Plumber’s Guide on dealing with slow-draining toilets

Toilets drain issues

Dealing with a slow draining toilet can be frustrating. (Photo Credits)

Toilet drain problems can be embarrassing for both a host and a visitor. It can even be nerve-wracking especially if it appears to be clogged, or worse, overflows. So are there easy ways to deal with such a problem, or does one really have to get his hands literally dirty?

Home Repair Geek explains how the drains become suddenly slow, and why this happens.

"When the bowl empties, that means the water has all siphoned out after the initial gush, which is provided by the flood from the tank after you lower the lever. If your toilet is flushing slow, then you may have a problem with the flood waters. Something may be causing the water needed to flood the bowl properly to not do so adequately or in a timely manner."

The full explanation can be found here.

Slow and clogged toilet

Homeguides SF Gate has shared several ways on how to deal with a slow flushing toilet. According to its online post, the first thing a homeowner should try is to use a plunger to help unclog the slow drain. Plumbing Association of San Diego 

(Related Post: Plumber's take on Devices that help Lower Water Bill )

"Plunge the toilet using a plunger that fits inside the waste opening. Plunging is easy, and if the sluggish flushing is caused by a partial waste blockage, using a plunger will probably remove it. If the toilet exhibits other signs of a blockage, such as backing up, clear the blockage with a toilet auger if plunging doesn't work."

Check out the whole write-up here.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/remedy-slowflushing-toilet-86135.html

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Sometimes though the clog remains persistent. If in case it still not flushes properly after using a plunger, the website remove and replace suggested that the homeowner inspect the toilet tank and other fixtures within. A/C And HVAC     

(Related Post: Plumber tips on winterizing plumbing systems)

"Flush the toilet to be sure the flapper works and positions properly. Make sure the water exits the tank with no problems. If the water drains very slow then the air pipe or the sewer pipe may be clogged. This may involve a professional plumber with a plumbing snake to fix it."

Take a look at the full explanation here.

Knowing how to deal with slow toilet drains can help in avoiding major clogs and toilet overflows.

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HVAC, indoor air and Pets

 

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HVAC, indoor air and Pets

Ensuring good indoor air quality

Can there be good indoor air quality with pets at home? (Photo Credits)

Indoor air quality may suffer due to having pets around the home. While HVAC systems may try hard to ensure a comfortable temperature inside the house, a pet's dander, as well as everything that it excretes can become an allergen affecting the indoor air quality inside a home.

Medium.com explained this in one of their write-ups saying that managing it can be a key to ensuring good air quality at home.  Plumbing Association of San Diego

(Related Post: HVAC Technician's guide on right air condition sizing)

"Pet dander impacts to air quality because of how small it is. As the dander is extremely light, it can stay in the air for an extremely long amount of time. In fact, pet dander is more likely to stick around in the air longer than dust mites! Beyond that, the flakes of skin from your pet are jagged around the edges, making them perfect for getting stuck on fabric all over your house. These two characteristics allow it to have spread easily, having the biggest impact possible on your health."

Read more here.

The Allergy and Asthmas Foundation of America has mentioned several ways to ensure a better indoor air quality at home. In their informational post they mentioned that air conditioning also plays a huge part on reducing it since it reduces humidity inside a home. A/C and HVAC 

(Related Post: Devices that help lower HVAC Operating Costs)

"Reducing humidity decreases dust mites and mold growth. Air conditioners help reduce humidity too. They can also prevent outdoor allergens. Keep your windows and doors closed. Turn your air conditioner on recirculate. These steps can help reduce outdoor allergens like pollen and mold."

Check out the rest of the informative post here.

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The American Lung Association meanwhile shared the health repercussions of poor indoor air quality due to pets. In the same online article they also mentioned ways on how to improve air quality for those with pets at home.

