How Can You Tell When a Water Filtration System Needs Repair?

April 9th, 2018

water-filtration-rapirsPlumbing problems can come in all shapes and sizes: anything from hard water deposits to a clog in the drain. You can solve a number of issues in your home’s plumbing system with a water filtration system. That can include anything from a reverse osmosis system to a water softener designed to remove mineral deposits in the water.

When placed at the apex of your water pipes, they can make your water cleaner, tastier and healthier. Most of them have comparatively few moving parts and can last a long time with regular maintenance. But sooner or later, every system breaks down, and when they do, you need to call in a team to determine what the repairs should be.

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Signing Up for Maintenance Is the Best Thing for Your AC and Heating

March 26th, 2018

HVAC-system-maintenanceSpring is a bit of a transition month for homeowners, and besides the time-honored tradition of spring cleaning, you have your HVAC system to worry about. This is the time of year when our heating systems see less and less use, and our air conditioners see more and more use.

This is also the perfect opportunity to schedule maintenance for both your heating and your air conditioning system. Doing so can provide a number of benefits to your entire household.

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Why a Larger HVAC Installation May Not Be the Best Choice

March 12th, 2018

Air-Conditioner-Outside-UnitWhen you need a new HVAC installation (heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system), it’s important to consider all of your options. We don’t recommend that you simply take whatever your technician says is the cheapest. In all likelihood, this will be a system that is too small. You will end up paying a lot more on your energy and fuel costs for the next several years, and those initial savings may not be worth it.

Too many “technicians” are willing to meet you halfway and install an inefficient, undersized system that does not match your home. Any quality technician will tell you that when a system is too small, it wears down and breaks frequently, and will likely have to be replaced years early. But that doesn’t mean a larger system is better.

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Common Problems with Older Furnaces

February 26th, 2018

Open-furnace-basement-unitIt’s surprising when a brand-new furnace starts to malfunction. When a furnace has worked almost perfectly for many years, though, and suddenly starts to show signs of failure, it can be almost just as alarming. A reliable, older furnace will still need repairs eventually. And at some point, you’ll have to replace your furnace altogether.

We’re here to offer some guidance about what may be happening with your home heating system when it fails to work as expected. If you have an older furnace, a sudden malfunction may not mean the end of its life. However, you’ll likely have to call in technicians to be sure.

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How Scaling Affects Your Water Heater

February 12th, 2018

water-heater-tankYou’ve probably heard the term “hard water” before. This may sound a bit frightening in regard to your water quality, but it’s really not so bad for you. Hard water means that the water supply has an excess of calcium and magnesium, and for most people, this is perfectly safe to ingest. While it’s safe for people, however, we cannot say the same for your plumbing.

Scaling—the deposits that get left behind from hard water—can affect your water heater worse than any other part of your plumbing. While you can clean scale out of a faucet with a wrench and some vinegar, it’s not so easy when it comes to your water heater.

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4 Surprising Reasons for a Furnace Repair

January 29th, 2018

filter-vent-technicianWhen a furnace stops heating a home, many homeowners hope for the best. “I think the thermostat is broken,” they may say, hoping a quick calibration or rewiring will do the trick. Others jump to the worst-case scenario: “I think it may need to be replaced.”

These are both things that can and do happen. However, it’s often not what the homeowner expects. In fact, some of the things that cause a furnace to break down or function incorrectly may surprise you! Here are four things you may not realize could cause failures with your heating system.

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Common Problems with Gas Furnaces

January 15th, 2018

natural-gas-furnace-burnersBefore we begin, we want to remind you that if you suspect a gas leak, vacate the home ASAP and call the gas company. If you don’t have the number on hand, call 911. For your family’s health and safety, it’s not worth staying indoors. You should also make sure the home is properly equipped with smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors that are regularly tested.

Otherwise, problems with gas furnaces typically are not such a huge deal. We want to give you an idea of what may go wrong, so you can narrow in a problem before you call a technician (or even “fix” the problem on your own).

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How to Handle a Leaking Pipe

January 1st, 2018

frozen-pipe-damLeaky pipes are unfortunately quite common in the winter. The freezing and thawing of water in the pipes causes them to expand, which may force a pipe to burst open. Other factors can contribute to leaky pipes too, of course, such as corrosion or other means of excess pressure on the pipes.

For the most part, a homeowner is not most concerned with how a leak happened. It’s important to know whether corrosion indicates your pipes are in need of replacement, but the first thing you want to know is how to stop the leak and get things under control.

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Preventing Everyday Plumbing Clogs

December 18th, 2017

plunger-woman-call-plumberWhen you’re in the business of plumbing, you know that this is any homeowner’s biggest grievance. Sure, there are worse things that could happen in a home, but few of them happen again and again the way plumbing clogs often do. Some can be unclogged yourself while some will always require a plumber’s help, which is why it’s so important to focus on prevention.

You may be able to prevent many of those everyday clogs you find most annoying, and even the big clogs that don’t come up so often but tend to cost you more.

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Heater Repair vs. Replacement: Know the Signs

December 4th, 2017
Furnace maintenance and heater replacement showing an indoor residential heating system with boiler unit, pipes, and controls.

Yikes! It’s chilly outside and your heating system is showing signs of failure. Perhaps it’s already broken down. This is the worst time for a heater to fail, and you have your fingers crossed for the best. Will you have to replace your heating system? Can it be repaired? If your furnace breaks or malfunctions, it can lead to serious health and safety issues, such as carbon monoxide leaks or fire risks, which can be mitigated through routine inspections and timely repairs.

Furnace maintenance is crucial to keeping your heating unit running efficiently and safely. Safety is the most critical reason for annual furnace maintenance, as it can detect carbon monoxide leaks and other issues that could pose serious health risks to your family. Regular inspections can detect leaks and other problems early, helping to prevent hazards and costly repairs. Consistent maintenance extends the lifespan of your furnace, provides reliable heating for years, and helps prevent unexpected breakdowns. A well-maintained furnace operates more efficiently, which translates to lower energy and utility bills, and annual servicing can save money in the long run by improving system efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Scheduling furnace maintenance at least once a year, preferably right before the cold months, ensures any issues are addressed before the cold weather sets in. You should schedule a comprehensive professional inspection annually before the heating season begins. A typical 2025 furnace tune-up costs between $150 and $400. A typical furnace maintenance appointment lasts around 1 to 2 hours, depending on the system’s condition and complexity. Regular maintenance can significantly reduce repair costs by addressing minor issues before they escalate into major problems, and neglecting furnace maintenance can lead to safety risks such as carbon monoxide leaks, increased energy bills, and may void the manufacturer’s warranty. Always shut down the furnace safely before performing any maintenance. Signs that indicate you need furnace maintenance include unusual noises (so listen for anything out of the ordinary), inconsistent heating, and increased energy bills. Scheduling regular maintenance keeps your system’s condition optimal and maintains system’s efficiency, ensuring your home stays at a comfortable temperature throughout the season.

Of course, this is a question we most likely cannot answer before we take a look at your system. However, we’re here to help you understand more about when a heater needs repair, and when it starts to show signs you need heater replacement.

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