Buckeye Plumbing

Professional service when you need it!  330-877-3122

         Newsletter 3,  July 3, 2009

Quote of the month

“You’re either the hammer or you’re the nail.”

TD Talbott  

Special of the month: marked showerheads and sinks

What can go wrong?

 We all have them, and sometimes have problems with them, TOILETS!  

  Here are a few common problems that we run into frequently:

A.           Warped or irregular tank lever – Old tank levers can bend, crack or stick over time, changing the way the flapper operates.  When the flapper can’t complete the full range of motion, each flush will be too short or too long.  In some cases, the lever can freeze the flapper in the open position, creating a constant drain and refill of water to the tank.

B.           Warped or misaligned flapper – When the flapper looses its ability to properly seal against the flush valve, water leaks into the bowl causing the tank to constantly refill or “run”.  A frequent need to “jiggle” the flush handle is a symptom of a faulty flapper that isn’t closing properly.

C.          Faulty seal beneath the flush valve – The gasket between the tank and bowl can harden and crack over time, allowing water to seep out from the tank drain opening.  Sometimes this will appear on the floor, other times it will end up in the bowl and you will notice the tank refilling on its own or “running.”

D.          Fill valve out of adjustment – Too little water and the toilet will not completely flush.  Too much water and the water goes down the overflow and continues to refill or “run.”

E.           Defective wax seal – Water can appear on the floor or in the ceiling below if the wax seal is not in good shape.  Loose bolts can allow for rocking which can in turn lead to a bad seal.  Water damage to the floor and/or ceiling below and a rotted flange can result from this problem.

  Beating the Beetles

Hand Picking

If Japanese beetle infestations are light, the safest and most inexpensive route to killing the beetles is to pick them off the plants by hand and drop them into a bucket of soapy water.

Pesticides

A number of pesticides are available against Japanese beetles. Some ingredients to look for on pesticide packaging include carbaryl, acephate, and permethrin.

 Organic, neem-based pesticides can also provide good control, as can insecticidal soaps. Note: Insecticidal soaps will kill the beetles, but don't provide any ongoing protection to your plants.

Get Rid of Grubs

While it's the adult Japanese beetles that cause the most damage, their larval form -- grubs -- can also cause lawn problems. If your lawn has a grub infestation, treating for the grubs will kill most of them before they can emerge as adult beetles.

A number of grub-killing products are quite effective. There are also organic options including beneficial nematodes.

Kill Them Quickly

The beetles release chemicals called pheromones into the air. These pheromones attract other beetles. So if you see a few of the bugs, they'll probably attract more. Get rid of Japanese beetles early, before they can invite more of their friends to feed on your plants.

Avoid Traps

University research indicates that using Japanese beetle traps can actually make problems worse. The traps are intended to trap and kill the beetles in your yard. However, they use pheromones to attract the beetles to the traps. And these pheromones bring more beetles into your yard than the traps can catch.

Timing

Japanese beetles tend to be most active when temperatures are over 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the air is relatively still. Be especially watchful for new beetles coming into your yard during these conditions.

Pick the Right Plants

While Japanese beetles eat hundreds of different plants, they do tend to avoid:

Arborvitae,  Boxwood,  Dogwood, Firs, Hemlock, Holly, Junipers, Lilac, Magnolia, Oaks, Pines, R edbud, R ed maple, R hododendron

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/pests/insects-diseases-weeds/stop-japanese-beetles/

Updating your bathroom or kitchen?  We can help!

We have an incredible deal on granite vanity tops this summer.  Select from a variety of colors and sizes that will update your current bathroom, as well as a great selection of the latest fixtures to choose from.  Call, email, stop by our office and schedule a meeting to put your thoughts into plans.

We will give you a free consultation, a preliminary design plan and a free estimate for your project.  No projects too big or small.  Stop by the showroom, or check online to see the colors and sizes of granite available.  

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