Showing posts with label sewer line. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewer line. Show all posts
Monday, February 28, 2011
Your Basement Stinks!
What You Can Do If Your Cellar's a Smeller!If you’ve ever spent time in a stuffy, musty basement you don’t need anyone to tell you how unpleasant the smell can be. Worse than dirty gym socks, worse than rotten eggs, worse than…well, there aren’t many things that smell worse. A smelly basement is especially problematic for homeowners who want to use their basement as additional living space for a den, extra bedroom, or entertainment room -- or if you're looking to sell your home.
Where is That Basement Smell Coming From?
Usually, bad basement smells come from humidity and moisture that comes up from the ground. Because the basement is below ground level, this moisture never really goes away and just keeps accumulating. Mold and fungus grow and spread, causing the unpleasant smells. The only way to permanently get rid of odors is to get rid of the moisture.
While totally removing moisture and condensation from your basement is not realistic, there are plenty of steps you can take to dramatically reduce the amount of moisture entering the space and eradicate that horrible musty basement smell.
Cover Sources of Basement Moisture
Dirt that is left exposed will attract moisture, which then seeps into your basement through the foundation and leaves behind a nasty smell. You can try to fix this problem by covering the dirt around the outside of your home with plastic sheeting, mulch, or gravel. This should help block some of the moisture and improve the smell in your basement.
Exposed water pipes may get cold and collect condensation, allowing moisture to build up. Insulating pipes in and around the basement can really help reduce moisture and tamp down the smell.
Turn Up the Heat
Moisture and heat generally do not get along. One of the best ways to eliminate excess condensation in your basement is to crank up the heat. If your home’s HVAC system doesn’t have a control for the basement, you can try one of these alternatives:
- Open basement window curtains to let warming sunshine in during the day. Shut them at night to hold heat in and prevent overnight condensation when temperatures drop.
- If your boiler or furnace is located in a separate basement room, leave the door open to allow heat from the unit to raise the temperature in the rest of the space.
- Place a small space heater in the basement and run it whenever someone is home. Even a few hours of extra heat can make a big difference.
Air It Out
Improving air circulation through your basement can help dry up moisture and get rid of bad smells. Installing an exhaust fan in the basement is a good idea, as is running a simple standing or box fan. In pleasant weather, open basement windows to let fresh air into the room. And putting your laundry dryer in the basement, with the outgoing air vent directed out of the basement, can also help improve air flow and dry the air.
Dehumidify Your Basement
Perhaps the most effective way to eliminate moisture from a musty, moldy basement is to get a dehumidifier. These devices pull moisture from the air, collecting water in a built-in reservoir. Empty the basin regularly and you’ll have a fresher, more pleasant basement.
Install a Sump Pump In Your Basement
If your foundation rests over a well or water table and if your basement is prone to dampness, groundwater leaking and flooding, consider installing a sump pump in your basement. Sump pumps funnel and collect basement moisture in a pit dug into the foundation and pump it out of your home. A Horizon Services plumbing technician can recommend and install a sump pump system that's ideal for your basement.
Could It Be Your Sewer or Water Lines?
Is the smell especially foul? The source could be sewage waste slowly seeping into your basement due to obstructions in or damage to your main sewer and water lines leading out of your house. Over time, these lines can rsdily clog up with waste; crack, bend or break; or even be penetrated by creeping roots from trees and shrubs. This can cause sewage to back up into your home or seep your yard and foundation into your basement.
One sure sign of sewer and water line problems, besides the smell, is if water does not flow easily down your toilet, sinks or tubs, or makes unusual gurgling, bubbling sounds when it does. If you suspect such a problem, don't delay: call a professional sewer & water line repair/replacement contractor like Horizon Services. If left untreated, the problem could result in a major backup of sewage waste into your home; this is not only extremely unsanitary, it can result in permanent damage to floors, carpets and other parts of your home.
Related Information from Horizon Services...
- Horizon Plumbing Services
- Horizon Sewer & Water Line Replacement Services
- Make Sure You're Covered for Sewer Backups
- Keep Your Home Free from Mold and Mildew
Related Blog Posts...
