Everything You Need to Know About How to Install a Toilet

Can I Call a Plumber in MD, DC, VA, PA & DE While Social Distancing?

essential plumbing services while social distancing are okay

Working from home and maintaining social distancing efforts means a house full of people, putting added strain on your plumbing system. You may be wondering if you can still call your local plumber and schedule services while adhering to the safety guidelines of social distancing. The answer is yes!

Len The Plumber understands that the current disruption to daily life shouldn’t be compounded by plumbing issues in your home. Our essential plumbing services remain fully operational during this time, and we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of both our team and the community we serve.

Safely Performing Essential Plumbing Services in MD, DC, VA, PA & DE

When our expert technicians visit your home, you can rest assured that they will adhere to the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene – before, during, and after their visit. We are strictly following the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19, including the following precautions:

  • Wearing additional protective equipment
  • Maintaining social distancing
  • Thorough & frequent hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds
  • Utilizing hand sanitizer
  • Using disinfectants to ensure all touchpoints are clean (workspace, equipment, vehicles)
  • Frequently sanitizing devices used, such as tablets and clipboards

In order to perform our essential services as quickly and effectively as possible, we will contact customers prior to their appointment to assess whether there are any risks of exposure in their household. We will ask if there is any reason we should not enter the home, especially in relation to COVID-19, or if anyone in the house exhibits symptoms such as fever or shortness of breath. If the answer is yes, our team will work diligently with you to decide the safest course of action to resolve your plumbing issue, while protecting everyone involved.

If you have urgent plumbing needs or would like to schedule maintenance for your home, give the experts at Len The Plumber a call at 800-950-4619, or contact us online today! Whatever your problem may be, we can fix it quickly and safely.

Important Plumbing Reminders While You Shelter in Place

While Len The Plumber is fully staffed and operational should you need maintenance or emergency plumbing services, here are a few tips for keeping your plumbing system in good shape while you are sheltering in place with your loved ones:

  1. Never flush anything besides toilet paper down your toilet. Only toilet paper will properly break down in your plumbing system, so avoid flushing things like wipes, napkins, or paper towels.
  2. Stagger your showers throughout the day. If you have a house full of people and are trying to figure out a showering schedule that works for everyone, consider staggering your showers throughout the day. Alternate the schedule from day to day if there is one particular time that is more desirable amongst the group.
  3. Get familiar with your plumbing system. If you’re a complete novice when it comes to your home’s plumbing system, take the opportunity to get to know how things work. Watch our video on common household plumbing problems, and if you want to know more, contact Len The Plumber with your questions!

Providing Essential Plumbing Services While Social Distancing

While these are unprecedented times, Len The Plumber understands the ongoing need for professional and local plumbing services. We are proud to be fully open and operational to offer our customers high-quality service that they can trust.

If you need plumbing services, contact us online or give us a call at 800-950-4619 today, and rest assured that safety and excellent service are our guarantee!

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

The Evolution of Air Conditioning Through the Years

turned off beige desk fan

While modern air conditioning is a relatively recent development, humans have spent thousands of years finding new ways to cool off. From massive blocks of ice to waving palm fronds, historic methods of air conditioning can help us appreciate the modern technology we often take for granted.

Our journey begins near the beginning of human history, where early humans gradually learned that there was more to comfort than a warm fire.

The Need for Comfort in Early Humans

The use of fire is often touted as mankind’s first and, potentially, greatest technological advancement. While the first-ever use predates recorded history, it’s believed that harnessing fire marked a major turning point in human evolution and social structures.

By harnessing fire, humans were then capable of cooking food and staying warm in almost any environment. This capability allowed then-nomadic humans to transition into permanent year-round settlements, marking the first stages of human society.

With permanent settlements, however, humans could no longer move with the seasons; while cold winters called for fire, hot summers called for something else.

Keeping Cool in Early Civilizations

Whether nomadic or tribal, early humans—much like ourselves today—kept cool by instinct. On hot days, trees, caves, and gentle breezes allowed for a much-needed reprieve from the scorching sun. Meanwhile, those in cold environments didn’t need to keep cool as often but could still rely on nearby glaciers or other semi-permanent ice formations when needed.

