WHICH PLUMBING JOBS SHOULD YOU DO VS. WHICH SHOULD YOU LEAVE TO A PLUMBER

Let a Professional Do the Job

When you are a home owner you gain more responsibilities than you were expecting. Some of us, are excited to take them on. Others, would rather have someone else do it. It is perfectly fine to leave certain home repairs to the professionals.

Don’t over stress yourself, or take on a job that you can’t do. It is better to leave it to a professional that knows what they are doing. Another plus, they have tools that you don’t have. It is fine, don’t spend money on costly tools that are just going to sit there. At the end, it might end up costing you more. Sit back and let someone else do it.

Things That You Could Do Your Self

Taking apart your shower head and cleaning it in vinegar, remember how to put it back together

Checking and fixing your toilet flapper and float

Checking that your water heater isn’t leaking

Inspecting your water heater burner, flame should always appear blue

Checking that your toilet is not running water continuously

Checking that your sinks and toilets are not leaking

Caulking your tub

Things You Should Let Your Plumber Do

Rodding

Jetting

When you need to repair or replace any drains

Fixing or Replacing pipes

Sewer work

Water Heaters

Gas Lines

Main Water Lines

Fixing or Replacing pumps

Fixing and installing faucets, toilets, and appliances

If you have any questions or need assistance trying to figure out your plumbing give me a call or email.

Remember, I’m here to help.

Kevin Szabo Jr

(708)845-7922

kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

HARD WORKING SERVICE MEN

Staying Warm During Chicago Winters

In this country we have hard working men and women working hard every day.
Plumbers, Contractors, Electricians, Laborers, Carpenters and any other job that entails working outside with your hands.
Living in Chicago, we experience beautiful weather and some rough Winters. Some of us love what we do, others do it because it is a job to provide for our families.
No matter what the reason, we have to get up and go work outside on those chilly mornings.

Keeping warm in this frigid Winter is significant to our survival

1. Have your coffee set for when you wake up.
2. Heat up your towel before you jump in the shower.
3. Throw your clothes in the drier before putting them on in the morning.
4. Thermals are crucial, wear them under your clothes.
a. Carhartt is durable and will keep you warm.
5. Gloves, wear them. As tough as you are, your hands need to keep warm.
6. Hat, Headwear, Beanies, Thermo Band. You lose most of your body heat through your head.
*COVER IT when you are working outside.
7. When you stop to get lunch, add a soup, or chili, or something warm.
8. Stay hydrated, you need water all year round.
9. If your significant other has been outside working all day, have hot coco waiting for them when they get home.
10. Make your spouse a hearty meal. Men and most women love something meaty and pasta along with it. After working outside all day, you need a meal to warm your body right away.
11. Set your clothes before you go to bed this way, everything is ready in the morning.

Ladies and Gentlemen this is basic stuff that we all know, but it helps to be reminded that small things make a huge difference on a freezing Chicago Winter day.

Stay warm and safe,

Kevin Szabo Jr
Plumbing and Sewer

Emergency 24 Hour Service

Holiday Plumbing Emergencies

During the holidays plumbing emergencies still happen. More than you think. We tend to do more than usual during the holidays. I love having my family and friends over, having a wonderful time together. We just forget to be as cautious as we usually are when we are enjoying our selves.
We have to remember to let loose a little but continue being conscious over our home appliances, plumbing and electrical.

When we tend to forget to take care of our home, use up more electric than usual or just abuse our plumbing:

-Family and friends gather at your home.

-Guests spending nights

-More children than you are usually use to(and we all know kids love flushing things down the toilet)

-Dishwasher being used more often

-Water constantly running

-Garbage Disposal overexposed

-Too many lights on

Solution

-When having guests spend the night, let them know nicely that there should be at least a ten minute wait in between showers.

-Clean your dishes well before placing them in the dishwasher.

-Take turns doing the dishes, this way you wont always have to load the dishwasher.

-Run water while you are using your garbage disposal
*You need to remember that garbage disposals aren’t meant to take everything. Stringy or fibrous vegetables will clog the drain. Starchy foods will swell and also clog the drain. Never drain grease, oils, or fats(use an old coffee can to dispose).

-Put a little dish soap with cold water down the garbage disposal to keep it clean.

-If nobody is in the room, turn off all the lights.

-Put your Christmas lights on a timer, it will save you lots of money.

-Lock the bathroom doors, so small children don’t abuse the toilet.

-If you are lucky enough to have a fire place, use it so you could turn down the heat.

Be Safe, Be Healthy, and Enjoy Your Holidays

Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing and Sewer

Suppot Your Local Business

Local Business

Support Local America!

As a small business owner I know how important it is to support your local business. It means a great deal to me when I hear customers choose our company because we are locally owned and operated. Originally from Posen, IL, I grew up in the beautiful neighborhoods of Posen and Midlothian. My father, also a local plumber, showed me how important it is to support my local small businesses. Whether it be a shop, a bakery, a restaurant or plumbing store.

Family owned businesses are the heart of America. Fathers, mothers, siblings, grandchildren, all working together to successfully operate what they are proud of. Walking into a local business, you can’t help but notice how much pride they have for the place, and what they work extremely hard for every day. You can even witness a few good arguments between family members, but nothing like the love they have for each other.

