Must Know Home Owning Tip!

November 7th, 2014 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Saving Money With Preventive Plumbing Maintenance

 

When it comes to you home, you want to make sure everything is up to par and working properly. By routinely checking things around your home, you could actually be saving money. Instead of waiting until the last minute to repair things around your home, stay on top of everything and repair them before the repairs become too costly. When it comes to plumbing maintenance, this is a must as water damage to your home can cost you hundreds, and maybe even thousands, of dollars to fix.

Preventative plumbing maintenance can not only save you money, but it can also improve the efficiency of your pipes and faucets. This in turn lowers the amount of water consumption. Another way to save on water consumption is to replace you old shower heads, which can save you up to 8 gallons of water per minute. If you notice a leaky faucet in your home, you want to look into getting this fixed right away. A leaky faucet can waste up to 3,000 gallons a year if left alone. It’s also a good idea to check on your water heater every once in a while to make sure the temperature isn’t too high as this could be costly. If you notice that your water meter has drastically changed, this could be an indication that you have an undetected leak somewhere in your house.
Another way for homeowners to save money is by checking the plumbing of your home throughout the different seasons. For the spring and fall, make sure your gutters, downspouts, and yard drains are free of debris and aren’t blocked. As the weather gets colder, you’ll want to disconnect your hose and store it away for the winter. Keeping your hose connected will cause the hose to freeze and connecting pipes can also freeze and break.

If you notice standing water after a heavy summer downpour, this can be the result of broken or leaky pipes. This is never a good sign as standing water is a breeding ground for insects and germs, making it unsafe for everyone in your home, especially kids and pets. You’ll need to hire a professional plumber to help take care of this problem and get the area professionally cleaned before making use of this area once again.

There are many things homeowners can do to prevent plumbing damage to your home. By catching things right away, homeowners can save money and prevent further damage in their home.

Looking to save money in the long run? Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling Inc.  today at (319) 266-3513 for plumbing maintenance services in the Cedar Falls area.

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Handling the Dangers of a Leak In Your Home

October 24th, 2014 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Precautions For Water Leaks

 

Cedar Falls PlumberThe time to take precautions when you discover a leak in the home is sooner than later. Each day that you allow the water leak to continue you run the risk of doing more damage inside the home. Leaks in the ceiling or walls are an indication the problem is so severe that the pooling water has compromised the integrity of those materials and leaked into the home. Water will continue to damage surrounding areas until you find the source of the leak and make the repair today.

How Do I Stop the Leak from Getting Worse?

If you can not locate the exact source of the leak, it is important to shut of the water to that areas as soon as possible. If the leak is around a bathroom appliance, you can shut off individual water shut offs that control the flow of water to the sinks or toilet. If the leak is in the ceiling or walls, you may have to shut off the main water supply until you can get the problem addressed.

Why is it Important to Fix a Leak Issue?

The water will simply continue to leak until it is fixed. if the ceiling has a water spot and is leaking, chances are the water has been traveling the ceiling beams and pooling up inside the insulation. Once the insulation becomes saturated, the water will continue traveling downward. It can be a real challenge to find a leak in the ceiling, and the longer you do not fix it the more damage will eventually occur.

What are the Advantages to Calling a Professional Plumber?

Water LeakYour local plumbing professional has made these types of repairs hundreds of time this year already. They have the experience to be able to follow the trail back to the source and make the necessary repair before the damage worsens. Once they have located the source of the leak, they will do an inspection of the surrounding area to determine if the issue is minor or an indication of a much bigger problem. Your plumber will then consult with you on a course of action to make the repair and restore the flow of water through the house.

If you have a leak in the home, your best course of action is to allow a professional plumber to find the source and make the repair today. This will ensure your property and your home are protected from further damage.

Is there a pesky leak troubling you? Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. today at (319) 266-3513 for quick and effective plumbing services in the Cedar Falls area.

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It's Getting Chilly Out There!

October 17th, 2014 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

How Often Should I Have Furnace Tune-Up Services?

 

Cedar Falls HVACFall is here and with it cooler temperatures. This is the time to regularly change your furnace filter and have your furnace checked out. Because you will be using your heating system more often and a great deal of air will be flowing through your ducts and into your home, it is important to ensure that your furnace is in good shape.

