Sump Pump Sunk: Spotting & Preventing Common Issues
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / March 11, 2024
Spring brings warmer temps, melting snow, and rain showers.
While that might be good for brightening our moods and budding fresh flowers, spring could spell trouble for your home’s sump pump, leading to a wet mess.
As your first line of defense against basement flooding, it’s crucial to check and maintain your sump pump, especially with the change in seasons.
Read on to discover common issues, telltale signs, and preventative measures to keep your sump…
Read moreWould You Benefit from a Water Softener System in Your Home?
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / February 10, 2023
Owning a home comes with a lot of decisions—some of which might be new to you. For instance, you’ve likely heard people discussing the “hardness” or “softness” of water before, but what does that mean? And how does each type of water impact you and your family as consumers?
Soft Water vs. Hard Water
First, it’s important to understand what it means when water is soft or hard—and the answer is very simple. Natural water sources contain a variety of minerals like calcium and magnesium….
Read more3 Reasons to Consider a Tankless Water Heater
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / November 14, 2022
When we think of water heaters, most of us picture a bulky, cylindrical tank that lives in our basement or utility room. This type of water heater has been around for a long time, and as with most things, it’s since been improved.
As the name indicates, tankless water heaters remove the need for a storage tank. Instead, they heat your water on demand, as needed.
So, what does this mean for you as a homeowner?
You won’t run out of hot water
We’ve all been in…
Read moreMake Your Home More Accessible with a Main Floor Laundry Room
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / September 20, 2022
Many homes have traditional basement laundry rooms, designed to keep dirty laundry out of the way and separate from common living spaces. This layout also decreases the number of areas impacted in the event of flooding caused by machine mishaps.
While this is a great setup for some homeowners, it isn’t sustainable for individuals or couples that want to age in place. As our bodies get older, things like stairs can…
Read moreThe Benefits of Installing a Second Water Meter
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / July 25, 2022
If you are a turf guru or gardening enthusiast—or maintain either on your property —then you know the commitment required to sustain the perfect lawn or crop. This commitment often includes a consistent watering schedule, especially in the driest, hottest months of summer.
Are You Losing Money?
We applaud your dedication, and your landscaping might even be the envy of the neighborhood. But we want to make sure you aren’t throwing unnecessary money away. When your water meter is read, the usage contributes to the…
Read moreExpert Advice for Your Next Bathroom Remodel
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / June 23, 2022
Aside from your kitchen or bedroom, your bathroom is one of the most used spaces in your home. It’s easy to write it off, but it could be one of the most beneficial remodels you do. Of course, there’s the obvious purpose of a bathroom, but it’s also the space where you apply that new skincare product you’ve been excited about, add finishing touches before you head out to meet friends, teach your kiddo best handwashing practices, and so much more.
A lot of…
Read moreHow Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / May 27, 2022
Tankless water heaters deliver hot water instantly when you turn on your shower or faucet. How does it do this? It may seem like magic but it’s not.
1. When a hot water tap is opened, the tankless water heater detects the flow
2. The flow sensor activates to determine the amount of hot water needed
3. The igniter activates
4. The gas control valve opens to supply the correct amount of gas
5. The burner ignites providing a flame to heat the water
6. Cold water passes through…
Read moreOur Customer Experience: “knowledgeable, transparent, responsive”
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / February 2, 2022
Rick first came to us for an in-floor radiant heating project. Throughout the project, he worked with several people on our team from our receptionist, to estimators and installers. Based on his review of the project, we asked some follow-up questions that we hope will give you an insight into our customer experience.
Read moreTop 4 Reasons To Get a Fall Furnace Tune-Up
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / September 30, 2021
Furnaces are notorious for being energy hogs—but they don’t have to be. Think about how often your furnace runs during the Iowa winters. It’s heating and circulating a lot of air every year. If you’ve ever changed your furnace filter, you know how quickly dirt and dust can accumulate when your furnace is running. A regular furnace tune-up (we recommend scheduling one every fall before the cold weather hits) can help save you money and prevent bigger…
Read moreFireworks and Fireflies Returns Labor Day Weekend
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / August 24, 2021
Fireworks & Fireflies is back for 2021. Although the event is typically scheduled in July, organizers decided to move the event to September to accommodate a larger crowd and help kick-off the Labor Day holiday weekend. And just like in 2019, Hanna Plumbing and Heating is the presenting sponsor!
This event is free to the public because of the sponsors who continue to support Fireworks…
Read moreHow to Clean Your Sump Pump
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / July 19, 2021
If your sump is working properly, you probably don’t think about it very often. But taking the time to clean it once a year can help it last longer and catch any problems before you end up with a flooded basement. Let us walk you through the process in six easy steps.
Supplies
For this process you’ll need a piece of plastic sheeting or a large garbage bag, a scraping tool, a large bucket, a garden hose, and a…
Read moreStay Cool and Efficient this Summer with Ductless Mini Splits
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / May 18, 2021
Picture this: It’s midsummer in Iowa and it’s hot and sticky. You have your central air conditioning system pumping out cool air. But your spouse, who is on the second floor, is complaining that it’s still too hot up there and your kids in the basement are complaining how cold it is down there. This is the problem with central air. Depending on the size, age and insulation of your home, you may feel like you have to adjust your AC’s…
Read moreSump Pump Mistakes To Avoid This Spring
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / March 18, 2021
First, a quick reminder of what a sump pump does. A sump pump sits in a “sump pit” below the level of the basement floor and collects excess water that would otherwise end up leaking into the basement. Then your sump pump pumps that water from the pit up and out of your home.
It’s fairly easy to understand how a sump pump operates. But there are still mistakes that can be made in installing, maintaining, or attempting to fix your sump…
Read more5 New Year’s Plumbing Resolutions
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / January 22, 2021
The new year is a time when many people resolve to make a fresh start and build better habits. After this past year, we could all use a fresh start— including your plumbing system. So we put together a list of some New Year’s Plumbing Resolutions to help you build some habits that can save you headaches (and wallet aches) down the road.
1. Show your water heater some love
You probably don’t spend too much time thinking about your…
Read moreThe Importance of Your Furnace and Water Heater Vents
Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / November 10, 2020
If your water heater and/or furnace burn gas to heat your water and home, they will also need to expel any byproducts of that combustion (exhaust)— think of the exhaust pipe on your car that removes the byproducts of combustion from your engine. We probably all know that running a car in a closed garage is a bad idea because exhaust (and more specifically carbon monoxide) can be extremely dangerous. Well, the same goes for the carbon monoxide that comes from your…
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