Fall 2026 Newsletter – Your Friendly Neighbourhood Plumber

October 26, 2026

In this issue


Furnace tune-up time, protecting your outdoor taps, furnace filters delivered to your door, a few holiday hosting tips, and a look at our new website. Prefer to read it on paper? Download the PDF at the bottom of this post.


Hello from Steve and the team!


You can always tell fall is here. That crisp smell in the morning, the windows you left open all summer suddenly letting in a chill, and the big question in every house: is it time to turn on the furnace yet?

Whenever you decide, fall is the best time to get your home ready for winter. A few minutes now can save you a cold night (and an emergency call) in January.



It's furnace tune-up time



  • Start with your filter. Hold it up to a light. If you can't see through it, replace it. A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder and can even shut it off.
  • Test your heat on a mild day. Turn up the thermostat and make sure the burners light. A burning smell the first time is normal: it's summer dust burning off and should clear within a few hours.
  • Book your yearly tune-up. Our 20-point tune-up checks everything from the flame sensor and ignitor to gas pressure and venting, and you get a documented inspection report.


Smell gas? Leave the house right away and call ATCO's 24-hour emergency line or 911 from outside. Make sure your carbon monoxide alarms are working before the furnace runs full time.

Protect your outdoor taps


Older outdoor taps (hose bibs) aren't frost-free, so water can sit in the pipe, freeze and crack it inside your wall. You often don't find out until spring.

  • Disconnect your garden hose before the first freeze. A hose left on can freeze even a frost-free tap.
  • Watch for warning signs: dripping, weak flow, a knob that's hard to turn, or a tap that froze last year.


Not sure what kind of tap you have? Snap a photo and text it to us at 780-995-4140. We'll tell you if it's an older hose bib or a frost-free one, free of charge.


Filters, delivered to your door


Don't want to remember to change your furnace filter? We offer furnace filter delivery every 3, 6 or 9 months, so the right size and type shows up when it's time. Not sure which filter you need? Read The Truth About Furnace Filters.



Holiday hosting? Go easy on your pipes


  • Keep grease, coffee grounds, rice and peels out of the kitchen sink.
  • Only toilet paper goes down the toilet. Even "flushable" wipes don't belong there.
  • Space out showers and dishwasher loads so your hot water keeps up.
  • Find your main water shut-off before guests arrive, just in case.


More tips in Be Holiday-Hosting Ready.


Our new website


Check out our new website, with a Resources page full of homeowner guides:


Thank you!


Thank you for trusting us with your homes, and for more than 450 five-star Google reviews. We couldn't do it without you.

Download the newsletter


Prefer a copy to print or keep? Download the Fall 2026 newsletter as a PDF.

Call or Text 780-995-4140 | Book Furnace Tune-Up | Need us fast? We offer 24/7 emergency service, with any after-hours charge quoted upfront.

About Steve

Steve St. Louis is a Red Seal Journeyman Plumber and Gasfitter (Class B) and the owner of SS Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Based in Sturgeon County, Steve and his team have served Edmonton and area since 2020, with 24/7 emergency service and a 5.0 rating from 450+ Google reviews.