Spring is in the Air, Is Your Plumbing System Ready?

For the most part we worry about our plumbing system more during the Winter than we do the Summer. Nothing quite says ‘welcome home‘ like walking indoors out of the cold to see water seeping out of your walls from frozen or burst pipes. All that considered, your plumbing may be more in demand during the warm months when outdoor hoses are in use and washing machines struggle to keep up with dirty clothes from the outside. Here are some tips on making sure your pipes are ready to stand up to the heat.

Have a Leak Check Performed

Small drips can seem nothing more than a nuisance during the Summer when we’re dumping gallons of water on our cars, plants, and bodies. That being said why not pay as low of utility bills as possible, even during the warm months. Plus, capturing small leaks early is the best way to prevent them from becoming large holes later in the year. Also, leaks lead to damage to walls and floors and will inhibit the growth of mold, especially in the humid Summer months.

Clean Your Gutters

While not a part of your plumbing system, per sé, your home’s gutters are an important aspect to controlling water flow. When the gutters become clogged with leaves and debris they can no longer drain as designed to. Since the water has to go somewhere, it overflows the gutters and seeps down the side of the house. This water then absorbs into the foundation instead of being displaced out into the yard or into the street. Water then starts soaking through cracks into the foundation and into the basement, opening up a whole new can of issues.

Inspect Spigots and Hoses

Make sure your spigots and hoses run water when they are turned on. If not, it could be a sign of a broken loop somewhere in the system caused by the shifting from freezing and thawing the ground.

Check Drains

Finally make sure water drains where it is supposed to. This includes gutter downspouts, utility rooms, garages, and more – areas which weren’t doused with water as much in the Winter and could have accumulated blockage. Dirt, damage, and bird or rodent nests may have to be assessed in order to restore function. If not, the water will build up and then back up leading to a cesspool that attracts bacteria and insects during the warm weather.

Give us a call for an all-in-one plumbing inspection and to make sure your home is fully prepared to have some fun in the sun.

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Real Benefits of Home Insulation

Our clients are more aware than ever about how much an insulation upgrade can save them on heating and cooling bills essentially year-round. We’ve worked on homes that had no insulation on an exterior wall whatsoever, let alone an inferior insulation strategy. The result was the homeowner wasting money for sometimes 15-20 years on higher utility costs as well as increased wear and tear on their HVAC system – not to mention having to sit in a room that is incredibly uncomfortable.

Implementing an improved insulation approach can offer considerable return on investment. Depending on the current situation, payback for the upgrade can be achieved in less than a season along with the priceless benefit of having a home that is much more pleasant to live in temperature-wise. That being said, lower utility bills are only a fraction of the reason why a home insulation upgrade is one of the best renovation projects you can undertake.

Dilutes Outside Sound

Something that often goes overlooked is the fact that insulation creates a barrier not only to retain warm or cooled air, it is also very effective at controlling sound. To many homeowners, having a quiet home largely isolated from outside disturbances is almost priceless. This is especially helpful in crowded housing developments where barking dogs, playing kids, and heavy vehicle traffic is very disturbing. It should also be noted that insulation keeps sound in as well as out so feel free to yell at the TV during a bad referee call or when a reality show contestant picks the wrong soul mate.

Creates an Extra Barrier Against Allergens

Dust, pollen, and dander can work its way inside your house by even permeating through the walls and the smallest gaps in siding, near windows & doors, etc. Beefed up insulation is virtually impenetrable by these allergens, creating a much better breathing environment inside the house. For heavy allergy sufferers who spend money annually on HVAC duct cleaning, it’s almost a worthless expense if adequate insulation isn’t installed as well.

Control Humidity Better

Insulation forms an important middle man between the outside environment and interior controlled air. As you’ve sometimes noticed with condensation on windows, moisture can also form on your insulation in the walls interior if it is not of adequate R-value. Thicker, stronger, and more durable insulation can resist this moisture which helps to avoid an uncomfortable interior environment while reducing the risk of mold growth and spreading.

