Crucial Considerations When Installing Central AC

Choosing to install a central air conditioning system will help you cut down on your monthly bills. Besides allowing you to provide adequate cooling to all rooms in your home, you can also make use of the existing heating duct for the air conditioning. Other benefits include better air quality and less noise.

When planning to install a central AC system, consult a home cooling expert. He may suggest the most suitable unit for your home. If a unit is too small, it will not be able to completely cool a house during a hot day and it will cost more to operate because of its extended operation time. A larger unit also creates problems; the unit will cool down the home too quickly while not reducing the moisture in the air.

Quick Plumbing Fixes You Should Know

Though it can be tempting to call up an Edmonton plumbing professional every time something goes wrong, sometimes it’s an overreaction. As a homeowner, it would be good to take time to learn some basic plumbing skills.

The most important skill to know is how you can shut off your home's water supply. Every plumbing system includes a water shutoff valve. You should know where yours is located, as shutting off the water is an essential first step before getting to do any work on the plumbing. Not only that, but in the event of a leaky faucet or burst pipe, it would be imperative to quickly turn off the water.

Things to Consider When Buying Water Heaters

At the end of the day, cost will most likely dictate which type of water heater you will buy and install in your home. Do not let price be the only reason why you purchase a particular model however. After all, choosing the right water heater for your needs will make the new heater last longer, allowing you to get the most out of your money. With that in mind, here are a few other factors you should take into account:

Water Hammers: What You Need to Know About Them

Turning on your faucet and hearing a loud banging is a bad sign. That loud banging sound is known as a “water hammer”, a characteristic noise that points to a possible problem with water pressure. It happens right after you turn off a faucet, and the fast moving water comes to a quick stop. This creates some kind of “shock wave”, which causes the hammering sound.

Proper plumbing comes with air chambers or cushions that soften these shock waves. If you are unsure if your plumbing has these, call reliable Edmonton plumbers to check, as these could save you a great deal of trouble later on. If the problem has been building up for some time, however, the air chambers could eventually fail.

Why Services for a Water Heater in Edmonton Are Necessary Precautions

Without proper care, even the most advanced water heaters will still experience the occasional malfunction, or leak excess carbon monoxide. Although homeowners have the option to maintain their own heaters, the sheer amount of work needed to ensure every component works in the system (the piping included) can be daunting. It would be preferable for homeowners to call for professional services for their water heater in Edmonton, such as those offered by Capital Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Heaters generally last for a decade, whether they run on gas or electricity, and usually only need annual maintenance. Homeowners, however, should not have to wait for that long if they suspect that their heaters suffer a dip in performance, and should pre-empt any water heater malfunctions by enlisting the expertise of plumbing and heating companies.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/services-water-heater-edmonton-necessary-precautions/

Trusted Edmonton Drain Cleaners: Protecting Kitchen Drains from Clogs

The kitchen is often referred to as the “heart of the home”. Since that is the case, you should consider your plumbing systems as the blood vessels that help keep the kitchen going. Just like your own heart and blood vessels, keeping your plumbing clear of any clogs is vital if you want to avoid any problems later on. Sadly, the kitchen holds many things that can lead to clogged drains. While calling Edmonton drain cleaners can easily resolve any clog that may develop, the best course of action would be to prevent clogs from happening in the first place. With that in mind here are a few tips that help prevent your kitchen drains from clogging.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/trusted-edmonton-drain-cleaners-protecting-kitchen-drains-clogs/

Replacing Your Edmonton Heating System? Three Things You Should Know

Needless to say, heating equipment is extremely necessary this winter—unless Edmonton locals have that secret desire to turn into human popsicles. So, if your heating systems didn’t work the last time you checked, or are acting up one way or the other, a replacement is in order. Style at Home writer Allan Britnell sums up the common types of heaters in Canadian households, including. The forced air furnace’s versatility is a big plus for homeowners, making it a top consideration for new space heating equipment. Before you hire Edmonton heating specialists to install a forced-air furnace unit in your home, take note of these essential tidbits of information from the Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/replacing-edmonton-heating-system-three-things-know/

Winterization Tips for Maintaining Your Air Conditioners in Edmonton

Edmonton locals are used to the early start of winter—which they’ve witnessed in the last few years—and this year is no exception. The CBC.ca News staff writes that in the first week of November, the city already endured a major snowfall. Several centimetres of snow caused traffic turmoil around the city. The start of snowfall is a good signal for locals to start thinking about winterizing their air conditioning systems. Winterizing window and outside air conditioners in Edmonton homes should be a part of HVAC maintenance, to ensure that the units would remain functional and ready for use once the winter season is over.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/winterization-tips-maintaining-air-conditioners-edmonton/

Plumbing in Edmonton: Preventing Burst Pipes and Other Winter Problems

Winters in Edmonton aren’t all winter light festivals, adventure walks, and hot cocoa—well, at least, at home. Since temperatures in the metro start dipping as the last quarter gets underway, residents actually have much to worry about when winter begins. By December and January, the daily average low can dip to almost 14 degrees below zero. You cannot afford any foul-ups with your piping system in the middle of a deep winter, so you need to strengthen your plumbing in Edmonton with the help of experts such as Capital Plumbing & Heating. What are the possible plumbing problems you might encounter during this season?
http://capitalplumbing.ca/plumbing-edmonton-preventing-burst-pipes-winter-problems/

Handling Stubborn Drain Clogs

A clogged drain can cause real trouble for the family. Virtually all activities have to halt until the clog that keeps dirty water from running out of the house is removed. Serious cases of clogging have to be dealt with by professional plumbers. Here’s how you can handle drain clogs.

Avoiding clogged drains and toilets

It’s easier to stop these clogs from happening than make a mess trying to fix them when they do occur. It’s as simple as installing a hair catcher in bathroom drains and a food catcher in the kitchen sink, since hair and food particles are among the major causes of clogging.

