When is it time to replace a toilet?

When your toilet clogs or overflows, the mess can take hours to clean up. Of course, the crisis usually occurs at the wrong time like when you are having a party or during a holiday.  Imagine if you are not at home when the water crisis occurs!  Then you are left to fix the problem yourself or quickly find a plumber to perform the repairs for you.  So, how do you know when your toilet is in its final stages and requires a replacement?

1.    INCESSANT CLOGGING- It’s not uncommon for objects to get flushed down the toilet, many of which may land in areas of piping that are inaccessible. Not only items, but also deposits from minerals in the water that may continue to build along the piping until it’s completely blocked. The resulting blockage could be requiring you to plunge your toilet multiple times on a weekly basis; at this point, it is probably time to replace at least some plumbing components or invest in a new toilet.

 

2.    CRACKS and LEAKS- Cracks in the porcelain comprising the bowl, base, or tank of the toilet will gradually deepen if left unchecked. If not dealt with, eventually the cracked area will break, resulting in flooding and ruined floors.  Even though the emergency might not arise for a long time, cracks can still cause daily leakage, most likely whenever the toilet is flushed, and water damage to the area surrounding the toilet. As cracking or leaking increase, it’s recommended to choose a new toilet as soon as possible.

3.    CONSTANT REPAIRS- The costs of those small fixes add up; the stopper in the tank or the toilet handle are common and easy enough to fix.  Sometimes the accompanying pipes need repair.  At some point, the cost of the repairs becomes greater than that of a new toilet. If it’s been years since your toilet has been replaced, newer units have become much more efficient and water saving.

If you are not sure, if you want a comfort height toilet, elongated seat or pressure assisted flushing click hear to read our guide on buying a new toilet.  http://jacksontotalhometips.blogspot.com/2014/07/guide-to-buying-new-toilet.html

Jackson Total Service is an air conditioning, plumbing and electrical contractor in Naples, FL.  We are located at 3727 Enterprise Ave 34104. 

Feel free to contact us at (239) 643-0923 or on the web at www.jacksontotal.com           www.facebook.com/jacksontotalservice

Are Your Air Ducts Costing You Money?

According to the Department

of Energy

“The typical duct system loses 25% to 40%

of the energy put out by the central air conditioner.”

 

The problem with leaky ductwork is that air not only can leak out of you HVAC system and air ducts -- untreated and unclean air and contaminants from the attic can actually be pulled in to the air you and your family breathe.  We find 20% to 40% leakage in 3 out of 4 homes we visit.   Since so many air duct systems leak and pull bad air in, poor air quality is a problem that many homes have.

 

Repairing and patching leaks in HVAC duct systems saves cooling, heating, and fan energy. In air-based systems, ducts deliver all of the heating and cooling to conditioned spaces. Any duct leakage translates into extra air that must be supplied so sufficient heating or cooling reaches the conditioned space. This not only increases effective heating and cooling loads, it also increases fan energy due to increased flow and/or run time. Sealing duct leaks reduces the amount of heated or cooled air the supply fan must handle to deliver the same amount of air to the conditioned space.

 
Poor indoor air quality can lead to poor health. 
Do you have these problems in your home?  

• Excessive, unsightly dust?
• Hot or cold rooms?
• Dirt or sweating on vents?
• Hot humid air?
• Lingering or musty odors?
• High utility bills?
• Allergies, asthma, trouble sleeping or headaches?

Independent research shows 90% of homes have hidden air flow problems causing health, comfort, safety and efficiency issues. 

 

Permanent solutions to these irritants are now possible!

The Home & Duct Performance Evaluation is the 1st step in helping you identify the precise root cause of these persistent issues in your home & ultimately make you more COMFORTABLE and HEALTHY.

 

 

Jackson Total Service is an air conditioning, plumbing and electrical contractor in Naples, FL.  Contact us at (239) 643-0923 or on the web at www.jacksontotal.com

 

 

 

 

 

Guide to Buying a New Toilet

Buying a new toilet may seem easy.    Nowadays, you can buy a toilet in a box.  The box has everything you need for the installation.  However, there are many features to consider when choosing a toilet and the technology that is making them more comfortable, efficient and eco-friendly than ever before. 

Here are some options to consider when making a new purchase: 

Select Bowl Shape 

Do you prefer a round bowl or elongated shape?  Elongated toilets tend to provide greater comfort but they take up more space.  If you have a smaller bathroom, such as a half-bath, choose a round bowl toilet that will fit into tight spaces.   

 

Select Toilet Height
Next, determine the appropriate height for your toilet. Standard sizes are 14 or 15 inches, but the 16 or 17-inch models are becoming increasingly popular, especially for taller or physically challenged individuals.  These are called comfort height toilets or ADA approved toilets.

 

Select Design Style

There are three design styles to consider when purchasing a new toilet:

Two-Piece: The bowl and tank are separate pieces

• Most common type
• Generally more economical
• Easy to find replacement parts 

One-Piece: Tank and bowl fused together into a seamless unit

• May require larger upfront investment
• Save space
• No hard-to-clean crevices
• Creates a sleek, stylish look

Wall Mounted: Mounts to wall and eliminates need for toilet foot or base

• May cost more to purchase and install
• Ideal for transfers from wheelchair or walker
• Requires thicker wall for mounting
• Drain for toilet must be on wall rather than floor
• Easy to clean underneath 

Water Saving Toilets

Save up to $90 per year on your water and sewage bill with WaterSense® labeled toilets. Toilets are the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30% of an average home's indoor water consumption. New flushing technology across various toilets has enabled water conservation without sacrificing flush performance.

