Err, it happened again, you are taking a shower or doing the dishes and the water just will not go down!  This can be very frustrating and annoying and can make you want to pull your hair out. What do you do?

Here are some steps that you can take to help rid whatever is clogging your drains!

1. First, remove everything that is located from under your sink.  This will help you gain better access to the pipes and keeps things a little less frustrating!  This also helps to protect the items in case of a leak.

2. Make sure you cut off the water!  This is very important to remember.  Located the water shut off, usually at the back of the wall.  It will be a silver knob and you need to turn it clockwise to close off the supply.  If there is standing water in the sink you should remember to plug it before you remove the pipes.

3. You can place a towel or a small pan under the sink to catch any leaking water and then remove the pipes.

4. Newer homes that use PVC pipes will not require any tools to remove them but older homes may need a large pipe wrench.  Remove the pipe at the elbow and try to find the clog.

5. Once the clog is found you can now place the pipes back on.  Be sure to tighten them gently but firmly to assure there are no leaks.  You may want to test the water slowly with a bucket underneath to make sure that the pipes are screwed on properly. 

It can be very annoying when your sink is clogged and it can seem like a difficult thing to fix.  However, it is fairly simple and does not usually require the help of a plumber.  Doing it yourself could save you time and money!

There are some steps that you can take to help remove the odor from your drains without much effort! 

1. If you have a garbage disposal, start by running water along with it to try and rid some of the smell debris or water buildup left inside your disposal.  Things like milk can cause a bad odor after some time. Make sure you always run the water for a few moments after you have turned off your garbage disposal. For more maintenance tips on your garbage disposal check out our “Quick fixes for Your Garbage Disposal”

2. If you have a lemon, squeeze half of one down the drain and cut up the remainder into smaller pieces and place inside the disposal.

3. Now, turn on the disposal again and let the grinder do its magic.

4. If you do not own a disposal let the lemon juice sit in the sink overnight without running the water.  Do not put the rind down the sink unless you own a disposal as this will cause a clog.

5. You can also try ½ cup of vinegar and let it sit for a couple of minutes.  After, run very hot water down the drain for about two minutes.  After that, add some baking soda and leave it sit for at least an hour or more.

6. Run hot water.

This is usually all it takes to get the smells out of your drains.  If you are still struggling, perhaps purchase a commercial drain cleaner.  Bleach is another alterative to the vinegar but it is much stronger and should be used in a well ventilated area.  This is sure to do the trick!  Your kitchen will be smelling great again in no time.

Here are a few tips on how to refurbish your cabinets cheaply, giving your kitchen a new breath of fresh air: 

1. Take down the cabinet facings—doors and drawers—and see what the kitchen cabinets really look like, to see what you have to work with.

2. Once you have ascertained the condition, you can decide whether or not to strip and stain the wood, or paint it to match your walls or accessories.

3. A popular new look in the kitchen is to paint the cabinet frames one color, and then the facings another contrasting color. Another popular look is to leave the facings off altogether, line the shelves with a bright shelf liner, and have open neat shelves to organize your kitchen contents.

4. If you have a really limited budget but still want to make a small change, change the knobs on the drawers or doors.

5. If your budget really limited, buy a preparation such as Liquid Gold or some type of wax and exert a little elbow grease to make the doors gleam like new. 

Rejuvenating the look of your kitchen can be done on the cheap or planned to use up some set aside savings. Play around with your options. See if the local paint store has a designer who can help you. Write down a number of your choices and their costs, and think about the various ideas before you act on them. Use your imagination and have fun with your new kitchen look!

Take some time to look your kitchen over and then try a few of these things. 

• Purchase racks that you can install inside of your cabinets.  When you do this you will be able to store things inside the cabinets on the shelves and on the door.  This is like doubling the space that you have inside all of your cabinets.

• Get cup holders that attach underneath of your cabinets.  These are great places for you to store your coffee mugs and it gives you more space inside of the cabinets for other dishes and glasses.  These are really easy to find and they are also easy to install. 

