Can You Use Expired Toilet Paper
The expiry date on the toilet roll package is not that important as you may use it even though it is officially expired. However, examine it for mold before utilizing it.
When using a toilet roll past the expiration date, first sniff it for any foul or unusual odors before checking for black spots because youre likely to smell mold before seeing it. If you cant detect any unusual odors, continue using the roll.
Guidelines For Working With A House Trap
It is best to take off the street side plug first. As noted below, if the plug is under pressure, slam it back down and call a professional. This indicates the stoppage is most likely outside the foundation wall. You would need your sewer snaked out with a high powered machine to solve this stoppage, which is a task best left to the professionals.
If the street side plug is not under pressure and you are able to safely remove it, the next step would be to put on rubber gloves and grab something long that can push down into the trap. The trap is shaped like a U in many cases of stoppages, the trap is clogged with debris that shouldn’t be flushed down a toilet . If you are lucky enough to free up the cause of the stoppage, be prepared for the rush of water that follows. It can be very messy and fill up a pit or even flood the area as it rushes to drain.
Three Warning Signs That Your Sewer Line Is Clogged
1) Multiple drains are backed up.
Solution: Check these plumbing fixtures:
Are all of their drains making a gurgling sound as they back up with water?
Chances are, you have a main sewer line clog.
2) Water backs up in odd places when using plumbing fixtures.
Do these three things:
- Flush your toilet. Does water start gurgling up your tub or shower drain? That means water is trying to leave, but is blocked by a sewer line clog. So, it goes back up into the lowest point, which is usually a shower drain.
- Use your washing machine. Does your shower drain or toiler start to overflow with water? Again, that means water is trying to leave, but a clog is blocking it and forces it to go elsewhere.
- Run your bathroom sink. Does your toilet water rise or bubble up? Most likely, you have a sewer line clog.
3) There’s drainage at the sewer cleanout.
“What the heck is a sewer cleanout?” you might be thinking. Well, it’s a white pipe with a rubber cap or, in older homes, a metal “mushroom” cap, which provides access to the sewer line, so clogs can easily be cleaned out.
To find the sewer cleanout, look around the sides, front and rear of your house, possibly near the bushes. If you have a home that was built before 1978, you may not have a sewer line cleanout.
Once you find the cleanout, screw off or pull off the cap. If the sewer water is flowing up and out of the pipe or standing in the pipe, this confirms you have a sewer line clog.
- in the basement
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Quick Home Remedies To Clear Blocked Drains
Of course, not all blocked drains require emergency visits from one of the top drain companies in Liverpool. There are several home remedies you can try and clear your pipes to get the water flowing freely again:
Kjc Drainage Guide To Unblocking An Outside Drain
Outside drains can be unclogged by using a drainage rod and a quality pressure hose to shift the debris and spray the remaining particles through the drain. This will remove the blockage and promote the return of water flow.
The process of removing an outside blockage is relatively easy, it just requires some patience and a good set of tools for the job. You will want to invest in a quality drainage rod, a sturdy pair of gloves, a pressure hose, and a heady dose of perseverance. Some outdoor blockages can be minuscule in severity, some can be stubborn, and some can take some colossal elbow grease to get moving.
Another important factor to take into consideration is the types of debris that can cause outdoor blockages. Most often, exterior drains become blocked due to severe storms that cause flooding, which can create thick blockages of mud and silt in addition to larger debris items such as leaves and tree limbs. Toilet drains, septic tanks and sewers will require a bit more observation and work to clear, but the process will work if you stick with it.
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Why Is Your Outside Drain Blocked And How To Fix It
One of the most unpleasant situations for a homeowner is to find out that they have a blocked drain. A blocked drain stunts the normal function of every house produces a nasty smell and very often the process of unclogging it involves getting your hands dirty.
You might be careful about blocking your bathroom or kitchen drain, however, your outside drain can get clogged as well. But, fret not! The Fantastic Services team is here to save the day! In this article, we are going to tell you exactly why your outside drain got blocked and how to fix the issue.
This article is for all of you who:
- Have a blocked outside drain
- Want to fix it themselves
- Are looking for prevention tips.
