Do you want to take care of your home maintenance but don’t know where to start? Need practical tips and steps for fixing common household issues? Then you’ve found the right show. This is Ask the Trade Pros, a podcast where a couple of trade guys talk about trade stuff. We’re here to give you advice on keeping your home systems running smoothly. We cover maintenance tips, troubleshooting common problems, upgrading your home systems, industry trends, and so much more. Ask the Trade Pros is c ...
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Blazing sun, hot weather, thunderstorms...here in Tucson, summer is right around the corner. As the temperature rises and folks start to look longingly at cooler vacation destinations, we wanted to focus this episode on what you can do to get your home ready for the hottest months of the year. Want to stay cool and comfortable? Then this episode is…
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Sometimes our homes make odd sounds. Often, it's nothing to really worry about, as an occasional creak or hum isn't a huge issue. But what about a persistent gurgling sound? Today we're answering a listener question about a gurgling bathtub drain that seems to crop up every time she does a load of laundry. What could be causing it, and should she c…
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Low water pressure, while probably not an urgent problem, is an inconvenience that can make everyday life just a little bit harder. But it doesn't have to be that way! In this episode we cover some of the most common reasons your water pressure may be lacking, as well as some things you or your local trade pro can check for and adjust in your home.…
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Have you ever gone to use an appliance in your home, plugged it in, and...nothing happened? The appliance is fine, but the outlet you plugged it into just stopped working. No fires or flash, just a seemingly non functioning outlet. Today we're answering a listener question about that very issue. We go over the most common reasons we see that may be…
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What maintenance and checks will help extend the life of my HVAC unit?
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16:24If you've ever experienced an AC unit dying in the middle of summer, you know how stressful it can be to get it taken care of. It's hot, technicians are busy, and it can be expensive! This is why regular maintenance and checkups on your unit are a highly recommended practice for any homeowner. They extend the life of the unit, catch problems early,…
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What do I do about the cracks in my house?
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13:20Today we've got a listener question about house cracks. Have you ever found a new crack in your drywall, stucco, or even your floor and not known what to do about it? If so, then this episode is for you. We talk about the common causes of house cracks and when it's best to fix it or call in a professional to help. Send us your home questions! Email…
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Water. We all depend on it for survival, and we trust that what comes out of our faucets is clean and safe to use. But, what if you have reason to believe your water quality is less than ideal? Whether it's an odd smell, an off color, or even just a gut feeling, testing your water quality is a pretty straightforward process. Today, we go over what …
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In a perfect world, our homes would stay at the exact temperature we want all of the time. However, we don't live in that world, and sometimes we have a room in our house that is just too cold or too hot. So today, we're going over some of the reasons your home heats and cools unevenly, as well as some things you or a trade pro can do to fix them. …
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It's January, which means most people experience an uptick in their energy usage. But if you look at your bill and find it's much, much, higher than expected, what do you do? In today's episode, we go over a couple of reasons your power bill may be higher than normal, and how you can check for anomalies and issues that can cost you in the long run.…
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With a new year comes change - and your home is no exception to that! There are developments in HVAC, smart home innovations, and so much more that will likely have an impact on you and your home this year. So today, we're talking about a few of the things we expect to see more of in 2025. If you have a home question or situation, get in touch! Ema…
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DIY don'ts: what home projects should I NOT handle on my own?
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13:34
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13:34In today's age, when we all have access to YouTube and the hardware store, the idea of fixing things around the house yourself can be very appealing. You might ask yourself, how hard can it be? There are plenty of things you can indeed maintain, fix, or replace around your house - we talk about some of them on this podcast! But how do you know when…
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Here at Ask the Trade Pros, we always recommend reaching out to a local trusted trade pro for expertise and help. But, what if you don't know any trade pros? Maybe you're not in Arizona (so you can't call the good folks at Done Rite Services), or maybe your former trade pro retired and you're between contractors. Whatever the case may be, today's e…
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When the temperature drops outside, it's time to fire up the heater and get cozy indoors. But have you ever thought about what your choices were for warming up your home? In this episode, we go through the common types of home heaters we see as trade pros, a little about how they work, and some of the benefits and drawbacks of different systems. Wh…
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Before you go digging around your home electrical system, it's important to know some of the basics. So today, we're talking about electrical panels 101. What components should you be familiar with? how do you know if there's a problem, and is there anything you can do to identify and fix issues? If you have a question about your home, let us know!…
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If you're listening to this podcast, chances are you are responsible for at least some of the maintenance and repairs around your home. But, when you are handling those tasks, do you have the right tools ready to go? In today's episode, we're talking home toolkits - what homeowners should have, what to think about when shopping for tools, and home …
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Today, we're tackling a question from one of our listeners about a funky odor coming from a drain line. What could be causing the it, and is there anything he can do? We'll cover the common reasons for household smells, how to check for stinky culprits, and some easy methods to try and eliminate the odor. Send us your home questions! Email us at th…
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I've had solar panels installed, now what?
