3 DIY Plumbing Solutions

Ah, the holiday season. Ready or not, it’s here and amongst the shopping, cooking and cleaning, inevitably something will go haywire. Whether your packages arrive late, the turkey burns in the oven or someone gets sick before family dinner, you can always expect the unexpected during this time of year. 

This year, the team at NuBlue Plumbing is looking to help you avoid any Thanksgiving fiascos or holiday mishaps with these quick and easy tricks on how to solve plumbing problems when you’re in a pinch. 

How To Unclog a Drain

Maybe your kids are home from college, grandparents are staying at your home for a few days or that long-lost uncle has shown up once again, it’s likely that your guest bathroom is getting more use than it normally does. If you notice that the shower or sink is slow to drain, try this simple mixture. 

Step 1: Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain

Step 2: Pour 1 cup of baking soda, and 1 cup of water/vinegar solution down the drain 

Step 3: Let it sit for as little as 5 minutes and up to 24 hours 

Step 4: Flush it out with hot water again to help remove any excess solution from your pipes

You’ll notice the bubbling and fizzy reaction happening in your drain that is removing the grease and grime from your pipes. In a quick fix, this solution can help clear out your drains and avoid a holiday plumbing mishap. 

If this doesn’t do the trick, you can book an appointment online or give the team at NuBlue Plumbing a call and we’ll be there to put your mind at ease in no time. 

How to Unclog the Toilet

Clogging the toilet is every guest’s worst nightmare. It can be an embarrassing, smelly and panic-inducing situation, but here are a few easy steps to unclog your toilet. 

Step 1: Stop flushing. If you continue to flush the toilet it will overflow. 

Step 2: Take your plunger, make sure you have a secure grip between the plunger and the toilet, and start plunging. 

Step 3: Watch what’s happening inside the toilet. The goal of plunging is to push the blockage through the pipes so once you see movement, you’re going in the right direction. 

Step 4: After the water has drained from the toilet, you can flush it again. 

If your plunger isn’t doing the trick or your toilet continues to get clogged on a regular basis, there may be an issue hiding beneath the surface. You can book an appointment online or call the plumbing professionals at NuBlue Plumbing for a professional inspection.  

How To Clean The Garbage Disposal

You’ve been slaving away in the kitchen for days. The mashed potatoes are mashed, the corn is sweet, the turkey is roasted, the stuffing is stuffed and the deviled eggs are devilishly good, but *sniff, sniff* what’s that smell?

You had been so preoccupied with getting food on the table that you didn’t realize your garbage disposal had backed up and is now emitting a foul odor into your kitchen and dining room. Mmmm appetizing. 

To clean out your garbage disposal, here’s what you’ll need to do.

Step 1: Take half a cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar and pour it into the garbage disposal. 

Step 2: Let the mixture fizz and bubble for about 10 minutes. 

Step 3: Flush the mixture out with a pot of boiling water. 

Step 4: Fill the drain with two cups of ice and 1 cup of sea salt or coarse rock salt if available. 

Step 5: Turn on the cold water and the disposal until the ice and salt have been crushed. This will help to clean the blades of any slimy residue and to deodorize it. 

The Easy Solution

Holidays can be a stressful time for anyone, and when you add a plumbing emergency to the mixture, well that’s a recipe for disaster. 

Whether your drains are clogged, the toilet is overflowing or the garbage disposal isn’t disposing, you can count on the team at NuBlue Plumbing to put your mind at ease. 

Give our team a call at (866) 455-2583 or book your appointment online when you encounter a plumbing emergency this holiday season.