Put Safety First With Professional Water Heater Flushing

A person uses a screwdriver to repair or maintain the bottom panel of a water heater, exposing insulation inside. Various pipes and tools are visible nearby.

If a hot shower is one of your top morning priorities, then scheduling an appointment to have your water heater flushed should be on your to-do list. Proper water heater maintenance, including periodic flushing, can help keep your appliance in good working order. When you leave this job to the pros, you can trust that […]

Can a Water Heater Freeze in Cold Weather?

Row of colorful houses with snow-covered roofs and yards behind a white picket fence during a snowfall. Bare trees and a cloudy sky create a wintery suburban scene.

Winters in Illinois are often brutal, and all that cold can pose a serious risk to your home’s plumbing. If the power were ever to go out and prevent your heating system from running, your home could quickly get cold enough that your pipes could start to freeze. Even if your heating system is working, […]

Learning How Your Boiler Works

A modern wall-mounted gas boiler with a digital display and control knobs, installed against a plain blue wall, with pipes connected at the bottom.

The major purpose of all boilers is to transfer heat into the water. These systems essentially heat the water itself or produce steam that can then be used to warm up the home or business. Some combination systems can even produce both home heating and hot water. The specifics of how your boiler works depend […]

How to Become a Licensed Plumber

A plumber wearing a blue shirt, jeans, and cap kneels on a kitchen floor while repairing pipes under a sink. Plumbing tool bags are nearby, filled with various tools.

3 Steps to Becoming a Licensed Plumber Obtain your high school diploma or GED Get into a plumbing apprenticeship Become a licensed plumber Sounds easy, right? Not so fast. Each of the steps listed above takes a lot of work to complete. Step One: Finish High School or Get GED While the trade of plumbing […]

Company Is Coming…How Is Your Plumbing?

A man talking on the phone examines the inside of a toilet tank in a bathroom, lifting the lid while appearing concerned.

Thanksgiving entertaining is stressful. Add a plumbing problem and you’ve got a recipe for disaster! Use the tips below to make sure a plumbing problem doesn’t become an unwanted guest. In the Kitchen – Drains Thanksgiving means a lot of cooking, which can also lead to a lot of clogged drains. The easiest way to […]

Frozen Pipe Burst – What Now?

A burst copper pipe with water spraying forcefully from a crack, set against a blurred brown background.

Ah, ice. One of nature’s wonders. The transformation of a liquid into a solid. It can make everything around you look so peaceful and beautiful. That is until you go to start your icy day with a nice hot shower and there’s no water. It’s official. You have frozen pipes. Now what? How to Tell […]

Springtime Sump Pump Maintenance Tips

A sump pump system installed in a basement floor, showing pipes, cables, and a control box connected to the sump pit, with water at the bottom and some debris visible around the edge.

Spring is Here! Meteorological spring starts March 1st each year. This data is used by meteorologists and climatologists to mark the beginning of the spring season. Meteorological spring lasts for three months including March, April, and May. Although astronomical spring starts later in the month (March 20th at 11:33 am to be exact). Now is […]

What You Can and Can’t Flush Down the Toilet

Close-up of a white toilet being flushed, with water swirling rapidly inside the bowl and splashing against the sides. Marble-patterned flooring is partially visible around the toilet.

When it comes to worry-free flushing, stick to the 3 Ps: Pee Poop (Toilet) Paper Luckily, it’s a short list so it’s easy to remember. Unfortunately, too many are tempted to use their toilet as a trashcan which will lead to a nasty backup (it’s not a matter of if, but when!) Items frequently flushed […]

Gas Leaks – Signs and What to Do

A yellow label reading Gas is wrapped around a vertical grey pipe, which is mounted in front of a brown brick wall.

According to the American Gas Association, over 73 million residential, commercial, and industrial premises in the United States use natural gas. It is highly flammable, and gas leaks increase the risk of fire and explosion. When installed and used correctly, natural gas is safe and convenient. Unfortunately, gas leaks can occur and lead to physical […]