Introduction

Many homeowners assume dishwashers clean themselves, but over time, grease, food particles, and mineral buildup can affect performance. Regular cleaning helps your dishwasher run efficiently and prevents unpleasant odors and drainage problems.

Why Dishwasher Cleaning Matters

Food debris and soap residue accumulate in filters, spray arms, and drain areas. Without cleaning, these materials restrict water flow and reduce cleaning effectiveness. Buildup can also lead to slow draining and foul smells.

Cleaning the Dishwasher Filter

Start by removing the bottom rack to access the filter. Most filters twist or lift out easily. Rinse it under warm water and use a soft brush to remove debris. Avoid harsh scrubbers that can damage the filter.

Cleaning the filter every few months improves water circulation and prevents clogs.

Cleaning Spray Arms and Interior Surfaces

Check spray arms for clogged holes. Use a toothpick or soft brush to remove debris that blocks water flow. Wipe down the interior walls, door seals, and detergent dispenser with a damp cloth and mild cleaner.

Pay special attention to door gaskets, as trapped moisture and debris can cause odors.

Running a Cleaning Cycle

Place a dishwasher safe cup filled with white vinegar on the top rack and run a hot water cycle. Vinegar helps dissolve grease and mineral deposits. For deeper cleaning, follow up with baking soda sprinkled along the bottom and run a short hot cycle.

How Often to Clean Your Dishwasher

Light cleaning every month and deep cleaning every three to six months helps maintain performance. Homes with hard water may need more frequent attention.

When Plumbing Issues Are the Cause

If cleaning does not resolve drainage or odor problems, the issue may involve the drain line or garbage disposal connection. A plumber can inspect and correct underlying plumbing concerns.

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Introduction

Many plumbing problems start with what goes down the drain. While drains are designed to carry away water and waste, they are not built to handle everything homeowners put into them. Knowing what belongs in your drains and what does not can prevent clogs, sewer backups, and expensive repairs.

What Can Safely Go Down the Drain

In general, drains are designed for water and small amounts of biodegradable waste.

Kitchen sinks can handle water, soap residue, and small food particles that slip past strainers. Bathroom sinks and tubs are meant for water, soap, shampoo, and toothpaste. Toilets should only receive human waste and toilet paper.

Even with approved materials, moderation matters. Excessive grease, soap buildup, or paper products can still cause issues over time.

Common Items That Should Never Go Down the Drain

Grease and cooking oil are among the biggest drain offenders. While liquid when warm, grease hardens as it cools and coats pipes, eventually creating blockages.

Food scraps like coffee grounds, eggshells, rice, and pasta swell or clump together and can clog pipes even if you have a garbage disposal.

In bathrooms, wipes, paper towels, cotton balls, dental floss, and hygiene products should never be flushed. Many items marketed as flushable do not break down properly and often cause sewer blockages.

Hair is another major problem. It binds with soap residue and creates stubborn clogs in tub and shower drains.

Why Improper Disposal Causes Plumbing Damage

Improper materials restrict water flow and put pressure on your plumbing system. Over time, this can lead to pipe corrosion, joint failure, and sewer line backups. In severe cases, clogs can cause wastewater to back up into sinks, tubs, or basements.

Tips for Protecting Your Drains

Use drain strainers in kitchens and bathrooms to catch debris. Dispose of grease in sealed containers rather than pouring it down the sink. Educate household members on proper flushing habits. Schedule professional drain cleanings if you notice slow drainage or recurring clogs.

When to Call a Plumber

If drains clog frequently, gurgle, or emit odors, the issue may be deeper in the plumbing system. A professional plumber can identify and correct the problem before it worsens.

The post A Homeowner’s Guide to Preventing Clogs and Damage appeared first on Putman & Son's Plumbing.

Why “Flushable” Is Misleading

Flushable wipes are labeled based on marketing standards, not plumbing performance. Unlike toilet paper, wipes are made from stronger fibers designed not to break apart easily. This durability is exactly what causes plumbing problems.

How Wipes Damage Home Plumbing

Once flushed, wipes travel through pipes without dissolving. They often catch on rough pipe interiors, joints, or roots, collecting grease, hair, and debris. Over time, this mass grows into a full blockage.

