Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Cedar Rapids’

“How Do I Know If I Need Water Treatment?”

December 5th, 2022 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

adult-holding-child-hands-at-sink-faucet

We have some good news, and some not-so-great news when it comes to the quality of the water you drink, bathe with, and use for various other tasks in your home. The good news is, if your water comes from a city main then it goes through heavy filtration before it reaches your faucets and taps. This means that you usually do not have to worry about harmful contaminants reaching your home.

The not-so-great news is two-fold. First off, that water has a long way to go from the municipal plant to your house—it can pick up stuff along the way such as minerals causing hard water, and other pollutants. Secondly, if you’re getting your water from a well, then the quality of your water is even more unpredictable.

Back to that good news though! You can tell what shape your home’s water is with professional water testing in Cedar Falls, from our experienced team. From there, we can make recommendations for you to improve the health and safety of your water. In the meantime, here are some signs to watch out for that indicate you need such a service.

Tags: Cedar Rapids, Water Testing, Water Treatment
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What You Need to Know about Frozen Pipes!

November 28th, 2022 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

Temperatures are already getting quite chilly, and that means it’s time to winterize your home! You may have already taken some steps towards this, like ensuring that your heater is maintained and ready for the season. But what about your pipes? After all, temperatures can and will drop below 30°F this winter.

This means that the unthinkable could very well happen. That’s right, you can find yourself dealing with frozen pipes. While we have the resources you need to find a professional we’re happy to help you by sharing some tips on how to defend against frozen pipes before they even occur.

Tags: Cedar Rapids, Frozen Pipes
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Dalton’s Guide to Radiant Heating

November 21st, 2022 | Written By siteadmin | Reviewed By William Pierce

Winter is really just right around the corner in Cedar Rapids and with it comes cooler temperatures and an increased emphasis on heating. We all need reliable heaters to get us through the cold months of winter, but for whatever reason, more traditional boilers and forced-air furnaces may not be right for you.

If you’re ready to replace an old heater or simply install a new one, you might consider a radiant heating system. The installation cost tends to be higher than more traditional heating systems, but there are substantial benefits that go along with it.

What is radiant heating? We’ve spelled out a few quick answers below.

Tags: Cedar Rapids, Heating, Radiant Heating
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Dalton’s Guide to Winterize Your HVAC System

November 11th, 2022 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

Winter is fast approaching, but is your HVAC system ready for it? Winterization helps you protect yourself against high energy bills and protect your physical HVAC unit from ice and melting snow.

It’s time for HVAC maintenance in Cedar Rapids, IA before winterizing your home. Tune up your unit, protect it, and use these winterization tips to protect it until it’s ready to use when spring rolls around.

Tags: Cedar Rapids, HVAC Maintenance, Winterize
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Does Your Boiler Need to be Replaced?

November 7th, 2022 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

Technician beginning to replace a water boiler.

Your boiler never stops working. It’s day in, day out, with no paid sick time or holiday leave. That’s a lot of constant stress on an integral part of your home. So how do you know when you have to replace it with an upgraded unit?

The goal is to know when it needs to be replaced before your hot water runs out, or your boiler completely breaks down on you. Let’s find out if you need boiler service in Cedar Rapids, IA for a replacement right now.

Tags: boiler repairs, boiler replacement, Cedar Rapids
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Don’t Let These Ominous Furnace Noises Spook You!

October 31st, 2022 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

woman-holding-hand-to-ear-on-yellow-background

It may be Halloween today, but that doesn’t mean your home should do anything to frighten you! Unfortunately, furnace problems can be quite scary, especially as the weather starts to cool down and we move into the seasons where we need our heaters the most.

If you have a malfunctioning heating system, you could find yourself with mounting repair needs, higher than necessary heating costs, and potentially even a broken-down furnace system. We can’t stress enough why it’s so important to have professional maintenance done, since this enables our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust the system.

It’s not too late to schedule maintenance, either! That is unless your system has already broken down completely and is beyond repair. Even with maintenance, however, it’s vital that you know what to look for when it comes to determining if your heating system is in disrepair. For instance, if your furnace makes any of the following noises, it’s time to call in a pro.

Tags: Cedar Rapids, Furnace Repair
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What Can Cause a Burst Pipe?

October 17th, 2022 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

Homeowners often have understandable questions about their plumbing, especially when they hear scary phrases like “burst pipes.” We have a bit of good news though. There is really only one thing that can cause a pipe to burst, and it’s completely preventable. What’s that?

Frozen pipes!

When the temperatures dip below freezing for too long, it can cause the water flowing through your pipes or resting in your pipes to freeze. As the ice thaws, it creates a negative pressure inside the pipes, and this leads to them bursting. We are here to provide quality repairs when this does happen, but as you read on, you’ll see tips we’ve provided to help you avoid this problem.

Tags: Burst Pipe, Cedar Rapids, Plumbing
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Common Furnace Problems To Be Aware Of

October 10th, 2022 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

It may still be warm enough to use our air conditioners during the day, but the colder days are right around the corner, and soon enough you’ll be running your furnace pretty consistently. So, it’s important to ensure that yours is in great shape. The last thing you need in the middle of winter is a sudden furnace breakdown.

Of course, the best way to prevent furnace problems is with professional maintenance. Maintenance tune-ups allow our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust components that need it, making sure that your furnace works as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible.

The other way to prevent furnace problems is to understand the following signs of small problems and give us a call for furnace repairs before those small problems turn into catastrophes.

Tags: Cedar Rapids, Furnace Repair
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“Which Home Heating System Is Right for Me?”

October 3rd, 2022 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

Technician in gloves installing a modern wall-mounted heating system.

One of the most commonly asked questions we get when it comes to installing a new heating system is “Which one is best for me?” There are so many options on the market today that it can seem pretty overwhelming to make choice, but we’re here to help! It first helps to choose what kind of heat you want.

What?! you might be wondering at this point… bear with us!

What should you consider when installing a new heating system?

When planning a heating system installation, consider your home’s layout, existing ductwork, energy efficiency goals, and long-term comfort needs. Homes with good ductwork often suit forced-air systems, while radiant or ductless options are ideal for spaces without ducts or where zoning and efficiency are priorities.

There are two main types of heating systems when you think about it… a forced-air system such as a furnace or heat pump, or a radiant heater such as a boiler or in-floor system. Each of these system types has its benefits, and finding the best one for your specific home and needs depends on a number of factors, which we can help you with. Read on to learn about the key differences! If you’re exploring options for a replacement, this guide on which home heating system is right for you can help you narrow down the right fit for your home’s layout and energy goals.

Tags: Cedar Rapids, heating installation, Heating Service
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“How Do I Save Money on My Heating Bill?”

September 19th, 2022 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

Technician wearing yellow gloves inspecting or tuning up a heat pump or furnace unit.

The best way to save money on your heating bill is with one important service–heating maintenance! If you’ve followed our blog for long, you know we talk about maintenance a lot, and it’s for good reason. Maintenance allows our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it. Whether you’re maintaining a furnace or a heat pump, a timely tune-up can significantly improve system performance. This helps your system work as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible.

Ask about the Dalton Complete Home Comfort Membership Plan! We have multiple plan options; for plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical, and fireplace maintenance. We can help you ensure that your systems, including your heater, are in great shape. Also, members can count on a 100% comfort guarantee, discounts on parts and repair, and many more benefits. Contact us to learn more and enroll. In the meantime, read on to learn more about maintenance and how it helps you save money.

Tags: Cedar Rapids, heating maintenance, Heating Service
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