Other solutions included the occasional swim and wearing lighter clothing if any. However, as society became more advanced and humans moved into permanent dwellings, more flexible solutions were needed. After all, not everyone could go swimming or run around naked!

Small, handheld fans or plant fronds were among the first types of portable air conditioning available to most early humans. Now, instead of waiting for the lucky breeze, people could simply fan themselves cool at a moment’s notice. As societies saw the first social hierarchies, ruling figures were able to employ servants just to fan them all day!

However, fans quickly proved insufficient. The related shortcomings were especially apparent for early civilizations in warmer climates, particularly Ancient Egypt.

Ancient Egyptian Air Conditioners

ancient egyptian temple

While the epicenters of Ancient Egypt were likely lusher than the sandy remnants we see today, the desert heat was just as brutal back then. Where shade and fans weren’t enough, the Ancient Egyptians employed the first form of modern air conditioning on record: evaporative cooling.

Evaporative cooling is an effect where sitting water evaporates and cools the surrounding air in the process. The Egyptians were quick to devise a system of hanging wet reeds and cloths in their windows. As breezes flowed through the wet reeds, the water would evaporate and cool the nearby air. The cooled air was then carried even farther by the breeze, thereby cooling entire rooms and households.

With the combination of fanning, shades, and evaporative cooling, the Egyptians could stay cool and comfortable in an otherwise hot and uncomfortable environment. Evaporative cooling also helped to humidify the dry desert air

As Rome’s shadow grew across Ancient Egypt, wealthy Romans began devising their own methods of early air conditioning.

Ancient Roman Air Conditioners

Like the Ancient Egyptians, the Romans weren’t unfamiliar with hot, dry environments; throughout its existence, the Roman Empire straddled much of the sun-parched Mediterranean coastline.

While the Ancient Romans also used evaporative cooling, running water produced by aqueducts and early plumbing allowed for more novel applications; instead of soaked reeds or cloths hung in the windows, the Romans circulated cool running water throughout their homes, thereby lowering the temperature.

Rome’s wealth and vast trading network also allowed for the import of exotic goods, particularly snow and ice. Where the wealthiest Romans could import large blocks of ice for themselves, most Roman citizens could purchase snow at local ice stores. In either case, ice and snow were kept in underground caves and pits, often selling for more than wine!

Of course, the Romans had other means of cooling, such as early forms of the bikini and cold swimming pools known as “frigidarium.”

Once Rome fell, air conditioning technology went into a state of dormancy throughout medieval Europe. In the East, however, developments had only just begun!

The Middle Ages

Despite being the “dark ages” for medieval Europe, civilizations throughout Asia and the Middle East continued to experience rapid technological advancement. One of these areas of technological advancement was, of course, in air conditioning.

Medieval Persians, for example, continued to utilize evaporative cooling through cisterns and other forms of running water. Perhaps more interesting were their wind towers, which functioned like primitive HVAC systems to provide buildings with natural ducted ventilation.

Medieval Asia would develop the first known mechanical air conditioner in the second century AD, taking the form of massive rotary fans powered by waterwheels. Rotary air conditioners became widely used throughout medieval Asia.

Air Conditioning in the Age of Enlightenment

From the Renaissance and into the early 19th century, modern air conditioning took on its first recognizable forms.

In 1758, Benjamin Franklin and his colleague, John Hadley of Cambridge University, utilized evaporative cooling as a way to rapidly cool objects. Unlike ancient applications of evaporative cooling, however, Franklin and Hadley’s application used the evaporative of volatile liquids such as ether and alcohol. Here, they were able to cool objects to temperatures well below freezing.

This experiment would lay the groundwork for the first truly modern air conditioning.

The Industrial Revolution and the First Modern Air Conditioner

The industrial revolution of the 19th century saw perhaps some of the greatest early advancements in cooling technology.

In 1820, Michael Faraday discovered that compressed and liquified ammonia could, when evaporated, cool the air. A similar method was later utilized by James Harrison to produce an icemaker in 1851. This icemaker would result in the development of the first freezers and refrigerators.

