ASK PROFESSOR MARVIN.
HOW TO ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS.

Susan Lee from Fontana,

Marvin,
I have a kitchen faucet that constantly keeps dripping. I would like to fix the faucet myself but I don't know where to start. My house was built in the 60's and the faucet has a hot and a cold handle. How do I stop my faucet from leaking?

Susan, it sounds like you have a two handle faucet. If we knew the brand name I could be a little more specific in my response but here are the basics.

As you may already know there are two types of faucets, the two handled compression faucets, and the single handle non-compression, or washerless faucets. Just so you know most leaks occur in compression type faucets because of the way they are designed.

Next determine what brand name faucet you have. Some faucet parts are interchangeable, but many are brand specific. You are almost ready to start, so get your tools together. You will need the following: An adjustable wrench, screwdriver, both standard and slotted, seat wrench and Teflon tape.

Now shut off the water supply to the faucet. Once the water is off open the faucet to drain any residual water out, this will also let you know if the faucet is truly off. Your faucet will have two handles and a spout. The faucet should be assembled in the following order: a decorative cap that covers a screw that holds the handle on. The handle covers the packing nut, which sits on the stem. A fiber washer will fit around the bottom of the stem. The stem will sit upon the seat washer, which will have a larger rubber washer sitting inside the valve seat. As you take your faucet apart you will need to lay the parts out in order, so that you don't get them mixed up.

Inspect your parts, you are looking for a washer or O-ring that is worn, or a corroded, or pitted part. It is a good idea, since you have the faucet apart, to replace any washers, O-rings or fiber washers. If the valve seat appears corroded, or worn, it should also be replaced.

Now put your faucet back together in the opposite order you took it apart, putting a little Teflon tape around the threaded areas of the stem. Do not over tighten the parts since this can damage brass fittings and lead to bigger leaks. Hand tight plus a 1/4 turn is usually sufficient.

If your leak was not fixed then you will have to repeat the procedure or call a plumber.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:
If you are unsure of the brand name and model remove the above parts and bring them in to us, stem and all so that we can identify it for you. Remember we carry a full line of repair parts for all makes and models. Let us give you the professional service and advice that you deserve and expect.

ATTENTION ALLERGY SUFFERERS!!!
Spring Time, Don't You Love It. by Jeff Pace

Having been a Spring Time allergy sufferer I began looking into the different types of high efficient filters after installing a new air conditioner in my home. The first thing I found was there are a lot of different types and prices available.

The most economical, and one you can install yourself, is the Lifetime Filter electrostatic air filter. This filter replaces your existing disposable filter and uses a mild static charge (static cling) caused by air movement thru the filter. This "static cling" causes the dirt and dust to cling to the filter. The down side to this filter is you need to take the filter out and wash it every 30 days even if it looks clean.

The next step up in price and efficiency is the Aprilaire High Efficiency Air Cleaner. This system does have a higher initial cost because it needs to be professionally installed by a HVAC contractor. This filter uses a pleated HEPA-type filter media (similar in principle to those used in hospital operating rooms and other clean room environments), which provides more than 72 square feet of trapping surface that typically only needs to be replaced once a year. Another benefit of this filter is during peak allergy seasons you can leave your thermostats fan on for continuous air cleaning. This filter was rated number 5 overall by Consumer Reports February 2002.

The next step up and what I think is the most value for your dollar is the Aprilaire Electronic Air Cleaner. This filter uses the same HEPA-type filter media as the High Efficiency Air Cleaner but employs an intense ionization field, creating a powerful attraction between airborne particles and the air cleaning media, making it 94% efficient at removing disease-causing bacteria as small as 0.35 micron (a human hair is 100 microns in diameter). This filter was rated number1 overall by Consumer Reports in their February 2002 issue. The next step up both in quality and price is the whole-house HEPA filter by Guardian Plus. This unit needs to be professionally installed by a HVAC contractor, it requires a 120v dedicated circuit, it has 2 pre-filters that need to be changed twice a year and the HEPA filter needs to be changed once a year. However, it is also the most efficient, filtering 99.97% of all particles in size down to 0.30 microns and is designed to operate 24 hours a day for continuous air filtration. This is the best unit for persons with more serious respiratory problems.

As you can see there are many choices that are both physical and financial. So remember GOOD indoor air quality is only a phone call away.

WHEN IS IT TIME TO REPLACE YOUR EXISTING AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT?

• Is your system over 10 years old?
• Are your electric bills too high?
• Can you keep your home cool when it is hot outside?
• Does your system require constant repair to keep it running when you need it the most?
• Is your system noisy to the point you cannot have a conversation without raising your voice?

If you answer yes to any of the questions you should consider upgrading to a new high efficient air conditioning system. Do you want indoor comfort this summer and still save big money? This is how!

If your current air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it is possible it could have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) as low as 6. Comparing the annual cooling bill of a 6 SEER system to that of a new system with a higher SEER such as Carriers 13, 14, 15 or the new 21 you could see substantial savings.

For instance, if the annual cooling bill of a 6 SEER system was $1000, it could cost only $300.00 for a 21 SEER system, which equates to an annual savings of 70%. Now, that makes dollars and sense, doesn't it?

We are specially trained to help you determine you comfort needs as well as the system size and components that are just right for your home. We will do this with a heat loss/heat gain analysis. We measure the windows, check the insulation, ductwork and building materials, plus other criteria that can directly affect system size and performance. We will also ask you questions about your lifestyle and your current comfort challenges. This may take an hour or more, but it's well worth the time.

If you choose to purchase a home comfort system from Redlands/Henry Bush Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., you can feel confident that you are buying some of the finest equipment manufactured today.