3 Surprisingly Fun Tips For Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are kitchen workhorses, taking the daily grind to a whole new level (often in dark places, out of view). Given everything we throw at them (or rather, down them), it’s not surprising they get funky from time to time. What may be surprising is how easy (and almost fun) it is to keep them looking and smelling their best. Before we get started, here’s a fun bonus tip: Always disconnect the power to your garbage disposal before working on it—because it’s fun to keep all of your fingers attached to your hand—and it’s not fun to work in [...]
Should I Get My A/C Inspected in the Spring?
If last season’s winter storms caused any damage to your home, Spring is the best time to have them fixed. This includes your A/C System—a very important system to have inspected before the summer heat arrives. Read on to learn why it’s important for you to get an A/C inspection this Spring. Prepare for Summer Spring is the best time to get your HVAC system inspected for upcoming summer months. But, why Spring? You don’t want to turn on your air conditioner on the hottest day of summer just to find out there’s an issue. Consider getting an inspection by [...]
9 Ideas to Help You Save Money on Utility Bills This Winter
Winter is coming and with it comes the cost of heating your home. The internet is full of ideas for saving money on energy costs, but they can be expensive. Many major renovation projects are not worth the expense to make a home more energy efficient. However, there are other ways to lower your heating costs. You can save money on your energy bills without the costs skyrocketing. Here are our top 9 tips to say goodbye to shocking heating bills. Bundle up Wear warm clothes, put on socks and plush slippers. Wearing warm clothes indoors doesn't cost you anything [...]
7 Tell-Tale Signs That You Need Your Drains Cleaned!
Amongst endless chores, we often find ourselves neglecting our plumbing system. Don’t ignore issues when drains start acting up or you’ll end up in a mess! Drains that require cleaning can cause damage, so it’s important to look out for signs that you may need your drains cleaned. How do you know that it's time to clean the drains in your house? Here are some obvious ways your drainage system is trying to show you that you need a drain cleaning. Slow Drains Have you noticed that it's taking longer than usual for the water to go down the kitchen [...]
Everything You Need to Know about Water Heater Replacement
Water heaters are a crucial part of every household. They give you warm and hot water whenever you want.. But what happens if something goes awry you need a replacement? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about water heater replacement. How Long do Water Heaters Last? Traditional water heaters with tanks should last up to 8-12 years and tankless water heaters can last over 20 years. Manufacturers generally suggest a water heater replacement every 12 years for traditional heaters and every 20 years for tankless water heaters. However, these estimations are not guaranteed. Water heaters may last [...]
4 Surprising Reasons to Use Your Ceiling Fans During Omaha Area Winters
In the middle of a hot Omaha summer, your ceiling fans are probably on full blast—racing to beat the heat and generate a cool indoor breeze. But did you know your ceiling fan can be just as effective at improving your indoor comfort in the cold of winter, too? It sounds counterintuitive, but switching your fan direction in the winter is one of the ways you can warm up your rooms—without having to crank up the heat. Read on to learn how changing your winter fan rotation can reduce your energy bills and keep your family warm all season long! [...]
Need Help with Sump Pump Maintenance?
Sump pumps, located at the lowermost part of your home, help prevent damage to your home by keeping your foundation dry and discourages flooding. To ensure your sump pump is in good working condition during an emergency, be sure to do a maintenance check 2-3 times a year. Maintenance Checklist: Unplug the sump pump to avoid electrical shock Empty the basin of standing water Remove debris in and around the basin Pour water into the basin to ensure it is draining properly Inspect sump pump for rust or corrosion Remove debris and blockage from pipe where water is discharged from [...]
Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?
What is a Tankless Water Heater? Tankless water heaters provide you and your family with a constant supply of hot water and only provides hot water when you need it. For instance, when a hot water faucet is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe and into the tankless unit. It is then heated directly without the use of a storage tank. What are the advantages? These units can have a lot of advantages. For instance, tankless water heaters can be more energy efficient than conventional water heaters. They can help cut costly bills because they don’t use excess [...]
How to Choose from a Tankless or Conventional Water Heater
How do you choose from a tankless or a conventional water heater? Well, one is not necessarily better than the other. It’s your choice which one would be best for you and your needs. To begin, let’s identify the major differences between the two water heaters. Conventional Water Heater These units typically store 40-50 gallons of hot water. While hot water is in use, the unit continues to replenish its tank with cold water. Because of this, conventional water heaters can run out of hot water. Tankless Water Heater These tanks heat water on demand. When hot water [...]
How to Prevent Winter Melting from Flooding Your Basement
After one of the snowiest winters in Omaha history, the last thing anyone wants is sump pump failure. Combine record-levels of melting snow and incoming spring rain, and we’re set up for potential disaster. To ensure that your basement stays dry, an efficient and functioning sump pump is the most critical piece of equipment. Now is the perfect time to do a yearly check to make sure your sump pump is in working condition. How To Conduct an Annual Sump Pump Maintenance Check: Remove the cover of your sump pump pit. Check the drain hose to make sure it’s [...]
Why You Should Get a Second Opinion on Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning
Have you ever been faced with a significant home repair and thought… “I wonder if I should look around more or get another opinion before I commit to this.” Of course you have. It’s a common human reaction. When something vital to our safety and comfort (like plumbing, heating, or air) stops working properly, most of us have only one thing on our minds: “Fix it. Fix it fast!” So most of us don’t bother to get a second opinion - which can lead to stress, worry, and additional (unnecessary) expense. How to Know When It’s Time For a [...]
Air Conditioning Self-Help Tips for Homeowners in Omaha and Council Bluffs
Here in the Greater Omaha area, we ask a lot of our air conditioning systems. Long hours. No sleep. No pay. and the last thing we want to have happen is for our system to quit when that Omaha summer heat sets in. So the least we can do is give them the same comfort and care they give us. Otherwise, so long “comfort and care.” Here are a few things you can do on your own to help air conditioning systems run smoothly and ensure uninterrupted service. Check your thermostat settings to make sure they’re where you want them [...]