We all want to do our part to help the environment and cut down on rising utility costs. But for many homeowners, green alternatives and upgrades are simply too expensive to be realistic. However, now is an excellent time to consider making eco-friendly home improvements, as an array of financial incentives is bringing these alternative energy systems into the mainstream for buyers, sellers and homeowners.

If you’re in the market for a new home, you may be able to get more for your money when you consider homes with energy-efficient upgrades like solar heating or tankless water heaters. These systems mean lower utility costs every month, which leaves more room in your budget for a slightly higher mortgage payment.

If you plan to stay in your home but are looking for a way to save on monthly energy bills, you may qualify for state or federal tax credits or special financing that will help you make energy-efficient improvements. These upgrades will reduce your utility costs and benefit the environment.

If you’re thinking about selling your home, any energy-efficient upgrades you’ve added can mean a higher asking price. Eco-friendly homes are an increasingly popular segment of the real estate market and as more home buyers look for energy-efficient properties, those upgrades are becoming an appealing selling point.

If you need financing to make energy-efficient upgrades to your home, you can get the funds you need through either a government-sponsored program or a traditional lender. Certain states even provide special programs for residents who qualify, so it’s smart to begin your search with your state’s department of energy to find out what’s available in your area.

There are also special mortgage programs that can help you afford energy-efficient upgrades. Called EEMs, or energy-efficient mortgages, these programs allow both homeowners doing new construction and those making improvements to an existing structure to obtain financing. EEMs make it possible to purchase or refinance a home that’s already certified energy-efficient, or to purchase or refinance a home that will be energy efficient after certain upgrades are made. Most lenders offer both kinds of EEMs; you may also qualify for home-improvement loans that will help defer the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.

In order to qualify for these special mortgage programs, most lenders require homes to have an energy-efficiency rating. These ratings are based on an inspection by a certified professional and tell lenders how energy efficient your home is.

The energy rater will check all the features of your home that relate to its energy consumption. This includes windows, insulation, heating and cooling systems, water heaters, and ductwork. You will receive a report that includes your home’s energy rating, as well as an estimate of your yearly energy usage and spending. The report sometimes includes suggestions for improvements you can make to boost your home’s energy-efficiency and the costs of those upgrades, along with an estimate of the annual savings and return on investment of making changes.

Check Out These Resources from the Federal Government:

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Energy Efficient Mortgage
  Home Owner Guide
• Energy Star - Energy Efficient Mortgages
  

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Some Key Points About Heating To Keep In Mind Before Winter Arrives

Generally speaking, most people usually don’t have major troubles with their home heating systems. But as Murphy’s Law states, “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” And with home heating systems, that is usually in the middle of winter...and at a time when you least expect it or that is inopportune.

Preparation and prevention are the best ways to deal with Murphy and his law. The autumn months are always a good time to familiarize yourself with the essential workings of your home heating system. Before grief strikes and you experience a heating system breakdown, take some time to review your system’s manuals and paperwork for proper operational instructions as well as simple adjustments that you can make yourself. Also, take some time to visit the manufacturer’s website; it’s always a great place to pick up a few tips on both operation and maintenance so the worst is less likely to happen.



Nothing Beats a Pre-Season Tune Up

During the year, your heating system accumulates dust and dirt, making it less efficient and costing you additional money in utility bills. The vast majority of heating service calls and repairs are caused by lack of regular heating system tune-ups and maintenance.

A pre-season tune-up, inspection and cleaning of your heating system is an easy way to prevent costly furnace and heating system breakdowns BEFORE they occur and to assure that your heating system is performing at peak efficiency throughout the winter. Without a doubt, it’s the smartest thing you can do to guarantee a warm, worry-free, energy-efficient home during those cold winter months. You wouldn’t think twice about giving your car a tune-up before a long trip; doesn’t it make similar sense to give your heating system a tune-up before the long winter ahead?



Use All Your Senses

Energy efficiency in home heating systems is a natural result of good maintenance, and regardless of your system type there are certain general rules which, if observed, can save you time and expense in the long run. Now’s a good time to stop, look, listen and feel; give your heating system a complete inspection using sight, sound and touch to see if something is out of place or if something odd is going on.

