Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Cedar Falls Blog’ Category

Do You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade?

Monday, October 28th, 2019

electricians-working-on-electrical-panelAlso referred to as the circuit breaker panel of your home, the electrical panel is the central hub of your entire electrical system—where the incoming electricity is routed to the different circuits. The breakers are designed to shut off circuits in case of voltage overload. If you have an older circuit breaker panel, you should ensure you aren’t overdue for having it replaced.

If you suspect or wonder if it is time for you to upgrade your electrical panel, the best thing you can do is call in a professional electrician in Cedar Falls. In the meantime, we’ve provided some questions below for you to ask yourself when determining whether or not your electrical system could use this type of upgrade.

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When Did You Last Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning?

Monday, September 30th, 2019

bubbling-drainIf your answer is, “Well… I don’t… I just use store-bought liquid drain cleaner,” then we urge you to read on!

The thing is, using one of these chemical drain cleaners is the worst thing you can do for the health of your plumbing system. It may solve your problem in the short term, but it will only exacerbate the problems you’ll run into later on. Keep reading to learn more about why you shouldn’t use these store-bought “solutions,” and why you should call for professional drain cleaning service instead.

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Going Pro: When to Call for Help

Monday, September 16th, 2019

plumber-tightening-pipeSometimes, it’s quite obvious when you need the assistance of a professional plumber. Burst pipes sending water all throughout your kitchen? A toilet that won’t flush? A clogged up kitchen drain that you can’t clear with a sink plunger? These are all reasons to call a plumber.

But what about the more subtle plumbing issues? Some are quite sneaky—particularly when the problems start off small. The trick is to learn how to catch them early when they’re still small, so they are easier for a plumber to fix and won’t cause damage to your home in the meantime. Keep reading for some quieter signs you have a plumbing problem that needs professionals with extensive experience with plumbing in Hudson, IA.

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End-Of-Season AC Repairs to Be Aware Of

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

outdoor-ac-unitThe official end of summer is near, with many of us still using our air conditioners on a regular basis. The last thing you need right now is a sudden air conditioner breakdown and a repair call when temperatures are still fluctuating. Of course, if you had maintenance done—one of the most important AC services in Cedar Falls—then it’s less likely this will occur.

But if you do notice signs that your air conditioner is in disrepair, it’s best to take care of those repairs now, rather than waiting until next year when you need your cooling system again.

The fortunate part of all of this is as long as you know what to look for, most AC system repair problems give out signs and symptoms well before they force the air conditioner to break down. While you should never attempt to formally diagnose (or repair) a problem by yourself—they contain potentially harmful components, such as chemical refrigerant—you can fairly easily spot the signs that you need air conditioning repair, and take the appropriate steps from there. These signs include the following:

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Why Whole-House Surge Protection Matters

Monday, August 5th, 2019

power-strip-serving-as-surge-protectionHomes today have more precision electrical equipment in them than ever before. In fact, you probably have multiple devices connected to your home’s power supply at any time, right? And there are likely many power charging stations handling your portable devices. Are you adequately protecting them?

This is important for you to know. A voltage spike can cause irreparable damage to electrical equipment, devices, and appliances, and power strips strategically placed around your home are not enough protection. Keep reading to learn more, and when you’re looking for electricians in Waterloo, IA, look no further than our team!

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What’s In Your Water?

Monday, July 22nd, 2019

water-coming-from-sink-faucetIn the last few years, water quality problems in the Midwest have brought to light what exactly could be threatening the water we all drink and bathe with. The good news is, our water goes through heavy filtration at the municipal level, and we do not have problems of a large magnitude as a result.

However, water has a long way to go from that water plant through the pipes and into our homes. Contaminants and minerals can get picked up—these particles in your water can have a significant impact on your household, not only for your health but your quality of life, too. For this reason, it’s vital that you invest in professional water testing in Cedar Falls, IA, particularly if you’ve never had it done before.

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Why The Drain Cleaning Method You Choose Makes a Difference

Monday, July 8th, 2019

plumber-unclogging-drain-in-bathtubIf there’s anything you should know about drain cleaning, it’s that this service is absolutely necessary to keep your drain and sewer system in decent condition. It’s a good idea to schedule drain cleaning as part of maintenance for your plumbing in Waterloo, IA at least once a year! This keeps clogs from forming, removes blockages that may already be present, and generally keeps everything flowing smoothly.

If there’s anything else you should know about drain cleaning, it’s that store-bought, liquid “drain cleaners” aren’t the answer, despite their name. Unfortunately, though they may be temporarily effective at relieving certain types of clogs, the reason they are such is because of the corrosive chemicals in them—chemicals that will slowly eat away at your pipes and lead to repair needs or possibly even repiping.

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Unique AC Repairs You Can Avoid with Professional Installation

Monday, June 24th, 2019

air-conditioning-unitsWhen you need quality air conditioning repair service, we’ll be there for you! But, what if we could help you avoid the need for some seriously annoying repairs? Repairs that might have been avoided with professional installation. If you had your air conditioner installed by a general handyman, or you’re thinking of installing an air conditioner yourself, please read on to learn about the repair needs you might run into as a result.

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Signs It’s Time to Call a Plumbing Pro

Monday, June 10th, 2019

plumber-working-on-p-trap-of-sinkWithout the right expertise, or at least without the right equipment, it can be very difficult to detect a leak. Most of your plumbing system is hidden from view, after all, and the issues that usually afflict it are subtle to start out.

This is just part of the reason we recommend scheduling preventive plumbing maintenance at least once a year. However, it’s also a wise idea to familiarize yourself with the warning signs that your plumbing in Denver, IA is having problems. On the rare chance that a problem does occur in between maintenance sessions, you’ll be able to detect it quickly so you can have it repaired before it becomes a huge catastrophe. Keep reading to learn some of the symptoms that it is, in fact, time to call in a plumbing pro.

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Will Air Conditioning Maintenance Save Me Money?

Monday, May 27th, 2019

air-conditioner-with-maintenance-toolsThe short answer to this is, “yes,” but allow us to explain…

With summer weather quickly on its way, you’ll be running your air conditioner on a daily basis soon enough. This means your monthly electric bill will go up, but it doesn’t mean you should resign yourself to paying more than necessary to stay comfortable in your own home.

Even if your air conditioner seems to be performing just fine, you can reduce your monthly bills by investing in a routine preventive air conditioning tune up. Keep reading to learn more!

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