Family Fun Month

The warm, lazy days of summer offer many opportunities to enjoy time with the family. You don’t have to escape on a long, exotic vacation to have memorable times, enjoy the outdoors, and have new experiences. You can plan a variety of activities that provide fun, chances to learn new things and a relaxing change from your routine. Take one month out of summer before September arrives to explore the entertainments that are available in your area.

Schedule Your Activities For the Summer Months

Don’t leave your summer plans to languish in confusion from a “what shall we do today?”. Do some research of attractions and activities that are available in your area. Create a month-long calendar of scheduled events. Scheduling events will limit inter-family arguing and provide information to everyone about what to expect. Here are some sample activities that most families enjoy:

• Day at the Beach
• Hiking in nearby state park
• Museum day
• Water park day
• Zoo day
• Bicycle riding
• Local festival
• Outdoor sports at the park
• Aquarium visit
• Historical sites and monuments

Make A Fun Month Calendar

Sit down with the family and create a summer fun calendar that schedules exciting events for each day of the week. In this way, you can ensure that each member of the family has a voice in choosing a favorite activity, and no one is left out of the process. Don’t forget to plan rest periods at in-between home events so you can cool off and relax before the next stop. Make sure your air-conditioner is inspected and repaired to avoid inconvenient breakdowns during hot weather.

Organize Your Activities

Make a list of items you will need for the daily activity. You may want to plan a picnic lunch for a day at the beach or outdoor games. If you need specialized equipment, make sure you have it on hand in preparation for the activity. Check your wardrobe for appropriate swimsuits, hiking shoes, hats, sunglasses, coolers for drinks and other necessary items. And don’t forget the sunscreen.

If any Plumbing or HVAC problems are keeping you away from family fun activities this summer, the professionals at Peterson Plumbing are here to help all residents of the Grand Junction, CO area. Give us a call at (970) 399-7063. 

Make Your Home Pollen-Free In Three Steps

Seasonal allergy sufferers know how difficult hay fever season can be. Sometimes, it seems like there’s no escaping the terrible symptoms no matter whether you’re outside or indoors.

But there are ways of achieving the kind of clean air in your home that will help to remove pollen from the air you breathe and minimize your allergy symptoms.

1. Keep Your Windows and Doors Closed

From spring to fall, you’ll notice during the weather report that they often include a current pollen count. That’s because, a wide range of plants, weeds, grasses and trees produce pollen during this time.

It gets released into the air, triggering allergy symptoms like itchy and watery eyes, runny noses, and even asthma in some cases.

Your first line of defense in keeping these airborne allergens at bay is to prevent them from entering by keeping your doors and windows closed, particularly during the hours most associated with high pollen counts. These include the early morning and midday (roughly 10 AM to 3 PM).

2. Install a HEPA Filter In Your AC

The filter in your AC is designed to remove dust and dirt from the air before it enters into your ductwork on its way to the various rooms of your home. Did you know that air filters are not all created equal?

If you or members of your family are allergy sufferers, you should look for a filter that is designated with the HEPA symbol. HEPA, which stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air, means that these filters will do a better job of trapping tiny particles like dust mites, pet dander and, of course, pollen, as air is forced through their fine mesh.

eUsing a HEPA filter will significantly reduce the amount of pollen entering your house and circulating through your home.

3. Lower the Humidity In Your Home

Allergens, like dust mites and mold spores, thrive in environments with high moisture content in the air. With the addition of a dehumidifier in your home, you can keep the relative humidity below 50%, which will provide some relief for your allergy symptoms and make your home feel more comfortable.

By doing these three simple things, you won’t have to put up with all of the sneezing, red, itchy eyes, and other symptoms of seasonal allergies, at least while you’re in your home.

And for more great ways to have clean air in your home, the experts at Peterson Plumbing, in Grand Junction, CO, are only a phone call away at 970-399-7063.

Tips for UV Safety Awareness Month

July is Ultraviolet (UV) Rays Safety Awareness Month. Never expose your skin to unsolicited sunlight attention without sunscreen protection. Make a pledge to yourself to protect your skin from UV damage.

