Standing water can be hard to get your arms around, especially when it’s pooling in unwanted places. Window wells, low spots in the yard, basements (THANKS, spring rains!) and clogged laundry sinks are a few places that come to mind.

When it comes to moving (or removing) water, we are big believers in automation. That’s where utility pumps (a.k.a. transfer pumps) come into the picture.

What does a utility pump/transfer pump do?
In the simplest terms, a utility pump transfers water from one place to another, without the need for buckets. Utility pumps are both useful and user-friendly.

How do I know which type of utility pump is needed?
There are several varieties available; the proper choice depends on the situation:
· Submersible pumps (can be submersed in water, suitable where the undesired water volume is large).
· Non-submersible pumps (for “around-the-house” water removal applications, such as flooded window wells, aquarium draining, and low-volume applications).
· Electric pumps (use standard household electricity)
· Battery-powered pumps (highly portable; short duration usage)

Fun Fact: Most utility pumps can be connected to a garden hose, giving you flexibility in directing the outbound water. If you have a rain barrel, a utility pump connected to the garden hose is an enjoyable approach to watering the garden.

Water you waiting for? The professionals at Allied Reddi-Rooter are highly skilled at moving bad water to a good place, quickly. Whether it’s installing a sump pump in your basement, or offering insights on the advantages of a utility pump vs. a drainage tile, Ray’s team is available to assist and advise. Call today for a no-cost consultation (513) 396-5300.

Draining a tank seems simple, but accidents can happen.

Today in the office, all heck broke loose. This morning, management decided to remove an old 1,000-gallon water tank (full of water) from the roof of our 100-year-old building.

Step 1: Drain the tank.
The contractor opened the valve to drain the tank into the rooftop floor drain. The tank drained. And drained. And drained some more.  The outbound water appeared to be in endless supply.

When the office workers on floors 1, 2, and 3 began to notice water was spewing up  from their respective floor drains, a faint voice down the corridor was heard to say “Houston, we have a problem.”

By the time lunch rolled around, all 6 floors of our building were catastrophically flooded.  It was a big, costly mess.

Step 2:  Identify the points of failure.
There were multiple points of failure on this seemingly simple job.

Step 3:  Dry up the water + repair the damage
For the next 24-48 hours, our building is covered in commercial dehumidifiers and yellow “Caution” tape.  Every electrical/wiring closet is under constant monitoring (electricity, computers/servers and water are a bad combination). Carpets will need to be cleaned and/or replaced and the development of mold is now a concern.  The Flood of 2017 will be a water-cooler topic for months to come.

Water You Waiting For?  Before undertaking a seemingly simple water project, call a reliable plumber for a quick inspection.  An ounce of prevention is worth thousands of dollars in damage repair and insurance headaches.  Call Ray today, he’s terrific on the phone  (513-396-5300).  He and his team of professionals are available 24/7.  Visit our Deals! page for money-saving coupons (http://alliedreddirooter.com/deals).

Busy households create big demands on sanitation. Below are our favorite “quick hits” for keeping sinks, drains, and toilets bright and fresh-smelling:

Kitchen Sinks
After doing the dishes (and before cooking a meal), scrub away “sink gunk” (the residue that sticks in the corners and under the faucet) with a few drops of dish soap on a sponge. Lather up the sides, then wash the suds down the drain with cold water.

Garbage disposal gaskets can be a source of sink odors. To clean, pop out the gasket, slather grease-removing dish soap onto the toothbrush and scrub away the greasy food waste that coats the gasket. If the odor is too much, hold the gasket under warm running water while scrubbing. We recommend cleaning the gasket weekly to prevent smelly build-up.

Floor Drains
If you notice sewer gas smells coming from your floor drains, “dry trap” could be the culprit. Pour 2-3 gallons of water into the floor drain to re-establish the water barrier between your home and the sewage lines.

If you notice chemical smells coming from your floor drains (which can happen in areas where city sewer lines are shared among businesses and residences), contact the Metropolitan Sewer District for assistance/advice. People have been known to pour caustic substances into floor drains, not realizing that odorous chemicals will seep into neighboring floor drains.

Bathroom Drains
Tub and lavatory (a.k.a. the bathroom sink) drains are notorious for becoming clogged with hair. An inexpensive “hair clog remover tool” (a long flexible wire with hook tape on the end) is a fantastic tool for clearing away drain hair. Yes, it’s a nasty job. It’s totally worth it, however, when the sink doesn’t fill up while you are brushing your teeth.

Toilet Clogs
If your toilet has a “slow flush” (the kind where the toilet paper may or may not go where it should), a good plunging with a toilet plunger (rather than a sink plunger), should do the trick. If you notice that slow flushing is the norm rather than the exception, consider replacing your toilet – all toilets are not created equal with it comes to flushing power and design.

Water You Waiting For? The professionals at Allied Reddi-Rooter are on hand to serve all your plumbing needs. Call Ray today for a free quote or consultation. 513.396-5300.