Tom Henry – Page 3 – Wilbur Henry

My Sink Is Clogged and Draino Didn’t Work! Now What?

Blog Posts, Plumbing, Question and Answer / Tom Henry

The first and most important thing to remember – if you use Draino and it doesn’t work DO NOT use any other do-clogging agents until you contact a plumber. Draino is made with Hydrcholoric Acid. Most other professional pipe clogged-sink-york-pa cleaning agents use Sulphuric Acid. Combining Hydrochloric and Sulphuric Acid is a great way to cause a pretty dramatic explosion. If you use Draino and it doesn’t work, call a plumber. We have seen dozens of customers have bad, even dangerous, results from layering chemicals.

A plumbing note for the future

Draino can be used in slow-running or sluggish drains but if you get to the point where you have standing water in a fully clogged sink, the odds of Draino working go way down. Not to mention that if Draino doesn’t work at this point, now you or your plumber will have to wade through a sink or tub full of harsh and potentially dangerous chemicals to get to that drain. I have had to stop working and take my boots off because the tub water was eating right through them. (On that note, please TELL your plumber is you have already put chemicals in the water!)

Bottom Line

If the sink is still clogged and you have used Draino, or another de-clogging agent, according to directions and recommended usage, it’s time to get a plumber in there with an auger and find out what is inside that drain. They can usually have your water running freely in no time. Contact Wilbur Henry plumbing experts for plumbing help when you need it, where you need it, and we’ll be there.

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My Pipes Rattle When I Run the Water. How Do I Make It Stop?

Blog Posts, Plumbing, Question and Answer, Uncategorized / Tom Henry

Rattling pipes are generally an uh-oh waiting to happen, but exactly what type of plumbing repair you might need depends on decoding the sounds coming from the pipes. The problem could be as simple as your pipes not being properly secured or fastened in the cellar. The pipes should be secured at every other floor joist. Okay, so we checked the pipes and they are secure. What else could the problem be It depends on what you hear.

Break Down the Sound:

A hammering rattle That probably means a washer is loose in a shut-off valve or a faucet. The washer will vibrate when water is going through it. More of a humming noise The loose washer could be in an older ballcock. Loose washers are probably the most common cause of rattling pipes. They can be frustrating and hard to track down but with patience, that irritating rattling can be quickly repaired.

Banging pipes when you turn the water off It’s time to check your water pressure. For a residence, 45-50 lbs of water pressure is good. A higher number than that is going to be hard on faucets. Most people nowadays have thermal expansion tanks (ST-5s or ST-12s) above their water heaters. They help with hammering caused by the electronic water valves found in ice makers, washing machines, and dishwashers. Because of the backflows that water companies have put on at the meter, it’s critical that the excess pressure caused by these devices is relieved and going into your expansion tank.

Another possible plumbing repair that can cause the water pressure to be too high is if there is a malfunction in the pressure-reducing valve. The pressure-reducing valve is at the water meter. In newer houses, it’s in front of the water meter on the street side. In older homes, it may still be after the water meter. The pressure-reducing valve takes high water pressure, anywhere from 75-150 lbs, and reduces it back to 45 lbs. Installing one of these is standard protocol in home construction/renovation so every home should have one of these. The homeowner is responsible from everything from the curb box to the house besides the water meter so this is up to you and your trusty plumber to maintain.

So how do I keep an eye on my thermal expansion tank since it’s so important Good question! Periodically take the cap off the side of it. Inside the blue or red cap is a Schrader Valve. When you press the valve a tiny burst of air should come out. If you press that valve and water comes out that means your tank’s bladder has burst and the expansion tank is no longer working. This can squash the flue on your water heater. If you press the valve and nothing comes out this means the bladder has wrapped around in there and has probably also burst. When that happens, you will eventually spring a leak and have rusty water on the hot side. Then it’s time for another plumbing repair.

Bottom line – don’t ignore the noise, let your plumber help you solve the mystery lurking in your pipes. Contact Wilbur Henry, the plumbing experts who can help restore peace and quiet to your home.

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What Is Really Done with A Furnace Cleaning? Can’t A Homeowner Just Do It On Their Own?

