How Americans Celebrate Christmas Day.

You know the basics…People around Elgin celebrate Christmas Day in many ways.  Often, it’s combined with customs from pre-Christian winter celebrations.  Many people decorate their homes, visit family or friends and exchange gifts.  In the days or even weeks before Christmas Day Christmas trees begin appearing and much more.

The original meaning of Christmas is a special church service, or mass, to celebrate the birth of Christ.  However, many traditions that are around today have their roots in those aforementioned pre-Christian winter festivals.  These include the importance of candles and decorations made from evergreen bushes and trees which symbolize everlasting light and life.

Christmastime in the Northwest suburbs of Chicagoland is very special.  Tom’s Plumbing of Elgin has been here for decades serving the plumbing needs of our beautiful area.  Once again in 2020 Tom’s Plumbing will be there when you need us.  From the Curce family to all of you…have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Dec 20th - Holiday Movie Night featuring "The Polar Express"

Dec 20th - Holiday Movie Night featuring "The Polar Express"

(Click the link above for more information)

The Geneva Park District invites you to celebrate the season at its new Holiday Movie Night featuring The Polar Express. Enjoy a special night of holiday magic as you watch this beloved classic on the big screen at Playhouse 38, sip hot chocolate “as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars,” and have the chance to meet and take a picture with Santa Claus!  

That Reliable Dial on your Wall.

It’s your thermostat, of course.  The thermostat controls both the heating and cooling systems of homes in the Elgin area with central heat and air conditioning, or it just controls the furnace in homes without air.  Adjusting the number on the thermostat should change the temperature in the room…we have come to expect it!

Here are some signs that your thermostat is going bad –

1.  Set yours about 5 degrees higher and see if it kicks on.

2.  Make sure it is set to heat and not cool.  You’d be surprised.

3.  Switch the circuit breaker to off then back on.

4.  Check the wires to make sure they are securely attached.

Beyond this, it gets a lot more complicated such as unscrewing wires and wrapping them together.  We may have reached the limits of the DIY zone!  In the Northwest Suburbs homeowners and business managers rely on Tom’s Plumbing for thermostat repair and replacement.  Just call Tom’s Plumbing anytime at (847) 697-6444.

It May Not Be a Problem Yet, But it Soon Will Be.

Have you lived in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland for more than a couple of winters?  Then you know what a toll the freezing weather takes on your body, your car, and your home.  When winter hits with full force you will face the real possibility of frozen pipes in your Elgin area castle.

Here are some temporary steps to prevent freezing pipes –

1. Turn the heat up in your home.

2.  Open cabinet and vanity doors so warm air can reach pipes beneath the sinks.

3.  Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets.

4.  Keep your garage door closed.

These are rudimentary steps to avoid frozen pipes, but when it becomes a chronic and even a dire situation that you can no longer tolerate please call on the expertise of Tom’s Plumbing to alleviate the problem.  Frozen pipes will no longer be tolerated…not if you live in the Elgin area!  Call Tom’s Plumbing this winter or anytime at (847) 697-6444.

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Nov 28th

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Nov 28th

(Click the link above for more information)

Where Grateful Hearts Gather

Thursday, November 28, 2019

8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CT

State Street, From Congress to Randolph

The ABC’s of RPZ.

What is an RPZ valve test and why does your Elgin area home need one?  Water is normally maintained at a specific pressure to determine water to flow from the tap, shower head, and other valves.  When that pressure falls, there is an unexpected high demand on the water system that can reduce pressure.

Because contaminants can enter your drinking water from various sources at this point it is important to have a plumbing service test the RPZ valve (Reduced Pressure Zone Valve).  The rapid reduction of water pressure in the plumbing system causes an extreme risk of contamination to the water supply from the backflow.  Hence the RPZ test.

The plumbing technicians at Tom’s Plumbing have been conducting RPZ tests for many, many years.  Not only will they perform the tests, but they will perform the tests AND file the paperwork with the proper municipality on your behalf.  Now, that’s peace of mind!  Call Tom’s Plumbing of Elgin for an RPZ test as soon as possible at (847) 697-6444.

Veterans Day Parade

Veterans Day Parade 

(Click the link above for more information)

"The City of Aurora recognizes the dedication of local military service men and women that have served our country at the annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, November 11, 2019."

 

It’s Enough to Make you Boil.