Gives Home a Higher Market Value

Upgrading home insulation will not only provide you more comfort and lower utility bills now, it serves as a great selling point for your home down the line. Future buyers like the allure of an intense insulation strategy that will help keep their costs to a minimum and will expand the life span of the existing HVAC system.

Lowers Emissions and Carbon Footprint

Finally one of the best reasons for upgrading the insulation in your home’s walls and attic is to use less energy on a daily basis which in turn helps lower gas emissions and overall carbon footprint. NAIMA studies claim that proper insulation of buildings in the United States could cut carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 780 tons annually.

Even though it’s for the most part hidden, your home’s insulation should be of some concern. It could be argued the fact that your current insulation is hidden is even more reason to have an inspection/audit so you know exactly what you’re dealing with. Why deal with higher-than-required utility bills for even one more season when an insulation upgrade offers so many considerable advantages?

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Making Sure Your Home’s Electrical System is Safe

When a storm hits and brings with it thunder and lightning, homeowners tend to be a little more vigilant with their electrical system. Whether you unplug your computer and big screen TV to avoid the risk of them being zapped or you just become more aware and look for sights and smells that would indicate a strike, at least safety is on the forefront of your mind. What really becomes dangerous then is when electrical systems default in otherwise normal weather conditions.

The truth is, we rarely think about our home’s electrical systems until something goes wrong. A simple issue like a light switch not turning on is a nuisance, but one that comes with an easy fix. Wires shorting out and starting fires behind the drywall however is dangerous, costly to repair and potentially fatal. The correct approach then is to be more circumspect about your home’s electrical system on a routine basis:

Get an Inspection

We recommend an annual inspection of your electrical system if anything for a sound peace of mind. We check wires, outlets, circuit breakers and more to make sure everything is in working order and to lower risks of accidents. Also, having an annual inspection ensures your energy consumption is where it should be – possibly saving you on utility bills over the course of the year.  In many instances an electrical inspection is even required as part of your homeowners insurance policy.

Get Issues Fixed Quickly

Sometimes we have a tendency to let home issues slide if they aren’t deemed an immediate threat/concern. This happens a lot with your electrical system whether it be an outlet that doesn’t work, a light that shorts out, etc. Instead of ‘dealing with’ these issues in the same manner of putting a piece of electrical tape over your check engine light, get your electrical system checked out right away. Areas of your home that aren’t getting adequate power are a sign that something is wrong and should be fixed immediately.

Make Sure Proper Safety Precautions are in Place Where Needed

There is a rhyme and reason to certain safety precautions regarding your home’s electrical system. GFCI outlets for example are placed near water sources so that power is disconnected when in contact with water. Other precautions such as strategic placement of smoke detectors are issues that can be identified with a home electrical safety audit.

Examine Electrical Cords

Even if the internal workings of your home’s electrical system are in perfect working order, using an appliance with a frayed cord can present a safety danger. It can be tempting to salvage an appliance with some neatly applied tape on an exposed cord but the risks simply aren’t worth the reward.

Get More Outlets Installed if Needed

If your home resembles the Griswold Family Christmas energy use with 17 light plugs on a single outlet, it’s time to upgrade your electrical capacity. Many of our clients are finding that the outlet placement (especially in older homes) simply aren’t set up for today’s phone charger, laptop, tablet, and other electronic requirements so adding outlets is one of our most popular renovations.

If You Aren’t Comfortable Working With Electricity, Call a Professional

We like to recommend homeowners flex their DIY muscles whenever possible when it comes to weekend projects that expand their home improvement knowledge. That being said, electrical issues should almost 100% of the time be left to the professionals. Simply put, there are just too many dangers to both body and home when working on outlets, switches, and wires when unqualified.

Contact us for more information about electrical inspections, safety, and upgrades.

