The holiday season is around the corner, which means it’s time for celebrations and get-togethers again. While the festivities this year will certainly be different from the rest, one thing remains the same: your home will be at its busiest during this time. Your kitchens will be full of merry preparations, and your living room will be full of gay chatter.

Considering all of these, the holidays aren’t the best time for you to deal with a plumbing emergency. You can’t afford to let a slow draining sink, a clogged shower drain, or a running toilet spoil your festive mood!

It is for this reason that you must be on the lookout for potential issues before the hectic preparations ensue. Aside from that, you must also strive to prevent problems before they happen.

On that note, here are the top three things you need to be mindful of during this holiday season:

1) Food Residue on Your Kitchen Sink

This time of the year is best characterized by food preparations here and there.
As you rush to get your holiday meals ready, you may not notice bits of food falling down your sink and into your drains. Sometimes, you may even be aware of this but choose to turn a blind eye because of your hectic schedule.
However, you should know that this can clog your drains in no time, exposing you to major plumbing problems.
To avoid slow draining or clogged sinks, always dispose of food residue in the trash. Then, watch out for fats, oils and grease—never let them go down the drain!

2) Your Guests for the Holidays

It’s not an uncommon practice to have extended family or friends over for the holidays. However, it pays to remember that this means your bathrooms will have to work twice as hard.

If you will be entertaining guests for the holidays, make sure to let them know that trash must not be flushed down the toilet. While this may seem like common sense, there’s no harm in giving out a polite reminder. If anything, this will help you ensure a fun and stress-free vacation!

3) Your Water Heater

When you have more people over, your water heater will also have to accommodate increased demand. Sometimes, this may lead to simple problems such as hot water running out now and then.
However, you should also remember that this time of the year has the coldest temperatures. The chilly season can bring about expansion and contraction in your water heater. In the worst cases, this can result in leaks and, eventually, flooding.

To avert this disaster and keep hot water flowing to your home, it is best to keep up with your routine maintenance. This will help ensure that your water heater stays in tip-top shape to brave the holiday season.

Conclusion

The holiday season is the time of the year for celebrations, festivities, and scrumptious meals. It’s the time for merrymaking, so you should strive to keep plumbing disasters at bay. A great way to do this is by watching out for the three points listed above. Keeping your sink clear, reminding your guests of proper toilet use, and regularly maintaining your water heater are simple yet effective steps to protecting your plumbing system—and avoiding holiday mayhems!

If you are dealing with a plumbing emergency in Calgary, AB, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us right away! We provide round-the-clock services across North America to solve all your plumbing, heating, and air conditioning problems.

Furnaces are lifesavers during the winter as they keep you toasty and comfortable inside your home. However, they can easily experience wear and tear over time, especially if they are not cared for regularly. If you suspect an issue with your furnace, remember that heating system repairs can be costly, but it often gives warning signs before they shut down completely. With that, you need to be mindful of these signs to help you spot an issue before it gets worse and costs you a lot of money. 
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In this article, we will share eight signs your heating system needs immediate repairs:

– Faulty Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide detectors near your heating system are crucial. This is because the gas is colourless and odourless, meaning that you won’t even notice its presence until you start experiencing significant health issues. If you are exposed to carbon monoxide, it is a life-threatening emergency, so it’s crucial to ensure that the detector is working.
 
– Signs Of Leak

An obvious sign that there’s a leak in your furnace is when you smell natural gas or heating oil. When you smell this, make sure to shut the system down before it leads to more severe situations. After that, be sure to call an expert immediately to remedy the furnace leak.

– Loud Banging Noises

Is your furnace making loud banging noises? Remember that such issues must not be ignored. You might even start hearing sounds like whistling, squealing, rattling, booming, banging, and even a humming sound. This usually signals that the heating system may be breaking down soon.
 
– Electrical Issues

Does your heating system trip often? Or have you been having difficulty turning it on? You may even notice buzzing and dimming lights when you turn on your heating system. Make sure to check out the wiring for signs of burns or corrosion and have an expert look at the system.
 
