Tips | Johnson Plumbing in Reno

6 Tips on How to Fix Common Toilet Problems

January 30, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

A lot of the plumbing in your bathroom is in your toilet tank. If you happen to experience toilet problems, the tank is where most issues will occur. The tank’s role is to hold the water that is used to flush the toilet. It also contains the apparatus and the variety of parts that fills and empties water from the tank. So when you encounter problems with your toilet, the tank should be the first thing you check.

Here are some of the common toilet problems and tips to help fix them.

Weak flushing

Weak flushing usually happens with bad water pressure or with older toilets. If your tank was manufactured long ago, usually before the year 2000, then age could be the problem. Hard water collects in toilets, especially over a long period time. It is not easy to clean even if you use hard brushes or tools. The solution? Muriatic acid. Using muriatic acid wash can really do the job and all you have to do is to mix one part acid to 10 parts water. Use a funnel to pour at least one half of the solution in the toilet tank. You can expect a fizzing sound, but be careful of the fumes. Make sure that you don’t splash the solution on you, on your clothes, especially your eyes. Leave the acid for 30 minutes then pour out the remainder of the solution. Flush the toilet after 30 minutes.

Toilet running constantly

When the toilet runs constantly, it can be a nuisance. Aside from being annoying, it can also make your water bill go up. First, identify the root cause of the problem and make sure to check the handle lever inside the tank. Check that the chain is connected properly, check the water level in the tank and the fill valve. Make sure that there is a good seal between the plunger and the hole at the bottom of the tank.

Flush handle is loose

There are times when your flush handle seems to be disconnected from the rest of the tank. When this happens, the fix should be easy. If it is disconnected, just reconnect the lift chain or lift wire from the handle mechanism in the tank. You can also make an adjustment to the handle mounting nut inside the tank. Tighten it by rotating it clockwise.

Phantom flushing

This problem happens when the tank is leaking water and it will look as if the toilet tank has just been flushed. To confirm that you have a leaking toilet problem, you can use a coloring dye and add it to the tank after the water has stopped running. Wait for about 5 to 10 minutes and see if the water in the bowl is colored. If it is, it means that the plunger is not completely sealed and is in need of a replacement.

Sluggish flush

When the toilet doesn’t flush as quickly as it should, it could be a partial or complete clog in the drain pipe. A snake may be able to unclog the drain. If that doesn’t work, it may be time to call a plumber.

Water on the floor

If you see water at the base of your toilet, it can be an indication of a problem. Try to avoid using the toilet until the problem is identified and fixed. If the wax ring is the issue, the toilet will need to be removed from the floor to address and replace the ring. However, if the issue is more serious, you may need to hire a professional and licensed plumber to fix the problem.

These are some helpful tips that may come in handy when you encounter toilet issues. But if you need the help of an expert plumbing company, Johnson Plumbing is a company that you can count on.

It’s National Kidney Disease Month. Read These Tips for Better Kidney Health

March 21, 2017 by Joe Amos Leave a Comment

Your kidneys are very important organs in your body. Taking proper care of them will help you live better and longer. Many people don’t understand kidney disease or how to prevent it. For National Kidney Disease Month, you can learn how to better care for your kidneys and prevent disease.

Get Tested

Kidney failure is a slow and progressive disease that usually has no noticeable symptoms. Kidney disease awareness is important. Unless your kidneys have been injured in an accident, you may not know you have kidney disease without medical testing. Your doctor can perform a few types of tests to determine kidney function. These are usually blood tests or urine tests.

The blood test for kidney function is called glomular filtration rate or GFR. This measures the amount of creatine in your blood. Creatine is a waste product produced by working muscles. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering this waste from the blood. If the kidneys are not working properly, this acid will build up to unsafe levels in the blood stream.

The urine test for kidney function is called albumin-to-creatine ratio or ACR. The urine is tested for the protein albumin. This protein that should not be found in urine. If the test is positive, it indicates your kidneys are not functioning as well as they should.
There are five stages of disease that lead to kidney failure. There is no way to correct full kidney failure, so it is a life-threatening disease. The best option for a person in the advanced stages is a kidney transplant. Health can be maintained with dialysis, but this does not heal the kidneys.

Diabetes and Sugar

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney failure. When you have diabetes, your body has trouble maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering your blood, so when you have high blood sugar your kidneys are under a lot of pressure to balance your system. They eventually become overloaded and begin to fail.

