Author Archives: 2010admin

We rely on our drains a lot. Yet, few of us actually think about it until we’re trying to wash our hands or take a shower and the water isn’t draining. In reality, water isn’t the only thing our pipes see. Hair, grease, grime, and even soaps can have damaging effects on your system. In fact, many store-bought cleaners you think are helping your pipes, are actually making things worse too.

No one likes the inconvenience of a clogged drain, so here’s how you can keep your plumbing flowing smoothly with the help of a professional drain cleaning.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Store Bought Cleaners

They May Not Even Work

Even though your drain is clogged, it may not mean your pipes are. There could be underlying issues that a drain cleaner won’t fix. And if it’s a bigger issue like a broken pipe, pouring cleaner down the drain and not knowing where it’s actually ending up is just asking for more problems.

They Contain Toxic Chemicals
The chemicals in store-bought cleaners contain chemicals that actually weaken your pipes overtime. They help work to breakdown the clog, but in turn, cause a reaction that releases heat and deteriorates your pipes – especially PVC pipes. So while you’ve got a quick solution now, you could be creating more serious issues down the road. And in other cases, those chemicals may just sit in your pipes, and eat away at them until removed by a professional.

They Could Have an Adverse Effects

Those same chemicals that are hurting your pipes are also being mixed into your water supply. And when it does, it can affect you and your family, as well as other people and wildlife. The harmful fumes linger in the air even after the cleaner is down the drain and the leftover residue in the bottle is likely to end up in the soil around garbage dump.

When Should I Call a Professional?

Just because you’re not battling sitting water, doesn’t mean your pipes aren’t in dire need of a good clean. Here are 4 signs of when it’s time to get your drains professionally cleaned.

1. Slow Drainage
   A clogged drain is the most common issue you’ll face with your sewer system. And it’s pretty rare it will happen without warning. Overtime, waste will gradually build on the pipe walls making it harder for water to get through. If you notice your water draining more slowly than usual, you shouldn’t wait until it becomes a full-blown backup to call a professional for expert cleaning services. 
2. Gurgling Sounds
   When you notice bubbling water coming up from your drain, it’s a pretty clear sign of a problem. Obviously, the water has nowhere to go, so there’s likely a major backup somewhere in the pipes. As soon as you notice this, it’s time to call an expert who has the tools and expertise to clear the waste in the safest way for your pipes and get things flowing again. 
3. Terrible Smell
   No one likes unpleasant smells. This is another common sign that it’s time for a good pipe cleaning – especially in the kitchen sink. The food or waste in your pipes that’s eventually going to cause a backup is more likely than not going to start exuding a terrible smell too. But it’s also important to keep in mind that not all bad smells mean a clogged drain. There could be a deeper issue in the sewer system, which can be extremely destructive to your pipes if not taken care of quickly. A tip: if more than one of your drains is smelly, then it’s likely a more serious issue. 
4. Low Water Pressure
   Buildup in your drain can even affect your fixtures – like faucets and showerheads – as well. Clogged mineral deposits will cause the water pressure to decrease, and often a simple cleaning won’t do the trick. When your water isn’t quite flowing like it should be, contact a professional to help. 

With a professional drain cleaning, you can make sure to keep your home healthier – and odor-free – for longer, while reducing out-of-pocket expenses on plumbing repairs. To have a professional come out to check on your drains, contact the certified plumbers Madsen Inc. today.

It’s no secret that proper maintenance is the key to a long-lasting, high-functioning HVAC system. With snow storms and freezing temps on the horizon, it’s more important than ever to make sure your system is prepared for the challenge. Here are seven ways to get your heating system ready for the winter.