– Lack Of Warm Air

If your heating system is running but is not producing heat, you need to contact your provider. After that, do not attempt to continue running the system because you can easily do permanent damage to it.

– Excessive Window Condensation

Your furnace helps regulate the moisture in your indoor air to a certain degree, but it should not add moisture dramatically. If you notice high levels of condensation on your windows and glass doors, you need to have your furnace checked right away. This could be a sign of various internal issues that need to be addressed.

– High Energy Bills

As your furnace ages, it will become less effective, which is also why it will work harder as it ages. As a result, you can expect to deal with higher energy bills. Even if you don’t notice extra cycling, you will likely notice a spike in your power bills. If you suspect your bills are increasing, and have compared the costs for the last few years, then it’s probably time for a repair or a complete replacement.

– Poor Indoor Air Quality

​Many furnace issues are often due to systems that sit dormant for a significant portion of the year. When this happens, the furnace gathers lots of dust and debris that can blow through your home, especially if you have not maintained the system. When this happens, the air that comes out from the furnace will compromise your indoor air quality. 

Conclusion

At this point, you now know the signs to look out for when determining whether or not your furnace needs a repair or replacement. When you notice any of the signs mentioned above early on, you can save yourself from costly repairs or replacement. At the same time, make sure you invest in having your furnace maintained so that you don’t have to put a dent in your pocket!
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Are you looking for reliable HVAC service? Then you have come to the right place. At Emergency Plumbing & Heating, we have qualified contractors who can work on your furnace right away so that you remain warm during the winter. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!

The upcoming holidays are a chance for people to gather and spend time with each other. This is usually when families get together, with people holed up in school and work getting their much-needed rest to hang out with their relatives. It can also be a breather for companies to switch from being in work mode to introduce some fun and celebrations once and a while.

Since it’s not the best idea to gather in public areas due to COVID-19, most of our festivities will mostly be inside homes. Although it provides a more comfortable and casual setting, house parties can be very stressful for your home’s plumbing. If you’re planning to be a host for a holiday party, you may want to brace your plumbing to avoid any mishaps during the celebration.

How to Prepare Your Home’s Plumbing for Holiday

Being a host for a house party makes you the center of attention for the event. Nevertheless, this also puts you with a massive responsibility of providing for your guests’ needs. Besides seating, food, and drinks, you should also maintain your plumbing. The more people you bring over, the more likely your pipelines can have problems due to overuse.

Before your guests arrive at your doorstep, here are three plumbing preparations you should do:

1) Provide Extra Trash Bins

It can be an unhealthy habit to throw trash like cigarette butts down the toilet. When you’re inviting friends or acquaintances over to your home, you should be ready to provide extra toilet paper and extra trash bins to match the number of people. These extra bins should account for bathroom waste like cotton swabs, disposable wipes, and feminine hygiene products.

Make it a point to inform your guests about your bathroom trash cans or leave a note inside your bathrooms so that they will avoid flushing anything down the toilet. You may want to replace these trash bins a few hours into your party to ensure that you won’t have an overflow of trash.

2) Keep a Plunger and Auger for Emergencies

Even though you have preventative measures in place, you can still experience some plumbing issues during the day of the event. These emergencies can be due to different causes and fixtures, from clogged sinks to blocked toilets. This is why it’s best to keep an auger or plunger to dislodge any soils and substances in your drains and pipelines.

3) Keep Your Guests Away from Your Garbage Disposal

After every party, the cleanup can be a considerable task to do by yourself. The piles of plates, dishes, and cups may be too much for you to handle. Generally, some polite houseguests may offer to help clean your home. Although they can help you remove tables and picking up trash, you should keep them away from your garbage disposal. Even though you’re dealing with a huge amount of food waste, you shouldn’t use the garbage disposal for solid food waste. If your guests end up mishandling it, you may have a clogged drain that can be problematic if you’ll be hosting another party soon.
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Conclusion

It’s best to keep all your home’s amenities in working order, especially if you’re planning to invite guests over to your home. Having any inconveniences like power interruptions or even inactive Wi-Fi can be embarrassing as a party host. This is why preparing your home in advance for predictable inconveniences, such as plumbing issues, will keep the party and fun going throughout the holiday season.

