Worried About Your Plumbing this Holiday Season? Take Steps to Avoid These Headaches

Nothing can take the merriment out your holiday celebrations than having to deal with untimely plumbing mishaps. The holiday season creates an extra element of risk as temperatures can get much colder, creating the potential for frozen pipes.

The good news that simply taking a few minutes to do a little preventative maintenance, either before you hit the road for your holiday travels or before your holiday company arrives, can prevent a lot of plumbing problems from happening.

You Need a Working Sump Pump

You may not even think to maintain your sump pump, but rest assured that this is one piece of equipment that you need to be in tip-top shape. Make sure the area around the pump is free and clear of debris that would keep it from working properly. To test its functionality, pour a few buckets of water in the sump pit. If it’s working well, it should switch on automatically. If it doesn’t, get it fixed right away.

Mind the Thermostat

Although it is perfectly ok to turn down your thermostat if you are going to be away from your home for a period of time, never set it lower than 55°F. Any cooler will created potentially risky conditions for frozen pipes.

Double Check Faucets

After you’ve been on the road, it is recommended that you circulate through your home and check that water is flowing freely from all of your faucets.

If you should discover that there isn’t water coming out of any of them, you might be dealing with a water supply issue.

If a single one isn’t flowing, it could be the indication of pipe damage sustained from a frozen pipe. Get it looked at by your plumber.

Deal With Exterior Faucets

It is essential that hoses are removed from exterior faucets. You need to drain any remaining water. Any pooling water in hoses or faucets can freeze and then pose a threat of flooding inside your home. That’s why as an extra safety measure, turn the safety shut-off valve off inside, which will prevent water from entering that route.

Insulate Pipes with Foam

Pipes that are vulnerable to the cold are more susceptible to freezing. Prevent this from happening by wrapping them in simple, but effective foam insulation. Pay special attention to pipes that are installed in exterior walls and in areas of your home that are less insulated (like the basement, garage or crawl spaces). Leave cabinet doors open under sinks that are installed on outside walls.

Insulate the Water Heater with a Jacket

Part of keeping your pipes from freezing is making sure that you’ve got access to warm water all the time. Most new hot water tanks come insulated. If you have an older tank, or if you want to be extra energy efficient, invest in a water heater jacket.

For more help with your holiday plumbing preparations, call Peterson Plumbing today. Call (970) 399-7063 today for trustworthy service in Grand Junction, CO and the surrounding area.

Setting New Year’s Resolutions

With the year dwindling to a close, many people are engaging in self-reflection. They are thinking about all of the things they have accomplished and what more they could have done. Many will reflect on issues relating to self-control, such as weight loss or kicking an old habit, like smoking.

However, New Year’s resolutions could extend even beyond struggles such as this. For example, they could even extend to saving money by finding solutions to your high bill payments.

These 5 tips will help with setting your New Year’s resolutions, now all you have to do is stick to it!

Make A List of Goals You Want To Achieve in the New Year

Reflect for a moment on the changes you would like to occur in your everyday life. A high bill payment is not usually on the list of New Year’s resolutions. But high bills will impact your overall stress and happiness.

As you are creating your list, think of electricity and water usage and how they could be reduced through making conscious decisions in your home. There is power in making a list. It will make your resolutions real.

Once you have an idea of the changes you would like to occur, make a list of goals.

Categorize Them By Time And Importance

Once you have your list, categorize your goals by time and importance. Some of your goals may not be pressing, but that does not mean that you should push them aside. Rank them by the amount of time they will take to achieve and when it would be appropriate to begin each one.

Set REALISTIC Goals that are not too Easy to Achieve

By tackling harder tasks first, it will give you the confidence you need to tackle smaller tasks. Set realistic goals, but be sure they are challenging, so everything after is a cinch!

An unrealistic resolution will leave you with a feeling of futility. But a goal that is too easy might yield the same result. Strike a proper balance.

