Horsch $ Miller Plumbing & Heating

Friday, October 25, 2013

Plumbing Emergency tips | Emergency Plumbing Milwaukee

It's nice to have these things handy when an emergecy plumbing situation occures.   Don't forget that we are available 24 hours to help with your Emergecy Plumbing in Milwaukee.  Call us at 262-644-5466.



  • Use a five gallon bucket as a tool holder. And if a leak springs mid-project, it'll catch the water. A tool caddy can also be attached to the bucket providing a place for everything.
  • Keep a forced cup and a regular plunger handy. Each plunger has its own specific use and provides extra unclogging power.
  • Wrenches are essential in plumbing. A pair of medium sized slip joint pliers and an adjustable wrench should cover most jobs, along with various sized wrenches.
  • A multi-bit screwdriver can reduce the number of tools that need to be carried around on the job.
  • An assortment of Allen keys is very handy and has many uses.
  • Duct tape and leak sealing tape can help out in a plumbing emergency until a permanent fix can be made. Teflon tape will seal up leaks from around threaded connections.
  • A variety of blind caps can help you see your way through repairing a broken valve.
  • Heavy duty paper towels or rags will help clean up water from small leaks.
Emergency Tips
  • Always know where the main water shut-off valve is located in case of a leak.
  • Know how to turn off the water heater. If it's a gas water heater, turn the switch to the "pilot" position.
  • Isolation valves located at each fixture will stop the flow of water to that location. This allows water to continue to service the remainder of the house while the leak is being repaired. It's a good idea to turn on and off each isolation valve in the house at least once a year to keep them in good working condition.
  • Using two wrenches at once turning in opposite directions is called "backing off" and allows the wrench to absorb the stress and not the plumbing.
  • Slip joint pliers can be used to loosen the collar nuts on a drain line.
  • If a supply tube break off is causing a leak, screw in a blind cap to seal off the leak until it can be fixed.
  • Occasionally, the ferrules in a supply tube can get scratched or dented causing water to leak. Use Teflon tape around the ferrule until a permanent repair can be made.
  • Use duct tape or pipe sealing tape to pull together a crack in a pipe, reducing the leak as a temporary solution.
  • A cup plunger can be used for small drains like bath tubs, showers and lavatory sinks. Forced cup plungers have a funnel that can apply extra force down the drain, which is good for sinks or toilets.
  • When unclogging a kitchen sink, use a second plunger to cover the other drain to get the most force to remove the clog.
  • To unclog a toilet, use a forced cup plunger.
  • For bathtub clogs, unscrew the chrome cap — this exposes the entire drain. Once the mechanism is removed, you'll be able to see the clog. Put the plunger on the drain, and then use the second plunger to plug up the tub's overflow. Plunge the drain to remove the clog.
  • Allen wrenches are useful for working on a faucet and garbage disposals.
Horsch & Miller Plumbing and Heating serves Slinger, Jackson, Milwaukee And surrounding areas with full service Emergency repairs and Furnace Replacements. Service when you need it, with competitive pricing. We will send you a qualified technician, not a salesman, who knows how to complete his task within a minimum amount of time. Whatever and whenever you need us, Heating and Air Conditioning Repair and Service, or Plumbing Repair and services. We are here to serve you, our loyal customers.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Furnace Repair Slinger Wi | Horsch & Miller Heating

Furnace Repair and proper maintenance can save you from needing a Furnace Replacement in the near future. Slinger has 4 seasons. It is important to make sure that your Furnace is working properly all year round.


Heating systems are usually trouble-free and easy to maintain. Efficient operation is a function of good regular maintenance. No matter what type of furnace you have, there are several things you can do to keep your heating system in top condition. In this article, we will tell you how to service and troubleshoot your furnace, regardless of the type.
When a heating or cooling system malfunctions, any one of its three components -- heat/cold source, distribution system, or thermostat -- may be causing the problem. If the furnace or air conditioner doesn't run, the malfunction is probably at the source. The furnace or air conditioner may have lost power. Fuel may not be reaching the unit. If the fuel is gas or oil, it may not be igniting. If the furnace or air conditioner turns on but the warm or cool air isn't reaching the rooms of your home, the problem is likely to be the blower or distribution system. And a faulty control, or thermostat, could keep the system from turning on or could cause it to turn on and off repeatedly. Whatever the problem, start with the simplest procedures. In most cases, all it takes is patience and common sense.
Before you start work on a heating or cooling system, take these preliminary steps:

  • Make sure the unit is receiving power. Look for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers at the main entrance panel. Some furnaces have a separate power entrance, usually located at a different panel near the main entrance panel. Some furnaces have fuses mounted in or on the unit.
  • If the unit has a reset button, marked RESET and near the motor housing, wait 30 minutes to let the motor cool, then press the button. If the unit still doesn't start, wait 30 minutes and press the reset button again. Repeat at least once more.
  • If the unit has a separate power switch, make sure the switch is turned on.
  • Check to make sure the thermostat is properly set. If necessary, raise (or, for an air conditioner, lower) the setting 5ยบ.
  • If the unit uses gas, check to make sure the gas supply is turned on and the pilot light is lit. If it uses oil, check to make sure there is an adequate supply of oil.
There are also several important safety factors to remember:

  • Before doing any work on any type of heating or cooling system, make sure all power to the system is turned off. At the main electrical entrance panel, trip the circuit breaker or remove the fuse that controls the power to the unit. If you're not sure which circuit the system is on, remove the main fuse or trip the main circuit breaker to cut off all power to the house. Some furnaces have a separate power entrance, usually at a different panel near the main entrance panel. If a separate panel is present, remove the fuse or trip the breaker there.
  • If the fuse blows or the circuit trips repeatedly when the furnace or air conditioner turns on, there is a problem in the electrical system. In this case, do not try to fix the furnace. Call a professional service person.
  • If the unit uses gas and there is a smell of gas in your home, do not try to shut off the gas or turn any lights on or off. Get out of the house, leaving the door open, and immediately call the gas company or the fire department to report a leak. Do not reenter your home.
  • To keep your heating and cooling systems in top shape, have them professionally serviced once a year. The best time to have a furnace serviced is at the end of the heating season. Because this is the off-season, you can often get a discount, and service is likely to be prompt. Have your air conditioner checked at the same time.
The heat/cold source is the most complicated part of the heating and cooling system, and it's the part most likely to suffer from neglect. Problems in this area may also lead to distribution problems. Whatever heat/cold source your system uses, give it regular attention to prevent problems.
Dirt is the biggest enemy of your home's heating and cooling system. It can waste fuel and drastically lower efficiency. Dirt affects all three basic components of the system, so cleaning is the most important part of regular maintenance. Lubrication and belt adjustment at the furnace are also important.

Click here to continue



Horsch & Miller Plumbing and Heating serves Slinger, Jackson, Milwaukee And surrounding areas with full service Emergency repairs and Furnace Replacements.  Service when you need it, with competitive pricing. We will send you a qualified technician, not a salesman, who knows how to complete his task within a minimum amount of time. Whatever and whenever you need us, Heating and Air Conditioning Repair and Service, or Plumbing Repair and services. We are here to serve you, our loyal customers.
Our clients love usRead what they have to say about us