Ken's Plumbing | Blog

Do you hear a strange banging sound every time you use the water in your home — What is it? Where is it coming from? How can you make it stop?

To answer these questions, we actually want you to forget about your pipes for a second and think about cars. Like many car collisions, noisy pipes are caused by a domino effect. If one car suddenly brakes, the car behind it will hit it. Then the car behind that hits the first two; then the car behind that hits all the others, and then you have a four-car pileup.

So what does that mean for your pipes?

Garbage disposals are kind of magical, aren't they? You just throw your food scraps down there and they get chopped up and washed away without ever rotting and taking up room in your trashcan!

But as with anything, there are some tips and tricks to keep things running smoothly, and some things to know so you can avoid a disaster. We're here to fill you in on all the garbage disposal "dos" and "don'ts" so you can keep choppin' without stoppin'.

We've all been there... Standing by the sink, washing our hands, and then suddenly we drop something valuable down the drain. Our first thought is normally something like, "Oh no, my wedding ring! I'll never see it again!"

While our second thought is more along the lines of, "Wait, I can probably devise a plan to fish this out!" Before you grab the tackle box to go fishing down your drain, hook, line and sink yourself into these instructions on how to properly retrieve the priceless item you dropped down the drain.

Dealing with clogged shower drains can be a hassle, disrupting your daily routine and leading to plumbing issues. However, prevention is key to avoiding such nuisances. This comprehensive guide will explore effective strategies to keep your shower drains clog-free and your plumbing system running smoothly. Say goodbye to inconvenient backups and hello to uninterrupted showers!

Have you ever not known how to dispose of something so you said, "Eh, I'll just flush it down the toilet!" In those situations, have you ever considered that maybe that's not the best option?  

There are actually very few things that are okay to put down the drain, so if you have to ask yourself, "Is it safe to put this down the drain?" the answer is probably, "No." So, while you probably know the stuff that is drain-friendly (human waste, greywater, etc.), let's discuss the items that are NOT safe to dispose of down your drain. 

Does your home's drainage system need an update, but you cringe at the thought of having to dig up your perfectly manicured lawn for it to be installed? Well, what if we told you there's another way... 

Thanks to modern trenchless drain technology, also called trenchless pipe bursting or trenchless sewer replacement, your underground pipes can be replaced with very little damage to your lawn. How? 

Let's explore that in more depth...

Can you believe spring is less than a month away? We definitely understand how the seasonal change could have crept up on you leaving you feeling a little under-prepared, but just like we helped you with winterizing your home, we're here to help you with the changing of the seasons again as winter turns to spring.

Believe it or not, there are actually many ways to prepare your plumbing for spring, though unfortunately none of them involve turning your toilet into an exotic planter (though if you'd like to try that, we'd LOVE to see pictures)!

In that case, let's get started...

Want to hear a dirty joke? You deposited the wrong thing down your drain and now your septic tank is clogged.

Seriously though, your septic tank is one of the most important parts of your home; that’s why you need to take care of it as much as you do the rest of the house. So let’s talk about your septic tank's functions and why it’s important to care for it; because really, having a clogged septic tank is the last thing you want.

The bathroom rule is like the kitchen rule: if it isn’t clean, the house isn’t clean. And when you really step back and think of all of the unsanitary and down right gross things your bathroom floors, countertops, and showers experience, there's a good chance your bathroom isn't clean. So, before you offically start gearing up for spring-cleaning, let's discuss how to properly sanitize your bathroom.

Has it been a while since you've updated your plumbing, and now you're wondering if you're behind on some much needed replacements? Find out just how often your toilets, water heater, garbage disposal, washing machine supply hose, faucets, supply pipes, and drain lines need to be replaced — and the tale tell signs your plumbing fixtures are on the outs.