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Monday, October 22nd, 2012

A toilet wax ring is what seals your toilet base to the floor/toilet flange below it. There may be a breakage of the wax seal if you start to notice any of the following:

– your toilet is loose or wobbles from side to side

– there is water or dampness around the base of your toilet

– your toilet leaks and leaves stains on the ceiling below

Toilet wax ring replacement is not extremely difficult, but be prepared because it can be a messy, heavy task. If you are replacing the seal yourself, you will need: a replacement wax seal and wax seal installation kit (available at most hardware stores), a trash bag, gloves, and a plastic putty knife.

How to Replace the Wax Seal

1. Turn off the water supply

2. Flush the toilet a couple of times to empty the water completely.

3. Use a sponge to dry up the remaining water in the bowl.

4. Unscrew the nuts on the base of the toilet that holds it to the floor.

5. Disconnect the supply line for the water (the silver coil connected at the back of the toilet).

6. You will have to rock the toilet side to side to loosen it from its current seal and to break the caulking that is keeping it in place.

7. When it is disconnected, be sure to grab the toilet from the bowl and not the tank. Move the toilet and flip it on its side so the base of the toilet is facing up.

8. remove the wax and old rubber seal from the floor and the remaining wax on the bottom of the toilet.

9. Take the new seal and put it in place.

10. Seal the toilet on the new ring. This can be easily done by sitting on it and rocking it side to side to make sure the seal had adhered to the wax base.

11. Replace the bolts and caps to the base and reconnect the water line.

12. Turn the water supply back on and let the bowl fill with water.

13. Flush the toilet and do a damage check for leaks or problems with the newly installed wax ring.

If you are having trouble with the project on your own and would feel more comfortable contacting a professional, try using TalkLocal to find one near you. TalkLocal is a FREE service that will connect you with top-quality, reliable plumbers in your neighborhood, within minutes. Just enter in your problem, location and availability and TalkLocal will contact multiple companies, who will then call YOU directly, ready to help. Save time and stress from searching for the right, most affordable plumber on your own, and let TalkLocal do it for you!

Posted in Plumbers | 1 Comment »

Car Leaking Transmission Fluid

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Transmission leaks, while they may be a fairly common car problem, are incredibly important to fix as soon as possible. If you have a car leaking transmission fluid, you should first check that the liquid is actually transmission fluid, as a correct diagnosis of your problem is the first step toward solving it. Park your car on a level surface after running the engine for a bit. Transmission fluid usually has a red color (or brown, if it’s dirty and ready to be change). It should be oily to the touch and smells much like petroleum.

Why it matters

Transmission fluid is a critically important fluid for your car’s transmission. It not only cools and lubricates the transmission, but also helps transfer the power from the engine to the transmission. Without this fluid, there would be insufficient pressure to fully operate the transmission, which would cause overheating—an extremely expensive damage to your transmission.

How to Fix it

Now that you know it is a transmission leak, you should then proceed depending on the severity of the leak. If the leak is minor (just a few drops on the ground), you can use a high-quality bottle of stop-leak. Make sure that the stop-leak is appropriate for your make and model, as they can differ significantly. Add the contents of the stop leak into your car’s transmission dip stick tube to return the transmission fluid to the correct level.

If it’s a major leak (more than a few drops), then you should take your car to get serviced at a dealership or an auto-repair/transmission repair center. While a bottle of stop-leak may temporarily help your transmission leak, you’ll ultimately need to bring in your car to get repaired (the sooner the better). Fortunately, TalkLocal can help you in this case. TalkLocal can help you find a high quality auto repair center in just minutes, so you don’t have to worry about finding a quality mechanic to repair your car. You’ll be back on the road in no time!

Posted in Auto Repair | 2 Comments »

Toilet will not Stop Running Water

Friday, October 19th, 2012

A constantly running toilet can waste a lot of water and cause you to spend more money. Follow these steps if your toilet will not stop running water:

Step 1: Open the lid to the toilet tank. The tank includes all the inner workings of the toilet. Look inside to see if anything is tangled or unattached.

