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Three Things To Know About Outdoor Clogs

Know the Signs of Outdoor Clogs

Clogs can happen anywhere at any time. However, when most people think of clogs, they imagine backed-up toilets, bathtubs that won’t drain, and overflowing garbage disposals. They seldom think of clogs that can happen outdoors.

Pool pumps, sprinkler systems, and countless other outdoor appliances can suffer clogs from time to time. While an outdoor clog can be inconvenient, thankfully, there are many ways homeowners can prevent these issues from happening. If one finds themselves experiencing a clogged pipe, they should reach out to a professional.

Homeowners Should Keep These Appliances Free of Debris

If a pipe’s outside, it could get clogged. Appliances that require pipes outdoors include:

Swimming pools, hot tubs, and jacuzzis
Pool pumps
Sprinklers
Decorative fountains
Gutters

Spring and winter are common times for outdoor clogs to form because waste solidifies inside a pipe during the winter, preventing water flow. Then, when spring rolls around, the waste melts and binds with mud, dirt, and debris. This could turn an ordinary clog into a problem that needs professional attention.

Anything Can Turn into a Clog

Here’s some advice: nothing but water should run through a pipe. If it’s not water, it could clog the system. Some debris that could cause outdoor clogs to include:

Yard waste: Leaves, pine needles, and other elements can get stuck inside a pipe. This makes it important for homeowners to keep the areas around their hoses, faucets, exposed pipes, gutters and drains clean.
Animals: Rats and insects can get stuck inside pipes. If the organism can’t free itself, it could die, and its body could interrupt water flow.
Garbage: Even if one keeps their yard clean, plastic bags and other trash can obstruct a pipe. Matters can worsen if the obstruction isn’t made of organic material, meaning the water flow won’t wear down the blockage.

Even Tough Outdoor Clogs Are Fixable

A plumber may use many techniques to clear a pipe clog. These techniques will depend on the severity of the clog, its location, and what the clog is. A plumber may fix an outdoor clog by:

Hydro jetting: Hydro jetting is when a plumber uses a specialized tool to send pressurized water into a pipe or down a drain. The force of the water can break down the clog and send it to the community’s water main. This is a good technique if the clog is made of organic material and can be broken down.
Manual applications: A plumber may use soundwaves to locate a clog, remove the pipe section, and remove the clog by hand. This technique could be feasible if the clog is easily accessible, like under a kitchen sink.
A drain snake: A drain snake is a long, flexible tool that the plumber may insert into the pipe to remove the clog. Some modern drain snakes come with cameras, allowing professionals to view the obstructions up-close.

About 2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling

2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling has been serving Sacramento, CA, and the surrounding areas since 1981. They are a veteran-owned and family-owned, and operated company that offers 24/7 live answers, same-day service, and financing. Call them today for plumbing services from experienced and background-checked plumbers in Rancho Cordova, CA.

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Pioneering Women Plumbers for Women's History Month

Women Who Helped Shape the Plumbing Industry

The trades have always been male-dominated industries. While women traditionally fill teaching jobs, plumbing and electrical jobs have always been considered “man’s work.” With national efforts to change this perception, the plumbing industry is slowly coming around.

Every industry has a perceived “glass ceiling,” but women have greatly influenced the plumbing industry in the past. In honor of Women’s History Month, local plumbers are here to share some examples of how women have shaped modern plumbing.

Females Plumbers in the Modern-Day Plumbing Industry

First, women in the plumbing industry today are still sparsely represented. Even when most companies are striving for equality in the workplace, it can be difficult for most people to think of the last female plumber they called for help.

Estimates place women’s representation in plumbing at around 5%. Of the 5% of women in the plumbing trade, they do a range of activities. Some are owners. Some are office support staff. At this moment, estimates say that around 14,000 women are actually in the field as apprentices, journeywomen, or master plumbers.

The women who work in the field as plumbers admit the business can be hard to break into. However, overcoming the barriers to entry in plumbing can yield such perks as:

Paid training
High salaries
Opportunities to run businesses
Advancement opportunities

In the end, most say that financial freedom was worth the effort.

Ladies Take Over the Auxiliary to the National Association of Plumbers

Historically, women have held much sway over plumbing, including lobbying power and legislative initiatives. At the turn of the 20th century, the National Association of Plumbers, the largest plumbing union at the time, held conferences about the plumbing industry. The plumber’s wives were invited on outings during the conferences while their husbands met. Early on, the lady's auxiliary committee was run by men; however, in 1910, leadership was handed over to women. They began to meet and discuss how they could help their husbands’ businesses succeed.

By the 1950s, they had grown in power to the point that they were lobbying Congress and meeting with corporate giants like Texaco. In a partnership with the fill-up station, they helped design flagship stores with sanitation facilities, a rarity at the time. Their designs revolutionized the concept of gas stations, and every fill-up station since then has had bathrooms.

"The Pretty Plumber"

Lillian Baumbach grew up helping her dad with plumbing jobs at his business. As she got older, she got better and eventually had enough on-the-job training to sit for the master plumber’s license test. Of the five men she took the test with, only two passed, including her, making her the first master plumber in the US.

The notoriety she gained by breaking the glass ceiling vaulted her to national popularity. She appeared in an interview with Walter Cronkite, and she maintained correspondence with over 250 GIs serving in Korea. Soon after, she married and had kids but remained employed with her father’s company.

About 2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling

2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of women in the plumbing industry. This family-owned and operated company has provided the Sacramento area with excellent service for 40 years and offers 24/7 live answer to calls. Call today for an experienced plumber in Rancho Cordova, CA.