Prolonged UV Exposure

Every time you go outside during daylight hours, you are exposed to UV rays. A quick walk down the driveway to the mailbox probably won’t do any short term damage but prolonged exposure can have several consequences:

• Sunburn: Red, peeling skin is uncomfortable and unattractive.
• Skin damage: Sun exposure can lead to wrinkles, premature aging, and unwanted freckles.
• Skin cancer: Sunburn and sun exposure have been linked to skin cancer.

How can I keep from getting burned?

Avoid direct sunlight to your skin by:

1. Sunscreen. Experts recommend using at least Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30-50 and applying 15 minutes before going outdoors. Remember that sunscreen loses its effectiveness after 2 hours (Always read the direction). Make sure to bring sunscreen when you are planning a day outside.
2. Protective Clothing. Wide-brimmed hats can protect the delicate skin on your face. Some clothing has built-in SPF protection. Don’t forget SPF-rated sunglasses to protect your eyes.
3. Shade. The best way to block the sun is to stay out of the sun during the hot times. Spend some time under a tree, canopy, or bring an umbrella.

What’s the Hottest Time of Day?

While the sun is highest in the sky at noon, the hottest time of the day is actually around 3:00 p.m. During summer, sunlight is most intense between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Remember that even on a cloudy day, UV rays can still cause skin damage and even sunburn. Sometimes the best way to protect yourself on a hot summer day is to relax with a cold drink inside your climate-controlled environment.
Make sure your home stays cool this summer. Call Peterson Plumbing, in Grand Junction, CO, at (513) 398-5907 to schedule an A/C tune-up today.

Home Improvement Projects to Complete Before the 4th of July

Preparing Your Home

With the 4th of July weekend just around the corner, its time to get your home ready for the star-spangled celebration.

There is no better time for all those home improvements you have been dying to get done.

Your home should be up-to-date before you host your friends and family. So here are a few home improvements projects that you can tackle.

Clean the deck

A clean deck is the rich, inviting hallmark of your yard. A sparkling clean, well-maintained deck can be very inviting.

Other than the fresh look, cleaning your deck maintains the integrity of the wood and provides a longer deck life.

It is, therefore, important you make sure that your deck is safe and clean before the holiday weekend.

On that account, there is no better time to give your deck a thorough cleaning as the 4th of July weekend approaches. Here are simple steps to cleaning your deck.

Step 1 – Preparation

Prepare to clean your deck by getting rid of anything that could get in your way. Remove all the potted plants and the patio furniture. If you have fragile plants in the ground near your deck, cover them lightly to protect them from any potential disturbance.

Step 2 – Sweep your deck

Simply get rid of debris by sweeping them into a trash bag. Use a slender tool to remove any debris that is trapped in between the deck boards.

Step 3 – Hose off/power-wash your deck

Wash the surface of your deck using your garden hose with a spray attachment. Aim directly at the muddied spots using the highest setting on the sprayer to remove as much dirt as possible. Rince your deck, beginning at one end and continuing until the entire deck is rinsed.

Step 4 – Cleanse your deck

Use a solution of water and a laundry detergent or a commercial cleaner. Apply the solution to the deck and scrub it using a push broom or a long-handled brush with stiff bristles. Rince off the deck with plain water to remove the cleaning solution.

Step 5- Bleach

If your deck has algae or mildew growth bleach it with a solution of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. Allow the bleach to sit for 10-15 minutes depending on how old the growth is. Scrub the area once again and rinse it clean.

Persistent areas will require a second bleach scrub. Allow the area to dry before treating it again. Allow your deck to dry completely before applying a sealant. It may take 2-3 full days to dry.

Step 6 – Reseal your deck

Purchase a wood sealer based on your preference and needs. A good sealer should include a waterproofing agent that offer your deck a year-round protection. Follow the directions on the sealant as you apply it.

Step 7- Redecorate

Once your sealer has dried off, go ahead and replace your furniture along with your potted flowers or any other items you wish to keep.

Clean Outdoor Grills

The memorial weekend offers the most pleasurable time to barbecue. But have you cleaned up your grill? To clean a gas grill, turn the heat to maximum, close the lid and leave it on for 25 minutes. Wait until it has cooled down to clean the racks with a grill brush. For the exterior, clean with warm water or a gentle cleanser.

