Too Much Drain Cleaner

There are few plumbing problems that are as frustrating as a clogged drain. There are some commercial grade drain cleaners that can effectively eliminate even a serious clog. Homeowners tend to purchase cheaper, less effective brands and then use too much of the product which causes further problems. Using too much drain cleaner can cause corrosion of the pipes and many times make clogs worse. It is best to contact a professional plumber for tougher clogs.

Mismatched Pipe Sizes

Required pipe sizes vary depending on the type of plumbing job that must be handled. For instance, drainage pipes have to be of a certain measurement to handle waste material. Appropriate pipe size is also dependent on how much water the plumbing fixture is designed to handle. Clogs occur frequently if homeowners use pipes that are too small to handle the output. Using too small of a pipe to feed water to a fixture can cause slower water flow and fixtures such as showers will not be able to provide sufficient water flow.

Garden Hoses

There can be catastrophic results if an outdoor spigot freezes. Homeowners many times fail to disconnect garden hoses form outdoor water sources. This action can be a costly mistake since a pipe that freezes can easily burst and then cause massive flooding and costly water damage, but by taking a few simple precautions you can prevent your pipes from freezing and save tons of money.

Unsealed Threaded Joints

There are several plumbing projects that are easily done by a homeowner. Fixtures found on shower heads, sinks and water heaters are generally threaded and it is not necessary for them to be soldered together. It may seem simple enough to screw the threaded parts together, but this is really not adequate. Threaded joints must be sealed with pipe compound or plumbing tape to prevent the pipes and joints from leaking. Create a tight seal by wrapping tape around the threads of the male connection and then applying thread sealer before tightening the pieces together. A solid water tight seal is created by using both the pipe dope and tape on the joint.

These are a few of the most common mistakes made by homeowners. Being a little more careful in plumbing endeavors can help prevent calling for emergency plumbing services; or from causing costly water damages to the property.

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We service our valued clients in Mason, Ohio and  all surrounding areas such as Lebanon, Loveland, West Chester, Kings Mills, Landen, Bethany, Wetherington, Olde West Chester, South Lebanon, Monroe, Springboro,  Morrow, Maineville, Cincinnati, Blue Ash and many more.

Nixco Plumbing Inc. installs, services and repairs backflow preventers, water heaters, garbage disposers, sump pumps, ejector pumps, drinking fountains, lav faucets, kitchen sink faucets, shower valves, tub valves, hose bibbs, toilets, sewer lines, water lines, miscellaneous plumbing repairs and much more.  We can also take care  of your sewer and drain cleaning, water line repairs,  sewer line repairs and much more.

Millions of gallons of water flow in and out of water lines every single day in Warren County. This is something that most people never even think of until a water line in their home or business starts having problems. There are several types of water line problems, and several things that could be causing these problems.

Clogs can cause more damage than you want!

Stubborn clogs from tree roots and other debris can crack water lines, and cause them to start leaking waste water right into your yard. This might be good for the lawn, but it is a health hazard. These types of water line problems can also cause disgusting backups into your home or business.

Hard water is a problem too

The hard water in Ohio is no help either. Over time, hard water can cause lime scale build up which can not only shorten the life of water lines, but all of your water based appliances as well. Water softener installation in Warren County’s residential and commercial areas helped to prevent future problems from frequent leaks to major repairs.

Don’t overlook leaks!

Leaks can also cause all sorts of problems that no home or business owner wants to deal with. In most cases these leaks can be fixed with a simple water line repair job. The longer you wait the more damage a leak will do. When things start to get leaky contact the expert in water leak detection in Warren County, OH ASAP.

Older homes can have more problems

Older homes have pipes that are made from iron or galvanized steel. These types of materials don’t last, and they are a problem just waiting to happen. A water line repair might be sufficient, but older homes might be better off with a full repipe.

The bottom line is this. Water lines don’t last forever. At one point in time home owners and business owners are going to be faced with the choice of water line repair, or water line replacement. It just goes with the territory, and making that decision is much easier with the advice from a qualified plumber that has experience, and can be trusted.

