Finish winterizing: have you disconnected your garden hose?

Most of us in the Chicago area may have looked out our windows today and saw the first snow flurries of the season. It was a pretty sight to see the fluffy flurries fluttering through the air… and an even prettier sight to see that they weren’t really sticking to the ground… With the temperatures … Continue reading “Finish winterizing: have you disconnected your garden hose?”

Don’t put it down your drain: cooking oil and grease

We all know we’re not supposed to pour used cooking oil, bacon fat, or other grease products down the drain, but we do it anyway.  And The Scottish Plumber knows we do it anyway because we are often called to open kitchen drains when they get clogged, and remove globs and globs of solidified cooking … Continue reading “Don’t put it down your drain: cooking oil and grease”

MacAlmond Crumb Scones

The almond extract in these scones make them sweet-tasting and cookie-like, and the crunchy crumb topping is simply delicious!  They are baked together in a circle, so the insides of the scones stay incredibly moist.  Definitely one of our favorites so far! Ingredients: Crumb Topping: 2 tablespoons butter or margarine – firm 3 tablespoons all-purpose … Continue reading “MacAlmond Crumb Scones”

Don’t let Thanksgiving overwork your disposal

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and families across the country are gathering together and cooking huge meals… then cleaning up after those meals and sending bits of turkey fat, cranberry sauce, and potatoes down their garbage disposals.  As drain cleaners and plumbers, one of our busiest days of the year is the day after Thanksgiving.  Instead of … Continue reading “Don’t let Thanksgiving overwork your disposal”

Don’t Put it Down Your Drain: Motor oil

Possibly the biggest “no-no” for pouring anything down drains is used motor oil.  It’s actually illegal in most municipalities, because of how much environmental damage it does and how easily it can contaminate an area’s soil and water table. If you change your own oil in your car, NEVER pour used motor oil down a … Continue reading “Don’t Put it Down Your Drain: Motor oil”

Trying to Sell Your Home? Make the Plumbing Fixtures Look Nice…

If you’re one of the many homeowners looking to sell your home in this tough real estate market, you might have read all sorts of tips on how to get prospective buyers to take a second look around and really be taken in by what your home has to offer. Most prospective home buyers aren’t … Continue reading “Trying to Sell Your Home? Make the Plumbing Fixtures Look Nice…”

MacPumpkin Scones

This is an appropriate scone for the day after a Thanksgiving feast… and a perfect way to use any leftover canned pumpkin. Ingredients: 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup (1 stick) chilled butter or margarine 1 … Continue reading “MacPumpkin Scones”

Don’t Put it Down Your Drain: Starchy Foods

Rice, potatoes, noodles, and breads that are poured down a garbage disposal can clog a drain.  After being mashed up by the disposal, water is added as it is rinsed down the drain and travels down the pipe, then these starchy foods can turn into a paste and expand to clog and block any water … Continue reading “Don’t Put it Down Your Drain: Starchy Foods”

Tax Credits For Energy Efficient Home Upgrades

To encourage homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which came out in February of this year, has a provision that offers tax credits for energy efficient upgrades to homes. Most projects can claim credits for 30% of the materials cost up to $1,500, and include … Continue reading “Tax Credits For Energy Efficient Home Upgrades”

MacCranberry Oatmeal Scones

This month’s scone is a tasty breakfast scone that is great warm with butter or margarine.  We had fun making this one because it was so simple and easy- it only took us about 20 minutes from measuring the ingredients until it was in the oven, so it’s great for making in the morning for … Continue reading “MacCranberry Oatmeal Scones”