Thankfully, you can hire professionals to assist you during your emergencies at your party. At Emergency Plumbing and Heating, we provide drain cleaning services for your plumbing concerns. Contact our plumbing experts today, and we’ll be sure to give you a hassle-free and efficient solution.

If you live in an area that frequently experiences hot and humid weather, you probably rely on your air conditioning unit to give you comfort as you stay indoors. AC units are a godsend, yet they’re not meant to last forever. This is why you need to know how to maintain it properly so that it won’t prematurely stop working. When it comes to maintenance, there are common mistakes you need to avoid, and one of the most common ones is failing to schedule regular maintenance.

In this article, we will share four common mistakes that you must avoid when it comes to AC maintenance:

– Not Having Groundcover

Indeed, vegetation and tall grass around your AC unit can block airflow and reduce the device’s functionality and efficiency, which is why most homeowners leave the ground bare. However, doing this is not the best option because when it rains, the dirt from the ground can turn to mud, which can splash on the unit and affect the condenser coil’s fins.

Instead of leaving the ground bare, have a groundcover that’s under six inches tall. Another solution is to add mulch like gravel or bark chips to avoid mud getting on your unit.

– Covering The Unit At All Times

The only time the AC unit must be covered with plywood is during the winter or when the unit is switched off. If you plan to cover your unit because you want to protect it from debris and other elements, you might want to think otherwise. This will only compromise its functionality and performance in the long run. Keep in mind that the AC unit is designed to pull air in through its sides and blow it out the top. When you cover the unit, you prevent it from doing this.
 
– Incorrect Amount of Refrigerant

The R-22s are older units, and you will have a challenging time finding a refrigerant refill for this. You might think that a newer coolant will do the trick, but this will only cause a problem inside the system. Another common mistake is topping off the coolant and overcharging the system. When there’s too much coolant, it can compromise the compressor. You can easily avoid this by hiring reliable AC technicians to remedy the issue.
 
– Pressure Washing The Condenser Coils

Washing the condenser coil at least every year is acceptable, but keep in mind that the fins are fragile, which is why you shouldn’t pressure wash it. If you plan to do the condenser coil cleaning on your own, remember to be gentle with it and make sure you switch off the unit at the breaker and the panel’s main disconnect before you remove the cleaner or do any cleaning.

Taking care of your AC unit is essential, especially if you want to last longer and do its job. However, if you don’t have time to do the maintenance on your own, you should hire a professional to do regular inspections to help ensure your AC unit is in good condition. Surely, you don’t want your unit to break down in the middle of a hot summer day, right?
 
Conclusion

At this point, you now know the four common mistakes that owners can make when it comes to maintaining their AC units. The key to ensuring your device is in good condition is to have a reliable AC technician to inspect and repair it. Your system, as much as possible, should not be a project of DIY because it has many fragile parts. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a repair or replacement, leave the maintenance to the experts so that you also get to avoid making mistakes!

Get quality air conditioning service here at Emergency Plumbing Heating Company. We are a professional and fast company that provides 24/7 AC and plumbing services. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!

While it’s common knowledge that your furnace and air conditioning suck up a ton of energy, many people aren’t aware that water heaters are a massive contributor to high energy bills. When you factor in the long, frigid Calgary winters, it’s no surprise that people want to enjoy warm showers to stay comfortable. However, if you’ve seen a spike in your energy bills, you may want to cut back on your water heater use.
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Apart from showering, many use hot water to do the laundry and dishes. Some even use it for cleaning to get things sparkling and shiny. Luckily, there are ways to cut back on your hot water usage and save more money. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

– Moderate the Temperature

Your water heater tank probably came straight from the factory, and as a result, is programmed to heat water at a much higher temperature than necessary. On the other hand, you can’t put it too low, as it’s highly recommended to keep your hot water tank at 60ºC to kill bacteria like Legionella. Fortunately, you can moderate the hot temperature you use and cut back on energy bills by installing anti-scald valves. It will protect you and your family from accidentally getting scalds and burns when using water that’s too hot.

