DIY Plumbing System Maintenance

Water and sewer pipes are an important part of our home. Though often invisible, it contributes largely to the functionality of every household. It is responsible for delivering hot and cold water and eliminating waste to keep our homes clean and safe. To prolong its life, paying regular attention to it won’t hurt. In addition, proper plumbing care can help prevent leaks and save us from costly repairs.

Clogged drain quick fix

• Pour ½ cup of salt down the sink followed by boiling water 
• Flush with very hot water until clog is clear

Dripping Faucet

• Make sure to shut off the valve under the sink
• Plug the sink
• Unscrew aerator from end of faucet
• Scrub aerator parts and rinse after
• Reassemble the aerator and re-attach

Prevent future clogging

Watch what goes down your drains. Backed-up water adds pressure to the wastepipes, stressing them and shortening their lifespan. Always remember to prevent food scraps from going down the sink, keep hair out of bathroom drains and never flush tissue and other materials down toilets.

Installing screens over drains in showers and tubs can also prevent buildup. Scrape food before doing dishes to prevent liquid grease from going down the drain. Grease is only liquid when it’s hot. But when it pours down the drain, it cools and solidifies causing clogs.

However, there are instances where we are pre-occupied and we sometimes neglect our plumbing systems. In cases of clogged drains, you can opt for the DIY quick fixes provided earlier, but make sure to call a professional in cases of severe plumbing problems. Call Flame. They also offer furnace and air condition repair in Detroit. Feel free to visit this website for an overview of our services. http://www.flamefurnace.com/

Air duct Cleaning Expert Tips

Many households in Detroit have tried hiring professionals to perform the daunting task of air duct cleaning. Homeowners report that this action has been more than just satisfying--it demonstrated the long-term effectiveness of maintenance and its significant benefits. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends air duct cleaning every three to five years.

When to clean air ducts

Experts recommend scheduling regular inspection of air ducts. But it doesn’t mean that cleaning is always needed during inspection. It is best to perform cleaning only when:

• There are mold growth and dirt in your air duct
• A vermin infestation is noticed in some areas of your home
• You see insects coming out of your air ducts
• There’s a visible poof of dust when the air is exiting the vents

In addition, if you notice black debris circling the outside of the vents, it means that pollutants have been recycling through the system over and over again. That’s a sign of a dirty HVAC system. Don’t forget to look inside the system when changing your filters. If there’s a dust build up, you urgently need intensive cleaning.

Hiring a professional cleaning company

No one wants to spend his days-off doing a complicated task like air duct cleaning. You’ll certainly need the help of professional cleaners who have the skills and knowledge necessary for inspecting your HVAC system. Flame is staffed with highly-trained technicians and has been helping the Detroit residents for years. For inquiries and questions about furnace cleaning in Detroit, dial (888) 234-2340 or visit our website. http://www.flamefurnace.com/

Maintaining your Commercial Plumbing System to Avoid Serious Issues

Compared to a homeowner’s plumbing system, a commercial building’s plumbing is harder to maintain, and develops issues that may be harder to solve and may affect more people. Though it’s an inevitable part of operating a building, this does not mean that you have to wait until plumbing issues manifest itself on your property and wreak havoc among occupants. No one wants to deal with a faulty plumbing, so take it upon yourself to ensure that your property’s plumbing system is working well, lest you suffer from its devastating effects. Whatever business you may be in, be it a hotel, a restaurant, or an apartment building, you shouldn’t ignore your property’s plumbing system. Not only will you need plumbing professionals to solve your plumbing woes, but you’ll also need them for preventive maintenance to ensure that your commercial plumbing system is working properly.
http://www.flamefurnace.com/info-articles/maintaining-your-commercial-plumbing-system-to-avoid-serious-issues/