Furnace and Heat Systems, Heating, Question and Answer / Tom Henry

Regular furnace service or Check & Clean is vital to the long life of your furnace. Many older furnaces are vented into the chimney flu. Along with caring for the inside workings of your furnace, the flu must be checked and cleaned as well. Check out our blog post titled “Older Homes In York PA? Check Your Chimney Annually For Debris Build Up”

Newer furnaces are vented through the sidewall of your hour with PVC plastic. However, the furnace has an internal secondary gas exchanger which is not accessible without taking the furnace completely apart. If the gas is not firing correctly and there is too much carbon in the furnace, everything gets covered with soot which jams up the secondary heat exchanger and causes the furnace to shut down, which is bad.

Furnace service requires specialized equipment and specific knowledge of the internal structure of the furnace and should not be attempted by a homeowner without training.

So What Goes Into Servicing Older Furnaces?

Check and oil bearings on the motors
Check and replace worn belts
Check the chimney flu, especially if there is no flu liner
Take the top off the furnace and run cleaning brushes through the heat exchangers

What About Servicing Newer Furnaces?

Check CO2 levels and make sure gas is firing correctly
Ensure all vents and draft inducer motors are open and clear
Check the blower motor

So what CAN the homeowner do?

The most important part of furnace maintenance – check your furnace filter monthly!

Don’t cheat on the furnace filter.

That $2-3 filter will save your heat exchanger from cycling and you needing a possible new furnace. Change them in the summer and winter. Also, make sure vents stay clear by putting wires or screens over them to keep the vents clear of pests like nesting bees and stink bugs. If that works and doesn’t impinge drafting, you can leave them on year-round.

Need Furnace Service?

When your furnace needs serviced you can trust Wilbur Henry Plumbing, Heating and AC to do the job right and charge a fair price. Give us a call at 717-755-5461 or use our contact form.

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Why Are My Water Lines Sweating and Why Is There Water On the Outside Of My Toilet Tank?

Plumbing, Toilet Repair, York PA / Tom Henry

Have you ever looked at the water lines running under your subfloor, through your basement, and noticed condensation on the water lines? When water enters the house, it is cold from being underground, and when it enters your basement, the basement is warmer. So if you are using are large amount of water the water in those lines never has a chance to warm up.

As For Condensation On The Outside of the Toilet

There is most likely water leaking from the toilet tank into the bowl of the toilet. Again just like the water lines in the basement, the water never has a chance to get warm, since there is always a flow of water running through it.

You may also be flushing the toilet more often and that would keep the water in the bowl cold.

How To Checking a Toilet for Leaks:

A bigger plumbing issue is water leaking through the tank into the toilet bowl. There should be a shutoff valve for the toilet at the floor. To check a toilet for leaks, turn off the toilet water valve and wait an hour. The flapper in the tank acts like a plug and should be watertight. If the water level in the tank runs out or goes down then the flapper is leaking.

One other thing to check is if the water level in the tank is OVER the overflow tube. That means the fill valve is leaking and the extra water is going down the overflow tube. Ideally, the water level in a toilet tank should be about an inch below the overflow tube. You might not hear or see either leak regularly, but a toilet leak needs a toilet repair!

Want More Leaking Toilet Information?

For more on checking for leaks in your toilet check out our post and video by Dave Henry called Why Is My Toilet Running When Not In Use, Dave discusses doing a simple dye test that any homeowner can do, yes anyone.

Need Plumbing Help or Toilet Repair?

If you need help with your plumbing repairs or to change the flapper in your toilet, we are the York PA plumber to call at 717-755-5461.

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Should I Leave the Water Valve To My Boiler Open All the Time?

Furnace and Heat Systems, Heating / Tom Henry

The short answer is yes. Boilers have an automatic fill level with a built-in check valve. They are set to maintain a constant 15 pounds of pressure in your hot water boiler. No matter how long you leave the water on, this valve will keep the pressure at the recommended 15 pounds.