Edmonton Plumbers Tackle Big Problems in a Tiny Bath or Powder Room

The small things count, and renovating a tiny space like your powder room can help in improving your home’s aesthetics and value. Pack the room with style, and it can surely wow your guests or your prospective buyers. Glen Peloso, home design correspondent for the Toronto Star, lists the following tips in renovating a powder room. While a stylish design may be important in renovating a small bath or powder room, its functionality should still be your priority. If the tiny room has big problems like leaky or clogged fixtures, better have them fixed by trusted Edmonton plumbers before diving into decorating.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/edmonton-plumbers-tackle-big-problems-tiny-bath-powder-room/

Heating Experts Say Old Furnaces Have to Go

The easiest way to determine if your furnace has gone past its limit and needs to be replaced soon is when repairs have become more frequent. There are instances, however, when only some components have to be replaced. By inspecting your furnace’s key components, heating experts can tell whether or not it should remain in service.

Evaluate your current system

Have your furnace inspected by a trained professional from businesses that specialise in furnace repair and installation. As mentioned earlier, if certain key parts continue to malfunction and the furnace has been in use for more than 18 years, it would be more practical to replace it.

Setting Up Air Conditioning for Your Old House

Issues with heating are usually common in older homes, especially those that have stood for generations. Unlike newer homes that are designed with energy-efficient features, old homes need better installation to supply ample heating during winter. If your house is much older than you and you determine that it lacks sufficient temperature control, tap companies skilled at heating and air conditioning for your needs.

In evaluating whether or not an old house has to be equipped with a modernised heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, one of the key tasks is to make sure no parts detract from the general appearance – especially the ductwork. The problem with conventional ductwork grids: their size becomes quite the eyesore if you’re preserving the original form.

Tips on Choosing the Right Toilet for your Home

Toilets are the centerpiece of your bathroom. You’ll need to select the ideal one, so here are some things to look for:

Extreme Power

Some plumbers say that the flush can take much more water than desired. You will notice that some toilets with six-litre flushes no longer have lever-based actions; you’ll often see a button and a much smaller button inside a circular housing. These are the dual-flush variety, where you’ll have the option to make a full or half flush. Other toilets are called high-efficiency toilets because they can use only 4.8L per flush.

Top Problems that Need Fixing In Your Bathroom

Your bathroom is your private refuge, where you can relax and have a hot shower. The problem is that it’s also prone to having problems. Here are a few of them:

Running or clogged toilets may be among the biggest issues you have to get repaired first. You don’t want guests to flush and have to deal with the embarrassment of causing the unsanitary toilet to overflow and flood the bathroom. Aside from being unhygienic, toilet overflow could also be the root of slipping hazards and costly water bills.

Clogged Drain? No Problem with These Tips!

Clogged drains are among a home plumbing system’s greatest problems. While you might be tempted to call up your trusted Edmonton plumbers every time the sink gurgles or drains slowly, here are some steps you can take to remedy minor clogs before it’s too late:

Gear up

Start your plumbing troubleshooting by getting the right equipment in the first place. You’ll need a plunger, and in case the clog is more than a bit of plunging can take care of, you might want to bring a drain snake or hand auger, too. You’ll also need a wet cloth to cover the overflow vent of your sink’s basin— only by covering the vents properly can your plunger work efficiently.

If Working Properly, a Water Heater in Edmonton saves a Lot of Energy

By comparison, tankless water heaters use less energy than the majority of Edmonton hot water tanks. Such tanks are filled with water that is kept heated and sits there waiting to be used, while tankless water heaters heat the water on the fly as it makes its way to the kitchen sink or shower. It’s like an oven versus a tea kettle. For added savings, choose a heater that sports an Energy Star label. This certifies that it uses 14 to 55% less power than ordinary heaters that meet government standards. Talk to professional like those from Capital Plumbing & Heating, Ltd. who specialise in water heater repair and installation regarding which unit would be best for your needs as well as your pocket.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/working-properly-water-heater-edmonton-saves-lot-energy/

Plumbing Companies in Edmonton Should Handle the Stubborn Drain Clogs

When the plumbing gets stuck because of a clogged drain, life tends to come to a halt just before all hell breaks loose. In cases where the water is unable to flow, the de-clogging would have to be done professionally by plumbing companies in Edmonton like Capital Plumbing & Heating Ltd. For the kind of clogging that merely slows the passage of water, however, these household tips by Rachel Vega for Angie’s List should do the trick.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/plumbing-companies-edmonton-handle-stubborn-drain-clogs/

How to Deal with Clogged Drains

Much like a clogged toilet, having a clogged drain is one of the most irritating things that can happen in one’s home. Aside from the ensuing eyesore and unsavory odors, a clogged kitchen or bathroom drain can disrupt household activities due to the risk of water overflowing.

Signs You Need a New Furnace Installed

With winter fast approaching, now is the perfect time to give your furnace a little test run. After all, winter temperatures in Stony Plain can reach an average low of -17.4°, making a fully-functional furnace a must. With that in mind, turn on your heating and be on the lookout for the following problems:

Your Friendly Edmonton Heating Experts Say Old Furnaces Have to Go

When a furnace has been in use for quite some time and repairs for it have become more frequent, sometimes it becomes more practical to replace it rather than keep repairing it. By inspecting your furnace’s key components, Edmonton heating experts can tell whether or not it should remain in service. Writer Mary H.J. Farrell discusses the proper time to retire a furnace in an article for Consumer Reports.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/friendly-edmonton-heating-experts-say-old-furnaces-go/

Common AC Problems and How to Deal with Them

An air conditioner goes through a lot of wear and tear and as your unit gets older, expect some problems in the long run. However, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what’s wrong. Here’s a few of the common malfunctions an AC unit suffers and how to deal with them:

Common Plumbing Terms

Ever invited a plumber over to look at some busted piping, yet can’t make sense of what he says? To the untrained ear, plumbers speak some sort of otherworldly language that may sound like Klingon. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are a few “Plumberese” terms to help you out.

