How To Use A Plumbing Snake
When should I use a plumbing snake?
Always try to plunge away your problems first. Plungers are a little easier to use than plumbing snakes and they can handle most clogs, so it’s always your best first step to try the trusty plunger. When that doesn’t work, then it’s time to move on to the bigger guns: Your plumbing snake.
What is a plumbing snake anyway?
A plumbing snake allows you to dislodge clogs that are located deeper in the plumbing pipes that plunging simply won’t help. The snake is a flexible cable that is attached to a spool which you unwind using a hand crank. You can find plumbing snakes up to 100’ long but homeowners are fine with a 25’ model.
Ok, so how do I use one?
Plumbing snakes are very easy to use. Simply insert one end of the snake into your toilet or drain and slowly feed the cable down the pipe. After you’ve fed it a few inches, you can use the crank to force the cable deeper into the pipe. You’ll notice it becomes harder to advance the cable once the clog is reached, but keep trying to feed the cable until you can’t anymore. Once you’ve gotten as far as the snake will go, gently wiggle the cable side-to-side before slowly winding it back up. The snake may grab the clog and bring it up, or you may need to repeat this motion a few times in order to push the clog down the drain. Flush the drain with fresh water periodically to encourage the clog to drain.
If you still have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call Green Apple toll-free at 888-611-7191
A Short List Of Sounds Your Furnace Should Not Be Making
- Grinding noises. This usually indicates metal parts, such as the fan, grinding against other parts: increasing friction and enhancing the chances of a motor overload.
- Booming noises; especially when the furnace starts up. This might mean a problem with the burners releasing too much gas or a similar issue.
- Rattling noises. Rattling noises could mean a loose bolt or another object in the heater itself, or a fan motor or similar component that is loose in its housings and vibrating as it works.
- Groaning noises. Groaning noises sometimes arise on a cold day when you first start your furnace up. The cold metal of the ducts can sometimes stretch a bit when the warm air hits it. On the other hand, it could indicate a component under considerable stress, and in any case, probably needs the attention of Green Apple Mechanical NJ professional.
- Clunking noise. A clunking sound could indicate a fan blade that is out of alignment, or a cracked fan belt which is thumping in its rotation.
In general, any noise you’re not accustomed to hearing is probably a noise your furnace should not be making. Furnace repair can be handled by the experts at Green Apple Mechanical NJ. If you’re having a problem with your heating system, then don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call toll-free at 888-611-7191
Your Outdoor Plumbing Checklist For Cold Temperatures
1- Remove all water hoses and store them somewhere warm and safe for the fall and winter.
2- Consider installing products like pipe sleeves or heat cable to insulate exposed water pipes.
3- Winterize automatic sprinkler systems, pool lines, and pipes.
4-Inspect your home’s foundation and walls, and seal cracks.
5- To to make sure all doors and entryways are caulked and weather-stripped
6- When your home is unoccupied for extended periods of time, turn off the water and open faucets to relieve pressure. Always be sure to know where your shutoff valves are located and check regularly that you can turn it off easily in an emergency.
Green Apple Mechanical are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call toll-free at 888-611-7191
Is Your Furnace Giving You Any Of These Warning Signs?
1. How old is your furnace?
A good place to start is to compare your furnaces age to the national average. The average life expectancy of furnaces in homes today is between 16 and 20 years. If your furnace is close to this age or older, you should begin shopping. Shopping for a replacement furnace in an emergency does not allow time to make your best decision. Most people prefer to replace their furnace as a planned home improvement rather than a panic replacement when your furnace is faltering or failed. For starters, look at your furnace to see if you have a pilot light. If you do, it is almost certain to be over 25 years old!
2. Gas & Electric Bills Going Up?
Rising gas and electric prices are not the only reason for high bills. Furnaces often lose their efficiency as they age especially if they have not been properly maintained. As a result, your furnace may run longer to provide the same amount of heat. This will cause your gas & electric bills to go up. The money you pay the gas & electric company every month could be used to pay for a new furnace.
3. Any Furnace Repairs in the last 2 years?
Furnaces are like cars. As they age, you can replace one part only to have to replace another part next year. It doesn’t take long to spend $500 just to keep the old furnace running. Furnaces incur the most breakdowns in the last 2 years of their lives. Another repair sign is whether you had to wait to get parts replaced. As furnace ages, it gets harder to get replacement parts. This waiting can really be cold on a below zero night.
Call Green Apple Mechanical with any questions or concerns you may have regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs toll-free at 888-611-7191
Look Out For Hidden Leaks
One common misconception or myth that is the unfortunate root cause behind the bitter fact that so many homeowners pay substantial utility bills every year. Only in certain circumstances are leaks visible and normally, this depends on the location of the leak as well. Plumbing connectors have pipes underground and behind the drywall as well, so if there is a leak then it will only be visible if the leak has caused considerable damage. Pipe leaks will gradually find its way to the drywall and will chip away the paint ruining the interior.
