Garbage disposals: How do they work?
Often we assume garbage disposals are simply comprised of a motor powering a set of rotating blades that work to cut up our food. However, garbage disposals are a lot more complicated than that. Here’s how they work: Inside the garbage disposal, a metal plate with a hole in the middle spins around. The hole…
Water Heater Maintenance: The Most Common Problems
What are the most common problems for water heaters? Is it time to call a professional? Water Leaking from Bottom of Tank: While this can be due to normal condensation, it’s important to be able to make sure it’s not a hole in the tank that’s causing a leak. No Hot Water: If you have…
Plumbing Maintenance: Detecting a Slow Drain Before It’s a Problem
Slow drains can feel like a problem that just never goes away. You think you’ve cleared it – and it’s back a week or two later, water pooling in the sink. Although it may not seem like a big deal, it may be a sign of a bigger problem. Click here for treating clogged bathroom…
Water Heater: Time to Repair or Replace?
Strange noises coming from your water heater? Is the temperature of your hot water fluctuating day-to-day? Noticing leaks coming from your water heater? These are all common problems that occur with water heaters. But how do you determine whether it’s time to repair or replace it? It’s possible your water heater is simply wearing out…
The Stubborn Clog (And How to Fix It!)
We all have that one drain in our house that just refuses to clear. You’ve probably tried many different fixes, and none of them seem to work. Luckily, there are other ways you can try to clear this stubborn clog if you have the time and money. Before fixing the clog, you may want to…
Water Heater Efficiency and Safety: a Few Quick Tips
What’s the right temperature? For energy savings and ensuring the safety of small children, many consumer organizations recommend setting your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees. However, it’s also important to know that water temperatures below 120°F can enable unhealthy bacteria to grow inside your water heater. So, consider both when determining an appropriate temperature for your…
Bathroom Drain Maintenance: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!
Bathroom sink drains can creep up on you. One day they’re working fine, then the drain begins to slow. How do you prevent your bathroom drain from slowing? Click here for treating clogged bathroom drains. Here are a couple of tips to keep your drains running smoothly. Clear the drains routinely Every week or two, take…
Why Does my Water Take so Long to Heat Up?
Have you ever turned on the hot water for a shower, only to be in for a surprise when it comes out ice-cold? It’s possible your water heater is simply wearing out from many years of use, and it’s time for a new one. Check out these advantages of having a new water heater. So…
Water Heater: An Annual Inspection Can Eliminate Surprises
Want to avoid waking up to find your shower water won’t heat up? Then it’s a good idea to have your water heater inspected annually. Here are some of the things that a professional will do during an annual water heater inspection to help keep you in hot water all year around. Is it time…
Plumbing Tips: How to Deal with Frozen Pipes
Picture this. It’s the middle of November on a Sunday morning, and you’re deep in a Pennsylvania freeze. Go figure. You turn on the water, but nothing comes out. Frozen pipe. Maybe it’s your first home, or you’re new to the area. Or perhaps you’re in a new house and didn’t realize you had an…
Water Heater Maintenance: Do-It-Yourself or Call a Professional?
When it comes to your water heater, how do you know if it’s better to do-it-yourself or call a local plumber? Here are a few guidelines to help you decide. Is your water Heater making noise? Are you able to diagnose the problem? Once you know the symptoms of your water heater, you can search…
A Little Water Heater History
Now a staple of our homes, the automatic water heater began as a vision. While Norwegian Edwin Ruud is credited with creating the first automatic storage water heater back in 1889, others had begun the exploration before him. The Geyser Benjamin Waddy Maughan devised an early system where water was heated as it poured into…