Clogged Drain? Find Out What to Do Before the Plumber Arrives

Sooner or later, all homeowners will encounter a clogged drain. Depending on the cause of the clog and where it's located, you may experience anything from an annoying slow drain to a serious overflow and even flooding. Some clogs you'll be able to fix yourself; others will require professional attention. Here are some tips for either case.

Minor Drain Clog

Most minor drain clogs are caused by congealed food, soap and hair. More than likely you can fix a minor drain clog with some do-it-yourself remedies. Here are some of the most effective:

• Pour a half cup of baking soda in the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Cap it off and let it foam for 10 minutes. Follow up by pouring boiling water down the drain.

• Sometimes, simply pouring a pan of boiling water down the drain will loosen the clog. You may have to pour several pans to effectively loosen and move the clog.

• Use a drain snake or hanger to reach into the pipe. Try to loosen or snag the clog.

• Remove the P-trap underneath the sink. Clean it out and replace the trap, making sure that water flows freely through it.

Major Clogged Drain

You'll know when you have a major drain clog. The water won't drain from the sink, tub or appliance (dishwasher or washing machine) or else it may overflow, resulting in flooding. If the clog is in the sewer line, and is a result of grease, tree roots or collapsed pipes, you will need a plumber. If water is overflowing somewhere in your home, find the valve to the sink or appliance and turn it off. It's a good idea to also turn off the water at the main valve, probably located in the yard, near the street. Do not turn the faucets on until the plumber arrives.

For more information on clearing a clogged drain, contact Air Assurance. We provide quality service to residents of the Broken Arrow area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “cigdem/Shutterstock”

Watch Out for These 3 A/C Condensate Drain Problems

You might be surprised to learn that your home's central air conditioning system is more than a cooling system. If it's working properly, it also should also dehumidify your home. As a result of this two-fold function, all that moisture removed from the air has to go someplace. In most systems, the water drains away without any issues, though in some systems, A/C condensate drain problems can arise. Following are some of the most common.

Overflow

In a properly operating A/C drainage system, moisture removed from indoor air during the cooling process will drip from the evaporator coil into a collection pan. It then flows through a condensate drain line to the household sewage drainage system and then out of the house. The collection pan and condensate drain provide a welcoming environment for algae growth. The algae can clog the drain line, resulting in water backing up, overflowing the collection pan and flooding the area around the evaporator coil. This can damage floors, walls, carpets, fixtures and belongings, and the homeowner may not find out about the water backup until it's too late. If your A/C is equipped with an overflow sensor, it will shut down the system until the clog is addressed.

Drain Trap Problems

In most central A/Cs, the condensate drain line has a U-shaped trap, similar to the traps you see in toilet plumbing. Its purpose is to keep sewer gases and fumes from backing up into the house. If you start smelling nasty odors coming from air conditioning supply registers, it could mean a problem with the drain trap. You'll want to call a plumber or A/C technician ASAP.

Mold Growth

Mold spores love the dark, damp area around an A/C's condensate collection pan and drain. From there, mold can make an easy jump into household air during the cooling process. This creates a health hazard for home occupants, especially those with allergies and other respiratory conditions.

To prevent common A/C condensate drain problems, please contact us at Air Assurance to schedule preventive maintenance on your Tulsa area home's cooling system.

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Ways to Pinpoint Water Heater Problems

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If you own your house long enough, you’ll probably face water heater problems at some point. The mean average service life of a residential water heater is about 10 years, so the odds are most homeowners will experience water heater symptoms that require either professional plumbing expertise to repair or install a new replacement unit. Look for these signs of water heater problems, then contact a qualified plumber as soon as possible.

No Hot Water

In a gas-fired heater, check to see if the pilot light is lit. If it’s not, follow manufacturer’s instructions to relight it. If it goes out again, contact a plumber. If the water heater is electric, check the unit’s power switch as well as your main electrical panel. A tripped circuit breaker usually indicates a specific cause, so contact your plumber if the heater’s circuit breaker trips repeatedly.

Water Not Hot Enough

Check the water heater thermostat setting. It should be no higher than 120 degrees. If the thermostat is correct but water temperature remains low, suspect a deteriorated dip tube that allows cold water to flow into the upper part of the tank. Your plumber may be able to replace that part alone.

Discolored Hot Water

Rusty hot water may indicate internal tank corrosion, a sign the heater is approaching the end of its service life and requires replacement. Muddy-colored water may be a sign of mineral sediment inside the tank which can be resolved by flushing the tank.

Popping or Bubbling Sounds

Another indication of sediment accumulation that causes uneven heating and produces bubbles inside the tank. Ask your plumber about the problem. If sediment hasn’t yet hardened, it may be removed from the tank by flushing.

Water Leakage

Evidence of water leakage around the heater may be the result of a leaky temperature and pressure relief valve–an easy component replacement for a qualified plumber—or a corroded tank, which means immediate replacement of the heater.

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For professional advice about water heater problems and qualified plumbing service to solve them, contact Air Assurance in Broken Arrow.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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Troubleshooting Your Toilet to Avoid Common Problems

To solve serious plumbing problems affecting your toilet like a clogged sewer pipe or water leaks from burst supply lines, you'll need the help of a professional plumber. If you'd rather fix minor problems yourself, try troubleshooting your toilet using these tips before calling in the pros.

