Plumbing & HVAC Blog | AllTech Services, Inc.

Help! I Have No Hot Water

October 17th, 2016

One of the most common service calls that our plumbers receive is in regards to hot water heaters. Most homeowners don’t think very much about this appliance—until something goes wrong. Think about it: could you imagine a life without hot water? These appliances make modern living what it is today.

When your hot water heater malfunctions, it’s only natural for you to want to find out what’s going on right away. You probably don’t get out of a freezing cold shower and think to yourself, “Meh, it’s tomorrow’s problem.” So be sure to call our team to schedule inspections and repairs. In the meantime, read on to learn about some probable causes for loss of hot water from your water heater.

Consider These Factors if You Need a New Heater

October 10th, 2016

As winter approaches, hopefully you are well equipped with a heater that’s been maintained in the last year and is ready to take on cooler temperatures. If you aren’t, and you’re considering replacing your heater with a new system, now is the time to do so—while temperatures are still fairly mild.

A new heating system can be a huge benefit to your home’s comfort levels when winter comes, but you should do all that you can to prepare for a new heating system purchase. While you could go out and just get a newer version of the heater you currently have, you could be missing out on some great factors, such as improved efficiency, or a system more suited to your needs. Keep reading to learn more about what you should consider when purchasing a new heater.

Battling Humidity in the Home: Are You Well Equipped?

October 3rd, 2016

Recent weather has reminded us just how much humidity we deal with on a regular basis. Though our temperatures are relatively mild, high humidity makes it seem much warmer, which can become a problem indoors. Due to the extra moisture in the air when relative humidity rises about 50%, it becomes difficult for the human body to release heat through the skin by evaporating sweat. Therefore, even though the temperature may not increase, the air feels much hotter when it is humid out.

Of course, there’s not a whole lot you can do about high humidity outdoors. However, you can certainly change it inside your house. It requires the professional installation of a whole-house dehumidifier into your HVAC system to achieve true indoor comfort. Keep reading to learn how equipping yourself with this system benefits you and your home.

Do You Need Whole-House Repiping?

September 26th, 2016

One of the most common misconceptions homeowners have about their plumbing system is that their house cannot be re-plumbed—that this is something installed during home construction and aside from visible parts, replacement is not possible unless you completely demolish the place. Fortunately, this is not the case.

Pipes for home plumbing systems are developed to last a long time, however no piping can last forever. If you live in an older home, you could very well have pipes that are wearing down and becoming increasingly prone to breaks and leaks, and also congested with mineral deposits. If your home is older than 50 years, it very likely has plumbing made of galvanized steel. If you’ve never had repiping done, then this can present a problem to which the solution is whole-house repiping.

The Steps of Heating System Maintenance

September 19th, 2016

Earlier this month we discussed how important heater maintenance is and why you should schedule this service now. Even though you are very likely still using your AC system and your heater is the last thing on your mind, maintenance is really best scheduled and performed before you actually need the system.

We could talk for hours about the benefits of preventive maintenance, such as that it helps your heating system run more efficiently and reduces the chance that you’ll run into emergency repairs later on. But to truly understand just how a heating tune-up can help you save energy and money, it’s helpful to know the steps that our technicians go through when performing the service.

Air Conditioner Troubleshooting: Is Your System Short-Cycling?

September 12th, 2016

We haven’t quite started enjoying the cooler temperatures that other parts of the country have, and as such you are most likely still running your air conditioner on a regular basis. Although the official start of fall is just over a week away and we’ll see a temperature decline soon enough, it’s important to be aware of our AC systems and make sure they have no problems as we near the end of the cooling season.

There are a few problems that can negatively affect your air conditioning system. Short-cycling is one of these issues: this is when the AC compressor runs in short bursts, turning on and off rapidly. If this starts to happen, contact our team as soon as you can so that we can see what services might be necessary. In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about this phenomenon and why it happens.

End of Summer Air Conditioning Trouble to Watch Out For

September 6th, 2016

Summer may be almost over “officially” in two weeks, but that doesn’t mean we’re done contending with hot weather. Hopefully, you haven’t had any detrimental problems with your air conditioner this season, as it’s definitely hard to get through a summer here without a properly functioning cooling system.

Air conditioners are designed to withstand very high temperatures, and many years of use. However, if your system is aging or has not been properly maintained, then after a season of steady use it’s very possible it can suffer a breakdown at the end of summer.

Should You Schedule a Heating Maintenance Appointment Now?

August 29th, 2016

We may still be in the throes of summer, but the official start of fall is just a few weeks away. You are most likely still using your AC system, and your heater is probably the last thing on your mind. However, tasks such as maintenance are best scheduled and performed before you actually need the system. Therefore, the best time to schedule your heating maintenance appointment is now.

Do You Need a New Air Filter for Your Cooling System?

August 22nd, 2016

If you or anyone in your household suffers from allergies or asthma, then you likely already know how important it is to maintain good indoor air quality in your home. However, even if you don’t have a home where allergies are a big deal, poor indoor air quality can still affect you and your home.

While a whole-house air filtration system is the best option to improve your air quality, another factor to think about is the quality of your system’s air filter. When is the last time you changed your cooling system’s air filter? Were you aware that this task should be done every 1–3 months?

Follow These Preventive Tips to Keep Your Garbage Disposal in Good Condition

August 15th, 2016

It seems as though you can’t own a home with a garbage disposal and never experience a problem with it. This type of issue can be rather frustrating, especially since the device makes it so simply for you to cook and clean without concerning yourself with clogs. Plus, it seems like such a small issue to call a plumber for, right?

Of course if you do have an insurmountable problem, our professional plumbers are more than happy to help. But in the meantime, we’ve shared some tips with you to help avoid common garbage disposal issues and keep this plumbing component in good condition.