Nixco Plumbing has been helping home owners and businesses with Warren County water line repair for over 33 years. In that 33 years, they have gained the experience that you need on your side.

Contact Nixco Plumbing today at 513-770-5590 and set up an appointment for all your plumbing needs.

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We service our valued clients in Mason, Ohio and  all surrounding areas such as Lebanon, Loveland, West Chester, Kings Mills, Landen, Bethany, Wetherington, Olde West Chester, South Lebanon, Monroe, Springboro,  Morrow, Maineville, Cincinnati, Blue Ash and many more.

Nixco Plumbing Inc. installs, services and repairs backflow preventers, water heaters, garbage disposers, sump pumps, ejector pumps, drinking fountains, lav faucets, kitchen sink faucets, shower valves, tub valves, hose bibbs, toilets, sewer lines, water lines, miscellaneous plumbing repairs and much more.  We can also take care  of your sewer and drain cleaning, water line repairs,  sewer line repairs and much more.

That’s why having a sump pump can help prevent disaster on a moments notice as once the water reaches a certain level the pump turns on forcing water up a pipe and away from the home.

At the same time sump pumps are not without flaw and on occasion stop working. There’s no one reason why this occurs but lack of maintenance can play a big part in a malfunction which is why periodic inspections can ensure success when it’s most needed.

The best precaution every homeowner can take when it comes to sump pumps is having a back up system, which could be costly but well worth the money. This is especially the case if the potential exists for serious annual flooding.

One back up system involves another sump pump with alternative sources of energy like a generator or battery in case the power goes out. Another option is to have a wet vacuum on hand so water can be pumped out on the fly(that’s a lot of fun).

Both of these options are understandably dependant on personal budget, but when it comes to the basement and what you may have stored there the resulting damage from a flood may create a much bigger loss than the cost of one of these backups.

Safety:

Safety is one of the biggest issues when a sump pump fails and water floods. It is of extreme importance to shut off all power in the basement before venturing into the muck because water and electricity don’t mix and if the power is on or was off and suddenly goes back on you may get electrocuted.

Also, be cautious of objects you cannot see under the water such as nails, wires or other items that may have become dislodged from the structure. Even if the water isn’t particularly high the ground may be very slippery which is why it’s important to move slowly and have good traction.

Drying process:

When the sump pump fails and no back up system exists, enlisting help from neighbors with buckets to help manually transfer water is a good place to start the clean up(Remember always be nice to your neighbors).

After the threat of flooding ends, windows and doors should be opened allowing moisture to escape and the drying process to begin. This is a good point to start throwing away debris and unsalvageable items under water, as doing so may even lower the water level somewhat.

Furthermore, place fans in or near the space but pointing outside to push moisture outward and if the home heating system was not damaged turning it on will assist in drying things out.

Once the puddles of water have been extracted from the basement the room is likely to stay moist for a few days. That’s why it’s important to keep fans going and the space well ventilated until it’s entirely dry.

If not, any remaining moisture can be a catalyst for mold and mildew and possible rotting of the foundation which could lead to loss of structural integrity.

I hope these tips help you if you are unfortunate enough to experience a basement flood.

Jolene Van Vugt, 31, flushed with excitement after riding the motorised toilet into the Guinness World Record book on Wednesday at a speed of 75kmph in Sydney, beating the previous record by 7kmph.

“I flew into Australia yesterday and came out here to jump straight on the toilet. That was so fun and I’m stoked to get the record,” she told the ‘BBC’.

It wasn’t easy.

To win the record, she was timed over 100m (330ft) in both directions. There were some problems early on when the chain fell out but the toilet was soon repaired.

Van Vugt holds various world records for stunts on dirt bikes.

First, I’ve read about the new slow-close toilet seats in many columns and think they’re kind of neat. But, really, what is the attraction to them, and how do you justify the extra costs? Second, did you know that the word “plumber” derives from the Latin word “plumbium,” for “lead”? — Bill

A: I’m told that the Romans used a lot of lead for their plumbing materials, and basically plumbers were called “lead” workers, with words like “plumbium,” “plumbus” and “plumbum.”

