3 Primary Methods Used to Fight Germs
If you find yourself in fear of facing illness now that it’s back-to-school time, it’s for good reason. Germs, germs, germs! The sinks, telephone, electronic devices, children’s toys, doorknobs, especially to the bedrooms and bathrooms, are popular landing sites for virus and bacteria. If someone does get sick at home, disinfecting may need to occur daily. Alliance for Consumer Education breaks down the three primary methods used to fight germs when cleaning your bathroom, sinks, kitchen, or other areas in your home.
3 tips to keep germs from invading your home:
- Disinfecting is the process in which a disinfectant kills nearly 100% of germs that contaminate a certain surface.
- Sanitizing reduces surface germs and is beneficial to do after cleaning, but it does not kill all germs- there will still be some left behind after using a product that just sanitizes.
- Cleaning works by using soap or detergent and water to physically remove soil or dirt, but does not specifically remove germs from that surface.
Don’t have time to disinfect, sanitize or clean your home?
We get it! Preventing the virus that causes the flu or any other airborne sickness can be tricky, which is why health officials urge everyone to protect themselves with one time-honored tactic: wash your hands well and often! That may be the single best way to stop those germs in their tracks. Remote controls, electronic devices, and countertops can be the germiest locale in the whole house. “What’s the first thing you do after you call in sick or call your child in for missing school? Pick up the remote or head for the electronics!
Hobson Plumbing and Heating is always ready to serve you with any plumbing or HVAC needs. If you need to schedule an appointment, call us today at 630-761-3400.
A Time to Say Thank You – Here’s Why…
On May 30th, 2019 Hobson Plumbing & Heating was voted Kane County’s Best of the Fox for 2019, as voted on by the Kane County Chronicle readers. In May, North Aurora Mothers’ Club also honored Hobson Plumbing & Heating with a Commitment to Community Award. We are extremely grateful for the individuals and customers who nominated or voted for us, being recognized truly is an honor.
On behalf of Hobson Plumbing & Heating Management, we would also like to take this time to thank our entire team. Without their professionalism and dedication to ensuring our customers are always taken care of, this could not be possible. Thank you.
Hobson Plumbing & Heating was created with a desire to run a family-owned company and to implement honesty and integrity as the benchmark for others to look up to in the plumbing and heating industry. We hope to continue serving the North Aurora, Fox Valley, and surrounding communities for many years to come.
Time to Test your Sump Pump
Spring is here, and in the Chicagoland area, that often means rain. That’s why you should test your sump pump regularly! Ideally, your best bet is to test your sump pump every month or two through summer and fall.
What Does a Sump Pump Do?
Many homes use sump pumps to prevent groundwater from getting into the basement or crawl space. Extra water can build up along the foundation, especially during heavy rains. A sump pump moves this excess groundwater out away from your home. If your pump stops working, water could get into your basement and foundation walls, causing mold and mildew. If enough water gets in, the basement could flood.
How to Test Your Sump Pump
There are two ways you can check that your sump pump is working correctly.
First, unplug the pump and then plug it back in again. If you look at the outlet where your sump pump is plugged in, you should see two separate plugs. Unplug both of them and then plug in just the one for the pump. If the pump doesn’t turn on immediately, your pump needs to be repaired or replaced. If the pump worked properly, don’t forget to reconnect the other plug.
The second way to test your sump pump is by running water through it. You only need enough water to raise the float until the pump kicks on. Keep in mind that just because the pump runs, it doesn’t mean it will actually work. We recommend monitoring to ensure the water actually gets pumped out of the hole.
If you’re not able to add water to the pump, you can lift the float arm up and see if the pump turns on. This method won’t confirm if water will actually be pumped out, however. If you test the pump without water, don’t let it run more than a few seconds. Otherwise, you risk damaging the pump motor.
If you need your sump pump tested, serviced, or replaced call the experts at Hobson Plumbing and Heating to schedule an appointment today at 630-761-3400.
Common Plumbing Myths That Cost You Money
There are plumbing “tricks” that could cost you more money and damage to your home. Some plumbing myths are harmless but nonetheless spread incorrect information. Hobson Plumbing and Heating experts are here to put a few myths to rest. To schedule an appointment, or for more information about these myths, contact us today!
