Get Rid of Nasty Garbage Disposal Odor
Take Care of Sink Stink...Once and For All!If your kitchen is beginning to smell like the local landfill but you just can’t figure out why, it could be the garbage disposal. An often overlooked source of unpleasant kitchen odors, the garbage disposal can collect bits of food and waste that rot and cause nasty smells. The following tips can help you clean out the garbage disposal and eliminate garbage disposal odor.
The Basic Approach: Soap and Water
Once a month or so, plug the sink with the stopper and fill the basin with hot water and about 1/8 cup of grease-cutting dish soap. Take out the stopper when the sink is full and run the garbage disposal as the water and soap drain. This should not only remove trapped waste but will also help clean out the pipes for a fresher smelling sink.
The Commercial Approach: Disposal Deodorizer
There are several different garbage disposal deodorizers on the market. You’ll find these chemicals -- usually in liquid, gel, or dissolvable tablet form -- at most supermarkets and home improvement stores. They can be costly, but if used regularly as directed they can help clean out the garbage disposal and prevent odor build-up.
The Natural Approach: Vinegar and Citrus
Vinegar is a powerful and effective cleaning agent that’s been used around the house for decades. It’s a great deodorizer despite its pungent odor and also has some antibacterial properties. There are two ways to use vinegar to remove odors from your garbage disposal:
- Vinegar and Ice: Fill an ordinary ice tray with a 50/50 mixture of water and plain white vinegar (use more vinegar if your drain is particularly smelly). When the cubes freeze, run cold water into the sink and run the ice through the garbage disposal. The vinegar will eliminate bad smells and the ice will help sharpen the garbage disposal blades. Use this method two or three times a month and be sure to clearly label the ice tray so no one accidentally uses a vinegar cube in their drink.
- Vinegar and Baking Soda: Cover the inside of the drain with baking soda and pour in a half cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for at least an hour. When time’s up, run cold water down the drain as you run the garbage disposal. Once the vinegar smell is gone, the nasty smells should disappear, too.
Another natural way to freshen your garbage disposal is with citrus fruit. Orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit -- choose the scent you prefer, drop the peels into the drain, and run the disposal. Citrus juice or pieces of the fruit would work, too. Just be sure to cut the fruit or peels into small pieces so they don’t damage the garbage disposal blades.
The Classic Approach: Bleach
Household bleach is another great all-around garbage disposal cleaning agent. Simply plug the sink and fill the basin with a mixture of water and a little bit of bleach. Slosh everything around with a plastic spoon or your hand (wear rubber gloves!). Let the mixture sit for about half an hour, and then unplug the drain. The bleach will clean and deodorize the garbage disposal, eliminating any bad smells.
WARNING:
NEVER put your hand or fingers down the garbage disposal unit. Even if the switch is off, it could easily flip on and your hand or fingers could be sliced or mashed. If you have food or other items stuck down in the garbage disposal, try to remove with prongs or pliers. If you cannot remove the items, call the plumbing and drain pros at Horizon Services; we'll quickly and safely remove the object.
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How To Clobber Those Really Tough Drain Clogs
When Plungers Fail, Kick It Up a Notch!Nobody likes having a clogged sink, toilet or tub. For most people, drain clogs rank at or near the top of life's list of inconveniences. It’s probably a safe bet that you can work a plunger or have had to use an over-the-counter chemical drain cleaner to unclog a problem drain. And in most cases, these time honored drain cleaning tactics will do the job nicely. But when these traditional clog-busting methods don’t work or you’re dealing with a particularly nasty clog, what can you do? Time to pull out the big guns!
Get Physical to Clean the Drain
If you’re tried a plunger or chemical drain cleaner and the clog still hasn't been cleare, you may need to take a more physical approach. You can purchase a plumbing snake for around $20 at most home improvement or plumbing supply stores. These long, thin tubes go straight down the drain to catch and remove hair, debris and sludge that have caused the clog. If your sink is blocked, clean out the trap and feed the snake into the pipe that way. Try covering the overflow valve to build up pressure that can help blast the clog away.