Keep The List Where You Will See It Daily

Ensure that you have a constant reminder of your goals. Perhaps you could hang a whiteboard in your living room or on the refrigerator.  It will help remind you of your commitment to yourself and encourage you to stick to the list.

Refer to the List Weekly to Check Off Goals

Have you reduced your energy consumption? Exercised more frequently? Deposited more into your savings account? Check it off the list. If you make a habit of referring to the list, you will not forget about it. Remember to revisit the list weekly, to find out if you’ve been naughty or nice.

For help sticking to your household money saving goals, contact Peterson Plumbing in Grand Junction, CO, at (970) 399-7063for more information about our maintenance plans and energy efficient products.

How is it Possible to Save on Heating Costs in the Fall and Winter?

As you see those expensive heating bills coming in during the fall and winter months, you may be wondering, what can I do about this? The answer is lots, and a lot of energy-saving measures are easy to do. Every little bit counts and you’ll see an impact on your heating bills.

Do an energy audit of your home to start, looking at areas that let warm air escape or let cold air in.

Dodge the Drafts

Your number one culprit for warm air escape is your windows. If you are in an older home, or if you have a large number of windows, you are very vulnerable. It’s easy to fix though. First, repair any cracks in the seals around the window with caulk.

Apply a film over top of the windows (you can tape it to the window frame, or apply it directly against the window pane itself). This is an effective barrier. Another trick is to install snugly fitting draperies and window treatments.

Run the Ceiling Fan

Although we tend to run the ceiling fan to keep cool when it is warm outside, keeping it going year round can help you save some cash on your heating bills by moving warm air around. If you have desktop or standalone fans, they work too. Conversely, try not to run the bathroom and kitchen fans, because they actually suck warm air out.

Even the Threshold

Block air from leaving through gaps between the exterior doors and the threshold by raising the threshold. An easy-to-apply adjustable threshold will do the trick.

Use the Sun to Your Advantage

You shouldn’t just seek the sun in the fall and winter for your daily dose of Vitamin D. Opening the curtains during the day lets the sun shine in- and lets you take advantage of some no-cost, very helpful solar power.

Protect the Chimney

Would you leave the window wide open in the living room in January? Of course not. However, that’s what you are effectively doing when you leave your chimney flue open when you’re not using your fireplace.

Make sure that it is closed tightly. Similarly, for extra energy savings put a chimney pillow in, which will act as an inflatable plug, blocking hot air from escaping.

Furnace Attention

It’s the season to get your furnace tuned up. A professional will clean the components, look for damage, attend to the pilot light and change the air filter. All of these items are important in helping your furnace run efficiently.

Fall and winter heating bills draining your wallet? We’ve got lots of energy efficient tips and more. Contact our service professionals at Peterson Plumbing, In Grand Junction, CO, at Call us at (970)-399-7063.

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

During November, many families in the United States begin to prepare for Thanksgiving Day by buying special foods to cook for their tasty holiday recipes. However, there are numerous hungry and homeless individuals who need help during this time of year. Our company understands that our community’s organizations are struggling to provide the basic necessities to the homeless, and here are a few ways for you to provide assistance to those who are in need during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which takes place November 12-20th.

1: Donating Toiletries, Household Items and Clothing

We should try to help out the homeless by cleaning out our closets and getting rid of unneeded household items, clothing and toiletries. Some of the things that a homeless individual might need include:

• Winter coat
• Blankets
• Bath soap
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste
• Socks

In addition to giving away used clothing or household goods, we can buy inexpensive toiletries for the homeless to make their lives better and to help them find work.

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2: Volunteer at a Nearby Homeless Shelter

The temperature often starts to drop in November, and many of the homeless individuals in your area need a place to stay. The homeless shelters require additional volunteers at this time of year to provide vital services. By offering a few hours of help to the homeless this month, you will be making a difference.

3: Help a Food Bank or Soup Kitchen

Many families during this time of year must decide whether they are going to spend their income on heating a home or buying food (assuming they cannot afford both). In order to survive, they will visit a food bank to receive canned or packaged foods to prepare at home. Alternatively, they might need to go to a soup kitchen to have a nutritious hot meal. Fortunately, most soup kitchens and food banks will accept fresh vegetables, so you can donate produce and canned goods to help the hungry or homeless.