Step 2: Adjust the lift chain. Jiggle the toilet handle to free up the lift chain. If the toilet stops running, adjust the chain inside the tank. The chain may become wrapped around the lift arm and you may need to adjust the position of the chain. Simply disconnect the hook from its slot and reconnect at the next slot on the float arm. If this doesn’t work, check to see if the float arm has become disconnected. The top of the float should be slightly above the water level.

Step 3: Check for leaks with a dye tablet. Dye tabs are available at most hardware and plumbing supply stores. After flushing, simply drop the dye tablet into the bowl as the water begins to fill back up. If you tank is leaking, the water will begin to turn the same color as the tablet. The flapper valve that does not seal properly may be the culprit. For an easy fix, turn off the shut-off valve located below the tank and flush the toilet to “empty it.” Remove the flapper and replace it with a new one. If the flapper valve seat is cracked, you will have to replace the entire unit. You can find one at any local hardware store.

Step 4: Check the ball-cock assembly. If you have followed the previous steps and everything seems to be in working order, you may need to replace the ball-cock assembly. First, empty the tank and then replace the ball-cock assembly using an assembly kit. Make sure the follow the instructions carefully.

If you are still experiencing toilet problems, try consulting a professional. TalkLocal will connect you to a reliable plumbing contractor in minutes!

Posted in Plumbers | No Comments »

Oven Timer Not Working

Friday, October 19th, 2012

If your oven timer is not working, you should first check check your oven’s manual and make sure that everything is set correctly. If you cannot find anything wrong in the manual, you can try the following things.

Test for Power

1. Make sure that everything is turned off or you could electrocute yourself. To be sure that the power is off, check that the clock, timer, and oven light are all off.

2. Find the housebreaker or fuse.

3. Disconnect the fuse or turn the breaker off of the 220-volt wall plug.

4. Pull the plug on the oven.

5. Turn the breaker back on.

6. Test the wall outlet by plugging something else in and seeing if it works. If you plug something else into the outlet and it does not work, than the problem is with your power outlet.

Test the Terminal Block

1. Make sure you have disconnected all power.

2. Locate the terminal block in the back of your oven, where the power cord is connected to the oven’s circuity.

3. Find the terminal block wires (there will be three or four) and check for any damage. CAUTION: Do NOT touch any bare wires or terminals.

4. Turn the breaker or fuse on for a short period to see if the terminal has power. If your terminal block does not have power, it is likely an issue with the wiring in your house.

Test the Oven Timer Itself

1. Make sure you have disconnected all power.

2. Move the oven away from the wall.

3. Take off the back cover of the oven by unscrewing the screws. You will be able to see the back of the timer clock. If there is a glass panel, take it off.

4. To test if the timer/clock is working, set the VOM to the ohmmeter function and set the range to R x 1.

5. Touch a test lead to each terminal of the fuse.

6. Look for the clock motor leads and take them off of the circuit.

7. Put a test lead on each clock motor wire. If there is not continuity, there is a problem with your clock and you will need to replace it

If you have figured out the problem and prefer a professional make the repair, you can use TalkLocal to connect with up to three high quality appliance repair professionals in your area that is available when you are.

Posted in Appliances Repair | 1 Comment »

Get Rid of Jailbreak on iPhone

Friday, October 19th, 2012

Jailbreak is a good tool that can be used to make any iPhone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, emulator, etc. However, this voids any warranties from service providers and Apple. Also, the iPhone becomes unstable and vulnerable to malicious attacks. If you don’t want to take these high risks, there is way to get rid of jailbreak from your iPhone. Unfortunately for most phones, the only way is to restore, though some phone that use AT&T have a second option. Read on to find out more.

