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Financing That Keeps Things Flowing: Easy Payments for Big Fixes

Author: Kevin

Clean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC 4 natural drain cleaners for tough clogs Clean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC 4 natural drain cleaners for tough clogs

4 Natural Drain Cleaners For Tough Clogs

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Drain Cleaning.

 

Our lives are messy, and that means that our drains can take a pretty heavy load over time. We don’t realize how much our drains dispose of until they can’t anymore. When a stubborn drain clog builds in your drain, your entire day is halted. Even washing your hands or dishes becomes a chore!

Luckily, Clean Flo Sewer and Septic can help you get rid of even the toughest blockages. Our expert plumbers have years of experience with drain cleaning and solving severe drain clogs with our hydro-jetting services.

Why Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Dangerous

When your sink or tub drain forms a clog, your first instinct may be to stop by the store for a liquid drain cleaner. Liquid drain cleaners are designed with harsh chemicals that can cut through tough materials like grease and hair. While this makes them seem effective against clogs, they come with their own set of dangers. 

Firstly, chemical drain cleaners will eat a hole through a clog, but they don’t usually clear the entire thing. Your water may flow smoother for a few days, but those materials will build up again on the leftover clog, putting you back where you started. 

Secondly, the harsh nature of chemicals that is required to eat through grease can also wear away at your pipes. This can cause premature thinning of your pipelining and possibly lead to leaks.

How To Use Household Items To Clear Clogs

Baking Soda, Vinegar, Hot Water

With three common household items, your clog could be a thing of the past! Vinegar is designed to cut through grease with ease, and baking soda lifts organic materials with bubbles to let them clear away. Be sure to flush plenty of hot water through the drain as you administer the other products.

Vinegar Ice Cubes

Another great way to cut through grease — especially as a preventative drain maintenance habit — is to send vinegar ice cubes down the drain. Fill an ice tray with part vinegar and part water, and freeze them. Send the cubes down the drain while the disposal runs to let the cool temperature and vinegar work on clearing your drain out.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Also called caustic soda, this liquid can be dangerous if your skin comes into contact with it. Use caution when using this effective drain cleaning solution. Pour a mixture of cold water and hydrogen peroxide down the drain, and let the solution sit for 20 or 30 minutes. Flush the drain with more water and repeat as necessary.

Suction

Sometimes, a stubborn clog needs to be dislodged before it can move down the pipes. If you have a vacuum or shop vacuum, you’ll be able to try to suck part or all of the clog out. You can create a barrier by stretching a very thin material over the mouth of the vacuum — such as pantyhose. Then, turn on the vacuum and try to create a seal around the mouth so that the drain is exposed to suction.

When You Need Professional Help, Trust Us!

If none of these tried and true solutions are clearing your clog, our team of professionals is ready to assist you. Clean Flo Sewer and Septic uses special tools and tactics to make sure your drain is flowing smoothly as soon as possible. If you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment with our team, contact us today!

Clean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC gas water heaters Clean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC gas water heaters

How To Turn Off Your Water Heater

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Plumbing.

It might not seem like something as basic as turning off a water heater would be difficult. Many homeowners find themselves scratching their heads when trying to figure out what valves to turn! And because it varies based on whether your system is gas or electric, it can take a few extra steps to make sure everything is shut down completely. Here are easy instructions to turn off both gas and electric water heaters to make sure you do it properly.

When You Should Turn Off Your Water Heater

The only time you need to turn off your water heater is when you have a leak. This can happen for many reasons from age and rust to a malfunction with the valve. As soon as you realize your water heater is leaking, you should turn off the water supply until someone can come and have a look to determine what is causing the leak. They will make repairs or suggest a replacement if the tank can’t be repaired. Some people think they need to turn off their water heater before they go away, but it is not necessary.

First, when you turn your water heater off completely you will return home to find you have no hot water. Second, you can also add wear and tear to your water heater from the effort required to shut down, turn back on and then heat an entire tank of water. It makes more sense to either lower the temperature to about 50 degrees F or to set your water heater to VAC for “Vacation Mode”. Most new models provide this handy setting.

For Gas Water Heaters

  1. Find Your Water Heater

If you aren’t sure where your water heater is located, they are usually in the basement, a utility closet, or sometimes in the garage or attic.

  1. Find the Temperature Dial

For gas water heaters, you’ll need to look for the temperature dial which is usually at the front on the bottom. Turn the dial off.

