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    Fall Maintenance Tasks

    October 1, 2017Posted by SEOteamin Blog, Seasonal, Tips

    The end of summer is a good time to take care of home maintenance projects before shorter days make outdoor work too hard. Tick these fall maintenance tasks off your list this season, and you can rest easy knowing that your home is ready for the start of a new season!

    fall maintenance tasks
    Do these 6 fall maintenance tasks to prepare your home for fall!

    1. Caulk Windows

    Proper window sealing prevents heat from escaping and water from getting in. Caulking windows is one of the easiest, but most important, fall maintenance tasks you can do.

    2. Add Weatherstripping

    Weatherstripping applied around the frames of doors helps boost winter warmth and cut energy costs. You can also add door sweeps to the base of drafty doors to keep heat in and cold air out.

    3. Check Your Roof

    Since your roof is your first defense in protecting your home, it’s important to inspect your roof for missing or lose shingles and repair where necessary. It’s best to proactively deal with repairs at the end of summer/beginning of fall than to discover a problem in the cold of winter!

    4. Reverse Ceiling Fan

    Now is the time to reverse your ceiling fan! Create an upward draft that redistributes warm air by changing the direction of your ceiling fan.

    5. Prepare Porch

    Cover outdoor furniture and barbecue grills and store in a protected area. In addition to furniture maintenance, it’s important to have spare blankets/sheets available for covering outdoor plants.

    6. Peeling Paint

    Peeling paint on exterior walls is a sign that the existing paint can no longer protect the siding of the building. If you don’t repair the peeling paint, the siding will deteriorate and can lead to expensive future repairs.

    Doing some minor maintenance tasks now will prepare your home for the fall season to come. If you need more help preparing your home, contact City Plumbing today to check your plumbing systems!

    5 Tips To Stay Cool

    August 15, 2017Posted by SEOteamin Blog, Seasonal, Tips

    Summer may be coming to an end…but that doesn’t mean this heat is over! Veteran West Texans know that this “summer heat” can last well into the fall. We’ll share some tips to stay cool during these last hot weeks of summer in an attempt to help you enjoy what’s left of the summer season!

    tips to stay cool
    Summer’s not over yet! Check out our tips to stay cool!

    1. Trees Company

    If your home stays hot this time of year due to the sun beating into your home, planting trees and shrubs could be a good option. Planting trees is a great way to block the direct rays (heat) but still allow natural sunlight.

    2. Fabric Swap

    You may not have ever considered it, but changing your fabric curtain color really can make a huge difference. Darker colored fabrics absorb heat and lighter colors reflect heat. Similar to seasonally changing out the clothes in your closet, you may consider swapping the curtains too!

    Tip: When you do change out your curtains, you may also consider changing out your bedding. Not just to a different color (even though that is an excellent idea), but also to something thinner, airier, and therefore cooler.

    3. Let’s Go (Above Ground) Swimming

    While not all of us can financially justify putting in an in ground pool, an above ground pool is the next best thing! Typically, this time of year, you can find a pretty good deal on a nice above ground pool. This is an investment worth making, as it will continue to pay for itself in summers to come.

    4. Cover Up

    …your patio! You’ll get much more use from your patio if you put a covering over it. There are a variety of styles and designs for you to choose from, but like a swimming pool, a patio cover is an investment worth making.

    5. Ceiling Fan Club

    Ceiling fans are a must in the fight against the West Texas heat. If you don’t like the look of ceiling fans, consider taking a second look. A lot of the newest ceiling fans on the market are discreet and look nothing like a standard ceiling fan. If your home already has ceiling fans, make sure they are rotating in a counter-clockwise direction during the warmer months for optimum airflow.

    By implementing these tips to stay cool, you’ll make the most of what’s left in your summer season! For more tips and tricks like these, be sure to follow our boards on Pinterest!

    7 Energy Tips For Summer

    May 19, 2017Posted by SEOteamin Blog, Seasonal

    Believe it or not, summer will be here before we know it! You know what that means…West Texas summer heat is on the way! If you’re looking for some ways to beat the heat this summer, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our energy tips for summer!

    1. Strategically Place Trees

    Did you know you can reduce the temperature of your home by up to 20 degrees by shading with trees? Plant trees on the south side of your home to provide shade in the summer and warmth in the winter.

    2. Shade Your Unit

    energy tips for summer
    Check out our energy tips for summer!

    According to the US Department of Energy, you can reduce energy usage by up to 10% by placing your A/C unit in the shade.

    3. Improve Ventilation

    Let your attic breath by improving ventilation with additional vents. This alone can drop the temperature of your attic by 10-30 degrees!

    4. Clean Out The Condensing Unit

    By ridding your condensing unit of grass clippings, leaves, and debris, you can allow your A/C to operate much more efficiently.

    5. Roof Color

    Considering replacing your roof any time soon? Choose a light-colored roofing material.

    6. Cover Windows

    Up to 40% of heat buildup comes from the windows. Reduce heat gain by adding shutters, awnings, or shades.

    7. Insulate & Seal

    By insulating and sealing your home, you could reduce heating and cooling costs by 20%!

