7 Ways to Effectively Prevent and Clear Clogs in Your Drain

March 27th, 2017

Clogs in the drain are household inconveniences that can be avoided. Since many are easily disgusted by the backflow of murky water caused by a clog in its usual path, it’s important to know what shouldn’t be done in order to prevent these blockages from building up inside drains.

As such, professional plumbers in Wisconsin have listed seven effective ways to prevent clogs below, as well as solutions to clogged drains that you can apply.

Don’t pour cooking grease into the sink.

It may be liquid in form when you pour it in, but an instant change in temperature can cause it to solidify. In Wisconsin, where it’s often cold, grease poured down the sink will harden in drain tubes right away, according to professional plumbers who service Applegate and Fox Valley residents.

Don’t dump coffee grounds in the sink.

Sure, these won’t harden in the drains and can be pushed down by the strong flow of water, but they can build up over time, especially if they get caught in hardened grease.

Don’t flush hair down your bathroom drains.

Hair doesn’t deteriorate and it can get entangled with the different elements present in your drain. Use a drain cover and throw away hair in the trash instead. It’s nasty, but what’s nastier is fishing out a huge hairball from your drain that’s preventing water from flushing away from your house.

If grease is already clogging your drain, the quickest solution to use is boiling hot water.

The hot temperature will turn grease into liquid again and it will mix with hot water and flow down the drain easily.

Another solution for clogs created by grease and soap scum is a solution of baking soda and vinegar.

This solution will corrode clogs and clear the drain. Not only that, baking soda and vinegar have disinfecting properties too, so if your drains are getting to be really stinky, the solution can take care of that as well.

To get rid of soap scum and hair, you can also try lye.

If you’re not familiar with lye, it’s a chemical that is used to perm the hair and it’s also used for soaps. Since it’s potent enough to alter the shape of or even burn hair, it’s effective in dissolving clogs in the drain. Make sure that you only use a small amount of lye because it’s a caustic substance.

For clogged garbage disposals, try filling an ice cube tray with equal parts of vinegar and water. Freeze the mixture of vinegar and water, and when you have ice cubes, dump them in the garbage disposal. The acidity from the vinegar will clean the drain and its chips will scrape grease off the drain walls.

If you’re suffering from a clogged drain, schedule an appointment with us today!

What Not To Put Down Your Drain

March 21st, 2017

There are simple things that you do can do to prevent a clogged drain.

In a landmark study undertaken by the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in 2002, it was discovered that wastewater coming from residential, agricultural and industrial sources contained low levels of human and veterinary drugs, natural and synthetic hormones, insecticides, fire retardants, detergent metabolites, and plasticizers.

Of these chemicals listed, one or more were found in 80 percent of the streams which were a part of the study. Furthermore, half of the streams were found to contain seven or more of these chemicals. Roughly a third of the streams contained 10 or more of the aforementioned chemicals.

Quite simply, this means that homeowners, farmers, and industries have contributed greatly to water pollution which does not only undermine water quality, but also adversely affects fish and wildlife.

In the residential setting, plumbers regularly caution homeowners about throwing foreign objects down the drain as these can clog pipes and cause unnecessary damage, not only to the plumbing system but in other parts of the house as well.

But according to the Watership Environment Foundation, the consequences of throwing foreign objects down the drain causes far-ranging effects beyond your home. According to the foundation, throwing foreign objects down the drain can also lead to health problems and environmental problems.

Plumbers say that homeowners should not treat the drain like a trash can and list what not to put down your drain.

These include:

Sauces
Dairy products
Baking goods
Food scraps
Lard
Shortening
Cooking oil
Butter and margarine

Throwing these down the drain facilitates the blockage in the sewer pipes when grease sticks to these. And once the grease continues to build up, it can block the optimal flow of water.

Expert plumbers advise against throwing grease down in either sinks or toilets. Homeowners should also make it a habit to scrape off food particles and grease from plates, pots, pans and other cooking utensils and implements. Invest in a strainer or basket and install one in the sink drain to catch solids and empty these into the trash can.

