Category: General

When it comes to your drain cleaning needs throughout Utah, the team at 24 Hour Rooter Connectionz is your one-stop shop. We’ve been providing drain cleaning, main sewer line clearing and numerous related services to Utahns for years, helping them keep drains clear and avoid the costly issues that may arise if drains or sewer lines are blocked, damaged or otherwise impacted.

In addition to our comprehensive drain cleaning services, we’re also here to provide expertise and important information that will help you with the long-term care of your drains and main sewer line, even when our plumbers aren’t around in-person to assist you with it. One particular area we often advise clients on: The use – or, more appropriately, lack thereof – of chemical drain cleaners. While these cleaners are often the first tools homeowners reach for when a drain is clogged, we do not recommend this practice for several reasons. Here are these reasons, plus a word on proper drain protection and how to avoid the need for chemical drain cleaners altogether.

Lack of Effectiveness

The first and simplest reason we don’t recommend chemical cleaners for your drains: They just aren’t that effective, no matter what their commercials or labels might tell you. While they’ll do fine clearing out certain kinds of minor clogs, they will struggle in a major way with anything more significant – if the clog is due to damage in your pipe, for instance, chemical cleaners will not only have no impact, but might even worsen the damage (more on this in a moment).

Compared to other drain cleaning and care methods, including pipe jetting and other formats, these chemicals just don’t do a very good job. And when you combine this with the other major downsides they come with, you’ll see that there’s very little benefit to using them.

Pipe Damage

We just noted the potential for drain chemicals to worsen pipe damage, but that isn’t even the full extent of the risk here. Especially for pipes that have had chemicals poured down them several times to clear them out, particularly within a short period of time, these chemicals will do more than just clear out clogs – they’ll also risk the quality of your pipes.

This is because these chemicals are meant to eat away at materials to help remove clogs, something that also requires the presence of heat. But this erosion may also take place on pipes, especially older metal ones; in addition, the heat created during the chemical reactions may damage PVC and other plastic pipes by making them too soft, and therefore unable to properly hold up to the elements.

Safety Concerns

Not only are chemical drain cleaners less effective and prone to creating just as many problems as they do solutions, they’re also potentially hazardous and unsafe in a few settings. Here are some of the risks they carry:

• Dangerous to children or pets: If you have kids or pets in the home, keeping chemical drain cleaners around risks them being exposed to dangerous chemicals. Any chemicals in your home should always be stored well above where children or pets can access them, if they must be present at all.
• Fumes: Especially if you’ve used different types of drain cleaner in the same drain over time, it’s possible for a chemical reaction to begin brewing within your system. For instance, some cleaners use ammonium while others use bleach – this combination can lead to toxic fumes beginning to emit around your home, sometimes without you even knowing it.
• Improper use: Finally, if used improperly – such as in a poorly-ventilated area, without gloves or safety equipment, or in coordination with a plunger (this should never be done) – these chemicals can create direct safety issues, not only to kids but to adults as well.

Impact on Environment

Another big negative of chemical drain cleaners is the impact they have on the environment. Bleach isn’t the only potentially harmful chemical found in these cleaners, many of which emit gasses that not only impact those who live in the house, but also can get into the water supply and impact surrounding areas. Chemical cleaners move from your drain into the septic tank, where they may then be filtered and released into groundwater – this is harmful to the surrounding environment, plus could be avoided by simply taking other approaches to your drain cleaning.

Drain Protection and Cleanouts

That last sentence above is perhaps the most convincing argument against using chemical drain cleaners: There are better alternatives out there. The first of these is simple drain knowledge and care during daily use – use drains properly, especially toilet drains, and don’t allow them to become dumping grounds for materials that might clog the drain and create issues. In addition, have drains periodically inspected or cleaned out to ensure they don’t deal with any grime or other buildups across a period of months or years.

And as you dig into this latter area, the value of working with experienced drain care professionals becomes clear. We’ll help you limit your drain clearing services only to those that you truly need, avoiding the risk of spending more money than required on simple drain care. We also offer general expertise on how to keep drains clear in the months between our drain inspections, ensuring you won’t have any need for chemicals or other drain cleaning solutions in these months.

For more on the problems with chemical drain cleaners, or to learn about any of our drain cleaning or sewer line clearing services, speak to the staff at 24 Hour Rooter Connectionz today.

