Month: September 2019

We know how dire it can feel to need AC repair in West Orange, NJ. Your whole life can stop all the sudden for an AC that’s starting to make a noise, have trouble cooling, or breaking down altogether. Not everyone has the money to get repairs done this instant, and homeowners are often looking for any DIY fixes they can do to stave off the inevitable AC repair call.

That’s where we can help! There are definitely some home solutions for AC problems you might be encountering- and we’d like to make them clear in case they can help you! We also want to make it clear that any AC problem that seems serious, or that you don’t think you can deal with, should ultimately be addressed by a seasoned technician.

The Inevitable Repair Call

We’d like to stress again that air conditioners will require repairs in their lifetime, and trying to fix everything yourself is often a bad idea. Not only that, but not every problem can be fixed and sometimes these problems might require a whole system replacement. So, before you get frustrated, contact a trained technician to make sure you’re not doing more harm than good.

Checking for Leaking or Ice

An AC with water leaks can be a problem with the condensate drain clogging up, which can eventually ruin your system by making it work much harder to deposit condensate water. Also, ice build-up on your system signals a problem with the airflow, as cold air is being trapped where it shouldn’t and is in-turn freezing the condensate water. Both of these issues signal either a problem with the air filter or something more serious that requires the attention of a professional.

Filter Change

AC filters are actually quite easy to change. Make sure you know whether or not you need to buy new filters for your air conditioner, or if it just needs to be cleaned and reinserted, before you embark on the journey of changing your AC’s air filter. This can increase airflow into your AC and help avoid any problems that come from airflow restriction.

Raise Your Thermostat

This might sound counterproductive but raising your thermostat might actually make the job easier for your air conditioner. Many homeowners, when greeted with a cooling problem, immediately turn their thermostats lower to try and fix this. This forces your AC to work much harder and can make whatever problem it’s encountering worse. Turning your thermostat up can prolong the lifespan of your AC if it’s having trouble, until you can get the problem repaired.

Checking Fuses

Checking the fuses of your home’s control panel, or the access panel of the AC itself can often be a good way to survey the damage of an electrical issue. Your AC might be having electrical problems if it’s having problems turning on, or if you hear a slight humming noise when it is on- and nothing is working.

Remember, don’t do anything you’re not comfortable doing. There are well-trained professionals like us who are waiting to take your call and inspect your AC for you.

Contact MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. for your AC repair needs!

This post first appeared on https://margoplumbing.com

Dishwashers are great appliances to have in the home to take care of washing and sanitizing our dishes. Yet, when things go wrong and the dishwasher starts acting up, it can be quite a nightmare as water starts pouring out the sides and onto the kitchen floor. There can be a host of plumbing problems that are causing the water in the dishwasher to overflow out of the appliance.

The first thing you will want to do is stop the dishwasher cycle by opening the door. Next, you will want to shut the power supply off in the breaker box as a precaution. Now you are ready to start checking the kitchen plumbing for signs of clogs.

 

1. Check the drain screens and filter inside the dishwasher.

If there is excess food and grease buildup on the drain screens and filter basket, water will not drain as quickly and can remain in the machine as the cycle runs. Eventually, this can cause water to come pouring out the sides.

It is a good idea to clean the screens and filter every few cycles. Most new dishwashers have removable screens and filters you can rinse off with hot water. If you notice they are very greasy, you can wash them by hand using mild dishwashing detergent. Make sure to rinse well to remove all soap before putting them back into the dishwasher.

 

2. Check the kitchen sink drain.

Run water down the drain on the side of the sink that the dishwasher discharge hose is connected to and see if water drains correctly. If it backs up into the sink or is draining slowly, then the problem is in the drain line. This is easy to fix by calling your plumber for drain cleaning service.

 

3. Check the garbage disposal.

If you have a garbage disposal, the dishwasher discharge hose is connected to the disposal. If the disposal has excess food still in it that it hasn’t fully broken down, it can cause a clog. Turn on the cold water on and run the disposal.