When you spend your money locally, not only are you helping that business, you are supporting your local economy. Most of the money spent locally, stays locally. You support your family/loved ones with any crazy idea they come up with, might as well support your local businesses since figuratively they are your family. If you already do so, thank you. If you haven’t taken the time to get to know your local businesses, try it out this weekend. You will be very satisfied with the overwhelming of incredible local businesses.

Getting Your Home Ready For Thanksgiving

Be Ready For Thanksgiving

People
-Estimate how many guests are coming to
celebrate with you.

-How many guests are sleeping over? Make
sure you have covers, pillows, or sleeping bags.
(Not everyone has extra covers, so let your guest know that
you will arrange an area in your home but they should
bring covers, pillows, or a sleeping bag with them.)
It will be appreciated.
-We can always welcome more, open your doors to those
who don’t have a family for the holidays.
-Enough food for everyone

Check
-That the furnace is working properly
-The water heater is functioning correctly
–The plumbing is running smoothly
-Everything in the kitchen, you are going to be making a
feast. The oven, fridge, microwave, whatever else you
are planning on using on Thanksgiving check it.
Turn it on, make sure its running the way it should
without any weird smells or electrical shorts.

Food
-Make a list of what you are planning on making
–Watch the Food Network or Google new Thanksgiving cooking ideas.
-Bake goodies
-Included your friends and family in the cooking process

Don’t Forget
-To have enough towels in the bathroom closet
-Toilet paper under your bathroom sink
-Foil to wrap up left overs
-Take lots of pictures of the joyous event

Remember

to be thankful for yourhealth, friends, family,

home, all the small and big things in your life.
Appreciate the people that are in your life.
Be thankful for all, and remember to give
to families in need.

If you have extra funds, buy a turkey or two and
donate it to your local church. They will find a
family in need.

If you have the extra room in your home, welcome a
family or members from your church for Thanksgiving
dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving To All

–Kevin Szabo Jr

11 Ways to Get Your Home Ready For Winter

1. Clean Your Gutters

Clean out the leaves and debris in your gutter

(I suggest wearing cleaning gloves if you’re

planning on doing it by hand). Clogged gutters

can cost you thousands of dollars if not done.

The water will find a way to get into your wall

and ceiling. Nobody is a fan of cleaning gutters,

but we all have to do it. Get rid of leaves, twigs,

and whatever else decided to land up there.

Once clean run water down the gutters. Check for leaks

and make sure that the water is running through

the downspouts. The water is supposed to flow

away from the house’s foundation, so it doesn’t

cause flooding and damage.

2. Block Air Leaks

Air Leaks are also known as “Drafts”. Walk around the

house and try to feel where the cold air is coming from.

You’ll be able to feel it around windows and doors.

The most significant air leaks will be in your

basement and attic(since most people forget about them).

Common Air Leaks

*Behind Knee Walls

*Attic Hatch

*Wiring Holes

*Plumbing Vent

*Open Soffit

*Recessed Light

*Furnace Flue or Duct Chaseways, the hollow box or wall

feature that hides ducts

*Basement Rim Joists, where the foundation meets the

wood framing

*Windows and Doors

Make sure you block all of these and your home

will be easier to keep warm. Your gas bill should

also drop.

3. Insulate

Yes it will cost a little bit, but it will save you

money in the long run. Adding insulation will pay

for itself when it reduces utility bills.

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/adding-insulation-existing-home

4. Check The Furnace

Don’t wait till it’s really cold outside to turn on your

furnace. Check it now, make sure it’s working.

It’s natural for it to smell when you fire it up

for the first time this season. Open your windows

and let the house breath. If the smell lasts a long time

turn off the furnace and call a professional.

-Change your furnace filters regularly throughout Winter

5. Check Your Ducts

Check for loose connections and joints that have come

apart. Look for rips or tears, or crushed ducts.

Make sure to also clean and inspect your vents around

the area it enters the room.

6. Storm Windows

Take down your Screen Window, or side it to the side

depending on what type of windows you have. Then put in

or slide your Storm Windows. Simple, it should only

take a few minutes per window.

7. Check Chimney

Use a flashlight, check for leaves, sticks, debris, or

dead animals. If it seems extremely dirty call a

professional. Chimney caps with screens keep animals,

and debris from falling in, I suggest you invest in one.

8. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Appreciate your ceiling fan. Your fan has a reverse

button right by the blades. In Summer time your fan

should rotate Counterclockwise, which produces a cool

breeze. In Winter time, rotate Clockwise, it will

bring down the warm air that naturally rises to the top.

9. Wrap Outside Pipes

Wrap outside pipes with tubular sleeves or fiberglass

insulation. Make sure you cover the sillcock. Turn off

the water, then remove your hose(put it away). Then

cover it with a towel, tie it around. Or purchase a

sillcock cover for the Winter.

10. Turn Off Valves To Sillcocks

Even though you’ve already wrapped it for Winter,

you should still shut off the valve.

