Latest news with #plumbing
The Sun
20 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
How to use a 10p cable tie to totally clear out your plug holes WITHOUT any chemicals or touching the gross hair gunk
BLOCKED drains are a homeowner's worst nightmare, but for the most part they're unavoidable. A kitchen sink, for example, has to deal with large amounts of grease and food on a daily basis. 2 Meanwhile, when it comes to a bathroom drain, it has to handle soap suds, grime and hair whenever you shower or take a relaxing bath. But while there are heaps of different products on the market to tackle this problem, sometimes they tend to be pricey - or not work at all. Luckily, one TikToker has shared a nifty 10p solution, which she was allegedly taught by a plumber. The secret remedy? Nothing but a basic cable tie that you can snap up from Screwfix for just 99p for a 100-pack. According to the TikTok user and mum Tsagana, all you need to do is simply grab a pair of scissors and make a few diagonal cuts - these will act like tiny hooks. Once ready, she demonstrated in the now-viral video, hop into the shower or your bathtub and slide the flat tie down the drain. Go in as deep as possible and give the plastic tie a good wiggle to pick up as much gunk as possible. Tsagana, who posts under the username @ tsagana24, then proceeded to pull the tie out - leaving viewers horrified by the chunks of hair and gunk that came out with it. If needed, repeat the process for an extra clean drain. ''Why didn't I know about this genius hack earlier?'' the mother wrote in the caption. I was gutted when scrubbing didn't get my 'stained' blender clean, then remembered a £3.25 spray I had in the cupboard 'Your plumber did not gate keep!' Since being uploaded online, the clip has taken the internet by storm, winning the mum a staggering 8.7million vires. It also has an astronomical 280k likes, 84k shares, with close to 2,000 viewers flooding to comments. The household items you're not cleaning often enough IF you want to ensure your home is squeaky clean, you'll need to listen up. Below are the household items you're forgetting to clean, and how to get them sparkling... Remote Controls: Wipe with a disinfectant cloth. Use a cotton bud for crevices. Light Switches: Wipe with a disinfectant wipe. Use a mild soap solution for tough stains. Door Handles: Clean with an antibacterial spray. Wipe down regularly. Underneath and Behind Appliances: Vacuum or sweep regularly. Mop with a suitable cleaner. Shower Curtains and Liners: Wash in the washing machine. Use a bleach solution for stubborn mildew. Kitchen Sponges and Dishcloths: Microwave damp sponges for one minute. Wash dishcloths in the washing machine. Computer Keyboards and Mice: Use compressed air to remove debris. Wipe with a disinfectant wipe. One said: ''Unscrew the little top hat looking thing! It makes doing this so much easier.'' ''Your plumber did not gate keep!'' another chimed in. However, whilst many were keen to test this hack for themselves. not everyone has the best experience. ''tried it, it broke, now there's plastic stuck deep inside my drain and it's more blocked than before,'' one cleaning fan cried. A fourth chimed in with another nifty solution, writing: ''But, there is this thing called, drain snake. Readily available.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
New Orleans jail, site of a brazen inmate escape, faces flooding and plumbing failures
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans jail that gained national attention for a brazen escape by 10 inmates earlier this month is experiencing 'significant flooding' from 'ongoing and severe plumbing failures,' the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office says. Embattled Sheriff Susan Hutson and her deputies have portrayed the bold jailbreak — one of the largest in recent U.S. history — as the result of an ailing facility in dire need of repairs and improvements such as replacing faulty locks .
Associated Press
2 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
New Orleans jail, site of a brazen inmate escape, faces flooding and plumbing failures
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans jail that gained national attention for a brazen escape by 10 inmates earlier this month is experiencing 'significant flooding' from 'ongoing and severe plumbing failures,' the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office says. Embattled Sheriff Susan Hutson and her deputies have portrayed the bold jailbreak — one of the largest in recent U.S. history — as the result of an ailing facility in dire need of repairs and improvements such as replacing faulty locks . State and local officials have generally disputed Hutson's characterization of the $150 million state-of-the-art facility built in 2015 and blamed the sheriff's leadership since taking office in 2022. The jail system has been under the oversight of a federal judge and the U.S. Justice Department since 2013. 'These recurring plumbing issues highlight a much deeper infrastructure crisis at OJC, rooted in years of deferred maintenance, chronic overcrowding, and a lack of meaningful investment,' Hutson said in statement Wednesday. 'This is not just a facilities problem. It's a public safety issue, a staffing issue, and most of all, a human dignity issue.' The sheriff's office renewed calls this week for 'immediate and sustained infrastructure investment,' saying jail flooding and other issues were both 'foreseeable and preventable.' It said it requires at least $13 million in urgent fixes and that requests for help have been made repeatedly to city officials. But New Orleans City Council members questioned management of the jail last week during a tense meeting and argued the sheriff's office requires greater transparency and accountability. The city's chief administrative officer also noted the department has received a larger proportionate increase in funding since 2019 than any other public safety agency in the city. The longstanding debate over how to improve the city's jail system persists as two inmates remain at large . The group of fugitives escaped in the early hours of May 16 by yanking open a jail door, removing a toilet and crawling through a hole in the wall where steel bars had been cut away, then hopping over barbed-wire fencing using blankets. Authorities say the inmates were able to escape because a maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, turned off the water in the cell after an inmate allegedly threatened to shank him . Williams' lawyer Michael Kennedy has said the plumber was not threatened and had only turned off the water after being told to do so by a deputy. Williams was unaware that the inmates intentionally clogged the toilet as part of an orchestrated plan to escape, Kennedy said. Authorities have made no mention of the cell having a clogged toilet. Over the weekend — in a seemingly unrelated incident — the jail received 'emergency repairs' as water pooled and the facility remains forced to rely on an 'external water supply' as of Wednesday, the sheriff's office said. Flooding in the jail has been exacerbated by inmates' 'misuse the plumbing system' such as flushing 'inappropriate items' down the toilet, the sheriff's office added. While the Orleans Justice Center is only a decade old, dysfunction has long plagued the city's jail system. ___ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
CNET
2 days ago
- General
- CNET
Clog-Bait: 9 Household Items You Should Never Pour Down the Drain
There are obvious drain cloggers that most of us know to avoid disposing of in the kitchen or bathroom sink, and then there are the sneakier culprits that build up slowly or dry in the pipes to cause a clogged-up mess. No matter which variety of drain clogger you succumb to, it'll result in an annoying task for you, or worse, an expensive call to a plumber. CNET Having worked in kitchens and as the proud new owner of a home, I've learned the hard way what not to pour down a drain. Here are 9 common household items you should never pour down the drain and some tips on what to do if the sink water starts backing up. 9 household items that will clog your drain Vegetable peels Carrot, potato and other vegetable peels may fit down the drain but that's about the worst place you can put them. That organic refuse will cause backups and clogged drains faster than you can say "compost pile." Speaking of which, a compost pile or organic waste processor is exactly where those materials should go. Here's how to start a compost pile if you're new to the game. Oil and grease Bacon fat shouldn't be poured down the sink, but it can be saved and used in your next recipe. Talisman Oil and grease are two of the most common drain-clogging substances. Large amounts of cooking oil left in the skillet or a mound of leftover bacon fat from breakfast are surefire ways to build up gunk in your kitchen pipes over time. Oil should be fully cooled and placed in a sealed receptacle before being tossed. Pork fat and bacon grease can be used to flavor your next recipe or season a cast-iron skillet. Read more: 8 Ways to Use Leftover Bacon Fat Oil-based foods: Salad dressing, mayo, marinades, chili crisp Try to avoid putting large amounts of mayo or salad dressing down the kitchen drain. MemoriesThe same goes for oily foods including salad dressing, mayonnaise, marinades and more. A small spot of mayonnaise may not cause an issue, but dumping a whole bottle of past-its-prime balsamic dressing or teriyaki marinade could cause problems. Heavily oil-based foods can't be composted and should be tossed in the garbage. Coffee grounds Coffee grounds can be composted but they shouldn't go in the sink. Chris Monroe/CNET If you make a pot of coffee every morning, disposing of the grounds is just part of the routine. Coffee grounds can be composted, but they should not go down the drain. Over time, coffee grounds will build up in the pipes and cause a backup. If you don't have one, consider starting a compost pile to keep food scraps from ending up in the sink and garbage. Use this helpful trick to avoid that compost pile stench in your kitchen. Or add a countertop food scrap processor like the Lomi or Mill Bin if composting isn't in the cards. Flour Extra flour should be composted or thrown away. iStockphoto/Getty Images If you've seen what happens to flour when it mixes with water, you know why it's not a