Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Garbage Disposal

Most kitchen garbage disposals receive daily use, making cleanup after cooking and meals much easier. However, garbage disposals need regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure the mechanism and drain line remain clear. Maintaining your disposal is easy and requires only a few minutes each month to prevent clogs and other serious plumbing issues.

Clearing the Drain Line
Everything that goes down your disposal is transported away from your home through the sink’s drain line. Because food debris can easily build up inside the line and cause clogs, you should clear it periodically to prevent backups. To clear the drain line, plug the sink and fill it with two to four inches of cold water. Remove the plug and run your disposal until all the water has drained from the sink. If you do experience a slowdown in your drain’s performance, address the issue immediately. Use a plunger or a homemade natural drain cleaning solution to clear the clog.

Cleaning the Disposal
Your disposal uses a set of blades to chop up food into small pieces before it is flushed down the drain. Keeping these blades sharp and free of buildup will maintain your disposal and prevent clogs. To clean your disposal, fill the disposal drain with approximately two cups of ice cubes. Follow the ice with one cup of rock salt or white vinegar. Run the cold water, then turn on your disposal for ten to fifteen seconds until all the ice and salt have been cleared away. The ice and salt will remove debris from the blades and sharpen them as your disposal grinds them up.

If you need plumbing or heating services in Seattle, Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical is at your service. You can reach us at any time by calling (206) 452-4363 to schedule plumbing, sewer, or furnace repairs for your home or business. Check us out on the web for information about our full range of services and special offers.

 

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Common Household Items to Keep Out of Your Drain

 

It is not uncommon for household items to be flushed down the drain because they seem harmless. However, it’s important to realize that drains are designed for handling water only, and even small or innocuous items can cause clogs that back up your home’s plumbing and cause problems. Common items that should be kept out of drains include paper towels, facial tissues, baby wipes, and feminine products. Even if these products claim they are flushable, dispose of them in a trash bin rather than down a sink or toilet. Additionally, never flush dental floss, cat litter, paper or plastic packaging, cigarette butts, or matches down the drain. In the kitchen, hot grease or cooking fats should not be disposed of down your sink. Although they are liquids when hot, grease and fat can quickly cool and congeal to form a stubborn drain clog that requires help from a plumber.

Are you concerned about sluggish drains or other home plumbing problems? Call Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical at (206) 452-4363 for 24/7 emergency plumbing services in the Seattle area. You can find out more about how to protect and maintain your home’s plumbing on our blog.

 

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Examining the Hidden Dangers of Septic Tank Additives

If your home or business does not have access to a city sewer line, a septic tank is used instead to treat wastewater created through everyday use. There are a variety of products on the market today that claim to increase your septic tank’s performance and minimize maintenance costs. However, many of these additives can actually cause harm to your septic tank, resulting in costly problems. If you have any questions about which products are safe to use with your septic tank, contact a professional plumber for answers.

Reduces Septic Tank Efficiency

Many septic system additives claim to increase the ability of your septic system to break down organic wastes. These products contain bacteria or enzymes similar to those already present in the system. The idea behind these products is that the bacteria in additives replace any bacteria that have been killed through the use of household cleaners or soaps. However, studies have shown that adding bacteria to your septic tank does not increase its efficiency. These additives instead interfere with the tank’s natural process of breaking down organic matter, causing an increase in clogs and problems. Furthermore, homeowners may view these additives as an excuse to flush chemicals or other wastes down the drain that cause harm to the septic system, further reducing its efficacy.

Poses a Health Threat

Not only do septic system additives affect the function of your septic system, they pose a health threat to your family, neighborhood, and local ecosystem as well. Some of the septic system additives available contain chemicals that are known carcinogens. When these chemicals are flushed down your drain, they cannot be broken down by the septic system and are distributed to your local environment. These additives can seep into local ponds, lakes, and even drinking water reservoirs, posing a serious health hazard.

Septic system additives are not needed to maintain your septic system—instead, call Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical at (206) 452-4363 for regular maintenance and pumping services. We offer fast, friendly, and efficient sewer, septic system, and plumbing services throughout Seattle, Tacoma, Kent, Everett, and Auburn.

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A Look at Trenchless Pipe Technology

Sewers located underground in your yard carry wastewater away from your home for treatment. In the past, damage to sewer pipes and drains could only be repaired through excavation of the pipes to replace them. Excavation is a time-consuming, costly, and destructive process. Today, there is a faster, easier, and greener alternative. Trenchless technology allows your plumber to repair sewer overflows, blockages, and broken or leaking pipes without excavating a large portion of your property. To repair your sewer with trenchless technology, only a single small area of ground must be excavated to provide access to the pipe. Trenchless pipe technology allows extensive repairs to be made while preserving your landscaping, yard, driveway, sidewalk, and street. This modern sewer solution is not only minimally invasive, but is also affordable and convenient.