Home Backup Generator: A Sound Investment amid Blackouts in Detroit

Last June saw over 19,000 DTE Energy customers literally powerless after a blackout that lasted for days due to heavy rains and gusty winds that swept through Detroit and other areas in southeast Michigan. Though customers have been assured that the company did everything they could to restore power as soon as possible, it still took them almost three to four days to fully restore their services to every homeowner in the area. Even a few hours of power outages can cause a degree of inconvenience among homeowners, and families have to stumble in the dark looking for ways to get by when they don’t have electricity. No one knows when an area’s electricity supply will be shut down and when it will be restored, but you can rely on a backup generator to help your family get by a blackout. Avoid instances of uncharged cellphones or spoiling food when you can have a home backup generator to avoid inconveniences caused by power outages.
http://www.flamefurnace.com/info-articles/home-backup-generator-a-sound-investment-amid-blackouts-in-detroit/

Buying Heaters and Other Tips on How to Ready Your Office for Winter

If you’ve got offices in Warren, Michigan, winter may not exactly be at the top of your mind right now. However, with the harsh Michigan winters, purchasing the best heaters on the market and prepping your office for the coming cold is a reasonable and cost-efficient thing to do. Heating your office during the winter months is a special concern because a business’ energy bills are often its biggest expense during the colder parts of the year. Proper heating and preparation can help a lot in reducing this expense. Here are some of the things you can do. Have the Right Equipment One of the best things you can do is have the best possible heating system installed that is within your budget. Local heating experts like Flame Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical can offer you a wide array of choices on how to heat your office. If you own the building, having an efficient HVAC system installed should be easy to do.
http://www.flamefurnace.com/info-articles/buying-heaters-and-other-tips-on-how-to-ready-your-office-for-winter/

When Boiler Repair is No Longer Enough

The water heater is integral to a household’s comings and goings. From showers to cleaning, we depend on consistent access to hot water. As such, keeping the water heater maintained and functioning smoothly should be a priority. Unfortunately, even with constant care, there will come a time when you’ll need to replace the unit altogether. When do you stop mending and start replacing? Here are some signs to indicate that it’s time to retire your old unit.

A leaking tank

Your average water heater holds 40-80 gallons of water at any given time, and it’s a bad idea to risk an accident once you notice the main tank is springing some leaks. This means that the rubber lining is already worn away, and it’s probably time to spring for a new unit. The constant pressure that builds with all that hot water is just a disaster waiting to happen!

A lingering stink

All water heaters have an anode rod that leeches ions which cause rust—which, as you’d imagine, is quite important to a machine that processes water. The anode rod essentially takes the corrosion that’s meant for the rest of the device onto itself. While the rods are replaceable, the rest of the machine will get corroded more and more over time, resulting in a distinct smell that’s a definite sign that replacing the anode rod isn’t doing the trick anymore.

Something wrong with the water

This one should be a no-brainer—if the water has a definite odor, or if it’s brackish, or if the water takes too long to heat up, there might be something wrong that a quick fix can’t handle. Make a thorough inspection of the unit and determine the problem ASAP. Some locations’ water supplies contain larger traces of harmful minerals which can be tough on water heaters, and can lead to them breaking down far sooner than expected.

When it comes to the water you use, take no risks with boiler repair. Call Flame Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical for expert assistance on your water heater.

Air Duct Cleaning and Other HVAC Services Ensure Efficient Operation

Michigan homeowners may not be so concerned about their heating systems for now since it’s the height of summer, but it’s actually the ideal time to do all of the maintenance requirements for your furnace and HVAC system. Ranging from air duct cleaning to your furnace’s annual inspection, having these done during the part of the year when you don’t need them that much is a good choice. Here are a few of the things you can do to ensure that your HVAC system is in top shape when winter rolls around. Air Duct Cleaning Air duct cleaning is necessary if you want to have the hot air produced by your furnace delivered to all parts of your home efficiently. Dirt in the ducts can make it difficult for the air to travel in them; additionally, heat loss is a serious problem making your furnace work harder for the same results. Heating isn’t the only thing that dirt air ducts can affect.
http://www.flamefurnace.com/info-articles/air-duct-cleaning-and-other-hvac-services-ensure-efficient-operation/