1. Schedule a Maintenance Appointment
   The ideal time to schedule maintenance is in the fall or spring, when you need these systems the least. But if you haven’t yet done it yet, do it now before the harsh weather weather strikes. Prior to the technician’s arrival, take a minute to check for odd sounds or smells, or leaks in the duct work. Any of these could be a sign of a potential issue, and knowing ahead of time will help you get the most of your appointment.
2. Uncover Your Vents & Radiators
   Make sure there is no furniture blocking the vents or registers. Impeded air flow can prevent your home from heating evenly or force the unit to work too hard and overheat. Give your vents some space to work and remove any household items from the top of your radiator so they don’t burn or melt!
3. Change Your Air Filter & Clean Your Vents
   Even though this is something you should do every month, it’s especially important in anticipation of winter. Dust and dirt buildup are one of the top causes for systems to breakdown, so make sure all is clean and clear before you need it most. A smart move: keep backup filters handy.
   
4. Test Your Furnace
   Don’t wait until it’s freezing outside to make sure everything is working. Turn the thermostat up to your desired winter temp at least 3 times before winter is in full force to ensure it heats up properly. If it never reaches the correct temperature or shuts off while doing so, contact us to make the necessary repairs so you’re not left out in the cold this winter.
   
5. Create Climate Zones
   If you live in a multi-level home, you’ve probably noticed at times that upstairs can feel a lot warmer than downstairs. One way to avoid this is by creating climate zones. Close a couple vents on the second floor to force air to flow downstairs. Or for a more efficient solution, our technicians can install a smart climate zone system with wireless sensors that uses your home’s specific temperature patterns to direct air where it’s needed most.
6. Winterize & Cover Your Outdoor Unit
   If you’re unit is located outside your home, then it’s smart to cover and winterize your furnace before the snow and ice arrive. Make sure all leaves and twigs are removed, then rinse thoroughly with a hose to get rid of any bugs, dirt or grass clippings that may be stuck inside. Once all dry, flip the switch of the electrical circuit to cut the power supply and prevent any accidental startups during the warmer winter days. Use a waterproof cover to protect the unit from moisture and make sure you remove all heavy snow and ice that may accumulate throughout the season.
7. Turn Down Your Heat When You Need It Least
   According to Energy Saver, powering your temperature to 68 degrees at night when you’re in the warmth of your comforter or during the day when you’re not home can help save up to 10% off your energy bill. If you don’t have a smart system, it may be time to consider getting one. With wifi connectivity and a smartphone app, you can monitor and control your energy consumption from anywhere, while it learns your preferences to optimize your comfort and efficiency.

With these helpful tips, you’ll be more than prepared for whatever winter has in store this year. Contact our expert technicians to set up a maintenance checkup or get answers to any other questions you may have!

How Laundry Pro™ Makes the Holidays Easy

The holidays always seem to sneak up on us. Before you know it, your home will be filled with family, friends, and chaos. ‘Tis the season of hosting relatives and having the kids home on break, after all. And while you love all the togetherness, you don’t love amount of laundry you’re stuck with. We get it, and that’s why we are happy to install the Laundry Pro™ system for our customers. If you haven’t heard about it yet, there’s no better time than right now!

What is Laundry Pro™ & How Does it Work?

Imagine the ability to do a load of wash using only cold water and 0 detergent. Say hello to Laundry Pro™! It may sound too good to be true, but it’s actually not. Using exclusive ActivePure® technology and the powerful cleaning action of water with oxygen-based oxidizers, the system creates a peroxide using only cold water. This peroxide lifts dirt, stains, and allergens from your clothing, while preventing the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

Why You’ll Love It

Laundry Pro™ is kinda hard not to love. Here’s why:

• No Detergent
  By using oxygen, peroxides, and other gases to penetrate clothing fibers and lift away dirt and odors, there’s no need for additional detergents. In fact, Laundry Pro™ helps removes the build-up of old detergents from fibers to restore your clothing’s natural softness and help them last longer.

What’s that mean for cost-saving? Think about it this way: the average American family washes about 300-390 loads of laundry each year (6-7.5 loads a week) and spends $15-$25 once or twice a month on detergent. If that sounds about right to you, then you could save up to $600 a year on detergent!

• No Maintenance
  Really – the system requires no cleaning or maintenance to operate at peak performance. What’s not to love about that?
  
• Good for Sensitive Skin
  By removing those old detergents embedded in your clothing, Laundry Pro™ also protects your skin. These chemicals cause allergies which lead to redness and itching – so goodbye detergent, goodbye irritated skin!
  
