Why Design Matters for your HVAC System

by Tiger Services
Aug 23, 2019
0

PLUMBING ELECTRIC AC CONTACT

REDUCE ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

WITH DUCT CLEANING

If you have allergies, the outdoors can be a minefield of allergens that trigger sneezing, sniffles and congestion. Unfortunately, it can be just as bad indoors, but with the right HVAC maintenance, you can minimize the chance of spending your summer in misery.

One often overlooked maintenance item is duct cleaning. Air systems recirculate most of the air in the house and even if you keep on top of your filter replacement, unwanted particles can remain in your ductwork and make you ill.

Some of these allergens include:

Dust mites

These microscopic arachnids are nearly invisible to the naked eye, but they are responsible for allergy symptoms like sneezing, congestion and coughing. Asthma is also connected to the unwanted presence of these tiny creatures. It’s not the mites themselves that cause the symptoms, but their excretions. They consume dead skin cells and flourish in moist conditions. Reducing the amount of dust in your ductwork will lower the population of dust mites and minimize your exposure to them.

Pet dander

Pets shed dead skin cells just like we do. This is known as pet dander and because of its small, sometimes microscopic size, it remains suspended in the air and accumulates in ductwork. If you have a pet allergy that won’t clear up, even with extra cleaning and high efficiency filtration, cleaning your ducts might be the answer.

Pollen

If you think you’re safe from pollen while indoors, think again. Pollen enters homes through open windows and doors, pets that play outside and our own clothes, hair and shoes. Particularly during late summer and fall, these allergens are almost everywhere, including your ductwork.

Viruses and bacteria

While viruses aren’t considered allergens, nothing is worse than having allergy symptoms and another illness at the same time. Viruses and bacteria can accumulate and circulate throughout your home via ductwork that isn’t clean. Dirty ducts are also ideal breeding grounds for microbes, increasing your family’s exposure.

Keeping your ductwork clean

You can do ongoing maintenance of grilles and portions of your ductwork using a vacuum cleaner but at some point, you need more. A professional has the equipment and expertise to remove long-accumulated dust and allergens from your home’s air system. Depending on your sensitivity, you may need to have your ducts cleaned more often but cleaning between heating and cooling seasons is recommended.

If you are concerned about how your home’s ductwork is affecting your allergies (and your overall health), give us a call and we can help you breathe better.

Install medium colored drapes and keep them shut tight. Lighter fabrics like cotton work best to block heat and not absorb it.

Turn your fan on! During the summer, make sure you have your fan spinning counter-clockwise. This pushes the cooler air down.

Make sure there is proper air flow to the air conditioning unit and throughout the house. Clear away debris and overgrown plants from around the exterior AC box and make sure the air can get into it unobstructed.

Change the air filter in the AC unit before you start using it. This not only keeps the system from straining to maintain proper air flow but also improves the quality of the air in your home.

· Have a professional inspect and repair all internal parts throughout the whole system. Connections should be tightened, all moving parts should be lubricated and the condensation drain should be cleared.

Job Fair Upcoming in August

by Tiger Services
Aug 14, 2019
0

Want to know what it is like to work for one of the fastest growing companies in the St. Louis Metro East area? Are you looking for a long-term career with a company that values teamwork and promotes a fun working atmosphere? Well, look no further! We are Tiger Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical Services and we are having a job fair Thursday, August 22nd, at 5:30 p.m.

About Us:

We have been in business since 1993, celebrating our 26th year in business, and we are a growing and stable company. We were named as a Best Place to work in Illinois and a Top Work Place in the St. Louis area four years in a row. We have also been named to Inc. 5000’s list of top growing small businesses in the entire country!

We Offer:

Top Pay
Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement package
Company vehicle with fuel provided
Year-round work
On-going training

Job Fair Event Information:

Want to join our growing team? Then join us for our job fair, on August 22nd, at our Collinsville location. This event is perfect for anyone looking for a long-term career. We have a variety of opportunities available and we need people like you!

So whether you’re unemployed, underemployed or you’re just looking for a change, join us at 5:30 p.m. sharp on Thursday, August 22nd, and learn about the benefits that come with being a member of Team Tiger!

Job Fair

Job Fair Details:

Time: Thursday August 22nd, 5:30 PM Sharp!

Location: 1902 Vandalia St. Suite 100, Collinsville, IL 62234

Bring your resume and any questions you may have for our management team. Hope to see you there! If you have any questions contact Holly Gill at holly.gill@trusttiger.com, or call 844-714-6559. Dream Job, Application, Location, Job

Reduce Allergens With Duct Cleaning

by Tiger Services
Jul 26, 2019
0

If you have allergies, the outdoors can be a minefield of allergens that trigger sneezing, sniffles and congestion. Unfortunately, it can be just as bad indoors, but with the right HVAC maintenance, you can minimize the chance of spending your summer in misery. Allergy, Medical, Allergic, Allergen

One often overlooked maintenance item is duct cleaning. Air systems recirculate most of the air in the house and even if you keep on top of your filter replacement, unwanted particles can remain in your ductwork and make you ill.

