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When Should I Schedule My Furnace Maintenance?

You’ve probably heard time and time again from your local HVAC company that a furnace maintenance is important to schedule every year. Despite being told this, most homeowners forgo maintenance as long as the equipment is working as it should be. However, just like your car needs regular oil changes, your furnace needs regular tune-ups. In this blog, we will cover the importance of furnace maintenances, what a maintenance entails, and when you should schedule yours.

Why Are Furnace Maintenances So Important?

Furnace maintenances are important for a number of reasons. First, they prolong the life of your system. The better shape your furnace is in, the longer it will last. In fact, annual maintenance can prolong the life of your heating equipment by up to 10 years. Second, it’s important to the health of you and your family. Your furnace circulates warm air throughout your home, but if it’s not well-maintained, it’ll circulate dust and other particles, too.  By catching small problems before they become serious and costly, you’re improving your safety and comfort. Thirdly, it helps prevent repairs. Did you know up to 70% of heating repairs can be prevents with proper maintenance? Neglecting maintenance can lead to expensive repairs, breakdowns, and other problems that are easily avoidable. And last but not least, it helps improve efficiency. Your furnace needs annual maintenance to run efficiently. A dirty air filter, for example, can decrease efficiency because it restricts airflow and causes your entire HVAC system to work harder. That’s why we recommend you change your air filter every 1-3 months.

What Does A Furnace Maintenance Entail?

A professional HVAC technician will arrive at your home, ready to perform a number of maintenance tasks. They’ll make sure your unit is clean and free of mildew, mold, dust, pollen and other contaminants that impact your health and overall indoor air quality. They will check and clean the burners and heat exchanger, replace any dirty air filters, lubricate the blow fan motor bearings, and check the electrical connections throughout your system. Most technicians, like the ones at Cool Touch, will also check your ductwork and closely inspect your air handler to make sure they’re working properly, too. A furnace maintenance, when done professionally and properly, will ensure your system runs efficiently and remains effective for years to come.

So, When Should I Schedule Mine?

Now for the million dollar question – when should you schedule your annual furnace maintenance? The best time of year to schedule yours is before you need your furnace the most. A lot of homeowners wait until winter, or until an HVAC breakdown happens, which isn’t recommended. The last thing you want to deal with is no heat on the chilliest day of the year. We recommend you schedule your maintenance in the early fall and conversely, your AC in the early spring. That’s because HVAC technicians are less likely to be tied up and busy with emergency calls around these times and it shouldn’t be too difficult to get on the schedule right away.

Cool Touch Is Here For All Your Furnace Maintenance Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your furnace maintenance needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! For over 20 years, we have been your trusted home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your maintenance appointment by visiting us online here.

The post When Should I Schedule My Furnace Maintenance? appeared first on Cool Touch Air Conditioning & Heating.

This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com

If you’re like most people, the thought of dealing with home plumbing problems makes your skin crawl. But don’t worry – by following the tips in this article, you’ll be able to take care of most common plumbing problems yourself. Plumbing is one of those things that we all try to avoid until it’s absolutely necessary. But when a plumbing emergency does strike, it’s important to know how to handle it. This article will teach you everything you need to know about basic home plumbing. Let’s get started.

 

Relevant: How Your Home Plumbing System Works

 

15 ways to take care of most common plumbing problems yourself.

1. Clogged Drains:

The most common plumbing problem is a clogged drain. This can be caused by anything from hair to food scraps to soap buildup. There are a few ways you can unclog a drain yourself, but if the clog is particularly stubborn, you may need to call in a professional.

2. Leaky Faucets:

A leaky faucet is not only annoying, it can also waste a lot of water. The good news is, this is an easy problem to fix yourself. Simply tighten the loose nut under the sink and the problem should be resolved.

3. Toilet Issues:

Toilet problems are unfortunately common, but most of them are relatively easy to fix. If your toilet is constantly running, try adjusting the float ball. If your toilet won’t flush, you may need to replace the flapper valve. And if your toilet is leaking, you’ll need to tighten the bolts that connect the tank to the bowl.

4. Slow Drains:

Slow drains are usually caused by clogs further down the line. You can try using a plunger or a plumbers’ snake to dislodge the clog, but if that doesn’t work, you’ll need to call in a professional.

5. Water Heater Problems:

If your water heater is leaking, you’ll need to call a professional to repair or replace it. However, if your water heater is simply not producing hot water, you can try resetting the thermostat.

6. Gas Leaks:

Gas leaks are very dangerous and should always be addressed by a professional. If you smell gas in your home, open all the windows and doors to ventilate the area, then call the gas company immediately.

7. Sewer Line Issues:

If you have a sewer line problem, it’s best to call a professional. Sewer lines are complicated and require special equipment to fix properly.

8. Fixture Installation:

Installing new fixtures is a relatively easy do-it-yourself project. However, if you’re not confident in your abilities, it’s always best to call a professional.

9. Pipe Replacement:

Replacing pipes is a complicated and messy job that is best left to the professionals.

10. Pressure Problems:

If you have low water pressure, there are a few things you can try before calling a plumber. First, check to see if all the faucets in your home are turned on. If they are, then you may have a main water shut-off valve that is partially closed. You’ll need to open it all the way. If that doesn’t solve the problem, then you may have a clog in your main water line. Again, this is a job for a professional.

11. Water Treatment:

If you have hard water, you may need to install a water softener. This is a relatively easy do-it-yourself project, but if you’re not confident in your abilities, it’s always best to call a professional.

12. Sump Pump Installation:

If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, you may need to install a sump pump. This is a job for a professional.

13. Backflow Prevention:

If you have a well, you’ll need to have your backflow preventer tested and certified every year. This is a job for a professional.

14. Water Heater Maintenance:

You should drain and flush your water heater every six months to remove sediment buildup. This is a relatively easy do-it-yourself project, but if you’re not confident in your abilities, it’s always best to call a professional.

15. General Maintenance:

To keep your plumbing system in top shape, it’s important to regularly inspect all of your pipes and fixtures. If you see any signs of wear or damage, it’s best to call a professional.

 

By following these tips, you can take care of most common plumbing problems yourself, saving you time and money. However, if you’re ever unsure of what to do, it’s always best to call a professional. Plumbing is a complex system, and even a small mistake can lead to big problems. Therefore, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your home’s plumbing.

Before putting your home on the market, you might give it a new coat of paint or spruce up the landscaping. Did you know there are seven important plumbing upgrades you should make to your home that can help boost your selling price?

Here are some plumbing upgrades you should consider before inviting in potential buyers:

1. Consider Replacing Single Vanities With a Double Vanity Sink

In most cases, one water line can be diverted to a second sink, making this a convenient upgrade. After all, who doesn’t want to reduce the wait time in the bathroom?

2. Replace Worn Faucets

Leaking or ill-fitting faucets are easy to spot and can age your home. Replace faucets with upgraded styles for a quick way to modernize your bathroom.

3. Make Eco-Friendly Updates

Buyers are considering sustainability when they are searching for a new home. Take a look at energy wasters in your home:

• Consider replacing an older toilet with a low-flow version
• Evaluate if a tankless water heater might be a good fit
• Swap out water-wasting showerheads and faucets

Your home listing can highlight how your home is eco-friendly and energy-efficient.

4. Fix Pipe Leaks

If you’re looking to sell an older home and you have had issues with leaking pipes in the past, a home inspection will likely flag the issue. It’s a good plan to get ahead of the inspection by hiring a professional plumber to inspect and assess the state of your pipes.

If your plumbing system fails the inspection, potential buyers will likely walk. It’s a good plan to determine their health now and either replace or repair your pipes so they don’t stand in the way of your sale.

5. Upgrade Kitchen Appliances

Nothing dates a kitchen like old appliances. A new dishwasher and garbage disposal go a long way to making an older home feel modern.

6. Check Your Water Heater’s Life Span

Water heaters typically have a life span of up to 12 years. Buyers and their inspectors will appreciate a water heater that’s early in its life cycle.

Have a professional plumber provide the service records for your water heater and inspect it before putting your home on the market. Installing a new water heater might be cost-effective to entice offers that meet or exceed your asking price.

7. Flush Your Drains

You might have cleaned the cobwebs from the corner of the room, but if your potential buyer sees a sink that doesn’t drain or the telltale ring of standing water in the basin, you might scare them off.