- Landscaping to Avoid Root Infiltration
- Home Sewer Line and Drain Disaster Prevention
- Common Sump Pump Problems Solved
- Got Mold?
- Common Drain, Sewer and Water Line Problems
- Do You Need a Sewer Line Replacement?
- Your Guide to Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
- Get to Know Your Sump Pump!
- Choosing the Right Humidifier for Your Home
- Prevent Frozen Pipes Now!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Home Sewer Line and Drain Disaster Prevention
Don't Let Obstruction Lead to Destruction!Blocked sewer lines and drains can wreak havoc with any home, causing the bath, sink or toilet to back up and fill with waste water and sewage. That's if you're lucky. A really bad blockage can cause your tub, sink or toilet to overflow, ruining floors, rugs and carpets and creating a highly unsanitary situation for all members of your household.
Major drain and sewer line backups and problems are not for the faint of heart. When they occur, you almost always need to call a professional drain cleaning or sewer line company like Horizon Servcices...especially if the blockage is particularly tenacious and a long time in the making.
Build up of scale and rusting, years of accumulated gunk and waste, even invasive plant roots are the major causes of blocked drains and sewer lines. The good news is that with proper usage and maintenance, most drain and sewer line disasters are unnecessary and avoidable. A few sensible precautions can prevent most drain and sewer line blockages from ever occurring.
Just like your car, your home's plumbing and drainage system needs some level of basic regular maintenance to keep it functioning properly. As well as regular checks by yourself, a professional plumbing or drain cleaning specialist should be called in each year to snake your drain lines and keep them clear.
Do-it-yourselfers can often clear minor blockages to sinks, tubs and toilets with a plunger. But the kind of blockage that leads to a back-up situation usually requires much more aggressive means. Special chemicals like acids and other corrosive products can effectively clean drains and clear sewer lines...but they can be very dangerous and destructive to your body, your clothing, your floors and surfaces, even your pipes. Be extremely careful when pouring these corrosive chemicals down drains. Before you try the chemical route, call a drain cleaning or sewer line specialist. Most have tools and techniques ranging from snaking devices to high-powered hydro-jetting that can safely clear almost any obstruction. Companies like Horizon Services even employ state-of-the-art cameras that can identify the cause and pinpoint the exact location of the blockage. Chemicals are used only as a last resort.
Major toilet and tub back-ups will often give you warning signs. Like a volcano or a geyser, toilets and tubs will often make gurgling, bubbling and belching noises several days before they erupt. If your toilets and tubs start doing this, call a drain cleaning or sewer line specialist immediately...they'll clear the obstruction BEFORE you have a messier situation on your hands.
If sewage does start backing up into toilets, sinks and showers, call a drain cleaning or sewer line professional immediately. After making the call, use bleach and water to sanitize any areas that have been affected.
Of course, an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure. Here are some simple things you should do to prevent any of these drain and sewer line disasters from occurring in the first place:
- Make sure that a strainer is in place in your kitchen sink to stop large, cloggable waste products from getting into pipes, drains and lines.
- Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain.
- Don’t use too much toilet paper (the main cause of toilets blocking up).
- Don't flush ANYTHING down the toilet besides toilet paper and human waste. This includes tissues, paper towels, baby wipes, sanitary products, cotton balls and hair. Even seemingly harmless products like soap, shampoot and hair gel. All these things can coagulate and block drains and sewer lines.
- Pour boiling water, or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, down drains regularly to help to keep them clear.
Related Drain and Sewer Line Information from Horizon Services...
Friday, January 14, 2011
Minimize Plumbing Clogs in Six Easy Steps
Clobber Clogs BEFORE They Create Chaos!Clogged drains and plumbing fixtures can turn from minor annoyance to major problem overnight—literally. Most household clogs are cause by misuse or overuse, though some can be the result of improper installation or a feature in need of repair. The following are some easy, inexpensive tips to keep your drains running clog-free.
1. Stop Putting Clog-Forming Substances in the Drain:
Seems pretty basic, but many of us pour clog-forming substances down the drain without even thinking about the consequences. Grease, cooking fat, syrup, gelatin, whole milk, ice cream, and even soaps with heavy moisturizers can coat pipes and back up in drains. When these substances narrow the area of water flow there’s a greater accumulation of crumbs, dust, and hair in the pipes. This combination can lead to huge, troublesome clogs.
