Month: April 2018

Alaskan log home in winter with snow and icicles.

Protecting Your Property from Snow Melt

Posted on | by Mike Klebs

Tired of freezing temperatures and never-ending snow yet? Winter weather can be a major cause for concern when it comes to damaging your home. Luckily, spring is here, which means warmer temperatures. However, as those temperatures rise, you have something else to worry about – snow melt. That’s why it is vital to be prepared. If you take a few simple precautions, you’ll encounter much less risk of damage.

Four Ways to Keep Your Home Safe from Snow Melt Damage

  • Clear the Roof – Start before melting begins in earnest and clear as much snow from your roof as possible. Use a roof rake to get the majority of the snow off the roof and on the ground. Make sure you protect your gutters during this step, and even remove the snow from them, when possible.
  • Check Downspouts – Your gutter downspouts should be positioned so they run away from the foundation of your home. If they are not functioning properly, or the water is pooling near your house, you may consider additions that can take the water to a safer spot.
  • Install or Upgrade a Sump Pump – A sump pump is a prime way to keep water from damaging your basement and in turn foundation. Water that does get into the basement is drained into a pit and eventually “flushed” away so that it doesn’t cause indoor flooding issues. Many of the top pumps manufactured today also include features such as alarms that can alert you if there is a problem that needs your attention.
  • Move the Snow – Get out there with a shovel, blower or other tool and remove snow from around your home’s foundation. Deep snowbanks will create a LOT of water when they melt, which could damage your foundation or even seep inside. Just moving snow within 10 feet of your house could make a big difference this spring. If you have a high powered blower, you may be able to take the snow even further for additional precautions.

As the snow melts and your temperatures rise, you may not be running the heater quite as often. This is the ideal time to have your system checked and maintained by the pros. Reach out to us at KLEBS today and let us take care of one of your spring maintenance tasks – so you can focus on everything else you need to do to keep your home safe and comfortable.

Guy (with allergies) sneezing into a tissue.

How to Use Your HVAC to Relieve Seasonal Allergies

Posted on | by Mike Klebs

When you think about your HVAC system, you probably value it for its ability to keep your home warm during winter. You may also use it to get the air moving on a stuffy summer day. However, there is another use for this important system in your home–to improve indoor air quality. Have you ever thought about how useful your HVAC can be to prevent or manage seasonal allergies?

HVAC and the Air You Breathe

When you think about it, it makes sense. The air you breathe is the same air that has been moving through your HVAC unit. So, if your unit is optimized for seasonal allergy reduction, you and your family will likely have fewer problems. Taking control of your HVAC is especially important for anyone with serious allergies or asthma.

What can you do?

While your HVAC offers some allergy benefits no matter what, it is possible to boost this, with a bit of effort. Consider these simple ways you can improve the allergy-fighting power of your unit.

  • Dust – Dust your unit and all vents regularly. This will keep these particles out of the air and reduce allergens that you or your family would otherwise breathe.
  • Maintain – A well-maintained unit will work more effectively on all fronts, including fighting seasonal allergies.
  • Check for Mold – One of the most common indoor allergens is mold. Check your unit for mold and consider having your ducts inspected or cleaned as well.
  • Use a Quality Filter – When you browse HVAC filters at the store, look at how effective they are against common allergens in your home. Homes with pets or significant dust may benefit from the best filters on the market.

Change Your Filter Regularly

The single most important thing you can do to help your HVAC control seasonal allergies is to change the filter regularly. Change this filter every six weeks, at a minimum, and more often if you have pets, smokers in the home or anyone has serious allergies. A new filter will keep the air clean and fresh, plus your HVAC will operate more efficiently too. What could be better than that?

If you have any questions or concerns about your HVAC or you would like more information about how it can be optimized for the best possible indoor air quality, contact us at KLEBS today. We do more than just install and repair HVAC units, we can assist you with maintenance that keeps them running smoothly and more effectively. Our experienced team of technicians is ready to help you!