Spring is, if nothing else, technically here. That doesn’t always mean much for the weather in the Prairies, but it is a great time to do some cleaning. After being couped up all winter, it can be nice to do a deep clean and add some spring freshness. And even though your furnace is about to get a well-deserved break, it’s also a great time to do a little maintenance. Here’s what you should do for spring furnace maintenance.
Read MoreAs much as “ideal temperature” is a subjective experience and may even cause dispute in your house, are there ways to determine where that thermostat should be set? Let’s explore that question!
Read MoreLast week, we talked about the proper way to use a plunger (as well as the right type for the drain you are hoping to clear). Unfortunately, there are times when a clog is too stubborn for a plunger, yet you are too stubborn to call a plumber (just kidding – we love it when you are empowered to do your own minor plumbing!) In these cases – in that space between plunger and plumber – a great tool is a plumbing snake.
Read MoreOccasionally, it’s good for us to remember that the world is not full of plumbers and return to the basics. Which is why today, we want to teach you how to use a plunger.
Read MoreIt’s about to get very cold again in Saskatoon. And even though modern insulation and plumbing makes frozen pipes rarer, it does still happen, especially in older homes. So, what DO you do when your pipes freeze?
Read MoreIt’s frustrating when your drain won’t do what it is intended to do – drain. It is messy and annoying when your dirty water just sits in the sink, and you want to find quick and easy (and cheap) solution. Typical drain cleaners are incredibly caustic and can not only damage your pipes, but the environment. So, what about enzyme drain cleaners?
Read MoreThere are few things we take more for granted than good plumbing. That is, until we have a plumbing issue. As long as everything is running smoothly, plumbing is a wonderful thing to enjoy and ignore. But at some point in our lives, most of us will need to call a plumber. Beyond the obvious plumbing emergencies (if your pipes burst, you’ll probably be on the phone pretty quickly), or installation of a new appliance, here are five signs that you might need to call a plumber.
Read MoreDuring the busy holiday season, there is a lot going on in your home. Family members are coming and going, the kitchen gets busier, and often, more people are in your space. All this activity can put extra stress on your HVAC system. Now that the holiday season is behind us, it’s a great time to do some HVAC post-holiday maintenance.
Read MoreEmergencies happen, they aren’t usually very predictable (or always preventable). All you can do is be prepared. One way you can be prepared is to know how to locate your shut-off valves. Because the last thing you want to be doing if you’ve sprung a serious leak is to be frantically reading this blog and searching for your shut off valves.
Read MoreYou live in the prairies, and it is very much winter, which means that the air is already dry and cold. When you turn on your furnace to heat the air, that heat removes even more of the moisture from the air, making an already dry situation worse. Adding a humidification system to your house offers so many benefits – some of them may even surprise you.
Read MoreHave you ever been sitting around, minding your own business, when your pipes start just wailing? That high pitched squeal or whistling noise can sound like a wild animal is trapped, or your pipes just found out their team lost in game 6 OT. Banging pipes can be equally disturbing. Either way, it sure doesn’t sound normal. So… what are these sounds, and what do they mean for your plumbing?
Read MoreIn many ways, cats are very neat and clean animals. But that doesn’t save us from the fact that we are expected to clean up after them. Which leads us to the question of how to dispose of their poops and the accompanying litter. And before you suggest it – no, you shouldn’t just flush it down the toilet. Here are three very important reasons why you shouldn’t, and what you should do instead.
Read MoreWe’ve been promising cooler temperatures for a while now, and yet the sun keeps shining on. This is why we aren’t meteorologists. Nonetheless, frigid mornings are on their way (at some point!) and hot showers will become more and more important. But what if you’ve found your hot water is running out far too quickly? Here are some possible reasons why, and solutions for, you guessed it, a lack of hot water.
Read MoreSummer is officially over. We may get a few more nice days, but if you have an above ground outdoor pool, it’s time to consider packing it in for the year. Make yourself one last margarita and then get to work winterizing your pool with these easy steps.
Read MoreGarbage disposals are a wonderful modern luxury that allow you to immediately get rid of food scraps without having to scrape them out of the sink and into the garbage. But, because they deal with food waste, unpleasant smells can build up. Here are some simple, and natural ways, to deodorize your garbage disposal with things you most likely already have on hand.
Read MorePerhaps you overzealously put the dishes in the sink. Or dropped the jar of pickles you were trying to open. However, it happened, and getting broken glass out of your garbage disposal can make for a safety challenge. Here is a step-by-step guide to safely removing the broken glass.
Read MoreIt’s early September, and warm sunny days are still the norm. But the kids are back in school, and the leaves are already starting to turn. I hate to say it, but fall is coming. Hopefully, it will be a long and temperate season, but nights are going to start getting colder very soon. Making now the ideal time to focus on furnace maintenance, despite it being far too warm to contemplate turning the unit on.
Read MoreDoes it feel like it takes an inordinately long time for the water in your toilet to refill after you flush? If it seems like this is the case, there are a few possible reasons. Finding the right solution to this common problem will have you flushing normally again in no time!
Read MoreAlthough it sounds like it might be a TikTok dance craze, when we say “snake a drain” we’re referring to using a plumber’s snake to unclog a drain. For those times when a plunger or drain cleaners just aren’t doing the trick, using a manual drain snake (or auger) can be very helpful, and save you a call to your plumber.
Read MoreChances are, if you are reading this, you have indoor plumbing. This means you have water coming into and out of your house via a main water line. This water line is crucial to the ongoing functionality of your plumbing, and if becomes damaged, it can cause one heck of a nightmare situation! However, there are often early warning signs that, if heeded early, can save you from truly catastrophic damage.
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