As you prepare for all the winter festivities, the inviting atmosphere of a fireplace can make these events more special. However, there are 5 signs of trouble you should look for before lighting your fireplace. 1. Firebox Cracks. The firebox is the area where all the magic happens in a fireplace. It is the area […]
Fires related to heating equipment are the leading cause of house fires in the United States of America. 19% of deaths in homes are caused by heating equipment. Deaths related to heating are from fires, gas leaks, unsafe fireplaces, old and/or non-working smoke & carbon monoxide alarms, and improperly placed space heaters. Our best bet
The cost of a new roof in Texas ranges between $4,000 and $45,000. When buying a new roof there are different materials, colors and styles to consider. Some companies offer 25, 35, and now even 50 year shingles. As you might expect, the longer life shingles are a higher price. In the Houston Metropolitan Area,
There is nothing more refreshing than swimming in clean, cool pool water. What most people don’t know is that electrically charged swimming pools, spas, and boat docks kill people every year due to lack of maintenance. Electrical Shock Drowning (ESD ) happens when an electrical ground fault leaks into water. Electrical currents as low as
While most of us love the inviting atmosphere of a fireplace, lighting it could put you and your loved ones in danger. There are 3 things you should do first. 1. Seal Firebox Cracks. The firebox is the area where all the magic happens in a fireplace. It is the area with the most intense
Heating your home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system in winter – about 29% of your utility bill. The whole-house approach to heating is the most efficient as opposed to heating individual rooms. Modern systems can achieve 98.5% efficiency. To help them be that efficient, there are several things you
One of the most common defects we see is the lack of bonding gas equipment to the house grounding system. Bonding simply means that a bond wire is attached to the gas pipes near the equipment and to the house grounding system. Lack of bonding exposes your house to a fire hazard. What is it?
In Texas, spring is a few short weeks before summer. In preparation for the demand on your air conditioner, now is the time to clean. You should also call a licensed HVAC professional. Many companies run a special in April and are slammed with business by May. Now is the best time to act. Even
Did you know that dirty exhaust fans and clothes dryer vents cause death and destruction every year? Yearly to bi-annual cleaning can prevent this devastation and loss of life. Lint build-up is often the culprit in both scenarios. It is composed primarily of towel and toilet paper fluff in bathrooms. This easy-to-ignite fuel source spreads
If galvanized pipes are such a problem, why was it made? Galvanizing steel protects it from the elements and makes it more durable. To galvanize, the steel is dipped into zinc to protect it against corrosion. However, problems come with age. While galvanized water distribution pipes last approximately 50 years, once the zinc coating wears