  1. Draining the Heater

If your intent is to drain the heater, you’ll need a hose hook up to the boiler drain. You can then put the hose outside to let the water drain into your yard, or you can use a bucket. However, a bucket might not be big enough depending on how much water is in your tank.

  1. Locate the Gas Supply Valve

The valve tends to be on the right side of the water heater. To shut off the gas you either have a lever or a knob. If it is a lever turn it perpendicular. For knobs turn it clockwise.

  1. Locate the Relief Valve

The final step is to look for the relief valve near the top of the heater. Once you turn it off it allows air to enter the tank.

For Electric Water Heaters

  1. Find Your Water Heater

Your electric heater will be located in the same areas as gas water heaters.

  1. Find Your Breaker Box

For electric water heaters, you’ll need to find your breaker box. In most cases, the box is located either in the garage or on the exterior of your house. From there you need to find the breaker line providing power to your water heater and turn it off.

  1. Draining the Heater

As with gas water heaters, if you need to drain the heater, you can attach a garden hose to the boiler drain. Either put the house outside to let the water drain into your yard or use a bucket. However, watch the water level on the bucket to as it might not be big enough depending on how much water is in your tank.

  1. Locate the Relief Valve

The final step is to look for the relief valve near the top of the electric water heater. Turn it off to allow air to enter the tank.

If you are having issues with your water heater or can’t figure out how to turn it off, speak to your Anderson, SC plumber expert at Clean Flo Sewer and Septic today.

Clean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC saving water and the world from home one step at a time Clean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC saving water and the world from home one step at a time

Saving Water (and the World) From Home One Step at a Time!

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Tips.

Be the Hero the Earth Needs: Conserving Water in Honor of Earth Day

Helping save the world doesn’t require a cape or superpowers. Homeowners can make great changes to their everyday lifestyles and become the Earth’s Hero! Plenty of folks are looking at addressing their lifestyle to be “greener” and conserve water at home. The good news is, it doesn’t take a ton of work to get started. All it takes to conserve water and keep a “super” conservation profile at home are a few simple changes and the help of a professional plumber to get started!

“Tap” Into Super Water SavingsClean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC saving water and the world from home one step at a time

The sinks of a home can be a water conservation villain if left to their wasting ways. It’s pretty common for people to leave their sink running while brushing their teeth, shaving, or getting ready in the bathroom mirror. It’s just not something thought about too often. But, leaving the sink running when not in use is a major source of water waste in the home!

Homeowners can save water and money by simply turning the faucets off when not in use. If the toothbrush doesn’t need to be wetted, if the shaving requires no water, turn off the sink. It may be a mild inconvenience at first, but once homeowners have kept up with the practice, it will be an automatic practice that won’t require much thought!

“Bathe” in Positive ChangeClean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC saving water and the world from home one step at a time

Everyone loves a hot shower, but taking a long hot shower spells doom for water conservation efforts. Not only do long showers wastewater, but they also do it very quickly. Any shower lasting over 10 minutes can waste 20% of its yielded hot water energy per shower. Plus, any shower over 15 minutes long starts wasting more water than a hot bath, with a 25-minute shower requiring as much water as an average bathtub.

Switching to a bath does more than reducing water waste. Bath users are less likely to adjust the heat frequently while filling the bath, reducing hot water demands in the home and saving money for the energy bill. 

“Inspect” the Green Possibilities 

Regular inspections keep a home’s plumbing running in a tip-top shape. Water leaks from pipes account for millions of gallons of water wasted across the United States a year. These leaks tend to be fairly innocuous until they build up into a flood of problems. Some go undetected for years! 

During a regular plumbing inspection, a plumber will investigate anywhere the water runs in the home. They will locate any leaks, corrosion, or damage, and the plumber will be able to address any repairs that need to occur for a home’s plumbing to continue running safely. 

Homeowners save water and money while reaching their Earth Day conservation goals when applying these simple tips to their home water habits. 

Clean Flo Sewer and Septic To the Rescue!

When plumbing problems disrupt Anderson, SC, Clean Flo Sewer and Septic are here to help, 24 hours from Monday to Saturday! From pipe cleaning to sewer line inspections, these experts are trained to handle it quickly and efficiently. Customer safety and satisfaction are their priorities, which is why they back all of their work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact them today for a reliable leak detection service. 

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lillian baumbach first woman master plumber lillian baumbach first woman master plumber

The First Woman Master Plumber, Lillian Baumbach

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Who Really Was “The Pretty Plumber?”