Before winter hits Chicagoland with full force you want to make sure your home can be properly heated well before an emergency arises.  If you have lived around here long enough, you know that really severe cold weather is about to hit the Elgin area.  You will want to save money by heating as efficiently as possible.

Here are some of the warning signs of a bad boiler –

1.  It simply cannot properly heat your entire home anymore.

2.  There are leaks beneath your boiler.

3.  Suddenly the pilot light won’t stay on.

4.  The water levels in the boiler are dangerously low.

5.  Noise is coming from the baseboards.

Don’t do a slow boil this winter!  Have your boiler checked and replaced if necessary by the plumbing professionals who have served Elgin, Dundee, Bartlett, St. Charles, etc. for decades.  This is the team at Tom’s Plumbing.  They pride themselves on same day service.  Just call Tom’s Plumbing of Elgin at (847) 697-6444.

Nightmare on Chicago Street Zombies scare up Halloween fun in Elgin - Oct 19th

Nightmare on Chicago Street Zombies scare up Halloween fun in Elgin, Illinois

(Click the link above for more information)

"Here’s the concept: the Zombie Apocalypse has come to Northern Fox River Valley and the only place for the uninfected to escape the hordes of walking dead is the Safe Zone on Chicago Street."

Thermostats Gone Bad.

There’s no doubt about it…with winter about to hit Chicagoland with full force a faulty thermostat in your home will get your attention quickly!  Here are some signs to look for –

1.  It is completely unresponsive

2.  Your heater runs constantly and never turns off

3.  The room temperature and the setting do not match

Now, how to troubleshoot a faulty thermostat –

1.  Check the setting…is it on winter or summer?

2.  Crank up the thermostat by 5 degrees.  You should hear a click.

3.  Clean it out from dust, etc.

4.  Check the test wires and their connections.

Yes, some of the steps are DIY, but where is the guarantee?  It lies with the heating specialists at Tom’s Plumbing.  You’ve probably heard of them for their plumbing prowess (after all, they have been around for decades).  Now, trust them for all of your heating installation and repairs in Northwest Chicagoland.  Call Tom’s Plumbing of Elgin at (847) 697-6444.

Elgin Food Truck Festival, Oct 4th

Elgin Food Truck Festival, Oct 4th

(Click the link above for more information)

Featuring 25+ of the area's best food trucks, live DJ entertainment, beer garden and a vendor village featuring local businesses.

 

You Can’t Just Buy a Plunger for this One.

Sometimes you feel confident that you can roll up your sleeves and make minor repairs to your home instead of calling a plumber.  Repairing a gas line is NOT one of them!  First of all, if you even suspect a potential gas leak in your home immediately call the gas company.  Remember however, their rep will not fix the leak.  For that, you need a licensed plumber.

Gas leaks are almost always related to faulty, misused or improperly installed appliances.  Old or broken appliances pose a risk, as do new appliances that were not properly installed.  Faulty or broken pipes and gas lines can cause a leak as well.  The most likely cause is human error, such as leaving a stove on or moving a gas appliance without shutting off the connection.

No matter why you have a gas leak in your home you need the services of gas line repair and replacement professionals at Tom’s Plumbing.  They have served the plumbing and gas installation and repair needs of the Northwest Suburbs for decades.  Call the pros located in Elgin…Tom’s Plumbing at (847) 697-6444.

Updating Plumbing in an Old House.

There are many big, old houses around the Elgin area.  You think (and rightfully so) that yours is the coolest ever!  If it looks like something out of a movie, with these great old awnings, balconies upstairs, and tons of little stairways, then it probably needs a plumbing expert to look at the old pipes below it.

Those great, old Victorian homes might look great on the outside, keeping things on the inside, like the pipes you don’t see, up to date can be a bit of a challenge.  Questions abound such as how extensive the plumbing and pipe system is, how long it’s been since it last had an overhaul, and how the plumbing was built way back when.

Tom’s Plumbing Inc. checks all the boxes.  For decades Tom’s Plumbing has re-installed the plumbing and piping system in so many old homes in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland.  Call the office of Tom’s Plumbing and have someone come out to estimate the job.  That phone number is (847) 697-6444.

Septemberfest Parade, Sept 2nd

Septemberfest Parade, Sept 2nd

(Click the link above for more information )

 

WE ARE UPS FOR DOWNS STRONG! 

Our camo/military themed entry will feature an Army truck!

Septemberfest Parade - Monday, September 2, 2019

 

RPZ…Letters to Know.

