Home Safety Checklist

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of emergency visits caused by unintentional injuries is 30.6 million. A vast percentage of said injuries occur at home. Unfortunately, injuries at home can happen when you least expect it.   

For instance, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance Systems (NEISS) revealed that more than 15,000 injuries caused by garage doors happen annually. 

That said, you have to do more than make garage door repair a priority. You also need to have a robust home security checklist laid out in place that covers all the bases. For your peace of mind, below are some of the things that should be included in your comprehensive home safety checklist:

Inspect your pipes on a routine basis

Check your pipes for any signs of corrosion, rust, and leakage. Ensure you know what your pipes are made of as well as their size. Be mindful that lead pipes are prevalent in houses built before 1986.

Clean the shower heads

Turn on the shower in each of the bathrooms. Observe the water pressure as well as the temperature. If you notice that the pressure is low, try removing and cleaning the shower heads to see if the problem is resolved.

Locate the primary shut-off valve

Your water system's shut off valve is often situated under the kitchen or the bathroom sink. Find out where it is and try turning it off to check if it's in good working order. Once turned off, no water should come out from any of the faucets.

Inspect your kitchen appliances

In the kitchen, there's no shortage of safety hazards. Often, kitchen appliances are considered one of the biggest culprits. In line with this, it would be a good idea to give appliances a good once-over using a sponge. 

You can also do a thorough test run to determine any potential safety hazards caused by age, improper installation, and damage.

Clean vents and coils

While dust bunnies may seem cute, they are considered one of the most prevalent fire hazards. Vacuum and wipe down all vents and appliance coils to keep any risk of fires at bay.

Check water filters

Undoubtedly, clean drinking water is essential. Ensure the water you drink is free from pollutants, by  using a water filter for your faucets, fridge, and any source of drinking water.

Tune-up your HVAC system

Regardless if it's winter or summer, you must have your whole HVAC system inspected, tuned up, and cleaned on a routine basis. This can help ensure the air conditioner and furnace are safe and working accordingly.

Ensure circuits are not overloaded

Major appliances like refrigerators can use up a lot of energy and can trip the main breaker. If the trip occurs often, it can result in overheating and might lead to a potential fire. It is recommended that you consult an electrician, so you'll know if a dedicated circuit is needed.

Install safety latches

If you have pets or small children, it is recommended that you make sure they won't have access to dangerous household items like knives or cleaners. You can also add locks or safety latches to drawers and cupboards where hazardous items are stored.

Also, slipping in a shower or tub is another common household accident that can easily be avoided. Avoid slipping and prevent falls in your shower or tub by adding grab bars as well as non-slip decals and mats. 

Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors

It is considered ideal that kitchens should have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. It is also recommended to test both to ensure the sensors are dust-free and won't interfere with proper detection. 

It would also be best to check the batteries to see if they are still working okay. If you notice anything odd, have a professional check your sensors to know if you need to purchase new ones.

Inspect the water heater

Have a professional check your water heater regularly to ensure it is properly installed and works accordingly. At least once a year, flush the tank so you can wash away the sediments. This can also help extend your heater's life.

If you own a gas water heater, it would be best if you know how to look after the pilot light and the venting system. Ensure the water heater is always set at 120 degrees (or lower) to ensure burns are avoided.

Conclusion

Ensuring your house is a safe haven for you and your loved ones is no easy feat. Fortunately, the checklist above can help you create a robust security system that can help warrant everyone's safety and peace of mind.

Guest Contributor: Irene Trentham

Swimming Pool Leaks: Basic Guide for Pool Owners

It’s but normal for swimming pools to lose water due to evaporation.

The rate of evaporation varies according to daily temperature range, the local climate’s relative humidity, and several other factors.

If your pool is losing water solely due to evaporation, the water loss would be about two inches per week.

However, if you’re losing so much more than that within the same period, there is a possibility of a swimming pool leak, which can pose a myriad of problems.

Before you call pool leak detection services, it would be better to confirm first that there is, indeed, a leak. Another reason you’d call for services is for closing pool chemicals help and assistance.

