Frequently Asked Questions

HVAC FAQs

Most homes should replace their air filter every 1–3 months, or monthly if you have pets or allergies. A clogged filter forces your system to work harder, raising energy bills and increasing the risk of a breakdown.

This is usually caused by low refrigerant, a dirty filter, a failing compressor, or a thermostat set incorrectly. If your filter is clean and the thermostat is set to “cool,” it’s best to have a technician check the refrigerant level and compressor before the problem worsens.

We recommend professional maintenance twice a year – once in spring for your AC and once in fall for your heating system. Regular tune-ups catch small issues before they become expensive repairs and keep your system running efficiently.

A well-maintained furnace lasts 15–20 years, and a well-maintained AC unit lasts 12–15 years. Age, along with rising repair costs and declining efficiency, are the best signs it’s time to consider replacement.

A spike in your energy bill is often a sign your HVAC system is working harder than it should, due to a dirty filter, low refrigerant, leaky ductwork, or an aging unit losing efficiency. A quick inspection can usually identify the cause.

As a general rule, if a repair costs more than 50% of a replacement, or your unit is over 10–15 years old and needs frequent repairs, replacement is usually the better long-term investment. A technician can give you a cost comparison specific to your unit.

This is usually caused by dead batteries, a tripped breaker, or a miscommunication between the thermostat and the system’s wiring. If replacing the batteries and checking the breaker doesn’t fix it, the thermostat itself or its wiring may need to be inspected by a technician.

An AC unit typically freezes due to restricted airflow from a dirty filter, low refrigerant, or a dirty evaporator coil. Running a frozen unit can damage the compressor, so it’s best to turn the system off and let it thaw before calling a technician.

The right size depends on your home’s square footage, insulation, ceiling height, and window exposure – not just square footage alone – so a “bigger is better” approach can actually hurt efficiency and comfort. A technician performs a load calculation to recommend the correct size for your specific home.

A slight burning smell in the first few minutes is usually just dust burning off the heat exchanger after months of disuse and should clear within 15–20 minutes. If the smell persists, gets stronger, or smells like gas, turn off the system and call a technician right away.

Plumbing FAQs

Low water pressure is typically caused by a clogged aerator, a hidden leak, mineral buildup in pipes, or a problem with the municipal supply. If it’s affecting the whole house rather than one fixture, it’s worth having a plumber inspect your main line.

This usually means sediment has built up in the tank, the heating element has failed, or the unit is undersized for your household’s demand. Flushing the tank annually can prevent sediment buildup and extend the unit’s life.

Shut off the main water valve immediately to prevent further damage, then call a plumber – don’t wait, since even a small leak can cause significant water damage within hours. If it’s safe to do so, also shut off electricity to any affected areas.

A constantly running toilet is almost always caused by a worn-out flapper valve or an improperly adjusted fill valve, both of which are inexpensive, quick fixes. Left unaddressed, this can waste hundreds of gallons of water and add real money to your water bill each month.

We recommend a full plumbing inspection every 1–2 years, especially for homes over 20 years old. This helps catch corroding pipes, small leaks, and worn fixtures before they turn into emergencies.

We generally don’t recommend chemical drain cleaners, since they can corrode older pipes and don’t clear the underlying blockage. A plumber can clear the clog safely and identify whether there’s a recurring issue further down the line.

This is called water hammer, and it happens when a fast-closing valve creates a shockwave in the pipes, often due to loose piping or a missing air chamber. It’s usually an easy fix, but persistent water hammer can loosen pipe joints over time if left unaddressed.

Warning signs include an unexplained spike in your water bill, a water meter that keeps running when everything’s off, damp spots on walls or flooring, or a musty smell. A plumber can perform a leak detection test to pinpoint the source without tearing into walls unnecessarily.

Odd smells or tastes are commonly caused by sediment buildup in your water heater, bacteria in a sulfur-smelling well system, or aging pipes affecting water quality. A plumber can test your water and recommend a fix, whether that’s flushing your water heater or installing a filtration system.

Tankless water heaters provide continuous hot water and use less energy than tank models, but they cost more upfront and may require upgraded gas or electrical lines. Whether it’s worth it depends on your household’s hot water usage and budget, which a plumber can help you evaluate.

Drains & Sewer FAQs

Sewer backups are most often caused by tree root intrusion, grease and debris buildup, or a collapsed/damaged pipe. A recurring backup, especially in multiple drains at once, is a strong sign the problem is in the main line rather than a single fixture.

Slow drains in one sink usually just need a standard cleaning, but recurring clogs, gurgling sounds, or backups in multiple fixtures suggest a deeper issue that calls for a camera inspection. A video inspection lets us pinpoint the exact cause and location before any digging is needed.

Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to clear grease, roots, and buildup from inside a pipe, restoring it to close to its original diameter. It’s typically recommended for recurring clogs or heavy buildup that a standard snake can’t fully clear.

A smelly drain is usually caused by trapped food debris, a dry P-trap (common in rarely used drains), or a buildup of bacteria in the pipe. Running water through unused drains regularly and having them cleaned periodically usually resolves it.

Most homes benefit from a sewer line inspection every 1–2 years, or sooner if you have older clay pipes or mature trees near your line. Older homes with a history of root intrusion may need more frequent cleaning.

Yes – tree roots are drawn to the moisture and nutrients inside sewer pipes and can infiltrate even small cracks or joints, eventually causing major blockages. A camera inspection can confirm root intrusion and determine whether cleaning or pipe repair is needed.

Grease, coffee grounds, wipes (even “flushable” ones), paper towels, and fibrous food scraps are the most common causes of clogs and should never go down a drain. Grease is especially damaging because it re-hardens inside pipes and gradually narrows them, even if it looks fine when poured out.

This usually means your home’s sewer line or the municipal storm system is overwhelmed, or you have a failing backwater valve that isn’t preventing water from flowing back into your home. Installing or servicing a backwater valve is the most effective way to stop this from happening again.

Snaking uses a flexible cable to break through and push past a clog, while hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to fully scour the inside of the pipe clean. Snaking is faster and fine for a single clog, but hydro jetting is better for recurring buildup or grease-lined pipes.

Let grease cool and throw it in the trash instead of pouring it down the drain, and run hot water with a bit of dish soap after washing greasy dishes. Even small amounts of grease add up over time and are one of the most common causes of kitchen drain clogs.

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