Category: Outdoors

Getting Your Hose Bibs Ready for Spring

As Spring has begun, and warm weather is just around the corner, you may find yourself spending more time outdoors these days. If you’re doing some spring cleaning, you will likely need to turn on your garden hose at some point.

Harsh Alberta winters with extremely low temperatures can sometimes cause hairline fractures in your hose bibs. If you fail to notice the leak right away, when you turn on your tap you could end up with a flooded basement if you aren’t taking the right precautions before using it.

Steps For Testing If You Have A Fracture In Your Hose Bib

Before turning your water on, follow these steps:

1. Place your thumb over the spigot to cover the whole opening.

2. Turn on the water.

3. If you can hold the water in with your thumb, that means there is a fracture somewhere that the water is going. If this happens, turn the water off immediately.

4. Have a family member go into your basement near where the hose bib is located, and repeat step 3. If there are removable ceiling panels, move them from that area, so you can clearly see the extent of the leak without causing too much damage.

5. Repeat all of these steps to each of your hose bibs.

6. If a leak is located, call a plumber for a repair, including the installation of frost-free hose bibs to prevent this from happening in the future.

How to Prevent Hose Bib Leaks In The Future

Each fall ensure that you remove your garden hoses from each hose bib, and if possible, turn the water off to the hose bib and drain the line. Not all hose bibs are outfitted with shutoff valves.

If you suspect broken hose bibs or want to prevent them entirely, give us a call to diagnose the problem and provide you with the best solution to repair or prevent frozen hose bibs. Failing to repair this issue promptly can lead to disastrous flooding in your basement if someone inadvertently turns on your garden hose. 

Giving your hose bib the attention it deserves is invaluable. Ensuring that your home’s plumbing is properly maintained and up to code with a professional inspection, including installation of frost-free taps, will provide you with total peace-of-mind when the job is handled by a professional. 

Always Plumbing & Heating is here to help you along the way. Our licensed plumbers will take care of this job for you, from start to finish, and we fully guarantee our work and equipment. So give us a call, and go ahead and kick your feet up and relax, in no time you will be safely running your sprinklers and filling up the kiddie-pool for your little ones!

8 Tips On How To Create Your Dream Outdoor Kitchen This Summer

Dreaming of that Perfect Outdoor Kitchen?

For many people, having an outdoor BBQ kitchen means more time outdoors and heartwarming family memories. It’s easy to imagine sitting outside sipping a glass of vino while you flip steaks and make baked potatoes for your guests, all while lounging underneath patio heaters when the night gets cold. Whether you are dreaming of a luxury experience, built in BBQ, or wood-fired ovens and meat smokers, there is something for everyone that is sure to fulfill the need for extended living space and communal gatherings. Creating your own outdoor living space is easier than you think. Here are a few quick tips to get you started on creating that perfect outdoor entertaining space.

How To Design The Best Outdoor Kitchen

  1. 1. Create a shaded area for hot summer months. Consider building a pergola or adding patio umbrellas, to keep you shaded from the summer heatwaves.
  2. 2. Such as with Alberta spring, summer and fall, many find themselves yearning for extra warmth once evening approaches. You can ditch your wool ponchos when you incorporate gas fuelled patio heaters and fire pits into your outdoor area. Always Plumbing & Heating can install your gas lines for you safely and efficiently to help you achieve the level of comfort that you desire in your outdoor space.
  3. 3. Plan your layout appropriately. An L-shaped outdoor kitchen is a common style used to help define your living space and set it apart from the rest of your yard. Take actual measurements of your outdoor space to make sure you have room to fit your dream.
  4. 4. Remember to think about how you want your appliances placed. Your mini fridge should not be next to your grill. Try to create separate cool and hot zones.
  5. 5. Consider outdoor plumbing by having a sink installed in your kitchen. Having running water at your disposal is a must in an outdoor kitchen. It makes cleanup simple as well as provides a sanitary food preparation area.
  6. 6. Think about what appliances you want to include. A fridge is a wonderful addition to an outdoor living space for cold beverages, snack items, and condiments. This also prevents you from having to run in and out of your house.
  7. 7. For your built-in BBQ, consider a gas grill to avoid constantly replacing propane tanks. This will save you time and money plus prevent you from running out of fuel when cooking those delicious backyard meals.  
  8. 8. And of course, you need an outdoor fire pit for making s’mores! Instead of having to buy wood and clean up ashes, you may consider a gas fire pit which comes in many beautiful designs from rustic to modern depending on your taste.

Gas lines are not a task that should be done by an uncertified contractor. Our skilled technicians will take the worry out of your hands by professionally installing your plumbing lines, gas lines, sinks, and faucets. We will ensure that your gas lines meet current codes and that permits are pulled so there are no delays in utilizing your space this summer. When you are ready to build your backyard paradise, contact Always Plumbing & Heating for assistance. You will be creating memories before you know it!

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