Winter Months Require Frequent Furnace Filter Changes

During winter months it is important to change your furnace filter regularly to keep the air in your home safe and healthy. Because you and your family will be staying inside more, it is important to inspect your air filter once a month and change them every two to three months.

Damage Can Occur From Clogged Furnace Filters

Air filters collect small particles of pet dander, pollen, dust throughout the day and before long they can become clogged. When filters become clogged, it causes the blower to work harder, which in turn, increases your energy bill. If the blower overheats, it can burn out. Keep in mind, that when air flow is reduced, it takes longer to heat your home.

Inadequate Heating Systems: Can Lead to Carbon Monoxide Exposure
One of the most effective things you can do to prevent a build up of dust and dander is to change your furnace filter regularly. Most importantly, your furnace should be checked once a year. Inadequate heating systems can lead to carbon monoxide exposure. It is the heat exchanger that should be inspected thoroughly once a year. The heat exchanger acts as a barrier between your home and the gases and fumes produced by your furnace.

Annual Furnace Inspections Keep your Heating Systems in Good Repair

It is important to note that in addition to safety, an annual furnace inspection is an effective way to protect the investment you have in your heating system. There are several reasons way furnaces fail such as humidity, improper installation, dirty filters and improper venting.

To conclude, furnaces need regular care and maintenance in order to keep them in good repair. Besides the above mentioned steps, always keep the area around your furnace clean and unobstructed, and most importantly, leave the furnace work to HVAC experts.

Serving your Cedar Falls community everyday. Give Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. a call at (319) 266-3513 for guaranteed quality furnace inspection services!

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Upgrade Your Kitchen Today!

October 10th, 2014 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Why Do I Need a Plumber to Remodel My Kitchen?

 

Kitchen RemodelingWhether a homeowner is currently aware of it or not, they may be able to greatly benefit from having their kitchen remodeled. Enhancing any areas of one’s home can bring a lot of benefits, but a kitchen has an exceptional amount of effects on the atmosphere of a home. Since the kitchen of most homes is one of the most utilized areas, enhancing and upgrading it will have a great amount of positive impacts on the atmosphere in the property. However, hiring a professional plumber is always the best way of going about it.

A kitchen remodeling company will usually be required to work alongside a professional plumbing company. This is because a great amount of the kitchen is encompassed by several sets of drains and pipelines. A home’s plumbing system is connected to the home by several different components, all of which are composed within a centralized unit. When one area of a home’s plumbing system fails, the entire home will most likely become affected in some way. This is because all of the pipelines within the plumbing system are connected to one another.

Cedar Falls Plumber Why does a plumbing company need to work alongside a kitchen remodeling company? The answer is quite simple, yet perfectly fine to question. A homeowner may think that they are spending more on services than they would be if they were to hire one single company to take care of their remodeling needs. However, this may not be possible. Most kitchen remodeling companies will solely specialize in moving amenities, cabinetry, appliances, and wall fixtures from one place to another, as per request of the homeowner. Their handling of the plumbing system is not recommended because most remodeling companies are not versed well enough on the mechanics of the majority of a home’s pipes and drains. A plumbing company assures the homeowner that their pipelines are placed in areas where they will provide them with the greatest efficiency and usability. If pipelines are placed in awkward positions, then a malfunctioning of the plumbing system is very likely to occur. Why not contact your local plumbing company prior to beginning a kitchen remodeling job? You may even qualify for special discounts!

Are you looking to turn your Cedar Falls kitchen into an exquisite space for culinary creations? Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. at (319) 266-3513 for the plumbing help you need to make this dream come true.  

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Top 7 Heat Pump User Tips

October 3rd, 2014 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

7 Heat Pump Tips For New Users

To understand how to use a heat pump, you must first understand what a heat pump is. A heat pump transfers heat from one fluid to another. The first fluid must be at a lower temperature while the second fluid must be at a higher temperature. This process actually defies the natural heat flow which usually starts with a higher temperature and transfers to a lower temperature. Because of this unnatural process, the heat pump is similar to a water pump.