Signs You Have A Swimming Pool Leak

Considering that even the smallest of leaks can make your pool lose hundreds upon hundreds of gallons of water each week, a massive water bill is one of the clearest indications that there’s a leak somewhere.

You can also tell that you have a swimming pool leak if there is standing water near your pool.

A puddle of water near your pool is expected during the rainy season or when someone is using it regularly.

However, when it hasn’t been raining, or no one took a dip in the pool for quite a while, standing water near the pool is a red flag. It could be a sign of an underground leak, especially if the grass around the pool feels mushy or uneven.

You might also want to check for leaks if you see cracks in and around your swimming pool.

Keep an eye on your pool’s chemical levels, too, which could suddenly drop if the pool is leaking water—and the chemicals along with it.

Keep in mind that inconsistent chemical levels also foster the growth of algae, which will turn your pool green in a short amount of time—a clear indication that there’s a pool leak somewhere.

Verifying A Swimming Pool Leak

It’s tempting to call pool professionals right away, but you have to be certain that a leak does exist before you bring in the big guns.

Two of the simplest ways of confirming if you have a swimming pool leak are the bucket test and the dye test.

The Bucket Test

Pool owners use the bucket test to determine whether normal evaporation or a pool leak is responsible for water loss. It involves the following steps:

• Fill your pool to normal levels.

• Fill a five-gallon bucket with pool water up to an inch from the top.

• Place the bucket on your pool’s second step and make sure it’s immersed in at least five inches of pool water.

• Use a tape or marker to indicate the water level inside and outside the bucket.

• Leave the bucket there for 24 hours, then check the bucket and mark the current water level both inside and outside the bucket.

If the culprit is evaporation, then the drop in water level both inside and outside the bucket should be roughly the same.

If the water level drop outside the bucket is more significant than the one inside, there is a clear likelihood of a leak.

The Dye Test

If you suspect that the leak is originating from a specific part of your pool, a dye test should be able to confirm it.

To perform a dye test properly, you need to:

• Turn off your pool’s filtration system since you need the water to be as still and calm as possible.

• Fill a plastic syringe with dye or food coloring.

• Position yourself near the area of the suspected leak, dip your syringe into the water, and release small amounts of the dye.

The idea of a dye test revolves around the fact that since it's heavier than water, the dye will make its way towards the leak faster than water can. 

If the dye does get through cracks in your pool or any other part of your swimming pool system, then you will have confirmed the existence of a swimming pool leak.

The next step would then be to call swimming pool leak detection specialists. With their experience and advanced leak detection equipment, they should be able to pinpoint the exact origin of the leak in no time at all.

Guest Contributor: Anthony Quinn

Why sewer inspection is a must before buying a new house

Getting a house inspection before buying a house has become common nowadays. This is particularly true if you are purchasing an older property and highly recommended if you want to invest in a recently built structure. The main reason for this is that you can be confident that everything is in order before signing the purchase agreement. However, most home inspections do not pay enough attention to the state the sewage system is in. For this reason, we will discuss the main reasons why sewer inspection is a must before buying a new house. 

Although there are ways you can fix leaks and smaller issues such as blocked drains, dealing with extensive, costly, and time-consuming repairs on the sewer lines a few years after you buy the property is something you want to avoid at all costs, especially when you have the means to do a thorough sewer inspection before you sign the papers. This small initial investment can potentially circumvent large and unexpected expenses down the road, making professional sewer inspection a wise investment.

How is a sewer inspection different from a home inspection?

General home inspections focus on reporting on the current state of the property, locating damages, and making notes of potential future issues with major components of your home. 

Therefore, a typical home inspection covers the overall framing of your home structures, the roof, and electrical and plumbing systems, and major appliances. As a result, you gain an insight into necessary repairs or replacements that need to be done, which can influence the final price of the property when you are negotiating with the home sellers or real estate agencies. 

At this point, you might be under the impression that a certified home inspection is more than enough of a guarantee for you to head into the purchase process. However, what many homebuyers may not be aware of is that a home inspector can detect a leaky faucet in the kitchen but can hardly gauge the underlying cause of the issue. 

A home inspection is an excellent way to locate surface issues, but not so good with assessing sewer lines.

