Reid Geiler
Recent Posts
We've all dealt with a clogged toilet at one time or another. Usually we reach for the plunger to deal with the issue. But what if you don't have one? Here are a few ways you can unclog a toilet without a plunger.
When is it time to call a plumber for your clogged toilet? When you've tried everything but the water still won't drain.
It may sound like a simple task, but there is a right way to unclog a toilet.
Once you have discovered that the water in the toilet bowl is not draining like it should, it's time to go to work. In a few simple steps, you should have your toilet back to working like it should.
The first thing to do is avoid having the toilet overflow onto the bathroom floor. To prevent this, remove the top of the tank and find the flap valve that controls water flow from the tank to the bowl. When you flush, this valve stays open to allow the bowl to refill. Be prepared to reach down and flip it shut when you do a test flush to see if the clog is gone. This will prevent water from overflowing the bowl and getting all over the floor.
Is my HVAC system making my allergies worse? That's the question many people ask in the spring and fall when they start using their heat and air conditioning more regularly. Whether your HVAC system is a friend or foe in the allergy battle depends on how well the system is maintained.
Dust, pollen and mold are the main offenders for people suffering with allergies. If they are already in the air, your HVAC system is just going to blow them around and keep you miserable unless you take some steps to break the cycle.
Step one: Using proper filters. Cheap air filters are designed to protect the equipment from being damaged by large large pieces of dirt and debris, not to keep you from sneezing. To get any health benefits from your filters, you have to make sure that you have the right kind. What you need are HEPA filters. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate AIr, and filters over 99 percent of particles from the air. Dust, pollen, mold, pet dander, dirt and everything else floating in the air is trapped in them before it gets to your lungs. This filters are assigned a MERV rating, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The higher the MERV, the better the filter. Allergy sufferers generally need a MERV rating of at least 10 for the filter to be effective. The filters need to be changed at a minimum of every two months, more often if allergies are severe.
Low air flow out of your HVAC ducts can be frustrating, especially if you are uncomfortably hot or cold. If the air is not flowing like it should in your home, there are a number of possibilities.
Clogged air filters: Filters are designed to be part of the overall air flow process. If they are clogged because they haven't been changed, they will block air flow. Not only will this hold back your much desired warm or cold air, it could eventually cause damage to your HVAC system by causing components to work harder until they fail. In general, filters need to be changed every 60 days. It should happen more often in homes with a high number of pets or in an otherwise dusty or dirty environment.
Too much air filter: Filters come with a MERV rating for their efficiency from 1 to 16, with the higher numbers being more efficient. If you buy filters that are in the 15 or 16 range, they will hold back air while filtering it strongly. If you suffer from allergies or other health problems, you may be willing to trade a stronger filter for less air flow. However, if you don't need a strong filter, climbing back down the filter scale will allow more air flow.
Will I get sick from a musty smell in my house? It depends on what's causing the smell.
Most musty smells come from household mold, which grows in dark places with little ventilation and high humidity. That's why houses that have been shut up for a long time end up smelling musty.
The mold you can smell is harmless in most cases, but if it's particularly strong, it's a good idea to get it tested by an HVAC professional. The Geiler Company can help.
Are nosebleeds caused by heat? They can be.
Unless there is an underlying health issue like high blood pressure, most minor nosebleeds happen when the blood vessels near the surface at the front of the nose break. This can happen because the skin inside the nose on the septum (the part that separates the nostrils) gets dry and cracks. Many times, this dryness is made worse by the heat source in your home which tends to dry out the air. Lower humidity means more frequent nosebleeds for people who are prone to get them.
Other causes of the dry nasal passages that lead to nosebleeds include using an antihistamine or decongestant and frequent nose-blowing. The sudden increase in pressure when blowing the nose can rupture the blood vessels in the septum.
The problem can be easily solved by placing a humidifier in the room or rooms where the person getting the nosebleed spends most of their time. Usually that's in the sleeping area and in the common areas of the home. The Geiler Company carries a full line of humidifiers for every type of home. Another solution is to put a small amount of petroleum jelly on the septum area of the nose to keep the area moist and covered.
If nosebleeds persist after taking these measures or they become serious, it's time to see a doctor. As mentioned above, high blood pressure can cause nosebleeds, as can bleeding or clotting disorders.
If you do get a nosebleed, get something like a cloth or tissue to block the blood from leaving the nose, sit up or stand and lean your head forward. Pinch your nostrils together at the top of your nose and hold them closed for ten minutes. The pressure will stop the bleeding, so resist the temptation to stop pinching your nostrils too soon to see if the bleeding has stopped. If the bleeding won't stop, seek medical attention.
After you've stopped the nosebleed, don't strain yourself (which raises blood pressure) and try not to blow your nose for 24 hours.