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5 Ways To Increase Your Home’s Humidity In Winter

It’s common for your home to feel less comfortable during the winter season because this is when the natural humidity levels drop. Increasing your home’s humidity will provide you with a number of benefits in terms of comfort and health, so if you want to add humidity to your home, the followings information can help:

Add Houseplants

Not only do indoor plants elevate the appearance of a home, but they also help purify the air and add to the humidity level. This means you will have better décor while feeling more comfortable because plants that are properly watered will release vapour from the leaves and stems into the air, which will help with humidity levels. Philodendrons and Chinese evergreens are recommended because they will provide you with the best humidity control.

Boil Water And Cook Using Your Stovetop

This will release steam into the air, which will improve your home’s humidity level. The chances are you boil water for cooking purposes anyway and by using your stovetop instead of your microwave, you will increase your home’s humidity, so make sure you leave the lids off of your pots and pans as this will help release even more moisture.

Hang Dry Your Laundry

It is not always necessary to use your dryer, so try hanging up your laundry inside because all of that moisture will evaporate into the air of your house and you will save money on energy bills because you’ll be reducing your dryer usage. This means you will improve the humidity in your home during the winter and you will spend less, so it’s definitely something you should try.

Use The Steam From Your Shower

Whenever you take a shower or a bath, some steam will be released into the air, so take advantage of this by opening your bathroom door, if you can. You can also keep your shower curtain and door open after you’re done, as this will have the same effect. If you shower with the bathroom door open, you won’t have to use the built-in bathroom fan. These fans are designed to suck the excess moisture from the air to prevent mold and mildew from developing in your bathroom.

Leave Open Containers Of Water Around Your Home

Setting out a pan or vases of water near heating vents will cause that water to slowly evaporate into the air and the warmth from the heating system will help with this process. You can use decorative vases you likely already have to add to your home’s décor and can even add vanilla or citrus peels to help create a pleasant odour while you humidify a room.

Maintaining the right humidity levels in your home will help prevent common illnesses like the flu, sore throats and headaches, and will help keep your skin hydrated.

Install a Humidifier in Your Heating System

The safest and best way to add humidity to your home is to have a professional install a humidifier in your heating system. There are many different types of humidifiers available but the 3 main types of HVAC humidifiers are the drum style, the flow-through style and the steam style. These humidifiers are installed directly into your heating/cooling system and are controlled by a humidistat, which reads the level of humidity in your home and activates automatically to main your desired level of humidity.

There are so many benefits to having the proper humidity levels, and Oliver Plumbing & Heating can help in this regard. We specialize in furnace repairs and replacements and offer both commercial and residential plumbing services, so if you are in the Edmonton area, give us a call today!

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How to Stop Outdoor Faucets From Freezing This Winter

Residential Plumbing Services Edmonton

The winters in Edmonton can certainly take a toll on homes, especially on the pipes. One of the biggest fears many homeowners have is coming home to completely frozen pipes! While pipes inside the home are often insulated from winter weather and receive heat from HVAC units, the pipes that connect to outdoor faucets are susceptible to freezing weather. When pipes freeze, they also expand and are likely to burst to cause water damage within your home.

Fortunately, you can avoid this situation by protecting your outdoor faucets. Read on to discover how you can freeze-proof your faucets.

1. Pre-Winter Draining The most effective way to prevent freezing pipes is by draining the lines before the first big freeze or temperature dip of the winter. To drain the pipes, find the valve that controls the outside faucet water flow and turn it off. Then, open the outside faucets and allow them to drain completely. Ensure you remove any splitters, hoses or additional attachments to make draining easier. Without any water in the line, the pipes won’t be able to freeze.

2. Frost-Free Hose Bib If you’re unable to turn off and drain the lines, another alternative is to install a frost-free bib. The bib will replace the old outdoor faucet and runs into the side of your home where the shut off control valve is located. This creates a specific valve for the outdoor faucet to make draining much easier. Using a frost-free bib or spigot enables faucet to use year-round regardless of freezing temperatures.

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Residential Plumbing Services Edmonton 

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DIY Plumbing Problems and When to Call in a Professional

Water is a destructive force and can cause significant damage to your home. For this reason, it is important to know when you should fix a plumbing issue on your own and when you should call in a professional.

The following are basic plumbing repairs you can fix on your own:

A Dripping Faucet

Having your faucet leak at the base or around the body can be frustrating and will cost you money as well. There are a number of reasons that can lead to this problem, although a steady leak when in use generally means the washer and/or O-ring within the body needs to be replaced. You can turn off the water to the faucet and unscrew the handle to inspect the O-ring and washer for any damage. If it is worn, torn or warped, replace it with a new washer and O-ring and reassemble it. If the leak continues, you may have more serious causes that would require the skills of a professional plumber.

A Running Toilet

If water continues to flow into the bowl after you flush, it often means there is a problem with the lever or flapper that is located in the tank behind the bowl. Remove the toilet tank lid and find the chain for the flush lever. If it has sunk to the bottom or is caught under the flapper seal, reattach it to the lever that is attached to the toilet handle to fix it. You can easily remove and replace the flapper yourself as well if it is worn or damaged from use.