It’s also a good idea to use lukewarm water instead when washing the dishes instead of just hot water. You can try washing your hands at lower temperatures, but don’t forget to use soap!

– Take Shorter Showers

Long, warm showers are extraordinarily comfortable, especially during freezing temperatures. However, it’s also the culprit behind sky-high energy bills, since a family of four uses almost 500 litres of hot water each week only by showering for just five minutes a day.

If you’re keen on reducing your energy bills, opt for shorter showers with cooler temperatures. Dialling it down by a degree or two will do wonders for your energy usage. You can also opt to install low-flow fixtures.
 
– Repair Any Leaks Immediately

When any of your water fixtures start leaking, you’ll need to call an emergency plumber right away. If left to drip, they can add up and make your energy bills an excessive amount. Hot water leaks are even more costly, and they can even wreak havoc on your home when untreated.

Be sure to check your plumbing fixtures regularly to avoid any issues. If you fail to catch anything in time and you’ve got a plumbing emergency in Calgary, our specialists can swoop in to save the day—no matter what the hour!

– Don’t Leave the Faucet or Shower Running

Many people make the mistake of thinking that it’s harmless to leave the faucet or shower on when doing activities like washing your hands, prepping the shower, or brushing your teeth. However, every unused drop of water that falls down the drain takes every hard-earned Canadian dollar with it. That hot water won’t show up on just your water bill, but your energy bill, too; you’ll have to pay for the water you didn’t use
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Luckily, this is an easy fix. Make a conscious effort to shut the faucet off whenever you aren’t using it, and remind your household to follow suit as well. Water is precious, and you’ll want to conserve it as much as possible!

– Run Your Dishwasher Only When It’s Full

Another quick tip to save money by using less hot water is to run your dishwasher only when it’s entirely full. If you run it at any less capacity, you’ll only be wasting hot water. You can also opt to buy newer dishwashers that are outfitted with energy-saving options, along with more control over water usage.

Conclusion

Saving water is incredibly important for not only reducing your bills but your water usage and impact on the environment. These five tips offer quick and easy ways to reduce your hot water usage while boosting your savings, helping you cut back on household costs when necessary. You’ll enjoy lower energy bills before you know it!
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24 Hour Plumbing and Heating can solve all your plumbing, heating, and air conditioning problems for you. Whether you have a plumbing emergency in Calgary and need an emergency plumber to swoop in, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to find out how we can help you!

Every household knows that the plumbing system is a vital component of the property. While it provides the family with a water supply, it also disposes of wastewater properly. As it’s a complex system filled with pipes, fixtures, and fittings, it needs to be maintained regularly so that it can run optimally. However, it’s easy for many homeowners to take it for granted and only call an emergency plumber when a plumbing emergency arises to inspect and get it fixed.

If you want to ensure that your plumbing system remains in top shape and working condition, here are four steps that should be in your plumbing maintenance checklist:

1) Be Wary of Leaky Faucets

Did you know that a dripping faucet wastes over 3,000 gallons annually? Unfortunately, it’s easy to see faucets that leak in many residential properties, and the sad truth is that many homeowners take them for granted. Imagine the amount of fresh water that gets wasted and its impact on your monthly utility bills. If you want to conserve water and save costs, be sure to inspect for leaks and have them fixed right away.

2) Inspect Your Toilet When Flushed Out

When it comes to your toilet, nothing can be more frustrating and disgusting than a toilet that doesn’t flush down and keeps on backing up. The main culprit here is usually the improper disposal of wastes. It’s easy for family members to flush down anything they want, from baby wipes to diapers to menstrual pads and even medications. Keep in mind that only the three P’s are allowed in your toilet—pee, poo, and paper (toilet paper). But more than anything else, check to see if it’s flushing down properly, and if it doesn’t, call a plumber immediately to remedy the situation.

3) Check Your Drains If They’re Clogged

Your plumbing drains need to be regularly inspected, whether in the bathroom, kitchen, or other parts of the house. The last thing you will want to happen is for them to get clogged. Typically, the reason for clogged drains is the improper disposal of trash, wastes, and other debris. It’s easy for your bathroom to have an accumulation of hair strands, soap buildup, and other debris. As for your kitchen, your family members might not be wary of pouring down grease and leftovers in the sink.

