Winter and 6 of the Most Common Heating Problems

Winter is coming…and it has nothing to do with Jon Snow or a Game of Thrones episode! In fact, winter is officially here. It has a way of sneaking up on you, particularly if you are unprepared for it.

When cold weather sets in, you want to be able to rely on your furnace to keep your home and family warm. There are many reasons why your heating system may need repair. Mechanical household systems will break down periodically like any other and some are just a matter of age and daily wear and tear on the system. But there are some very common things that tend to break down with heating systems, some of which don’t need to happen with proper periodic system maintenance.

Lack of Maintenance

Your Philadelphia HVAC system is a huge investment and should be kept in proper working order, just like you keep your car maintained. Unfortunately, many homeowners neglect this maintenance and end up with unexpected breakdowns in the middle of winter. Don’t let this be you!

Clogged Air Filters

The simplest and most important thing you can do as a homeowner is changing your air filter. A clogged air filter will cut down on your system’s ability to do its job and can put unnecessary strain on the system leading to costly breakdowns. Manufacturers suggest that you change your air filters every three months but during the height of winter usage, you may want to do this more often.

Air Flow Problems

Other airflow problems can make your system work inefficiently and cause an eventual breakdown. Damaged ducts and large leaks can lead to a reduction in airflow that can cause wear and tear on the system.

Mechanical Breakdowns

There are hundreds of mechanical parts that are essential to the operation of your heating system. And like any other mechanism, these parts can wear and break down. Wear and tear on a mechanical system can cause problems with performance and cause inconvenient breakdowns. Fortunately, components can be easily replaced as part of a repair service call.

Ignition Control and Pilot Problems

Ignition problems can cause a system to malfunction and require a Philadelphia PA furnace repair call.

Thermostat Problems

A thermostat that is malfunctioning can create comfort issues and can result in no heat getting to your home. This can be quickly diagnosed and repaired by your Philadelphia HVAC repair specialist.

The Best Way to Avert Furnace Breakdowns

The best way a homeowner can keep Philadelphia furnace repairs to a minimum is to have the system inspected and maintained annually before winter sets it. Scheduling an annual maintenance visit can save money and frustration and reduce costly breakdowns when you need your heating system the most.

At Affordable Fixes LLC, our Philadelphia HVAC repair technicians will conduct a complete inspection and cleaning of your heating and cooling system to ensure that it is working efficiently to the manufacturer’s specifications. Don’t get caught with a furnace breakdown in the middle of winter! Call us today to schedule your inspection before a costly breakdown happens to your system.

Don’t Sing Those Summertime Drain Clog Blues

Come summer, you are looking forward to more time outdoors. Maybe you’re even getting that grill ready for barbecue season. The last thing you’re thinking about is your drains. But take it from our Philadelphia plumbers, summer is the time when we get called out for more drain cleaning than any other time of the year.

Preventative Maintenance

Why? With the kids home from school, you may just see more strange things ending up stuck in your drains and flushed down your toilets. Or your husband has decided to shave off that winter beard and there it sits, right in your drain. We like our customers, but you certainly don’t want to be calling us every week for a drain cleaning. Here are some things you can do as preventative maintenance to cut down on those summer clogs.

Lock the Lids

No, Legos aren’t flushable. But tell that to your darlings. Speaking of flushing, lid locks are recommended for households with toddlers. Not only are toilets a potential drowning hazard according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, but it will save many things from going down the toilet that simply shouldn’t be there. Toys and whole rolls of toilet paper are clogs just waiting to happen. Lock the lids of toilets that can’t be closely monitored.

Watch What You Flush

With more people around during the summer, keep mindful of what may get flushed, especially with any water saving toilets. These are more clog-prone that the conventional toilets. But even your standard toilet can get clogged with things that aren’t meant to dissolve like paper towels, napkins, and wipes.

Baskets in the Drains

Hair is the number one clog we deal with and summer means more hair down the drain, not to mention mud, grass and other summer debris. Those little mesh baskets can catch a lot of potential clogging mess before it makes it down your drain.

Disposal Disasters

There’s nothing like fresh fruit and corn on the cob when it comes to summer eating. Burgers? Yum! But grease, fruit pits, and corn cobs can be your disposal’s worst nightmare. Be careful about what you tax your garbage disposal with and make sure to run plenty of water with each use to make sure everything is going down properly.

Don’t Use Those Chemicals

It’s just a little clog. And it looks so simple on TV, right? But those chemicals can do more harm than good. Not only can they be highly toxic, but over time, those chemicals can cause some pretty costly damage to your plumbing. Chemical drain cleaners can actually deteriorate your pipes. In most cases, your Philadelphia plumber can deal with a drain clog in a few minutes.

If you’re dealing with one of those nasty summertime clogs, call our team of professionals. Or better yet, call us for a drain cleaning as preventative care. When you call our skilled Philadelphia plumbers, you can be sure that it’s done right.