good idea to pour it down the drain. Imagine a dense bread dough trying to make its way through your pipes. Not pretty. If you have leftover flour from a baking project or a recipe, you should compost it or else throw it away. Dirt and soil Fight the urge to flush excess potting soil down the kitchen drain. Justin Tech/CNET I'm admittedly guilty of this one. The kitchen sink seems like the perfect place to transfer an indoor plant from pot to pot, but soil and other dirt types can very easily clog your drain. If you can do it without letting more than a few granules down the sink, you'll probably be OK. If heaps of potting are involved, you'd be wise to take the project outside. Rice and pasta Be it cooked or uncooked, rice does not belong in your pipes. Compost it instead. Brian Bennett/CNET Unless you have a garbage disposal, no food scraps should be going down the drain. Rice and small pasta are especially tricky since they can sneak past your drain guard and end up in pipes they shouldn't be. To stop a starch-based clog before it happens, discard leftover grains and pasta in the compost pile or trash bin if you're not composting. Paper products Paper products, no matter how thin, do not go down the kitchen drain. Angela Lang/CNET There are no paper products that should go down the drain, even those made from thin compostable. Certain kitchen products like plates, bowls and napkins can be composted, but check carefully before adding them to your kitchen pile or smart kitchen bin. Otherwise, they should be tossed. Paint Oil-based paint is about the worst thing you could pour down the kitchen sink. Try mixing it with kitty litter until it dries before disposing of it.I've been guilty of this one, too but it's time to break the habit. Because paint is liquid, it might seem like a candidate for the kitchen sink but it's not. Paint adheres to pipes and if it dries, it becomes a serious plumbing problem. One genius hack for disposing of old paint: kitty litter. Mix some litter with the old paint can until it turns solid and toss it in the garbage. Check with your local sanitation service for certified disposal facilities for oil-based paints. How to unclog a drain with household items Is there anything baking soda and vinegar can't do? Angela Lang/CNET If your drain does clog, try a combination of vinegar, baking soda and boiling water water. There are many reports from LifeProTips and Lifehacks Reddit threads of this quick fix saving homeowners in a pinch. There are also chemical drain cleaners to help get things moving -- although a plumber we spoke to told us why you should be cautious with chemical drain cleaners. To stop food and solids from getting into the kitchen drain, a $10 sink strainer will save you grief later on. Most important is knowing which foods and household materials to keep out of the kitchen sink and avoid a clogged pipe catastrophe in the first place. FAQs
CNET
3 days ago
- General
- CNET
The Shocking Truth About Chemical Drain Cleaners, According to a Plumber
A clogged shower is the pits, especially when you're trying to get clean and find yourself knee-deep in filthy water. You might be tempted to grab a bottle of chemical goo promising "instant clog annihilation," but a plumber we spoke to said to hold your fire. You might be throwing out the pipes with the bathwater, so to speak. To find the best and safest way to send those mystery clogs packing, we called on Erik Gitli, a New York-licensed master plumber and owner of Aladdin Plumbing Corp (yes, he grants plumbing wishes -- but only the reasonable ones). "We're not fans of putting chemicals down the drain," Gitli says. "They may say they're safe, but they've still got enzymes and other scary stuff that can chew away at your pipes." And if that wasn't enough to scare you straight, Gitli adds that chemical clog-busters can be dangerous for plumbers who eventually have to get in there and deal with the mess -- chemicals and all. "Most of the time, they don't even break through the really nasty clogs," he says. Translation: you're pouring money (and possibly your functional pipes) down the drain. What is the best way to unclog a shower drain? Snaking If it is a hairball that is clogging your drain, there is one relatively simple way to try and clear it. The master plumber we spoke to suggests a drain snake over harsh chemicals. Lowe's "Snaking is the way that we clean a good amount of the blockages in showers most of the time, because a lot of the time it is clumped up hair that's not going to get taken out any other way," Gitli says. You can purchase a simple drain snake for as little as $3 or bag a three-pack of plastic snakes for less than $15 A hand-crank snake, which Gitli recommends for homeowners costs around $20. However, if you use these, there is one thing to keep in mind, especially if you live in an apartment building. "In bigger buildings, there are back-to-back bathrooms that could cause a problem if you start snaking," Gitli warns. "You could put a snake down into your tub drain, and it could literally go over into the other apartment and pop up right out of their tub." So, if you do use a snake, stay aware of how far you are putting the snake into the drain to avoid any issues. Plunging Plunging the shower drain is another chemical-free way to get things option for a clogged drain is to try and plunge it. "You're not going to pull anything out when you plunge it, so you could temporarily clear the stoppage if you loosen whatever's in there and it just moves down the line a little bit, but then could eventually clog up again," Gitli says. "So depending on what's clogging it, plunging could help, but it might be only a temporary solution." If snaking the drain and plunging it still doesn't seem to do the trick, your best bet is to contact a local plumber who can discover what is clogging the drain and use stronger tools to get the job done if needed. Read more: This Is Why You Should Never, Ever Pour Grease Down the Drain How to prevent a clogged shower drain A hair catcher will do wonders in keeping your shower drain free of clogs. shingopix/Getty Images Because shower drains have a tendency to get hair build-up, the best thing to use is a hair catcher, Gitli says. There are numerous affordable options to pick from online depending on what you prefer and what size drain you have, and coming from personal experience, this simple solution can save you a lot of time and lower-back pain.
