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When I remodeled my kitchen, I was drawn to the white cabinet look. Super sleek, classy and modern. I was so sick of the country, oak cabinets. I not only wanted white cabinets; they had to be white, shaker cabinets. I was so excited to have the latest style out there and couldn’t wait until they were here.
Once my kitchen was transformed into a beautiful, picture-perfect kitchen that you would only see in magazines, I started to notice things. I suddenly realized that white cabinets only look great when they are brand new and not in use. I heavily use my kitchen and understood that having white cabinets are hard to keep “white”. They show every smear, stain, blemish…you name it. Also, because I had to have the shaker-style cabinets, there is an indentation around the cabinet door. This indentation is hard to clean and collects dirt and debris. I was constantly scrubbing and cleaning the cabinets to keep them as white as I could. If I hardly used my kitchen, then yes, white cabinets are great because they would hardly ever get dirty. The next time I redo my kitchen I am going to choose a darker stain cabinet so I will not have to go through all of this again. For those you still want to do white cabinets; go for it! This is just my personal opinion on them.
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As the weather gets warmer, now is the time to get your air conditioner serviced before it goes out. We all know what it feels like when it’s 200 degrees out and the AC is blowing out hot air. Here are some tips to make sure your AC is working properly.
When was the last time you replaced your filter? You should replace it every 1-3 months depending on how much you run your air conditioner and based on your allergies. We often forget to replace it on a regular basis so by the time we do, it is so thick with dust that there is little airflow. Another way to check your AC is to set it at a lower temperature, then come back in a few hours. Check the thermostat to see if the temperature matches. If the house feels cold, but it shows a high temp, you may just need a new thermostat. If it still feels warm, you will want to check the vent and feel the air. Is the air cool or warm? If the air is warm, then you may need to add more freon to your unit or the condenser is going out. If the air is cool, there may be windows or doors that are open or have cracks/spaces where the cold air is escaping. Check all around the doors and windows to make sure there aren’t any gaps. If you find any holes, you will want to make sure to fill them. If you run your AC and notice weird noises or smells, this would also be an easy sign that something is wrong with the unit. There might be something loose or stuck, so I would advise to turn off the unit so you do not cause further damage to it. Whatever the issue is, we can come out and test your unit to see why it is not working properly. We can make sure the unit is also the correct size for your house. I once lived in a rental house where the AC unit was too small. This caused the unit to run constantly and not cool the house down. It also was a huge electric bill too. Having the correct size unit will save you money in the long run. We can also replace existing AC units or install brand new ones. Give us a call and we can come out, and take a look for you. Living in a house, you will eventually need to replace the water heater. The question is…when? Most of the time we replace it when there is a major issue which causes an urgency, and in some cases, an emergency. Here are some signs that your tank-type water heater is about to go out and needs to be replaced.
How old is it? Typically, tank-type water heaters last about 6-10 years in Arizona, depending on how well you take care of it. If your water heater is on the older side and you don’t regularly flush it out or do maintenance on it, it should be replaced soon. Is it leaking? This is a tell-tale sign that you need to replace you water heater. If it is leaking from a connector, it might just need to be tightened or resoldered. If the water heater, itself, is leaking, then yes, you need to replace it as quickly as possible, or it could cause water damage to its surroundings. When you turn the water on, is it cloudy, rusty, or smell weird? Cloudy water could be a sign that your water heater has a buildup of mineral deposits, which can clog the flow or damage the system. Rusty water could be a sign of rusty pipes or that the water heater is breaking down on the inside and rusting out. This will lead to the water heater leaking. If your water starts to smell weird, that could be bacteria growth inside the heater, which might be a sign that your anode rod is failing. Do you seem to run out of hot water more than normal? This could be a result of a few different issues. There could be an electrical problem, an anode rod is broken, or there is too much sediment in the heater. We can come out and test the water heater and see if an electrical component is faulty or an anode rod is bad. These can be replaced and is cheaper than replacing the entire heater. If there is too much sediment in the heater, you could try and flush it out, though if you’ve never done that before and your heater is more than 2 years old, flushing it out may cause more damage than good at that point. Is the water temperature varying in degrees? This is a sign that your water heater is about to go out sooner than later. Hopefully, it’s just the anode rod that needs to be replaced but it is a good idea to call us to schedule Craig to come out to take a look. You should make plans on replacing the water heater before it goes out completely. Do you hear strange noises coming from the water heater? Strange noises are never a good thing, especially from your water heater. If you hear loud cracks bangs, gurgles, or whining, it could be caused by burning sediments or scale or the anode rod is failing. If you hear loud boiling noises, it could be an intense heating or pressure buildup. Whatever the issue is, we can always come out and look at your water heater. Hopefully, its just an easy fix (ie: replace an electrical component or anode rod). If you need to replace the water heater, we can also see if the heater is still under warranty. That would save you money too. When starting a remodel project, selecting new plumbing fixtures can be overwhelming with all the varied options. It'd probably not wise to go for the cheapest nor the most expensive.
