1) Frost.

The calendar may say it is October, but the weather may definitely make it feel like December. Ensure that you keep an eye on the weather forecast, especially overnight temperatures, for it may dip below zero on some nights. If the dreaded “0” – or even close to 0 – appears on your forecast, you should detach all hoses from your outside taps, as even a temperature of 0 can freeze your pipes when they are attached to a hose; yes, even those frost-free faucets! If you operate an underground sprinkler system, the pipes should be drained and turned off as well.

2) Hot water tank care.

As the weather gets colder, there is a good chance you will have to use your hot water tank for heat. As such, you should ensure that your hot water tank is working properly. This includes checking the bottom of the pan to look for water; if your tank is dripping or if there is water at the bottom, a plumber should be called as soon as possible to fix the problem.

3) Drain tiles.

Take a walk around your home, paying special attention to the drain tiles. Drain tiles are a perforated pipe that is then covered in gravel, which pipes excess water away from your home. During this inspection, clear away any leaves or debris from on or around the tiles, as this can cause the drain to overflow and possibly flood parts of your home and yard. Check the tiles for any damage as well, as these should be replaced or fixed before the snow flies.

4) Septic/sewer system.

The fall, winter and spring months can overtax your septic/sewer system, so the beginning of fall is a good time to call in a plumber to conduct maintenance and check for any future problems that may arise as the system gets more use. Fall is also a good time to drain your septic tank if you have one.

5) General maintenance.

Conducting general maintenance around your home, including inspecting for leaky faucets or other pipes, is generally a good idea as well. This way you can catch a problem before it becomes a disaster.

For all your calgary plumbing needs contact Pete the Plumber, Calgary’s #1 Voted Plumbing Service Provider.

T: 403 257 1766
F: 403 257 1736
E: Pete@petetheplumber.com
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1) In the bathroom.

Before you call a plumber to fix the low water pressure in your showerhead, try cleaning it first. To do this, you take off the shower head and leave it in vinegar overnight. You can also clean the water outlets using a pin. To avoid mildew in the bathroom, keep the fan running and/or leaving a window open when you are running your shower. You should also keep your bathtub and shower stall free of mildew, as this will allow them to dry faster. Wet towels should be washed as soon as possible, so as not to create mildew as well.

2) In the kitchen.

Want a fresh-smelling garbage disposal? Believe it or not, it is possible. You can clean your garbage disposal by running through cold water and ice cubes – always check your instruction manual first, of course. You can also add a nice scent by adding lemon peels when you are grinding the ice. To ward away burnt hands when using the faucet, you should set the hot water to between 120 and 125 degrees.

3) Environment.

To keep your pipes from freezing in the winter, you should not only insulate them to keep them warm, but run hot and cold water during the winter as well. You should also use a chemical solution for your pipes to keep away roots, which grow easily in household pipes. Just leave the solution in the pipe overnight and flush in the morning.

4) In the laundry room.

As mentioned above, wet towels and wet clothes should always be cleaned and dried as soon as possible. The inside of a laundry hamper with wet towels – or a washing machine with wet clothes – is the perfect breeding ground for mildew which in turn can cause mold.

5) Everywhere else.

To ensure that your house stays dry and free of mold, you should make sure that your basement is well ventilated. If it is not, you can use a dehumidifier to dry the walls, the furnishing and the air. You should also clean and air out your kitchen and bathroom cabinets as much as possible. This is very easy – all you have to do is take out the items that are in the cabinets, and leave the doors open to ventilate. During this time you can also get rid of any expired medication in your bathroom or food in your pantry.

For all your Calgary plumbing needs contact Pete the Plumber, Calgary’s #1 Voted Plumbing Service Provider.

T: 403 257 1766
F: 403 257 1736
E: Pete@petetheplumber.com
W: http://www.petetheplumber.com

Most of Canada and the United States are suffering from a heat wave. In times like these, in the sweltering heat, oscillating fans and opening a window just don’t make a difference … but how do you maintain a nice cool house without running up the costs of your electricity bill? Here are some tips for keeping your house comfortable without losing your shirt.

1) Ensure that you have the proper size of air conditioner.

An air conditioning unit that is too large for your room or your home will essentially cost more than one that is the correct size, as it is pumping out more cold air than it needs to. Use the square footage of your home, plus the amount of windows in the room and whether or not it faces the sun to guide you on the size of unit you need.

2) Keep your unit maintained.

Every spring you should clean and maintain your air conditioning unit, including cleaning the filter. Filters should be changed monthly, which will ensure your air conditioner is running at optimum condition without wasting a lot of energy trying to push air through a dirty filter.

3) Have your condenser in a shady spot.

Your air conditioner condenser, which puts out the warm air from your home, should have plenty of room around it – so hiding it with shrubs or any other plant is not a good idea. The condenser should also be in a shady spot, so as not to overheat the unit from the sun.

