We're Here To Keep You Comfy!

The first thing to do if you aren’t getting cool air is to check your return vents to make sure they aren’t blocked.

Remember that your furnace is working 12 months out of the year… and you need to change out the filters regularly.

Walk outside to the unit and make sure the condenser is free and clear of plants, weeds, and other debris.

If you need some help,  call us at  201-300-5554

Many plumbers consider gutters part of your plumbing system because they carry water away from your house. If gutters are overtopped with water, it can damage the home’s foundation and walls of the basement, creating cracks that may grow over time.

All kinds of debris can land in your gutters, including leaves, twigs, seeds, and even wind-borne trash like plastic bags.

When this happens, the first part of your home in danger of water damage is the roof, as pooling water can rot your fascia, shingles, and the edge of your roofline.

To clean your gutters, use a ladder on leveled ground that locks in place Hook an empty bucket to the top of the ladder to collect the debris you remove and be sure to use work gloves as you’re removing the debris.

Using a handheld garden tool such as a trowel can be useful while cleaning gutters and can help scrape up sludge from the bottom of the gutter. Once the gutter is clear, use a hose to wash it completely clean and ensure the water is flowing freely through the downspout.

This is one of those annual tasks that should be tackled with the rest of your spring-cleaning. Throughout the year, calcium and magnesium that can accumulate in your water heater solidify, and potentially mix with dirt and other inclusions, becoming sediment that accumulates at the bottom of your tank. The sediment could increase the chances of a leak coming out of the bottom of the tank and prevent your water heater from heating as effectively.

Flushing your water heater is a generally simple task. All you will need is a hose that can connect tightly to the flushing valve on the side of your tank and a large bucket.

First, shut off the gas or electrical connection to your tank and connect the hose to the drain valve. Make sure the other end of the hose is in a large bucket or storm drain, open the drain valve, and let the water flow out. At the same time, open your temperature and pressure-relief valve.

If the bucket has sediment crystals in the bottom, then continue letting the water drain through. When new crystals stop appearing in the bottom, close the drain valve and let the tank refill. 

Then restart your pilot light or turn your electrical connection back on, and your tank should heat up again.

If your house runs on a septic system, it’s a good idea to make sure your septic tank is ready to handle the extra use that occurs during the summer. This means keeping your system well-maintained and practicing good septic hygiene.

Regular maintenance can help prevent problems before they occur, so you don’t end up with sewage backing up into your yard or home. How often you need inspection and maintenance depends on the specific type of system you have, but most need to be checked by an inspector at a minimum every three years.

He says a septic inspector will look for leaks, clogs, and other malfunctions and determine if the tank needs pumping to remove the solids, the frequency of which will depend on the size of your system, how many people use it, and how much waste you produce.