There comes a revolutionary pioneer at some time in every profession. For the plumbing industry, it was Lillian Baumbach. She was way ahead of her time. When plumbing was even more male-dominated than it is now, a woman becoming a master plumber was not just unlikely but nearly impossible. She was a fascinating woman who captured people’s imaginations from all around the world. 

People still honor her today, as well they should! She still shines a light for women not just in the plumbing industry but everywhere. 

How She Became the First Female Master PlumberClean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC the first woman master plumber lillian baumbach

Lillian Baumbach got into plumbing thanks to her father. His name was William J. Baumbach, and he ran the William J. Baumbach Plumbing and Heating company in Arlington, VA. She took an interest in plumbing from a young age and would often help her father on service calls. Before long, Lillian’s father trusted her around the company without supervision.

By the time she was 21, she was the service master of her father’s company. Before she turned 22, she had taken the master plumber’s exam and passed with flying colors. The year was 1951. According to reports, Lillian took the test with 6 men, only two of whom passed. She would attend classes taught by her father at the local high school. The class was all about preparing people for becoming master plumbers. She was the first female master plumber not only in the Arlington area but the entire country!

Letters From Around the World

Since she was a first, it’s no surprise that the news organizations got ahold of Lillian Baumbach and her unique story. Soon, she was a bit of a celebrity around the country. A now-famous picture of her holding a large pipe wrench captured many people’s imagination. After all, at the time, the labor-intensive plumbing trade was male-dominated. It also helped that Lillian was a very pretty young woman. Before too long, letters started pouring in from around the world. 

Clean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC the first woman master plumber lillian baumbach

As the story goes, some letters were simply addressed to “The Pretty Plumber.” They contained plumbing questions, flattery, and even marriage proposals. The Korean War was underway at the time, and one infantry company designated her as their official pinup girl. She received at least 75 letters from American soldiers in Korea, and it’s been said that she kept correspondence with over 200 men from around the world. 

Lillian Baumbach’s Legacy

More women-owned plumbing companies are popping up around the world. It’s rare for a woman plumber, or even a man plumber for that matter, to not know Lillian Baumbach’s name. She was way ahead of her time and paved the way for other women to break into the business. 

Still, even today, it’s fairly rare for a woman to show up on a service call, but the number is rising. So, although Lillian Baumbach was the first female master plumber, there are plenty of women who deserve credit for breaking into the plumbing business and doing what they’re passionate about. 

About Clean Flo Sewer and Septic

The friendly people at Clean Flo Sewer and Septic have been serving the residents of Anderson, SC for years. Their techs are punctual, professional, and friendly. They offer up-front pricing and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call now for professional plumbing service!

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Plumbing Facts About the White House for President’s Day

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Uncategorized.

3 Fast Facts About Presidential Plumbing

For anyone who has seen pictures or been inside the Executive Mansion, it can be hard to believe that it was ever any less modern than it currently is. However, for centuries, the White House has been equipped much like any other home or building. After construction was complete in 1800, it lacked all modern amenities such as electrical service, plumbing, heating, and cooling, mainly because such amenities didn’t exist yet. Over the years, numerous updates and projects helped the White House catch up with the times. 

This year, celebrate President’s Day with some local Merced plumbers as they share facts about the President’s House. 

The First Plumbing in the White House

There was no plumbing whatsoever at the White House for the first quarter of a century. That means that residents handled bodily functions in chamber pots and privies, and water was hauled in by hand from nearby pumps. It wasn’t until John Quincy Adams’ presidency that a pump was installed on the White House grounds. Even then, this was only for irrigation since the president enjoyed gardening as a hobby. He shared the pump with the nearby Treasury building. 

Shortly after this, President Andrew Jackson piped the water into the building, but it was still distributed by hand. He added a bathing room on the first floor of the East Wing that seemingly had the sole purpose of simplifying filling tubs for White House personnel to bathe in. 

President Franklin Pierce added the first true bathroom in 1853. The new bathroom featured pressurized hot and cold water, so it was accessible on the first and second floors. Flush toilets were also installed. This made plumbing the first utility available to the nation’s presidents since electrical service and HVAC wouldn’t come for another 40 years. 

The Legendary Bathtub of President Taft Clean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC plumbing facts about the white house for president's day

If there is one historical tidbit that most people know about the nation’s presidents, it’s that President William H. Taft was a large man. He weighed a reported 350 pounds, nearly 3 times the amount as the average man at the time. As the myth goes, he got stuck in the bathtub in one of the presidential bathrooms and ordered an enormous bathtub. 

