Horizon Services Inc.

Clear Clogs For Good

frank — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:24:26 +0000

Tips and Tricks for Free-Flowing Sewer Drains

A clogged sewer drain is no picnic. Chemical drain cleaners can be effective, but they emit harsh fumes and can actually damage your plumbing if not used properly. Here’s a quick guide to help you with drain cleaning without the use of chemicals.

Understand The System

The most important part of clearing a blocked sewer drain is identifying which part of the drainage system is clogged. Inside your home, there are several small waste removal pipes that feed directly into the larger main sewer line. This main line takes waste water out of your house and deposits it into your septic tank or municipal sewer. Most homes have a line that carries waste from the kitchen sink and toilets and a line that carries waste from showers, tubs and bathroom sinks.

Clearing a Slow Drain

If you’re dealing with a slow-moving drain, it’s likely that whatever is blocking the pipe is caught in the drain trap or trap arm. Remove the trap arm if you can and thoroughly clean out any debris or clogs. If that doesn’t work, check the main line plug or cap. You may need to use a plumbing snake if the blockage isn’t immediately visible. Run cold water into the line as you snake; this will help break up clogs and wash away dirt and pipe residue.

Bathtub and Shower Clogs

Most drainage problems in the bathroom are caused by hair, soap and shampoo that get stuck in the plumbing and form clogs. A good way to remove a stubborn bathroom clog is to use a device called a drain stick. It’s a long plastic stick that has either a small comb or a spiked tip at the end. The barbs help snag hair and other debris inside the pipes so you can pull them out easily. Just remove the drain cap, put the stick into the drain and twist a few times. Pull back slowly, and the clog should come right out.

Serious Drain Blockage

A substantial clog may require professional help or even a sewer line replacement. However, sewer jet blasting can be a very effective way for drain cleaning, no matter where the blockage is. Basically, a strong spray of pressurized water is pumped through your home’s plumbing, breaking up clogs and leaving pipes flowing freely. After a sewer jet blasting, ask your plumber to perform a hydrostatic line test, which will detect weak spots, cracks or leaks in the pipes.

Keep Clogs From Coming Back

Prevention is definitely the best medicine when it comes to drainage problems at home. To keep your drains clean without harsh chemicals, use a simple baking soda and vinegar solution. Once a month, pour a cup of baking soda down each drain in your home, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let the solution sit for about an hour, and then flush with warm water. The baking soda reacts with the vinegar to create a foam that will remove most residue from tubs, showers, and sinks.

Contact Horizon Services

With over 20 years of service experience, we have helped thousands of homeowners in the Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Maryland areas with their plumbing needs. Our team of plumbing professionals consists of some of the most experienced and most qualified plumbers working today in the Delaware Valley. These are top-notch plumbing technicians who can accurately diagnose and quickly fix any and all plumbing problems. Plumbing emergencies are our specialty!.

We also specialize in Sewer and Water Line Replacement!

Related Drain Cleaning Information from Horizon Services…

Make Sure You’re Covered for Sewer Backups

frank — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:03:25 +0000

A Little Insurance and Preventive Action Offer a Lot of Protection Against Sewer Related Damage

If you’re a homeowner, here’s one of the worst nightmares you can experience. Torrential downpours deluge your property and neighborhood with rainwater, overwhelming your home’s sewer system or your sump pump’s ability to handle the water runoff. The next thing you know, you have raw sewage backing up into your home’s drains, overflowing toilets and tubs or flooding your basement. A backed up sewer can do a real number on your home, causing thousands of dollars in damage to floors, walls, furniture carpeting and electrical systems, as well as pose a major health hazard.

No problem. You’ve got insurance, right? Not so fast. According to the Insurance Information Institute, most sewer system backups are not covered under a typical homeowners insurance policy, nor are they covered by flood insurance.

Uh-oh.

For homes that have been severely damaged by sewer backups and are uninhabitable, your basic homeowners policy may include Loss of Use coverage, which provides reimbursement for lodging, food and other living expenses you may incur if you have to vacate your home. Loss of Use coverage also reimburses you for the lost rental income if you rent out part of the house. but that’s about all you’re going to get with your average homeowner’s policy.