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Need a New Air-Conditioner? Make Sure to Find the Right One

As the Spring and impending warmer weather quickly approach it’s not a bad time to inspect on whether your current air-conditioner is up for another rigorous cooling season. We generally recommend running your current HVAC system until it dies completely but costly, consistent repairs or an old unit that is a huge energy drain are ripe circumstances for a replacement. When it does come time to search for a new air-conditioner, follow these tips to make sure you find the correct replacement.

What Type of A/C?

Most of our clients who are looking for a replacement for their malfunctioning air-conditioner will opt for a new system of the same type since the infrastructure for that type is already in place. What this basically means is that if you already have a central A/C, split-duct system, geothermal, etc. it’s most convenient to buy a replacement of that type. Of course in new home builds, additions, or when customers are simply looking for an upgrade it may be worthwhile to investigate all your options. Contact us for more information depending on your home’s size, your budget, your cooling needs, etc.

Air Conditioner Size

Finding the correct size air-conditioner is crucial and arguably the most important aspect of selecting a new unit. Air-conditioners simply can’t be purchased with the ‘bigger is better’ mantra because A/Cs not only cool the room, but condition it as well. An air-conditioner will cycle out existing air, remove the moisture from it, and send it back in chilled and dry. An A/C that is too big will cool the room too fast and thus won’t have time to remove the moisture from the air. In comparison, a unit that is too small will cycle too frequently and drive up utility bill costs.

Energy Efficiency

If you find yourself needing a new air-conditioner – consider yourself lucky. Granted, the upfront costs can sometimes be difficult to procure but you’ll soon find yourself with money left over every month thanks to lower energy consumption. That is, of course, as long as you find a new A/C that is as energy efficient as possible. Make sure to purchase an air-conditioner that has a high seasonal energy efficiency (SEER) rating and high energy efficiency ratio (EER). The better these ratings, the lower the electrical input needed to operate the systems which results in more manageable utility bills.

Extras

A few other features are nowadays considered “must-haves” instead of extras. One example is a dual-speed cooling fan which increases the energy efficiency by using one fan to cool the room and other to help maintain that temperature. These are used with adjustable and programmable thermostats to control temperatures at peak times as well as down periods. Another feature that sets apart different A/C units from each other is the length and type of warranty offered. You can really recoup your investment knowing it will last 12-15+ years based on the manufacturer warranty.

Regardless of what type of air-conditioner you end up getting installed in your building, it is up to the homeowner to help get the most from its lifespan. This means having adequate insulation installed in the walls and attic while having regular maintenance performed on the unit.

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Waking Up Your Air-Conditioning From Winter Hibernation

Most of North America is nearing that lull in the seasons when they can achieve a relief from heating the house and instead enjoy the crisp cool air of Spring coming through the windows to whisk away the remnants of Winter. Many people view this as the best time of year, especially after being mostly domesticated and battling cold, snow, and ice for the past 4-5 months. Be aware though, the Spring can fly by fast and before you know it the humming of the air-conditioner will be a welcome reprieve from the hot and humid temperatures.

The Spring season raises a good question – is it more about digging out from a brutal Winter or preparing for a pleasant Summer? For the answer you really need to look no further than your home’s air-conditioner. The outside unit likely endured a brutal pounding from constant exposure to cold temperatures over the Winter so it needs to be both maintained from the past and prepped for the future to enjoy efficient operation in the months to come.

Cleaning the Outdoor Central A/C Unit

Whether you have a central air or a split-duct system the outside unit needs to be cleaned before jumping in to the main Summer cooling season. The compressor and condenser sit in this outside unit and will freeze up and have restricted air flow if not cleared of debris and buildup. First turn off the power to the A/C then remove the outer case to allow access into the heart of the unit. Use a vacuum to suck up the debris from the fins and then spray them off with water from the garden hose.

