Chicagoland’s Plumbing Spring Cleaning Checklist
The spring like temperatures tempt us to open our windows and doors with a desire to bring that freshness indoors. Thus, our long-standing and ritualistic habit of “spring cleaning” begins however, plumbing issues are not typically at the top of that list.
As homeowners begin the yearly task of cleaning, we recommend that you protect your home this spring with these easy to follow plumbing maintenance tips. After a long winter’s use, it could use a little TLC and tuning as much as the rest of your home. Making this type of annual plumbing maintenance a habit will help your plumbing fixtures and systems to perform better and last longer.
To help you out, we have a handy checklist that we’ve broken out into manageable chunks, in order to help you give your plumbing a thorough spring cleaning this year!
Week 1 – Pipes, valves & more!
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- Clear your gutters, downspouts, and vent pipes on the roof.
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- Inspect your pipes (or have your plumber inspect them) for leaks, damage, or anything unusual.
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- Check your hose bibbs for leaks or damage and replace them if needed. If dripping continues after the spout is replaced, you may have had a frozen pipe that cracked and needs repairing.
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- Install backwater valves on all floor drains to prevent sewer backups.
- Snake any slow floor drains to remove clogs, and pour a gallon of water into infrequently used floor drains. This fills the trap and will prevent odors and sewer gases from coming in the house
Week 2 – Clean those sinks!
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- Use a bacterial drain cleaner to clear debris and build-up from all the drains in your home. If you have a “frequent clogger”, take the time now to snake it and get rid of the problem.
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- Clean the traps beneath your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry sinks.
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- Clean mineral build-up from your shower heads and faucets.
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- Clean out and replace faucet aerators if needed.
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- Clean out your washing/dryer machine lint trap.
- Give your garbage disposal a thorough cleaning and repair it if needed.
Week 3 – Preventative measures to keep plumbing in working order!
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- Put mesh strainers over all of your drains to help prevent hair and other clogging debris from going down the drain.
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- Check the water supply lines to your washing machine, faucets, toilets, and other water-using appliances or fixtures. If you see bulges, tears, or leaks, replace the lines.
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- Test your sump pump. Pour water into the basin and trip the lever to ensure it is still working properly and the on/off mechanism isn’t corroded.
- Do an all-around maintenance check on your water heater.
- Do a thorough leak check in and around your home, remembering to do a water meter reading.
Source: http://theplumber.com/spring-cleaning/
If this list seems overwhelming or you don’t want to spend your weekends on plumbing maintenance, contact the professionals at Hobson Plumbing & Heating today. Our expert technicians can take care of all your plumbing and heating needs.
Install a Programmable Thermostat to Dial In Comfort, Convenience and Energy Savings!
There are two basic ways to maximize your heating and cooling energy efficiency. Either, by updating your old thermostat manually throughout the day, or by investing in a programmable thermostat.
According to Energy Star, the average household spends more than $2,000 a year on energy costs, up to half of which is for heating and cooling. With a programmable thermostat, you can save around $180 per year, maybe more as energy costs go up!
Programmable thermostats automatically monitor and adjust the temperature for you by following the instructions you program into them. By doing so, they save energy thus save you money. For instance, if you program your thermostat back 10º to 15º for an eight hour period, you’ll save about 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill. That translates to 1% savings for each degree you lower the setting over an eight hour period. During winter months, it’s recommended you set your thermostat to 68ºF while you’re at home and awake, and lowering it when you’re asleep or away.
Many qualified models also come with additional features, such as:
- Digital, backlit displays
- Touch pad screen programming
- Voice and/or phone programming
- Hold/Vacation features
- Indicators which tell you when it’s time to change air filters
- Indicators that signal malfunctioning of heating/cooling systems
- Adaptive Recovery/ Smart Recovery features — control features that senses the amount of time it will take to reach the next set-point temperature, and reach desired temperatures by the set time
How Do You Choose the Right One for You?
According to Energy Star, in order to decide which model is best for you, think about your schedule and how often you are away from home for regular periods of time — work, school, other activities — and then decide which of the three different models best fits your schedule: the 7-day, 5+2-day, or the 5-1-1-day.
7-day models are best if your daily schedule tends to change, say, if children are at home earlier on some days. They give you the most flexibility, and let you set different programs for different days — usually with four possible temperature periods per day.
5+2-day models use the same schedule every weekday, and another for weekends.
5-1-1 models are best if you tend to keep one schedule Monday through Friday and another schedule on Saturdays and Sundays.
A few misconceptions:
First, it’s not true that by setting the temperature back, and later setting it forward to the original temperature, you’re making your furnace work harder and actually consuming more energy. Worst case, you’ll most likely break-even as it uses just as much extra energy to reheat a room to its original temperature as the energy saved by reducing the heat. The longer you keep the temperature lowered, the more energy and cost savings you incur.