Setting Up Quality Air Conditioning in Edmonton for your Old House

Workarounds involve installing either high-velocity or mini-split HVAC units. The high-velocity route concerns small ductwork linked to a supply trunk where the cooling load is forcefed. Mini-splits consist of a central condenser with a network of air handlers assembled at specific rooms. Thickening the insulation for an old house is never far behind when upgrading the HVAC system. Your Edmonton air conditioning contractor can be tasked to analyse the current level of insulation and recommend further options. This will be essential if the new system could not achieve the optimum load for your house without an insulation upgrade.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/setting-quality-air-conditioning-edmonton-old-house/

Keeping Warm: Home Furnace Maintenance Tips

During cold nights at Stony Plain, it’s not surprising that many people long to wrap themselves with a comfy blanket while sipping a hot mug of their favourite drink. Most home heating systems are centered on a furnace. Keeping it in good shape should be every homeowner’s objective—especially if they want to avoid being chilly at night. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:

Plumbing Depths: Calling Plumbers for Tough Jobs

Nothing can be more frustrating to a homeowner than malfunctioning plumbing; who would not be vexed by clogs, leaks, and funny smells? Although some plumbing problems can actually be easily solved, there are those problems that require professionals. Due to the delicate nature of certain water systems, homeowners should learn when to call a local plumber for help.

Replacing Your Toilets through Professionals at Plumbing in Edmonton

A skilled plumber will have to evaluate the house’s piping grid to see if it can handle the new toilets and still maintain adequate overall pressure. How many people have screamed in the bathroom as you flushed because their shower was scalding hot? A high-performance replacement toilet will be all but worthless without the best plumbing in Edmonton, Alberta backing it up. You owe it to yourself and your family to better address your home’s sanitation needs.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/replacing-toilets-professionals-plumbing-edmonton/

Tapping an Edmonton Plumbers Service to Replace Your Shower Fixtures

.The shower fixture and the controls must be properly positioned to preserve form with the tiling– and prevent costly readjustments. For example: during the initial design, you can envision the shower’s hot-cold water knob to be parallel/aligned with any vertical/horizontal grout joints. A fixed showerhead will be at a grout joint “crossroads.” Ultimately, new showers may mean better comfort. Let professional Spruce Grove plumbers like those from Capital Plumbing get it done for you.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/tapping-edmonton-plumbers-service-replace-shower-fixtures/

Tankless Trouble—Is It Time to Call Edmonton Water Heater Technicians?

No ignition – A nice, hot bath provides a welcoming feel during an otherwise freezing day. However, there would be times when the water heater simply won’t do what it’s supposed to do. When this happens, there’s only one probable culprit: the heater’s burner doesn’t ignite when switched on. There might be a problem in the fuses inside the control panel, or a water inlet filter might be clogged or dirty. Internal corrosion – Tankless water heaters would never work if not for the heat exchanger, which is typically made out of metal with high corrosion resistance and should work fine for years – that is, if installed properly. During routine maintenance checks, a technician carefully assesses the condition of the heat exchanger.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/tankless-trouble-time-call-edmonton-water-heater-technicians/

Proper Flushing: Things Edmonton Drain Cleaners Wouldn’t Want to See

Unless you’re intentionally burning a hole in your pocket due to repairs or wish to be regularly reprimanded by professional Edmonton drain cleaners, these are the things that should never go down your drain. Dental floss – Sure, dental floss after using could be a bit gross and deserves to be thrown out (actually it has to be thrown out). However, its final fate should never be a trip down the drain and into the sewers. This is because dental floss isn’t biodegradable, and when they accumulate and get tangled up over time, they could form a ball large enough to block an average sized pipe.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/proper-flushing-things-edmonton-drain-cleaners-wouldnt-want-see/

A Need for Regular Edmonton Heating Maintenance: Carbon Monoxide Risk

Carbon monoxide gas is tasteless and odorless, yet extremely hazardous. In Canada as a whole, statistics point to this compound for causing about 414 deaths in 7 years; unfortunately, it is a common by-product of combustion—a process utilised by a furnace. Then again, furnaces functioning at optimal levels are no danger to your home as they have vents, filters, sensors, chambers, and fans that work together to safely and efficiently heat your home. This is why regular Edmonton heating maintenance and repairs are vital to keep your furnace in tiptop shape, as well as to keep your family out of harm’s way.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/need-regular-edmonton-heating-maintenance-carbon-monoxide-risk/

Drain Cleaning: Just Add Hot Water or Vinegar

An out-of-order sink or toilet can cause a great deal of inconvenience. Here are some "life hacks" that can help you prevent major clogs.

Hot Water

In case you do not feel confident about using chemical cleaners, hot water can be your staunchest ally. As most dishes leave oily residues, hot water can keep pushing them down, preventing the oil from latching onto the drain pipe. Having a hot water function in the kitchen sink can be really helpful in this case.

Facts on Installing Air Conditioning in Edmonton: The Right AC Size

If you live in places like Edmonton, where summers last way until September, having an air conditioner that works and isn’t too costly is essential. So how exactly do you choose the right size air conditioning in Edmonton? Here are some concepts that you need to know about: British Thermal Units or BTUs To understand how big an AC you’ll need, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the concept of British Thermal Units or BTUs. Essentially, this is a unit of measure that represents the amount of energy needed to cool or heat precisely one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit, and it is equivalent to approximately 1055 joules.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/facts-installing-air-conditioning-edmonton-right-ac-size/

Furnace Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Like any other equipment, furnaces and heating apparatuses also need proper maintenance to remain in peak performance. As such, here are some simple steps that can aid in determining whether one’s furnace or heating system is in need of repair or maintenance.

Most furnaces and heating apparatuses run on gas or fuel. If the heaters and furnaces do not give off the preferred heat levels, chances are their fuel levels are critically low. Refueling the furnace or heating appliance with the proper fuel usually does the trick. Most of the time, adjusting the thermostat is all it takes as well.