A power auger is an even more powerful physical option to stubborn clogs. You should only use an auger if you have more than basic plumbing experience so you don’t risk damaging your plumbing. If you don’t feel up to the task yourself, it’s best to call in a professional plumber. The upside of hiring a pro is that he or she can do a whole system inspection to make sure you don’t have to deal with tough clogs again.
The Non-Chemical Approach to Drain Cleaning and Maintenance
Commercial chemical drain cleaners usually contain harsh chemical agents that cause nasty fumes, burn your skin and damage your clothing, floors and surfaces. They can also be quite expensive. For a cheaper, greener approach, a solution of plain old baking soda and vinegar or boiling water can do the trick on many clogs. The most common cause of drain clogs is accumulated hair, so adding a bit of hair removal cream to the drain can help break up the clog.
To maintain a clear drain, use an enzyme culture solution once a month to break down grease and debris; these all-natural, organic products can also eliminate odors from pipes and drains. You can find these products at most home and hardware stores.
If you do go the chemical route, don’t ever mix cleaners; the chemicals can react violently and cause serious damage to pipes or septic systems, not to mention produce harmful vapors.
When All Else Fails, Call The Pros!
If you’ve tried all the above methods to clear your clogged drain, then your problem is probably more serious than just a run-of-the mill clog. You could have significant accumulation of hair or grease...or a foreign object may have become lodged in the drain. Even worse, your could a broken or leaking pipe somewhere in your drain system. If left untreated too long, these issues can compound and lead to more serious problems that may require a total plumbing and drain system overhaul.
For super-stubborn clogs, call a professional drain cleaning contractor. If these is a good indication that the problem is more serious than a typical clog. Nationwide, the average cost of hiring a pro to unclog a drain is about $250. Though this sounds like a lot for a simple blocked drain, it's better to spend a little now to avoid more costly damage in the future. And if you call the drain cleaning pros at Horizon Services, you get one of the best drain cleaning deals available anywhere: Horizon will clean and clear any drain, any time, any size for the unbeatable price of $149. That's a small price to pay for instant gratification!
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This is a Great Time for a Home Energy Audit
See Areas Where You Can Improve Your Energy Efficiency...and Slash Your Utility Bills!For many homeowners feeling the economic pinch, any unnecessary home spending is to be avoided at all costs. If you fall into this category, a home energy audit can be a great way to show you if you are using energy efficiently in heating, cooling, lighting and powering your home...and show you where you may be wasting valuable energy dollars.
According to industry research, a home energy audit can reveal savings as much as 30 percent off your monthly utility bills. With utility prices expected to SKYROCKET in the coming months and years, those savings can be ENORMOUS.
How Home Energy Audits Work
A professional home energy auditor will come to your home and examine your property. He or she will look over your energy bills and analyze your energy usage. The enegy auditor will also inspect your home floor to roof -- including your heating and cooling system -- and do a number of special tests to see if energy is being consumed efficiently or wasted.
Two tests that any reputable home energy auditor will perform are the blower door test and a thermographic scan. The blower door test helps identify leaks and drafts around doors and windows, while the thermographic scan finds areas where you home is letting in cold or losing heat.
When all this data is compiled, the home energy auditor will create a detailed plan of ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your home. Some of the most common suggestions include upgrading appliances, increasing insulation, and installing weather-stripping or a programmable thermostat.
How Much do Home Energy Audits Cost?
A residential home energy audit will likely cost several hundred dollars, but you may have to pay much more than that to implement all the auditor’s suggestions, especially if you live in an older home. If your home is newer or you’ve recently updated your major appliances, you’ll spend less to get the most energy efficient features.
A home energy audit is completely useless if you don’t follow the auditor’s suggestions, but the good part is that you’ll get a detailed plan that you can follow as time and budget allow. You have the freedom to make changes little by little, shop around for deals, or wait for sales and rebate programs to kick in. There are usually several small changes you can make on your own for very little money, too, while some many need to be reserved for professionals. Remember, though, that even small home improvements can translate into pretty significant energy savings.