The second misconception is that you can reheat a room faster and more efficiently if you turn the thermostat to a higher than desired setting. No matter how high you turn up the thermostat’s temperature, the room will warm up at the same rate of speed. So, when you program your thermostat to reheat (or re-cool) your home or office, set it to the desired end temperature and no more or no less. Ask our professionals at Hobson if the new unit is compatible with your current unit’s wiring. Does the unit’s clock draw power from the heating system? Is the clock disrupted when the furnace cycles off? Is the thermostat precise enough for your needs? Is it too complicated (particularly digital models)?
Top smart programmable thermostats rated by CNET.com:
See a full list of programmable thermostats from Consumer Reports
The installation of your new thermostat and getting the most out of your new investment is where we can help. Call Hobson today at 630-761-3400 or fill out the form on the contact page to get a quote or schedule an appointment.
Stop Flushing Money Down the Toilet
Bad seals, leaky outdoor faucets, and water efficient fixtures-a plumbers guide to make saving money a New Year’s resolution by not flushing money down the toilet, literally.
As you enter the new year, the last thing you should have to worry about is the gentle tap, tap, tap of a leaking faucet. That tiny drum of water striking porcelain or a spigot not functioning properly is not only annoying, it’s a money sink! Here are a few of the things that our highly-skilled Hobson Plumbing & Heating expert will evaluate in order to ensure your water bill is as low as possible and help save you money in the long run.
Bad Seals
That gentle drip of water into your sink or shower is much more than a nuisance. The most common reason for the drip is a worn-out seal. If left unchecked the seal will continue to wear down and the flow of water will just increase. A new faucet is far less expensive in comparison to the risk is having gallons of water being wasted every minute when the seal does fully give way. Our highly-skilled plumbing experts will be able to quickly identify exactly what needs to be replaced and handle the process for you quickly and easily.
Constantly Running Toilet
A toilet that is left to run constantly can add a substantial amount of money to your water bill if not fixed in a timely manner. It’s one of the simplest fixes we can make to help reduce your water bill and save you money immediately.
Outside Faucets
A good way to check to see if your spigot is broken is to check out the inside area of your home directly opposite the outdoor faucet. If the wall that the faucet is connected to has excess moisture on it, then a breakage probably occurred in the recent past. Have Hobson Plumbing & Heating make certain there are no problems by having us inspect it today!
Broken Lines
If your water bill has suddenly increased for no apparent reason, then you may have a broken line. Lines break for a wide variety of reasons ranging from age to extreme weather, such as what we experienced in the midwest this year, and shifting soil. A busted pipe can happen at any time during the year, so don’t shrug it off. Additionally, broken lines can result in water contamination so better to call Hobson Plumbing & Heating when in doubt.The faster you act, the more savings you will experience in your water bill!
Poorly Performing Water Heaters
When most people think about a water heater, they typically concern themselves with the gas or electric cost of the unit. Few consider the efficiency of the setup and its impact on overall water usage. A poorly designed piping system, or a malfunctioning heater, may result in it taking longer for hot water to reach your shower or sink. Our highly-skilled plumbing team can recommend the best solution that meets your needs, from tankless water heaters installed closer to where the water will be used to the upgrading of your home’s piping.
Water Efficient Fixtures
A great deal of water used is wasted due to the sheer volume that comes out of standard faucets. One of the easiest ways you can save money is to swap out shower heads and sink faucets with flow restricting heads. By reducing the flow rate you can cut the amount of water used by up to 50%. Our team can show you which faucets to target and even install the most efficient fixtures for you.
Want to learn more? The EPA and Water Sense has compiled some stats on the impact of leaky water systems and household fixtures.
Hobson Plumbing & Heating is here to help. Learn more about our plumbing and heating services or contact us today to set up an appointment. Hobson Plumbing &Heating is committed to ensuring your plumbing is ready to serve your family’s needs while reducing your water bill in the years to come.
The Cost of NOT Having a Humidifier in Your Home
Rarely is there only one way to solve a problem, but often times there is a best way. When it comes to the health and comfort of your family and pets, finding the most complete and effective solution is important. Dry air is one problem faced by homeowners throughout the country so you’re not alone!
Families can relieve some symptoms of dry air with expensive lotions and eye drops aimed at keeping our bodies moisturized. However, these solutions don’t target the root cause. If improper humidity is a concern, the best thing to do is increase humidity levels!
Raising the level of humidity in the home is done by adding moisture to the air as vapor or steam. While this is accomplished in similar ways with both room and whole-home humidifiers, the results are not equal. Allow one of our highly-skilled team members to provide an estimate and take advantage of Hobson Plumbing & Heating’s January special for the purchase and installation of an Aprilaire humidifier (any model) and receive two free replacement pads ($34 value). This includes a 5 year manufacturer’s warranty and one year warranty on labor. Contact Hobson Plumbing & Heating at 630-761-3400 today to get your free estimate and take advantage of this great offer!
