Signs of Hard Water in Your Home’s Plumbing

January 7th, 2019

water-softenerOne of the most common plumbing problems for homes in a city is hard water. Hard water is water with a high solution of minerals suspended in it, particularly magnesium and calcium. It’s difficult to prevent these minerals from entering the water, since they seep through groundwater and into the freshwater pipes on the way to homes. Standard municipal treatment doesn’t eliminate that. There is a good chance your home’s water hardness may be too high.

The good news is hard water isn’t harmful to your health. You ingest many of those minerals in the food you eat every day.

The bad news is hard water is terrible for your plumbing, appliances, hygiene, dishes, and clothes. If your water has too many hard water minerals, we recommend you get a water softener in Des Moines, IA.

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Should I Schedule Maintenance If My Heater Is Struggling?

December 24th, 2018

cold-man-grips-radiatorIt’s no fun to have a heating system like a furnace start to experience trouble keeping up with your comfort demands during the winter. It might even be dangerous. When you notice a heater that’s starting to fall behind, or is making odd noises and other signs of issues, you might think, “Time to get this thing tuned-up with some routine maintenance.”

This isn’t how maintenance works, however! When you believe you have a heater that’s in trouble, what you need is a professional to repair it.

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YouTube Won’t Make You a Plumber!

December 10th, 2018

man-at-computerYouTube has made many tasks easier and can bring different parts of the world right into your home. For example, imagine you’re a writer who wants to set part of a new book in the Languedoc region of France. You can’t travel there, but you can load up dozens of videos showing the area, giving you a sense of what it looks like and how it lives in a way still photos can’t.

But you’re not quite an expert in the region. Also, there’s no Languedoc region of France in your home that might break down and make life difficult unless it’s fixed.

This may seem like a ridiculous example, but we’re using it to prove a point, which is: Watching YouTube videos doesn’t turn you into a plumber. You may learn something, but this is a critical part of your house, and watching plumbing videos basically turns you into a plumbing “tourist,” like watching videos of Languedoc, France.

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The Furnace Won’t Start—What’s Up?

November 26th, 2018

cold-sweater-manThis is a situation nobody wants to encounter on a cold winter day or night: turning on the furnace only to have the furnace do nothing. Maybe the blower fans come on, but there’s no warm air coming from the vents. Or maybe even the fans won’t come on.

If your first instinct is to call an HVAC professional to repair the furnace, you’re thinking on the right track. You should never attempt to open up the furnace cabinet to repair the furnace yourself, nor have a non-professional do it.

However, before you call professionals for repairs, we’d like to go over some of the causes of a failed furnace. A few of them are basic troubles you can quickly correct. Once you’ve exhausted those options, it’s time to have the experts in.

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Market leadership about more than bottom line for local HVAC provider

November 15th, 2018

Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating and Cooling is the area’s authority in plumbing and HVAC. Being a market leader, however, is about more than successful business levels of plumbing, heating and cooling. By following life’s golden rule, this company provides world class customer service, making sure that customers benefit from its philosophy of treating others as anyone wants to be treated. As the only truly service-focused plumbing and HVAC company in Des Moines metro, Golden Rule focuses on existing residential homes.

“Our advantage is being able to get to our residential customer quicker,” said Bobby Johnson, sales and marketing manager at Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Timely service is critical to homeowners facing a plumbing emergency or a cold home in the dead of winter. The company’s fast response is implemented through its large fleet of service vehicles – more than 30 – and its highly skilled technicians.

Golden Rule further supports its home-owning customers by leading the way with important home systems maintenance. Annual maintenance boosts safety and peace of mind, reducing repair costs and extending the life of heating and cooling equipment.

“Maintenance helps get the most out of your system,” said Johnson. “We have the best and cheapest annual maintenance plan at $99.”

Extending the golden rule philosophy to employees has landed Golden Rule among Des Moines’ most respected places to work. This company has been repeatedly recognized as one of the area’s top employers.

“Golden Rule is a great place to work because we live the golden rule, even offering employee perks and benefits that are unheard of including guaranteed paid time and whole family paid insurance,” said Johnson.

Golden Rule employees enjoy access to all Des Moines offers including concerts, sports and events thanks to relationships the company has built with respected advertising partners. Johnson said that being aligned with major brands including KCCI and Hy-Vee, market leaders in their own industries, is a huge honor for Golden Rule. The company is proud that these partnerships help it give back and assist many area residents in need.

“For four years, we have partnered with KCCI and Hy-Vee to sponsor Scan Away Hunger through Hope Ministries,” said Johnson. “This is a huge way we give back to our community by supporting our homeless and those in need through this food drive that generates food and monetary donations.”

By keeping life’s golden rule in mind, Golden Rule has built a successful, marketing-leading business offering outstanding service for homeowners, a great work environment for employees and important support for the local community.

Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can extend its leadership to any home owner with plumbing and HVAC needs. To learn more or schedule a service, visit http://www.goldenrulephc.com/ or call (888) 986-2424.

