With each New Year come new resolutions; eating healthy, working out, breaking a bad habit. This year, we challenge you to resolve, not only to improve yourself, but also to improve your plumbing. A few simple tricks can beat just about any clog, and a little bit of regular maintenance can extend the lifetime of your plumbing. Check out our tips and tricks below to protect your pipes, and ring in a happy New Year!

DIY: Clogged drain

• Pour boiling water & salt to break up clog.
• Pour Baking Soda & Vinegar down at the same time.
• Try to hook the clog with a drain snake, or a metal clothes hanger (straightened out).
• If all else fails, use the plunger, even on a sink or tub.

DIY: Prevent Clogs

• Pour vinegar down drain.
• Wait 10 minutes.
• Flush with hot water.
• Toss in a lemon wedge if the broken up clogs are creating an unpleasant odor.

DIY: Preventative Maintenance

• Regularly check hoses and fixtures for leaks
• Know where meters and shut-off valves are located, in case of an overflow.
• Regularly cleanse drains and pipes to prevent clogs from ever forming.

Don’t forget – diy maintenance is cheap, and calling a professional to fix a problem that’s been building for years will cost you dearly. So make the right choice this year – for yourself, your household, and your wallet! Call Atomic Plumbing in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk, Virginia.