In terms of maintenance, there are a number of factors to bear in mind when seeking to keep your home heating system in good working order. Regardless of the system, always keep an eye on the condition of the chimney and the vent connection pipe. Problems with the chimney can be a real pain and expensive to sort out. The heat exchangers in boilers leak water, which is pretty easy to pinpoint. With furnaces it is a bit more serious as combustion gases will be mixing with air in the house, and this is why it’s especially important to have furnaces regularly inspected for leaks.

Make sure that the controls are always set appropriately to provide the recommended air and water temperatures. This will assure that you are not putting unnecessary stress on your heating system, as well as maximize your energy efficiency and comfort.. Consult the manual if in doubt.

Air quality is also an important factor in connection with home heating systems. Unintended air leaks in many homes provide some of the combustion air for the heating system, and a number of the combustion by-products can be harmful to health. Making sure that the chimney is properly cleared and maintained -- and that the system is adequately ventilated -- will reduce these risks. Purchasing a sealed-combustion unit is often recommended for safety and optimal efficiency.

If you have one of the old horizontal, plastic venting systems this should be replaced with a steel vent pipe, as all horizontal venting was recently recalled due to risks of gas leaking into the domestic air.



Upgrading Your Home Heating System

Autumn is also a great time to upgrade from an old heating system to a more modern, energy-efficient heating system. Nothing provides more peace of mind than going into the winter season with a factory fresh heater!

Furnaces and boilers are the main heat sources for homes in the United States. Furnaces distribute hot air through ducts, whereas boilers use hot water through pipes. The efficiency rating of both is measured in AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).

Older furnaces and boilers can be upgraded for increased efficiency, although it may work out cheaper to get a new one. Fuel bills can be reduced by installing one of the modern systems which typically have energy ratings of around 97%. A heating contractor can recommend the type of furnace or boiler you’ll need after you optimised your home’s energy efficiency. Choose a unit of the appropriate size for your needs, and go for a sealed-combustion model which is more efficient.

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Keep Warm, Keep Safe, Keep Zap-Free!

For some homeowners, an electric furnace is a practical, affordable home heating solution. But electric furnaces do pose a number of safety hazards, including the risk of electrocution and fire. If you are thinking of installing an electric furnace this winter or already have an electric furnace in your home, please be sure to keep these important tips in mind for optimal performance and safety:


Purchase a Certified, Name Brand Electric Furnace.
An electric furnace is a significant investment and will be essential in keeping your home warm and comfortable during cold weather. Never buy a furnace from a company you’re not familiar with; look for name brand units with a trusted reputation. Ask your friends and neighbors for references, and compare companies that have been in business for several years. Only buy a furnace that has been thoroughly tested and certified by an independent, recognized professional.

Make Sure Your Electric Furnace is Installed Correctly.
Proper installation is crucial to the efficient, safe operation of your electric furnace. Short circuits or loose connections can cause dangerous power surges or electrical fires. To ensure your electric furnace installation is conducted properly, hire only a licensed professional contractor or electrician with a solid reputation.

Clean and Change the Furnace Filter Often.
The filter keeps dirt and airborne pollutants out of your home. An electric furnace filter should be cleaned or replaced every three to four months. This will maintain good air quality inside your home, will keep your electric furnace operating efficiently, and will prevent overheating.

Schedule Yearly Professional Maintenance.
Even an electric furnace that’s running well should be checked by a professional at least once a year. Regular maintenance and tune-ups will keep your electric furnace in top condition, alert you to any potential problems, and address minor issues before they turn into major damage. Make sure the technician you hire is qualified.

Keep Your Electric Furnace Clean.
The area around your electric furnace should be clean and free of clutter. If possible, leave about a five foot clearance around your electric furnace on all sides.

Keep Combustible Materials Away from Your Electric Furnace.
Storing flammable materials like paper or volatile chemicals near your electric furnace is extremely dangerous. Having these items near your furnace dramatically increases the chance of fire or explosion. To prevent accidents, store things like paint, newspaper, wood, gasoline, chemical cleaners, and cloth as far from your electric furnace as possible.

Leave Electric Furnace Repairs to The Professionals.
Electric furnaces are complex devices. If your electric furnace seems to be malfunctioning or is not working properly, never attempt repairs or parts replacement on your own. Contact a certified professional to avoid the risk of personal injury or property damage.

Wear Proper Safety Gear.
When you clean your filter or electric furnace, always wear protective gear like safety goggles and thick gloves. This will protect your eyes and skin from sparks, heat, debris, and other potentially harmful materials.

