77°F
weather icon Clear

Slow drains can lead to costly repairs

Nothing puts a kink in your kitchen or bathroom like a backed-up drain. Treat it quickly and avoid an out of commission sink, shower or tub. Let it go from slow drain to standing water and you’ll be in for a messy, smelly, unsanitary and potentially costly repair.

The best way to avoid getting a clog is by not putting things down the drain that don’t belong there. Hair (pet hair) and grease are obvious culprits. Even tiny bits of grease that liquefy in hot water, become solid through cooler sections of your waste line.

Hardened grease and sludge build up inside the pipe, narrowing its diameter — like clogged arteries — until there’s a blockage. Hair will clump as well and act as a net, catching small particles that would normally pass through, multiplying the issue.

Less obvious cloggers are starchy foods that expand in water and become paste-like. Rice, beans, potatoes, etc. are no-no’s down the garbage disposal. Fibrous foods like celery and artichokes can wrap around disposal lugs and jam the unit. Other disposal taboos are rinds, stems, pits, coffee grounds and eggshells. A general rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t eat it, don’t put it down the drain.

InSinkErator, the world’s largest maker of garbage disposals, recommends the following to clean your disposal:

“▶ Turn off power. Turn off the garbage disposal and disconnect the power supply.

▶ Clean the baffle. Reach through the sink opening and clean the underside of the baffle and inside the upper lip of the grind chamber with a scouring pad.

▶ Fill the sink with water. Place the stopper in the sink opening and fill the sink halfway with warm water.

▶ Mix baking soda and water. Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with water in the sink. Turn on the garbage disposal and remove the stopper from the sink at the same time to wash away loose particles.”

An accidental drop of say, an earring, down the drain can usually be retrieved from the P-trap. This “P” shaped pipe is designed to trap sewer gasses from backing up into the house, but luckily traps most things that fall down the drain.

To open the trap: Shut off the water. Clear the area around trap. Place a bucket under the trap and unscrew the nuts at the top and bottom of it. Empty the water and debris in the bucket (it will likely be gross). Retrieve your article. At another sink or outside clean/hose out the trap and reassemble.

If the bathroom sink has a pop-up stopper, the dropped article may have gotten tangled in hair trapped around it. DIY videos are available to see how to unscrew and clean a pop-up.

There are basically two approaches for clearing drains: chemical and mechanical. Chemical uses a caustic product that “eats” through the clog.

Caution: never use a chemical drain opener in standing water. The chemical will sink to the bottom of the pipe and damage it as well seals in the plumbing system. It will also be dangerous to snake or plunge with corrosive chemicals splashing around. Be aware they produce toxic fumes and should be used with extreme caution.

Mechanical drain openers range from plungers to motorized snakes, the latter of which is better left to professionals. Remember when plunging, it’s all about creating suction. The plunger head should be totally submerged in water. Also seal overflow holes in the sink or tub to create proper suction.

A handheld drain auger is a practical DIY tool. Keep in mind that when feeding the cable down the drain, the first time it gets stuck, you likely hit an elbow or joint; it takes time to get to the clog, so have patience.

Two things I do regularly to maintain my pipes: 1. Pour boiling hot water down them every month or so to loosen sludge/biofilm; and 2. Use a natural, nontoxic drain cleaner like Drainbo once a month to decompose debris without harming pipes or the environment.

Norma Vally is a seasoned veteran of home improvement; her career includes four seasons as host of Discovery Home Channel’s Emmy-nominated series “Toolbelt Diva.” A columnist and author, Vally splits her time in Southern Nevada, Los Angeles and New York City. Follow her on Facebook at Norma Vally “Toolbelt Diva” and visit her at www.NormaVally.com. Email Norma@NormaVally.com.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
When household products overpromise and actually deliver

Every now and again you come across a product that makes you stand back and say, “Wow, that worked way better than I thought it would!” These gleeful moments come as a welcome surprise when we’re often disappointed by products that overpromise and under-deliver. When I find these little gems, I store them away in my mental DIY toolbox. This past month, I was happy to add a few more “must have” products that exceeded my expectations.

Summer is a time to be safe

It’s a safe bet that the one thing we all have in common every summer is managing the extreme heat and our body’s reaction to the excessive temperature prevalent in our geographic location.

Free fishing fun

Logan Davis, along with his kids Winter and Maverick, tried their best to catch a fish Saturday, along with all the many others who enjoyed the city’s free fishing day at the pond at Veterans Memorial Park.

Ordinance promotes cleanliness, accessibility of public places

Individuals camping in public spaces has increased dramatically in the past few years across the nation. On May 27 the city of Boulder City joined the cities of Reno, Las Vegas, Henderson, and Sparks, along with Clark, Washoe, and Nye counties in passing a measure to expand the prohibition on camping in public places within city limits. The new ordinance goes into effect on June 19, 2025.

And all that jazz (in the park)

A relatively small but appreciative crowd turned out Saturday evening for Jazz in the Park, sponsored by the Boulder City Parks and Recreation Department and the Las Vegas Jazz Society. The evening featured the Marlane Coker Quintet and guest at Bicentennial Park.

Flushing faux pas may lead to clogs, costly repairs

When it comes to plumbing clogs, we can definitely apply the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”…or in this case, a quart of Liquid Plumr.

Art exhibition to showcase work of Connie Ferraro

Connie Ferraro has worn many hats in her life. They have included Broadway dancer, actress, wife of longtime Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro and these days, artist.

Year ending on high note at Mitchell Elementary

From the first day to the last, it takes a great deal of energy to get through a school year. The students, staff, and families are ceaseless in their efforts to ensure that we have a great year from beginning to end. We are successful because we are supported by our community.

Mental health in an aging population

The American Psychiatric Association defines mental illness as health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, and behaviors.

Sunflower Breakfast celebrates King’s parent volunteers

Boulder City’s commitment to community was on full display at this year’s annual Sunflower Breakfast, a heartwarming event dedicated to honoring the incredible volunteers who help our school thrive.