Ask the Trade Pros

Today 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 us at thetradepros@doneritesvcs.com  ...

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 common issues you may experience with your wa...

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. Have questions? We'd love to answer...

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. Got questions about your home syst...

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!  Email us at thetradepros@doneritesvcs.com   or...

In 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 it's time to take a step back and call...

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 episode has all the tips y...

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. Whether you're looking to make a change in...

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! Email us at thetradepros@donerites...

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 projects those tools would be handy...

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 thetradepros@doneritesvcs.com   or leave...

If 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, this episode is for you! We lov...

In 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 more about Dryer Vent Wizard? Visit the...

Hold 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! If you have questions about your home, e...

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 thetradepros@doneritesvcs.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-833-805-0167...

For 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? If you're considering a fresh look for yo...

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 homeowners over the next several years? In this episode, w...

Plumbing 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 issues from becoming big ones, and keep the water ru...

In 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 (and what may shorten that lifespan), as well as...

As 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 and how, so you can stay cool and comfortable at ho...

We 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 those burnt ends? (we didn’t get to try the burnt end...

As 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 concerns during the home buying process.  Get in touch wi...

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, common issues that may occur, and what solutions...

Does 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 thetradepros@doneritesvcs.com   or leave us a voicemai...

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 model, we’ve got you covered. We love listener q...