PLUNGERS ARE ALL-POWERFUL PLUMBING TOOLS
Plungers are ideal for removing small and loose debris from pipes. Unfortunately, they’re not designed for stubborn clogs, mineral buildup, or major blockages. When dealing with something other than a bit of food or bathroom tissue, consider a more heavy-duty plumbing tool. The plunger is a good place to start, or you may want to try these tips:
- Water ram that will blow out the blockage: great for sediment buildup.
- Drain auger that will break up a blockage: good for stubborn and dense clogs.
- Hobson Plumbing and Heating: Calling us is ideal when the blockage is too large, too far in the pipes, or if you don’t know what the problem is.
NOTHING CAN SWIM UP YOUR PIPES
Pesky little rodents such as rats are capable of making their way from the sewer, your pipes, and into your home. The rats smell food in the drains, follow the smell, and find their way to the toilet. To avoid this, never flush food down your toilet and little food down the drains in
A LEAKING FAUCET ISN’T WORTH YOUR TIME
If you value your water and your money, then a leaky faucet is definitely worth fixing. A minor drip could waste around 500 gallons of water per year. Fixing a leak like this could save you money on your water bill, and usually, all you have to do is check a few things such as the connections, gaskets, and washers. If you’re unable to find the culprit, Hobson Plumbing and Heating is here to help.
ONLY STOPPED UP DRAINS ARE CLOGGED
You could have a drain or toilet that seems to be running or flushing normally, and there’s still a clog in the line. This could be a partial clog, sediment buildup on the wall of the pipes, or another issue with your plumbing. If you flush a toilet and find water coming up from a sink or bathtub, this is a clear indication of a clog.
THE WATER HEATER IS INDESTRUCTIBLE
Water heaters contain water that’s heated up to a very high temperature, and this creates a great deal of pressure. All modern water heaters are outfitted with a TPR (temperature and pressure relief) valve, but if this malfunctions, the water heater can explode.
You can prevent such an occurrence by testing the TPR valve regularly, and following the manufacturer’s instructions regarding safe temperatures. If you think it was installed incorrectly, call Hobson Plumbing and Heating at 630-761-3400.
These plumbing myths could cost you money because they could lead to major problems with your plumbing. To schedule an appointment with a qualified professional, or for more information about these myths, contact us today!
HVAC System Changes
The concept of living in a “smart” home was once an idea limited to those more fortunate, or so it seemed. As with many suggestions that seem unattainable at first, home automation is really taking off
Products with remote connectivity have become increasingly popular in homes and businesses these days. For instance, the ability to control via mobile devices. This advancing technology is changing HVAC systems for the better by providing homeowners with self-learning thermostats, mobile or voice control options, and self-diagnosing equipment.
When it comes to home automaton or making your home, office, business, warehouse, or any facility more efficient, Hobson Plumbing and Heating will find the best solution that fits your needs.
BENEFITS OF HVAC AUTOMATION
The benefits of smart HVAC systems are:
- Improved indoor comfort, due to automated HVAC settings and the ability to make changes anytime using a mobile device.
- Lower energy bills and maintenance costs, made possible by self-learning thermostats and HVAC systems with predictive diagnostics.
- Smaller environmental footprint resulting from lower energy use.
- Greater control with options to change settings on a mobile device or voice commands.
- Enhanced safety due to alerts or notifications that can be sent to the user’s mobile device when something is wrong with the equipment.
TYPES OF HVAC AUTOMATION
With interconnectivity at an all-time high, it’s easier than ever to automate household appliances. A few of the most in-demand devices and features that bring automated technology to HVAC systems are covered.
Smart Thermostats
One of the first automated home devices was the thermostat. Advancements in designs and user interfaces have only improved the performance and popularity of smart thermostats. They learn what temperatures homeowners prefer and when, and should soon anticipate the homeowner’s preferences and implement them automatically.
Mobile Control
Self-learning thermostats feature Wi-Fi, allowing homeowners to monitor, change, and receive notifications about their HVAC system. Imagine heating the bathroom before getting out of bed or putting the thermostat in recovery mode on the way home from work. Mobile control is all about improving comfort when you need it and reducing energy usage when you don’t. Wi-Fi thermostats also keep homeowners in the know if something goes wrong with their home comfort systems while they’re gone.
