Category: Land & Property

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How to Respond to Gas Leaks

Knowing how to respond to a stressful situation is one thing—remembering to do it during a crisis is a whole different ball game. When it comes to gas leaks, it can be easy to learn and understand how to respond, but as soon as someone smells gas, all that training goes out the window.

This year for National Wellness Month, take a moment and remember how to respond to gas emergencies. Frequent repetition increases the likelihood that people will respond better in stressful situations. Follow these recommendations from local gas leak specialists and have the confidence and peace of mind to know how to do the right thing.

Common Gas Leak Signsbad smell

Gas leaks can range from small to large, but one should treat any size gas leak with the utmost respect. All gas leaks can show signs that they are present; homeowners can respond quickly to keep everyone safe when these signs are recognized. The most common signs of gas leaks are:

  • Sulfurous or rotten egg smell
  • Increase in gas bills
  • Hissing noises near appliances
  • Dead spots on the lawn
  • Malaise or fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Headaches

Reacting to Gas Leaks

When gas leaks are noticed, there is no need to panic, but there is a need to act calmly but urgently. Start by getting out of the area where the signs were noticed, whether outdoors or inside the home. Do not touch any electrical switches since actuating them could cause sparks that could ignite the gas. Don’t smoke and don’t start cars if the gas leak is in the area of automobiles.

Next, work to get the gas shut off from a safe distance. All homes have a gas valve on the meter that one can turn off. If anyone in the home shows gas exposure symptoms, one should call the fire department for help. They can stabilize the patients and help ventilate gas from the area.

Finally, call a gas leak plumber. Ultimately it will be a plumber who will make the situation safe again, so it is best to get someone on the way immediately, just in case.

detector

Professional Gas Leak Solutions

Plumbing in the home is never a project that weekend warriors should attempt. Plumbers are highly trained and qualified to meet the stringent expectations of plumbing codes designed to keep homes safe. All of this is even more true when dealing with gas lines within the home. Instead of figuring it out and piecing together a dangerous solution, homeowners should call a professional and get things fixed right the first time for their safety.

One thing that sets gas leak repair experts apart is the tools they use to keep gas service safe within a home. Whether they are simply installing a new appliance or dealing with a gas leak event, professionals have special detection devices that detect minute amounts of gas that can be harmful. This ensures that every job they do is done perfectly.

As a final note on gas safety, gas detectors do exist. However, unless specifically noted, they are not the same as carbon monoxide detectors. If gas detectors are needed, they should be purchased separately and located in the specified areas.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

For nearly 40 years, Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has been providing high-quality service to its customers. These professionals handle all plumbing problems, from clogged toilets to water heater installation. Call today for gas leak services in Sun Prairie, WI.

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Think Before You Flush

Most people don’t think twice about what they’re flushing down the toilet. But some things should never be flushed. What you flush down the toilet can significantly impact your plumbing. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the items that should NEVER be flushed down the toilet – and why. Avoid plumbing problems and expensive repairs by following these simple tips!

Here are just a few items that should stay out of your toilet:

1. Disposable diapers:

Disposable diapers are one of the most common items found in sewer blockages. They’re bulky and absorbent, so they can easily clog pipes. In addition, diapers often contain harmful bacteria that can spread disease.

2. Feminine hygiene products:

Feminine hygiene products, like tampons and pads, are another common cause of plumbing problems. They’re often made of plastic or other materials that don’t break down easily and can absorb large amounts of water.

3. “Flushable” wipes and baby wipes:

Just because a product is labeled “flushable” doesn’t mean it’s safe to flush. These wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, so they can cause clogs. Baby wipes may be safe for your baby’s bottom, but they’re not safe for your toilet. Like “flushable” wipes, they can cause clogs.

4. Contact lenses:

contact lensesFlushing used contact lenses down the toilet contributes to creating microplastics, a major cause of environmental concern. Contacts break down over time into tiny microplastics, which contribute to microplastic pollution in the water supply, eventually making their way into the food chain.

5. Paper towels and napkins:

Paper towels and napkins are made from different materials than toilet paper, so they don’t break down as easily. They can cause clogs and may even contaminate the water supply.

6. Cigarette butts:

Cigarette butts may be small but can cause big problems. They’re made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that doesn’t break down easily. Plus, cigarette filters are designed to absorb toxins, so flushing them can contaminate your water supply.

7. Food waste:

Food waste doesn’t belong in your toilet either. It can cause clogs and may even attract pests. It can also release harmful bacteria into the water supply.

8. Grease and cooking oil:

no grease down the drainGrease and oil harden as they cool, and that can cause serious clogs. Never pour them down the drain or flush them down the toilet.

9. Expired medications:

Flushing expired medications down the toilet may seem like a safe way to dispose of them, but it’s quite dangerous. These drugs can end up in the water supply, where they can contaminate it.

10. Pet waste and cat litter:

Pet waste should never be flushed down the toilet. It can cause clogs and may even contain harmful bacteria. Cat litter is not biodegradable and doesn’t break down in the water, meaning it can clog your pipes and cause serious plumbing problems. And if the cat litter makes it to a sewage treatment plant, it can damage equipment and pollute waterways.

So what CAN you flush? Toilet paper, of course! Only flush toilet paper down the toilet to protect plumbing from clogs. Everything else should go in the trash. This includes paper towels, flushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, and anything else that isn’t specifically designed to be flushed.

Even some “flushable” products can cause problems, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution. And if you have any doubts about whether something is safe to flush, just remember: when in doubt, throw it out! Your plumbing will thank you!

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has been committed to serving the community of Sun Prairie, WI, and the surrounding areas since 1984. They provide honest advice, membership plans, and 24-hour emergency response. Call them today for plumbing services in Sun Prairie, WI.

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How a Whole House Surge Protector Shields the Home

Most people think of a power surge as coming from a lightning strike. And while this can be the cause, it’s not what homeowners should be worried about. Power surges often come through the power lines and travel through the house, destroying electronics as they go. The causes can range from a downed power line, fluctuating electrical demand on the local grid, faulty or old wiring, and even the cycling of appliances inside the house. These causes, plus the cost of not having surge protection for the whole house, are why one should prepare every home with a whole-home surge protector.

What Power Surges Can Do

dangers of power surgesPower surges can wreak havoc on a home’s electronics. And in an age where homes seem to accumulate more gadgets every year, the cost of not having protection increases all the time. A strong enough power surge can travel through the house faster than a heartbeat, frying all the expensive appliances plugged into the walls. This includes refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, computers, televisions, gaming systems, and even the HVAC system.

Not only do homeowners need to consider the cost of replacing all those appliances, but also the cost of losing things that aren’t replaceable. Things like family photos, business records, videos, or anything else stored on local computers can be gone instantly. While cloud storage can help, many homeowners underestimate how much information they have stored on the hard drive of their computers.

Whole House Surge Protector Benefits

surge protectors Luckily, installing a whole house surge protector can prevent a power surge from wreaking havoc on the home’s electronics. These surge protectors are wired directly into the home’s electrical system, acting as a filter that keeps the surge from moving through the house. Doing this protects the sensitive circuitry in the home’s appliances.

Whole house surge protectors can also guard against surges inside the home. These are short transient surges caused when home appliances like HVAC systems turn on and off. These kinds of surges won’t cause damage immediately, but they can cause premature wear on electrical devices, causing them to need replacing sooner than they otherwise would.

Signs an Old Surge Protector Needs Replacing

Whole-house surge protectors aren’t expensive and are easily installed by a professional electrical technician. With this in mind, homeowners should replace their whole home surge protector every two to five years to stay protected. Given the low cost of these protectors, whole home surge protector replacement is a small investment compared to replacing all the appliances.

However, one should sometimes replace an old surge protector earlier than the two-to-five-year window. If there have been recent power surges or outages in the area, replacing the whole house surge protector is a good idea. Likewise, if the house has been struck by lightning or there has been significant construction in the area. Those who aren’t sure whether they need whole home surge protection repair should call a local electrician to discuss their options!

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has served Sun Prairie, WI, for almost four decades. They provide one-day installation and 24-hour emergency service. Their technicians are clean, courteous, and undergo rigorous background checks. Contact them today for whole house surge protector installation in Sun Prairie, WI!

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