Shockwave Electric and Blue Dot

After serving the Greater Topeka community for nearly 20 years, Shockwave Electric is proud to join Blue Dot’s 5-star heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services team.

When Blue Dot General Manager Mike Cholewa approached Shockwave Electric owner Greg Coulter about partnering their complementary companies, Greg couldn’t agree more. Not only did the companies’ cultures, visions, and customer-centric approaches align—Blue Dot and Shockwave had been working together on large projects for years.

“We’re very excited to announce Blue Dot’s acquisition of Shockwave Electric. Greg and the team have served this community for 19 years, and have created a large following of extremely satisfied homeowners and businesses. This partnership gives us an expanded opportunity to meet the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing needs of Shockwave’s loyal customers. With our 84 years of combined experience, we can now truly say we’re Topeka’s first and only 24/7 One Call for it All Shop!”

Mike Cholewa
Blue Dot General Manager

As Blue Dot’s team of techs and trucks expands, our customers now have access to a comprehensive range of 5-star electrical services, including:

Blue Dot and Shockwave electrical services are a match made in Topeka. Through this purchase, we’re able to offer a full suite of everyday and emergency comfort services and support the installation and maintenance of best-in-class Generac generators.

“My and Mike’s vision for serving Topeka’s electrical needs couldn’t be more aligned. Shockwave has always been deeply committed to transparency, reliability, and doing right by our customers. As we integrate with Blue Dot, we’re confident customers will continue receiving the exceptional installations and repairs, fast response times, and friendly customer service they’ve come to expect from Shockwave. Our name may have changed, but our highly trained techs? They won’t.”

Greg Coulter
Former Shockwave Owner and new Blue Dot Value Stream Manager

Ready to request your own electrical service, repair, maintenance, or installation?

Our proven and professional team is standing by 24/7, available for same-day and next-day service.

Call 785-272-1633 or request service below for just-in-time peace of mind!

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This is Not a Drill: 3 Reasons to Call an Emergency Plumber

 

But some plumbing problems just can’t wait for regular business hours!

Here are three major plumbing emergencies that call for immediate attention:

#1: A main water line burst

Luckily, a main water line burst isn’t an everyday issue. But if it happens to you, you’ll want to call your emergency plumber ASAP.

A water line burst is typically caused by one of a few factors: Old, corroded pipes that finally succumbed to high water pressure, a Topeka deep freeze, or major damage from tree roots or heavy equipment rolling over your line. If you live in an area where the water contains high levels of chlorine, that can also damage your water supply line and trigger a home flood.

If the main water line supplying your home bursts, shut off your water supply and call an emergency plumber the moment you notice flooding. A broken water line can cause significant damage to your home if not addressed quickly and correctly. And not only does it create a huge mess, all that excess moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth inside your walls and furniture—creating a serious health hazard.

Repairing a main supply line may require special tools and digging equipment. But when you explain the problem, your emergency plumber will make sure they bring the right repair and replacement parts to minimize water damage and stop the leak as soon as possible. They’ll even look for hidden leaks caused by the excess pressure, and can show you how to prevent main line leaks in the future.

#2: A natural gas leak

While your emergency plumber shouldn’t be the first person you call in the event of a gas leak, they should be pretty high on your list!

Natural gas is an invisible, odorless gas that may leak from your water heater, home appliances, or furnace. Because natural gas is dangerous to inhale and extremely combustible, a sulfuric odorant that smells like rotten eggs is added before the gas reaches your home. And that unmistakable stench is the telltale sign of a serious problem.

If you smell rotten eggs:

  1. Leave your house immediately. Open your doors on the way out to increase ventilation throughout your home.
  2. Call 911. The fire department will shut off your gas supply and may evacuate the surrounding area, for safety.
  3. Call your emergency plumber. Once the fire department has deemed your home safe to reenter, call your emergency plumbing service. They can locate and repair the leak, test for further areas of weakness, and ensure your appliances work properly again.
  4. Turn your gas back on. After a leak, your natural gas company may require a full pipe inspection before your service is restored. Call your local provider to schedule this inspection service.

#3: A sewer line or septic system backup

A single slow-draining toilet or clogged drain may not be cause for immediate alarm (though you should schedule your go-to plumber as soon as reasonably possible). But if water is actively backing up into your toilet and sinks, it’s time to call an emergency plumber!

Multiple overflowing drains are a sign of a seriously clogged sewer line or septic tank, and pose a major health hazard to your home and family. If wastewater accumulates in your home, the bacteria and foul odors can leave a lasting impression on your favorite spaces. And if left untreated, the added pressure on your drain lines can create further leaks and damage.

Your emergency plumber will use specialized tools to locate the source of the clog, then resolve it quickly. They may use a plumbing snake or auger to break up the obstruction, or high-pressure water jets if tree roots or heavy debris are blocking your drainage. In some cases, they may reroute your drain lines around the obstruction or weak points using new pipes.

Regardless of the course of action, this is another plumbing problem best left to the pros!

Here in Topeka, Blue Dot’s emergency plumbers are on call 24/7

From burst pipes and flooded floors to faulty faucets and clogged drains, Blue Dot can handle whatever your home throws at you.

Call 785-272-1633 or request service to bring in the experts!

Your Guide to Buying a Tankless Water Heater

Curious what all the hype is about? Here’s what you need to know about this popular water heater replacement:

Tankless water heaters heat on-demand

A tankless water heater pulls cool water over an incredibly efficient heat exchanger, powered by natural gas or electricity. As the water passes over the heating elements, it instantly reaches your target temperature—creating the endless hot water effect that makes tankless heaters so popular.

Because these heaters don’t have a big storage tank to refill, you don’t have to wait for your water to reheat. They never need flushing and ongoing maintenance is minimal.

