Plumbing in Austin TX ... choose a plumber you can trust

Austin is the capital of Texas , situated in central Texas and the 4th biggest Texas city.

Its population stands at 790 390 and is the economic and cultural hub of the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area having a population of over 1 716 291. It is situated on the banks of the Colorado River.

There are a lot of development centres for technology corporations … but it is also known as the International Capital for Live Muscic , having many musicians and live music venues.

It has very hot summers and mild winters wih the characteristically humid winds coming off the Gulf of Mexico.

It is not only a thriving economic centre which is known for its high tech industry , but also excellence in many aoother areas … so yoiu won’t have a problem finding a good tradesman or specifically a plumber listed under plumbing in Austin TX…

ABC Plumbing Service *
9475 Hwy 290 East
Austin, TX zip code

Roto-Rooter Plumbers *
2800 Longhorn Boulevard
Austin, TX zip code

Pure Plumbing Service *
8713 Cretys Cv
Austin, TX zip code

All Around Home Services *
12506 River Bnd
Austin, TX zip code

Brittain Plumbing *

Wimberley Plumbing *

1st Plumbing Services *
8721 South 1st St
Austin, TX zip code

Pure Plumbing Service *
8713 Cretys Cove
Austin, TX zip code

Faulty Toilet Seal ?

Plumbing problems come in big and small sizes and we know that they can really set us back financially. Some of these problems require a master plumber , but for others , if you are handy and willing to learn something new , you can save yourself an extra expense…

For example a simple and easily resolvable problem is how to replace a toilet seal.

This is a common problem and really easy to fix yourself. Added to which you can prevent a lot of dmamge by doing it in time wihtout having to call a plumber.

There is a seal on the toilet base where it is attached to the floor . This is a gasket comprising of a wax ring. Any hardware store can sell you a replacement.

It is not expensive and if you replace it timeously you can save you floor and sub-flooring damage.

A note of caution: if you don’t repair this problem in time it can result in a very expensive repair job.

Also , if you are doing this in Winter , you need to do it in a heated bathroom ( at least 70 degrees F ) – because the wax needs to become pliable.

Next blog post coming up .. simple steps to do this job.

Faulty Toilet Seal – Part 2

• Put the new seal over the floor flange – round side up. Make sure it’s centred on the opening with both bolts correctly placed.

• Place the toilet over the flange and seal. Keep the toilet level.

• Sit on the toilet . This helps the seal attach.

• The bowl must be level.

• Put back the nuts you removed earlier Tighten the nuts MANUALLY:

• Reconnect the water

• Flush the water and fill the tank.Note: If someone is taking a hot shower turn on the watewr halfway – this prevents the sitauation where the person showering may be burnt by hot water.

• Flush . Check if there are leaks.

• Apply silica caulk at junction of floor and bowl.

• Now the job is done… but be sure to disinfect your hands with anti-bacterial soap.

Plumbing Tools You’ll Need

Often the tools you have for other DIY jobs can help with plumbing problems.

But there are also some special tools you’ll need specifically for a plumbing job…

Pipe Wrench – the size and grip especially to loosen pipes

Plumbing Aids – plumbers snake , closet auger , slip –joint pliers and a plunger.

How To Fix A Shower Head

Sometimes , as you know , your shower head swivel can leak.

To fix this problem you will need :

O-Ring replacement or other seal
Adjustable wrenches

The steps you should take…

1. Unscrew shower head
2. Identify the O-Ring – replace it and screw the shower head back again

Note : the problem might not be as simple as that. In some cases the cause of the problem might need to be identified to avoid this problem recurring . This could be because of scale or mineral deposit build up , or lodged grit or sediment.

Solution:

Remove shower head swivel ball and clean it.

This might not be simple…
Some parts you need to soak in venegar and other you need to scrape.
Be careful not to scrtach or gouge

Do you have an adjustable spay shower head?
Check if there has been wear of the moving parts.

You might have to replace it completely if…

The adjustment handle doesnt work well or if it binds.

You also need to replace it if the internal cam doesn’t work

Why is A Sewer System Neccessary ?

When you flush your toilet or wash something down the drain , sewage ( or wastewater ) is created.

In certain third world societies and in the past history of the Western world , this was just dumped into the streets or in a stream.

But really , as advanced societies have understood ( even as far back as ancient societies , like the Romans ) this is not ideal and you need to be really careful about wastewater disposal…

Why ?…

• It really stinks – the environment would soon become unbearably smelly.

• Human waste contains many dangerous bacteria. If the water supply and environment become infected this becomes a really deadly health hazard.

• It also contains chemicals and suspended solids that are hazardous to the environnment . For eg…

Wastewater has phosphates and nitrates, which encourage algae growth – thus polluting the water supply

Wastewater has organic material. When dumped into the water supply bacteria start decomposing this , consuming oxygen and killing of fish and other life.

The susupended solids can also make the water murky , killing fish and other life

So basically wastewater in our streams or lakes kill all forms of wild life living there – aside from which the environment starts stinking and soon becomes unliveable.

This is why we need wastewater treatment plants and laws against recklessly relasing sewage into the ambient.

Unclogging A Drain – A Homemade Solution That Works

A clogged drain is a plumbing emegency which if not attended to immediately , can cause a real mess and inconvenience.

Strangely enough though , many people wait til the last moment , wehn the drain simply won’t work, to take action.

This is completely the wrong course of action…

Sometimes unclogging a drain requires an expert plumber – but there are many things you can try first if you appraoch the problem timeously before it becomes a plumbing emergency

There are a few homemade solutions that really work -for example.

If your drain is moderately clogged…

Pour ½ cup baking soda down drain – immediately followed by ½ cup vinegar.

These two ingredients react together with excessive foaming and fumes- so replace the drain cover.

Leave this solution in your drain for at least 3 hrs- then run the water.

If this doesn’t do the trick , next up … other homemade solutions…

Unclogging A Greasy Drain – Without Calling A Plumber

Another homemade solution which works …

Pour ½ cup salt , ½ cup baking powder , then a kettle of boiling water down drain .

Leave this to settle overnight

… more on unclogging to follow.

Keeping Your Drain Clog-free and Odourless

Use this homemade drain cleaner on a weekly basis – it is non-corrosive and environmentally friendly…

Solution:

1 cup table salt
¼ cup cream of tartar
1 cup baking powder

Stir ingredients well and store in clean , sealed jar.

Pour ¼ cup of the solution into the drain followed by 1 cup boiling water.

After 10 seconds flush with cold water.

You can also try a weekly flushing with a lot of boiling water.

How to Unclog your Drain Before Calling A Plumber

Here’s what you need…

• Plunger

• Wetcloths

• Commercial drain opener

• Petroleum jelly

• Bucket

• Drain-and-trap auger

• Stiff brush

• Wire coat hanger

… steps to follow

Unclogging Your Drain Before Having To Call A Plumber–Step 1

• Cover the overflow opening in the tub or basin with a wet cloth or a few wet cloths.

• The kitchen sink usually doesn’t have this – but if you have a sink with two basins plug one drain opening with a wet cloth or a few wet cloths.

• In the case of 2 back to back basins in separate bathrooms , check if they share a common drain. In this case plug both the drain and overflow vent of both bathrooms basins. You should also do this with the bath tub and the shower ( though a shower doesnt usually have an overflow vent ). The point is that ALL drain openings and overflow vents that share a common drain need to be covered before the plunger can work.

… to follow step 2.