Get Ready For the Super Bowl!

Did you know that the Super Bowl is the second-highest day of food consumption after Thanksgiving? Statistics show that Americans will drink about 50 million cases of beer and eat 14,500 tons of chips, 4,000 tons of popcorn, and 1.23 billion chicken wings on Game Day. Of course that will all eventually end up in the plumbing - in fact, sewage systems in major cities have broken due to the huge number of toilets being flushed simultaneously during Super Bowl halftime!

If you're having a Super Bowl party this year, here are a few tips to help your plumbing run smoothly all evening so you can sit back and enjoy the game with your friends.

1. Have us run a quick maintenance check on your plumbing system beforehand. Having your plumbing inspected by a professional is the best way to ensure that everything is working properly, and you have no hidden leaks or soon-to-be clogs.

2. Your toilet(s) will be used heavily during your party. If it tends to give you trouble, switch to thinner toilet paper such as 1-ply on the day of the party, and keep a plunger nearby just in case. Additionally, remove paper towels, "flushable" wipes, and other paper products from your bathroom so your guests don't flush them - these items can easily clog up your toilet and your plumbing.

3. Don't just throw anything down your garbage disposal. Delicious greasy foods like chicken wings are a Super Bowl staple, but grease will solidify in your pipes and cause big problems, and chicken bones will jam your disposal. When in doubt, toss it in the trash!

If you experience a clog, broken disposal, or some other kind of plumbing disaster during your Super Bowl party, don't panic! We're available all weekend, 24 hours a day, for emergency service. Give us a call at 586-459-0040 any time, and we'll get things running smoothly again.

Why Do Frozen Pipes Burst?

Frozen pipes are common in the Michigan winter, when temperatures are often below freezing. The danger about frozen pipes is that they can start leaking or even burst. In this post, we explain what causes them to burst and how you can prevent it.

Water expands as it freezes, which you’re probably familiar with because of the many potholes in Michigan’s roads. However, frozen pipes don’t burst just because of expanding ice; when the ice expands, it pushes water forward toward the closed faucet, which leads to a huge increase in pressure between the ice and the faucet. If that pressure becomes too much for the pipe to handle, the pipe will bulge or burst in that spot.

A burst pipe can be extremely destructive to your home and any nearby valuables. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent a burst pipe this winter:

1. Prevent frozen pipes in the first place. Insulate any exposed pipes, especially if they are in cooler or unheated areas of your home, like a basement or crawl space. Keep under-sink cabinets open overnight to allow the warm air of the house to reach the pipes. Keep the heat on even when you leave on vacation (keep the thermostat set above 50 degrees).

2. If a pipe is frozen, turn on the faucet to a slow trickle until you’re able to get it thawed. If you turn on a faucet and very little or no water comes out, the pipe is freezing. Opening the faucet just a little bit will stop the pressure from building up by giving it somewhere to go.

3. Call a plumber to thaw a frozen pipe ASAP. A plumber has the proper tools and techniques to thaw pipes in a safe way that won’t lead to leaks, burst pipes, or fire. And you don’t want to put it off; not only is a frozen pipe inconvenient (little or no water coming out of your faucet), it’s a dangerous problem that can flood your house if you ignore it for too long.

We’ve been serving the cold Metro Detroit area for over 13 years, so we know what we’re dealing with when it comes to frozen pipes. Call us right away at 586-459-0040 if you suspect a pipe might be frozen in your home!

5 Tips For a Healthier Home in 2018

Happy New Year! Do you have any resolutions this year? A new year presents a clean slate and a good chance to start over, start new habits, and better yourself. Many people's new years resolutions include joining a gym, starting a new diet, or going for walks every day in order to better their physical health.

This year, we challenge you to consider your home's health as well as your own! Studies show that living in a healthy home can help you and your family stay healthy as well. And keeping your home healthy goes beyond just keeping things clean; if you don't give your plumbing any attention, you could end up with mold problems or worse. Here are some quick and easy tips to make sure your plumbing system stays healthy in 2018!

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

If you haven't had a pipe freeze yet this winter, count yourself lucky, especially considering how cold it has been. We still have a few more winter months to go, so grab some foam pipe insulation from your local hardware store and wrap any exposed pipes! This is especially important in colder areas of your home, like in a garage or basement. If you do encounter a frozen pipe, call us immediately before it bursts! 586-459-0040

2. Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaning Products

Clogged drains are common, and it's easy to buy a bottle of drain cleaner at the store, but those harsh chemicals can eat away at your pipes over time and eventually cause leaks. Additionally, those chemicals are harmful - In fact, one of our plumbers went to a house last month after the homeowner unsuccessfully tried to unclog a drain with chemicals, and they ended up splashing back on our plumber and giving him chemical burns!
Instead, call a plumber and have them clean your drain the safe way. A professional drain cleaning will last much longer and won't be nearly as harsh on the pipes.

3. Prevent Clogs

You won't even need to use chemical drain cleaners if you follow these easy rules to avoid clogs: (1) Install drain strainers on all of your drains to catch hair, food, and other debris. (2) Be careful about what goes down your drains, toilets, and garbage disposal, and (3) never ever pour grease into any drain!

4. Clean the Sewer Regularly

Your house's main sewer line is where all your drains lead. If this sewer line gets clogged, or if tree roots grow into it, you could have a disastrous backup of sewage on your hands! Luckily, you can keep this from happening by having a plumber snake the sewer line every few years (more frequently if you have a lot of trees - ask your plumber what he recommends). You can schedule an appointment online by clicking here.

5. Fix Problems Right Away

When it comes to plumbing, even tiny problems only get worse as time goes on. A leaky faucet will cause corrosion and only get leakier, a frozen pipe can suddenly burst, and a tiny leak under a sink can cause ever-spreading mold and water damage. Save yourself hundreds (sometimes even thousands) of dollars and don't put off getting the problem repaired.

Here's to 2018 being a healthier year, for both you and your home. And remember, we're here to help! We can help you catch any problems early with a full-home plumbing inspection. Call us at 586-459-0040 and set up an appointment for a plumbing inspection today!