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September 1st, 2010
The beginning of September brings a lot of good things to Minnesota—State Fair corn dogs and cheese curds, cooler temperatures (if we’re lucky!), breezy nighttime walks—but it also forces us to grudgingly accept that fall is here again, and winter will be coming not soon after. As most homeowners know, with every shift in season comes a bundle of home maintenance and repair work. If the last few weeks are any indication it’s probably going to be balmy out for a while to come yet, but don’t let the warm weather stop you from preparing for autumn’s approach right now.
In order to help you prepare for the dropping temperatures and changing weather patterns we’ve made up a handy checklist to remind you of all the plumbing and home maintenance tasks you’d probably like to forget. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, we promise you’ll thank us later.
-To prevent pipes from freezing and bursting, make sure all areas around pipes are well insulated. Check out our previous blog about this topic. Preventing Frozen Pipes -Make sure you know how to shut off your main water valve in case of a pipe emergency. Again, check out our previous post on this topic (we are just a wealth of information, aren’t we?) Water Shut-Off Valve-Prepare for the possibility of extra rainfall and increased chance of flooding that comes with any change in season by making sure your home sump pump is running smoothly, and knowing what to do if it isn’t. Hmm, I wonder if we’ve written about this before…(last time, we swear)… Things to Know About Your Sump Pump-Autumn is the most important time to keep up with gutter cleaning and repair. Those falling leaves are pretty; but the wood rot, pest infestations, and ruined gutters they can lead to sure aren’t. Take advantage of the warmer weather and get your gutter maintenance taken care of now in case any lengthy repairs are needed.
-Check the drainage systems in your home to make sure no water is pooling up or leaking. Common problem areas include basements, attics, and (since you’re already up there) gutters.
-This one will come a little later in the fall, but make sure you remember to shut off the water supply to any outdoor spigots and call a professional company to shut off your underground sprinkler system if necessary.
Stick around and keep checking the Nowthen site for additional tips. Chances are we’ll probably write another post (or three…) related to this topic in the near future.
Tags: andover mn plumbers, anoka mn plumbers, brooklyn park mn plumbers, champlin mn plumbers, crystal mn plumbers, elk river mn plumbers, fall plumbing and home maintenance tips, maple grove mn plumbers
Posted in Consumer News, Elk River MN Plumber, Plumber Advice | No Comments »
August 25th, 2010
It’s called Green-Blaster Drain Opener and it works—fast. One of the great features of this handy drain opener is its incredible efficiency. It cleans your drain in sixty seconds and, best of all, unlike many other drain cleaners it’s safe for septic systems and can be used on chrome, polished brass, and plastic. The dry, granular product unclogs grease buildup, destroys hair, and clears other organic materials with ease. It’s also non-acid so you don’t have to worry about the normal health and safety hazards associated with most other drain cleaners.
The directions are simple. Pour ½ cup of Green-Blaster down your drain, run hot or cold tap water, cover opening with a damp cloth and let stand for one minute. Dump another half cup of Blaster down the drain and let the water run until all the granules are dissolved. Pretty easy, no?
Like we said at the beginning, this is the stuff the professionals use. You can find it in almost any hotel, apartment, restaurant, school, condo complex, or nursing home—but, you can’t find it in stores. As much as we love meeting you in person and using our own supply of Green-Blaster to clear your drains, we know most of you would like to be able to just do it on your own. You can purchase your own supply of Green-Blaster Drain Opener directly from us – either give us a call or stop by our office.
Tags: andover mn plumbers, anoka mn plumbers, brooklyn park mn plumbers, champlin mn plumbers, Clogged drains, crystal mn plumbers, elk river mn plumbers, green-blaster drain opener, maple grove mn plumber
Posted in Bath Plumbing, Consumer News, Kitchen Plumbing, Plumber Advice, Plumbing Clogs | No Comments »
August 18th, 2010
It’s the first place we go to get clean, yet it’s frequently the last place we think about when it comes to regular home maintenance and safety precautions. “Shower safety and maintenance” may sound a little goofy, but it’s just as important to think about as any other aspect of your home.
Most people know not to let young children bathe alone due to the danger of drowning, but not many people think about the threat overly hot water can pose. Letting a small child sit in a bathtub full of overly hot water for too long can certainly lead to scalding, but sadly, scalding can also occur in the blink of an eye. Sudden fluctuations of water pressure when showering is the most frequent cause of hot water scalding in children and the elderly. Sometimes this is due to a faulty shower head, which may need to be replaced entirely, but the majority of the time the shower head is simply clogged with mineral deposits.