Check your drains work properly and call a plumbing for a professional drain cleaning if they don’t.

Contact Len The Plumber To Upgrade Your Home’s Plumbing

Don’t let a good home sale go down the drain because your plumbing wasn’t up to par.

If you’re getting ready to put your home on the market, make Len The Plumber part of your team to get your home in tiptop shape to get the highest and best offer for your home.

Call (800) 950-4619(800) 950-4619 or contact us online today to request plumbing services in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Delaware.

This post first appeared on https://lentheplumber.com

The water you drink should be clean and clear. It should smell and taste fresh. It shouldn’t leave residue on anything, and most importantly, it shouldn’t make anyone sick. Perhaps you’re reading this because you’re experiencing something with your water quality that doesn’t seem quite right. Or perhaps you’re a homeowner who just wants to make sure that your water is the best that it can be. At Modern Plumbing Industries, we’re committed to making sure you have the resources you need to make your water clean and safe for everyone in your home.

Water can be treated in a variety of ways. There are water softeners for hard water, and many options for water filters and water purifiers. Different systems solve different problems, and testing is necessary to determine exactly what the problems are. How do you know if it’s time to get your water tested and look into water treatment service in Winter Park, FL? Here are several indications to look for.

Cloudy Water

If you get a glass of water from the tap, any cloudiness from tiny bubbles should clear up within seconds. Lingering cloudiness could mean that you have hard water, with a lot of dissolved minerals in it. Or it could be methane contamination.

Smelly Water

Your water, very simply, should not smell. If there is an odor, it may be that the pH is too low or too high, or it’s high in salt. But odors can be caused by other contaminants as well. Drinking plenty of water is important for your health, and you’re definitely not going to want to drink your recommended daily amount if it smells funny!

Tasty Water

Your water should not have a flavor. The pH or salinity can affect the flavor as well as the smell. Also, some minerals can make water taste sweet if they are in high enough concentrations. One of those minerals is lead, which is very dangerous to consume, especially for small children.

Soap Residue

If it’s hard to get all the soap to rinse off your dishes or detergent to get out of your clothing, it may be a sign of hard water. The minerals make it difficult for the water to break down soap.

Film on the Surface of Washed Items

If you get a glass of water, is there an oily film on the surface? This can be caused by iron bacteria and is more likely to happen with well water. It may indicate that you need a new well pump, but testing can help you determine whether that’s necessary.

Discolored or Corroded Fixtures

Red or yellow discoloration around your water fixtures can indicate high levels of iron or lead in your water. Scaling on the faucet head may indicate scaling caused by high salt levels. Corrosion can be caused by other contaminants.

An Old House

In an older home that hasn’t had all the plumbing replaced since 1986 (when using new lead pipes was banned in the US) it is worth having your water tested. 

Contact Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. today to improve your water quality.

This post first appeared on https://www.modernpi.com

Hey folks! While September is underway and we’re getting ready for the fall season, there’s an important topic we need to discuss. This is a big time to transition between cooling and heating seasons. An air conditioner needs to be put away properly in order to be stored correctly and safely, so it’s ready for use next year. However, taking the furnace out and getting it set up is going to be a bit trickier than you might think.

We’re talking about furnace maintenance in Essex County of course! This is a vital service that’s perfect for right before the heating season. A trained professional will take a hard look at your system, perform a thorough inspection, and they’ll even make adjustments or small fixes depending on the condition of the system. Then, the hope is that you’ll be more ready for the winter than ever.

We can even detect if your system requires a repair and schedule a fix before the cold really sets in. Wouldn’t that be great?

Why Furnace Maintenance in the Fall?

This is a good question and one we get often. The truth is that you don’t need furnace maintenance in the fall, and furnace maintenance is good pretty much any time of the year. The reason why fall is a great and convenient time for it is because temperatures are mild and schedules are open. We’re not so busy performing emergency heater repairs and replacements, so we can help you with your maintenance at a convenient time that works for you.

Also, fall gives us plenty of time to prepare for a repair or replacement in the future, if we discover that the system is in bad condition (or too old) during maintenance.

The Benefits of Furnace Maintenance

Here are some additional benefits of furnace maintenance, in case you weren’t convinced!

• Stress relief. Sometimes, knowing that a professional HVAC technician is on the case can be a huge relief to you and your family. You’ll know deep down that your furnace is in good shape for the fall, winter, and spring.
• Better comfort and temperature controls. A well-maintained furnace is going to be easier to control. It will simply be able to heat your home more effectively once the components are cleaned and inspected.
• Higher system efficiency. A heating system like a gas furnace burns fuel. That fuel is not cheap and natural gas is getting more expensive as time goes on. Improving the efficiency of your furnace, even by a small fraction, means that it burns less fuel and saves you money month after month. Even if that’s $30 a month, that’s still an amount that can go to something else like a vacation fund or a Valentine’s Day dinner!
• Diagnose hidden problems. Sometimes there are hidden problems in a furnace that can only really be detected by a trained professional who is inspecting it. Maintenance gives us a chance to spot those problems and address them.

Contact MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. to schedule maintenance today.

The post It’s Time for Furnace Maintenance! first appeared on MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc..

This post first appeared on https://margoplumbing.com

Plumbing nightmares can happen to anyone. Most of us probably know someone who’s experienced some plumbing disasters, or maybe you’ve seen some viral memes with funny plumbing pictures.

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September is baby safety month and the perfect time to think about how best to babyproof your HVAC system! Young children and babies are curious, and want to touch anything and everything. To keep them out of harms way, here are some ways to protect them when it comes to your heating and cooling unit.

1. Secure Vent Covers

Do you have metal vent covers? Babies are attracted to shiny objects – like metal! Unfortunately, metal vent covers tend to have sharp edges that can cut little fingers and toes. Not only that, but if the covers aren’t secured tightly, your baby may be able to pull up on them. The last thing you want is for your baby to get cut, bruised, or injured in another way by running around with your vent cover. Secure it in place by screwing them down so they can’t be lifted up and taken apart by curious little hands.

2. Switch To Plastic Registers

The thought of a metal vent cover hurting your pride and joy got you feeling uneasy? There are other options – like ditching the metal vent covers and switching to plastic. Plastic vent covers still do its job, but without the risk of injury. With plastic registers, there’s also not really a need to screw them down so that frees up some of your time.

3. Toy-Proof Your Ducts

If you’re a parent, then you know all too well that you find toys and other objects in the most random places. By adding screening to your ductwork, you don’t have to worry about small little toys getting dropped in there.

4. Keep HVAC Remotes Put Away

Just like shiny objects, babies and young kids love to push buttons – literally. Make sure your HVAC remotes are stored away so your little one can’t grab it and mess with it. Not only can they turn your heat up and down and mess with your settings, but handling the remote unsupervised can be dangerous. The last thing you want is for them to accidentally swallow the remote battery and cause serious injury.

5. Be Careful With Your Outdoor Unit

While you don’t think much about your outdoor unit, if you have an “on-the-go” tiny little human running around, then you may want to start paying attention to it. The unit has sharp, spinning fan blades and live electrical wiring that are most certainly not babyproof! To avoid any potential harm, consider fencing in your outdoor unit or enclosing it in a lockage cage so it’s untouchable by your little one.

Need To Babyproof Your HVAC System? Cool Touch Is Here For All Your HVAC Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

We are here for all your HVAC needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! For over 20 years, we have been your trusted home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your appointment by visiting us online here.

The post How To Babyproof Your HVAC System For Baby Safety Month appeared first on Cool Touch Air Conditioning & Heating.

This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com

Your heater or furnace is probably the first thing you think of when considering heating appliances that sometimes need maintenance, repair, or replacement. But unlike your home’s heating system, which gets to take a break during the summer, your water heater is working all year long, supplying plentiful hot water every day. It deserves some appreciation for everything it does, and it definitely deserves your attentiveness when something does go wrong.

So how can you tell when there’s a problem with your water heater that requires professional help? There are several things you can be on the lookout for. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to seek out qualified water heater repair in Orlando.

Leaking

This one might seem obvious, but there’s a little more to it than you might imagine. There is a place where water will escape when necessary, to reduce pressure. It’s called the pressure relief valve, so dripping there shouldn’t be considered cause for concern. But if there’s water coming from anywhere else, this is a very urgent concern. The gas or electricity to the unit should be shut off immediately, and a technician should be called in.

Rumbling

If your water heater makes this ominous noise, it is cause for concern—but don’t worry, it’s not a sign of immediately impending disaster! It may be caused by a pressure problem, or by a buildup of sediment in the bottom of the tank. Another possibility is a break in the dip tube. This is the channel that carries cold water to the bottom of the tank where it will be heated. An experienced service professional will be able to determine which is the cause.

Discolored Water

If you turn on the hot tap and the water that runs out looks dirty, this could be from sediment. However, it could also be rust from inside the tank, in which case the unit may need to be replaced.

Corrosion

While water heaters are made to be corrosion-resistant, nothing can truly be corrosion-proof. Over time, it is possible for corrosion to occur. If you’re noticing it on external parts, you should consult a professional. It may be that only certain parts require replacement.

Not Enough Hot Water

If your usage patterns have stayed about the same but the water heater isn’t keeping up with your use, and you’re running out of hot water sooner than you would expect or finding the water just plain not hot enough, it’s time for repairs. This could have to do with sediment, with the dip tube allowing hot and cold water to mix, or with the thermostat needing recalibration. 

Not Enough Water Pressure

If the hot tap only gives you a trickle, the circulator pump could be the culprit. If your system is tankless, a buildup of limescale from hard water can narrow the intakes, allowing less water through. In either case, you should reach out to a professional. 

At Modern Plumbing Industries, we’re licensed, insured, and bonded, and our technicians are highly trained and qualified. We’ve been in business since 1975, so you can count on us for your repair needs for the long haul.

Contact Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. today with any concerns about your water heater.

This post first appeared on https://www.modernpi.com

For new and old homeowners alike, sometimes a drain clog can seem confusing. You didn’t necessarily put anything solid or rough down your drain, so how could it be clogging all of a sudden? Your pipes are in good shape and the last home inspection you had specifically mentioned that your home’s plumbing was in good condition. So … what gives?

Well, first of all, a home inspection or just a quick run-through of your pipes can’t see what’s inside of them. This is why an inspection can be misleading, since a drain system can be majorly clogged without it ever showing up except when you try to use the drain for an extended period of time. But the truth is that you might have accidentally clogged up your drain with materials that otherwise feel fine to flush. In this case, you might need drain cleaning in West Orange, NJ.

Let’s Talk About FOG

One of the most insidious causes of drain clogs in our area is FOG. FOG stands for fats, oils, and grease, and it’s a material that can look like a liquid that gets flushed down the drain, only to be a problem later on.

You see, fats solidify at a different temperature than water. This means that the cold interior of your pipes can be the perfect environment for that bacon grease or butter to solidify and sit in your drain unable to move.

The Problems With FOG

Eventually, other food scraps will get caught up in the solidified FOG material and cause a clog. These kinds of clogs form easily because the FOG acts like a glue that keeps it all stuck to the wall of your drain and in there for an extended period of time. A clog can exponentially grow since it makes it harder for contaminants to wash away, and thus you’ve got a truly bad clog on your hands.

It Doesn’t Matter If You Don’t See the Problem

One of the biggest hassles with drain problems is that we can’t see them. For all we know, that accidental onion peel that got flushed down the drain and ended up at a water treatment plant or in the garbage. But in truth, it could have gotten stuck in your sewer system and started a cascading drain clog that will make itself known in a few months. And to make matters worse, once we walk away from the sink drain, it can be almost impossible to remember what we just flushed down it!

Well, first of all, we just want to be clear about what to do. Just because you don’t see solid materials go down your drain doesn’t mean that there aren’t drain clogging materials routinely being flushed down it. For instance, if there are other members of your household, especially children, they could be flushing paper towels, toys, and food waste down the drain because it seems like it “disappears.” This is just the cost of living with a full household!

We recommend investing in drain cleaning services every one or two years so you can rest assured that your plumbing system is in good shape.

Do yourself a favor and contact MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. We can help!

The post What Causes a Drain Clog? first appeared on MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc..

This post first appeared on https://margoplumbing.com