Is a Home Energy Audit Right for You?
Nearly every residential property can be made more energy efficient in some way. However, if your home is less than 10 years old, was designed to be energy efficient, or is a certified green home there’s probably not much an auditor will be able to tell you that isn’t already in place on your property. But if your home is decades old, a fixer-upper, hasn’t been updated with a new HVAC system in more than 20 years, or if it seems like your monthly utility bills just keep getting higher and higher, an energy audit could make a real difference for your peace of mind and your pocketbook.
In 2011, Delaware residents can take part in a new program called Energize Delaware. Under this program, Delaware homeowners can qualify for cash rebates up to $8,250 in eligible home improvements ranging from sealing air leaks to adding installation to upgrading or replacing heating and cooling systems. To qualify, you must be a registered owner of a detached, single-family residence, you must received a home energy audit and install qualified Energy Star equipment. Contact Horizon Services for more information on this program.
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Warm Up Your Home with Radiant Heating
Radiant heating is an emerging trend in new home construction and existing home remodeling. Radiant heating systems involve supplying heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a house. Radiant systems depend largely on radiant heat transfer: the delivery of heat directly from the hot surface to the people and objects in the room via the radiation of heat (similar to the effect you feel when you can feel the warmth of a hot stove top from across the room).Here's how radiant heating stacks up against other common heating systems:
The Advantages of Radiant Heating
Radiant heating has a number of advantages over other home heating technologies. It is generally more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating because no energy is lost through your home's ducts.
- Comfort: Radiant heating sends heat through coils hidden beneath the floors of your home. There’s no dust, no noise, no hot air blasting through unsightly vents in the floor or ceiling. Heat is evenly distributed throughout the house, virtually eliminating hot and cold spots.
- Safety: Nails, water, direct contact with the heating element—nothing interferes with the safe operation of a radiant heating system. Each unit is tested to industry standards and uses worry-free low voltage energy.
- Reliability: Radiant heating is practically maintenance-free and most elements are backed by a solid manufacturer’s warranty. There aren’t any moving parts to malfunction and most have self-diagnosing technology so small problems can be identified before they become big trouble. You won’t have to worry about yearly maintenance or service checks, either.
- Convenience: With fully adjustable and programmable thermostats, radiant heating systems let you set a temperature schedule that compliments your lifestyle. Just set it and relax!
- Efficiency: One of the most energy-efficient types of home heating currently available, radiant heating requires significantly less operating time than conventional heat systems to reach desired temperatures. You’ll spend less on heating and can help reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
- Custom Design: Each radiant flooring system can be customized for your unique needs. Whether you want single-room floor warming in your tiled bathroom or whole-house heating under hardwood floors, you’ll find a radiant heating system to suit you. They can be installed under any surface and don’t require a furnace, boiler, vents, or ducts.
Radiant Heating vs. Hydronics
Hydronic heating uses hot water to warm floors, which then heat the surrounding room. Though they are similar to radiant heating systems, there are some differences.
Both hydronic and radiant heating use low voltage and are energy-efficient. However, hydronic systems present several considerations that don’t apply to radiant heating:
- Need gypsum or concrete slabs, costing $4.00 or more per square foot to install
- Need a boiler room or basement to house hot water controls
- Use only 65-85% of system’s energy, as heating strength fades the further hot water moves from the boiler unit
Radiant Heating vs. Forced Air
Forced air systems blow warm air freely around the room, allowing heat to rise up to the ceiling. This leaves floors and living spaces cold and releases dust and other particles into the air. In order to maintain a comfortable temperature forced air heat has to be set higher; this increases workload on the system and costs you more on your energy bills. Also, because radiant heat actually radiates through the room rather than being blown, rooms often feel warmer and heat feels more evenly distributed and consistent.
