Receive FREE Estimates from Local Contractors (Fast & Easy): Windows | Cabinets | Siding | Kitchen | Basement
|
|
 |
||
|
|
||
0
Water is always the cause of mold and mildew, but finding the source of the problem can seem like an unsolvable mystery. Follow our tips for using some handy gadgets and basic detective work to find and eliminate your mold and mildew problems for good.
- Check for plumbing leaks
- Don’t ignore mold
- Look for outside leaks
- Inspect the ductwork
A blocked or clogged drain is a pain, but it doesn’t mean that you need to call a plumber. Most clogged drains can be easily cleared by using things that are around the house or just a few inexpensive tools.
All drains have a similar construction. At the bottom of the drainpipe is a curved section of pipe called a trap. Under sinks this trap is shaped like an “U”, while most bathtubs have a slightly different shaped trap called a “P” trap, since it’s shaped like the letter “P”. The curves in the trap are there to “trap” some water in the drain line, and prevent sewer gases from coming up the pipe and smelling up the house. Over time, however, the traps will sometimes get blocked with things like cooking grease or food particles (in kitchen drains) or hair and soap scum (in bathroom sinks). Slow running drains are partially blocked, and drains that don’t drain at all are obviously totally blocked.
A heat pump filter is a vital component of your heat pump. It helps to keep dirt and debris from being discharged into your home. Heat pumps draw cool air into the device and distribute warm air within the house. Before the cool air is drawn into the pump, it is filtered to remove dust and debris. This helps to maintain cleaner air indoors. With time, the pump filter accumulates a lot of dirt and debris. This reduces efficiency of your heater. It is best to change the filters regularly for better performance of the heat pump. This is a simple job that doesn’t take much time or effort, as outlined below.
If the temperature inside a house gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0° Celsius) it’s likely that the water supply pipes and the drain traps will freeze.
When water freezes it expands 9 percent, and if there is no room for expansion it’s possible that the pipe will burst. When the ice thaws the pipe will leak, and in the supply system this leak could occur anywhere. Fixing a burst pipe can be expensive, but the damage from uncontrolled water leakage can easily reach into the thousands of dollars. Believe me, you do not want to experience the hassle and expense of having a pipe burst and spraying water all over your basement, or anywhere in your home.
A properly-insulated house built to current building codes will probably never experience this problem under normal conditions. What do I mean by normal conditions? The heating system runs properly, the electricity supply stays on, and the furnace fuel supply never runs out.
Back to top
