callschaalyaall

Do You Need a Water Softener?

September 21st, 2020

The answer to this question might be a surprise, but let us explain. Hard water and soft water are unique phenomena that we see in the plumbing industry. Hard water means water with natural minerals that have dissolved in it, while soft water is the kind of water you’re used to drinking. While they’re both perfectly fine for human consumption, one of them is much better for your plumbing than the other. Can you guess which one?

Many homes could use a water softener in Des Moines, IA. That’s why we want to talk about the benefits of having one installed. If you’ve never heard the term “hard water” before, or you’ve just stumbled on this post in the area, don’t worry. We’re going to discuss what all of these terms mean for you and your home.

So, let’s see if you need a water softener!

3 Things Not to Do to Your AC

September 7th, 2020

We talk all the time about what you should always be doing for your AC. After all, it’s always easy to be proactive than reactive, so being vigilant isn’t a hard thing to get in the habit of when you have our help. However, we never go into detail about the more sinister things that happen to an AC when a homeowner does something they shouldn’t. What are those things? Well, let’s dive right into it.

Unless you like having to call an HVAC contractor in Des Moines, IA over and over again, it’s important to treat your air conditioner the way it should be treated. Stay away from opening it up, putting your hands where you shouldn’t, and trying to diagnose things yourself.

If you’re looking for more specific directions when it comes to things you should never do to your AC, then keep reading. We’ll give you some good introspection towards the “do’s” and “don’ts” of air conditioning.

Is Your AC Struggling? Here’s Why

August 24th, 2020

Imagine two types of air conditioners. Air conditioner “A” works quietly throughout the night to keep a home cool. Day after day, a home is protected by the scorching temperatures outside, and eventually the energy bill comes in for the month. The family of this air conditioner is pleasantly surprised by the steady but low amount of energy the system consumes to keep them happy.

Air conditioner “B” on the other hand, keeps a family awake every night with obnoxious sounds. They’re constantly worried about repair bills and have trouble sleeping or getting work done because they’re nervous about the system’s condition. Eventually, they look at the energy bill and they’ll be forced to postpone their yearly vacation because there’s no way they’ll be able to afford it with this type of bill.

If you’re more like the family with air conditioner “B,” then it might be time to call for HVAC in Des Moines, IA to become more like the family with air conditioner “A!”

3 Best Plumbing Practices to Start Today!

August 10th, 2020

We get it. Homeowners can be disappointed when they’re scouring the internet for some kind of plumbing DIY tips, only to be confronted with a blog post that tells them to call their local plumber. While we are your local plumber and we do think you should call us for help, that might not be what you’re looking for today.

We’re going to talk about the three best plumbing practices that you don’t need a plumber for. Since these are preventative plumbing practices, they’re not very good at cleaning your drain or fixing a problem that’s already underway. In fact, these practices can help your plumbing last longer and avoid problems that would normally be expensive to repair.

What are these preventative practices? Keep reading as we go into specifics about ways to keep your plumbing in good shape. Don’t forget to call us, your local plumber in Des Moines, IA, if you run into any problems with your home plumbing system!

The FOG Conundrum: What to Do

July 27th, 2020

We clear a lot of plumbing systems of their drain clogs every year. Sometimes they’re just old drains that haven’t been clogged in years. Other times, they’re clogs that could have been avoided. We’re here today to talk about the latter half of clogs—the ones that homeowners don’t know are usually avoidable. Those clogs have a lot to do with FOG.

FOG stands for fats, oils, and grease. These types of substances that exist mainly in our kitchens are especially insidious towards our plumbing systems. While fats might taste good and be healthy in many diets, they’re not very good for your drains and can often cause clogs that are a hassle to deal with.

Do you constantly need help with your plumbing in Des Moines, IA? Perhaps you’re the victim of FOG. Keep reading as we go into the specifics of what FOG does and drain clogs caused by these materials can be avoided.

Top 3 Most Common Ductless AC Repairs

July 13th, 2020

Ductless air conditioners really are some of the most reliable air conditioners on the market. Some homeowners have the misconception because they’re small and out of the way, that they’re cheap junk. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Sometimes a small and out of the way unit can be just as powerful as a central air conditioner, and just as reliable as well.

With all that said, there are still some ductless AC repair in Des Moines you should prepare for if you’re a ductless owner. We use these systems day and night throughout the summers here in Iowa, which means they’re bound to run into some sort of problem after years of worthy service.

Let’s talk about some of the ways a ductless system runs into issues, and what you can do about them!

4 Signs Your Water Heater Is Leaking

June 29th, 2020

When we think of leaks coming from our water heaters, we’re usually inundated with images of old cartoon leaks where a pipe is spraying water all over the place. While this certainly does occur sometimes, it’s usually not the most common way leaks express themselves. Leaks can be many different sizes, shapes, and produce varying degrees of sound. This makes it exceptionally hard for leaks to be pinpointed or noticed by a homeowner, especially when it comes from your water heater!

Today, we’re going to talk about some major signs that you’re dealing with a leaking water heater. If your water heater in Altoona, IA is showing one of the following signs that there’s a leak, then you’re better off calling one of our professionals for repairs.

Everything You Need to Know About a Refrigerant Leak

June 15th, 2020

Refrigerant leaks can be extremely detrimental to the lifespan and efficiency of your air conditioner. Not only is refrigerant integral to the cooling process, but the less of it that exists in your system, the harder your air conditioner will have to work to meet your comfort demands. Do you notice a cycle?

Catching a refrigerant leak is the first step in breaking the vicious cycle of air conditioner repair and breakdowns. By ignoring something like this, you’re only setting yourself up for disaster in the future. HVAC service in Altoona, IA doesn’t have to be a hassle, and when it comes to detecting a refrigerant leak and addressing it, you’ll be glad you called us.

So, let’s go into detail about what harm a refrigerant leak can cause for your AC and what can be done to mitigate the damage.

AC Efficiency Tips You’ll Want to Know

June 1st, 2020

Psst! If you’re a homeowner and you’re looking for a way to lower your bills and increase the efficiency of your air conditioner, then you’re going to like what we have to tell you. There are a variety of things, aside from standard AC upgrades, that can make the job easier for your AC and lower your energy consumption. Most of these tips don’t require a single penny, so for all the homeowners out there that love a good DIY project, you’ll be excited to read what’s down below.

In all seriousness, if your AC just isn’t putting out the cooling you need, there’s no simple trick that can fix that. It’s up to your local HVAC company in Altoona, IA to perform sensible AC repair and get the system back up and running. If your AC already works just fine, it just struggles against the summer heat, then keep reading!

Are You Suffering from an Electrical AC Problem?

May 18th, 2020

Air conditioners don’t suffer from electrical problems any more than they suffer from other problems. The only difference is that it can often be hard for homeowners to detect an electrical problem, especially if they don’t have a background in HVAC technology or electrical engineering!

That doesn’t mean you should ignore an electrical problem when it pops up! On the contrary, in this blog post, we’re going to talk about some common electrical problems that can occur within an air conditioner so you know the signs to look for. Once you notice an electrical issue taking place in your air conditioner, you can call a team of professionals and better direct them to the source of the problem.

So, keep reading below and keep in mind that our team is always available to look at your air conditioning in Des Moines, IA.

Schaal Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Blog