What is RPZ?  It stands for Reduced Pressure Zone.  It is a type of backflow prevention device that is used to protect water supplies from contamination.  It is the very essence of clean, fresh water vs. undrinkable without health hazards!  Backflow preventers are categorized into three groupings, an assembly, a device or a method.

It is good to know that these assemblies have the distinct advantage of being serviceable inline and can be tested & repaired without having to remove an installed assembly.  A RPZ device is considered suitable for significant hazard applications, that is, where the consequence of backflow into the water supply would cause significant harm.

This is an issue that every homeowner and business manager must be aware of in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland.  At Tom’s Plumbing Inc. Their certified, experienced backflow technicians have years of experience with RPZ Backflow Prevention Systems.  That’s great news for all of us in the Elgin area!  Call Tom’s Plumbing Inc. at (847) 697-6444.

Back-to-School Community Adventure Day, Aug 17th

Back-to-School Community Adventure Day, Aug 17th

(Click the link above for more information)

"Say goodbye to summer with a day of adventure. Paddling, archery and more! In partnership with Hilltop Elementary School and other organizations. Instruction and gear provided. All ages."

 

Project Backpack Back-to-School Supply Fair, Sat. Aug 3rd

Project Backpack Back-to-School Supply Fair

(Click on the link above for more information)

"Project Backpack is a community-based initiative led by Elgin Community College to benefit students in need, by offering appropriate resources to start a successful school year."

 

Are you Doing More Laundry These Days?

The kids have been home for the summer.  Clothes get dirtier faster than they did.  So, what happens?  You spend more time in your laundry room and your washer and dryer get quite a work-out this time of year.  It is only human that we ignore minor problems, especially in an isolated area of our home, until they become big problems.

A backed-up drain which may creep up on you slowly or a faulty washing machine supply hose can have you walking through your laundry room ankle-deep in water.  When is the last time you replaced those hoses or made sure the shut off valves weren’t stuck in the open position which will not allow them to be turned off in case of an emergency?

Small plumbing problems often become big ones simply because we think they will magically disappear.  You know the drill.  At the first sign of problems in your home’s laundry room call Tom’s Plumbing Inc. serving the plumbing needs of Elgin and surrounding Northwest Suburban Chicagoland.  That’s Tom’s Plumbing Inc. at (847) 697-6444.      

Choosing the Right Water Softener.

It is a worthy goal of each and every household in the Elgin area.  You probably should have a water softener installed in your home.  It all begins with choosing the right unit for your domicile.  Here’s a good start…multiply the number of people in your home by the gallons of water that they use each day.  About 80 gallons is the average.

Here are some FAQ’s about water softeners -

1.  How is the hardness of water measured?

2.  How, then do I determine MY water’s hardness?

3.  What do the numbers mean?

4.  What type of salt should be used?

5.  Does the recharged water harm my septic system?

May we help?  We are Tom’s Plumbing Inc. of Elgin Il. serving a wide area in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland.  We have spent decades learning about water softeners.  It is just one of our many areas of plumbing expertise.  Are you thinking about a new water softener?  Then, please call us at Tom’s Plumbing Inc. (847) 697-6444.

It’s Flood Season.

Chicagoland is noted for its intense and historic summer rainfalls.  Some have been nearly 20 inches of rain in 24 hours!  If you have lived here for decades you know what we are talking about.  When a storm occurs in the Northwest Suburbs it is imperative that excess water is pumped away from your home to avoid property damage.

Do you have a sink, a washer, or a toilet in your basement?  Do you use that area of your Elgin area home for recreation?  If so, then you either have or definitely need to make sure that your pump is working correctly as well as your sewage ejector pump.  They pump debris out and will keep your basement from flooding.

Having the right sewage ejector pump and/or sump pump for your home is about as essential as having a roof over your head.  What you may not know is whether or not your situation requires inspection, repair, or replacement.  That’s why you call Tom’s Plumbing Inc. of Elgin serving Chicagoland’s Northwest suburbs.  That phone number is (847) 697-6444.

It’s a Gas…Gas…Gas.

Warning, warning Will Robinson.  It was a phrase uttered in the 60’s and now with the Lost In Space reboot on Netflix we hear it again.  When it applies to gas line leaks and other problems it is a serious concern.  It is absolutely essential to have the issue inspected and repaired by a professional immediately!

