1. Low Water Pressure.
If you're experiencing low water pressure from your kitchen or bathroom faucet, try cleaning or replacing the aerator. Over time, aerators get clogged with minerals or other bits of stuff that break loose from the inside of the pipes. You can easily remove the aerator with a pair of pliers. Simply turn it clockwise when you're looking down on it. Once removed, you can either take the parts out and clean them, or sometimes its easier to just take it to the hardware store to find a match and replace it.
2. Small Pipe Leak.
The next time you see a puddle of water, don't jump on the phone to call a plumber. First, try looking for a leaky valve to see if water is leaking out around the valve stem. If it is, use a wrench to try turning the packing nut about an eighth turn. If tightening the nut doesn't fix the leak, you'll need to shut off the main water valve, remove the handle and nut, and then add to or replace the packing material. This is still a pretty easy fix.
3. No Hot Water.
The first thing you should do is make sure the water heater pilot light is on. Remove the metal cover located at the bottom of the water heater or simply look through the glass door to see if it's lit. If you do not see a small flame, follow the instructions for relighting it. There should be a label pasted to the tank with these instructions. Some newer high-efficiency water heaters won't have a pilot light that stays lit the entire time. If that's the case, check your owners manual.
4. Refrigerator Not Cooling.
This may sound like common sense, but check the temperature dial first. The dial could easily be bumped by food or if you have children they could have messed with it. It is not uncommon to find the controls set wrong. If the dial is set right, check the cooling coils. Cooling coils completely caked with pet hair and dust are also incredibly common. Remove the front grille and vacuum the coils.
5. No Flame for Gas Burners.
Be sure to check the stove power source first. If you don't hear gas coming out when the burner is turned on, gas isn't getting to the stove. In this case, make sure the gas is turned on. If you hear gas coming out but the burner won't light, make sure the stove is plugged in. If the stove is getting gas and has power, clean the igniter near the burner or clean out the pilot light hole. However, if you smell gas coming from some place other than the burners, you should definitely call a professional as it may be very dangerous.6. Electric Stove Burner Not Heating.
Sometimes cleaning your stove can cause these problems. There is a possibility that when you slid the burner back into the top, the terminal didn't engage with the receptacle under the stove top or the plastic terminal block got knocked out of its holder. Lift the stove top and try re-installing the terminal block. You can also try spreading the terminals slightly to create a tighter connection.
7. Electrical Outlet Not Working.
Sometimes outlets are set on a switch, be sure that your switch is turned on if that is the case. If that is not the issue, reset your GFCI electrical outlets. Some outlets are protected by GFCIs or GFCI circuit breakers. Look in the circuit box for a GFCI circuit breaker and in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms for GFCI outlets. Test and reset them. This may solve your problem. If that doesn't work, its probably time to consult with an electrician, as working with electricity can be dangerous.
8. Not Getting Enough Heat.
One of the most common causes of insufficient heat or cooled air is a plugged furnace filter. Change inexpensive woven fiberglass filters once a month or buy a better-quality pleated filter. Those better ones will only need changed every three months to avoid heating and cooling problems. Another common cause for cold rooms is a blocked cold air return. Be sure your couch or an area rug is not covering a cold air return vent because this can slow the entry of heated air into the room.
9. Not Working or Clogged Garbage Disposal.
First of all, never put your hand down the garbage disposal! If the disposal won't even turn on check the power source and breaker. Also try pushing the reset button. If you think something is jammed in the disposal, find the hex wrench that came with your disposal, insert it into the hole and move it back and forth in both directions to free the impellers. If you can't do that, put a short broom stick into the disposal and try to rotate the impeller that way. If you find something hard in there, use tongs or pliers to try to get it out.
So save yourself some money and try these tips before calling a professional. Mission Bay is here to help you with all of your homeowner needs. Our lake view and lakefront homes at the Lake of the Ozarks offer Lake Living at its finest. If you're in the market for a new home this season, contact us at 573-216-5311.
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CONTACT US
Phone: (573) 873-3465
237 Mission Bay Blvd.
Camdenton, MO 65020