Other items that should not be thrown down the drain or toilet include:

Used oils
Egg shells
Coffee grinds
Feminine hygiene products
Paper towels
Condoms
Flammable substances
Medications
Acidic or caustic substances
Rags
Solvents, paints, polish remover, turpentine and similar products.

If you have a clogged drain, contact us today to set up an appointment!

WHAT NOT TO FLUSH DOWN YOUR TOILET

March 9th, 2017

Do Not Flush These Objects Into Your Toilet

There are only two things that need to be flushed down a toilet: human waste and regular toilet paper.

There is one reason why a clogged toilet is one of the leading plumbing problems in a household. People throw things into the toilet that they shouldn’t.

Some people think of the toilet as another trash can where they can dispose of anything they like. But when you throw foreign objects into the toilet, you will not only cause clogs in the toilet. Apart from that, you can experience other problems like damage to the septic tank and pollution. Furthermore, you will need to spend money to fix these problems.

What are the objects that you should not throw into the toilet?

Food and cooking oil/grease

Some homeowners think that it is all right to throw grease into the toilet because it is a liquid. However, grease can congeal when it cools down. And when that happens, the solidified grease can clog the pipes.

Cleaning pads and wet wipes

Plumbers from around the country have seen a marked increase in toilet clogs and backups in sewage pipes. The culprit? Wet wipes.

Instead of throwing used wipes into the toilet, find a trash can and throw these there.

Dental floss

Dental floss is non-biodegradable. Over time, as more of this item accumulates in the toilet, it can cause clogs.

Cotton balls and Q-tips

Cotton does not break down after you flush it down the toilet. Instead, it accumulates and forms clumps which then cause clogs, especially in areas where the pipes bend.

Diapers

Diapers expand when these are put underwater, making them difficult to flush down toilets. However, if you manage to flush one, it can get caught in the bend of the pipe and cause a clog.

Expired pills

If you find expired pills in your medicine cabinet, do not flush these down the toilet. Although these will not cause the toilet to clog, it can cause water pollution. And when the water you flush down the toilet finds its way to the groundwater supply, it can harm wildlife.

Tissues and paper towels

If you prefer to use paper towels and tissues, do not throw these into the toilet. Unlike regular toilet papers, these do not dissolve in the water.

Cigarette butts

If you must smoke in a bathroom, dispose of your cigarette butts properly. When you throw cigarette butts into the toilet, these will simply float on the water. And when the water flushed down the toilet gets to the groundwater supply, that water will be loaded with lots of harmful chemicals.

Have a clogged toilet? Contact us for help!

7 Bathroom Renovation Tips to Consider

March 7th, 2017

If you’re thinking of upgrading the look and function of your bathroom, it’s crucial to look into maintenance considerations to ensure your fullest satisfaction from this project. You need to make sure that with the new style and use you’ll get out of this important investment, you will not be compromised by the more difficult cleaning or safety concerns it may require.

To help you with these, professional bathroom remodelers Applegate and Fox Valley residents hire share seven of the most important bathroom renovation tips to consider.

Choose the right tiles for flooring

It’s best to go with tiles that are non-porous. Not only are they easier to clean, they won’t get stained easily as well. Your best options are glazed and porcelain tiles that have some texture to them – aside from being easier to clean, they’re safer to walk on as well.

Choose the best grout on the market

Non-porous urethane formulas are pricey but they set really quickly, don’t crack, don’t get stained (setting off the nice color of your tiles), and they don’t need sealing.

Use acrylic or hybrid formula caulk with mildewcide

These are much easier to replace though they actually last for a much longer time. You want to make sure that caulking around bathroom equipment looks nice and smooth for as long as possible. Caulking is also a breeze to remove over time.

Make sure electrical wiring and sockets are in strategic locations

Convenience when using electronic devices in your bathroom is a must; this can also make use of electronic devices safer. Proper wiring will also help enhance the effects of lighting fixtures.

Take into consideration the height of all users

You want to make sure all pieces of bathroom equipment are easily accessible. When the kids grow up, you may want to buy steps that will help them reach things without any trouble, or have bars installed that they can hold on to for safer footing – especially when getting in the tub.

