scot-admin, Author at Scottish Plumber

Drain Cleaning and Sewer Back-ups

Old plumbing systems differ greatly from new ones in terms of design. Chicago and other large cities have combined sewage and storm sewers, requiring different types of protection from sewer backups. Newer suburbs have seperate sewers – one for storm water and one for sewage.

Drain Cleaning may sound easy, but it is actually pretty complicated. Once a clog is discovered which is not localized to one sink or toilet, then it becomes difficult for a homeowner to unclog. It’s a bad idea for homeowners to open up the sewer pipe in the basement to try to unclog the sewer. If there is a whole house clog, the sewer can be what we call “fully charged” and when opened, large amounts of backed up sewage may shoot out into the basement and onto anyone standing nearby. For this reason, whole house plumbing stoppages should be left to a professional.

Another factor involved is age- old plumbing systems differ greatly from new ones in terms of design. Chicago and other large cities have combined sewage and storm sewers, requiring different types of protection from sewer backups. Newer suburbs have seperate sewers – one for storm water and one for sewage. Many times when storms drop large amounts of rain, storm water and sewage backs up into Chicago homes because the system is overloaded with storm water. This is why Chicago homes need more than just a sump pump- they need a specific flood control system. The Scottish Plumber installs flood controls systems in the city of Chicago and it’s suburbs plus gives a 10-year guarantee free from this type of back up. In newer townships, storm sewers are totally separate from sewage lines and so they also need specific types of flood control systems.

At Scottish Plumber, we run a $99 drain cleaning special for all Chicagoland locations to keep your water flowing!

https://www.scottishplumber.com/drain-cleaning

Tips on Winterizing your Plumbing #4

Part 4 of 4: Plumbing Services

Some checkups are best done by professionals- but they’ll often save you from unexpected breakdowns and expensive repairs.

For snow birds – A professional plumbing winterization should be performed to keep your house safe from plumbing disasters while you are gone. This will keep fixtures, water heaters etc form freezing if your furnace shuts off while you are away. Any unattended home should be winterized even if you have a working furnace you plan to leave on. Make sure signs are placed on winterized toilets and other needed fixtures so someone does not inadvertently use them while you are gone. Things happen and sometimes the furnace goes off – even if you only have no heat for 12-24 hours your homes pipes can freeze.

Old water heaters are a disaster waiting to happen. Replace them every 10 years (even this is not a guarantee they won’t fail). Make sure to shut the water to them off if you are leaving the house for an extended vacation. If your water heater breaks while you are gone it will be like leaving on a faucet on- pouring water onto the floor for however long you will be gone. Unfortunately we have gotten calls from snow birds that have come home to such disasters and insurance did not cover the damage! Always let your insurance person know that your home will be vacant for an extended period -no matter what the reason- and get the proper coverage.

Call a professional for any of the above listed maintenance if you are not capable of performing the maintenance yourself. The Scottish Plumber can perform most of the above maintenance. Just do it and spend your vacation relaxing instead of worry about your home sweet home. We serve Hinsdale, Chicago, and the Chicagoland area.

Tips on Winterizing your Plumbing #3

Part 3 of 4: Appliances

Checking up on your home appliances and drains before the winter begins will wind up saving you time and money.

Old garbage disposers can cause clogged drains. Disposer blades wear out over time so they no longer do a good job of grinding up food. When chunks of food get into drains lines it’s only a matter of time before a clog forms. Replace garbage disposers older than 10 years.

If you have slow drains now have a preventative drain cleaning performed. This will save you from the embarrassment of a clogged drain or sewer once the house fills up with holiday guests.

Always keep your garage door closed in the winter so frozen pipes do not occur in the ceiling or walls of the garage. This is a common problem when the winter winds decide to blow.

By taking a quick look around to make sure that everything is in order around the home, you will significantly decrease the likelihood of requiring emergency plumbing this winter. Stay warm, folks.

Tips on Winterizing your Plumbing #2

Part 2 of 4: Home Maintenance

Some basic maintenance around the home and garden will better protect your plumbing system against the cold.

Check gutters and downspouts for debris. If there are leaves, twigs, etc. in them – clean them out or you will have a problem with ice dams on your roof.

Empty and turn any rain barrels upside down until the spring.

If you have had any rehab projects done over the summer -make sure to check for any openings that may have been left behind in the siding, which will allow freezing air to blow into. When freezing air finds its way into your walls you will have problems with frozen pipes. Frozen pipes occur when it’s below 32 degrees with high winds.

