By admin Plumbing 101 • Uncategorized 0 Comments

Washing Machine Check Up

Just recently my washer machine broke. Everything had been just fine last week, no strange noises, all the water came and went as it was supposed to, and my clothes were clean. To suddenly find that the water did not go where it was supposed to was slightly alarming. I did the logical thing and put “Spin” on the little dial. Big mistake. More water came, and it still had nowhere to go.

I always thought washer machines were impossible to break. I found the big piece of metal to be so intimidating, I never did a check up. That was my first mistake.

No matter how good you are with plumbing or hooking up your machines, there can always be a problem.

Constantly checking in, opening your washer without the intent of putting clothes in it, can help you in a long run. Nearly everyone knows to clean out the lint from the lint tray, perfect. That is the first thing you need to do to help your machinery to stay in perfect condition.

ymwXi9Q-2

 

Another big one is time. Do not leave your clothes sitting in the washer for too long. Wash it, then put it in the dryer. Letting it sit can lead to bad odor, and even get to the point of growing mold. Before you close the lid for another week to pass before you need to wash, make sure you do not see any mold growing.

washing machine smell

Once a month check the connection of everything. Make sure you do not have any broken pipes, or worn out parts. Make sure your washer is leveled, having it at even a slightly crooked level will cause it to shake when it is working, which can lead to it banging itself or damaging wires.

washer-dryer-hose-steam-kit1

You should also try and clean your washer. Just because it makes your clothes clean does not mean it is clean. Some washers have certain detergent to clean it, and if all else fails, getting a wet towel can help.

Keeping an eye on your machines can be tedious, and even intimidating, but oh so worth it. Because of my inability to pull the washer out and do a little check up, I now have to buy a new washer. Do not do the same mistakes I have, constantly check on it and clean it.
Hopefully you will not have to buy a new one for a very very long time.

 

By admin Plumbing 101 0 Comments

Noisy Faucets?

Noisy Faucets are annoying. I know. A lot of times you learn to live with it and simply get used to hearing the annoying sound in the middle of the night. If you are like me and cannot stand the sound, here is what you have to do to find where it is coming from and or why it is happening:

 

  1. Aerator

The aerator is the film that is behind the faucet drain. If a lot of minerals build up, you could have a leaky sink. To see if this is the cause, screw off the tap and run the water with ought the filter. If there is no longer a sound, you just have to go buy a new filter and install it.

 

2) Washers

A washer that has been in use for too long, or was incorrectly installed, and even if the size is incorrect, they could be the reason you can not sleep at night. To replace the old washer, turn off the water supply and take your faucet apart. Once you take off the handles, swap of hte washers for the new perfect fit ones.

 

3) Pressure

If your water pressure is too high, it could not only damage your equipment, it could be the reason for all the noise. Test your water pressure by getting a water gauge. If it is over 80 psi can be a problem. If this is what you get, try installing a pressure regulator on your main water line.

 

4) New

Whenever you get an older home, there can be a lot of debris and pollen around the house. The pipes are no exception. Getting a new plumbing system can be very complicated and dangerous, getting a plumber could sometimes be cheaper then accidentally ruining your house.

 

Sometimes the smallest of sounds can mean the biggest of problems. Contacting  your local plumber can be a much safer route if you do not believe you are capable of fixing it, or if you can’t seem to find the source of the sound.

By admin Plumbing 101 0 Comments

Mildew and Mold? How About No!

Mildew and Mold? How About No!

 

No matter how clean you are, mold can occur anywhere. Even hotels have had problems with mildew being found in their bathrooms, and trust me, hotels are very, very, clean places. Any damp places such as basements and bathrooms can grow these fungi, if it goes unnoticed, a row of problems can occur.

 

Are They Different?

When trying to get rid of theme you need to know what you have before you can do anything. Mildew is a light powder like film that is white or grey. Mold on the other hand is a lot darker with black, green, or brown colours. Not only that, it tends to build up making it look fuzzy.

 

Health Issues.

Even a healthy person can get respiratory problems when it comes to being near mold or mildew. The  real problem are sick people, if someone already has respiratory problems, being around either of the fungi can cause fatal damage to their health.

 

Scrub, Scrub, Scrub

As ugly and intimidating these fungi may seem, they are relatively easy to clean. Get a soft-bristled sponge, mix bleach and some water in a spray bottle and away we go. Spray the diluted bleach onto the affected area, let it sit for ten minutes, then scrub.

 

Where Is It Coming From?

If you are constantly cleaning mildew and mold in your bathroom, it’s okay. These fungi are their strongest in damp places, the only way to stop them is by constant cleaning (sorry). Now, if you get it somewhere that isn’t damp, get worried. It can mean that you have a leak that’s letting rain water get in later allowing for mold to build up.

 

Is It Too Much?

If you have yet to find a source, or you find a leak, ask for help. Call a plumber or your maintenance office. No matter how embarrassing or how little the problem is, these people are happy to help. Besides, its better safe than sorry!