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Amateur at Home: What You Can Do about a Stinky Sink

kitchen sink

Whether you have soft water or hard water, garbage disposal or traditional sink, chances are you will have to deal with sink odors at some time or another. Sink odors most commonly happen when food particles build up in the drain and decompose. It’s a natural process, but the smell is not something you want infiltrating your kitchen. A stinky sink is also a sign you might have blockage or further plumbing problems so it’s good to keep a sharp eye out and stop problems when you see them.

Home Remedies
There are actually several around-the-house, non-chemical products that can be helpful in destroying odors in your sink. Despite what you may have heard, they can actually be extremely effective in most cases and will save you money. If you have a garbage disposal, try cutting a lemon in half and putting it in the disposal. Not only will it get rid of the odor, but it will leave a fresh and natural lemon scent whenever you use it. For sinks with or without a garbage disposal, you can try a combination of 1 cup baking soda, 2 cups vinegar, and boiling hot water. First, pour the cup of baking soda into the drain. Next, pour the vinegar on top (this will cause bubbling). Flush it with hot water. This will kill the bacteria that builds up from decomposing food. The benefits of using these products are that these items are all pretty cheap, versatile, and you might already have them at home.

Store-Bought Products
A little hot water, lemon, baking soda, and vinegar go a long way in destroying sink odors. However, if these do not work, there are several products you can buy at the store that are made to take care of drain clogs and/or odors. Since these products can contain potentially harmful chemicals, it’s recommended to only use them as a last resort.

Call a Plumber
If none of the above methods seem to help and/or you don’t want to use store-bought products, you can always call plumber. Sometimes the decomposing food gets so stuck in the drain, and the only way to get it out is to disassemble the drain. In this case, it’s best to call someone who knows what they are doing. Places like Rooter Pro Plumbing can do emergency repairs and help get your kitchen back in working order more quickly.

There are many solutions to sink odors. If the first methods you try don’t work, don’t get discouraged. Sink odors may be inconvenient and gross, but they can always be remedied.

4 Home Health Hazards You’re Probably Not Aware Of

plumbing

Water and indoor air quality at home can be affected by more than a contaminated water supply or stray pollen finding its way inside. Misinformation about some of the unseen health risks is a major hazard. Here are four home health risks you may want to check your home for.

  1. Hidden Mold and Fungus Spores

Old carpet and rugs exposed to water are breeding grounds for mold and fungus colonies. Dry rugs not cleaned often can harbor the tell-tale musty odor of these respiratory irritants. Rubber or vinyl bath mats are another place mold and fungus will grow underneath virtually undetected without consistent cleaning. Clean and disinfect on top and underneath regularly.

  1. Toxic Gases

Radon is an odorless and tasteless radioactive gas that causes lung cancer. This natural substance is found in soil and rock underneath the home, in some building materials and ground water wells. When the harmful gas is discharged, it can seep inside homes through cracks in the foundation and small openings in walls. Homes that are tightly constructed or have poor ventilation are especially vulnerable. The only way to detect it is through testing. Having your indoor air tested for radon and mitigated, if necessary, may benefit your health.

  1. Bad Pipes

Experiencing low water pressure? Older homes built before the 1900’s, and some as late as the 1950’s, may be serviced by bad pipes that are corroding and crumbling. A Bailey Plumbing recommends making leaky pipes a priority in order to avoid unnecessarily high water bills. Waiting until a faulty pipe bursts–and it eventually will–could rain double trouble including your financial health.

  1. Damaged Flue Pipes or Chimneys

Most masonry chimneys used to vent woodstoves, furnaces or fireplaces have sections of clay flue tile stacked to form the flue liner. Gaps and cracks formed over time can let poisonous gases and compounds escape into your home, and make you sick. Creosote build-up outside the flue increases risk in the event of fire. Have your chimney and flue inspected regularly, and perform maintenance as needed to avoid health hazards and minimize loss of heat efficiency.

Much of your home maintenance can be done yourself. However, unless you are trained for maintaining more complicated elements, hire licensed professionals to perform complicated procedures. By giving your home the attention it deserves you may see an improvement in your own health.

Why Hire A Professional To Remodel Your Bath?

If you have decided to remodel your bathroom, there are lots of decisions that need to be made before going forward.  Do you have a specific design for your project and will it work with your current bath?  Do you have the skills, knowledge and time to take on a bathroom remodel yourself or should you hire a profession contractor.  This article will help you make those difficult decisions and make your bathroom remodeling project go smoothly.

Modern bathroom in a house

You can’t be a handyman all time. There will be some things in remodeling that you can manage on your own, but other things like plumbing, addressing construction issues and completing your bathroom remodel in a timely, safe and professional manner may best be left to a professional bathroom remodeling contractor with years of experience like Bruzzese Home Improvements!

Check out the top notch reasons why you should hire a professional when it comes to remodeling your bathroom;

Remodeling Your Bathroom Is Time Consuming: If you are planning to remodel your bathroom yourself, it will be very time consuming so you can plan on giving up your weekend recreational activities and most evenings. Only an expert can give you the remodel service in a complex situation with no interference in your daily schedule. Experts work with mapping out things with their experience that will make their job go as easily and proficiently as expected.