For most consumers, coverage for sewer-related problems must be purchased either as a separate product or as an addition to a homeowners policy. Fortunately, sewer backup coverage is available from most insurance companies for a nominal cost. The sewer and drain professionals at Horizon Services recommend that most consumers in our rain-prone region of Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland err on the side of caution and purchase this additional insurance. You can typically purchase sewer backup insurance for an additional premium of $40-$50 per year; a small price to pay for significant piece of mind and protection. If you live in a flood plain or near a river or stream, you may be required to carry flood insurance, as well.

What Causes Sewer Backups

Most homeowners probably don’t realize that they are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their main sewer line — the pipeline that runs between their house and the municipality’s sewer main, usually located underneath the street. The main sewer line is owned and maintained by the property owner, including any part of the line that extends into the street or public right of way.

Over time, these main sewer lines can easily deteriorate, crack, collapse or become obstructed. You may not have a clue that this kind of damage is occurring. But one severe rainstorm may be all it takes to bring the problem to a head.

Some of the more common causes of damaged sewer lines and sewer line backups are:

Aging Sewer Systems: More than half of nation’s sewer lines are 30+ years old or connected to aging municipal sewage systems. After decades of wear, tear and obstruction, the sewer line and system no longer have the capability to withstand heavy demands and so they back up and overflow.

Combined Pipelines: Some newer sewage and drainage systems combine storm water and raw sewage into the same pipeline. During intense rain storms, these combined systems are exposed to more volume and debris than they can handle. With nowhere else to go, the outgoing water and sewer backs up into basements and other low lying drains.

Tree Root Infiltration: Shrubs and trees seeking moisture can make their way into cracks or through joints in your sewer line, causing extensive blockage and damage. Tree roots can travel a long way; the damage may occur from a tree on your property, a neighbor’s tree or a tree on public property. Samples of the tree roots can be obtained to identify which party is responsible for cleanup and repair.

Blocked Municipal Lines: Many times the problem has nothing to do with your property, but with a blockage in a your municipality’s sanitary main running under your street. If the blockage is not detected in time, sewage from the main can back up not only into your home but your neighbors, as well.

Usually this kind of backup happens slowly, giving you plenty of time to call a licensed plumbing, drain and sewer company like Horizon Services. If water and sewage back into your basement at a rapid rate, don’t delay; call your municipality’s public works office or sewer department and report the problem immediately.

How You Can Prevent Sewer Line Backups

There are several preventive measures homeowners can take to minimize the occurrence sewer line backups.

Proper Disposal of Grease and Food: Grease, fats, gravies, sauces and cooking oils should never go down your kitchen drain but should be poured into a heat-resistant container and disposed of in the garbage. Once in your drain, these substances will cool off and solidify either in the drain or in the main sewer, eventually building up to a massive clog. Food particles should never go down the drain unless run through a garbage disposal first.

Proper Disposal of Paper Products Properly: Toilet paper and human waste is the only thing that should go down your toilet. Diapers, paper towels, feminine products and food should never be flushed; these products do not deteriorate and can easily clog your main sewer line. Even facial tissue should be avoided; it does not dissolve as easily as bathroom tissue does.

Replace Your Pipes: One way to prevent collapsed sewer lines or tree root infiltration is to replace your old clay or metal sewer lines with today’s newer plastic or PVC pipe. If you have continuing problems with tree roots in your sewer line, you may have to have the roots cut or your line cleared periodically.

Install a Backwater Prevention Valve: These fixtures are installed into a sewer line in the basement of your home to prevent sewer backups. They allow sewage to go out, but not to come back in.

What to Do If You Experience a Sewer Backup

Sewer backups can produce a host of nightmares for homeowners, including disease, mold formation, destruction of valuables, foundation damage and electrical malfunctions. Prompt cleanup is necessary to restore sanitary conditions and prevent further damage. If you experience a sewer backup situation, at a minimum, your cleanup should include:

Wet-vacuuming of all floodwater
Mopping floors and wiping walls with soap, water and disinfectant
Flushing and disinfecting plumbing fixtures
Steam cleaning or removing wet carpets or drapes
Repairing/removing damaged wall and floor covering
Cleanup of ductwork

How to File a Sewer Backup Claim

Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible after your sewer backup has occurred. For insurance purposes, it’s a good idea to take before and after photos of the affected areas of your home or basement and itemize any property losses. Save all receipts related to repair, cleaning or damages related to your sewer backup.

Wet, Leaky Basements are Common in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland

Most basement flooding in the Horizon Services service area is not related to the problems in the sewer system. In many cases, the settling of your house or soil around you house leads to rainwater flowing toward your house and down the outside of the foundation wall. That water can then seep into your basement through small cracks in the foundation or basement slab, especially after a severe rainstorm when the ground is completely saturated. This can be alleviated by digging trenches or installing drain systems that draw water away from the house. Owners may also be able to prevent future flooding by water sealing the basement, using a sump pump or installing a French drain system. Consult a basement specialist for help with these kinds of problems.

Contact Horizon Services

We also specialize in Sewer and Water Line Replacement!

Related Sewer and Water Line Information from Horizon Services…

Deodorize Your Drains

frank — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:40:23 +0000

Tips and Tricks for Cleaning a Smelly Drain

Unless you have figured out a way to never use your kitchen sink, you most probably deal with unpleasant drain odors from time to time. The bad news is that kitchen sink drains smell; the good news is that you do not need harsh chemicals to get rid of odors, and you can actually prevent most bad smells before they even start.

Baking Soda to the Rescue

Simple baking soda is a time-honored way for drain cleaning. A cup of baking soda is all you need. Pour it into the drain and let it sit for about 20 minutes, then heat a large pan of water to boil and drain it into the sink to flush down the baking soda. If you have a garbage disposal, remove the plastic guard and clean it thoroughly with soap and warm water. The baking soda and hot water should help clean the pipes attached to the drain as well.

Deodorize Your Drains

You can keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh by dropping a commercial disposal cleaner down the drain once every few weeks, but for a more natural deodorizing option just drop a few pieces of lemon, orange, or other citrus fruit into the disposal every couple of weeks. Don’t go overboard though, because the acid in the citrus peel can actually lead to corrosion inside the disposal.

Simple white vinegar is also an effective natural deodorizer. Just pour a cup or so down the drain and flush it with water until smells dissipate.

A few tablespoons of scented dish soap can also help cut down on bad smells coming from your drain. Run the hot water and drizzle the soap directly into the drain to get rid of odors.

Prevent Drain Smells

You can help stop bad smells before they start by taking good care of your drains. If you do not have a garbage disposal, keep food out of the sink by using a strainer or stopper when washing the dishes. Be sure the stopper fits properly and that it has been installed correctly. If bits of food do manage to get past, flush the drain thoroughly with hot water for several minutes.

If you have a garbage disposal, make sure to run it for several minutes every time you wash the dishes or put food in the sink. Always run water when the disposal is being used.

Kitchen drains are not the only ones prone to nasty odors: bathroom drains can smell too.

The most common cause of bathroom drain smells is hair trapped in pipes. Hair clogs can slow draining and slow draining allows odors to settle within the pipes. You can get shower and bathtub strainers at any home improvement, hardware, or plumbing supply store for just a couple of dollars. These work pretty well in keeping hair and other debris out of your bathroom plumbing.

Contact Horizon Services

We also specialize in Sewer and Water Line Replacement!

Related Plumbing and Drain Information from Horizon Services…

7 Things in Your House That Could Explode

frank — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:02:23 +0000

Get Educated to Prevent Potential Home Disaster

There are a number of things that you have in your home that could potentially explode. Whilst most of the time they don’t of course, it is always sensible to know what they are so that you can prevent this sort of disaster.

Gas Grills

Every year 6,000 gas grills explode. These explosions can cause severe injuries and even death. Before using a gas grill you should read the safety instructions carefully. Always get the grill inspected and maintained regularly and have any damaged parts replaced immediately. Check that propane tanks are not dented or damaged and are not stored near any heat sources.

Gas Leaks

Gas leaks causing an explosion are fortunately very rare but when they do happen the results can be deadly. The first indication of danger is the smell of the leaking gas. Any such smell should be reported immediately. Gas appliances should be serviced and inspected regularly by a qualified professional. Having a gas leak detector fitted in your home is a good idea.

If you do smell gas, leave the house immediately making sure nobody touches any electrical switches including telephones, as electrical connections can trigger the explosion. Call the gas supplier from a safe distance from your home.

Water Heater

If a water heater tank becomes over-pressurised it can explode with terrific force. To make sure the pressure doesn’t build up, a trained plumber should service the water heater annually. Get the plumber to check that there is a relief device installed that will stop the heater being subject to excess pressure and temperature. This valve should be replaced every three years. The temperature of a water heater should never be more than 212 degrees.