12:40
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12:40If you've embraced solar power at home (or are thinking about making the change), you might be curious about how to get the most out of your system. In today's episode, we dive into that topic with Nate, a listener who's looking to upgrade his solar-powered home for better performance. If you're considering ways to enhance your solar power setup, t…
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What should I know about dryer vent cleaning? With special guest Zoie Holzknecht
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19:07In today's episode, we're joined by Zoie Holzknecht, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard, to talk about dryer vent cleaning. How do you know when to have your dryer vents cleaned? Is it something you can do yourself, or should you call in a pro? What can happen if your dryer vent is clogged? We talk about all of this and more in this interview! Want to know…
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What are the most unusual toilets we've come across?
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11:56
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11:56Hold on to your plungers, we're doing a toilet episode! Today we're talking unconventional toilets - toilets from other parts of the world, toilets with apps, toilets that spray and incinerate and all sorts of things. Want to know more about the world beyond your traditional porcelain throne? Then this episode is for you. We want to hear from you! …
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Imagine this: you're relaxing at home, enjoying your morning coffee, when BOOM! Water starts spraying everywhere in your house. What do you do? In this episode, we're talking about burst pipes - how to be prepared, what to do if it happens, and how to minimize long term damage. We love listener questions! Email us at [email protected] o…
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How do I paint a house? With special guest James Piper
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25:39For this episode, we got together with James Piper, a third generation professional painter with over 3 decades of experience, to talk about the world of home painting. How do you know when it's time to paint your home? Where does paint sheen come into play in the home painting process? What sort of tools and techniques can be used when painting? I…
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In January 2025, the HVAC industry will officially begin its transition to the use of A2L, a different class of refrigerants, in all new systems. Such a major change, of course, comes with a lot of unknowns. What does A2L even mean? How is it different from what is currently being used in home systems? And what will this transition mean to homeowne…
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How do I keep my plumbing working as intended?
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8:10
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8:10Plumbing is one of those home systems that can turn into a big problem quickly. Luckily, there are a lot of small things you can do to make sure your plumbing is in good shape. In this episode, we’ll go over habits and inspections that, while simple, can make a big difference in the condition of your plumbing. Join us today, and let’s keep small is…
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How do I know when to replace my air conditioner?
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7:47
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7:47In our last episode, we walked you through how to figure out why your air conditioner isn’t working. While an AC unit can be fixed in a lot of cases, sometimes it’s just a smarter idea to replace the unit. So how do you know when it’s time to replace your air conditioner? In today’s episode, we talk about the expected lifespan of an air conditioner…
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My air conditioner isn't working, what do I do?
8:17
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8:17As we get into the hottest part of the year, one vital home system you want working is your air conditioner. So what do you do if it stops running, or isn’t running cool? In today’s episode, we’re talking about what you can do to figure out why your air conditioner isn’t running the way it should. We’ll take you through common issues to check for a…
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How do I clean and take care of my grill? With special guest Ron Beaton
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22:00We hope you brought your appetites today, because this episode is all about grills! We sat down with Ron Beaton of Tucson Grill Cleaning to get our burning questions answered about the cleaning and care of our grills. How often should a grill be cleaned, and what techniques work? What should you do about pests like pack rats? Just how tasty are tho…
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What should I know about my home inspection report: plumbing edition
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7:41As we’ve talked about in previous episodes, a home inspection report is a must have when buying a home. Today, we’re zooming in on what a home inspection report can tell us about the plumbing in a home. From sewer inspections to water pressure regulation, we break down the crucial details you should pay attention to when navigating plumbing concern…
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While your sewers may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to your home, they are a crucial system that needs inspection and maintenance from time to time. How do you ensure your sewers are in good condition? What issues could you run into, and what can you do about them? In today’s episode, we cover what a sewer inspection looks like,…
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What the heck is a wax ring? And other toilet related topics.
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9:02Does your toilet keep running? Let’s figure out how to catch it (and fix it)! In today’s episode, we’re diving headfirst into the world of toilets. From wax rings to odors and leaks, we talk through troubleshooting and fixing common problems so your toilets keep working properly. If you have a question you'd like us to cover, email us at thetradepr…
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Lately, we’ve been getting a steady stream of listener and customer questions about water heaters. So, we’re answering the most common ones today. In this episode, we’ll tackle topics like servicing, flushing, common failures, and when to call in the professionals. Whether you're dealing with a traditional tank water heater or a modern tankless mod…
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Does your natural gas bill keep increasing every month, and you have no clue why? Today we’re tackling a listener question about escalating natural gas expenses. We cover a whole host of factors that may impact your natural gas bill, including seasonal changes, potential leaks, and equipment inefficiencies. If your gas bill has you stumped, join us…
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What water treatment system is right for my home?