To clean a charcoal grill, empty the old charcoal and ashes and wash the entire grill with hot water and dishwasher soap. Allow it to dry completely.

Clean your windows

Windows naturally light and brighten your home and have a significant effect on how people perceive your home. They also affect the overall heat efficiency of your home.

To self-clean your windows, invest in a good squeegee that has a long handle. You can use soapy water or glass cleaner, whatever you preference may be. You can also schedule a window cleaning service for a thorough and a convenient clean.

Check Your Outside Faucets

Winter is over! It’s time to turn your outside faucets on to wash and spray off the patio, clean your windows and run water for yard work purposes in the preparation for the 4th of July holiday.

As you enjoy this time in your yard, be sure to take all the necessary steps to guarantee you don’t end up with a flooded basement that could cause a costly mess. Outside faucets are prone to freeze damage, and it’s important to make sure that they are in good working conditions. Turn on the outside faucet and let it run while you go back inside the basement to check for any leaks.

Check Your Air Conditioning

Summer extends throughout the month of July. Therefore, The 4th of July celebrations are at the peak month of summer. Check to see that your air conditioning is cooling properly before your weekend holiday.

Schedule an inspection for your home’s central A/C system. Remove debris on your window units and clean the filters before turning them on. Also, clean the blades of your ceiling fans with a damp piece of cloth.

Lawn Care Tips

During the 4th of July celebrations, the weather is usually nice and sunny. At this time of the year, you need to prepare your lawn for the fun and traffic of the holiday weekend. Here are a few care tips that will get your lawn in shape for the holiday.

• Lawns love the sun: clean all leaves, debris or branches from your yard.
• Fill up all bare spots with an early germinating seed after raking up all the dead grass.
• Test your soil for nutrients, PH, and mineral levels to learn what your soil is deprived oand add the recommended amount.
• Core aerate your lawn to open the soil for healthier plants.
• Apply fertilizer to enhance plant growth.
• Have your sprinkler system up and working.

The staff here at Peterson Plumbing in Grand Junction, CO has the experience you can count on, so call us today at (970)-399-7063 to receive the expertise you need before making one of the largest investments in your life.

3 Things You Should Know About Summer Solstice

The summer solstice is going to be happening in just a few weeks, but many people do not realize the meaning or origins of this event. The summer solstice has been celebrated for thousands of years. It is commonly referred to as “the longest day of the year,” but this is not all that happens during the summer solstice.

What Is the Summer Solstice?

According to astronomy, a solstice happens when the tilt of a planet is most inclined towards the star it rotates around. This means that the summer solstice occurs when the Northern Hemisphere is pointed as far towards the sun as possible during its yearly rotation. In the summer solstice, the Northern hemisphere experiences the most hours of daylight during the year, and summer officially starts.

Ways to Prepare for Summer Solstice

Why Do We Have Longer Days in Summer?

During the time around the summer solstice, the days are very long. This happens because the northern half of the Earth has tilted towards the sun, so it spends more time in the sunshine each day. Meanwhile, the farther half of the Earth has tilted away from the sun. Meaning that in certain places, like Australia, they will experience darker days and cooler weather during the summer solstice. However, if you travel far enough north during the summer solstice, the sun will appear to travel around the horizon instead of setting each night because the days are so long.

Where Does the Phrase “Solstice” Come From?

The name, “solstice,” comes from the Latin language. It is a combination of “sol,” which means sun,” and “sisto,” which means “I stand still.” Therefore, the basic phrase used to refer to the longest day of the year means “the sun stands still.” A solstice was called this by the ancient Romans because the day was so long that it seemed like the sun was practically standing still in the sky for most of the day.

Enjoy the long summer days in Grand Junction, CO without worrying about your plumbing. Call Peterson Plumbing today at (970)-255-8430 to learn more about how we can meet your summer needs.

Garbage Disposal Smelling Funky? Release the Odor with These Five Tips!

Do you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen sink? Are you noticing a smell that you just can’t get rid of? Is that odor growing to the point that you don’t like to be in your kitchen and your family members are beginning to complain? Are you wondering if your kitchen will ever return to normal? If you’ll be able to walk in without holding your nose?