    Taking just a few simple steps and using these energy tips for summer can drastically cut your cooling costs and help keep your home cool this summer! For other tips and tricks like these, follow our boards on Pinterest!

    How To Cut Cooling Costs

    April 7, 2017Posted by SEOteamin Blog, Seasonal

    West Texas is already feeling the heat…and its barely spring! You may be curious how you can cut cooling costs and save money this season. Follow these steps (and build the habits) to cut cooling costs during the hot months to come!

    1. Set your AC fan on “high,” except for humid days, where your fan should be set on “low.”
    2. When no one is home, increase the temperature of your air conditioner’s thermostat. Keeping your home at a comfortable 78 degrees and increasing it when you’re away can save 5-15% on your air conditioner bills, according to the Department of Energy.
    3. Also according to the U.S. Department of Energy, you could boost your AC’s efficiency by up to 10% by planting trees or shrubs that will shade your outdoor air conditioner unit. So add to your curb appeal AND cut cooling costs!
    4. When was the last time you replace your AC filter? Keeping your air filter clean allows for good air movement through your home. Try to do this once every 3 months.
    5. Avoid using heat-producing appliances during the day (the best time to use them is at night). The heat from these appliances increases the heat in your home. During and after cooking, be sure to turn on the exhaust fans.
    6. Similar to using appliances, use the bathroom fans when taking a shower. This decreases the heat put off by the shower.
    7. According to the Department of Energy, if you replace your old air conditioner with a new unit, you can cut your cooling costs by up to half. (Tip: When shopping, look for a high-energy-efficiency ratio- or Energy Star unit. A higher ratio means higher efficiency.)

    Using these tips will help to cut cooling costs during these hot spring and summer seasons! For more tips and tricks like these, be sure to follow our board on Pinterest!

    Spring Cleaning Checklist

    March 9, 2017Posted by SEOteamin Blog, Seasonal

    Spring is right around the corner, folks! You know what that means…spring cleaning! Spring is the perfect time to “freshen up” your home after the winter season. Are you wanting to get a head start on spring cleaning, but aren’t sure where to start? Don’t worry! Check out our spring cleaning checklist below!

    spring cleaning checklist
    Let us help kickstart your spring cleaning with our spring cleaning checklist!

    City Plumbing’s Spring Cleaning Checklist

    • schedule pest control maintenance
    • dispose of expired foods from your refrigerator or freezer
    • remove everything from refrigerator/freezer and clean the inside shelving and drawers
    • eliminate calcium buildup
    • replace light bulbs (consider going LED for the energy/cost savings)
    • replace batteries in smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector
    • clean scuff marks from baseboards and doors
    • have chimney swept
    • dust around mirrors, picture frames, and wall hangings
    • dust crown molding, baseboards, ceiling fans, light fixtures, lamps, bookcases and shelves
    • wipe down and vacuum furniture
    • condition leather furniture
    • remove stains from upholstered furniture
    • rotate fan direction to counterclockwise
    • touch up paint
    • vacuum or wash window curtains
    • dust window blinds
    • clean windows
    • polish wood furniture
    • vacuum and wash lampshades
    • vacuum all flooring (don’t forget the corners & edges!)
    • deep clean hardwood, tile, linoleum
    • shampoo carpet (DIY or schedule a professional)
    • remove rugs to shake out, then vacuum, then clean under them
    • scrub grout lines

    Contact City Plumbing!

    Now that your home can be ready for spring, what about the plumbing systems within it? When was the last time you had a professional check out your plumbing for any potential problems or costly leaks? Contact City Plumbing today to check your plumbing and ensure it’s ready to take on a new season!

    Electrical Safety Tips: Holiday Edition

    December 15, 2016Posted by SEOteamin Blog, Seasonal

    Can you believe Christmas is a little over a week away? We know you’ve been busy decorating for the season, but are you practicing electrical safety? Avoid electrical emergencies this Christmas with our electrical safety tips! Have a look!

    electrical safety tips
    Check out our electrical safety tips…holiday edition!

    Avoid Electrical Emergencies

    • Do not plug too many lights and/or decorations into an outlet. Overloaded circuits can overheat and start a fire.
    • Be sure your lights have cleared the safety tests conducted by Underwriters Lab or another established testing facility. Lights checked by the Underwriters Lab are marked with a holographic UL label. (Red labels means lights can be used indoors and out, while green means indoor-use only).
    • Don’t run extension cords under carpets, through doorways, or in places where they can be damaged by furniture.
    • Do not run outdoor connections across driveways and/or walkways.
    • Keep in mind, your source of power for your lights should come from a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. That way, if there is an over current, the outlet will shut down the circuit. If you don’t have an outdoor GFCI, contact the team at City Plumbing to permanently install one for you!
    • Cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may pose a fire or shock hazard. Before putting anything up, be sure to check all electric lights and decorations for damage.
    • When leaving the house, be sure to turn of and unplug any electrical decorations.

    We hope these electrical safety tips keep you safe during this holiday season! For more home tips & tricks like these, please follow our boards on Pinterest!