Create niches for bath essentials

Having built-in storage spaces for your bath essentials can reduce clutter in the bathroom – you won’t have to buy cubbies and storage boxes that need to be replaced over time.

Invest in a really good toilet

If your budget will allow it, don’t think twice about purchasing a “toilet for the future.” This investment can take time in the loo to a whole new level of water-efficiency and comfort.

If you’d like more tips and tricks, visit our website!

How to Deal with Basement Flooding

March 3rd, 2017

Basement and Bathroom Flooding

Any type of flooding in your home is a problem, but two of the worst types that your household could experience are bathroom flooding and basement flooding.

Bathroom flooding can be a disgusting process for all because of the human waste factor and how it can impact your entire household’s daily hygiene routine. Despite this, basement flooding remains a much bigger concern. Aside from the fact that it can be caused by everything from overland flooding, to infiltration flooding, to sewer backup, to a combination of two or all three of these types of flooding (different levels of nastiness for flood water), it can also lead to serious structural damages that can make your home unsafe to live in.

Since the basement is part of the house’s foundation, compromised elements in this room can alter the integrity of the entire structure. It’s important to mention as well that because of the room’s location, it’s quite prone to mold growth, which can pose health risks for you and your family. Molds are not easy to treat, and getting rid of them will not only set your finances back, but it will also be a great inconvenience to your family since you will be asked to evacuate your home until the situation is properly resolved.

Suffice it to say, basement flooding is a situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. You can’t let dirty water just sit in the room and breed all sorts of potentially harmful elements; the quicker you get rid of the water, the better. For this job, you will need plumbing specialists to help drain the flood and also correctly identify the cause of flooding.

Urgently addressing the situation is required if the flooding is caused by sewer backup. Applegate and Fox Valley plumbers say that while contaminated water is the main issue, other factors worsen the problem. Flooding can place extra pressure on the pipes underneath the home and this can result in the heaving of basement floors, especially when improper backwater valves are used.

Also, weeping tiles are connected to the municipal system through sanitary sewer laterals or storm sewer laterals, and sewage can be pressured back into the weeping tiles; this may result in great damage to the home, which will not only require repairs but replacement of materials as well.

If you need to have your basement serviced due to flooding, your insurance company may be able to help shoulder the cost due to sewer back-up, so do get in touch with them to see if your insurance policy can actually cover the cost of sewer backup damage. If it does, you won’t have to worry much about getting your home properly restored.

Contact us today for more information.

Spring Home Shows in Appleton WI

February 27th, 2017

Tureks is hitting the home show circuit this spring!

We love this time of year! It gives us a chance to get out into the community and visit with past, current and potential clients. There is nothing more refreshing than meeting with clients when there is not a plumbing problem or urgent need for service. We are grateful for the emergency plumbing calls but it is defiantly nice to meet with clients in a casual setting like at a home show.

WBAY Home & Garden Show March 9th-12th 2017

Event Begins: Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 4:00 pm
Event Ends: Sunday, March 12, 2017 at 4:00 pm

Shopko Hall

Packerland Homeshow March 17th 2017

Fox Valley Home & Landscape Expo March 24th-26th 2017

Location:
Tri County Ice Arena
700 East Shady Lane – Neenah, WI 54695

Hours:
Friday 2-8pm
Saturday 10-6pm
Sunday 10-4pm

Tickets:

$8 – Door Price
$12 – Weekend Pass
Ages 17 and Under Are Free
Free Parking

How to Prevent Roots from Damaging Your Sewer Line

February 21st, 2017

How Can You Prevent Roots from Damaging Your Sewer Line?

Tree roots and other types of vegetation can be bad news for sewer lines. These do not only create blockages that affect plumbing, but they can also damage the sewer’s structure.

Any damage to sewer lines is expensive to repair and can set back property owners by thousands of dollars. Damaged sewer lines can also be the source of other inconveniences such as foul odor, pest infestation, and health issues.

It is important to prevent tree roots and vegetation from wrecking your sewer line and costing you thousands of dollars in repair and replacements. Here are some tips that can help.

