Cleansing Your Sewer Line and Drains This Spring

Nothing is more important than cleansing your sewer line and drains this spring. Much like any other system in your home, both of these systems are prone to problems, especially clogs. A clog usually occurs when there is some sort of blockage found within your pipes. 

Thankfully, there are ways around these series of backups. If you follow the following steps, you can keep your pipes running smoothly this season. 

Typical Causes of Sewer Backups

Sewer backups can lead to In terms of residential backups; there are many contributing factors. These include:

• Tree Root Intrusion 
• Grease Accumulation
• Improper disposal of paper products

If you do have a sewer line clog, follow these following steps to clear the blockage.

How to Remove a Sewer Line Clog

Use a pipe wrench to loosen the cap on your main drain line before you open it entirely. Once the cap is loosened, open it and let the buildup drain out. Once the cap is opened, make sure to step out of the way. If there is any waste caused by the clog, the backflow will spill out of the main line drain. Make sure to let it run off entirely before attempting any further repairs. 

Next, feed the auger cable down the drainpipe. Each auger, or plumbing snake, is different, so be sure to follow the instructions that come with the tool for best results. However, the general principle is that you should gently feed the auger cable into your drainpipe until you hit the clog. You’ll know when you’ve hit it because the cable will get progressively harder to move through the pipe. Allow the auger to run until the clog has been removed. You’ll be able to see when it happens because the water level in the drainpipe will begin to gradually decrease and then drain out entirely.

That said, don’t stop running the machine as soon as the clog disappears. There could still be smaller pockets elsewhere in the pipe, which may cause additional problems down the road. Once the clog has been removed, spray the hose down your drainpipe at full blast. Doing so will simultaneously remove any lingering debris that is stuck in the pipe and clean off the auger. 

Afterwards, pull the plumbing snake out of the pipe slowly. You most likely want to hose the auger cable off a few times before winding it back onto the machine. When you’re done, place the cap back on your drainpipe and use the pipe wrench to tighten it up. 

Avoid Clogging Your Drains

While grease is the absolute worst substance you can put in your drain, there are other objects that should be avoided all together. This is especially pertinent if you have a garbage disposal unit as part of your drain system. These items include the following:

• Bones

• Fibrous fruits/vegetables: This includes celery, artichokes, asparagus, lettuce
• Coffee Grinds
• Fruit Pits: Includes avocado pits, peach pits, etc.
• Corn Husks
• Egg Shells
• Potato Peels
• Pasta, Rice and Grains

If these items much like grease or oil, can clog up your drain or prevent the garbage disposal blades from working properly. If the blades are jammed, this can also increase the buildup in the disposal drain.

If you do experience a clogged drain, there are ways to remedy it. 

Cleansing Your Drains

If your drains do have a clog, there can be a number of indicators. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent drains from clogging. 

• Run hot water through the sink after each use. Hot water keeps oils in food products running down the drain, rather than building up on the interior surface of pipes, which can make drains sluggish and lead to clogs.
• Throw a handful of baking soda into the drain and follow it with hot water. Baking soda is a terrific cleaning agent, and it’s also great for absorbing foul odors and leaving your drainpipes smelling like a rose. Okay, maybe not like a rose, but a lot better than they otherwise would.
• Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes; then chase it down with very hot water. Vinegar is a wonder cleaner. It contains acetic acid, which acts as an excellent organic solvent in removing an organic buildup of crud in pipes. 

Call MillTown today and schedule your heating service checkup to see if you need furnace repair or replacement!

Read What Our Happy Customers Had To Say!

By Milltown Plumbing

When a furnace has begun struggling or shut down completely, most everyone would prefer to choose the simplest and least expensive option. The question of furnace repair or replacement is always going to be on your mind. A quick fix may not be that perfect solution, however. Heating professionals should never simply recommend a furnace replacement just to sell more equipment. To the homeowner, the question is a matter of weighing short-term costs, the life expectancy of the equipment, and the quality of heating and energy efficiency that you expect.

Before assuming that either furnace repair or replacement is right for you, let’s examine the issues at play and how to weigh your options.

