When You Shouldn't Do Electrical Repairs Yourself

Many homeowners are perfectly capable of doing certain types of electrical work in their own home, but they should always be aware of their limitations. 

Sometimes it is best to leave the situation up to a professional electrician.

Installing dimmer switches and replacing an old ceiling light with a new ceiling fan are simple enough projects that someone without years of experience should be able to pull off safely. However, when it comes to extending existing electrical circuits or adding new ones, an expert electrician is almost always needed. If not the homeowner could find themselves in either one of two positions: dying from electrical shock or dying from fire. 

As a safety reminder: whenever you do attempt a do it yourself electrical project, always remember to turn off the electricity. Also, if you feel in the slightest that the project is over your head, call an electrician for help. It is always better to be safe than sorry in this situation. 

 Read for More Information:

• How to Extinguish an Electrical Fire
• How to Safely Use an Electric Generator
• Electrical Safety Tips

Why Drain Cleaners Are Bad for Your Plumbing

Regularly cleaning your pipes is important to keep them from backflowing. Many people tend to turn to drain-cleaning products that line the shelves of home cleaning aisles in stores. However, most of these products can actually cause more harm to your plumbing than good.

Most drain-cleaning products contain acid, which can eat away at the pipes and cause rust. Some of the more popular known brands do not even completely clean the pipes. Instead, the only partially dissolve the clog and push the rest down. This can lead to a bigger backup in the future.

An alternative to using a drain-cleaning product is to mix one-part baking soda and three-parts boiling water. Pour this down the drain regularly to break up debris, grease, and grime.

Another helpful suggestion is to run a lot of water whenever turning on the garbage disposal or pouring anything down the drain. Most of the time, this is a no-no, but in cases like this or when brushing teeth it is a good idea to help push everything through the pipes.

Resources: Angie's List, Ben Franklin Plumber

Read for More Information:

• Reasons Why Your Plumbing Is Noisy
• Plumbing Tips to Prevent Clogged Drains
• When to Hire a Professional Plumber

How to Extinguish an Electrical Fire

According to FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 25,900 home electrical fires are reported each year. These fires cause an average of 280 deaths, 1,125 injuries, and $1.1 billion in property loss. The majority of electrical fires involve electrical distribution, lighting, or power transfer equipment, and 39 percent involve outlets and receptacles, electrical branch circuits, and other electrical wiring.

If an electrical fire occurs in your home, the first thing you should do is call 9-1-1. Step two should be to turn the entire circuit breaker off. As electricity can not actually burn but the surrounding items may burn, turning off the electricity from the source makes the fire easier to put out. 

A Class C fire extinguisher should be used to put out the electrical fire; however, if you have turned off the source of the electricity, using a different class of fire extinguisher depending on what is on fire should also do the job.

Electrical fires are extremely dangerous and unpredictable. Use caution when putting one out, and if you are unsure in any way what to do, go outside and wait for the fire department to show up.  For instance, water, foam, and other combustible agents should never be used to try and put out an electrical fire. If you do not know what you are doing, you could accidentally make the fire worse. 

As is usual with any electrical fire, any time you see smoke, a fire has probably already been started within the walls and has spread out of sight inside your home. Always get to safety as quickly as possible to avoid being caught by the fire.

Read for More Information:

• Fire Prevention Week: Tips to Prevent Home Fires
• Electrical Safety Tips
• How to Safely Use an Electrical Generator

4 Water Heater Maintenance Basics

• Most probably do not think about it outside of the moments during their day they use it, but for many hot water is essential to how people live their lives. When it stops working correctly, it can definitely put a kink in how the day goes. Fortunately, there are basic services that can be performed to extend the life of any hot water system.
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• 1. Keep Water Heater Clean and Clear.

Make sure to remove any items away from the hot water heater. If it is located outside, clear it of leaves, grass, and other debris. Regularly sweep the area around the tank to avoid dust build up. Since air is sucked from the bottom of the tank, clogged or dirty vents can be carried into the system and force it to work harder. 

