The King of the Castle Deserves a New Royal Throne This Year!

It can be challenging to find a great gift for Dad on Father’s Day. After, what can one get for the man who has everything? Well, there is one thing just about every dad is sure to appreciate – a new and improved replacement for that shabby old commode. The right throne can transform any bathroom into a fortress of blissful solitude. 

But the benefits of a toilet upgrade go beyond mere comfort – though that is an important factor. Older toilets are more prone to clogging, leaks, and other issues. And many new models come with a variety of great features to help conserve water and make cleaning easier, on top of adding convenience and comfort. Keep reading and learn how to find the perfect new toilet for Dad.

How To Tell Dad Needs a New Toilet

The most obvious sign that Dad’s toilet needs replacing is if it frequently needs repairing. Before long, the cost of continual repairs will exceed the price of a whole new toilet. If the toilet leaks, particularly around the base, or any visible cracks in the tank or bowl, it’s probably time for a replacement. 

A toilet that moves around or rocks back and forth may need to have its floor bolts retightened, but it may also be that the floor itself has been damaged or rotted by a hidden leak. And even if the toilet seems to work fine, it may simply be outdated. Some older toilets use as much as 3.5 or even 7 gallons of water per flush, compared with the standard 1.6 gallons of today’s toilets. The flush rate is often stamped on the toilet with the manufacturer’s name – if it’s higher than 1.6, it’s time for an update.

The Many Types of Toilets

The available options for new toilets can be a little overwhelming. But on the bright side, the vast range of choices means that there’s a throne for every dad! There are water-saving toilets that can use even less than 1.6 gallons per flush, and most of these are virtually clog-proof. Dual-flush toilets are becoming more and more popular. These give the option of using a full flush for solid waste or a half-flush for liquid waste.

Whether it’s standard white or black, one-piece, two-piece, or wall-mounted, gravity-flush, or pressure-assisted – there are models to fit every style and space. Some modern toilets have a built-in bidet or even a seat warmer, which are perfect for those dads who take their hygiene and comfort very seriously. For some, even just switching out that old, cramped, circular bowl for a more spacious elongated toilet bowl design is luxury enough.

The Importance of Measuring Before Buying

Of course, once the perfect throne is selected, it’s crucial to make sure it will actually fit in the bathroom and line up with the drain pipe correctly. Fortunately, taking the proper measurements is fairly easy. There are four key measurements to take – height, depth, width, and “rough-in” distance.

The height measurement (from the floor to the top of the tank) will ensure the new toilet will fit under any shelves or cabinets. The depth (from the back of the tank to the front edge of the bowl) is to make sure the toilet won’t protrude too far and crowd the bathroom. The width (one side of the tank to the other) is usually not an issue, but it’s best to be on the safe side. And the rough-in measurement (from the wall behind the toilet to the center of the rear-most floor bolt covers) ensures that the toilet will line up properly over the floor drain.

When in doubt, it’s best to have a professional plumber take the necessary measurements – and install the new toilet!

About Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC

The friendly experts at Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC have proudly served Santa Fe, New Mexico, since 2010. Their courteous, licensed technicians always arrive promptly and provide up-front, tailored solutions before any work begins. Daniels offers 24/7 emergency service and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call now for bathroom plumbing service!

Why Are Air Conditioners So Cool?

People often take things like our air conditioning for granted. Those who live in hot climates rely on their AC systems for comfort during the summer months. Understanding the AC unit within the home can help homeowners to make informed decisions about their systems. Understanding the parts of a unit and how they work can also save the homeowner money in the long run.

The Main Parts of an Air Conditioner

Air conditioners can be daunting. While they do require a professional for repair, the basic anatomy and function can be understood by most homeowners. There are three major components of an air conditioning unit: the coils, the compressor, and the refrigerant lines. 

• Coils: Two coils help an air conditioner to function. One is the evaporator coil, which helps draw in heat from the home. The other is the condenser coil, which helps to release the heat outside of the home. One of the most common air conditioning issues is a blockage in one of these coils.
• Compressor: The coolant that cycles through the unit is converted from a liquid to a gas by the compressor. Issues with this component can result in expensive repairs or even a replacement of the whole system.
• Refrigerant lines: The refrigerant is responsible for transferring heat from the home to the outside. The lines that cycle through are what make the cooling process possible.

How Do AC Units Work?