How does a heat pump work?
It has a closed circuit where a specific refrigerated fluid flows through it. Depending on the temperature and pressure, this refrigerated fluid can be either a liquid or a gas. A heat pump is the best and most efficient way to heat your home. It will give you three times more heat than the amount of energy it used to transfer it. Sick of those sky rocket heating bills? Then, the heat pump is just the thing for you.
You might think of a heat pump and think that of course, it has something to do with heat, which is true. What you might not know, is that it can also function as a central air conditioner. The heat pump doubles as both heat and air! It does this by taking the heat from the inside of your house and transferring it outside.There are three different types of heat pumps including air-to-air, geothermal, and water source. They all take the heat either from the air, water, or ground from the outside of your house and then transfer it inside or the opposite, from inside to outside, depending on whether you are using the heat pump to heat up or cool down your home.Even though the air-to-air and the water source heat pumps already decrease energy use by a lot, the geothermal heat pump decreases it even more by 30%-60%. It also decreases humidity. Another great benefit of using a geothermal heat pump is that they are extremely durable and you can always rely on them. Fortunately, geothermal heat pumps are supported in many different kinds of homes.

Heat PumpHeat Pump Tips:

1. Do not control your heat pump’s thermostat manually because this will make the electric heating system come on.
2. Install a programmable thermostat with different functions for your heat pump. You can have a professional do this or even do it yourself.
3. If you are currently suffering from high electric bills, consider a heat pump and find the best one that is suited for you.
4. Remember that a heat pump is to be used to cool or heat a home so do not rule it out just because you live in an extreme climate, hot or cold, and think that a heat pump is not for you.
5. The environmental choice of a heat pump is the geothermal one.
6. One of the great things about a heat pump is that it is very efficient being that instead of burning fuel to create heat, all it does is transfer it.
7. Using a heat pump can reduce your electric bill by 50%.Buy a heat pump today and you will love the benefits!

Want to install a heat pump in your Cedar Falls home? Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. at (319) 266-3513 today for quick and reliable services.

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Hydrojetting: The Best Alternative!

September 26th, 2014 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

What Is Hydrojetting & What Are Its Benefits?

 

HydrojettingWhen it comes to the popular method of cleaning with high pressure streams of water, hydrojetting is not only trending but it is considered to be a top plumbing service. In fact, a plumber can literally blast water with extreme pressure from 8,000 to 50,000 PSI for pipe cleaning and other common plumbing uses. The task of hydrojetting grease or hydrojetting debris around a home or property is viewed as a proven method that is both effective and efficient.

What is Hydrojetting?

While the process of power washing is often compared to the plumbing specialty of hydrojetting, the difference is a simply hydro-jet cleaning device is great for cleaning a driveway or car; while professional hydrojetting is linked to using a range of high pressures for plumbing purposes. The use of this powerful water blaster requires professional expertise, and the use of required safety equipment to protect the worker’s face and other body areas from accidental injury caused by the delivery of this ultra-high pressure plumbing specialty.

Hydrojetting a Sewer or Other Drainage Systems

The use of hydrojetting for cleaning out storm drains and clogged pipes involves high pressure water jetting for residential and commercial customers desiring effective drain line cleaning and repair. In turn, a customer can expect this specialized plumbing service to help restore water flow and drainage. There are glowing online testimonials from happy plumbing customers who said the use of hydrojetting finally sorted out their clogged pipes and drains.

Regular Home Maintenance With Hydrojetting

Cedar Falls PlumberThere is a view from top plumbers that yearly and even quarterly hydrojetting service is highly recommended for both clearing current and ongoing pipe and drain issues around a residential or commercial property. The use of hydrojetting is a “far more effective cleaning process” for pipes and drains than the use of pipe snakes and other methods, say longtime plumbers commenting online. Thus, the view is to use hydrojetting instead of metal or other drain snakes.

Overall, the use of hydrojetting and scrubbing to clean out a residential or commercial plumbing and clogged pipes is highly recommended by plumbers who now view hydrojetting as a standard process to clean out drain pipes.

Stop waiting for the perfect time to take care of your home’s drains and call Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. at (319) 266-3513 today for Hydrojetting services in the Cedar Falls area! 

