Fall

Some Practical Ways To Care For Your Garbage Disposal

Whether you are a long time garbage disposal user or have just chosen your first ever disposal, knowing how to care for it will go a long way to making your experience a good one. Garbage disposals are valuable household tools when used properly. If you are careful with what you put through your disposal and keep it clean, it should provide you with many years of carefree service. Many of the common frustrations users experience can be avoided by following just a few tips.

A common garbage disposal complaint is bad odors. This is often due to a failure to run enough water through and ensure everything is adequately flushed out. To keep your disposal fresh and clean, consider the following tips:

• Grind Thoroughly – Make sure you allow adequate time for everything to get ground and flushed with water. Leftover particles cause odors.
• Clean Regularly – At least once a week, take a bottle brush and scrub inside the disposal. This small maintenance step will go a long way to keeping it fresh.
• Grab Citrus – Fresh orange, lemon, or limes can help cut grease and eliminate odors. Simply grind pieces in the disposal.
• Vinegar is Good – Freeze some vinegar in ice cube trays and blend in the disposal. This helps to eliminate bacteria which can cause odor.
• If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call Green Apple toll-free at 888-611-7191

Don’t Overlook This Important HVAC Device

 Faulty Thermostat

A faulty thermostat may lead to problems with the furnace’s fan or may also affect your home’s comfort levels. In other words, the furnace may not be able to warm up your home when the thermostat is not working.
Here are some quick thermostat troubleshooting tips:

• Make sure the thermostat is set to “heat” and the fan set to “automatic.”
• You may need to change the batteries.
• To avoid false reading, make sure your thermostat is located away from all heat sources, including direct sunlight, heating vents, cooking equipment, space heaters, and lamps. If you need to relocate your thermostat, contact a professional at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191.

Does Your Furnace Make These Noises?

Does your heater sound like it is possessed?

One major warning sign is strange noises. You should start to get concerned if your furnace or boiler is starting to make strange sounds such as squeaking, banging, rattling, hissing, popping or other strange noises. Another noise to be aware of is the constant running of your furnace blower fan. Increasing these types of noises is generally an indicator that your heating system will need to be replaced.

Does your heating system have a hard time getting started on or staying on?

Older furnaces and boilers may have a hard time getting started. this can be an indication sign that your heating system needs attention. A repair may be needed to replace wiring that has become faulty, replace the malfunctioning thermostat wire repair another component in the heating system. Continual malfunctioning is a sign that you need a new heating system.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs please call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

Experiencing Low Water Pressure?

Is your shower head not performing like it used to? Over time mineral deposits can build up which can cause the nozzles to squirt water in all directions or clog up completely, leaving you with poor water pressure or low flow.
Here are our top tips to help get your shower head back to peak performance.

#1 Rub the Nozzles

Many shower heads have flexible rubber nozzles. You can dislodge mineral buildup in these nozzles by simply massaging each nozzle with your finger. You can also try gently scrubbing the nozzles with a toothbrush.

#2 Soak the Shower Head in Vinegar

There are a couple ways to do this:

• If you prefer to leave the shower head attached to the pipe coming out of the wall, you can fill a plastic bag with vinegar and wrap it around the shower head.
  • Secure the bag around the head with a rubber band, tape, or a twist tie.
  • Leave the bag around the shower head for a few hours.
  • Remove the bag and turn on the water for a few minutes to clear the vinegar out of the shower head.
  • If this solution still doesn’t fix your problem there could be something else going on. Call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

Make Sure Your Furnace Is Always Ready To Go

By having regular maintenance performed on your furnace you are ensuring that your furnace will operate smoothly when you need it the most. As the weather gets colder the last thing you want is for your furnace to give out at the most inopportune time. HVAC experts all recommend having your furnace inspected once a year. A certified technician will inspect your furnace and make sure all the filters are clear and that there are no small problems that could turn into much larger and more expensive problems down the line if left unchecked.
We are the professionals you can trust. We have been serving the New Jersey 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 feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

What To Do If Your Pipes Bursts

1. Stop the water
The very first thing you will want to do is call a certified technician from Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191. Then make sure you turn off the water flow when you suspect a pipe has broken, even if you don’t know where the water’s coming from. You’ll find the stop tap on the water main. It is typically located under the kitchen sink or where the main service pipe connects to your house. Every family member should know the location of the water shut-off stopcock for emergencies.
Once the main water switch is off, you’ll need to drain the pipes. To do this, run the cold water on all the faucets. Be sure to flush each toilet at least once. Shut off the hot water heater. Once the hot water system is off, go back to each faucet and run the hot water to drain that supply. When there is no more running tap water, the leak will stop.
If you experience a plumbing emergency or have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

How To Ensure You Always Have Enough Hot Water

Ensure Enough Hot Water And Proper Pressure

Much of the hot water used at home is in the bathroom, with members of the family taking showers or soaking in the bathtub. The best way to ensure there is enough hot water for all, and that it does not run out when most needed, is by spacing out the time people shower or bathe. This will give the hot water tank enough time to heat up between uses.
If water pressure while taking a shower is weak this could be because of mineral deposits in the shower head. A simple solution is to tie a plastic bag filled with vinegar over the shower head. Leave it overnight and scrub off those mineral deposits with an old toothbrush the next morning.
Your home plumbing does experience a surge in use during the holidays because there are more people at the house making use of it more often. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs please feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

How To Keep Your Furnace Running Smoothly

The typical air filter should be changed every month. A dirty air filter restricts air flow which means your furnace has to work harder to move air through the ductwork & into your house. It’s kind of like being the fastest runner in the world but being forced to wear a mask that makes breathing more difficult. You have to help your furnace breath.
This is just part of your regular routine maintenance that needs to be done so that you and your family get the most out of your furnace. Changing the filter frequently is especially important because it does affect the air quality of your home.
If you haven’t had your annual furnace inspection done yet then call and schedule yours today. HVAC experts all recommend having an annual furnace inspection done at least once a year. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs please feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical toll-free at 888-611-7191

Protect Your Garbage Disposal This Holiday Season

Do not put fibrous or starchy items in the disposal. Both can cause particularly stubborn drain blockages (fibers get tangled, and starches get thick). The following items should be put in the disposal in minimal increments, preferably cut into small pieces, or not at all:

• banana peels
• celery
• potato peelings
• corn husk or corn cobs
• artichokes
• coffee grounds (in quantity) or coffee filters
• fruit pits and hard seeds from things like avocados or peaches
• onion skins (unless you’re especially careful to completely remove the thin membranes of each, which can wrap around the shredder ring)
• eggshells should not be put in the disposal as they turn into a sand-like substance that clogs piping.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of Your HVAC or plumbing needs please feel free to call your friends at Green Apple toll-free at 888-611-7191

What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze

What if your pipes still freeze, despite your best preventive measures? First step: Don’t panic. Just because they’re frozen doesn’t mean they’ve already burst. Here’s what you can do:

• If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a Green Apple plumber.
• Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted.
• Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house!
• You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe using a hairdryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
• If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing problems please call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical toll-free at 888-611-7191