Reasons to get sewer inspection before buying a new house?

There are two primary reasons why home inspectors overlook the sewage system. The first reason boils down to it being predominantly underground, which, naturally, makes it difficult for home inspectors to take a look. As unfortunate as this may be, there is no reason to leave such an important aspect of the property unexamined. 

The second reason behind the neglect of sewers in residential homes is that in most cases, home inspectors do not have specialized safety equipment, tools, or skills to conduct a thorough sewer inspection. Therefore, if you encounter problems after you buy your home, you should always hire a professional drain cleaning company with all of the necessary tools to fix your sewer lines. 

It is best if you do not attempt to fix drained pipes on your own. 

Having a home inspection is not a waste of money. 

This is not to say you should not have a home inspection at all. Since suburban life is a dream of many, taking all the necessary precautions to make your new home as safe as possible before you move in is a must. Furthermore, thanks to home inspections, maintaining your home in the suburbs in perfect condition is much easier than living in a residential complex where you depend on communal service inspections and other residents' behavior in the building. 

Therefore, home inspections are highly recommended because most home inspectors do have a lot of knowledge and competence when locating and assessing faults and damages inside and outside the property. In fact, a home inspector may identify which areas need a closer, more thorough inspection. 

However, while home inspectors are jacks of all trades, specific home systems are out of their area of expertise. Considering that the sewage system is a vast network of pipes and other complex structures, it is unrealistic to expect a general home inspector to locate problems in the sewer lines while only focusing on the plumbing system of the surface.

Fixing sewer lines can be extremely expensive.

If you are already set on buying a property and are getting ready to explore different options and moving services that will help you move in, you should definitely make plans for a quick sewer inspection beforehand. 

Since you probably want to move into your home without having to pay for extensive sewer line repairs a few years or months after the purchase, then a sewer inspection is the way to go - especially considering the fact they are inexpensive in comparison to potential repairs that you may have to pay for from your pocket.

A sewer inspection will locate if the underground pipes are rusty or leaky. 

Of course, the cost of sewer repairs can vary considerably, depending on the size and cause of the issue. It can amount to anywhere from a few hundred dollars to unclog a faulty or clogged sewer line or tens of thousands of dollars that will cover the expenses of excavating your backyard to locate and replace the pipe causing the problem. 

The bottom line is that a simple sewer inspection before you move in is a much less costly and nerve-wracking process than a comprehensive sewer repair. 

Final thoughts 

As a takeaway thought, be sure to carefully examine what the home inspection service you intend to hire entails. If it does not cover a sewer inspection and you have reasons to doubt the efficacy of your sewer lines, then a sewer inspection is a must before buying a new house and we recommend you do not cut corners in order to save money. A single inspection can be extremely beneficial in the long run.

 Guest Contributor: Sophia Perry

SemSem Mediterranean in Tinley Park

Do you struggle to find a delicious place locally to get good quality mediterranean food? Look no further than SemSem Mediterranean in Tinley Park! Located at 6905 159th St Tinley Park, IL 60477, this place is going to leave you wanting more. They have a variety of mediterranean food from falafel, hummus, shawarma, salads, etc. You have your choice of a base of a pita, wrap or a bowl, and a choice of protein, and then 3-5 toppings and a sauce. They offer vegetarian and vegan options as well!

People’s favorite:

• Hummus

• Tahini sauce

• Shawarma

• Falafel

“I've been to many mediterranean restaurants but this one is the best by far!! The food is excellent and the service is even better than that” -Ellis J. via Yelp.com

“Portions are great. Plenty of toppings for sure ! Excellent flavor. Excellent experience. Great Service.
Hummus is near perfect! The fresh and crunchy veggie toppings were amaaziing.” -Ozzie H. via Yelp.com

“Some of the best falafel I've had! They always make it fresh when you order so it's nice and warm. The falafel bowl is definitely a favorite! So much food, I can usually make it last for two meals Sem Sem is a must if you are in the neighborhood!” -Katie B. via Yelp.com

Photo source: Yelp.com

Let's Rave About Retro Burger In Crestwood

Retro burger, located at 13839 S Cicero Ave Crestwood, IL 60445 is our local Crestwood plumbers favorites. Known for their burgers, salads, polish, beef, chicken and hot dogs, this place is friendly and affordable, and easy to take on the run in between jobs. This place is definitely a hidden gem, don’t let the outside fool you. It is a small place, but what they have to offer is HUGE! You will not be disappointed coming here, and guaranteed you’re going to want to go back for more.

