This time of year, when temperatures drop and the cold wind blows, everyone, and I mean everyone, seeks shelter. Rats and other critters are no exception. They don’t need an invitation. They just think your casa is their casa, and they’re happy to move in and help themselves to dinner at your expense. Heck, you … Continued

Since we’ve already seen some extreme temperatures and snow this year…and during some recent Februarys as well… I think it makes sense to revisit some things that can usually help you deal with frigid winter temperatures. A ‘cold snap’ in the Pacific NW is when it gets below freezing not just at night, but during … Continued

Last month’s article was mainly about temperature and pressure relief valves that have been required on water heaters starting in 1910, and as a result I was asked if the explosions that used to happen ever still happen. Absolutely! An explosion caused by a capped or bad T&P valve seems to happen here in Washington … Continued

Last month we began to talk about how tank-style storage water heaters have evolved into the devices we see today, and we’ll continue that here. We started by looking at the expansion tanks that are required on any closed water system, because there is so much interest in those little tanks and why they are … Continued

“Once Upon a Time…water heaters, all water heaters, used to last at least a dozen years, and often even twice that. And we never, ever use to see things like those little expansion tanks, earthquake straps, pans, or stands on water heaters. What happened? Why have these things changed? Is it just more code bureaucracy? … Continued