All Ways Drains Blog Posts

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Jetting

Posted by & filed under Drain Cleaning, Plumbing Repair.

Do you have a clogged drain? Have you heard about water jetting and how it can help unclog pipes but have a few questions about it and how it works? You have come to the right place! At All Ways Drains we are experts at water jetting for Shoreview and are here to answer all of your water jetting questions! We have been in business for many years providing water jetting for the entire area and we have received some questions about it and how it works. Here are a few of the most common ones we’ve come across:

emergency plumber

Q: What is water jetting?
A: When fats, oils, grease and debris clog your drain and cause a blockage or slow draining pipes, water jetting is one of the best and only ways to completely remove it.

Q: When do I need water jetting?
A: When a homemade or store-bought drain cleaner isn’t enough, that’s when you know you need to call the professionals at All Ways Drains for professional water jetting. Water jetting is also ideal for cleaning and root cutting when drains are still draining slightly, a total blockage will have to be assessed by an expert.

Q: How does water jetting work?
A: If we determine that water jetting is the best solution for your clog, we will use state-of-the-art pumps to propel water through your home’s pipeline. These extremely powerful, concentrated streams of water rush all the way through the pipe, thoroughly cleaning the pipes and push out the blockage.

Q: Do I need professionals to perform water jetting?
A: This is no DIY project. Our trained professionals are properly trained in the use of water jetting equipment and how to direct the hoses along the walls of your pipes and effectively clean out the length of a sewer line.

Q: Why should I choose water jetting?
A: This small investment can go a long way in avoiding much larger expenses down the line. Cleaner pipes are more efficient, thus reducing water bills and increasing productivity.

Do you need water jetting for your home’s pipes? Contact us today! We have the tools and skills needed to unclog even the most stubborn drains. A water jet service by All Ways Drains can provide cleaner pipes, fewer service calls and less down time.

When you’re ready to schedule water jetting for your Shoreview area home or business, give All Ways Drains a call! Call us at 612-922-9422 or contact us for a Free Estimate.

5 Signs Your Water Heater is in Need of Repair

Posted by & filed under Water Heaters.

Far before there’s water all over the basement, there are a few signs your water heater will give to let you know it’s about to go. Most people have no idea when their water heater is about to fail. But, you can avoid the disruption and damage of a failed water heater with preemptive repair or replacement. And, as experts in water heater repair for St Paul and the surrounding areas, we have come up with a list of indicators to look out for. And, if you notice any of these, it could mean your water heater is on its last legs or requires water heater repair:

water heater replacement

Poorly Heating Water

If you have cold water, but no hot water and you have a gas water heater, first check the pilot light. Follow the directions on the heater to make sure that the pilot light is working properly. If you have followed the directions for your heater so that the pilot is lit and you know that the gas is flowing to the heater, but it’s still not producing hot water, try turning up the water temperature. If you can’t get your water to warm up, give us a call for water heater repair.

Rusty Water

If you discover rusty water coming from your water heater and it only comes from the hot side in your home, this can be a sign that your water heater is rusting on the inside and it may begin to leak soon. It is important you call us to take a look and determine if you require water hear repair right away.

Strange Noises

As a water heater ages, sediment will build up on the bottom of the tank. As the sediment is heated and reheated, it eventually will harden. This causes strange noises as well as lower efficiency.

Water on the Floor

If you notice moisture around your water heater, you may have a small leak or a fracture in the tank. It could also be a leak from the fittings or connections to the tank. Either way, give us a call and we can come out to determine what kind of water heater repair you require.

Old Age

It’s simple, the older your water heater gets, the likelier it is to require water heater repair. And, at around 10 years, that’s when most water heaters need to be replaced.

If you are having any of these issues with your water heater or if you simply can’t get the hot water heater working, we can send out one of our experienced technicians to fix the problem for you. Contact us about water heater repair in St Paul today by calling (612) 922-9422 or Contact us Online.

How to: Unclog a Toilet & Correctly Use a Plunger

Posted by & filed under Plumbing Repair, Sewer Repair.

One might say a clogged toilet is one of the worst plumbing emergencies out there. And, as an emergency plumber for the Twin Cities, we’ve encountered our fair share. Residents throughout the area trust our emergency plumber to save them from situations such as this. So as your trusted plumber for the Twin Cities, we’d like to provide a how-to to hopefully get you out of this unpleasant situation. After all, with the right plunger and just a little bit of elbow grease you could see a crisis averted.

emergency plumber

But if these tips don’t work, or if you’d rather have the professionals handle it, give our emergency plumber a call here at All Ways Drains. We will come out to your home or business and have your toilet working again in no time!

Many people are unaware that there is actually a right and wrong way to use a plunger to unclog a toilet. The key to proper plunger use is to pull forcefully and push gently. Many people assume that a forceful push is what frees up the clog, however this can actually worsen the problem. Pushing the plunger too hard can even break the seal of the toilet gasket. So remember, push gently; pull rigorously.

It is also important to select the right plunger. As an emergency plumber, we always have the right one on hand. But your local store may only sell the wrong, least effective kind. The most common plunger you may find is a simple suction-cup plunger. However, these can be pretty ineffective. Did you know they are actually more useful in the kitchen than the bathroom, since they are designed to mainly clear clogs from sinks? They may yield some success in the bathroom, but the most effective plunger for the toilet is actually the ball shape or fold-out style plunger. These are a better fit for the toilet, providing a greater seal and a better amount of pressure to release the clog.

