Category: Land & Property

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How to Winterize Plumbing    

Homeowners should take steps to winterize their plumbing to prevent burst pipes. When water freezes, it expands, which means that if water expands in the pipes, the pressure can cause the pipe to rupture. When the temperature drops below freezing, the plumbing may be at risk of freezing. 

Certain pipes are more at risk than others, such as underground pipes or pipes in the basement. There are ways that homeowners can protect their plumbing from pipes freezing in the winter. Adding insulation to the pipes is one way to keep them warm so they do not freeze over. In this blog post, plumbing experts share insight on winterizing plumbing.

Are Frozen Pipes Dangerous?Frozen pipe with icicles forming, illustrating the risk of burst pipes during winter, relevant to plumbing winterization advice.

Frozen pipes can be very dangerous because they lead to bursting pipes. A burst pipe can cause mold and mildew to grow in the home, which is hazardous to human health. The cost of repairing the burst pipe and the water damage can be hundreds or thousands of dollars.

A burst water line or sewer line can be a total nightmare for homeowners. Homeowners should take the threat of burst pipes in the winter seriously and take preventative measures. A common disaster in the winter is for a pipe to burst while the homeowners are away on vacation. A burst pipe could completely flood the house while homeowners are not home. 

Hands applying foam pipe insulation around copper plumbing pipes, demonstrating a preventative measure against frozen pipes in winter.

How Pipe Insulation Can Help

Adding pipe insulation, such as foam pipe insulation, is a great way to prevent them from freezing in the winter. Foam pipe insulation is easy to apply and can save homeowners from bursting pipes this winter. Insulating the pipes with extra layers of protection to keep the heat in will also help to keep the utility bills low. 

Insulated pipes retain the temperature of hot water as it travels through the pipes, which helps put less strain on the water heater. Homeowners should add pipe covering to their plumbing at the start of the season before the temperatures drop to their lowest. It may only require insulating pipes that are most susceptible to freezing, such as pipes in the basement. 

More Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes

One of the reasons why people’s pipes burst while they are away on vacation is because they shut off the heat while they are gone. Homeowners should leave the heat on while they are away so that the home’s plumbing does not freeze. Homeowners can also help distribute heat throughout the home by opening doors and cabinets containing hidden pipes. 

Letting water slowly drip from a single faucet at all times is a trick for keeping the pipes from freezing. Because there is always water running, it helps prevent the system from freezing entirely. However, leaving the faucet running at extreme temperatures does not help much. 

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning is proud to serve Sun Prairie, WI, and the surrounding areas with comprehensive plumbing and HVAC services from expert technicians. Homeowners can count on the Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning team to offer knowledgeable and honest advice and outstanding service. Call them today or schedule an appointment through their website for plumbing maintenance in Sun Prairie, WI. Also, learn more about this article’s author here.

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Stay Warm for Halloween Parties By Watching for These Signs 

During the summertime, people work hard to have fun. There are sunburns and vacations while everyone tries to squeeze fun in between responsibilities. During the fall, it’s nice to take a load off and slow down a bit. Instead of wearing themselves out, people settle in for a cozy party or a scary movie night only to find that the horror is just beginning: the heater isn’t working. 

With the same urgency that people have to seek out the AC in the summer, everyone wants to enjoy the coziness inside a home for the fall. When the heater is having trouble, it can ruin everyone’s night. Keep a lookout for the signs that the heater needs attention. Here are the top three signs to call a qualified professional to look at the heater. 

The Home Isn’t Getting Warm 

Heat loss from the heater isn’t normal. When the heater should be working but isn’t, it is clear that something is amiss. The first things homeowners should check when this occurs are overloads and breakers for the heater. Occasionally a breaker to the heater may trip when there is no serious problem. Often this can go unnoticed for a considerable time since the heater isn’t in service during the summer. 

Homeowners should also check the thermostat setting. It is common for heater service contractors to get calls for broken heaters that amount to nothing more than a thermostat that is still set to run the AC. Once it is sure that the unit is getting power and the thermostat is telling it to run, one can call a qualified professional to investigate. 

Creepy and Spooky Unusual Sounds

Person listening intently, emphasizing the importance of recognizing unusual sounds from a heater, related to HVAC maintenance and troubleshooting.One of the spookiest problems a heater can have is that it can make haunting sounds like things that go bump in the night. The sound that comes from a heater can be a good indicator of the problem that the heater is having. Call a qualified professional if these sounds are heard: 

  • Thumping
  • Banging
  • Squealing
  • Shrieking
  • Grinding
  • Popping

In many cases, a simple heater tune-up will restore quiet service. In extreme cases, repairs will be necessary. 

Frightening Energy Bills 

Person inserting cash into a jar filled with money, symbolizing saving for lower energy bills and efficient heater maintenance.Maybe the scariest fright that a homeowner will receive happens every month. Each month homeowners have to deal with the shock of energy bills. In the summer, electric bills are high to pay for cooling, while gas bills spike to ensure that budgets stay stretched in the winter. If energy bills in the winter have crept up over the years, it may be time to take a stance against scary energy bills and make the heater more efficient. 

Heaters lose efficiency every year they are in service. When maintenance is forgotten, the process is much faster. Scheduling fall maintenance for the heater is a great way to keep bills lower by protecting energy efficiency and ensuring that repair bills don’t sneak up unexpectedly. 

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has been the local choice for fixing broken heaters for nearly 40 years. In that time, they have earned a reputation for hard work and excellent customer service. Call today for fast and attentive heater repairs in Sun Prairie, WI. 

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When to Get a New Breaker Panel

There are many reasons someone might need an electrical panel replacement. Here are the top five reasons:

1. The breaker panel is outdated.

If a breaker panel is over 20 years old, it’s probably time for an upgrade. The technology in homes has changed a lot in the last few decades, and the electrical system should be able to keep up. Outdated breaker panels can’t handle the demand of modern appliances and electronics, which can lead to fires or blackouts.

2. They’re renovating a home.

Two men working on home renovation, installing a door frame, with tools and construction materials visible in the background.If homeowners are planning on doing any major renovations, they’ll need to upgrade their service panel to accommodate the increased power needs. Otherwise, they could end up overloading the system, which could cause a fire or other damage.

3. Experiencing frequent power outages, blackouts, or tripping circuit breakers.

If a home frequently experiences power outages or blackouts, it’s a sign that the current service panel isn’t up to the task. It could be due to an outdated or overloaded breaker panel. Upgrading to a new breaker panel can help solve this problem.

If a home has circuit breakers that frequently trip, it’s another sign that the service panel needs to be upgraded. This problem can be caused by outdated or defective breakers or an overloaded circuit.

4. Adding new appliances or electrical equipment.

New kitchen appliances including a refrigerator, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and stove, highlighting the need for upgraded service panels to accommodate increased power demands during home renovations.If someone is adding new appliances or electronics to their home, they may need to upgrade the service panel to accommodate the increased power needs. Otherwise, they could end up overloading the system. A professional electrician can help determine if this is the case.

5. To increase the value of a home.

If a homeowner is thinking about selling their home, upgrading to a new breaker panel can help improve the property value. A new service panel is a major selling point for potential buyers, so it’s worth the investment.

Upgrading the service panel is an important home improvement project to help keep families safe and homes running smoothly. When considering a breaker panel upgrade or any electrical repairs, be sure to hire a professional electrician to do the work. They’ll be able to help choose the right size and type of panel for a home, and they’ll install it correctly to avoid any problems.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has over three decades of experience serving the residents of Sun Prairie, WI, and the surrounding areas. They provide 24/7 emergency service and are professional, fast, and clean. Call them today for breaker panel repair and replacement in Sun Prairie, WI.

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