When Faced with a Clogged Drain, Call an Edmonton Plumbing Expert

How does a drain get clogged? Drainage systems collect excess rainwater, kitchen wastewater, and toilet wastewater. Unfortunately, these different wastewater types can hold a certain amount of solid matter that can possibly block the drainage pipes. When these solid particles accumulate, clogging occurs. When your drain pipes are clogged, water will stagnate, which can lead to leaks or even worse, wastewater backup. A properly installed drainage system won’t make much difference if you don’t know how to take care of it. Kitchen drainage systems can be blocked by accumulation of oil and fat poured into them; foreign items flushed in the toilet can be trapped in the U-bend or somewhere else in the pipes. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), a non-profit trade association with more than 60,000 members across North America and Canada, provides some specifics on how your drains can get clogged at different points in time.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/faced-clogged-drain-call-edmonton-plumbing-expert/

How to Make Air Conditioners Last Longer

Maintaining your air conditioning (AC) system is a delicate, but very important, task. After all, if your AC isn’t clean and well-kept, it will become less efficient at its job and will consume more power as time passes. Of course, given that AC can be rather complicated, you’ll need to find a reliable contractor who can help you out—especially when it comes to cleaning your AC’s evaporator and condensing unit.

Edmonton Plumbers: Is Your Water Main Leaking? Here’s How to Confirm

What if the water main leak is on your side of the fence? If your water main springs a leak, some signs will be obvious to you. If you see water bubbling or gushing up from your lawn, there’s a huge chance that your water main is already leaking. To confirm, turn off all the plumbing fixtures in your home and check the dial of your water meter for movement. If there is movement, the leak is in your water line. You’ll need to shut the meter off immediately and have an expert Edmonton plumber come over as soon as possible. Minimal or weak water pressure from all the water fixtures in your home is a good sign of a water main leak. Again, turn off all fixtures and check the meter’s dial for movement. If there is none, your water supplier may have shut the water off. Ask your neighbour if they are experiencing the same issue. If they don’t, you likely have a leak or a clog in your water main that requires the expertise of efficient Edmonton plumbers.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/edmonton-plumbers-water-main-leaking-heres-confirm/

Simple Tips on Dealing with Clogged Drains

The drain plays a major role in your home’s sanitation. After all, cooking and dishwashing are easier when your drain is fully functioning. It is no wonder, then, that a clogged drain is among the most dreaded problems in any household.

Simple Tips on Dealing with Clogged Drains

The drain plays a major role in your home’s sanitation. After all, cooking and dishwashing are easier when your drain is fully functioning. It is no wonder, then, that a clogged drain is among the most dreaded problems in any household.

A Fixed Faucet That Moves

Faucets have been a boon to the human race as early as Roman times. The invention of plumbing also paved the way for water control methods that allow people to use as much water as they need. However, most plumbing fixtures have fixed designs and are built only to allow water to flow in one direction, i.e. wherever the outlet was facing.

Drain Cleaning with Baking Soda

Baking soda, scientifically known as sodium bicarbonate, has natural cleaning properties that can substitute most chemical cleaners. This white crystalline substance can either be solid or powered, is water soluble, and when combined with water churns up a mildly corrosive solution that is alkaline in nature.

Chemical cleaners contain sodium hydroxide, which makes the solution poisonous when swallowed, inhaled, or gets in contact with the skin. Drain cleaning with baking soda is a safer and more eco-friendly way to do kitchen and bathroom chores. This is one of the safest and risk-free DIY drain cleaning methods.

Some Tip to Ensure Proper Heating in Your Home

One of the big problems Canadians face during winter is the fact that their heating bills seem to go through the roof. It’s unavoidable since no one wants to wake up cold as ice, which is a very uncomfortable experience. Cutting down on your heating costs will take a bit of effort. Here’s a few tips on how to do just that:

Edmonton Water Heater Replacement: Tell-tale Signs You Need a New One

Fall is just weeks away, and hot water would soon be an essential commodity in Canadian households. At present, the importance of hot water may not be that high yet in Edmonton because the city is currently enjoying a warm, dry weather. Once fall arrives, though, with cooler temperatures in Edmonton, water heater maintenance efforts become critical. At times, maintaining the equipment is no longer useful and a replacement is in order. How would you know whether or not you should have your heater maintained or replaced? Here are tell-tale signs to watch out for.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/edmonton-water-heater-replacement-tell-tale-signs-need-new-one/

Save Your Documents from Heat and Humidity

When Willis Carrier invented his “Apparatus for Treating Air” back in 1902, he did so with a single purpose: to control heat and humidity that’s adversely affecting the paper being manufactured in the paper mill he was working in—but how exactly does heat and humidity affect paper?

Edmonton Drain Cleaning Tips: How to Keep Your Drains Free of Clogs

Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing emergencies among households. If this problem isn’t corrected quickly via drain cleaning in Edmonton, the clog can force sewage back up your pipes and into your home. The worst part is that most standard home insurance policies do not cover sewage backups. Fortunately, there are several simple measures you can take to help minimize the chances of this problem happening in your home. These include: Throwing Away Oil Just don’t pour it down the kitchen drain! Cooking oil will solidify and clog your pipes. Pour used cooking oil in a plastic container and throw it in the bin instead. If there is a recycling center near your residence, you can bring your cooking oil there.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/edmonton-drain-cleaning-tips-keep-drains-free-clogs/

Get an Edmonton Heating Company to Help You with Furnace Replacement

The danger of a furnace breaking down will soon become real to residents of Edmonton like you, as summer slowly turns into fall. Temperatures in the city usually dip from nearly 12 degrees Celsius in August to half that in September, with the wind chill, on average, pegged at -11.7 C. As the onset of cold weather carries its own set of dangers for you and your loved ones, you must consult an Edmonton heating and air conditioning service like Capital Plumbing & Heating Ltd. on whether your heating system is still in good shape or not. Here are things you can do with the contractor: Examine the label One of the effective ways to determine a replacement for your heating system is to analyse the labelling on the furnace. Vandervort suggests looking for the brand name, manufacturing date, and model number, and showing them to the HVAC contractor for guidance. The contractor would know if your system is obsolete, or if the model has been upgraded to an energy-efficient variant.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/get-edmonton-heating-company-help-furnace-replacement/