Rather than create cold air inside the home, air conditioners remove heat and transfer it outdoors. This transfer takes place with the refrigerant contained inside the coils explained above. First, the refrigerant absorbs the heat through the evaporator coils. As the heat is absorbed, the refrigerant transforms from a liquid to a gas and travels to the compressor. 

It is in the compressor where the refrigerant gets hot and travels outside. The outside air sucks the heat out of the refrigerant, which changes it back into a liquid. Meanwhile, the cold refrigerant moves into the home to repeat the process. This continues until the thermostat of the home signals the unit to turn off. 

Call a Professional

While some may think an AC unit is easy to understand and repair themselves, homeowners should trust a professional with it. Proper installation can determine whether the system will be operational and last as long as it should. It is also important to recognize that professionals are needed for all repairs to the system or unit. Attempting to “DIY” an air conditioning repair can result in even larger issues and higher repair costs. 

But even if there is no new unit or an issue that needs repair, it is important to have regular professional maintenance done. A professional can ensure the system is running efficiently, checking the wires, filters, and vents to ensure they are all working. Yearly check-ups can also extend the lifespan of This routine maintenance can even result in lower energy costs. 

About Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC

Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC is a reputable company that services the Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico areas. They offer personalized services for any budget, and their technicians are equipped to handle both individual home systems and commercial properties. Call them for AC service! 

Homeowners Should Add Drain Cleaning To Their Spring Cleaning Checklist!

Spring is a time for deep cleaning the home. However, one area still seems to get neglected regardless of the time of year, and that’s the home’s drains. Professional drain cleaning is one of the best things a homeowner can do for their home, and spring is the best time to have it done.

Below is more information on why professional drain cleaning is important and what homeowners can do to keep their homes cleaner longer.

Why Professional Drain Cleaning Is Important

It is hard enough to get homeowners to stick to a regular maintenance schedule, but a regular drain cleaning schedule as well? The truth is, professional drain cleaning is probably more important than regular professional maintenance. See, when homeowners have their drains professionally cleaned at least once a year, it provides many benefits.

It is within these benefits that the importance of professional drain cleaning becomes apparent:

• Fewer clogs
• Faster drains
• Fewer repairs
• More efficient plumbing
• Decreased monthly bill costs
• Longer lasting system
• Better smelling drains

Without professional drain cleaning, the world would have to replace their plumbing systems a lot more. That said, one professional drain cleaning in the spring can prepare the entire home for the year to come.

Professional Drain Cleaning Methods

Watching a professional clean the drains in a home can seem intimidating at first, mainly because of some of the tools plumbers have to use to get the job done. However, with these tools, plumbers use their expertise to ensure that the drain stays clean for many, many months.

First, the professional will do a video camera inspection. This will show the professional exactly what the interior of the pipes looks like without the need to tear up the yard. The video camera inspection also shows if there are any blocked areas or areas with leaks. Then, the professional can take either an electric-powered snake tool or a hydro-jetting service to clean the drains properly.

How To Keep Drains Clean Between Appointments

Maintaining clean drains between appointments doesn’t have to be hard. Here are a few things that every homeowner can do to help keep the drains cleaner, longer:

• Flush often
• Watch what gets flushed
• Pour baking soda and apple cider vinegar down the drain

Cleaning the drains with baking soda and apple cider vinegar will remove anything that remotely looks like a clog. However, if there are actual clogs in the system, this method might not be as effective.

Daniels Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning, LLC Keeps Families Safe

Santa Fe, NM residents can count on Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC to get their plumbing system as good as new. They are the plumbing and HVAC experts that have served this tight-knit community since 2010. Whatever the problem is, they make sure their customers have a proper solution on time. Call today to schedule drain cleaning services!

Reward Yourself With a New HVAC System This Year!

HVAC systems provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services to control internal temperatures in residential and commercial buildings. These systems are considered worthwhile investments and have a relatively long service life of about 10 to 15 years. However, due to several factors such as frequent usage, improper installation, and poor maintenance, HVAC systems can break down unexpectedly, hence requiring replacement.

When To Replace an Existing HVAC System

An existing HVAC system that is older than 10 years will begin to break down gradually, consequently needing repairs. It is advisable that after 10 years, homeowners should consider replacing their HVAC system with newer and more efficient technologies. Other factors indicating the need for HVAC replacement include unusual noises and smells from the air vents, poor air quality, and a rise in energy bills.

Factors To Consider When Replacing an HVAC System

When replacing an HVAC system, sizing is one of the key factors that need to be considered beforehand. The first step in sizing an HVAC system is identifying the energy needs and requirements of the building.

