Toilet Repair – Doing It Yourself

You hear the sound of running water in the bathroom, so you go and investigate. Little Johnny is playing boats, there is water everywhere and he looks at you with huge eyes and says “I was playing whirl pool.�? Plumbers can be very expensive but so is the water bill. What are you going to do? Don’t call the plumber yet. In just a few steps you can repair that toilet yourself. All you need are a few tools, a little knowledge and a good sense of humor. After all it is already broken so you can’t hurt it any more right?

First step is a no brainer – you need to get that water turned off. Down close to the floor behind the bowl you should see a valve that looks like the one for the hose outside simply turn it and the water should shut off. Now it is time to remove some of the water. A wet vacuum will do the trick, but if you do not have one a small cup will do for bail out. Get as much out as you can.

Put your hand inside the toilet and feel around if you are lucky you will be able to touch the little toy or hair brush or whatever is holding things up in there. If you can reach it – great – just pull it out. Turn the water back on and go on with your day knowing you saved some money.

If you cannot feel the clog, this is where things get tricky. You are going to have to unbolt the toilet and move it out of the way. These next steps will walk you through removal and replacement of the bowl.

Go to the local hardware store and pick up a wax ring. You will need it and they are usually under $5.00. While there you may also want to pick up a pipe wrench or a pair of large channel locks as most toilet bolts are 2 inch and those cute little ones in your household tool kit with the pink handles will not do the job.

Armed and ready for battle. On either side of the bowl on the floor you will see 2 large bolt one on either side. Turn them counterclockwise to remove. If you are lucky they will come right off. Lift the bowl off the floor you may need to rock it a little as the wax ring will be sticky. Reach in and remove the toy that has caused all this trouble. You did it! It wasn’t so hard was it? The next steps will walk you through reinstalling the toilet. After all, the goal is to have a fully functioning unit without the mess.

You will need to remove the old wax ring. This is important as without a good seal you will have leaks. Use a scraper for this. Or even a cake knife will do – anything flat. Carefully remove the new wax ring from the package and place it where the old one was. This should be easy as there is still some residue left behind. Lift toilet up and very carefully (no sliding) set it down over the bolts sticking up through the floor and onto the new ring. Be careful here – the seal must be good. Tighten the bolts back up. Alternate bolts as you turn to ensure a tight even seal. Turn the water back on. Look carefully around the bottom of the bowl along the floor for leaks. If there are no leaks, you can celebrate! You have now completed a toilet repair job!

Keeping your heating system in good working order

Keeping your heating system in good working order is definitely something that should be a priority. After all, there’s nothing worse than having your heating system break down just when you need it the most. And the best way to ensure Dallas, TX area residents never have to go without heat in the winter is for them to schedule regular annual heating system maintenance with A#1 Air.

Keeping Heaters Running Smoothly
Especially when you have a brand new heating system, the temptation can be to just leave it alone and let it work. After all, it’s probably much more energy efficient than your previous system, so you’re saving money and feeling the warmth. So why would you want to spend more on annual maintenance? Please visit this website

Well, just like anything else, your heating system will benefit from regular tune–ups. Its best when everything is running smoothly with your heating system and having it serviced annually is the best way to make sure that it keeps doing just that.

Of course, a new heating system should keep working well for a few years without any attention. But over time, that system will wear out much faster if you don’t have it regularly serviced. It’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes from knowing your heating system will work well when you need it the most.

Improving Heating System Efficiency

You’ll also notice that regular maintenance will help keep your heating system functioning at peak energy efficiency for longer. Whether you’ve got a new 90% AFUE furnace or an older model that’s seen more than its share of winters, it’s always helpful to bring those heating bills down as much as possible. And that’s what regular maintenance can do.

No matter how good your heating system is, the everyday wear and tear it sustains will begin to add up over time. Some parts will wear down and sediment will accumulate and pretty soon, your furnace just won’t be getting the energy efficiency numbers it used to. Of course, it will still be keeping your house warm, but you’ll be paying more for the same amount of heat.

Regular maintenance visits eliminate this type of problem because they allow professional technicians to spot worn out parts and remove build–ups before they can impact the overall performance of your heating system.

Less Costly Heating Repairs
Another benefit to regular maintenance for your heating system is that it can allow technicians to catch problems before they actually cause your system to break down. Performing minor repairs in a situation like this can help ensure that larger and more costly repairs are not required later on. You’ll likely save a significant amount of money, as well as avoid the frustration and inconvenience that comes from a system breaking down on you in the middle of winter.

Extending the Life of Your Heating System
And those aren’t the only reasons it’s a good idea to keep up a regular maintenance schedule for your heating system. With this type of service, you’re also likely to extend the life of your system for several years. That means even more savings because you won’t have to purchase a new heating system as soon as you might have.

For all of these reasons, having regular maintenance performed on your heating system is the best way to get the most out of your investment. And when you call the pros at A#1 Air for your heating needs in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, you can rest assured you’re getting the best in the business.

Our technicians are highly skilled and have extensive experience working on all kinds of heating systems. They’ll complete a thorough inspection of your system on every visit, carry out any necessary repairs and clean out any sediment or residue that’s built up. And it’s never too late to start. So pick up the phone today and give us a call. We’d love to hear from you.
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