Water Heater Malfunction

Leaking water heaters require the skills of a professional plumber because attempting to fix this problem on your own is dangerous, and can be a health and safety hazard. The same is true for water heaters that are releasing a strange odour or making bizarre sounds, so if you notice any of these things, contact a reputable plumber because they can help with both gas and electric heaters and will fix your issue before it turns onto a big headache.

Burst Pipes

If this situation ever occurs, you must turn off the main water valve to your home right away and call a professional plumber immediately. This can be caused by extreme temperature changes and can send gallons of high-pressure water into your home.

Sump pump failure and clogged sewer lines are also considered emergency situations and should be handled by a professional.

Oliver Plumbing & Heating offers both residential and commercial plumbing services and can also help with furnace repair and replacements. If you are looking for a professional, reputable, and experienced plumber, give us a call today!

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Four Most Common Leak Causes

Leaks are irksome and can lead to future water problems in the home or developing mould and unwanted growths. Many homeowners tend to neglect water leaks with the belief that the leak will subside, however, this can exacerbate the problem. Protect the most important investment in your life – your home. That’s why it’s critical to have leaks fixed as soon as they’re detected. You may not be able to see the leak, but there are other ways to verify it is a leak, such as a stark rise in your utility bills.

Learn the four most common causes of water leaks in the home to keep you prepared and know what to look for.

1. High Water Pressure It’s undeniable that strong, hot showers are most homeowner’s favourite morning or nighttime rituals. However, this pushes the water pump to its maximum limit and can cause pipes to expand, break and burst. When this occurs, it can cause flooding and water damage to the home. The most effective way to manage this issue is to cut back slightly on those hot showers, not only to prevent the likelihood of a leak but to conserve water as well. Lower the water pressure and keep an eye on your pipes for any holes that could allow a leak to occur.

2. Gutters It’s no secret that Edmonton experiences significant rainfall. All that rain can flood gutters with excess waste materials, such as leaves, stones and debris. If gutters become clogged, water is unable to properly divert from your home and can then seep into areas that need to be kept dry. When water flow becomes inhibited, it can lead to foundation damage, flooding in your basement or rotting wood.

3. Water Heaters If you have a few water heater units in your home, there’s a high chance that there’s a water leak nearby. Water heaters help maintain warmth inside the house, however, if the unit hasn’t been maintained or changed for an extended period of time, the heater can expand and cause a leak. Ensure the water heaters pressure control is maintained to avoid leakage.

4. Toilets Leaks can come from behind the toilet. Leaking pipes can deteriorate the bathroom wall foundation and release an unpleasant odour. If a toilet hasn’t been used and the water inside it has stayed for a long period of time, bacteria can develop. If toilet seals are broken, water cannot drain to the proper place. Seals can become damaged or broken over time as appliances age. Look out for water damage from a toilet by checking for stains on the joists in the bathroom or on the ceiling.

Oliver Plumbing and Heating’s commercial plumbing service and residential plumbing services are performed by our highly trained, knowledgeable and friendly plumbers. Anytime you have a plumbing or HVAC issue, require installations, maintenance or renovations, you can count on us to fix the problem and keep you at ease. Contact us now for a free estimate.

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Three of the Most Common Plumbing Issues

Many homeowners will likely experience plumbing problems at some point in time and require residential plumbing services to restore the problem. Fortunately, most common plumbing problems are a relatively easy fix, however, some can also be quite detrimental. That’s why it is important to be aware of how to identify these issues, what to look for and what you can do to fix the issue.

Read on to discover the three most common plumbing problems and what can be done to restore them below.

1. Dripping Faucets

Arguably, the most common of all plumbing problems is the dripping faucet. It’s quite rare to find a homeowner or any property owner that has not experienced the dripping faucet issue. Unfortunately, this is not only an irritating occurrence, it can cause your water bill to surge as well. In fact, if a single faucet continues dripping for over a year, it can lose hundreds of gallons of water. Often, the source of the problem is internal, with the washer becoming too worn or stiff and dislodged after extended use. Fortunately, this problem can be solved easily with the correct tools and handled by a professional plumbing service.

2. Slow Draining Sink

A slow draining sink is often caused by a drain blockage that could be preventing normal water flow. This is likely due to a build-up in the drain from certain foods or fats in the kitchen sink. Whereas, a drain blockage in the bathroom sink is likely the result of soap or hair build-up. Unclogging the sink is relatively easy with the right tools and when handled by a professional. However, it’s imperative to have this problem looked at as soon as possible, because it will worsen if neglected over time.

You can sometimes unclog the sink on your own at time, with the following tips:

Remove hair buildup from the drain with thin needle nose pliers

Unthread the union nut for the P-Trap, empty contents into garbage and thread the P-trap back on. Check for leaks after, to ensure a proper seal.

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