David Balkan

Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main

David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award.

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Forum Comments (3)

Water won't drain from sink with garbage disposal
Silly question, did you clear out the U-trap you're removing? A trap stoppage seems like the only sensible answer. Any way to upload a photo? That surely would help.
I can't call a plumber but my toilet won't unclog. What can I do?
My 2 cents: if a plunger does not work, you really need a pro. The right tools in the wrong hands can really exacerbate the situation, maybe resulting in puncturing the toilet drain piping. A toilet auger or removing the toilet itself to clear the clog are two suggestions I can offer.
Easiest way to fix a clogged sink?
Have you tried plunging it? The good old typical plunger works well. Typically, sinks clog because something is sitting in the trap, which is the U-shaped pipe under the sink. It could be coffee grounds, food, random debris, you name it. If the plunger doesn’t work, you could remove the trap with household tools and remove whatever is stuck in there. People struggle with baking soda and vinegar and all of these crazy things, but removing a sink trap is typically very easy. If you don’t want to do that, you can use commercial drain cleaners. Just be careful because if you splash that stuff on your skin it will burn you.

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Co-authored Articles (79)

How to

Construct a Small Septic System

Most private septic systems are made up of two parts: the holding and digesting tanks, and the dispersal field. As the first holding tank fills up, the liquid waste will transfer to the second tank. Once the second tank ...

How to

Fix a Leaky Sink Drain Pipe

It’s always such a pain when you discover a leaky or broken pipe on your sink’s drain. When you find a leak, it usually means your pipes are loose, damaged, or worn out. Luckily, repairing your drain and pipes are r...

How to

Measure Pipe Size

Measuring pipe size can be a little confusing at first, but anyone can learn how to do it. To find the right size, first figure out if you need to measure the outside or inside diameter, then measure it with a ruler or t...

How to Remove Every Kind of Hose Clamp (Spring, Pinch, Washing Machine, and More)

Hose clamps are used for connecting many types of tubing and come in a variety of styles. Whether you need to disconnect a hose in your boat engine or replace the hose clamp on your washing machine’s drain hose, the pr...

How to

Wrap Pipes for Cold Weather

Pipes can freeze or even burst in times of cold weather after a period of disuse. Products to insulate pipes, such as a pipe sleeve and electrical heat tape, can be purchased and placed around pipes to prevent them from...

How to Fix a Toilet Tank Leak

Quick fixes for your leaky toilet tank so you can stop wasting water A leaky toilet tank may cause some serious concern when you first discover the problem, but this is almost certainly going to be an easy problem to fix...

How to Take Out a Sink Drain or Sink Stopper

Pro plumbers share how to remove and replace a leaky sink drainIf you hear a “drip, drip” from underneath the kitchen sink when it’s full of dirty dishes and water, there’s a good chance you have a leaky sink dra...

How to Install a French Drain System in Your Yard

Tools, materials, zoning laws, oh my! Everything you need to know about laying drainage pipes Are you finding water pooling on your lawn? Or maybe there’s a bit too much moisture for comfort around your home’s founda...

A Complete Guide to Fix a Leaking or Dripping Tub Faucet

Learn how to take apart and diagnose the cause of your leak ''Drip. Drip. Drip.'' If you want to stop that annoying leaking tub faucet and prevent a higher water bill, you can repair it even if you don’t have any plumb...

How to

Clean a P‐Trap or U‐Bend

Is your bathroom sink blocked, clogged, or not draining properly? The usual case is a blocked U-shaped pipe, commonly known as a P-trap. Clearing one of these plumbing fixtures is easy, and you do not have to be an exper...

How to Fix a Clogged Shower Drain: Expert Tips & Tricks

Plus, learn how to prevent clogs in the first placeThere’s nothing worse than standing in an inch of water when you’re trying to take a shower. Shower drains often become clogged due to a buildup of hair, soap scum, ...

How to

Determine a Faucet Brand

Whether your faucet was there when you moved in or you picked it out and installed it yourself, you may not know or remember its brand. This hardly seems like a big deal until your faucet has issues and you aren’t sure...

How to

Turn Off Your Water Supply Quick and Easy

Should your plumbing freeze in winter or it spring a leak, you'll have to stop your water supply to make repairs. You'll also need to cut off your water when replacing fixtures, changing pipes, and performing maintenance...

How to

Detect Water Leaks in Walls

While many water leaks are caused by defective plumbing, leaks can also come from rainwater draining down inside the walls or from a cracked and leaky foundation. Long-term leaks can cause structural damage within your w...

How to

Keep Outside Pipes from Freezing

Preventing exterior pipes from freezing isn’t hard to do, but it is important. A frozen pipe may burst, which can lead to expensive and time-consuming repairs. To keep exterior pipes from freezing, protect them with po...

Proper Vent Drainage for a Laundry Machine: Sticking to Code

What you can expect a plumber to do when fixing a washer’s drain vent (and how to know it needs fixing)Is your washing machine making funny gurgling noises or smelling funky? If so, it may be because the pipes don’t ...

How to Unclog a Main Sewer Line Without a Snake: DIY Methods

Having a clogged sewer line is a frustrating problem for homeowners. Fortunately, you might be able to fix the smelly situation without hiring an expensive plumbing service or using a snake. Once you take the necessary p...

How to Plunge a Kitchen or Bathroom Sink: Tips from a Pro Plumber

Plus, what to do for stubborn, un-plungeable clogs and blockagesWhen you have a clogged or slow-running drain, plunging should be your first course of action. Plunging creates pressure that forces a clog to move, allowin...

How to Fix Water Hammer Noises

Solve problems with a water hammer arrestor on a washing machine, and other pipe issuesIf your pipes bang and clang loudly when you turn on a tap, you might have a problem with water hammer.. 30 March 2021. Water hammer ...

How to

Install a Kitchen Sink Drain

If your kitchen sink drain is corroded and leaking, installing a new basket strainer is an easy way to solve the problem. Start by adding plumber’s putty to the underside of the basket strainer and fit it into the drai...
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