Clean the Indoor Unit

The outside part of the air-conditioner essentially creates the cold air while the inside unit delivers it. It’s equally important to clean the inside unit so that dirt and debris which settled in the Winter aren’t distributed throughout the house every time the A/C runs. The filter should be changed at the beginning of the cooling season (as well as frequently throughout the Summer) and the blower housing should be vacuumed of any dirt and debris.

Do Some Test Runs 

Kids and rodents as well as the environment and just old age could leave the air-conditioner at a very unpredictable status over the offseason. You should check any electrical connections as well as duct registers, circuit breakers, and more before starting up the A/C. Even if it powers on without a hitch, run the air-conditioner a few times before it is really needed so that you can inspect if any airflow is lost through damaged ducts, if condensation is forming in the drip pan (as it should), and just if the unit is operating at it should in general.

Get a Professional Annual Inspection 

It’s easy to spot debris when cleaning but harder for a DIYer to know if the internal components of the air-conditioner are in good working order. It’s recommended to get an annual inspection before the hot Summer months first of all for peace of mind in knowing that the system will function but also for tasks such as:

• Cleaning the 3 C’s – compressor, condenser, and coils.
• Checking refrigerant levels – recommended by only a certified tech.
• Inspection of all wiring – testing and evaluation of both hidden and exposed connections.
• Checking the cycle on and cycle off processes – for safety and running efficiency.
• Calibrating the thermostat – to avoid unnecessary cycling and accurate temperature readings.
• Lubricate moving parts – fans and blowers build up with debris.
• Clean drains and tubes – avoid backup and potential mold growth in the utility room.

In some cases an annual inspection of your HVAC system by a certified technician is required in order to keep in good standing with the manufacturer’s warranty. In this instance an inspection becomes a great investment.

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Is It Time for an Insulation Upgrade?

For many homeowners the topic of insulation is an out of site, out of mind discussion. If a room is cold we generally just turn up the heat, put plastic over the windows, or throw on an extra sweater. Poor insulation almost never catches a bad rap because it is hidden behind a wall and most people don’t know what, if any, kind of thermal resistance is in their walls.

The truth is millions of dollars have been spent installing Energy Star windows, upgrading a furnace, or powering a space heater when in fact those projects are useless because of underlying insulation issues. When you left the door open as a kid you heard, “are you trying to heat the whole neighborhood” when in essence poor insulation is in itself an open door.

The real tricky question comes in knowing whether or not your current insulation is adequate. It’s one thing to rip into wallpaper and drywall to come to this conclusion but it creates a whole new problem in itself. Instead, follow these tips on determining what you have for insulation and then what your options moving forward are:

Where Should Insulation Be? 

It’s important to remember that insulation is not only for keeping cold air outside during the Winter, it’s also crucial for blocking out hot air in the Summer. The obvious spots for insulation are in every exterior wall from floor to ceiling. One of the areas where many homes have inadequate insulation however is in an attic. Temps can approach 150° in an uninsulated attic as heat from the roof is absorbed into the home, making air-conditioners work harder and driving up energy bills.

Is My Insulation Adequate?

Many homeowners are faced with the conundrum of having insulation but not knowing whether it is sufficient or not. Energy Star has laid out a map of eight different insulation zones and the recommended R-Value of the attics, walls, and floor (R-value is the amount of thermal resistance). The best places to start searching are the attic, which should have 12” of insulation and putting batting between floor joists in a crawl space or unfinished basement.

Checking Wall Insulation 

The reason attics and basements are recommended to upgrade insulation first is because they are easy to access. Attics can have insulation blown into them and basement joists are usually exposed. Walls however are covered up by drywall or plaster and what lies behind them is mostly a mystery. Upgrading wall insulation is expensive because it involves demolition of the finished walls (or drilling multiple holes) and rehanging sheets after improving the thermal resistance – that being said in an old house that is a sieve for heat and A/C loss it could be a worthwhile investment.