Tankless water heaters are incredibly efficient

While your old storage tank water heater kept gallons of water at a constant temperature of up to 140 degrees, a new tankless water heater only turns on when your water does. Without that “standby” energy loss, your savings can add up quickly.

If your home uses around 41 gallons of hot water a day, (the average shower uses about 16 gallons) a tankless water heater can be up to 34% more efficient than a traditional tank unit. If you install a few tankless water heaters around your home, each serving a different room, your energy savings can be even higher.

Electric tankless water heaters are the most efficient model, though gas tankless water heaters can be nearly as efficient if they have an intermittent ignition device, instead of an ongoing pilot light.

Tankless water heaters may cost less than you think

A tankless water heater does typically cost more to purchase and install than a traditional storage water heater. A new tankless water heater can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $3,000 or more, while a traditional storage water heater is around $500 to $800.

The up-front cost of purchasing a new energy-efficient water heater may be higher, but tankless water heaters can last longer than traditional units. Storage water heaters have an average lifespan of 10-15 years, but tankless systems can operate for 20 or more years with proper maintenance. Replacement parts are also easy to find and fairly affordable, extending the lifespan of these systems by many more years.

Plus, some tankless water heaters are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $600! That takes a huge bite out of the cost of this energy-efficient upgrade.

Ready for a cost-effective water heater replacement? Call the trusted team at Blue Dot!

We’ve served homes and businesses across the greater Topeka area for 65 years—and we’ll proudly care for your family or customers, too. When you call for a free quote on your new water heater, don’t forget to ask about our best-in-Topeka parts & labor warranty! Call 785-272-1633 or request service today.

4 Ways to Prepare for Your Air Conditioning Installation

Getting ready for an air conditioning installation? These 4 tips can speed up the process!

  1. Make space for your air conditioning installers to work

Clear any furniture or other items from the area where your air conditioning installation will take place. If leaves and debris have accumulated around your old unit, sweep them back. Trim any bushes and landscaping that may impede ‌your professional’s ability to work around your unit.

  1. Clear your walkways

Your air conditioning installers will be entering and exiting your home and yard a few times throughout the installation process. If any outdoor furniture, gates, equipment, or tripping hazards block the pathway to your unit or front door, move them to the side. Pull back any rugs that could get caught under foot, and move breakable items away from the areas your installers will be working.

At Blue Dot, our air conditioning installation techs treat every home and business with utmost care and respect. But lugging heavy equipment around your prized antique heirlooms is a risk no home comfort professional wants to take!

  1. Take your pets to another room

Don’t get us wrong, we love pets! But an over-excited dog eagerly following your installers back and forth to the van, or announcing their presence with an enthusiastic bark, can pose a safety risk. And because many air conditioning parts are particularly appealing to curious chewers, it’s best to keep your pets safely away from the whole work area, indoors and outside, until our job is complete.

  1. Once your air conditioning installation team arrives, unlock any necessary gates and entry way

As your installers move equipment and tools in and out of your home, an auto-locking door or tricky gate can slow their progress. After all, you don’t want to spend your day running to the front door every time your tech needs to come back inside! If your air conditioning unit will be installed behind a gate, consider propping the gate open during installation for ease of access.

At Blue Dot, our trusted techs make upgrading your A/C a breeze!

Our flexible financing options and best-in-Topeka parts & labor warranty mean installing a new A/C or HVAC unit might just be the easiest decision you’ll make all summer. Call 785-272-1633 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate, and don’t forget to ask about our summer savings specials!

What You Need to Know About HVAC Financing

Why finance your HVAC replacement or repair with Blue Dot?

A new HVAC system can cost between $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the size of your home, the type of unit you choose, and how complicated your ductwork is. But the new unit itself may not be as expensive as you would expect.

Some HVAC units are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $600 for energy-efficient units. And high-efficiency HVAC systems can reduce your annual energy usage by up to 50%! So, while the up-front cost of having a new system installed can come with some sticker shock, over time, the upgrade can pay for itself.

What HVAC financing options are available?

There are a few ways you can pay for your new HVAC unit, or any kind of Blue Dot home comfort system repair or service:

Blue Dot financing

At Blue Dot, we offer a number of financing and payment plan options through Wells Fargo. One of our most popular plans is our “same as cash” financing. With this benefit, you can get the HVAC repairs or replacement you need with no payments today and 0% interest for up to 18 months. This option is available to qualified homeowners, no matter the cost of their service.

Another popular option is our flexible payment plan. For larger repairs, you can set up a 10-year repayment plan with 9.99% interest and low monthly payments. This plan can make significant service, like a new HVAC system, major plumbing repairs, or bathroom remodeling more affordable. 

A personal loan

Some homeowners choose to take out a small personal loan to cover the cost of their HVAC replacement. A personal loan can be easier to qualify for than a home equity loan, requires less paperwork, and may offer a lower interest rate.

A home equity loan

A third way to finance your HVAC system repair or replacement is to take out a home equity loan to borrow against the equity of your house. The benefit of this option is that you may be able to cover a number of home repairs and upgrades with one loan. If you have several significant upgrades to make this summer, like a new HVAC system, roof, flooring, or windows, this can be an effective and affordable way to enhance your home.

At Blue Dot, our home repairs are on-time and on-budget

To learn more about our flexible financing options, request a free estimate, or start your project, call 785-272-1633 or request service today!

Our friendly team of Topeka-trusted professionals are available 24/7 to help you stay cool and comfortable all summer.

Ready to put our team to the test?

Our licensed plumbers, electricians, HVAC experts, and friendly team always answer the call. You can schedule service online or ask a question using the contact form below or by calling 785-272-1633.