I’m no history expert, so any experts are welcome to weigh in on this.

Now, to the toilet seat. The big attraction to slow-close seats is that a simple touch allows the seat to lower itself. My wife loves this feature, and there’s no argument about the seat being up or down. Usually, that’s all I have to tell most people.

As for price … Most slow-close seats are made from plastic. If you compare them to standard-close plastic seats, the price is not that much different.  But the lack of complaints because the seat is up is priceless.

Replace 2 toilet seats with Slow-close toilet seats and get a third at half price.

Learn more about Nixco Plumbing’s residential and commercial services. 

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We service our valued clients in Mason, Ohio and  all surrounding areas such as Lebanon, Loveland, West Chester, Kings Mills, Landen, Bethany, Wetherington, Olde West Chester, South Lebanon, Monroe, Springboro,  Morrow, Maineville and many more.

Animal Bones: Animal bones are one of the most common clog-inducing culprits. Unfortunately, the blades of garbage disposals are simply not strong enough to break bones apart.

Rice and Pasta: These seemingly innocent culprits can be responsible for a great deal of drain damage. Rice and pasta swell when they come in contact with water. As a result, regardless of the amount of water that you run down your drain, small pieces of rice and/or pasta will eventually collect in your garbage disposal trap and swell until the disposal is rendered useless.

Silverware: We’ve all done it – you are rinsing out a full sink at the end of the night and a knife, fork, or other utensil slips into your drain. If you hear metal scraping when you turn your disposal on, turn it off as quickly as possible to avoid further damage.

Grease: Grease in its liquid form is harmless for your disposal. Unfortunately, grease does not stay that way. Eventually it will solidify and clog the disposal. Avoid this by avoiding pouring grease down your drain at all.

Egg Shells: A common misconception that we hear is that putting egg shells in your drain will serve to sharpen disposal blades. Not only is this not true, egg shells are actually key culprits of clogged drainage lines.

In general, when it comes to your garbage disposal, less is truly more. When possible, dispose of garbage in the trash can instead of down the drain. When using the garbage disposal, only put in small amounts of waste at a time and be sure to run plenty of water. If you do end up needing help with a garbage disposal clog, call us at Nixco Plumbing for a quick repair!

Yes indeed, some 60 percent of our household indoor water usage happens in the bathroom. As such, updating old leaky fixtures and changing a few basic habits could go a long way to not only saving fresh water, an increasingly precious resource, but also money.

Undoubtedly, the toilet is the biggest water hog in the bathroom. Those made before 1993 use up to eight gallons of water per flush, five times what modern toilets use. “It’s a good idea to replace pre-1993 toilets if you can,” says Patty Kim of National Geographic’s Green Guide. (FYI, usually a toilet’s manufacture date is stamped under the lid if you want to check how old it is.) If it is older and you can’t or don’t want to upgrade it, Kim recommends rescuing a two liter soda bottle from the recycling bin and filling it partially with some water and sand or pebbles and then putting it into your toilet’s tank, where it will take up space and force your toilet to use less water every flush. Or get a Toilet Tank Bank for less than two bucks; it hangs in your toilet tank and displaces almost a gallon of water to save water on every flush.

Plumbing leaks account for some 14 percent of the total water usage in an average U.S. home. Toilets are often a major culprit. Kim recommends testing your toilet by putting 5-10 drops of food coloring into the tank, then put the lid back on but don’t flush. Check back in 15 minutes or so to see if any of the colored water leaked down into the bowl. If so, you have a water-wasting leak, and it might finally be time to replace that aging toilet after all. The EarthEasy website reports that replacing an older 18 liter per flush toilet with an ultra-low volume (ULV) 6 liter flush model “represents a 70 percent saving in water flushed and will cut indoor water use by about 30 percent.”