If you are having garbage disposal odor issues, you certainly are not alone. Garbage disposal odor is a common problem for many homeowners across the country – and it has to do with the natural collection of different foods and materials in your garbage disposal.

The good news is that every garbage disposal can get that fresh smell once again with a few simple, inexpensive tricks. Best of all, the odors often can be addressed with natural home remedies. Continue reading our quick guide of the top five tips for getting rid of odor in your garbage disposal, and begin smelling freshness once again!

Tip #1: Release Odors with H20

Before you run out to the store to spend money you could save on a garbage disposal cleaner, try a few natural remedies that just might do the trick.

Sometimes food particles are caught in the disposal, and they just need a little loosening. To do this, run hot water down your drain for a few minutes while the disposal is on. Leave the kitchen for about 15 minutes and return to test the air with your nose.

Tip #2: Throw in a Few Cubes

Fill your disposal with ice cubes. Turn on the cool water and then the disposal. The crushing of the ice in the disposal acts with an abrasive force and helps to freeze food particles that are lingering in the disposal.

Continue this process for a few cycles. Leave the kitchen for about 15 minutes, and then return to take a whiff. If needed, you can repeat this process again.

Tip #3: Whip up a Kitchen Concoction

You also can try the home remedy of using baking soda and vinegar in your disposal. Measure about a half cup of baking soda, and dump it into your disposal. Follow with about a half cup of vinegar. Let your concoction sit in your garbage disposal for a few minutes, and then turn on the hot water to flush it away.

With these three natural home remedies for combating odor in your garbage disposal, you’re also naturally cleaning your disposal and protecting it from any corrosive commercial cleaners that may damage your disposal over time.

Tip #4: Don’t Underestimate the Power of Citrus

If water and ice aren’t doing the trick, you can deploy the power of citrus in your drain. Chop up a lemon or an orange into small chunks. It is Okay to leave the peel on these fruits, but the key is to chop the fruit into small chunks so your disposal does not get overwhelmed.

Turn on the water once again, as you never want to run your garbage disposal without the water running, and then drop the fruit chunks into the disposal, one piece a time until all of the pieces have been ground. If after you’ve tried these tips, you still have a smell lingering in your disposable, then you may want to consider a biodegradable disposal cleaner that is made for garbage disposals.

Never use drain cleaning products such as Drano in your garbage disposal. These products are made for drains, and the chemicals used in them may quickly corrode the garbage disposal’s parts.

Tip #5: Avoid Putting These Objects in Your Disposal

Sometimes education about your garbage disposal is everything. Some people don’t know that certain foods have a way of naturally clogging your garbage disposal and getting stuck. When enough of those food particles get caught in your disposal not only do you have a clogged disposal and likely clogged pipes connected to the disposal – but you all have trapped food particles that begin to rot and to smell.

Before you flush something down your disposal, think twice. Avoid foods such as potatoes, bananas, rice, pasta and beans. These foods have the tendency to expand when grounded up in a disposal, creating a clog that is difficult to overcome. Also, avoid stuffing into your disposal any kinds of fibrous foods – such as onion skins, celery, asparagus, corn husks, artichokes, lettuce, and carrots. These foods have a tendency to get wrapped around the blades of your disposal.

You also should avoid pouring grease, oils and fats into your disposal, as these liquids solidify and not only start to smell but will begin clogging your drains. Finally, egg shells and any non-food items are an absolute no-no. A garbage disposal is a powerful appliance –- but it’s not a landfill for your kitchen. Use wisdom and know what you can and cannot put down your disposal to avoid a clog and a resulting odor that fills your beautiful kitchen and makes it an unpleasant place to be.

Ready to take on those pesky odors in your kitchen? Remember these five top tips as you are working in your kitchen and trying to understand how your garbage disposal works and should be maintained over time.

With a little know-how and a few simple tricks, you’ll be able to keep your garbage disposal in working order and you’ll be able to keep your kitchen smelling fresh for weeks to come. The power is in your hands – literally – and you’ll feel great knowing you fixed the problem at hand. For the tougher plumbing issues, call in the experts to help you solve your garbage disposal problems.