The hottest part of the Utah summer is fast approaching, and for those dealing with an older or worn-down air conditioning unit, getting it replaced before the dead of summer hits is very important. And if you’re in a position where you’re considering upgrading or replacing your AC unit, one of several important facets here involves having a proper understanding of the new unit you purchase and its primary features.

At 24 Hour Rooter Connectionz, we’re here to offer numerous air conditioner services and other HVAC solutions in Utah, in addition to our high-quality drain cleaning and plumbing services. We’ve assisted many clients with not only high-quality air conditioner repair and related solutions, but also with understanding the important components and features of an AC unit if you’re considering replacing yours. Here are several of the important factors to keep in mind while you’re learning more about outdoor air conditioner units.

Models, Stages and Speeds

First and foremost, beware that there are a number of different air conditioner models out there, with varying features and qualities. Generally speaking, there are three model types you’ll be considering for a new AC unit:

• Single-stage: The most basic model, one that includes simple controls that only allow for simple on or off switching by the user. These are usually found in older homes and are less common for new units, though they do still exist.
• Two-stage: This model comes with multiple cooling features, usually a high- and low-stage option in most cases. This allows for improved comfort levels plus less strain on the AC unit itself over the years.
• Variable-speed: The very best AC units today, however, are known as variable-speed units. These come with multiple speed or stage options for cooling, allowing the system to toggle between them and maximize both occupant comfort and limited strain to interior components. While these are the most expensive units, they’re also the ones that will provide you the best efficiency and features.

Cooling Capacity

In addition to choosing an ideal unit in terms of model and speed, it’s important to consider cooling capacity as well. This is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) or SACCs (Seasonally Adjusted Cooling Capacity), the latter of which is newer and only seen on some models. Within BTUs, which are more common, a typical outdoor unit required roughly 20-25 BTUs for each square foot of living space it will be cooling.

While you should also speak to a trustworthy HVAC professional about your specific cooling capacity needs before ordering, this is a simply way to get a general idea of how much capacity you should be targeting. Meeting this capacity threshold is important, but so is ensuring you don’t go too far over it, as an AC unit with too high a capacity will create issues like short-cycling and overuse of energy.

Warranty Considerations

Next up, for any new AC unit you’re considering, you want to keep warranty high in mind. Typically, a manufacturer’s warranty will come with any new AC unit that’s purchased, and these tend to be pretty similar across most manufacturers: They’re usually either one or two years in length, and cover parts and labor for the unit.

Now, one very important additional consideration for any warranty: Your ability to stay within it and not void it. There are several elements that may be required here to maintain a manufacturer’s warranty, from yearly inspections of the unit to certain requirements in terms of air quality or quantity. You will have to be sure the unit is run properly and is not exposed to any premature wear-down risks that might void the warranty.

Energy Efficiency

Another important metric to be aware of when it comes to an AC unit is the SEER rating, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio rating. This number describes how energy-efficient a given unit is, with a higher rating corresponding to a more efficient unit.

Many units with high SEER ratings will not only have efficient features, but also the ability to turn into an energy-saving mode that turns off the fan when the thermostat signals the compressor to turn off (this won’t happen in many standard units). And while you may have rightly guessed that units with higher SEER ratings may cost more, the result is a more efficient system that limits your costs and recoups this higher price quickly.

Noise Control

You’ll also want to think about noise control, especially if you plan to install the unit near your bedroom window or anywhere close to your patio where people spend time. Many modern models today have multi-stage compressors that operate in virtual silence, but older single-stage models we went over above will generally be a bit louder. Even if you’re considering a louder model, though, you can look into an item like a sound blanket that will limit noise during operation without impacting the quality of the machine.

Humidity and Other Comfort Features

Finally, there are many modern AC models that offer humidity control levels, plus help improve home comfort. These options are much better when paired with a variable-speed unit, as humidity control is far easier to attain when the system is operating at lower speeds. In addition, variable-speed units do better at pulling humidity out of the air, which makes your cooling faster and more efficient as well.

Finally, if you have room in your budget, you may consider other comfort features that vary widely based on the models you’re looking into.

For more on the important qualities to consider in an AC unit, or to learn about any of our HVAC, drain cleaning or other plumbing services in Utah, speak to the staff at 24 Hour Rooter Connectionz today.