Disconnect the Power Supply.
Before you go near your electric furnace for any reason, always be sure to disconnect the unit’s power supply. This will prevent the risk of electric shock, which can be extremely painful and potentially deadly.

Use Caution When Installing Other Whole-Home Systems.
Central air conditioners, home humidifiers, and air purification systems can all be connected to most electric furnaces. Still, these additional units should always be installed by a professional, who will ensure that the devices are compatible and safe to operate together.



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Read This BEFORE You Try to Fix a Leaky Faucet On Your Own

Nothing is more annoying than the constant drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet. If you’ve got the right tools, a leaky faucet in the kitchen or bathroom is one of the easiest DIY fixes around the house. However, keep in mind that all faucets are not alike. Here are some basic, leaky faucet tips and insight that do-it-yourselfers should know before they start taking things apart and trying to put them back together..


Types of Faucets

• Compression Faucets: Usually found in homes with older plumbing, the compression faucet is fairly common. There is a knob for hot water and another for cold water. When the knobs are turned open, the faucet opens and water flows through. Compression faucets leak when the washers on the knobs become worn or damaged. To fix a leaky compression faucet you generally only need to replace the washers.
  


• Washerless Faucets: Washerless faucets are another common type found in many homes; ball faucets, cartridge faucets, and disk faucets are all washerless fixtures. Despite their name, these faucets do have washers, along with many other components that allow them to operate properly. Any one of these components can fail and cause a leak, though washerless faucets are among the most reliable plumbing fixtures you can install in your home.
  


• Ball Faucets: They have a single handle that rotates on a ball, letting you move the handle left or right for hot and cold water. When the adjusting ring becomes loose, ball faucets can develop leaks. Other common causes of leaks in these types of faucets include failed cam washers, worn springs or worn valve seats.
  


• Disk Faucets: They come in single or double handle configurations. Both have a ceramic disk mechanism that opens and closes to allow water through. Disk faucets rarely fail, but the most common sources of leaks are worn seals, o-rings, and stems.
  


• Cartridge Faucets: They are usually single handle units with a cartridge assembly that allows water to flow. Cartridge faucets have a series of o-rings that can become warped or worn, causing leaks.
  

For Most Faucet Leaks, Consult a Plumber

Even if you think you can handle a simple leak repair on your own, it’s still a good idea to call a plumber for a second opinion. Most plumbers will be happy to talk you through a basic repair job over the phone, offering helping advice and educating you about the proper tools and parts you’ll need. If the repair turns out to be more difficult than you bargained for, a plumber will gladly make an appointment to complete the repair for you.

Whether you choose to repair a leaky faucet yourself or feel more comfortable hiring a professional plumber, the sooner you deal with the problem the better. Even minor faucet leaks have a nasty habit of compounding into major plumbing problems...and that can quickly add up to thousands of dollars in more serious plumbing repairs. A leaky faucet that goes ignored too long can cause substantial water damage, erode pipes, and compromise the water pressure in your entire house. Furthermore, a faucet that drips just twice per second wastes about 100 gallons of water each month, which can jack up your water bill significantly.

The plumbing professionals at Horizon Services can quickly diagnose the cause of your faucet leak or other plumbing problem and fix the problem inexpensively and reliably. Call Horizon today!



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The Future is Now for Home Furnaces and Heating Systems!

As our world continues to contemplate the efficiency of existing heating technologies and more and more homeowners become concerned about depleting natural resources, especially fossil fuels, there have been several new innovations in home heating. Here we outline three of the leading alternative heating technologies.


Solar Panels:

Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to change sunlight to electricity. To use this technology effectively, a home needs a south-facing roof with a precise pitch so that the cells are exposed to maximum sunlight. While other heating sources like traditional furnaces and hybrid heating systems are still cheaper for most homeowners, solar panel heating systems are growing in popularity every year thanks to government subsidies and enthusiastic advocates.

According to one source, solar panel installation has increased nearly ten-fold since this time last year. For most homeowners, however, the cost of solar panel installation remains prohibitive. From start to finish, installation costs can run anywhere from $25,000 to more than $75,000 depending on geographical location and the size of the home. Even with government incentives and credits—which can often supplement almost half of the installation cost—it will take years for most homeowners to recoup the cost of initial installation.