Voice Control
Homeowners want their automated systems to work without much effort, but voice control is a trendy way to make changes. When a thermostat or ceiling fan connects to a Siri, Google Home, or an Alexa-enabled device, it’s possible for homeowners to change settings with a voice command. This may not seem more convenient than controlling home comfort equipment with a keypad, but certainly pays off in the long run in the convenience department.
Self-Diagnostic and Performance Rating Capabilities
Homeowners want to know they’re getting the most from their HVAC equipment. Predictive diagnostics and insights on system performance are satisfying and deliver peace of mind. Systems with these features can even recommend ways to improve efficiency, providing an entirely new level of long-term performance.
In a few short years, automated technology has already drastically changed HVAC systems for the better. And with our whole house approach to HVAC installation, we focus on what will get you the most savings and convenience. If you’re interested in home automation, call a Hobson Plumbing and Heating expert at 630-761-3400. We’re available 24/7/365!
Sleep Temperature for the Winter
- Keep Cool – your sleep rhythm follows your body temp rhythm. In order to allow your body to regulate temperature easily, consider silk pajamas, which are warm when you want them to be and cool as well.
- Clean air for clean sleep – better air quality promotes better sleep. Make sure you have the right temperature, humidity, and air quality to catch those much needed ZZZ’s. Indoor quality monitors are available that track these factors and displays them in an easy to understand way.
- Stockings are not just for the fireplace – Warm feet can help with sleep. Data shows that getting your feet toasty before bed helps you fall asleep – so sock it up! Or, soak the day away in a nice warm bath just before bedtime.
- Bed partners – Kids can disrupt sleep. “Mommy, I’m cold” at the wee hours of the morning is probably the last thing you want to hear. If you experience this, consider making a new set of rules to keep the disturbance to a minimum. Consider keeping a folded blanket at the end of your child’s bed.
Hobson Plumbing and Heating Has Moved!
We are excited to announce that our team has moved to a new location in North Aurora. We spent our previous years a few miles away from our new location — our old office served us well, and we made great memories there, but we couldn’t be more excited about our new space.
The new office is not a retail storefront, however, allows us to store all the right equipment in order for the team to provide the best possible experience for our customers. The team will also conduct meetings and some training out of this facility. The picture above was taken at the new Hobson Plumbing and Heating location. We’re excited about the change.
While we were happy with our space, there were several motivating factors to make a move:
Space
When we first moved into our last office, it left no room for any inventory or meeting space. The new office will offer more square footage, but more importantly, allows us to provide even better service.
Visibility
In our last office, we were working out of our busy home, as well as a heated and secure storage unit in North Aurora. While we really like our neighbors and the convenience, we live a pretty anonymous existence. There was no way for anyone in the community outside of our home to know we existed, and we’re hoping our new location will help bolster our visibility in the area and help us more quickly come to mind when local residents require a trusted plumbing or HVAC technician.
Location
North Aurora is where we have always called home for our business. We’re all huge advocates for this community, and we’re excited that our office location now furthers that commitment. Our location will have an easily accessible dropbox for payments if you prefer to hand deliver it.
It has been an exciting two-plus years for Hobson Plumbing and Heating and we look at this new location as the start of another chapter in our history. We’re still working on getting settled in, but we’re incredibly excited to be in this new space.
Thanks for everyone’s support throughout the years and with the move.
Our new address is 197 Poplar Place #2 North Aurora, IL 60542.
Pet-proof Your Home’s Plumbing
Here are four tips you should consider to pet-proof your home’s plumbing. Keeping up with each one of these best practices means you should never have to worry about pet plumbing issues again.
According to the American Pet Product Association, approximately 68% of US households have a pet. Nearly one 100 million households have to account for the potential problems that come with having pets. Pets tend to put wreak havoc on plumbing.
Cover up exposed pipes
It’s the same concept as childproofing a home. Just like children love to open cabinet doors, pets love to chew on things. Avoid an unnecessary trip to the vet by covering up exposed pipes and wires.