Usually, a hot water-based heating system is a closed system. This means the water is kept separate from potable or drinking water and can’t leak back into it. It also means you do NOT have to add additional water to your boiler. A good rule of thumb – just leave the water on and let it take care of itself.

So what happens if you DO turn the water off? Air rises faster and higher than water and you can end up with air in the radiators on higher floors. This stops the flow of hot water. You then have to use the bleeders on the boiler to bleed the air out which makes the pressure drop.

To keep the pressure constant in your boiler and to maintain the best function in your heating system, leave the water on.

Need Boiler Service?

Wilbur Henry is the expert to call to service your hot water radiators and boiler in York PA, call 717-755-5461.

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How Do You Know You Need A New Hot Water Heater?

Hot Water Heater, Plumbing, Question and Answer, York PA / Tom Henry

There are a few ways to determine if you need to have your hot water heater replaced.

The most apparent is when you notice leaks. Chances are, if your feet are getting wet it is time to take a serious look at the cause of the problem.

hot-water-heater-leaking

Relief Valve Leaking?

If you notice that the relief valve is dripping, there is over 150 pounds of pressure built up which indicates that either the expansion tank is bad, or the pressure-reducing valve at the meter is not operating properly. If you notice that the relief valve runs continuously, it’s probably not good. If it comes on and then goes off every so often, it’s because too much pressure is being built up.

Rust On The Exterior Of The Hot Water Heater?

Visible rust on the exterior of the unit will indicate a need for hot water heater replacement.

If you notice rust marks on the side it’s likely because the heater is leaking from the top. If there is rust at the burner, the unit may be leaking, but the water is evaporating before it makes it to the floor.

Water Heater Leaking By Burner

Expansion Tanks Help Relieve Pressure and Can Prolong The Life Of The Hot Water Heater

The expansion tank (if you have one) is located on top of the water heater. It can prolong the life of your water heater by taking the hammer shocks out of anything that uses a Expansion Tank For Hot Water Heater solenoid valve (like washing machines and dishwashers).

Water will expand as it heats which causes a rise in the pressure.

A Quick Water History Lesson

Years ago, the water would expand back into the street, but more recently the water companies have been using backflow preventers at the water meter. This gives the pressure no way to be relieved. The resulting build-up of excess pressure is then transferred to your pipes, appliances, fixtures, and hot water heater.

What An Expansion Tank Does

With the installation of an expansion tank and maintaining it, you give the pressure a way to be relieved. Maintain it by pressing in the Schrader valve every couple of years or annually to see whether air is in it or not. If water comes out of this valve, the rubber bladder inside has ruptured. Water is now against the steel in the expansion tank which inevitably will lead to leaking.

In Summary, A Leak Is Not What You Want To See.

Again, the most obvious sign that it’s time for hot water heater replacement is when you notice leaks.

If your feet get wet, it’s time for a hot water heater replacement. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact a professional plumber in York PA.

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Older Homes In York PA – Check Your Chimney Annually For Debris Build Up

Heating, How To Repair, York PA / Tom Henry

As a safety precaution home owners and property owners should make it a habit to check their chimneys annually to ensure there is no blockage for the furnace and hot water heater to vent out of the chimney.

York PA Residents – This Applies To You!!

This is more applicable to older homes that have brick chimneys. Which is the case with most homes in York City.

Who Does This Exclude?

If you have a chimney liner.
Electric hot water heater.
A high-efficiency furnace that vents through PVC out the side of your house.

Why Does This Happen?

With the older brick and mortar chimneys, the debris from the older brick and mortar deteriorates over time and falls to the bottom which is of course where your furnace and hot water heater are venting. Along with any dead birds, animals or other debris that has accumulated over time. If a build-up occurs and the air is not flowing correctly, asphyxiation and death could result for the people inside as well which is obviously a very serious problem.

This debris is loose and is like piling sand and dirt in the chimney, the vapors from the hot water heater and furnace can not escape. Thus backing up into the home or property. Note the picture below of how the loose brick broke away and fell to the bottom of the chimney. The pictures below came from one of our customers who did a chimney cleaning himself.

Checking Your Chimney Is Not That Hard To Do – With A Little Effort

As long as you are willing to get your hands a little dirty and invest a little time you can save a life and a service call.