Solar Furnaces:

Like solar panel heating systems, solar furnaces harness the power of the sun to heat your home. These devices work like a giant magnifying glass, concentrating sunlight on a single point to generate powerful heat. Highly reflective mirrors reflect the sun’s rays, creating temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit for a standard furnace and more than 3000 degrees Fahrenheit for larger units. This heat can be converted to energy capable of powering a variety of other applications. Surprisingly, solar panels provide more efficient heating for residential furnaces, and solar furnaces are more effective at powering other things like ovens and other electric appliances.

The cost of a solar furnace is hard to pin down exactly. A crude solar furnace can be put together for as little as $10, while large commercial systems can cost millions. At this point, there are few middle-of-the-road options for homeowners who want to explore solar furnace heating, though there are several solar-powered oven ranges currently on the market. It is expected that this technology will experience rapid growth and development over the next five to ten years.


Geothermal Heating Systems:

The most tangible and efficient source of alternative home heating comes from the ground. More than half of the sun’s energy is absorbed into the ground, where it creates a nearly constant temperature that can be transferred to your home. Currently, geothermal heating has a much brighter future than most solar heating options available right now. Geothermal heating is an attractive choice for new home construction and green renovations, as it is much more affordable initially than solar options and pays for itself in just a few years with increased utility savings.

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Winter's Coming...Are Your Pipes Protected?

Pipe insulation is probably something you never think about as a homeowner. The fact is, though, that most home builders don’t think about it much either. Skimping on pipe insulation is one of the first places that shady contractors look to cut corners in order to present customers with a more attractive bottom line. However, proper pipe insulation is one of the most important facets of your home’s infrastructure; not only does insulation improve the performance and life of your plumbing, it also protects them against damage from extreme temperatures or weather.

If you feel that your home’s plumbing system is not properly insulated, you should consult a plumbing professional immediately. Here are some important things you should know about pipe insulation:


Frozen Pipes

The most serious threat to poorly insulated pipes is freezing temperatures. When the mercury drops, standing water left in pipes can freeze and expand, causing tiny cracks that may break open or burst altogether. It is essential that exposed pipes are properly insulated, especially in areas prone to below-zero temperatures. The cost of additional insulation is minute when you think about the cost of repairing damages caused by a burst pipe.

Obviously, outdoor pipes should be insulated, but even exposed pipes in your home can freeze if the temperature gets low enough. Be sure to look over pipes in the basement, attic, crawl spaces, under sinks, in utility rooms or garages, and in the laundry room and insulate them. If you should lose power during a winter storm or go on vacation during a cold snap, you could be forced to deal with the consequences of frozen or burst pipes.


Energy Costs

Believe it or not, insulating pipes can significantly impact your overall energy consumption. As utility costs rise and amid growing concerns about the environment, homeowners all over the country are paying more attention to how they use energy. Proper insulation around pipes limits heat transfer and provides a vapor barrier against moisture, which improves the thermal efficiency of your home and saves you money.


Water Damage

Poorly insulated pipes allow water to condense, which leaves pipes susceptible to standing water that can freeze in cold weather. This can cost you thousands of dollars in water damage to walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture. Condensation can also speed the deterioration of pipes, causing erosion, leaks, cracks, and gaps. By adding a bit of extra insulation, you can eliminate the potential for water damage from burst pipes and erosion.


Insulation Materials

The biggest problem with pipe insulation is keeping it dry. Traditional pipe insulation includes materials like fiberglass and minerals; these have been joined by flexible and rigid closed-cell glass products. Glass insulation provides a better barrier against moisture, helping pipes stay dry. Some contractors also use a wicking material that wraps around pipes to help absorb moisture and carry it away from the insulation jacket, where it evaporates. For underground pipes, most new insulation is made from polyurethane foam, which offers excellent protection and limits moisture accumulation.



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What's Old is New Again in Home Heating!

While home heating technologies and efficiencies have advanced significantly in recent years, many homeowners these days are taking a more retro approach to home heating and installing wood burning furnaces in their homes.

Wood burning furnaces have been around just about as long as the United States. Benjamin Franklin built his first Franklin Stove -- the world's first practical home heating system -- back in 1742, and for over a century, it set the standard for home heating until the advent of coal, oil and other heating fuels.

Whether you’re concerned about the impact of fossil fuel consumption on the environment or are just tired of being subjected to the high cost of home fuel, wood burning furnaces are an attractive alternative to traditional home heating sources.