11. Check Alarms

Change the batteries in your smoke alarms, make

sure it’s working properly

When Does Your Water Heater Need To Be Replaced?

Your Water Heater Might Need To Be Replaced

Residential and commercial water heaters were invented in 1889. Since then, we have been blessed with hot water in our homes. Living in Chicago, water heaters are one of the most important things we need on a freezing Winter morning. The average residential water heater is 40 gallons. Which is perfect for a household.

Water heaters, depending on which brand you have, last around 6 years. If you take care of your water heater you can make it last longer. Read the instructions manual that comes with your water heater. A couple important factors for making your water heater last longer are:

Keeping your thermostat set at 120ºF (if you overheat your water heater it will wear down faster)
Having copper piping
Installing your water heater in a warm area, this way it doesn’t have to work harder to maintain it’s temperature.

Symptoms That Your Water Heater Might Need To Be Replaced

Check the age of your tank, it it’s beyond your warranty date you might need to have it looked at
Feel the water, if it’s cold when you turn on your “Hot”
Turning your water in the shower and it’s freezing
Time how long your hot water lasts in the shower, if it’s a lot shorter than you’re use to
Check the floor around your water heater tank, look for puddles, streams of water, leaks around the base of the tank
Inspect the fittings and plumbing connections, look for water, sludge or corrosion
Listen to your tank for frequent noises

Five Things Every Home Owner Needs To Know And Have In Their Home

Keeping Up With Your Home

It is a second job keeping up with your home and making sure everything always functions correctly. Five things that every household needs to have and know how to do in your house. Hopefully most of you already have these things in your home. If not, get on it already. Trust me, better safe than sorry.

1. Flashlights, not just one. You need a few throughout your home, especially if you have several people in your home. Remember to have extra batteries.

2. You need to know where the circuit breaker is and how it works. Also if and when you lose power in certain parts of the house while you are using more than one appliance for example the coffee maker, and the blow drier you need to know why. Call an electrician.

3. Plungers, you need to own a toilet plunger and a sink plunger.

4. Check for drafts in your house, fix them. It will save you money.

5. Disposing your burnt fire ashes. Place them in a old tin can.

http://www.wikihow.com/Dispose-of-Burnt-Firewood-and-Ash-Safely

How To Handle a Plumbing Emergency

Plumbing Emergency

Plumbing emergencies always happen when you least expect it. For some odd reason they happen at weird hours, when it’s usually harder to get a hold of someone to come save you.
You need to be prepared. Planning and knowing how to handle a plumbing emergency situation ahead of time will save you time and money. We all love to save time and money, so this includes everyone.

1. You need to know where the main water shut off is located
-water meter is located in your basement or bottom floor of any building

2. A big water leak
– turn off water at the shut off, which is located at the meter

3. Water heater is leaking
– turn valve off on top of the heater
– turn off gas valve, it should be located down by the control(usually red nob)

4. Sewage Problem
     – call the village, make sure that the city main is not backing up
     – make sure that it’s not the city’s sewage problem before you call a problem(you are a tax payer you have rights)
5. Sump Pump
    – if the sump pump goes out, it might be the switch, try to by pass the piggy back plug to turn motor on for temporary relief

6. Frozen Pipes
– water expands when it freezes, to give it a relief let your faucet drip
http://www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/home/hometips/severeweather/pipefreeze_prevent.html

If you have any plumbing emergency questions don’t hesitate to call or email.
Kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com or (708)845-7922

Plunger For Your Toilet, Sink and Tub

Which Plunger Do I Use?

Almost every American household has one in their bathroom, right next to the toilet, others under the sink cabinet, and the rest in the bathroom closet. Now a days they make plastic, metal, or decorative plunger covers so you aren’t ashamed.

Plungers have come a long way from the first plunger invented in 1777. The modern day toilet plunger it is said to have been invented in 1932 by Jeffrey Gunderson.

Gunderson gets credit for the invention but it is believed that it was actually invented sometime between 1850 and 1900. The reason for this theory is because the S-trap drainage system was invented in 1852 and the use of wood and rubber were becoming common practice.

I know your main concern is knowing which plunger to use for the job.

For your toilet you should use a flange plunger

-Make sure that you don’t have too much water in the toilet so you don’t make a mess.

-Place flange plumber in the toilet bowl to completely cover the opening.

-Push down with force.

-Thrust the flange plunger several times until the water flows down.

-The flange plunger should do the job the first time around.

-If whatever is blocking your pipes is not flowing down, try putting dish soap to loosen out what ever is blocking your pipes.

-Let the dish soap sit there for 10-15 minutes, before you try again.

For your sink and tub use the cup plunger

-Place cup plunger over sink opening.

-Make sure the cup plunger is completely covering the opening.

-Push down and hard to get a good suction.

-Thrust the cup plunger until the water starts to flow down.

What if the plunger doesn’t work? Can I use chemicals to pour down the sink or tub?

They have several chemicals to pour down your sink or tub. They say it works like magic, but pouring chemicals to unclog your drain is not a good idea. They damage your pipes, your skin, your surface and whatever else it touches.

Your best bet is to call a professional plumber to help out with your problem.

Funny Ways To Use A Plunger