In all of these cases, compression was largely responsible for the dramatic cooling effects. Evaporative cooling aided by compression would lead to the first developments of the modern air conditioners we use today.

20th Century

American inventor Willis Carrier is most credited for the development of the first modern air conditioner. Curiously, Carrier’s air conditioners were first used to solve cooling problems in industrial applications, particularly printing plants in the first decade of the 20th century.

By utilizing evaporative cooling, Carrier’s air conditioner was able to control both temperature and humidity. It would quickly find use in public buildings as a result, with one of the earliest major applications being used as a central air conditioner in the 1904 World’s Fair.

The first half of the twentieth century would continue to see various advancements in early air conditioning, especially as electricity became a widespread power source. In 1945, Robert Sherman of Massachusetts invented the first standalone in-window air conditioner.

Modern Air Conditioning

White air conditioner compressor on natural green wall

Modern air conditioners continue to utilize evaporative cooling aided by compressors. Instead of using ether or alcohol, however, most now utilize refrigerants—chemicals engineered specifically for evaporative cooling applications. Refrigerants were not the most environmentally friendly, to begin with, but later developments would gradually improve on this. Today, modern air conditioners use a combination of compressed refrigerants and evaporative cooling to produce steady supplies of cold air.

It’s incredible to think the evaporative cooling, an effect first used by the Ancient Egyptians, is still used today to keep us cool and comfortable. While we won’t hang wet reeds in your windows, our team of experts is here to help you with modern air conditioning installation and air conditioning maintenance in Texas. Call us today at 281-994-6698.

The post The Evolution of Air Conditioning Through the Years appeared first on Met Plumbing.

Wanted: The Four Most Notorious Culprits of a Clogged Drain

question-mark-badgeFederal Bureau of Plumbing Investigation here. We are here to let you in on some top-secret information regarding our Most Wanted list. Word on the street is that there are some bad guys out there, bad guys who want to clog your drains!

So below, we have given you a little insight into how these culprits operate. All you have to do is keep reading to find out more, and of course, remember to call us with any information, or if you are in need of plumbing repair in Orlando, FL.

Top Secret: The Four Biggest Culprits of a Clogged Drain

So, who are these bad guys?

1. Soap scum

When we say scum, we mean scum. It’s hard to stop soap from going down drains in the kitchen and bathrooms. Shower and bathtub drains, in particular, experience plenty of soap sluiced down them almost daily. Over time, soap scum will start to build-up on the drain walls, and it can become enough to slow down water flow and eventually stop it completely. Soap scum can also cause chemical reactions with the metal of a drainpipe, so cleaning it out helps protect the plumbing as well as clear the drain.

2. Hair

A drain cover will help stop hair from going down drains (just make sure you clean the covers routinely), but a hair clog can still develop down in the p-trap or the drain. Hair clogs are among the most obstinate and difficult to remove using standard plungers, and often you’ll need the assistance of professional drain cleaning to fix the problem.

3. Fats, oils, and grease

Collectively known as FOG, these cooking liquids are the bane of a kitchen drain. People often think they’re harmless because they are in liquid form when hot. But, as FOG cools down because of air from the drain vent pipes, it turns into a sticky and viscous substance that will build-up on pipe walls. Thorough drain cleaning using a hydro-jet is the best way to get rid of this build-up. FOG accumulation is one of the reasons we recommend routine kitchen drain cleaning each year.

4. Hard water mineral build-up

If your home has hard water, the minerals from it can build-up on pipe walls—not just in your drains, but freshwater pipes around the house. The pipes will need to be descaled to fix this problem. We recommend you look into having a whole-house water softener installed to attack this problem at the root since it causes many other types of plumbing issues.

You Need a Professional

If you notice any of these low-lives hanging around in your plumbing system, do not hesitate to give us a call. Our team has the tools, knowledge, and expertise to clean out your pipes and get things flowing as usual! And sure, there may be plenty of amateurs willing to service your system for a fairly low price, but don’t let them. See, sometimes an attempt to save money could end up costing you much much more in the long run.