There are plenty of reasons why folks are turning to yesteryear to heat their homes today. Wood is a biomass fuel, which means that burning it doesn’t increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere nor contribute to greenhouse emissions. Wood is also a renewable resource, which means that wood harvested responsibly can last forever.

Purchasing wood for fuel also gives you greater control over your heating costs—you can choose to buy local, buy only as much as you need, and even save as much as 25 percent on your heating bill. Wood burning furnaces can hey certainly can add a charming, traditional touch to your home decor.


Types of Wood Furnaces

Even though a wood burning furnace may seem somewhat out-of-date in the 21st Century, today's wood-burning furnaces actually employ some interesting and modern technologies and features.

• Central Wood Furnace: Installed inside your home, usually in the basement or garage, this type of wood-burning furnace uses forced air or hot water to distribute heat throughout your home.


• Outdoor Wood Furnace: Usually set in a shed or enclosure outside the home, outdoor wood furnaces are effective within 50 to 150 feet of your house. The furnace is surrounded by a water tank; water is heated by the furnace and then pumped into the house through insulated pipes underground. The heat from the water radiates throughout your home. These are safer than some other models, as the fire is outside the house.


• Multi-Fuel Furnace: These models can be installed either inside or outside the home, and are capable of burning several types of fuel including wood, gas, oil, or coal. These are popular because of their flexibility, allowing owners to use wood as a primary fuel source with the option of using another kind of fuel as a backup alternative.

Each of these types of wood furnace is controlled by a thermostat, just like more traditional heat systems. When the interior temperature of the house reaches the set level, a damper on the wood furnace closes and causes the fire in the furnace to smolder. If the temperature inside the house drops, the damper opens and the fire is stoked again.


Installing a Wood Furnace

Most wood-burning furnaces can use the existing pipes and ductwork in your house, so converting from another type of heating system is generally easy. It is important to work with a professional to help you match the furnace to the square footage of your home. Your contractor will calculate the size of the blower and BTU output that’s appropriate for your home, as well as determine the air filter, humidifier, and blower mechanism that best fits your system.

Before you decide that a wood furnace is right for you, make sure you have ample access to a reliable, responsibly harvested wood supply. Most wood furnaces average about five to 10 cords of wood a year, but that amount can be higher if you live in a colder climate.

While some consumers still associate wood-burning appliances with increased fire risk, but industry and government safety regulations have made wood furnaces safer than ever. In fact, since many of these measures went into effect nearly thirty years ago, wood burning furnaces are now just as safe as any other type of home heating system.


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May The Force Be With You!

Water pressure is sort of like tires on your car: You never really notice it until something goes wrong. Showers slow to a pathetic drizzle. The dishwasher stops cleaning dishes. Garden hoses are rendered useless. Drinking water trickles out of your faucets. While most of us simply live with water pressure problems, there are several ways you can easily improve your home’s water pressure without too much fuss.


City Water Pressure

If you get your water from your local municipality, the main lines are laid underground where water pressure is very high. Friction causes the water to lose pressure as it travels through the main line and into your house. Even more water pressure is lost as it travels through your plumbing and out your faucet. The smaller the space, the more friction builds up. If you’ve got low water pressure coming from a faucet, chances are there’s too much friction somewhere between the main municipal supply line and your sink.

While this may seem like a pretty vague diagnosis, it’s relatively easy to pinpoint the problem.

Pipes that are too small generate more friction than ones that are larger. Even a fraction of an inch can make a big difference in improving water pressure. If you have ½ inch pipes in your house, replacing just the exposed ones with larger ¾ inch pipes can significantly increase your water pressure. You could also hire a professional to replace all the plumbing in your house, which will produce even greater water pressure results. If you’re building a new house, consider upgrading to larger pipes. You’ll pay a bit more, but the “hassle savings” alone will more than make up for the extra cost.

Another common problem that can affect water pressure is a blockage or build-up in your pipes. As water travels through plumbing it leaves small mineral deposits. Over time, these deposits can accumulate on the inside of the pipes and shrink their diameter, kind of like plaque that builds up in the arteries of people with high cholesterol. This essentially makes the pipes smaller and increases friction, impacting water pressure. The good news is that this kind of mineral build-up is obvious to the naked eye, so removing a small sample section of pipe will quickly shed light on the problem. There are many chemicals available on the market that will break down these deposits and flush them from your plumbing.

If your water pressure woes are sudden, the problem could be with the main water line. You should contact your water company and inform them of the issue; they will be able to provide more information or give you next steps to follow.