4) Keep the heat out.

To keep the sun from heating up your home, therefore saving you money from air conditioning costs, you can plant shade trees and shrubs around the perimeter of your home, paying special attention to the west and south sides of your home. You can also close the shades when the sun is facing a room and install awnings on the windows of your home.

5) Seal all the leaks in your home.

By sealing all the air leaks in your home, you will make your air conditioner more efficient as none of that cool air will leak out. Places to look for are drafty doors and windows (add weatherstripping) and where your utilities enter and exit the house. Also check your chimney for cracks – not only will this help with the efficiency of your air conditioner, it will ensure a warmer home in the winter as well!

The dog days of summer have arrived … ensure you have a comfortable home without paying an arm and a leg for your air conditioner this year!

For all your calgary air conditioning needs contact Pete the Plumber, Calgary’s #1 Voted Plumbing Service Provider.

T: 403 257 1766
F: 403 257 1736
E: Pete@petetheplumber.com
W: http://www.petetheplumber.com

Let’s first look at the types of air conditioners. There are different types of air conditioners for different purposes, ranging from portable air conditioners for 300 to 400 square feet, window-mounted air conditioners for 300 and 1,600 square feet, and wall-mounted air conditioners as well. So if you only want to keep one room cool, you might choose a portable air conditioner as you can move it throughout the house from room to room. You can easily move a window-mounted air conditioner once the season changes, and a wall-mounted air conditioner can save you money as it is sealed permanently, keeping more cool air inside the home.

When shopping for an air conditioner, there are many different options that can come with the unit, such as:

• Filters with easy access: This makes it easier for you to clean the filter as needed; a normal household should change their filter monthly, so having easy access is a luxury! Why should you change your filter, you ask? One big reason is to save you money – the more gunk and particles in a filter, the harder an air conditioner has to work to make your air cool – and once it gets completely clogged, it will not work at all!

• Energy-saving: Not only are these units more “green,” and easier on the environment, they are easier on your pocketbook as well! These units use less electricity than regular air conditioners, which will cut down on your hydro bill.

• Humidifier/dehumidifer: Air conditioners aren’t just for the summer any more! These units can make a hot, sticky day cool and crisp with the dehumidifier and add moisture to those dry chilly winter days.

• Multiple settings: Some units will have more than one setting; instead of just an off and on button, you can set what temperature you would like.

• Timers: Instead of letting your air conditioner run through the night, or during the day when you’re not home, a unit with a timer can turn on at a certain time in the afternoon so you can come home to a cool air conditioned house.

• Remote control: Everyone loves remote controls! With one of these units, you can turn your air conditioner on from the comfort of your couch – or bed, whatever the case may be.

• Noise level: Some air conditioners are guaranteed to run quietly, allowing you to get your 40 winks of sleep at night without having to ignore the jet engine next to your bed.

1) Gas-guzzler.

Just like older cars, older furnaces will use more gas than the newer more energy-efficient ones. Not only that, older furnaces will be less efficient than when they were bought new. By purchasing a new furnace, you will save money by not having to use as much gas, plus on efficiency as well. This is especially important as the price of gas is constantly rising.

2) What’s that smell?

If you smell any type of noxious odors coming from your furnace, it is a very obvious hint that you need to replace the unit. Not only is that smell not very nice, it can be dangerous to your health. Any type of fumes in the air, such as diesel, caused by old furnaces is a good reason to replace your equipment. A clean efficient furnace will automatically generate a small amount of carbon monoxide, while one that is old can generate deadly amounts. This odorless, colorless gas normally escapes through your furnace’s vents. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause flu-like symptoms, disorientation, confusion and even death.

3) Noisy.

Old furnaces can be quite noisy, from when they first start up to the sound they make to force air out into your home. Furnaces will normally turn on in the middle of the night, when the house is at its coolest. This can disturb you and your families’ sleep. New furnaces are much quieter than old ones, so if you’d like to keep your sanity and your home quiet, you should look into getting a new one.

4) Keeping it lit.

Some old furnaces will have issues with keeping the pilot light on. You might have problems lighting the pilot at all, or find out later in the day that the light went out right when your back was turned. Rather than constantly fighting with your old furnace, you can purchase a new furnace which will not have this problem.

5) Safety.

No matter what type or brand of furnace you have, a new furnace will always be safer. New furnaces automatically come with certain safety features, which older furnaces do not have. These include having an automatic shut-off if a problem arises. Keep you and your family safe by purchasing a new furnace.

For all your furnace installation or repair needs contact Pete the Plumber, Calgary’s #1 Voted Plumbing Service Provider.

T: 403 257 1766
F: 403 257 1736
E: Pete@petetheplumber.com
W: http://www.petetheplumber.com