Prevent Frozen Pipes by Following These 7 Tips!
The freezing and bursting of a water supply line or pipes can spell disaster for your home but following these important safety steps can help you avoid costly repairs.
Water has a unique property in it that causes it to expand as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the “strength” of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.
Our seven important steps to ensuring you avoid frozen pipes:
- Drain water from swimming pools and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer’s or installer’s directions.
- Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors.
- Consider installing specific products made to insulate pipes.
- Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
- When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
- If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.
What should I do if my pipes freeze AND BREAK?
If a water pipe bursts, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve which is usually at the water meter or where the main line enters the house. Leave the faucet(s) open until after repairs are completed.
What should I do if I suspect a frozen pipe?
If you open a faucet and no water comes out, don’t take any chances. Call Hobson Plumbing & Heating immediately!
Where are my shutoff valves?
There are two major shutoff valves; the first valve, called a curb stop, is typically located near the property line. The other major valve is typically located in the home next to the water meter. Other valves may be near plumbing appliances such as sinks and toilets. Hobson Plumbing and Heating can walk you through where your valves are located at no charge on any of our visits to your home so you can easily locate them in an emergency.
Need help with freezing or frozen pipes? Hobson Plumbing & Heating is here to help.
The pros at Hobson Plumbing & Heating are here to ensure your plumbing and heating needs are taken care of this winter. Learn more about our plumbing and heating services or call us today at 630-761-3400 to set up an appointment. We primarily service Dupage and Kane counties including North Aurora, Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Naperville and the Tri-Cities area.
Furnace Installation and Maintenance
Hobson Plumbing and Heating knows the importance of a fine tuned and reliable furnace. An efficient and well running heating unit is a necessity in the winter and there is no better place to go than Hobson for all your furnace needs or questions. Checking your furnace before it gets extremely chilly is a service Hobson has been providing for the Naperville area for many years.
They have the expertise and experience to repair, replace or install a new furnace and service any existing problems such as sensor, electrical or flame issues, clogged filters, thermostat problems or a malfunctioning ignition control. Hobson Plumbing and Heating is familiar with these problems and others, and will gladly come to your home or office, give you a quote, and take care of your heating needs.
Hobson services all the big name furnace brands including the following:
So regardless of your current furnace type or preference you know you will be in good hands.
At Hobson, all work is guaranteed and we make great effort to ensure we answer all your questions and service your needs in the most professional manner possible. We want to leave your home or office cleaner than when we arrived. We know what you need to get through the upcoming winter. Don’t delay! Give Hobson Plumbing and heating a call today at 630-761-3400.
What is HVAC Technology?
If you’re like many people, you have seen the letters “HVAC” on numerous occasions without knowing exactly what the initials represent or what the technology includes. HVAC is the key to our comfort in homes, schools, businesses and all buildings.
HVAC (heating, ventilating/ventilation, and air conditioning) is the moniker used for the technology of indoor environmental comfort. Providing thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality is the ultimate goal of any HVAC system. It is a subset of mechanical engineering, which is predicated on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.
HVAC is a vital and necessary part of any residential structures such as family homes, apartment complexes, hotels and senior living facilities, as well as medium to large industrial and office buildings such as skyscrapers and hospitals. Without proper heating, cooling and air circulation, residents and workers would experience discomfort for sure, and at worst, if air quality is below par, they may suffer serious illness.
Furnaces keep us warm during the cold months of winter, A/C units make the heat and humidity of summer much more bearable, and air filtration units along with humidifiers and dehumidifiers all play a large role in keeping the indoor air comfortable and safe.
Indoor air can contain many contaminants including pet dander, mold, bacteria and pollen. In fact, the EPA estimates that most Americans are exposed each day to the indoor air contaminants that may lead to serious health problems, including cancer, respiratory ailments, fatigue and headaches. Air filtration units and humidifiers are great investments to make to ensure the cleanliness of your air and to regulate the amount of moisture it contains. This will result is cleaner and more comfortable inside your home or office.
Because there are so many different models and types of furnaces (gas, two stage gas, oil) and air conditioners (split systems, optimized coils, high efficiency) it is beneficial to shop around, assess your needs and consult a professional for advice in choosing the proper unit. If you own a home or business in the Chicago area, call Hobson Plumbing for sound advice or excellent service. We can visit your site and let you know what an improvement looks like.
The Many Benefits of Water Softeners
With summer just ending the crisp, cold days of autumn and winter will soon be knocking on our door. However, the inevitable is coming – dry skin – and this may be just the perfect time to look at installing a new water softener for your home.
