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Water Heaters Guide

Things That AC Owners Should Know

Posted by Christy Cox on

Air conditioners have become one of the most common types of appliances in every house. The reason for the popularity of air conditioners is because they provide additional comfort to us during hot summers. It is easier for people to work even when the temperatures are high. Different air conditioners are meant for different locations as the effectiveness and performance vary from one another. If you are considering buying a suitable air conditioner for your home, then make sure that you have a perfect idea about them. If you purchase without knowing about them, then you may make a wrong decision.

Before you set out to buy an air conditioner, make sure that you know where you will be putting the
machine. If you do not use your window much, you can consider getting a window unit. The window ac
units are the traditional ones and have a longer life than the split ac. Apart from that, window units are the most affordable options for ac available on the market. There are many reasons why people prefer this type of unit over other types as they are very easy to install if you have the necessary tools required. If you installing yourself make sure there is someone to help you out or else, it may lead to a major accident.

If you do not have a window or do not want to get rid of a window, then you should never go for window air conditioners. Split air conditioners have become popular in the past few years due to their designs and look. Since the condenser of the ac unit is kept outside of the room, you do have to hear the loud noises coming from them. The reason behind their popularity is that they are silent. Previously, the prices were quite high but due to the increase in competitors, the prices have dropped considerably.

Maintenance is also very important if you have ac in your house. Regular maintenance will ensure the
smooth operation of the machine and will increase the life of your unit. It is not easy for an ordinary person to clean the ac unit on their own. You may notice a thick layer of dust and dirt on the filter of your machine which restricts the flow of air. Over time, you will notice that refrigerant starts to leak and the drain pipe gets clogged which restricts the proper operation of the ac unit. If you notice water leaks from the drain pipe, you may have to hire a good plumber for plumbing needs. One of the most common problems is that the air ducts of the machine get condensed. It is very important that you do not let the ducts condense as it will not let the air conditioning unit work efficiently.

You can prevent condensation by doing the following things:

  • Reduce the humidity level of your home. You can use a dehumidifier for reducing the humidity level.
  • Unclogging them regularly will reduce the chances of condensation
  • Cleaning air filters are very good for the prevention of condensation of air ducts
  • Repair the air ducts if you notice any leaks in the system.
Water Heaters Guide

Tips on How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Posted by Christy Cox on

Frozen pipes happen when liquid expands as it freezes, forcing the ice crystals in the water out of the pipe and placing pressure on any weaker spots in a metal or plastic pipe. The damage may be small at first or lead to a sudden burst depending on how much pressure is caused by expansion of the liquid as it freezes.
Tips on How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

  1. Insulate Pipes
    Use pipe insulation to protect pipes from freezing. Pipe insulation comes in many forms, such as foam,
    plastic or paper and usually comes on rolls or tubes that can be cut to fit different lengths of pipe. It is a good
    idea for pipe insulation to be applied both above and below ground. When applied to the pipes directly, use a
    high R-value tube and wrap it around your outdoor pipes.
  2. Use Heating Tape
    Heating tape is a thin, flexible metallic strip with small resistors at intervals along its length. Copper heat
    tape produces heat from electricity and is easy to install. The most important factor in using heating tape is
    knowing where the coldest point in the pipes will be so that you can place the heating tape there. Heating
    tape usually comes in various lengths and widths, so you can cut it to length and fit it around your pipes.
  3. Open Faucets
    If you notice that the water in your pipes is freezing, open the faucets and allow the water to drain. This will
    help prevent pipes from freezing, but won’t help much if water has already frozen in the pipes. Frozen water
    in the pipes can be thawed with a hair dryer set on high heat. Be careful to keep the dryer moving as it can
    cause damage if left still on one spot for too long.
  4. Insulate Your Water Heater
    A water heater that is sitting in an unheated garage or basement is at risk of freezing in cold weather. If you
    have a water heater, it is best to insulate it so that the heat stays inside. A good way to do this is by placing
    foil-backed bubble wrap or foil on the outside of the water heater. Make sure that there are no holes in the
    insulation and make sure that it is secure and not loose as this could cause fires as well as allow heat to
    escape.
  5. Seal Cracks and Openings
    If you live in an old home and you have not insulated pipes in the basement, you will want to check your
    outside plumbing. Make sure that there are no cracks or open ended pipes that could allow air to enter. If
    there are any cracks, use a hydraulic sealant or caulk to seal them.
  6. Call a Professional Plumber If Pipes Are Frozen
    If you have frozen pipes, do not attempt to thaw the pipes yourself. Always call a professional plumber who
    is properly trained with the tools to handle frozen and burst pipes. A professional plumber can safely remove
    water from your property that is resulting from any burst pipes and direct it to safe locations away from your
    house or building.
    Conclusion
    Frozen pipes can cause large amounts of damage to your home or building. It is important to know the signs
    that pipes may be frozen, as well as how to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.
Water Heaters Guide

How to Fix a Leaky Shower Head

Posted by Christy Cox on

Leaky shower heads are a common problem for households. It often happens that the water leaks out and result in wet carpets, soaked clothes and flooded bathroom floors. Every household has different causes to a leaky shower head, but the most common reason is due to the O-rings or the seals on your shower head becoming brittle with time. Though not always a leaky shower head can be fixed, there are some common troubleshooting methods that you should know that may be able to stop the water from leaking out. The following are some of the tips on how to fix a leaky shower head:

  1. Unscrew the shower head and ensure that the pipe threads are clean. If you have a wrench, use it to unscrew the shower head at hand. Check that the threads of pipe are clean, as this can affect your shower’s ability to seal properly onto the wall pipe. If your shower head has become jammed, use a wrench or a pair of pliers to remove it from the wall. A spray of hot water can be used to clean off any dust or dirt that is preventing water from flowing properly through your shower pipe. Make sure that the seal is not broken before screwing on the metal ring which should be replaced if necessary.
  2. Apply silicone sealant around the O-rings.
    If the shower head still leaks, you may need to replace O-ring seals. The O-rings may look damaged, but they can most likely be replaced with silicone sealant. This step is best done by an experienced plumber, who will know how to replace them properly and make sure that they are properly sealed to prevent future leaking.
  3. Replace shower heads if you have a dual head shower system installed in your home.
    A dual head shower system uses the same pipe for both heads, which makes maintenance more difficult since it prevents access to the individual components of each shower head. If you have a dual head shower system installed, this means that the O-ring seals for each head is not on the same pipe section. Check that these seals are intact and make sure that they are not dirty. Clean them with dish soap and mild liquid soap before installing them again.
  4. Test for leaks under your home’s plumbing system.
    If the shower head is leaking, but there doesn’t seem to be a problem where you see water or smelly liquids coming from it, consider checking under your home’s plumbing system by opening up your basement pipes to check if they are loose or if they are punctured by wood pieces in the wall plate. You can also try to check for leaks by unscrewing the pipe from the shower head, but if you have a shower system with multiple heads, it may be more difficult to do that.
    The above steps will help you find out how to fix a leaky shower head, and you can use this information as a guide on how to solve other repair issues with your home plumbing system.
Water Heaters Guide

The Proper Way to Use a PlungerĀ 

Posted by Christy Cox on

If you’ve ever been frustrated by a clogged toilet, you know that plunging it is sometimes necessary. But this icky feat isn’t as easy as it sounds. You can actually do more harm than good if you’re not careful. Don’t worry; you’re likely not really doing yourself any harm by plunging your toilet. One of the most important pieces of equipment that you’ll need is a plunger. However, this step-by-step guide will show you how to use one correctly for maximum effectiveness!

1. Make sure that the plunger has been inserted as far as it will go so that the U-shaped seal sits snugly against both sides of the drain hole. Over time, this seal will become worn and need to be replaced. If the seal does not fit snugly against the hole, you may need to consider buying a new plunger, or doing your best with the one you have.

2. Next, take your hands and make sure that they are wet before proceeding further. This will allow the plunger to adhere better to the skin of your hands so that there is less chance of it slipping out of position while you’re plunging.

3. Now, take your plunger and place it directly over the drain hole. Make sure that the seal is fully settled into the drain hole before proceeding. It is important that you do this quickly so as not to lose your grip on the plunger.

4. Grasp the plunger firmly and begin pulling up slowly but steadily on the pump handle. For optimal results, do this three times a day for fifteen minutes. This will help prevent your pipes from accumulating too much debris and will help the plunger break up the bulk of the blockage.

5. Insert your plunger into the drain hole again and repeat the same steps as above for at least three minutes. Afterwards, hold the plunger in place and pump it a few times to break up the remaining bits of debris.

6. After three days, it is recommended that you repeat this process again in order to keep your pipes clear and clean. If you continue to see no signs of improvement, the problem may be larger than your plunger can break up. You may need to purchase a new “clog-buster” plumber or call a local plumbing professional to take care of it properly.

7. If you’ve never used a plunger before, it’s recommended that you start with two minutes at a time with each session so that you can get used to the process of using one properly before moving on to longer periods of time.

Many people are hesitant to use a plunger because they are skeptical about how much water can actually be removed from their drains by using one. Essentially, this depends on the severity of the clog. If you find that you are able to clear your drains easily with a plunger, you may want to get one which is designed to be scuba-diving approved. They’re designed specifically for the purpose of removing large clogs in drains and are made out of hard plastic so they won’t break while being used.

You should always use a plunger correctly in order to get the most out of it. Remember to go slowly and carefully so that you don’t break the seal. Also, you should always be mindful of the fact that the seal can wear out over time. This is why it’s recommended that you replace your plunger every three years or sooner if needed.