Insulation Upgrade Options

If you’ve determined that your existing insulation is doing nothing but draining money on utility bills and making your home uncomfortable, the next step is to determine what type of upgrade you want to have performed. Popular insulation types include:

• Fiberglass batts – come in 16” or 24” wide rolls that fit nicely into the space between wall studs. Requires open access to that area however (removed drywall, unfinished rooms).

• Polystyrene foam board – can be installed from the exterior to provide high insulation value compared to the thickness, especially when combined with improved interior insulation.

• Loose fill cellulose – blown in material which can be sent into an enclosed wall needing more insulation and attic floors as well.

• Polyurethane spray  – can be sprayed into enclosed areas or exposed attic floors but works when pressure-sprayed into an exposed wall.

Please contact us to schedule an inspection of your existing insulation setup as well as for more information on which insulating options work best regarding your home’s layout.

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How Much Should Homeowners Know About Their Own Plumbing?

There are some definite things a DIYer could do around their house if they ‘had to’ and other projects that are a fun way to spend a weekend learning something new. Things that come to mind in these regards include painting a room, changing doors from Spring to Winter, power-washing the siding, and other tasks that don’t require calling ‘the guy’. Two areas which most DIYers opt to bring in the professionals are anything having to do with either 1) electrical work or 2) plumbing.

A majority of time when the power goes out it doesn’t really necessitate an emergency. Granted not having a furnace power on for an extended period of time could get worrisome but usually utility crews are on the case and there’s not a lot a homeowner could do to fix the power anyway. Plumbing problems are a different animal however. A toilet not flushing or a sink not draining becomes a serious issue where a plumber needs to be called sooner rather than later. Then there’s pipes that burst which could essentially damage the entire home if not handled immediately.

This begs the question of how much a homeowner should know about their own plumbing system. Even the fastest contractors with 24/7 emergency service take a few minutes to get on-site which in the case of an overflowing toilet or a wall that is leaking could mean thousands of dollars in damage. The average homeowner isn’t expected to know how to reroute pipes throughout their home, but knowledge of these basics can only help.

Water Shut Off

Rule number one when it comes to unwanted water suddenly appearing in your home is “Stop the Flow”. Before you can even assess the situation and brainstorm repairs it’s important to minimize the damage by turning off the water valve. The easiest solution is to simply turn off the main valve that enters the home (basement, utility room, etc.) from the outside and is usually located near an exterior wall. If a fixture such as a sink knob or a toilet handle sticks then individual valves can be used so that the rest of the house maintains water access.

Location of Water Meter

One of the biggest utility drains on a house is hidden lost water usually from undetectable leaks. These not only  cost basically money for nothing, but the constant presence of moisture is eventually going to either rot the surface it is in contact with or lead to the formation of mold. Find the water meter (near a garden, footpath, on the exterior of the home or under the sink) and turn off all fixtures inside the house. Check the numbers and then recheck a while later and since the fixtures are off there should be no change. If there is, a leak is present…somewhere.

Winter Care

The cold weather is bad enough, nobody wants to deal with an indoor ice rink from broken pipes on top of that. As the temperatures start to dip make sure to disconnect all the outside hoses and put insulation on any pipes that are exposed or located in cold patches (window in a basement utility room).

Routine Maintenance and Proper Operation

If water is taking a lot longer than normal to drain it’s best to attack the blockage early instead of letting it build up into a more serious issue. Salt (or baking soda and vinegar) and boiling hot water are a great concoction for breaking up clogs as is a hardware store $15 drain snake. An even better approach is preventing the blockage in the first place by using the garbage disposal responsibly (or not at all) and installing hair stoppers on bathroom drains.

These basics should help most homeowners either avoid or know how to tackle an emergency situation promptly. For most plumbing issues it’s best to hire a contractor but these tips and a little familiarity with your home’s plumbing will limit the damage until we can get there.

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