When people hear the term “water softener”, many automatically think of the benefits to our skin when showering and bathing during the cooler months of the year. This is true, but did you realize there are many other benefits to having softer water? Actually there are quite a few, including:
- Your glassware, plates, dishes and silverware will be cleaner
- Your hair and skin will feel cleaner and smoother after bathing
- Hard water made softer through the use of a softener restores the lathering of your soaps and shampoos, and this reduces the usage and costs of these products by about 75%.
- Consumers will be able to return to natural chemical free healthy soaps and laundering agents, benefiting your health and the planet.
- Fabrics are also softer because hard minerals no longer get trapped in them while washing. Clothes last longer and stay whiter without the dingy gray caused by hard water. This saves the consumer from needing to purchase new clothing on a regular basis.
- Soft water also preserves the life of all water using appliances such as coffee makers, ice machines, dishwashers, and clothing washers. A water heater protected by a water softening system can reduce the yearly energy cost of that appliance by up to 29%.
Think about all these fantastic benefits as a result of having a water softener installed by Hobson Plumbing and Heating. It is a great investment for your home and will help you save money in the long run. Contact us to make an appointment or to find out more.
Back-up Sump Pumps More Important Than Ever
If you have been watching the news this summer, you’ve undoubtedly seen the flooding horror stories come out of American cities like Baton Rouge, LA and other parts of the Gulf Coast. These communities may never be the same, with thousands of homes damaged and numerous families displaced by torrential rain and flooding.
These stories remind us of the importance of preparing our homes for anything – especially the worst. That’s why it’s important to ensure you have an adequate back-up system in place for your home’s sump pump.
Check it before it wrecks it
Most homeowners already have a back-up sump pump or other system in place in case their main sump pump fails them during a flooding event. This is your first step in preparing your home for disaster; the second step is regularly checking your back-up system to ensure it will work when disaster strikes. Flash floods have “flash” in their name for a reason – they typically occur rather unexpectedly – so failing to ensure your back-up system will be ready to take action beforehand is nearly as harmful as having no back-up system at all.
Thoroughly inspect both your main sump pump and your back-up system on a regular basis. Plan check-ups for the beginning of the rainy season (spring) and during the summer. If you live in a particular flood-prone area in Chicagoland, you should check your systems more frequently.
Better yet, have us check your sump pump for you. Our sump pump inspections are only $39; that’s much less expensive than cleaning and fixing your home after a major flooding event.
The importance of back-up
Think of all the other things in life for which you have back-ups (or, at least should consider having). You have back-up funds in case of health or family emergencies, for example. If you have an important presentation coming up, you’ll keep the files on additional thumb drives or bring print-outs. Some parents will have back-up babysitters in case their main one has to cancel at the last moment.
When it comes to your home, why not also have a back-up for it? Your home is the bedrock upon which your family is based, as well as a major source of your wealth and property. You should do everything you can to ensure its well-being in case of a disaster.
Don’t take unnecessary risks
The truly best thing you can do is have a professional check your sump pump and back-up system. We have many years of experience installing and inspecting sump pumps and back-up systems and may be able to spot things you wouldn’t be able to spot.
Make your appointment with us today using our online form or by calling us at (630) 761-3400.
Protect your health by filtering your water
Water is an essential nutrient everyone needs every day. For the average healthy person, they need at least eight cups a day – if not more. In the summertime – especially the very hot one we’ve been having so far – consuming enough water is even more important because you are losing fluids to sweating.
However, the quality of the water you consume can be nearly as important as how much you consume. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, improperly filtrated water can contain harmful bacteria, viruses and metals that can lead to many adverse health symptoms.
That’s why water filtration in your home is so important. Public water typically has some chemicals in it intended to make water safer, such as fluoride, which can help improve dental health. However, most of the time, the water contains many other elements that you wouldn’t want entering your body!
Your tap water solution
We are installing more water filtration units than ever these days. We can hook up a filtration system directly to your kitchen sink as a tap, as well as to your refrigerator – which will result in purified water and ice cubes right from the fridge.
Also, unlike other refrigerator systems, ours do not require you to replace filters. This can save you $70 or more every six months.
Danger in the water
What could be lurking in your tap water that filtration can help eliminate? Here are some of the harmful things you could be consuming without filtration.
- Bacteria – Yes, bacteria could be lurking in your drinking water. This could be the case if you’re using groundwater or water provided by your community. Some harmful bacteria include salmonella and E. coli, which can cause very serious health problems (as well as be deadly for young children and the elderly).
- Metals and harmful minerals – Tap water naturally contains metals and minerals such as magnesium and chromium. In very small amounts these are not harmful – but if you are consuming most of your water from the tap, you could be ingesting a harmful amount and not even realizing it.
Get better water
Are you ready have a new safe water drinking system installed for you home today – and save money along the way? See our services page for more information and see our easy-to-use appointment form to set up your appointment!