“I have yet to try a burger here, but their Chicago Dogs are absolutely perfect. Cheese fries are the "McDonald's thin-style" kind, which are very tasty and absolutely HUGE, perfect for sharing. Mozzarella sticks were solid & the marinara sauce was sooo good and came out warm.

Give this place a shot in lieu of your usual hot dog joint. It's great! I'll be back again and again.” -Nikki M. via Yelp.com

“Just devoured one of the best burgers I've ever had. Seriously, the burger patty itself I would eat cause it was that good! I will definitely be coming back to get many more!” -Young S. via Yelp.com

“What a great find! This small establishment makes some of the best burgers in the state. Don't be fooled by the small size of the restaurant. This is truly a hidden gem!” -Jeffery L. via Yelp.com

Photo source: Yelp.com

Ed n Joe's Pizzeria in Tinley Park

Located at 17332 S. Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park IL 60477, located right in Downtown Tinley Park, Ed n Joe’s is one of our local Tinley Park plumbers favorite restaurants to go after work hours! Ed n Joe’s is well known for their delicious pizzas, pasta, fresh fish, steaks, and sandwiches! They even offer gluten free pizza and pastas now! Customer service is one of their main priorities. They are also well known for live music 2 nights a week, and have a wide variety of craft beers and great wines.

Noteworthy food:

• Taco Pizza

• BBQ Chicken Pizza

“Blew into Chi-town and had a hunger for some pizza. Some local friends said try Durbins while others said try Beggars pizza. I found myself in Tinley Park and decided to try Ed and Joe's. I loved the little town street feel while walking towards Ed and Joe's. As soon as I walked through the side door I smelled that great aroma of fresh baked dough, tomatoes, and cheese. I got lucky and walked in during trivia night. A patron read out questions and players/teams wrote down their answers on a sheet of paper each containing 10 or so answers.” - D.V via Yelp.com

“My family and I have been coming here since the 80's. I happy to say that we just visited again and brought in the 4th generation of our family….As I dived into the taco pizza, I realized it hasn't changed in 30 years. It's the best taco pizza I have ever had, and I've tried it at MANY places all over the country before and no one does it like Ed and Joe's!” - J.N via Yelp.com

“One of the best places outside of the Chicago Loop, worth the stop for soft and crispy deep dish with fresh ingredients. Right on the Metra stop so quick to hop off the train and grab some delicious food with great service and friendly atmosphere!” -Thomas L. via Yelp.com

Picture source: Yelp.com & Tripadvisor.com

Happy Bites Burgers & Wings in Tinley Park

Have you ever been to Happy Bites Burgers & Wings located at 8021 183rd St. Tinley Park IL 60487? Local Tinley Park plumbers LOVE this place!! From daily specials, to gourmet burgers, sandwiches, boneless & traditional wings, chicken tenders, hotdogs, salads, soups & sides, there’s something for everybody to enjoy! Our plumbers love to sit down and eat here after a long day of jobs, it is sure to hit the spot! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars with numerous 5 star reviews complimenting their amazing customer service and delicious burgers and noteworthy wings.

Some of the burgers that are worth mentioning are:

• Nectar of the Gods

• Juicy Lucy

• The Blue Cheese Burger

“Best burgers in the Chicagoland area! You know they're made from fresh ingredients and the wings are amazing too. Try the Nectar of the gods burger which was featured on WGN TV Chicago's best. A small happy place that you keep coming back to!” -Rachel A via Yelp.com

“My husband and I wanted burgers that were not the typical drive-thru burger. This place was great. Great prices for a lot of food. Burgers were tasty and the buns held up throughout the entire. Fries and cheese curds were yummy as well. We couldn't finish all the food. Staff was super nice and friendly. Will definitely come back another time.” -Ginger Brown via Yelp.com