Shocking Shower Scalds

If you're tired of those mid-shower scalds that occur when someone flushes, it's possible to make them less traumatic. You just need to slow the flush rate on every toilet by turning the shutoff valve until it's about half a turn from being fully closed.

Endless Running

Wasteful, non-stop running is a sign that the flapper valve isn't going back into place properly when the tank refills. A build-up of scale that needs to be cleaned off the valve seat can cause this, as can a chain that's too short. To lengthen the chain, just unhook it and reattach it a few links farther down.

Eerie Moaning

If you hear strange moaning noises coming from the bathroom at night and you're on municipal water, you're being warned that the ball cock inside the tank is worn. At night when everyone's sleeping, municipal water pressure rises and makes the worn ball cock vibrate and moan.

Ghostly Flushing

Phantom flushes can occur when the tank's flapper valve becomes worn and starts allowing water to seep out. When the bowl fills up, the toilet will flush on its own. If you decide to install a new valve to solve the problem, make sure the replacement is identical to the old one.

Double Flushing

When a toilet flushes twice and you've pressed the lever only once, the tank's water level is too high. To stop this waste of water, you'll need to keep adjusting the fill valve float until the repeat flushing stops.

Noisy Tank Refills

If the sound of rushing water is excessively loud when the tank refills after a flush, it's easily fixed. Simply turn the shutoff valve slowly to gradually reduce the fill rate until the noise volume drops sufficiently.

For expert help troubleshooting your toilet problems, contact the Tulsa area plumbing pros at Air Assurance.

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Tips for Selecting the Best Showerhead for Your Broken Arrow Home

A refreshing shower is probably an important part of your morning routine. If your shower isn’t performing the way you’d like, you can end up starting every day on a sour note. If it’s time for an upgrade, it’s worth doing your research to make sure you’re selecting the best showerhead for your needs.

Check Your Existing Hardware

Check the finish on your existing bathroom hardware before selecting a replacement. Your product won’t look natural if it has a different finish from the shower arm. Opt for something that matches what’s already there unless you plan to upgrade all fixtures in your bathroom. If you want to add other upgrades, like a handy anti-scald valve on your faucet, this is a great time.

Choose Pressure Over Volume

It’s tempting to select an oversized showerhead, imagining a luxurious experience under the broad spray. However, customers often find that they don’t feel a noticeable difference with different sizes. What’s more noticeable is the water pressure. You’ll enjoy more pressure with a smaller showerhead. When you’re selecting the best showerhead for your Broken Arrow home, go for something that’s 8-inches or smaller.

Look for the WaterSense Label

Showerheads with the WaterSense label must use 2 gallons of water per minute (gpm) or less. Standard showerheads use 2.5 gpm, so this is a noticeable difference. A WaterSense showerhead will help you save money on your water bill. The average family can save up to 2,900 gallons of water a year with this upgrade. A WaterSense showerhead can literally pay for itself.

Know When to Hire a Professional

Most homeowners can replace a showerhead themselves, but you should hire a professional if you’re making a major bathroom upgrade. Don’t attempt to replace the shower arm or any additional plumbing on your own. Done improperly, these upgrades could leave you with a hazardous leak that can lead to wall damage, mold growth and other serious problems.

For more information on selecting the best showerhead for your home, contact us at Air Assurance. We’ve proudly served the Broken Arrow area since 1985.

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Is Your Home's Plumbing Ready for an Upgrade?

Generally, a home's plumbing system doesn't get much attention until age-related issues start to crop up. To prevent the headaches, stress and high cost of extensive and unexpected water damage, it's important to know the warning signs that can tell you a home plumbing upgrade is due.

Key Indicators of Future Plumbing Problems

If you recognize any of these telltale signs that plumbing issues are headed your way in the near future, it's wise to investigate your upgrade options now:

• Galvanized pipes: Your galvanized pipes can appear in excellent condition since the outside is treated to resist corrosion. If you've been having frequent water line blockages and experiencing reduced flow at the faucets, your pipes may be in a serious state of decay on the inside, which isn't treated.

• Mixed pipe materials: If a previous owner had some of the original galvanized pipes in your home replaced with copper and the installation wasn't done properly, your plumbing system is a ticking time bomb. Galvanized steel and copper aren't compatible, and if dielectric unions weren't used to separate the two metals, the resulting chemical reaction speeds up the rate of corrosion.

• Plumbing system age. The materials used in older residential plumbing systems have an average life span of about 60 years. If your home is around that age and you're not certain if the plumbing was updated in the recent past, it's wise to schedule an inspection and talk to a licensed plumber about an upgrade before problems develop.

• Evidence of deterioration: To catch problems early, it's important to perform a periodic check of all accessible pipes in your home. Look for dried or fresh stains from water leaks around the pipes and dimpling, flaking or discoloration on the metal. Take a close look at the color of your water too. If it's yellowish-brown, it likely contains rust from corroding pipes. Other signs that point to decay are an increasing number of plumbing leaks and clogs that need repair.

