Give Your Showerhead A Refresh!
How to clean your showerhead:
1. Wipe as much of the dry debris from the holes as you can with a sponge scrubber
2. Still not spraying straight? Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water (you’ll need about 1 cup), and pour it into a plastic sandwich bag.
3. Put the plastic bag around the showerhead so the holes are immersed in the liquid, and secure the bag to the shaft with a twist tie or rubber band.
4. Allow it to soak at least 15 to 20 minutes (up to an hour if you can).
5. Remove the bag and wipe away loosened deposits. Run the shower on hot to flush and you’re all set.
If you are still experiencing trouble with any of your plumbing fixtures or any of your HVAC needs call Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ toll-free @888-315-5564
Why Central Air Equals Better Air Quality
CENTRAL AIR PROVIDES CLEANER AIR FOR YOUR HOME
Your central air conditioning system circulates air by pulling it out of the rooms in your house through the return air ducts. During this process, the air is pulled through an air filter. Depending on the density of the filter, the filter removes airborne particles such as dust, lint, pet dander, and allergens. Some filters are designed to remove microscopic allergens and other pollutants. The filtered air is then routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back to the rooms. Especially for people with impaired or sensitive respiratory systems, a central air conditioning system can contribute to better health.
You can purify the air even more by installing an optional air cleaning component on your system. One such option is a global plasma solution (GPS). A GPS uses cold plasma to kill 99.6% of contaminants in less than 15 minutes. This gadget will reduce the number of pollutants that get circulated through your system and into your home. Not only does the GPS kill the mold and bacteria floating in the air, but it also eliminates odors.
Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call toll-free @888-315-5564
Plumbing Problem You Don’t Have To Experience
Like your air conditioner, your plumbing plays a major part in keeping you comfortable in New Jersey. You probably don’t think about the plumbing system in your home until something goes wrong. Here are common plumbing mistakes and how to avoid them:
Keeping the Water On During an Emergency
If a pipe bursts, a toilet overflows or some other plumbing emergency emerges, turn off the water. Your primary water sources, like the sink or toilet, will have a shut-off valve. As soon as you notice the problem, turn the valve until it stops the water from flowing.
Next, call a Green Apple plumber. Many people don’t instinctively try to stop the water first. Instead, they try to clean the mess while more water pours out. Turn off the water, take a deep breath and call your Green Apple plumber before commencing cleaning.
Overusing Drain Cleaners
When people have a clog, they often turn to drain cleaners in hopes of clearing it. Drain cleaners work in particular situations, but using them too much can corrode your pipes.
Chemical drain cleaners work by breaking down or eating away at whatever is clogging your drain. When you use them too often, they start to eat away at your pipes too.
Consider snaking out your shower drain instead of using a drain cleaner. Call in a plumber instead of dumping in Drano every time you notice a clog. If you have to use drain cleaners that often, you probably have a more significant issue.
Fixing Plumbing Issues on Your Own
Even if you’re handy, you should always leave a plumbing issue to an expert. Plumbing may look easy enough, but some aspects get really complicated. You can easily turn a small problem into a big one, turning the issue to a long and expensive fix. Unless you’re trained in what you’re doing, Call in Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ to handle your plumbing concerns.
Ignoring a Plumbing Issue
People love to ignore problems hoping they go away. A running toilet can turn into a major water bill, or a clanking sound can turn into a big flood in your basement.
Unfortunately, plumbing issues won’t resolve on their own. The longer you ignore the issue, the more it’ll worsen. If you have concerns, get an estimate on the repair and find out the nature of the issue so that you can make an informed decision.
Using a Handyperson Instead of a Licensed Plumber
Anyone who touches your pipes, sinks, toilets, showers or water heaters needs to be licensed for several reasons. Although the neighborhood handyman is probably good at small fixes, you have no course of action if they perform a substandard.
Furthermore, many warranties are voided if you don’t use a licensed plumber. Although it’s nice to save a little money and give your neighbor work, you shouldn’t do it with your plumbing.
Not Scheduling Plumbing Service
Ideally, your plumbing would work great forever without any issue. But plumbing doesn’t always work that way. Having your plumbing serviced helps to detect small leaks and other issues before they turn into big ones. It also helps you spot biological growth and other concerns. Furthermore, when you want to sell your house, you won’t have surprises during the inspection that could prevent the sale.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your plumbing or HVAC needs call toll-free @888-315-5564
HVAC Areas People Often Overlook
Seal the Ducts
Most HVAC systems rely on extensive ductwork to move air through the home, and the average ductwork contributes to 20 percent of energy loss because of leaks as air passes through the ductwork. While a furnace at the end of its lifespan can cause constantly rising energy bills despite unchanging energy needs, leaky ductwork can also contribute to increased energy loss over time.
To make your furnace more energy-efficient and prevent it from working overtime to warm your home, call in a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical professional to take a closer look at your ducts. By updating the joint seals and improving the insulation on any exposed ductwork, you can make big strides towards better efficiency.
Get a Regular Tune-up
If your furnace seems to be running smoothly, it is easy to let a few maintenance appointments slide. This can quickly add up, though, since a typical furnace needs annual maintenance. To get the best performance from your furnace for its entire 20- to 30-year lifespan, be sure to schedule a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical professional to check fluids, change the air filter, and perform regular preventative maintenance. Keep in mind that furnaces over 10 or 15 years old that exhibit serious operational issues might be ready for replacement.