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Clean Furnace Filters = Better Health This Winter
Clean Furnace Filters Deliver Better Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency!It’s winter and most of us have already begun to feel the effects of poor indoor air quality: dry skin, dry sinuses, stale air, etc. The average person inhales about 32,000 pints of air in a single day. Every one of those pints contains billions and billions of tiny particles of dust, pollen, dirt, and other microscopic debris. In fact, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Yuck!
Spending lots of time inside during the cold winter months can really do a number on your respiratory system, but there is a way to significantly improve the quality of the air inside your home. It is simple, inexpensive, and really effective. So what is it? Clean or change your furnace air filter!
In order to create the healthiest indoor environment possible, you have to keep the air clean. The best way to accomplish this is to select a furnace air filter that meets the needs of you and your family. Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, the furnace air filter is a frequently overlooked source of poor indoor air quality, especially during the winter when heating systems run almost constantly.
As air passes through your home’s heating system, the furnace air filter traps dust and other particles and prevents them from entering your home. After several months, most furnace filters become so dirty that they can no longer effectively remove these pollutants from the air. What’s more, a dirty furnace air filter prevents your heating system from working at its peak so you could see an increase in your utility bills. Cleaning or changing the furnace filter regularly will not only improve the air inside your home, but it will also help you save money.
There are many different kinds of furnace air filters available. The key to choosing the right furnace filter is to decide which best suits your needs and your particular system. Each type of furnace filter has a different efficiency rating, different strengths and weaknesses, and different features that make them desirable for certain customers.
Generally, furnace air filters fall into one of several categories:
- Electrostatic furnace filters: Use an electric charge to attract particles; are washable and reusable
- Media furnace filters: Most frequently used in commercial applications; trap particles in thick layers of disposable material and need to be changed less frequently than other types
- Pleated furnace filters: Most common type; large surface area traps particles before they reach system interior
- HEPA furnace filters: Capture 99.9% of particles; good for allergy sufferers or environments where good air quality is essential (i.e. hospitals, nursing homes, laboratories, etc.)
- Activated carbon furnace filters: Good for removing unpleasant odors from air (ex. cigarette smoke, gases, chemical smells, cooking odors, etc.)
- Fiberglass furnace filters: Durable; sometimes coated with special adhesive to trap dust and dirt particles
Improving your indoor air quality is not the only reason to replace your furnace air filter. Dirty furnace filters are one of the primary causes of furnace breakdowns and high heating costs. The more dust and debris that accumulates on your furnace filter, the harder your furnace has to work. Your furnace air filter should be changed every three months to maintain optimum performance. Always be sure to select the right size and type of filter for your heating system. Your Horizon Services Heating Technician can advise you on the best furnace filter for your system.
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Simple Ways to Reduce Heating Duct Noise
Put an End to that Rattle and Hum!You love your home’s central heating and air conditioning, but you hate all the noise it makes. Rattling, blowing, ticking, creaking, and a host of other noises coming from your ductwork can turn a fantastic convenience into a real nuisance in the time it takes to crank up the thermostat. Here are a few tips that can help turn down the volume on a noisy HVAC (Heating ,Ventilation and Air Conditionin) system.
Check Internal and External Components:
One of the biggest contributing factors to a noisy heating system is a faulty relationship between the unit’s indoor and outdoor components. If internal and external parts are linked in such a way that they vibrate against each other, this will send plenty of sound through your home’s ductwork. Because ducts connect every room in your house when you have a central HVAC system, you may find it hard to escape all the noise. If you hear whining, buzzing, howling, or vibrations, have a professional check your HVAC system to ensure indoor ducts are independently connected to outdoor components.
How's Your Insulation?
Insulating your ductwork can also really cut down on unwanted noise. Sounds that come through ducts are generally caused by your heating system’s air handler. This metal box has a motor that can make parts vibrate as the system works. Adding a layer of insulation to the air handler can dampen the noise caused by these vibrations, sending less reverberation through the ducts. Insulation can also eliminate noises on the outside of your house, making you instantly more popular with the neighbors.
