Happy New Year! If you’re like over half of Americans, you’ve likely already started slacking on your New Year’s Resolutions. But don’t beat yourself up over it…
Because you know what’s easier than giving up Gluten? Or training for a marathon? Or not cursing in front of the kids when you give in and let them make slime at your kitchen table?
Deflecting! Take that unnecessary pressure off of yourself and instead, focus on that home of yours. You know the one with the 15 year old boiler? Or the constant running toilet? Or the sump pump that fails over half the time? Or that bathroom right out of the early 90’s? The one adorning more brushed gold and mauve than your local thrift store.
We have put together a list of five resolutions for your home to start the new year off strong.
# 1 Keep your loved ones safe… Focus on your water heater and boiler
The only time we tend to think about our water heater is when our shower never warms up or water starts to leak out from the utility closet. With freezing temperatures and the ground temperature plummeting, the water entering your home becomes colder. This means that your water heater needs to work harder than usual. With this increased activity, underlying issues can emerge. Faulty parts, sediment build up, or a bad winter storm can wreak havoc on your home’s water heater. Your home’s water heater should be flushed out yearly to avoid build up and prevent damage.
Boilers protect your family from the winter elements and are needed to keep everything within your house at a temperature that it can function properly. But like anything, boilers can fail at the most inopportune moments due to faulty parts, pumps, or electrical components. Tragically, every year, there are injuries and deaths caused by boilers. These can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, or explosion. Boilers should be serviced on an annual basis to ensure they are safe and working at optimum efficiency.
A licensed Warrior plumber will be able to assess your home’s water heater and boiler for faults and ensure they are working properly.
# 2 Ensure your sump pump is in working condition
Maryland winters can beat up our homes with rain, ice, and snow. Flooding can become quite a problem during the winter, especially in the more vulnerable areas of your home like basements and crawlspaces. A sump pump is only activated when it is needed and is meant to pump water out of these vulnerable areas, away from your home, to avoid flooding.
Just like any other system in your home, your sump pump can develop faults. Unlike these other systems, though, it is often not obvious that your sump pump isn’t working properly until it is too late. If you have a sump pump, test it before winter storms arrive. First, be sure it has power and is turned on. Then, pour a bucket of water into it. The pump should turn on and begin to process the water, but you can shut it off and remove the water once you’re sure it’s working properly. Your sump pump should be inspected regularly to ensure it works properly when it’s needed most. Preventative sump pump maintenance allows a trusted, licensed, Warrior plumber to identify any issues before they cause any costly damage to your home.
# 3 Cut down on your water usage
Not everyone may be motivated to save the planet and conserve water, but it’s safe to presume that everyone cares about saving money. Everywhere we turn we find strong arguments and advocacy for saving as much water as we can — to conserve rather than waste. We use it without thinking, and may not realize how much of the finite resource gets used each day and how quickly a small, dripping leak in our faucet turns into a multi-gallon accumulation on our water bill.
It’s easy to scale back on how much water you use on a daily basis. Even simple adjustments such as fixing a leaky faucet or turning the water off when brushing your teeth can save as many as 3,000 gallons of water a year. You’ll start saving the planet while also saving your bank account.
# 4 Make 2020 the year you tackle the long overdue bathroom and kitchen remodel
Are you tired of not having enough counter or cabinet space? Is your tile, flooring, cabinets, or fixtures in need of an upgrade?
Warrior is known for its plumbing and heating expertise but did you know it also has decades of construction experience? With our MD Contractors License, we can manage your home improvement project start to finish, top to bottom, inside and out.
The price tag of a renovation project can certainly limit us from moving forward with our renovation plans. How can you ensure that it is the right investment for you and your home? Putting money back into your home nearly always pays off… especially when you focus on the bathrooms and kitchens. You’ll not only enjoy your new gorgeous 21st century bathroom with more storage and perfect lighting…you’ll also see that it appraises higher when you go to sell or refinance it. While every home owner should ensure that their first priority is making their home significantly sound with routine maintenance, bathroom and kitchen remodels are investments that can add to the value of a home.
# 5 Find a trusted plumber to help you tackle these resolutions
Find a trusted, licensed plumber that can help when it’s needed the most. Warrior Plumbing and Heating is a veteran, family owned and operated business serving the greater Baltimore area. We are 5th generation plumbers (and soon to be 6th) where we strive to serve each of our customers as if they were family. We are there for you 24/7 for any plumbing and heating needs. Just give us a call at 443-967-3736.