When Repairing the Furnace Isn’t Enough

Between furnace repair or replacement, the wrong choice can hurt you in the long run. In some cases, you could notice setbacks just days later. The technician can probably get your broken furnace to turn on again by replacing some small parts. But what if the furnace is now running very inefficiently? You’re now paying spiked utility bills. 

Furnaces that need to be replaced will also perform poorly. This causes hot and cold spots around the house, poor indoor air quality, and odd noises or odors. An inadequately repaired furnace might even present a heightened risk of house fire or carbon monoxide exposure.

It’s also best to avoid jumping to the conclusion that replacement is the best option. While a new furnace will almost assuredly be more energy efficient, don’t expect the furnace to pay for itself anytime soon unless you are replacing older equipment.

The Benefits of Accurate Troubleshooting

By making all necessary repairs or determining that a full furnace replacement is the best option, you’ll be sure to enjoy better heating:

• Maximum energy efficiency to save you money on fuel
• Reliable heating for the rest of the fall and winter
• Avoiding the extra costs of repeated repairs or unnecessary replacement
• Better indoor air quality
• Safety and peace of mind

When one thing goes wrong with your furnace, other problems may pop up. In older equipment, wear and tear can cause multiple parts to break down around the same time. If the furnace has been running with a worn out part, other parts may have been overtaxed and are now damaged, too. 

All of this makes it important to get advanced diagnostics. By finding the root issues and examining all of the many parts, the heating technician can add up everything that needs to be repaired or replaced. This way you avoid spending a small fortune on a new furnace you don’t need, and you won’t have another breakdown just a week later.

How to Decide Between Furnace Replacement or Repairs

After a heating expert has diagnosed the problem, the homeowner can look at a few options before deciding. You can anticipate what to expect based on the conditions described below.

Repairs will typically solve your heating trouble in these circumstances:

• The system is less than 10 years old. Life expectancy for a furnace typically ranges from 12 to 25 years. The younger the furnace, the less likely a major breakdown has occurred and the more likely a repair will be most cost-effective.
• There are no recent changes to system efficiency. Struggling furnaces are more likely to have massive systemwide problems calling for replacement. If the furnace has simply stopped turning on, you probably just have a broken part or connection.
• You have clogged air filters. Cleaning the filters should get things working smoothly again. If the filters get clogged faster than they should, other changes may be needed but the furnace itself is not likely the culprit.
• You are experiencing thermostat problems. Electrical problems and broken thermostats can make it seem like your furnace is broken. The thermostat may just need tightened connections or recalibration, or you might upgrade to a modern smart thermostat.
• Ductwork needs professional cleaning. Are rooms getting heated unevenly? Does the vent let out dusty or lukewarm air? Furnace efficiency depends on clean ductwork.

Telltale signs that you should replace your furnace include:

• The furnace is older than 15 years. Take the current problems as a sign. Old furnaces cost you with inefficiency and will likely need more repairs soon. Replacement may actually be your cheapest option when all is said and done.
• You notice higher costs on energy bills. Compare your bills to the same months from previous years to see how much the costs have been spiking. At some point in a furnace’s life cycle, cleaning and tune-ups cannot restore the equipment’s maximum efficiency. Older furnaces can continue to work while gradually losing efficiency. The problem only gets worse until eventually the furnace fails completely. 
• Your system is emitting carbon monoxide. Furnaces produce carbon monoxide as they burn fuel, but the lethal fumes are supposed to be safely escorted away through the flue. If the airways get clogged or the heat exchanger cracks, the carbon monoxide gas can leak out. The amount may be small at first, but no amount is safe. Replace it before this turns into a life-threatening problem.
• Your furnace is improperly sized. Undersized furnaces have much shorter lifespans because they get overworked. Either the home will always be insufficiently heated or your energy bills will be much higher than they should be. Oversized furnaces can be problematic, too. They achieve the desired temperature very quickly, then cycle off. All that on-and-off cycling wears down the parts rapidly. 
• Breakdowns and repairs have become frequent. Each repair may seem minor, but something is wrong if your furnace can’t make it through the rest of heating season without another repair.

Figuring out the best solution for a furnace problem requires some troubleshooting and advice by an HVAC professional. Before you invest in a new furnace or try to get by this winter with small repairs, make sure to have your heating equipment looked at by a friendly expert that you can trust.

