DIY Ways to Fix a Toilet That Won’t Flush
Can’t flush? Here’s what to do. Think it’s a clog? Try the good ol’ toilet plunger. A classic go-to. You can also try a toilet auger made specifically for larger pipes. Augers use a rotating action that can help break through tough clogs. Your water level might be too low. Pop the top off the toilet tank. Depending on what type of fill valve you have, all you have to do is bend the float rod gently upwards to increase the water fill level in the tank or bend it downwards to lower the fill level. Test the flush and [...]
Household Items You Should Never Flush Down the Toilet
It can be tempting to flush something down the toilet out of convenience. However, just because something can be flushed doesn’t mean it should be. Here is a list of household items you should never flush down your toilet. • Cotton products — Q-tips, cotton balls, cotton pads • Wipes • Dental floss • Paper towels • Anything “flushable” At Burton, we recommend homeowners be skeptical of any items categorized as “flushable.” To determine if something is genuinely flushable, that would require all toilets to be engineered the same. The amount of water in your toilet and your sewer line’s [...]
7 Tell-Tale Signs That You Need Your Drains Cleaned!
Amongst endless chores, we often find ourselves neglecting our plumbing system. Don’t ignore issues when drains start acting up or you’ll end up in a mess! Drains that require cleaning can cause damage, so it’s important to look out for signs that you may need your drains cleaned. How do you know that it's time to clean the drains in your house? Here are some obvious ways your drainage system is trying to show you that you need a drain cleaning. Slow Drains Have you noticed that it's taking longer than usual for the water to go down the kitchen [...]
Why You Should Install a Whole House Water Filtration System
The repetition of water usage is so baked into our daily lives we rarely contemplate it. Busy routines and household chores leave little time to question what is lurking in our water. However, there are many key warning signs you might be brushing off that need to be addressed. A few symptoms of contaminated water that need attention are: 1.Dry hair and skin 2.Faded clothes 3.Mineral buildup around faucets and showerheads 4.A filmy haze on your drinking glass If you notice any of these side effects, consider calling a Burton professional to install a whole house water filtration system. A [...]
Everything You Need to Know about Water Heater Replacement
Water heaters are a crucial part of every household. They give you warm and hot water whenever you want.. But what happens if something goes awry you need a replacement? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about water heater replacement. How Long do Water Heaters Last? Traditional water heaters with tanks should last up to 8-12 years and tankless water heaters can last over 20 years. Manufacturers generally suggest a water heater replacement every 12 years for traditional heaters and every 20 years for tankless water heaters. However, these estimations are not guaranteed. Water heaters may last [...]
What to do When Your Pipes Freeze
Pipes can be prone to freezing during the excruciatingly cold midwestern temperatures. Even pipes that do not usually freeze are not immune to the extreme cold. If you find yourself without running water, here are a few things you can try before calling a plumber. 1. Try to thaw the pipe with a space heater or hairdryer Surrounding the frozen pipe with heat can help melt the ice and create movement in the pipe again. However, be prepared for some cleanup. Once the ice melts, the blockage could leak out of the pipes once thawed. Start with the section closest [...]
Need Help with Sump Pump Maintenance?
Sump pumps, located at the lowermost part of your home, help prevent damage to your home by keeping your foundation dry and discourages flooding. To ensure your sump pump is in good working condition during an emergency, be sure to do a maintenance check 2-3 times a year. Maintenance Checklist: Unplug the sump pump to avoid electrical shock Empty the basin of standing water Remove debris in and around the basin Pour water into the basin to ensure it is draining properly Inspect sump pump for rust or corrosion Remove debris and blockage from pipe where water is discharged from [...]
How to Be Kind to Your Plumbing While Everyone’s Home
Now that many of us are spending more time in the comfort of our homes, we’re (ahem) using the plumbing much more frequently. There are items that are obviously not flushable, but it can get a little confusing. We’re here to help you out! Don’t flush wipes. This includes disinfectant wipes, baby wipes and even the ones that claim they are ‘flushable.’ These wipes don’t break down as easily as toilet paper and can eventually cause you and your community major plumbing issues. So, just go ahead and throw it in the trashcan instead. In fact, a lot of the [...]
Burton Identified as an Essential Business During COVID-19
Omaha, NE – The President and U.S. Department of Homeland Security has identified plumbers and other service providers as “essential critical infrastructure workers” during the COVID-19 threat. In response to the announcement, Mark Evans, owner and president of Burton A/C, Heating, Plumbing and More has issued a personal statement promising to continue protecting the Omaha community and ensuring the continuity of functions critical to public health and safety. “I want the Omaha community to know we are taking every precautionary measure to ensure the health and safety of our valued customers and employees. Our business will stay open and be [...]
How to Retrieve Jewelry that Fell Down the Drain!
Have you ever lost jewelry down the drain? Panic can set in quickly, especially if the item is valuable! Don’t worry! You may be able to retrieve the jewelry yourself. Before you call a plumber, take a deep breath and read on for helpful tips on how to retrieve lost jewelry from the drain! Step 1: Turn off the water and consider shutting off the valve to prevent the jewelry from potentially traveling into the sewer. Next, locate the pipes below the sink and identify the P-Trap. This is the ‘u’ shaped area of the pipe. Step 2: Before removing a portion [...]
How to Keep Water Out of Your Basement
Even though flooded basements are one of the unfortunate aspects of Spring, they still can happen almost any time of year. So, doesn’t it make sense to give your home year-round protection? Obviously, you want to take every affordable step you can to keep water out of your basement. And yet sometimes, that isn’t enough, or the solution is not currently within your budget. That’s where sump pumps can help. Your first line of defense is a main sump pump. Even if it appears to be working fine, it could stop working for a number of reasons, including loss of [...]
Under Pressure: Frozen Pipes
When water freezes it expands. If it expands too much, pipes can burst, water can escape, and you could be facing serious damage in your home. Winter in the Midwest often means days or weeks on end of single digit temperatures, meaning we’re at a high risk for winter damage like frozen pipes. Here are some safety measures you can take during extreme cold weather, and what to do (or not do) if you suspect your pipes are already frozen: Preventing Frozen Pipes In Your Home Leave your doors and cabinets open. Obviously, this is only meant for interior [...]