Mrs. Rooter Blog

On November 1st, don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour. When you do this, it is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.

Did you know Mr. Rooter technicians can change the battery for you the next time they are at your home? If you can’t reach it or don’t know how to change it, just ask your Mr. Rooter service professional. We know how vital it is, and we would be happy to help you.

Since carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless poisonous gas, you cannot see or smell it. Because of this, it is important for you to make sure it is working properly. For more information, visit www.carbon-monoxide-poisoning.com.

Here’s wishing you a world class day.

We all want to do our part for the environment. As consumers we think about ways to go green and align ourselves with green products and companies. As parents we want to make sure the products we use in our homes are safe and not harmful to family or pets. Sometimes it’s the small everyday things that can make the biggest difference. 

Did you know that BioChoiceES® is an environmentally friendly product that reduces drain backups and odors?  BioChoiceES proudly displays the Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment logo in recognition of its positive effect on the environment.

I use it as a welcome alternative to conventional drain cleaners that contain sodium hydroxide, which can release poisonous gases and are extremely dangerous to keep around the house. This drain maintenance product is naturally occurring and biodegradable. After being poured into the drain, the live vegetative cultures begin consuming grease, oil and other organic waste build-up. Unlike other products it does not emulsify grease or oil but instead it consumes all oil, grease, and organic matter.  So, BioChoiceES can actually help improve wastewater quality. Think of it like a Pacman gobbling up what they find in front of them.

I rest easier knowing my drains are being maintained without the harmful chemicals used in many products.

Saving the environment seems like a monumental task but if we each do a few small things to contribute, we’ll be amazed at what can be accomplished.

If you’d like to learn more about this naturally safe way to help keep your drains clean, contact your local Mr. Rooter franchise or click here for more information http://www.mrrooter.com/Services/BioChoiceES.aspx.

Here’s wishing you a world class day.

When I came home in the middle of a big ice storm a few years ago I knew what to do to make sure we did not damage our pipes any further.  But you may not know these tips.

Do you know what to do if you find your pipes frozen? Here’s how to be armed with knowledge and be best prepared.

I recommend you follow these steps to safely thaw the frozen pipes:

- First, you need to turn off the water at the shut-off valve.

- Next, open the faucet at the lowest point in the house. If you have a basement, I recommend a faucet there. When you do this, it allows water to drain out as the ice melts. (I suggest a basement, because this allows water to drain from the entire house to the lowest point.)

- Finally, you can heat the exterior of the pipe with a hair dryer. Be sure you apply heat slowly, and you don’t keep heat in one spot.

There is one thing you should not do, though. Do NOT attempt to thaw exposed frozen pipes with an open flame, such as an acetylene torch. This could generate a spark or cinder that could cause a fire, especially in enclosed areas.

Some of our Mr. Rooter shops up in the North and in Canada have electric thawing machines. These machines are great, because they slowly defrost a frozen pipe by sending a low voltage electric current through the pipe. This gently thaws the ice with no danger of fire from a torch or other open flame device.

If you end up with burst pipes this winter, and you need immediate repair, call a qualified plumber. Our plumbing technicians are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week as well as on holidays, and there’s never an overtime charge.

Here’s wishing you a world class day.

If you’ve had pipes freeze before, you know how frustrating it can be. Just two years ago we had a big freeze here in Texas.  While it does not happen very often, when it does it is usually a whopper of a storm.  That year the ice storm came in so fast that we did not have our outdoor spouts covered nor were they set up to drip.  Needless to say we had to call out Mr. Rooter® Plumbing to fix that outdoor frozen pipe. 

That storm reminded me it is not too early to make sure you’re prepared for winter. I now make sure I winterize everything well before the freezing temperatures arrive. If you do the same, it could save you money, and of course, the stress of getting your pipes repaired.

I would like to share some steps you can take to keep your pipes from freezing this winter:

- Cover your faucets and exposed pipes with insulation – most home parts places stock up on outdoor faucet covers around this time of year

- Or you can wrap them with thick towels

- Secure your basement doors, windows and crawl space openings

- You can apply electrically-powered heat tape (be sure you follow the – manufacturer’s instructions)

- Keep your faucets running (I recommend either a small trickle of water or a constant drip.)

- Open your cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate to keep your interior pipes warm

- Remove your garden hoses from outdoor faucets

- You should also open outside hose taps so water can drain.

I’ve mentioned this on my blog before, but you need to locate the main water shut-off valve and learn how to use it. This is important to know in case your pipes freeze.

In my next blog, I’ll fill you in on steps you can take if your pipes end up freezing this winter. Here’s wishing you a world class day.

A few days ago I started telling you about simple steps to can take to maintain your plumbing. Maintenance is the best way to prevent huge problems from occurring. I know I like to stay on top of maintenance on my car to prevent a breakdown, and your home is no different.

Seals on toilets can also leak for a variety of reasons such as age, incorrect installation, or even an unbalanced bowl. If you have water on the floor around your toilet, there could be a variety of problems. Seals may need replacing; there could be a crack in the toilet, a leak in the wall connection or even a faulty part inside the tank. I would call your Mr. Rooter Plumbing® office to request a visit.