If the unit won’t turn on, you need to reset it by pressing the red button on the bottom of the unit. Make sure the power switch is off when you push the reset button. After running the disposal, make sure water is draining correctly. If not, then you may have a drain clog.

If the disposal still won’t turn on after pressing the red button, or if it starts and then stops, there is a problem with the disposal. This is when you want to call your plumber and have them find out what is wrong with the disposal. Chances are, the disposal problem is what is preventing your dishwasher from draining.

 

4. Check the dishwasher drain hose.

Sometimes food and grease can cause a clog to form inside the dishwasher drain hose. The easiest way to check this is to remove the hose from under the sink and hang it into a bucket. Next, power up the dishwasher and select a quick wash cycle and verify that water pumps out the dishwasher. If not, you will need to have your plumber clean the dishwasher drain hose or replace it.

 

5. Make sure the dishwasher door seal and door are fully closed.

If a pot, pan, or handle sticks too far out of the dishwasher baskets and into the door area, it can be just enough to keep the door from fully closing and sealing correctly. You can also check the door seal and wipe off any excess food and grease, as these things can also prevent a tight seal to keep water in.

If you are having kitchen plumbing problems or plumbing issues in other areas of the home, call MET Plumbing & Air Conditioning at 281-994-6698 for help today! We also offer 24/7 plumbing emergency service in Katy and the greater Houston areas.

The post Five Signs Your Dishwasher and Kitchen Plumbing Might Be Clogged appeared first on Met Plumbing.

And What You Can Do About It

Everyone dreads taking a shower or washing their car with low water pressure, but the soothing luxury of sufficient water pressure doesn’t come without a cost to your wallet or your home.

For every 10 minutes of water use, high water pressure can waste 6 to 26 gallons of water, which can result in a pricey water bill. In fact, high water pressure also puts excess stress on your home’s plumbing system and reduces the life expectancy of appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters.

Water Pressure: How High Is Too High?

In general, residential water pressure is considered too excessive at or above 60 pounds per square inch (PSI). For most plumbing appliances and systems, the ideal water pressure is somewhere between 45 and 55 PSI.

Can High Water Pressure Damage Pipes?

Yes, high water pressure can erode pipes, causing:

• A greater risk of pipes cracking or breaking
• Leaks and disruptive sounds
• A reduced service life for both your pipes and your plumbing fixtures

3 Signs of High Water Pressure

Your home’s water pressure may be too high if you notice:

1. Banging pipes: Excessive pressure can cause water to thrash through pipes quickly, causing knocking or banging sounds.
2. Running toilets: Though uncommon, high water pressure can cause toilets to run continuously.
3. Leaking faucets: If your faucet leaks at certain times of the day or when using a plumbing fixture, high water pressure may be to blame.

If you recognize any of these warning signs, contact Len The Plumber. We can test and restore your home’s water pressure while identifying and addressing the underlying cause of the problem.

How to Fix High Water Pressure

Depending on the cause of high water pressure, the problem may be easily fixed with a pressure reducing valve (PRV). Some benefits include:

• Saving money on water bills
• Automatically reducing your home’s high incoming water pressure to a lower, more functional level
• Reducing your household water consumption by up to 30%

If you already have a PRV, expect it to last between 7 and 12 years. Whenever you need help replacing your PRV, determining how old your current system is, or identifying other solutions to your water pressure problems, contact Len The Plumber.

Need to Check Your Home’s Water Pressure? Contact Us!

At Len The Plumber, our local plumbers can diagnose and fix any water pressure problem or plumbing issue—no job is too big or small. Plus, with our 24-hour emergency service at zero extra cost and our great reviews, you can be confident that you’re getting top-quality plumbing solutions whenever you need help with your plumbing!

Call 800-950-4619 or contact Len The Plumber online now to schedule same day service!

We’re proud to be the team locals trust for top-notch plumbing services throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. Simply contact us to experience our excellence for yourself!