The heating load refers to the amount of heating or cooling that a specific building needs. On the other hand, heating capacity is the level of heating or cooling that an HVAC system can provide. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the HVAC systems’ heating capacity meets the heating load of a specific building.

Sizing ensures that the HVAC system of choice will fit correctly, considering the size of the building, climate of the area, the number of occupants, the positioning of windows, among other considerations. If the HVAC system is too small, it risks facing certain difficulties in controlling temperatures in the building.

An HVAC system that is too big is more prone to wear and tear and will need constant repairs. Homeowners can establish their HVAC systems’ size and energy by determining the energy levels needed in the building.

However, several factors other than size and energy consumption may affect the efficiency of an HVAC system. It is recommended to have professionals take measurements of the building to design an HVAC system that is efficient and guaranteed to have a longer service life.

The Importance of Proper Maintenance of HVAC Systems

Once the right HVAC system has been installed, regular and proper maintenance is necessary to ensure the device is running in good condition. Proper maintenance helps save money that would have been spent on repairs or getting a replacement.

Homeowners are advised to schedule regular HVAC maintenance and evaluations, preferably annually. These checkups help determine the current condition and efficiency of the HVAC system. For best results, homeowners can also take steps to change and clean dirty air filters, drain lines, and condensers, preferably once a month.

Alternatively, homeowners may consider investing in smart AC controllers to access information on the usage history and receive alerts when the air filters need cleaning. Smart AC controllers can even detect when the air conditioning system is not functioning optimally and give information about the indoor air quality.

About Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC

Based in Santa Fe NM, Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC has over 10 years’ experience in a wide range of services from HVAC repairs to plumbing. They are always available 24/7 to provide HVAC installation or replacement services in the region while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.

Learning the Importance of Fall Maintenance

One of the hardest things for homeowners to keep up with is annual fall maintenance, regardless of the fixture or appliance that needs it. It seems so much easier to use something until it breaks and then buy another one. After all, technology is progressing all the time. 

However, when homeowners decide to keep up with annual maintenance, they are more likely to save money in the end. This is because a professional has a trained eye that can see problem areas before they become expensive issues. The next time a homeowner needs their fall maintenance done to their furnace, they should call a local professional to have the job done properly. 

HVAC Systems Works Overtime in the Fall

It doesn’t matter where the person lives. Even during the winters in Albuquerque, NM, homeowners are more likely to spend more time at home. Because of this fact, HVAC systems work overtime. 

It is always best to have the systems’ maintenance check done before the most demanding season, and in a furnace’s case, that is the fall. Having maintenance done in the fall will ensure that it is ready to work efficiently throughout the winter. Homeowners might have to have maintenance done again in the springtime, but fall maintenance is crucial. 

Regular Tune-Ups Save Money

Skipping out on a tune-up might seem to save homeowners a few bucks right now, but it is likely to cost them more money in the long-term. In reality, having the furnace maintenance done regularly gives homeowners more insight into their furnace’s health and when repairs need to be done. To continue, a furnace won’t have to work nearly as hard because it’s cleaned and healthy. 

Another way regular maintenance saves money is because the professionals are trained to see when the furnace has a part that is about to breakdown. In most cases, when the homeowner has their furnace regularly tuned-up, problems are caught before they even occur. This is the easiest way to save thousands on repairs and damage costs. 

Skipping Maintenance Leads To Breakdown

It is no surprise that when homeowners don’t have their furnace maintenance done regularly, they are more at risk of experiencing a breakdown of sorts. There is never a good time for a furnace to breakdown, but it most likely will occur in the season it is used the most. When homeowners have maintenance done in the fall, it allows the furnace to start on the right foot and not cause any grief throughout the winter months. 

Some common signs of furnace breakdown include: 

• The heating system is aged, it is probably time to replace it
• The heating bill continues to increase
• The pilot light color is important
• Unusual noises
• It struggles to stay on

 

Buying a new furnace isn’t the most fun activity in the world, especially if it’s unexpected. That said, there is a chance homeowners can take care of their existing furnace a little longer with regular maintenance. Call local professionals for more information. 

Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC Will Be There

Safety and comfort is their number one concern at Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC. They have the certified and hands-on experience homeowners are looking for in an HVAC technician. They get the job done right the first time. Call today to schedule furnace maintenance in Santa Fe, NM. 

