It happens to everyone, a clog in one of your drains. Most people panic, and run straight to Google to find DIY solutions on how to unclog the drain. We’ve all heard the phrase, “you can’t trust everything you see on the internet,” and this is one of those times where you can’t trust what the internet says.
The main thing you’ll probably see is the drain cleaner, Drano. We urge you to not use Drano in your pipes for many reasons. Sure, it’ll get rid of the problem. But, it only fixes the problem temporarily, and when it comes to clogs, you want to get to the main issue sooner rather than later. The repairs that it could cause could be very expensive and avoided if Drano is not used.
So, what is Drano? According to Drano.com, “they contain ingredients chemicals that quickly dissolve hair, soap scum and gunk. You can use Drano® Clog Removers to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or clogged bathtub, but DO NOT use them in toilets.” When pouring Drano in your drains, almost instantly you will see the issue go through a reaction.
That doesn’t seem like a problem, right?
Wrong!
Drano has corrosive abilities because of its strong ability to break down even the toughest clogs. Since it is corrosive, it can ruin PVC, eat at pipes or cause toilet bowls to crack (even though Drano has advertised it is NOT meant for toilets).
Since there is a build up of multiple things in your drain causing the clog, you can create a chemical reaction between the gunk in the drain and the chemicals from Drano. This can emit fumes that shouldn’t be inhaled, and if you were using a plunger with the assistance of Drano and it splashes you, it can burn your skin, eyes, or mouth. If you have tried any other remedies that involve chemicals before going to Drano, you can create a toxic chemical fume from combining those products.
Once Drano unclogs your mess, it can still contaminate water and continue to ruin your pipes without you knowing it. Drano is a temporary fix that usually will end up causing other issues in the long run.
Most people think of a garage as nothing more than a storage area. But garages can be so much more! In fact, it doesn’t take much to make your garage an efficient workspace and pleasant place to spend time. It starts with clearing out the clutter, which you should do every year or two, and applying a coat of paint or giving the ceiling a fresh look. After that, all you need are some shelving units for tools and other supplies to keep them tidy but accessible. Pretty soon your garage will feel like an extension of your home – comfortable and convenient!
1 – PLACING STORAGE ON THE CEILING
Garages are rarely finished to the same standard as homes and it is sometimes difficult to find a surface where you can place shelves or storage units. This is not the case for those with high ceilings, however. If there’s extra space up there, consider placing storage on the ceiling of your garage. You can use a hook, and bracket system. These don’t have to be anything fancy just a few planks of wood or strips of metal will work. Hang them so they are about 6″ below the ceiling, but not touching it. This way you can store things on them without worrying about them getting wet or too dirty. You can attach the shelves yourself with screws, nails, or even magnets if you don’t want to put holes in the ceiling. Or, you can go for something a little more complicated. The choice is yours.
2 – CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER
The next step to making your garage more functional – and habitable – is clearing out the clutter. Every time you open your garage door, your first instinct should be to clear it all away. So go through everything stored in here and get rid of what you don’t need or use anymore. If that isn’t motivation enough, remember that having a tidy space will make it much easier for you to find tools if you need them in a hurry. Every few months, sort all the supplies and equipment you have down there, checking for broken or dated tools. Toss things that are useless or in poor condition and take the rest to a local thrift shop or donate them to charity. You’ll be surprised by how much extra room you have!
3 – INVEST IN SOME GOOD SHELVING UNITS
In most homes, the garage is where everyone throws whatever they don’t want to deal with, from old toys and tools to boxes of who knows what. The trick to making this space work for you is taking a few minutes every so often to sort through the mess and store things in a place where you can easily find them. Shelving units are a great way to do this, as they’ll not only hold everything neatly, they’ll also allow you to see what you have. When choosing a set for your garage, look for one with rolling tracks that can hold a variety of different items. There are many affordable options available at your local home improvement store that you can build yourself or have assembled professionally, or you can hire a carpenter to do the job for you. The sky is really the limit when it comes to what you can use these for, and how you can customize your garage for comfort and functionality.
4 – PLUS IF YOU HAVE EXTRA LAWN EQUIPMENT…
Lawn equipment takes up a lot of space and it’s usually not stored in garages for long periods because it might get ruined by water, ice, snow, etc. If this problem sounds familiar (or if you want to utilize your garage while still enjoying some outdoor leisure), invest in an outdoor shed. These weather-tight structures are the best way to protect your lawn equipment from the elements.
5 – PAINTING CAN BRIGHTEN UP ANY SPACE
Why not think about giving your garage a fresh coat of paint or adding some stenciling on the ceiling. This is especially important if you don’t plan on having the space finished with drywall or wood paneling. Painting is an inexpensive way to spruce your garage and make it look like a brand new room!
6 – DON’T FORGET THE FLOOR!
Garages are typically made of concrete or asphalt, which can become very dirty and slippery over time. If you want your garage to be safe for all its users (including pets), consider investing in rubber floor mats that absorb moisture and help to keep the space clean.
7 – ADD SOME FINISHING TOUCHES
If you’re going to go through the trouble of making your garage more habitable, why not make it more pleasant? Many people choose to install ceiling fans in the ceilings. Not only do they keep the air circulating, but they also help to keep your appliances from overheating during the summer.
8 – CREATE A WORKBENCH FOR CONVENIENCE
If you do a lot of home improvement, installing a workbench will be useful. This doesn’t have to be complicated – just a couple of simple shelves will do. Not only will you have somewhere to place all your tools, but putting them within sight will make it much easier to find what you need.
9 – INSTALL WALL-MOUNTED CABINETS
Installing your storage off the ground and onto the walls is a great way to free up garage space. You can find specially designed cabinets and units that attach directly to your walls. If you have a lot of stuff to put away, installing these sorts of cabinets might be the best option. In addition to being space savers, they can look very stylish and modern.
