As a homeowner or building owner, you must maintain the systems well. Your plumbing system is one of the essential systems in your building. It is responsible for getting you clean water, providing you with somewhere to take baths or showers, offering you a place to clean your dishes and get clean water for cooking, and much more. If your plumbing systems are suffering a leak, you are likely unable to use all of the functions of your home. It can also be dangerous to leave water damage and leaks unattended. A leaking pipe can lead to mold growth which can cause severe damage and illness. For the health and safety of everyone within the walls of your building, you must make leak detection services a top priority. Take a look at all of these reasons. It is vital to have a professional check your building for leak detection.
Prevent Damage to the Building
If one of the pipes in your plumbing system has a leak or burst, and it goes undetected, it can cause significant damage to the structure of your building. Any wood in the structure of your building could swell and warp, compromising the entire structure. Water sitting too long or within the walls could accumulate mold and mildew. This is a significant health risk to everyone inhabiting the building. You need to ensure that you have a professional come out for regular leak detection to prevent these problems. Leaks that go unserviced can cause severe and irreparable damage to the structure of your building. Contact a professional at PlumbSmart to help you detect any potential weeks. And prevent severe damage by repairing problems at the source.
Keep Your Environment Clean
Your top priority should be keeping your environment clean and safe for everyone in the general vicinity. Leaking pipes can cause mold and mildew. Mold growth can cause serious illness to anyone exposed. If you allow water spots to spread in your ceilings, mold can grow, presenting a serious health risk to those in that environment. Keeping up with regular maintenance on your plumbing systems could prevent major illness. The last thing you want is for an unattended leak to be responsible for someone’s declining health. Reach out to a professional if you have a week or notice any signs of water damage to prevent anyone from suffering from mold poisoning.
Keep Plumbing Maintenance Cost Low
Regular maintenance on your plumbing systems can minimize maintenance costs in general. If you have someone out for a routine inspection, you are more likely to detect problems before they become too serious. The professional can tell you if a pipe looks as though it is getting too old or needs to be repaired or replaced. If you notice signs of water damage or a leak and wait too long to ask for help, your plumbing systems could need much more maintenance than if you had caught the problem early on. This could result in spending more money on a whole system replacement as opposed to just a repair. You must have a plumber out for regular inspections, so you can catch problems at the source before they cost you a fortune.
Lower Your Utility Bills
If you’ve noticed a sudden increase in your utility bills, that can be a sign of a problem. If you’ve noticed a jump in the cost of your water bill, you might have a plumbing issue. Even small leaks like slow water dripping can significantly increase your utility bill’s cost over time. This could end up costing you a lot of money. Your water bill should be closely monitored for indications of a leak in your plumbing system. You must get potential plumbing issues checked on sooner rather than later. You should contact a plumber for leak detection services so they can determine whether or not you have a leak or a plumbing issue that can be easily fixed.
Keep Your Home or Business Functioning
The functionality of your home or business depends on your plumbing system. So many things rely on functioning plumbing systems to work properly. You need your plumbing systems to function appropriately to use your space effectively. Plumbing systems are responsible for your clean water, so you must prioritize functioning plumbing systems. Having a professional plumber for regular leak protection services will help keep all your plumbing systems functioning and in peak condition. You won’t regret taking preventative measures to preserve your building.
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons you should invest in plumbing services for leak detection. Your plumbing systems are vital to the functionality of your business. You need working plumbing systems to be able to access clean water for a variety of reasons. Your priorities should lie in keeping everyone in your establishment safe. Unattended leaks can lead to water damage and mold growth that could cause serious harm to anyone within the building. If you have no signs of water damage, contact a professional plumber as soon as possible at PlumbSmart. We have the technicians you need to be able to get your building back in working condition as soon as possible. Whether you need help with a potential leak or want a routine inspection for leak detection services, contact us today!
As a homeowner, you’re likely interested in learning how to keep your home well maintained and every aspect functioning at the highest level. You also want to ensure you are as comfortable as possible, as you spend much of your time in your home.
Water quality can significantly affect your health, as well as your home’s functionality and comfort level. One way to improve water quality is by installing a water softener.
Whether you’re in the market for a whole-home repiping job or just need some minor water leak repairs, if you are in a situation that requires you to call a plumber, you are probably overwhelmed and could use some guidance. It can be overwhelming to find a plumber if you are already dealing with the repercussions of a broken pipe or a malfunctioning toilet. You can find the right plumber if you ask the right questions when you call around for a quote. You should always be careful to research to find the best technician for the job. You want someone reliable and affordable to service the needs of your home like PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air.
Are You Certified and Licensed?