Furnace Boiler

Furnace boilers, as water heaters, are used to heat water for heating systems and will need servicing every year in the same way as a water heater.

Glass Containers

Unlikely you may think, but containers made of glass can explode. Glass containers should never be shaken if they contain carbonated drinks. Don’t let children run with glass bottles or shake them. Check that any glassware you want to use in your microwave or oven is marked to say that is safe to do so. You should never leave glass containers on stove burners and the same applies to putting a liquid in the freezer in a glass container.

Cooking Flour

The dust from cooking flour is highly flammable. You should be careful when you are baking that you don’t make clouds of dust with the flour. Always keep open flames, such as gas-stove burners and candles away from it when you are baking.

Flammable Products

Many household products are actually flammable and should be stored away from any heat sources, in a well-ventilated area and out of direct sunlight. Dented cans and damaged containers that are used for flammable products should be disposed of safely. Look on the label to see if they are combustible.

Related Information from Horizon Services…

Tips and Solutions on Preventing Frozen Pipes

frank — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:36:52 +0000

Minimize the Risk of Freezing and Bursting Pipes

Every winter when the temperatures drop your water pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting. There are a number of things you can do to minimize the risk of this happening. The first thing to do is get to know where the vulnerable areas in your home are, such as where pipes run outside the house and the coldest places in the house, which are usually outside walls, unheated rooms and basements and crawl spaces. Then get to work waterproofing and leak-proofing. Check where there are drafts of cold air round chimneys and flues and caulk and seal these.

Seal Air Leaks

Seal off air leaks. If you have a crawl space or a window that isn’t perfectly sealed then cold air can seep in; pipes near this cold area are more likely to freeze.

Locate Water Shut-off Valves

You need to know where the water shut-off valve is in your home as if the worst happens and a pipe does freeze or burst you can turn the water off straight away. Also find out where the main water valve and valve on your water heater are so that you can go straight to them in an emergency.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Check for any exposed pipes and buy some insulation for them from a hardware store. You could also insulate your water meter; if this gets covered in snow don’t clear it off, as snow will insulate it.

Leave A Small Trickle of Water

Running water will help to prevent pipes freezing, so on extra cold nights you might want to leave a small trickle of water running through your faucets. This is a tip that keeps hot tubs in really cold regions from freezing. The cost of the extra water you would use is negligible against the cost of repairing a burst pipe.

Disconnect Outdoor Facet and Hoses

One of the things that people often forget is an outdoor faucet and hose. These need to be disconnected and the outside faucets covered to prevent them from freezing.

Keep the House Warm

If you are going away for any length of time, it is a good idea to keep the heating turned on to warm the house to at least 68 degrees. The heating then reduces the chances of frozen pipes. If you leave the doors on the cabinets below the sink open it will allow the warmth of the house to circulate through them. You can also turn off the water supply valves that lead to your washing machine.

Close and Seal Windows Near to Water Pipes

Any windows near to water pipes and any air vents need to be closed and sealed when temperatures are below freezing. Remember to re-open air vents when the weather warms up.

Monitor Conditions

It is a good idea to monitor for the conditions that lead to pipes freezing. The first sign that water is freezing is that the water flow from a faucet is reduced. Check the water flow and pressure last thing at night and first thing in the morning. You should check the water pipes round the water meter and in unheated areas such as exterior walls and in crawl spaces frequently as these are the most vulnerable places when it starts to freeze.

Common Sense

A little forethought and common sense and not much effort can help to protect you from frozen or burst pipes when the temperatures fall this winter.

Related Information from Horizon Services…

The 7 Deadly Plumbing Sins

frank — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:22:17 +0000

Avoid Costly Household Plumbing Issues

Plumbers will never be out of work; firstly because serious plumbing faults will always occur and will need to be repaired and secondly because of the problems that arise due to silly things that homeowners do to their household plumbing system.

Sin 1 – Leaving Hoses Attached to Outdoor Faucets in Winter

This is probably down to sheer laziness. A hose that is left attached to an outdoor faucet in extreme winter weather can be damaged. Not only is it bad for the hose but also it can cause the faucet and the water supply pipe to freeze.

