DIY Emergency Solutions: How To Unclog A Toilet Without A Plunger?

how to unclog a toilet without a plunger by Leone plumbingUnexpected situations can happen anytime. It may stress us but also push us to become resourceful in resolving a problem. Take it as an example if you deal with a clogged toilet without a plunger. Dealing with a clogged toilet without any tool on hand can be a nightmare! So how to unclog a toilet without a plunger? In this article, we will discuss other resources you can find at home which you can use to deal with a clogged toilet.

How To Unclog A Toilet Without A Plunger Using These 5 DIY Solutions Found At Home

Pour Hot Water
If you have a bucket (or any large containers), fill it up with hot water. Do not use boiling water or else it may crack the porcelain toilet. From the waist level, pour the hot water into the toilet bowl. As you pour the hot water, its pressure and heat can dislodge whatever is clogging your toilet.
Use A Dish Soap
Your kitchen has an available solution on how to unclog a toilet without a plunger. You can use dish soap as a quick remedy! If pouring hot water doesn’t work, add about half-cup of dish soap into the toilet. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes then flush it again with hot water. Its lubricating property can help the clogged debris to flow down easily.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
Another popular DIY solution is using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar in the clogged toilet. What you need to do is add a cup of baking soda to the toilet bowl. Next, slowly pour the vinegar into the toilet until it bubbles. The fizz may dissipate the clog through the pipe as you flush.
DIY Drain Snake Using A Wire Hanger
You can turn a wire hanger into a DIY drain snake. To do so, straighten out the wire hanger. Then, push it down and prob whatever is clogging the toilet. Though this can be effective, we do not recommend this approach as it may scratch the porcelain (do this approach at your own risk).
Use A 2-Liter Plastic Bottle
Fill the plastic bottle with warm water. You should wear rubber hand gloves when doing this since you’ll get your hands into the bowl. Once you fit the top end of the bottle into the toilet bowl, place your thumb over it and squeeze to shoot out warm water. The water pressure that it makes should displace the clog.

What To Do If The Toilet Is Still Clogged?

There are many resourceful ways how to unclog a toilet without a plunger. But there are times when DIY solutions may not do well in our favor. There might be a serious clogged issue on your toilet that needs to be dealt with by a professional. If this happens, contact us and we will be glad to help you!
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Choosing The Right Water Piping Materials For Your Home

Leone Plumbing Water Piping SolutionWater piping connections are the most vulnerable part of the plumbing system. That is why you must pick the right piping materials for your home. There are many options to choose from and choosing the right pipe can be confusing. Today, let us look at the different types of pipes to find out what is best for your home plumbing system.

Different Types of Pipes For Your Residential Plumbing System

PVC Pipes
PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride pipes are mostly used for sinks, toilet drains, or waste lines. This type of water piping material is lightweight and more convenient to work with than traditional galvanized steel pipe. However, using PVC pipes is not permitted everywhere. It is better to review your local regulations before installing PVCs.
PEX Pipes
PEX pipes are best used for water supply lines. This plastic piping material is known to withstand the high pressures of your water supply. Professional plumbers are drawn in using PEX pipes since they are flexible to weave through walls, ceilings, basements, and crawl spaces. Like PVC pipes though, they are not permitted everywhere and you have to check your local regulations before installing PEX pipes.
ABS Pipes
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) pipes should not be confused with PVC pipes. They are much alike except that the ABS pipe is black and much softer. It is mostly used for drain and vent lines. This pipe is easy to install, durable, and cost-effective. The only downside is it can easily warp when exposed to direct sunlight.
Copper Pipes
Copper pipes are best used for residential water supply lines. This water piping material is durable and safer to use than other pipe materials like plastics that leach chemicals. Though it’s costly, it is fairly durable for your residential plumbing.
Galvanized Steel Pipes and Cast Iron
Cast iron pipe and galvanized steel pipe are mostly found in older homes. These types of water piping materials are best used for water supply lines, drains, and vent lines. They are known to be very durable and can last for a long time until such time it rusts. These pipes are heavyweight and are difficult to cut through. To this day, they are mostly used in commercial buildings. Water Piping Materials By Leone Plumbing

How Do I Know If I Pick the Right Pipe?

Deciding on the right pipe for your residential plumbing has many factors to consider. First, you need to know the function that the pipe has to perform and also the area where it will be installed. You also have to look at your budget. The cost of the material may affect your decision. In addition, you have to check your local building codes to ensure that the type of pipe you choose is permitted. If you come to a point where you don’t know which options to choose, you can speak to a professional plumber or contractor. Contact us right now and our team of experts can help you decide!  
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When Should I Be Worried About Pipes Freezing?