Septic System Damage

For homes with septic systems, wipes are especially harmful. They accumulate in tanks, reduce capacity, clog pumps, and require more frequent pumping. Repairs to septic systems can be expensive and disruptive.

Warning Signs of Wipe-Related Problems

• Toilets flushing slowly
• Gurgling sounds
• Repeated clogs
• Sewer odors
• Basement drain backups

These symptoms often worsen gradually before becoming emergencies.

Safer Alternatives

• Use toilet paper only
• Dispose of wipes in the trash
• Consider bidet attachments
• Use septic-safe paper products

Municipal Impact

Flushable wipes also strain public sewer systems, contributing to large-scale blockages that require costly maintenance. Avoiding wipes helps protect both your home and community infrastructure.

Final Recommendation

No wipe is truly safe to flush. Keeping them out of your plumbing system is one of the easiest ways to prevent clogs, backups, and expensive repairs.

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Drain cleaning is a common plumbing service, but many homeowners are unsure what the process actually involves. Professional drain cleaning goes beyond clearing surface clogs and focuses on restoring full flow while protecting your pipes.

Initial Inspection

The plumber begins by assessing symptoms such as slow drainage, odors, or backups. In many cases, a camera inspection is used to identify the cause and location of the blockage.

Choosing the Right Method

Different clogs require different solutions. Common drain cleaning methods include:

• Drain snaking for localized blockages
• Hydro jetting for grease and buildup
• Root removal for sewer lines

Using the correct technique prevents pipe damage and ensures long-lasting results.

The Cleaning Process

Once the method is selected, the plumber removes debris, buildup, and obstructions from the pipe walls. Unlike chemical cleaners, professional methods clear the full diameter of the pipe.

System Testing

After cleaning, the plumber runs water through the system to confirm proper flow and ensure the blockage is fully removed.

Preventative Recommendations

Homeowners often receive guidance on maintenance practices to reduce future clogs, such as proper disposal habits and routine inspections.

Final Thoughts

Professional drain cleaning improves performance, reduces odors, and extends the life of your plumbing. It’s a proactive solution that prevents emergencies and costly repairs.

The post What Happens During a Professional Drain Cleaning Service appeared first on Putman & Son's Plumbing.

When cooking, it’s tempting to rinse leftover grease down the drain and forget about it. But even small amounts of grease can create major plumbing issues over time. What looks like a harmless liquid when hot transforms into a thick, sticky substance inside your pipes, leading to blockages and costly repairs. Understanding the effects of grease on your plumbing helps protect your drains and prevent emergency calls.

Why Grease Is So Harmful to Drains

Grease includes fats, oils, and other cooking residues from foods like bacon, butter, meat drippings, and frying oil. While these substances look fluid in the pan, they solidify when they cool. As grease travels through your pipes, it coats the interior walls, trapping debris such as food particles, coffee grounds, and soap scum. Over time, this buildup forms stubborn clogs that restrict or completely block water flow.

Grease Buildup Leads to Drain Clogs

A slow drain is often the first sign of grease accumulation. Symptoms include:

• Gurgling sounds
• Foul odors
• Water pooling in the sink
• Backups in connected fixtures

Grease clogs rarely resolve on their own. In many cases, professional drain cleaning becomes necessary to restore proper flow.

Grease Damages Your Plumbing System

Beyond clogs, grease can cause additional long-term damage:

• Pipe corrosion: Certain oils create acidic byproducts that gradually degrade pipes.
• Blockages in sewer lines: Grease collects with other waste and forms hardened masses.
• Septic system issues: Grease solidifies inside septic tanks, reducing capacity and requiring more frequent pumping.

Municipal sewer systems also struggle with grease accumulation, which contributes to expensive public infrastructure problems.

How Grease Impacts Your Home Beyond Plumbing

Grease buildup is unsanitary and contributes to:

• Persistent kitchen odors
• Insect attraction
• Mold and bacteria growth in drains
• Increased risk of sewage backups

Preventing grease entry into your pipes improves both cleanliness and safety in your home.

Proper Ways to Dispose of Grease

Instead of flushing grease down the drain, try these safe alternatives:

1. Let Grease Solidify

Pour grease into a disposable container, let it cool and harden, then throw it in the trash.

2. Wipe Pans Before Washing

Use a paper towel to remove excess grease before placing cookware in the sink.

