Holiday Event Archives - Always Plumbing & Heating

Holiday Home Safety (in 6 Easy Steps)

It’s that time of year again. Your home is about to be the bustling center of holiday happenings from cooking to celebrations. It may seem like enough to let your home run as usual and hope everything goes smoothly, but there are several ways to ensure your plumbing and appliances successfully survive the extra stress from the holidays. Use these 6 steps from the trusted professionals at Always Plumbing & Heating to get your home holiday-ready. You can rest easy and enjoy the celebration knowing that your home has been prepped ahead of time!

Step 1: Clean up your doorway and walkways.

Winter in Edmonton can make driveways and walkways very icy and unsafe. Make sure there is a clean, salted pathway to your door so that your guests do not have to worry about slipping on ice. If guests are arriving at night, have the walkways well lit as well.

Step 2: Make a designated space for coats and handbags in a room, on a coat rack, or in a coat closet.

Guests will be coming in from the cold with gifts, coats, food, bags, etc. To make it easier on them (and you), have a designated place to store their items out of the way. This will also help keep sitting spaces free and ensure guests do not place their belongings anywhere that might block airflow or create a fire hazard.

Step 3: Clean shower drains and have a drain screen in place for each of them.

Shower drains will be subjected to more hair and soap scum with additional people using the shower. Test each drain and fixture for free-flowing water and drainage. If any drain a little slower than normal, or not at all, use a plunger or drain snake to clean them ahead of time.

If it cannot be unclogged with an at-home method, call Always Heating & Plumbing for a professional drain cleaning service. Waiting until after the holidays will only exacerbate the problem – and your guests will have an uncomfortable shower experience.

Step 4: Cook as much as possible beforehand.

Not only will this save you stress, it will help regulate the temperature in your home. The added number of people coupled with constant oven use can throw your thermostat off and cause your home to be warmer than normal. Limiting oven use the day of will help to ensure a comfortable and consistent temperature throughout your home.

Step 5: Change your furnace filter.

Changing your furnace filter will make a significant difference in the efficiency of your furnace and your home’s indoor air quality. Indoor air quality decreases as your furnace filter becomes older and clogged with dust. Having a new air filter will help to ensure clean, fresh air throughout the holiday season.

Step 6: Clean your garbage disposal.

Your garbage disposal is one of the most popular appliances in your home during the holiday season. There are several methods to clean it – from baking soda and vinegar to professional cleaning solutions. Before guests arrive, give it a thorough cleaning to make sure it is ready for the extra work.

Don’t add extra stress to your plate this holiday season! While prepping your home for the holidays, if you notice anything unusual with your plumbing or heating, call Always Plumbing & Heating. We offer same day service and our technicians are available 24/7. No matter the day or time, our trusted professionals are here to help ensure your holidays go as smoothly as possible! Call us at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to schedule an appointment today!

Volunteer in Edmonton this Holiday Season

It’s no secret that Canadians have a reputation for being some of the friendliest people in the world. If you don’t volunteer for a charity yourself (not everyone has the time) you probably know someone who does. Usually, that friend invites other friends – and before you know it, everyone you know is involved in the same volunteer work. In fact, Canadians are so neighborly that in two surveys from Statistics Canada, in 2010 and 2013, almost half of all Canadians volunteered during the previous year.

Since Always Plumbing and Heating first began over 16 years ago, it has been important to us that we also give back to the community. We deeply value our work with charities such as the Ronald McDonald House of Northern Alberta, St. Albert Food Bank, and Youth Empowerment and Support Services.

The holidays in Edmonton and Alberta are full of volunteer opportunities for the whole family to give back and get involved in the community. There are roles available for all ages, from delivering meals and food to those in need, to being an anonymous Santa Clause and collecting, wrapping and delivering gifts. The best gift you can give your neighbors and community this season is your time. Help ring in the holidays with one of these fun and rewarding volunteer opportunities near you.

