Disposal, Not Dispose-all
Garbage disposals are extremely useful to have in the home, but without proper use they can become worn and break down. All Star Plumbing and Restoration can help when the garbage disposal is having issues, however, not everything belongs in the garbage disposal. In an effort to prevent clogs and problems from happening, follow these guidelines of what not to put in the garbage disposal:
Hard items
- Shellfish shells
- Popcorn kernels
- Bones
Starchy items
- Banana peels
- Potato peelings
- Fruit pits
- Corn husks
Trash
- Bottle caps
- Twist ties
- Hair
- Grease
- Sponges
Try to avoid putting large items into the garbage disposal. Cut them up if necessary or just throw them away instead. It also helps to run cold water while the garbage disposal is on, and up to a minute after the waste has gone down the drain. This keep everything from overheating.
If the garbage disposal does happen to malfunction, call All Star Plumbing and Restoration. They can get it back up and running properly in no time.
April Showers Bring Spring Flooding
April Showers bring May Flowers. They can also bring flooding, which is never fun to deal with. Just one inch of water flooding a home can cause thousands of dollars in damage. To minimize the amount of damage, homeowners should be aware of the proper steps to take.
Start by assessing the amount of water that has entered the home and what caused it. Calling the experts at All Star Plumbing and Restoration can be an important first step in restoring your home to normal. Although much of the water damage is easily apparent, hidden water damage can also occur and, left untreated, can quickly become a mold problem. Restoration professionals have experience and the proper tools to quickly correct the water damage. For those do-it-yourself folks, here are a few considerations to keep in mind before you start on the clean up:
- Because flooding can cause mold and mildew, it is recommended homeowners put on a facemask before cleaning the basement. Then open vents and windows to begin letting fresh air flow through the basement.
- If the basement has carpet, it may be necessary to pull the carpet completely out. It is almost impossible to completely dry out carpet in place once it has been saturated with water. Carpet removal is just one of All Star Plumbing and Restoration’s services. If the floors happen to be tile or concrete, homeowners can sometimes just use a mop and towels to soak up the majority of the water.
- Sanitize the floor with a cleaning solution, water and bleach work well, and then let it dry. Turning on fans and setting up a humidifier will help dry the space out too.
Because dealing with water damage can be stressful, the professionals at All Star Plumbing and Restoration offer dry-out services. They can take care of the entire restoration process for the homeowner, minimizing, or even eliminating, the damages and preventing mold development.
If spring floods occurs, don’t take any chances. Contact All Star Plumbing and Restoration immediately.
Five O’clock Somewhere
Over the years, entertaining has moved from the living room, to the heart of the home, the kitchen. Drink carts are becoming a thing of the past, making room for the fully-equipped wet bar. They transform what would be an ordinary space into the perfect entertaining space.
There are many different types of wet bars that can be installed in a home. Here are the different types explained:
Butler’s Pantry Bar
This type of bar is designed to resemble oversized furniture pieces, or a built-in. The upper cabinets show off the impressive array of glasses, while icemakers and other functional pieces are hidden behind the cabinetry.
Seated Bar
This spot is a favorite for its versatility. Not only can it be used for entertaining, it can be the perfect spot to sip that first cup of coffee in the morning, or prepare snacks for the kids after school. The inner workings of the bar are hidden behind the counter, similar to a restaurant bar.
Anywhere-It-Fits Bar
With the help of a plumber, like those at All Star Plumbing and Restoration, homeowners can tap into their existing water line and utilize a closet or other area by turning it into a bar. They can be the perfect space to chill beer and hold the basics.
The Old-Fashioned
Some people find a bar from an old pub, and turn it into a working bar for the home. These can then be reworked to allow for sink plumbing, fridges and other gadgets.
A wet bar can be a great asset to the home for those who love to entertain but some planning has to go into it. Floor plans must be made, water lines tapped, new pipes installed and water drainage established. For this kind of project, contacting a plumber is a smart move.
Hose Bib Installation
Hose bibs come in handy for a lot of activities, especially in the summer. Southern Idaho experiences a lot of heat during the summer months, making it imperative to have water handy outside the home for gardening, sprinklers and more.
All Star Plumbing and Restoration can easily and quickly install a hose bib outside of the house before the summer heat hits. A hose bib can eliminate the need to stretch a garden hose around the entire house. They also enable homeowners to water animals or the garden with ease and without needing to carry large buckets of water.
Frost proof hose bibs are also offered by All Star. These have a longer stem so they are more connected to a heated space. This keeps them from freezing next winter and consequently freezing water lines inside the home.
Let All Star Plumbing and Restoration make outside water usage easier this summer by installing a hose bib.
Dishwashers: Not Just for Dishes
Dishwashers are one of those appliances that people take for granted, until they move into a home without one. They are the ultimate convenience appliance, next to the microwave. However, just because it is called a dishwasher, doesn’t mean that’s all it’s good for! There are some random household items that the dishwasher is great at cleaning.
Food wise, potatoes are easily cleaned in the dishwasher. No more endlessly scrubbing every speck of dirt off. Just put them through the rinse and hold cycle. It has also been proven that salmon can be cooked in the dishwasher, however it could have an unpleasant effect on the dishwasher and probably won’t taste all that great.
Ever wonder how to clean makeup brushes or toothbrushes? The dishwasher! Just put them in the silverware holder about once a month. Hair brushes and combs can also be thrown in once a month for a thorough cleaning.
Ball caps and sports gear that are in need of a deep clean to get rid of sweat fit perfectly in the top rack of the dishwasher. Baseball caps tend to get bent in the washing machine, but stay perfectly shaped when washed in the dishwasher.
Plastic children’s and dog toys can get pretty disgusting from slobber, hair and other debris. They can also be thrown in the dishwasher for a reassuring deep clean. Use the top rack and they will be good to go.
There are many more items that can be cleaned in the dishwasher, these were just a few suggestions. Now, go take full advantage of the dishwasher and use it for more than just dishes. It will make cleaning household items a lot easier.
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