Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog: Archive for May, 2015

Do Your Research on the Plumbing Myths

Friday, May 29th, 2015

Popular Plumbing Myths Debunked

Waterloo PlumberSome plumbing myths have become so prevalent over the years that many people now genuinely believe them.

Plumbers are often called out to deal with problems that are caused by these myths, and if you are fooled into thinking they are real, they could cause you no end of problems, both financially and in terms of hassle.

So what are the most Popular Plumbing Myths Debunked?

1. Do-It-Yourself Is Easy

There are now countless books to read and online videos to watch, all providing tips for DIY plumbing.

Although many of these can be useful when it comes to fixing minor issues and, especially, preventing some problems from occurring, it is also responsible in part for the growing belief that plumbing is easy.

In short, it’s not. Tradespeople require years of training and special qualifications to carry out work on people’s pipes and fittings, and thinking that you can learn everything from a five-minute video is misguided. Plumbers sometimes find when they are called out to deal with a problem it can be that the owner has tried to have a go and ended up causing more problems as a result.

2. If Food Can Fit Down the Sink It Won’t Cause Any Problems

Most people have some notion of the idea that some things can cause bathroom and kitchen sinks to become blocked. However, many people still assume that if items of food, hair, and other such matter are small enough to go down the sink, they cannot cause any problems.

In fact, most blockages are caused by exactly such things. The ideal is to only allow water to go down the sink. Obviously that is not always practical, but the effort should be made to prevent as many solids from going down the plughole as possible–and that includes oil.

3. Hiring a Professional is Expensive

Although hiring a qualified tradesperson is not always cheap, you have to put the cost into perspective. Plumbers who are called out to local households perform an invaluable job, and they are always well worth the money.

Waterloo Plumbing-MythsFor example, if you have a leaking pipe and you put off calling a tradesman, the damage can be catastrophic and can end up costing many times more than if you had just hired a one to start with.

Or, if you decide to do some DIY but you really don’t know what you are doing, the damage can again be incredibly expensive.

So it always pays to put these issues into perspective, and even if it does cost you money, the chances are that you are making a good financial decision.

Banish the Myths

Myths such as the ones above are so prevalent that many people end up causing themselves no end of problems by believing them.

Plumbers can be a very worthwhile investment when something goes wrong, so steer clear of these myths and save yourself money and hassle.

Don’t let the myths get to you in your Waterloo home. Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at (319) 266-3513 today, and overcome these plumbing myths!

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Beat the Summer Heat this Year

Friday, May 22nd, 2015

10 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Home for the Summer Heat

Waterloo AirAs the warm weather of summer approaches, there are many things you can do to keep the home cooler and cut down on excessive utility costs. Here are ten simple ways to prepare your home for the summer heat.

1. Dark Curtains

Invest in some darker curtains, they will help to keep the direct sunlight from penetrating and heating up the interior of each room.

2. Sun Reflecting Blinds

Blinds that reflect the sunlight and keep the rooms dark can help to cool the home and reduce your air conditioning cots. These blinds can reduce the sunlight entering rooms with direct sunlight exposure.

3. HVAC Tune UP

Call your local HVAC repair company and schedule an inspection and maintenance immediately. Your cooling system will be running much harder, and if it is tuned up, will run more effectively this summer.

4. Replace Cooling Air Filter

Run down to the hardware store and purchase a few HVAC air filters, and replace one immediately. The cleaner the filer, the easier for the system to operate this summer.

5. Cleaning Near the Foundation

Remove any weeds, shrubbery, or plants growing too close to the house foundation. These attract a variety of insects who will then try to find easy access to the home to escape the heat.

6. Seal Exterior Holes

Patch any holes or cracks along the perimeter of your home. Rodents will try to escape other predators and the heat, looking for safe refuge in your garage or attic.

7. Wash the Screens

While the daytime will be hot, many times the evening will be very comfortable. Clean the window screens so that when you do open the windows you are not confronted with nasty filth.

Waterloo Energy Efficiency8. Clean Out the Garage

If your garage is full of clutter from this winter, now is the time to start cleaning so you can get your vehicle out of the heat and inside the cool garage.

9. Patch Any Screens

With the windows open many nights, you want to repair any holes in the screens now so insects are not gaining access to the home each time you open the windows.

10. Cleaning the Outside Fan

During the winter, the outside HVAC fan can accumulate, branches, twigs, and even the occasional rodent nest. Have your local HVAC professional open the unit and carefully clear out any debris.

Don’t let your A/C suck the fun out of summer. Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling at (319) 266-3513 for greener HVAC services in the Waterloo area!