Contact the team at Modern Plumbing Industries. Inc. to schedule an appointment with our plumbers!

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

How to Keep Your Heater Running

While we might be starting to wind down our heating systems for the year, we’d be fooling ourselves if we didn’t admit that we are going to need them again next year. When contemplating efficiency for your heater in the next winter season, the earlier you start, the better.

That’s why we’d like to talk about some concrete steps you can take to maximize system efficiency and keep your bills low for the foreseeable future. Some of these pointers might include purchases that need to be made, but with your heater and bills on the line, these purchases can often start paying for themselves!

Don’t forget that if you have any other questions after reading our efficiency guide, contact the team here for heating in West Orange, NJ. We can provide solid tips, options, and schedule a maintenance appointment with you to ensure your system is in peak condition.

Steps to Take

Efficiency isn’t just a one-and-done thing. There’s not an “efficiency button” that you press on your heater to make it consume less energy, and if there were we’d be the first to know about it. Efficiency is more of a lifestyle change than anything else—it’s a combination of changes you can make to your life and your heating system in order to promote energy and monetary savings. Here are just a few of those.

  • Purchase a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats are not just ways to conveniently control temperatures easily, they’re useful for limiting the energy usage from your HVAC system and monitoring heating trends. For instance, with Wi-Fi connectivity, you can control temperatures when you’re not at home, or program them to change automatically so that your heater works less when you’re not at home and more when you are. Day by day you’ll see a decrease in your heating bill and your system will be less stressed in regard to its condition.
  • Change your air filter. Your air filter is key to having your heater function efficiently and effectively. Realistically, you’re supposed to change your air filter every 1-3 months, because any longer than that and you can begin to stifle the system, causing it to use more energy than it normally would. Change your air filter regularly for maximum efficiency.
  • Seal your home. Have you ever seen a home with plastic wrap over drafty windows or a ceiling fan running during the winter? These are small ways to increase heating efficiency and lower the burden on your heater. Sealing your windows in particularly cold locations can reduce your heating cost overall. Also, running the ceiling fan in the opposite direction than you would in the summer, actually pushes heat down and creates a convection current that easily rotates heat through your home.

Schedule Maintenance

While these are great tools for keeping your home as efficient as possible, there’s one handy tool that we haven’t mentioned—scheduling routine maintenance. Maintenance ensures that your heater is running efficiently, and a professional can make minor adjustments and repairs if it’s not.

Contact the team at MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. for quality efficiency tips and maintenance.

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

The Most Common Reasons to Call a Drain Cleaning Service

Common reasons to call drain cleaning services

Most people take their plumbing systems for granted; however, for the plumbing system to work properly every part needs to do its job. One of the most common reasons why people need to call a professional plumbing service is for clogged drains. There are a few common reasons why the drains in a building might not be working properly.

The Drain Is Clogged With Hair

One of the most common culprits for a clogged drain is hair. Most people don’t realize it but our bodies are shedding hair all the time. When people wash their hands, hair comes off the hands and goes down the drain. During a shower hair comes off of our heads and bodies, going down the drain. Eventually, this hair gets piled and stuck in the drain and leads to a clog. This can be a frustrating problem to deal with, which is where professional drain cleaning services can help.

Food Waste Can Clog the Drain

Another common culprit when it comes to clogged drains is food waste. Many people do not like to put food in the garbage because of the smell this can generate. For those who have a garbage disposal, the sink is a convenient alternative; however, even with a garbage disposal, food waste can still be an issue. Not all of the food will make it past the garbage disposal. It can congeal into a resistant plug blocks the flow of water down the drain. Pizza crusts, vegetable peels, and pasta are common culprits.

Mineral Buildup Forms a Blockage

Finally, mineral buildup can also block the drains. When water comes out of the tap, it often has trace amounts of minerals and heavy metals. Over time, this can damage the pipes and catch on the sides. This can form of a blockage in the drain, preventing water from flowing smoothly. This can happen in the shower, sink, toilet, faucet, and more. While water filtration systems can help prevent this from happening, these blockages can be serious. It is important to rely on professionals who have experience cleaning drains.

