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Bathroom odor, by any other name, is just as off putting, and possibly dangerous. When there’s a buildup of bathroom smells and your basic air freshener is not knocking out the bad odors then it may be time for either a deep clean, where every crack and crevice has been touched; this is one way to address that foul smell. There could also be a deeper plumbing problem that is causing the toilet odor and you’ll need more than a DIY solution like baking soda, bleach, lemon juice, essential oils, white vinegar or a cup of vinegar and hot water, and will need to be addressed by a professional. The odors could be from mildew  on the grout that you clean . What’s Causing the Foul Odor?  Unfortunately, we don’t have a definitive answer because there can be a number of causes and without being there, it can be difficult

Bad Odor Kansas City, KS WHY DOES MY SINK SMELL LIKE ROTTEN EGGS? It is not uncommon for homeowners to encounter unpleasant odors in their household sinks or water, and when they do, they want to go to the source of the problem and find out what is causing their water or sinks to smell unpleasant. If you are experiencing an unpleasant odor in all of your water faucets, then you most likely have a problem with the main water supply. On the other hand, if the smell is only coming from certain faucets, the problem is probably located in the fixtures or pipes involved in those specific faucets. DOES YOUR SINK SMELL LIKE ROTTEN EGGS OR SEWAGE? If you are experiencing a rotten egg (sulfurous) or sewage-like odor in certain sinks, it is likely a result of bacterial activity, which can be caused by bacteria growth inside the drain:

Pipe Noise Problem in Kansas City, KS WHY PLUMBING MAKES BURPING SOUNDS Are you hearing strange sounds come from your plumbing, such as hissing, gurgling or burping? If so, you’re probably wondering why this is happening. Unusual, inexplicable gurgling and hissing noises can usually be traced back to a pressure imbalance that is caused by the water that flows through the pipes. As water flows through the plumbing, it pushes air in front of it, creating a vacuum effect. The plumbing vents, which are located on the roof, are supposed to prevent this from happening. So, if you’re hearing unusual sounds, it means there is a vent issue that needs to be corrected. UNDERSTANDING THE PLUMBING VENTS Your house has what is called a drain-waste-vent system, a name which indicates that “vents” are an important aspect of your home’s plumbing system. Each house has a vent on the roof, which

When you go outside, do you notice a foul odor in your yard? You don’t have a dog, so you know it has to be something else. That unpleasant smell may be coming from your plumbing vent. Plumbing vents are important; they allow gases to slowly escape from a home so they can be released into the atmosphere. This process ensures that a home’s pipes aren’t under too much pressure. If you notice that there is an odor coming from your vent that seems more unpleasant than usual, then it can make ordinary tasks, such as gardening, relaxing on the porch, or entertaining guests outside unfathomable. Since the plumbing vent connects to the plumbing system in the home, the way you reduce the odor is by addressing it at the source, and that’s inside your home. Here are some places to start: 1. Do you have any clogged drains inside

As a homeowner, it’s inevitable that you’re going to deal with plumbing issues every now and then. If you’re like most people, you have a pretty good idea what’s wrong when the bathroom sink clogs (likely culprits hair and soap scum), or when the kitchen sink clogs (grease, debris, food scum). However, there’s a lesser-known cause of some plumbing problems, and it’s sitting on top of your house right now: it’s called a “plumbing vent.” Plumbing vents are situated on the roof of homes, with the 2 to 3-inch pipe extending upwards. The purpose of this pipe is to allow air into the drainage system. The problem is that when this vent gets blocked, the blockage can cause the flow of water to slow down, or stop, and then foul smelling sewer gasses can enter the home. Blockages Create ‘Negative’ Pressure When this vent gets blocked, the flow of water

Have you noticed that occasionally the water in your home appears brown, dirty, or discolored? If so, you’re probably wondering if it’s safe to drink the water and if you have a major plumbing issue on your hands that needs tackling. Your water is brown, what should you do? Occasionally, tap water can appear slightly brown because sediment in the water main has been stirred up. You see, some water mains are made out of iron, and as time passes, rust deposits can settle inside the pipes, causing that “dirty” water that can concern homeowners. Essentially, the rust settlement can be disturbed if all of a sudden there is a change in the speed, direction, or flow in the water main near the home. What would cause such a change in the flow of water? It can happen for several reasons, such as: There was a burst on the water main,

How To Unclog The Drain in Your Kansas City Home Clogged drains are a common problem, but they can often be resolved without calling in a professional. What’s more, you don’t need to use toxic chemicals to clear out your clog. With a little patience and some tried and true methods, you can often unclog your drain by yourself, in a reasonably short amount of time. First, try to physically remove what’s causing the problem. One common cause of clogs is hair collected around a pop-up stopper or strainer. You may be able to remove the hair and clear the clog, or you might be able to use a drain stick to clear clogs caused by a hair in a P-trap or an S-trap. Cleaning a sink trap can remove clogs caused by buildup or a foreign object, a plunger can clear clogs that aren’t too far into the pipes,

Treating Your Septic Tank In Kansas City HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR SEPTIC TANK Do you know how to maintain your septic system? With septic tank replacement running between $3,000 and $7,000, it’s important to keep your system in the best possible condition. Fortunately, it’s not hard to take care of it, if you follow a few simple tips. First, though, let’s quickly review the basics of a septic system. Two parts comprise a septic system: the tank and the drain field. The septic tank is an underground container responsible for holding solids and scum that comes from your household wastewater. With the proper maintenance, it should last thirty years or so. Once in the septic tank, heavy solids sink to the bottom, and bacteria reduces them to sludge and gasses. Grease and other lighter solids rise to the top to form a scum layer; solids that don’t decompose must be

Learn How The Kansas City Weather Affects Septic Tanks If you’re like many of us, you may find the septic system a bit of a mystery. You probably have a vague understanding of how it works, know that it involves a drain field and a tank, and understand that it should be cleaned out every few years. Other than that, you probably don’t think about the septic system very much- until there’s a problem. You can prevent many mishaps through regular maintenance, but what about when your problems are caused by the weather? Winter weather can be hard on your septic tank. Here’s why: the low temperatures make it difficult for your septic tank’s bacteria to survive. The septic tank doesn’t just fill up with waste and wait for someone to pump it out; it uses microscopic bacteria to physically digest the waste so that only water and carbon dioxide

It is easy for drains to get clogged in a home, and it doesn’t mean that the homeowner did anything wrong when a drain gets backed up with hair or food products. There are easy ways that a drain can be cleaned that will not require a plumber, or require costly repairs. Do Not Use Drano Many people associate clogged drains with Drano or another chemical that prevents clogs. Plumbers generally do not suggest using these since they can cause damage to the pipes and fittings in the house. Drano also joins waste-water and will end up in rivers and streams, causing harm to the environment. Furthermore, if a plumber is working on a drain that Drano has been used in, the plumber is exposed to harmful chemicals. The main ingredients in cleaners like Drano are bleach and sodium hydroxide, a corrosive salt. Contact with the human body can cause