Restore

If you are looking to get rid of jailbreak on any phone, follow these steps:

1. Backup any media saved on the iPhone.

2. Install the latest version of iTunes on your computer.

3. Launch iTunes.

4. Connect iPhone to your computer with the USB cable.

5. When the iPhone is detected on iTunes, click on the iPhone icon under Devices.

6. Click on Summary > Restore.

7. Select Backup when prompted. This backup only saves the settings of the iPhone.

8. Select OK when prompted.

9. Check the box for Restore Backup.

10. Select the recent backup when the Set Up Your IPhone page has opened.

11. Click Continue to restore iPhone to before jailbreak.

If you use AT&T, you can also try the following method:

1. Insert your AT&T sim card with active service into your iPhone.

2. Launch iTunes.

3. Connect iPhone to your computer using the USB connector.

4. Click Yes when prompted by Carrier Software Update. This re-locks your iPhone.

If you need additional help, TalkLocal can help you find a local computer repair service. It’s a completely free! Just go to TalkLocal’s website and submit your problem, availability, and location, and you will be on the phone within minutes with someone who can help you with your specific problem.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Repair Roof on Mobile Home

Friday, October 19th, 2012

There are a few signs that suggest when it is time to repair the roof on your mobile home. Consider the following symptoms to know when to take action:

– The silver coating material of your roof start to appear thin and accumulate cracks.

– You might see some gaps where there is metal folded over itself.

– At worse, you may start to notice leaks inside your mobile home, signaling holes in the roofing materials.

If you consider yourself a handyman or woman, you might try to attempt repairing the roof yourself. It is extremely important to take precautionary safety measures when completing a task like this. You want to make sure to be stepping on the stable beams of the roof, not between them. Make sure to use a ladder that is tall enough and don’t try to pull yourself up by the materials or pipes on top of the roof.

It is also important to note the specific roofing material that you will need, acquire the correct tools, and maybe even get some help with the project to make everything easier.

If you don’t have any experience with roofing or don’t feel comfortable completing a project like this on your own, contact a roofing specialist. Check out TalkLocal, a free service that will help you locate roofing repair specialists in your area, within minutes. All you need to do is enter your specific problem, your location, and your availability, and TalkLocal will contact top-quality, reliable roofers who will then call YOU directly, ready to help.

Tags: mobile home, repair, roof repair, roofing
Posted in Roofers | 1 Comment »

How to Repair a Loose Doorknob

Friday, October 19th, 2012

Loose or shaky doorknobs can be annoying to deal with. Fortunately, learning how to repair a loose doorknob is easy. Identify the type of doorknob you have and follow these simple steps to repair it:

Cylindrical Doorknobs

Look for the slot on the side of the post, right behind the doorknob. Take a small screwdriver and push it into the slot to free the knob. Next, remove the decorative plate that covers the lockset by pushing the spring clip, which is usually located at the edge of the plate. You should see two small screws on a mounting plate. Tighten these screws, and reassemble the doorknob.

Old-Fashioned & Decorative Doorknobs

If your lockset is older and more decorative than a normal doorknob, look for a setscrew that will usually be on the side of the knob that secures it to the spindle. Loosen this screw enough so that when you turn the knob, it no longer works the latch. Twist the knob clockwise until it tightens, but make sure it is not too tight against the door, and tighten the screw. Make sure the screw is tight against the spindle.

If you’re still experiencing trouble or cannot figure out how to fix your loose doorknob, try using TalkLocal. Simply enter a brief description of your service needs along with your location and availability, and TalkLocal will do the rest. Within minutes you will be connected to multiple highly rated locksmiths in your area that can help.

Posted in Locksmiths | No Comments »

Black Smoke Coming Out Muffler

Friday, October 19th, 2012

You never want to have to deal with a broken down car, or the inconvenience, the cost, and the stress it entails. Certain signs about your vehicle’s operation and appearance can help signal that it may be time to get a checkup. For example, if you suddenly notice black smoke coming out of your car’s muffler or exhaust pipe, it’s probably time to get your car examined. Read on to see what might be causing the problem.

Black smoke usually means that you are burning oil or fuel, or that you have a very rich fuel mixture in your car. In other words, your engine has a fuel/air mixture that contains too much fuel. This might suggest a problem with your catalytic converter and may be why the converter is no longer flowing efficiently. You may also have a problem with a head gasket in your engine. If you use a diesel engine, the problem may be an issue with the high pressure pump, a broken diesel injector, insufficient air intake, or low fuel pressure. With diesel engines, it is much harder to pinpoint the problem, so it is best to have a car mechanic take a look.

