4 Benefits to Owning a Fireplace in Your Home

October 9th, 2018

 

New models of fireplaces are easy to install. Most will slide into your existing fireplace, leaving you with no excuse to not update your outdated, dirty fireplace into a new, cozy and romantic one.

If you’re still unconvinced, here are a few more benefits on owning a fireplace.fireplace in cedar falls

1. A Cozy Ambience

This one’s an easy benefit. Who doesn’t like to get cozy? A fireplace doesn’t just provide a physical warmth. It provides an emotional one, too. Similarly to candlelight setting a romantic mood, we invite you to lounge in front of your fireplace without getting a warm, tingly feeling and relaxing with your family.

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How to Prevent Pipe Freeze This Winter

October 1st, 2018

Icicles hanging from a brown pipe. Frozen water and metal surface, winter time concept. selective focus shallow depth of field photoWe still have about a month to go before our temperature lows dip below freezing, but as anyone who has lived here for even just a year knows, our weather is unpredictable. So if you’re thinking of waiting on any winter preparation this year for your home, we urge you to reconsider. Especially when it comes to your plumbing in Hudson, IA!

Plumbing systems and subsequent frozen pipes aren’t something many homeowners give a lot of thought to as winter approaches, particularly if they’ve never had to deal with it. But it certainly happens to enough homeowners to warrant some preparation on your part. Remember, even just a few days in a row of below 30° weather can result in frozen and burst pipes in your home. But you can prevent it!

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Your September Maintenance Checklist

September 18th, 2018

We aren’t excited to say goodbye to warm weather, but September is here!  That means it’s time to get your home ready for winter, while the weather still permits. You don’t have to do it all alone; we’re here to help! Below you’ll find our list of must-dos this fall, and all the items that we can help you check off your list.fall home maintenance

1. Check for leaky faucets

Get a jump start on preventing freezing pipes by inspecting for leaks in the fall. You’ll save a large sum of money by repairing leaks now than you would have to shell out if you have a burst pipe in January.

Checking for leaks is something the Dalton team can help you with. In fact, a plumbing inspection is included with our Complete Home Comfort Membership.

2. Inspect your window seals

A drafty window or door can cause stress on your heating system and make all the difference between a warm and cozy home and a chilly one. Make sure there is a tight seal around doors and windows. If you notice some cracks, call the company who installed them to see if they are still under warranty. If not, consider caulking the seals or having a professional window company do it for you.

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Is Your Home Protected from Power Surges?

September 17th, 2018

beautiful home with mountain view in backgroundMany, if not most, homeowners assume that power surges come from stormy weather, and that alone. But this is not actually the case. Power surges come from the appliances in your home, and in recent years, as we have become increasingly reliant on electronic devices and high efficiency appliances, we’ve increased our own risk of power surges. And they post a more serious threat than many realize, to appliances, electronics, and homes in general.

You probably think you’re just fine depending on the small, portable surge protectors you can et at any hardware or office supply store (these are referred to as power strips). Hey, you can plug your stereo, television, lighting, and more into it—convenient, right? Well unfortunately, power strips are not enough to provide the level of protection needed for you home. Rather, you need a whole house surge protection system installed by a professional electrician in Cedar Falls, IA.

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Are Ceiling Fans Worth the Investment?

September 3rd, 2018

ceiling fanYou might have heard at some point that ceiling fans do very little to actually lower the temperature of the air in the room in which they’re running. So leaving the ceiling fan on all day when you’re not home won’t actually help the room feel that much better when you do come back.

Therefore, is using a ceiling fan pointless? Absolutely not! But it’s important to know that there are correct ways to use this appliance, just as there are wasteful ways. If by the end of this post you decide that ceiling fans are worth the investment for your home, be sure to contact a professional electrician in Waterloo, IA, such as any of the members of our team!

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Common Summer Household Issues: How Your Dalton Membership Can Help

August 14th, 2018

Have you been gearing up to have a summer BBQ, only to realize your A/C was out and your guests were left sweltering on your lawn? Or, have you been dealing with various plumbing issues because your home has been using so much more water during the summer months? You’re not alone!

There are common plumbing, heating and cooling, and electrical issues that come up during summer that will catch you in the most inconvenient time. Luckily, the team at Dalton has the list of common concerns to watch out for, and how to prevent them from happening in your home.

Plumbing Pains

Dalton Complete Home Comfort Memberships provide maintenance for your plumbing. They will help you identify small issues before they become massive problems. Use your membership to avoid the common, summer plumbing issues below.

  1. Backed up sewer line

During summer rain and thunderstorms, your sewer can easily back up from the excess water. If your home is susceptible to rising water, consider installing a drain plug in each drain to prevent backed up water from rising during the storms.

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Water Heater Repairs: Are You Having Tankless Troubles?

August 6th, 2018

tankless water heater being repairedWhen our customers are looking to have a new water heater installed, we often recommend considering the tankless water heater. There are a number of advantages to using this style of water heater, like lower energy bills, longer equipment life, and an unlimited supply of hot water.

Another benefit of a tankless water heater is that it typically encounters fewer repairs on average that the conventional storage tank water heater. This is because they don’t deal with the stress of continual energy usage to keep the water inside the tank heated. It does less work, and therefore a tankless water heater doesn’t wear out as quickly.

However, that doesn’t mean that they are completely immune to problems. And when a problem does occur, you will want someone who specializes in professional plumbing in Hudson, IA. That’s what we’re here for! In the meantime, though, ready on to learn more about these systems.

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Paying Too Much for Cooling? Consider Going Ductless!

July 3rd, 2018

central air conditioner sitting on pile of money, on white backgroundThere’s a cost to damaged ductwork.

“Well, yes, if my ductwork is damaged, I’ll eventually need to pay to have it repaired, right?” you may be thinking.

That’s not the only factor we’re talking about though. When we say there’s a cost to damaged ductwork, we mean that it causes you to lose conditioned air. And the bigger problem is that you don’t always know when your air ducts are damaged. They might have loose joints due to poor installation, or they may have tears in them due to old age or being exposed to extreme heat in your attic.

Of course, there are a number of benefits to using central air conditioning and heating, and duct repair and sealing are available services. But, what if you never had to worry about this type of Waterloo, IA air conditioning repair ever again?

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Heed These Signs It Is Time to Call a Professional Plumber

June 25th, 2018

woman looking under sink in panicFor the average homeowner, and even for an inexperienced plumber, plumbing problems can be hard to detect without the right equipment. Most of your plumbing system is hidden from view, after all, and the problems that usually affect plumbing are subtle in the beginning. For this reason, we recommend scheduling preventive maintenance for your plumbing at least once a year.

But it’s equally important to familiarize yourself with any warning signs that your plumbing system is experiencing some sort of problem. On the rare chance that a problem does occur between maintenance appointments, you can detect it quickly it and schedule repairs with a professional plumber in Waterloo, IA. Keep reading to learn more about these signs.

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How to Make Your Life Easier with Smart Home Additions

June 11th, 2018

Do you want to know the quickest way to make your life a little easier? Installing smart home technology! In the past few years, smart home upgrades have become more accessible and more affordable. Here are few upgrades that the Dalton team recommends to make your home in the Cedar Falls and Waterloo area more comfortable.

Save Your Air Conditioning

Smart thermostats aren’t new to the market, but changes in their technology have made them more convenient and easier to use. New smart thermostats take the guesswork out of maintaining your home comfort. They can sense when you’re at home or away and adjust the temperature accordingly. Additionally, you can control them remotely, so no more returning home to an overheated house. Instead, you can lower the temperature while you are in commute and enjoy the cooled air when you arrive.

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