The shower can also be problematic as a water-waster, especially if the shower head in question was made before new regulations went into effect in 1992 mandating lower flow. Kim says you can check to see if your shower head is older or not by turning the shower on full blast and catching its output for two minutes in a bucket. If the bucket is overflowing, then your shower head is an older, more wasteful model. Newer low flow shower heads won’t come anywhere near to filling the bucket after two minutes. A new shower head costs around $10 and is a great investment because you can save water and money with every ensuing shower. Regardless of whether or not you have a newer shower head, you can save more water by turning off the shower to soap up, then turning it back on to rinse. Eartheasy reminds us that even with a new shower head, even a moderately short shower can still use between 20 and 40 gallons of water. But that’s nothing compared to a bathtub, which can hold as much as 50-60 gallons of water.

Additional pearls of wisdom in regard to reducing bathroom water waste include turning off the faucet while brushing teeth. Better yet, fill up a glass with just enough water to rinse after brushing. Likewise for shaving, stop up the sink with a little warm water in it and wiggle your razor around in the basin between strokes. And if you suspect your faucet may be spraying harder than it needs to, unscrew the aerator tip where the water comes out and take it into a hardware store for a more stingy replacement.

You can contact us at (513)770-5590 or by email at info@nixcoplumbing.com .

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We service our valued clients in Mason, Ohio and  all surrounding areas such as Lebanon, Loveland, West Chester, Kings Mills, Landen, Bethany, Wetherington, Olde West Chester, South Lebanon, Monroe, Springboro,  Morrow, Maineville, Cincinnati, Blue Ash and many more.

Nixco Plumbing Inc. installs, services and repairs backflow preventers, water heaters, garbage disposers, sump pumps, ejector pumps, drinking fountains, lav faucets, kitchen sink faucets, shower valves, tub valves, hose bibbs, toilets, sewer lines, water lines, miscellaneous plumbing repairs and much more.  We can also take care  of your sewer and drain cleaning, water line repairs,  sewer line repairs and much more.

A Northville man hopes to soon be feeling “flush” from the invention that he’d like to see soon in every home.

WWJ’s Sandra McNeill reports on a possible solution to the problem of overflowing toilets.

Contractor Pat Stack and his partner decided they could solve that problem in a pretty simple way:

“What we did, was just like in your bathtubs and your sinks, we put in a secondary drain with its own independent trap,” said Stack.

The contractor came up with the idea while working home construction projects: “Our worst nightmare was when we would rip up a floor in a tile bathroom and half the floor would be rotted out,” said Stack.

The solution is a toilet with three drain holes … to redirect overflow.

It took five years and a lot of refusals from manufacturers but Stack says his wife supported him all the way.

“She calls me the toilet man, cause all I did for the last five years, was mess around with toilets constantly,” said Stack.

Stack says they knew there was a need for the redesigned toilet, and when they couldn’t get a manufacturer – they did it on their own.

Stack and his partner now have the worldwide patent on the design and they’ve been selling it to hotels, hospitals and homes.

Stack has some advice for those that tinker with inventions: “If you’ve got a good idea, just go ahead and pursue it, and make things happen for yourself,” he said. “Things are starting to move in our direction.”

You can contact us at (513)770-5590 or by email at info@nixcoplumbing.com .

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We service our valued clients in Mason, Ohio and  all surrounding areas such as Lebanon, Loveland, West Chester, Kings Mills, Landen, Bethany, Wetherington, Olde West Chester, South Lebanon, Monroe, Springboro,  Morrow, Maineville, Cincinnati, Blue Ash and many more.

Nixco Plumbing Inc. installs, services and repairs backflow preventers, water heaters, garbage disposers, sump pumps, ejector pumps, drinking fountains, lav faucets, kitchen sink faucets, shower valves, tub valves, hose bibbs, toilets, sewer lines, water lines, miscellaneous plumbing repairs and much more.  We can also take care  of your sewer and drain cleaning, water line repairs,  sewer line repairs and much more.

And the fun just keeps coming from Steve Anderson, among the great hidden talents in the water business. We’re pleased to present his newest original wastewater hit, Don’t Flush the Baby (Wipes)! (Side note: Ignore that “flushable” label you’ll see on some packages; I learned the hard way, they most certainly are not.)

