So You Need a Plumber or Some Plumbing Repair in Dubuque?

In a continuing effort to help our clients and community we wanted to share some tips on what to look for when hiring a plumber for either residential plumbing repairs or commercial plumbing needs.  Click Here to read a great article from the folks at This Old House on this very subject.
From clogged drains to total bathroom remodels to new construction, ServiceOne technicians can handle your plumbing needs. Our licensed plumbers are bonded professionals, so they have the skills to get the job done right. Our vans are fully stocked with replacement parts so you can avoid the inconvenience of a second appointment. 

Some of the services our plumbers provide include installing water heaters, gas or electric, installing sump pumps, running gas piping and of course toilet, sink and bathroom repairs.
Call today for a free estimate or a quick repair. 563-556-0666.

Do I Need To Replace My Water Heater and Furnace After a Flood?

After last week's massive downpour in Dubuque and around the Tri-state area we wanted to share some answers to some of the frequently asked questions. The main one we have been answering is, "Do I need to replace my water heater and furnace after they have been flooded?"

Here are some highlights from the Serviceguard page from Black Hills Energy:

Q: My furnace and water heater were flooded. What happens to them?A: If your furnace or water heater were submerged in floodwaters, they will need to be inspected by a licensed contractor or other qualified service technician before service is restored.

You may have to replace your furnaces gas valve and all electrical controls, wiring, motors and safety components. However, it may be cheaper to replace the furnace than to purchase and replace the separate components.

You may also need to replace your water heater, whether it’s gas or electric. Water heater gas valves and the internal wiring in electric models can be costly, and often times may exceed the cost of a new water heater. Corrosion can also attack relief valves, which may “freeze” shut or continuously leak. Additionally, the floodwater may have damaged the internal insulation around the water heater tank causing corrosion and failure of the water tank.

Q: I only had a few inches of water in my basement. Do I still need to replace my furnace and water heater?
A: A licensed contractor or other qualified service technician will need to inspect your heating equipment for possible damage as well as check your gas service line for water before it will be placed back into service.

Q: Replacing a furnace and water heater is expensive. Why can’t I just let the equipment dry out and then use it?
A: Your appliances and heating equipment are all protected by safety components. These components as well as the gas valves, motors and wiring are prone to corrosion and failure after they have been subjected to the silt and other contaminates contained in flood water. These contaminates cannot be removed by merely washing them off. The Gas Appliance Manufacturer’s Association sets national specifications for the manufacture of all gas heating and cooking appliances and GAMA states that flooded equipment should be replaced and NOT repaired.

To get a FREE estimate on any of your flooded aplliances like water heaters or furnaces please call us at 563-556-0666.  Our comfort advisor Robb will be more than happy to help you out.

A Cool New Commercial From ServiceOne

With a little help from American Standard we are keeping people cool and laughing this summer.

Inflow & Infiltration in Dubuque, Are You Up To Code?

In the next few months you are going to be hearing alot about Inflow & Infiltration in the city of Dubuque.  We wanted to give you a heads up so you can prepare and know what to do in case you are not up to code.

The City of Dubuque has recently started property inspections as part of its Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Program to reduce sanitary sewer overflows and sewer back-ups by eliminating storm water inflow and groundwater infiltration into the City’s sanitary sewer collector system.

Inflow is a direct connection of “clear” water (rain/storm water) into the wastewater (sanitary sewer) collection system. Infiltration is an indirect connection of “clear” water to the wastewater (sanitary sewer) system. Inflow is by far the larger problem of the two and occurs in direct proportion to rainfall.

Inflow is most often the result of improperly installed sump pumps (used by many homeowners to keep groundwater out of basements), roof downspouts, and foundation drains illegally connected to the City’s sanitary sewer system. Sump pumps are also sometimes illegally connected to the sanitary sewer system via a hose leading from the sump to a laundry tub or floor drain. Infiltration occurs when groundwater seeps into sewer pipes through cracks, leaky joints or deteriorated manholes.

Our ServiceOne team can help you get up to code in no time. 

For more information please call 563-556-0666

Water Heater Updates and Tips From ServiceOne Dubuque

If you haven’t bought a new water heater in the last 4 to 5 years, you may be in for a shock. About 3 years ago, the government regulated that certain changes be made regarding efficiencies and more importantly the design of “gas fired” water heaters. The design change was made to prevent the water heater from being the “source of ignition” in case there was a potential buildup of explosive gases [generally assumes a gas leak]. 

This safety design change increased the cost of the unit substantially. When buying a new water heater, you should investigate to make sure that the units’ safety mechanism can be reset in case of activation. This is not true of all units. Those units that can’t be reset may need to be replaced if the system is ever activated.

Check out the video below for even more great tips on keeping your water heater running more efficiently.



To find out more about water heaters and tankless water heaters call 563-556-5577 and mention this post.

Have a Safe Memorial Day From ServiceOne

Here's a little Memorial Day hiistory for you to enjoy courtesy of the History Channel.  Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, honors the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer. In 2011, Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 30.



Although the main ServiceOne office will be closed on Memorial Day our on call technicians will be available to help you with any emergency.  563-556-5577.

Treating Children's Allergies and Asthma in Dubuque

Are your children effcted by allergies or asthma in Dubuque?  As part of Asthma and Allergy Awareness month we wanted to share as much useful information with you as possible.
First off here are some startling facts about allergies and asthma in Dubuque and beyond thanks to the folks at the Nationl Asthma and Allergy Foundation.
Asthma is one of the most common serious chronic diseases of childhood.
Asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among children under 15.
An average of one out of every 10 school-aged children has asthma.
10.5 million school days are missed each year due to asthma.

Sound familiar?  In Dubuque there are some great resources you can use like the video below.




ServiceOne can also help make things more comfortable for you with an American Standard AccuClean whole house air filter. Click Here for more information or call 563-556-0666 to request a FREE indoor air quality evaluation for your home or business.

Are You Aware of Why Your Asthma and Allergies are Worse in the Spring?

As part of our series on Asthma and Allergy Awareness month we wanted to share this great video from the doctors at Medical Associates right here in Dubuque.




ServiceOne can also help make things more comfortable for you with an AccuClean whole house air filter. Click here for more information or call 563-556-0666 to request a FREE indoor air quality evaluation for your home or business.

How To Clean Your AccuClean Air Filter System

Now that everyone is starting to open their windows up and allergy season is starting we wanted to remind you to make sure you keep your whole house filteration system working properly.
Here’s something to sneeze at: Did you know that up to 72 trillion microscopic irritants, or allergens, find their way into your home every day? The most common trespassers are dust, pollen, pet hair and dander, dust mites, mildew, lint, fungus, tobacco smoke, cooking grease and bacteria. Some particles like these are often as small as .3 microns – so small that 2 million of them could fit on the period at the end of this sentence. Besides the allergic effect they might cause, many of these particles are so small that the natural defenses in your nose and throat can’t filter them out, and they can get deep into your lungs.
Here is a way you can kick these critters out of the house. The AccuClean Whole-Home Air Filtration System catches up to 99.98 percent of allergens in the filtered air down to .1 microns. So while it might be allergy season outside, inside you’ll be breathing clean and clear indoor air, which may also help reduce the risk of asthma attack, stroke, heart attack, respiratory disease and other serious illnesses.

Check out our How To Video Now!

To find out how you can get an AccuClean to help your family or for a FREE indoor air quality evalution in the Dubuque area call 563-556-5577 and mention this post.

SeviceOne and the Dubuque Community Days of Caring

ServiceOne in Dubuque is proud to be helping out at this year's Dubuque Community Days of Caring on
April 29-30, 201.  It's a great event to help out the community and it only takes a few hours to make a difference.

Join in on making a difference in the community at the sixth annual Dubuque Community Days of Caring on Friday, April 29, 2011 and Saturday, April 30, 2011.

Volunteers from around the Dubuque area will join local charities & organizations to work on one time service projects. Anyone and everyone from Dubuque and the surrounding communities are encouraged to volunteer to make a difference in the community.

To sign up go to http://www.dbqdaysofcaring.org/ and click on the volunteer form, fill it out and click to submit.
If you want to join the ServiceOne team for the day contact Robb at 563-556-5577 asap.

News You Can Use

We take pride in being to help people within the Tri-State area so we want to make sure you know what's going on.  Here are a few links to some local events you may find interesting.  If you have more let us know and we will share them with our other fans and clients as well.
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce and the Telegraph Herald Community Events Page.

Heating, Cooling and A Whole Lot More With ServiceOne in Dubuque

After countless hours of listening to the needs of our clients and even more time researching consumer trends in heating and cooling, we are proud to introduce you to the new ServiceOne Dubuque website.  ServiceOneDubuque.com
It will soon be filled with how-to-articles and videos and offers great resources to improving your indoor air quality as well as all of the current rebates and specials available.  Please check out our site and leave us a few comments so that we can serve you even more.

Do Warranties Drive Your Buying Decision?

Warranties, warranties, what are they good for? Most new products come with limited warranties, but if you want extra protection you'll have to pay for it.  The question is, is it worth it? Warranties could save you thousands when you talk about furnace repairs or furnace replacements. We would like to hear from you. Most people love them when something breaks down and they have one, but does a warranty effect your buying decision?  Please take a few seconds to answer this quick poll below.

How Dangerous Are Space Heaters?

Here is a great article on why space heaters may not be such a hot idea.
What Are the Dangers of Space Heaters? eHow.com

To learn more about repairing or replacing your furnace or for a free indoor air quality evaluation call Robb at 563-556-0666.