Plumbing March Hints Tips & Reminders

Hints: How to Spot Common Heating Repair Problems Before They Turn into Nightmares

There many various reasons that your home furnace or heating system will need to be serviced or replaced, but most of these problems can be avoided with proper preventative maintenance. This will not only save you money in the long run from avoiding costly repair bills but will keep your home running smoothly and efficiently saving you additional money.

Here are the main indicators to look for on your furnace and heating system:

Air Flow Problems – If you feel like your system is not putting out air like it used to their can be many things wearing out within your furnace like, bearings, belts and fan motors. If any one of these items is not functioning properly you are losing efficacy and wasting money.

Basic Mechanical Wear & Tear – Your furnace or heating system is a physical functioning unit that faces the same sort of wear and tear as any other appliance does. As time passes and these components run for hours on end things will inevitably breakdown and need service or repair.

Air Filters – This is one of the simplest things to do yet also one of the most often forgotten items. Not frequently replacing your air filter (should do it once a month) causes more heating issues than any other. Ironically, it’s also the cheapest issue to fix. Dirty filters restrict the air flow going through your furnace or heating system making the system have to work harder to keep the air moving through. Your home won’t heat as efficiently and you will spend more to get the temperature settings you desire.

Broken or Malfunctioning Thermostats – another extremely common heating problem is thermostats that are not functioning properly. These devices help control how much heat your furnace produces and when to produce it. It your thermostat is not working correctly you could have issues with intermittent heating, the fan not working, or not heat at all.

Tips: How Do I Hire and Verify a Reputable Plumber, HVAC, or Electrical Technician?

Whenever you need to hire the services of a home repair person of any kind you want to make sure you are getting a reputable company who is going to stand behind their work. But you are also concerned about letting a stranger into your home. Sadly, the home service industry gets a bad rap because it is one of the trades that is taught in prisons. Homeowners are naturally concerned about ensuring the person who they are letting into their home is a trusted member of the community. But how do to you verify all these factors about a company before hiring them?

Follow these steps to ensure the company and technician coming into your home are what’s best for you and your family

1. Do your homework! Oftentimes people do not shop around before selecting a company for their home service project.
2. Weigh what matters most! Determine what factors are most important to you when you survey the market place. You will find that the same job can cost different amounts depending on the company you choose for many different reasons. Does one company provide warranties while another does not? Are the technicians drugged tested and background checked or do they hire anyone off of the street? Are they a professional outfit or just a guy in a truck? All of these factors will play into the price so you must decide which of these factors is most important to you.
3. Check for reviews! Often time if you look for multiple reviews on a company or product you will find themes which will help you determine if that company is a good fit for you.

Reminders: With Spring Right Around the Corner Here Are Some Reminders Before You Head Off On Spring break.

1. Check your laundry machine hoses. The life expectancy of a washing machine hose is only 3 years. So before you head off to the beach check for any cracks or calcium buildup.
2. Keep your house warm. Don’t be afraid to leave the thermostat on to HEAT your home while you are away. Even though during the day outside it’s getting warmer and night it can still get cold and in order to prevent your pipes from freezing keeping your home heated is the best solution.
3. Inspect your water heater. Check to make sure you don’t see any obvious cracks or leaks and that there is no water on the floor or standing in the drip pan. If you do not see any signs of trouble, then you can shut it off or put it into vacation mode.
4. Check to make sure your sump pump is working and that you have a battery backup in case the power goes out.
5. Shut off the water to the home if you are going to be gone for multiple weeks. If you decide to do this make sure you drain the remaining water out of your faucets.

If any of these Hints, Tips, & Reminders seem like too much to handle, never fear! We are here to help!

Do you have further questions about choosing a great plumber? Don’t hesitate to contact I&C Mechanical, Inc today! Our expert plumbers are highly skilled at what they do. Here at I&C Mechanical, Inc, we fit the bill for high-quality, low-cost service