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What You Must Know Before Hiring Heating & Cooling Services

September 19th, 2014 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

What To Look For When Hiring a Heating & Cooling Company

 

Cedar Falls HVACThe three main important criteria to consider when choosing a heating and cooling company are license, insurance and experience. Jobs involving the heating and cooling of any structure can get quite complex and should be taking seriously. There are secondary criteria that can be acknowledged, but these 3 are what ensure that the job is done right the first time around. This article will illustrate why they are important from the home and business owner’s perspective.

License

When a business or home owner is able to get away with hiring a non licensed and accredited company or individual to do a plumbing job satisfactory, is not usually the same for heating and cooling. This aspect of the home is usually quite complex, and if the home or business owner doesn’t think responsibly, the possibility of having a the incident reoccur or left incomplete is highly likely. When choosing the right company for your heating and cooling job, a home or business owner should probe the company’s website and verified that they possess the required license and accreditation. This should be done prior to confirmation with that particular company’s hiring.

Experience

HVAC ServicesThis is also another area that will go unrecognized by a home or business who are in need of emergency heat and cooling repairs made to their building. An inexperienced worker could cause extra damages or incomplete repairs to a heating and cooling system. It takes many years of training and practice to become a specialist in the HVAC industry. Hence, a low price should not be the main criteria what choosing a heating and cooling specialist. If this is done, it could end up costing the home or business owner much more that they bargained for in the long run.

Insurance

This is also an overlooked, yet important aspect when choosing the right heating and cooling company to do the job. Even though the job might seem simple, the fact that employees are working amongst highly pressurized pipes and line, the homeowner should ensure that company has insurance. This insurance should cover both the heating and cooling specialist and the residents/employees of the structure, if an unexpected incident of injury should arise. Allowing a HVAC company without insurance to work for your home or business can be quite risky. If a faulty workmanship should damage the workman or anyone else on your property, you stand the chance of getting sued by these individuals.

We want to make sure our Cedar Falls customers are happy, so leave the heating and cooling projects up to Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. Don’t delay and call (319) 266-3513 today!

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Why bringing in a professional is always a better choice than DIY

September 12th, 2014 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Reasons why hiring a professional is the right choice for that DIY project

 

Cedar Falls PlumberAsk any of the professional plumbers who work for our plumbing company and they will be able to tell you many stories of the problems they have encountered after a homeowner has attempted to complete their own plumbing jobs. Plumbing is a specialized area of home maintenance, construction and repair that our plumbers spend years learning to complete correctly. When a homeowner has any installation, maintenance or repair to keep complete that involves the plumbing of a home they should contact our professional service as we can complete any task and provide a greater lifespan for the plumbing in a home than any DIY repair.

Reduce Safety and Health Concerns with a Professional Plumber

Even the simplest plumbing job completed incorrectly by a homeowner can create major issues that can have a detrimental effect on the structure of a property or the residents of a home. Professional plumbers can spot and stop leaks that can damage the interior of walls and cause structural issues that make the property unsafe. Leaks and water damage can also encourage mold spores to grow that can create health issues, such as breathing problems for the residents of a property.

Ensure the Integrity of Plumbing Work with a Professional Warranty

Cedar Falls PlumbingHomeowners who decide to undertake a variety of plumbing work in their own home are placed at a disadvantage when compared to those seeking the assistance of a professional plumbing company. Professional plumbing companies, such as ourselves, usually provide a warranty that covers their work from problems and damage for a specified amount of time. A homeowner not working with our company will be forced to call in a professional company if the repair or installation they enacted is damaged in the future.

Professional Plumbers Save you Money in the Long Run

Working with a professional plumbing company is also a good way of making sure good money is not spent after bad. Throughout our history we have been called out to enact repairs to plumbing tasks completed by homeowners looking to save a little money by doing their own plumbing work. This is usually a false economy as we are generally forced to remove the work completed by the homeowner and repeat their repair or installation in the correct way. Studies have shown that employing a professional plumber can increase the lifespan of a completed task and reduce the need for future repairs to take place in the near future.

Are you looking to upgrade your Cedar Falls home? Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. at (319) 266-3513 and get started today!