Well Water Pressure

If your home uses well water, you have a water pressure tank instead of a main municipal line. The water pressure tank can be the source of a whole other set of problems in addition to the ones that city water users have. A tank that’s too small can be ill-equipped to maintain adequate pressure when water is used in several places in your home at once. The tanks can leak, too, which causes a loss of water pressure. It’s wise to have your water pressure tank checked by a plumber or well professional if you experience any sudden changes in water pressure.


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We Separate the Minor Inconveniences from the Major Headaches!

Got a backed up or slow moving drain? A toilet that won't flush? Waste water that comes back up your sink, shower or tub drains? A foul smell in your yard or basement? JOIN THE CLUB! As the weather gets cooler, we at Horizon Services usually begin to see an increase in drain, sewer and water line service calls. For many homeowners, the recent intense rainfall and flood conditions in the Mid-Atlantic states -- particularly our service area of Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland -- have brought latent drain, sewer and water line problems that have been lurking invisibly in the shadows out into the open in a very dramatic fashion.

Face it...there are many things that can go wrong with your home's drain, sewer and water line system. For example, years of accumulated waste can cause major obstructions in pipes and lines. Old pipes and seals can crack, corrode or collapse. Tree roots can even infiltrate sewer and water lines These are the kinds of drain, sewer and water line problems that can require significant repair and expense.

The good news is that the majority of drain, sewer and water line issues are not that severe. Most are easily and inexpensively repaired. And most are preventable.

The vast majority of drain, sewer and water line problems are usually caused by minor incidents such as something falling down the pipe, clogging due to inappropriate matter being sent down the sink or toilet, and frozen pipes in colder weather.

Identifying the problem is the first step. Visually inspecting your sinks, tubs, showers, toilets and pipes will usually reveal the source of the problem. If the problem isn't deep down in your drains or lines, there's a good chance that you can resolve it yourself...or at least save time and money by pointing your drain or sewer/water line repairman in the right direction when they arrive at your home.

In the case of clogged sinks or toilets that won't flush, if the problem isn’t solved by using a plunger to unblock it, then the cause is probably due to an obstruction further down the line. You can use a plumber's snake or coiled wire (available at most hardware stores) to probe into the drain and get to where a basic plunger cannot to remove the obstruction. If this doesn’t work, your next step may be to remove the toilet bowl or sink to get access to the main pipe. This can be a delicate job, so it is best to call in a professional plumber or drain professional at this point.

In cold weather, frozen pipes is one of the most common causes of backed-up or slow moving drains. This is especially common when homeowners have been away for some time and turned the thermostat right down. Water moving slowly and at a low temperature causes ice to form and expand, causing blockages that exert increasing pressure on the pipes. Wrap the pipes in special wrap heat tape and leave it in place for at least 24 hours or until the blockage is cleared. Also consider leaving the thermostat at a higher setting to keep warm water circulating whilst you’re away for a while.

If you find that your boiler starts making a noise, this is probably because of hot spots forming due to a build up of steam, caused in turn by air building up in the system. The hot spots sometimes make banging noises when they get too hot, which is where the noise in the boiler comes from. The root cause of the build up of air is a lack of water in the system, but it can also be caused by a build up of scale on the inner surface of the boiler, in which case feed a boiler cleanser into the expansion.

Drainage pipes helpfully tend to run in straight lines, which facilitate the sorting out of problems. Inspection chambers covered by manhole covers are placed at each joint, and these covers can be lifted with a crowbar to check for blockages and to clean the manhole of accumulated debris where necessary. If you find the inspection chamber empty, the blockage must be closer to the house, so move on to the next one in that direction, and if it is full move in the opposite direction to look for the blockage. Once the blockage area has been isolated, you can insert the plumber' snake down the pipe in the direction of the blockage to clear it.

The drain cleaning and sewer/water line repair professionals at Horizon Services encourage all homeowners especially cognizant, vigilant and proactive in the maintenance of their home's drains, pipes and lines. Be aware of what you are putting down sinks, garbage disposals and toilets -- particularly large solid objects, grease and hair. Keep your eyes and ears open for the signs of drain, sewer and water line damage or obstruction. Insulate your pipes in cold weather. If you suspect a problem, don't delay -- call a drain cleaning or sewer & water line contractor immediately to fix the problem before it becomes large and expensive.

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