Sin 2 – Overuse of Drain Cleaner

Drain cleaner products are a very effective and safe way of getting rid of blockages in drains if you use them carefully and on the right kind of blockage. However, when you are cleaning a drain do not use too much or you could corrode the drain itself and even make the blockage worse. When you finally call the plumber it may mean that extra work is required.

Sin 3 – Damaging Hidden Plumbing Supply Pipes

This is very easy to do. Never use an electric drill, a screwdriver or a hammer to start a DIY task before checking for hidden water pipes in the area in which you intend to work. If you do not and you puncture one, you could have a fine spray coming out of the wall or water pouring out if you hit a pressurized cold water supply pipe.

Sin 4 – Contaminating a Septic System with Household Chemicals

Septic systems rely on waste-eating bacteria being in the tank to function effectively. Putting some household cleaning chemicals into the tank via a sink will kill them off. Common chemicals that kill off these bacteria include chlorine bleach, drain cleaner, paint and even anti-bacterial soap.

Sin 5 – Putting Too Much Down the Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal unit is designed to get rid of a small amount of food waste. The unit’s motor powering a spinning wheel with metal teeth isn’t meant to stop the drains getting blocked. Fibrous foods like chard and asparagus, rice and potato peelings can still block your drains and will mean that it is drain-cleaning time again.

Sin 6 – Putting Grease Down the Kitchen Sink

There is nothing worse than grease for blocking drains. The grease will harden as it cools and not only will you need to call the plumber but it will cause a terrible smell. That goes for meat fats, lards, cooking oil, butter and margarine, dairy products, sauces, food scraps and baking goods. All this can lead to blockages in not just your drains but in the whole of the area’s sewage system if all homeowners do the same. When you think of the disruption caused when a sewage line has to be unblocked, is it worth the convenience of pouring things down the sink to have such disruptive and expensive work going on?

Sin 7 – Putting Garbage Down the Toilet

Flushing garbage down the drain really is not a good idea! A toilet has quite a small pipe leading from it to the main drain that removes waste from the whole house. So the blockage caused will not just block the toilet but also more likely block all the drains from the house.

Contact Horizon Services

We also specialize in Sewer and Water Line Replacement!

Related Information from Horizon Services…

Top 10 Best and Worst Flooring Options For Your Bathroom

lyle — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:00:08 +0000

The Best and Worst Flooring for the Bathroom

Residential flooring has certainly come a long way from the days of avocado green shag pile carpet and faux brick linoleum. However, with so many options available it can be hard to decide on the right flooring for your space, particularly in the bathroom. You want something that will complement your décor and hold up under the unique demands of a wet and humid atmosphere, aggravated by the high level of heating usually found in the room.

Here we have rated some of the most common types of residential flooring, starting with the worst and building up to the best for bathrooms and other damp spaces.

10. Carpet

Not only is a carpet in the bathroom virtually impossible to keep clean. Even worse, it will collect condensation and moisture down to the padding. Thanks to a combination of moisture and heating, mold and mildew will thrive, making your floor constantly damp and giving the whole room a dank, musty smell.

9. Solid Wood

Solid wood flooring might look fantastic, but it is never recommended for bathrooms. Parquet and tongue and groove floors are particularly ill suited for a damp bathroom; excess moisture will eventually cause the wood to warp and crack.

8. Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring that has glued-in seams is actually not a bad choice for a bathroom, as the glue prevents water from getting into the cracks between floorboards. Some laminate, however, simply locks into place; you don’t want this in your bathroom. Water can seep into the seams, causing the under layer of the floor to blister and warp.

7. Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is better than laminate, because its base is made of sturdier plywood, which resists more water. You probably would not want to install engineered wood in a frequently used bathroom with a shower, but for a guest powder room or half-bath it’s not a bad choice.

6. Linoleum Tile

Linoleum is an oil-based material, so it will repel water much better than hardwood or laminate. However, linoleum tile does have seams where moisture can seep in and cause warping or separation.

5. Sheet Linoleum

No seam means you will get the benefits of water-resistant linoleum without the problems of individual tiles.

4. Vinyl Tile

Simple to install and made from waterproof plastic, vinyl tile is a good choice for bathrooms. You do, however, still run into some potential problems because of the seams between tiles and there is really no way to seal them against moisture.