With these simple steps, you can save yourself a huge headache down the line. To help prepare your home plumbing for the winter, give The Scottish Plumber a call. We serve Hinsdale, downtown Chicago – the whole Chicago metro area.

Tips on Winterizing your Plumbing #1

: Winter in Hinsdale IL

Part 1 of 4: Basic Plumbing Checkups

Even if you’re not a professional plumber, a few checks and adjustments will help prepare your home for the winter.

Remove the hoses from the spigots outside and shut off the spigot from inside (if there is a shut off there). Drain hoses and hang or store them. One freeze while the hose is connected to spigot and you will need to have the spigot replaced. Water expands when it freezes so any water left in hoses will split the hose.

Check and exercise all shut offs in your home every year. Due to the corrosive nature of water- shut off valves can break because they get frozen or rusted in the open position. When you need your shut off valves to work you usually have a problem with its associated fixture – it’s not only maddening if you can’t shut off the water when you need to – it can cause $$$$’s worth of water damage.

Do a visual whole house inspection of fixtures and valves at least once a year. Replace or repair any needed valves, hoses, and faucets. Talk about water down the drain…. leaking or running toilets waste tens of thousands of dollars worth of fresh water every year in this country. Preventative maintenance is always less expensive than a plumbing disaster.

Home plumbing winterizing is available for snowbirds. If your home is vacant for any amount of time through the winter call you insurance agent & plumber to let them know so the proper precautions can be taken.

Call a professional for any of the above listed maintenance if you are not capable of performing the maintenance yourself. The Scottish Plumber can perform most of the above maintenance. Just do it especially if your a snow bird, then spend your vacation relaxing instead of worry about your home sweet home. We serve Hinsdale, Chicago, and the Chicago Metro area.

Christmas Scones

These tender/crumbly, full-flavored scones feature cranberries and pecans. With oats in the dough, they’re a tasty throwback to their Scottish origins.

2 cups (8 1/2 ounces) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1 cup (3 ounces) old-fashioned rolled oats or quick-cooking (not instant) oats
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (3 3/4 ounces) brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup (4 ounces, 1 stick) butter
1 cup (4 ounces) dried cranberries
1 cup (4 ouces) diced pecans
1 cup (8 ounces) buttermilk, sour cream, or plain yogurt
coarse sparkling sugar for topping, optional

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet, or line with parchment.

Mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix the butter into the dry ingredients until it looks unevenly crumbly. Mix in the fruit and nuts until they’re evenly distributed. Stir in the buttermilk.

Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and cut it into two pieces. (Keep sprinkling on flour if you need to.) Form each into a disk, and gently pat each disk into a round about 6″ in diameter. Sprinkle each disk with coarse sparkling sugar, if desired. With a bench scraper or sharp knife, cut the round into 8 wedges. Do this by cutting straight down through the dough so you shear the edges. If you saw the dough, you tend to press the edges together, which keeps the scones from rising as they bake. Don’t separate the wedges.

Transfer the scones, still in their circular shape, the the prepared baking sheet. Separate the scones slightly; there should be about 1″ between them at the outside edge. Bake the scones for 20 minutes, or until they’re just beginning to brown. Remove them from the oven, and serve warm. Or reheat for 10 minutes, lightly tented with foil, in a preheated 350°F oven. Serve with traditional clotted cream or Devon cream, if desired. Yield: 16 tea scones.

This recipe reprinted from The Baking Sheet Newsletter, Vol. III, No. 2, December 1991 issue. http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/christmas-scones-recipe

Drain Tips for unclogging tub drain

Women’s Jams & Jellies are a tub drain clog culprit. When these items get into the drain – which they do because much of these products sit on top of the skin and are washed down the drain when bathing or showering. Add those oils to soap scum and hair and you have a drain blockage. TIP The best remedy is drain maintenance with Bio-Clean which is a natural enzyme which will multiply in the drain line eat up the stuff which is clogging the drain.

See our web page for more drain tips

Tub and Shower Drain Clogs

Bio Clean

Women’s jams & jellies are a common tub drain clog culprit. These items get into the drain because they sit on top of the skin and are washed down the drain when bathing or showering. Add those oils to soap scum and hair and you have some serious drain blockage. Today there are body scrubs that are made of olive oil, sugar and other varieties of the same ingredients which will cause drains to clog if they are not regularly maintained. Ask your plumber for a solution and he will let you know about a great product called Bio-Clean.

The best remedy is drain maintenance with Bio-Clean, a product made with natural enzymes which multiply in the drain line eat up the clog.

For more information, visit our web page

https://www.scottishplumber.com/drain-cleaning-services/slow-drains