Thursday, February 22, 2018

HVAC Expert’s take on the use of Space Heaters

Are Space Heaters Dangerous?

propane, portable heater on floor

The advantages and disadvantages of using space heaters. (Photo Credits)

Space heaters can be very efficient when it comes to providing much needed warmth during an otherwise cold, cold winter. But are these contraptions a big help, or a huge risk?

Winterizing the HVAC System

The National Fire Protection Association came up with an article warning homeowners about space heaters, and encouraging them to use it following set safety standards. Plumbing Association of San Diego

"Based on 2011-2015 annual averages: (1) Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, accounted for just over two of every five (43%) of home heating fires and four out of five (85%) of home heating fire deaths. (2) The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (28%) was failure to clean, principally creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys. (3) Placing things that can burn too close to heating equipment or placing heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding, was the third leading factor contributing to ignition in fatal home heating fires and accounted for more than half (53%) of home heating fire deaths."

Plumber's guide on avoiding kitchen clogs

The complete statistics and article can be found here.

How can it be dangerous

The website DIYNetwork tried to explain how space heaters work, and why they could potentially be a safety hazard. A/C And HVAC

"Space heaters heat you and the room they occupy in two ways: through radiant heat and convection. Radiant heat is like the warmth you feel when sunlight hits your skin. The closer you are to the space heater, the more of the radiant warmth you'll feel. Convection happens when air surrounding the heater is heated. That hot air rises toward the ceiling, pulling surrounding cool air toward the heater, where that air is heated and also begins to rise. Air at the ceiling then begins to cool and fall, until it's drawn toward the heater once again. This is called a convection loop and, while air toward the ceiling will tend to feel warmer, the convective loop will eventually help to heat the whole room. A heater with an integrated fan will naturally spread more of the heat farther from the heater than relying on convection alone, warming a room more evenly and quickly."

The rest of the post can be read from here.

Related HVAC and Plumbing Repair and Installation Services:

The website Parents also called the attention of its readers on the possible dangers of space heaters, especially for families with young children.

"But space heaters are far from safe. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, between 1999 and 2002 there were nearly 10,000 residential fires in the U.S. associated with space heaters each year. It's not just the fires that make them dangerous: Every year more than 5,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for burns from coming in contact with space heaters."

Read the rest of their advice here.

Space heaters can be helpful, but it is important to properly know how to safely use this product.

Diamond Ace Contractors

5052 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117

(888) 231-1086

Plumbing Repair Contractor San Diego

https://www.bluediamondplumbing.net/plumbers-advice-smelly-drains/

The post HVAC Expert's take on the use of Space Heaters appeared first on Blue Diamond Plumbing.

HVAC Expert’s take on the use of Space Heaters

Are Space Heaters Dangerous?

propane, portable heater on floor

The advantages and disadvantages of using space heaters. (Photo Credits)

Space heaters can be very efficient when it comes to providing much needed warmth during an otherwise cold, cold winter. But are these contraptions a big help, or a huge risk?

Winterizing the HVAC System

The National Fire Protection Association came up with an article warning homeowners about space heaters, and encouraging them to use it following set safety standards. Plumbing Association of San Diego

"Based on 2011-2015 annual averages: (1) Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, accounted for just over two of every five (43%) of home heating fires and four out of five (85%) of home heating fire deaths. (2) The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (28%) was failure to clean, principally creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys. (3) Placing things that can burn too close to heating equipment or placing heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding, was the third leading factor contributing to ignition in fatal home heating fires and accounted for more than half (53%) of home heating fire deaths."

Plumber's guide on avoiding kitchen clogs

The complete statistics and article can be found here.

How can it be dangerous

The website DIYNetwork tried to explain how space heaters work, and why they could potentially be a safety hazard. A/C And HVAC

"Space heaters heat you and the room they occupy in two ways: through radiant heat and convection. Radiant heat is like the warmth you feel when sunlight hits your skin. The closer you are to the space heater, the more of the radiant warmth you'll feel. Convection happens when air surrounding the heater is heated. That hot air rises toward the ceiling, pulling surrounding cool air toward the heater, where that air is heated and also begins to rise. Air at the ceiling then begins to cool and fall, until it's drawn toward the heater once again. This is called a convection loop and, while air toward the ceiling will tend to feel warmer, the convective loop will eventually help to heat the whole room. A heater with an integrated fan will naturally spread more of the heat farther from the heater than relying on convection alone, warming a room more evenly and quickly."