There are many areas of home plumbing where both homeowners and professional plumbers will play varying roles, and drain quality is a good example here. While it’s the responsibility of a homeowner and those living in a given home to take good care of their drains and maintain general drain quality, plumbers also regularly assist clients with long-term maintenance themes like drain cleaning, drain repair and others that may impact water flow in your important drains plus your main sewer line.

At 24 Hour Rooter Connectionz, we’re proud to serve as your one-stop shop when it comes to all drain cleaning, sewer line repairs and numerous other plumbing and HVAC services. We work directly with and in support of our clients, assisting with everything from basic tips on how to care for your drains to specific services like drain cleanout or pipe jetting. This includes assistance with certain DIY home areas for drains – but also certain themes you should not try to handle on your own, and should rather be leaving for our plumbers for both safety and quality reasons. Here’s a detailed primer on several DIY drain care areas, from daily usage to chemicals and other solutions, plus when it’s time to swallow your pride and call in a plumber for assistance.

Improper Drain Usage

First and foremost, one of the top causes of drain issues within homes is improper usage of said drains to begin with. Specifically, there are numerous products or materials put down drains, whether we’re talking sink drains, toilet drains or others, that simply should never go down them. These items may include all of the following:

• Starchy items like pasta, rice, potatoes and others (these should not go down the garbage disposal, either)
• Greases, fats or various forms of oil
• Eggshells and various types of bones
• Stringy or fibrous foods that may create blockages
• Coffee grounds
• Tissues, paper towels and other related products
• Feminine products like sanitary napkins and others
• “Flushable” wipes (this term is deceptive, at best)
• Clumps of hair

Rather, drains should be heavily limited in terms of what goes down them. Most water and liquids are okay, at least in sink drains – but toilet drains should have nothing but human waste and approved toilet paper products flushed down them, period. You’d be surprised how quickly you may be dealing with major drain or main sewer line issues in your home if you’re regularly sending unapproved items down the drain.

Drain Chemical Issues

For many dealing with any kind of drain clog, the first approach is to reach for the chemical drain cleaner as a solution. And while this sort of product might indeed help with your temporary problem, it’s actually doing more harm than good in the long run.

This is because drain cleaners made from chemicals are harmful to your pipes over time. Many of their bottles claim to be “safe” for pipes or have qualities that reduce corrosion, but these are not true – all drain cleaning chemicals will wear down your drain over time, and could eventually lead to major cracking or leaks.

The only commercial liquid that you should ever use to clean your drains is an all-natural enzymatic product. These use natural enzymes to break down materials clogging up drains, enzymes that will have no impact on the actual pipes themselves over the course of a period of time. However, these solutions will only work for minor clogs, not for more significant ones.

Simple DIY Solutions

Luckily, there are two very simple DIY solutions that are generally available for standard drain clogs or even routine drain cleanouts. These are as follows:

• Hot water: Heat your tap to very hot, but just before boiling point. Take a large pot of this water and pour it down the drain that’s in need of cleaning, then wait just a minute or two before pouring a similar amount of cool water down the same drain. The hot water that comes first will loosen up many clog types, including melting certain stuck-on buildups, while the cold water second will flush away any clogs you’ve just dealt with.
• Baking soda and vinegar: Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain in question, then follow that up with a half cup of vinegar. This is best done at night after the drain is done being used, and allows you to let it sit overnight. In the morning, flush the drain with hot water and notice how much clearer it is.

Other Options

If the above issues do not work for a clog you’re experiencing in a drain, you have a couple physical solutions you might consider as well:

• Plunger: The type of plunger you use will depend on which drain you’re dealing with, but it will likely either be a cup or flange plunger. This item allows you to create a major seal of air around the drain, then push the clog through the drain so it’s no longer an issue.
• Snake or auger: This is a tool that’s fed through the drain, with a handle that spins and hooks onto any clogging items, allowing you to pull them out.

Calling in the Pros

No matter your level of comfort or experience with any of the above DIY areas, it’s vital to have a local plumber on-hand to assist if things move beyond the point where your sills are viable. For some homeowners, this might mean assistance with certain parts of what we’ve already gone over here if you’re not comfortable; in other cases, handy homeowners will only call in our plumbers for detailed jobs like sewer line jetting or others that require specific professional training.

For more on DIY methods to prevent drain clogs plus important mistakes to avoid within these, or to learn about any of our drain cleaning, other plumbing or even HVAC services, speak to the staff at 24 Hour Rooter Connectionz today.

