You’re not in the mood.
You just came home from a long day at the office, or a longer day with the kids, when your least favorite problem arises.
The toilet is backed up.
It’s happened to everyone. At best, it’s inconvenient and at worst, it’s. . .ok, you know what the worst is. Which is when it’s time to call Orange County Plumbing Services. Because, frankly, we’re just that good (and believe us, we’ve seen worse than your worst). But before you call us, and after screaming, crying and mopping, we suggest the following tips:
1. Do not flush again. This is a desperate act akin to being a kid and closing your eyes in the firm belief that if you can’t see them, they can’t see you. Not only does flushing not solve the problem, it can cause the toilet to overflow.
2. Invest in a good snake. You probably know what we mean here, but to be clear, we’re not talking about a baby reptile pet. This is the long, coiled, flexible tube that plumbers use. It can be pushed down the drain of the toilet and break up a clog. Also referred to as an “electric eel” or, if you must, a “closet auger” -- a reference to water closet. However, plumbing problems isn’t the stuff of party conversations, anyway.
3. Keep a plunger handy, too. Most likely you already own a plunger, but we do get surprised by the number of clients who don’t. (Don’t worry, we bring our own, and we invest in the best.) The snake tends to be more effective for anything but the mildest of clogs. That said, a plunger is so easy to use that there’s no harm in trying that first. But a plunger is a band-aid, and a snake is a few stitches. If you need emergency surgery then . . .
4. Call the plumber. We’re not saying this just because plumbing services is what we do, we’re saying it because if the plunger, the snake and closing your eyes has not been successful, then it’s time to bring us in. At Orange County Plumbing Services, we can be sure to solve your problem quickly, cleanly and without damaging the bowl or the pipes, which is what you’re likely to do if you begin to rely on brute force . . . or wire hangers. (Don’t. No, seriously. Just call us.)
5. Use good sense. We’ll be a bit indelicate here, in the desire to truly help you reduce your need for our plumbing services in the future. Be judicious with the amount of toilet tissue you use, not only for the sake of the environment but because even the paper designed to flow through the plumbing will clog if you use too much in any one . . . setting. If the, uh, situation requires it, use a moderate amount, flush and then continue as needed and flush again. And of course, keep child proofers on toilets while children are still at the age of testing which action figures can swim.
The reality is that despite best efforts toilets will clog, and at the worst possible moments (thirty minutes before your dinner party, at 4 a.m. before your 7 a.m. flight to Paris). So keep our number on hand. We have the most experienced, kindest, folks in the business, and that’s important for expert plumbing and very good mental health.
You just came home from a long day at the office, or a longer day with the kids, when your least favorite problem arises.
The toilet is backed up.
It’s happened to everyone. At best, it’s inconvenient and at worst, it’s. . .ok, you know what the worst is. Which is when it’s time to call Orange County Plumbing Services. Because, frankly, we’re just that good (and believe us, we’ve seen worse than your worst). But before you call us, and after screaming, crying and mopping, we suggest the following tips:
1. Do not flush again. This is a desperate act akin to being a kid and closing your eyes in the firm belief that if you can’t see them, they can’t see you. Not only does flushing not solve the problem, it can cause the toilet to overflow.
2. Invest in a good snake. You probably know what we mean here, but to be clear, we’re not talking about a baby reptile pet. This is the long, coiled, flexible tube that plumbers use. It can be pushed down the drain of the toilet and break up a clog. Also referred to as an “electric eel” or, if you must, a “closet auger” -- a reference to water closet. However, plumbing problems isn’t the stuff of party conversations, anyway.
3. Keep a plunger handy, too. Most likely you already own a plunger, but we do get surprised by the number of clients who don’t. (Don’t worry, we bring our own, and we invest in the best.) The snake tends to be more effective for anything but the mildest of clogs. That said, a plunger is so easy to use that there’s no harm in trying that first. But a plunger is a band-aid, and a snake is a few stitches. If you need emergency surgery then . . .
4. Call the plumber. We’re not saying this just because plumbing services is what we do, we’re saying it because if the plunger, the snake and closing your eyes has not been successful, then it’s time to bring us in. At Orange County Plumbing Services, we can be sure to solve your problem quickly, cleanly and without damaging the bowl or the pipes, which is what you’re likely to do if you begin to rely on brute force . . . or wire hangers. (Don’t. No, seriously. Just call us.)
5. Use good sense. We’ll be a bit indelicate here, in the desire to truly help you reduce your need for our plumbing services in the future. Be judicious with the amount of toilet tissue you use, not only for the sake of the environment but because even the paper designed to flow through the plumbing will clog if you use too much in any one . . . setting. If the, uh, situation requires it, use a moderate amount, flush and then continue as needed and flush again. And of course, keep child proofers on toilets while children are still at the age of testing which action figures can swim.
The reality is that despite best efforts toilets will clog, and at the worst possible moments (thirty minutes before your dinner party, at 4 a.m. before your 7 a.m. flight to Paris). So keep our number on hand. We have the most experienced, kindest, folks in the business, and that’s important for expert plumbing and very good mental health.