Sewers 101
With the rainy season approaching, there are a couple of things you will want to do to make sure your house does not flood. First, make sure your sump pump and battery back-up are operating properly. See https://raviniaplumbing.com/blog/sump-pump-101 for more information on that. The other thing is to make sure your sewer line does not […]
Are You a Water Hog?
The average Illinois citizen uses about 100 gallons of water a day. To determine the average water usage for people in your household, examine your water bill for usage, and then divide that by the number of people in your home. Here are some guidelines: Minimalist – the average person in your house uses less […]
Whole house humidifiers
When it comes to feeling comfortable in your home, the old saying “it’s not the heat (or cold) – it’s the humidity” rings true. Keeping your home’s humidity between 30-60% can make your home healthier and more comfortable, and can prevent damage to your home and belongings. A healthier home Too little humidity actually can […]
Radiant Heat Warms Your Feet
Winter’s coming… One sign that it is here is when you wake up in the morning, trudge into the bathroom, and, when you put your bare feet on the floor, you look up and expect to see Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane because it feels like you are stepping barefoot onto an ice rink. There […]
Why to Have Your Furnace Checked Before it Gets Cold
It’s gorgeous out…Indian summer. We are enjoying those precious last few days of sitting outside, barbecuing, getting in a bike ride or even a round of golf. Sitting at that football game is still tolerable. Preparing your furnace for winter may be the last thing on your mind, but here is why you should consider […]
Avoiding the Health Risks Associated with Flooding
Last month we provided some advice on how to prevent floods. But, unfortunately, despite everybody’s best efforts, floods sometimes will occur. In addition to the mess, inconvenience and financial impacts, most importantly, there are health risks associated with flooding. We won’t go into the details of the risks, but will provide some advice on avoiding […]
Things You Can Do to Prevent Floods That You Don’t Need a Plumber for
We constantly remind our clients that we can help them prevent their homes from flooding by checking and/or installing sump pumps and battery back-up pumps, and by performing preventative maintenance on their sewer lines. But there are several easy and inexpensive (and maybe even free) things you can do to prevent flooding. Here are a […]
What to Look for When Buying a Toilet
It’s not every day that you buy a toilet. Generally, toilets are bought and installed as part of an overall bathroom project – either new construction or remodel. But toilets do wear out. Or you might want to replace one for any number of reasons. Here are a few things to consider. The Big C’s […]
Reducing Summer Energy Costs
Commonwealth Edison is raising its rates an average of 21% effective June 1. Even if you buy your electricity through a consortium, rather than directly from Com Ed, changes are your rates will be going up as well. So, more than ever, you’ll want to take steps to reduce your energy costs. Here are 20 […]
Common “Do it Yourself” Plumbing Mistakes
Many people (too many people, actually), try to be do it yourself plumbers. After all, they can find out whatever they need to know on the Internet. Right? We have seen firsthand the problems people create when they try to do the plumbing themselves. Minor problems with minor expense become major problems with major expense. […]