To learn whether you're in need of a home plumbing upgrade, contact the Broken Arrow plumbing pros at Air Assurance today.

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Protect Your Tankless Water Heater From Freezing This Winter

If your tankless water heater freezes, it may be subjected to severe internal damage and leakage, which can affect heating efficiency. What’s worse, the cost of repairing or replacing it probably won’t be covered by your warranty. Most manufacturer warranties require homeowners to take appropriate winterizing steps to ensure their heaters don't freeze when it’s not in use for an extended period of time.

While most indoor and outdoor units incorporate a freeze protection function for short-term dips in temperature, this option probably won’t protect your tankless water heater from long exposures to more acute temperatures, especially during periods when you may be away from your home for several days.

This is why homeowners who live in areas where winter temperatures drop into the freeze zone should have a qualified plumber winterize their tankless heater during periods of non-use. Here’s what should be done:

• If your heater has been operating in the last hour, let your unit cool down, so it can be handled.

• Your heater should be disconnected from the electrical outlet or electricity should be shut off at the breaker.

• The gas supply should be shut off at the valve on the gas line.

• Water supply to the heater should be turned off at the inline shut off valve.

• Faucets located near your heater should be opened to bleed off pressure inside the plumbing.

• Both the cold water inlet and hot water outlet pipes should be disconnected from the heater before the inlet water filter is removed.

• Residual water inside your heater and pipes should be drained out into a bucket. Your plumber may utilize an air compressor to blow the pipes clear of all remaining water.

• For long periods of disuse, both the intake and exhaust vents should be capped to prevent accumulation of leaves and other debris.

To protect against freezing weather during severe cold spells in Broken Arrow, contact a qualified plumbing professional at Air Assurance.

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Stop Sewer Gas From Entering Your Broken Arrow Home

If you need to stop sewer gas from entering your home, you’re probably already well aware of how crucial this problem is. After all, the odor is unmistakable and can permeate your entire premise.Your plumbing contains built-in safety features to stop sewer gas from tainting your indoor environment. However, simple malfunctions in these safeguards may result in noxious odors pervading your living space. Here are some possible causes and cures:

• The U-shaped traps in drain pipes under sinks contain water at all times in order to seal out sewer gas from flowing into your home. If a sink isn’t utilized for a long period of time or there’s a leak in the trap coupling, water inside the trap may dry up or leak out. Run water into all sinks to make sure all traps contain water and check underneath them to make sure they’re not leaking.

• Check for a sewer cleanout plug in your basement floor drain. Remove the floor drain grate and make sure the plug is intac and tightened.

• Sewer gas may infiltrate through a defective wax ring seal around the base of your toilet. The wax seal may have deteriorated if the toilet feels loose or rocks. The services of a professional plumber will be required to remove your toilet and replace the seal. Also, while the trap normally contains water, if the toilet hasn’t been used for an extended period, the trap may go dry.

• Sewer vent pipes extend through the attic and terminate at the roof. When functioning properly, these vents intake air to equalize pressure in sewer pipes as waste material passes through. If a sewer vent is blocked by leaves, birds nests or other obstructions, air intake is obstructed. The resultant vacuum in the sewer line may suck water out of sink traps, allowing sewer gas to infiltrate your home. A plumber can access your sewer vents from the roof and clear obstructions.

For professional plumbing service in Broken Arrow, contact Air Assurance today.

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If You Need a Plumber, This List Will Help You Find the Right One

Since many homeowners don't realize they need a plumber until an emergency strikes, finding a reliable one can be tough. Although you can take steps to maintain your home’s plumbing system and prevent water damage, it is important to have a trustworthy professional available just in case. Here are some key tips for finding the right Mr. or Ms. Fix-It for your home.Ask AroundSince referrals are the foundation for good business, the first step when you need a plumber is to ask friends, family, neighbors and coworkers for their recommendations. Also, consult websites or service provider reviews.Do the ResearchWrite up a short list based on those recommendations, and then contact the Better Business Bureau. They can let you know whether potential service providers have outstanding or extraordinary complaints. The BBB can also help you find out your state's requirements and ensure that candidates more than fulfill basic requirements.Shop AroundWith your shorter list in hand, create a list of questions about your home's plumbing problem(s). Ask companies for free estimates and for general rates, whether by the job or hour, to help cut down your list further. This step also gives you a general estimate ahead of time.Ask the Right QuestionsBefore making your final choice, ask the following questions to avoid any surprises.

• How long have they been around? Look for plumbers with five to 10 years of experience.

• What licenses do they carry? Consult the Better Business Bureau again.

• What kind of insurance have they got? Generally, at least $500,000 in liability insurance, along with workman’s compensation, is standard.

• Is the job guaranteed, and, if so, for how long? Guarantees reveal confidence in their work.

Finally, review the contract details before agreeing. This ensures that you get the estimate in writing, and that you, your home, and your plumber are fully protected.Using these steps, you can take your time finding the right professional for your home before plumbing emergencies strike. For more expert assistance in addressing your Tulsa metropolitan area home comfort needs, contact Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning, & Plumbing today.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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