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Fast response part of service defining Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

November 14th, 2018

Working by life’s golden rule and providing cost–effective plumbing, heating and cooling services are the hallmarks of Golden Rule, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling’s business. Recently, this respected service provider began promoting the core values it believes sets it apart. Much has been made of the overall customer service experience provide by the professionals of Golden Rule. A key component of that experience is fostered by Golden Rule’s exceptionally fast response time.

“We have the fastest response time because we only service existing residential homes and have more service trucks on the road than any other company in the metro,” said Bobby Johnson, sales and marketing manager at Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Johnson noted that everyone at Golden Rule is aware that plumbing and HVAC calls are often emergency driven.

“The nature of our line of work is that you don’t really care about us until you really need us, when there is a problem, when water is somewhere it shouldn’t be or you are hot or cold. Then customers need us immediately,” note Johnson.

Respect and understanding – the first two of the R.U.L.E.S. that make up Golden Rule’s core values of respect, understanding, loyalty, expertise and service – drive this Des Moine-area business to address a residential customer’s needs as quickly as possible.  Johnson noted that Golden Rule understands that people call the first company that comes to mind and will often select whoever can most quickly provide service.

Of course, providing quality service is still key once response is in place.

“Once you have us to your house, by living our R.U.L.E.S., then it won’t be a question of who to call the next time,” Johnson added.

One way Golden Rule achieves both its quick response time and its highly-rated service is via its annual membership program. The company’s Gold Club Membership is good for 12 months from purchase and includes two system checks and a plumbing inspection. The program offers front-of-the-line service and negates both trip fees and diagnostics charges. Members also receive ten percent off needed repairs.

For assistance with any home’s plumbing or HVAC needs to to enroll in the Gold Club Membership, contact Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at (888) 986-2424. Or learn more online at http://www.goldenrulephc.com/.

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Unexpected customer service sets local plumbing, HVAC provider apart

November 14th, 2018

Since it was established nearly two decades ago, Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has become well known for providing cost–effective plumbing, heating and cooling services, products and repairs. Adherence by this respected service provider to its core values has created the R.U.L.E.S. that allow this company and its employees to conduct all work and relationships according to life’s golden rule.

Living up to that golden rule of treating others as you want to be treated is achieved at Golden Rule thanks to the company’s core values: respect, understanding, loyalty, expertise and service.

“We take the Golden Rule and take that even further with our R.U.L.E.S, or our core values,” said Bobby Johnson, sales and marketing manager at Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. “We feel we are customer service company that just happens to work in the plumbing and HVAC industry, not the other way around.”

Johnson notes that Golden Rule has three unique characteristics that distinguish this service provider from its competition: working and serving by the golden rule; providing the fastest response time; and giving a consistent customer service experience that is more professional and service oriented than what customers usually experience within the industry.

“People have a stereotypical view of what a plumber or HVAC technician looks like and what that interaction will be like. We blow those stereotypes out of the water,” noted Johnson who is pleased to refer to the many positive online reviews Golden Rule has received

“We hear all the time that the interaction with us is unlike anything they have experienced, or expected to, from a plumbing & HVAC company,” added Johnson.

The honesty of Golden Rule’s technicians is highly praised. Customers of Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating and Cooling often note the effort employees make to provide thorough explanations of what is needed for any given problem or service matter.  From forthright communication to professional demeanor and appearance to expert work, Golden Rule’s service technicians embody the company’s values.

“We create a consistent customer experience that is unmatched, and unexpected, in our industry,” added Johnson.

Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is ready to assist with any home’s plumbing and HVAC needs. To learn more about the company, to request an estimate or to schedule a service, visit http://www.goldenrulephc.com/ or call (888) 986-2424.

 

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Golden Rule helps homeowners with plumbing system maintenance and repair

November 14th, 2018

Plumbing is an often-ignored but always critical system in any household. Installing and maintaining the plumbing that makes the life of any house flow has been a focus of Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling since the company was founded nearly 20 years ago.

“Golden Rule started as a plumbing only company,” said Bobby Johnson, sales and marketing manager at Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Today, Golden Rule serves the plumbing needs in existing home from the ground up, which excludes the main house drain and sewer or septic work.

“Everything inside the house we do!” said Johnson.

Highly trained plumbers from Golden Rule can help any home owners with their water heaters, tubs, showers, sinks, faucets, garbage disposals, spigots and shut off valves. This award-winning service company also sells, installs and services sump pumps.

“If you haven’t had your sump pump inspected, then get us out to take a look. You don’t want that to go out and wake up to water in the basement,” said Johnson.

Another part of Golden Rule’s plumbing business is the full service of water heaters. Expert technicians can do everything from to repair to replacement.

“We install an average of 40 water heaters each week!” noted Johnson.

Golden Rule plumbers can also re-pipe older homes. Unfortunately, the old water lines can develop leaks over time. Pipes and the main stack that eliminates all plumbing waste from any home is something Golden Rule can replace in a home when needed

Unfortunately, according to Johnson, plumbing maintenance is often ignored. Lack of such routine support can compound plumbing costs and repairs in the long run.

