Stop Doing This To Your Plumbing ASAP
Using Your Toilet as a Trashcan
For the last time, your toilet is not your trash can! If the trash can in your toilet is full, or you don’t have one, your toilet becomes a substitute trashcan. You may find it to be a convenient way to dispose of things like feminine hygiene products, cat litter, makeup removing pads, flush cleaning wipes, but it really isn’t. These things tend to disintegrate and block the drain.
We are sure you don’t want to come home to a clogged toilet. If you use your toilet as a trash can, you must stop right away and call a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical plumber to come and have a look at it. The only thing that you are allowed to flush is toilet paper.
Tackling the Problems by Yourself
We live in the age of the internet. If you search “how to resolve plumbing issues”, you will find hundreds of web pages in a matter of seconds. When it comes to a plumbing problem, DIY is not the route you should take. Tackling plumbing problems on your own usually ends in disaster. They should be left to professional Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical plumbers.
A lot of people tend to solve their plumbing problems on their own to save a few bucks. Most of the time, this practice ends up costing you more than it would have if you had it fixed from a professional Green Apple plumber.
Tackling plumbing problems on your own not only wastes your time but also your hard-earned money. And if you exaggerate the problem, then you might end up with a hefty bill of repairs. That is why the clever thing to do is calling a professional Green Apple plumber to come and perform the job for you.
Drop-in Toilet Fresheners Are a Big No
Do you regularly use toilet fresheners because you like blue colored water? Well, that is a big no. these fresheners are made up of harmful chemicals and can cause a lot of plumbing problems. The fresheners can also dissolve and clog your flush’s valve, preventing you from flushing the toilet.
If you have been doing that, call a Green Apple Plumber to come and see if the flush is in good shape.
These are some of the many things that can cause harm to your plumbing. Make sure you avoid these things at all costs. Any plumbing problem should never be ignored. Call a Green Apple plumber to come and fix the problem right away before it can accelerate.
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 plumbing or HVAC needs call toll-free @888-315-5564
How Colder Weather Affects Your Furnace
When the snow starts to fall and the temperatures start to drop, you can rest easy knowing your home’s furnace keeps your living space comfortable no matter what the thermometer outside says. The falling temperatures and weather events that come with the fall will put your furnace to its greatest test to keep you and your family warm and cozy.
Before winter hits this season, you need to know the different ways in which the cold can affect your furnace. This will help ensure you don’t experience loss of heat or another furnace disaster that makes it colder than you can bear. Let’s review how cold affects your furnace and how you can keep these furnace problems becoming an issue in the first place.
So, How Exactly Does the Cold Affect Your Furnace?
The colder it is outside, the harder your furnace must work to keep the inside of your home comfortable. The harder your furnace works, the more likely it is that something will go wrong. Let’s look at some of the more common winter issues and how to troubleshoot them.
Cycling heat is when your furnace turns on and off frequently for short periods of time. The two main reasons are clogged filters are causing inadequate airflow. However, if your filters and blowers are clean, you might be looking at a faulty thermostat. Try to troubleshoot your thermostat as per the manufacturer’s instructions. If you still can’t get the issue resolved, call Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ as soon as possible.
A sudden shutdown of your furnace is scary, but you can get through it. Check your fuse box to make sure you didn’t suffer a power surge and blow a fuse. Look at the furnace and check if the pilot light is burning. If the fuse didn’t fix the issue and you can’t see any activity going on in your furnace, you should call Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ immediately to come diagnose and fix the issue before it gets too cold.
To avoid most fall issues with your furnace, have it inspected and serviced by our team before cold weather comes to town. Our expertise and experience will keep your furnace purring along nicely all winter long. 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
Invest In Seasonal Tune-Ups
Invest In Seasonal Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System
HVAC equipment manufacturers recommend having regular tune-ups by an HVAC Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical professional. Tune-ups examine all elements of the system so that any problems are identified early. In addition, seasonal maintenance improves efficiency, which saves fuel and money. By running more efficiently, HVAC systems experience fewer breakdowns. This prolongs the life of the unit.
Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ examine all elements of a system:
- Clean condenser and evaporator coils
- Check refrigerant levels
- Clean drip pan and condensate lines
- Check electrical connections and wiring
- Calibrate thermostat
- Clean or replace the air filter
- Check housing for damage or rust
- Lubricate all moving parts
- Ensure unit cycles on and off properly
- Check ignition and burners on gas or oil furnaces
Repair Leaking Ducts
The contractor will check ducts. Leaking ducts lose up to 30 percent of conditioned air before it reaches the living space. Fixing ducts improves efficiency, reduces energy usage and provides more comfortable living space.
Green Apple Plumbing & 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 feel free to call toll-free at 888-315-5564
The 6 Reasons You Simply Must Have An Annual Furnace Inspection
Every year at about this time, you probably receive several direct mail pieces from different New Jersey-area heating and cooling companies telling you to schedule a furnace tune-up.
But what many companies fail to tell you (and the reason most of those offers are ignored) is exactly why furnace maintenance is essential.
At Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ, we won’t sell you something you don’t need. So here is a list of the reasons an annual tune-up is so important to the efficiency of your furnace and the safety of your home.
Ensures proper airflow
During the furnace tune-up, the heating technician should check your heating system to ensure it is receiving the proper airflow. Restricted or limited airflow places an unnecessary strain on your furnace that can lead to increased repairs and a shortened lifespan.
Keeps you safe
Furnaces burn fuel to produce heat. This combustion process must be precise to maintain efficiency and safety. Even a small problem can lead to gas leaking into your home or dangerous carbon monoxide levels. Don’t take a chance with the health and safety of you and your family.
Reduces repairs
Every cold season, we receive calls from New Jersey-area residents with heating problems that could have been easily prevented with regular maintenance. A furnace tune-up not only includes cleaning that keeps your furnace running efficiently, but it also catches small problems before they turn into major repairs.
Saves Time
Getting a furnace tune-up now, before the weather is cold, is much more convenient than waiting for a repair person during the winter in a cold home without heat. It is also much cheaper.
Improves energy efficiency
A furnace tune-up should include the cleaning and inspection of the furnace burner and heat exchanger. In addition to ensuring safe operation, this will keep your furnace running efficiently all winter.
Maintains manufacturer’s warranty
If your heater is under a manufacturer’s warranty, it is especially important for you to get an annual furnace tune-up. Most manufacturers stipulate that their warranty becomes void if the heater is not regularly maintained. A furnace tune-up can satisfy that requirement and maintain your warranty.
Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ 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
Do You Know The Answers To These Important Questions?
Where does your water come from? Do you use city or well water? If you use a well, you should know how to access the well. If you use city water, you should have a general idea of where the main pipes are in your yard.
Do you use sewer or septic waste system? If you have a septic tank, you should know where it is located on your property. No matter which waste system you use, you should know where the clean-out plugs are and make sure they are accessible.
Do all faucets have an accessible shut-off valve? Every sink, shower, toilet and water-driven appliance (including water heaters) should ideally have their own shut off valve. This ensures that, if there is a leak in one, you still have access to water in other parts of the house. If there is not a shut-off valve for each, you might consider having a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical plumber install one. Be sure you know where each shut-off valve is and how to use it.
What types of pipes do you have? Plumbing pipes could be PVC, copper or PEX. Knowing what type you have can make our plumber’s job that much easier.
What your pipes look like. Most of us don’t know whether the pipes are right or not. But if you routinely make a visual inspection of your pipes, you are likely to spot a problem before it becomes an emergency. Look for rust, buckling or drops of water. If you see any of these, it is time to call a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical plumber.
Green Apple Plumbing & 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 plumbing or HVAC needs call toll-free @888-315-5564
Keep The Air Flowing In Your HVAC
Change the Filter Regularly
Maintaining a central air conditioning unit is all about maintaining airflow. That is why it is important to regularly change the air filter on the system.
Filter packages usually state a recommended schedule for replacement (i.e. every 90 days or so) but it really depends more on how much the unit is running and how dirty the air is.