Ronald McDonald House Charities

The RMHC of Northern Alberta has many volunteer opportunities to give back this holiday season. Groups of up to 12 can volunteer to prepare “Meals That Mend” for families. Individuals can volunteer in a variety of ways to benefit both the house and children.

Go to their website for more information.

St. Albert Food Bank

The holiday season is the busiest time of year for St. Alberts food bank. Join them in collecting food donations and building hamper baskets to help those in need this Christmas.

Visit their website for more information on volunteer opportunities.

The Christmas Bureau of Edmonton

The Christmas Bureau works to feed and clothe families in need in Edmonton. They have many ways to help.

Go to their website to see how you can help someone in need this Christmas.

Edmonton Meals on Wheels

This is a local non-profit that provides home-delivered meal and food services to a diverse mix of people who cannot prepare meals or shop easily for themselves. Volunteers have the opportunity to deliver to community groups, be a driver, kitchen helper or grocery shopper.

Visit their site for more information.

Bissell Centre

During the month of December shoppers can have their gifts wrapped by Bissell Elves for a donation to Bissell Centre. Volunteer as a Bissell Elf at the Southgate Gift Wrap from November 23^rd – December 24^th.

Go to their website for more information on being a Bissell Elf.

630 CHED Santas Anonymous

Volunteer with Santas Anonymous this holiday season and experience the magic! They work to fill the toy requests they receive from 25,000 less fortunate children in Edmonton. Volunteers have the opportunity to deliver gifts, sort donations, prepare gifts for age groups and bag toys for specific families. Delivery weekend is December 16^th and 17^th and is open to volunteers of all ages. Get the whole family involved in the community spirit!

To get involved visit their website!

Angels of Hope

Volunteer at The Mustard Seed as an Angel of Hope this December. From card making to cookie decorating and so much more, Angels of Hope lead activities that foster community at a time of year that can often be lonely and difficult. The Mustard seed wants people experiencing homelessness and poverty to know that they are loved, cared for and deserve to experience all the hope that the season has to offer.

The staff at Always Plumbing and Heating want to wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season. Don’t let a leaky faucet or faulty heating spoil the fun! The holidays are the worst time to experience a plumbing or furnace emergency. Let us be there for you. We offer emergency service 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. No matter the time, or day, Always Plumbing and Heating are the experts you can rely on! Call us throughout the holidays at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to schedule an appointment.

Holiday Plumbing Tips

Now that Edmonton homes have celebrated Thanksgiving, the holiday season is once again in full force. With extended breaks and get-togethers on the horizon, it’s important to start taking precautions for the inevitable crowds. If you are one of those homes that has an open-door policy during the holidays, you will want to make sure to follow our holiday plumbing tips. Keep your pipes free from clogs and other common problems that plumbers deal with every season. The experts at Always Plumbing & Heating have put together a list of essential tips to help ensure your plumbing runs smoothly throughout the extended holidays.

GREASE
One of the most common reasons for a clogged sink is grease. Turkey, roast, bacon and many other favorite foods can produce a lot of grease during preparation. Before you start washing the dirty cookware, make sure that you dispose of the grease first. Once the grease cools it will solidify in the pipes and cause blockage. Consider keeping the extra grease in a jar to reuse for cooking and adding flavor to dishes. If you need to throw it away, let the grease harden and then scoop it into a plastic bag before placing in the trash.

GARBAGE DISPOSAL RULES
A common mistake many households make during the holidays is the incorrect usage of their garbage disposal. The word “garbage” is most certainly a misnomer in this case because this kitchen tool is not a trash can. A disposal is meant to help grind up certain kinds of small organic detritus. This means that it should not be used for anything but biodegradable food. Homeowners have thrown paper, glass, plastic, cotton and metal objects into the disposal – hurting both the disposal and clogging the pipes. Avoid any refuse or stringy, fibrous foods and always turn on the disposal along with running water before throwing organic material inside it. During the holidays, consider placing an extra trash receptacle near your kitchen sink as a convenient reminder where to put the garbage and large food detritus.