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How To Optimize the Home for the Perfect Romantic Night In

Set the Mood with These Three Easy Steps

Setting the mood for the perfect night in is more than spreading some rose petals on the bedspread; it involves checking for drafts, considering Energy Star windows, and scheduling regular maintenance visits. Admittedly, this takes some planning ahead. But for those looking to make their Friday nights sizzle, even just one of these things can change the mood.

No one wants to worry about a faulty AC unit while eating chocolates. Lovebirds want to snuggle for comfort – not because the heating system isn’t working. Whether one is planning for Valentine’s Day or a “just because” date night, here are some ways they can set things right.

Homeowners Should Check for Drafts

A draft is when any home part feels too hot or too cold. Ideally, each part of the home should be evenly cooled or heated. So, if the kitchen is more complicated than the bathroom, this could point to an underlying problem.

When checking for drafts, homeowners should:

Check for any gaps between the window and the frame
Cover the gap under the front door
Monitor the home’s indoor temperature throughout the day
Consider calling a heating company

For a trick to locating a draft, homeowners can light a match and see where the smoke goes. If it’s pulled in one direction, there could be an opening to the outside, letting cold or warm air inside. Drafts are generally easy to fix once located. A heating contractor might insulate certain areas, suggest new window installation, or install a new heater.

Homeowners Should Consider Installing Energy Star Windows

Energy Star windows aren’t just another generic brand in a sea of competitors. They are owned by the U.S. Department of Energy, which has specific guidelines for its windows to follow. By controlling the window’s transparency, thinness, and material, these windows:

Save money: Homeowners will see a decrease in their energy bills because of how well these windows insulate the home. No drafts here!
Last a long time: Many Energy Star windows are impact-proof, meaning that if debris hits the window’s glass, it won’t break. The windows are perfect for areas that experience earthquakes, hurricanes, and other severe weather events.
Add to the home’s property value: Many modern homes come equipped with Energy Star windows from the very beginning. Why? Realtors know that prospective buyers will pay more for quality. Based on one’s home, they can provide an increase in a home’s market value.

Energy Star windows are just one asset of optimizing home heating. By keeping warm air in (and cold air out), homeowners can stay cozy during their romantic night in, whether by themselves or with a loved one.

Homeowners Should Schedule Annual Maintenance Visits

When the heater stops working, the first thing homeowners think is, “Wow, that happened out of nowhere!” Everything happens for a reason, and every malfunctioning appliance has warning signs before things go awry.

It is one of the many reasons to schedule an annual visit with a central heating repair technician. They can check for leaks, power shortages, drafts, and other issues that could threaten a home’s habitability. Best of all, they can recommend other home improvement measures that could benefit both the house and its residents.

About JR Putnam Heating & Air

Homeowners can optimize their homes by consulting with JR Putnam Heating & AIr. These professionals offer same-day service, transparent pricing, and a full range of HVAC services in Sacramento, CA. Interested parties can call them today to learn more.

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How To Find a Reliable Plumber During the Holidays

3 Things To Look For in a Professional Plumber

When the temperature drops in the winter, it can cause pipes to freeze over, winter storms damage property, and as guests from out of town gather for holiday festivities, more strain is put on the plumbing system. Of course, many plumbing companies also celebrate the holidays, making it even more difficult to find a reliable plumber during this season.

Doing plumbing maintenance before the holidays can help prevent plumbing accidents, but in case of a plumbing emergency, homeowners should have an experienced local plumber a phone call away. During the holiday season, professional plumbers and other home service providers are in hot demand. In this article, plumbing experts discuss the top three most important things to look for in a plumbing company.

Positive Customer Reviews

To start off their search for the perfect plumber, homeowners should first turn to social media, Google, or review sites to find the most recent customer reviews. It is normal for there to be a few negative reviews for every company, but the reviews should have a strong ratio towards positive experiences.

A good plumbing company should have between three and five stars on a five-star scale. In addition to looking at the star rating, homeowners should also consider what is most important to them in a plumber.

On-time
Fair prices
Experienced plumbers
24/7 service
Satisfaction guaranteed
Professionalism
Safety
Family-owned
Friendly

These are keywords and phrases that the homeowner should look for in the reviews to determine if the services the plumbing company will suit their needs.

Up-To-Date License & Full Insurance Coverage

Homeowners should only hire a plumbing service provider who is fully licensed and insured in the area of work they are doing. This is important for protecting the homeowner from liability for accidental home damages or personal injury.

Business insurance for plumbers ensures that if they damage the plumbing system or the home that it will be covered. It also ensures that the insurance company will cover the medical expenses if the plumber gets hurt.

DIY plumbing repairs can be dangerous and, in some cases, will void the manufacturer's warranty of the plumbing system. Plumbing maintenance should be left up to an experienced plumbing company.

Maintenance Plans From a Plumber Near Me

Some plumbing companies offer maintenance plans that help keep costs low and prevent unnecessary repairs. One benefit of signing up for a maintenance plan is that it takes the hassle out of scheduling appointments. Homeowners who sign up for a maintenance plan membership will also enjoy discounts on annual maintenance services.

Doing annual maintenance on schedule will help prevent plumbing system malfunctions and improve the system's longevity. Having a plumbing disaster over the holidays can put a damper on the season’s festivities, and keeping up with a maintenance schedule can prevent plumbing problems.

About 2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling

2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling is the go-to plumbing company to call for an experienced Sacramento plumber. They are happy to serve their community with fair and affordable prices for plumbing maintenance, repairs, and installations. Give them a call today to schedule an appointment for plumbing services in Sacramento, CA.