Is Your Garbage Disposal Running Correctly?
If you are inspecting your garbage disposal, the first thing to check is the sound. Simply turn on your disposal and listen for a few seconds. A properly running disposal will have a clear, uncluttered sound, while a rusty disposal will have more of a crunchy sound. If the disposal suddenly stops or jams, then…
Read More Your Water Heater Preferences
You have a lot of control over your water heater. So, do you prefer a higher or lower temperature? Your water heater’s temperature largely determines your utility bill. Home owners who live by themselves or with one other person may choose to set the water heater higher for comfort. You determine your water heater’s temperature, even…
Read More Why Is My Water Bill So High?
Not sure why your water bill is suddenly sky-high? There’s a strong possibility your toilet may be the problem as it is the biggest water-waster in nearly every home. Here is one fool-proof way for you to test your toilet: The Food Coloring Test If you look in your toilet bowl and the water seems…
Read More Check Your Furnace
Did you know that your annual furnace check requires over 20 steps? Two of the most important steps are to maintain your furnace filter and check for carbon monoxide leaks. Your furnace filter collects dirt and other particles from the air. Once the filter is full, dirt will begin to collect inside your furnace, which causes…
Read More Exercise Your Sump Pump
You can take preventative steps to ensure your sump pump’s health. About every month or so, pour a five-gallon bucket of water down your sump pump. Not only does this exercise your pump, but it also lets you know if there are any issues if the pump doesn’t turn on. Because this home test is…
Read More Poor Water Pressure
This is a common complaint in our business. My first question to a client who states they have poor water pressure is: “Are you finding this everywhere – or just at one fixture, like at a sink only?” If it’s only at a sink, is it on BOTH the hot and cold? A lone sink…
Read More Five easy tips to keep your home running smoothly and efficiently
1. Get to Know Your Plumbing System – An important first step in maintaining your home plumbing is knowing where your pipes are. AND, If you had an emergency, would everyone who might be home alone know how to shut off all water? It’s a good idea to share your knowledge of where the shut-off…
Read More Check That AC!
A key task on your spring checklist is to check your AC. Ensuring your AC is working before the heat of summer hits will maximize its efficiency and avoid costly breakdowns. Here are three steps to take: Replace your furnace filter: your AC uses the same filter as your furnace. A dirty filter will make…
Read More Pet Odors SOLVED!
Recently, I leased a rental property to tenants from hell. By the time I realized the property was not being treated well, significant damage was already done. Unbeknownst to me they had brought in four dogs, four ferrets, and miscellaneous birds and cats. When I finally got my property back I found not only bug…
Read More Towel Warmers – You don’t have to be the President’s spouse…
Jackie Kennedy once gave a television tour of a home she had remodeled, and was proud of an item I had never before seen. She had Towel Warmers in her bathrooms. Really? My thinking at the time was “how well-off must you be, to have or to need something like this?” It was years later…
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