Champaign Plumbing Tip: The Technology of Video Pipe Inspection

April 2nd, 2012

Let’s face it – technology is the answer for everything. If it’s mechanical, it has been affected by technology. The your Champaign plumbing is no exception. Technology now makes it possible for people to look inside the piping in their home – to get the “inside story” on why a pipe is blocked up or why water is flowing too slowly. A trained expert can use video pipe inspection technology to quickly diagnose a problem in order to find a solution.

So what types of technology are available today? Before we get to that, remember that technology is fluent. By the time you read this blog there may be something new to make this material outdated. The best way to keep up with the latest technology of video pipe inspection is to talk to your local Champaign plumbing professionals and check out updates on the Web.

The technology you will see in your home can be viewed live or via digital recording. The camera and its scope can grab a birds-eye view of the pipe without the need to unscrew fittings and elbows and without having to make a mess of things.

Plumbers making a service call who use video inspection will usually show homeowners some live pictures from inside their pipes or use a digital reproduction in their sales presentation. In either case, the camera doesn’t lie and repairs are quickly supported by video evidence.

Here are some of the components involved in the technology of video pipe inspection. First and foremost is the camera itself, which usually will have high definition image display, recording, and playback capabilities. Images can be stored on flash cards for downloading onto other computers or to the Web. The lens of the camera is mounted into the head of the scope, which could be made of fiber optic or fiberglass material. The scope or “snake” comes in a variety of lengths. Images from the camera can viewed on monitors of various sizes in color or black-and-white.

According to one plumber who utilizes this type of technology, video pipe inspection provides “an assessment of pipe’s structural integrity, detection of blockages, breaks or defects, still image/video footage for client use, and first-time mapping or updates.”

If you want to utilize the latest technology to diagnose pluming problems in your home, call Lanz Heating and Cooling and ask for a video pipe inspection.

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Check Out Our YouTube Channel!

March 30th, 2012

With all of the excitement around our fundraising efforts for the Susan G. Komen foundation, we have received a ton of video testimonials from many of our customers. Take a look at our YouTube channel to see the outpouring of compassion from our wonderful customers – thank you all for the effort to finding a cure for breast cancer!

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Dangers of Not Changing Your Furnace Filter on Time in Champaign County

March 28th, 2012

Of the many ways to heat a home in Champaign County, forced air systems are the simplest in function and the easiest to maintain.  They are so simple, in fact, it is easy to forget they need attention at all, but there are dangers to not performing furnace maintenance in Champaignand changing your filter on time that have a real and painful cost in efficiency and dollars.  Even health risks arise when filters have been neglected too long. Contracting with a company like Lanz Heating & Cooling ensures consistent maintenance and oversight to allow home owners the comfort and relaxation you deserve in your own home.

Back to Basics

Usually in the basement or a central location, a furnace heats air to a temperature set by the thermostat.  Over the years, technological improvements have enabled furnaces to be much smaller and fit into closets instead of the large and gangly monsters of old that could fill an entire basement. By a fan in the furnace, the warm air is circulated through filters into a system of ducts to be distributed to grates in the wall or registers on the floor.  A second grate and duct system returns cooler air back to the furnace to be reheated. Water can be added at the furnace to humidify the air and filters are able to remove some of the dust that typically floats invisibly throughout a home.

The Dangers of Not Changing the Filter

When the system is properly maintained, it is clean, efficient and produces comforting heat on demand at the touch of the thermostat or consistently throughout the day and night. The furnace filter is designed to remove dust from air as it passes through your furnace. The longer your furnace filter is in place the dirtier it becomes. The increase of particles caught in the filter creates resistance to air flow through the filter and reduces efficiency. To make up for the loss of flow through a dirty filter, the heat exchanger, usually a gas or oil fired flame, must work harder to produce the same amount of heat to the space.  This becomes costly financially and causes undo wear and stress on the equipment, requiring a partial or full furnace replacementmuch sooner. Additionally, operating above ideal designed conditions, cracks in the chamber may appear from the over load which can allow carbon monoxide, a toxic gas, to be released into the duct work.  This gas in large quantities in the home can cause headaches, nausea, and in extreme circumstances, even death.

Regular Maintenance

To avoid problems and excessive strain, remember to change the filters at the beginning of each new heating season.  An annual maintenance, check-up and thorough cleaning by a qualified company ensures a safe and comfortable season of warmth with no need to worry about the dangers of not changing filters in your furnace.  Call Lanz Heating & Cooling with any questions.

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Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Winner!

March 24th, 2012

Lanz Inc. is proud to announce that we have been awarded a Customer Satisfaction Award from Talk of the Town! Thank you to all of our loyal customers who have written reviews for us on review sites around the web. We are grateful to you and look forward to continuing to provide top notch service for all your Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing needs.