Sewer Line Inspections

Regularly have professional plumbers inspect your sewer line to see if there are natural elements growing into it. Early inspection can outwork the potential big problem that can develop. This may cost you some but it’s always better (cheaper) to spend on preventive measures than repairs and replacements.

Sewer Line Locations

Do you know where the sewer lines are located? If not, call your local public works department or the national “811” hotline. They have information on all underground utilities. It’s best to get this information when you’re thinking of upgrading the landscape of your property.

Properly Prepare for Landscaping Projects

For landscaping projects, professional plumbers hired by Fox Valley and Applegate residents advise creating a barrier between trees and sewer lines. Slow release chemicals like copper sulfate and potassium hydroxide can be used to discourage root development into sewer lines. Apply these chemicals near the sewers to prevent roots from growing into sewers. Another solution to try is burying wood or metal barriers a foot deeper than the pipe. You can also run them vertically next to the sewer; this will prevent roots from getting to the pipes.

Think Long Term

Plan your landscaping by opting for trees and shrubs that only have a small root ball. These won’t grow too much and make their way into sewers but they’ll do just as fine in elevating the look of your outdoor space.

Call the Professionals

If drain clogs happen quite frequently, and the usual solutions are useless or only work temporarily, don’t delay in calling Turek’s Plumbing, your local Fox Cities plumbers, for an inspection of the sewer line. Other tell-tale signs to keep an eye out for are:

Slow-flowing drains; these basically indicate that the system is having a difficult time pushing everything down.
Gurgling noises from the toilet whenever it’s flushed.
Overflow even after potent drain cleaners have been used.

Vital Components in Determining a Kitchen Remodel Timeline

February 14th, 2017

How to Determine a Kitchen Remodel Timeline

For many property owners, speed is a vital consideration for any remodeling job. Homeowners simply want the remodel to be completed fast as possible. And with how home makeover shows on TV get things done, many tend to believe that any home improvement project can be accomplished in just a matter of days. A fast kitchen remodel is the dream. This is possible if homeowners are willing to dole out a huge amount of money for manual labor. It truly will not be difficult to complete a remodeling project in just a matter of days.

But the reality is most homeowners do not have the same resources as popular reality home makeover shows. Thus, they need to plan the project carefully in order to control costs and establish an effective timeline. This is most especially applicable when planning a kitchen remodel. Timeline development is very important because having property work done can alter the efficiency of the household. This can also impact the quality of life at home.

Now, if you need to determine a kitchen remodel timeline, trusted remodelers in Applegate and Fox Valley, Wisconsin say it’s necessary to clearly identify the important factors that can really affect the speed of work. What are these factors?

Hiring the right remodeler

The first factor that can determine project timeline is the remodelers you hire for the job. Will you be hiring a lot of them or will you be sticking to just a few? If you hire more people for labor then you can expect the project to be completely finished within a month or even just three weeks.

It’s worth mentioning too that there are remodelers that utilize more advanced equipment that allow them to finish tasks much faster. Have a thorough consultation with remodelers and you can have a fair estimate of how long the project will last as well as how tasks are grouped into stages.

Consider your design carefully

The next factor is the design of the kitchen. If you’re thinking of a complete overhaul, this surely will require more time even with advanced equipment and more workers. Taking into account the design and the new installations the design requires will provide you a fair estimate of how long certain tasks will take to complete.

Materials

And the last component is the materials – you need to know when materials will be delivered. The delay in the arrival of certain materials can really mess up the schedule. Establish the schedule of when materials will be delivered. Know when you’re going to follow up on your orders to ensure that all the supplies necessary for the project will arrive even before they’re needed.

Determining the right kitchen remodel timeline is a vital part of your upcoming project. For additional tips on how to tackle a kitchen remodel in Fox Cities, contact the professionals at Turek’s Plumbing.

Tips on Creating a Kitchen Floor Plan

February 9th, 2017

Tips on Creating a Kitchen Floor Plan That Effectively Combines Style and Function

Kitchen – the heart of the home. Homeowners usually have a many ideas on how to make it the center of productivity and quality time for the family. But often, with all of the ideas they have on beautifying it and making sure it can do more for the family, the kitchen just turns into a mess of good intentions and “stuff.”