Liquid fabric softener is also a common culprit. If you use fabric softener on your laundry, be sure to run your washer’s second rise cycle to flush out as much of the liquid as possible. Fabric softener tends to settle in the pipe bend just past the washer connection and can flood the tub eventually.
Place a trap over drain holes in showers, tubs, sinks, and washing machine rinse tubs to catch the food particles, hair, and other debris that can cause clogs.
2. Use Narrower Pipes:
This seems counterproductive, but the truth is that narrow pipes force water through the system faster. This prevents water from pooling at pipe bends, which can contribute to clogs. Narrow pipes also make drain and pipe snakes more effective in case of a serious clog deep in your plumbing because there’s less area for the snake to cover. Most standard plumbing codes indicate 3-inch diameter pipes should be used for toilets; 2-inch pipes for showers, tubs, and laundry room plumbing; and 1.5-inch pipes for sinks. Using bigger pipes can cause major problems.
3. Replace Aging Pipes
Older homes frequently have cast-iron or galvanized steel pipes. Over time, the interiors of these pipes become rough with lime scale and other deposits from hard water. These crags and crevices collect grease, soap, hair, and anything else that goes down your drain. Replacing old pipes with copper or PVC pipes will cut down on the frequency of clogs and can improve water pressure.
4. Flush More than Your Toilet
Flushing out drains and pipes is a great way to reduce debris build up and dissolve clogs. About once a month or so, plug sinks and tubs, and fill the basin with hot water. Release the stopper and let the hot water drain. The weight of so much water flowing through your pipes quickly will power clogs through the pipes; the heat of the water helps melt away any lingering debris.
5. Go Easy on Toothpaste
Strange? Perhaps. However, most of us ignore the recommendations that come on the back of that toothpaste tube: A pea-sized amount is more than sufficient to get teeth clean and keep them healthy. Thick toothpaste can collect in drains and hold on to clogging debris and goop. Consider switching to a gel formula, which will dissipate more quickly in water.
6. Get a Haircut, Hippie!
It's inevitable that you're going to have some hair go down the drain when you wash and shampoo in the shower or bath. But if you have long hair, you're more likely to shed hairs...plus they are much longer. Shorter hairs can travel easier through drains; longer hairs are more likely to accumulate into a tangled wad that can cause a major clog. Pay a visit to your barber, Ringo.
Related Plumbing and Information from Horizon Services...
Monday, December 20, 2010
Protect Your Plumbing This Holiday Season!
Plumbing, Drain and Sewer Line Disasters = A Not-So-Merry Christmas and Unhappy New YearThe holidays are upon us, and along with all the joy comes an increased risk of serious plumbing emergencies. The sudden influx of people visiting your home can put unexpected pressure on your plumbing system – more washing, more bathing, more flushing, and more things going down the drain or garbage disposal.
Winter is usually a busy season for plumbers. On the day after Christmas alone, plumbing contractors in the Delaware Valley -- including Horizon Services, Inc. -- report a jump in business of 20 to 40 percent over a normal day. We get so absorbed in holiday celebrations that we often don’t consider the strain that these parties and out-of-town guests can put on our home’s plumbing.
By taking a few simple precautions, you can dramatically reduce the chances that your plumber will be the guest of honor at your next holiday party. Here's what you can do to minimize the likelihood that you will have a plumbing, drain or sewer line emergency in the midst of your holiday celebrations:
Plumbing Precautions In the Kitchen
Don’t pour grease or cooking oil down the drain or into the garbage disposal. These fats can solidify in your pipes and cause clogs that can back up drains. Wipe grease from pots and pans with a paper towel, and put the towels in the trash. You can also drain grease into a clean, empty can and throw it away.
Don’t put things like celery, poultry skin, pumpkin pulp or potato peels into the garbage disposal. Stringy, fibrous items like these aren’t easily broken down by the disposal blades and may cause clogs.
Run some cold water for about 15 seconds before and after using the garbage disposal. This helps flush waste out to the main sewer line.
Be sure the disposal is running when you put food into it, instead of filling the sink and then turning it on.