Call A to Z Statewide Plumbing Today

These are only a few of the most common reasons why drains might get clogged. If you are having problems with your drains, call A to Z Statewide Plumbing today. Our professionals have a tremendous amount of experience with a variety of drain problems. Allow us to help you.

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This post first appeared on http://www.atozstatewideplumbing.com

What Is AC Condensation?

white air compressor of the house wall

You may notice water dripping from your AC while it works overtime in the summer heat—or just the Texas heat any time of year! While some amount of dripping water is normal, certain telltale signs could indicate a serious problem requiring AC repair.

Dripping water is usually the result of condensation. While some condensation is normal in air conditioners, how much is too much?

What Is Condensation?

the window on wet ground

Condensation occurs when water vapor (steam) turns back into liquid water.

A common example of condensation is the “fog” on the surface of a cold glass of water in a hot room. Here, the heat of the hot room causes some of the water from the glass to evaporate and some immediately condenses back into liquid water. This reaction (condensation) forms the water droplets (or “fog”) on the outside of the glass.

Common Causes of AC Condensation

Condensation can occur in air conditioners for several reasons, one of the most common simply being hot weather. Air conditioners that only produce condensation during especially hot days usually don’t have an underlying problem.

However, your air conditioner may have a problem if it constantly produces condensation regardless of the temperature. Underlying causes of excessive condensation from air conditioning include:

Damage to Duct Insulation

Your air conditioner’s ducts are what allow air to circulate. When humid air from outside comes in contact with the cold air inside the ducts, water vapor from the humidity condenses into water droplets inside the ducts.

Insulation usually prevents water from forming inside the ducts. If this insulation is missing, however, condensation can form and cause damage to the air conditioner and surrounding surfaces.

Insulation damage can also occur around your air conditioner’s “boot,” which is the metal tube connecting the ducts to the outside-facing metal grille.

Clogged Condenser Lines or Pumps

Condensation can also occur when one of the lines connected to your air conditioner’s condenser becomes clogged.

Your air conditioner’s condenser helps dehumidify humid air through—you guessed it—condensation. Here, water vapor comes from the humid air being conditioned and is expelled as liquid water into your AC’s drip pan.

Of course, dripping is a natural part of this process. Here, the condensed water is usually transported into the drip pan through condenser lines and/or a condenser pump. If one (or both) of these devices malfunctions or becomes clogged, however, condensation and dripping water can accumulate in unexpected areas.

Evaporator Coil Problems

Condensation can also indicate a frozen evaporator coil. Common signs of a frozen evaporator coil are minimal airflow and water dripping a shortly after turning off the AC.

How Much Condensation Is Too Much?

Some condensation is normal in most air conditioners—after all, condensation is a natural byproduct of the air conditioning process. However, excessive condensation from air conditioning can cause serious damage over time.

The effects of excessive condensations are fairly obvious; depending on your air conditioner’s location, excessive condensation can cause water damage to your walls and ceiling. Other signs include rust and/or excessive dripping around the drip pan and air vents.

Fixing AC Condensation

Is your air conditioner unit leaking water? The root causes can be hard to diagnose. For a full diagnostic and complete repair services, call our experts at MET Plumbing & Air Conditioning for home air conditioning repairs at 281-599-3336.

The post What Is AC Condensation? appeared first on Met Plumbing.

Are These Toilet Paper Alternatives Safe for Your Plumbing?

toilet paper alternatives safe for plumbing system

If you’ve ever found yourself in the unfortunate position of being without toilet paper when you’ve really got to go, you may have resorted to desperate searches online to find out if there are safe alternatives. It’s often impossible to sort through fact and fiction online these days; fortunately, we’ve compiled all the information you need to make an educated decision regarding toilet paper alternatives and your plumbing system.

The Truth About Flushable Wipes & Your Plumbing System

You may have heard of flushable wipes and wonder if they are a safe alternative to toilet paper. These can be a great asset if you’re potty training a young child or looking for a better clean for yourself. They also come in handy if you’re the outdoorsy type – think camping, hiking, or anything else that gets you away from your normal toilet amenities.