3. Ceramic or Stone Tile

Ceramic or stone tiles are an excellent choice for showers, pools and bathtubs. They are durable, water-resistant and look great. Grout seals the seams from moisture; some tiles and grout are available that are designed to repel water.

2. Sheet Vinyl

This is perhaps the best choice for a heavily used bathroom. You get all the durability of vinyl flooring without those troublesome seam issues.

1. Concrete

If you are reading this and picturing a bathroom floor that looks a lot like your driveway, hold that thought. Today, concrete flooring is an increasingly popular choice, because it’s durable, can be sealed against water and is available in a variety of colors and tints.

Contact Horizon Services

When remodeling your bathroom, please contact the professionals from Horizon Services!

We also specialize in General Plumbing Services and Sewer and Water Line Replacement!

Related Information from Horizon Services…

Water Heater Tips and Tricks

frank — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:37:09 +0000

Stop Being Soaked By Your Energy Bill

About 12% of your home’s total energy costs can be attributed to your hot water heater. The following article is designed to help you learn more about how your water heater works, and ways you can save money and conserve water.

Different Types of Water Heaters

Gas and oil heaters: Many older water heaters are powered by fuel oil or natural gas. They need a pilot light in order to work properly, so there is a significant danger of fire if flammable materials are placed too close to the unit. These heaters also need to be vented properly to prevent the build-up of potentially deadly fumes like carbon monoxide. While gas and oil heaters do a good job keeping your home supplied with hot water, they can be very expensive to operate, particularly with fuel costs continuing to rise.

Electric heaters: These units are generally energy efficient, easy to install, and because they don’t use flame and a combustible fuel they are safer than gas or oil powered heaters. Electric water heaters also require less maintenance than other heaters, so you will spend less on servicing the device over its lifetime. You also don’t need to worry about fuel or venting, which gives you more flexibility when planning where the heater will be installed.

There are different kinds of electric water heaters. Storage heaters work like a very big thermos; there is a large tank that holds hot water until you need it. You can choose from a wide range of sizes depending on your household needs. The majority of residential storage water heaters vary in size from 40 gallons to 100 gallons.

Heat pump water heaters can dramatically reduce your hot water heating costs, in some cases by as much as 50%. These heaters pull heat from the air and transfer it to the water stored in the tank. Though initially more expensive to install than other models, the energy savings more than cover the difference in just a few years’ time.

Solar heaters: Advances in solar technology have made solar-powered water heaters a realistic choice for many homeowners. Installation costs are high because you will need solar panels as well as a new heater system, but the overall energy savings are significant. Even better, solar water heaters use completely renewable energy and produce no greenhouse gases, making them much better for the environment.

How to Save on Hot Water

For most homes, 120º is as hot as water needs to be for comfortable showering and bathing, laundry and dish washing, and cleaning. Setting your heater no higher than 120º not only saves energy, but also prevents scalding.

Insulating your hot water pipes helps to prevent heat loss, and can help you save on energy bills. Be sure pipes are properly insulated, and you will see a difference in your next bill.

Repair hot water faucet leaks; just a single drip per second wastes as much as 200 gallons of water a year.

Turn the hot water off when shaving or doing dishes.

Set your washing machine to the cold cycle – your clothes will get just as clean, and you will save money.

Contact Horizon Services

For proper water heater repair and replacement, please contact professionals from Horizon Services!

We also specialize in General Plumbing Services and Sewer and Water Line Replacement!

Related Information from Horizon Services…

What’s the Best Garbage Disposal For You

frank — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:03:14 +0000

How to Select the Right Garbage Disposal for Your Home

If you are like most people, you have never really thought too much about your garbage disposal. You know it is there, deep down inside your kitchen sink, and as long as it does its job you probably just take it for granted. The truth, though, is that there is more to the selecting the right garbage disposal than you may think.

Size Matters

Yes, garbage disposals come in different sizes, and the size of your sink and the amount of use the unit is likely get will help to determine the size disposal that is right for you. Obviously, if you have a large sink and intend to use the unit a lot, you will want a heavy-duty disposal; for a smaller sink and limited use, a standard-size device will do.