Steve Anderson
Steve is a Water Resources Analyst at Clean Water Services in Portland, Oregon and uses his talent for creating fun, quirky tunes to take the dullness out of water quality education, tapping into the power of music and humor to engage and educate.

Don’t Flush the Baby (Wipes)

Young mother changing diapers on her newborn
She grabs a moist towellete to cleanse his skin
With baby changed she walks up to the toilet
The towelette in her hand she tosses in
She doesn’t know the baby wipe’s a tough one
And it can make a clog in sewer pipes

Don’t flush the baby
Don’t flush the baby
Don’t flush the little baby wipes

My sweetheart uses pads to remove makeup
They take off stuff she puts upon her face
Into the john she drops them when she’s finished
She makes them disappear without a trace
She hasn’t heard ‘bout problems in the sewers
Caused by cleaning pads of every stripe

Don’t flush ‘em baby
Don’t flush ‘em baby
Don’t flush the pads you use to wipe

These wipes and rags and towels made of paper
Can plug up sewer pipes and clog the pumps
When used they should be thrown into the garbage
And end up in the landfills and the dumps
So please remember keep them from the sewer
And never flush the products of that type

So don’t flush ‘em baby
Don’t flush ‘em baby
Don’t flush the paper rags and wipes
Yeah don’t flush the baby
Don’t flush the baby
Don’t flush the little baby wipes

You can contact us at (513)770-5590 or by email at info@nixcoplumbing.com .

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Find out About Nixco Plumbing Inc.

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We service our valued clients in Mason, Ohio and  all surrounding areas such as Lebanon, Loveland, West Chester, Kings Mills, Landen, Bethany, Wetherington, Olde West Chester, South Lebanon, Monroe, Springboro,  Morrow, Maineville, Cincinnati, Blue Ash and many more.

Nixco Plumbing Inc. installs, services and repairs backflow preventers, water heaters, garbage disposers, sump pumps, ejector pumps, drinking fountains, lav faucets, kitchen sink faucets, shower valves, tub valves, hose bibbs, toilets, sewer lines, water lines, miscellaneous plumbing repairs and much more.  We can also take care  of your sewer and drain cleaning, water line repairs,  sewer line repairs and much more.

Water heaters provide some of the most common problems for homeowners. So, we’ve compiled a few valuable water heater upkeep tips to help you keep the appliance in good shape, so that you don’t have to spend a great deal of time worrying about maintaining it. If you have a traditional tank water heater, having a water heater maintenance plan is the key to preventing and treating any malfunctions that may occur.

Maintenance Tips

Firstly, you should drain and flush the tank twice a year, or as often as your manufacturer’s recommendations suggest. This prevents sediment build up, which can affect the water heater’s performance and storage, as well as cause it to overheat. Secondly, you will need to check the water heater’s pressure-relief valve once a year to make sure that this crucial safety device isn’t clogged. These are two valuable solutions, ensuring optimal water heater upkeep.

No Hot Water?

A common problem that occurs with water heaters, even with an effective water heater maintenance plan, is a lack of hot water. However, there is a simple fix to this.  First, check the water heater’s pilot light to see if it has gone out. If so, carefully relight it. Then, check that the gas controls are completely turned on. Finally, ensure that the water heater is firmly connected to the gas control unit and is positioned near the pilot flame.

If you still don’t have hot water, check the heater’s thermocouple and replace it if it’s not working correctly. You can also try pushing the water heater’s reset button, and test the heating thermostat and elements. If the water still isn’t heating, call a qualified professional for help.

Blown fuses can also result in a water heater’s refusal to work. So, be sure to check your fuse box and circuit breakers to make sure that the power source hasn’t been disrupted. If your water heater repeatedly blows fuses, it’s time to call a qualified electrician. They can provide the assistance necessary to ensure that your water heater’s power source remains functional.

Not Enough Hot Water?

Another issue that can arise is when a water heater cannot provide enough hot water to meet your household’s needs. If this occurs, turn up the water heater’s thermostat. You can also insulate the hot water pipes to help retain heat. In some cases, you may need to enlist in the help of a qualified professional, who will install a water heater with a larger capacity.