Are you experiencing sewer problems in your home? Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical can help. We are pleased to offer trenchless sewer repair, drain cleaning, tankless water heater repair and installation, and more in the Seattle and Tacoma areas. Contact us by calling (206) 452-4363 or click through our website to learn more about Beacon’s cutting-edge plumbing solutions.

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Steps to Take During a Plumbing Emergency

Plumbing problems can occur at any time of the night or day. Broken pipes and faucets can quickly lead to floods that waste water and damage your belongings, furnishings, and décor. During a plumbing emergency, taking quick action and contacting a plumber immediately will minimize damage and stress.

Turn Off the Water

Toilets, sinks, and appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines are equipped with a nearby shutoff valve that cuts water flow to the fixture in the event of an emergency. These small silver or gray valves are typically located on the wall near the floor. Toilet shutoff valves are often found below and behind the toilet bowl, while a sink shutoff valve may be hidden inside the cabinetry that supports the sink. Once you locate the valve, turn it clockwise until the incoming water flow ceases.

If you cannot find the appliance’s shutoff valve or you are experiencing a broken pipe or leaking outdoor faucet, you should instead turn off the main water supply to your home. Your home’s main shutoff valve can be found near your water meter. This shutoff valve may be either a circular valve or a lever. Turn the circular valve clockwise or pull the lever until it is perpendicular to your pipe to shut off your water main.

Plunge Clogs

If you are experiencing a severe clog in your plumbing, avoid the use of chemical drain cleaners to clear it. These harsh solutions can warp plumbing pipes, damage finishes, and burn your skin. Instead, use a plunger to try loosening the clog mechanically. You may need to plunge the drain several times before the clog can be dislodged. If you aren’t successful in removing a clog with a plunger, it’s time to call your plumber for professional assistance.

Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical provides emergency plumbing, drain, sewer, and heating solutions throughout the Seattle area. You can reach us 24 hours a day by calling (206) 452-4363 to speak with an experienced plumber. Click through our blog to find more information and tips about preventing and handling plumbing emergencies.

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Essential Tips for Hiring a Plumber

Hiring a professional plumber will ensure repairs are made quickly and effectively to solve any plumbing issue. However, it’s important to evaluate any potential plumbing contractor to make certain you receive the quality of service you expect.

Any plumber you hire should be licensed and insured—you can check with your city or state’s regulatory board to verify this information. Ask your plumber to supply a portfolio so you can evaluate his work before scheduling any service. You can hear more tips for hiring a plumber for your home or business when you check out this short video.



Do you need plumbing or sewer repairs in Seattle? Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical has been providing top-quality plumbing and heating services for more than a decade. Contact us by calling (206) 452­4363 or clicking on our website to find out more about our fully licensed and insured plumbers.

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How to Handle a Frozen Pipe

Frozen pipes are common wintertime plumbing problems that require quick action to prevent extensive damage. As a homeowner, there are a few steps you can take to try to address a frozen pipe on your own. If your pipe has already burst or your efforts to thaw it aren’t successful, contact a plumber for professional assistance.

Turn Off Your Water Supply

The first step you should take when you discover a frozen pipe is to turn off your home’s main water supply. This will prevent a major flood if your pipe bursts before you can thaw it. In most homes, the main water shutoff valve is located near the water meter. It’s a good idea to identify your main water shutoff valve prior to an emergency so you can act quickly should the need arise. If you can’t find your main water shutoff valve, you can ask your plumber to show you where it is during his next visit.

Heat the Pipe

If a pipe freezes but hasn’t burst, you can try warming the pipe to thaw the ice inside before it expands and damages your plumbing. Never use a torch or open flame to thaw a frozen pipe; instead, use a blow dryer, electric pipe wrap, or space heater placed a few feet away from the pipe. It’s important to monitor the pipe as you heat it to check for signs of a leak. If you identify water dripping from the pipe, it has cracked and needs to be repaired before you turn your home’s main water supply back on. Contact a plumber to repair the damage or replace the burst section of pipe.

Call Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical for fast, reliable, round-the-clock plumbing services in Seattle, Tacoma, Auburn, Everett, and Kent. Our expert plumbers and technicians are here to provide top-quality customer service to solve any sewer, plumbing, drain, or heating problem. Check us out on the web or call us at (206) 452-4363 to learn why Beacon has enjoyed the title of Seattle’s #1 Plumber for more than a decade!

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