3. Use a Grease Collection Jar

Reusable grease jars trap fats safely until you can dispose of them.

4. Avoid Garbage Disposal Misuse

Grease, fats, and oils should never go into the disposal—doing so accelerates buildup inside the unit and drain lines.

When to Call a Professional

If your drain is already slow or clogged, plumbers can perform:

• Hydro-jetting
• Professional snaking
• Drain line inspection
• Preventative maintenance

These treatments remove grease buildup safely and restore normal function.

Final Thoughts

Grease may seem insignificant when rinsed down the drain, but the long-term consequences can be serious. With simple disposal habits and preventative care, you can avoid clogs, foul odors, and plumbing repairs. Protect your home—and your pipes—by keeping grease where it belongs: out of the drain.

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Every homeowner deals with clogged drains at some point. Whether it’s a slow-draining sink, a backed-up toilet, or a bathtub that won’t empty properly, one of the simplest and most effective tools you can use is the plunger. Despite its basic design, many people don’t actually use plungers correctly, which leads to frustration and persistent clogs. Understanding the proper technique makes the plunger a powerful first line of defense against common plumbing issues.

Choose the Right Plunger for the Job

Not all plungers are created equal. In fact, using the wrong type can make unclogging nearly impossible.

Cup plunger:
This is the classic style with a simple rubber cup. It works best for sinks, tubs, and flat drain surfaces.

Flange plunger:
Designed specifically for toilets, this plunger has an extended rubber flap that fits into the toilet drain to create a stronger seal.

Using the right tool ensures better suction and quicker results.

Prepare the Area Before Plunging

Before you begin, make sure there’s enough water in the bowl or basin. Plungers need water—not air—to create pressure. If the toilet bowl is too low, add water until the rubber cup is fully submerged. For sinks or tubs, fill a small amount of water over the drain if needed.

If working on a sink with an overflow hole (a small slit near the top), cover it with a cloth or your hand to get a tight seal. Without this step, plunging won’t be effective.

Create a Strong Seal

Position the plunger directly over the drain and press down firmly to create an airtight seal. The rubber head should fully cover the drain opening with no gaps.

In a toilet, insert the flange into the drain opening and tilt the plunger slightly to allow air to escape before starting the plunging motion.

Use the Correct Technique

Contrary to popular belief, plunging is not about pushing down hard. It’s about controlled pressure changes.

• Start with a gentle push to seal the plunger in place
• Then push down and pull up in rhythmic, steady motions
• Keep the seal intact throughout the process
• After 10–15 plunges, remove the plunger and check drainage

If the water drains smoothly, the clog has likely cleared.

Avoid Common Plunging Mistakes

Some errors make unclogging harder or damage your plumbing:

• Don’t use excessive force — this can harm pipes or fixtures
• Don’t plunge after using chemical drain cleaners — it’s unsafe
• Don’t alternate between plunging and flushing repeatedly

If the clog persists after several attempts, professional help may be necessary.

When to Call a Plumber

If you notice repeated clogs, slow drainage throughout the home, or gurgling sounds after plunging, the issue may be deeper in your plumbing system. These signs often point to sewer line problems, root intrusion, or blocked vents, all of which require expert service.

Final Thoughts

A plunger is one of the simplest but most valuable tools in your home. With proper technique and the right plunger, most minor clogs can be cleared quickly and safely. But if plunging doesn’t solve the problem or if clogs return frequently, it’s time to bring in a plumbing professional who can diagnose and fix the underlying issue.

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A properly functioning garbage disposal is essential for a clean and efficient kitchen. Whether you’re preparing dinner or cleaning up after guests, your disposal helps manage food waste, prevent drain clogs, and reduce odors.

However, frequent use without proper care can lead to blockages, foul smells, or even motor burnout. Watch out for signs like slow drainage, grinding noises, or a unit that won’t turn on. Simple habits—like running cold water during use and avoiding fibrous foods, grease, or bones—can extend the life of your unit.

If your disposal is outdated or malfunctioning, Putman & Son’s Plumbing offers professional installation and repair services. We’ll help you select the right model and ensure a flawless setup. Let’s get your kitchen running smoothly again—call (248) 652-0990 or visit www.pnsplumbing.com to book your appointment.

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