Acoustic Insulation:
Another way to insulate is with materials that absorb sound. This helps deaden noises, making them quieter and less intense until they eventually disappear at the farthest point from your system. Acoustic insulation can be added along ductwork, in the same way you might insulate plumbing pipes.
How's Your Fan?
Cleaning your home’s HVAC system fan is crucial to the quiet, efficient operation of your unit. The fan draws in dirt and dust, which can collect on the blades and interfere with its operation. Built-up debris can cause rattling and vibrations that will travel through the ducts and vents. If your fan is the wrong size for your system, it can also create noise as it struggles to keep up with demand. Keeping the fan clean and ensuring you have the right size fan for your unit will cut down on noise significantly.
Cleaning and Maintenance:
Regular duct and heat system cleaning and upkeep ensures your entire heating system is performing at its best. Professional maintenance keeps parts in good working condition and helps make sure that system components are installed correctly. A certified technician will tighten loose connections, fix gaps, clean parts, and add insulation to any system mechanisms that could be causing unusual noise. You should try to have a professional tune up and your HVAC system at least twice a year. The easiest way to remember is to schedule maintenance in the spring and in the fall, just before the peak cooling and heating seasons.
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Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs are Everywhere!
Shedding Some Light on the Next Generation of Light BulbsIf you were going to make a major purchase—like, say, a car or a new home—you’d probably sit down and carefully work out the numbers: initial investment, projected long-term costs, depreciation and rate of return, etc. Have you ever considered doing the same for something as basic as a light bulb? Not likely, right?
Nevertheless, there’s a new generation of lighting options making an impact on the market and it may benefit you in a big way to compare these new bulbs to the ones you’re currently using. Let us break it down for you:
Different Kinds of Light Bulbs
There are two primary types of light bulb: fluorescent and incandescent.
Incandescent bulbs are the most widely used and probably the main kind you have in your home. With their classic “bulb” shape and thin metal filament, these are the cheapest and most common type of household bulb. With a few minor exceptions, these kinds of light bulbs are essentially the same as the one first invented by Thomas Edison over 100 years ago.
Fluorescent lights, on the other hand, don’t have burnable filaments but use electricity to stimulate phorsphors and other gases within the bulb to produce light. For years, their size and construction made them useful only for commercial or institutional use. Unlike incandescent bulbs, they could not be easily screwed into a table lamp. And the quality of light that they produced only made them useful for overhead use. Until now.
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
You cannot go into a home or hardware store today without noticing the growing prevalence of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs – or CFLs. These funny-looking spiral bulbs cost a little more than incandescent initially, but over time they can help you save a bundle. Compact fluorescent light bulbs fit into any standard light socket and come in a variety of sizes, for everything from microwave ovens to overhead lighting fixtures. Compared to traditional incandescent light bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs last anywhere from four to ten times longer and use more than 25% less energy. They can recoup their costs in as few as three months, so they can mean big savings for just about anyone who lives indoors and uses electric lighting.
Not Your Grandfather’s Fluorescent Bulbs
One of the most common misconceptions about compact fluorescent light bulbs is that they are the same as the old tube-shaped, overhead fluorescent lights so many of us toiled under at school or in the office. We all know these kinds of fluorescent lights to buzz and hum, flicker and blink, and cast a harsh and unflattering light over everything.
Unlike those long, fragile, awkward tube lights of yesteryear, today’s compact fluorescent light bulbs use advanced technology that has virtually done away with all the problems of early fluorescent lights. Gone are the magnetic ballasts that took several minutes to charge the bulb, causing that trademark flicker and buzzing sound. CFL’s use multiple phosphors rather than mono-phosphors, which means the light is cleaner and softer while the electronic connection is stronger and more consistent.
Other Benefits of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Compact fluorescent light bulbs last longer and use less energy, so there’s less waste. You’ll use significantly fewer bulbs over your lifetime and won’t have to replace light bulbs nearly as often. You’ll cut your energy usage, which will save you money on electricity costs. You’ll also be doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint, cut down on energy usage, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect the environment.