This post first appeared on https://lentheplumber.com

Backups are a distinct and messy sign that something’s not right with your sewer line or plumbing system. Basically, sewer line backups occur when some type of blockage is preventing wastewater from properly flowing away from your home toward the municipal sewer system.

Figuring out precisely what’s stopping the wastewater flow in your system is the key to fixing the problem and preventing future backups.

Sewer Line Backups: How They End Up in Your Home

Here’s an overview of how sewer line backups can start, progress, and wind up spilling over into your home.

1. A blockage halts the flow of wastewater: The blockage can arise from various things, like sewer line clogs or tree root infiltration into your sewer line. It may also be caused by sewer line damage, like cracks or holes in the line, a sagging or collapsed sewer line, or a complete break in the sewer line itself.
2. Wastewater builds up in the sewer line: With nowhere to go, wastewater will accumulate in the portion of the line that’s connected to a home. As plumbing fixtures in that home are used, more and more wastewater will build up in the line.
3. Wastewater will find the nearest release point: Eventually, the line will be filled with wastewater, unable to hold any more. When that happens, wastewater will find the closest discharge point. This will be the lowest drain in a home, which is typically a basement floor drain or a drain on the lowest level of a home.
4. The backup will continue to build and cause problems with a home’s plumbing fixtures: As wastewater keeps building up in the sewer line, it can start to enter the drain lines that connect to a home’s plumbing fixtures. This will trigger problems with these fixtures, like multiple drain clogs at one time and gurgling toilets and drains. These problems can also include persistent foul odors coming from drains and backups in tubs or sinks when toilets are flushed.

At this point, it’s usually quite apparent that something’s not right with the plumbing, and it’s time to call a professional plumber for help.

How a Plumber Diagnoses & Fixes Sewer Line Backups

Professional plumbers, like the experts at Len The Plumber, will do several things to identify what’s causing the backup and the best way to fix it. This includes:

• Asking questions about how long the problem has been happening, whether it’s happened before, and exactly what you’re experiencing
• Testing the plumbing fixtures to see how they’re behaving and get a better idea of what the problem likely is
• Performing a pipe and sewer line camera inspection to see what’s happening inside of your lines, what the problem is, and where it lies

At this point, the plumber can determine what’s causing the problem and the best-fit solution for fixing it.

When Your Sewer Backs Up, Call Len The Plumber for Help

Len The Plumber is the team you can trust whenever you’re dealing with sewer line backups or emergencies. When it comes to drains and sewers, we’ve seen and fixed it all! Because we know how critical these problems can be, we proudly offer 24-hour emergency service at no extra cost!

Call Len The Plumber at 800-950-4619 for emergency sewer service now! We’ll be there within 2 hours, and we’ll give you a FREE, written estimate upfront.

For non-emergency sewer or plumbing service, you can also contact us online.

For more than 20 years, Len The Plumber has been dedicated to providing first-class plumbing service and solutions throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Washington, D.C.

We invite you to check out our glowing reviews to see why we’re a leading plumbing company, and we encourage you to contact us whenever you need plumbing service so that you can experience our excellence for yourself!

This post first appeared on https://lentheplumber.com

Are funny sounds coming from your drains? Don’t ignore these sounds. A gurgling drain means business, but the good news is that there’s help available from your neighborhood emergency plumbing service in Pittsburgh, PA. So, even if the water releases from the drain while it’s making noises, you still need to call for service.

Read on to learn more about what noisy drains mean and how to fix the problem.

Slow-Forming Clogs

Although it seems like clogs appear without warning, many drain clogs develop over time, and they don’t make their presence a secret. Instead, they announce their presence in the form of drain gurgling. When this happens, the water’s releasing through the drainpipe, but not fast enough. The clog isn’t so big that it’s causing a backup, but it’s not making it easy for water to flow down the pipes.

Solution: First, try using either a toilet plunger or a sink plunger, depending on where the clog is located. If this doesn’t work, use a drain auger. When all else fails, call your local plumber for drain cleaning services.