2. Release Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve Every Six Months.

Doing this will prevent any pressure, which has the potential to cause an explosion, from building up in the hot water system. Also, when doing this be sure to check for leaking water. If any is spotted, this is an indication this part needs replacing.

3. Flush Inside of System with Fresh Water.

This is to remove any built-up sediment on the bottom of the tank. Do this by turning off the power to the water heater and attaching a hose to the bottom drain to let the water run out. Then attach the water hose to the spigot and turn open the valve and let the water flush through for about one hour.

4. Check for Signs of Rust.

Inspect all metal valves, pipes, and connections for rust. Signs of flaking mean a serious problem exists and a professional should get involved. Do not let these go not dealt with as they can lead to costly repairs.

All major water heater problems should be completed by a professional plumber. Even if the homeowner is unsure about completing these tasks on their own, they should give an expert a call.

Reasons Why Your Plumbing Is Noisy

Rattling pipes are not an uncommon occurrence if you are a homeowner. However, just because these sounds may be common does not mean they should be ignored. Doing so could lead to long-term piping damage that could end up costing you plenty more to repair than it would to sort out the root of the sound when first noticed. Here are some common problems that could cause the sounds you are hearing from your plumbing.

Improperly Secured Water Lines

The most common cause of rattling pipes is improperly secured water lines. As water runs through your pipes it creates a lot of momentum, and if the pipers are not secured correctly, this momentum can cause your pipes to shake from side to side against the floor joints or wall boards closest to the pipes. 

High Water Pressure

Water pressure that is set too high can cause pipes to vibrate loudly no matter if they are properly secured. Indoor water pressure should typically be set between 40 and 60 PSI.

Water Hammer

When you shut off running water quickly and hear a knocking or hammering noise afterwards, you are hearing what is known as a "water hammer." This sound is the result of water flowing through your pipes being brought to an abrupt halt. This means that the air chambers or cushions in your plumbing were either improperly installed, have failed, or never existed. 

If this sound starts out of nowhere, it most likely means that your plumbing system's air chambers have become waterlogged. If no air chambers were built into your plumbing, have this remedied as quickly as possible to avoid damage. Also, since too high of water pressure is often a cause of water hammer, lower this immediately to prevent burst pipes.

Expanding Pipes

Copper expands as it is heated, and if you only notice your pipes making a sound after using hot water, this is a result of hot water flowing through them. The sound is probably the result of the pipes rubbing up against a stud, joist, or support brackets as they contract back to their normal size. Fortunately, only in severe cases will this result in a leak.

Resources: The Bath Outlet, Popular Mechanics, How Stuff Works

Read for More Information:

• Plumbing Tips to Prevent Clogged Drains
• When to Hire a Professional Plumber
• Having Dishwasher Problems? Hire a Plumber

Fire Prevention Week: Tips to Prevent Home Fires

Waking up to the unsettling sound of your smoke detector going off can be a terrifying experience. In 2011 the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that residential fires killed an estimated 2,550 civilians in the United States, and another 14,360 were injured in some way due to a residential fire. To help spread awareness during Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 6-Oct. 12), here are some tips to help keep you safe in your home.

Grimefires

As this year's theme for National Fire Prevention Week is "Prevent Kitchen Fires," it is important to clean any buildup of dirt and clutter occurring in your kitchen to avoid grimefires. 

Cooking

In 2010 cooking was the result of 44% of reported home fires, 16% of home fire deaths, 40% of home fire injuries, and 15% of the direct property damage in 2010 according to the NFPA. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in order to battle any open flames that may occur in your kitchen. The extinguisher should be rated for both grease and electrical fires.  

- To use a fire extinguisher remember the acronym P.A.S.S:

• P - Pull the pin.
• A - Aim the nozzle at the fire's base.
• S - Squeeze the nozzle to spray.
• S - Sweep back and forth while spraying the fire's base.

Inferior Goods

Avoid buying counterfeit or substandard good. They can contain faulty parts that overheat or break causing fire or serious shock.

Extension Cords

Use only UL listed and fused multi-tap extension cords. Also, if your cord is faulty, cracked, or deteriorating, replace it. These can shoot sparks onto flammable surfaces and quickly result in a fire. 