Learn more about how the experts at Peterson Plumbing in Grand Junction, Colorado can help you with your plumbing issues by calling (970)-255-8430.

As soon as spring arrives in your area, it is time for you to prepare a home for the hot summer months in order to remain comfortable without wasting money. With global warming, summer can become unbearably hot, and without adequate climate control equipment, you can suffer from dehydration or a heat stroke in your own home.

Our company recommends taking steps immediately to avoid needing to make an emergency telephone call to us on the hottest day of the year. In addition, if last year’s utility bills were too expensive, then it is time to have a high efficiency air conditioner installed.

One: Prepare a Home’s Air Conditioner

If our customers have a window air conditioner, then we suggest taking off its protective cover to verify it is in good condition.

Dust off the coils, check the electrical cord and test the device to verify it is working correctly. After turning off the device, change or clean its air filter to help it work optimally.

For our customers who have a central air conditioner, we recommend checking the outdoor portion to make sure that nothing is covering the unit and that no surrounding plants are interfering with the fan’s blades. Inside a home, our customers must change an air conditioner’s filter and dust off the components.

Avoid touching any wires during the process, and put the cover back on the air conditioner before turning on the thermostat to verify that it is still functional. When a window or central air conditioner is making strange noises or will not start, call our company’s technicians for a repair immediately.

Two: Check a Home’s Venting System

The venting system inside our customers’ homes is as important in the summer as it is in the winter, and we suggest using dust cloths and vacuum cleaners to remove debris from the vents to help cool air enter into each room.

Verify that vent covers are not closed to ensure climate-controlled air can flow adequately, and avoid placing these items over vents:

• Rugs
• Furniture
• Appliances
• Storage boxes
• Clothing

When vents are blocked, it makes an air conditioner work harder to keep a home cool because the ductwork is designed to maintain a building’s air circulation.

Homeowners will notice that there are hot or cool spots inside their home, and this leads to feeling uncomfortable while paying more for electricity.

Don’t make the mistake of adjusting the thermostat frequently to cope with cold or hot spots in a home because it wastes valuable energy and causes problems for an air conditioner’s mechanisms.

Three: Inspect a Home’s Windows and Doors

It is a good idea to open a home’s windows and doors in the spring to permit fresh air to enter and to enjoy cool breezes, but as the temperature outside increases, our customers want to turn on an air conditioner. While our clients may have added caulking and roll-on insulation around doors and windows in the autumn, the materials degrade during the winter.

To prevent loss of cool climate-controlled air in the summer, make sure to close and lock all windows to seal the devices securely. Add roll-on foam insulation or inject liquid caulking around windows and doors. Go outside your home to find holes and crevices in a building’s foundation or siding that require filling to prevent drafts. If your home has single-pane windows, then it is time to upgrade to new triple-pane windows that are made to keep climate-controlled air inside a building.

Spring is also an excellent time to add batting insulation to attics, crawl spaces and basements to reduce your electric bills each month. This is also the perfect season to have a home’s siding and roof replaced with newer materials that have better insulating properties.

Four: Additional Ways to Prepare for Summer

When your home has a higher humidity level in the summer, it makes the entire building hotter, but our customers can use dehumidifying equipment to reduce the moisture in the air. It is possible to install a centralized dehumidifier to suction moisture from the incoming air, or a homeowner can use large freestanding or small portable dehumidifiers.

Using a dehumidifier in a home also helps to prevent mold growth in wall spaces, basements or attics. When our customers install dehumidifiers, they must make sure to empty the tanks of the smaller devices and change the filters to keep the devices in good condition.

If air circulation inside a home is an issue despite cleaning the venting systems, then consider installing ceiling fans or using portable fans to augment the air conditioner’s cool air. During the hottest part of the day, homeowners should close window blinds and drapes to keep rooms cooler.

When using a hot shower in the bathroom, make sure to use the exhaust fan for a few minutes to remove humidity that can increase an entire home’s temperature level. Homes that still feel too warm during the hot summer months need to have a modern high efficiency air conditioner installed to reduce the temperature.