If you suspect that you might have a hidden leak in your home then be sure to give Green Apple Mechanical a call. We are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing concerns.
Read This Before Starting Your Furnace
Do Some Basic Maintenance
Maintaining your furnace is essential, so at the very least, you need to change the filter, to ensure that dust and debris don’t gum up your furnace’s inner workings. Once that’s done, turn the furnace up to a comfortable level and make sure that it’ll heat up the whole house. If you notice that your furnace is blowing cold air even after many minutes of running, call a heating and cooling specialist from Green Apple immediately to get it looked at.
Watch for Warning Signs
When the furnace is running, take a listen for any unfamiliar noises, any strange sounds in the blower, or any odd smells coming through the registers. Warning signs are often subtle, but they can give you the crucial warning you need to fix a problem before it becomes an expensive ordeal.
Do it Early
The biggest mistake most people make is waiting until the last second to test out their furnace for the winter. It’s understandable that you would not want to waste money running a heater that you don’t need, but it’s crucial that you diagnose any problems early.
For a comprehensive checkup that will ensure that your furnace is well-suited to the harsh demands of the season, Call toll-free at 888-611-7191
Experiencing Rust In Your Hot Water?
If you’ve ever turned on your tub to run yourself a hot bath and you noticed rust in the tub, this is a sign you’ll need a new hot water heater soon. Hot water heaters work by a flame heating a metal tank filled with water. Over time, the expanding and contracting of the metal from heat causes wear on the tank and the constant presence of water can cause rust to develop. When you begin to see it in your hot water, it is a sign that the wear has become significant.
You may begin to notice other issues with your hot water heater as it begins to age. You may notice you’re getting less and less hot water and it takes longer to heat the water up. You may begin to hear popping sounds from the heating element of your heater. This is a sign that sediment within the heater is reacting to the heat. You may also notice water around the base of the heater. You may notice a little moisture or a small puddle. This indicates that there is, in fact, a leak within your heater and it will need to be replaced.
A quality water heater can last 8-10 years or longer. It is important to regularly have your heater serviced to expand its lifespan. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191
Running The Air Conditioner During The Fall
By switching off your air conditioner at night, the temperature in your home gradually rises while you’re sleeping and by the time it hits mid-day, your home’s internal temperature without the A/C turned on will hit the point where you’re starting to feel the warmth. Once you turn your air conditioner back on it takes more energy to cool your home than it would have, had you left your air conditioner on the entire time.
To combat this problem we suggest that you leave your thermostat at a temperature you find bearable during the day and using ceiling fans to circulate the cool air throughout your home. If you don’t have ceiling fans, oscillating fans work great too. By doing this you’re cutting the cost on the amount of energy it takes to run your air conditioner at maximum performance to cool your home. Now all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy that cool air brought to you by Green Apple Mechanical NJ.
Green Apple Mechanical are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing concerns please feel free to call toll-free at 888-611-7191
How To Manage Your Central Air This Fall
With the temperatures rising during the day, you naturally want to keep your home cool and while temperatures drop at night, nature takes care of that for you. We know it’s tempting to turn your air conditioning unit off at night since you don’t need it to keep cool, but you might actually be using more energy to cool your home the next day than you thought.
By switching off your air conditioner at night, the temperature in your home gradually rises while you’re sleeping and by the time it hits mid-day, your home’s internal temperature without the A/C turned on will hit the point where you’re starting to feel the warmth. Once you turn your air conditioner back on it takes more energy to cool your home than it would have, had you left your air conditioner on the entire time.
To combat this problem we suggest that you leave your thermostat at a temperature you find bearable during the day and using ceiling fans to circulate the cool air throughout your home. If you don’t have ceiling fans, oscillating fans work great too. By doing this you’re cutting the cost on the amount of energy it takes to run your air conditioner at maximum performance to cool your home. Now all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy that cool air brought to you.
Green Apple are the professionals you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns call toll-free at 888-611-7191
Liquid Plumbers- A Cautionary Tale
Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. If you experience repeat clogs in the same drains, nix the use of liquid plumbers and call in the Green Apple professionals instead. It will save you time and money in the long run.
Liquid plumbers are corrosive and can cause injury if handled or used improperly. Always observe the safety precautions on the container and never combine them with other ingredients. If you have used a liquid plumber in your drain and later call in a plumber, show them the container and tell him you have used it in the drain. If your Green Apple plumber is unaware and uses an industrial cleaner in the drain, the chemicals may interact causing an explosion or releasing dangerous gases.
Green Apple Mechanical NJ are the professionals you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call us toll-free at 888-611-7191