Emergency Response Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Despite the apparent complexity of a lot of plumbing work, you don't always need plumbing help from a professional to get a small job done in your home. For example, the wax ring under your toilet that seals it down is likely to come loose at some point in your life. Knowing how to replace it yourself can save you the cost of a plumbing technician coming out to do the job.
Instead, get a little plumbing help on your own by reading articles and watching a few videos and then undertake small jobs like this to keep up repairs and maintenance without the hefty expense.

Getting the Right Wax Ring
Always check brand and model of your commode (toilet) so you are armed with correct information before going to pick up the part, which can be found at a plumbing supply store or your local hardware store. Purchase a replacement wax ring for your toilet. This should not be an expensive part.

• One of the reasons people end up calling for plumbing help is because they flood the area due to forgetting to first turn off the water supply.You can do this at the shutoff valve behind the toilet or at the main water shutoff to the house.
• To remove most of the water, flush the toilet at least twice. Then, disconnect the water supply line from the toilet. This is most easily accomplished with pliers.
• Find the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor, usually two on each side.Take off the covers (porcelain or plastic decor) by prying off or picking them up. The nuts underneath can be removed typically with a wrench.
• Always lift the toilet straight up from the bolts. Know in advance that the commode is likely going to be heavy.

The Wax Ring

• Remove the existing wax ring and put the new one in its place, on the mounting ring beneath. Set the toilet on top.
• To seal the toilet, sit on the seat and rock it in all directions until it settles evenly. Some people caulk the base of the toilet, but this is not necessary. Bolt it back down and connect and turn on the water supply.

If you still have a leak, you contact a plumbing company for plumbing help, as there is something else wrong. Otherwise, you have accomplished an easy plumbing installation yourself.

One of the most common large plumbing issues you may encounter in your home is a clogged main drain line. Usually, these clogs are not terrible if you catch them early and only cause slow drainage as opposed to serious backup issues. If you learn how to snake the main drain line yourself, you'll find that you can avoid calling a professional plumbing technician while also salvaging your drain.
What Is a Drain Snake?
Sometimes called a plumbing snake or an auger, a drain snake is used specifically to remove blockage from your pipes, especially larger pipes like a clogged main drain line. They are made of a flexible metal cable that can literally 'snake' through the twists and turns of your drain or pipe to reach the clogged area directly. Some are hand powered while others are electric. If you can't get a drain snake, or you aren't sure the one you have for home use is large and powerful enough for your clog, call a licensed plumber who can bring a drain snake larger in diameter for more fire power. For best results, you'll want to obtain a hydrojet type drain snake, as a clogged main drain line can be a large job.
Preparing to Snake a Clogged Main Drain Line

• Find the clean out port that goes to the main drain. Remove the cover.
• Take the hose from the snake machine and insert it into the clean out as far as you can.
• Secure the hose so it stays in place.
• Power up your snake. Most snakes are now hydrojets that use a nozzle with water that is forced through the pipes and a heavy enough head to hammer at the clog and break through the blockage.

Checking the Progress

• Feed the hose through the main drain line. If the line is clear, there should be nothing in the way to block its progress through the pipe.
• If the drain snake has a camera attachment, use it to check and make sure you've cleared out the clog, have clean pipes, and haven't caused any breaks in the clogged main drain line.

With a little training and a lot of determination, you can easily clear out your clogged drain yourself. However, if you make the attempt and can't get things flowing, or if you're worried about damage, you can always call a local plumbing company for assistance.

The Baby Boom population is getting older and, as a result, bathroom technology designers are creating spaces for their clients to enjoy into their more advanced years. This trend, Aging in Place, allows families to remain together in their homes since the critical rooms have already been modified to make life a bit easier as they get older. Let's take a look at some of the latest bathroom technology available.

Open-sided showers. Three-sided shower stalls allow mobility-impair homeowners easy access to the shower area while still maintaining a beautiful, classic bathroom design. Savvy designers will also carve seating areas into shower walls or disguise grab bars as towel holders or decorations. Some manufacturers have also created curved-glass walls to create space for wheelchairs or walkers to turn around.

Flat drains. To keep water from flooding the bathroom, companies have designed sunken drains with gorgeous decorative drain coverings to channel away water. These drains give older clients a flat surface to roll or walk across while entering and exiting the shower.

Micro-bubble technology. A twist on whirlpool tubs, micro-bubble technology creates a soothing soaking treatment that rejuvenates skin from the the inside out. As the name implies, micro bubbles are so small they are able to get into the skin and release oxygen into the body creating a soothing, plumping effect. This technology can be particularly helpful for those with psoriasis or other skin ailments.

Aromatherapy steam showers. The addition of aromatherapy to steam showers creates an energizing or calming affect depending on the aroma. While the steam extracts impurities from the body, the aromas work on the mind and soul.

Chromotherapy. Let's face it, our eyesight fails as we age. But, although we might not be able to read tiny text on a faucet, we can still distinguish colors. Several manufacturers have designed faucets with added lights to tell clients whether the water is hot, cold or in between to help prevent scalding.

When designing your next bathroom, ask yourself if the space will function as you age. If not, explore the latest  bathroom technologies and create a beautiful space you truly can live in for a lifetime.

Got a Broken Toilet Handle?

Here's How to Replace a Toilet Handle!

A broken or loose toilet handle is more than an inconvenience. If not repaired, a loose handle will keep the flapper inside the toilet tank from seating properly which in turn will allow water to escape into the drain. A small leak like this can easily add ten to fifteen dollars to your monthly water bill.

Oil to Gas Conversions in Rhode Island

Here's Why We Think an Oil to Gas Conversion is Worth It! 

As natural gas and oil both drastically change in price year after year, it would seem that an oil to gas conversion for your HVAC system might not be advisable. On the contrary, converting your furnace and water heater to natural gas is definitely a wise decision and will ultimately pay for itself in utility cost savings.

Buying a Home and Looking for a Plumbing Guide?

Here's Our Home Buyers Plumbing Guide!

The purchase of a home is most likely to be the largest single purchase that any person makes in their lifetime. As such, prudence requires that the buyer check out, whether personally or with a professional local plumber, all of the various mechanical systems of the house.

Toilet Bubbling? 

What It Means if Your Toilet Bubbles!

The appearance of toilet bubbles may seem to indicate a serious problem with your plumbing system. While the issue should be addressed as soon as possible, it is usually a minor problem that can be fixed with a minimum of effort. The appearance of toilet bubbles occurs for three main reasons, all of which involve the infiltration of air into the plumbing system.

Plumbing Tip

Here are Some Reasons Why You Have a Running Toilet!

Toilets are one of the simplest and most reliable fixtures in the house. The relatively few moving parts mean that they have very little chance of mechanical plumbing failure and the durability of their construction makes them highly dependable.