4: Donate Food to a Thanksgiving Food Drive

Local organizations and churches in the (city) area organize a Thanksgiving Day food drive to ensure people will have enough ingredients to make a nice dinner. You could help out by donating these types of foods:

• Cans of fruit and vegetables
• Boxes of mashed potatoes or stuffing
• Loaves of fresh bread
• Bags of potatoes
• Cans of chicken or turkey
• Boxes of noodles

For additional suggestions when helping the hungry or homeless in Grand Junction, CO, contact Peterson Plumbing at (970) 399-7063.

5 Reasons to Have Furnace Maintenance

Are you ready for winter? One area you shouldn’t forget about while preparing for the colder months is maintaining your home’s heating system before you begin using it every day.

This includes scheduling maintenance on your furnace from a qualified professional to ensure that there are no issues with your unit and that it will work reliably all season long.

Why should you invest in furnace maintenance this season? Keep reading to find out:

1. Your Unit Hasn’t Been Used All Summer

Most of us don’t need to use our furnaces during the warmer months, and while the warmer days are great they also mean that our furnaces have been inactive for months at a time and issues such as worn-out mechanical parts, will still be present as you begin using it again.

This makes it especially important to book furnace maintenance before you begin using your unit consistently so that a professional can ensure that it is working perfectly and no problems have crept up during the summer.

2. Colder Days are Coming

As the colder days set in, we will be using our furnaces more and more, which means that furnace maintenance is imperative to ensure that it will work reliably. There’s nothing worse than waking up or coming home during the middle of a cold snap to discover that your furnace has failed you!

3. Keep Your Family Safe

A heating professional can tell you if your furnace has become compromised in some way, or has a crack which may begin leaking carbon monoxide into your home.

This gas is potentially lethal and is especially dangerous because it is colorless and odorless, which means that unless you have functioning carbon monoxide detectors (which should also be inspected and tested with the change of seasons), you may be putting your family at risk.

4. Extend the Lifetime of Your Furnace

A furnace which has been well maintained will have to work less hard to heat the air in your home throughout the winter.

This is important to remember because a furnace which is breaking down or worn-out will attempt to overcompensate to deliver the same level of warm air that it once did, which can cause it to wear out faster.

Investing in annual furnace maintenance can dramatically extend the lifetime of your furnace by resolving smaller issues and performing repairs which may escalate into larger issues down the line.

5. Save Money in the Long Term

Paying for scheduled annual maintenance is significantly cheaper than calling for emergency furnace repair and replacement in the middle of the winter when it matters most.

Not just that, but heating systems which are well-maintained work more efficiently and use less energy, which means that your monthly bills will be lower.

If you’re interested in scheduling a professional furnace maintenance appointment this fall, call Peterson Plumbing at 970-339-7063 for service in Grand Junction, CO and the surrounding area.

Join Peterson Plumbing to Stop Bullying

Peterson Plumbing believes it’s important our communities understand how bullying affects all of us. While most of the repercussions of intimidation and violence are associated with children, anyone can experience the negative impact of being bullied.

Victims have been known to suffer from anxiety, depression, sadness and loss of interest in work, studies, and hobbies.  Sufferers have seen negative changes in their health. Bullying needs to stop!

Bullying has to be a matter we all confront to ensure victims feel protected and safe. During the month of October, we hope everyone who reads these words will join Peterson Plumbing in the fight against bullying by participating in and promoting the following events.

National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

October brings together schools and organizations around the country in hopes of educating and encouraging communities to stop bullying, cyberbullying and to give victims the courage to step forward.

Run, Walk, or Roll Against Bullying – October 6th

Sponsored by PACER and the National Bullying Prevention Center, Run, Walk, or Roll Against Bullying looks to raise awareness while engaging in fun activities for the whole family.