Common Problem Of Blocked Drains And Their Solutions
One of the most common inconveniences that homeowners can face is having a blocked drain. What can start off as a minor nuisance can quickly escalate into a major issue and even a plumbing emergency if you are not careful. If not addressed correctly, blocked drains in Liverpool can become a stressful and expensive issue to fix, but there are ways that you can keep your drains happy and healthy for longer.
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What Causes Blocked Outside Drains
Its important to keep your outside drains healthy and avoid common mistakes that could lead to major headaches. The usual suspects for blockages in outside drains are leaves, branches, soil, mud, moss, litter and other outdoor debris. However, the items you pour or flush down your pipes inside can be just as problematic.
As with your inside drains, pouring fat, oil or coffee grounds down the sink does not make for a happy outside drain. Similarly, flushing wet wipes and sanitary items down the toilet, or leaving hair and soap to build up in your shower, often ends badly.
You should take steps to fix these issues, and consider preventative measures like drain covers, to protect yourself from blockages in the future. And do check out local water partners, such as Anglian Water, Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent for HomeServe Insurance, for help and support in the event of a blockage.
Top tip to prevent future blockages: Keep your outside drains clean and clear with a quick blast from a pressure hose every once in a while.
What Causes Outside Drains To Clog
Keeping the outside drains in good health is essential to avoid significant plumbing hazards and hygiene issues.
The most common agents that can cause your outside drain to clog are tree branches, leaves, soil, moss, and other outdoor debris.
But, whatever you flush or pour down the toilet and kitchen pipes can be equally problematic when it comes to unclogging your outside drain blocked with all those stuff.
For instance, pouring fat, oil, or tea leaves down your kitchen sink can compromise the integrity of your outside drain. Similarly, flushing sanitary products or wet wipes down the bathroom toilet will probably lead to blockages. Even leaving hair in the bathroom shower can cause your outside drain to clog.
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Outside Drain Blocked With Silt
Silt is a mineral sediment that is possible to block the drain when given enough time. Pipes will inevitably accumulate scale over time, usually from mineral deposits like silt, calcium and magnesium. When it mixes with outdoor debris and reacts with the changing temperature outside, you have yourself a clog.
How To Unblock Drains From Hair
Firstly, invest in a quality hair strainer or hair trap that catches hair before it enters the drains. This is crucial to prevent future blockages.
To unblock the drain, try a plumberâs snake – an implement you use to drill into the blockage and dislodge it. Use a coat hanger as a DIY substitute if you don’t own a plumberâs snake. You can pry and pull the hairy blockage from the shower by fashioning the hanger into a hook and inserting it into the drain. â
Failing that, you can buy shower drain cleaners that are specifically designed to tackle hair. For example, Mr Muscle offers one here.
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Does Vinegar Break Down Toilet Paper
While not typically the first thing you think of when you have a clogged toilet, some have had great success unclogging toilets using hot water, baking soda, and vinegar. To use this method:
- Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the toilet.
- Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the toilet.
- Pour 4 cups of boiling water into the toilet.
Once youve completed these steps, wait. Do not flush the toilet. If given time, the clog may resolve itself and you will see the water level in the toilet bowl drop as the clog clears. Keep in mind, the vinegar and baking soda will react when mixed. This will create a fizzing and foaming action. If any of this foam overflows from the toilet, dont worry, it wont harm your flooring.
Blocked Drains From Broken Pipes
Broken pipes are rare, but can cause serious issues and expenses. Moreover, your local council authority can order you to repair or unblock a private sewer or lateral drain if they deem that it’s not properly maintained.
Diagnosing broken pipes is not easy and will likely involve ruling out other blockages unless you can physically see the breakage.
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Use Vinegar Baking Soda And Hot Water
Lastly, if you wish to use a natural solution on your toilet, you can always rely on vinegar, baking soda, and hot water.
Just like with clogged kitchen sinks, these three products can work wonders when dealing with clogged toilets. All you need to do is pour a cup of baking soda, 4 cups of boiling water, and a cup of vinegar into the toilet. When mixing these ingredients, they will react, and your toilet will start having fizzy water.
Next, just like with the hot water and dish soap mentioned above, youll need to wait between 15 to 20 minutes for the solution to do its job.
Finally, you can proceed with flushing the toilet as you would typically do.