To restore order to this very important room, a kitchen floor plan is needed, says kitchen remodelers in Applegate and Fox Valley. In creating a kitchen floor plan, it automatically gets so much easier to combine style and function, or in the words of design gurus, “beautility.” To help you with this, here are tips on how to plan a smart layout for your kitchen.

Tip #1

Write down the different activities you commonly use the kitchen for. Do you love to cook and bake there? Does your family often hang out in it? Do you wish to have a bar there that will be the perfect spot for the parties you like to throw? It’s important to identify all these activities so you can also identify the best appliances and furniture to use for the space.

Tip #2

Triangle or Workstation? The triangle layout is highly efficient for movement in the kitchen, especially if it’s a small one. But if you’re adding more appliances to your kitchen space, the workstation may be more ideal.

Tip #3

If you’re going to install an island, determine how you can make it a more functional feature of your kitchen, particularly if it’s a big one. You want to make sure that for the amount of space it eats, more uses can be derived from it so activities carried out in the kitchen will have a comfortable and smooth flow. Some of the features you can add to an island are a wine rack, shelves for cookbooks, mini-fridge and dishwasher.

Tip #4

Don’t forget about strategic lighting. Strategic lighting should always be included in floor planning. Proper illumination is necessary for the right ambiance, comfort, convenience and function.

Tip #5

Do check building guidelines in your area so your kitchen can be remodeled to code. TheNational Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) provides guiding principles in order to make kitchen and bathroom optimally functional. Refer to the guide to see if your layout ideas are compliant with the functional standards established by the experts.

With these tips, you can better organize your ideas for “arranging” your kitchen. The goal is to create a visually pleasing and productive section of your home. Before starting a kitchen remodel in the Fox Valley area contact Turek’s Plumbing for more kitchen floorplan ideas.

Modern Kitchen Remodel Design Ideas for Tight Budgets

February 7th, 2017

Modern Kitchen Remodel Design Ideas

There are two main reasons why homeowners want to upgrade the look of their kitchens.

First, if you are planning on selling your home, you definitely would want your kitchen to be appealing to the broadest possible number of potential buyers. And according to many property professionals, a kitchen remodel, when done right, can yield good ROI.

Another reason why property owners want to revamp their kitchens is because these have become outdated and are either no longer functional or look drab and unappealing.

However, a kitchen remodel is a massive undertaking that often requires a big budget. Does that mean that you cannot upgrade the look of your kitchen if money is tight?

Listed here are a few quick and easy modern kitchen remodel design ideas that do not require a big budget. With a little hard work, creativity and ingenuity, you can transform the look of your kitchen for cheap.

Apply a fresh coat of paint

Applying a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to transform the look of your kitchen.

Apart from the wall, you might want to consider repainting all of your kitchen cabinets. Alternatively, you can paint a just a few of the kitchen cabinets. Against other wood and metal elements in the kitchen, painting a few kitchen cabinets creates contrast which generates interest in the kitchen.

Painting the floorboards is an economical alternative to replacing these. If you are adventurous enough, you can paint the floorboards white or use stencils for a dash of creativity.

Add/Replace/Remove

Another simple yet effective way to update the look of your kitchen is to replace a few key elements like knobs and pulls.

Adding new lighting fixtures like sconces can make the kitchen look refreshing. Plus, lights add functionality to the kitchen.

Another welcome addition that can add style and functionality to your kitchen are wood shelves on metal brackets placed just above the counter.

Finally, you might want to consider removing the upper cabinet doors which can add an element of open space to your kitchen.

Some TLC for the fridge

If you cannot afford to replace your old fridge at the moment, there are a few things that you can do to upgrade its appearance.

One, you can paint it with chalkboard paint. This trick allows you to use the refrigerator for note taking and for drawing.

If you have ample time, you can make a wainscot fridge cover. A wainscot fridge cover will surely catch the attention of house guests.

If you are thinking about starting a kitchen remodel in Fox Cities, contact Turek’s Plumbing for more modern kitchen remodel design ideas.