Out Of Toilet Paper

No Toilet Paper?

What to do. What NOT to do.

If you are all out of Toilet Paper and there is no more. Blame it on the hoarders! But, seriously do not flush paper towels or napkins. These things do not dissolve quickly in water, the fibers do not break down the same as toilet paper and are likely to cause your toilet to back up. Other things you should not flush: Baby Wipes, even if they say flushable, Cotton Swabs of any kind, Cotton pads, Cigarette Butts, Kitty Litter, Hair, Gum, Grease, Food, Menstrual products, Condoms, Diapers, Dental Floss, Medication, Bleach. Or, should we say just don’t flush anything except toilet paper or you could have plumbing problems.

Heating Oil Facts

Using heating oil to heat your home is cost efficient and effective.

Some facts about heating oil from maine.gov

For average oil prices visit https://www.maine.gov/energy/fuel_prices/

The Governor’s Energy Office conducts a weekly survey of heating fuel prices during the heating season from the beginning of October to the end of March. During the rest of the year, the GEO releases a bi-weekly update.

Different fuels emit different amounts of carbon dioxide in relation to the energy they produce when burned. 

Maine is the most petroleum dependent state for home heating.

Maine had the highest per capita consumption of heating oil in 2012.

Maine homeowners pay more per month on heating oil than any other energy expense.

Approximately 18 million American homes rely on oil to heat each winter.

Heating oil is a low viscosity, liquid petroleum product used as a fuel oil for furnaces or boilers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Heat Pumps

How does a heat pump work?

In order to heat your home, the heat pump will extract the air from outside and transfer it inside of your home. In order to cool your home, the heat pump will work in the opposite manner by removing the heat that is inside of your home.

Can you save money with a heat pump?

Yes! By using a heat pump to heat and cool your home, you are able to reduce energy consumption and therefore save money.

How can you increase your savings even more?

A lot of home and business owners keep their heat pumps around 68 degrees, but when you are away from home or going to sleep, you can often turn your heat pump’s temperature down several degrees reducing your costs even more.

Are heat pumps efficient?

Yes! One of the major benefits of a heat pump is that it is so efficienet, even in the cold weather months. Home and business owners find this to be a much better option than turning up the thermostat.

Don't Flush It

Flushing anyting other than toilet paper and human waste down your toilet can wreak havoc on your plumbing and the environment. Here is a list of  items that are never okay to flush.

• Paper Towels
• Tissues
• Cat litter 
• Fish
• Disposable Diapers
• Baby Wipes/Hygiene Wipes
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Cotton Balls/Q-Tips
• Storm Water 
• Medication
• Dental Floss
• Dirt 
• Oil/Grease 
• Garbage 

How Important Is Heating System Maintenance?

Everything from our cars to our bodies need maintenance. Your furnace or boiler is no different. Having inspections and maintenance performed on your furnace or boiler by a professional is essential and here are some reasons why.

• You work hard for your money. Don't throw it out the window. The better you care for your furnace or boiler, the less money you will have to spend in the long run. 
• Well-kept heating systems last longer. The longer you can extend the life of your heating systems, the less new heating systems you will have to purchase. 
• Regular inspections by a professional are the best way to catch any small problems before they become big problems. 
• In order to increase efficiency of anything, proper maintenance and care are required. 
• An efficient boiler or furnace = maximum heat for your home in the cold weather months 
• If saving money and maximum efficiency are not reasons enough to stick to a regular maintenance routine, you should consider that safety can occasionally be compromised and should be dealt with immediately to protect you and your family. For Example: If a furnace gets a cracked heat exchanger it will leak harmful gasses into your home. 

Types Of Pipes

Here is a guide to some of pipes commonly found in homes.

• PVC (Plastic)
• PVC pipes are used for drain lines and vent lines. It is a popular type of pipe because it is light in weight and fairly easy to work with. 
• PEX (Plastic)
• PEX is a flexible pipe that is used for water supply lines. Because these are easy pipes to cut and join, they are a popular type to use. 
• Copper (Rigid)
• Copper pipes are used for water lines. While soldering these pipes together may encourage some to go with a different option, they do have many benefits. Copper pipes are very durable, long lasting, and can be used for both hot and cold water. 
• Copper (Flexible Tubing)
• Flexible Copper Tubing is used for final runs to refrigerators and water heaters. This typing of pipe is flexible and easy to cut, but is not a good option for exterior use. 
• ABS 
• ABS, not to be confused with PVC pipes, are used for drain and vent lines. This type of plumbing is not recommended anymore for plumbing. It is suggested that if you have ABS pipes you get it replaced with PVC. 

Is Your Toilet Leaking?

Is your toilet running? Do you hear hissing sounds? Maybe your toilet is not making any noise at all. You may still have a leak. Toilet leaks waste water and wasted water means wasted money. If you suspect a leaky toilet, we recommend calling a plumber. They can resolve the issue correctly the first time! Here is a simple test that you can try yourself to diagnose a leaky toilet. 

1. Remove the back toilet tank lid from your toilet. 
2. Drop 10-15 drops of food coloring or 1 dye tablet in the back of your toilet bowl. 
3. Place the toilet tank lid back on your toilet. 
4. (Do NOT flush the toilet.)
5. Wait 15 minutes. ⌚
6. Check the inside of your toilet bowl for coloring. If you see coloring in your toilet bowl, you have a leak and should call a plumber.