4 Plumbing Tips for When Odors Take Over

Plumbing odors can be caused by a number of problems. As you use your drainage system on a daily basis, it can get clogged with food particles or personal care items such as soaps and shampoos. When these materials start to degrade, they will produce some gunk smell with time. Sometimes, the odor can be so strong that it causes inconvenience. Therefore, seeking urgent plumbing remedies can help save the situation. With that said, the following are top plumbing tips you can use to eliminate such odors if they occur.

1. Manage Drainage Clogs

Clogs in the drainage system cause the majority of drainage odors. However, one thing you should know is clogging doesn't cause odor immediately. As mentioned earlier, when personal items accumulate in the drains, it results in blocked drains over time. This clogging facilitates bacterial growth, which causes odor during decomposition. Some of the common personal items responsible for clogging include toilet paper, hair buildup, and mineral sediments to name a few. Hiring a plumber to fix the blocked drains can be effective in eliminating such odors.

2. Fix Plumbing Leakages

The presence of leakages in your home's plumbing system causes not only water waste but also odors. Generally, leakages create a dump and conducive environment for mold growth. With accelerated mold growth, you'll start experiencing musty odor around your house. Apart from musty odor from molds, leakages such as those from sewer lines can fill your home with unwanted odor. In order to address this problem, repairing plumbing leaks is recommended.

3. Repair Blocked Plumbing Vents

Plumbing vents allow the intake of fresh air into our homes. They also ensure waste gases don't fill your house. If the vents are blocked or damaged, waste gases won't be expelled easily from your home, causing unnecessary odors. The moment you notice blocked vents, you should always find urgent ways of unblocking the vents.

4. Maintain the Drain Traps

Drain traps are the bent pipe that exists beneath the kitchen sink or toilet seat. Usually, the trap carries some water which blocks odor from creeping back to your house. However, when the water dries up or evaporates, it leaves the pathway open, leading to a smelly odor that can be harmful to your health. Therefore, if you find that the drain traps are lacking water, you should consider pouring a quart of water into the drain.

Drainage odors can be disturbing. Generally, the first defense line against such odors is preventive maintenance and frequent cleaning. However, if you find that your system is not working, you can think of the above-mentioned plumbing tips. They'll help you manage drainage odors effectively. Also, you can consider contacting a professional plumber should the odor persist.

5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Remodeling Your Kitchen

Are you thinking of remodeling your kitchen? Redoing your kitchen can be a massive home improvement project. So before you make any decision or even decide to remodel, answer these five questions to ask yourself before remodeling your kitchen.

What’s My Budget?

Before you come up with any ideas for what you want in your new kitchen or how it should look, sit down, and figure out your budget for this project. Don’t plan your perfect kitchen and then try to fit your budget around it; come up with a fair budget and use that as the parameters for your remodel.

Planning your budget will not only keep your remodel from ballooning into an expensive quagmire, but it will help inform your decisions for your layout and design.

Why Am I Remodeling My Kitchen?

Why are you remodeling your kitchen, and what are your goals for this home improvement project? Are you remodeling because you want to raise your house’s value and sell it? If not, what are you trying to improve about your kitchen?

Is your kitchen hard to cook in or not big enough? Do you want something that looks better? These are all critical questions you should honestly ask yourself before making any design choices.

What Are My Family’s Needs?

If you’re remodeling your kitchen to benefit you and your family, take an inventory of what your family uses your kitchen for and what you want your new kitchen to provide. Obviously, cooking is important, but who cooks in your family? How many people typically use the kitchen at once? Do you want the kitchen to be a second dining or gathering room where the family can sit and relax?

What’s My Plan for Cabinetry?

The cabinetry is perhaps the most crucial part of your kitchen. Therefore, choosing it is an important decision in any remodel. What’s your plan for your cabinetry? Where are you getting your new cabinets? Do you want something trendy like open shelves or something more traditional? You can shop retail, but there are also advantages to getting wholesale kitchen cabinets.

Do I Need New Appliances?