To Get Started

Start in the basement, assuming your furnace and hot water heater are located there.

Check the air-flow at the air vent where the draft hood is by holding a match at the vent. You should see a strong draw up through the chimney, you should also be able to feel the draw of air on your hand.

If it’s a hazy smoke that is being drawn and not that strong you should pull the pipe stack off and check further.

Allow the smoke pipe to cool and then pull it out of the chimney. Often the smoke pipe will be set into the thimble (as in picture below) or chimney with mortar. If your smoke pipe easily comes apart, you can pull the joint out and leave the last six to ten inches there. Note in the picture below the pipes were disconnected to allow access to the chimney.

How To Disconnect Your Furnace Pipes

Okay The Pipes Are Apart Now What

Looking into the chimney you should be able to see daylight coming from above.

Inspect it with a flashlight and mirror while wearing a breathing apparatus to ensure there is not blockage.

Insert the mirror and angle up and you should see the opening at the end of the chimney and see daylight.

Using the flashlight look at the base of the chimney to see if any debris has accumulated. In the picture below, yes the customer could see daylight above, but as you can see there was quite a big pile of debris that had accumulated. The customer then used a shop vac to remove the debris.

Cleaning Chimney Debris

A good practice is to do regular maintenance on the furnace, and when you do, also check the chimney.

A Clean Chimney

Some furnaces will vent to the outside of the home through PVC so you will need to follow the PVC piping in order to identify where the exhaust exits. In that case you will not have this brick waste but still have to keep an eye out for any animals that entered the vent pipes.

Nonetheless, checking your furnace and regularly chimney cleaning can not only save you the cost of having someone else do it, but can also be life saving (quite literally). Most people should be able to do this themselves and dont realize that or how important it is.

Contact Wilbur Henry For Your HVAC needs In York PA

Wilbur Henry is the expert to call when you HVAC In York PA. When you need service we will treat you right.

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Keep The Stink Bugs Out Of Your Furnace!

Heating, How To Repair, Question and Answer / Tom Henry

Over the past few years “stink bugs” seem to be a growing problem in York PA and they can surely cause havoc in your home. Locally, HVAC service York PA has been very busy helping homeowners to keep the stink bugs out of the exhaust pipe and air intake. It is very important to have both of these possible entrances clear as they are accessible from the outside of the home.

They Are Just Looking For Heat Too..

Insects, mice, bees, and stink bugs enter the exhaust and air intake pipes as they seek the heat of the furnace in your home during cooler nights. One solution is to use chicken wire which will allow air to move through the pipes, but still act as a barrier for intruders.

If the stink bugs and other critters are able to enter the pipes, they will gum up the fan inducer which can burn the motor out. The chicken wire will help during all times of the year as long as the operation of the unit is not inhibited by a lesser flow of air through the pipes.

Depending on the length of the pipes, the further the run the less air flow which makes it more difficult for the fan inducer to activate the pressure switch with a negative draw. Chicken wire is generally safe because it?s a little bigger, but something more fine may cause the flow of air to be constricted, so a screen is not an ideal choice.

How Do You Know If You Restricted The Air Flow?

Put on the wire. Go back inside and start your furnace. If it comes on with ignition you will quickly know whether the fan inducer is receiving enough of a flow of air after turning on the furnace. The furnace will start working and blowing air. Something to keep in mind also, is that as air gets colder it becomes heavier which will also affect how well the air flows through the pipes.

Being Proactive Can Save You Money

You might save yourself a $400 fan inducer motor by being proactive.

Keep The Blockage Away From Exhaust Pipes – Plants, Tarps, Stacks Of Wood

Be sure to keep the pipe openings free of other blockage like tarps, plants in garden beds, and wood stacks too. Remember that the pipes need to effectively exhaust the CO2 and draw enough fresh air to maintain the pressure that the fan inducer needs to operate properly. Try to keep a three-foot radius open for the area around those pipes. Also, the air intake and exhaust pipe will generally be pointing in opposite directions because there would be very serious problems if the exhaust were to be sucked in by the intake.