There are many things that may contribute to developing diabetes. Sometimes the disease is genetic, and there isn’t much you can do about that. Most diabetes, however, is brought on by a poor diet. Excess sugar in the diet is one of the leading causes of diabetes. It is important to avoid excess sugar. The American Heart Association recommends that children consume no more than six teaspoons of added sugar per day. This is also a good rule for adults to follow. Diabetes can affect a person of any age. The sooner you take steps to avoid it, the healthier your kidneys will be.

Salt and Blood Pressure

Blood pressure also has a major impact on kidney function. When blood pressure is high, more blood is forced through the sensitive tissues of the kidney faster. Over time, this may damage the kidney tissue that filters the blood. This tissue is very difficult to heal once damaged.

Too much sodium in the diet contributes to high blood pressure. Salt may also pose a danger to the kidneys directly. Sometimes minerals like sodium will harden in the kidneys. The result is a kidney stone. The kidney eventually forces the stone through the kidney tissue. The process is very painful. It may also damage the kidney tissue, which reduces function. The damage caused by passing a kidney stone often does not heal. A scar will form that is never able to filter any blood.
You do not have to eliminate all salt from your diet, but you should keep it to a healthy level. This means not adding salt to most foods and avoiding processed foods already high in salt. You can help balance sodium levels by also getting plenty of potassium from food and drinking plenty of water each day.

Drinking Too Much

Your kidneys are responsible for getting toxic substances out of your blood stream. Alcohol is highly toxic to the body, so your kidneys work extra hard to get rid of it. When you drink too much, you put strain on your kidneys and may damage them.

Alcohol also dehydrates you. Your kidneys’ other job is to maintain the right balance of water in your body. Consuming alcohol can make this job much more difficult. Over time, this may result in lost kidney function.
It is important to know how much is too much. Three drinks or less per day is considered safe for your body and is unlikely to cause serious problems.

Your diet has a lot to do with your kidney health. By maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol and smoking and choosing healthy foods most of the time, you can keep both your kidneys functioning for your entire life. Many of the conditions that lead to kidney disease are preventable.

Good Nutrition Made Simple: What to Remember During National Nutrition Month

March 3, 2017 by Joe Amos Leave a Comment

If you feel like you’ve fallen off the healthy habit bandwagon, you’re in luck. March is National Nutrition Month, so it is the perfect time to tackle that health commitment you made at the beginning of the year with renewed energy.

You may be wondering why we celebrate nutrition month and how it can help you get back on track. It’s simple really. Nutrition Month is a time set aside to focus on the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and exercise habits.

This year the National Nutrition Month theme is “Put Your Best Fork Forward.” So instead of feeling like you have to change everything at once, you can start small, with just one fork at a time. Whether your eating habits involve preparing meals at home or making choices while eating out, it’s important to develop a way of eating that is sustainable.

Are you ready to join the movement? Then here are a few effective ways you can start putting your best fork forward.

1. Eat a balanced, varied diet.

Eating a variety of nutrient dense foods across all of the food groups reduces your risk of many preventable and primarily lifestyle-based chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Work to incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your daily diet.

2. Choose lighter options while dining out.

Finding healthy options at restaurants is now easier than it ever has been. Most restaurant chains offer lighter, healthier choices. As you peruse the menu, look for options that are steamed or roasted. Likewise, ask for sauces, dressing, and cheese on the side, and control your own portions by asking for a to-go box and putting half of your meal in the box.

3. Set a good example for children.

If you have children, you know how quickly they pick up on things. That is why it is especially important to model good eating habits for children. This modeling begins in the kitchen. Inviting your child into the kitchen to participate in age-appropriate cooking tasks is a fun way to get young ones involved. Serving balanced meals and making the time to enjoy dinner together is also important to help your family build healthy, mindful eating habits.

4. Eat breakfast every day.

Breakfast is one of the most frequently skipped meals by everyone, but it’s also one of the most important. Breakfast helps get your metabolism going and sets the tone for your eating all day long. If you really don’t have time for breakfast, then at least grab a piece of fruit and a handful of nuts to give you a good mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.

5. Drink more water.

Water is another essential to a healthy lifestyle. Your body uses water for nearly ever metabolic process it completes. If you have a hard time drinking enough water, try keeping a water bottle with you all day, using a simple tracking system, or flavoring your water with a few pieces of fresh fruit. Try to drink at least half your weight in ounces of water each day.