Here are some symptoms of a leaky gas line –

1.  A strong smell of gas in the air

2.  The sound of leaking gas

3.  Family members are dizzy, fatigued, and even nauseous

4.  Appliances that rely on gas may start malfunctioning

5.  How did the gas bill go up so much?

You can easily wait too long to call in the right team to repair or replace your home or your office gas line.  This is not something to put off!  Your gas line repair pros in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland are a phone call away.  That’s Tom’s Plumbing Inc. of Elgin.  If you experience any of the above symptoms just call (847) 697-6444.

Flood Season is Coming.

Anyone who has lived in the Northern Fox Valley is aware that when summer rains hit they often do so in full force.  During a storm in the Elgin area it is imperative that excess water gets pumped away from your home.  It is THE way to avoid property damage.  One heavy rain can ruin the value of your castle.

You probably need a sump pump that is hard wired into your home or plugged into an outlet.  If your pump is more than 6 years old, you may want to replace it.  That’s right…six years comes quickly.  So, if your last sump pump was installed in 2013 it is about that time.  May we suggest The M53 model which is one of the top of the line pumps on the market.

Tom’s Plumbing Inc. has been servicing the plumbing needs of the Northwest suburbs of Chicagoland around Elgin, Bartlett, Dundee, etc. for decades.  We are one of the leading sump pump installation companies in all of Chicago.  You can count on Tom’s Plumbing Inc. every time!  Just call (847) 697-6444.

What to Look for When Hiring a Commercial Plumber.

If you own or manage any kind of commercial property, you know that plumbing problems can occur at any time, day or night.  You have been there and done that…plumbing emergencies are part of the cost of doing business.  Just the wear and tear on commercial plumbing is greatly accelerated over residential plumbing.

What should you look for when hiring a commercial plumber?

1.  Experience…there is NO substitute for it

2.  A company that handles repairs AND installation

3.  They are large enough to handle your needs

4.  Someone who will be there in a timely manner

5.  The company is insured, licensed, and bonded

That last point is so very important.  An unlicensed plumber can probably do the job initially at a lower cost, but what about the ramifications afterward?  You can always trust Tom’s Plumbing Inc. for any and all commercial jobs both large and small in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland.  Call Elgin-based Tom’s Plumbing Inc. and get to know them at (847) 697-6444.

Tom’s = Quality Plumbing Services.

The name Tom’s Plumbing Inc. has become synonymous with plumbing services you can trust EVERY time for over three decades in Chicagoland’s Northwest Suburbs.  We take great pride in being the proverbial “mom and pop” operation.  It allows us to get to know our customers better than those national plumbing companies.

Mike is the owner who grew up in Elgin, Illinois and spent his whole life in this amazing, ever-growing area.  He carved out his reputation in the plumbing business as a repipe, boiler system, and radiator repair specialist.  Just look around the area at Central DuPage Hospital, St. Edwards Hospital, Sherman and Hinsdale Hospitals.  He has his stamp on the plumbing of all of those buildings and many more!

Mike employs a crew of like-minded professionals who serve the Elgin, Bartlett, and Dundee area with great pride.  You simply will not find a more efficient and honest plumbing company in the Northwest Suburbs.  From our family at Tom’s Plumbing Inc. to yours we hope you will think of us next time you need a plumber by calling (847) 697-6444.

It’s Like a Cold Shower.

That is an expression that means a rude awakening.  In your home it could be a reality.  Want to put yourself in a bad mood to start the day?  One of the worst ways is trying to get ready for work and getting a cold shower because someone else used all the hot water.  It takes a good amount of time for the tank to fill back up, turn on the burner, and heat the water.

The reasons that people who live in the Northwest Suburbs are switching to tankless are endless hot water (Ahhh!), additional storage space, and lower energy bills.  That’s right, The US Department of Energy estimates that gas-fired tankless water heaters save an average of $108 per year over their traditional tank counterparts.

What is holding you back?  At least explore the idea to make the change this spring.  Contact the water heater repair and replacement professionals in Elgin and throughout the Northwest Chicagoland Suburbs…Tom’s Plumbing Inc.  They will give you the facts and you make up your mind.  Call Tom’s Plumbing at (847) 697-6444.

Into Each Life a Little Rain Must Fall.

On an average April day in Chicagoland it is nearly 30% likely that it will be a “wet day”.  That means at least four-hundredths of an inch of precipitation.  What it does not indicate is what does one exceptionally rainy spring day do to area flooding.  If sump pumps fail on around Elgin area properties, you can bet that flooding is a real danger!

