pipes

Daily Steps To Protect Your Plumbing

Taking daily steps to prevent drain clogs is so important. In the kitchen, this means not pouring grease, fats, or oils (including cooking oil and butter) down the drain. These products will eventually coagulate inside of the drains, and if the clog is in the drain outside of the home, then the repair can really get expensive.
Proper use of the garbage disposal is also important for preventing clogs. When using your garbage disposal, you should turn the water on before running the disposal and leave the water running for a good 15 seconds afterward to help rinse the debris through to the main line. You should also avoid putting certain foods in the disposal, including fibrous foods like banana peels and celery, as well as foods that are difficult to process, like potato peels and cucumber peels.
In the bathroom, you should reduce your use of bath oils and avoid using chemical clog removal products. You should also avoid flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Things like tampons, diapers, and other garbage items will quickly cause a clog if you try to flush them.
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 needs call us toll-free at 888-611-7191

How Summer Travel Plans Can Effect Your Plumbing

Make sure your travel plans include time for plumbing prep.
If you have summer travel planned, make sure your home is ready for it—especially if you’re going to be away for weeks or months at a time.

• Arrange to have a trusted friend or neighbor check in on your house and make sure everything is ok. Even an absence of a couple of days could lead to a big and costly mess if a leak goes undetected.

• Check your water-using appliances for loose or cracked hoses, leaks or other malfunctions.

• Turn your water heater down to its low, pilot or vacation setting. No need to waste energy heating water that won’t be used!

• If you’ll be away for an extended amount of time, consider turning off your water main and hot water heater and draining your pipes and tank.

• Empty the dishwasher and washing machine, and leave them open to air. While you’re at it, make sure your garbage disposal and plumbing traps are clean. That way, you won’t be coming home to musty, unpleasant odors.

• Make sure all indoor and outdoor taps are completely off.

• If your irrigation system is on a schedule, make sure it will run as desired while you’re away.
• Green Apple Mechanical NJ 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 call us toll-free at 888-611-7191

Summer Specific Plumbing Problems

1. Toilet maintenance
If you have a large family, the summertime brings a lot more use out of your home’s toilets when kids aren’t in school.  Since your fixtures get more flushes, they are more common to maintenance issues.
The best way to address this issue is by teaching everyone in the house to limit toilet paper use and explain that certain things cannot be flushed. Simply being more aware of the fixture during the summer can help you prevent problems down the line, but always be ready to call for a Green Apple Mechanical professional help if problems continue.
2. Disposal problems
Another common issue with your house’s plumbing in the summer is the garbage disposal. With cookout weather and kids eating breakfast and lunch more at home, the garbage disposal can get extra usage.
The best way you can avoid this problem is to limit the use of your garbage disposal and never try to push down any heavier items such as hard fruits, fibrous vegetables, corn cobs or starchy foods that can soak up water in drains and clog pipes. If you have a BBQ or cookout, try to get guests to avoid your garbage disposal altogether, since it can be overworked if too many people use it.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs please feel free to call toll-free at 888-611-7191

The Immense Benefits Of Central Air

• Increased Comfort. This is one of the biggest benefits of central air conditioning. Window units usually have limited cooling capabilities and can only cool the immediate area where they are located—meaning you may need to purchase multiple window units (and spend more money). While window units only cool one area of the home, central air conditioning systems simultaneously cool the entire house.

• Better Air Quality. Ahh… take a deep breath! Central air conditioning systems use filters which work to take pollutants, allergens, and the like out of the air, meaning fresher, cleaner air for you and your loved ones.
• Low noise levels. One of the biggest pitfalls of traditional air conditioning systems is the noise level. Window units are located inside the house so they’re going to make noise—and depending on the system, this noise can be loud and potentially become a big annoyance. Central air conditioning systems, however, keep the condenser (and the noise!) outside of the house.
• Green Apple 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 needs call us toll-free at 888-611-7191

Simple Ways To Care For Your Garbage Disposal

Cleaning The Drain

As well as having the sides of the garbage disposal regularly cleaned the drain must also be kept clean if the disposal is to be kept free of unpleasant smells and other problems. The drain is like any other piece of plumbing and odors are created by stale water sitting in the line. This problem can be dealt with easily and inexpensively by filling the sink with hot soapy water; dish soap can be used. It is then simply a matter of removing the plug and the soapy water will clear out the drain.

Using Coffee Grinds

The beauty of garbage disposal drain cleaning is that you do not have to buy any special materials; they are already present in your kitchen. A proven way to remove those awful odors is to use coffee grinds. So reach into the cupboard, find those grinds and pour some down the disposal.