Cleaning your shower head on a regular basis is quick, easy, and may be the key to preventing unfortunate accidents. Most modern showerheads are self-cleaning, so if you don’t want to bother with monthly showerhead maintenance, buying a new self-cleaning showerhead may be your best option.
In addition to regularly cleaning your shower head, it’s important to clean your shower curtain regularly as well. If left unattended for too long many shower curtains can grow mold and other bacteria, which are an obvious health risk, especially for children and the elderly. It’s as easy as laying the curtain out on a table and wiping it down with soap and water. Or, for certain cloth-based curtains, simply run through the washing machine with the rest of your laundry.
Tags: andover mn plumbers, anoka mn plumber services, brooklyn park mn plumbers, elk river mn plumbers, maple grove mn plumbers, shower safety and maintenance
Posted in Bath Plumbing, Elk River MN Plumber, Plumber Advice | No Comments »
August 12th, 2010
If you have small children in your home it is no mystery that they like to play with levers, buttons and turn everything on and off. One way that children are burned each year is by water that is too hot. If they reach up and turn the hot water on while taking a bath or playing in the bathtub they could be seriously burned – it only takes a few seconds.
It is suggested that you turn the temperature on your hot water heater down to 120 degrees to lessen your chances of burns. It takes only a few seconds for a child to get a third degree burn when the temperature is set any higher than that. To learn how to adjust your hot water heater consult your owner’s manual or ask us for help the next time we are out at your house.
This topic was recently featured on The Doctors. Visit their website to learn more about it.
Tags: andover mn plumbers, anoka mn plumbers, brooklyn park mn plumbers, elk river mn plumbers, Hot Water Heater Replacement, hot water heaters mn, maple grove mn plumbers
Posted in Bath Plumbing, Consumer News, Elk River MN Plumber, Plumber Advice | No Comments »
August 9th, 2010
Last Tuesday, August 3rd, was “Night to Unite” in Minnesota! We were at the Nowthen Park handing out candy and t-shirts. Here are some photos from the great event!
Tags: andover mn plumber, anoka mn plumber, brooklyn park mn plumber, elk river mn plumber, maple grove mn plumber
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August 4th, 2010
Sure, it’s hot out now, but as every true Minnesotan knows it’s never too early to start planning for winter (sorry for the reminder, we promise you’ll thank us later). With the cold comes frozen noses, frozen feet, and, if you’re not properly prepared, frozen pipes. Each year, nearly a quarter of a million families in the US have their homes damaged and their lives disrupted because of unprotected water pipes that freeze and then burst. Even the tiniest crack in a pipe can unleash up to 250 gallons of water a day; and though Nowthen will be there right away to help fix it up, we’d rather save you the time, money, and aggravation later by giving you a few tips on how to prevent frozen pipes now.
Before it gets cold make sure you insulate, seal, and disconnect!
Be sure to insulate the exposed pipes in your crawl spaces and attic. These pipes are the most susceptible to freezing, so don’t be shy with that insulation! Seal air leaks in areas near pipes, especially around dryer vents and electrical wiring. Even the smallest leak can cause big problems. Disconnect garden hoses and drain the water from the pipes leading to outside faucets using an indoor valve if possible.
Before you go on vacation take the necessary precautions.
Whenever you leave your house empty for an extended period of time it’s extremely important that you take the necessary precautions to make sure you don’t come home to burst pipes and major problems. Though we know you’d like to save on heating costs, make sure the thermostat is set no lower than 55 degrees. If possible, arrange for a neighbor or friend to periodically check in on the house to make sure it’s not too cold, or just turn off the water system entirely to be extra safe.
If pipes freeze, act quickly but don’t panic.
If your pipes are frozen (nothing comes out when you turn on the faucet) call a Nowthen plumber immediately. If you’re worried that your pipes have already burst, be sure to turn off the main water valve right away to prevent any further damage until we can get there to help. As with any household problem, knowledge about preventative measures is key. Feeling better about winter already? We thought you would!
Posted in Consumer News | No Comments »
July 28th, 2010
Plumbing projects often require a lot of sanding, cutting, pounding, and demolition. These activities can release harmful dust and chips from lead-based paint into the air and sometimes result in lead poisoning in adults and children. On April 22, 2008 the Environmental Protection Agency took measures to prevent home lead poisoning by issuing a decree that all companies involved in home renovation and construction projects must become Lead Safe Certified under the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule as of April 22, 2010.