• Brighter Whites & Colors
  Clothing gets a refresh with the Laundry Pro™ system. Through the cleansing power of Oxygen without the use of harsh chemicals, you can keep clothes looking like new for longer.
  
• Eco-Friendly
  No detergent means no detergent bottles. That’s less waste. And by using only cold water, that’s less energy too. You don’t have to be an environmentalist to appreciate that!
• Easy Install
  Laundry Pro™ simply connects directly to your current washing machine using standard hoses – no modifications or additional plumbing, which means no added costs.

Schedule Your Installation

From food stains from Thanksgiving dinner to grass stains from backyard football, make sure you’re prepared for everything the holidays may throw at you! The experts at Madsen are happy to tell you more about the Laundry Pro system and help get one installed for you before all the merry madness. Contact us today!

Winter is right around the corner, which means everyone will do everything they can to stay nice and warm. But one thing people tend to forget is that the warmer your air is, the drier it is too. That’s because during the heating process, your furnace strips the air of its moisture as it pumps throughout your home, causing the air to feel considerably dry.

Why is Humidity Important to your Air Quality?

One of the most important ways to maintain proper air quality is by adjusting the humidity. In the summer, we usually try to bring humidity levels down, but during the winter, humidity levels can drop way below the recommended range of 35-50%.

Overall, humidity helps keep your home and your family be more comfortable and healthier as it gets colder outside. You’re probably not willing to sacrifice warmth to keep your air less dry, so how can you maintain the right balance of both? Introducing: whole-home humidifiers.

How Does a Whole-Home Humidifier Work?

There are three types of whole-home humidifiers that can help you integrate more water into the ducts of your home’s HVAC system, keeping your air from drying out as it warms up.

1. Steam Humidifiers – connects to your home’s water supply and electrical system, heating the water until it evaporates into steam before being injected into your home’s heating ducts.
2. Drum Humidifiers – uses a rotating drum to wick water through a sponge, turning it into water vapor so as hot air passes through the center of the drum, moisture is introduced before spreading throughout the home.
3. Flow-Through or Moisture Pad Humidifiers – only connects to your water supply with no moving parts or electricity needed. Hot air flows from your furnace to an evaporator pad where it picks up moisture and adds it to the stream of air flowing throughout your home.

The Benefits of a Whole-Home Humidifier

Whole-home humidifiers attach to your home’s HVAC system, using less energy to add moisture throughout your entire home versus single-room or stand-alone humidifiers. And the best part is you can actually feel the benefits.

Healthier Air

Just think of all the skin moisturizer and chapstick you use throughout the winter months. When the air’s humidity is low, it can dry out the nasal passages, leading to irritation of the eyes, nose, mouth, or even respiratory illness. Have a loud snorer in your home? The dry air may be to blame.

And just as it causes skin to harden and crack, it can actually do the same to wooden furniture and floors. Dry air can cause these items to shrink, warp or crack, and paper products, like books, posters, and photos, are at risk of the same fate, as they become more brittle.  By maintaining that 35-50% humidity, both your family and your home will stay in tip-top shape throughout the season.

Lower Energy Bills

Who doesn’t like saving on their energy bills? By adding moisture in the air, your home will actually feel warmer at a lower temperature too. This means you can increase the efficiency of your heating system and feel more comfortable inside as it gets colder outside. Likewise, the less moisture in the air, the cooler it will feel, so instead of turning up the thermostat and jacking up those bills, a whole-home humidifier is the way to go.

Less Static

Dry air actually causes static too. So as your humidifier increases moisture levels, it will minimize the likeliness of clinging clothing and unexpected shocks for everyone in the household.

If making your home as warm and comfortable this winter sounds pretty good, our HVAC experts are happy to help! Contact us to learn more about our professional grade humidifiers, so you can be fully prepared for the cold winter months ahead.