"For homes with sensitive individuals, the best way to protect indoor air quality is to remove the animal from the home. However, pet allergens may stay in the home for months after the pet is gone because the allergens remain in house dust. Allergy and asthma symptoms may take weeks or even months to improve. If the pet stays in the home, keep it out of the bedroom of anyone who has asthma or allergies. Do not allow the pet on furniture, especially upholstery, and keep the pet away from carpets. Clean the home often."

Read the whole post here.

To ensure good indoor air quality, consult indoor air quality professionals who can help create a better air environment in one's home.

Diamond Ace Contractors

5052 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117
(888) 231-1086

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Plumber tips on winterizing plumbing systems

 

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Plumber tips on winterizing plumbing systems

Preparing for Winter

How to avoid frozen pipes. (Photo Credits)

Winterizing a home plumbing system is an important home maintenance procedure to undertake before the snow season sets in. It basically prevents frozen pipes that could eventually leak, burst, and could even lead to home water damage.

This is especially true for vacation homes, and when leaving the home for the holidays.

(Related Post: How to spot plumbing problems in the Garden)

Home improvement website BobVila.com has explained the importance of winterizing the plumbing system. A/C And HVAC 

"When water freezes, it expands. So if the temperature of your pipes drops below 32 degrees, even for a short period, you run the risk of a pipe fracture or worse. Take the following precautions now to avoid a major headache later. Inside Your Home — anywhere cold air blows on a pipe, it creates the potential for freezing."

The continuation can be found here.

How to winterize

Personal finance website The Balance mentioned the steps to take to winterize a home plumbing system. They also came up with a comprehensive guide for the procedure. Plumbing Association of San Diego 

(Related Post: Plumber's Advice on Bath Tub Troubles)

"Begin with a plan for winterizing your plumbing. It is easy to miss a step, so you make yourself a checklist of all parts of the house with the steps detailed below, including all taps and valves. Mark them off as you complete them, so you'll know you did everything—and won't have any nasty surprises come cold weather. "

The post can be found here.

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Older home improvement website This Old House meanwhile shared ways on how to drain pipes in time for the winter season, and before leaving a home for an extended period of time.

"Shut off the main water valve, which is typically located near the water meter. Drain hot and cold water from house by attaching a hose to sill cock or basement faucet; drain the water into a sump-pump pit or to the outdoors. Open all faucets and flush all toilets in house, starting with top floor and working your way down."

Read the continuation of the instructions here.

Plumbing experts say homeowners should ensure that they do routine home care to prevent damage in plumbing systems as well as other property structure.

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Common HVAC Thermostat Problems

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HVAC Technician’s guide on right air condition sizing

Proper A/C Sizing

Having the right size of air conditioner fitted into a room spells a lot of difference when it comes to cooling comfort and electricity bills. Experts advice that every home should have a properly sized air conditioning unit so that they could take full advantage of their a/c unit and operational costs.

The US Department of Energy's Energy Star explained why it is important to get the right sizing of air conditioning to the room where it is being used. Plumbing Association of San Diego           

"A unit that is too big will be less effective and offer reduced air conditioner efficiency. Air conditioners remove both heat and humidity from the air. If the unit is too large, it will cool the room, before it has a chance to remove the humidity. The result will be a room that's not very comfortable to spend time in That cool moist air will make the room feel damp and clammy. The most energy efficient air conditioner is sized to the square footage of the space to be cooled."

Check out the Energy Star's information table here.

Precise calculation

Homeguides SF Gate meantime explained that there may not be a hard and fast rule when it comes to determining the appropriate capacity of air conditioning unit for a certain room. They explain there is a lot of factors in play such as location of the home, the usual climate, among others. A/C And HVAC     

"To obtain a precise calculation, you must consider your home's unique factors: What region is it in? How good is the insulation? What direction does the house face? Some websites use online calculators to enable you to perform a closer estimate. An HVAC professional can use the Manual J – an engineering guide that precisely pinpoints the size you need."

Take a look at the rest of the explanation here.