• Another idea may be pot racks.  This allows you to store your pots out in open.  They are much easier to get to and it gives you more space under the stove and in the cabinets.  This also creates a really nice look for many new, contemporary kitchens.  Again, these are really easy to find and they are also easy to install.

• Make shelves at the end of islands.  This simple creates more storage and it looks nice if you place the right things in this location. 

Try following these simple tips and tricks in order to help you keep your garbage disposal working as it should.

•    Always run water in it before and after you use it. This will help you keep it running smoothly.  The water will help things wash down smoothly and it will keep it clean.  You should allow the water to run for 20 second before and after the use of the garbage disposal.

•    Do not run hot water down the garbage disposal.  It is a common misconception that a lot of people do, but it is not advised.  It actually melts any fats and it then builds up on the disposal blades.

•    Only place food in it.  You should never try to crush bones or fabric materials.  The garbage disposal was designed for food only.

Some of these tips are common sense but that does not mean that people do everything they are supposed to with this equipment.  If you would like your garbage disposal to work properly for a long period of time you need to follow these tips. 

If you do run into an issue with your garbage disposal make sure you know quick fixes for common garbage disposal problems. Also, NEVER attempt to fix a broken disposal unless you have unhooked the power to it first. You should never place you hand down a running garbage disposal or a disposal that the power is still hooked up to. So go take care of that garbage disposal!

If you notice that the flow of water from the spray is sluggish, first make sure the hose is not kinked. If the spray hose is not kinked, then you may need to clean the aerator in the spray nozzle. If the water flow remains sluggish after you have cleaned the aerator, you may have a diverter valve problem. You’ll have to clean or replace the diverter. 

If the spray head leaks however, you just need to replace the washer from the hose. For a leak at the faucet end of the spray hose, tighten the hose coupling. For a hose that leaks itself you probably have a cracked hose and will need to replace it.

Three common problems of a sink spray and how to fix them:

Clogged Spray Nozzle: Remove the nozzle screw and clean the perforated disc with a soapy water and small scrub brush. Open the clogged holes of the nozzle with a safety pin. Replace the nozzle.

Leaking Spray Head: With the water off, unscrew the spray head and replace the spray washer. Make sure the coupling is tightened once you reattach the spray head. 

Leaking Spray Hose: Remove the spray hose with a basin wrench. Remove the coupling under the sink along with the spray-head coupling. Replace the hose with a new one and reattach the spray head coupling and the sink coupling.

How to Clean the Diverter Valve: Unscrew the sinks faucet cap to reach the diverter. Make sure you know how to take apart a faucet.  Loosen the screw that is on top of the diverter just enough that the diverter is loose to lift it out of the faucet. Once you have the whole diverter out, take it apart for cleaning. Use soapy water and a small scrub brush to clean the inside and out of the diverter. If the diverter is too corroded you may need to replace it. Once you have cleaned the diverter or had purchased a new one, you are ready to reinsert it into the faucet.

To clean marble, wash occasionally with lukewarm water and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Also, wiping surface with a damp chamois will not leave streaks. A mild detergent solution (such as dishwashing detergent) can be used once or twice per year; if you choose to deep clean marble this way, be sure to rinse well and pat dry.

Are there other marble care products that can be used? A light coat of wax will protect the surface of marble, but is not essential and must be applied carefully. It should be a colorless wax; and, should only be used on colored marble (white marble will likely yellow from waxing). Finally, a marble sealer can be applied to clean marble, which will protect from staining and allow soil to be removed with a damp cloth.

These easy marble care tips should ensure that homeowners can enjoy their marble surfaces more, and for longer periods of time. Extend the life of your marble, increase the quality and value of your home!

Hot Water Heating System

Forced Warm-Air Heating System

Evaporative Air Conditioner

Heat Pump

Refrigerated Air Conditioner Make sure extinguisher is fully charged and recharge if necessary.Test batteries with a lit cigarette or incense. Replace  batteries if necessary.Clean out debris, such as hair, from the sink and tub stoppers.Flush with hot water and baking soda to clear out the garbage disposal.Check safety valve and steam pressure gauge. Check water level gauge and add water if water level is to low. Drain water until water runs clear of deposits.