To learn more about how to keep a home cooler in the summer in  Grand Junction, CO call Peterson Plumbing at (970) 399-7063 today.

As the popularity of adult wipes grows by the day, so does the price of plumbing repairs across the country. Though adults consciously buy wipes labeled as flushable, the reality is that these wipes are anything but biodegradable.

Millions of dollars worth of sewer issues result in flushing these wipes. In fact, cities are fighting back by trying to pass bills that the wipe companies must label their products as harmful to pipes, drains, and sewers.

The wipe industry is a 13.2 billion dollar a year industry. These wipes were not only created as a means to clean yourself after using the bathroom, but are marketed as makeup removers, hand sanitizers, and household cleaners.

Wipes are part of an expensive business and the producers will stop at nothing to get you to buy their products.

These non-woven cloths get stuck in pipes and sewer machinery. The cost of toilet repair and drain cleaning has resulted in countless individuals suing the wipe industry. Cities have partaken in these lawsuits as well. Why do these wipes clog so many drains, though?

Why have people realized the problems with flushing baby wipes, but not by flushing adult wipes? There is a multitude of reasons as to why these products clog drains, why people are more inclined to flush these, and how DIY wet wipes are better solutions than the other marketed wipes.

Why Not Throw Them in the Trash?

People adapted to throwing baby wipes in the trash because of the warnings on the labels and simply because it is part of the parenting process. Though babies produce the same type of waste as adults, there is a taboo placed on adult waste. In fact, grown people are appalled at the thought of throwing their own wipes in the trash. Actually, adults rarely keep a pail for wipes in the bathroom.

Of course, all of the blame cannot be placed on the people who use these wipes. The products are marketed to be safe, and the wipe companies market their products as making people cleaner, healthier, and less inclined to contract illnesses. These false advertisements clearly result in huge consequences for the plumbing industry.

Why These Wipes Do Not Flush

It is no secret that when a piece of toilet paper becomes the least bit wet, it begins to break down. Regardless of toilet paper thickness, the product was designed to biodegrade simply because failure to breakdown would result in astronomical plumbing issues. Wipes, on the other hand, are entirely too thick to be thrown in a toilet.

The chemicals on wipes are designed to handle messier situations, but the same chemicals make the wipes less biodegradable. Yes, the wipes breakdown, but not quick enough to avoid clogs. Even if your household does not need a toilet repair or a drain cleaning, the sewer system of cities most certainly will as a result of flushing these products.

It is important to note that even toilet paper can clog a drain. If this specially designed product can do this, what are these wipes really doing?

Wipes are usually advertised as being very durable. The conclusion to be drawn from this, though, is that they are harder to break down. Of course, one cannot see into a drain by just flushing the toilet, so they are unaware of the growing problem and continue to flush. The clog grows bigger in size and collects anything else that gets flushed.

DIY Wet Wipes

Making your own wet wipes can be done in many ways and are far safer for the plumbing system in your house and in the city. The most common way to make this product is by taking a roll of toilet paper, and soaking them in a container of baby shampoo and baby oil. The regular thickness of toilet paper is present and results in fewer clogs as the product is easily biodegradable.

If you are making your own wet wipes for cleaning, swapping out the toilet paper for paper towels is okay. Soaking them in miscellaneous, natural cleaning fluids results in a safe cleaning product. It is still not recommended that these products are flushed, but the material of paper towels is more biodegradable than traditional wipes.

In conclusion, the cheap price put on certain household objects is not worth the underlying cost that they entail. Millions of dollars are spent each year to clean sewer machinery and household drains. Environmental issues are associated with flushing nontraditional items like wipes as well.

DIY projects are cost effective and safer in circumstances such as these. Local senators have been in the process of passing bills to ensure that the public knows the dangers of flushing wipes disguised as being safe.

We provide drain cleaning and toilet repair services in the Grand Junction, CO area. Call Peterson Plumbing at (970) 399-7063 today.