What should you be looking for if you are uncertain about YOUR sump pump?

1.  Is it making unusual noises?

2.  Is it vibrating a great deal?

3.  Does it run more than it needs to?

4.  How long does it run?

5.  Have you noticed any discoloration including rust?

You probably don’t know, but it is recommended that sump pumps be checked every 3-4 months.  That makes the math easy.  If you have not had it done in 2019, then it is time.  The sump pump repair and replacement experts at Tom’s Plumbing Inc. will come to your Northwest Suburban home and let you know it your sump pump is ready for spring and summer flooding.  Just give them a call at (847) 697-6444.

Wait a Minute…that Doesn’t Sound Right!

Plumbing scams, they just keep on coming.  By now, you would think with all the horror stories and instances being reported on the internet that the scammers would have gone away.  Because fraudsters target the people least likely to suspect them, like the elderly and the infirm, they keep running the same old shakedowns.

Here are some things you should know –

1.  Some plumbing contractors will offer you leftover materials from their last job

2.  They randomly discover major issues that you never noted

3.  They want full payment up front…IN CASH ONLY

4.  Excuses…no license to show, improper tools, etc.

Don’t fall for plumbing and other related scams!  When you hire Tom’s Plumbing Inc. to do a job in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland you know that you are trusting the best every time.  Ask the questions and they will give you honest answers.  Contact Elgin based Tom’s Plumbing Inc. anytime at (847) 697-6444.

Spring Time…Sump Pump Time.

Spring flowers…spring showers.  Inevitably the two are intertwined.  You can’t have one without the other.  As spring approaches the rains will come, the snow will melt and sump pumps will become one of the most important appliances in your home.  Make sure that you are prepared for the worst!

What about a sump pump that runs continuously?  It does not take an Einstein to realize that if a sump pump never shuts off it will wear out more quickly.  Fixing one that does so is critical so that when it is needed it will perform at peak efficiency.  Plus, how old is your current sump pump?  Their life expectancy is about ten years.

For any sump pump repair or replacement in Chicagoland’s Northwest Suburbs homeowners have come to rely on Tom’s Plumbing Inc. over the decades.  Headquartered in Elgin, the sump pump and plumbing team at Tom’s is always a phone call away be it an emergency or not.  Give them a call at (847) 697-6444.

Soon it will be Construction Season.

Ah yes, in the Spring around Chicagoland the ground begins to thaw, and families turn their attention to building a new home.  As we approach March, plans will be made and ground will be broken on thousands of dream homes.  If your family is not one of them your attention may turn to basement, bath, and kitchen remodeling!

Things to consider before hiring that perfect company for kitchen, bath, and basement, etc –

1.  What will be the cost?

2.  When is payment expected?

3.  Will there be any mess to clean up?

4.  What if something goes wrong?

That last point is obviously very important.  There are probably plumbers who may even be unlicensed that can do the job of remodeling the plumbing in your home.  Are you willing to risk being “penny wise and pound foolish”?  For all home or business plumbing remodeling jobs call on Tom’s Plumbing Inc. THE plumber to trust in the Northwest at (847) 697-6444.

Keep that Boiler Boiling.

So many residents of The Northwest Suburbs have thermostat issues.  Having a consistently warm temperature and plenty of hot water in your home this time of year is a must.  You may need preventative maintenance to keep it from becoming an emergency.  Inefficient heating is also potentially very costly!

Here are some warning signs to look out for –

1.  The heat in your home is not consistent

2.  There are small puddles at the base of your boiler

3.  The pilot light won’t stay on

4.  The thermostat simply does not work

5.  Low water levels in your boiler

There are many things that can go wrong with your boiler this winter.  There is one thing that can and will go the way you expect it to.  Just call us at Tom’s Plumbing Inc. BEFORE a boiler annoyance becomes a boiler emergency.  That is one of the many ways we are here to help this winter.  We are Tom’s Plumbing Inc. serving the Elgin, Bartlett, Streamwood area.  Just give us a call anytime at (847) 697-6444.

Fox Valley Ninja Warrior

Fox Valley Ninja Warrior

(Click the link above for more information)

"Calling all girls and boys! Drop in and put your ninja skills to the test! Compete against yourself, your friends and the ninja course to achieve the top time! There will be two different age appropriate courses, 4-6 years old and 7-11 years old. Each participant will create their own ninja headband."