Toilet Seats

Consider upgrading your new or existing toilet with a new toilet seat with features including slow or quiet close and easy cleaning. There are even toilet seats with night lights.  Check out the Kohler website for more information.  http://www.us.kohler.com/us/

Jackson Total Service is an air conditioning, plumbing and electrical contractor in Naples, FL.  Contact us at (239) 643-0923 or on the web at www.jacksontotal.com

 

Choosing the Best Air Filter for your Home

Breathe deep with improved

air quality 

 You can begin improving the air quality in your home immediately just by changing or upgrading your air filter. There are several factors to consider when deciding which air filter to buy.

 

Home air filters keep the coils on the air conditioning system clean. Dirty coils make the system work harder. Every time a technician from Jackson Total Service visits your home, he records a static pressure measurement.  If that number is high, your coil may be dirty.  Keeping the filter clean protects the coils and helps prolong the life of your air-conditioning unit.

 

The most important thing to remember about home air filters is to change them regularly. Even the highest-quality filter can't do its job right if it's clogged with a thick layer of particles. Different filters are meant to be changed at different intervals, but once a month is a common time frame. Brand new homes, as well as homes where there is remodeling or construction going on, will need more frequent filter changes to compensate for the extra dust and residue in the air.  The chart below highlights some of the option in air filters available to you from Jackson Total Service.

 

 

Don’t let your NOSE be the best air cleaner in your home.

 

Since we spend 90% of our time indoors, it's important that the air inside our homes is safe and clean. A home with poor air quality or indoor air pollutants can lead to illness and discomfort. Respiratory infections, sneezing and chronic lung conditions like asthma have been linked to poor indoor air quality. You don’t have to put up with an unhealthy home.  There is a way to fix them permanently.  New technology and repair procedures can transform your home into a wonderful indoor environment.  ASK about our Home & Duct Comfort Evaluation.

 

 

 

 

Jackson Total Service is an air conditioning, plumbing and electrical contractor in Naples, FL.  Contact us at (239) 643-0923 or on the web at www.jacksontotal.com.  We are located at 3727 Enterprise Ave Naples, FL 34104

Surge Protection for Your Home or Business

It’s the 4^th of July weekend and there will be tons of fireworks in the skies!  Some of these fireworks will be man-made and some will be natural lighting storms.  

 
Did You Know?

• Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S.
• Power surges are one of the main causes of damage to A/C systems.
• The electricity flowing within a lightning bolt can reach 2 million volts.
• Electrical storms cause approximately $100 million in property damage each year.

Power surges are unpredictable and can enter through your home or business’ electrical, phone, cable and data lines.  Just this past week a doctor’s office in Naples was hit by lighting.  Luckily, the damage was only a couple of thousands of dollars.  Next week, we will be installing surge protection on the office’s two electrical panel.  At the same time, we will upgrade the grounding system to current code. 

Trust Jackson Total Service to install Surge Protection to protect against these types of power surges before they happen. Have peace of mind that your major motor-driven appliances are safeguarded.

• Superior Protection for your air conditioning, refrigerator, clothes washer, dishwasher, computers, flat screen televisions and more.
• Thousands of Dollars in Potential Savings since you won't have to repair or replace your motor-driven appliances because of surge damage.
• Invaluable Peace of Mind for your home and your budget.

Jackson Total Service is an air conditioning, plumbing and electrical contractor in Naples, Florida.  Contact us at (239) 643-0923 or at www.jacksontotal.com.

 

 

 

 

Hurricane Tips for Your Air Conditioning System

The 2014 Hurricane Season has arrived!  The first storm system has been named and is heading up the east coast this 4^th of July weekend!  Although SW Florida won’t see any direct impact from Arthur, here are a few tips to prepare your AC system for an upcoming storm.

·         Turn off your HVAC system.

·         You should also shut off the breakers going to the unit to help prevent damage.

·         Cover any outside equipment with a tarp or plywood, and tie it down to prevent debris from getting inside the unit and possibly causing damage. You can also help secure your outside AC unit with hurricane straps to give added protection.

·         Power surges are another potential hazard to your HVAC equipment during storms. An electric surge can take out your AC unit as well as any other electronic device that you keep plugged in during the storm. A point of entry surge protector can be installed to protect your whole house, as well as individual surge protectors for your other important devices like your computers or televisions. Power surges come not only from lightning strikes, but from downed power lines as well. It is best to go ahead and unplug any electronics that you can as surge protectors don't always stop the surge completely.

Before you turn your air conditioner back on, do a full inspection of the unit. Check the exterior for any damage and the inside to make sure that debris hasn’t infiltrated the unit. If everything looks alright and the unit isn’t sitting in a puddle of water, turn it on. If you are in doubt as to whether it is safe to turn the system back on, you should contact a certified technician to come out and inspect the air conditioning system. This could help prevent costly damage to the unit from debris or even wildlife that may have decided to take refuge in air conditioner or other internal issues that a homeowner might not recognize.

Be safe and prepare for Hurricanes.  If you cannot remember when you had your air conditioning serviced last, why not schedule a service call today.  Preventative maintenance is a great way to protect you from midnight emergencies, unexpected expenses and possibly extend the life of your  air conditioner.  It is a good way to prevent problems from occurring, and to keep your air conditioning system running at its maximum efficiency.

Jackson Total Service is an air conditioning, plumbing and electrical contractor in Naples, FL.  Contact us at (239) 643-0923 or on the web at www.jacksontotal.com.
We are located at 3727 Enterprise Ave Naples, FL 34104