Toilet Paper Coming Out Of Outside Drain
If your outside drain is overflowing you know the blockage is downstream of that so if that drain is teed off the main waste line coming out of your house you know youve got a block between the drain and the sewer or septic tank. Many commercial products break toilet paper clogs with ease.
3 Different Ways To Unclog A Toilet 2022 Bungalow
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Does Toilet Paper Clog Pipes
The drains are built to deal with a sufficient amount of toilet paper. As mentioned before, toilet paper is designed in such a way that it will dissolve in the water after a while.
Usually, this dissolving starts within a few seconds of coming in contact with water. This might make you wonder as to why the probability of toilet clogs arises given these properties of toilet paper.
But even with these properties, such clogs might happen to anyone.
This particularly happens when there is over usage of toilet paper. So the first step in avoiding the problem is to stop using more paper than necessary.
But even then, anyone might be unaware of the consequences of this misuse. So we will apprise you of what to do if such an overflow does happen.
What Causes Blocked Drains
It is essential to learn how to unblock outside drains and know where your responsibility lies as a property owner. However, knowing why you have blocked drains tops the list. It helps you pinpoint problems and find solutions faster.
The most common culprits for a blockage for outdoor drains are leaves, branches, tree roots, soil, mud, litter, moss, and other debris outside your home.
Still, the items you flush or pour down your pipes can result in a clogged drain. These include FOG , coffee grounds, food, hair, soap, wet wipes, excess toilet paper, dental floss, cotton buds, nappies, and other sanitary items.
When left to collect over time, one or several of these items pose a threat to your property, loved ones, and community. That said, the responsibility to drain blockages depends on where the drainage system lies. If it is within the boundaries of your property, the responsibility lies with you.
Drainage systems running through shared spaces within your neighborhood are the responsibility of your local water and sewerage company.
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Blocked Drains: Common Issues
Lets talk about the common types of drain blockages outside and inside your home. There are a few factors that can help you work out if the blockage originated within your home or is a bigger problem affecting your shared drains.
First, talk to your neighbours and ask them: Do you have any issues with water draining at your house? If theyre not experiencing any trouble, or your inside drains blocked but your external drain is fine, then its solely your responsibility.
Sign #: Sewage In Floor Drain
Most homes built today are required by local code to have floor drains that lead to a collection pit where a sump pump carries the water to the surface. Many times the floor drains are located on the base level floor or in basements.
If your main sewer line is clogged, all the sewage and waste water sitting in the pipes have nowhere to escape. This means, eventually, the sewage will force its way into a secondary drain. And when this happens, youll soon be able to see sewage coming up from floor drains that are commonly located in bathrooms, kitchen, laundry rooms, and basements.
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How Do Plumbers Deal With Clogs
For the most part, you can clear out clogs on your own through the use of a plunger or auger. Only in the case of a truly difficult clog should you have to consider a professional. They will get the job done in relatively short order, but it is a cost you may not have anticipated.
The first thing that most plumbers will do in the event of a clog is to use their auger. This is the most effective tool against clogs, and you should have one if you do not. Having an auger of your own can save you a bit of coin over calling in a pro.
High-pressure water. Some plumbers may implement a tool that utilizes high-pressure water to blow the clog out. Even better, this method can blow out any other debris that may have been there without your knowledge.
You can rent this tool yourself, but beware. If improperly used, you could potentially do damage to your pipes. Leave the use of high-pressure water to the professionals.
Camera inspection. When an auger or high-pressure water jets dont do the job, you can always request that they use a camera inspection to determine the source of the issue. They use a mini camera that travels down through the pipes looking for breaks or cracks in your sewer pipe. If the problem is big enough it could require municipal work to clear.
How Much Should I Expect To Pay For A Sewer Line Cleanout
Unfortunately, a blocked sewer line can also block your financial goals if youre not prepared. Altogether, clogged sewer line cost is often in the thousands of dollars.
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A sewer camera inspectioncosts $700 on average, although it can range from $250 to $4,000 depending on your location and specific home requirements.
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On average, it costsbetween $175 and $1,000 to clean out a sewer line. Snaking is on the lower end of the spectrum, ranging from $150 to $500. High-pressure water jetting generally costs between $250 and $800.
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