Garages are often neglected in favor of the living space. But garages can be so much more! Your garage is a great place to store all your tools, supplies, and equipment that you may need for an outside project or just running errands. And it doesn’t have to look like clutter either–clearing out the clutter every year or two will make sure everything stays organized while being easy to find when needed.
The water heater is one of the most valuable electrical appliances in your home, especially in winters. It is true that it may not be visible to your naked eyes all the time, but the truth is it offers hot water every time you need it. In short, if it causes any of the small issues, it is like a significant disruption.
Especially in the winter season when all your household work depends on hot water, from washing hands to washing dishes or clothes. That’s why it becomes essential to understand some of the common issues of your water heater because it may stop working.
However, the reason to know about these issues is you can diagnose them correctly and, if not, can take appropriate action by calling the best water heater repair San Diego. So, let’s dive deep into the issues of water heaters and what you can do to fix them to get your hot water back: –
1.Not enough hot water is common, that water heater starts producing less hot water as they get older. But if you suddenly notice a significant loss in hot water while using it normally, then it’s a matter of concern. The reason for no hot water is a faulty thermostat.
So, test your thermostat, and after that, adjust the thermostat on the water heater. Now, wait for a few hours and then test the water temperature from any fixtures. If this doesn’t work, check for a leak around the water heater, asrepairing the water leak can decrease the hot water flow from the faucets.
Moreover, if this also doesn’t work, try flushing the water heater tank because sometimes mineral buildup can prevent flow. At last, if none of the above work it’s better to call top water heater repair services near you.
2.Water leaks
Perhaps a water leak is another common problem with water heaters you may face while using them. Any water heaters can start leaking eventually as water corrode the tank and can create microscopic cracks or fractures. But this reason is not always valid as there can be many other reasons for water heater leaks.
If the water is coming from the top of the water heater, then the water connections are loose. So, check cold water inlet pipes and also hot water pipes. Moreover, if the water is coming from the bottom, there can be an issue with condensation, which can be resolved by turning up the thermostat.
Lastly, suppose you notice that the water is spilling from the overflow pipe or the pressure relief valve. In that case, it is a sign of tank corrosion, and it indicates the replace andfix new water heater as soon as possible.
3.Tank takes more time to heat water.
If you are noticing that your water heater is taking ages to heat water, then there can be many problems with your water heater. First, the water heater thermostat may be set too low, which means your burner is not outputting enough energy to heat water quickly.
Secondly, there may be a problem with your gas connection like poor gas pressure, dirty vent flue, etc. Cleaning these parts of the water heater can solve the problem.
However, in many cases, if the water heater is taking enough time to heat water, then it is simply a problem for the water heater as it is not having the capacity to service your home.
4.Smelly hot water
Before you decide on this issue, make certain only your hot water smells or both cold and hot water is smelly. If only hot water is smelly, then indeed something is not good with your water heater. To resolve this, let the hot water run in a faucet for around 3 minutes; if it still smells, flush your water heater tank.
Apart from that, if it doesn’t resolve, your pilot light may have gone out. For this, turn off your gas valve and wait for a few minutes for the gas to dissipate. If you feel the strong odor of gas, then exit the building and call theprofessional plumber to do the work.
5.Water is too hot or too cold.
Do you notice inconsistent water temperature in your water heater? Do you feel that sometimes the water gets too hot and is too cold? Well, this is the sign of a faulty thermostat. For this, you have to replace your thermostat and get it cleaned to offer consistent hot water again.
If you replace the thermostat yourself, it is fine; otherwise, you must call the best water heater repair in San Diego to do the work.
6.Taps or knocking sounds
If you hear sounds of taps or knocks coming from the water heater, then there are chances of sediment buildup as it creates tiny tears in the metal, which causes leaks. This you can resolve by draining your hot water heater tank. If the problem persists, calling the top water heater repair service near you will be the best option as they know exactly the problem with the water heater.
Things to consider when replacing your water heater
Your family’s hot water usage in terms of the amount and frequency of baths, dishes, laundry, and showers
Most essentially, your budget
Contact your trusted plumbing professional to figure out the best unit according to the needs of your home
Any of the rebates or incentives you can get from the local power or water utility
Type of fuel you want in your water heater
The capacity of the water heater
The bottom line
These are some common issues that any water heater may face while working. These issues can be fixed easily at home, but if not, you are free to contact the best water heater repair in San Diego. But make sure you only call a professional plumber to resolve the water heater issues as they are skilled, experienced, and qualified to determine them accurately.
I hope you liked this post on common issues with your residential water heater!
Are you wanting to spice up your backyard by adding a pond but don’t know where to start or what you would like the pond to look like? We’ve got you covered! We rounded up our favorite ideas to give you inspiration for a pond.
A beautiful touch is adding colorful flowers around the pond to make it even more of an eye catcher.
The pond doesn’t have to be huge, it could be small! Big or small, they’re all beautiful!
Raising the pond with wood makes it a beautiful eye catcher and takes it off of the ground.
Are you wanting to take it a step further and be more unique? Adding a stagger to let the waterfall hit makes a beautiful pond.
Another raised pond idea, these are gorgeous!
Adding a pond near the outdoor seating can add a relaxing vibe to the atmosphere.
A small, staggered waterfall pond. The lighting around it is beautiful and illuminates it perfectly.
Adding different heights around the pond makes it pop out more.
Adding a little bridge over the pond makes it pop and lets animals be able to cross the pond.
Adding the pond near a path is a good way to grab guest’s attention.
The raised wooden ponds are our favorite. They look very clean and definitely an eye-catcher.
This is our personal favorite. The pond in a shape of a boat, and surrounded with flowers. Beautiful!
Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing 