Valentine’s Day Plumbing Tips

With the major holidays behind us, the next big day to look forward to is Valentine’s Day! Traditionally, couples spend the night out on the town or at a romantic restaurant. Well, at least they used to. More and more couples are opting for a night in rather than going out for Valentine’s day. We don’t blame you. Everyone likes a home cooked meal and you can avoid the crowds out at popular restaurants. If you’re planning on spending the night in though, we recommend doing a little preparation so you can avoid an evening ruining plumbing disaster. We’ve got a few easy to do Valentine’s Day plumbing tips for you to get ready for the big day!

Know where your water shut off valve is

Don’t wait until a broken pipe is dumping gallons of water into your home to try to figure out where your shut off valve is. Nothing will kill the romantic mood more than extensive water damage and the necessary clean up afterward. Knowing where your water shut off is ahead of time can save you a lot of hassle if you ever have a water line break.

Track down and repair minor leaks

Even small leaks will cause mold and water damage over time and nothing is less romantic than mold. Take the week leading up to Valentine’s Day to hunt those leaks like the mood-killing monsters they are and get them fixed before they put a damper on your evening.

Insulate your pipes

Your honey might be keeping you warm this Valentine’s Day, but your pipes need something to keep them warm also. You can pick up pipe insulation from your local hardware store for cheap and can stop pipe bursts which are often very pricey repairs. Insulating your pipes will also help hot water lose less heat as it travels through them which can save you money on utilities and free up some money for fun stuff with your partner.

Need Help? Call us!

So you did everything on our Valentine’s Day plumbing list, but it’s the big night and you’re faced with a plumbing emergency. Don’t despair! Our plumbers at Brothers Plumbing, Heating, and Electric can fix any plumbing problem and get your night back on track. Hopefully you won’t need us this time, though and your Valentine’s Day goes off without a hitch!

Five New Year’s Resolutions for your Electrical System

Today is New Year’s Eve, and now is the time to make all your New Year’s resolutions for the next year. While most people focus on improving their finances, health, and well-being, the professional electricians here at Brothers Plumbing Heating Electric would like to suggest five different resolutions for your home electrical system. So, besides your traditional resolutions, why not add a few of the following suggestions this year?

1 – Replace Light Bulbs with Energy-Efficient LEDs

While it’s true that LED light bulbs cost more than incandescents, they’ll save you money in the long run. LED bulbs use a fraction of the electricity that incandescent lamps use, and they last 35 to 50 times longer.

Furthermore, they produce less heat than traditional bulbs and are much more durable. That’s right, LED light bulbs won’t shatter all over your floor if you drop one! There really isn’t any excuse to forgo replacing your light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs.

2 – Reset and Install GFCI Outlets

Technically, you’re supposed to reset your GFCI outlets every single month. However, most consumers fail to do this, even once a year. So, this New Year’s is the perfect time to schedule a monthly reset of all your GFCI outlets.

Furthermore, if you don’t have GFCI outlets in your restroom and kitchen (or anywhere near a water source), then contact us to have them installed today. They are real lifesavers when it comes to electrical safety.

3 – Install a Whole-House Surge Protector

Most people install surge protectors for their computers and television/home theater setups. But did you know that you can improve your surge protection even further by having us install a whole-house surge protector right at your electric panel? Having us out to install a whole-house surge protector will go a long way towards protecting your home electrical equipment even further.

Moreover, they’re incredibly affordable and effective. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us to schedule a whole-house surge protector installation today!

4 – Replace the Batteries in All Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors save countless lives every year. However, they don’t do any good if their batteries are dead. This year (and every single year hereafter), make sure to install new batteries in every single one of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Doing so just might save your life one day.

5 – Have a Safety Inspection Performed

Before you kick off the new year, contact Brothers Plumbing Heating Electric to schedule a whole-house electrical safety inspection. During the investigation, our electricians will inspect your breaker panel, circuits, and all your circuit breakers. We’ll also check your electric appliances and lights to make sure everything is ship-shape. Contact us to schedule an early January safety inspection today!

So, those are the five New Year’s resolutions for your electrical system that our electricians suggest you make this year. And, if you experience any electrical problems this year, we sincerely hope you’ll make the right decision and hire our professionals. Remember, when it comes to safe and effective electric work, you can always rely on the expert electricians here at Brothers Plumbing Heating Electric!

Happy New Year from Us Here at Brothers Plumbing Heating Electric!