Why Your Dishwasher is Backed Up or Clogged

There are a number of possible explanations for water not draining correctly from a dishwasher.

Clogs in the filter basket, drain hose, or waste disposal are the most typical causes.

A clogged sewage line, on the other hand, is a more significant plumbing problem that might impact the dishwasher. Whatever the issue is, ignoring it for too long may result in water damage in your house, which may be costly to clean up and create health problems due to mold development. The filter basket is intended to gather food scraps that fall off dishware so that they do not end up in the drain. Water, on the other hand, will have a difficult time going through the filter basket if there is enough food stuck in it. You may remove the filter basket, clean it, and soak it in vinegar to break down any grease or oils. When the dishwater drains, it is forced through a hose that links to a drainpipe or garbage disposal beneath the kitchen sink. Water will most likely back up into the dishwashing unit if a blockage occurs from food muck and soap residue. If you installed a new garbage disposal and then noticed that the dishwasher was not draining correctly, it might be due to a plastic plug that was not removed from the trash disposal. It’s also likely that the underlying source of the problem is underneath the earth, somewhere along the sewage system. This line transports garbage from your house to the sewer main. Sewer lines, in addition to becoming clogged by household waste, can become clogged by tree roots or break if they are old and built of obsolete materials.

 

standard water heater installation

Coming home to an air conditioner failure

Last Saturday, I got up early and went for a six-mile run.

I made sure to head out as early as possible to avoid the heat of the day.

Our summer has been especially hot and humid this year. Every day, the temperature climbs into the upper eighties. The air conditioner has been running just about non stop and struggling to maintain ideal comfort. Despite completing my run in the early morning, the conditions were tough. I was drenched in sweat by the time I returned home. I was anxious to step inside my air conditioned home, drink some water and take a cool shower. However, when I walked through the door, the house felt downright hot. I didn’t hear the air conditioner running at all. I checked the thermostat and found that the indoor temperature was already up to 80 degrees. Fiddling with the temperature settings didn’t activate the cooling system. I hoped that the thermostat was responsible for the problem. Unfortunately, changing the batteries accomplished nothing. I also checked the electrical panel for a tripped breaker. I even tried replacing the air filter in the air conditioner and pushing the reset button. I had no choice but to call for air conditioner repair. The contractor assured me that he’d be right over. I didn’t dare take a shower with an HVAC technician on the way. I stood around, drenched in sweat and waited for nearly three hours. When the technician finally showed up, it took him another two hours to fix the air conditioner. By the time the cooling system was operational again, I was really eager to take my shower.

commercial air conditioning

Enrolling in maintenance plan for air conditioner

The summers in my local area are usually short.

We often have years when the whole summer is chilly and wet.

We sometimes don’t even bother to run the air conditioner. This past summer was one of the hottest on record. As early as the beginning of April, the outside temperature climbed into the eighties. By the end of May, we were getting temperatures into the low nineties with excessive humidity. The air conditioner struggled to keep up. Despite lowering the thermostat several times, the house felt slightly overheated and sticky. I also noticed an unpleasant odor wafting in the air and more dust than normal. I finally called an HVAC contractor to service the air conditioner. When he accessed the inner workings of the system, there was an alarming buildup of dust. There was also mold, bacteria and algae growing inside. The technician told me that the warm, moist environment inside the air conditioner is the perfect environment for microbial growth. When the air conditioner operates, those spores and harmful toxins can become airborne and introduced into the breathing air. Plus, the buildup of contaminants hinders airflow and causes discomfort, greater energy consumption and higher running costs. Fortunately, a thorough cleaning of the cooling system solved all of the problems. The technician then recommended that I enroll into a preventative maintenance plan. The plan includes two service calls per year to troubleshoot, clean and adjust the air conditioner and furnace. I get a discount on parts and labor for repairs, priority scheduling and no added fees for overtime service. The professional maintenance also fulfills the warranty requirements.

 

a/c care

Dog likes the gas fireplace

I have a fourteen-year-old miniature poodle named Oscar.

Oscar has been part of our family since he was just a puppy. As he’s grown older, he’s become hard of hearing, doesn’t see as well and has difficulty going up and down the stairs. The winter weather is especially problematic. He only weighs twelve-pounds and is a very tiny dog. Our local area gets around five to six feet of snow per year. The snow can accumulate by several feet in a single day. Unless I shovel a path for the dog, he can’t walk around outside. It’s sometimes necessary to shovel several times per day. I clear the snow from the front door and create an intricate walking path that winds through the trees. Because of the sub zero temperatures outside, Oscar usually wears a knitted sweater. He loves his sweaters and does not like to take them off. He tends to shiver, even inside the house. I set the thermostat a little higher for the sake of the dog’s comfort. We have a gas fireplace to supplement heat in the living room. I’ve placed Oscar’s bed directly in front of the fireplace. He likes to sleep on his little dog bed with the heat from the fireplace blasting on him. His fur becomes very warm to the touch. When he comes in from the outside with snow clinging to his paws and settles in front of the heater, the whole living room smells of wet dog. I am just happy that our dog is comfortable. The winter weather tends to last for more than half of the year and is downright brutal. Keeping a warm home is definitely a challenge.

hydronic heater

Issues with duct system

While I am quite conscientious about taking care of the furnace and air conditioner, it never occurred to me to worry about the ductwork.

I make a regular habit of replacing air filters every month.

I call to schedule professional upkeep for the air conditioner in the spring and again in the fall for the furnace. I am a bit aggravated that the HVAC professional never mentioned the need to inspect and service the duct system. The network of pipes responsible for distributing heated and cooled air to every room in the house is concealed behind walls and ceilings. It is essential to both the furnace and air conditioner. If there are tiny holes or leaks at the seams, the conditioned air is allowed to escape. I pay for heated and cooled air that just disappears. Because the air doesn’t reach the specific rooms, it makes it much more difficult for the furnace and air conditioner to achieve the desired temperature level. The equipment then is forced to run longer, work harder and use more energy. The rooms feel chilly or overheated and there’s a greater risk of malfunction. There’s also the higher probability of air contamination. Those same leaks welcome in dirty, outside air. Every time the furnace or air conditioner starts up, it can spread dust, dander, bacteria, mold spores, fumes and all sorts of allergens into the breathing air. When I had the ductwork tested, I learned that 25% of my conditioned air was escaping by way of imperfections. The technician also found a significant buildup of debris within the ducts that was restricting airflow.

hvac repairman