These wipes are useful in a variety of situations, but it’s never a good idea to introduce them to your plumbing system. The truth is, while flushable wipes will eventually break down in your system, they take significantly longer than regular toilet paper, meaning you could find yourself with a costly clog if they make their way down your toilet.

What Not to Flush Down Your Toilet

While it’s tempting to flush napkins or wipes rather than toss them in the trash bin, it’s better in the long run to avoid it. There are certain items that should never make their way through your plumbing system, as they could result in the need for expensive plumbing repairs. These items include:

  • Facial tissues
  • Baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, moist wipes, etc.
  • Toilet bowl scrub pads
  • Napkins (paper or cloth), paper towels
  • Dental floss
  • Eggshells, nutshells, and coffee grounds
  • Fats, oils, and greases
  • Hair
  • Sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, or any non-organic material
  • Cotton balls or Q-tips
  • Vitamins, medicines, or other pharmaceuticals
  • Plastic of any kind
  • Diapers (cloth, disposable, and those deemed “flushable”)

We understand that accidents happen, and if you find that you have a clog from one of the above items being flushed down your toilet, or anything else, remain calm and contact your local plumbing experts. Len The Plumber can eliminate your clog quickly, any time!

Worry-Free Flushability for Your Plumbing System

When it comes to what you can and can’t flush, a good rule of thumb is to stick to the basics. Human waste, water, and toilet paper are the only things that should go down your toilet. Even thick toilet paper should be used sparingly per flush to ensure it is able to fully break down without clogs.

So, what should you do if you find yourself without toilet paper? It turns out, if you have access to clean water, then you actually have a safe and effective toilet paper alternative that poses no risk to your home’s plumbing system! If you’ve ever heard of a bidet, or experienced one for yourself, you know that it’s a type of toilet that provides a stream of water to clean yourself up after using the restroom. Bidets were developed in the early 1700s and are extremely common throughout Europe, Asia, and South America – over 90% of households have them installed in their bathrooms.

While you could have your own personal bidet installed by Len The Plumber, here’s another alternative: a perineal irrigation bottle, or peri bottle. This is essentially a plastic squirt bottle. These bottles are affordable, can easily be purchased online, and provide a clean that is unmatched after you’ve used the restroom. After using one of these, you may decide to ditch toilet paper altogether! Either way, peri bottles are a much safer option than flushing napkins or tissues down the toilet.

What can you do with all those flushable wipes you purchased as a toilet paper alternative?

While wipes may not be suited for your toilet, there are still plenty of ways to utilize your wet-wipe stockpile, including:

  • Wiping pollen from your hair in the spring
  • Cleaning scuff marks off your shoes
  • Wiping your pet’s paws on rainy days
  • Cleaning dust from your houseplants
  • Removing eye makeup

There are tons of other unconventional uses for your wipes, just make sure they end up in the trash bin and not your plumbing system!

If you have a clog and need professional plumbing services, give Len The Plumber a call at 800-950-4619 or contact us online to schedule an appointment! We’ll get things flowing smoothly again in no time!

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

Measures to Take for Air Conditioning Season

As the seasons change, so do your home comfort needs. While your furnace helps to keep your home cozy and warm in the winter, as summer gets going, your home’s air conditioning steps forward to take on the role of keeping you comfortable at home. Air conditioning in Pittsburgh, PA, is practically a necessity to help you get through the hot, sticky summer.

As you gear up for the season ahead, there are a few things you need to do now to make sure your AC is in good working order. Taking some preventative maintenance steps before summer really gets going will help you keep your home cooling bills down and will help to extend the life of your air conditioner.

Inspect the Area Around Your AC Outside

New Smart ThermostatOn a nice spring day, take a few minutes to inspect the area around your air conditioning unit outside. It’s usually a good idea to cover the unit during the winter with a cover or tarp to keep dirt, leaves, and other debris from falling into it. If you covered your condenser, take the cover off before you switch the unit on for the first time in the summer. Leaving the outside AC unit covered will impede airflow, forcing it to work harder and meaning that you need air conditioning repair in Pittsburgh, PA.

