The Sonoma Valley is known for many things the world over and, mercifully, one of them NOT being brutal winters.

Yes, it can get pretty chilly in the December through February corridor, especially after the sun goes down. But usually not so bad that it makes you think of pulling up stakes and moving elsewhere.

Still, when it’s cold enough to turn the heat on – and we get plenty of days like that – then it’s time to prepare to help ensure your family’s winter-long indoor comfort. We have two suggestions we invite you to consider:

• Heating System Preventative Maintenance – The best way to fix a problem with your heating system is to not let anything go wrong in the first place: which is precisely the point of our annual preventative maintenance service. The best time to have the work done is in the fall before you even start using your heating system. That way, you’ll already know that it’s been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. What’s more, we’ll advice you if we locate any small repair issues that would make more sense to correct now before they become bigger and potentially costly repair problems.

• Whole-House Humidifier. One of the biggest complaints we get from customers this time of year is how dry their homes get while the furnace is running. Dry air, in turn, can cause problems for allergy and asthma sufferers, create plenty of static electricity, dry up and potentially warp objects (including musical instruments) made of wood, and more. But with a whole-house humidifier, you can maintain relative humidity levels exactly where you like them for even greater comfort and allergy relief this and every winter to follow.

Our advice? Even while you’re enjoying the early fall months, Northern California style, don’t forget completely about winter. In fact, embrace and more fully prepare for it by contacting Boden Plumbing, Heating & Air today.

The single best way to get rid of mold in your bathroom is not to let it form in the first place, even though very often that’s easier said than done. Still, if you don’t at least try, then it’s like placing a welcome matt out for this very unhealthy substance.

So let’s start with 4 effective ways to keep mold out of your bathroom:

1. When showering, make sure the bathroom is well-ventilated. If have a window, open it just a crack and, for even better ventilation, open the door a crack at the same time. An exhaust fan works well for the same purpose, even if you turn it on only after turning off the shower water. Also, when leaving the bathroom after a shower, keep the door open so whatever moisture is left in the air can escape.

2. If you have a shower curtain, stretch it out completely after exiting the tub or shower enclosure. Otherwise, mold can and will form in the cracks.

3. If, on the other hand, you have sliding glass doors, wipe them down after your shower to get rid of the moisture. And then periodically clean your sliders to destroy lingering mold bacteria.

4. Keep a sharp lookout for bathroom leaks, especially in hard to spot places like behind your toilet or under your sink, especially if you have a vanity. A little moisture left undetected is all it takes to start a colony of mold.

Already have mold and want to know how best to get rid of it. Here at Boden, we recommend the following cleaning measures:

• Mix bleach with warm water and spray it directly on the mold spots or onto a sponge and then wipe it away. Bleach is a pretty potent substance so, to avoid staining, don’t use too much.

• If you don’t have any bleach in the house, here are some other products that also are effective against mold: Borax; vinegar; a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and water; and ammonia.

• Once you’re done applying your mold cleaner, thoroughly rinse and wipe away after each application.

• If mold has made its way onto your bathroom ceiling, you need to repaint it once the mold is completely gone to prevent a re-occurrence.

Let’s face it: some homes are just more prone to others, no matter how careful you are to prevent and/or clean up after mold first appears. Then again, there are probably one or more things we can do to assist you. That includes clearing any clogged drains, repairing a faucet or pipe leak, and repairing or replacing your leaking toilet. Boden Plumbing, Heating & Air. Contact us today long-term relief against mold in your bathroom or anywhere else in your home. Just like always, we’re here to help.