Plumber Thomas Crapper did not design the toilet. It was designed by Sir John Harington in 1596, who installed a working prototype in his godmother’s house, which happened to be the palace of Queen Elizabeth I. How many words do we use for “toilet?” If you’re aboard a boat, it’s called the head. In London, [...]
You’ve got a clogged drain. Of all the terrible things that could go wrong with your home’s plumbing, a clogged drain seems simple enough for a DIY (do-it-yourself). “Bypassing the plumber for a bottle of drain cleaner can do more harm than good,” says Chicago plumbing professional Tyler Diciolla. First, Do No Harm Angie’s List [...]
It’s more than a feeling. Some areas of your home are truly draftier or warmer than other areas, and you suspect that you’re heating and cooling your backyard. When homeowners sense there is energy loss in their home, they need to verify they have problem areas by calling their HVAC professionals. All of us recognize [...]
If you’ve noticed water pressure problems, then you need to act before your water goes from a stream to a trickle, an even greater problem. Low water pressure can be caused by a variety of things. Common causes of water pressure problems include: Corrosion inside pipes Leaks Mineral build-up in pipes Municipal water problems What [...]
Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it. -Lao Tzu Water, water, everywhere! Seventy-one percent of our planet Earth is covered by water, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we are only able to use 1%. Our population continues to grow, and there are more people depending on [...]
We take the humble toilet for granted when it works. When it doesn’t work, there is gloom and misery for all concerned. The toilet isn’t a complicated nor complex machine, and its parts are simple and efficient. Toilet Parts The toilet bowl has a siphon that is attached to a pipe with a u-bend. The [...]
If you don’t take care of your heating and cooling equipment, it will cost you money. You may think it’s just something your HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) professionals tell you to get you on a maintenance service contract, but it’s true. You’ll pay more on your monthly energy bills, and an HVAC (heating, ventilation, [...]
Our northern neighbors may have more experience with frozen plumbing pipes than we do, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less of a problem when we have a big freeze here in Southeast Texas. When your property suffers from frozen pipes, call your plumbing professional before they crack or burst. Once they break, you’ve got [...]
IAQ is “indoor air quality.” The air quality inside buildings and homes is something that is a fairly recent concern for our global population. Understanding the common causes of poor indoor air quality and controlling air pollutants can lower your risks of health problems. Some of the health effects of poor indoor air include: Asthma [...]
When you learn more about your own cooling and heating costs, you can make informed decisions concerning ways to control energy expenditures. For example, have you followed the process to calculate your annual heating costs? You can use that information to better manage this year’s heating costs. ‘Sneaky-Smart’ Ways to Save Energy Making your [...]
You step out of the shower, and you hear a bubbly, gurgling sound in the drain. Some things around the house make noise; your HVAC unit hums when it kicks on, the coffee maker hisses occasionally. But your plumbing pipes should be quiet. Do you need to call your plumber? Not yet. Why Plumbing Pipes [...]
If you ask homeowners what “plumbing fixtures” are, they’ll most likely say “faucets.” Plumbing fixtures are all of the exchangeable parts of your plumbing system. That means everything, visible and hidden, that comes into contact with water qualifies as a plumbing fixture, including showers stalls and bathtubs. #1 Remodeling Project Bathrooms are renovated more often [...]
Texans appreciate the arrival of crisp, winter air more than most, though our winter weather is warmer than the northern states. Many people here in North Houston prefer the clean reliability of a gas furnace for those days when the northers bring winter weather. In addition to a reliable HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) [...]
If someone is “stuck-up,” he or she has an aloof and superior attitude. No matter how great your plumbing fixtures may be, quality-wise, when your plumbing fixtures are “stuck-up” it’s usually because they are older and used frequently. As they should be. Plumbing contractors know how to “unstick” stuck-up fixtures, and you can too. When [...]
There might be a loaded gun inside your home! It’s not your six-shooter, it’s your air. The importance of indoor air quality is no longer debatable; we all recognize the health benefits of cleaner air. Change your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) filters frequently to improve the quality of ventilated breathing spaces. Allergy Triggers [...]
All of us are looking for ways to save energy and to preserve sustainable resources whenever we can. Lowering your HVAC (heating, ventilation. air conditioning) usage not only saves our natural resources but can save money, too! Here in Texas, it’s difficult to predict heating costs. Fuel prices are lower this year, but La Niña [...]
There are many things to consider when looking for trustworthy plumbing services; you want a local company that is experienced and offers up-front pricing with no “surprises” during repair or maintenance. Your local plumbing company is invested in the community and you; everyone from the person who answers the phone to the plumbing specialist who [...]
You know how the seasons are erratic in Texas. Just when you think it’s time to turn on your heating system - oops! The temperature hits a balmy high, and your air conditioning (AC) is on again. Air Conditioner Repairs are Avoidable You can lower your risk for expensive air conditioner repairs by scheduling regular [...]
We all want to protect and preserve our environment. That means we, as homeowners, do what we can to use less energy and water. The fact that saving our ecology also saves us money on our utility bills is icing on the cake! The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has several DIY (do-it-yourself) guidelines for property [...]
Most of us spend 90% of our time indoors! Here are some stunning facts about indoor air quality from consumer advocates at Greenguard Certification: Indoor air is 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Many home ventilation systems simply recirculate the “bad air” and minimize cleaner outdoor air. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) reports [...]