If your condenser wasn’t covered during the winter, there might be leaves or trash on the top or sides of the unit. Peel away any debris from the AC. Also, make sure that mulch or leaves aren’t piled up around the base of the unit. If they are, try to sweep them away so that they don’t restrict airflow.

When you’re inspecting the outside air conditioner unit, keep an eye out for any signs of damage. The insulation that covers the suction line might be worn as a result of exposure to sunlight or freezing temperatures over the winter. Rodents might have chewed through the insulation, too. If you see any signs of damage, note them when you call for air conditioner services in Pittsburgh, PA.

Also, pay attention to what’s growing around your AC condenser. Vegetation can help to improve your home’s curb appeal by concealing the unit, but it’s also important that any plants or trees don’t get too close to the air conditioner. Trim back any vining plants so that that they aren’t growing over the compressor, or better yet, consider pulling out the plants and replacing them with slow-growing, evergreen shrubs.

Finally, inspect the concrete base the unit rests on to make sure it hasn’t been damaged by snow or cold temperatures over the winter.

Clean or Change the Filters

The outside part of your air conditioner isn’t the only component that needs an inspection before summer gets going. It’s also a good idea to check out the indoor air handler. One maintenance task that’s particularly important is changing or cleaning the air filter in the unit.

The air filter traps dust and debris and keeps it from circulating through your home. After a season of heavy use, the filter is likely full of dust. A full filter can restrict airflow, meaning your AC has to work harder to keep your home cool.

Cleaning or replacing the filter is a common part of AC and furnace repair in Pittsburgh, PA. It’s a preventative measure that can help to lower your energy bills, and it can often be the solution to problems with your home’s HVAC system.

You can replace or clean the air filter yourself, but if you’re nervous about installing it incorrectly or about using the wrong filter, you can hire a technician to take care of the task for you during an inspection and maintenance call.

Upgrade Your Thermostat

Adjusting the thermostat can help you lower your cooling bills over the summer, without making your home too hot. The trick is to set the thermostat higher when no one’s home, then lower it during the times when you and your family are in the house.

If you haven’t already made the switch, upgrading to a smart thermostat can help you save money on your energy bills without you having to break a sweat. A smart thermostat learns your habits and begins to adjust temperature levels for you. You can also access the thermostat using your smartphone, so you can adjust the temperature up or down even when you’re not at home.

Rearrange Your Furniture

The cold air produced by your air conditioner most likely travels through ducts to reach various rooms of your home. The air exits the ducts through vents, or air registers, usually located on the walls or floors. Depending on the layout of your home, you might have unintentionally blocked those vents with couches, tables, or even a rug.

If that’s the case, it can be a good idea to rearrange your furniture before you switch on the AC for the first time. Move any chairs, tables, or other pieces away from the vents so that the air isn’t blocked. Covering over the air registers can make your AC work harder, putting additional strain on the system and increasing your energy bills.

Schedule an Inspection and Tune-Up

The beginning of summer is the ideal time to schedule an annual inspection and tune-up for your air conditioner. Usually, the sooner you schedule the inspection, the better. You want to get it on the calendar before there’s a lot of demand, and appointments are difficult to come by. It’s also a good move to schedule your inspection before you need to use your AC. That way, if your system needs any extensive repairs or replacement, you have plenty of time to have the work finished before summer heats up.

During the inspection, a trained technician will take a look at your air conditioner, assess its age and condition, and make recommendations to you about the best way to proceed. Your AC might be ready to go for the summer after just a few small tweaks, or it might need more involved repairs. An older unit might be up for replacement.  Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning offers air conditioner repair in Pittsburgh, PA, as well as inspections and preventative maintenance. As you get ready for warm weather, be sure to give us a call to schedule your AC’s tune-up and to ask questions about how to get the most out of your AC this summer.

The post Measures to Take for Air Conditioning Season appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

5 Effective Ways to Fix an Air Lock in Pipes

When an air lock occurs in your plumbing system, it can be frustrating to break it apart. When these air bubbles occur, they will stop water from flowing through your system properly. Even worse, it can cause jams and clogs that cause overflows and other serious problems. Thankfully, it is possible to deal with this issue in a quick and efficient manner.