I personally advise people to stick with the name brands that are most popular, such as, but not limited to Delta, Moen, or American Standard. This will make it easier to obtain replacement parts if something were to malfunction later on. These companies usually have a limited lifetime manufacturer warranty and have great customer service. From previous experience, trying to hunt down an unknown brand is much more difficult, and can lead to having to replace the entire fixture instead of a single part. There are many finish options now. Each brand has their own colors and most of the time, they do not match other companies' colors. So, if you decide you want something non-traditional, such as rose gold or copper, you will need to get an entire set to match your bathroom or kitchen at one time. By going with a non-traditional color, you are also taking a risk that the company may discontinue that finish and it will be hard to find a replacement later on. Lastly, when you are choosing new fixtures, think about the future of your place. Are you planning on staying forever or maybe just for a few years and then move on to something else? If you are planning on this becoming your forever home, then choose what you want and love! If you are planning on this being an investment, then stick to the more traditional style of fixtures that most people are comfortable with. Whatever you decide to do, we can help you with what you want. Annette can pull up different designs and colors for you and our technicians can install it for you! Whether it’s to change out a fixture or to repair a leak, there are a few ways to turn off the water to the house.
Exceptions: There are exceptions for when the shut-off valve does not work. If there is a leak at the toilet, faucet, or water heater but its before the shut-off valve, then you would need to turn off the water at the water main instead. If you live in an apartment, you will want to ask your property manager where your shut-off water valve is located just in case you need to use it. Each apartment unit may have one separately or there might just be one for the entire building. If the water valves have not been turned in quite a while or are very old, they might be frozen. This makes them not turn easily and can result in breaking them if you turn too hard. You will want to have them replaced so when you actually need to turn off the water, you will be able to. If all else fails, you can turn off the water at the water meter. When you remove the cover, you will see a knob. You will need a wrench or a tool to turn it off, and usually, you will want to call your water company to turn that off for you. If you mess with the water meter and you cause damage to it, the city will hold you liable and hand you the bill for the repairs. We can always come out and check all your shut-off valves in your house to make sure they are all in proper working order, and can replace any that are frozen. Please give us a call and we will set up an appointment. Living in a house, at some point you will want to remodel it. The question is…what kind of remodel should you do, and how will it affect your home’s value?
Being a homeowner, your home is not just a place to live, but also an investment. You may decide to live in it the rest of your life or just a few years before moving on. Either or, you will want to remodel something to suit your personality. The major remodels are the kitchen and bathroom. These things can either increase or decrease the value of your home. Kitchen Remodels: Turning an old, outdated kitchen into a modern centerpiece is ideal for your home. Great tips would be to remove walls to open the kitchen up, add an island, remove the kitchen soffit, and raise the ceiling. The options are endless. You will want to make sure your kitchen still flows. The dishwasher is better next to the sink rather than behind or on another wall. Another thing to consider is the “Kitchen Triangle”. This idea is to keep your 3 main areas in a triangle: the sink, refrigerator, and the stove. This keeps the flow in motion and makes the kitchen more pleasing to the eye as well. Bathroom Remodels: This one is up to great debate. The most common bathroom remodel is whether to convert the tub/shower combo into a walk-in shower or keep as is. Looking at an investment, a full bathroom with tub and shower is more of a value than a ¾ bathroom with just a shower. It is always preferred to keep at least 1 full bathroom in your home. Tubs are becoming an outdated necessity. As you get older, it can even become a slip hazard. Usually, people will keep the tub in the spare bathroom, but delete it in the master bathroom instead. Keeping the tub in the spare bathroom will allow people to still have a tub to use. This is ideal for families with small children or pets. This will also help keep the value of your home when it is time to sell it. These are just some ideas to consider when remodeling your home. Honestly, in my opinion, if you plan on staying in your home for many years, then do what you want because you will be living in it. You might as well have what you want. If you plan on just living in the house for a few years before selling it, then you may want to stick to key reselling ideas when it comes to remodeling. That way you get the best price when you want to resell the home. Whatever you plan on doing, we can help you from start to finish. Just give us a call and we can begin! Now is the perfect time to remodel so it will be done just in time for summer! Bidets are becoming very popular in the US recently, and here are some key points that you may want to consider before you invest in one.