You should double-check when you call for a quote from a plumber and ask if they are certified or licensed. You want to ensure that whoever you trust to work on the plumbing in your home is qualified to do so. The last thing you need is someone who is underqualified to work on your home. This could lead to mistakes that would not otherwise be made that cause further damage.
Can I Get a Quote Before Hiring a Plumber for the Job?
You should never hire the first professional you call. When you require someone like a plumber to work on your home, you should do your research and call multiple companies. Ask if you can get a quote for services before you hire them. Once you have gathered detailed quotes from different companies, you can compare and contrast them to figure out what you need to do.
Can You Provide a Detailed Report of the Fees?
Unfortunately, it is possible that some professionals might try to hide fees within their final bill. To avoid paying for something you were unaware of, you can ask for a detailed report of service costs. When you are calling to book a plumber’s services, you should ask if this is something they can provide you with before you pay them for their services. If they are honest and reliable, they should have no problem agreeing to these terms before you hire them for services.
Do You Have Liability Insurance?
Liability insurance is an important thing to ask for when hiring a professional to come into your home. Liability insurance will help to cover costs if something goes wrong. This is a manual labor job, and something may go wrong that could harm your plumber or damage your home. Liability insurance will prevent you from having to pay for any damages. Only hire a plumber if they have liability insurance and workman’s comp.
What are Your Areas of Expertise?
Depending on your plumbing issue, you might need a plumber with specialized skills. When you call to hire a plumber, you can ask them what their area of expertise is. If they are more equipped to handle installation vs. repair, you need to know that before you hire them, especially if repair service is what you are looking for. When calling, ask plumbing companies for a quote to them if they have any specialized skills or areas of expertise.
Can You Provide References?
References are always a good way to verify the quality of a professional’s work. Ask every plumber you call for a quote if they have references. They should be able to give you the information of individuals who were satisfied with their work and can attest to their experience with this plumber. You can hire a plumber knowing how they conduct their work.
How Are Your Ratings and Reviews?
This is the first thing you should ask, and can easily done on your own with just a few clicks of the mouse. Do a quick search of their reviews through various online sources like Google, Facebook, and Yelp to see if they are highly rated and what their customers are saying. Glass Door is another online review source that shares what their employees have say about the company. You also want to pay attention to the total number of reviews they have. A five-star rating may look great, but if they only have one review it may not be an accurate indication of the quality, value and service they provide.
Do You Provide Warranties on Your Work?
A great question is whether or not they provide warranties on their work. Sometimes mistakes are made, and things go wrong after a plumber is finished with their work on your home. A warranty would guarantee that if something went wrong with your plumbing within a specific time frame, the plumber would come out to fix that issue for a reduced price or free of charge. A warranty guarantees quality work, and it is fair to ask a plumber if they offer warranties before you hire them for services.
How Many Years Have You Been in Business?
It is reasonable for you to want someone with enough experience to qualify for the job. If you hire someone with a good amount of experience, you can ask them how long they’ve been in business. You can usually find peace of mind knowing that a technician is reliable if they have years of experience.
If Your Plumber Notices a Separate Issue on the Job, Will They Repair It Right Away or Bring it to My Attention?
You can ask them if they plan to notify you of all issues they encounter while working on your home. If they find damage, they should fix it immediately or bring it to your attention before they proceed. If they work outside your original agreement, it could cost you more money.
Final Thoughts
Finding a plumber to take good care of your home can be daunting. You don’t want to worry about which plumbers are reliable and which aren’t when searching for the best technician for the job. You can ask several questions to help you find the most reliable plumber. Make sure you figure out who has the best price for service, ask for referrals, make sure they have insurance, and make sure they are licensed professionals before you hire them for your plumbing issues.
If you need residential or commercial plumbing and aren’t sure where to turn, or if you’ve already called a plumber and they’re giving you a price that seems too high, contact us at PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air and we’ll tell you whether the price you’re being given is too high, and what you should be paying.
Even if you don’t use us, call us and we can tell you if you’re paying too much.
If you’re like many other homeowners, you’re trying to think of ways to make life a lot more convenient for yourself. One way you can improve your household is to invest in a smart thermostat. Many benefits will come from this investment. The following are several of the leading reasons to install smart thermostat products:
Match temperatures to your household routines.
You can use a smart thermometer to set your system to temperatures your family is accustomed to being at. That way, you can always be comfortable, and you can keep electricity bills down as well.
Control other devices from your mobile phone.
Remote access is a favorite feature of many people who purchase smart thermometers. You’ll have the ability to control other items in your home while you’re at work or on vacation using a simplified mobile application.