While it is a good story, it’s most likely untrue—the early records come nearly 2 decades after his term as president. What is true is that he had a new tub of legendary proportions installed in the White House, and he liked it so much he ordered the same accommodations made for him in guest houses and ships that took him on tours. 

“Leak” Repair in the Nixon Administration

Another “plumbing” story that most people are unaware of is that President Nixon had an elite group of “plumbers” that served the White House. Their job wasn’t to keep the toilets running but to plug “leaks.” 

Clean flo plumbing sewer and drain Anderson SC plumbing facts about the white house for president's day

Under President Nixon, a large cache of top-secret documents were published that exposed governmental misinformation about the Vietnam War. Nixon responded by starting the task force that he called “Plumbers” to try and rein in the exposition of classified materials. 

About Clean Flo Sewer and Septic

Clean Flo Sewer and Septic proudly services the Anderson area with expert technicians and 24-hour availability. They offer dependable plumbing and drain services backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact Clean Flo Sewer and Septic today to schedule expert plumbing service in Anderson, SC!

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Simple Resolutions for the Plumbing System in 2021

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Tips.

Resolve To Give the Home’s Plumbing Extra Care This Year

The New Year is here, and with it comes a slew of resolutions and goals to improve the next 365 days. Be sure to add a home resolution to the list. The home’s plumbing works hard every day of the year, so why not resolve to take extra care of it this year? Taking care of the home’s drains and pipes doesn’t have to take a lot of work, and it will reward homeowners with efficient and long-lasting plumbing!

Schedule a Drain Cleaning

All sorts of gunk go down the drain. Between food in the kitchen sink and hair in the shower, drains have their work cut out for them. Over time, these unsavory items collect in the drain and start to build up. Soon enough, the drain will be plugged, and homeowners will be scrambling for a drain-cleaner and plunger.

finger pointing to a calendar with some dates in red

Homeowners can avoid the gross debacle of unplugging their own drains by scheduling annual drain cleaning once or twice a year. The plumbing technician will arrive with all the necessary equipment. After the area is set up and prepared, they will insert a high-powered hose into the drain and pressure-wash the system. Any debris will be removed and keep the drains running smoothly for the year.

Monitor What Goes Into the Toilet

The toilet should be used for only two things: waste and toilet paper. Anything else going into the toilet is just begging for trouble. Toilet parts are designed to handle only bodily waste, water, and toilet paper. Flushing anything else down can clog the toilet and cause an overflow situation or end up plugging the pipes further down the line.

If something unexpected does get flushed down the toilet, consider calling in a plumber to make sure it doesn’t block the line. Larger objects may need to be removed by a professional to prevent pipes from becoming blocked.

Watch Out for Signs of Leaks

Leaks happen in every home. They’re a reality of plumbing and can spring up without warning. The good news is, leaks always leave warning signs for homeowners to investigate.

yellow warning sign on blue background

  • High Water Bills: If homeowners notice an increase in water bill costs, there may be a leak in the house. Leaks create a constant running of water, and even small leaks can drastically increase a home’s water bill over time.
  • Mold and Mildew: Even tiny leaks can cause a host of problems in a home. A major one is the growth of mold or mildew. Any size leak can create the perfect dark, moist environment mold and mildew need to grow. If they manage to get into the plumbing or ductwork, the home’s water and air supply can become compromised by the irritants. If the air smells musty or moldy, investigate the area right away.
  • Water Spots: Pooling water is an obvious sign that a leak is occurring. But, leaks may not be right above the spot of damage. It’s important to have a plumber investigate and locate the source and have the materials cleaned and repaired to prevent mold growth.
  • Sagging Walls, Ceilings, and Floors: If the wallpaper or paint is blistered or sagging, if the ceiling is drooping, or if the floor has caved, there may be a leak nearby. Water travels easily and quickly erodes the materials of flooring, paint, and drywall. When structures look compromised, be sure to investigate quickly.
  • Rust: Rust flourishes in moist environments. If rust has popped up anywhere in the home, there may be a leak producing excessive moisture and encouraging rust.

About Clean Flo Sewer and Septic

For homeowners looking for a reliable, affordable, and knowledgeable plumbing service, look no further than Clean Flo Sewer and Septic. Their expert staff works hard to keep on top of the latest plumbing technology and trends, striving to bring only the best work to their customers. Contact them today to schedule plumbing service in Anderson, SC.

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