5 activities to do this Labor Day weekend

Posted on September 3, 2010 by admin

Summer is just about over. At least for those of you who sent kids back to school this past week, this upcoming holiday weekend is the last hoorah before fall weather sets in and the snow hits. And although the weather isn’t an ideal start for this weekend, the reminder of the weekend promises some comfortable temperatures to enjoy the outdoors in. So what are your plans for the upcoming long weekend? Well, if you haven’t given it much thought, we thought we’d throw out a few ideas to get you started. Below are a few of our favorite things to do over Labor Day weekend.

1) Barbecues – Labor Day weekend is known to be the second largest barbecue weekend of the summer. So fire up those grills, cook up those brats and eat up!

2) Water sports – That’s right, grab those floaties, tubes, and jet skis and enjoy the water and warm weather one last time this summer.

3) Outdoor activities – From camping to hiking to picnicking, the great outdoors offers opportunities for numerous activities that don’t require tons of planning or cash.

4) Mini vacations – If your budget allows, taking a mini vacation can be the best way to enjoy this holiday weekend. Not sure where to go? Think about visiting a bed and breakfast in a neighboring city. Sightseeing and window shopping are just a few inexpensive things you can enjoy on your mini-vacay.

5) Lounging – Lets admit it: sometimes all you want to do on your day off is lounge on the couch and watch a marathon of your favorite TV show. Well you’re in luck! Labor Day weekend is known for airing an abundance of TV marathons, so kick off your shoes, cuddle up on the couch and indulge in your guilty pleasure.

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, keep in mind that Labor Day has been celebrated for over 100 years to reward the achievements of YOU – the American worker. So from everyone here at Drucks, give yourself a pat on the back for all your hard work and be sure to have a safe and relaxing holiday weekend (you’ve earned it)!

Drucks Sudden Service services northeastern Wisconsin’s Winnebago and Outagamie counties and offers complete plumbing, heating, and air conditioning and electrical services. To find out more about Drucks or what we can do for you, please visit our website: www.drucks.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Surge Protectors: protectors of your prized possessions

Posted on August 26, 2010 by admin

On Tuesday, Drucks’ master electrician, Rob Reitz, was featured on the Skip Show (WNAM 1280 AM) and discussed problems our customers have been experiencing as a result of the recent storms that battered the area. We have received numerous calls from customers the past few weeks who have experienced power outages, tripped circuits and power surges and thus we felt it would be a suitable topic for discussion. However, due to the length of the show, we weren’t able to cover as much as we hoped and therefore are using this forum to slightly expand our discussion. If you missed the radio show, feel free to listen to it here.

Did you know that power surges and spikes can occur at any time – not just during a lightning storm?  In fact, up to 25 small surges can occur each day, not to mention when the power is restored after an outage. The surges and spikes that our customers have experienced recently have been lightning related, however. And as Reitz mentioned on the Skip Show on Tuesday, these strikes do not have to be a direct hit to your home. Lightning can travel for miles once it hits the ground, causing power surges that can led to damaged electronics in your home. And with the price of some of today’s most wanted electronic gadgets, why take the chance of ruining them?

So what is the answer to protecting your home, electronic equipment and appliances? The simplest solution is surge protectors. Installing power strips with built-in surge protection can guard your computers, phones, AV equipment, video games and those expensive flat screen TVs from receiving damaging surges. Each power strip is capable of resisting up to 6,000 volts of electricity and can be purchased at virtually any hardware or electronics store for as little as $20 each.

Reitz is often surprised by how many people aren’t familiar with the benefits of even the cheapest surge protector. “Most people don’t realize that many surge protectors offer a connected equipment warranty that reimburses customers up to thousands of dollars if the protector fails” Reitz said.

Although claiming these warranties may be a hassle, they can save you money and can certainly give you peace of mind. Once the surge protector is purchased, it is important to read all of the warranty information so that you completely understand the terms of the warranty. Also, hang onto all the packaging associated with the surge protector so that if a need for the warranty arises you will have all the materials necessary to complete a claim.

What are your thoughts on surge protectors? Have it ever failed? If so, what steps did you take?

Drucks Sudden Service services northeastern Wisconsin’s Winnebago and Outagamie counties and offers complete electrical services along with its plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services. To find out more about Drucks or what we can do for you, please visit our website: www.drucks.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Not So Extreme Makeover: Drucks Edition

Posted on August 19, 2010 by admin

Ty Pennington and his brigade of blue shirts have taken over Neenah this week to build a home for a deserving family as part of the hit ABC show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and it got me thinking: why not give your home a little makeover as well?

