Can Your Plumber Say “Yes!” to These 3 Questions?
As a local homeowner or landlord, you really should have a plumber in Omaha on speed dial. Yes, right there between your best friend and the pizza guy. Why? When an emergency arises— and it will!— the last thing you want to waste time on is digging through the phone book for a plumber. Calling a dozen different companies, leaving messages, and sitting on hold is a surefire way to make your bad day worse. So do yourself a favor! Vet your go-to plumber with these three critical questions. Do you keep service parts in stock? When you have a [...]
Money-Saving Water Heater Tips
Did you know water heaters consume about 17% of the total energy of your home? That quite a hefty percentage. But do not fret. We have some helpful tips for how to save money on your next bill! Burton’s Best Water Heater Tips Lower The Temperature Check your water heater setting. The higher the temperature, the more power is needed. When you buy a water heater, the default setting is usually around 140F. However, most households can reduce the setting to be a more comfortable 120F. This reduction consumes 3%-5% less electricity and can significantly reduce your heating bills over [...]
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 [...]
DIY Ways to Fix a Toilet That Won’t Flush
Can’t flush? Here’s what to do. Think it’s a clog? Try the good ol’ toilet plunger. A classic go-to. You can also try a toilet auger made specifically for larger pipes. Augers use a rotating action that can help break through tough clogs. Your water level might be too low. Pop the top off the toilet tank. Depending on what type of fill valve you have, all you have to do is bend the float rod gently upwards to increase the water fill level in the tank or bend it downwards to lower the fill level. Test the flush and [...]
Household Items You Should Never Flush Down the Toilet
It can be tempting to flush something down the toilet out of convenience. However, just because something can be flushed doesn’t mean it should be. Here is a list of household items you should never flush down your toilet. • Cotton products — Q-tips, cotton balls, cotton pads • Wipes • Dental floss • Paper towels • Anything “flushable” At Burton, we recommend homeowners be skeptical of any items categorized as “flushable.” To determine if something is genuinely flushable, that would require all toilets to be engineered the same. The amount of water in your toilet and your sewer line’s [...]
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 [...]
Why You Should Install a Whole House Water Filtration System
The repetition of water usage is so baked into our daily lives we rarely contemplate it. Busy routines and household chores leave little time to question what is lurking in our water. However, there are many key warning signs you might be brushing off that need to be addressed. A few symptoms of contaminated water that need attention are: 1.Dry hair and skin 2.Faded clothes 3.Mineral buildup around faucets and showerheads 4.A filmy haze on your drinking glass If you notice any of these side effects, consider calling a Burton professional to install a whole house water filtration system. A [...]
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 [...]
What to do When Your Pipes Freeze
Pipes can be prone to freezing during the excruciatingly cold midwestern temperatures. Even pipes that do not usually freeze are not immune to the extreme cold. If you find yourself without running water, here are a few things you can try before calling a plumber. 1. Try to thaw the pipe with a space heater or hairdryer Surrounding the frozen pipe with heat can help melt the ice and create movement in the pipe again. However, be prepared for some cleanup. Once the ice melts, the blockage could leak out of the pipes once thawed. Start with the section closest [...]
Four Appliance Checks You Should Do Before Winter
Frigid temperatures can wreak havoc on your home’s appliances. Before the winter season is in full swing, it is important to address any potential problems that could cause lasting damage to your home. Here are four appliances you should inspect before cold weather hits, and continue to inspect throughout the winter season. Furnace An unchecked furnace can result in serious consequences. Carbon monoxide can be released into the air when the fuel in your furnace builds up instead of burning. Unchecked systems can also be a fire hazard when a broken interior part blocks ventilation or penetrates a heat source. [...]
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 [...]
How to Be Kind to Your Plumbing While Everyone’s Home
Now that many of us are spending more time in the comfort of our homes, we’re (ahem) using the plumbing much more frequently. There are items that are obviously not flushable, but it can get a little confusing. We’re here to help you out! Don’t flush wipes. This includes disinfectant wipes, baby wipes and even the ones that claim they are ‘flushable.’ These wipes don’t break down as easily as toilet paper and can eventually cause you and your community major plumbing issues. So, just go ahead and throw it in the trashcan instead. In fact, a lot of the [...]