Moderate Use of Air Conditioning in Edmonton Advised, to Save Energy

"In an effort to conserve electricity without endangering the health of the residents, the city has announced that public outdoor pool facilities will stay open longer. Besides minimizing air conditioning use, citizens were encouraged to turn off unnecessary lights, draw curtains and blinds, and wait until after 7pm to run washers, dryers, and other major appliances. Edmonton air conditioning repair and installation companies, such as Capital Plumbing & Heating Ltd., recommend having AC units serviced to maximize their efficiency. This would make the appliances perform better while saving energy. Power guzzlers Heating and cooling systems consume the most electricity, followed by water heaters, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators. As mentioned earlier, these appliances are recommended to be used only once temperatures have dropped in the early evening, to conserve energy. Any electric or mechanical device running at peak efficiency, however, will use significantly less power than the
http://capitalplumbing.ca/moderate-use-air-conditioning-edmonton-advised-save-energy/

Edmonton Plumbing Companies Help Deal With Bathroom Fixture Problems

A lot of care needs to be taken when repairing a bathroom. The job can be too much for a layman, and so if you want to have the best plumbing in Edmonton, Alberta, you’re going to need professional help. First, professional plumbers would be familiar with all the possible problems associated with bathrooms. They would be familiar with what can leak and what can break down like the pipes under the sink and the various fixtures. They’ll also know what to check to ensure no future problems emerge.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/edmonton-plumbing-companies-help-deal-bathroom-fixture-problems/

Before Calling Edmonton Plumbers: Tips for Clearing a Clogged Drain

Plumbing is a huge part of the everyday function of your Edmonton home, so unless you’re showering very sparingly, chances are you’d be getting drain clog problems every now and again. While you might be tempted to call up your trusted Edmonton plumbers every time the sink gurgles or drains slowly, here are some steps you can take to remedy minor clogs before it’s too late: Gear up Start your plumbing troubleshooting by getting the right equipment in the first place. You’ll need a plunger, and in case the clog is more than a bit of plunging can take care of, you might want to bring a drain snake or hand auger, too. You’ll also need a wet cloth to cover the overflow vent of your sink’s basin— only by covering the vents properly can your plunger work efficiently.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/calling-edmonton-plumbers-tips-clearing-clogged-drain/

Dealing with a Basement Flooding Issue

A flooded basement is one of the worst disasters a homeowner can face. There are several reasons why basements flood: clogged main drains, leaking or clogged downspouts, and foundation drain/sump pump failure are just some of the most common culprits. If you have cracks in your basement walls, even the slightest pipe leaks could lead to a catastrophic basement flood that causes extensive and expensive damage.

Common Signs Indicating a Plumbing Problem

Many homeowners end up taking their plumbing system for granted, so much so that they’ll only inspect it when things are already going wrong. If you want to keep from getting inconvenienced every time a fixture fails or some pipes burst, be sure to look out for these signs of potential plumbing problems:

Common Bathroom Plumbing Problems

Most plumbing problems can be a real nuisance in your home and many can lead to serious issues like water damage. Your bathroom, for one, can be plagued by a lot of potential problems, since it plays host to majority of your home’s plumbing fixtures and pipelines. Here are some of the signs that you might need to call your plumber quickly.

Know What to Buy: Getting the Right Water Heater for Edmonton Homes

The final type is considered to be the most environmentally-friendly – a solar heater. Roof-mounted collectors absorb the heat and transfer it down to the water tank via an antifreeze-like fluid. This is great for summer days, but winter can put a damper on its functioning. Whatever type you buy, installing a water heater in Edmonton will require the help of professional plumbers like Capital Plumbing & Heating Ltd. It would be best to consult with them on which type would be best for your home.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/know-buy-getting-right-water-heater-edmonton-homes/

Edmonton Plumbing Companies Come To Help When Your Drains Are Clogged

However, before you pick up that phone and call the experts, you might as well try to at least minimize the problem that the plumber will have to deal with. First, there’s the hot water solution. You may be tempted to go directly to the chemical solution, but water is easier on the pipes than most other solvents. All it involves is boiling water in a kettle to pour down the drain. Of course, this works best with light clogs that slow the draining of water, and not full-blown blockages. Additionally, don’t get the water too hot – PVC pipes melt at 175 degrees; if you don’t know what type of pipes you have just go for just the right amount of hot water. Second, there’s making your own drain cleaner. You’d think it would be better to shop around Edmonton for drain cleaners, but commercial solutions can be too harsh for your pipes.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/edmonton-plumbing-companies-come-help-drains-clogged/

Getting to know the Types of Drain Clogs

A clogged drain is no fun at all when you are heavily engaged in activities that require a constant flow of water. If left unchecked, they can contribute to more dreadful occurrences such as backflows, requiring the help of Edmonton drain cleaning experts.  

Start Saving on Your Heating Bills with These Tips

Stony Plain homeowners often pay quite a bit on their heating bills during the cold season. It is possible, however, to reduce these expenses through a few useful tips.

Furnace Maintenance Tips for Efficient and Effective Edmonton Heating

"It is highly recommended that the filters be regularly cleaned and replaced, because a dirty filter can cause a lot of problems. For instance, unmaintained filters allow more contaminants to get through, which leads to a gradual decrease in the home’s air quality. They also make the furnace’s motors work harder, which makes them more susceptible to wear-and-tear. The blower must also be free from accumulated dirt, as such contaminants can collect in virtually every crevice inside a furnace and cause troubles in the long run. Specific concerns must also be addressed. For example, gas furnaces have a pilot light, whose sole job is to light the gas fuel of the furnace to make it work. If this doesn’t work at all, the entire heating system is at a standstill. A faulty pilot light is one of the most common problems gas furnace owners face, and while this issue is fairly troublesome, it can be readily fixed by a local Spruce Grove heating pro."
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Cost/Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Aids

This summer, widespread air conditioning use is as inevitable as beach parties. Despite this fact, you don’t always have to let your power bills balloon. There are quite a number of ways for you to help your air conditioning stay energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly.

Transforming a Bathtub into a Walk-in Shower

What if a time comes when your bathtub no longer fits your personal needs? How do you go about removing and replacing it with a walk-in shower? Where do you start?

Detecting and Preventing Heat Stroke with Air Conditioning in Edmonton

If possible, the person’s core temperature must be taken and cooled down to 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternative strategies can include fanning over the patient while wetting his/her skin with water, applying ice packs to the armpits, groin, neck, and back, or immersing the person in an ice bath. Installing efficient air conditioners in Edmonton from companies like Capital Plumbing and Heating Ltd might not be enough to prevent heatstroke alone, but they offer a great starting point for both prevention and first-aid. This summer, keep those dangers at bay.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/detecting-preventing-heat-stroke-air-conditioning-edmonton/

Creaking Pipes: Tips in Silencing a Common Edmonton Plumbing Issue

Rattling and banging – Rattling pipes are caused by three common factors, namely loose fittings, high water pressure, or water hammers. Loose pipes rattle because as water runs through them, they vibrate and hit the nearest wood framing when they’re loosely fitted. High pressure causes pipes to vibrate rapidly and doesn’t spare tight or loose pipes, and water hammers bang because of the water slamming an abruptly closed valve (causing the characteristic banging sound of a hammer). First, loose pipes can be fixed by securing the pipes to the wood framing using pipe clips. Second, rattling caused by high water pressure can be eased by lowering the pressure to a recommended level, which is often between 40 and 60 pounds per square inch (PSI). This can be done by adding a pressure reducing valve to the incoming main line.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/creaking-pipes-tips-silencing-common-edmonton-plumbing-issue/

Tips for an Environment-friendly Plumbing System

The water sustainability training and accreditation program for plumbers launched by the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) receives appreciation from the plumbers’ community of Canada. It focuses on the various conservation solutions that can be applied in their practice. On the other hand, as a homeowner, there are several ways for you to transform your old-fashioned plumbing system into a green one.

Plumbing Tips: Turning the Tubby into Showers

There will come a time when you will no longer feel satisfied bathing in a tub, in which case a shower will sound like a nicer option. Should you decide to turn that idea into reality, you have a number of things to consider, including hiring a skilled plumber who can do the transformation well and easily.  

Give Edmonton Plumbers a Hand by Preventing Chemical Damage to Drains

Washing Soda Reinforcement You can take this method a step further by pouring a cup of washing soda on the clogged drain just before you use the baking soda method above. Washing soda contains a high alkaline level (pH 11), so make sure that you don’t use it if you’ve already administered a commercial cleaner on your drain. Make sure to use only non-toxic chemicals on it—after all, you want your drains unclogged and running smoothly to your sewage system, not all chewed up and spewing waste all over your house. Then again, it may probably be for the best if you rely instead on professional Edmonton or Spruce Grove plumbers for drain repairs. For sure, they’ll know just the right thing to do.
http://capitalplumbing.ca/give-edmonton-plumbers-hand-preventing-chemical-damage-drains/

Some Do-it-Yourself Drain Cleaning Tips

Your household drainage system is important in ensuring an uninterrupted water supply. Water flows down the drain, where it is directed to water treatment and sanitation systems, then back to you. For this reason, it is important to ensure there’s no break in the cycle, so here are tips for DIY drain cleaning:

Get an Energy-Efficient Edmonton Water Heater and Save Heating Costs

Drain the sediment.

Overtime, hot water tanks accumulate sediment, reducing their efficiency. Thus, draining the tank every three months can fix that. Residents can also turn to experienced plumbing contractors like Capital Plumbing & Heating Ltd. for their other maintenance needs.

Tankless water heaters are effective in saving energy and bringing down heating costs. However, if switching to on-demand water heating equipment is not possible at the moment, homeowners can make do with their conventional type of water heater and apply methods to improve its energy efficiency.

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A Guide to Water Heating Equipment

According to Natural Resources Canada, Canadians use an average of 75 litres daily for household tasks, like washing dishes and doing laundry, and showering and bathing. Simply put, water heaters are invaluable household devices. If your existing water heater is on its last legs and you’re considering getting a new one, take a look at your options below:

Drain Issues? Knowing When to Call Plumbing Companies in Edmonton

Frequent Clogs

Regular DIY drain cleaning might prevent blockages, but all too often it won’t be enough. If homeowners used DIY methods to clear their clogged drain only for the problem to resurface a few days later, then the drain will need to be inspected by experienced Edmonton drain cleaning experts.

Multiple Clogs

The kitchen sink drain is probably the most prone to congestion, especially when people don’t know that pouring used cooking oil down the sink can cause a stoppage. However, when multiple drains are clogged, the culprit may be a clog in the main drain system rather than the drain of each fixture.

http://capitalplumbing.ca/drain-issues-knowing-call-plumbing-companies-edmonton/

Now is the Perfect Time to Modernize Your Edmonton Heating System

Fortunately, looking for an energy-efficient Edmonton heating system is easy. Recent models have all been optimized for energy efficiency. Still, that doesn’t mean that all heating systems are the same; some may be great for you and your home while others will not, so take your time when shopping for a new furnace or air conditioner.

First off, you need to understand the conversion rate for your savings. The typical energy-efficient furnace will save you around $17 for every $100 dollars you spend, i.e. if you pay $1,000 for your new unit, you can expect to save $170 on your energy bills each year. It may not seem like a whole lot, but over time, the new unit will pretty much pay for itself so don’t balk at some of the more expensive units.

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How to Help Air Conditioning in Edmonton Beat the Heat— and the Bills

Clean the Filters

Summer is the time when all sorts of things will get caught in your air conditioner’s filter. When the filter is blocked by debris, the flow of air will be reduced substantially and thus lower the unit’s cooling ability. Have a trusted Edmonton air conditioning contractor like one from Capital Plumbing clean your filters regularly, or replace them if need be.