The main sewer line of any home is one of the most important plumbing locations on that property, and it may be exposed to a few unique threats or risks due to its placement underground in your front or back yard. One such potential threat that you at least have some degree of control over: Tree roots that may infiltrate your sewer line from nearby trees on the property, causing damage, leaks and related issues.

At 24 Hour Rooter Connectionz Plumbing & Drain Cleaning, we’re happy to help with a variety of main sewer line repair services, including for issues where tree or plant roots have impacted your line. Why is this a potential issue for many homeowners depending on the location of trees or plants in your yard, and what can you do to take precautions and ensure this issue isn’t a risk for your main water line? Here are some of the key factors you should be aware of and keeping an eye on as a home or property owner, including a note on which trees tend to have the most invasive root systems.

Tree Root Growth and Main Sewer Line

First and foremost, for those who are unfamiliar with this realm altogether, a quick word on how this issue takes place. Most of us are well aware that trees and plants have root systems below the earth, but some don’t realize how extensive these can be – especially for many tree species.

Tree roots can extend dozens of feet in any direction below their hosts, and they’re capable of sensing where water is located. As such, if they’re planted close to your main sewer line, they may grow toward it in search of the water that’s inside it – and in some cases, may even grow into the pipe itself, cracking or completely damaging the pipe’s exterior in the process. If this happens, this becomes one of the most expensive plumbing repairs out there. Rather than deal with this issue, take some basic precautions involving the trees and plants in your yard and your main sewer line.

Pipe Location and Space

The first basic precaution to take here is finding out and noting where your main sewer line sits within the yard, plus the location of any other pipes or plumbing systems. In many cases, this information can be obtained simply by calling the national 811 “Call Before You Dig” number that helps you find the location of underground utilities. If this is not the case, contact our team for assistance. Our plumbers will be able to easily identify the location of your main sewer line and any other underground pipes in your yard.

Once you know this location, take some time to measure the distance from the pipe to any major trees or plants in the area. Trees should have 20 to 30 feet of space between them and the location where any major pipes are, especially if they’re known to have expansive root systems. In addition, such trees should also be placed at least this far away from the home foundation, as tree roots can also damage this expensive home element.

Water and Nutrients

Another big theme here to avoid any infiltration of your sewer or pipes from roots: Ensuring the roots have the proper water and nutrients to begin with, which will make them less likely to reach out and invade other areas.

For whichever trees or plants you have in your yard, you should be doing research on the proper nutrients and watering quantities they require – and then meeting these needs regularly. In addition, if you’re planting any new trees or shrubs, we recommend going for options that don’t have extensive root systems (in a moment we’ll go over some of the tree types that have the most extensive roots).

Maintenance and Prevention Themes

Also vita here is maintenance of the actual sewer line itself, which should be done regularly through basic inspection and any required cleaning or other services. If you leave your main sewer line without any services for several years, for instance, it may develop cracks or leaks on its own – and these, in turn, will expose more water, nutrients and oxygen to the soil, which will attract nearby tree roots.

For some, prevention of sewer line issues is important enough to take proactive action. The main tool at your disposal here is a root growth barrier, which involves slow-release chemicals that keep roots away from the sewer line area. There are also simple physical barriers that do not involve any chemicals for this purpose. We often recommend these kinds of prevention techniques to clients who have had previous root growth issues into their pipes or other parts of their system, as this signals aggressive roots that should be controlled in some manner.

Trees to Avoid

As we noted above, we strongly recommend avoiding aggressive root systems if you’re planning new trees anywhere in the vicinity of your main sewer line or other plumbing pipes. There are many tree varieties out there that have relatively limited roots, or even those whose roots primarily grow horizontally rather than vertically and will not be as great a risk to your system.

On the flip side, there are a few trees we recommend avoiding for this purpose: Willows, maple, elm and poplar trees chief among them. If you already have one of these trees on your property, we advise great care and regular inspection of your sewer line (we offer video inspections if you need one) – if not, you should look in another direction for your new trees if you’ve had sewer line issues in the past or are worried about them moving forward.

For more on avoiding tree root infiltration into your main sewer line, or to learn about any of our drain cleaning, sewer line repair or emergency plumbing services, speak to the plumbers at 24 Hour Rooter Connectionz Plumbing & Drain Cleaning today.