Making the switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs is good for your home, good for your wallet, and good for the planet! It’s one of the easiest yet most effective things you can do to make your home greener and more energy efficient.
Important Facts About Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Get In On This "Ground" Floor Opportunity!With the growing interest in "green" technologies and energy-efficiency in the home, one of the most popular environmentally and energy conscious innovations in the last several years is geothermal heating and cooling. Geothermal heating and cooling is a process that uses the natural heat storage capacity of the earth or ground water as a source of energy efficient heating and cooling.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems use a special kind of heat pump -- very similar to the air source heat pumps many homes use today -- to draw warm or cool air from below the earth's surface. Long considered prohibitively expensive, this eco-friendly type of home heating unit is becoming more and more affordable while still offering a clean, natural source of heat that can significantly lower utility bills. If you think it might be time to take a closer look at geothermal heating for your home, here are some things you should know.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling is Not Science Fiction
While many green technologies might seem like something out of a futuristic adventure movie, the reality of geothermal heating and cooling is here. Not only is this alternative heating/cooling method widely available all over the country, but its popularity is spreading. According to one source, requests for geothermal heating and cooling systems installation rose more than 266% in one year alone. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) estimates that roughly 50,000 geothermal heat pumps are installed in American homes each year.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Won’t Break the Bank
You will absolutely pay more up front for a geothermal heat pump than you would for a conventional heat pump or furnace. But the money you’ll save on home heating and cooling costs will add up so quickly that the device will more than pay for itself in just a few years. The EERE says that a geothermal heat pump allows owners to recoup additional costs in about 5 to 10 years. Furthermore, with so many homeowners—and home buyers—looking for environmentally responsible amenities, having a geothermal heat pump installed could be a major selling point when it comes time to sell your home.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Can Go the Distance
The internal components of a geothermal heat pump will last about 25 years. The outdoor and underground mechanisms can last twice as long. Not even a high end furnace will keep running that long.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling is Versatile
Geothermal systems can also cool your home in the summer using the same ductwork you use to circulate heat in the winter. You’ll help reduce pollution and your monthly energy bills with a simple flip of the switch. You can also find geothermal heat systems are capable of heating your hot water, which can save you even more money.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Can Save You Even More
Modern geothermal heat systems are easy to install, energy efficient, and more affordable than ever before. Many state governments are still offering rebates and discounts for homeowners who choose to install these environmentally-friendly systems in their homes. You could save thousands of dollars off the cost of a geothermal heat pump by taking advantage of these programs. And you may still qualify for federal credits if your system was installed after December 2007 and you have not yet applied for the incentives. A quick search of the Internet will reveal much more information about discounts, incentives, rebates, tax credits and programs available in your state or from the federal government.
As demand for alternative energy and home products continue to increase, it’s obvious that geothermal heating will maintain a pattern of growth for some time. Wait long enough, and there’s a good chance that the high initial cost will come down enough to make this heating system an affordable option for a majority of homeowners. But whether you decide to take the plunge or wait it out, there’s no denying that geothermal heating is a significant step toward environmental responsibility that doesn’t require a sacrifice of performance or lifestyle.
Contact Horizon Services
If you are interested in learning more about Geothermal Heating and Cooling contact Horizon Services today!
DE (302) 250-4043
PA (610) 616-4265
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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.
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Keeping Your Bathroom Warm in Winter
Start Your Day on the Warmest Note Possible!After snuggling warmly in your bed on a cold winter night, nothing comes close to the rude awakening of stepping into a frigid bathroom. True, the sudden arctic blast of an ice cold floor, toilet seat or shower may send your alertness from 0-60 in one second flat -- which is fine if you have a hard time reviving in the morning. But the sheer shock and awe of it all is not something most of us want to subject our hearts and nervous systems to.
The bathroom is, generally, the coldest room in the house. But it doesn't need to be. There are a number of simple ways to take the chill out of your morning rituals. Here are some easy suggestions to help you keep your morning visits to the bathroom cozy and warm...even on the coldest winter days.