Price Point: Bidets can range in price depending on the brand and functionality. Brands like Toto, will be a higher price but of trusted quality. Ones that you find on Amazon can be less expensive, but you will want to research them to see if their quality is acceptable for the lesser price. Toilet: Are you wanting to get a new toilet to go with your bidet or just get the bidet seat attachment? If you are trying to save money, buying the bidet attachment is the more prudent way to go. This can be a problem, though, if you have a comfort-height toilet already. By adding the bidet seat, this will make the height even taller. For shorter people, this can be an issue and you may find your feet dangling while you sit on the seat. It is recommended to use the bidet seat attachment on a standard height toilet. When selecting out the bidet seat, keep in mind the dimensions and how tall the seat is by itself. Then you can measure the toilet bowl from the ground up and see where the new height will be. Electricity: Most bidet seats or attachments need a source of electricity. This can be an issue because most bathrooms do not have a plug that is near the toilet. Usually the closet plug is near the vanity. You would not want to run an extension cord every time you need to use the bidet. There are some bidets that don't need electricity, but they only squirt the water at you, and it is usually cold. Electricity allows the water to heat up and have a fan to blow-dry you off. You can always hire us to add an outlet near your toilet so it can be plugged in. Bottom Line: Make sure you do your research first on whether it is cost effective to buy a bidet or not, and what option best fits your needs. If you need help installing one, or we can assist you in any way, please reach out to us and we can help you. I hope everyone had a safe New Year’s Eve. As we enter a new year, does everyone have their 2024’s resolutions yet? The common ones are working out, eating better, working towards a financial goal or improving a relationship with someone, but does anyone remember to also do a new year's resolution for your home? What goals or improvements are you wanting to do? It can be something super simple like change out a faucet or light, or it can be more extreme, such as a remodel or add-on. For me, I want to update my kitchen and install new vinyl plank flooring throughout my house. This will take some planning and money saving, but it needs to be done and it’s long overdue. I think we neglect home improvements because we don’t have the time, the money, or we're just lazy. Making a list of things that need to be updated in your home is a great start. Once you have a list, you can prioritize and see which ones are easier to do first. It will give you a sense of accomplishment as you cross things off your list for this year. Whatever your new year resolution is for your home, big or small, we can help you make it happen this year. Just give us a call and we can put it on our schedule! From all of us at Qualtire, we wish you a wonderful New Year filled with happiness and great fortune.  When it comes to plungers, everyone has them in their homes. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. When you think of a plunger, it usually has a wooden handle with a red rubber suction cup.
What people don’t know is that there is a difference between the shape and size of the plunger. The plunger that everyone thinks about (wooden handle with a rubber suction cup) is for sinks and not for the toilet. The correct toilet plunger has a slightly different head; the cup has a narrow mouth which fits into the toilet hole. Plungers only unclog small stoppages unfortunately. For larger mainline stoppages, you will need to call your trusted plumber to unclog that stoppage. As we enter the fall season and the weather gets cooler, this would be a great opportunity to make sure your water pipes are properly insulated. In Arizona, it can get surprisingly cold during the winter months, and we want you to be prepared. We do get calls each winter from people whose pipes ended up bursting because they froze the night before.
First, you want to locate your exterior water pipes and see where they are at. Some may be located on the roof and some along the walls. If they are already insulated, you will want to check to see what condition the insulation is in? Being in Arizona, the sun can damage the insulation and cause it to warp or become brittle. Make sure you squeeze the insulation and if you hear cracks, see anything that flakes off, or feel it break, then I would advise to update it. If they are not insulated, you will want to grab some pipe insulation from the store and fit it around the pipes. Making sure it properly fits allows the pipes to be fully protected. It is easy to add or repair insulation, but we can always come out and inspect it for you. Many people forget to check their pipes because we do live in Arizona where it remains boiling hot most of the year. We would rather help protect your pipes now and save you money. Don’t hesitate to call us today and schedule a technician to come out! |
AuthorAndrew is the son of the owners. He has worked for them throughout his life starting at the age of 14 as a laborer. He now manages the website and blog. Archives
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