If you’re thinking of buying a garbage disposal and having it installed in your kitchen then be prepared to look at a flood of models and brands that are available in the marketplace. The simple task of choosing what will work best for you can be a daunting prospect when faced with so many choices.
Having a garbage disposal in good working order is essential in maintaining a clean environment for your home and averting any drainage issue in the future. This is one reason why one of your most important criteria for choosing a garbage disposal should be quality and durability.
Here are additional tips for choosing garbage disposal
Choose a brand or model with a warranty, this proves the manufacturer’s commitment to their merchandise.
Take into consideration the extent of the use the garbage disposal will be subjected to. If you want the unit for your home, then choose one that is suited for home use. But if you need it for your business, such as a restaurant, then get a more powerful garbage disposal.
Another factor to consider is easy and simple installation. There are units that are simple and easy to install, some even comes with a DIY installation instruction.
Consider also the presence of a septic tank in your sewer system. There are models that are septic tank specific.
Lastly, compare prices. Some disposals are more expensive than the others even if the specifications and features are the same.
Garbage disposals are very helpful kitchen appliances. If and when you buy one, make sure that you’re getting the best one, at least the best for you. It also pays to ask for recommendation from friends and family and to check comments and reviews of satisfied users for each and every product that you are considering.
A clogged washing machine drain line means that your washing machine does not empty waste water properly or doesn’t empty waste water at all. The clogging of a washing machine drain line is usually due to lint, soap sludge and dirt that accumulate along the washing machine hose, drain pipe or even the main sewer line. This can be a very stressful situation, but there are some easy things to check on if this happens.
Here is how you can unclog your washing machine drain line
The first thing you need to inspect is the drainage hose of your washing machine. This is the hose attached to your machine and is connected to the drainage pipe. See if there are any bends or twist on the hose and straighten it.
Detach the drainage hose from the machine and check it for clogs. To remove any soap sludge build-up inside the hose, soak it in the sink filled with a mixture of water and chlorinated bleach( proportion is 2 tbsp of bleach per 1 gal of water)
The next thing you have to inspect to find the reason for the clog is the pump filter. If the pump filter is clogged with debris this could cause your clogging
A broken tab located on the washing machine cover could also be the reason why your washing machine is not draining
Next, check if there is any clothing article – a sock, a small hanky or underwear wedged between the water pump and the drum of the washing machine. This could be the clog you’re looking for.
If after you’ve done all the steps above, and you still have a clog washing machine drain line, then in all probability, the problem is along the drainage pipe. If such is the case, then you will need professional help, call a plumber.
The function of your water machine water line is to load the washing machine with the water that is the right temperature. Your washing machine has two water lines; one for cold water and the other for hot water. They are connected to an inlet valve that supplies water into a single hose. Before the hose discharges water into the tub, water first passes through a device that precludes wash water from going back into the washing machine water line. This anti-siphon device has a large aperture that lets air in.
There are several fixes that a homeowner can do themselves.
If there is no water entering the wash tub you should check the water line hoses for crooks or bends. Also check the filter screen. There is a filter screen at the tip of the water line hoses and the inlet valve to trap rubbish and prevent the debris from harming the washer. If the filter screens are clogged then the water pressure will be low or water will not flow or if it is flowing it could be the wrong water temperature. Also check the water inlet valve, timer control, water temperature switch and water level switch.
If the filter screens are now clog- free but the water still does not enter the wash tub, the next thing you need to check is the inlet valve. What you have to check are the terminals and the connectors. Check them for corrosion. If they are rusted they should either be cleaned or if they’re totally corroded, replaced.
If the inlet valve is good, but water seeps through it even when the washing machine is off, then it could be that the valve is the problem. Waste and other debris may be stopping the valve from shutting or the valve could be faulty. Clean the valve, but if it can no longer be cleaned then replace it.
If none of these solutions work, then it is time to call a plumber (864) 517-1251.
Your kitchen may look sparkling clean and beautiful but if there’s a foul odor permeating the room then all you’re cleaning and beautifying effort is wasted. The rotten odor in the kitchen often comes from the garbage disposal being smelly. It is unfortunate that garbage disposals, our very handy kitchen helper, are usually ignored, until they clogs or smells. Even if the garbage disposal is working perfectly, a not so pleasant stench can still come from it. This is because some rotting teeny food particles can still get stuck or cling to the garbage disposal cylinder, cutting blades and sometimes the splash guard that cause the growth of bacteria that produces the foul odor.
Cleaning the Disposal
The key to eliminating garbage disposal smell is to keep the disposal clean at all times. Spraying the kitchen with air – freshener or deodorizing the garbage disposal will not get rid of the smell. The blend of the nasty garbage disposal smell and the deodorizer could even be worse.