We welcome continued feedback, so feel free to take our survey and let us know how we have done!

Thanks again!

Your friends at Lanz Inc.

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What Pesotum Residents Should Look for When Buying a 20 Year Old Home

March 22nd, 2012

The older the home you look for in Pesotum, the more careful you need to be in your research. Of course, if you can avoid any of the major issues that crop up in 20 year old constructions, you can come away with a fantastic home that is comfortable, easy to modify and in an established neighborhood with good schools, plenty of trees, and a solid maintenance history.

The Stuff to Watch Out For

When a home reaches 20 years old, there are quite a few problems you’re likely to run into. Consider the fact that roof, air conditioner, and furnace repair is likely because all are designed to last at least 20 years. That means that unless they were highly maintained and regularly inspected they may be ready for replacement right about now.

So, when looking at homes, have any prospective purchases fully inspected for things like dry rot, termites, old furnaces and air conditioners and so on. You are also likely to run into older bathrooms and kitchens that need to be updated. For most people this is simply an inconvenience, but for those on a tight budget it can be a deal breaker.

What You Should Want

Of course, there are a lot of benefits of an older home if you can find them. Specifically in the 20 year old timeframe, you’ll find that trees have matured, the yard is well established and if the neighborhood is good, local schools will have plenty of support in the community. These are all factors you should take into consideration when looking for an older home.

Air conditioning and furnace maintenance is something you won’t be able to avoid, especially if the home you’re looking at was not well cared for by the previous owners. However, after a couple of years, even an older home can be worked into tip top shape so that nothing will break or give out unexpectedly. Much like a used car, if you do your research well ahead of time, you can be sure you get a home that won’t have any “breakdowns” for a few years to come.

And for those out there who like to customize, keep in mind that older homes are much easier to change. Newer homes are built on prefabricated slabs that make it nearly impossible to remodel or change them, especially in highly regulated areas. Older homes are easier to remodel and often have plenty of space in which to do so.  If you have any questions about appliance maintenance call Lanz Heating & Cooling.

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The Technology of Video Pipe Inspection

March 16th, 2012

Let’s face it – technology is the answer for almost everything in McLean County. If it’s mechanical, it has been affected by technology. The world of plumbing is no exception. Technology now makes it possible for people to look inside the piping in their home – to get the “inside story” on why a pipe is blocked up or why water is flowing too slowly. A trained expert can use video pipe inspection technology to quickly diagnose a problem in order to find a solution.

So what types of technology are available today? Before we get to that, remember that technology is fluent. By the time you read this blog there may be something new to make this material outdated. The best way to keep up with the latest technology of video pipe inspection is to talk to your local plumbing professionals and check out updates on the Web.

The technology you will see in your home can be viewed live or via digital recording. The camera and its scope can grab a birds-eye view of the pipe without the need to unscrew fittings and elbows and without having to make a mess of things.

Plumbers making a service call who use video inspection will usually show homeowners some live pictures from inside their pipes or use a digital reproduction in their sales presentation. In either case, the camera doesn’t lie and repairs are quickly supported by video evidence.

Here are some of the components involved in the technology of video pipe inspection. First and foremost is the camera itself, which usually will have high definition image display, recording, and playback capabilities. Images can be stored on flash cards for downloading onto other computers or to the Web. The lens of the camera is mounted into the head of the scope, which could be made of fiber optic or fiberglass material. The scope or “snake” comes in a variety of lengths. Images from the camera can viewed on monitors of various sizes in color or black-and-white.

Other options may include audio capabilities for a plumbing professional to record what the camera sees and explain the problems and solutions to homeowners via voiceover technology.

According to one plumber who utilizes this type of technology, video pipe inspection provides “an assessment of pipe’s structural integrity, detection of blockages, breaks or defects, still image/video footage for client use, and first-time mapping or updates.”

If you want to utilize the latest technology to diagnose pluming problems in your home, call Lanz Heating & Cooling and ask for a video pipe inspection.

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Lanz Will Be Giving Away A New Air Conditioner at the 2012 WCIA’s Home & Garden Show This Weekend!

March 9th, 2012

This weekend Lanz Heating & Cooling will be participating in the 2012 WCIA’s Home & Garden Show.  This year there will be 150 amazing vendors that can assist home owners with weekend projects, large remodels, or even DIY home improvements.  Attendance will be free, so bring the whole family down to the Assembly Hall at Univ. of Illinois 1800 S. First Street, Champaign, Ill. 61820.  This Home and Garden show will be running Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m and then Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This year Lanz Heating & Cooling will be giving away a brand new air conditioner to Home & Garden show attendees.  In order to qualify you must come by the Lanz booth and let us know how old your air conditioner is.  If yours is the oldest by the end of the weekend, you win a brand new air conditioning system.  Lanz will even come and install it for you, because we know how important it is to stay comfortable over those hot summer days.  If you do not win, ask our AC experts about upgrading, because if your air conditioner is over 10 years old you might be wasting money on upkeep, and inefficiencies.  Instead of wasting money to repair old AC units your family could save money on energy bills by upgrading to a more energy efficient air conditioner.