Sure, you may not have the generous donations of numerous businesses or the hands of thousands of volunteers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spruce up your living space this very weekend! Here are just a few simple tips you can employ to give your home a little makeover of its own:

1)      Change out your light fixtures – replacing outdated or unattractive light fixtures can completely change the look of your space without having to do to much (Be aware: you may need to contact an electrician if you are unsure how to do this yourself. Even if the circuit is turned off, live wires can still harm you.)

2)      Update faucet fixtures, cabinet hardware, and switch plates – updating these accessories in your home can add a fresh, new look to any room at a reasonable price. A plumber can help you change out faucet fixtures if you are uncomfortable doing so yourself.

3)      Rearrange your furniture and add colorful throw pillows that pop to liven up your living space.

4)      Add a fresh coat of paint. This is an easy way to change up any room with very little effort.

5)      Get creative! Think of alternative uses for every day objects. For example you could use: wine glasses as candleholders, a wine rack as a hand towel holder, a pretty mug as a pencil holder, and etc. The possibilities are endless!

Changing up the scenery in your home can give it a fresh look that doesn’t necessarily have to cost you and arm and leg. You may never get a total home makeover, but there are ways to breathe new life into your home. As always, make it your own!

Drucks Sudden Service services northeastern Wisconsin’s Winnebago and Outagamie counties. Drucks is a one-stop-shop for servicing all the systems in your home or business – whether plumbing, heating, air conditioning, or electrical. Let Drucks help you with your next remodel project! For more information about Drucks or what we can do for you, please visit our website: www.drucks.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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Indoor air quality and you

Posted on August 11, 2010 by admin

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.” This is a surprising finding, especially considering people spend a majority of their time indoors.

So what kinds of pollutants are concentrated inside your home?

Things like tobacco smoke; biological agents such as animal dander, bacteria and mold; airborne particulates; volatile organic compounds like glue, solvents and cleaning agents; carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide; and pesticides could all be concentrated inside your home and harmful to you indoor air quality.

What affects do these pollutants have on you?

Pollutants in the air may affect your health. Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; headaches; dizziness; and fatigue could all occur as a result of poor indoor air quality. But because these symptoms are similar to colds and other viral diseases it may be difficult to determine if they are a direct cause of poor indoor air quality. If these symptoms seem to flare up when you enter your home from an outdoor area, it may be beneficial to have your indoor air quality checked.

How can you control your indoor air quality?

The EPA recommends three strategies to improve indoor air quality. They include:

1) Source control – limiting the pollution at the source

2) Ventilation improvements – increasing the amount of outdoor air coming indoors (some heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems do not automatically bring fresh air into your home)

3) Air cleaners – installing an air filtration system can clean the air that circulates through your home’s HVAC system

What is an air filtration system and is it right for you?

A whole house air filtration system does an amazing job and purifying the air in your home. The system installs and operates through your central heating and air conditioning system in place of your current media or furnace filter and works to neutralize odors and kill airborne germs. If you are prone to allergies and/or asthma or would just like to breathe easier, an air filtration system may be something you should research further.

Reducing air pollutants in your home does not only increase the quality of air your family breathes, but can lead to healthier living. Visit EPA’s website and check out the booklet that explains indoor air quality in much more depth: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html. And be sure check out Drucks’ website to see how we can help you with all your plumbing, HVAC and electrical needs.

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Three simple tips to maintain your cooling system

Posted on July 20, 2010 by admin

If you’re like me, you don’t think much about your air conditioner, unless, of course, it stops working. And on a hot and humid day – such as today – the last thing you want is your air conditioner to quit on you. With a hot summer like the one we’ve had, it is important to maintain your cooling system so that you avoid any unanticipated breakdowns.

What steps can you take to steer clear of such malfunctions? Well, performing simple maintenance regularly can help ensure that your unit is running at peak efficiency, help you save on energy bills and prevent the need for any costly repairs.

First off, if your unit is located on the ground, it is important to clear it from debris on a regular basis. Debris, such as plants and leaves, can impede air flow and cause your unit to work overtime. To clear debris, simply use a garden hose to carefully rinse dirt and debris off of the unit’s grill. Doing this monthly can prevent potential breakdowns from occurring.

