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This is a common question among customers and in this article we will give you some instructions so that you can act in case of emergency and know the basics of how to use the sewer snake as a professional plumber.

However, we want to make it very clear that in no case is it advisable to take action on your own and disregard the services of a professional plumber with years of experience and with the proper devices or tools to solve any type of inconvenience in the home or business premises related to clogged pipes, floods, problems with the sewer line among other problems.

So let’s start, before buying or renting a sewer snake it is best to try to unclog the pipe using boiling water, white vinegar and baking soda. This solution usually helps unclog small blockages in the pipes or drains of bathtubs, bathrooms, sinks and basins.

If it’s a toilet clog that the pacifier can’t clear, it’s time to go for the heavy tools to fix the problem. Again, if you don’t have the experience, it’s best to call the plumber to take care of it and not cause even greater problems if the pipe is damaged.

Steps to Using the Sewer Snake as a Professional Plumber

As with any practice or job, it is best to follow a routine that will help you do your work in an organized manner, so use the following recommendations.

Prepare The Area

In the area where you are going to execute the work, place a cardboard, cloth or rag on the floor to help protect your hands, knees or arms from any blow. This will also help protect the tiles or bathroom fixtures if you drop some of the tools.

Make sure you have enough room to maneuver and work freely to avoid accidents with other objects.

Also, remember to turn off the overflow valve on bathtubs and sinks so that the sewage snake can easily enter.

 Start The Work

Start inserting the end of the cable into the drain of the sink, shower, toilet or bathtub. Perform this procedure by hand until you begin to feel resistance. At this point you will most likely have achieved the first bend in the pipe and therefore will need more force to keep pushing.

Start Turning The Sewer Snake

By the time you reach the first obstacle or resistance you may have reached the point where the blockage is. At that point, start turning the sewer snake so that it crosses the clog and all the debris is trapped in it.

The idea is that the material that is blocking the pipe will not continue to slide into the deeper parts of the pipe, but will be caught and then easily removed.

You must be careful not to exceed the force so as not to break the pipe or even damage the porcelain in the bathtub or sink.

Remove the Clogging

As you feel the pressure of the sewer snake decrease you can then remove the obstruction by carefully pulling the instrument upwards. At this point it is recommended that you wear gloves to avoid injury to your hands and also to avoid contact with the residual elements coming from the pipe.

To check if everything is OK, throw a considerable amount of water to observe how it flows and if the objective was achieved.

If you need professional help you can contact Mr. Poronga, we are a company with years of experience in everything related to plumbing, main sewer line, mold removal and flood water cleaning.

Plumbing is a complex job that requires extensive knowledge and years of experience, usually the repairs made by professional plumbing services are often uncomfortable and burdensome, so it is important that when we choose a plumbing company have the appropriate certifications.

In Mr. Poronga we like to help our customers and that’s why we made this article in which we will give you some tips and tricks that can help you solve an emergency with pipes, floods, humidity and drains inside your house, while a professional plumbing service arrives to end the problem.

Remember that the solutions we will give you below are only to contain a problem, not to remedy the failure completely. Remember that the plumber’s job is absolutely professional and he will not only repair the failure, but he will find out why the failure originated.

Tips From A Professional Plumber

Prevents damage to chrome parts

If you have to squeeze a piece of chrome pipe to stop a water can while waiting for the plumber, put a piece of electrician’s tape in the notches of the pipe wrench you use so that it doesn’t get marked on the chrome. You can also place a piece of cloth around the pipe and press on it.

Do not tighten taps with excessive force  

When you close a tap, avoid closing it too hard. If you do it constantly you will end up damaging the inner seat of the valve which will obviously force you to make a repair or a replacement of the affected part.

Put a stopper in the sink and washbasin

As we do not have enough experience to carry out repairs, we do not take into account some previous precautions. In that sense, always place the stopper of the sink or washbasin when you are going to disassemble some piece of the tap, this way you can avoid that some screw, gasket or other piece goes down the drain.

Protect the pieces of the bathroom

Before making any repairs, place a cloth, thick cloth or cardboard inside the sink, dishwasher or bathtub. Due to lack of experience, we could drop the tool we are working with and cause damage to the porcelain of the pieces we talked about before.