MESH SCREENS
Mesh screens (or sink drain traps) are ideal for the holiday season. Help keep food and organic waste from clogging up the plumbing by installing these simple tools onto your drain. Mesh screens are easy to acquire, easy to install and inexpensive enough to buy a couple for an additional backup. They can also be removed when you no longer need the extra help keeping large pieces of food out of the drain. Use them for all your large dinner parties this season and keep your plumbing from clogging. If you’ve got a house full of guests, you might also want to protect the bathroom and bathtub drains with mesh screens to alleviate the extra hair, soap and organic debris getting into the plumbing.

COMMODE RULES
The commode (or, more commonly, the toilet) is another problematic plumbing issue for homes during the holidays. Similar to the garbage disposal, there are only certain items that it can handle. A toilet is made for the disposal of human waste – and toilet paper. Cotton swabs, baby wipes, floss, feminine napkins and finger nails are items that are frequently found in clogged toilet plumbing. This holiday season, make sure that there is a convenient trash in very bathroom. You might also remind any small children in the home the rules about proper toilet etiquette.

HOT WATER/ WATER PRESSURE
When you have guests over during a typically frigid Edmonton winter, the hot water becomes a hot commodity. To ensure that there is enough hot water for showers in the morning, try to space out the usage. This will allow the hot water tank to reheat properly so that everyone can enjoy a hot shower or bath. You will also want to run the dishwasher and washing machine in the evening to help conserve the hot water and water pressure during peak times.

The holidays are the worst time for a household to experience plumbing problems. They are also some of the busiest times for the experts at Always Plumbing & Heating. If you find yourself dealing with plumbing issues that are beyond the scope of a plunger, don’t hesitate to call! Our agents are available 24/7 and will immediately send a qualified plumber to help with a solution. Call us at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to keep the holidays flowing.

Halloween Safety Tips (for Edmonton Homes)

Another Edmonton October means that soon houses will be decorated with all sorts of spooky, festive decorations. In addition to traditional pumpkins and paper cutouts; elaborate blow up figures, animatronic gizmos, video projections and light shows have become modern staples. With all this new technology, it’s more important than ever to take safety precautions for your home and your household. Always Plumbing & Heating enjoys the holidays and wants to ensure that everyone keeps safe throughout the next few months of festivities. Before your household gets ready to celebrate, read through our list of essential Halloween safety tips to ensure less tricks and more treats.

Pumpkin Safety

Always knows a little bit about proper pumpkin etiquette, especially when it concerns your plumbing. Every year we like to remind our Edmonton neighbors about the dangers of improper waste disposal – especially pumpkin guts. In October our plumbers keep busy dealing with pumpkin and holiday-related clogs. Make sure that when you are making those jack-o-lanterns that you place the seeds and organic material in your compost pile – or the garbage. Never put pumpkin debris in your disposal, as the fibrous material can harm both the disposal and your pipes. When carving your pumpkin, try using a pumpkin carving kit with safety blades that are serrated but not sharp. These tools make carving much easier and are less likely to cut or jab little hands. Also, skip the wax candles and place flameless candles inside your jack-o-lantern. Flames can burn the inside of the pumpkin – and are also a fire hazard. The flameless designs won’t heat the interior (which can shorten the life) and will last much longer than tea lights.

Plumbing Precautions

Make sure that all the little ghosts and goblins keep aware of these additional plumbing precautions. Candy, candy wrappers, used make-up and cotton balls should not be thrown into the disposal, toilet or sink. The clogged toilet is another recurring problem our plumbers face every year. All trash should be disposed of in a trash can – especially cotton balls or Kleenex (sometimes used for applying or wiping off make-up). If you are hosting a Halloween party this year, make trash cans easily accessible for your guests. If there’s room, keep one out in the kitchen, one out in the dining room and all the bathrooms. This will help remind guests to throw away all their trash in the proper receptacle – not the plumbing!