6. Adopt the “one more” mentality.

It can be tough to completely overhaul the way you eat all at once. Instead of trying to do it that way, focus on getting in just “one more” healthy food choice each day. If you struggle with veggies the most, work on fitting in one more serving each day. Then once you have that mastered, move on to another healthy habit. Doing a little at a time will make the process much easier and help you stick with it.

If you really want to make your celebration of this month fun, then consider getting involved or organizing some nutrition month activities, such as

A cooking demonstration or nutrition event
A presentation at your local park or senior center
A food donation campaign for your local food pantry or shelter
A commitment to try one new healthy recipe as a family each week
A visit to a local farmers market or farm
A “lunch and learn” on healthy eating
A scavenger hunt for healthy foods or recipe ingredients

National Nutrition Month is the perfect time to refocus on the healthy habits you started in January or to invite others to join you in your efforts. Use these tips and remember that it’s about starting small and making simple changes every day that you can stick to long term.

7 Things You Should Know About Repairing Your Heater

January 25, 2017 by Joe Amos Leave a Comment

If your home features a furnace, chances are you will one day need heater repair services. Knowing what fixing your heater involves before that day comes is a good idea. Knowledge of this will make it easier to explain your fault to a repair service provider. This goes a long way towards ensuring they provide satisfactory services. With proper knowledge and some experience, you can troubleshoot and repair some of the problems before calling a heater repair company. You must call a qualified technician if the furnace repair is beyond your abilities. Below are seven things you should know about repairing your heater.

Gas leak

Immediate heater repair is necessary if you suspect a gas leak while conducting a home heating repair. Do not light matches or turn on a switch if you smell natural gas near your furnace. Evacuate immediately and leave your door open if the odor is strong. Gas supply valves are often located by the gas meter on its inlet pipe. Turn off the gas supply valve immediately. You will have turned the gas off if the valve’s elongated stem is pointing perpendicular to the inlet pipe. You should then call a heater repair company from a remote location. It is important that you stay away until you are confident your home is safe.

Inadequate amounts of heat

Several issues can lead to low heat even if your furnace is running as well as it should. Check to confirm that:

The flow of warm air is not blocked
The thermostat is set correctly. Raise the temperature five degrees and wait for a few minutes.
The room heating registers are open
The filter is clean. Be sure to replace if dirty.

Lack of heat

Malfunctioning thermostats often lead to the failure of heating systems. Other possible causes are a tripped circuit breaker, blown fuse, or pilot light that has gone out. In this case, you can take basic heater repair measures even if you are not a heater installation expert:

Ensure the thermostat is set to heat
Check if you do not have a blown fuse. Check if the circuit breaker is on
Ensure the power switch is switched on
Look for a reset button since you may have to reset the motor. If nothing happens after you press the button, wait for 30 minutes and try again
Check the ignition. Ensure the pilot light has not gone out. Make sure the gas valve is on.
If your furnace isn’t working after you check all of the above, then the thermostat is not faulty.

Frequent on and off cycles

A faulty thermostat can also cause continual on and off cycles. Adjust the heat anticipator and set it a calibration mark closer to the setting marked. Set it farther if your heater goes off and on often. Set it one mark away if the room temperature rises or dips abnormally before the unit goes off or on. Replace your thermostat if the problem persists. Replacement is an easy task that does not need the services of a heater repair company.

Inability to blow air

If your heater’s blower does not move air, but its motor runs, the belt connecting these two might be broken. In this case, replacement is an easy fix. Start by turning off the power and gas. Access the blower by removing the furnace cabinet’s front door and note the stamped belt number to get an exact replacement. Slip the replacement belt on the motor’s pulley first. Hold the belt in place and rotate the blower pulley by hand. Ensure your fingers don’t get caught between the belt and pulley. The belt should slip into place easily. You can also provide more slack by adjusting the motor mount if the belt seems to be too tight or setting it in place proves difficult.

Noisy furnace

Metal heating ducts can easily conduct noise from air-handling units to your rooms. But inserting flexible insulation between the furnace and duct breaks the conduction of sound:

The expansion and contraction of ductwork due to temperature variations often results in a pinging or popping sound. These sounds can also be caused by the blowing of air past a loose flap. Track along the duct runs and listen for the sound. Once you have located the sound. Dent the sheet metal slightly to get a more rigid surface. Make sure it is one that is less likely to move due to thermal expansion.
To ensure the furnace cabinet does not emit rattling noises. Secure the cover panels tightly.
If you notice squealing sounds coming from your forced-air furnace, the belt connecting the motor to the fan is improperly aligned. It may be worn and in need of replacement, or out of position. Adjusting the motor mount tightens the fit. Follow the instructions provided in your owner’s manual to perform this task.
The motor’s bearings are most likely shot if the blower is emitting a grinding noise. Shut down your furnace and contact a reputable heater repair service provider.