Blocked Drain Vents

These are the vent stacks you see on your roof. Occasionally, they become blocked from outside debris. Wind and rain cause the vents to clog, but the vents are also prime real estate for squirrels, mice, birds, and other critters. The drain vent is responsible for releasing sewer gases and preventing them from building up in your home’s drain pipes. When the vents become blocked, this produces the gurgling sound.

Solution: If you’re not afraid of getting on the roof, you can inspect the drain vent for signs of blockage. However, it’s better to call for emergency plumbing repair service, so you don’t risk harming yourself climbing onto the roof.

Main Sewer Line Backup

This is the most serious of all situations that cause drains to gurgle. It’s also the source of many emergency plumbing calls. The most recognizable sign of the mainline clog is when you flush the toilet or release water in the sink, and other drains in the home begin to gurgle. They may even produce water bubbles, or in the most serious cases, raw sewage comes up from the drain.

Solution: You need more than an emergency toilet plumber for this problem. You need specialized drain and sewer plumbing services for this job. 

Why Drain Gurgles Require Immediate Attention

Sure, no one wants to pay high emergency plumber prices for a clogged drain. However, the longer you wait to get plumbing service, the higher the price is likely to be. Same-day plumbing service doesn’t have to be expensive, especially when you hire plumbers who don’t charge extra for 24-hour plumbing service. Do yourself a favor and get that drain looked at right away to save money.

Do you need emergency plumbing and drain in Pittsburgh, PA? Make sure you call the best plumbers with a reputation for excellent customer service, outstanding workmanship, and the promise to stand behind their jobs. Contact Stahl Plumbing at 412-273-1000 for quality drain cleaning services.

The post Drain Gurgling: What You Need to Know appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

Flushing a water heater is one of the basic steps of cleaning the system. During a water heater flush, all the water in the tank is drained out so any sediment or other build up inside can be removed. In some situations, the tank will also need to be descaled to remove build up of limescale, one of the side effects of hard water.

Regular flushing is an important part of proper routine maintenance for water heaters in Glendale, AZ. But how often do you need to schedule this service for your water heater?

Why a tank needs to be flushed in the first place

Before going into more detail about when to have the hot water tank flushed out, we’ll look at why it needs it in the first place. After all, it’s a closed system, so there isn’t any reason for particles to get inside it.

Except a water heater isn’t a closed system, not like a boiler that circulates the same water through radiators and baseboard heaters and then back to a tank. A water heater brings in water from outside through the municipal freshwater system. Although this water goes through treatment to remove chemicals and minerals from it, and also passes through a filter on its way to the water heater, some impurities can still make it through. Over time, these impurities will begin to settle along the bottom of the tank, creating a sediment layer. Getting rid of this sediment layer is the purpose of tank flushing

The reason you don’t want this mineral sediment in the water heater is that it reduces system energy efficiency. The layer of sediment blocks proper transfer of heat into the tank. You may notice a drop in hot water volume and a rise in heating bills. The tank may start to make bubbling and popping noises, which is the sound of a layer of heated water under the sediment layer rising up through it.

We recommend annual tank flushing

It can sometimes take years for the sediment layer to become thick enough that it causes noticeable problems. But you don’t want to wait for warning signs and poor water heater performance before taking action. A regular schedule of annual tank flushing will keep the system clean and working at peak efficiency and effectiveness.

You can find instructions online for how to do a tank flush yourself. It’s not a straightforward job and takes extra equipment and time. We recommend you leave this task to professionals, who can not only do it correctly and quickly, but won’t create any possible safety hazards.

Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about remembering to arrange for an annual tank flush, because this service is included in our regular maintenance program. We do a full inspection and tune-up for your water heater each time we come to your house to handle other plumbing maintenance jobs. Our plan also comes with extra benefits such as discounts on repairs and priority status for emergency calls.

The Trusted Plumber serves Glendale, AZ. Call us to sign up for maintenance for your water heater or to schedule other plumbing jobs.

This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com