As you are not an expert in plumbing be careful

When you take a piece apart for the first time, get used to placing them in the same order as you take it apart, this will help you remember how it is originally arranged and which pieces go first and which ones later.

Avoiding Mold in the Bathroom

Usually mold can easily adhere to bathroom walls and especially in the gaps between tiles. This is due to moisture buildup inside the bathroom. To prevent this, make sure more air flows through the bathroom. If you can’t do this, call the plumbing service you trust to help you solve this problem.

Cleaning a clogged shower

Minerals in the water usually tend to clog shower holes and make it impossible for the water to flow out strongly. To repair this, you can remove the shower head and place it in vinegar water for half an hour, then remove it and clean it under the jet with a brush to finish removing the residues.

Sewer line repair is one of the most feared jobs by homeowners. The repair of the sewer line by a professional plumbing service is the best option because they are the ones who are trained to do the job and have the necessary tools.

In that sense, it is important to determine first in which part of the pipe the failure is located, remember that the sewer line is the responsibility of the property owner from the house to the street.

Usually, in this area, tree roots can grow through the pipes and cause a blockage known as root intrusion. There may also be accumulated dirt that can clog the pipe.

However, it’s not all bad; there are ways to save a lot of money and time. The important thing in these cases is to quickly determine what is happening to the sewer line.

Signs to Look for a Plumbing Service to Determine if the Sewer Line is Plugged

Slowly draining sinks, bathtubs and showers

Usually the slow drainage of these elements of the home tend to cause many problems, and the immediate solution we use is to throw a liquid composed of aggressive chemicals that do not solve the problem at all, but rather can make matters worse by eroding the pipe, especially if it is metallic.

A slow-draining pipe is often the first indication of a larger plumbing problem. To fix this problem, call a professional plumber as soon as possible. 

A professional plumber can provide an expert assessment of the best way to maintain your home’s sewer system.

Strange Sounds And Odors In The Pipeline

Strong odors and unusual sounds are other common characteristics of a sewer line problem. Repair may be necessary if your toilet is making strange noises.

Leaks and Moisture in Basements

Sewer damage can cause extra moisture to seep through the foundation of your home. If you see cracks, fissures or cracks around your home’s foundation, or moisture in your basement walls, it’s best to check to see what’s causing the failures to prevent further damage.

Changing Toilet Water Levels

In the morning, you may notice that the water level in the toilet bowl is below normal. If the levels are changing it is often a problem in the house sewer line.

Increasing Pest Populations

Malfunctioning sewer lines commonly attract mice, rats and other pests. In this situation, it is best to have a drainage inspection of your home.

Usually very old houses tend to suffer from these problems. The main reason the sewer line starts to fail is because the drainage pipe is already obsolete and starts to crack.

In this situation, it is best to place a video camera inspection and corroborate the exact point of failure. This way you will avoid having to make an expensive and uncomfortable excavation.

If you wish to inspect your pipes contact us, at Mr. Poronga we are here to assist you and provide you with the best plumbing service in town.  

This problem within sewer lines is very common, especially if you live in a property that is many years old. It usually happens when the drains are very old and are very close to trees or shrubs. Unfortunately, a root intrusion in the sewer line can only be solved by a plumbing service.

No matter what pipe material the sewer line is constructed of, whether it is clay, cement or metal, tree roots only need a small groove in the joints or any other part of the structure to slip through and start wreaking havoc.

To avoid future problems with your sewer line, we as a professional plumbing service can offer you some tips that will help you prolong the life of your sewer pipes, as well as save money in the future.

Tips From A Professional Plumbing Service To Prevent Root Intrusion

Avoid planting trees near the sewer line

Trees and shrubs naturally tend to seek out the greatest amount of moisture or water sources for their food through the soil and that is why tree roots often extend into the sewage system, invading it and causing severe damage.

In that sense, avoid planting trees and shrubs too close to the sewer line, so you will be decreasing the risk of having problems with your sewer line.

Perform constant checks

Making an annual call to the plumbing service will help you check the status of your home’s sewer line.

