When your families and friends come together for the holidays, plumbing is the last topic on your mind.
Dripping faucets, slow-draining sinks, and stinky garbage disposals are annoying but likely at the bottom of your holiday to-do list.
At Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, we correct all plumbing issues, big and small. We handle leaks that have lingered for months and overflowing drains that clogged just minutes ago.
We strongly urge you to call us at the first sign of a potential problem so we can fix it before it becomes a costly, messy disaster. Our qualified plumbing specialists work with water supply lines, drains, gas lines, fixtures, water heaters, sump pumps, and more.
Call Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical today to eliminate any drips, leaks, and clogs before they interfere with holiday plans in your Strongsville home.
Be Prepared
Prevention is the key to avoiding plumbing emergencies. Ask us at Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical’s about hydro jetting to eliminate tree roots and other materials from your main sewer line. A thorough cleaning will reduce the risk of clogs and drain overflows.
When was the last time you maintained your water heater? A tune-up this season will keep hot water flowing when you need it most.
We can avoid a home decorating emergency by swapping old bathroom and kitchen fixtures for new, water-saving models. We offer solutions for every plumbing problem.
You can help to keep your plumbing in good shape during the holidays and beyond. Here are a few tips:
Toilet
- Keep a garbage bag-lined wastebasket in the bathroom, giving family and guests an appropriate place to dispose of paper and hygiene products.
- Keep a plunger in the bathroom or a utility closet nearby.
- If your toilet runs until you jiggle the handle or physically open the tank and move the flapper into place, the solution is repair. Save yourself and your guests from a do-it-yourself hassle by asking us at Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical to replace worn parts.
Garbage Disposal
- Avoid grinding fruit pits and nuts, stringy vegetables such as celery and onion skins, grease and oil, pasta and rice, bones and seafood shells, potato peels, and coffee grounds. Peel brand stickers off of fruits and veggies and toss them in the trash.
- Instead of grinding old medication in your disposal or flushing it in the toilet, turn it into a drug take-back program in Strongsville. You can also safely mix the medicine with coffee grounds in a lidded container and place it in a bag inside your trash.
- Always run cold water when your disposal is grinding.
- Avoid overloading your garbage disposal.
Although medication might not harm your garbage disposal grinder or toilet, it can taint the water supply. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), prescription and over-the-counter drugs can seep into the ground from septic tanks and affect groundwater. They may pass through municipal water treatment plants and poison rivers and lakes.
Showers and Sinks
- Devices that fit into your shower drain and catch hair can reduce clogs.
- Place a drain strainer in your kitchen sink to catch food scraps.
- If the water in your bathroom sink seems to take forever to drain, you can try plunging to dislodge clogs or call us at Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical’s to diagnose and repair the problem. If all your sinks and shower drains are slow, your main sewer line may be clogged.
Put Plumbing on Your To-Do List
Turn your plumbing problems in Strongsville, OH, over to our experts at Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical. Call us at 330-723-4104 or request service online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Knowing where your main shut-off is can save major damage if a supply line leaks while you have guests over. In many Strongsville-area homes, it is near where the water line enters the house, by the water meter, or in a basement utility area. Turn it slowly to confirm it moves, then turn it back on fully so you do not restrict water flow. If the valve is stuck or looks corroded, have a plumber replace it before it becomes an emergency.
Shut off water to the fixture if there is a local valve, or use the main shut-off if needed. Put a bucket or towels down to control water and keep the area dry, especially near outlets or appliances. Avoid using tape as a long-term fix because it rarely holds under pressure. If you need fast help in Medina County, Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical can diagnose the cause and repair it the right way.
Many chemical drain cleaners can damage certain pipes, eat away at seals, and create fumes that make a professional repair harder. They can also sit in standing water and become a safety hazard. If a drain is slow or backed up, a safer first step is to stop using water at that fixture and get a proper diagnosis. A plumber can clear the clog without risking your plumbing system.
Low water pressure during peak use can point to a partially closed shut-off valve, buildup in plumbing lines, aging fixtures, or a pressure regulator that is not keeping up. In some cases, it can also be related to a water heater or supply-line issue. If your home struggles when several bathrooms are running, Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical can pinpoint the bottleneck and recommend a practical fix.
Yes, it can. Many dishwashers drain into the same plumbing as the kitchen sink, so a partial clog can show up as gurgling, slow draining, or water backing up when the dishwasher runs. If you notice standing water after a cycle, pause dishwasher use and have the drain line checked before it turns into an overflow.
Check under sinks, behind toilets, around the base of the water heater, and at laundry hookups for dampness or staining. Also look for cabinet swelling, musty smells, or peeling paint near plumbing walls. Catching a small leak early can help prevent water damage and mold during a busy holiday week.
Keep your thermostat at a steady temperature, avoid shutting heat off completely, and ask a neighbor to check the home if you will be gone for several days. It also helps to know where the main shut-off is in case someone needs to turn water off quickly. If you have a history of plumbing issues in winter, schedule an inspection before you leave for peace of mind.
Spread out heavy water use when possible, fix any running toilets quickly, and avoid flushing anything besides waste and toilet paper. If you are hosting a full house, being mindful of extra laundry loads and back-to-back showers can reduce stress on the system. A local plumber can help you understand warning signs of septic trouble before it turns into a backup.
