to clog? Can't figure out the best way to keep your pipes clear? Four Seasons Plumbing offers the following guidelines for proper drain maintenance. "A lot of our clients are worried about what they can and cannot put down their drains," says Max Rose, owner of Four Seasons Plumbing. "The truth is—excluding grease, oils and chemicals—a properly designed and installed system will take just about anything you can fit down the drain. If you are experiencing issues with normal use, I recommend having a plumbing professional do an inspection, but in the meantime here are some dos and don'ts you can follow."  Do use a drain guard. Whether it's in the kitchen sink or the bathtub, a drain guard can catch the bigger pieces of debris that tend to cause clogs. Do flush with hot water . Periodically fill the tub and/or kitchen sink about halfway with hot water and pull the plug. This will move...