    Prevent Frozen Pipes

    December 8, 2016Posted by SEOteamin Blog, Seasonal
    prevent frozen pipes
    Prevent frozen pipes this winter! Find out how!

    Yikes! We’ve just had our hard freeze…you know what that means! Winter is on the way! Whether you’re ready or not, you should be sure your home is prepared to prevent costly damages that frozen pipes can cause. Prevent frozen pipes with the tips below!

    Why Do Pipes Freeze?

    • Pressure – The typical cause of frozen pipes is pressure from the unfrozen water between the closed faucet and the ice.
    • Old pipes – Debris tends to build up in old pipes, therefore making them more likely to freeze.
    • Poor insulation – Especially if your house was built before the 1960’s (when insulation quality started improving) you could be at risk of frozen pipes.
    • Bends in the pipe – The expansion of the frozen area can be trapped by bends in the pipe.

    How To Prevent Frozen Pipes

    • Insulate (with foam) any pipes that are in colder areas of your home.
    • Replace old plumbing, if possible.
    • Re-route any pipes that are exposed to the cold.
    • Seal any insulation gaps near plumbing.
    • Turn off any valves for your outdoor water supply. Make sure the tap is empty and shut it tightly.

    If you expect freezing temperatures…

    • Allow warm air to circulate to your home’s coldest areas, especially if your plumbing is vulnerable in that area. For example, opening cabinets under sinks.
    • You may want to set your heating system to maintain a warmer temperature overnight.
    • Open faucet taps to allow a slow drip of water.

    If you’re leaving town…

    • Have someone monitor you home (both inside and out).
    • Turn off your hot water tank.
    • Consider shutting the main water valve to your home and draining the plumbing.
    • Keep your heat set to a normal temperature.

    Contact City Plumbing

    The best way to prevent frozen pipes is to not only take certain precautions during the winter, but to replace any plumbing that you think could potentially be a problem. Please contact us for more information or a quote!

    Tips To Prepare Your Home For Winter

    December 1, 2016Posted by SEOteamin Blog, Seasonal, Tips
    prepare your home for winter
    Prepare your home for winter! Here’s how!

    Believe it or not, winter is on the way. Is your home ready? It is always best to prepare your home for winter weather in order to prevent damage. Check out our tips to prepare for the winter season!

    Prepare Your Home For Winter

    • To keep the cold air from coming in, caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
    • Turn the blades of your fans in a clockwise direction after you turn on your heat. This will produce an updraft and push the heated air down into the room from the ceiling (remember, hot air rises).
    • Do you have water lines that run alongside the exterior of your home? If so, make sure that those lines are insulated to keep them from bursting or freezing.
    • If you’ve been putting off calling insurance on that roof leak, now’s the time! Make sure you make any necessary repairs to your roof.
    • Water in pipes can freeze, which will cause pipes to burst as the ice expands. Start by disconnecting all garden hoses and draining the water that remains in faucets.
    • Trim your trees to keep the branches from breaking and falling onto your home or vehicle.
    • Make sure that your walls and attic have enough insulation.
    • Is it time to replace your doors or windows? If so, consider replacing them with insulated doors and storm windows.
    • Planning on using your wood-burning fireplace? Be sure to have your flue inspected.
    • Make sure that you have both a fire detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Test both of these detectors monthly and replace batteries twice a year.
    • Get your furnace and boiler inspected. Nothing is worse than your home being cold on a freezing winter night!

    Call City Today!

    If you don’t feel confident that your home is ready for winter, and would like for a professional to inspect your system(s), the team at City Plumbing is at your service! Call us today!

     

    How To Prepare Your Plumbing For Thanksgiving

    November 22, 2016Posted by SEOteamin Blog, Seasonal
    prepare your plumbing for thanksgiving
    Find out how to prepare your plumbing for Thanksgiving!

    Can you believe it’s Thanksgiving already? The day after Thanksgiving is typically the busiest day for plumbers. With the amount of food going down the disposal and the amount of guests using the plumbing, it makes sense doesn’t it? City Plumbing is here to share some tips on how to prepare your plumbing for Thanksgiving!

    Hot House

    There’s no doubt about it, those working appliances can definitely warm your house up! If possible, try to do the majority of your cooking in the early morning hours. Another suggestion is to keep that oven door closed! The more it stays open, the warmer your house will be. To prevent your home from getting too warm, consider knocking down the thermostat a couple of degrees prior to your guests arriving.

    Disposal Don’ts

    Preparing your disposal is as easy as knowing what NOT to put down there. Think of it this way, if you wouldn’t eat it, your disposal shouldn’t either. For example, the following foods should never be put down your disposal:

    • Fats
    • Oil
    • Grease
    • Potato Peels
    • Egg Shells
    • Corn Husks
    • Vegetables
    • Bones

    Shower & Toilet Prep

    Clean out shower drains and place a strainer over them for guest use. This will clear out any existing clogs, and also prevent any new clogs from forming.

    Before guests arrive, se sure your toilets are flushing properly. Keep a plunger next to all toilets.

    Call The Pros

    Of course, we wouldn’t wish plumbing problems on anyone, but they happen. If they do, City Plumbing offers emergency plumbing service! We’re simply a phone call away!

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