Tips for Home Foundation Leak Detection

A leak of any kind is disruptive to the usual, day-to-day tasks of homeownership. Whether it’s a leaking faucet, leaking pipe, leaking air ducts, leaking sprinkler system, or anything else, it can take a lot of time and money to determine the cause of the leak and fix it. But there is one type of leak in particular that is especially dangerous: a home foundation leak.

A foundation leak can happen when there’s too much pressure in the soil outside the home. When the soil surrounding the foundation becomes oversaturated with water, it puts pressure on the structure of the home and causes it to crack and leak.

If not fixed, it can weaken the home’s structural integrity or cause the entire foundation to collapse. To prevent this from happening, homeowners must detect foundation leaks before disaster strikes.

Detecting Concrete Foundation Leaks

Because the house’s foundation is at risk of collapsing, foundation leaks are not something to mess around with, and they’re not something that homeowners should put off fixing. Hiring a professional plumber is essential to detect and fix the leak quickly and safely.

Once homeowners start noticing the signs of a foundation leak (spikes in the water bill, cracks in the baseboards and walls of the house, or damp carpets or flooring around the edges of the house), they should contact a professional right away. Professional plumbers have years of education and experience in handling foundation leaks, and they also have high-tech tools that allow them to fix the situation safely and efficiently.

Foundation Leak Detection Tools

Professional plumbers have some pretty incredible tools that help them detect and resolve foundation leaks with minimum damage to other areas of the house. One of the most common tools used for leak detection is a set of sound equipment. The first step in using this equipment is connecting the technology to the home’s plumbing system. This allows them to identify the path of piping underground.

They listen to the volume and frequencies of the water in the pipes to pinpoint the exact location of the foundation leak. By knowing the exact location, they’re able to fix only the part that’s damaged without ripping up other areas of the home.

After Detection Comes Repair

As mentioned, any leak is a hassle to fix. However, not fixing a leaky faucet does not have the same risk level or damage potential as not fixing a foundation leak. These leaks are serious and need repair as soon as they are detected. The longer the home goes without repair, the more money it will cost when the repair is finally made.

Sure, it might start as some damp carpet that a homeowner can simply dry out, or it might cause a small crack in a baseboard that can be replaced. But if the leak isn’t fixed, it can result in the entire foundation collapsing and cause the house to be uninhabitable. So if homeowners want to stay safe in their homes, it’s in their best interest to repair the leak as soon as possible.

About Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC

Since 2010, Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC has guaranteed that only the most trustworthy and productive technicians are being sent to their customers’ homes. It is their duty to guarantee the safety of customers, their families, and their property. Their team has set out to redefine customer satisfaction, giving people in New Mexico the specialized services they need and the individual attention they so rightfully deserve.

New Homeowners Should Pay Attention to these New Home Issues

As a first time homebuyer, the entire prospect of home ownership is exhilarating but can also be a scary thing. What can you expect? Will you be able to manage the maintenance? Will you be able to afford it?

While you can’t look into a crystal ball and see your future in your prospective home, by doing due diligence before you purchase, you can get a good idea of what you are in for, regarding work and cost with likely home repairs. Here is a guide for when you are looking for a home in Albuquerque, NM.

Check out the Switches

It’s not a high-tech test, but it can reveal problems effectively. Go around and try every light switch. Do they work? If not, it may be a simple fix (like say changing a lightbulb). It could also signal a more serious situation with the electrical.

This is an important thing to determine because, in this era of DIY, electrical work is something that home handymen take on. Although well-intentioned, this is the kind of work that needs to be done professionally or else you could be looking at a fire hazard.

Also, check that fans run properly. Flip on the Air Conditioner and the furnace on to ensure that they function. Check out major appliances too.

The Need for Insulation

Having a well-insulated home is a great investment because it will greatly reduce your heating and cooling bills. Take a look in the attic, in the garage, in the basement, and around the foundation to make sure that there is properly wrapped, appropriately thick insulation installed.

If the home in question isn’t well-insulated, it’s not necessarily a deal breaker, but that is something that you’ll want to attend to shortly after you move in. It’s not overly expensive, and the amount that you’ll save on your energy bills is worth it.

Why You Always Need a Property Inspection

Many of the potential problems with a home exist beyond where your untrained eye can see. While everything might be just fine, you won’t know unless you have a professional doing a thorough search on your behalf.

During your property inspection, your inspector will check plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, roof, walls, foundation, windows and ceilings looking for signs of damage.

The property inspection report will include pictures and a full write up on findings. Make sure that you read the report in detail to get a comprehensive idea of what you are up against.