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Make Sure You Choose the Right Brand

Friday, May 15th, 2015

What are the Top 10 Plumbing Fixture Brands Recommended by Plumbers

Cedar Falls PlumberSelecting Fixture Brands

Many excellent brands of plumbing fixtures exist today. A plumbing company may offer recommendations about several of these items, based upon a number of different selection criteria.

Property owners ultimately make decisions that reflect their specific, individual needs. Some of the factors that enter into a favorable recommendation by plumbers include the following:

  • How long will the fixture typically remain in good condition?
  • Does the fixture reflect high-quality craftsmanship?
  • Are parts metal or plastic?
  • What is the quality of the fine finishing detail?
  • Are replacement parts readily available?
  • Is the price range reasonable?

In some situations, a fixture proves suitable for a home, yet exceeds the price a property owner considers affordable at the time. For example, durable brass faucets typically cost considerably more than plastic ones utilizing metal cladding.

A high quality brass faucet will likely last considerably longer than one using metal-coated surfaces. Additionally, the overall quality of various fine finishing details may vary, based in part on price ranges.

Some Excellent Brands

Bearing in mind that ultimately, a property owner makes the decision about purchasing particular fixtures, here are some of the top ten brands many plumbers recommend.

Fine Brass Faucets

A number of English and German firms produce outstanding brass faucets. These items tend to run in the upper price ranges. Some noted brands include:

  • Dornbracht: A leading German manufacturer of upscale faucets;
  • Samuel Heath: A well respected English company known for its brass faucets and fixtures;
  • Barber Wilsons: This family-owned firm has manufactured metal faucets for over a century;
  • Waterworks: This respected manufacturer of high grade metal faucets also accepts customized individual orders.

High Range Fixtures

One company with a great product line including high grade faucets and shower heads and pull-out faucets is Rohl: rohlhome.com. The firm began manufacturing in 1983.

Cedar Falls Plumbing-FixturesHigh Middle Range Faucets

  • Grohe: This company produces roughly 8% of faucets and sanitary fittings sold globally;
  • Hansgrohe: A firm founded in 1901.
  • Delta: A popular brand.

Fixtures

Two popular high-quality American brands include:

  • American Standard: Manufactures toilets, bathtubs, faucets and other fixtures.
  • Moen: High quality faucets, sinks, shower accessories.

Plumbers today recommend many other excellent brands also.

If you’re in need of plumbing fixtures in your Waterloo home, these are recommended the best! Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling at (319) 266-3513 for installation.

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Breathe in the Fresh Air You Deserve

Friday, May 8th, 2015

The 5 Best Ways to Handle and Prevent Indoor Air Pollution

Cedar Falls Air QualityAccording to studies, indoor air pollution is trumping outdoor air pollution, at least in terms of health hazards. As a homeowner, your job is to use preventive measures and nip the problem at the source.

Most homeowners try to keep the four major indoor air hazards at bay – mold, chemical emissions, particulates and pollutants.

However, with the help of some simple steps, you can get a complete hold over the problem. The following are 5 best ways to handle and prevent air pollution.

Install Proper Ventilation

Because of better energy efficiency, indoor air pollution has become a real problem. However, instead of going back to the days of high energy bills and wasted energy, you can improve ventilation in certain areas of your house. This includes your basement, attic and bathrooms as these are the biggest problem areas.

Get An Indoor Air Quality Assessment

Everything smelly in your air need not be a pollutant in the same way that there are a lot of pollutants that you can’t smell. Radon, for instance, is a gas that cannot be smelled and yet, is also one of the most dangerous indoor air pollutants. Getting an air quality assessment would help you formulate your plans accordingly.

Reduce Chemical Use

Go for organic cleaners for keeping your house dust, debris and pest free. When you buy products, keep a close eye on the back label.

Activities like dry cleaning should also be done sparingly because chemicals are used in the clothes and when you bring them into your house, you are increasing pollutants in the air.

Use Better Furnace Filters

Cedar Falls Indoor PollutionAdvanced furnace filters have an ability to trap almost all air particulates, thereby making the indoor air clean and healthy.

Apart from investing in such filters, you also need to maintain your HVAC systems with the aid of trained and qualified professionals.

Invest in an Electronic Air Cleaner

Electronic air cleaners might be expensive but they do their job 30 times better than regular air filters. You would also benefit from these cleaners for a lot of years to come.

If price is something of an issue, it is best to buy a portable one that works pretty well and doesn’t drill a hole in your pocket.

You should call prefer professional HVAC companies because then, you could enjoy customized tips to keep your indoor air free from pollution.

Make sure you’re breathing in the fresh air in your Cedar Falls home. Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling at (319) 266-3513, and get the experts to solve the problem.

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