Tag: plumber

How to Unclog Your Garbage Disposal

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how to unclog your garbage disposal

A clogged garbage disposal is most likely caused by worn-out drains or food scraps too big for drains. Like any clog, it’s nasty business and needs to be dealt with immediately. While your first thought might be to call a plumber, it’s best you try out some DIY solutions first. To help you out, the pros at MA Williams have prepared a guide on how you can unclog your garbage disposal on your own.

1. Check Inside the Disposal

Turn the disposal off and use a flashlight to take a deeper look inside. Chances are a large scrap of food or utensil might have lodged itself in the disposal. If you notice an object, make sure the disposal is off. Then use a gloved hand to reach inside and remove any object stuck inside.

2. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

If you want to take the most natural and DIY approach to unclogging not just your disposal, but any drain in your home, use the tried and true baking soda and vinegar mixture. Pour ¼ cup baking soda down the disposal and follow it up with ¼ cup of vinegar. Let the mixture fizz for a few minutes before pouring hot water down the drain. Run the disposal and see if the water drains away. Repeat this process if necessary. If you find that the clog remains after this, it’s time to try another technique.

3. Use A Plunger

If you want to loosen or dislodge the clog, you can try using your handy-dandy plunger. Fill the sink with a few inches of water—this will create proper suction. Then start plunging to remove any loose pieces of food or debris stuck in your disposal.

4. Take the Manual Approach: Use an Allen Key

If you still notice that the disposal is clogged or if you hear a humming sound whenever you turn it on, you will have to take a more manual approach. Turn your disposal off and look at the bottom of your disposal under your sink—you will notice a manual operator with an opening in the center called the hex socket. Take a ¼-inch Allen wrench and insert it into the hex socket. Crank the wrench back and forth and turn the blades manually. Once you feel the wrench loosen a bit, turn your disposal back and check if there is a difference.

Do None of These Methods Work? You Might Have to Call a Plumber.

If you find that no matter what you do, you can’t seem to unclog your garbage disposal, you might have to contact a plumber. If you live in Richmond VA, in the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico or in the Tri-City area, you can reach out to the pros at MA Williams! Our team of professionals will be able to unclog your trusted garbage disposal in no time. Call us today at 804-250-5625 or schedule a service with us on our website!

DIY Plumbing: Dangers of Doing it Yourself

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dangers of diy plumbing

While there are a lot of plumbing problems you can handle yourself, there are some that require professional assistance. Certain plumbing issues can be complicated and even dangerous to do on your own, no matter how experienced you are as a DIY plumber. If you’re not fully convinced, check out this post by the pros at MA Williams listing the exact dangers of DIY plumbing.

1. Water Damage

Water damage is a very real threat posed by DIY plumbing. Whether it’s a burst or frozen pipe, a sewer or drain leak, it’s important to leave it to an actual plumber than handle it yourself. If you troubleshoot the problem incorrectly or without the right tools and experience, you might be causing serious damage to your home in the future.

Water damage can lead to a whole plethora of problems such as mold and mildew in your walls, cabinets and ceilings. In addition to that it can lead to corrosion, damage furniture and upholstery and even the structure of your home. It might be tempting to try your hand at plumbing repair after a few tutorials, but it’s best to leave it to the professionals as they will be able to provide efficient repair services without any damage to your home.

2. Expense

Saving money is perhaps the most tempting thing about DIY plumbing (or really anything). However, you’ll quickly find out that by troubleshooting problems with the twist of a screwdriver might provide a short-term solution and will still be costing you money in the long run. While some problems are easily fixed with just a screwdriver, others might require more tools and techniques to troubleshoot.

3. Damaged Fixtures

If you try your hand at DIY plumbing, you might be doing more harm to your plumbing fixtures than good. Improper repairs can cause damage to your fixtures and will hinder their performance. These can lead to frequent repairs over time, leaks, corrosion, burst pipes and cracks in your plumbing fixtures.

4. You Might Hurt Yourself

Performing DIY plumbing without the right safety precautions might not only hurt your plumbing but it might hurt you! In order to tackle some plumbing jobs, you might require complex tools and some safety knowledge, which you might not have. There is a high chance you might hurt yourself or your family if you handle certain plumbing problems on your own. Some physical dangers DIY plumbing poses are dangerous odors, exposure to sewage, flooding and tool mishaps.

Want to Know More About the Dangers of DIY Plumbing? Get in touch with the pros at MA Williams!

If you’re tired of DIY plumbing and are looking for a top-notch plumber in Richmond, VA, contact us at MA Williams! Our technicians and plumbers provide high-quality services whether you’re dealing with a leaky pipe, strange odor, faulty shower or clogged drain. We offer repairs, installations and maintenance services to ensure that every fixture in your home is in good working order. Call us today at 804-250-5625 or schedule a service online!