Don’t feel comfortable installing a barrier for your exhaust pipe and air intake? Call a professional HVAC service technician to keep the stink bugs out at 717-755-5461.

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My Furnace Pilot Light Will Not Stay Lit

Heating, How To Repair, Question and Answer / Tom Henry

My furnace pilot light won’t stay lit! What do I do? There are a couple of possible reasons for your pilot not staying lit when you have furnace problems.

Either you aren’t holding the safety on long enough, or if you have a newer furnace, the flame sensor may be damaged or dirty.

Okay, So I Tried A Bunch Of Times.

If you have made several attempts to light your pilot and it does not light or stay lit, you may not be holding the safety in long enough. Make sure that you are holding the safety on for at least a full minute.

If after a full minute, the flame goes out when you let go of the safety, the pilot may be dirty. The flame should be blue and if it is white or has white tips, the pilot is dirty and must be taken apart and cleaned by a professional service technician. newer- furnace- with -out- pilot- light

Replace Your Thermocouple Every 5-6 Years

If you haven’t had a thermocouple replaced in five to six years, it is recommended you do that to make sure you won’t have problems with the pilot. Keep this is mind the next time the HVAC technician is at your house. Save yourself a service call in the future.

New Furnaces Do Not Have A Manual Pilot Light

Newer furnaces have no standing pilot. It’s either lit by a globe coil or spark ignition. In this case, there isn’t a thermocouple either. These units use a flame sensor.

Furnace Goes Off and On Repeatedly?

If you notice that the furnace comes on and goes off repeatedly with a gas burner, check to make sure that the flame sensor is clear of carbon buildup. The flame sensor is made of white porcelain and has a metal rod coming out of it. If you find that the sensor appears to be dirty, use steel wool or sandpaper to clean the electrode (metal rod) and save yourself from the cost of calling a technician. Otherwise, the carbon build-up causes the burner to short-cycle.

You Gave It A Go-To Fix, But Time To Make The Call…

Some furnace-related problems are a little more complex. If it seems like what you’re experiencing is not something you can fix yourself, give Wilbur Henry Plumbing, Heating, and A/C a call and we can get you back in business in a snap. Call 717-755-5461. We can help with your HVAC repair needs!

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How Often You Should Flush Your Hot Water Heater

Blog Posts, Hot Water Heater, How To Repair, Question and Answer / Tom Henry

Hot water heater maintenance is often overlooked, but very important. Maintenance on your hot water heater should take place at least once a year.

To Get Started – It Is Pretty Easy…

What you can do is use a five-gallon bucket to allow the water from the hot water heater to drain into. Draining all of the water isn’t usually necessary and you can just flush the bottom to remove the calcium and dirt. Otherwise, it acts as an insulator because the burner is on the bottom and if you have an inch of sediment, your burner needs to run much longer to maintain the desired temperature.

Newer hot water heaters run the cold tube through the bottom which helps to keep the calcium and dirt flushed out. If the burner comes on and you hear crackling, it’s because of the sediment on the bottom of the water heater. If you hear that, try flushing a gallon or two of water out to loosen the debris and remove it.

Locate The Relief Valve

If you’re going to flush the water or drain it completely, attach a hose to the bottom. The drain is located at the bottom of the tank within the hot water heater unit. When you drain a water heater, open the relief valve (which is at the top and noted on the right) to allow air to come into the tank, otherwise, there will be a vacuum and it won’t allow the water to flow out.

Just A Few Gallons Not Completely

Avoid draining it completely unless necessary! This should only be done in extreme circumstances. Typically, if you need to drain the entire tank it’s probably time to replace the hot water heater.

Let It Cool Before Adding Back The Cold Water

The worst thing you can do is drain a hot water heater to put cold water back in it. They? re glass-lined and can be cracked due to the difference in temperatures. Allow the heater to cool to about room temperature before refilling.

If you don’t feel comfortable handling hot water heater maintenance yourself, seek the assistance of a professional service technician like Wilbur Henry. Contact us today at 717-755-5461 or use our contact form, and let us do the hot water heater maintenance for you!

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