A weekly or even twice a month cleaning of the garbage disposal will effectively get rid of the garbage disposal smell. One way to clean the garbage disposal is with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar. Pour the substances one at a time, baking soda first, followed by the white vinegar, plug the sink with its stopper and leave it there for about 15 minute. After the set time, uncap the sink, pour a kettle of boiling water onto the sink and turn on the machine. This process will wash out the rotten food particles clinging to the cutting blades and the interior cylinder.
Cleaning the splash guard
Another source of the odorous garbage disposal smell could be the slime and grime coating the splash guard’s underside. A regular cleaning of the splash guard by wiping it with a sponge soaked in water and bleach mixture or kitchen cleaner and deodorizer might just be the solution to your smelly garbage disposal.
Citrus peel and mint freshener
After cleaning the garbage disposal, the best way to deodorize to the machine and get a fresh and lemony scent to the whole kitchen, is to grind some lime, lemon or orange peel in it. If you are not partial to the citrus scent then try mint. Dribble several droplets of mint extract in the garbage disposal, let it stand for several hours before washing it off. You not only got rid of the garbage disposal smell in your kitchen, you also now have a clean and fresh smelling kitchen.
Unfortunately you may not realize you have a problem with your sewer line until your tub or sink doesn’t drain or a toilet overflows onto the bathroom floor. You may be able to predict a sewer line issue if your sink or tub drains seems slow or you hear a gurgling sound when the water is running. This might indicate a partial blockage that hasn’t yet reached the critical stage.
Handheld augers are handy for clearing a drain pipe near a sink trap or adjacent to a toilet without a lot of trouble – in many cases you don’t even have to pull the toilet. However, for a big job where the blockage is further down the sewer line, the best tools are a plumbing snake or power auger and both are normally available at your local tool rental store.
Most homes have an exterior sewer cleanout adjacent to or in front of the house which provides an access point for the snake or auger into the sewer line. If you take the cap off of the exterior cleanout and see a buildup of waste in the pipe, it is a good indication that the problem is in the main sewer line between your home and the street. If that’s the case, use the auger or snake in that direction to loosen any blockage.
An exterior sewer line blockage may be due to normal waste, but there is also a possibility that there could be an issue with tree roots infiltrating the line or possibly even a yard landscaping project damaging the pipe. You may be able to clear the current blockage, but these types of problems will normally allow a recurrence of the backup.
The one sure method for discovering the condition of your exterior sewer line is to have a plumbing contractor camera the pipe to determine if there is any damage or other issues that are causing the blockage. A small camera on a cable is lowered into the pipe and allows every inch of the line to be inspected on an above ground video screen. You then know exactly what damage you may have and where it’s located.
You probably did not realize it, but there are several options when it comes to repairing or replacing drain pipes. All of the options will get the job done but some of the newer technology is less evasive on your property. Listed below is a quick recap of each option.
Drain Relining
Looking for a solution to your drain problems that won’t destroy your landscaping? Drain relining might be the perfect solution for your home. It repairs your pipes from the inside out and it can also be a very cost effective solution. Here is a brief video that explains how it work in more detail – http://www.corleypro.com/drain-service/drain-relining. Pipe relining offers a permanent and fast solution to these problems. Most drains can be relined in a day or less.
Trenchless Drain Pipe Repair
A second high tech solution that won’t destroy your lawn is trenchless pipe repair. With the use of cameras and our trenchless repair equipment, we are able to cut the workload in half by not digging continuous trenches looking for the break. We can then easily slip a new pipe into the ground without tearing up your yard. See how it works http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNMgW3rEaWA&feature=player_embedded.
Traditional Excavation
This is probably the method you are most familiar with and it is still a valid option in many cases. It involves digging up the area around a drain pipe to locate and fix the damage. The biggest drawback is that it does disrupt your landscape.
Drain Jetting
When clogs become too hard to fix with traditional methods, jetting is one of the most advanced options for fixing the drain. Drain jetting is a technique that uses special nozzles to force high pressured water through the pipes in your sewer system. When the water pressure is high enough, it can clear dirt, emulsify oil and soap, break clogs and even cut roots and other growths.
The cost for these different solutions varies and you really need to consult with a drain service professional to determine which option is best for you.
Drain stoppages cause such a mess and never seem to happen at a convenient time. If your main sewer line stops up you don’t want to wait for service. In fact the sooner the better. Corley offers several options for drain line repair. Our newest service offering is Drain Relining.
Here is a short video that explains how it works.
You can learn more about the different drain services we offer on our website.
If you’re thinking of buying a garbage disposal and having it installed in your kitchen then be prepared to look at a flood of models and brands that are available in the marketplace. The simple task of choosing what will work best for you can be a daunting prospect when faced with so many choices.