“Do yourself a favor and try Happy Bites. The prices are very reasonable and the food is fantastic! Most burgers lack flavor but this place hits the tastebuds in all the right places.
The fries are even extraordinary.
The service is awesome as well.” -Joan S. via Yelp.com

Picture source: yelp.com

How to Repair Home AC Freon Leak

The refrigerant flowing through the air conditioner in your HVAC system is vitally important to ensure efficient and comfortable cooling in your home. And so, there’s nothing worse than finding out that you’ve sprung a Freon leak. Therefore, before things turn for the worst, you should look out for the common signs of a home AC Freon leak, and subsequently, get help from your trusted HVAC maintenance crew to fix the leak.

Remember, you should ideally never have to refill your HVAC system’s refrigerant unless you end up with a leak. Moreover, a Freon leak can have damaging effects on your family’s health. Therefore, staying alert for the signs of a leak is essential. And so today, we’ll dive into how you can spot and repair your home AC’s Freon leak.

Dangers of a Freon Leak

If the Freon leak in your home AC goes unnoticed for a long time, your family members will end up inhaling a lot of the Freon floating around the air. Long-term exposure to large amounts of Freon can have detrimental health effects, namely due to its composition – fluorinated hydrocarbons. Furthermore, the Freon has no color nor odor, making it almost impossible to detect under normal circumstances.

Overexposure to Freon gas can cause –

• Dizziness and headaches

• Nausea and vomiting

• Breathing issues, especially in asthma patients

• A buildup of fluid and mucus in the lungs

Signs That Your Home AC is suffering from a Freon Leak

Now that you know the dangers of a Freon leak, it’d be best to know how to spot one as soon as there is a leak. Here are the signs you should be on the lookout for if you want to spot a Freon leak before things become worse for your family.

Cooling power is at an all-time low

If your HVAC system’s cooling power is lower than what you would expect it to be, the culprit is often a lack of refrigerant. Without enough refrigerant to absorb heat from the air, cooling throughout your home will be sub-par despite the highest settings on your HVAC system.

Paying more for air conditioning through electric bills

If you compare and notice that your electricity bill is much higher than the previous month without any change in HVAC operation habits, it’s likely due to your HVAC system working a lot harder than it needs to provide cooling for your home. This is a common sign that your system does not have enough refrigerant, and there’s a leak in your system.

The Indoor Unit Makes a Hissing Sound Even When It’s Not Operational

If the source of the leak is your HVAC system’s indoor air conditioning unit, you might be able to hear some hissing noises produced by the leak. Usually, a crack in the coils or a leak in the refrigerant pipe will create a hissing sound that you will notice. 

It takes longer for your home to cool down

Perhaps the vaguest but indicative signs that your HVAC system is leaking refrigerant – if it takes a lot longer than usual for your home to cool down, you probably have a leak in your HVAC system. 

How to Repair Home AC Freon Leak – DIY or HVAC Maintenance Professionals

Once you notice that you have a Freon leak, it’s time to fix the problem. Here, your options are –

• Use a Do-It-Yourself Freon Repair Kit

• Hire Local HVAC Professionals

Using the DIY Freon Repair Kit

A DIY kit is a cost-effective and straightforward way of dealing with small home AC Freon leaks. The kit usually comes with a hose, an effective sealant, and a valve.Connect the hose to the source of the leak, and run your HVAC system. From there, it will automatically suck in the sealant and seal the affected area on the pipework. However, a do-it-yourself job isn’t foolproof, and you will not be able to address more significant leaks that stem from other problems. This leaves you with the other option – hiring competent HVAC professionals.

Hire Local HVAC Professionals

The best way to ensure that your home AC Freon leak is appropriately repaired; you should hire the best local HVAC maintenance professionals. Once they’re in your home, they’ll identify the source of the leak, properly fix it, refill your refrigerant and perform tests to ensure that everything is working as expected. Due to their service quality, you can expect your Freon leak problem to go away almost immediately without any additional complications with your HVAC system. 