Some of these allergens include:

Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic arachnids that are nearly invisible to the naked eye. They are responsible for allergy symptoms like sneezing, congestion and coughing. Asthma is also connected to the unwanted presence of these tiny creatures. It’s not the mites themselves that cause the symptoms, but their excretions. They consume dead skin cells and flourish in moist conditions. Reducing the amount of dust in your ductwork will lower the population of dust mites and minimize your exposure to them.

Pet dander

Pets shed dead skin cells just like we do. This is known as pet dander and because of its small, sometimes microscopic size, it remains suspended in the air and accumulates in ductwork. If you have a pet allergy that won’t clear up. Even with extra cleaning and high efficiency filtration, cleaning your ducts might be the answer.

Pollen

If you think you’re safe from pollen while indoors, think again. Pollen enters homes through open windows and doors, pets that play outside and our own clothes, hair and shoes. Particularly during spring and early summer, these allergens are almost everywhere, including your ductwork. Dandelion, Plant, Close Up, Summer, Macro, Blossom

Viruses and bacteria

While viruses aren’t considered allergies, nothing is worse than having allergy symptoms and another illness at the same time. Viruses and bacteria can accumulate and circulate throughout your home via ductwork that isn’t clean. Dirty ducts are also ideal breeding grounds for microbes, increasing your family’s exposure.

Keeping your ductwork clean

You can do ongoing maintenance of grilles and portions of your ductwork using a vacuum cleaner but at some point, you need more. A professional has the equipment and expertise to remove long-accumulated dust and allergens from your home’s air system. Depending on your sensitivity, you may need to have your ducts cleaned more often but cleaning between heating and cooling seasons is recommended.

If you are concerned about how your home’s ductwork is affecting your allergies (and your overall health), give us a call and we can help you breathe better.

If you’re concerned about your allergies and need to optimize your HVAC system, we can help you assess and make modifications so you can breathe easy!

Give us a call at (877) 552-2326 or go to our Schedule A Service page.

Stay Cool During 4th of July

by Tiger Services
Jul 04, 2019
0

This weekend we celebrate Independence Day with cookouts, fairs, parades, fireworks and much more. All of this 4th of July fun will have you out and about in the July heat, and it’s important for you to keep cool during this weekend’s festivities. Here are some helpful tips to ensure you don’t get overheated this weekend.

1. Stay Hydrated

Carry water with you everywhere you go. Dehydration can ruin all of your 4th of July fun, but drinking lots of water will keep you going this weekend.

2. Hit the Faucet

Every couple of hours find the nearest faucet and run your wrist under the cool water. Doing this will help you keep your core body temperature under control. There is a main vein that runs close to the surface of the skin on your wrist. Running cool water over this vein will help cool your blood, dropping your core body temperature.

3. Cool Down Your Sunscreen

Stick your sunscreen in the fridge or in your cooler. The lotion will get nice and cold, which will feel great to apply over your hot skin to help lower your core body temperature. Also, try applying cold lotion to the bottom of your feet, it will feel amazing and help cool you down.

4. Incorporate Water Activities

Besides adding a lot of fun to your 4th of July festivities, water activities are a great way to cool down in the summer heat. Hook up a sprinkler to your hose and runthrough the water. Fill a pool (even if it’s just a small one) and splash around. Load up on water balloons and squirt guns. Just make sure there’s lots of water to play in!

5. Take A Break

Don’t get so caught up in all of the 4th of July fun to forget to give yourself a break. Head indoors to enjoy some air conditioning every few hours. The cool air from your AC will feel amazing on your skin and help refresh you.

6. Make Sure Everything is in Working Order

Double check that your sprinklers are working, your hose doesn’t have a hole, your AC has enough Freon, your faucets are running properly and your pipes are free of clogs, before the holiday gets here. You don’t want to be in the middle of your BBQ and discover that your air conditioner just gave out on you or your water supply isn’t flowing like it’s supposed to.

If you’re concerned about the condition of your air conditioner, pipes or have any other plumbing or HVAC concerns, and you would like an inspection from a certified local professional before the 4th of July gets here: schedule an appointment online or give Tiger Services a call today at (877) 552-2326.

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

(877) 552-2326

7 Tips for Preventing Plumbing Failures

by Tiger Services
Jun 14, 2019
0

Your home’s plumbing is mostly hidden from view so it’s easy to forget about. That is, until something goes wrong. Here are some ways to prevent plumbing issues from becoming disasters.

1. Do a regular visual inspection of your home’s plumbing

This might seem obvious but in the chaos of everyday life, it’s easy to push it down the priorities list. Run water in each sink to see how quickly it drains and if there are any changes. Pay attention to the length of time you can run a hot shower before the water gets too cold. Look in the cabinets under sinks for evidence of leakage.