Freedom from Workplace Bullying – October 14th-20th

Freedom from Workplace Bullying hopes to get adults to get past the potential shame that keeps them silent and seek out help. Let’s inspire witnesses to step forward, take a stand and make the workplace safe from bullying for everyone.

Unity Day – October 10th

CustomInk and PACER are sponsoring this event for the sixth straight year. Wear an orange shirt or get CustomInk’s official “Be United” shirt and show your support for inclusion, kindness, and acceptance.

Stop Bullying Bystanders – October 14th-20th

Bystanders can play key roles in preventing and stopping bullying. This event is to remind witnesses not to ignore bullying or other signs of violence.

National Stop Bullying Day – October 12th

This event encourages everyone to spread the word about the dangers of bullying through #NationalStopBullyingDay.

It’s a great way to get the conversation started and maybe help a few victims find the courage to speak up.

We need to remove the stigma to hide when we’re being bullied. Bullying can affect people for their entire lives, even long after the victims have left their bullies in the past.

We need the generous spirit of people ready to support the cause and make a difference. We’re asking every parent, student, co-worker, business, school and politician to decide what they can do to help.

Attend an event, educate your children, make sure local schools are doing the same, stand up for someone, report the bullying, or donate money or your time to an anti-bullying organization.

Peterson Plumbing hopes you join us to stop bullying. Come by our offices in Grand Junction, CO or give us call (970) 399-7063 to talk about it or our plumbing and HVAC services.

5 Essential Fall Items and Tasks to Clean Your Home

Although springtime is often associated with giving your home a good cleaning out, the fall is an excellent time to clean out your home and get it ready for the season ahead.

There are some essential supplies and tasks that you should have on your list before you begin. Here are some handy tips on how to get started.

1 – Microfiber Cloth for the Windows

After a season of rain and dust, along with the wear and tear created by the summer sunshine, you’ll want to give your windows a good once over.

In terms of equipment, stock yourself with a solid microfiber cloth and a spray bottle with glass cleaner. To make sure that those windows are squeaky clean, pick a cloudy day so that you can see if you’ve missed any spots.

Window coverings can gather a lot of dust (particularly if you’ve had the windows open a lot during the summer). Dust slat blinds and put window coverings through the dryer on the fluff cycle with a dryer sheet (unless you have fabric that needs special care, like dry cleaning).

2 – Attack the Dust

You probably dust your home on a regular basis, but use this seasonal opportunity to get into those nooks and crannies that you may overlook during your weekly clean.

Dust baseboards and ceiling corners. Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures, taking them apart to clean if need be. Vacuum couches and upholstered chairs to get out that deep down dust.

3 – Flip your Mattress

You may not think to do this often, but flip your mattress and rotate it as well. This not only prolongs the life of your mattress, but it keeps it cleaner as well. If you don’t have one already, you may want to invest in a mattress cover, which can help guard your mattress against staining and dust.

4 – Power Washer

There’s no time like the fall to get the grime off your home from the outside. Get the power washer going and spray down siding that might be gunky from the summer. Clean pathways and spray down the deck.

5 – Lint Roller

It’s time to clean out the kitchen cabinets. Wipe down the cabinets, inside and out. Inside drawers, use a lint roller to really clean the corners.  Also, head into your kitchen pantry and get rid of unused or spoiled items. Wipe down the shelves and put the older stock at the front so that it gets used first.

The fall is a great time to check out your plumbing as well, which can benefit from preventative maintenance. If you discover any mysterious leaks or anything else that you might need help with, give Peterson Plumbing, in Grand Junction, CO, a call today at 970-399-7063.

National Fruits and Veggies Month

National Fruits and Veggies Month is an excellent time to find ways to incorporate these wonderful foods into your diet. They’re nutritious, filling and full of vitamins and minerals our bodies need to function.

While many people enjoy fruits, it’s sometimes harder to get the right amount of veggies in your meals throughout the day. The following are some excellent tips to recognize these foods during National Fruits and Veggies Month.