Pipes Freezing Solution By Leone PlumbingPipes freezing during the winter season can bring trouble to your plumbing system. How long can your pipes stand the freezing temperature and when should you be worried about pipes freezing? Let’s talk about the issue that freezing pipes can bring and the precautions that everyone can take.

Why Do Water Pipes Freeze And Burst During The Winter?

One plumbing issue to watch out for during the winter season is the bursting of pipes. A pipe may burst if it is not able to handle the pressure that arises from freezing water. During winter, the water inside the line expands as it slowly freezes. While it gets close to freezing, the pressure inside the pipe increases. If the water pressure gets too high for the pipe to handle, it will indeed rupture! The freezing water causes the lines to contract and the weak areas of the pipe may burst. It is recommended that you get your pipes checked and repaired before the winter season.

Should I Be Worried About Pipes Freezing?

If the outside temperature is at less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit, then you should be worried about pipes freezing! Water begins to freeze as the temperature drops which causes the pipes to freeze. Cold winds can also freeze the pipes. Pipes with cracks or holes allow the cold air from the outside to blow in and may cause ice formation. Once the pipe is freezing, it is at risk of bursting, resulting in leaks and unexpected flooding. But don’t let these scenarios worry you. There are precautions that you can take to prevent your pipes from bursting.

Precautions To Prevent Pipes From Freezing And Bursting

The contraction of pipes caused by the cold weather is something that we cannot control which may cause leaks. However, there is something you can do to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Here are some of the precautions you can follow:
  • Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
  • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
  • When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe (even at a trickle) helps prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
  • If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, and set it to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

Protect Your Pipes From Bursting This Winter

The winter season can be fun without being worried about your plumbing system. Preventive measures can alleviate the concern you have with pipes freezing. If you’re dealing with a burst pipe or water leak this winter, just contact us and we are here to help you!
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Sustainable Eco-Friendly Solutions For Bathroom Drains

Leone Plumbing Eco-Friendly Bathroom DrainsAnother important aspect to consider when building or renovating a bathroom is sustainability. We can achieve sustainability in our projects by considering eco-friendly solutions available in the market. Going green is doable by using sustainable building products such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), porcelain, reclaimed wood, and bamboo flooring. These materials are very popular because they are durable and can last for many years. But today, we will highlight one interesting shower solution that is eco-friendly that meets the standards when it comes to quality sustainable products.

Why Should We Go For Eco-Friendly Solutions For Our Bathroom?

Savoring the good things that life has to offer doesn’t always come with ease. Carbon dioxide emissions are one thing that has a negative impact on the environment around us. In the United States, residential and commercial establishments contribute almost 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. But we can lessen the percentage by going for eco-friendly solutions for bathroom renovation. One successful eco-friendly innovation is the QuickDrain complete shower solution!

The QuickDrain Complete Shower Solution Is An Eco-Friendly And Time-Efficient Option

The QuickDrain shower solution has taken one step towards sustainability from the time of production. Since 2015, the brand has repurposed 19 million plastic bottles into thousands of pre-sloped and tile-ready shower pan systems. For every QuickDrain shower pan system installed, 450 plastic bottles are recycled! The product is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles which makes it the best eco-friendly product you can find. It’s not only friendly to the environment it’s time efficient too. Its interlocking design can be quickly and easily modified directly on-site into any size or shape. Another perk of installing the product is it offers the chance to earn LEED certification points. Eco-Friendly Bathroom Drains Solution

What are LEED points?

LEED is — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design— points from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). USGBC is an organization that promotes and advocates greener and sustainable building design, construction, and operation. It is the most widely used green rating system in the world. LEED-certified homes utilize less energy and few resources which promotes healthy and safe homes.

Go Green With Sustainable Bathroom Drains

It’s a “green choice” to install sustainable bathroom drain systems such as the QuickDrain complete shower solution. Using sustainable materials for your bathroom renovation is a wise contribution you can make to the environment. Let your bathroom renovation go green! Contact us and let’s talk about sustainability for your bathroom renovation needs.
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The Advantages Of Hydro Jetting To Unclog A Drain

Leone Plumbing Hydro Jetting Services It’s not fun to encounter clogged or slow drains. At some point, a homeowner experiences the hassle of dealing with stubborn clogs! Blockage such as grease, minerals, and other debris can create a large mess that can ruin your day. There are many ways to unclog a drain, but for the most stubborn blockages, the best solution is hydro jetting.

What Is Hydro Jetting And Why Is It Highly Recommended To Unclog A Drain?

