Category: Drain and Sewer

Sump Pump 101

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Ah, the sump pump. This device is one of the most important lines of defense your home has against flooding. When snow melts and spring rains flood, you want to be sure your sump pump is up to the task.

Sump Pump FAQ

Our team is breaking down our most asked questions regarding sump pump care and maintenance.

What is a sump pump?

The purpose of a sump pump is to divert groundwater away from your home during periods of high water and heavy rains. The device is usually installed in a basement or crawlspace, so it’s as close to sea level as possible. From there, the sump pump can protect the foundation of your home from flooding.

Is my sump pump broken?

Sump pumps are extremely durable, but they do need some help to stay clean and efficient over time.

  • Clean it regularly. Cleaning your pump’s inlet screen is essential — over time, the screen will get clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris.
  • Check for corrosion. While you have the inlet screen out of the system. Check the pump for any visible signs of corrosion.
  • Check the drainpipes and clear the grate. Remove the pump from its pit once a year to check these areas and the power cord for any issues.

If you aren’t sure whether your device is working, dump a bucket of water into the basin and turn the system on. Listen for a hum when you turn the system on. If you don’t hear anything, contact your local plumbing company.

The pump should shut down when the water has been pumped out of the basin — if it continues to pump without water, you likely need a repair. The system should automatically turn off after clearing the water, so it doesn’t burn itself out.

Your Beauty Routine May Be Harming Your Drains

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Life is stressful enough without having to deal with plumbing problems. No one wants to deal with a clogged drain or a backed-up shower when they try to simply use the sink or tub in their home. But why do your drains keep clogging?

There are many reasons why your drains could be clogging, but in the bathroom, hair is the biggest culprit. Shampoo and conditioners, shaving creams, and other beauty products only add to clogs. If you’re tired of dealing with clogs, keep reading to learn what bath and beauty products can harm your plumbing:

7 Bath and Beauty Products That Clog Drains

You probably don’t think twice about running your hands under a sink if you apply too much lotion or when you wash your face in the morning, but the reality is that even these small actions can add up to a clogged drain. Some common beauty and bath products that can clog your drains include:

  • Heavy body lotions with ingredients like shea and coconut butter
  • Clay face masks and facial serums
  • Contact lenses
  • Facial moisturizers, especially those with sunscreen and exfoliators
  • Shaving creams and hair removal products such as Nair
  • Bath products such as bath bombs and coffee scrubs
  • Hair products like shampoo, conditioner, and hair masks

Some homeowners may be surprised that products such as bath bombs and exfoliating scrubs are on this list, but common ingredients such as heavy oils and coffee grounds only add to drain problems. Oils can congeal and stick to hair or an existing blockage in a drain and make the problem worse. Beauty products like exfoliating coffee scrubs can also create a sticky mess that’s hard for your drain to clear on its own.

How to Prevent Clogs

The best way to reduce clogs is to prevent them from happening in the first place.

  • Use makeup wipes – Items like makeup wipes help you take off makeup without rinsing it down your drains. Opt for reusable cotton pads for a more sustainable option.
  • DIY solutions – If you really can’t (or don’t want to) give up bath bombs create a DIY bath bomb holder! Simply cut the foot off a pair of stockings, place your bath bomb inside and tie off the end. The bath bomb will still fizz and release colors, but any solid particles such as confetti or flower petals will stay in the stocking to be tossed.
  • Invest in a drain catcher – Drain catchers are a great way to prevent clogs. Simply place the drain catcher on top of or into the drain and clean it off every week to see how much really goes down your drains.
  • Dispose of all beauty products correctly – It may seem like all liquids can and should go down your drains, but by simply tossing old products in the trash, you can save time, money, and headaches.

Preventing clogs is the best way to take care of your bathroom plumbing, but if you’re struggling with recurring or persistent clogged drains, professional help may be required. Contact the drain experts at Mallick Plumbing & Heating at (301) 804-6759 to schedule an appointment today!

Are You Using the Right Plunger?

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If you’ve been struggling to unclog drains and toilets, your plunger may be the problem. The conventional red plunger is the one you most likely keep on standby, but it’s not always the best tool for the job.

There are four different types of plunger, each designed for a specific task:

  • The taze

  • The flange

  • The accordion

  • The flat

Let’s take a look at when each one of these would come in handy.
 