During hot months, it may be beneficial to change the air filter more frequently. The process is often as simple as sliding the old filter out and sliding in the new one.
According to air conditioner manufacturers,
…regular cleaning/changing of your filter will ensure the best filtration, increase the life of your machine, and give you peace of mind that you’re breathing easier.
Do Not Close Any Registers Completely
With a two-story house the upper level is often warmer than the lower level even with the central air running. This is the case with our home, and knowing that hot air rises and cool air falls I figured I could easily balance the air temperature by adjusting the register (air vent) openings.
The mistake:
It is true that closing some registers on the cooler lower level forces more air out of the registers upstairs. The cooler air then works its way downstairs and the air temperature becomes more even throughout the house. However, by doing this the air conditioning unit may completely shut off!
In fact, when level registers are totally closed, the coils in the unit froze and the A/C quit functioning. Luckily, by shutting off the entire cooling system and giving the coils time to thaw, the A/C was up and running again within a few hours.
The lesson:
Do not completely close registers. To balance the air temperature, registers can be slightly closed, but do not close them completely. Additionally, make sure supply vents are not blocked. 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
Your Plumbing May Be Trying To Tell You Something
WHAT CAUSES YOUR FAUCET TO DRIP?
There may be several reasons why your faucet is dripping. Below we review some of the most common causes of a leaky faucet.
PROBLEM IN THE O RING:
A stem screw is used to hold the handle of a faucet in place. This stem screw includes a small disc attached to it, known as the O ring. This is an integral place where dripping can occur. The O ring can become loose or wear out over regular use, causing the faucet to drip near the handle. Replacing the damaged O ring will fix it if this is the issue. This problem occurs specifically in cartridge faucets.
CORRODED VALVE SEAT:
A valve seat serves as a connection between the faucet and the spout in the compression mechanism. Accumulation of water sediments can cause the valve seat to corrode, causing leakage around the spout area. Make sure that you clean the valve seat regularly with the help of a professional Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical plumber.
WORN OUT WASHER:
This is one of the most common causes behind a dripping faucet. During each use, the washer is forced against the valve seat, and this constant friction causes it to wear out. As a result, dripping is noticed around the spout. Dripping caused by worn-out rubber washers can be mended by replacing the washer. This type of leak is found in a compression faucet.
IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF WASHER:
Often, if the washer is not installed properly or is not the right size, it can cause a leaky faucet. We suggest hiring a professional Green Apple Mechanical NJ plumber to help you install the washer properly, allowing you to say goodbye to your leak. 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 priorities. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call toll-free @888-315-5564
How To Keep An Eye On Your Water Pressure
Keep an Eye on Your Water Pressure
Most people think that the higher their water pressure is, the better. It’s true that getting into a shower with low pressure isn’t the best way to start the day. And a sudden drop in pressure could mean you’ve got a clogged pipe somewhere. But too much water pressure can be a bad thing.
When your water pressure is too high, your entire plumbing system is under constant stress. Over time, those pipes and joints that keep everything flowing can start to break down. But how do you know if you have too much pressure?
If it seems abnormally high, you can go out and get a pressure gauge from a hardware or home improvement store. These gauges just screw right onto an outside faucet or the draw-off next to your water main for an instant reading.
Your water pressure should be between 40 and 80 psi (45 is actually the standard). Anything above that and you’re exposing your pipes to unneeded wear and tear. You can fix this by having your Green Apple plumber install a reducer valve on the water main. This will regulate the pressure of the water coming into your home.
Consider an Annual Checkup
Your home’s plumbing network is a lot like your car, your body or your teeth. Nothing works better to maintain health and longevity like regular, preventative maintenance.
Most plumbing companies offer annual maintenance. They’ll check your plumbing network from top to bottom, going over all the things mentioned here and more. Toilets, faucets, drains, water pressure and the health of your pipes will all be checked by a seasoned Green Apple plumbing professional.