New appliances can eat up a sizable chunk of your budget, even if you get a good deal and don’t have to pay immediately. If you decide to get new appliances, be honest about the kind you need. Do you require a restaurant-quality stove and fridge? Probably not, but if yes, be sure to plan your budget accordingly.

A kitchen remodeling is a big undertaking, and along the way, you’ll undoubtedly run into more questions and problems. That’s why asking yourself questions before remodeling your kitchen can help focus your kitchen remodel and keep you on track.

Guidelines on Quality and Attractive Roller Shutters Installation

The world is full of hazards that can be potentially dangerous to people, property, and the environment. One hazard that people don't always think about is storms, which can cause a lot of damage in a short period. High quality and attractive roller shutters installation is one way to protect against these hazards because they cover windows and doors during strong winds or heavy rain, so nothing gets inside your home. It is recommended to have them installed on all exterior doors and windows to have extra protection for you, your family members, pets, belongings, and the building itself.

If you are looking for a way to protect your home, office, or business from the sun and heat, here is some information on what roller shutters are and how they can help. Roller shutters are often used as an alternative to air conditioning because they keep out the heat while still letting in light. The protection that this offer also keeps buildings safe from storm damage by keeping out things like hailstones which can cause major damage if left unchecked.

Who Are These Roller Shutters Ideal For?

Roller shutters are durable, attractive, and affordable. Homeowners can choose the color of their roller shutter to match their home's exterior. They can also opt for one of our many standard colors that will fit with any style. High quality and attractive roller shutters installation have various available options, including louvres, design panels, retractable screens and more. Additionally, homeowners can select from different materials such as wood or metal depending on what suits them best. There are also several installation options to suit your needs- whether you want someone else to do it or if you'd rather install it yourself.

How Much Does It Cost To Install A Set Of Roller Shutters?

The cost to install a set of high quality and attractive roller shutters installation can vary depending on the type of shutter and other related factors. The best way to find out how much it will cost is by getting quotes from several contractors in your area.

Having roller shutters installed in your home is a great way to protect your windows and property. Roller shutters are available in different styles, patterns, colors, and sizes for any home. There are also four main types of shutter systems that you can choose from: chain-driven rollers (the most popular system), belt-driven rollers, direct drive or screw-driven rollers, and hydraulic-powered rollers. The cost will depend on the size of the window covered by the shutter system and how many windows need covering, so it's best to call an expert for more information.

The Benefits Of Installing High-Quality Roller Shutters

Roller shutters offer many advantages for your family house.

High quality and attractive roller shutters installation not only insulate and secure your house but also keep your house safe from UV rays, provide privacy and harsh weather conditions. The shutters are sleek and elegant, and they may enhance the appearance of your home.

Even better, roller shutters may help you save money and the environment by lowering your energy costs. Read on to know further how roller shutters can help you in multiple ways-

• A roller shutter is a window shutter with a rolling mechanism consisting of two parallel metal leaves that can be rolled up like a window blind. 

• Roller shutters are an excellent way to add protection and security to your home or business. 

• High quality and attractive roller shutters installation also help you control airflow in and out of your property. As a result, this ultimately saves on utility costs and keep the temperature at a more comfortable level inside your house or office.

•  Roller shutters provide some additional benefits not found in traditional windows: they're great for noise reduction, they're easy to operate, and they're very durable. 

• It's worth taking some time to learn more about this handy product before making any decision.

Final Words 

The benefits of high quality and attractive roller shutters installation are many. The shutters include security, beauty, and durability. If you haven't had your home assessed for this type of product, be sure to do it now because there is no time like the present to invest in your property's safety.

Guest Post - Water Efficiency Facts Everyone Should Know

Water is a necessity. You need water for various activities and tasks – taking a bath, washing the dishes, cooking, gardening, and doing the laundry, among many others. However, despite its value, people often take it for granted. 