Ice-making refrigerator lines can leak easily as they wear over time, especially if they are plastic. If they become brittle, have them replaced, and check periodically for leaks and bends in the hose. Consider a copper line rather than plastic. Plastic lines have a tendency to split.

In August, I wrote about steel-braided hoses and the importance of periodic checks to make sure they are in good working order. If you’re like me you may feel you just don’t have the time to focus attention to your plumbing, but what you may not know is that many insurance claims for plumbing in homes are preventable. A little time spent up front can save you hours of aggravation in the future. Allow me to share a few other simple tips to help prevent minor problems from turning in to costly insurance claims.

A burst washing machine hose I told you about in August is one of the biggest causes of insurance claims due to flooding. If the hoses are rubber they need to be replaced a minimum of every three years. It’s even better if you install steel braided hoses which you’ll want to check regularly to make sure they are in good working condition.

Over time, bathtubs and showers can start to leak. Cracks develop allowing water to escape around tub/shower edges. I would suggest maintaining seals and ensuring shower doors and curtains are kept closed to prevent leaks.

There are many things we can do to maintain our homes. Check back in a few days when I explain even more plumbing maintenance to look for in your home.

I am honored to share exciting news about Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Franchise Times magazine selected us to its Top 200 list for 2009.

Our selection to this prestigious ranking reflects the outstanding customer experiences our franchise owners and their team members provide. If you are not familiar with this annual ranking, Franchise Times lists the top 200 franchises based on worldwide sales.  

Kudos to our Mr. Rooter franchisees! I would like to take this opportunity to give them a shout out for providing professional and customer-centered plumbing services to their communities. They make it better by providing outstanding and courteous experiences day in and day out.

Two of our sister companies made the magazine’s “The Next 100 Top Franchises” list.  Congratulations to Rainbow International®, at No. 212, and Glass Doctor®, at No. 243, for their growing brands.

If you are interested in seeing which other franchising companies made the list, you can visit www.franchisetimes.com. This ranking is also published in the October issue of Franchise Times.

Here’s wishing you a world class day.

Do you hear strange noises coming from your plumbing? It may be unidentifiable gurgles in the sink or running water in the bathing room when no one is there. It’s probably not a ghost.

Don’t let it scare you this Halloween season. Let me share some of the mystery behind some of the most common plumbing sounds. Water running for no reason is usually a problem with the toilet. To silence the sound of running water, you may need to replace the toilet flapper or some of the internal working parts.

If you hear a thump in the wall when the water turns off – it sure can be an annoying sound- but may be a good warning that you have a plumbing problem. When a valve is closed quickly and the water stops hard you can hear this sound. It’s common with washing machines and some older dishwashers that have electric shut-off valves. When you turn off the water, the flow is immediately shut off. The installation of a shock absorber or water-hammer arrestor acts as a cushion for the water pressure and will fix the problem.

Hearing your drain gurgle may mean you have a blockage of air in the drain, typically caused by a clog. Removing the clog should fix the problem. Also make sure not to stuff your garbage disposal with pumpkin flesh or seeds. Now is the time to try roasting them for a healthy treat for the kids.

Of course we’re happy to come to your home to explain and correct any mysterious plumbing noises you hear in your home. Just give your local Mr. Rooter® Plumbers a call.

Have a safe, happy and world class Halloween!

Carving pumpkins takes me back to when my kids were little. We always took the cutouts from the pumpkin eyes and used them to make ears on our jack-o-lanterns. Ours were some of the most unique in the neighborhood, and many left our house laughing.

Before you carve pumpkins this Halloween season, here are a few tips. Did you know pumpkin pulp can cause your drains to clog? It can also damage your garbage disposal.

I recommend you carve pumpkins on a newspaper instead of at your kitchen sink. If you put pumpkin pulp down the drain, the sticky substance will harden inside the pipes instead of breaking down like most foods do. Once you’re done carving, I also suggest you throw all the pulp and seeds away or put them in a compost pile.

Have you tried using the pulp or seeds for recipes? I’ve been surfing the Internet looking for recipes, and I’ve found quite a few sites. I would like to share this one with you: http://www.pumpkinnook.com/cookbook.htm.

Here’s wishing you a world class day.

There are national ‘months’ for just about any occasion these days – including plumbing. Did you know that October is National Toilet Tank Repair Month? In honor of this month here are some tips about your toilet’s tank: 

First, you should replace your toilet’s flappers (plumbers call it water control diaphragms) and fill valves every couple of years. This will help you prevent a running toilet from occurring. A running toilet can waste a lot of water and cost you.

You may need to adjust the chain or the float ball in your toilet tank if water continues to flow after you flush the toilet. 

My friendly warning is that you should not put chlorine-based products in your toilet tank. If you are not aware, they corrode your toilet’s metals and destroy its rubber seals. 

If you don’t know where some of the parts I mentioned are located, you can always go to the toilet diagram on our Mr. Rooter web site: http://www.mrrooter.com/Services/Residential/Toilets.aspx.

Here’s wishing you a world class day.