The rest of the post can be read from here.

Related HVAC and Plumbing Repair and Installation Services:

The website Parents also called the attention of its readers on the possible dangers of space heaters, especially for families with young children.

"But space heaters are far from safe. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, between 1999 and 2002 there were nearly 10,000 residential fires in the U.S. associated with space heaters each year. It's not just the fires that make them dangerous: Every year more than 5,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for burns from coming in contact with space heaters."

Read the rest of their advice here.

Space heaters can be helpful, but it is important to properly know how to safely use this product.

Diamond Ace Contractors

5052 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117

(888) 231-1086

Plumbing Repair Contractor San Diego

https://www.bluediamondplumbing.net/plumbers-advice-smelly-drains/

The post HVAC Expert's take on the use of Space Heaters appeared first on Blue Diamond Plumbing.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Plumber’s Advice on Smelly Drains

Dealing with stinky drainage

sink drain

Drains can be stinky, and it could mean a bigger plumbing concern. (Photo Credits)

Smelling something resembling a sewage but cannot pinpoint where the stink is coming from? It could probably be one of the drains?

If it is it then, how should a homeowner deal with it?

Family Handyman came up with a comprehensive guide on smelly drains and sewers. In the initial part of their write up, they explained the possible reasons why some drains may stink. Plumbing Association of San Diego  

"You have a water trap under a floor drain, laundry tub or wash basin that has dried out from lack of use. Water in any trap under unused drains will eventually evaporate. That would allow sewer gas to come up through the drain into the room. Solve that problem just by dumping a pitcherful of water into the drain to restore the trap water. If you follow that up by pouring a couple of tablespoons of cooking oil into the drain, a floating seal of oil will keep the water from evaporating so fast next time."

Plumber's Guide in Installing Water Softeners

The other possible reasons can be found here.

Deodorizing Smelly Drains

SF Gate came up with tips on how to deodorize stinky drains based on the possible reason for the smell. One of the ways they mentioned is eliminating odors that stink up the bathroom drains. A/C And HVAC 

"Smells emanating from the bathroom sink could be the result of bacteria growth on hair, soap and other bathroom waste, and if so, cleaning the P-trap and pouring baking soda in the drain are effective cures. If the drain has the characteristic sulfurous smell that comes from a sewer, however, the cause and remedy are different. The vent servicing the bathroom drain – and perhaps other vents in the house as well – could be blocked, and negative pressure in the pipes has pulled water out of the bathroom sink trap. To fix this, you may have to go on the roof."

Plumber's advice on dealing with dirty water

Read about the other reasons here.

Related Plumbing Repair and Installation Services:

Huffpost meanwhile shared to its readers ways on how to prevent smelly kitchen drains from happening. They provided an easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructional on how to maintain a clean and fresh smelling kitchen sink.

"It's important to give your sink a clean-out every week, whether you have a garbage disposal or not. Follow these easy steps (if you don't have a disposal, skip the last two), and your nose will thank you.    Pour one cup baking soda and one cup white vinegar down the disposal. Let the mixture bubble for up to 10 minutes. Boil a kettle or pot of hot water. Pour water down the drain to flush out the baking soda and vinegar mixture. If you have a garbage disposal, fill the drain with two cups of ice and one cup salt. Turn on cold water, and run the disposal until the ice is gone. This will get gunk off the blades."

Click here to check out the rest of their advice.

Drains should never smell awful, and if a homeowner is unsure as to how to go about getting rid of the foul odor, and it is always a best idea to hire a licensed plumbing contractor.

Diamond Ace Contractors

5052 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117

(888) 231-1086

Diamond Ace Contractors Plumber in San Diego CA

What to do with a humming HVAC

 

The post Plumber's Advice on Smelly Drains appeared first on Blue Diamond Plumbing.

Plumber’s Advice on Smelly Drains

Dealing with stinky drainage

sink drain

Drains can be stinky, and it could mean a bigger plumbing concern. (Photo Credits)

Smelling something resembling a sewage but cannot pinpoint where the stink is coming from? It could probably be one of the drains?

If it is it then, how should a homeowner deal with it?