Hydro Jetting is an effective method to remove dirt buildup on surfaces and also clogs on pipes. This method uses high-velocity water pressure which is injected into pipes using advanced equipment, special hoses, and jet nozzle. The hydro jetting system can work at pressures of as low as 4,000 pounds per square inch (psi) to as high as 60,000 psi (414 MPa), depending on the work to be done. We highly recommend hydro jetting to unclog the drain because of the following advantages.
Extremely Effective In Cleaning Pipes
Hydro jetting requires the use of a high-powered pressure washer in order to unclog a drain. The pressurized stream of water is effective to get rid of any clogs and dirt buildup on pipes. This method is long-lasting compared to snaking and it’s a perfect choice for any size or type of pipe.
It’s Cost-Effective
You can definitely save more money with hydro jetting. This method enables plumbers to clear the drain without opening up the pipes or resorting to expensive and tedious digging. You will yield additional savings with hydro jetting because it prevents future issues such as persistent clogs, water backups, and the risk of pipes bursting.Leone Plumbing Unclog Drain Services
Environmentally Safe
Since hydro jetting only uses a pressurized stream of water, there is no need to use harmful chemicals that can damage plants, trees, or contaminate nearby water sources.
It’s More Sanitary
Using conventional plumbing methods increases the risk of coming in contact with sewage debris. This is not the case with hydro jetting since the plumber will minimize contact with sewage and spend less time unclogging the drain.
More Flexibility
To unclog a drain with hydro jetting doesn’t require digging underground or opening walls. It can clean hard-to-reach areas of your pipes without exposing your home piping system. This method is also ideal for older homes where plumbing is less accessible and fragile as well. It’s safe and won’t damage pipes despite the high water pressures.

Need Help To Unclog A Drain?

We can help to resolve clogged drains in no time through the hydro jetting method. Contact us today to know more about hydro jetting, and to schedule an appointment.              

Photo Credit: “Pipes” from Canva 

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The Importance Of Professional Drain Cleaning Service

Leone Plumbing and Heating Professional Drain Cleaning Services With all of the events that happened last holiday season, have you thought of what went down to your drain? After the party when you are washing dishes, grease and food particles are washed down your drain. That is in addition to soap, hair, and dirt that are making their way through your plumbing system when you take a shower. When was the last time you scheduled a drain cleaning service? Perhaps, you need to prioritize giving your drain the service it deserves.

Why should you prioritize drain cleaning service?

Drains can sometimes go unnoticed until they clog. Irregular cleaning of your shower and sink drains can wreak havoc on your plumbing system which can be very costly! That is why you must prioritize drain cleaning service routinely to reduce any future damages to your home’s plumbing system. Business establishments also need to consider getting their drain serviced since commercial plumbing system tends to work heavily on regular basis.

Benefits of Professional Drain Cleaning

Professional drain cleaning services are important with the following benefits.
Reduces Clogging For Faster Drains
Over time, accumulated food particles and debris can result in serious clog issues. Regular cleaning can clear clogs which results in faster drains.
Extends Your Drain’s Lifespan
Regular cleaning can prolong the lifespan of your drains since it minimizes any damages that gradually accumulate.
Eliminates Bad Odors
Stucked food particles and debris on your drain may cause unpleasant odors. Drain cleaning removes not only clogs but eliminates odors too.
Prevents Expensive Repairs
Regular drain maintenance can resolve small issues before they get worse. A professional plumber can identify the issues early on with routine maintenance.

What can you expect from a Professional Drain Cleaning Service?

A professional drain cleaning service ensures to prevent and even eliminate clog issues that pose as a health hazard that can also damage the property. A professional plumber also has the appropriate tools and expertise to resolve plumbing issues without putting your plumbing system at risk of further damage. As a plumbing professional, here is how we approach drain maintenance service.
Clog Assessment
We carefully assess the problem first before offering the right resolution.
Video Inspection
A video camera can identify the cause of clogging. This tool can go below the home or business establishment’s pipes using visible light. It can also identify other issues that need attention like fine cracks that cause leaks. Professional Drain Cleaning Services Provided by Leone Plumbing
Clog Removal
Upon figuring out the issue, we perform Drain Snaking to remove clogs. Depending on the type of clog, we may use hand-cranked or motor-operated snakes.
Hydro-Jetting
For commercial customers such as apartment complexes and plazas that have restaurants, we use a “Jetter” to clean out the sewer lines. This is mainly done to prevent a clog from happening in the future that may cause business downtime. Leone Plumbing Offers Professional Drain Cleaning Services

Set Up An Appointment With Us

We can help you with any professional drain or plumbing concerns. Contact us to book an appointment!  

Photo Credits: Canva

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