The HVAC system in your home is one of the most important systems in your home. This is especially true if you live in a climate with cold winters and hot summers. Those changes in temperature can cause your furnace to be overworked in both directions and make it stop working. There are a ton of different problems that can occur when it comes to your furnace. It can refuse to turn on. It can refuse to turn off. It can also stop heating air altogether and cause the people in your home to freeze. Most people associate HVAC problems in their Grand Junction home with the furnace or the air conditioning unit. They often forget about a common culprit when it comes to a malfunctioning HVAC system, the thermostat unit.

There are many styles of programmable thermostats on the market that can help regulate the heating and cooling systems. Most of them are electronic. They all can have a disastrous effect on your home if they aren’t working correctly. You may be unfamiliar with the different problems that programmable thermostats can present if they are malfunctioning. Here are 5 ways to tell if the thermostat in your home isn’t working. Some of them you may be able to fix yourself, some of them may require someone who is certified in thermostat repair.

Location of the Thermostat

If you thermostat is causing your furnace or air conditioner to run constantly the problem could be as simple as where your thermostat is located. Each thermostat uses its sensors to detect the temperature of the room where it is located. It then uses this information to regulate the climate in the home. If the thermostat is located near a drafty window or by a door that lets in a lot of cold air it could think that the house is much colder than it actually is and cause the furnace to run constantly in an effort to heat the home. This could cause the home to become way too hot and can have a huge negative effect on your utility bills as well. The opposite effect can take place when it comes to your thermostat’s location if it is located in an area where it gets too much sun and thinks the air is much hotter than it really is.

Electronic Problems

Most thermostats found in homes today are electronic thermostats. This means the interface between the resident and thermostat box is via an electronic screen. If the electronics malfunction on the thermostat it can cause the homeowner to not be able to control the thermostat. It can also cause the thermostat to have incorrect readouts and heat or cool the home incorrectly. This problem can be an easy fix or may require certified thermostat repair. Many of the problems with thermostats that are electronics related are covered under the thermostats factory warranty. This means the thermostat can be replaced for free in many instances.

Furnace Won’t Turn Off

If the furnace in your home is perpetually on it could mean that there is a problem with your thermostat. The temperature gauge on the unit may be incorrect and cause the unit to think that it is much colder than it is. This will cause the furnace to be on constantly in an effort to properly heat the home. Obviously, the opposite can happen as well resulting in your furnace never turning off as well. Problems like these could be caused by faulty wiring, bad thermostat location, or any other factors. Some of them are simple and some of them are complex.

Dirty Thermostat Box

Another sign that your thermostat might not work correctly is that it is not clean. Check your thermostat box regularly to ensure that the wiring and the temperature gauge are clean. Dirt and residue can get on the unit and cause it to misread the surrounding temperature. It can also cause the wiring to rust out and stop working. To avoid problems with your thermostat unit be sure to clean it regularly to prevent these problems. If your thermostat looks dirty it could cause the box to have problems down the line. A malfunctioning thermostat can be disastrous when it comes to your monthly utility bills.

Anticipator Needs Adjusting

When you open your thermostat box you will see a small metal tab coming off of the thermostat. This is called the anticipator. If your furnace is having problems it may just require a small adjustment in either direction to get the correct amperes to correspond with the furnace correctly. If the original adjustment isn’t effective, you may need to consult the manual on your furnace to correctly match your thermostat to it. This is a very common problem with thermostats that is a quick an easy fix.

Box Must be Level

This is actually an overlooked problem with thermostats that can cause issues. You should make sure that your thermostat box is level at all times. A tilted thermostat box can have problems functioning correctly and have problems working correctly. It’s amazing how often this problem can occur when the thermostat unit is originally installed in a home.

If you are having problems with your HVAC system you might need to look past the furnace or air conditioning unit. The problem could be with your thermostat unit itself. It is one of the most overlooked aspects of the heating and cooling system in every Grand Junction home when it comes to repairs. There are a lot of thermostat issues that are fairly minor and can be fixed by looking up a simple do it yourself method. Other problems could be more complex and require the help of a certified HVAC professional. If you are having problems with your programmable thermostat contact a professional today.

For outstanding services in your Grand Junction, CO home, call Peterson Plumbing at (970) 399-7063. You may be surprised at how many issues are covered by your warranty.