The 4 Different Types of Plungers

One of the most common reasons why people call the plumber is because of clogged drains. If your toilet or sink is backing up, you need to make sure you can unclog it right away. Other than investing in the right plunger, you should also make sure that you never put fats, oils, or grease down your drains.

The Taze Plunger

Taze plungers are considered specialty tools, and plumbing professionals generally use them. You should not use taze plungers for household plumbing issues. These professional-level plungers have a steel rod connected to a small disc. This disc is snaked down the drain in order to remove the clog. Again, they should only be handled by a professional.

The Flange Plunger

Many people refer to the flange plunger as a toilet plunger, but it can actually work with nearly any drain. It is extremely flexible and includes a cup with a soft, rubber flap. This fold-out flap allows it to work in the toilet drain for better suction.

You can use this plunger for toilets, sinks, and tubs. While it works for toilets and sinks, you should have one flange plunger for your toilet exclusively. Then, you can use a different plunger for other drains to avoid cross-contamination.

The Accordion Plunger

Unlike other types of plungers, the accordion plunger is not designed to be very flexible. Instead, it is made out of hard plastic. This allows it to generate more force, but the design also makes the accordion plunger trickier to use. The plunger’s plastic can potentially scratch the surfaces of your toilet. It can also be difficult to create a vacuum seal over your drains because of how hard the plunger is.

The accordion plunger is designed specifically to unclog toilets. Because of how much force it imparts, it should only be used in the case of a severe clog. If you are worried about scratching and damaging your toilet, you may want to leave this plunger to the professionals.

The Flat Plunger

The flat plunger — also called a sink plunger — is probably the one you have sitting next to your toilet. The flat plunger is not ideal for unclogging toilets. Instead, the flat cup is actually better for flat surfaces like bathtubs and sinks. If you use it on the right surface, the flat cup makes a vacuum over the drain in order to dislodge the clog.

Tips for Clearing Clogs

If you are dealing with a clog in your home, the following tips will help you remove it as quickly as possible.

  • Make sure to use the right plunger.

  • You should create suction by slowly pressing down to remove air from the plunger. This helps you make a better seal.

  • Plunge straight down because using an angle will decrease the amount of force you can use.

  • To make the best possible seal in a sink or bathtub, make sure to submerge the plunger in water.

  • If your plunger is torn, it will not be able to achieve a good seal. Keep your plunger in good condition by keeping it clean and dry when you are not using it.

Bottom line: You would use a Phillips screwdriver on a slotted screw. The same principle applies to plungers and clogs. Use the right tool for the right job. If your plunger still fails you, give Mallick Plumbing & Heating at (301) 804-6759.

What is Hydro-Jetting?

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If you have found yourself reading a blog about hydro-jetting, you are either very curious about plumbing services or your drain needs a good cleaning. Either way, you have come to the right place. Mallick Plumbing & Heating offers drain cleaning in Bethesda, MD.

To put it simply, hydro-jetting is a way for qualified plumbers to clean out your pipes using high-pressure water. This leaves your pipes shiny and clean! Hydro-jetting is safe, inexpensive, and very effective if performed by a trained professional. Otherwise, it can be dangerous, so make sure that you are working with qualified plumbers that will use the equipment properly.

Hydro-jetting can be used as either a preventative or reactive measure. It can clear clogs quickly and easily. A qualified plumber will use a thin hose, attached to an omnidirectional sprayer. The sprayer then hits every area of the pipe. This blasts out waste so new clogs will not form as easily. By using this method, your pipes will be cleaner than they ever have been before!

How do you know if hydro-jetting is right for your plumbing system?

Well, the first step would be to speak to a qualified plumber in your area. If you’ve noticed recurring clogs in your plumbing system, it’s time to call. Often, recurring clogs are an indication of a more serious problem with your system. Eventually, blockages can lead to plumbing system damages.

Hydro-jetting is also a very effective way in which to clean out your sewer line. Now, you obviously would not clean your sewer line out for aesthetic reasons—it’s all about functionality. Sometimes, clearing out a sewer just isn’t enough. Clearing a clog may remove a single clog, but that does not really help when your sewer or drain lines are restricted due to a gradual buildup on the walls of the pipes. A hydro-jetting service scours these surfaces, rather than just removing clogs.

A professional will determine which cleaning method will work best in your pipes. Hydro-jetting is one of the best ways to clear out debris due to hair, soap residue, grease, and more! One of the major benefits of hydro-jetting is that it allows for targeted cleaning.  Hydro-jets are more advanced than motorized drain snakes. Drain snakes are also effective but can’t fully clean out a drain like a hydro jet can.

Remember, hydro-jetting can be dangerous both for the individual handling the service as well as the pipes being cleaned. Plumbers wear special protective gear to shield their faces and skin from accidents. Hydro-jetting requires plumbers to complete specialized training to use the jet correctly. Hydro-jets are powerful tools and should be used only by a professional. Luckily, Mallick Plumbing & Heating is here to help you with all your plumbing needs!

We believe in keeping up with all the latest advances in our field and we believe in the hydro jet’s ability to get the job done effectively.

For drain cleaning and other plumbing needs, contact the Service Contractor of Choice! Schedule an appointment with Mallick Plumbing & Heating today!

Do You Know About Your Home’s Sewage Grinder Pump? It’s Important!

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People don’t really want to think much about the sewage removal system for their homes. Of course not, it’s sort of icky. Hey, as long as it works, you don’t want to spend much time on it.

But you need to give some occasional thought to the different components of your sewage system to make sure that they’re working in the best possible condition. Failure in the sewage system will turn into a nasty problem, and you’ll require the services of a professional plumber in Frederick, MD to fix the problem. But if you call the plumber early to fix problems when they’re small or replace older components, you can keep the sewer system working the way it should so you can go back to giving the sewage system only a thought here and there.

And this brings us to the sewage grinder pump…

Wait, what’s a sewage grinder pump?

A sewage grinder pump is a pump that’s located at the low spot in your house or in your yard. The pump grinds up the wastewater—much like a garbage disposal—and then pumps it up to the nearest municipal sewer line. The wastewater first gathers in a holding tank. When the wastewater reaches a set level, the pump activates to grind the waste and then creates the pressure to push the wastewater uphill to the sewer line.

Why do I need a sewage grinder pump?

You actually may not need one or have one. A sewage grinder pump is designed to aid homes that are located lower than the nearest municipal sewer line. The standard home is built higher than the sewer line so that gravity will draw wastewater from the sewage system. Not all homes are in this position, and for those homes, it’s necessary to have a sewage grinder pump. Otherwise, the wastewater will back up and contaminate the house.

Sewage grinder pumps may be required for some commercial businesses, regardless of where they’re located relative to the sewer line. This is because these commercial businesses (such as restaurants) produce a larger amount of wastewater with solid waste that must be ground down before entering the sewer line.

Sewage grinder pump trouble!

Yes, a sewage grinder pump can fail. For one, it’s electrically powered, and in the case of a power outage, it will stop working. The motors in the sewage grinder pump may also burn out. Early warning signs that this has happened include multiple clogged drains and toilets in the house and foul odors coming from drains. These could also be from other sewer line issues, but no matter what, they need to have a professional plumber look into them right away.

Sewage grinder pump installation

Your home or business may require a new sewage grinder pump, and this is absolutely a job to leave to the professionals. (In the case of a business, proper sewage grinder pump installation is necessary to remain up to code.) Our plumbers handle both residential and commercial sewage grinder pump installation, as well as repair services.

You’ve come to the right people for sewage grinder pump services: Mallick Plumbing & Heating is the service contractor of choice throughout Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

A Sewer Line Problem or a Simple Drain Clog?

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Nobody wants to have a drain in their house that clogs up or drains so slowly that it’s leaving a few inches of water at the bottom of the shower. There are many reasons for slow drains and drain clogs, ranging from something as simple as an object that was accidentally knocked down the drain (or put down the drain in the case of small children in the house) to as extensive as damage in the sewer line that connects the home’s plumbing to the municipal sewer line.

If you’re going to be stuck with a clogged drain, you’d much rather it be something simple and easy to fix. But it’s important to be aware of the possibility of a major sewer issue. You’ll need plumbers to handle any sewer line trouble, and you may also need them to handle obstinate clogs. Let’s look closer at the signs of how bad a slow/clogged drain might be.

The basic plunger or drain snake solution

When you first encounter a drain that isn’t, well, draining, the first instinct may be to reach for a sink plunger or a hand-cranked drain snake. (Don’t, under any circumstance, reach for a chemical drain cleaner. These are damaging to drains.) If you do have a basic clog, these tools can often clear out the drain. If they can’t, or the clogs are reoccurring, you either have a much tougher clog or deeper problems in the drainage system.

More than one drain is slow/clogged

A major warning sign that a drain problem is bigger than basic clogs is if one or more are clogged at the same time. If the first drains that start to clog are located in the lowest parts of the house (such as in the basement), then you probably have a sewer line that is clogged up or possibly broken. Multiple drain clogs can also indicate trouble with blocked drain vents. No matter the case, this is something that needs the attention of a licensed professional plumber.

Bad odors from the drains

When a sewer line is clogged up with tree roots or debris, one of the early warnings of the trouble is a backup of sewer gas will start to waft up through the drains. So if your drains are not only clogged or slow but also emitting a horrible smell, we recommend getting a professional plumber on the job right away. Even if it isn’t the sewer line, you’ve got a major plumbing problem somewhere.

Drain cleaning for clogs

If you’re fortunate to only have standard clogs making trouble in your drainpipes, we still recommend calling for professional plumbers for drain cleaning. Plumbers can eliminate the toughest clogs without damaging the piping material, and the thorough cleaning process makes it less likely for clogs to return in the near future.

To arrange for drain cleaning and sewer line services in Bethesda, MD, talk to our plumbers. We have the best tools to get any job done, including trenchless technology to make sewer line repair and replacement fast and clean.

Schedule drain or sewer service: Mallick Plumbing & Heating is the Service Contractor of Choice for Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

You May Need Backflow Prevention Assistance in Your Home

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Backflow prevention is a service that homeowners often don’t realize they need. When people think of “backflow preventers”—when they think about them at all—they think of the large assemblies sitting outside of commercial and industrial buildings. The purpose of these backflow preventers is civic: they stop the wastewater from the business from flowing the wrong direction through the plumbing, leading to bacterial contamination entering the public fresh water supply.

With homes, backflow prevention is a bit different. There are fewer places in a house where there are direct cross-connections between the wastewater and freshwater sides of the plumbing. For example, there’s a natural air gap in a sink between the drain and the faucet—the wastewater in the drain won’t leap up and go the wrong way down the faucet! But there are places in your home’s plumbing where you’ll need backflow prevention devices, and our certified plumbers can help you with ensuring your freshwater supply is protected from stale water getting into it.

Backflow and what causes it

First, we want to clarify on what backflow actually is. If there is a change in pressure in the plumbing system, with either an increase in pressure on the wastewater side or a decrease in pressure on the freshwater side, it will cause water to move the wrong direction through the plumbing. In a home, this can mean water from the common residential system—non-potable (i.e. non-drinkable) water—spreading into the fresh drinking water. There are a number of reasons for this change of pressure: the water main may be broken, firefighters may have placed a heavy demand on the local freshwater supply, a power outage has occurred, or there’s a new water-using appliance that alters the pressure.

Where backflow can be an issue in your home

Backflow can happen in any place where water can move backward and go into a freshwater pipe. For example, a hose showerhead can be lower than the water level in the shower. However, the appliances of the highest concern are boilers, radiators, and especially irrigation systems like sprinklers. To stop backflow at these locations, plumbers place special backflow valves. These valves will close in the event of water moving in the wrong direction, shutting off the movement of water.

If you’re unsure if your home needs backflow preventers or has them in already place, call on licensed and certified plumbers. Working with backflow prevention requires special certification, so not all professional plumbers can perform the work. In order to be a certified Backflow Tester in Maryland, a plumber must be at minimum a Journeyman Plumber and complete a State of Maryland-sanctioned 40-hour certification course for Cross-Connection Technicians. Afterward, the plumber must re-certify every three years.

We offer service for backflow prevention in Frederick, MD and the surrounding areas, and have certified Backflow Testers on staff. We can install prevention devices in places where you need them and take care of the occasional checks and replacements that will continue to protect your water supply.

Look to the Service Contractor of Choice for your backflow prevention services: Mallick Plumbing & Heating.

Strange Things That Can Cause Drain Clogs

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In the years we’ve been in business, we’ve unclogged a lot of drains. A lot. That comes with the territory of being a professional plumber: slow drains and drain clogs are one of the most common plumbing problems in homes.

There are some basic causes of drainpipe obstructions. Hair caught in the p-traps of shower and bathroom sink drains. Accumulated fats, oils, and grease in the kitchen sink drain. Soap scum residue in almost any drain. However, we’ve also seen our share of unusual reasons for drain clogs. Below are some odd reasons you may have a clogged drain or toilet in your house. No matter what it is, the services for your plumbing in Rockville, MD, that will clear out the drain are right here at Mallick Plumbing & Heating. You can reach us 24/7 for emergency service.

