Schaal Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Des Moines’

Do You Need a Water Softener?

Monday, 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!

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3 Things Not to Do to Your AC

Monday, 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.

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Is Your AC Struggling? Here’s Why

Monday, 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!”

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3 Best Plumbing Practices to Start Today!

Monday, August 10th, 2020
person-turning-off-tap

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!

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The FOG Conundrum: What to Do

Monday, July 27th, 2020
plumber-repairing-drain

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.

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Top 3 Most Common Ductless AC Repairs

Monday, July 13th, 2020

ductless-airi-conditionerDuctless 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!

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Are You Suffering from an Electrical AC Problem?

Monday, May 18th, 2020

tech-and-homeownerAir 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.

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Commercial Plumbing Is Vital for Your Business

Monday, May 4th, 2020

pipingWhat separates commercial plumbers from residential plumbers? Well, that’s easy, right? Commercial plumbers work on plumbing systems that are used by businesses while residential plumbers mainly focus on home plumbing systems. This is technically true but there’s more to it than that. Commercial plumbers work under a strict set of guidelines because commercial plumbing concerns a lot more than just making sure there are no leaks and that your sprinkler systems work.

Commercial plumbers need to be dependable and respond to any of your emergencies at the push of a button. That’s because poor commercial plumbing in Des Moines, IA can actually harm your business to a degree that you’d rather not think about. Leaky faucets, clogged toilets, and backflow systems that aren’t up to city code could cost you money that your business just isn’t in the position to spend—and professional commercial plumbers are focused on mitigating these problems before they occur.

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Which Heater Is Right for Your Home?

Monday, April 20th, 2020

Heaters come in all shapes and sizes, which means it can lead to several migraines trying to wrap your head around which heater is right for you! Well sure, having more options for heating should be a good thing but when you’re not well-acquainted with any of them, it can be hard to learn when you’re put on the spot.

So, today we’re going to talk about each of the heaters unique to our area and the general benefits of each one. Hopefully, between the advantages of different heating systems and the efficiency levels they offer, we’re hoping you’ll start to find it easier when differentiating between systems. By working with a team that specializes in this kind of work, your HVAC in Des Moines, IA can easily be worked out without the headaches.

So, buckle up—we’ve got some homework to do!

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Qualities That Make a Good AC Professional Great

Monday, April 6th, 2020

HVAC in Des Moines, IAthumbs-up requires service that’s reliable, and HVAC professionals come in all shapes and sizes. There’s not one particular standard that makes it easy for homeowners to choose which one is right for them. Sure, most homeowners know not to call for an amateur’s service if they value the longevity and efficiency of their systems. However, many homeowners don’t know what separates a good HVAC technician from a great one.

So, we’re going to talk a bit about that difference between good and great. You might be happy with your good HVAC professional today, but what if you could do better with a team of professionals that are more than qualified to take care of everything your HVAC system needs, from installation to maintenance, to repairs and even replacements. There are certain qualities that differentiate a good technician from an amazing one, and we’ll cover a few of those down below.

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