The following methods are the best ways to get an air lock out of your pipes for good. The great thing about these methods is that they can be easily understood and implemented by just about anybody. Try them out the next time your tap stops working.

The Best 5 Ways to Clean an Air Lock in Your Pipes

#1. Using a Hosepipe

One of the quickest ways to break apart an air lock in your pipes is to attach a hosepipe to the tap suffering from the air lock. Connect this pipe to the problematic valve and then wrap the other end of the pipe to a tap that is working. Make sure that the seal around these pipes isn’t broken to ensure that no air or water pressure escapes during the process. Pull the ends of the pipes up as tightly as possible and then turn on the problem tap.

Once it is open, turn on the tap that does work. Water will fill up inside of the hose and create pressure on the struggling tap. This pressure should work its way down the pipe and break apart the air lock. Using this method takes at least a few minutes of water pressure to work. After a few moments have passed, remove the hose and try the tap.

If no water comes out, try this process again for another few minutes. If this method doesn’t work for your pipes, then it is time to consider another. Thankfully, there are many other ways that you can break apart an air lock in your pipes without excessive work.

#2. Open All the Faucets in the House

a bathroom faucet with dripping water

One interesting method that takes no special skills or tools to implement is opening all the faucets in the home at the same time. While a little inefficient, it creates an increased pressure in the pipes that can shake loose an air lock. Make sure to open all the sink faucets, as well as the shower head, for this particular method to work.

You may have to run water for several minutes before the air lock breaks. The benefit of this approach is that it works all the pipes in your home and increases the chance of breaking apart an air lock that may occur in a harder-to-reach area.

#3. Bleeding Your Radiator System

When an air lock occurs in a boiler, it is important to bleed all of the radiators in your home. Start by going into the basement and turning off your boiler. After finishing this step, go upstairs and open all the radiators one at a time. Start with the first one in the line and continue until the end. Make sure to close the return valve after bleeding it.

It is important to count the number of turns it takes to open your radiator valves. The same amount of twists must be used to close them at the end of the process. When this is done, go back to the first radiator and open all the valves again in order. At this point, the air lock should have broken.


#4. The Washing Machine Method

This particular method is a variation of the hosepipe method that utilizes the power of your washing machine. It is only appropriate when used on an automatic washing machine that has both hot and cold water connections. Start by turning off the valves of both inputs on your washing machine and then disconnecting their hoses. Connect these valves with your trusty hosepipe and then turn on the hot water valve.

After this, you need to turn on the cold water valve. Leave both taps open for at least 30 seconds. The added pressure here is likely to cause the air lock in your pipes to break. This method is useful if you don’t have a two-tap system in your home or if you need extra power to break it up. When done, close the cold water valve and then the hot and reconnect the pipes.

#5. The Shower Head Method

How a shower faucet works: Photo of a shower faucet.

Here’s one last method that requires a little more work than the others. However, it can be just as effective if done properly. Start by unscrewing the shower head from the connecting pipe. Now wrap the pipe with two or three plastic bags.

This step creates a membrane that helps send pressure back down through your pipes. The reason this method is so effective is due to the extreme pressure used to propel water. After you have added the plastic bags, put the shower head back in place and go down to your header tank.

Down here, turn the hot water outlet off, leaving the cold one in the on position. Go back up to the shower and turn on both the hot and cold water taps. As this occurs, the water in the shower head will create pressure that will go back down the pipe and break apart the air lock. When done, turn off the shower’s water, remove the shower head, take off the plastic bags, restore the shower head, and turn the hot water back on in the basement.

Let’s Recap

By following these simple air lock repair methods, you can restore your pipes to proper working order in no time. The thing we like about these methods is that they require almost no special tools, beyond a hosepipe and some plastic bags, to perform. Just about any homeowner can do them without getting too stressed out. If you need more help learning the basics of DIY plumbing, check out this article here!

Do you know another method of breaking up an air lock that you want to share with us? Then please post it in the comment section below. And make sure to share this article with people you know who could benefit from this type of plumbing advice.

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This post first appeared on http://www.theplumbinginfo.com

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