Continue reading “7 Tips for Preventing Plumbing Failures” →

Memorial Day Weekend Tips

by Tiger Services
May 24, 2019
0

Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer, but the rainy spring weather isn’t ready to let go just yet. There is a lot of rain in the forecast this week and we are all crossing our fingers, hoping that the weather improves before the big holiday weekend. Unfortunately, along with the heavy rain falls, the temperature and humidity levels are also on the rise this week. One thing is clear as we head into Memorial Day weekend; the weather is not on our side. Don’t panic just yet! Here are some steps you can take to help prevent the extreme weather from ruining your holiday weekend.

memorial day

1. Avoid a Sump Pump Disaster

Sump pumps are designed to help prevent basement flooding, especially during periods of constant and heavy rainfall. The protection offered by sump pumps is especially important in finished basements with recreation rooms, home offices, bedrooms or rooms storing electronics or valuables. Like all other vital equipment in your home, your sump pump needs regular maintenance to ensure everything is functioning properly and so you can avoid a major disaster. We’ll be happy to inspect and evaluate your sump pump needs, to give you peace of mind.

2. Battling the Humidity

With the heat rising and the rain falling, dealing with humidity this week is not going to be pleasant. To help you get through this muggy week, try out a few of these easy humidity-busting tricks.

Turn on your exhaust fans when bathing, doing laundry or cooking.
Cover pots as much as possible when cooking.
Use portable fans to improve airflow in stuffy rooms.
Take cooler and shorter showers.
Make sure all windows and doors are shut tight and that air isn’t able to leak through them.
Turn on your air conditioning to improve air flow and lower your home’s temperature.
Use a dehumidifier.

3. Make Sure Your AC is ready for the Long Haul

Many people have been holding off on turning on their air conditioners, but the weather this week may mean it’s finally time to flip on that AC. The temperatures will be in the 80’s and the rain and humidity will mean that your windows will need to be closed. You’ll likely need to turn on your air conditioner for some much-needed relief but will your AC be up for the challenge? Air conditioning units require yearly maintenance and inspections to keep them running properly. Call on our expert technicians here at Team Tiger to make sure that your AC can handle the heat.

4. Keep the Power On

Power outages are always a real concern during stormy weather. Having a Whole-Home Standby Generator installed will help you keep the lights on and your AC running during even the most severe weather. A generator is not only useful during stormy spring and summer weather, but it can also come in handy during the winter months if a blizzard blows in. Like your sump pump and AC, generators require yearly maintenance. So if you already have a generator for your home, make sure to have one of our Certified Electricians come out and ensure everything is running properly and safely this season.

Happy Memorial Day!

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

(877) 552-2326

How to Avoid Sump Pump Failure

by Tiger Services
May 07, 2019
0

It’s been a very wet couple of days, how’s your sump pump holding up? If you are like a lot of people in the area, you are about to find yourself standing knee-deep in dirty rainwater. Basement flooding is an expensive and stressful side effect from all this rain we’ve been getting. This is especially true if you have a finished basement since mold can flourish in wet insulation.

The key to avoiding all of the havoc and high cost, which accompanies the hassle of a flooded basement, is to make sure your sump pump is prepared to keep up. Your poor sump pump has been working overtime and it’s time you gave it a little TLC. Most basement floods are the result of a sump pump that failed or just couldn’t handle the amount of water it was meant to pump out. Just because your sump pump hasn’t failed you so far, doesn’t mean you’re not in for a huge, messy surprise.

You can help prevent a basement flood from happening to you this summer by following the four simple steps on this checklist, meant to keep your sump pump from giving up on you:

Sump Pump Checklist

Screen: All sump pumps have a screen that allows water to flow through. When this screen becomes clogged, water will no longer flow through. If the water can’t flow through the screen fast enough, it will back up and overflow, causing a flood. Checking to make sure your sump pump screen is not becoming clogged will ensure that water can continue to flow freely.
Switch: The switch on your sump pump could be damaged or become stuck. If this happens, the switch may fail or function improperly, causing flooding issues. Checking your switch on a regular basis will clear away any debris that may become stuck to the switch and cause it to be damaged. Make sure that the switch is not being shoved against the side of the basin, helping to ensure it doesn’t become stuck.
Circuit Breaker: If the circuit breaker your sump pump is connected to trips during a rain storm, your basement could flood very quickly. Prevent this from happening by making sure that your sump pump is connected to its own breaker. Don’t overload the circuit breaker with other large appliances and make sure you ground your circuit breaker with a fault interrupter.
Sump Pit: If the pump impeller or the discharge tube in the sump pit becomes clogged, major flooding can occur. While checking the screen, check the sump pit for mud or debris, which might cause a clog.

Still Need Help?

Taking the time to check these four items off of your sump pump checklist will really save you a lot of time and money down the road. If you’ve completed this checklist and you’re still concerned about the state of your sump pump, you may consider adding a backup. Do you have a sump pump that runs regularly or is the potential for large amounts of rain to fall in your area? Installing a backup will help keep your basement dry.

If you need help to keep your plumbing in working order, we can work with you to prevent any issues from happening. Give us a call at (877) 552-2326 or Schedule A Service with one of our plumbers!