If they find any issues, they’ll advise you on the next steps to take to insure your home’s plumbing system can get back to optimal health. It’ll also give you some records to show your insurance company if you’re ever struck by a water disaster in the future.
Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ are the experts you can trust. 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
Be Careful Not To Overlook Your AC This Fall
Fall is officially here, and it’s almost time for AC systems to go on their annual break. People often go into post-summer months with an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. They incorrectly assume that air cooling services in NJ are only important when the weather is hot.
If you have an older system or you’ve neglected annual maintenance, you may want to consider upgrading to a new HVAC system. Fall is one of the best times of the year to make a change in your heating and cooling units, and the following are three reasons why.
Best Service
The fall season is an off-peak time of operations for HVAC companies. Upgrading during this downtime has a lot of advantages when it comes to the service you are getting. The technicians have much less work on their schedule. With fewer time constraints, they are more likely to spend extra time helping you understand your needs best.
Green Apple will take ductwork and airflow calculations to ensure you are getting an appropriate AC unit. During the summer, it’s challenging to get additional assistance sometimes.
Time to Save
When your HVAC system goes out on a 90-degree summer day, there is only one thing on your mind: get it back on as soon as possible. This buying method puts more stress on you.
In the fall, decreased demand tends to lead to significant price drops and sales. Additionally, you are not in a rush to replace your unit. The lack of urgency gives you time to research what type of system is best for you. You can cross-reference efficiency ratings, output, and costs to see what the best deal is.
Heat Pumping
Many AC units also act as a heat pump during the winter. If your AC was struggling in the summer, then it will have a hard time with heat when the winter comes. Heating issues tend to be harder to notice because they will make continue to make noise and sound like they’re operating while not efficiently heating your space.
They are often referred to as “zombie” heat pumps due to their deceiving ability to seem alive and running. One thing you will notice is that a dying heater will cause your electric bill to spike. Most systems have inefficient backup heaters that kick in when the primary system isn’t getting the job done. You can avoid these costly spikes by getting ahead of the problem with a replacement.
Don’t get stuck with a bad HVAC unit that it dies mid-summer. Take note of a struggling or older system and replace it during the off-season to get better service, a better system, and increased savings.
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
Fall Is Inspection Season
In order to prevent unwelcome interruptions to your season, we recommend servicing your furnace at least once a year. Every HVAC company recommends annual inspections. However, many individuals omit this critical step due to forgetfulness or cost issues. Taking this preventative measure will save you hassle and money in the future. Here’s why servicing your furnace is recommended:
1. Ensure safety
A large portion of accidents involving furnaces are caused by faulty or malfunctioning parts. While cranking up the heat during fall seems innocent, there have been fatal accidents. Harmful poisoning can occur when your furnace emits too much carbon monoxide for a certain space.
Another safety concern is the potential of a house fire. House fires are the most common result of furnace issues. When natural gas builds up in the home, an explosion can occur because of the volatile nature of gas. Regardless of the likelihood of an explosion, even the presence of natural gas in the air can cause extreme sickness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
Having a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical professional inspect your furnace will guarantee a safe environment for you and your family. Carbon Monoxide is the last issue you’ll want to deal with this season. Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ professionals will also perform a thorough inspection for flammable dirt and debris.
2. Increase Efficiency
One of the advantages of having your unit checked annually is increased efficiency. As you probably know, fuel for heating is very costly. A technician can analyze the efficiency of your system to see that your HVAC system is burning fuel at an economical rate.
3. Invest in the Future
Although it may seem like a headache now, employing the knowledge of a professional Green Apple technician will lead to lower bills and less fuel consumption. Spending a small amount of money on prevention will save you large bills in the colder months. Make sure that yearly service is performed before winter to confirm the reliability of it during the cold winter months.
There are specifically outlined steps for a technician to follow while inspecting your furnace that will ensure a worry-free cold season. Although it may seem unnecessary, it’s like going to the dentist. You may not think you need it until something goes wrong. Invest in a happy season with a furnace inspection. You’ll thank yourself later! Always remember that Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical is available for any of your furnace needs. Call toll-free @888-315-5564