Run your washing machine and dishwasher at night to help conserve hot water and water pressure so your guests can shower in comfort whenever they wish.
Plumbing Precautions In the Bathroom
Plan ahead and try to schedule showers if you are expecting company, waiting at least 10 minutes between showers. This gives drains a chance to empty fully and lets your hot water heater refill for the next person.
Turn up the heat on your water heater slightly to help increase its capacity. Be careful not to turn the temperature higher than 125 degrees, though, to avoid scalding your guests.
Put a trash can in each bathroom and empty them frequently so your guests won’t use the toilet to dispose of garbage like used tissues, cotton swabs, facial scrub pads, hair, napkins and disposable hand towels.
Stock each bathroom with a plunger and put it where it can be reached easily if it is needed.
Keep a chemical drain cleaner handy in case of emergency. Most minor kitchen or bathroom clogs can be resolved with these products, and if you watch for slow drains you can usually catch most problems before they require the expertise of a professional. If you do need to use a chemical drain cleaner, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and use only in a well-ventilated area.
When Holiday Plumbing Disasters Strike
As proactive and precautionary as you may be, you may still find yourself in the throes of a plumbing emergency. May be when you're wrapping presents. Or entertaining guests. Or trying to enjoy some cookies and eggnog. If a plumbing situation arises in the middle of your holiday preparation and celebration, take comfort in knowing that the plumbing and drain professionals at Horizon Services are just a phone call away. Our customer service representatives and plumbing and drain technicians will be available morning, noon and night throughout the holiday season...including Christmas Eve and Day and New Year's Eve and Day!
If you need emergency plumbing, drain or sewer line service any time over the holiday season, Contact Horizon Services -- 24/7!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Joyous Kwanzaa to everyone from The Horizon Comfort Zone!
Related Holiday Plumbing and Drain Information from Horizon Services...
- Horizon Plumbing Services
- Horizon Drain Cleaning Services
- Horizon Sewer & Water Line Repair/Replacement Services
- Horizon Services & Operation Warm Winter Coat Drive & Distribution for Needy Kids
- Make Sure You're Covered for Sewer Backups
- Fast and Easy Dishwasher Care and Maintenance
- Emergency Hot Water Heater Shutdown Procedures
- How To Properly Use a Plunger to Unclog a Toilet, Sink or Tub
- Winter Plumbing Maintenance Tips
Friday, October 16, 2009
You Have Just Entered The Horizon Comfort Zone!
On behalf of Horizon Services, Inc. -- the premier plumbing, heating and air conditoning company in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland -- we thank you for visiting our brand new blog, The Horizon Comfort Zone.
Our vision for The Comfort Zone is to create a resource where homeowners can go for timely tips, news, articles and information related not just to to our company's core services - plumbing, heating, air conditioning, drain cleaning and sewer & water line replacement -- but to a wide variety of useful topics pertaining to the home. Energy-efficiency, saving money and home improvements are just a few of the additional areas we hope to explore with each post.
At Horizon Services, we believe that an educated, informed consumer is the best customer. Our goal with The Comfort Zone is to give consumers the knowledge they need to make wise purchase and lifestyle decisions for their homes and families. We hope that you choose to visit us frequently, and that The Comfort Zone can help you have the most healthy, happy and comfortable home possible.
Our vision for The Comfort Zone is to create a resource where homeowners can go for timely tips, news, articles and information related not just to to our company's core services - plumbing, heating, air conditioning, drain cleaning and sewer & water line replacement -- but to a wide variety of useful topics pertaining to the home. Energy-efficiency, saving money and home improvements are just a few of the additional areas we hope to explore with each post.
At Horizon Services, we believe that an educated, informed consumer is the best customer. Our goal with The Comfort Zone is to give consumers the knowledge they need to make wise purchase and lifestyle decisions for their homes and families. We hope that you choose to visit us frequently, and that The Comfort Zone can help you have the most healthy, happy and comfortable home possible.
Best Wishes,
Dave Geiger and Mark Aitken
Owners, Horizon Services
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe!
Posts
All Comments
My Blog List
AddThis
Keystone Partner
Horizon Services is a Keystone Partner of Philadelphia Union, Major League Soccer Team
