Clogged Drains No More

A clogged drain, especially a clogged toilet, can be such a drag. But you don’t need to immediately call in a professional. There are a few ways to get rid of the clog on your own first. Listen up!

Start with the plumber’s best friend – a plunger. I am assuming most of us know how to use one but if not, here’s how to be the most effective with one. Since toilet clogs most often occur at the top of the tight, up-curving trap that’s part of the fixture, a plunger can often do the trick. Place the plunger end on top of the drain, give it a few pushes and then pull back. Hopefully this will unclog it. However, more often than not, a toilet clog requires a little more work.

This brings us next to a closet auger. You can find these at a hardware store for about $15 to $40 and they are specifically designed for snaking out drains. Place the auger end into the bowl with its bent tip aiming up. Now, hold the tool shaft steady as you crank and push down on the handle. You should be able to feel the cable snake its way up and through the trap. Continue cranking until you’ve dispensed the entire cable. This should be about three feet. Retrieve the cable by simultaneously cranking and pulling up. Flush the toilet to clear out the drainpipe. If it’s still not draining, run the auger through the trap twice more: once up the left side of the trap, then again up the right side. This should now clear any debris blocking the drain.

If this still doesn’t work and you’re toilet still isn’t flushing, contact a professional plumber. Anymore work done by yourself may end up damaging the drain, costing you more.

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet, Part 1

When it comes to plumbing problems, a simple thing like a leaky faucet can be such a pain. Its constant dripping noise can keep you up at night. In the next few posts, I will describe how to fix it:

Before you start be sure to shut off the water under the sink, close the sink drain and cover it with a rag to catch dropped parts. You’ll also want to tape the jaws of your wrench with a layer of duct tape to avoid scratching the fixture. It may also be a good idea to find a place to lay out parts in the order of their removal as well as get some distilled white vinegar and a soft scouring pad to remove mineral deposits on faucet parts.

There are four types of faucets. (If you are unsure as to which one you have, you can quickly Google the terms for pictures.) I will describe how to fix each in the next few blog posts. Let’s start with your standard compression faucet.

Compression Faucets

A leaky compression faucet is the result of faulty seat washers. You can easily replace them. Pry off the decorative cap on the handle, remove the handle screw, pull off the handle and, using a crescent wrench, unscrew the packing nut. Unscrew the stem, then remove and replace the seat washer held in place by a brass screw. You’ll then want to coat the washers with a nontoxic, heat-proof plumber’s grease. Remove the stem for the packing nut and replace the o-ring. Make sure to get the correct size of o-ring, as they range from 3/8 – 5/8 inch. Coat the new o-ring with the plumber’s grease and then reassemble the faucet and tighten the packing nut.

Now, if you’ve done all that and the faucet still continues to leak, it’s possible the seat may be pitted. To fix this, remove the stem and smoothly grind the valve seat with a valve-seat dresser – a tool you will temporarily screw down into the faucet.

Stay tuned and I’ll talk about ball-type faucets.

Way to Stay Cool this Summer

So the intense heat of the summer will be here before we know it. What you should know is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to keep your home cool this summer. There are many ways to stay cool and yet cut your cooling bill nearly in half. All it takes is a few changes to your HVAC system and to your daily routine and you should be set.

IDEA NO. 1 – Install a programmable thermostat. Doing this will allow you to preset different temperatures for different times of the day. Set the AC to be off while you are gone and program it to kick on just before you get home. Your home will stay cool for you while you’re there and save you money by not running all the time. A programmable thermostat only costs about $30-$50 and should cut nearly 20% off your cooling bill.

IDEA NO. 2 – Take advantage of the natural cool times of the day. Usually in the early mornings and late evenings the temperature will drop. As soon as the tempertature drops at night, open the windows and use a window fan to bring the cool air into the house. As soon as the temperature starts to rise in the morning, shut the windows and shades and keep the doors closed. This should trap the cool temperatures inside.

IDEA NO. 3 – Install sunlocking shades or curtains. As much as 20% of summer heat enters your home from sunlight entering through windows. It’s the greenhouse effect. To prevent this “solar gain,” put up shades, blinds or darkening curtains. If you do, it should cut 20% off your cooling bill.

IDEA NO. 4 – Cook outdoors. Any appliance that generates heat, adds to your cooling bill. An oven, when baking, can raise the room temperature 10 degrees. If you can, invest in a great outdoor cooking unit where you can do most of your cooking during the summer. And any baking or anything that requires an oven, save for cooler hours of the day. It will cut 2 to 5% off your cooling bill.