We look forward to seeing you this weekend, and answering all of your home improvement questions!  If you need any more information about the Home & Garden Show call Lanz Heating & Cooling.

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Is My Gibson City Home as Comfortable as It Could Be?

March 7th, 2012

When it comes to indoor comfort in Gibson City, there are a surprising number of things you need to take into account. Of course, you need to have a good heating installation and cooling system in place so that you can easily maintain a comfortable indoor temperature all year round. But that really isn’t enough when you’re trying to create the optimal indoor environment. So what else do you need to consider?

Humidity 101

Well, for starters, it’s a good idea to check the humidity levels in your home. Improper humidity can lead to all sorts of problems, and it can also make it harder for your home heating and cooling systems to maintain a comfortable temperature. Air that’s too dry doesn’t hold heat as well as properly humidified air, so in the winter, your heating system will have to work harder to keep your family comfortable. Too little humidity can also dry out your skin and cause the symptoms of colds, allergies and asthma to last longer and be more severe.

On the other hand, if there is too much humidity in your home, you’re more likely to develop problems with mold and dust mites. And your home cooling system will have a harder time keeping you comfortable indoors. Luckily, there are plenty of great humidification and dehumidification systems on the market right now that can take care of all of these types of problems for you, and they’re definitely worth looking into if you’re concerned about the overall comfort level in your home.

Indoor Air Quality

Along these same lines, you should take the time to have your indoor air quality checked by a professional. Indoor air pollutants are a growing problem, particularly in newer homes that are sealed up tight against the elements. These seals prevent all of your temperature conditioned air from escaping and make your home more energy efficient, but they also lead to inadequate ventilation and a buildup of things like gasses, dust mites, bacteria, mold spores and pet dander in your indoor air.

These are obviously not the types of things you want to breathe on a regular basis, so it’s a good idea to invest in ventilation and an indoor air quality system that can bring in a steady supply of fresh air from outside and remove any harmful contaminants from the air circulating through your home.  Call Lanz Heating & Cooling with any questions.

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Bathtub Replacements in Ford County: Why You Should Call a Contractor

February 28th, 2012

A bathtub replacement is not an aspect of bathroom plumbing that you will have to worry about every day. However, there will likely come a time when you do need to get rid of your old tub and put in a new one. Whether your old tub is simply beyond repair or you just decided that it was time for a change, putting in a new bathtub is a significant undertaking.

Even if you have considerable plumbing installation skills, you would do well to hire an outside contractor to take care of a bathtub replacement or installation project. There are a lot of factors to take into account when you are installing a bathtub in your home, and experienced contractors know what to look for and how to adjust to the various situations that can arise.

For one thing, you will probably have a very hard time physically moving both the old tub being replaced and the new on that needs to go in. And even if you are physically capable of moving this type of heavy equipment, you will still run the risk of damaging other parts of your house in the process. A skilled contractor with a team can much more easily get an old tub out and a new tub in place.

Plus, when you hire a contractor for this type of work, you will most likely not have to worry about how to dispose of your old tub once you are done with it. The majority of contractors will take care of this type of disposal for you, which is a big help since you probably do not want an old bathtub sitting in your yard indefinitely.

Another thing to consider is that the plumbing work needed to properly put a bathtub in place is rather complicated. You need to have relatively advanced plumbing skills in order to carry it out properly. And if you do not manage to complete a proper installation, you will have no end of problems later on. It is well worth the investment to have a contractor come in and install your bathtub when the alternative is paying for more costly repairs later on.  Please call Lanz Heating & Cooling with any questions.

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Lanz Heating & Cooling Appearing in 2012 WCIA’s Home & Garden Show

February 21st, 2012

The 2012 WCIA Home & Garden Show is returning to Central Illinois, and is better than ever.  This year there will be over 150 exhibitors from all sorts of home improvement industries.  Tickets to enjoy all of this useful information are completely free for the whole family.  This insightful event is being held in The Assembly Hall at 1800 South First Street, in Champaign, Illinois.  The convention will be held on Saturday, March 10th from 9am to 6pm and Sunday, March 11th from 11am to 4pm.

Come be exposed to incredible new technologies and styles for home improvements.  Whether you intend on remodeling your home, or just updating a few rooms, this Home and Garden Show will be the place to find all the information you need.  This year there will also be “How-To” clinics throughout the weekend, covering all types of home improvement projects.  If you need any help with your kitchen plumbing, or just have any questions about plumbing in general please come by the Lanz Heating & Cooling booth so we can assist you.

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