If a pet chews through a pipe, fixing the potential burst could be a pricey problem. It might also damage the home or, worst of all, harm your pet! You’ll protect your home, your plumbing, and your pet all at once.
Keep plenty of water out
Pets, especially dogs, drink out of the toilet because they’re thirsty. If you make sure they always have water to drink, they generally stay out of toilet water. As a general rule, check your pet’s water bowl at least twice a day. Make sure they always have a drinking option that isn’t your toilet water.
Rinse dirty pets off outside
Rolling around in the mud is common for dog’s, but it can also be a plumbing disaster. When you wash a muddy dog off in the bath, it’s guaranteed to lose tons of muddy and matted fur. Nothing can create a clog quite as quickly or reliably as a muddy dog bath. To avoid the worst of the drain-clogging potential, we recommend stages of dog bathing. Pre-rinse your dog while you’re still outside to remove the worst of the mess. Once you’ve removed enough mud to see the fur, take them inside to the tub, shower, or slop sink.
Keep cleaning chemicals out of reach
If pets get into your bathroom cleaning supplies, they could make themselves extremely sick. Make sure your bathroom cleaners are out of reach or behind locked doors. Avoid having chemical drain cleaners in the first place. Not only are chemical drain cleaners poisonous to pets, they’re actually damaging to the pipes, too.
If your beloved family pet has caused a plumbing problem, don’t worry. Just call the professionals at Hobson Plumbing & Heating. No matter how difficult the clog or bad the burst is, we have just what you need to fix it. Call us today at 630-761-3400
Shower or tub, rub a dub dub
According to recent trends, the popularity of bathtubs is on the wane.
When it comes to remodeling, about one in four households that have bathtubs are replacing them, usually with a larger shower. At the same time, households that are hanging on to their bathtubs can now indulge their senses by converting a strictly functional room into a personal spa oasis.
For those opting to indulge in a nice, hot soak the leading choice for a replacement is a freestanding design. Freestanding designs come in two versions, partial and full. A partial freestanding tub hooks up to a conventional in the wall faucet and filler, while a full freestanding uses a floor-mounted filler and faucet. If you’re considering a freestanding tub, here’s what to look for in terms of design and construction.
Your Tub Choices Are Nearly Limitless
Even though bathtub use is declining, the variety of tubs available in the marketplace is growing, in large part due to new materials and improved manufacturing methods. New materials now cover everything from carbon fiber to acrylic, while still supporting an extensive range of options in wood, marble, and stone.
Improvements in modern manufacturing techniques mean higher quality steel tubs and extended finishes on traditional cast iron. The pros and cons of nine popular materials include cost, heat retention, surface, scratch resistance, weight, etc.
From Marble to Plastic, Materials Free The Imagination
Acrylic’s advantages include a wide range of colors and an infinite choice of shapes. Large slabs of plastic are molded to the desired shape using heat to soften the acrylic sheets. The process results in a non-porous smooth surface that retains heat, although the plastic is subject to scratching.
Fiberglass is another material that’s been adapted to the bathing scene, which isn’t that far removed from a boat or a pool. Compared to steel or cast iron, lighter weight is a real benefit when it comes to ease of installation and structural requirements, especially on a second floor or higher which might need additional re-enforcement to support the weight.
Acrylic and cast iron both have excellent heat retention qualities, and depending on how much bathing is done that feature alone could result in considerable energy savings over the lifetime of the tubs. In the case of cast iron, that lifetime lasts forever.
If you’re thinking about remodeling or updating your bathroom and in need of plumbing assistance, Hobson Plumbing and Heating is here for you! Contact us today at 630-761-3400.
May is National Electrical Safety Month
When it comes to electrical and water, they just don’t mix. Protect your family with these simple tips and guidelines to share with your kids about what not to do.
For Kids: Keep children safe by sharing these tips.
- Only plugs go into electrical outlets.
- Never put your fingers or anything else into an electrical outlet.
- Never pull out a plug by its cord.
- Keep electricity and water far apart.
- Don’t touch light switches or electric appliances when wet!
- Don’t use or plug-in electrical devices near a bathtub, sink or pool.
- If you see broken cords or plugs, ask an adult to have them fixed.
- Don’t swim or play outside during a thunderstorm.