Call MillTown today and schedule your heating service checkup to see if you need furnace repair or replacement!

By Milltown Plumbing

10 Warning Signs That a Furnace Replacement Is Imminent

The summer is fast fading and when that happens we know what to expect – shorter days and cooler nights.  If you are a homeowner who lives in a snowy climate, chances are you will be checking your furnace for proper performance.  Now would be a good time to troubleshoot it or you may not have heat during the fall and winter. A furnace that hasn’t been tuned up will run you into high energy costs, not to mention the price you must pay for maintenance or repairs. Getting it done now will give you peace of mind, ensure that you have reliable heat for the winter and save you the risk of replacement later, or having to worry about repair costs.  Here are 10 warning signs that a furnace replacement is imminent.

1. Your Furnace Sounds Like a Monster

No furnace is completely soundless, but if it is making noises like a hungry tiger on the prowl for food -groaning, whining, banging – repair may include replacing a loose belt, priming the ignition, or finding the correct component to replace it with.  Troubleshooting as soon as you hear those noises and you will be on your way to to quickly remedying the situation.

2. Turning Up the Thermostat Doesn’t Do the Job Anymore

Your natural reaction to feeling cold is to turn up your thermostat to a temperature where you feel comfortable again.  Lately, however, this just doesn’t work anymore. Now you won’t have the proper heat during the cold season months.  This suggests that the thermostat may be on the blink, or your ducts might be leaking.  For constant, reliable heat, call in a specialist to see if the problem is your thermostat and he will suggest a replacement.

3. Your Electric Bill Skyrocketed

When you’re paying more than you normally do for electricity it means your furnace isn’t working properly.  Rather than doing guesswork , it is best to call a specialist in so that they can remedy the problem.

4. Yellow Pilot Signal

If you notice that the pilot light on your furnace is glowing yellow you probably think everything is alright. This is just as big a warning as the yellow traffic signs on street corners.  A yellow light indicates that the gas balance of your furnace is not in good condition.  What you want is for the flame to be blue, which means that the gases are perfectly balanced.  Yellow means that carbon monoxide is being emitted, which is dangerous, and lethal to you and your family.

5. You Have Difficulty Starting and Keeping Your Furnace On

This is a sure sign that you need furnace repairs.  Problems can range from improper wiring, a broken fan motor or getting a new pilot light.  Most furnace repair companies will provide easy financing provided you catch the problem before it becomes too severe.

6. Your Family is Experiencing Respiratory Problems

When your furnace needs fixing you may notice that it is linked to frequent problems with breathing such as asthma and chest related illnesses.  A system that doesn’t work properly pours dust, mold and other pathogens in the air which circulate in your home. Diminished air quality is an incentive for getting your furnace fixed as soon as possible.

7. Hot and Cold Spots

If you constantly feel a draft while your furnace is on it means that it is no longer strong enough to heat your entire home.  If you find ice forming on your roof this may indicate that the heat from your house is escaping through the attic rather than keeping place in the living section where it is supposed to be.  Getting your furnace tuned-up will provide greater efficiency by getting rid of those cold and hot spots.

8. Air Condensation

You may not need furnace repairs for condensation, but if it keeps up it could mean you’ll be making constant calls for checkups that could lead to a higher risk of replacement. It is best to only allow two minor furnace issues occur in succession before you call for a maintenance person.  

9. Your Furnace is a Dinosaur

The average furnace last between 10 to 20 years with a good unit lasting into the upper level of that range. If you have had your furnace for over 15 years, now is a good time to begin looking for a new one.  A new furnace gives constant, reliable heat, eliminates repair costs and maintenance visits.

10. Your Furnace Gives Off an Unusual Odor

Your furnace is only supposed to have the scent of fresh gas or oil if you are using it for the first time of the season.  If after several consecutive uses, there is still a strange smell during your generator use, then something isn’t normal. Contact a specialist right away to diagnose the problem.  Strange odors are more serious than you might think.  Not only does it mean your unit is not functioning properly, but it also poses safety hazards to your environment.

Call Milltown Today if you’ve checked off any our 10 Warning Signs That a Furnace Replacement Is Imminent

By Milltown Plumbing