However, proper plumbing maintenance can keep piping working long term, increasing the lifespan of the system, saving money on costly repairs and even supporting good air quality within a home. To help more homeowners to stay on top of regular plumbing maintenance, Golden Rule includes plumbing as part of its Gold Club membership.

“For a Gold Club member, we do a plumbing inspection in the home every year to make sure there isn’t a leak or a drip that has gone unnoticed,” said Johnson. “And, of course, we are only a phone call away if something unexpected happens!”

Because of Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling’s mission to conduct business by the Golden Rule of life, there are no stereotypical plumbers at Golden Rule. These technicians train in the company’s own state-of-the-art training center and are committed to exceptional customer service.

To learn more about Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, to request an estimate or to schedule a service, visit http://www.goldenrulephc.com/ or call (888) 986-2424.

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Local plumbing, HVAC provider’s philosophy drives business and benefits employees

November 14th, 2018

Conducting business by life’s golden rule has done more than establish Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling as an industry leader. The philosophy of treating others as you want to be treated has garnered this locally owned provider of cost–effective plumbing, heating and cooling services recognition as one of Des Moines’ best employers.

Earlier this year, the Des Moines Register ranked Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling among the Top Places to Work for 2017 in the Small Companies category.

“Being announced as one of the Top Workplaces was a huge honor because we focus so much attention on employee morale,” said Bobby Johnson, sales and marketing manager at Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

The 60 employees at Golden Rule strive to work by the golden rule. This philosophy is expected from every plumbing technician, HVAC technician, HVAC installer, customer service representative, dispatchers, manager, installation coordinator and financial department personnel.

“Our employees are our life blood, the cornerstone to making this all work. They are the face of Golden Rule,” noted Johnson.

Staff training is key to the business success and high customer service ratings that Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling enjoys.

“This is why we work so hard at training not only in technical expertise but also in customer service! We are a customer service company that just happens to be in the plumbing/HVAC industry,” added Johnson.

Finding the right employees to carry out Golden Rule’s mission is an important first step.

“We interview to find people who believe in our core values – our R.U.L.E.S. of respect, understanding, loyalty, expertise and service,” said Johnson. “We find the right people first and then can teach them the rest!”

Training is essential to building successful customer relationships and providing the best plumbing, heating and cooling installation, service or repair. Golden Rule’s service technicians and installers continually train on the latest industry advancements. Following a year of internal training, Golden Rule technicians and installers attend the state’s accredited school to become a Journeyman, obtaining the equivalent of a Master’s degree in their field

Johnson said Golden Rule employs some of the most experienced professionals available locally, noting the company’s senior advisors and installers have more than 100 combined years of field experience.

Golden Rule also endeavors to treat employees with respect and loyalty by providing advancement opportunities, insurance and other important incentives.

The highly trained and service-oriented professionals at Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling are ready to assist with any home’s plumbing and HVAC needs. To learn more about the company, to request an estimate or to schedule a service, visit http://www.goldenrulephc.com/ or call (888) 986-2424.

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Schedule routine HVAC to avoid extreme Des Moines temperatures

November 14th, 2018

With winter finally receding into memory and the extreme heat of summer still weeks in the future, there is no better time for an annual inspection and service of any home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC).

According to Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in Des Moines, such annual maintenance is critical to sustaining the long-term life of a home’s most critical system, it’s HVAC equipment.

“Annual maintenance is incredibly helpful to keep you aware of the condition of your older equipment,” said Bobby Johnson, sales and marketing manager at Golden Rule. “It sets expectations for the upcoming seasons so you are not caught off guard and left with a hot house!”

Although the highly trained professional technicians at Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating and Cooling conduct system checks throughout the year in existing homes, Johnson recommends scheduling a tune-up on air conditioning systems now.

“We focus on the older equipment, 15-plus years, in the spring and fall to try and catch any irregularities before the heat or cold of the seasons hit,” said Johnson.

According to Johnson, such annual maintenance can reduce costs on repairs and extend the life of heating and cooling equipment.

“Maintenance helps get the most out of your system,” said Johnson.

Annual maintenance is also crucial well-being and peace of mind within any home.

“Safety comes into play when you are dealing with furnaces. Annual inspections can detect if there is a CO2 issue leaking into the house,” noted Johnson.

Maintenance of HVAC systems is available by appointment and is especially easy for members of Golden Rule’s Gold Club. For annual members, Golden Rule’s expert technicians perform two complete system checks each year, covering both the furnace and the air conditioner. Knowledgeable professionals check all levels and specifications of systems’ inner-working parts and conduct a thorough cleaning the equipment.

The Gold Club Membership is available for $99 and covers 12 months. The program offers front-of-the-line service and negates both trip fees and diagnostics charges. Members also receive ten percent off needed repairs.

To become a Gold club member or to schedule inspection of air conditioning systems in any existing home from Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, visit http://www.goldenrulephc.com/ or call (888) 986-2424.

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