Electrical Safety

Decorations have become much more elaborate in the past decade. Giant inflatables and mechanical figures that move have become must-have items for Canadian homes. If your yard has several electrical components this year, be mindful of the safety hazards that they present. Keep extension cords away from sidewalks and places where there will be foot traffic. Moving decorations should be placed several feet away from the sidewalk – and safely away from trees, bushes and other objects that might come into contact with it. If you are installing outdoor lights, make sure that they are marked on the box specifically for outdoor use. Outdoor lights are weather proof and more durable than designs created for interior use.

Halloween Safety Tips from the Canadian Red Cross

Take the time to celebrate the safe way – and keep your little (and big) monsters away from harm during the creepiest month of the year. If you find that you need our services, even after taking precautions, we can assist with any plumbing problem. When goblins clog your sink or toilet, call the plumbing experts at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray).

Related Blogs:

Green Plumbing Tips for Edmonton Homes

Kitchen Plumbing Maintenance

To request a service appointment, give us a call at 780-489-8118 or contact us online.

Back to School Safety Tips

It’s almost time for kids in Edmonton to return to school, which means local households are preparing for the inevitable ensuing chaos. Shifts in schedules, extracurricular activities and the demands of school work can sometimes create an uneasy transition. But don’t let the hustle and bustle of the new semester distract you and your family from observing simple safety rules. Even if you don’t have kids, the new school year means heavier traffic and speed zones for everyone in Edmonton. The experts at Always Plumbing & Heating are going through the same transition; juggling hectic new schedules with the added traffic concerns. Since no one is immune from the back to school rush, we decided to compile a reminder of some essential safety rules to help everyone stay safe throughout the year.

Safety for Kids

Review school bus safety rules for kids who take the bus:

Arrive at least five minutes before the scheduled pick-up.
Stay on the sidewalk, away from the street.
Walk at least three metres away from the bus when crossing in front of the bus so the they are visible to the driver.
If crossing the street to board the bus, wait until it comes to a complete stop and releases the stop arm. The driver will signal when they are ready for you to proceed.
Never run to or from the bus.
Hold the hand rail as you are entering the bus. Be mindful of those in the front and back as you enter.

Have emergency plans in place before the school year begins:

Review the different kinds of emergencies that might occur before or after school – and develop a family emergency plan for the scenarios.
Make sure that kids who are home before the adults have a safe place to go in the event of an emergency.
Keep a list of emergency contacts on the refrigerator and, if your child has a smart phone, make sure all the numbers are kept in the phone as well.
Go over the emergency procedures for the school as well. Verify that everyone in the family is aware of the protocols and alternate (safety) locations.

School crossing safety:

Always obey the crossing guard.
Even if there are green lights at the crossing, do not proceed until the crossing guard gives you the ‘okay.’
If the crossing guard is helping other kids across the street, don’t run to catch up with them. Wait until the crossing guard returns to escort you.

Safety for Adults

Observe school speed zones:

Be mindful of the flashing signs and make sure to slow down.
While in the speed zones (or in any neighborhood street) watch for darting children who can be easily distracted.
Make sure that even when the signs are not flashing you are aware of your surroundings. You should watch for kids (who might be leaving early) throughout the day.

Driving safety:

If you are driving behind a school bus, make sure you pay close attention to the break lights. Sometimes a bus will stop and not release the stop arm immediately.
Never drive around a school bus that has made a stop.
After a bus has collected or dropped off passengers, wait until it has retracted the stop arm and has begun to move before proceeding.
Be very careful after a passenger drop-off. Sometimes kids will run about after leaving a bus and could end up in the street. Always drive with caution after kids have left a school bus.
Watch for school crossing guards who are not always immediately visible. Always stop when a guard raises a stop sign.
Crossing guards are not stop lights. If you see a crossing guard gathering kids on the corner, begin slow down. Speeding up to miss the stop sign is reckless and could potentially be life-threatening.