Avoid Time Consuming

Avoid Future Plumbing Issues: It’s better to hire a pro if you want to be safe and assured that the job is done to specifications.  Plumbing is essential in your remodel and it is something that needs to be done by experts to avoid any leakage or stoppage. With every connection required for a bathroom to work such as, sink, shower, tub, various drains; remodeling needs master consideration for good results!

avoid future plumbing issues

Laying Tiles And Installing Cabinets: If you don’t think you have the expertise to  lay tiles, install cabinets, or fix showers or tubs in the bathroom, you may want to consider hiring a pro.  When we talk about laying tile, it needs to be cut to fit into small, uneasily shaped corners. To give your corners a clean and tidy look, hiring a pro is a must! Similarly, installing bathroom cabinets properly to store your stuff, is crucial so that it won’t fall in the future and modification are made to your small/big bathrooms.

To Get Maximum Satisfaction: If you are looking for maximum satisfaction, then you must hire Trained experts who are specialized in bathroom remodeling. They are capable to handle every tough situation and can work with you for the best possible remodel. The materials they use are the best available in markets and the techniques used to install them are up-to-date. Go for pros who have years of experience in remodeling. Professionals work and clean the area as well without bothering the customer.

To Get Maximum Satisfaction

Proper Planning And Designing: When it comes to remodeling the bathroom, planning and designing your project is essential. An experienced bathroom remodeling contractor will draw up a plan and help you design your dream bathroom! They will show you a myriad of design types of layouts and designs of your bathroom and equipment to make a wise pick within your budgets. Remember! Professionals work with full safety and protection.

Things to consider…

Hire A Professional

Make sure while picking a professional for your bathroom remodel:

  • You ask for proof of insurance
  • Make sure your contractors license is up-to-date
  • Check the companies’ record with the BBB
  • Ask for references
  • Ask your friends

In conclusion, make a list of what you want and what you are looking for in order to make a wise decision. Don’t rush.  Take your time while picking the perfect pro for your perfect bathroom remodeling service!

Do you have any query or something you want to share, feel free to comment below!

Author Bio: Dan Kogan is owner of NY handyman NYC, one of the leading handyman in New York City, with more than 20 years of experience. He is passionate about all things related to home improvement & bathroom remodeling.

Step-by-Step Guide for Five Easy Faucet Fixes

Your sink faucets may never be a cause for concern, that is, until they start to leak. With a little extra knowledge, you may be able to diagnose and fix the faucet’s problems on your own, or, you can call an experienced plumber for more assistance if the issue is beyond your abilities to repair. Try these five steps to fix a leaky faucet before you call for help this time around.

faucet

Turn the Water Off
That leaking faucet can turn into a gushing river if you try to fix it while the water is on. Turn off all sink handles, as well as the knobs or switches under the sink that control the main water line’s connection to the sink. This will ensure that water can’t come gushing out while you attempt a repair.

Unscrew Decorations and Take the Faucet off the Stem
Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove any decorations from the handles. You’ll find a screw that fixes the handle to the stem underneath each knob. Unscrew that screw, and then you will need to use that screwdriver to remove the handle. You can use a penetration oil to help loosen the screw if necessary.

Check Stem for Damage
Use a wrench to remove the packing nut after loosening it. Now you can remove the stem. Your stem will either twist off or pop off. Inspect it for any damage to see if that is causing the leak.

Inspect O-ring and Washer
If the stem looks fine, you may need to replace the washer that goes in the seat of the valve. Inspect the O-ring to see if it is causing water to drip out of the faucet. Replace the O-ring if necessary to strengthen the faucet and allow it to work properly. Make sure the replacement washers and O-rings fit correctly.

All Done
It’s time to put the faucet back together. Tightly secure everything before turning on the water. If your faucet still leaks, there’s nothing else you can do on your own and you will need to enlist the help of a professional. Experts like Rakeman Plumbing can figure out the real problem with your faucet and fix it quickly.

Fixing a faucet can be easy as long as there isn’t a more serious problem. Try your best to fix it on your own with these simple steps. And remember, a plumber could make all the difference in difficult situations.

 

Plumbing Blunders: What you Should Never do without the Help of a Professional

Plumbing Blunders What you Should Never do without the Help of a Professional

While there are plenty of projects that you can easily handle on your own, there are other jobs that should be left to the professionals. In addition to getting the work done more quickly, trained contractors can provide you with reliable finishes so that you won’t have to worry about leaks or other problems later. Here are four plumbing repairs that you really should turn over to an experienced team rather than trying to deal with them on your own.

Preserve Fixtures with Lower Pressure
As homes are built, the water department will bump up the pressure. This is bad news for your plumbing fixtures, but you can protect them by installing a pressure regulator. This handy appliance goes on the mail water line to control the incoming pressure, so it’s definitely a task you should leave to the professionals.

Moving the Lines
If a home improvement project requires replacing a supply line or faucet, then you may be able to handle that on your own. However, if you need to move lines in any direction, then it’s smart to have the professionals take care of it for you. As you add angles and pipe lengths, the risk of leaks increases, but you can rely on a trained plumber to get it done right the first time.

Sump Pumps
If you’ve had flooding in your area, then you appreciate the importance of avoiding damage with the addition of a sump pump. However, installing one is not as easy as it sounds. The area around the pump needs to be assessed and sloped for proper drainage, and the pipe coming out of the system must travel away from the house to an appropriate location. With a company like A P Plumbing on the job, you can be confident that water will be safely diverted from the home rather than reentering at another point.

The Hot Water Tank
Hot water tanks come with their own set of risks and challenges, so this is definitely a job for the professionals. In addition to getting the plumbing properly connected, you also need to deal with wiring for the pilot light. You’ll also have the address the tricky issue of disposing of the old tank. When you with a pro, however, you won’t have to worry about anything.

Before you decide to do a project yourself, take an honest look at the work involved and ask yourself if you truly have the right skills and tools. With any plumbing project, one of the big concerns is undetected leaks down the road, but you can rest easy when you trust the job to a professional.

 

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