Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical Blog

Clogged Sewer or Drain…Who’s Really to Blame?

October 4, 2024

One winter, on a Saturday night, it was my turn to cover the phones. A customer called at about 10:00 p.m. and said “everything was backed up” in his house. No matter how many times he tried to fix the problem, he couldn’t stop the downstairs shower drain from overflowing, and he needed help. When ... Clogged Sewer or Drain…Who’s Really to Blame?

Pre-Season Check-Ups: Trick? or Treat?

September 6, 2024

With Fall knocking on our doors, plenty of heating and cooling companies are offering a cheap ‘Pre-Season Check Up’. Sound great? Spooky stuff really (and just in time for Halloween). You see… not all ‘Pre-season’ or ‘Annual’ check-ups are alike. Let the buyer beware! Here’s a short True/False quiz about heating and cooling system maintenance. ... Pre-Season Check-Ups: Trick? or Treat?

Just How Much Does a Real Plumber Know?

August 5, 2024

We can do it for half the price a plumber would charge.” said an ad on the radio as I was driving to work one morning. “Half the price a plumber would charge!” I thought, “If they aren’t using plumbers, then who is doing the work? There is an old perception of the plumber being ... Just How Much Does a Real Plumber Know?

Summertime! Projects are easier…and might be a little cheaper too!

July 5, 2024

Here we are…summertime!! The summer solstice is just a memory, and (though we hate to think about it) the days have been getting shorter for a while now. There’s still plenty of time to enjoy our Great Northwest, and tackle one or two of those projects that are best done during the summer. And… at ... Summertime! Projects are easier…and might be a little cheaper too!

My Vacation Checklist

June 5, 2024

If you’re a longtime follower of Day & Nite you’ve seen this article before. We hope following our suggestions help to fortify your piece of mind while you’re enjoying your leisurely summer getaway. As summer approaches, a few folks have asked for the Vacation Checklist that we put on our website from time to time. ... My Vacation Checklist

Common Toilet Problems & Basic DIY Fixes

May 9, 2024

Toilets…everybody has one…or two…or three. That’s why I felt it was worthwhile to share some common toilet problems and fixes that depending on your skill set, tools, and confidence, you might be able to do yourself. History – There have always been problems with our toilets. More than 5,000 years ago, primitive systems in several ... Common Toilet Problems & Basic DIY Fixes

Stops and Risers: “If it ain’t broke”…Inspect it anyway!

April 9, 2024

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Those words haunted me as I viewed the photos of water cascading down the stairs and raining through the sheet rock into the lower floor of my friend’s home. A year prior, my friend bought a home and asked me what I thought about the plumbing and heating ... Stops and Risers: “If it ain’t broke”…Inspect it anyway!

P-Traps… What You Need to Know

March 4, 2024

You know what they say about P-traps…every homeowner has one…or two…or three…or more! P-traps are so common, yet so misunderstood, and so necessary. Let’s look at where they are, what they do, and how we can maintain them. Every single fixture in a plumbing system has some sort of P-trap. And even though there’s a ... P-Traps… What You Need to Know

Fall / Winter Maintenance Check List: Helpful Tips to Keep your Home and Family Safe Through the Winter

September 7, 2023

Every year I have a Fall/Winter Checklist I like to go through, to try to attend to the regular maintenance needs around my home and office. I like checklists because I really HATE spending money on things that could have been avoided. And, the older I get, the more I seem to need lists that ... Fall / Winter Maintenance Check List: Helpful Tips to Keep your Home and Family Safe Through the Winter

Are Expansion Tanks Necessary? – Ask your Water Heater

February 2, 2023

This question is asked so often the answer demands a revisit every now and then. If a water heater purchase is in your future we suggest that you read on. One of the most common questions I get from Homeowners and Property Managers is this; are those small tanks we sometimes see on top of ... Are Expansion Tanks Necessary? – Ask your Water Heater

How to Choose Your Home’s Replacement Heating System

January 5, 2023

Having worked in the Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling industry now for over 40-years, I’ve come to notice a few basic things worth considering when it’s time to choose a heating/cooling system; either initially with a new home, or as a replacement for an existing system. The most basic thing to consider is what kind of ... How to Choose Your Home’s Replacement Heating System

Wrecked by Neglect – Rental Property Maintenance

October 5, 2022

Every now and then we revisit this article about heating and cooling equipment maintenance because let’s face it, when it comes to the upkeep of a rental (and your own home), the buck stops with you! Monroe, Washington is a pretty little town in the Snohomish River Valley. A while back our company installed a ... Wrecked by Neglect – Rental Property Maintenance