Plumbing problems are very common in many Grand Junction homes. You are likely to call the plumber more times that you would call any other professional for repairs. Any plumbing problem, however small it may seem, could mess your life. You can fix some minor problems. However, get a professional plumbing contractor to handle complex and small problems that keep recurring.

The quality of the work done depends on professionalism and other qualities as stated below.

Make Sure Your Plumber is Licensed Bonded and Insured

You should hire a plumber who is licensed to work in your town. The license is a confirmation that the plumber is genuine and is qualified to work on plumbing problems. The license number is conspicuously printed in the advertisements on the vehicle and in all formal communications that you shall have with the plumber.

Plumbers have access to your private life as they work at systems deep into the house. You need a guarantee that your possessions, as well as you, are safe with the plumber in the house. A bonded company guarantees that you are safe as well as your possessions.

Plumbing is a risky job that may lead to injuries and damage to the property. You do not want to be held responsible when a worker gets injured while repairing your water systems. Thus, only hire plumbers that have valid liability insurance. The policy pays for damages and repairs to your home that arises from the actions of the plumber as well as medical bills and related costs arising from injury to the worker or any other resident.

Experience is Essential for Quality

Apart from the license, the experience possessed by a plumber matters a great deal when it comes to the quality of work. Experienced plumbers have most likely than not tackled all the common plumbing problems at home at some point in their career. Thus, they are more likely to give a lasting solution. On the other hand, an inexperienced plumber may be using trial and error method while looking for solutions that could apply to your plumbing problems. An experienced plumber may be a little expensive, but he is worth the added cost.

It is important to ask for a few references to ascertain the experience of a firm. Request for a list of a few clients that have been served by the firm in the recent past. You may call one or two clients to get firsthand information on the quality of work. Expect to hear a few complaints on the way. It is okay to have one or two complaints. However, ask if the problems were resolved. A test of competency is to address customer complaints promptly.

If you have large projects, consider asking for the technical team credentials along with copies of the professional organizations that they belong with the quotation. Ask the plumbing firms to bid for the projects and include the relevant information. This way, you will be able to vet every single plumber that will be working on your project.

Understand Your Plumbers’ Pricing Structures

Different plumbing firms have different pricing structures. Some charge a flat rate (that does not increase with extended time). Others charge an hourly rate and some may add a contingency fee. An hourly rate may be expensive if the repair work goes beyond the expected number of hours. Request a breakdown of the costs into areas such as the materials, and labor among others.

A professional plumber must come to your home and conduct a survey of the job at hand before giving you quote. This helps avoid cutting corners should the cost of the repair go over and above the estimated costs.

Request to know the terms of pay. There are plumbers that request for pay beforehand. Others will set milestone before asking for pay especially if they are working on a large project. A large number would accept to be paid on completion. Consider all the points along with the final cost and select the best.

Response Time is the Difference Between a Good Plumber and a Great One

Sometimes you will need a plumber to fix emergency problems such as pipe bursts and blocked toilets. Consider having a phone number of an emergency plumber who you can reach at any time when there is a plumbing emergency. It is recommended that you hire plumbers within your locality to reduce the distance covered to your home. Besides, you may look at the customer reviews on a reputable plumbing contractor in your area. Pick firms that have positive reviews on timeliness. Quick service may save you from a lot more damage that may be caused burst sewerage or water piping system.

Pay Attention to Guarantees and Warranty

Many professional plumbers in Grand Junctions guarantee their work, but not all. A plumber may guarantee for the hardware or/and the workmanship, so it’s important to be clear on the details before making your choice. Ask if the selected plumbers offer a written guarantee agreement for the work done. It is much easier to follow up if something happens during the warranty period with a written agreement that the verbal agreement.

Material guarantees mostly come from the manufacturers and passed over to you. An authorized parts dealer many get such a warranty for you.

Be keen on the guarantees provided by the plumber. He or she may guarantee the labor but not the hardware or vice versa. This means that you will be forced to pay for either labor or materials in case of a breakdown.

If you have a plumbing problem in your Grand Junction home, consider hiring a professional plumber rather than attempting repairs by yourself.

For professional, quality plumbing services in Grand Junction, CO contact Peterson Plumbing at any time of the day or night. You can reach us at 970-399-7063!