Family Handyman came up with a comprehensive guide on smelly drains and sewers. In the initial part of their write up, they explained the possible reasons why some drains may stink. Plumbing Association of San Diego  

"You have a water trap under a floor drain, laundry tub or wash basin that has dried out from lack of use. Water in any trap under unused drains will eventually evaporate. That would allow sewer gas to come up through the drain into the room. Solve that problem just by dumping a pitcherful of water into the drain to restore the trap water. If you follow that up by pouring a couple of tablespoons of cooking oil into the drain, a floating seal of oil will keep the water from evaporating so fast next time."

Plumber's Guide in Installing Water Softeners

The other possible reasons can be found here.

Deodorizing Smelly Drains

SF Gate came up with tips on how to deodorize stinky drains based on the possible reason for the smell. One of the ways they mentioned is eliminating odors that stink up the bathroom drains. A/C And HVAC 

"Smells emanating from the bathroom sink could be the result of bacteria growth on hair, soap and other bathroom waste, and if so, cleaning the P-trap and pouring baking soda in the drain are effective cures. If the drain has the characteristic sulfurous smell that comes from a sewer, however, the cause and remedy are different. The vent servicing the bathroom drain – and perhaps other vents in the house as well – could be blocked, and negative pressure in the pipes has pulled water out of the bathroom sink trap. To fix this, you may have to go on the roof."

Plumber's advice on dealing with dirty water

Read about the other reasons here.

Related Plumbing Repair and Installation Services:

Huffpost meanwhile shared to its readers ways on how to prevent smelly kitchen drains from happening. They provided an easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructional on how to maintain a clean and fresh smelling kitchen sink.

"It's important to give your sink a clean-out every week, whether you have a garbage disposal or not. Follow these easy steps (if you don't have a disposal, skip the last two), and your nose will thank you.    Pour one cup baking soda and one cup white vinegar down the disposal. Let the mixture bubble for up to 10 minutes. Boil a kettle or pot of hot water. Pour water down the drain to flush out the baking soda and vinegar mixture. If you have a garbage disposal, fill the drain with two cups of ice and one cup salt. Turn on cold water, and run the disposal until the ice is gone. This will get gunk off the blades."

Click here to check out the rest of their advice.

Drains should never smell awful, and if a homeowner is unsure as to how to go about getting rid of the foul odor, and it is always a best idea to hire a licensed plumbing contractor.

Diamond Ace Contractors

5052 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117

(888) 231-1086

Diamond Ace Contractors Plumber in San Diego CA

What to do with a humming HVAC

 

The post Plumber's Advice on Smelly Drains appeared first on Blue Diamond Plumbing.

Monday, February 5, 2018

What to do with a humming HVAC

Dealing with HVAC Noises

IMG_3142

The HVAC Equipment can create random noises, and sometimes, even a continuous humming sound. (Photo Credits)

A humming noise coming from the HVAC is not just annoying, it can also be an issue that merits the attention of the homeowner. So what does a humming HVAC mean?

American Home Shield says humming noises coming from a home HVAC system is not much of a huge concern. It however may mean that it needs a maintenance check. Plumbing Association of San Diego

"A humming sound generally isn't serious, but it still signals that something inside your air conditioner is off. Loose parts and refrigerant piping can cause vibration and, if left unchecked, can lead to a more serious maintenance issue. Sometimes humming or buzzing noises point to electrical problems. If the compressor hums and refuses to start, there may be an issue with the motor, though loose wiring could trigger this noise, too."

(Related Post: The Upside of Upgrading an HVAC System)

Read about the other HVAC noises and what they mean in AHS' original article here.

Other HVAC Sounds

Angie's List meanwhile rounded up the different sounds that may come from an HVAC system. The sounds that they mentioned in their article though are sounds that ring an alarm bell for any homeowner. Rattling noises is among the type of HVAC noises that are included in their list. A/C And HVAC

"Loud rattling, thumping, clanking or banging noises. These sounds usually indicate a problem with the blower assembly or motor. Rattling usually means that a component in the system is coming loose. The problem should be repaired before the part breaks or disconnects completely. If you hear louder banging sounds when the blower is running, shut the system off. At this point, something has broken or disconnected. Occasionally, the motor mounts on the assembly can become loose. The blower may also be out of alignment. Unusual rattling sounds can come from motor bearings. The motor assembly should be inspected by a qualified technician."

(Related Post: All about HVAC Air Filter Technology)

Check out the whole article here.

Related HVAC Repair and Installation Services:

Compact Appliance also came up with a write-up explaining the meaning and causes of each non-normal noise that may emanate from an HVAC Unit. Humming from the outdoor unit is one of the type of noises explained in the write-up.

"Even with a completely dead capacitor, your compressor will still attempt to use it as a power source. This can burn out the entire compressor, leading to costly repairs. If your HVAC will not turn on and the clicking sound has turned into a hum, this very likely indicates that your capacitor is no longer providing power. In this case, turn your unit off immediately to prevent any further damage.

Often, these parts will fail during the most blistering parts of the summer. Warmer months means that your HVAC must work harder than ever, and this may put an increased amount of stress on already vulnerable parts. It is during these times when a well functioning air conditioning unit means the most to you that you may have to wait to longest for an HVAC specialist to become available, so it is important to act as soon as you sense a problem."

The continuation can be found here.

HVAC Noises are definitely something that should never be shrugged off.

Diamond Ace Contractors

5052 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117

(888) 231-1086

Diamond Ace Contractors Water Heater Repair San Diego

Plumber's take on Low Water Flow

 

 

 

The post What to do with a humming HVAC appeared first on Blue Diamond Plumbing.

What to do with a humming HVAC

Dealing with HVAC Noises

IMG_3142

The HVAC Equipment can create random noises, and sometimes, even a continuous humming sound. (Photo Credits)

A humming noise coming from the HVAC is not just annoying, it can also be an issue that merits the attention of the homeowner. So what does a humming HVAC mean?

American Home Shield says humming noises coming from a home HVAC system is not much of a huge concern. It however may mean that it needs a maintenance check. Plumbing Association of San Diego

"A humming sound generally isn't serious, but it still signals that something inside your air conditioner is off. Loose parts and refrigerant piping can cause vibration and, if left unchecked, can lead to a more serious maintenance issue. Sometimes humming or buzzing noises point to electrical problems. If the compressor hums and refuses to start, there may be an issue with the motor, though loose wiring could trigger this noise, too."

(Related Post: The Upside of Upgrading an HVAC System)

Read about the other HVAC noises and what they mean in AHS' original article here.

Other HVAC Sounds

Angie's List meanwhile rounded up the different sounds that may come from an HVAC system. The sounds that they mentioned in their article though are sounds that ring an alarm bell for any homeowner. Rattling noises is among the type of HVAC noises that are included in their list. A/C And HVAC

"Loud rattling, thumping, clanking or banging noises. These sounds usually indicate a problem with the blower assembly or motor. Rattling usually means that a component in the system is coming loose. The problem should be repaired before the part breaks or disconnects completely. If you hear louder banging sounds when the blower is running, shut the system off. At this point, something has broken or disconnected. Occasionally, the motor mounts on the assembly can become loose. The blower may also be out of alignment. Unusual rattling sounds can come from motor bearings. The motor assembly should be inspected by a qualified technician."

(Related Post: All about HVAC Air Filter Technology)

Check out the whole article here.

Related HVAC Repair and Installation Services:

Compact Appliance also came up with a write-up explaining the meaning and causes of each non-normal noise that may emanate from an HVAC Unit. Humming from the outdoor unit is one of the type of noises explained in the write-up.

"Even with a completely dead capacitor, your compressor will still attempt to use it as a power source. This can burn out the entire compressor, leading to costly repairs. If your HVAC will not turn on and the clicking sound has turned into a hum, this very likely indicates that your capacitor is no longer providing power. In this case, turn your unit off immediately to prevent any further damage.

Often, these parts will fail during the most blistering parts of the summer. Warmer months means that your HVAC must work harder than ever, and this may put an increased amount of stress on already vulnerable parts. It is during these times when a well functioning air conditioning unit means the most to you that you may have to wait to longest for an HVAC specialist to become available, so it is important to act as soon as you sense a problem."

The continuation can be found here.

HVAC Noises are definitely something that should never be shrugged off.

Diamond Ace Contractors

5052 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117

(888) 231-1086

Diamond Ace Contractors Water Heater Repair San Diego

Plumber's take on Low Water Flow

 

 

 

The post What to do with a humming HVAC appeared first on Blue Diamond Plumbing.