What’s Going on With Your Leaky Pipes?

September 11th, 2023
two hands of plumber with pliers and radiator

Leaky pipes are synonymous with being a homeowner. Seriously, if customers weren’t constantly getting leaks in their homes, then we wouldn’t be in business for this long. It’s just a natural part of homeownership, and it’s also something that can get a bit tricky when you try to fix a leaking pipe on your own.

Sure, a valve or PVC pipe might be loose and you can twist it to ensure the leak stops, but that’s a rare type of leak. Most leaks come from corroded pipes, frozen and thawed pipes, or even pipes that have been broken or moved due to issues like settling. In these cases, you’re going to have some trouble if you try to do this work on your own.

Instead, trust a professional for your plumbing services in Des Moines, IA. Our team can replace your old pipes, fix existing leaks, and ensure that no ill effects come from the leaking water.

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When Not to Use Flexible Pipes

September 11th, 2023

We’ve all seen the aisle at the hardware store, full of different plumbing materials. There are rigid copper pipes, PVC pipes, PEX pipes, and the list continues–but there’s one thing to be mentioned that is not like the others, and that’s flexible plumbing lines. These are the wire mesh pipes that can bend and form different shapes in your Cedar Rapids plumbing.

Flexible plumbing lines are usually what you’ll see under your sink or connecting your toilet to the water line. They’re perfect for these situations because they can bend into the exact configuration that might fit your bathroom toilet or kitchen sink, without needing to break apart your wall, floor, or other more sensitive and expensive parts of your house.

But don’t be fooled by the convenience and affordability of flexible plumbing lines, they’re not intended to be used for everything.

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Why Your New Lights Require Professional Installation

September 11th, 2023

Lights don’t necessarily sound like the most intense electrical project you could take on, right? They’re just a matter of having an electrical connection that switches on and off, and it’s not like there haven’t been homeowners that have installed their own lighting. But with most other electrical cases, lighting installations are deceptively complicated.

They might seem simple from the get-go, but as you try to install your own lighting, you’ll quickly realize that you’ve set yourself up for a nightmare. Not only can this be dangerous for your personal health (electrocutions really hurt), but you could also end up with holes in your wall and wires going to nowhere that make any future electrical services in Cedar Falls, IA even worse.

When you go with a professional, as we’ll describe below, things can often be cleaner, simpler, faster, and overall just better in almost every way.

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Why Go With Copper Plumbing?

September 4th, 2023

There are all sorts of different plumbing materials available today, from PVC to copper. But in the history of plumbing appliances, they’ve been constructed of hundreds of different types of materials. Human history is a bit of a “trial and error” experience, with people using different materials for their plumbing systems, only to find out later that they’re not very good at the job.

For instance, lead is a perfect example of what should not be used as a plumbing material. Water that flows through lead pipes can pick up some of the runoff and cause lead poisoning in anyone who drinks from that water source. Many other plumbing materials like galvanized steel and copper don’t have this problem, but there are still some preferences today towards materials like copper.

So, let’s talk about plumbing in Cedar Rapids, IA and why copper is the gold-standard material to use.

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A Guide to Knob and Tube Wiring

August 28th, 2023

If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely one of our many customers who have discovered knob and tube wiring in their homes. Not only is this ancient technology something that is too old to reliably use, but it’s also a safety hazard. Even insurance companies can hike up their premiums when they discover you’ve got knob and tube wiring in your old home.

So, what is it about this kind of wiring that makes people so nervous? And why is it such a big deal to get it replaced? Well, in order to understand the answers to these questions, we’ve got to do a deep dive on what knob and tube wiring is and how it’s still in homes across the country. And then, when you feel confident that you need the problem addressed, you can call our team for an electrician in Des Moines, IA.

Only a licensed electrician should handle the removal and replacement of knob and tube wiring when it’s found in homes.

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Which Water Heater Should I Purchase?

August 28th, 2023

Water heaters come in all shapes and sizes, which is primarily why it’s in your best interest to know the difference! We’re used to seeing pictures of water heater tanks, but would it surprise you to learn that nearly half of all the water heaters in existence today don’t even use tanks? These are called on-demand water heaters and they’re extremely popular.

But these kinds of water heater upgrades aren’t for every customer or every home. This blog post is going to talk about several distinct types of water heaters and how water heater service in Cedar Rapids, IA might differ depending on which on you choose. The more informed you are about the technology and the services we offer, the more likely you’ll be to make a smart choice when your financial future depends on it.

So, let’s get into it. Keep reading to learn about the water heater system that might be absolutely perfect for your home!

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It’s Time to Upgrade Your Window AC

August 28th, 2023

For years, many customers have had one or two small window AC units that cooled specific rooms like bedrooms and offices for exceptionally hot days. These units are cheap and easy to use, making them good for budget decisions that keep you comfortable during the hottest days of the year.

But record-breaking temperatures are only continuing to get worse and window AC units aren’t actually as good as you might think. Sure, they feel better than having no air conditioning, but what if we told you that a central air conditioning system, or other AC installation in Waterloo, IA could actually be more energy-efficient and convenient?

Yep, it might finally be time to retire that old window unit and upgrade it to a system that keeps you and the entire family comfortable. Let’s talk about some reasons why an upgrade is such a good idea.

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3 Smart Moves for Your Home HVAC System

August 21st, 2023

With record-breaking heatwaves and other unusual weather events, it can be hard to focus on anything else. Sometimes just turning on the weather report can cause us to do things that otherwise we wouldn’t do. It’s a pain, but it’s a necessary part of being a responsible homeowner.

However, an important aspect of the HVAC industry is prevention. More specifically, we’re experts at providing homeowners with solutions that can help them mitigate weather in the future, not just weather events right now.

For example, we know it’s going to get cold this winter, and winter is only a few months away. While your AC does need support now, you’re going to want to focus on other aspects of your HVAC in Cedar Rapids, IA. Then, when the record-breaking cold temperatures hit, you’ll be more than ready for them.

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Why Is It Hotter Upstairs Than Downstairs?

August 14th, 2023

Well, this is an interesting question, but one that would be irresponsible to just answer in a simple few words. While it might sound like your air conditioner is encountering problems that require AC repair in Cedar Rapids, IA, that might not necessarily be the case.

For instance, the laws of thermodynamics dictate that heat rises, no matter what. So, on a hot day, your upstairs rooms are just more likely to get hotter than the downstairs ones. But if your home is well insulated and your AC is in good shape, that might not necessarily be the case.

Sound confusing? Don’t worry, we’ll cover this naturally occurring phenomenon and more down below. Just be sure to call our team if you think the problem stems from the fact that your air conditioner is running incorrectly.

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Big Electrical Changes in 2023

August 14th, 2023

If it’s been a few years since you’ve hired an electrician in Waterloo, IA, then you might be surprised by some industry-wide changes that have been sweeping the country.

Most, if not all of them have been good changes, both for manufacturers and consumers, but they’re still a shock to many people who have been operating with the same technology for decades.

For instance, incandescent light bulbs have recently been banned, as shoppers try to figure out the specifics and information behind the new, longer-lasting LED light bulbs. Also, insurance rates have started to change as wildfires and heatwaves have become more common. An electrical problem could have serious ramifications on especially hot and dry days now.

So, let’s discuss some major electrical changes in 2023, and what you can expect on your end.

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