Canada Safety Council Safety Reminders for Back to School

The professionals at Always Plumbing and Heating hope that you and your household have a safe and happy new school year. Remember that we can help you transition into the fall with HVAC and plumbing maintenance to keep your home running smoothly throughout the fall and winter. Call us at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to schedule an appointment today!

Related blogs:

Is a Furnace Tune-Up Necessary?

Sump Pump Maintenance Tips for Your Edmonton Home

Edmonton Events for Canada 150

Always Plumbing & Heating is excited to celebrate Canada Day with our Edmonton neighbors this year. It is an especially significant event in that it marks our 150^th year of Confederation. There a variety of family friendly events planned that will honour Alberta’s history and diversity. This Sesquicentennial, referred to as Canada 150, will see ambitious art projects, community dances, fireworks shows and much more. What are you doing the weekend of the July 2^nd? We’ve made a list to help plan your weekend in Edmonton and across the Alberta Capital Region.

Weekend:

June 29: The Place to Bee is a fun and educational night in the Gardens featuring activities for both kids and adults. Learn how the City of Edmonton is attempting to #savethebees!

July 1: Canada Day Celebration and Campout This year the annual campout will be on Canada Day. In lieu if an outdoor movie, there will be fun activities for the whole family. Come camp out and enjoy BBQ, face painting, a magic show, carnival games, fireworks and much more.

July 1: The 150 Canada Day Carnival at Callingwood Park promises an evening of food and fun! Enjoy a FREE barbecue and Free activities for adults and kids. Discover bounce houses, face painting, fireworks and much more.

July 1 -3: Celebrate all weekend with the major refresh of Capital Boulevard. New street furnishings, broad tree-lined sidewalks and permanent art installations are sure to please residents and visitors alike.

July 1 – August 31: Celebrate 150 Acres of Canada’s Natural Heritage is a project hosted by the Edmonton and Area Land Trust promoting participation in nature walks. Come to Larch Sanctuary Edmonton and enjoy the gorgeous scenery and learn about our natural heritage. Nature walks are planned throughout the summer.

Friday, July 1: Canadian Music Hall of Fame singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan will perform at Rogers Place in Edmonton. Get your tickets for the Canada Day 150th celebration here.

July 2: Live with Martin Kerr: Intimate Album Release Party features the opening act for Sarah McLachlan at Rogers Palace. This encore performance (the night after the McLachlan show) will feature a live performance by the artist, light hors d’oeuvres and additional entertainment.

July 3: The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald is introducing its first Market. The Mac Market is open to the public and will feature local artisan vendors showcasing their work.

Ongoing:

June 17 – October 8: Past Imperfect: A Canadian History Project To recognize the 150^th anniversary of Canada’s confederation, the Art Gallery of Alberta is presenting an exhibit featuring over 100 works of art marking important moments in Canada’s history.

Light a Candle for Canada Fundraising Campaign is a community-led charity raising money to create “lasting local legacies” in honour of Canada’s 150^th anniversary.

Canada 150 Edmonton Trivia Contest challenges you to test your knowledge of Edmonton trivia. Sets of 10 questions are being released over 15 weeks (ending mid-July).

Three Things for Canada – Edmonton Edition: Edmonton Mayor, Don Iveson, accepted the challenge from Calgary Mayer Naheed Nenshi to do three acts of service to make the community, city and country a better place. Here our Mayor expands upon the initiative and what you can do to take part.

List of Celebrations Throughout Canada

Always Plumbing & Heating is honored to be celebrating this momentous occasion with our Edmonton neighbors. We are looking forward to seeing you and taking part in the fun and revelry of Canada 150!

Call Always Plumbing & Heating at 780-489-8118 or contact us online today to discuss your water quality options for your new home.

Category: Holiday Event