Freshen The Disposal

There are various ways to keep your garbage disposal fresh and none of them involves using chemicals. Instead, you will need to have citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons or limes, to hand.
You will not be using the fruit, just some of the peel. The peel has a strong fragrance and this is released when a few pieces are put into the disposal and it is switched on. This will ensure it keeps on smelling nice and fresh.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call Green Apple toll-free at 888-611-7191

The Importance Of Timely Plumbing Repairs

Make repairs promptly.

If you have a running toilet or dripping faucet, don’t delay in fixing them. Although these might seem like minor problems, they can cause expensive damage to your plumbing. There could also be other underlying problems that could be putting pressure on your system and causing the leak. Additionally, updating your plumbing fixtures can help you save money on your utility bills and extend your system’s life. For example, newer, water-saving toilets flush easily and reduce clogging problems.
Problems with your plumbing system can cause serious damage to your home. Scheduling an inspection with Green Apple Mechanical NJ can help identify and reduce problems before they escalate. We can assist you with repairs and maintenance of your system to increase its longevity.
We 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 needs call us toll-free at 888-611-7191

3 Simple Ways To Get The Most From Your Furnace

 1-Decorative Insulation

Carpeting and area rugs on floors help insulate against drafts. They also feel great underfoot, help with soundproofing, and make us feel warmer because they’re so cozy looking.

2- Keep a Good Humidity Level

Most people notice that the air in our homes tends to be really dry in colder weather. It’s not only drying on skin and throats, but it can make us feel colder than we really are. Using a humidifier to bring your humidity level up to about 40% will help transfer heat better. You can lower the setting on the thermostat and not notice it. More humidity is also better for wood floors and furniture and can help prevent asthma and allergy attacks.

3- Make Sure your Garage Door is Sealed

The garage is one of the biggest culprits of energy loss in the modern home. Make sure the garage door is touching all the way down and there aren’t any drafts around the sides are top.
By following these tips, you’ll keep your furnace running smoothly all season long. You’ll also stay cozy and warm for less money.
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 needs call us toll-free at 888-611-7191

Slow Drain? Try This!

Accumulated hair, soap scum, and personal care products can build up in drains causing them to drain slowly. Slow drains are one of the most typical plumbing problems you’ll face. Remove the pop-off drain cover and clean any debris. (Consider wearing kitchen gloves).
You can also use an auger to clear the pipe or if you do not have an auger, partially straighten a wire hanger and use it to pull up any debris (also gross). If that doesn’t fix the problem, try using a plunger to loosen debris. Flushing with baking soda and vinegar will help as well.
Do not use harsh chemical drain cleaners! They can damage pipes. If the drain is still running slowly, call a Green Apple Mechanical NJ plumber as it can mean you have bigger problems. We 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 needs please feel free to call Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

Spring Is An Excellent Time For Your Annual Inspection

Clean Built-Up Rust and Dirt

A proper inspection includes checking for rust and dirt that can build up on the burners in your furnace. This type of buildup can create pockets that trap gas and cause hot spots on your furnace’s heat exchanger.
Even if your furnace is new, it still requires inspection as different factors can cause rust and dirt to accumulate.

Replace Worn-Out Parts

Your furnace’s internal parts wear out over time, which could cause it to stop working. A qualified Green Apple Mechanical NJ technician should check the parts in your furnace and replace those that could cause problems before your next inspection.

Increase Efficiency

Neglect your furnace’s annual inspections, and particles like dust and dirt can accumulate on any moving parts. This causes your furnace to work harder than necessary to maintain the heat in your home, which compromises efficiency.
During an annual inspection, a technician will clean your furnace’s parts and make sure they work together properly. Your furnace is at its most efficient when its parts are clean, without anything preventing it from working correctly.
We 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 call us toll-free at 888-611-7191

Maintenance Equals Prevention When It Comes To Plumbing

• 1-Grind ice cubes to help maintain your unit. Grinding a few ice cubes once a month will help sharpen your unit’s blades and clear away waste that’s stuck on the walls of your disposal.
• 2- Don’t use drain cleaners on your disposal. The chemicals in drain cleaners can damage your disposal. If you have a clog, give a Green Apple Mechanical NJ plumber a call or try the step below to fix it instead.
• 3- Hand-crank the disposal to break up jams. One of the best ways to fix disposal jams is to stick an Allen wrench in the slot at the bottom of your unit and manually crank the blades to free it up.
• 4- Don’t forget about the reset button. If your disposal is acting up, check and see if the reset button at the bottom of the unit has tripped. If it’s popped out, press it back down and try running it again.
• 5- Exercise caution when retrieving something from your disposal. If you accidentally drop something down your disposal, be very careful when trying to retrieve it. Always make sure your unit is unplugged before attempting anything and try grabbing the object with pliers or a bent coat hanger instead of your hand.
• We 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 call us toll-free at 888-611-7191