Newsletter and Homeowner Tips
Click below for our current home sense newsletter.
Homeowner Tips:
WHAT’S IN MY CLEANING PRODUCTS?
Humm...I have a task for you. Open up the cabinet where you keep your cleaning supplies and take a look at the ingredients label. Besides water, do you understand or know what those ingredients are? If you’re like 99% percent of people, the answer is no. That’s not really a good thing.
In order to keep yourself safe from any harmful ingredients and their side effects, it’s important to know what is in your cleaning products.
Your Fragrance Products
Did you know that manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the specific ingredients in their fragrance products? Unfortunately, many fragrance ingredients in store-bought cleaning products are chock-full of chemicals that are harmful to your health and indoor air quality. Instead of choosing your typical sweet-smelling products, use non-scented or homemade cleaning products and add essential oils for your desired smell.
Your Antibacterial Products
Almost every household uses soap that is labeled as antibacterial. But these products often contain triclosan, a chemical that can actually cause you to become resistant to the bacteria and other antibiotics. These bacteria help keep you safe from infection. It’s best to avoid using any products that claim to be antibacterial and choose soaps and sanitizers that do not contain triclosan.
Your Multipurpose Cleaners
You may love the streak-free shine your window cleaners leave, but many of these products contain 2-butoxyethanol, a harmful chemical that can cause respiratory issues, kidney and liver damage. You’re safer using white vinegar mixed with water, baking soda, and essential oils to clean your home.
For more tips on keeping your home’s air quality safe, keep up with our blog! And for help making sure you have great indoor air quality year-round, contact the experts at Quinn's. We can provide you with a number of solutions to keep your air clean and your family breathing easy.
TIPS FOR KEEPING THE HOUSE COOL
While most of us love summertime, not too many of us love the scorching heat that it brings — especially when that heat makes its way into your home. Rather than cranking your AC down and your utility bills up, there are some other ways you can keep the house cool when the temperature is on the rise.
Block Out Sunlight
One of the easiest ways for heat to get into your home is through sunlight that shines in through your windows. Closing your blinds and curtains while the sun is shining on your home can help reflect sunlight back outside and keep you cool.
WILL MY PLUMBING WORK DURING A BLACKOUT?
We’re sorry to say it, but there may be certain systems in your home that won’t function if the power shuts off.
Your Pipes
Pennsylvania is no stranger to cold temperatures, and if the power goes out during a particularly cold night, your pipes could freeze from a lack of heat. You should be fine if the power is only out for a few hours, but if you’re left without power (and heat) for a while, you should check your home for frozen pipes.
Remember: Frozen pipes can burst and lead to major flooding.
Your Tankless Water Heater
Compared to tank-based water heaters, tankless systems offer better efficiency and energy savings, so it’s no surprise that many homeowners have made the switch to these systems. But since tankless water heaters use electricity to do their job, you’ll likely be left without any hot water if there’s a blackout.
Your Sump Pump
When rough weather brings heavy rain and flooding, your sump pump is an essential part of your plumbing system that helps get rid of excess water in your basement or crawl space. If a blackout forces you to be without electricity for an extended period of time, you could be left with a basement full of water.
Your Toilets
Toilets get rid of waste one of two ways — either through a gravity-based system or by using electricity to pull waste through your sewage system. Toilets that use a gravity-based system won’t be affected by a blackout.
However, if your toilet uses electricity, you will have a tough time disposing of waste since it will build up in a chamber rather than be pushed through your plumbing system.
Avoiding Plumbing Issues During a Blackout
The easiest way to assure your plumbing works during a blackout is by installing a whole-home generator. These units will keep your power on, so you don’t have to worry about handling plumbing issues once your home’s regular electricity returns.
Do you have a questions or comment? Give us a call at 610-376-6001 or e-mail us @ info@quinnsphc.com. We will be happy to answer your questions, share information or give you expert advice.