Whether at home, in the restaurant, or even on the road, there’s almost always somebody wasting water. At home, how many times have you reprimanded your son or daughter for forgetting to turn off the faucet after brushing their teeth? While eating in a restaurant, do you ask for water only when you’re sure to drink it, or do you ask just because you can? While driving, how many broken fire hydrants spewing out water did you see?

The Global Water Situation

In the Second UN World Water Development Report, an emphasis is given to humanity’s increasing demand for and the scarcity of safe, potable drinking water. If the consumption levels remain the same, approximately 2/3 of the world’s population may not have enough water supply by the year 2025. Some areas may have water, but they won’t be safe for human use. By this time, water purification systems would have become a need for most homes. For other households, water rationing may have to be the standard practice. 

These scenarios can be prevented if every household seriously considers changing their lifestyle by making water efficiency a regular practice. 

Why is Water Efficiency Important?

For some people, simple acts like turning off the faucet after and when not in use may be a small thing; but it becomes entirely significant when you consider the thousands (or millions) of homes that are also doing it. One action multiplied several times over is already a big impact. 

Water efficiency is not the same as water conservation, which is concerned with decreasing the amount of waste. Efficient water practices are about restricting the use of water and wastage. It also involves behavioral and lifestyle changes. It does not involve environmental agencies or organizations; it involves consumers willing to contribute simple acts that can help lessen water wastage. 

Making Your Home Energy Efficient

The best way for your home to become energy efficient is to be aware of what you should and should not do – to follow standards and make necessary changes in the way you do things. Here are some water efficiency facts to help you start:

1. One American consumes approximately 88 gallons of water per day in a household. 

You do not have to completely stop using water in your home – that’s not possible. You simply have to learn to use it more efficiently. Reduce consumption by choosing only what’s necessary, such as washing the dishes and cooking. You don’t need to do the laundry every day or every other day. 

You can also reduce the volume of water you use for washing the dishes. Other household tasks that need water use, like gardening, should only be done when necessary. Recycling water is also a good idea. For example, the water you use for washing the dishes can be used to water the plants in your garden.

2. Doing your laundry is one of the activities that consume a significant amount of water - around 22% of total home use, to be exact. Ensure that your washing machine load size is ideal for the volume of clothes you are about to wash.

Also, always use cold water for your washing machine to help bring down energy use.

3. Your lawn may also be a big water user. More or less 50% of household water consumption is attributed to outdoor elements.

As such, lawn sprinkling should be done in the early hours of the morning, typically around 4 am and 6 am. These are the hours when the demand for water is low.

4. Front-loading washing machines are typically more water and energy-efficient than the majority of top-loading washing machines. Front-loading ones normally need only more than 20 gallons per load, while top-loading ones need at least 40 gallons for every load. However, top-loading washing machines are now sold in appliance stores.

5. Although dishwashing contributes less than 2% of your water footprint, you can still wash the dishes more efficiently. 

If you can afford to, use a dishwashing machine as it is way more water-efficient than regular dishwashing by hand. 

Hand washing the dishes consumes around 20 gallons of water, while standard dishwashers use around six gallons per wash. Dishwashers with an Energy Star are even more efficient, needing just four gallons of water for every load.

Lastly, make sure your dishwasher is fully loaded with dirty dishes ready to be washed. This helps reduce water usage and wastage.

6. You need coffee beans to make good coffee – and growing them will need water. Every cup of coffee that perks up your mood uses more or less 55 gallons of water for growing the beans. 

7. You don’t have to wash your car every day or even every week. Each time you do, though, you consume around 50 gallons of water. So schedule your car washing only when it is really needed.

The best way to practice water efficiency is to use only what you need and when needed. Additionally, you should encourage all your family members to follow your lead. If everyone in the household is committed to changing their behavior and lifestyle, reducing water use and wastage will soon be a normal thing for you.

About the author

Rachel Watson is the Senior Content Editor of Precision Air & Plumbing, a full-service HVAC, plumbing, and home performance contractor operating in Chandler, Arizona. Rachel enjoys yoga and writing articles about how to make home living more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.