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Ways to make sure you're ready for the winter

September 5th, 2014 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

7 Recommended Pre-Winter Heating & Cooling Services

 

Cedar Falls Heating MaintenanceWhen it comes to your heating your home it’s important to make sure that everything is running smoothly before the winter months hit. There’s nothing worse than having your heater breakdown during sub-zero conditions. The best way you can prevent trouble before its starts is by having a heating and cooling professional preform tune up services before it gets cold.

When you hire a professional to tune-up your heating and cooling system for the winter, they should provide these 7 services.

Inspect and Replace the Filter

If you a have a filter in your heating and cooling system, it needs to be changed on a regular basis. Having your tune-up specialist check and change the filter will help keep the air cleaner, your furnace last longer, and run more efficiently.

Check the Thermostat Calibration

Proper thermostat calibration ensures that it is running properly. This will help save you money on your heating bills.

Ensure Proper Air Flow

The better the air flow of your system the more efficient and effective it will be. A good technician can check the air flow of your system with a pilot tube assembly and correct any air flow problems.

Lubricate Moveable Parts

There are a lot of moving parts in your heating and cooling unit. A professional will be able to check and make sure that all of these parts are working properly and are well-lubricated.

Inspect and Replace Blower Parts

Your heating and cooling system uses a blower to help air move from one part of your home to another. Because this part is used so frequently, it wears out more than any other part of the system. A good technician can check to make sure your blower is working properly and replace or repair it if necessary.

Cedar Falls Heating Tune UpCheck the Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil increases the warming capacity, improves air flow and helps to improve interior air quality. A good HVAC professional can find the evaporator coil inside the small crawl space where it is located and check the state of the coil.

Measure the Refrigerant Pressure

Refrigerant and heating pressure is another important part of your heating and cooling system. A good quality technician will check the pressure and make any necessary changes or repairs.

When you hire the right professional to tune-up your heating system, you can rest assured that it will work properly and efficiently all season long.

Is your HVAC unit ready for the winter? Make sure it is by calling Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. at (319) 266-3513 and scheduling a service call today!

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Ways to cut down the energy consumption in your home

August 29th, 2014 | Written By | Reviewed By William Pierce

Ways to reduce your water heater’s energy consumption

 

Cedar Falls Water Heater MaintenanceWater heating is one of the most expensive parts of your energy bill, but unfortunately, your electric company probably hasn’t opted to tell you this. By reducing your hot water usage, you not only lower your energy bill, but you also lower your water bill and ultimately help out the environment. These are five ways you can reduce your water heater’s energy consumption.

Use Less Water in the Washer

To begin seeing noticeable savings, start paying attention to how much water you’re using with each load of laundry. Rather than turning the appliance on with the default setting, use the dials or buttons to specify the size of the load, how much water to use, and what type of cycle to run.

Use Cold Water for Clothes

Using cold water for laundry doesn’t mean your clothes will come out any less clean once the cycle finishes. However, you will find that you can save up to 100kWh on each energy bill by using this tip. This amounts to almost $50 per year.

Cedar Falls PlumberDecrease the Water Heater Temperature

Most water heaters come with default thermostat settings at 140 degrees. Not only is this too much, but it can also scald in some cases. Lower the thermostat to 120 degrees. If your dishwasher or clothes washer models are older, check with their manuals to ensure that they will be able to operate with water at 120 degrees. Some models require the temperature to be hotter.

Only Run Full Dishwasher Loads

There’s nothing wrong with loading your dishwasher over time rather than all at once. If you don’t have a full load once you’re finished loading dishes, hold off actually running the machine until you have more dirty dishes to load. Additionally, it helps to skip out on the pre-rinse altogether and go with the economy or energy savings cycle. Pairing this tip with the other can help you reap some serious savings in the long run.

Spend Less Time in the Shower

Lastly, begin moderating how much time you spend while taking showers. How many times have you noticed yourself standing around and wasting time while showering? It’s easy to do when you have a lot on your mind or you’re still not fully awake in the morning. Reducing how long you shower by even just a small amount can bring you significant savings on water heating.

Is the water heater in your Cedar Falls home in need of maintenance? Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. at (319) 266-3513 and schedule a service call today!

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