The second and least expensive thing you can do to maintain your cooling system is changing its filter regularly. A dirty filter not only increases your cooling costs, but also can damage your equipment, which can lead to unit failure.  If remembering to change your filter monthly is a hassle, employ this simple trick: change your filter every month when you receive your energy bill. Also, buy filters 12 at a time so you are sure to have them on hand when you need them. If you are uncertain on how to change your filter, have a technician show you at your next appointment or give your local air conditioning contractor a call and they can walk you through it.

The final and most important thing you can do to maintain your air conditioning unit (or furnace for that matter) is scheduling a yearly tune-up – a maintenance activity that is best left to the professionals. Scheduling your tune-up before the peak of the summer season hits can help avoid breakdowns when you need your system the most. It is important to keep in mind that when the temperature rises, most air conditioning contractors are their busiest, so schedule accordingly. Regular scheduled maintenance is beneficial to you and your equipment because it ensures your unit is running at optimum efficiency which leads to a decrease in your energy bills. It also reduces the chance that a breakdown will occur.

Performing simple maintenance on your cooling system, such as the aforementioned tips, can save you time and money, but most importantly – help you sweat less!

Drucks Sudden Service services northeastern Wisconsin’s Winnebago and Outagamie counties. For more information, please visit our website: www.drucks.com and be sure to check out our monthly web special – this month we are offering $15 off a precision AC tune-up!

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Sump pumps: your basement’s savior

Posted on July 15, 2010 by admin

Well, it has been a busy day here at Drucks. The storms that rolled through the Fox Cities last night have sure put our plumbers to work, but they also have reminded of us of the importance of a properly working sump pump.

As many of you probably know, having a sump pump in your basement is the best defense against flooding. When the unit fails, flooding is inevitable. And unfortunately even a few inches of water can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Checking your sump pump occasionally can help ensure that it is functioning properly and save you from costly repairs.

How can you tell if you sump pump is working correctly? A few simple steps can be taken to test the functionality of your pump. Begin by removing the cover and gradually pour water into the tank. This should make the float rise, which will activate the pump. Once the pump starts, the water level in the sump tank should decrease and the float should then deactivate the pump. The successful completion of this cycle will indicate that it your pump is working correctly.

If this cycle doesn’t occur properly, you may need to investigate further. Most sump pump problems are a result of the faulty float. The problem could be as simple as the float being caught on something, which is causing your pump to not work properly. Moving the pump slightly may fix this issue, but if that does not do the trick, the float may need replacing. Also, if the pump continues to run after the water has all been drained – a new float may be needed.

Of course other issues may cause the pump to stop working, but getting your sump pump inspected yearly can ease your worry of failure.

If you live in an area where heavy rains are common, it may be beneficial to install a back up sump pump to help avoid potential flooding. If your main operational sump pump fails, a back up pump can automatically start up pump water away from you home.

A sump pump is a small investment that can save you big money. Maintaining it is as important as maintaining any other system in your home.

Drucks Sudden Service services northeastern Wisconsin’s Winnebago and Outagamie counties. For more information, please visit our website: www.drucks.com. Also, you can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/drucks and follow us on twitter @DrucksUncleTom.

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Welcome!

Posted on July 15, 2010 by admin

Welcome to our blog! We have designed this blog to educate homeowners about the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems in their homes. Drucks developed this blog for anyone interested in learning more about maintaining their current systems, but also to share tips for a wide array of other household projects and interests.

As a contracting company, we understand that our customers are not interested in hearing about the latest equipment available or other technical jargon; instead, we understand that you are more interested in learning preventative measures that can help you save money and worry less. It is because of this understanding that we plan to only share topics that will be of interest to you. We’ll explore ways in which you can make subtle energy efficient changes in your home. We’ll discuss the complexities of tax credits and focus on energy rebates. We’ll guide you through step-by-step instructions for performing simple maintenance to your home’s systems that will increase their life expectancy and ultimately save you money. And of course, we plan to keep the blog fun as well by sharing the occasional recipe or family activity we think you might enjoy. Overall, we hope to share topics that we find interesting and think you will benefit from as well.

As always, we welcome your comments, questions or concerns. We’d love to hear from you and continually keep the conversation going. We hope to learn more about you and continue to build a strong relationship. And remember, we are just a call, email or tweet away!

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