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Consumer Reports meanwhile shared a rule of thumb approach that some use air conditioning professionals in right-sizing their air conditioning unit. The number though would have to be adjusted in view of factors like the orientation of the sun vis-à-vis the room, the number of occupants in a room, and the type of room where the air conditioning unit will be used.

"Window air conditioners typically have a cooling capacity ranging from 5,000 to 12,500 British thermal units (Btu/hr.). As a rule of thumb, an air conditioner needs 20 Btu for each square foot of living space. But don't buy by Btu alone. Other considerations, such as the ceiling height and the size of your windows and doorways, might call for more cooling power. To measure your room, multiply the length of the room by the width. Add together the size of rooms that aren't separated by doors because the air conditioner will need to cool both spaces."

Check out the rest of the guidelines shared here.

To be sure about the right size of an air conditioning unit, it is best to consult an HVAC Professional.

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Plumber's Advice on Slow Drains

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Plumber’s Advice on Slow Drains

Slow and Steady

When the draining gets slow. (Photo Credits)

Slow drains can be frustrating and at the same time could signify that something is amiss in the sink's plumbing system. Fortunately there are ways to remedy this type of issue before calling in the big guy AKA The Plumber.

(Related Post: Plumber's advice on improving garden drainage)

Home improvement website BobVila.com mentioned several reasons for a slow draining sink, and was also quick to mention to not use abrasive and over the counter drains which can further damage plumbing systems especially the older ones. A/C And HVAC          

"If you've got really old plumbing, harsh drain chemicals can cause damage. Try a naturally biodegrading drain cleaner or this homemade remedy: Pour in a half cup of baking soda, then a whole cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain for five minutes and flush it with a gallon of boiling water."

Read more here.

Get the hair out

For bathroom sinks, The Family Handyman mentioned that usually it is hair and soap scum that causes the slowing of drains. It then shared the possible ways to get the blockage out. Plumbing Association of San Diego 

(Related Post: Plumber's thoughts on Drain Snakes)

"To learn how to unclog a bathroom sink, try lifting out the stopper (Photo 1). Sometimes it'll come right out. If it doesn't lift out, it's held in by the pivot rod. Release the stopper by removing the pivot rod nut and pulling out the pivot rod (Photo 3). If you can't loosen the nut by hand, use pliers. With the pivot rod pulled out, you'll be able to lift out the stopper. Then to get the clog out, bend a wire in a tight hook (a light-duty clothes hanger or short length of electrical wire will do) and fish out the hair (Photo 2). "

Check out the rest of the procedure here.

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Apartment Therapy also came up with a step-by-step guide in solving a slow-drain problem. In their Do-It-Yourself suggestion they just used pantry staples to unclog the slow drain.

"Set a full tea kettle on the stove to boil. Dry your sink out with a rag. Now, measure a 1/2 cup baking soda and dump it down your drain. In most sinks, the sink stopper will be in the way. We used a Q-tip to push the majority of the baking soda down the drain. Don't worry if you can't get it all down, the next step will do the rest of the work for you."

The succeeding steps can be found here.

If slow drains persist, call in a plumber for assistance.

Diamond Ace Contractors

5052 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117
(888) 231-1086

Diamond Ace Contractors Plumbing Repair San Diego

Devices that help lower HVAC operating costs

The post Plumber's Advice on Slow Drains appeared first on Blue Diamond Plumbing.

How to spot plumbing problems in the Garden

Lawn and Yard Plumbing Issues

What to do when plumbing issues occur in the garden? (Photo Credits)

The garden is another spot in the house that regularly uses up huge amounts of water. From the water sprinkler, to garden hoses, outdoor faucets, and even mini fountains or ponds, all these plumbing fixtures use water on a day-to-day basis.

Unfortunately, like any other plumbing fixture, garden faucets, hoses, and water sources are also subject to wear and tear. There is also the possibility of bad installation that may cause an even bigger trouble in this area of the home.