It is also important to determine what kind of clog you’ve got. Is it a slow-drainer or a complete clog? The typical clogged toilet is a slow-drainer that can be cleared using a plunger. However, a total clog does not drain at all and may require a professional emergency plumber to unclog.

Sometimes a clogged toilet could actually point to a bigger problem, with the sewer line itself, which, depending on the location of the issue is either yours or your municipality’s to fix. An emergency plumber can help solve the mystery.

If you need assistance from our emergency plumber in the Twin Cities or any of the surrounding areas, call All Ways Drains at 612-922-9422, or you can contact us and get a Free Estimate.

 

Tree Roots & Summer Sewer Repair

Posted by & filed under Sewer Repair.

Summer is a great time of year for fun in the sun, celebrations and cookouts; not plumbing problems and sewer backups. If your sewer pipe cracks, it can create an unwanted problem right in the middle of your backyard barbecue. If your sewage system is experiencing some damage, sewer repair may be your summer sewer savior. As experts in sewer repair for Minneapolis, we have helped countless residents with their sewer and plumbing needs for decades. And, we would like to tell you more about what can be done in the event of an untimely, unwanted sewer malfunction. And, when you’re not sure what the issue is, call on us and we’ll help you figure it out. We can provide you some information on what to expect when a pipe breaks this summer.

sewer repair

When there is physical damage to your sewer lines, you’ll need a residential plumber to make the repairs. The diagnosis process is fairly straight forward. Once we find out that tree roots are the culprit, we can work to get your pipes back into working order.

One of the most common causes for sewer repair is growing tree roots; especially in the summer. As living things do when the weather gets warmer, they grow. When trees grow, their roots penetrate farther into the earth. As they grow, they may grow through anything that is in their way that has been buried underground like your sewer pipe.

To help avoid this issue, when you’re planting trees, be mindful of underground lines. And, if roots do end up causing an issue, give us a call. When this happens you may notice water pooling in your yard or what appears to be a clogged drain. As local expert plumbers, we have seen this type of issue time and time again. There’s not much you can do to prevent tree roots from growing into your lines, aside from removing the tree.

But there are a variety of reasons your sewer might require repair. No matter what your sewer repair reason, All Ways Drains can help when you need professional help for your sewer. Whatever problem you end up needing to call us about, we are dedicated to helping you solve it. We will send a plumber out to your property as quickly as possible to make the necessary sewer repair you need.

Are you in need of expert sewer repair for your Minneapolis home? Call All Ways Drains at 612-922-9422, or you can contact us for a Free Estimate.

Live & Unclogged: The Top Five Benefits of Hydro Jetting

Posted by & filed under Drain Cleaning, Plumbing Repair.

Hydro jetting is a natural, clean and effective method of unclogging pipes and drains. That’s why so many people prefer it. But, what are its many benefits? At All Ways Drains we specialize in hydro jetting for Maplewood and the surrounding areas and would love to tell you more about it and the many benefits that can make it such a wonderful plumbing solution.At some point most homeowners will experience slow or clogged drains from dirt, hair or debris. When it comes to slowed down or clogged lines, there are several methods that can be used to solve the problem, but nothing compares to the method of hydro jetting. With hydro jetting, you can expect:

All Ways Drains Water Jetting

Money Savings

Upfront, hydro jetting may seem like the pricier solution but in the long run it can actually save you some dough. How? Hydro jetting cleans the whole pipe, preventing future issues and their service calls. Hydro jetting is highly efficient and takes much less time compared to more traditional methods. So, if a plumber charges by the hour, this could lead to substantial savings.

Effectiveness

The major benefits to water-jetting verses cable or snake cleaning is that water-jetting is much more effective on grease clogs and things like sludge, dirt, sand.  Where a cable just tends to pass through these items and spread them out the water-jetter is capable of actually cleaning these materials from the pipe and getting it out of the pipe rather than basically spreading it through the pipe.  It is also actually possible to cut roots faster and better with the water-jetter.

Much of the time, traditional methods of unclogging a drain like snaking can get the job done. But, they are not comparable with the effectiveness of hydro jetting. Hydro jetting is also a great way to avoid future problems with your plumbing simply because it thoroughly cleans pipes as well as unclogs them.

Environmental Benefits

Compared to the chemicals and procedures involved in traditional plumbing methods, hydro jetting is far more environmentally friendly. And, did you know it is even safe for homes and buildings positioned near water sources like rivers and lakes?

Versatility

Many people might think hydro jetting is only for commercial use. However, it is more than appropriate for residential home plumbing troubles. Hydro jetting is a versatile system and works well for both large and small jobs.

Dependability

At All Ways Drains we use state-of-the-art pumps to propel water through the line thus unclogging the drain. These extremely powerful, concentrated streams of water rush all the way through the pipes, thoroughly cleaning them and pushing out the blockage.

Even the toughest clogs can’t stand up to hydro jetting. But, it is important to remember hydro jetting is not for 100% clogs as this can cause flooding.

Interested in hydro jetting for your Maplewood home? Call All Ways Drains at 612-922-9422 or you can contact us to get a Free Estimate.