Faulty oil burner

If your oil boiler keeps going on and off, clean or replace the filter. If your oil burner is not working at all, check to see if:

The thermostat is turned off or broken
It is receiving electric power.
A heat sensor in the stack or sensor in the burner has signaled your unit to shut off.

Performing a home heating repair service on oil-burning heaters is tricky. Call a certified heater repair technician if replacing the filter or checking the issues mentioned above does not solve your problem.

Simple Tips To Unclog Your Garbage Disposal

December 28, 2016 by Admin Leave a Comment

Garbage disposal clogs happen regardless of how careful you might be about what goes down there. As such, you might be in desperate need of easy do-it-yourself techniques to unclog your garbage disposal plumbing installations.

There are a few simple steps you can take to minimize the possibilities of clogs and protect your garbage disposal systems from such problems. Listed below are causes of clogging of your waste disposal unit:

• Dropping of foreign objects such as spoons and forks into the disposal unit.
• Rapid feeding of garbage into your disposal unit
• Failure to run enough water to flush out the unit’s drainpipes completely

Your unit might be unable to dispose of every type of garbage. It is important to do regular inspections to avoid the accumulation of dirt. Make sure to read the manual to learn the limitations of your waste disposal unit. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners since the chemical components are highly corrosive. They can damage your unit’s rubber or plastic parts.

How to unclog garbage disposal installations

STEP 1: Power off

Start by turning off the switch that controls the power supply. For safety concerns, switching off the power supply is the most important step to a successful do-it-yourself garbage disposal repair. If you cannot find the switch, call in a residential plumbing service provider such as Reno residential plumber.

STEP 2: Use a pair of pliers

Shine a flashlight into your clogged unit after you turn off the breaker to determine the cause if the clog. Use a pair of long-handled pliers or tongs to carefully retrieve any visible objects that could be the cause of the clog. Turn the breaker back on, and then your disposal unit after successfully removing every visible item. Remember, you may have to push the reset button.

STEP 3: How to unclog garbage disposal with plunger

If the unit is still clogged, turn off the breaker again. With no more foreign objects, lingering leftovers are the next possible cause of clogs. Foods plug garbage disposal units when not adequately broken down to flush out of the drainpipe.

Using a plunger is helpful when trying to loosen the food that is clogging your garbage disposal. Use the plunger to cover the drain completely while you run water until the plunger is submerged. Plunge the drain several times and then check to confirm if the water is flowing.

Flowing water is a good sign that the scraps might also drain out. Turn on the breaker and your unit to check whether it can dispose of the lingering leftovers through the drainpipe.

STEP 4: How to unclog garbage disposal with baking soda and vinegar

If your unit is still clogged, turn the breaker off again. It might as well be time to prepare a simple but effective cocktail. Pour ¼ a cup of baking soda into your garbage disposal and then half a cup of white vinegar onto the small pile. Prepare yourself for the fizz and foam as a result of this chemical reaction.

As mentioned before, there are various ways to unclog garbage disposal systems. Harsh drain cleaners could be detrimental to your garbage disposal units, especially those that contain plastic parts. The combination of vinegar and baking soda offers unmatched unclogging ability, albeit on a much gentler scale.

Turn both the breaker and your garbage disposal unit back on after about ten minutes and then run hot water for several minutes. Again, you may have to push the reset button to get your unit started. If your disposal does not work properly, it might be the time to consider calling in residential plumbing professionals, particularly since they are your last resort.

STEP 5: Engage the services of a professional plumber

Turn off both the breaker and the garbage disposal unit and call a professional plumber if you have followed all of the steps listed above in vain. The cause of the clog might be more that you can handle without adequate and proper experience, know-how, skills, and equipment. By engaging professionals, you will minimize the chances of causing further damages to your garbage disposal unit.

Conclusion
Although calling in a professional provides the ultimate solution, the job is incomplete even after the professionals clear up the clog and leave. It is important that you always remember to play your part. Placing half of a lemon inside your garbage disposal every third week helps to keep the blades in optimal operating condition.

Lemon also rids your garbage disposal of foul smells, leaving it fresh. As much as you might look down upon this 2-minute maintenance tip, it can actually save you hours of frustrations and headaches.