Have you tackled your homes spring cleaning yet? Don’t wait too much
longer. Both your HVAC and plumbing system require seasonal maintenance
to perform efficiently and effectively.
If you need help getting started, check out our guide below.
Spring HVAC Maintenance Guide
4 Signs Your HVAC Needs a Tune Up.
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High energy bills.
It’s not uncommon for your energy bill to skyrocket once the warmer
weather hits. Your air conditioner is going to be working a lot harder,
and running a lot longer, to keep your home cool. However, if you notice
that your energy bills are way higher than last year, that could be a
sign that your system needs a little TLC.
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Uneven room temperatures.
Your HVAC system should be keeping every room in your home at a consistent
temperature. If it doesn’t feel as if your air conditioner can maintain
the same temperature throughout the house, it’s time for a tune-up.
Simply cleaning the air filters and duct system will increase airflow
and fix this problem in no time.
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Visible debris on or around your HVAC.
If you notice any dirt, debris, or leaves around your outdoor unit, you’ll
want to clear it away ASAP. And while you’re at it, call a professional
for even more of an intricate cleaning. They can clean the inside, like
your evaporator and condenser coils, making your unit even more efficient.
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Unusual noises.
Your HVAC system turning on and off aren’t reasons to sound the alarm.
But any rattling noises or popping sounds is a sign of a much deeper issue
within your system.
To schedule a preventative maintenance tune-up,
click here.
3 Maintenance Tips for Your Air Conditioner
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Check your air filters.
There will be times throughout the season where you use your air conditioner
more than ever before. Make sure you inspect and clean your air filters,
so they don’t become filled with contaminants. This can end up clogging
your system, reducing the airflow, resulting in a variety of problems
and repairs.
Don’t forget; you should
never wait longer than 90 days to replace an air filter!
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Clear your outdoor unit.
As mentioned above, you should clear away any leaves and debris from your
AC unit to improve airflow and energy efficiency.
If you have your HVAC unit hidden by bushes, flowers, or any other structure,
make sure there is a minimum 2-foot clearance around the entire unit.
You want to make sure nothing is in the way of your system working properly.
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Set your programmable thermostat.
It’s time to set your programmable thermostat for the cooling season.
When you’re home, set the temperature to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
And when you don’t need to cool your home, manually shut off the
AC — don’t worry, if your home gets too warm, your system
will kick back on again!
My Plumber HVAC Maintenance Plan
During an annual maintenance visit, we evaluate:
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Freon pressure
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Amperage draws
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Thermostat accuracy
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Insulation
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Electrical connections
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Refrigerant
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Fan motor bearings
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Belt, cores, and caps
Spring Plumbing Maintenance Guide
Kitchen Plumbing Tips
Kitchen drains often become clogged when wastes go down the sink that should
actually be thrown in the trash.
Rules to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly:
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Don’t pour grease, cooking oil, or animal fat down the drain. It solidifies
and blocks the blades when they try to spin. -
Turn your water and disposal on before adding any food.
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Never put stringy foods down the disposal (i.e., banana peels, celery,
or potato peels). -
Run cold water for at least 15 seconds after using the disposal to ensure
food wastes are flushed away.
If your
garbage disposal seems to be having difficulty grinding food in your drain, ask our Manassas-based
plumbing team to have a look.
Bathroom Plumbing Tips
Your bathroom tends to see the most clogged drains. But that’s not
all; this room also suffers from leaky toilets or faucets, shower pressure
issues, and much more.
How to prevent plumbing issues in your bathroom:
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Reduce your use of bath oils and invest in a mesh screen to cover your
shower drain and prevent hair from clogging. -
Only throw toilet paper down your toilet (and human waste, of course).
Any other product that is labeled as “flushable” is still
not safe for your plumbing system.-
Need
toilet repairs in Northern Virginia? Call our fast-acting plumbers at (844) 294-8999
for service today!
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Wait around 10 minutes in between showers to help maintain proper water
pressure and hot water. -
Avoid using any chemical drain cleaner! Call a
professional to fix the problem instead!
Outdoor Plumbing Tips
As temperatures begin to rise, everyone will be spending more time outside.
Is your backyard prepared?
Keep this checklist in mind:
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Turn on your outdoor spigots. If leaks or drips are detected, book a repair
appointment right away. -
Clean and clear your sprinkler system heads. This will help prevent any
damage while mowing the lawn. -
Schedule a sewer line inspection to help find small issues like tree root
intrusion before it becomes a major problem.-
Have a problem with your sewer or drains? At My Plumber Heating & Cooling,
we provide
video sewer inspections that use the best technology available!
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My Plumber Plumbing Maintenance Plan
During your Northern Virginia plumbing maintenance service, we conduct
the following inspections and services:
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Dye Testing of Toilets: Dye testing helps determine if any of the toilets in your home have any leaks.
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Check All Exposed Hot & Cold Water Supply Lines: Checking all supply lines helps to tell if any of them need to be replaced.
Supply lines can deteriorate and eventually rupture, causing a lot of
damage if not taken care of as soon as possible. -
Check All Sink Piping: The traps in your sink piping can also become corroded and deteriorate
if not maintained and replaced as needed. -
Check All Fixture Drains: If your fixture drains are not able to freely run, they will become clogged,
causing water to back up. -
Check All Outside Faucets for Leaks: Leaks can be very costly if left unrepaired.
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Check All Washing Machine Hoses: Hoses deteriorate with age and can rupture, causing damage.
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Check All Emergency Water Shutoffs for Proper Operation and Tag All Emergency
Shut Offs: If the shutoff is not working it can cause bigger problems if used in
an emergency, because it can malfunction. Tagging valves that don’t
work can save you money and helps prevent damage.
Contact our team today for reliable
plumbing and HVAC maintenance in Northern Virginia or the surrounding areas—call (844) 294-8999
to get started!