In this way you will be preventing any roots from causing deep damage to the pipe that could lead to its replacement and therefore an unexpected expenditure of money.

Remember that replacing a section of the sewer line can be quite expensive and also uncomfortable.

Do not throw objects or chemicals down the sewer line

Throwing away any corrosive chemicals or objects that do not dissolve easily in water is a very common mistake that people make.

Both of these elements tend to significantly shorten the life of any pipe. For example, chemicals will erode the inside of the pipe until a hole opens up and a root can smooth out the sewer line.

How Can a Plumbing Service Fix the Damage?

If you suspect that the sewer line is being blocked, ask your trusted plumber to do a thorough evaluation of the sewer pipe. They will usually use a snake sewer with a camera that will evidence any problems with the pipe.

Depending on the damage, the plumber will offer you options or steps to take to make the repair.

If the damage is not significant, it may only be necessary to remove the root and do some work to prevent it from happening again, but if it is deeper, then it may be necessary to remove the pipe and replace it with another one.

Keep in mind that to do this work, the plumber must have the licenses and permits required by state and city regulations. This is the only way that your job is truly guaranteed.

At Mr Poronga we have extensive experience in all aspects of plumbing and drainage maintenance. If you need advice or help, call 313.687.6905 and we will help you solve the emergency.  

The arrival of spring and the approach of summer intensifies the frequency of rains. This natural event usually causes flooding in both houses and garages that are below road level, so we will give you some plumbing recommendations to deal with the problem.

Flood water extraction can be a real problem for homeowners in areas where rainfall is often a problem. If the problem is too big, a professional plumbing service can help you, if not look at the recommendations.

Prevention is always the help we have to a recurring problem. In that sense, anticipating events is key to an early reaction to a given situation and rain is a natural event for which we must always be prepared.

Tips From A Plumbing Service To Avoid Flooding In Your Home

As we said before, the main thing is to be prepared. That is why, when the rains come, it is best to carry out some maintenance and cleaning work on the sewer lines near your house to avoid blockages that could lead to flooding.

• Carry out preventive maintenance of the drains of your house.

• Remove all traces of plant debris near the drains.

• Avoid planting shrubs or trees near drains to prevent future damage.

• Avoid disposing of liquid or chemical waste that will damage pipes.

• Never throw objects through sewer lines.

If you put into practice each one of these insurance tips you will be able to save both time and money, and as you can see they are not difficult tasks to execute so prevention will help you a lot.

What to do if my house is flooded?

If your house has been flooded by rainwater or even an internal drainage system that has failed at some point, you should have your house drained like a professional plumber.

In that scenario, safety is the key, so it is essential that before you start trying to evacuate the water that is flooding the house, you disconnect all or part of the house’s electrical supply, depending on the severity of the case, to avoid electrical shocks that could cause you serious injury.

After following the safety advice, then it’s time to get the job done. If you have a submersible drainage pump, place it in the deepest part of the flood to allow water to drain from the lowest point.

Remember to have a long hose, which has the same capacity as the pump in terms of the number of litres per second it is capable of pumping. Similarly, carry the end to a place where you can dispose of the water you are drawing without harming your neighbors.

If you don’t have these tools then you will have to do it manually with buckets of water. Obviously this can be done if the amount of water is small and will not cause superhuman strain.

Finally, if the problem gets out of hand, then you should call a professional plumbing service that will help solve your problem quickly and efficiently.

At Mr. Poronga we have extensive experience in all aspects of plumbing and drainage maintenance. If you need advice or help, call 313.687.6905 and we will help you solve the emergency.

Usually when a sink, toilet or dishwasher starts showing signs of clogging, people usually imagine that the problem is a few inches inside the pipe; however, many times the problem may be in the sewer line.

We know that dealing with a clogged drain can be frustrating and overwhelming, so preventing blockages is the best recommendation we can make to avoid major consequences.  Many times the sewer line is where the problem is and this can easily be solved with a sewer snake service.

At Mr. Poronga we have compiled a list of tips that can easily help you prevent sewer line clogs and save you money in the future.

