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plumbing repairs

Plumber Windsor CO

You pay for the water that you use in your home. You’re reminded of this on a monthly or quarterly basis. When that water bill comes in, how do you feel? Do you need to sit down with a cool glass of water to process the sticker shock? If so, then this is the post you’re looking for. Why? Unfortunately, because you might have some bad habits that need breaking. Consider this your breaking point.

Our plumbers in Windsor, CO, have some tips that will help you to scale back your water costs. The good news is that it is really not that difficult to do. In fact, you are probably aware of some of these tips. You just may not realize how effective they can really be. So, break those bad habits and put these good ones into practice. You’ll see real financial results before long. No more water bill sticker shock for you!

 

1. You’re Running the Water too Much

We are all guilty of this one. Yes, the shameful truth. Even a great plumber has, from time to time, wasted water by running it too much. Brushing your teeth? Don’t leave the water running. Doing the dishes? Don’t leave the water running. Taking a shower? Get in, get clean, and get out. Run through your day while your toweling off. The more water you use, the more water you’re paying for.

Again, this is not shocking news to anyone. But when you’re distracted or zoning out while doing unexciting things, it’s easy to forget. One more tip—make sure your kids are aware of these best practices, too. They might roll their eyes. They might think you’re exaggerating. But they’re not paying the water bill! And if they are, well—how’d you work out that deal?

2. You’re Ignoring “Minor” Problems

This is a huge issue in a lot of homes. We get it. Not every plumbing problem is an emergency. And not every plumbing problem is going to justify the expense of a house call in your mind. But trust us on this one. Any “minor” plumbing problem is only going to cost you more in the long run. Yes, even those ones that you know you can tolerate and live with.

We’re talking about dripping faucets. We’re talking about running toilets. We’re talking about that hose bib that never quite shuts off all the way. Not only does the wasted water resulting from these issues add up—but you might also run into property damage caused by the moisture created.

3. You’re Not Using Some Very Simple Tools

There are plenty of ways in which to cut back on water usage without major changes to your daily routine. If you’re not using aerating faucets, for instance, you’re using too much water even if you’re using good conservation practices. These aerators mix air into the water, saving you resources.

Also—spend the money on that dishwasher! There is no way that you’re coming out ahead if you are washing dishes by hand. Modern dishwashers are more efficient than ever, too, so you don’t have the old “it uses electricity” argument to fall back on.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning today. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Toilet Leaking

For many people, the very mention of the word “plumbing” immediately brings to mind the toilet. We’re guessing that you don’t need us to remind you of just how important the toilet in your home really is. What you may need a reminder about, however, is just how serious any problems with your toilet can be. There are a lot of different issues that may develop with your toilet, and the result for your plumbing system is quite serious.

That is why you should schedule immediate plumbing services in Windsor, CO, if you suspect that there is a problem with your commode. One of the most common is a leak. However, not all toilet leaks are created equal. In some instances, you may actually be able to resolve the problem yourself. In others, the only real resolution may actually be the complete replacement of your toilet. Whatever the case may be, you can count on our professional plumbers to help you determine the right course of action. 

The Location of the Leak Means a Lot

Leaks can develop in different parts of your toilet and its plumbing. The location of the leak is going to affect the way in which symptoms of the leak surface. It will also affect the prognosis for your toilet in general. Let’s take a look at a few potential leaks that you may encounter.

  • A leak in the tank into the toilet bowl is among the most common leaks homeowners encounter. Such leaks will result in the constant running of the toilet, even if you haven’t flushed it in a while. The most likely cause of such a leak is just a misaligned flapper at the bottom of the tank, which you can adjust yourself, or a degraded flapper that will really just cost a few dollars to replace.
  • A leak in the toilet tank or the toilet bowl itself due to a crack in the porcelain is much more serious. It’s kind of like putting toothpaste back into a tube. Once that can of worms is open, you’ll need to replace the toilet. You are not going to successfully seal such leaks in any lasting manner.
  • A leak in the water supply line may lead you to panic right off the bat, as it can result in a lot of water all over the floor pretty quickly. If shutting off the water seems to stop the problem and you can actually tell that the leak is in the pipe, then relax. This is a fix that our professional plumbers can definitely handle for you.
  • A leak beneath the floor isn’t necessarily as serious as a leak in the toilet itself, in that it can be repaired. However, accessing that leak for repairs is tough and will require the removal of the toilet, replacement of the wax ring, and then the re-installation of the toilet. This is definitely not a DIY project.

Don’t ignore signs of trouble with your toilet. Schedule your plumbing repairs with the team that is big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Winter in this area can be truly beautiful. It Let Your Pipes Freezecan also be a whole lot of fun! Of course, coming home to a house full of frozen pipes or a flooded basement due to a burst pipe sucks the fun right out of things. Trust us on that one. That is why our plumbers in Wellington, CO want to ensure that homeowners have some tricks up their sleeves. What kinds of tricks? The kinds that will help you to limit the risk of frozen pipes this winter season!

No, you do not need to purchase expensive heating units designed to keep your pipes warm in order to keep them safe this winter. These tips are practical, effective, and, best of all, simple! If you’ve ever experienced problems with frozen pipes, then you know how much you want to avoid them. And, if you haven’t, consider yourself lucky—but don’t push that luck. Instead, keep these tips in mind and reach out with any questions that you may have.

Keep Your Cabinets and Drawers Open

Okay, this one is not going to result in a finely tuned aesthetic for your home, but do you really care that much? We’re talking about the purely functional, here, and keeping cabinet doors and drawers open is actually a very effective way to keep your pipes from freezing over. It may look strange, but the benefits outweigh any such concerns.

Basically, you’re just allowing for airflow around any pipes passing under your cabinets, behind drawers, etc. You heat your home in the winter, but keeping these doors and drawers closed can prevent that heat from warming up pipes in these areas. That missing airflow may mean the difference between water moving through your pipes or freezing up and leading to ruptures from the pressure within!

Insulate Your Pipes

Normally, we’d be telling you that adding insulation to your home is something that only trained professionals can do. And this is true, in most cases. When it comes to insulating your pipes, though, you can do the job yourself. You just need some pipe insulation tubing and something to cut it down to size .

There is no messy spray or R-value calculation to worry about here. Just buy the tubing, snip it to size, and pop it over your pipes. While you’re at it, be sure to check if your hot water line is insulated, too. If not, then you’re allowing heat to transfer through that pipe out into the air surrounding the water heater. Just an extra tip for you!

Keep the Water Trickling

You’ve probably heard this one before, but you may have written it off as a waste of water. Water is only wasted, though, when you’re really not using it. In this case, you are using the water. Just not for what you normally do.

Keep a small amount of water flowing through your pipes, and you’ll be investing in the safety of those pipes. Sure, you’re paying for water you’re just pouring down the drains—but at least there is water flowing to drain, right?

Schedule your plumbing services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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