Montgomery

Auburn-Opelika

Columbus, GA

Montgomery

Auburn-Opelika

Columbus, GA

FAQ And Answers For Common Plumbing Problems

FAQ and Answers for Common Plumbing Problems

For many, if not most of us, what actually happens to bring water into our home and get wastewater out of our house is something of a mystery. So here are a couple of frequently asked questions about common plumbing problems and some of the best answers we could provide.

Question 1 – Help! My son flushed a roll of toilet paper. How do I get it out?

  • The first step is to use your plunger or a toilet brush to try and remove the roll. Sometimes it’s just that easy if the roll isn’t too far in.
  • Put a tablet of dishwasher detergent in the water and let it soak for 30 minutes. This helps the roll soak up more water and get softer.
  • Remove the tablet and try flushing the toilet 3 or 4 times. Sometimes the roll gets soft enough you can just flush it down.
  • If it’s still there go to work with the plunger with 4 or 5 compressions then try flushing again.
  • The next step is a drain snake if you have one or a wire coat hanger to try and push the roll until its unstuck.
  • Finally, admit defeat and call your plumbing company, Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air. Then put your son’s allowance in escrow until he’s old enough to know better.

 

Question 2 – My drain is really slow in my bathroom sink (or shower). What can I do?

  • The chances are very good the drain is clogged with hair and other debris.
  • The good news is that it’s often easy, if a little messy, to fix.
  • If it’s a sink you need to remove the stopper. Look in the cabinet below and you should be able to disconnect the stopper from the rod that opens and closes the drain.
  • You should now be able to remove the stopper. If you’re squeamish you may want to wear gloves. A hair clog traps other dirt and debris, and it’s likely going to look pretty gross.
  • Just remove the hair from the stopper and run some water to make sure there are no other stoppages. Then replace the stopper.
  • It’s the same principle for the shower except you will likely need a screwdriver to remove the plate covering the drain. You can use your hand or some type of utensil to pull the hair out of the drain.
  • In either case, if the drain continues to drain slowly you may need to try using a drain snake or call in the best plumbing company – Dixie.
  • By the way, chemical drain cleaners generally don’t work well and are some of the most dangerous of household chemicals. There are great natural solutions such as Bio-Clean® or BioSmart™.


While some common plumbing problems and minor repairs can be handled by the homeowner, don’t overstep your bounds. 

The damage caused by plumbing mistakes can be expensive and catastrophic. 

When in doubt call on us, your local plumbing contractor. Call Dixie, and it’s done!