One common lawn problem is a wet and soggy surface. Home improvement website The Spruce discussed this issue in one of their posts on lawn problems, saying this can be attributed to a drainage trouble. Plumbing Association of San Diego

(Related Post: Plumber's advice on installing shut-off valves)

"A soggy, wet lawn will attract all sorts of problems from weed outbreaks to lawn disease and eventually thin and dying turf. Installing subsurface drainage is the best way to alleviate drainage issues but it must be installed correctly to work properly. There are a variety of methods and materials that can be used for a drainage project depending on the amount of money, time, and labor at one's disposal."

Take a look at the rest of the explanation here.

Drainage issues explained

Home gardening website TheSensibleGardener.com shed light on why drainage problems usually plague lawns. In their web feature they mentioned that soil permeability as well as topography plays a huge role on lawn drainage. A/C And HVAC

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"Drainage is never instantaneous. In other words, rain water is never completely absorbed immediately by the soil. On lawns especially, roots can create a thick barrier that can greatly reduce soil permeability. Soil compaction may also be an issue." Check out the full web article here.

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Another outdoor plumbing issue that may hound homes are frozen pipes. The best thing to do is to detach the garden hose even before the winter season sets in to avoid freezing the water that runs through the hose, the pipes, and the outdoor faucet. Frozen pipes that will end up bursting can be a problematic and expensive plumbing issue.

Diamond Ace Contractors

5052 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117
(888) 231-1086

Diamond Ace Contractors Plumbing Contractor San Diego

How to lower water consumption in the kitchen

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How to lower water consumption in the kitchen

Efficient use of water

Efficient use of water can help lower water bills. (Photo Credits)

The kitchen is one part of the home that consumes a huge chunk of a house's water consumption. Efficient use of water in this area will help a lot in trimming down utility expenses. A little tweak in the household's usual consumption habits can apparently go a long way.

Eco-friendly home improvement website Green Home Guide emphasizes that a lower water consumption leads to a low impact lifestyle. In one of their web posts, they shared ways on how households can improve the efficiency rate of their water consumption. Plumbing Association of San Diego     

(Related Post: Plumber's tips on water seeping from bathroom floor)_

"Tune up your kitchen sink faucet. If your sink faucet is leaking, make sure to fix it right away. According to the EPA, more than 3,000 gallons per year of water can be lost from a leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second. Also, consider installing a faucet aerator, which is fairly inexpensive and helps limit the amount of water used by mixing it with air."

Check the rest of the tips here.

Low water use = low impact lifestyle

The website Water Footprint Calculator also came up with a comprehensive guide on how to save water consumption in the kitchen. In their webpage, they discussed various uses of water in the kitchen and how homeowners can save water in all these tasks. A/C And HVAC           

(Related Post: What to do when a pipe bursts)

"Install a low-flow faucet on your sink. Conventional faucets flow at around 5 gallons per minute, while low-flow faucets flow at 1.5 gallons per minute. Wash vegetables and fruits in a large bowl or tub of water and scrub them with a vegetable brush instead of using your faucet as a power-washer. Don't use water to defrost frozen foods. Instead, leave them in the fridge overnight."

Check out more tips from the original article here.

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The website Health24.com also shared more tips in reducing water usage in the kitchen. One of the areas discussed is in dish washing.

"Less is more — Don't use too much dish-washing liquid when washing dishes by hand because the more soap you use, the more water you will need for rinsing. Stop-start — Use short bursts of water rather than allowing the water to run freely while washing or rinsing items. Depending on the number of items, it might be better to put water into the kitchen sink. In the bin — Avoid pre-rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Scrape leftover food debris into the trash."

The original article can be found here.

Saving water in the kitchen indeed helps both the household budget and the environment.

 Diamond Ace Contractors

5052 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117
(888) 231-1086

Diamond Ace Contractors Plumber San Diego CA

When sewer-like odors infiltrate the home

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