Schedule an appointment to ensure your furnace is functioning efficiently. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call us toll-free @ 888-315-5564
Yearly Maintenance Makes Your HVAC System Healthier
Maintain your air conditioner on a regular basis
Often, health problems linked to air conditioning are due to poor maintenance of the machines. A simple way to prevent respiratory illnesses related to air conditioning is to respect a rigorous maintenance of the installation (filters, conduits, etc.). Certain infectious agents, such as legionellosis bacteria, can proliferate on the insides of air conditioning systems. Follow your air conditioner’s maintenance tips attentively or refer to a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical New Jersey professional who will be able to clean your equipment.
Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call toll-free at 888-315-5564
How Often Should My Garbage Disposal Be Serviced?
Garbage disposal should last up to 12 years, according to experts but, like any appliance, how you treat it determines whether it lives longer—or shorter than the average lifespan.
Wondering if it’s time to ditch your disposal?
Well, you should replace your garbage disposal if you see these 5 signs:
- It clogs often (either the blades are getting dull or you need larger disposal)
- You have to press the RESET button often
- Food takes longer and longer to grind
- The unit is leaky
- The unit is making loud noises
We’ll explain each of these 5 signs and why they indicate that you need a new garbage disposal.
Replace your garbage disposal when…
…it clogs often.
If your garbage disposal is constantly clogging, it most likely either means that
- The blades are getting dull
- Your garbage disposal is too small
You see, when the disposal blades can’t properly break down food, large particles will either clog the disposal itself or create a clog further down in the sink’s drain pipes.
Another reason your disposal might be clogging often is that it’s undersized for your needs. Garbage disposals are sized by their horsepower. The higher the horsepower, the more food it can break down in one sitting. So, if your garbage disposal is constantly clogging and you need to replace it, look into installing a bigger model.
If you are experiencing trouble with your garbage disposal or need general maintenance call Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ toll-free @888-315-5564
What To Do If Your AC Won’t Turn On
Your Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On
If your air conditioner isn’t turning on, first check your unit outside to determine if the condenser is running. Make sure that the unit is plugged in and your thermostat is set properly.
It sounds simple, but lower your thermostat 5 to 10 degrees and see if that fixes your problem- and make sure your thermostat is set to cool. Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ knows that many thermostats are tricky and homeowners may be able to save themselves time and money by reading the manual.
Then check to see if a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker is to blame.
If your air conditioner still will not turn on or your coil is frozen, you may have a problem with your motor or compressor and will need to contact a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical professional to repair your system.
Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call toll-free at 888-315-5564
Essential Summer Plumbing Checklist
Every home needs a plunger to take care of routine clogs. Plungers are inexpensive and can be stored in a linen closet or basement. The worst time to need a plunger is when you don’t have one and have to run to the hardware store to get one. Plungers can handle most normal clogs. If not, it’s time to call your Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ plumber. Aside from keeping a plunger handy, there are several other proactive things homeowners can do to be prepared for clogs.
Take Care of Your Drains
Be cautious of what goes down the drain. Even the best kitchen garbage disposal can’t process every type of food waste. Purchase mesh or plastic drain filters for each kitchen sink. Hair build-up in the sinks and bathtubs eventually results in clogged bathroom pipes. A pair of tweezers may help pull hair build-up out, but you can also buy drain filters for the tub and sink. If you have kids, help them understand how much toilet paper to use, and what things don’t go in the toilet.
Inspect for Leaks
Summer is the best time to check for leaks. Even temperate climates can experience cold temperatures in winter, which may affect plumbing. It’s best to detect and take care of any leaks that may have occurred over the winter. Start outside of your house and inspect water spigots. Inside, look carefully at faucets, shower heads, and pipes under sinks. Pay attention to rust on pipes and evidence of moisture inside cabinets. Check toilets for leaks. Some issues with toilets can be easily fixed but if you’re not confident in your plumbing skills, call a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical professional.
Green Apple Mechanical NJ are the professionals you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call toll-free @ 888-315-5564
Energy Tips & Troubleshooting For Your Central Air
In general, you should hire an excellent service technician at least once per year for regular maintenance to keep your system running efficiently in each season. If you run into any problems or concerns during your air conditioning inspection, you should call a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ professional for service in advance of the summer season when you’ll want your system to be ready to cool your home.
To help keep your energy bills under control during the summer, you can lower costs by simply increasing the temperature on your thermostat by a few degrees. It can help you with saving money and energy by using higher temperature settings.
Green Apple Plumbing and Mechanical New Jersey are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the New Jersey area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call toll-free at 888-315-5564
Spring Plumbing Tips You’ll Love!
- Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
- Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out corrosion causing sediment, which reduces heating efficiency and shortens the life of the heater. Check your water heater manufacturer ‘s website for specific instructions concerning your make and model.
- Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. (The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made.) Newer water heaters are more energy efficient.
- Make sure flammables are not stored near the water heater or furnace.
- Check dishwasher, washing machine and ice maker supply hoses for bulges or leaks. Replace hoses showing signs of weakness or older than ten years. Use stainless steel hoses wherever possible. They are more reliable and less prone to bursting than other types.
- Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or Plumbing needs call toll-free at 888-315-5564