Cedar Falls, IA Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Blog | Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc.

What Can Cause a Burst Pipe?

October 17th, 2022

Homeowners often have understandable questions about their plumbing, especially when they hear scary phrases like “burst pipes.” We have a bit of good news though. There is really only one thing that can cause a pipe to burst, and it’s completely preventable. What’s that?

Frozen pipes!

When the temperatures dip below freezing for too long, it can cause the water flowing through your pipes or resting in your pipes to freeze. As the ice thaws, it creates a negative pressure inside the pipes, and this leads to them bursting. We are here to provide quality repairs when this does happen, but as you read on, you’ll see tips we’ve provided to help you avoid this problem.

Common Furnace Problems To Be Aware Of

October 10th, 2022

It may still be warm enough to use our air conditioners during the day, but the colder days are right around the corner, and soon enough you’ll be running your furnace pretty consistently. So, it’s important to ensure that yours is in great shape. The last thing you need in the middle of winter is a sudden furnace breakdown.

Of course, the best way to prevent furnace problems is with professional maintenance. Maintenance tune-ups allow our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust components that need it, making sure that your furnace works as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible.

The other way to prevent furnace problems is to understand the following signs of small problems and give us a call for furnace repairs before those small problems turn into catastrophes.

How Does a Maintenance Plan Benefit You?

October 10th, 2022

Repairman in uniform and clipboard greeting a housewife at the front door.

Right now is the best time to arrange for Cedar Falls, IA HVAC maintenance for your heating system if you haven’t done so already. Maintenance is the number one way to ensure that your heater will work as efficiently and effectively as you need it to for as long as you need it to. And having your heater tune-up close to when it will need to be used the most is a good strategy.

HVAC maintenance is often part of a larger maintenance plan for a home. Our maintenance program is just that—a whole-home check that ensures all your systems are clean, and working safely and effectively. We’ll get to that below, but in the meantime, read on to discover what’s so great about HVAC maintenance!

“Which Home Heating System Is Right for Me?”

October 3rd, 2022

One of the most commonly asked questions we get when it comes to installing a new heating system is “Which one is best for me?” There are so many options on the market today that it can seem pretty overwhelming to make choice, but we’re here to help! It first helps to choose what kind of heat you want.

What?! you might be wondering at this point… bear with us!

There are two main types of heating systems when you think about it… a forced-air system such as a furnace or heat pump, or a radiant heater such as a boiler or in-floor system. Each of these system types has its benefits, and finding the best one for your specific home and needs depends on a number of factors, which we can help you with. Read on to learn about the key differences!

Dalton’s HVAC Guide for Winter

September 26th, 2022

If there is any one piece of advice we would give to homeowners in the Cedar Rapids area about prepping their HVAC system for winter, it’s this: schedule heating maintenance ASAP! Maintenance allows our professionals to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust all the components in your HVAC system that need it. This ultimately helps your heater operate more safely. It also helps your heating system perform as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of heating maintenance!

Why You Should Always Hire a Pro for Your Plumbing Services

September 26th, 2022

Plumber unclogging a tub drain with an electric auger.

Most homeowners are likely used to dealing with minor household problems and tasks on their own, and that can easily extend to certain plumbing issues. We’ve all at one time or another had to unclog a toilet with a little “elbow grease” and a plunger, or had to fish a clog or two out of a sink. This can lead many homeowners, especially those on a budget, to attempt bigger plumbing repairs.

However, in most cases, this can be a big mistake. Formal plumbing problems require proper licensing and training, like our professional Waterloo, IA plumbers receive, in order to perform plumbing repairs and services the right way. Even seemingly simple problems like a stubborn clog can benefit from the attention of a professional. In fact, your efforts to save a little money could actually end up costing you more, or at least can become a pretty big headache. Here’s why:

“How Do I Save Money on My Heating Bill?”

September 19th, 2022

The best way to save money on your heating bill is with one important service–heating maintenance! If you’ve followed our blog for long, you know we talk about maintenance a lot, and it’s for good reason. Maintenance allows our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it. This helps your system work as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible.

Ask about the Dalton Complete Home Comfort Membership Plan! We have multiple plan options; for plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical, and fireplace maintenance. We can help you ensure that your systems, including your heater, are in great shape. Also, members can count on a 100% comfort guarantee, discounts on parts and repair, and many more benefits. Contact us to learn more and enroll. In the meantime, read on to learn more about maintenance and how it helps you save money.

Why Does My Water Heater Smell Like Eggs?

September 12th, 2022

When it comes to caring for the appliances and systems in your home, one of the most important ones to think about is your water heater. After all, this is a system you rely on each and every day, and you really don’t want it to fail on you out of the blue. Of course, problems are a lot less likely if you have your water heater regularly maintained each year by qualified and experienced plumbers, such as the professionals on the Dalton team.

That said, whether you’ve been keeping up on maintenance or not, it’s a good idea to know about some of the warning signs that you might have a problem with your water heater. One of these signs is the smell of rotten eggs coming from the system. This smell is the result of a gas called hydrogen sulfide, and it can be hazardous if not addressed right away. Therefore, it’s important that you give us a call if you notice the odor. In the meantime, read on to learn how hydrogen sulfide can make its way into your water heater, and how to get rid of it.

Is It Ever Too Late for AC Maintenance?

September 12th, 2022

If you’ve followed our blog for very long, you’ve probably seen us mention maintenance once or twice. Okay, maybe more than that.

The thing is, maintenance is absolutely vital to keeping your heating and cooling systems in great shape. Tune-ups help your air conditioner and furnace work as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible. We typically recommend air conditioning maintenance be done in the fall since this is right before you need the system the most.

Seeing as it is now late summer and temperatures are going to start cooling down soon, is it too late to schedule air conditioner maintenance? NO, actually!

We do suggest that our customers have air conditioner maintenance done before summer begins. The truth is that it doesn’t matter when you have it done as long as you’re having it professionally tuned up at least once a year–twice a year if you’re using a heat pump system. Consistency matters the most here. Read on to learn why you should make this service a priority in your household.

How Has Inflation Impacted the HVAC Industry?

September 5th, 2022

“Inflation” is a word we’ve all become far too familiar with this past year. You probably know what it means–higher prices on things like gas, groceries, utilities, etc. Did you know, however, that it can also impact the cost of your HVAC equipment if you’re having a system installed or replaced soon?

When high inflation occurs, you might be wondering if you should hold off on replacing an older air conditioner, or if you should rush out and get one now. With no guarantee of when this inflation period will end, our advice is to consider an upgrade now–but don’t rush into it.

Rushing into a purchase of this scope can leave you with a system that is inefficient, ineffective, and/or just not properly matched for your home’s specific comfort needs. You should work with a qualified professional such as the folks on our team when you’re considering an upgrade.

And inflation or not, it’s good to know the signs that it is, in fact, time for an upgrade. This includes: