Whether your pipes and fittings are almost new or they were installed a long time ago, leaks may occur. This is why PVC pipelines need to be tested on a regular basis to make sure there are no leaks to cause problems.Your local plumber can charge you a very moderate fee to inspect your pipes a couple of times per year. Despite this, many people still prefer to do this job themselves and save some money. In fact, very few people realize this but even new pipes need to be tested, immediately after they have been installed. When pressure testing PVC, it is important to wait until all the PVC cement is cured in the joints.
Do you want to learn more about why testing is necessary and how it is done? Continue reading and you will learn some secrets, which Brown Plumbing Co., of Cedar Rapids IA, decided to share with you today!

There are two ways to test PVC pressure:
- with water
- with air
Air pressure tests are quite dangerous and should only be done by a professional plumber. If you decide you can do it alone, bear in mind that you are putting yourself at great risk. If you, however, want to take this risk then you better start with locating the lowest point in the PVC line.
This point will be tested first. Continue then with the remaining pipes and connectors, by dividing them in 100-foot sections, to make the inspection/testing easier. Disconnect the water section by section, in order to make the checks.

If any leaks are found, the leaky joint or pipe should be removed and replaced. If you cannot do this yourself, you may always call a plumber to help you. Our plumbing repair teams are just a phone call away, and can perform any type of inspection or repairs, you may need. Don’t hesitate to contact us, if you need urgent plumbing assistance!

If you do not perform regular plumbing and cleaning, the possibility of problems arising becomes quite high. In order to avoid spending a lot of money on plumbing repair projects, you better think in advance and take care of your drainage once or even twice a week. If you fail to do so your drains may become backed up or sluggish. In this case you will have to invest some time and effort to unclog them. If you don’t do this on time your drainage pipes may fill up with dirt and bacteria and start smelling awkwardly.

If you don’t want to put the health of your family at risk, you better follow the next few tips on drain cleaning, which Brown Plumbing Co. has provided for you. You will need:
- baking soda
- fresh lemon juice
- white vinegar
- spray bottle
- salt
- dish washing detergent
Almost no tools or time are needed, our advice will help you optimize the work.

Tip # 1: Pour a solution of baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar in your kitchen or bathroom drain once a week. Once this solvent goes down your pipelines, we guarantee the problems you have will disappear. Just leave it there for 30 minutes and pour some hot water afterwards.
Tip # 2: A solvent made out of salt mixed with hot water is a great alternative when you want to remove any grease build up in your kitchen or bathroom sink.
Tip # 3: Consult your plumbing repair contractor and buy the most recommended cleaning detergent, if your problems cannot be eliminated with the help of homemade solvents. Only an experienced plumber will tell you which product will give you the results you need. For example, if your pipes are plastic, a toxic chemical is an extremely bad idea, if you want to keep them in good condition.
Tip # 4: in order to fight odors, you can simply pour a mixture of dish-washing soap and hot water down your pipelines a few times per week. Simple but effective!

In order to receive more of our expert tips, call our Cedar Rapids, IA office and book one of the experienced and knowledgeable plumbers from our team. We will fix any leak and unclog any drain you want, at a time, convenient for you!

If you, on the other hand, have decided to sacrifice your free time and get the problem solved yourself you will need the following cleaning products and tools:

• Plunger – It will help you use air pressure in order to force an obstruction through the drain piping. This is the most effective method for unclogging drains discovered so far!

• Snake – This is a is a long piece of metal which you can force into the drain. You can use it to pull out the obstruction, or force it to the other end of your plumbing installation.

• A bucket to collect the dirt extracted

• Rubber gloves – Use them to protect your hands from the bacteria and the abrasive cleaning solvents.

• Professional drain cleaning solution or baking soda – The drain unclogging products which you will find on the market are usually extremely toxic, they may harm your pipes if they are made from plastic. For this purpose you better use environmentally friendly detergents or a solvent made of baking soda mixed with apple vinegar.

Of course, many local plumbing contractorsknow these old tricks for bathtub drain cleaning. Only a few of them, however, have the necessary skills and qualification to complete the task according to your standards.