Test relief valve and replace if needed. Check pressure gauge and drain expansion tank if necessary.

Clean or replace air filter.

Check or replace blankets; check air flow; clean unit if necessary.

Clean or replace air filter. Clean condenser, evaporator coils and condensate drain. Remove any snow or debris form the unit.

Clean filter, condenser and evaporator coils and condensate drain or replace if necessary. Every 2 Months Oil BurnerWall FurnaceDishwasher Inspect and clean oil burner.Clean Grills from wall furnace.Clean grease filter in dishwasher. Every 3 Months FaucetTub Drain AssemblyFloor Drain StrainerDishwasher Clean aerator portion of the faucet.Clean out debris and see if rubber seal need to be replaced.Clean out debris and scrub strainer clean.Clean strainer, spray arm, and air gap within the dishwasher. Every 6 Months Basement and FoundationToiletInterior CaulkingWater HeaterGarbage Disposer

Clothes Washer

Clothes Dryer

Refrigerator

Wiring

Exhaust Fan

Range Hood Fan Check for cracks and moisture and repair if cracks or moisture is found.Check for leaks.Inspect caulking around tubs, showers, and sinks to see if any  are deteriorating.Drain and flush hot water heater tank until is clear of sediment. Inspect flue assembly.Tighten drain connections and fasteners from sink to disposer.

Clean water inlet filters and check hoses for leaking.

Vacuum lint from ducts and surrounding areas.

Clan drain hole and pan. Wash door gasket and vacuum off condenser coils.

Check for frayed cords and wires. Repair any damages at once.

Clean grill and fan blades from dust and debris.

Wash fan blades and housing off.

Preventive maintenance around your home is to keep your home in good  repair.  Such routine home maintenance will avoid major repairs in the future. Below is a list of the most common year round home maintenance work you should do around your home. The chart is simply a guide. If you notice a problem developing take action immediately.

CAUTION: Before inspecting or working on any electrical system or on any device connected to it, shut off the power to your home and check to make sure the circuit is dead with a circuit tester. Unplug any device you plan to work on. For maintenance or repairs to plumbing fixtures or water using appliances you should shut off the water before making any repairs.

1. Get everyone out of the home.
2. Call the fire department form a neighbor’s house or your cellular phone.

Equip your home with a portable fire extinguisher. Portable fire extinguishers are useful for fighting small, contained fires. Extinguishers are classed by the type of fire they are intended to put out. If you have only one extinguisher, make sure it is a universal extinguisher and will put out all types of fires. If you have more than one extinguisher, store it where it will be effective against the type of fire likely to occur in that area. Make sure to learn how to use extinguishers before you need them. Here are some home fires you may come across and how you can extinguish them.

Kitchen Grease Fires: These fires typically result from cooking.

• Small Grease / Oil Fire in a pan: Turn off the heat right away and cover the pan with a lid. DON’T pour water on a grease or oil fire because water will cause the fire to spread.
• Oven Fire: Turn off the heat and let the fire burn itself out. DON’T open the door to the oven. This will let in more air and will feed the fire and causing it to maintain burning.

Chimney and Roof Fires: A chimney fire occurs when the soot and creosote deposits inside the flue ignite; resulting in a loud roaring noise and causing flames and sparks to discharge out of the chimney. A roof fire results from sparks traveling up the flue and igniting the roof. Most often, such a fire burns through the roof before it is discovered.

• In the event of a chimney or roof fire make sure to get everyone out of the house immediately and call the fire department.

To prevent such fires, examine the following safety measures:

• Keep your chimney or your stovepipe clean.
• Do not burn huge amounts of newspaper or other paper products in your fireplace or wood stove.
• Mount a sparks arrester on the top of your flue.