You should also never overload a circuit. Use a power strip instead.

Heaters

Heating systems, primarily space heaters and wooden stoves, can easily ignite nearby household items. Keep all space heaters at least three fee from household items. Turn heaters off before leaving a room or going to sleep. Nevver leave pets or children unsupervised with a space heater or wooden stove. In addition to the risk of starting a fire, heaters and stoves pose a danger of burns, as well.

Candles

On average 42 home candle fires are reported daily. More than half of these fires result because of a furniture item being too close to the candle. One-fifth of reported candle fires are due to the candle being left unattended, and over one-third of home candle fires result in the bedroom. Half of candle fires result during 12am and 6am, most likely due to the person falling asleep and forgetting about it. Out of the 12% of home candle fires started as a result of someone going to sleep, 36% of those resulted in deaths.

• Do not use open-flame candles when you are expecting several people at your home - holidays, for example. Instead, opt for LED tea lights to avoid a disaster from occurring. 
• Also, during the holiday months , if you must burn a candle, keep it far away from decorations - Christmas trees especially.
• When packing your emergency home kit, it is advisable to pack flashlights and extra batteries instead of candles. 
• Keep candles in sturdy-metal, glass or ceramic holders and placed somewhere where they can not be easily knocked over.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.

Smoke Detector

Test your smoke detector on a regular basis - at least every six months when you are supposed to change the batteries. If you have multiple floors in your home, a detector should be located on each floor. The best possible solution is to have a smoke detector in each bedroom if it is do able. 

Resources: Allstate, U.S. Fire Administration

Read More:

• Electrical Safety Tips

How to Safely Use an Electric Generator

Cutler Hammer EGN

Every year there are deaths from the improper use of electrical generators. The primary hazards that occur from using a generator are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock, and fires. It is important to know about correctly purchasing and using a generator in order to be safe when the time comes to use it.

How to Purchase a Generator

When you decide to purchase an electrical generator, you should purchase one that is rated for the amount of power you plan to plug into it. This includes lights, appliances, and other equipment. Wattage determines the amount of power that is used by lighting, and most appliances and other equipment will have a label that tells their power requirements. 

You should purchase a generator that can produce more power than that of the lighting and appliances combined. If your generator is not able to produce more power, you should stagger which appliances and lights are in use at one time. Electricians, like those at Gehringer Mechanical, can determine the amount of power you will need if you are unsure.

Where to Place a Generator

Never place a portable generator in an indoor area. Carbon monoxide from an electric generator's engine exhaust can rapidly build up within a home or enclosed area. Opening doors, windows, and using fans will not prevent this build up. Indoor areas include a garage, carport, basement, or any partially enclosed area. 

Also, do not place the generator near windows. When the power is out, you will probably open windows and doors to let fresh air in. The carbon monoxide can circulate through the home this way. 

In order to avoid electrocution, the generator should be placed somewhere where it will not get wet. The best place would be somewhere that is open with a canopy covering to protect it from moisture. Never touch a generator with wet hands.

Refueling and Storing Fuel

Always turn the generator off and let it cool down before adding more fuel. Any fuel that spills on hot engine parts could ignite. 

Only store fuel in an approved gas can. The fuel that should be used in the generator should be recommended on the label or in the instructions. Place stored fuel outside of the living area - a locked shed or other protected area is ideal. Do not place it by any fuel burning appliances such as a gas water heater. This could also lead to a fire if any fuel is spilled or if the container is not sealed properly.

Make sure to check with local law officials or fire departments about the amount of fuel allowed in storage. Some states have laws regarding the maximum amount that is allowed. 

How to Use Generator

Appliances should be plugged directly into the generator or into a heavy-duty outside extension cord that plugs into the generator. This type of cord should be rated in watts or amps that are equal to the sum of the connected appliance load. Make sure to check the cord for cuts and tears. Also, check that all three prongs are present - especially the grounding pin. 

Never plug the generator into a wall outlet. This practice, known as backfeeding, is very dangerous and presents utility workers and neighbors that use the same transformer with a chance of electrocution. This can also bypass some of the built-in household protection devices. 

Resources:  American Red Cross