Learn What You Can Do To Prevent Sewer Line Plugging

Problems with household plumbing and drainage are sometimes more serious than they seem, especially when we are talking about houses that were built more than 20 years ago. 

In the most chronic cases it is the house’s sewage system that is the real problem and professional plumbing service is usually needed.

For your peace of mind, there are steps you can take to avoid problems with your property’s sewer line.

#1 Use Drainage Enzymatic Cleaners At Least Once a Month

This is one of the simplest measures you can take to perform preventive maintenance on your home’s plumbing.There are many products to choose from, but it is best to use an enzymatic cleaner rather than a chemical one.

Chemical cleaners are usually quite aggressive and tend to corrode pipes when used in excessive ways, and they are harmful to the environment as well as to your health.

# 2 Keep Shrubs, Trees and Plants Away from the Sewer Line  

It happens very often that the sewer line is obstructed by the proximity of plants or trees. This happens because they are planted very close to it and naturally the roots look for places where there is moisture.

In the worst case, the pipes are invaded by the roots which causes irreparable damage to the drainage system. This leads to high costs in the construction of a new sewage line or the replacement of a section.

#3 Don’t Throw Baby Towels, Diapers or pads in the Toilet

The only thing that can be thrown in the toilet is human waste from our biological needs or toilet paper, the latter is designed to dissolve quickly on contact with water, but we recommend that you do not do so to avoid blockages due to excess paper.

Baby wipes, diapers or pads cannot be thrown into the toilet as they are too large and will cause a problem in the pipes and will never dissolve.

#4 Have a Professional Cleaning Done Annually by a Plumber

An annual sewer line cleaning by a professional plumbing service can help counteract any problems with your home’s drains and save money in the future.

Depending on the age of your home’s pipes and whether you’ve had to do work to clear a blockage in the past will also depend on the frequency of maintenance, but in most cases once a year is sufficient.

Looking For A Plumber In Detroit To Unclog A Drain?

A clogged drain is a very uncomfortable nuisance, it does not allow a practical performance of the normal activities of the house, premises or office. A plumber in Detroit may be the solution to your problems, but there are a number of things you can do to prevent emergency situations.

When a drain is clogged the most important thing you can do is to quickly identify what is causing it and how you can fix it in the most practical way possible.

In this article we’ll give you some simple guidelines you can follow to identify problems with your home’s drains, pipes or sewers in advance that will help you stay ahead of any situation. 

What Are The Signs A Plumber In Detroit Looks For To Identify A Drainage Failure?

• Liquids begin to leak from the sink drain.
• Water collects around the shower drains.
• Water comes down very slowly after puddles form.
• Toilet water bubbles up as it flows into the sink.
• Drains make sounds after the washer or dishwasher is turned on.
• Water collects around the bathtub or sink.
• There is a smell of spoiled food from the kitchen sink area.
• Sewage odors coming from one or more drains are signs of a clogged drain.

How to Clean a Clogged Drain?

It’s not an easy task, but it’s not impossible to do either, so here are some tips to help you clean up before a plumber comes to your house.

• Turn on the faucet until the sink is half full of water.
• If you have a double sink, cover one of the drains with a damp cloth.
• If it’s a clogged bathroom sink, make sure you cover the overflow hole at the top of the sink.
• Then, try pumping with a pacifier to try to unblock the plug.
• Finally, remove it and repeat the process several times.

Why Do Pipes Get Clogged?

Continued use of the pipes will generate waste that will eventually lead to pipe plugs. Even some products we use, hair, oxide and aggressive minerals create a coating inside the pipe that gradually reduces the diameter of the pipe internally.

It is recommended to make a programmed and preventive maintenance of the same ones with a professional in plumbing. This will save you money and many inconveniences in the future, since you will be able to avoid expensive repairs and replacement of complete sections of pipe.

Preventive maintenance helps homeowners avoid unwanted blockages. This is the easiest way to keep your home drainage system healthy and unobstructed.

It is best to schedule a maintenance plan to ensure that your pipes and drains are properly maintained throughout the year.

If there are any problems or attempted overflows, we recommend that you locate the shut-off valve for the system to prevent flooding at the site. You can then contact us and we will immediately help you solve your problem.