Plant a Tree

While this might not exactly be a “simple solution”, it does help cool your home significantly. If you do decide to plan a tree, try to plant it so that the shade it produces during the early afternoon covers the condenser of your unit. This way, it keeps the condenser cool, resulting in a more efficient and longer-lasting unit.

http://capitalplumbing.ca/help-air-conditioning-edmonton-beat-heat-bills/

How to Extend the Life of an Air Conditioner

When you bought that new air conditioner, the salesperson was probably encouraging you to buy the latest energy-efficient model. He or she probably told you how much you’ll save on your energy bills and how the unit “pays for itself”.

Of course, the savings you enjoy will depend on how long the unit lasts, as will everything you do to help extend its lifespan. Although that is a relatively simple task, it will still require you to be vigilant about it. Here are a few suggestions you can try for yourself:

Saving Lots of Water from Excess Flushing through Plumbing in Edmonton

Low-flush toilets are generally classified into two categories. Gravity-flush toilets are like standard toilets but are designed to use less water for flushing. The smaller amount is compensated by siphon jets and the flush valve using more force to push the waste into the drainpipe.

The second class of low-flush toilets, the pressure-assist model, works on drainpipes that are not properly sloped; your Edmonton plumbing expert may recommend such an installation if the evaluation of the drains reached the same conclusion. Standard drain slopes are set at 1/4th of an inch per square foot for three- or four-inch drainpipes. Pressure-assist toilets work by using compressed air to push the waste down the bowl and through the drainpipe, thus eliminating the danger of water backup.

http://capitalplumbing.ca/saving-lots-water-excess-flushing-plumbing-edmonton/

Enlisting Expert Edmonton Plumbers to Turn the Tubby into Showers

A general inspection of the bathroom by your preferred contractor will help determine your course of action for removing the tub. Tubs are generally attached atop a bed of mortar and locked onto the wall studs with a set of screws. The screws will have to be removed before the renovator can pry the tub away from the wall frame; the wall studs and subfloor should also be stripped.

With the bathtub’s old area now stripped bare, you can talk to the contractor about determining the prospect material for the shower pan. Anderson said most pans are square or rectangular models, with custom renovations requiring specially-shaped concrete pans. In some cases, the pan’s drain hole may be mated to the bathtub’s original drain, but the sloping should be enough to facilitate drainage.

http://capitalplumbing.ca/enlisting-expert-edmonton-plumbers-turn-tubby-showers/

Switching Water Main Pipes

All the water coursing through your house always comes from a water main pipe courtesy of your city’s utility authorities. However, some pipes may have degraded over the years, which can compromise the water’s cleanliness and the health of residents. As such, replacing the main line piping with modern materials take precedence– often through the assistance of the best plumbing contractor you can find.

A Quick Guide to Buying New Showers

Hitting the showers is a great recourse for people who just had a grueling day at work or school. Nothing refreshes you like a stream of water coursing over your skin… but what if the time has come to do away with the showers that have been there since your house was built? Professional plumbers will be ready to help you with that.

Cleaning Drains without Polluting the Environment

It’s important to keep the drains in your house clean, unclogged, and free from bacteria that cause odor. While you undoubtedly have a wide array of options when it comes to cleaners, many of these drain cleaners aren’t helpful to the environment. Here are some environmentally friendly alternatives you can try before calling your plumber for help:

Drain Cleaning Techniques for the Beginner

Clogged drains happen unexpectedly. You’re using the sink and the water won’t drain or the bathwater drips out slowly. You don’t have to call the plumber just yet. There are several drain cleaning techniques that anyone can do.

Setting up your New Tankless Water Heater through Edmonton Plumbers

Let’s say your household has racked up a hefty heating bill over the years, and a considerable sum of the expenses went to warming up your water for various purposes. That could be traced to one suspect: your old water heater. If that machine is of the tank-based variety, it will warrant replacement with a tankless water heater via Edmonton plumbing firms like Capital Plumbing and Heating.

http://capitalplumbing.ca/setting-new-tankless-water-heater-edmonton-plumbers/

Stop Shower Backflow with Help from Plumbing Companies in Edmonton

Edmonton residents are all too aware of the dangers of backflow at some points of the house’s plumbing grid all too well. Many of them still remember the early July, 2012 storm, which triggered a raft of floods due to sanitary sewer backflow; the city also offers a subsidy program for backflow preventer installation. If you’ve suffered the ignominy of sewer backflow blasting out the shower, you must call plumbing companies in Edmonton such as Capital Plumbing and Heating for effective solutions.

Stopping the backflow often requires probing the likeliest areas of blockage and reviewing them on blueprints of the house’s plumbing grid. One place to start would be the toilet itself; your preferred plumber may need to run a flexible toilet auger down the line to gradually probe for blockages. The entire line should be probed to ensure full clearance of the toilet drain.

http://capitalplumbing.ca/stop-shower-backflow-help-plumbing-companies-edmonton/

Want an Efficient Edmonton Heating System? Choose the Right Furnace!

Keeping warm during the winter months in the most practical way is what many Canadian homeowner wants – and the core of almost every home’s heating strategy is its furnace. Having a fully-functioning furnace ensures that a house is well-heated when cold weather comes.

Edmonton heating specialists would be able to help make sure that a home is properly heated. Experienced HVAC technicians from companies like Capital Plumbing & Heating Ltd. would be able to advise homeowners on what furnace to buy for their house and how to keep their unit in good condition. An excellent example of the sort of advice they can give is on the size of a furnace.

http://capitalplumbing.ca/want-efficient-edmonton-heating-system-choose-right-furnace/

Useful Tips on How to Reduce your Heating Bill

In the coldest months when your heater is working on high gear, staying comfortable and warm can cost you. Families on a tight budget can get squeezed dry as the monthly heating bills spiral out of control. Before you get taken on a costly ride just to heat your home, learn a few things to help you work through your energy consumption, while keeping pleasantly warm during the frosty months.