Learn to Snack Healthy

Snacking is a good habit to have if you choose the right snacks. The humble apple and banana are both filling, affordable and nutritious snacks that are also portable. Not only will they fulfill a sweet craving, but will also help satiate hunger until your next meal. Edamame is another healthy snack that is appetizing with a dip like hummus. Add in some carrots and pepper strips and you have a colorful meal that is full of vitamins.

Visit a Local Farmers’ Market

The farmers’ market is one of the best places to find fresh produce that is in season. The produce at the farmers’ market may have even been picked the day before or that same morning. Many farmers’ markets also sell some produce that has been preserved or pickled by the family. These products offer a fun way to try a new jam or jelly that you may not find in the grocery store. The following are some unique items that you may find at your local farmers market.

• Rhubarb
• Heirloom tomatoes
• Okra
• New apple varieties
• Locally-grown food

Know the Benefits of Eating Fruits and Vegetables

It’s important to understand the reason why the body thrives off eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. There are many benefits from eating fresh produce.

Once you find your favorites, it will become easier to find new ways to prepare them to ensure you get the recommended daily servings. Here are some of the most exciting benefits of eating fruits and vegetables:

• They’re filling with minimal calories
• Many contain fiber to aid in digestion
• Greens and berries have antioxidants to help counteract the effects of aging

The next time you’re planning a meal or snack, be sure to incorporate at least 2 or 3 fruits or vegetables. When you’re shopping, look for a new variety each time you go to the store. You can always find recipes for nearly anything online, and it’s tons of fun to expand your palate and try new things!

Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of fruits and veggies, Peterson Plumbing, would like to offer you a hand with your HVAC needs in Grand Junction, CO. Give us a call at (970) 255-8430.

Eliminate Uneven Cooling In Your Home Today with these 3 Easy Tips

Have you been struggling to adequately cool your home during the summer months? If you’ve been noticing that when you walk from one room to another, or when you move between levels of your multi-storey residence, that there is a noticeable difference in temperature, then your HVAC system may be having problems evenly distributing cool, comfortable air throughout your home.

Suffering from uneven cooling isn’t just uncomfortable; it can also drive up your energy costs as your cooling system overworks to compensate for the uneven temperature, and it can cause your air conditioner to wear out and break down faster.

How can you reduce uneven cooling, keep your energy costs low, and minimize strain on your HVAC system? Read on to find out three easy ways:

1. Increase Your Attic Insulation

Most homeowners rarely give their attic insulation a second thought, but it plays a vital role in temperature control inside your home. This is because insulation not only keeps outdoor air from getting into your home, but it prevents the air indoors from escaping out into the world.

This means that if you have inadequate amounts of insulation, or if your insulation isn’t the appropriate kind for use in your region, then it may be allowing valuable cool air to escape up through the roof of your home.

2. Check Your Air Ducts for Leaks

Your air ducts are the component of your home’s heating and cooling system which are responsible for transferring air throughout your home and from room to room. When this system works perfectly you can enjoy consistent and even temperatures throughout your home, but if it becomes compromised then you may begin experiencing issues with inconsistent temperatures.

Holes and tears in your air ducts can cause air to leak out into unwanted areas, resulting in uneven air distribution and forcing your system to work harder to produce consistent temperatures.

3. Invest in a Zoning System for Your Home

Zoning systems allow you to have complete control over different areas of your home, and provide you with the opportunity to create custom “zones” which can be heated or cooled independently of one another.

When installing your zoning system, be sure to discuss the appropriate zones with your cooling technician, as they can help you identify the rooms or areas of your home which may need special attention and their own “zones” to stay comfortable. For example, a zoning system allows you to keep bedrooms on the second storey of your home cooler and more comfortable for sleep than your basement.

For professional assistance with eliminating uneven cooling in your Grand Junction, CO home contact your local HVAC experts at Peterson Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling. We’re just a phone call away, so dial 970-399-7063 and enjoy the comfort that comes with cool, controlled indoor temperatures now.

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.