Henderson

Summer is here, and for many people, that means planning vacations.  Vacations can be great fun, but they also carry an inherent element of risk: abandoning your home for days, weeks, or even months and trusting it will be OK when you get back.

Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to help increase the chances that your home will, in fact, be totally fine when you return from your trip.  Follow these tips from our Kingston heating and cooling team to help stay safe!

Five Important Tips for Protecting Your Kingston Home While on Vacation

1 – Have someone check up on your property

If you’re going to be gone for more than a weekend, it’s a very good idea to get someone you trust to periodically look in on your house.  If something has gone wrong, they can alert you and\or the authorities.

2 – Hold your mail at the post office

Few things say “Please burgle my house” quite like a pile of mail on the doorstep, or overstuffed mailbox.  Contact your local post office and have them hold onto your mail for you, until you return.

Do the same for any subscriptions you might have, such as for a newspaper.

3 – Double-check every lock and latch

If someone gets the idea that you’re gone, they may be tempted to test your doors and windows.  Check to make sure they all work.  Don’t forget windows in the bathroom!  They’re often overlooked, and a popular point of entry for vandals.

4 – Put your lights and thermostat on a timer, if possible

It’s generally a bad idea to simply shut down your lights and heating and cooling system.  Put your lights on , if you can, so it maintains the pretense that someone is in the house. Put your lights on a timer if you can. Use your programmable thermostat to lower your heating setpoint and raise your cooling setpoint. To avoid wasting energy while you are gone. Also consider installing a Wifi thermostat, which will allow you to monitor your heating and cooling system while you are away.

5 – Be discrete

Use discretion when deciding who to tell about your plans.  Even if you trust the person you’re talking to, you never know who might be listening in!

Toshack Has Provided Quality Heating and Cooling in Kingston Since 1930!

For generations, we have been one of the top choices for heating and cooling in Kingston, providing a full range of services, as well as plumbing support.  If you’re planning a vacation, give us a call to check out your pipes and make sure everything will be fine while you’re gone.

As with most service industries, there are different kinds of plumbers in the world, with different skill sets or of proficiency.  A great example of this is the matter of service plumbers vs plumbing contractors.  Sometimes when you need plumbing services in Kingston or Brockville, a service plumber is all you need.  But for larger jobs, a full plumbing contractor is called for.

In this blog, we wanted to briefly talk about the differences between the two services, and which one to call when you need plumbing help in Brockville or Kingston.

Understanding the Difference Between A Service Plumber and A Plumbing Contractor

1. Service Plumber

You call in a plumber when it’s a basic matter.  Some problems which plumbers typically take care of include:

• Unclogging pipes
• Rescuing lost items from drains
• Rattling pipes
• Frozen pipes
• Minor leaks
• Basement sump pump problems
• Leak issues with specific appliances, like dishwashers
• Problems with hot water heaters
• Toilets that don’t flush properly

Basically, service plumbers are for your “every day” plumbing problems.  In many cases, they’ll also be happy to help with the installation of single fixtures, such as if you’re swapping out one faucet for another on your sink.

However, for jobs which are bigger than these, you need a plumbing contractor.

1. Plumbing Contractors

Plumbing contractors generally come as a team, not a single plumber, and they are for situations where you’re doing major work or renovation, such as renovating your bathroom.  A plumbing contractor would be called in if you were completely re-doing your plumbing, or if you were building a new property which needed a full set of pipes.

If you’re looking to hire plumbing contractors, you’ll want to do more research and legwork than you would with hiring a service plumber.  In either case you should ensure that you hiring a licensed plumber who is backed up by a solid company with insurance. But for contracting, you’ll want to do more research to ensure your contractor will be able to handle the work you have in mind.

Toshack Can Handle Your Plumbing Issues, Big or Small

If you need plumbing services in Kingston or Brockville, Toshack is the name to call!  Since the 1930s, we’ve provided top-quality plumbing, heating and cooling service to the area.  Toshack employs service plumbers as well as plumbers who specialize in more complex renovations and new builds. Generations have relied on us over the years, and so can you.

Contact us for a quote!

Heating systems are not a luxury in Kingston or Brockville. They are essential to healthy living and general well-being. Unfortunately, while everyone recognizes the importance of having a heating system installed, not everyone takes the maintenance and cleaning of these systems seriously. Ignoring your duct work or furnace for a prolonged period is a bad idea because it can affect your health in a number of ways. Luckily, repairs or Brockville can easily be put off with just a little care.

Why Do Furnaces And Ducts Need Cleaning?

The short answer is it makes a difference to your health. If you understand how a heating system works, you can recognize the important roles played by ducts and furnaces. Ducts spread heat to every corner of a living space and are most susceptible to collect dust, debris, and lint over a period of time. When this happens, they don’t function as efficiently as they should and, worse, start to blow this dust and debris around them whenever they are switched on. Pathogens and harmful bacteria spread easily under such conditions, and contaminate your surroundings while the furnace is simply supposed to warm them.

Always Call A Furnace Repair Professional

Cleaning a duct or furnace isn’t as simple as wiping down a table or dusting a bookshelf. It involves the use of instruments and special tools in order to make sure the ducts are cleaned thoroughly and ready for optimal performance. Dust and other debris accumulates slowly, over time, and isn’t always easy to remove. It must be done by a professional, to prevent prolonged accumulation, as well as to ensure the heating system isn’t being forced to use more energy and can function as smoothly as possible.

Avoid Furnace Repair Problems

You can avoid having to call a furnace repair company in Kingston or Brockville by taking a few precautions with your ducts and furnaces. Regular maintenance with the help of a professional company can keep your heating system in good shape for years.

For Heating or Cooling, Call Toshack

From duct cleaning and furnace repair to all kinds of heating and cooling needs, Toshack has been providing services to clients in Kingston, Brockville and surrounding areas for more than eight decades. For advice, recommendations or a free estimate, get in touch with us today.