7:15
7:15
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7:15If you have hard water, you may have considered investing in a water softener, RO system, or whole-home treatment system. So what is the difference, and how do you pick what's best for your home? Join us today as we dive into the world of water treatment systems. We get into the details around how each one works and what factors to consider when pi…
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Have you ever received the unfortunate surprise of an unexpectedly high water bill? In this episode, we respond to a listener's question about what to do when your water usage is much higher than usual. We'll discuss the various reasons behind a sudden spike in your water bill and guide you through the process of checking the water meter, identifyi…
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What are the common points of failure in plumbing, and how do I proactively replace them?
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9:44
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9:44We all know when something big goes wrong with plumbing, but what common fixes and replacements should we check for before they end in catastrophe? In this episode, Jordan and Todd respond to a question from Jen, a loyal listener seeking advice on common plumbing issues and proactive replacements. Discover how to spot signs of trouble, DIY fixes, a…
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If you have had solar panels installed, you probably thought through all of the big questions beforehand. Cost, overall efficiency, and system size were likely at the top of your list before you made a decision. But what about ongoing maintenance? Today, we're answering a listener question about the things to do to ensure your solar panels stay cle…
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The outlet in my bathroom went out! What do I do?
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7:29
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7:29A failed or faulty outlet in your home can be a concerning situation to deal with, especially when accompanied by sparks, smoke, or flickering lights. On this episode of Ask the Trade Pros, we discuss a listener submitted voicemail about a sparky hair dryer and a faulty outlet. We also talk about ways to prevent electrical mishaps in your home. If …
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I'm replacing my smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, what do I need to know?
7:20
7:20
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7:20Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are unsung heroes of home safety, quietly looking out for us every day. We don't always think about these essential home devices, so when it comes time to maintain or replace them you may not be sure of what to do. In this episode, we're breaking down what you need to know about your smoke and carbon monoxide det…
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With the holidays right around the corner, you may need some last minute ideas for gifts. We can help! In this festive episode, we're exploring thoughtful presents that turn houses into homes. Whether it's a personalized touch or a practical upgrade for a loved one's living space, we'll go through a wide selection of gifts bound to spark holiday ch…
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How do I pick the water heater that's right for me?
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10:06
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10:06Hot water is an essential part of modern daily life - just ask anyone who's had their water heater go out suddenly in December! There are more options for home water heating than ever before, so it helps to know what's available if you are looking to replace or upgrade your old system. In this episode, we talk about the most popular types of water …
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I'm buying a home, what should I know about the home inspection?
9:23
9:23
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9:23If you're buying a home, you need a home inspection report! Home inspection reports uncover critical information when making decisions during the home buying process. As a buyer, what should you know going into a home inspection, and what do you do with the report once it's completed? In this episode, we take you through the inspection process, wha…
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As the global push towards cleaner energy picks up, many homeowners are switching from fossil fuels to electricity for everything from heating to cooking. If you've thought about home electrification, where do you start? In this episode, we dive into what your options may be for home electrification, as well as what you need to keep in mind as you …
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How do I pick out and install a ceiling fan?
6:45
6:45
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6:45Ceiling fans are incredibly popular; in fact, 87% of American homes have at least one. They can be an effective way to circulate air, keeping your home cool and comfortable. But if you need to install or replace a ceiling fan, what do you do? In this episode, we take you through finding the right ceiling fan for your space and how to get it install…
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How do I set up my home for an electric vehicle?
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5:09
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5:09Thanks to improvements in technology and buy in from automotive manufacturers, electric vehicles are increasingly becoming a popular and viable option for drivers. Maybe you're thinking about making the switch to an EV. But before you do, what do you need to do to make your home EV ready? In this episode, we talk through your different options for …
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We’re sure you’ve been there: you flush the toilet, but instead of everything going down, the water starts to rise! What are your options for dealing with a clogged toilet? We’re going to cover a few different ways you can unclog your toilet, as well as what you can do to keep it from happening again. Got questions about your home? We’ve got answer…
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Plumbing - it's something you may not give much thought to until something goes wrong. And plumbing can get messy, fast! If you want to reduce plumbing problems in your house, it's important to keep on top of maintenance. In this episode, we'll cover basic plumbing maintenance that you can handle at home. Want to know more about a specific home sys…
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