Watch Your Windows
Drafty bathroom windows are the major culprit when it comes to cold bathrooms. Cold air will enter and warm air will exit through even the tiniest window gaps. Put your hand around all around the glass and window frames to feel for drafts. Pay special attention to window edges and where the window sections cross over each other. If you discover drafts, seal them ASAP. Use caulk around edges and weather stripping where pieces overlap each other. Replace any worn or flattened weather stripping. If you have storm windows, make sure they are in place instead of screens. You can also install removable, see-through plastic window film over the entire window; this does a great job at insulating. Also, be sure to hang up lined curtains or heavy blinds to add another layer of insulation. Finally, if your budget permits, consider installing state-of-the-art, energy-efficient windows; today's windows are engineered to provide superior insulation.
Carpe(t) Diem -- Seize the Day
Don't like stepping onto icy bathroom floor tiles? Lay down a rug or carpet --the thicker and plusher, the better! Carpeting can add a nice homey feel to your bathroom while keeping the chill out and holding heat in. Our recommendation is to use one or more bathroom rugs that you set down where you are more likley to be walking and standing; wall-to-wall carpeting will look snazzy but is much harder to keep clean and dry.
Take Advantage of Your Shower to Add Some Heat
Most people, in order to save money and water, hop in and out of the shower in the morning. But a hot shower can generate lots of nice, warm steam. Consider changing your shower head. Today's water-efficient shower heads use much less hot water than older models -- 2 gallons per minute versus 5-8 gallons-per-minute for older shower heads. That means you can take a longer shower and still conserve hot water. That longer shower will make the bathroom much warmer when you step out to finish your morning routine. After you're done with your shower, you can put that steam to use by opening the door and sharing with the rest of the house. You'll add some valuable moisture and warm air to other rooms.
Add a Heat Lamp
Consider installing a heat lamp in your bathroom. Heat lamps can quickly add toasty heat to the bathroom and speed up drying time. Most heat lamps come with a timer so you can start warming up the bathroom before you step inside and have automatic shutoffs so you don't need to worry about leaving the heat lamp on all day. Warning: if you should go the heat lamp route, avoid installing a heat lamp into a regular light fixture; the extra wattage they require can blow fuses, cause a short circuit or even a fire. Heat lamps should be installed separately. Call an electrician to have your heat lamp installed properly and safely.
Install a Heated Towel Rack
Wrapping yourself in a warm, dry towel can be just the ticket when stepping out of the shower or bath. Heated towel racks, rails or stands are available at many home stores. Most are electric and can be plugged into a wall outlet. Some heated towel racks can be connected to your hot water system, so they don't require any additional electricity to operate. If you decide to go this route, you will probably need an electrician or plumber to properly fit and instal the towel warmer.
Add a Coat of Paint
Giving your room a fresh coat of paint will not only make your bathroom look better, it can keep it warmer. These days you can find a number of high-quality heat-reflecting, insulating paint products. These paints contain ceramic and other insulating materials that reduce heat transfer by reflecting heat away from the painted surface. that means more heat stays in the bathroom and doesn't seep through your walls. This is the same technology used by NASA to reduce heat loss in their space vehicles.
Consider a Heated Floor System
An extravagant though highly effective solution to a chilly bathroom is to install under floor heating. Under floor heating provides even heat distribution across entire floor with no cold spots. Wet floors also pdry up quicker with a heated floor. Most Under floor heating systems are either electric or hydronic (water-based); call a plumber or heating contractor to discuss if installing such a system is good for you.
Warning: Avoid Space Heaters
During the winter months, it may seem tempting to bring electric space heaters, kerosene heaters and other portable heating devices into the bathroom. Yes, they will probably warm up the bathroom in no time. But all the water and moisture in the bathroom can put you at risk of electrocution. Plus...most bathrooms are tight, cramped spaces. It's easy to knock one of these heating devices over or get a towel or bathroom caught in the heating element. That can cause a fire. Play it safe -- keep these devices out of the bathroom.
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