Home Is Where the Health Is - HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric

Space Heater Safety

Although a space heater can be a convenient way to heat a small space, it poses a greater risk of causing fire than a furnace does. This is largely due to its greater susceptibility to human error – because of their portability, it is very easy to accidentally place them too close to another item that might catch fire, for example.

If you have a space heater or are considering getting one, consider the following safety precautions before using it this winter.

Some space heaters are safer than others. When shopping for one, make sure it has been tested by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriter’s Laboratories. The space heater’s design should be fully enclosed and have no external surfaces that can reach temperatures high enough to ignite. It should also have thermostat controls and an automatic shutoff feature. Avoid oil-filled radiant heaters.

Make sure you always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the space heater. To avoid an electrical fire hazard, make sure the device is grounded with a three-prong plug, and plug it directly into the electrical outlet rather than using an extension cord, multi-outlet strip or surge protector. Place the heater so that it’s not too close to any other object and so that no one will trip over the cord when they walk by. Turn the space heater off when you leave the room and unplug it if you leave the house. Never use the space heater in the bathroom.

Even when you store the space heater, it can still be a fire hazard if you place it too close to combustibles. In fact, this is the leading cause of space heater fires.

Other considerations: Because they have such a high wattage, using a space heater may result in a blown fuse. Don’t use it at the same time any other major electrical appliance. You may also have to get permission to use a space heater from your building manager if you live in an apartment building or condo community. Finally, note that in many cases, it is actually cheaper to use a furnace as opposed to a space heater.

Different Methods to Keep Indoor Air Fresh All Year

It’s easy to take a breath of fresh air right in your home during the warmer months, when you can just open a window or a door to let the air circulate. But when the weather turns cool, how can you get fresh air into your home?

An air purifier is the obvious answer, but there are also other routes you can take to freshen your indoor air.

For starters, get a few houseplants. Not only will they brighten your home, but they also provide oxygen for us to breathe. 

Next, clean and freshen the physical objects in the home. Get the carpets steam cleaned to remove deep dirt, dust, or dander.

Also consider purchasing products that will take odors and allergens out of the air. These are sprays that can be sprayed into the air or on cloth furniture surfaces to freshen your home. 

Of course, you can purchase an air purifier. An air purifier will keep the air circulating and will also help prevent dust from accumulating. This will greatly help someone who suffers from allergies, as it will keep the air fresh and clean.

There are several different models of air purifiers depending on the size and type you’re looking for. They all have the same goal of freshening the air, it just depends on how big an area you want to service and perhaps what you want to take out of the air.

If your home has particularly dry air, you can solve this problem by purchasing a humidifier. With a humidifier, make sure you purchase the right size for your needs. There are units small enough for one room or big enough for your entire house. If you purchase the wrong size, you won’t get enough moisture in the air, or it could be too much and cause mold growth. 

(Flickr Photo By Howie Luvzus)

How to Clear a Clogged Appliance Trap

Showers, sinks and toilets aren’t the only appliances in your home that can get backed up – the traps of other household appliances such as the dishwasher, the washing machine and the garbage disposal can also get clogged. With so many drains and appliance traps, keeping all the water-utilizing appliances in your home running smoothly can be a challenge. Thus, it’s important to know how to clear a clogged trap, and to do what you can to prevent clogs from occurring in the first place.

With slow-draining systems, a commercial drain cleaner can help with both acute drainage problems and as maintenance to keep traps clog-free.  If you have at least a little bit of water flowing through your system, using a drain cleaner in combination with a plunger can help clear away common drain-cloggers like hair, soap and grease.  Once the drain is clear, make a habit of using the drain cleaner in all your household drains once a month.  If your house is connected to a septic system, drains should be treated weekly with a septic system cleaner.

If drain cleaner doesn’t fix the problem, try removing and cleaning the appliance’s trap.  You may be able to clean the trap of a dishwasher by removing the drain port cover and threading a slim rod down the drain pipe. For a washing machine, remove the hose (after making sure the hose is clear of any blockage), and run a snake through the pipe and the trap. Replace the appliance trap if it looks worn.

If the trap is clean and the appliance still isn’t draining properly, the pipes are probably blocked, and you may need to use a plumbing snake. If you’re not equipped to do this on your own, it’s time to hire a professional plumber.

Once your plumbing problem is fixed, make sure you maintain your appliances by using cleaners on a regular basis and replacing worn parts as needed.  Avoid flushing grease, cigarette butts, garbage and other drain-clogging debris down your pipes – especially if your drainage system is connected to a septic tank or field.

Tips On Hiring A Good Plumber

When you need to hire a plumber to do work at your house, it’s important to select someone who’s both reputable and well-priced. Keep in mind the following tips on hiring a plumber to ensure you’re leaving your pipes in good hands.

First of all, it’s essential that anyone you contract to do work in your home is both bonded and insured. This protects you from financial risk should any injuries or damage occur on the job. Most legitimate businesses bond and ensure their employees, but it’s a good idea to check this before hiring someone.

Next, make sure the plumber you’re considering is licensed to do the job. You can verify this by visiting the company’s website (or office) to view their certificates.

You’ll also want to verify that the plumber’s work is guaranteed. A guarantee, either in the form of a verbal agreement or a written warranty, protects you from having to spend more money to fix the problem if th e plumber’s work doesn’t sufficiently address the issue the first time around.  A good plumbing company will offer a guarantee on both labor and on the parts they use.

Finally, you’ll probably want to consider price. Some plumbing companies offer far more reasonable rates for their services than others, so it’s probably worth your time to get a few quotes before deciding on a plumber. Don’t forget to read the fine-print, either. Some companies charge more for emergencies or weekend jobs. Depending on your particular situation, you may also want to consider a company that offers payment plans.

Another hint: it’s usually a good idea to find a plumber who works for an established, reputable company that offers a wide range of services. This way, you can develop a good relationship with the company and you won’t have to start your research from scratch if this particular plumber isn’t available for your next plumbing job. 

(Flickr Photo By cmurtaugh)