How Air Conditioning throughout Edmonton and the World Came to Be

What if you lived in an era before high-tech air conditioning in Edmonton and other cities of the world was invented? Have you ever imagined what your summer days would be like back then? You (along with millions of other people) probably can’t – as well as LiveScience.com contributor Elizabeth Palermo. She’s definitely one of those who regularly “sung praises of air conditioning on a sweltering summer day” (as written in her LiveScience article), and she writes that modern consumers have one man to thank for such a “refreshing convenience” – American engineer Willis Carrier.

http://capitalplumbing.ca/air-conditioning-throughout-edmonton-world-came/

Toilet Trouble: Know the Basics of Common Edmonton Plumbing Problems

Only a few of these toilet problems seem to match the headaches that an overflowing toilet causes, which could be attributed to a broken or worn fill valve (the mechanism charged with stopping water from flowing into the tank once it’s filled). You may have to adjust the height of the lever connected to the fill valve to prevent an overflow until a plumber comes in to fix it up.

Always remember that when your toilet problems turn out to be more than you can handle, call in Edmonton plumbing professionals for help. Tough jobs are exactly what pros like Capital Plumbing & Heating Ltd. are equipped to handle.

http://capitalplumbing.ca/toilet-trouble-know-basics-common-edmonton-plumbing-problems/

How Air Conditioning Systems Work

Ever wondered how air conditioning systems pump out the chilly air from their guts? Here’s a basic explanation of how they cool homes (and heads) during the sweltering summer season.

In a central heating and cooling system, an air conditioner basically works like a human heart— absorbing warm air and pumping out cold air through an intricate system of ductworks. A fully functioning central cooling system has four main parts: the evaporator, compressor, condenser, and expansion device.

Edmonton Plumbers—Tips for an Environmentally Friendly Plumbing System

The Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) with funding from the Royal Bank of Canada’s (RBC) Blue Water Project, launched a nationwide water sustainability training and accreditation program for plumbers. Thanks to the training, around 44,280 licensed plumbers in Canada are now given a chance to advance water conservation and environmental awareness throughout the country.

Trusted Edmonton plumbers fully support AWE’s training initiative. Now more than ever, everyone needs to take steps toward sustainability and eco-friendliness, plumbers included. As a homeowner, there are several ways for you to transform your old-fashioned plumbing system into green plumbing.

http://capitalplumbing.ca/edmonton-plumbers-tips-environmentally-friendly-plumbing-system/

Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes

DIY plumbing has its perks – but only if it is done right. Sad to say, there are eager but untrained homeowners who are willing to take the risk and do the plumbing on their own. The result? Messy and troublesome mistakes that would have been avoided. Here are some of them.

Replacing a Broken Toilet Flapper

Your toilet’s flapper is an important component as it stops the tank from filling up too much to overflowing. In short, a broken toilet flapper could mean trouble for your water bills. This particular component can be bought at an affordable price though, so you have little to worry about should it be damaged, you just have to know how to replace it.

Plumbing Tips: When to Replace your Pipes

Whenever there’s a plumbing problem, most people have a choice: repairs or replacements. Generally, your plumber should be able to tell you when one is needed, and when one is the more practical choice over the other. However, it never hurts to know what to expect each time a pipe bursts and you have to call in the plumber again.

Common Causes of Drain Clogs

Of all the plumbing problems your home could face, a clogged drain seems to be one of the most common. Whereas leaking toilets or burst pipes may be caused by some long-developing event that you might not have known about, clogs can be caused by something as simple as negligence, specifically, not being able to properly dispose of things like:

Fire Prevention Tips for your Heating Appliances

Stony Plain's cold climate often forces heating appliances to work overtime. With extensive usage, these implements may end up causing fires. However, proper storage, use, and maintenance of these appliances would help reduce fire hazards. Here are a few fire prevention tips for Stony Plain heating devices and furnaces.

Don’t leave anything combustible such as paper or fabric near the furnace. Allow at least three feet of free space around heaters.

Why an A/C Unit Won't Shut Off

Most air conditioning units usually have built-in mechanisms that automatically shut off the system if the desired temperature is already met. Whenever there are problems that allow the A/C unit to continue operating without turning off, its owner must have the air conditioning unit checked. Usually, at least one of the three components have problems if this situation happens.

The Thermostat is Broken

The thermostat sets the temperature the A/C need to cool the room. If the desired temperature is reached, the thermostat sends signals to the rest of A/C to automatically shut off the system. An air conditioning unit with a broken thermostat may continue cooling the room or house beyond the set temperature. Repairing or replacing the thermostat may fix the unit.

The Benefits of Having Chlorine-Free Water

Chlorination is one of the oldest and relatively inexpensive ways to disinfect water. It involves pumping chlorine, an efficient oxidizing disinfectant, into the water supply so it kills most bacteria and viruses. Though very useful, it can potentially form hazardous, organic by-products called trihalomethanes (THMs), often linked to increased risk of cancer, asthma, eczema and other diseases.

To reduce exposure to these chemicals and to eliminate chlorine from your home water system, you can utilize different chlorine removal methods. You can attach a filter to your tap, utilize activated carbon filter system and employ various devices that sift through your home's water supply.

Plumbing Problems to Solve ASAP

A running plumbing system is a sign of a home that’s “alive” in pretty much the same way your heart pumping blood throughout your body signifies that you are in fact, alive. Due to this importance, it’s only logical that homeowners see to it that any plumbing problem is fixed in the shortest time possible, something that unfortunately, not many people realize until too late. Here are some of the common plumbing problems you definitely shouldn’t ignore.

Common Causes of Water Contamination

No matter how clean you think your water supply is, there is always a chance that it can get contaminated by bacteria, chemicals, heavy metals, and other pollutants. Sometimes, contamination is caused by poor maintenance of your plumbing system; at other times it happens due to natural disasters in Canada such as floods. Either way, reliable Edmonton plumbers can help you overcome these problems by inspecting your water lines and installing reliable water filters in your plumbing system.