How Much Horsepower Is Needed

Most builders use a basic, low-cost disposal with a 1/3 horsepower motor in new construction. These builder-grade devices work well, but they are certainly not built to last. Higher-end disposals have more power – sometimes as much as one horsepower. With stainless steel inner components, you never have to worry about rust. Some deluxe garbage disposals are even equipped with an auto-reverse feature that dislodges objects like silverware or bones before they can cause the armature to overheat, which may break the device.

You can find a wide range of disposals that fall between the basic entry level model and more sophisticated systems. If your home’s plumbing is connected to a septic tank, you can even purchase a specialty device that squirts an enzyme solution down the drain when you run the disposal so waste is broken down before it gets to the septic tank.

Proper Usage

No matter how powerful your garbage disposal is, if you use it improperly it is not going to last.

For most of us, the sound of the garbage disposal motor tells us when food has been ground up. We listen for that slight change in pitch, then shut off the disposal and turn off the water. This can actually be bad for your disposal and your plumbing; some of the waste the disposal has just created can get stuck in the drain line that leads to the drain trap under the sink, and if this builds up you may need to call a plumber to clear the blockage as most commercial drain cleaning products cannot be used with a garbage disposal.

Instead, let the water run for a few seconds after you turn off the disposal. This allows water to flow into the pipes and flush the disposal waste down the pipes and out to the sewer or septic tank. If you are washing a large load of dishes or pots and pans, you can also time the usage of the disposal so that it runs when the water drains from the sink after you have finished washing. The sudden rush of water acts like a flushing toilet, and food debris is pushed further down the pipes.

Taking some time to think about the size and features you need in a garbage disposal and ensuring it is always used properly will guarantee your disposal will keep working unnoticed for years to come.

Contact Horizon Services

For proper garbage disposal installation, please contact professionals from Horizon Services!

We also specialize in General Plumbing Services and Sewer and Water Line Replacement!

Related Information from Horizon Services…

7 Ways to Save Energy and Money During the Holiday Season

frank — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:22:29 +0000

How to Save on Electricity

The holidays are nearly upon us, and while spending time with family and friends is good for the soul, blowing your holiday shopping budget on astronomical electricity bills is most certainly not. Here are some easy ways you can increase energy efficiency and lower your electric bill this season.

Use LED Lights and Fiber Optic Decorations

We all love holiday decorations, but all those extra lights can really inflate your electric bill. Energy-efficient LED lights can cut your electricity usage by as much as 90%, which can help you save significantly.

Decorations lit with fiber optics use a single bulb and a lot less energy than traditional lighting, offering the ultimate in efficiency and savings.

Set Holiday Lights With a Timer

A timer lets you program your holiday lights to run on an automated schedule so you never have to worry about remembering to turn them on or off. Timers are easy to find this time of year – you can get them anywhere holiday lights are sold – and cost less than $5. If you don’t have a timer, aim for no more than six hours of illumination a day; turn the lights on at dusk, and turn them off before you go to bed.

Let Your Tree Light the Room

There is nothing better than relaxing in the warm glow of a beautifully lit and decorated Christmas tree. When your tree is on, turn off other lights in the room whenever you can. You will have more than enough light to move around if you need to, and you won’t waste energy using lights you don’t need.

Decorate With Candles

Candles are a great alternative to electric holiday lights – and won’t cost you a dime in utility charges. Set luminaries along an outdoor walkway or patio, place candles on your mantle or on a high shelf, or decorate your holiday table with a candlelit centerpiece. Just be sure to keep flames away from combustible materials and high enough so that curious kids and pets can’t get to them.

Adjust the Thermostat

When you have a house full of people, you won’t need to set your thermostat quite as high. More bodies mean more warmth, so turn the thermostat down a few degrees and give your furnace – and your bank account – a break.

Look For the Energy Star Label

Energy Star-rated appliances and electronics are designed to use significantly less electricity – sometimes as much as 60% less than traditional devices. Look for the Energy Star label on everything from TVs and DVD players to computers and cordless phones.

Cook Smarter

For most of us, holiday parties and get-togethers require a large amount of cooking and baking. To get the most out of your oven and to save yourself a few dollars on your energy bill, cook as many dishes as you can all at once. Roast the turkey along with the sweet potatoes, bake dinner rolls and cookies at the same time, and cook pies and casseroles together.

Another great way to save energy is to use the smallest appliance possible to get the cooking done. Crock pots, microwaves, toaster ovens, and other small kitchen devices let you cook the same holiday favorites with a lot less electricity.

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