Smartphones

Why would a smartphone be jammed in a drain? It’s actually not too difficult. People often complain about smartphones slipping out of their pockets. If you’re looking around your bathroom, the phone in your shirt pocket just might tumble out and down into the toilet. Yes, it happens! Another reason for this is when a young child gets hold of the phone—and decides to see what happens when it gets thrown down the toilet. We can get the toilet clear of this obstruction—although we’re afraid there’s not much we can do to rescue the phone.

Cat litter

This one is a good warning for all those cat lovers out there: never pour cat litter down a toilet to dispose of it. Always put the litter in a bag and take it out to the trash. Cat litter can easily clog up your toilet or even parts of the municipal sewage system. Not only is cat litter heavy—it’s really like pouring actual sand down a drain—it also clumps. The clumping is great for cleaning up cat litter, but it’s absolutely horrible if it’s down in a drain creating obstinate clogs.

Cement

You’re confused about this one, aren’t you? We’re not suggesting you may accidentally pour cement down one of your drains. The cement that could end up blocking one or more of your drains is from poor construction. Old pipes that are no longer in use are often sealed up using cement—and if the job wasn’t done well, the cement may end up in other pipes and block them.

False Teeth

Dentures need to be cleaned and soaked often to prevent bacteria from developing in them. Cleaning them twice a day is often recommended. That means a lot of time spent in the bathroom with the dentures over the sink—and plenty of chances for the dentures to slip from the hand and go down the drains! Call for plumbers to come to the rescue when this happens.

Wedding Rings

We’d just thought we mention wedding rings while we’re here. These may not clog up a drain—but they’re items people definitely want retrieved! If you lose a wedding ring down the sink, don’t use any more water and call for a plumber right away. Most of the time, we can rescue the ring for you.

Unclog that drain—no matter what’s clogging it—with a call to Mallick Plumbing & Heating. The Service Contractor of Choice.

Why You Need Kitchen Sink Drain Cleaning

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The bathroom is the room in your house that contains the most plumbing and the most fixtures. It also uses the most water, accounting for around 40% of the freshwater used in the house each year. (Even short showers take up a lot of water.) But the bathroom sink isn’t the sink that gets the most use in the house or the harshest use. That “honor” belongs to your kitchen sink. Not only does more water go down it, but it also has to deal with cooking oils, fats, grease, and food waste.

Your kitchen sink drain leads a rough life, and it needs help sometimes. You can do your best to keep fats, oils, and grease out of the drain, but you should also have professionals help you out with regular drain cleaning to see that the kitchen sink drain is restored to its best condition.

No, put away that liquid drain cleaner!

Your eye might have skipped over the professionals part of that last sentence and gone straight to drain cleaning. If you looked around for a plastic bottle of chemical drain cleaner, we’re glad we stopped you. No licensed plumber recommends using these chemical concoctions on drains—they certainly would never use them on the job. Chemical drain cleaners are only a way to eat through a clog, not a way to clean away the debris that created it. These cleaners can also harm drainpipes with their caustic action.

A drain snake won’t do the job either

Hand-crank drains snakes are great for fast unclogging jobs for bathroom sinks—they’re good at removing hair from the drains. But they don’t provide cleaning, only a way to break through a clog to allow water to flow again. The debris that created the clog in the first place will stay there, helping to start the buildup all over again.

Professionals cleaning your kitchen sink drain

Keep in mind the kind of buildup that affects a kitchen drain: lots of food waste and fats, oils, and grease (a.k.a. F-O-G) that tenaciously cling to the pipe walls. These aren’t easy to remove with most standard drain cleaning methods. Even motorized rooters—basically powered drain snakes—can’t completely clean away a kitchen sink drain.

What you can expect from the best professional plumbers for kitchen drain cleaning is a hydro-jetter. This device blasts high-pressure water from a nozzle down in the drainpipe. The water force scours the interior of the pipe in all directions, removing any buildup from the pipe. After hydro-jetting, your kitchen sink drain will be in “like-new” condition, and you won’t have to worry about buildup for a long time to come.

We’re your drain cleaners of choice!

When you’re ready to schedule your drain cleaning in Frederick, MD—no matter if it’s in the kitchen sink or elsewhere in the house—turn to the local professionals who will get the job done. You can trust to our plumbers: our company is built on a foundation of honesty and integrity, and we aim to get each job done right the first time.

Mallick Plumbing & Heating is the Service Contractor of Choice for Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

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