The liquid chemical drain cleaner has been around for some time. We have all seen the commercials. Pour in the liquid or the gel and the clog goes away in minutes. This may be true some of the time but what exactly is going on when you use these products? Firstly, we cannot overstate how dangerous these chemicals are to have around the house, especially when you have kids or pets. They are highly corrosive and will kill skin on contact. With that said, what else are they harming? (more…)
Read MoreThe modern dishwasher is a luxury for sure. Anyone who has had an electric dishwasher then moved to a home without one knows what a luxury they can be. But dishwashers can have their bad times too. They are not without their own problems. Up to 75% of homes have an electric dishwasher. So, you could say that people believe in the power and effectiveness of it. But, anyone who has had major dishwasher problems knows they can be a headache. (more…)
Read MoreThe almost perfect spring temperature will soon give way to excessive heat. Here in Central Florida it is not uncommon to have 95 degrees heat with 75-100% humidity. It is basically a human blast furnace. Kids will be out of school and much more time will be spent indoors in the nice cool AC. This mean your plumbing will be getting plenty of use. So, what can you do to protect your plumbing in the summer months? (more…)
Read MoreThis is a conundrum that is never anticipated, nor much thought about, until it actually happens to you. One day, while using your restroom, you may catch a whiff of sewage and think nothing of it. But then some time goes by and the next thing you know you have sewage liquids showing up in your bathtub. A sewage backup caused by a block is not the end of the world but it is not a pleasant experience by any means. Don't panic. Here are some steps of what you need to do: (more…)
Read MoreA garbage disposal is a handy tool in the kitchen. As the name implies, this device helps you dispose of bits of matter in the kitchen that may be considered garbage. Of course, it has its limitations. Only degradable materials should be put into your disposal. Materials other than food may cause you major problems, if not now, then down the road. There are a number of things that can go wrong with your disposal. Here is a list of symptoms and the possible cause for your garbage disposal: (more…)
Read MoreA faucet was originally the name given to the apparatus that you stuck into a cask or barrel that allowed the liquid inside to flow. As you can imagine, this was particularly popular with beer casks in old England. Now the name applies to the apparatus in which water flows at your kitchen or bathroom sink. There are multiple types of faucets for both bathroom and kitchen. In this article we wil list those types and give a a brief explanation of each. (more…)
Read MoreIt may surprise you that disposable wet wipes have been on the market since the 1970's. The product was much more expensive to make in those days which drove up the retail price as well. For that reason, many stores didn't carry them. Over time the costs associated with producing the disposable wipe came down and by the 1990's you started the see them popping up in stores. Flash forward to the 2000's and you can find disposable wipes in almost any store. They have become quite the staple for many people who enjoy that "extra clean" feeling. Parents love ...
Read MoreLaundry rooms use just as much plumbing as other rooms in the house, yet people tend not to think about it that way. You have both hot and cold water inputs and a main drainage line. Often times, when a problem is recurring with the main sewage drain, the problem can be traced back to the laundry room. People often use way too much laundry detergent. They also use additives that soften clothing or adds fragrances to it. Many of these products, along with your standard detergent, can create a residue in your main outgoing drainage line. The result is ...
Read MoreIf you have ever turned on a faucet in your house and you get a thumping noise or a noise that almost sounds like a jackhammer is in the other room, you have what is called "water hammer". The problem may be easy to fix but there may also be some underlying problems that need serious work. Air chambers that are probably already installed in your plumbing have kept this phenomenon from happening until now. But, water can back up into these chambers, nullifying their effectiveness. There is a simple fix you can start with: (more…)
Read MoreHard water is a topic that many people know little about. We often get asked about what hard water is. And people want to know how it can hurt them. The natural follow-up question is how they can fix it. People with sensitive skin will often recognize hard water right away. They can feel it on their skin. It can feel abrasive and leave their skin dry and irritated. People with less sensitive skin can take a shower in hard water and not even know it. But the damage hard water can cause does not stop at the surface level. ...
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