Under the rule, contractors and plumbers must use lead-safe work practices and always make sure to contain the work area, minimize dust, and clean thoroughly afterward. All workers must be trained by EPA approved experts by taking an eight-hour training course that educates renovators on the hazards of lead-based paint and teaches them the most effective lead-safe procedures to follow when renovating. The training session also requires two hours of hands-on instruction and firms must reapply for certification every five years.
Lead paint poisoning is a very serious issue, especially among children. Serious effects of childhood lead poisoning can include learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and speech impediments. Nowthen Plumbing always has your safety in mind, first and foremost with all projects, which is why we became a Lead Safe Certified company immediately after the new regulations were announced.
No matter what the project, no matter how big or small, if you’re unsure about whether your home is lead-safe please call Nowthen right away. We’ll come to your home as soon as possible to make sure you and your family are not at risk of lead poisoning. Anoka, Andover, Maple Grove, or Brooklyn Park–no matter where you are, we’ll be there to keep you safe.
Nowthen will always follow the most up-to-date lead-safe procedures, but it is also important to educate yourself and your family about lead safety as well.
For more information about lead-safety and the EPA ruling visit the EPA Website. Again, remember that all builders, remodelers and plumbers need this certification when working in a home that could contain lead.
Tags: andover mn plumbing services, anoka mn plumbers, Anoka MN Plumbing, Brooklyn Park Plumber, Elk River Plumber, Elk River Plumbing, Lead Safety Plumber, Maple Grove Plumbing, plumbers
Posted in Consumer News | No Comments »
July 22nd, 2010
In May we gave you a brief overview of Things to Know about Your Home Sump Pump. We’re going to revisit that topic today and give you a little more insight into one of the hardest working, and least appreciated, systems in your home. For every inch of rain collected the average roof sheds 1000 gallons of water. Most home flooding that results in water damage comes from melting snow or rain, and most of that flooding can be prevented by keeping your home sump pump up-to-date and functioning properly. Aside from the obvious damage it can cause to flooring, drywall, and framing, excessive moisture can also to lead to mold. Mold is a very serious health hazard and can be extremely difficult to get rid of, which also may affect the resale value of your home.
In Sump Pumps: Part One we gave you some tips on how to maintain and manage your sump pump in order to best prevent mold, flooding, etc. Here are even more reasons why following those tips and respecting your sump pump could end up saving you a lot of worry–and a lot of money.
Additional sump pump benefits:
-Helps prevent dampness and excessive moisture, which keeps your basement dryer and warmer year-round and also prevents termite infestations
-Maintains and restores your home’s property value
-Helps keep house foundation intact
-Stops wall coverings and paint from peeling
-Helps prevent rust and corrosion of metal pipes and appliances
-Helps prevent fungus, mold, and mildew
For more help on how to keep your house clean and dry, feel free to call Nowthen Plumbing at any time for our expert advice and services.
Tags: Andover MN Plumbing, Anoka Plumbing, brooklyn park plumbing, elk river plumbing services, home sump pump, maple grove plumbing services, Sump Pump Tips
Posted in Plumber Advice, Sump Pumps | No Comments »
July 15th, 2010
Radon is a colorless, tasteless, odorless noble gas that occurs naturally as the decay of radium. Because of its radioactive nature radon is considered to be a serious health hazard and is thought to be the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoke. Radon most frequently occurs in confined areas like basements and attics and can affect nearly any home so it is important to know the basics of radon detection and mitigation.
Testing for radon in your home can be relatively simple. Short-term radon test kits are available on many stores and are very inexpensive, sometimes even free. To use the kit simply hang up the collector piece in the lowest livable floor in your house for 2-7 days then send the piece into a laboratory to be tested (kits include a laboratory mailing address). Because radon levels can fluctuate depending on weather and construction conditions, it is also a good idea to have a professional do a test.
The simplest way to reduce your risk of high radon levels is to increase the ventilation of your home. One method includes installing piping and ventilation systems that suction radon from the soil surrounding your house and redirect it back into the open air where it is more easily diluted. This is called a radon mitigation system. Contact Nowthen Plumbing if you need a system installed.
If you do detect radon in your home, don’t panic immediately. Perform a second test to make sure the initial detection was correct, and if levels are still above normal, contact Nowthen Plumbing to figure out your next steps.
Tags: andover mn plumbing services, anoka mn plumber, brooklyn park plumber services, Elk River Plumbing, maple grove radon mitigation
Posted in Elk River MN Plumber, Radon Mitigation | No Comments »
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