That’s not only convenient, but it also gives you a high level of control. The power will be in your hands to lock and unlock things, illuminate or darken lighting, and perform other tasks. The tasks you’ll be able to control will vary according to your program.
Keep track of your energy bill with reports.
Smartphone thermostat programs have extra features that allow you to keep track of your energy bill. With those amazing features, you can make adjustments to keep your energy bill low if you want to.
For example, you can test a few different strategies and see how well they work from month to month. Once you find a sweet spot for keeping your electricity bill low, you can stick to that plan.
Control your HVAC system with your voice.
The latest smart thermostat systems come with a feature called voice command. With this feature, you can train the unit to learn your voice and then speak to it when you need it to perform certain tasks.
Voice command features can make life simpler when you’re trying to get the rest you deserve, or you simply don’t feel like getting up to do something.
Rest easy while using the product.
Programmable smart thermostats are most likely easier to use than you think. Many people use them and are surprised by how quickly they learn how to operate them. Furthermore, the knowledge you gather is transferrable.
In other words, once you become accustomed to using one smart thermostat system, you’ll have a very easy time learning the next one.
Get alerts when something changes.
You can also get alerts from your smart WiFi thermostat program about when temperature changes and other variations occur. If the temperature falls out of line, you can make your adjustments quickly to bring the temperature to a place where you can enjoy it once again.
Now that you know all the valid reasons to invest in a smart thermostat, you can contact a company that can help you grab hold of one. PlumbSmart can assist you with smart thermostat installation; you just need to reach out by phone or contact form and request additional information.
An air filter is a device that helps to remove contaminants from the air in your home. The filter traps these particles, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens. Doing so helps to improve the indoor air quality in your home and can reduce the symptoms of allergies and asthma.
Changing Your Air Filter Regularly
Changing your air filter regularly is essential, as filthy filters can worsen your indoor air quality. How often you change your filter depends on a few factors, such as the type of filter you have and the level of contaminants in your home. In general, however, most filters should be changed every three months.
If you don’t change your air filter with a service like PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air regularly, the contaminants it traps will eventually build up and cause the filter to become clogged. This can reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and lead to increased allergies and asthma symptoms. In extreme cases, a clogged air filter can even cause your HVAC system to overheat and break down.
Changing the air filter regularly will prolong the life of your heating and cooling system and improve its efficiency, especially when you get the electric bill.
A clogged air filter will cause your system to work harder, using more energy and costing you more money on future air conditioning maintenance.
How Does the Air Filter Work?
An air filter works by trapping airborne particles as air passes through the filter. The air filter traps dust, pollen, mold spores, and other pollutants that can cause respiratory problems. The air filter also helps to keep the air in your home clean and free of allergens.
Can I Run My AC Without a Filter?
If you have a central heating and cooling system in your home, it is designed to circulate air throughout the house. The system pulls in air from the outside, heats or cools it, and then sends it back into the house. An essential part of this process is the air filter.
The air filter’s job is to trap dust, pollen, and other airborne particles before entering the HVAC system. This helps keep the system clean and prevents these particles from circulating throughout your home. If the unit becomes clogged, it can reduce the system’s efficiency and will most likely damage it.
So, can you run a central unit without an air filter? Technically, yes. The system will still operate without one. However, it is not advisable to do so. Running the system without a filter can shorten its lifespan and lead to costly air conditioning repairs. It can also cause indoor air quality problems as dust, pollen, and other particles are circulated throughout the house.
How to Tell if Air Filter Needs Replacing?
The air filter in your house is there for a reason – to keep the air clean and free of contaminants. So how do you know when to change the air filter? Here are some signs to look out for:
The air quality in your home feels worse than usual. If you notice that the air in your home feels stuffy or stagnant,
Your energy bills have gone up. If you’ve noticed a sudden spike in your energy bills, a clogged air filter makes your heating and cooling system work harder to circulate the air, driving up your energy costs.
Your HVAC system is making strange noises. If your furnace or air conditioner starts making strange noises, it could be a sign that the air filter is blocked. A clean air filter will help reduce the strain on your HVAC system and make it run more smoothly.
The airflow from your vents is weak. If you notice that the airflow from your vents is weaker than usual, it’s a sign that the air filter needs to be changed. A clogged air filter will restrict the airflow from your vents, making it harder for your HVAC system to circulate the air.
You’ve changed the air filter recently, but it’s still dirty. If you’ve changed the air filter recently, but it’s already dirty again, it could indicate a problem with your HVAC system. A professional technician can inspect your system and ensure it’s operating correctly.
Does Every AC Have a Filter?
Yes, every AC has a filter in the unit, but some have one while others have more than one.
PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air knows AC units and assists the customer in any way possible, even something minor as changing filters. For more information on anything air filter related, contact us today.
Summer can be draining financially.Energy rates reach peak levels during June, July and August and cooling your home during this time requires a considerably greater amount of energy, often leading to skyrocketing utility bills. Investing in energy-saving tips can relieve your wallet, giving you peace of mind and body.
Efficient energy is excellent, though it does not have to make you boil in high temperatures or scorching sun. Summer can be an energy-saving time for you and your family if you observe the following energy-saving tips from PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air.
Change your air filters regularly – Routine cleaning (for reusable filters) or changing your ACs filter can increase the unit’s efficiency. Dirty or clogged filters interfere with the smooth flow of air in the AC. As the air forces its way, it can bypass the filter into the evaporator coil and interfere ring with its heat-absorbing property. A clean filter will increase the unit’s energy efficiency by significantly lowering energy consumption with a percentage efficiency of between five and twenty. During the summer, cooling is almost inevitable, and constant attention to the AC filters must be observed as it is in continuous use. Replacing or cleaning dirty air filters every two months will benefit you as a homeowner.
Mind your gadgets – All electric devices generate heat while plugged in or connected to power, even when not in use. If not in use, unplug all your gadgets, whether your tv set, radio, computer, toaster, or any other device not in use.
Close the drapes – Avoiding glaring light in the house will help reduce the need to eliminate the heat associated with the sun’s rays entering the house through the windows. The greenhouse effect is a common phenomenon during summer days as the effect of the sun reflected in the place when curtains and windows are open is retained, increasing the already high temperatures indoors. Closing the windows and drawing curtains shut will help reduce the heat retained; hence little effort is needed while cooling your house.
Use your ceiling fans – The use of ceiling fans results in a wind chill effect that will make you feel comfortable. A ceiling fan will complement your AC as they work together very well. While using air conditioning, using a fan at the same time will enable you to reduce the amount of energy used to run the air conditioning system. The fun will allow you to set a higher degree of heat without interfering with your comfort.
Maintain your HVAC unit – Your system needs to be at its optimal performance. Regular air conditioning services are crucial as its negligence may lead to poor performance, thus increasing the amount of energy required to run it. Always ensure filters are clean, proper refrigeration levels, drain lines are clear, and coils are kept out of foreign substances such as dust, pollen, animal fur, or any other thing that may hinder its ideal functioning.
Smart thermostat – Automatic adjustment of temperatures in your home may improve energy efficiency. Such intelligent devices master your routine preferences and automatically adjust when you are not in the house or asleep. A smart thermostat comes in handy as it helps reduce energy usage, as it has already adapted a schedule on your timings such that your system only runs in a certain way as long as you need it.
Dehumidifier and Strategic wash – High humidity levels will overwork your system, increasing energy costs. When you use a dehumidifier, it avoids using too much moisture in the air, which makes your unit work harder. Machines used to clean dishes and clothes generate unwanted heat as well. Be sure to wash using cold water and have cold baths during the summer season to avoid injecting too much moisture in your homes as well as losing and using too much energy.
Home insulation – Avoiding any air leakages keeps cool air in during hot seasons and prevents warmer air from accessing the house. Having your home airtight through insulation services is less expensive, easy, and effective as readily available filler is used to seal openings and cracks for stationary areas and weather-stripping for movable parts of the house like windows and door frames. Window coverings prevent heat during the day from entering your home.
Grill outdoors, turn off unnecessary lights – Grilling outside will not only avoid extreme heating in the house but is also fun. The heat from grills can be troublesome, especially when you are trying to reduce temperatures while avoiding substantial energy bills. Avoiding conventional cooking in your house will also save your AC, as unwanted heat from the oven makes your system work harder. Switching off any light not in use can also help reduce the overall energy costs. Using LED Lighting instead of incandescent bulbs will also save you a lot of trouble as they use less energy.
Air Ducts/Ductwork – It is a good idea to periodically check your attic ductwork. This will ensure there are no leaks that could be allowing the cooled or heated air from your unit to seep into the attic area and dust to likewise make its way into your air ducts and out of the vents into your living area.
Money is a scarce resource. Employing the energy-saving tips will significantly impact your life positively as resources used while cooling or heating are reduced considerably without necessarily interfering with your comfort level. Use of smart thermostats, insulation, and ceiling fans, unplugging all gadgets not in use, and ensuring curtains and windows are shut on warmer days will ensure your home remains cool, not just in summer but also warm in winter. Reduced energy loss improves efficiency as well as saving resources that otherwise would be lost in thin air.