Conclusion

And there you have it, everything you need to know about your home AC’s Freon leak detection and repair. To keep your family safe from overexposure to Freon, be sure to keep an eye out for potential leaks if your system is quite old. Furthermore, hire the best local HVAC maintenanceprofessionals to help you fix your Freon leak. While you can deal with smaller leaks on your own using a DIY Freon leak repair kit, it’s best to leave it to the professionalswho offer AC repair services because they will run tests after they’ve fixed the issue. Click here to find HVAC companies offering AC Freon leak repair services in the Texas area.

Guest Contributor: Walter E Bennett

What Can You Power Wash Around The House?

Guest Contributor: Simpson Cleaning

Common HVAC Mistakes Most Homeowners Commit

In all likelihood, your HVAC system is the single most expensive appliance you have at home.

Considering the cost of buying, installing, and operating an HVAC system, it’s only right to make sure it lasts as long as it should.

However, many homeowners commit HVAC mistakes that not only shortens its life but affects its performance and efficiency as well.

More often than not, these errors force homeowners to call for HVAC repair services sooner than expected.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common HVAC mistakes homeowners make.

Constant Tinkering With The Settings

People have different comfort levels. One temperature setting could be cool or warm enough for one but still be too uncomfortable for another.

The result, predictably, is that anyone in the room messes with the thermostat to suit their preferences.

However, all that fiddling affects an HVAC unit’s overall performance and efficiency. HVAC settings, if anything, should be stable.

If agreeing on one thermostat setting is out of the question, you might want to consider installing a programmable thermostat.

With a smart thermostat, anyone can set their preferred temperature for a certain time of the day when they’re at home, without having to tinker with the settings constantly.

Improper Thermostat Placement

You might have a programmable thermostat, but if you placed it anywhere near air vents or a spot getting a lot of sunlight, it will inaccurate readings of the temperature and cause your HVAC to work harder without reaching a temperature that’s comfortable for everyone.

The ideal spot for thermostats is somewhere in the center of your home. Avoid installing your thermostat near your kitchen, air vents, hallways, windows, and doors, as well as areas that direct sunlight hits regularly.

Neglecting To Change Air Filters

Changing or cleaning the air filters is the simplest of all HVAC maintenance tasks.

Anyone can take the air filter out, clean it, and put it back. However, for some reason, many homeowners neglect or forget to do this part.

HVAC air filters do more than just trap and hold dust, debris, dirt, and other contaminants in the air. They also play a crucial role in protecting your HVAC system and keeping it efficient.

If you don’t change your air filters at least once a month, the accumulated dirt and debris will affect airflow, which will force your HVAC system to work harder to keep everyone comfortable. That leads to poor performance and reduced energy efficiency.

Skipping Routine HVAC Maintenance

Sometimes, homeowners decide to skip routine maintenance on their HVAC system because it seems to be working fine.

The thing is, HVAC systems need periodic care and attention to run smoothly, just like anything mechanical. HVAC condenser coils need cleaning, thermostats need calibrating, and all electrical parts need inspecting and tightening, among other things.

With regular maintenance, your HVAC system can avoid costly breakdowns, lower energy bills, and prolong its life.

Ideally, HVAC systems should undergo maintenance by professional HVAC technicians before the summer and winter months, when they see heavy use.

Holding On To Old HVAC Units

While it’s true that an HVAC unit is designed to last a long time, it’s a fact that the performance and efficiency of an old HVAC system decline over the years.

The wear and tear alone will surely affect an old HVAC unit’s operation. More often than not, an older HVAC system takes longer to heat or cool a room. Ice buildup on the evaporator coils is also common with older units. An aging HVAC unit also tends to be noisier.

Older HVAC units also have lower SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio ratings, which measures an HVAC system's efficiency. 

The higher an HVAC system’s SEER rating, the better its energy efficiency.

Newer HVAC units have much higher SEER ratings, which means you will have more energy savings than if you stick it out with your old heating and air conditioning system.

Operating an HVAC system already entails quite the expense, but committing the above mistakes can cost you even more in the long run. Avoid them as much as you can, and always make sure that you have professional HVAC technicians regularly check it out. That way, you get optimal performance and efficiency from your HVAC systems for years to come.

Guest Contributor: Sara Olsen