4) Be Wary of Moisture of Your Plumbing Fixtures

Excess moisture is a big no-no in any corner of your house. Not only does it lead to mildew and mould infestation, but it also impacts the structural integrity of your property. On top of this is that it will also affect your family’s health. For this reason, you must be on the lookout for visible signs, such as damp walls, wet floors, or accumulated mildew. If one or several of these are evident, remember to call an expert immediately, such as those at 24 Hour Plumbing & Heating, to address the issue!

Conclusion

At this point, you now know what to do for your plumbing maintenance. As outlined above, all it takes is to be wary of leaky faucets, inspect your toilet when flushed out, check your drains if they’re clogged, and be wary of moisture of your plumbing fixtures. During the inspection, be sure to immediately address any minor plumbing issues so that they won’t escalate into extensive damages. Ultimately, hiring an expert plumber for regular plumbing maintenance will make all the difference in your pipes’ integrity!

We provide 24/7 expert plumbing and HVAC services across North America for both commercial and residential properties. If you need plumbing maintenance to avoid a plumbing emergency in Calgary, get in touch with us today to book an appointment!

Plumbing systems are vital to any household, yet handling their issues is not a walk in the park, especially during winter. Dealing with frozen pipes is important, and if you think of putting it off for a later date, you may want to think again! Otherwise, you’ll have to solve a bigger problem. You can thaw frozen pipes by yourself, but you need to make sure you do it properly.

In this article, we will share practical tips on how you can get water flowing again on your frozen pipes.
 
Sort Out the First Steps before Proceeding

The first step you need to do is to find the frozen pipes by turning on your faucet and identifying the ones where no water comes out. For exposed pipes, such as the ones under your sinks and basements, you can spot those that are frozen easily because of the slight bulge. Then, open the faucet, both cold and hot, that the pipe feeds water into to relieve pressure in the system and allow water to escape once you start thawing the pipes.
 
The Thawing Process Begins

Start the thawing process near the faucet and then find your way to the blockage. This is the best way to go about it to ensure that the melting ice and steam can escape through the open faucet. 

For frozen exposed pipes, you can apply heat until the water that comes out of the faucet is normal. You can use a hairdryer and point the heat at the pipe—start at the part that is closest to the faucet. Another thing you can use is a heat lamp or a portable space heater. Position the device in a way that it can reach the frozen pipe. You can use hot towels as well, where you will wrap them around the pipe. Lastly, you can use electrical heating tape to treat the frozen pipe effectively.
 
For pipes that you can’t access easily, you can turn the heat up in your house to help melt the ice blockage. An infrared lamp may be used as well, especially if you know where the frozen pipe is located. However, if you really can’t thaw the frozen pipe, you can cut out a section of the wall instead. 

Dealing With A Burst Pipe

There are some instances when a pipe will burst. Instead of panicking, you must first remember to shut off the main water line in your house. By doing so, you effectively prevent additional water from overflowing and damaging your property. The next thing to do is to call a professional––such as the experts at 24 Hours Plumbing & Heating––to sort out the burst pipe for you. This is also crucial if you can’t thaw a pipe because you can’t find where the frozen pipe is or not comfortable doing it yourself. 

Keep in mind that there are risks associated with frozen pipe thawing, such as fire, which may be caused by any heat source. The second one is a burst pipe if you don’t thaw your pipes properly, which could lead your home to become a swimming pool! 

Conclusion

At this point, you now know several vital steps to take when thawing your frozen pipes. However, if you’re not comfortable doing it by yourself, it’s best to call for expert help instead, especially if you haven’t done this before. You don’t want to take matters into your own hands and even up with even more costly repairs, right? Fortunately, you can easily find reliable plumbing professionals to help you out. 
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If you need help with a plumbing emergency in Calgary, AB, call us here at 24 Hour Plumbing & Heating. We have licensed plumbing professionals that deliver quality services with transparent prices as well!