The bathroom is the most utilized room in the house. So when it’s time to plan for a redesign, it’s a pretty exciting time. But it’s also a tricky undertaking too. With both plumbing and wiring involved, you’ll have multiple contractors and tasks going on simultaneously throughout the process. While every bathroom redesign is different, there are some universal steps to prepare and things to expect during your project. Here’s what you need to know:

Prepping for Your Bathroom Redesign

1. Create a Budget
   First things, first, establish your budget. It’s one of the most important aspects of your redesign because it will affect all the others. Figure out what you’re able to spend and determine your limits. Once you have the number in in place, you can start a prioritized checklist, categorizing your must-haves over your can-do-withouts. When you start getting estimates from your contractors for materials and labor, you’ll get a better idea of what’s possible and start imagining your beautiful new bathroom!
2. Determine Your Design Inspiration
   Somewhere in your budgeting, you’ll want to start getting inspiration for your bathroom. Whether you have a vision in mind or don’t even know where to begin, start looking through home magazines and websites like Zillow Digs or Houzz for ideas. You’ll get a glimpse at the latest styles, color trends, and features and can start pulling pics to create your own design board. But make sure you’re designing for the long haul (or resale depending how long you plan to stay in your home), so you’re not forced to schedule a do-over a few years down the road.
3. Clear the Work Area
   As you get closer to demo day, think about how the project will affect the rest of your house. Where will the contractor park? What’s the easiest path for him to travel in and out of your house? It’s pretty unrealistic to expect your contractor to take his shoes off at the door, so cover floors with old towels or drop cloths to protect them. You should also try removing any mobile items in his work area. Soaps, shampoos, tooth brushes, bathmats, etc. should all be cleared out before the contractor gets there, so he can get to work right away.
4. Collect Your Materials
   Before the project starts, you’ll also want to make sure you have all the materials necessary to begin. Whether it’s tile for the floors or fixtures for the vanity, having everything on-site and ready to go is the best way to prevent delays. So what if your cabinets come in a few weeks late? Well, in a few weeks, your contractor is now juggling three other projects. So even though your tiles are finally ready, you’re now stuck waiting for someone to install them.
5. Set Up a Makeshift Bath
   If you or your family depends on that bathroom for daily use, make sure you ask the designer/builder to set up a temporary bath – usually accomplished with a fiberglass shower unit in a basement or somewhere with a utility tub floor drain. The same is possible for a toilet. It will require a bit of your budget, but it may be worth it if your neighbors don’t really appreciate frequent house guests using their water.

What To Expect During Your Bathroom Redesign

• Dealing with the Dust
  Yes, sanding drywall, ripping old tile, and cutting out a tub will likely result in a lot of dust. And foot traffic will only amplify the amount of that dust traveling into other areas of the house. Most contractors should have some sort of fan to place in the window to create a backdraft that pulls the dust-filled air outside. But you can prepare in other ways, like covering the floors, getting additional fans (ones with timers are even better), and keeping other windows of the house open, weather permitting.
• Expecting the Unexpected
  No matter how much time you put into carefully detailed planning, delays are sometimes inevitable. Assume the redesign will take longer than anticipated, so it’s not chaos in your home if surprises do arise. By assuming a slightly longer timeline, you’ll avoid any added frustration in the end. In other words, don’t plan for overnight guests the weekend after your slated completion date.
  Those unwanted surprises may also add to your budget too. Not all contractors do a great job at communicating the risk of unplanned, added costs throughout the project. Hidden conditions like termite damage, improper wiring, outdated plumbing, etc. are things you have to take care of, whether you budgeted for them or not. So give yourself a 10-20% cushion on your budget, just in case.
• Having Fun!
  The thing to always remember throughout the redesign process is the reason you’re doing it. Whether it’s a larger space for the kids to get ready for school or a more luxurious place for you to relax after a long day, you’re always just a few weeks away from enjoying the results. And most homeowners love seeing the progress as it all comes together, so take some before, during, and after photos to look back on. The work may be inconvenient at the time, but embracing the situation and focusing on the reward at the end is the way to go!

If you’re considering a bathroom redesign, Madsen Inc. can help you prepare and ensure that your project goes as smoothly as possible. To discuss your renovation plans, contact us today!