Do-It-Yourself Maintenance Tips (RSS)

We have compiled a list of relevant and timely articles that focus on helping you do your project yourself. We put these articles on our website in hopes that they would be helpful to other homeowners. Our library of articles is growing, so check back regularly to see "what's new" in the business. These articles are collected from years of experience in the field.

Please let us know if you run across an article that you would recommend for this section, please forward that to us.





Remove Debris
Keep your outdoor condensing unit free of debris. If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery and debris away from your outdoor unit, it should only require minimal care


Roots
Roots can be a big problem. They can grow into the joints of the pipes. A little "root-x" flushed down the toilet can reduce the growth of roots in your pipes.

Scalding Tap Water
Thousands of people are scalded by tap water every year. The Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association recommends that the full-on hot water temperature at the faucet be set between 120° and 125° F.

Garbage Disposal
Use cold water when the disposal is operating. You can clean your disposal by grinding ice cubes.

Preventing Kitchen Drain Clogs
A clogged drain can be so frustrating; and, of course, it happens more often than we care to think about!

Showerheads
Weak or changing water pressure usually points to a mineral buildup in the showerhead.


Mildew
You can help to avoid mildew problems with these preventative actions. Ventilate basements or run dehumidifiers to dry the air, walls and furnishings.

Water Moisture in the Home
Make sure that vents (with a ventilating fan) are installed in your kitchen and bathrooms.

Inspect Ventilation
Inspect your furnace’s combustion area and vent system before each heating season.

Brush Exterior
If the exterior of your outdoor coil becomes dirty, use a brush or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean the surface.

Check Filter
Check the air filter in your furnace or fan coil each month. A dirty filter will cause excessive wear on your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump.