Hy-Mark Blog | Expert Tips on Home Comfort & HVAC

Does My Drinking Water Need Reverse Osmosis?

January 2, 2017

Reverse osmosis systems are great for people who want the cleanest, purest drinking water possible. A reverse osmosis (R.O.) reduces any harmful contaminants, as well as unwanted tastes and odours. But how do you know whether an R.O. is right for your situation? How Reverse Osmosis Works An R.O. works by using pressure to push water through a filter membrane. When water gets filtered through this main membrane, as well as through any additional filters added, impurities are trapped and flushed down the drain. This leaves the water coming from your tap purified and safe for drinking.

The Big List of Tips to Lower Your Heat Bill

November 21, 2016

In winter, the sound of the furnace working can sound a lot like money falling out of your pocket. Feel confident your heating system is working efficiently with these tips on preserving heat and spending less on your utilities bill. Here are 12 simple steps to lower your heat bill… Heating and Ventilation 1. Upgrade your thermostat Upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat that automatically lowers the temperature at night or when you’re away from home. And if you’ve heard it takes more energy to heat the house back up

How To Care For Your Gas Fireplace

October 28, 2016

A gas fireplace is certainly the low maintenance fireplace option for homeowners. While it’s easier and less messy to care for than a wood or pellet burning model, there are still upkeep tasks necessary to keep it burning efficiently and safely. You’ll need a professional to take care of some things, but there is still a lot you can do to look after your fireplace. Here are general practice and cleaning tips. Before Each Burning Season: Before touching the unit whatsoever, make sure it is cool and

5 Reasons The AquaTrip Is Our Favourite New Plumbing Innovation

September 28, 2016

It’s the coolest new home protection device you’ve never heard of. The AquaTrip is a programmable device that fits on to your water system to monitor water flow and shut off the water automatically if flow exceeds normal use. Consequently, the device minimizes damage in the event of a leak, cracked pipe, a faucet left running, a leaking toilet, or some other plumbing failure. The result can be you saving thousands of dollars in water damage costs. But there are other reasons we love it too. Here are the top 5 reasons the AquaTrip is our favorite

What are my rights when I cancel a water heater rental agreement

July 28, 2016

With so many options for better deals and more efficient water heaters these days, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to switch your tank and change providers. So what are your rights when you cancel a water heater rental agreement… Unfortunately, some rental companies attempt to charge customers additional cancellation fees that they never warned you about, and you never agreed to. These fees can be unpredictable but can be in excess of $1,000. Many of these fees are illegal, and you are under no obligation to

How to Proof Your Home Against Seasonal Allergies

June 21, 2016

The sneezing. The itchy eyes and throat. The inflamed sinuses. It’s seasonal allergies. They’re all familiar if you or someone you know has seasonal allergies, and it’s likely they are currently in full swing. If you are stuck avoiding the outdoors, you want your home to be a safe haven from respiratory trouble. Here’s what you can do to seal your home against outdoor irritants, as well as eliminate the indoor factors that aggravate allergy and other respiratory issues. Keep windows and doors closed as

How to Tell If Your Main Drain is Being Choked by Tree Roots

June 2, 2016

What would you think if an appliance in your home started draining slowly or not draining at all? If you are like most people, you would assume that something that went down the drain is causing a clog. But you could be wrong; in homes with certain risk factors, it could be the trees in your own yard causing your drains to slow and back up. Learn to identify these risk factors and what you can do if you think your pipes are being clogged with tree roots. What do Roots do to Pipes? Mature trees can have

Competition and Fun at the OTSC

May 6, 2016

Can you think of a place where you can find robotics engineers, aestheticians, bakers, and…plumbers and HVAC technicians all working under one roof? If you did, congratulations, you’ve just invented quite the catch-all business. We’ve never seen that company, but we did get to experience this scene at the recent OTSC (Ontario Technological Skills Competition) in Waterloo! OTSC – One-day Competition Skills Ontario holds a one-day competition that brings together over 2,100 young tradespeople to compete in 67 skilled trade categories. They have been promoting skilled trades and technologies in Ontario since 1989. The winners get prizes and

In the Press: Hy-Mark Leading in Safety Standards

April 29, 2016

This month Hy-Mark was featured in Plumbing + HVAC Magazine for our commitment to safety standards. We’re proud to be recognized for our efforts in Safety, but that’s not why we do it. We do it because we take industry law seriously and because everyone deserves to get home safe at the end of each day. Hy-Mark’s investment in industry-leading P.P.E. (Personal Protective Equipment) and Safety Training Programs pays off every day when our team stays safe, and we’ll never stop continuing to improve when it comes to safety. Our Outstanding Service When you use

4 Everyday Things That Are Clogging Your Drains

April 28, 2016

Have you got yourself some seriously clogged drains? Here are the top four culprits for clogging your drains and exactly how to fix them… 1. Hair, hair, and more hair Hair is one of the number one culprits for drain clogs, particularly in the bathroom. Though you may only see a few strands going down a day, little by little it does build up in your pipes, especially when it combines with soap to form a sticky gob that is just, well…not pleasant. Long strands are the worse offenders, but even short hairs can

Blog

Tell us About Your Project