These can be serious problems, so it is take your car to a professional to be on the safe side. Try utilizing TalkLocal to connect with reliable, top-quality car professionals in your area. It’s a free service, and all you need to do is enter your problem, location, and availability, and within minutes, TalkLocal will connect to local automotive businesses, which will then call YOU directly, ready to help.

Posted in Auto Repair | No Comments »

How to Get Rid of Bugs in Vegetable Gardens

Thursday, October 18th, 2012

If you’re worried about how to get rid of bugs in vegetable gardens, stop! As long as you take the right precautions and practice proper upkeep, you can protect your beautiful garden. The following is a list of common plants along with their insect and bug mates.

Important information:

Not all bugs are bad! Be careful not to overkill or kill the beneficial bugs in your vegetable garden. Having a few bugs is not an issue, but if you see your garden start to be eaten or wilt, then you need to take the necessary steps to protecting your vegetable garden. The following is a list of common cures and preventives. In addition, check out this article on getting rid of bugs.

Aphids

Aphids feed on a wide spectrum of plants. They are best eliminated by either spraying them with the hose or using soapy water. Once you are able to get them off the plants, they have a very difficult time crawling back up.

Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles feed on a large variety of bugs as well – up to 300 different types of plants. These creatures mainly focus on roses and they are easily removed with your hand. Beetles can be eliminated by placing them in a bucket of soapy water. The same form of elimination holds true for beetles harming asparagus and cucumber.

Worms

While worms can be beneficial, they tend to do more harm than good for your cabbage. Using neem oil is a great solution to clearing these pests out of your vegetable garden.

To learn more and obtain a comprehensive list of common pests in vegetable gardens, read this article on common pests.

If you are stumped on what to do or just do not have the time nor energy to deal with vegetable gardens bugs, hiring a professional might be your best bet. You can enjoy a beautiful garden with the peace of mind that there are no little creatures benefiting off of your hard work. Use TalkLocal to connect you directly to a professional for free. Within minutes, you will be on the phone with up to three highly rated pest control professionals in your area.

Posted in Pest Control | No Comments »

How to Clean Grout between Kitchen Floor Tiles

Thursday, October 18th, 2012

If you’ve noticed that your tile floors have looked a little dirty lately, it may be because of the dirt on the grout. Learn how to clean grout between kitchen floor tiles with the tips we’ve provided below.

General tips

– Treatments for various tile grouts are all similar despite the slight differences in the various locations/causes. Whether it be a food grout on the kitchen floor or a mildew grout on the bathroom floor, the general idea is to apply acid to dissolve the buildup.

– Applying acid should be done moderately. Always apply the least acidic of all the acidic solutions initially when trying to get rid of tile grouts to minimize the damage to the tiles as much as possible. Sudden application of an acid that is too can eat away at the tiles, calling for a much more extensive and expensive repair.

– Vinegar is a popular acidic solution used to clean up your grout. To minimize the damage to your tiles, dilute the vinegar with water first before applying it on the grout. More acidic solutions, such as Coca-Cola, can be applied to the grout as well if need be.

– Gradually move into more acidic solutions when the milder ones are not effective. When using vinegar, you will want to lessen the ratio of dilution to just using straight vinegar. You may want to heat up the area/air around the grout so that the dissolving process can be more effective.

Extensive Tips

– If household items do not work, consider purchasing a commercial tile and grout cleaner to do the job. Follow the directions on the labels.

– For even more extensive work, there are even stronger products available, such as chlorine bleach and hydrogen peroxide. Make sure to dilute these products before you apply them to your tiles. Don’t forget to follow these directions as well.

If you feel like you need professional help, TalkLocal can help with finding the correct local experts in your area, saving you time and energy in what may be a stressful situation.

Posted in Maid Services | No Comments »

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