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Although they haven’t changed much in the last 100 years or so, residential plumbing systems are still complex. The pipes you see exposed that lead to sinks and toilets are just a small part of a much larger system that provides clean water and removes waste from your Sutton home. One crucial part of every plumbing system is the plumbing vent. Although you may not know what a plumbing vent does, you’ll certainly notice if one or more vents in your home become clogged. That’s why, if you’re having plumbing problems, it’s important to call our team to see if a clogged vent might be the culprit. Here is a basic outline of what a plumber does when they discover a clogged plumbing vent at your home.
Continue readingThe heart of every residential electrical system in Sutton is the electrical panel. Most of the time, electrical panels operate smoothly without any need for human interaction. Sometimes, though, you’ll experience a problem with your panel that will require it to be replaced. When that happens, it’s good to know the steps the pros take to swap out your old electrical panel for a new one. It’s worth mentioning here that replacing an electrical panel is absolutely not a do-it-yourself project. Here is a basic guide to the process that electricians follow when they replace an electrical panel.
Your home’s electrical panel serves two primary functions. One purpose of the panel is to distribute the power supply coming into your home. Stepping down from the large supply wire into individual circuits, the electrical panel sends electricity to the different switches and outlets in your home. This prevents you from having to run a thick electrical supply line to each outlet. Instead, you can run a relatively thin wire that’s easy to handle. The other purpose of an electrical panel is to house the circuit breakers. Circuit breaks can stop the flow of electricity to a circuit if an electrical overload occurs. This greatly reduces the risk of death due to electrocution.
Two big problems often require a new electrical panel to be installed: The first is when your panel becomes more than 25 years old. After this point, the circuit breakers, insulators and other components in the panel tend to break down to the point that they can no longer safely carry electricity. The second is any type of damage to the electrical panel. If the panel becomes exceptionally rusty, hot to the touch, or if you notice that multiple breakers are tripping frequently, it’s a good time to consider having Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric replace your electrical panel. It’s always important to consult an electrician regarding panel replacement because the electrician may be able to replace individual components without replacing the entire panel.
Additionally, you’ll need to upgrade your electrical panel if your current panel can no longer supply sufficient amperage to power your home. This occurs most frequently if you add another room to your home or put in a pool or other outdoor feature that consumes a lot of electricity. Trying to run excess electrical devices on an undersized panel is a serious fire risk that’s not worth taking. When upgrading, it’s important to talk to your electrician about the size of the panel. It’s a good idea to install a panel that’s large enough to accommodate your current needs as well as any future growth.
Before replacing the electrical panel, either you or your electrician will need to call your local utility company to shut off the power to your home. Since replacing an electrical panel requires working past the point where any breakers can interrupt the flow of power, this step is an absolute must. With complicated wire routings and large amounts of electricity involved in the project, it would be easy to cause injury to yourself or damage to your home if you’re not a well-trained electrician.
After the power is off, our electricians can begin removing the electrical connections. First, they will remove the main connection from the utility company to your home. If your home has above-ground power lines, this is done at the top of a riser, which is a metal conduit through which the main electrical supply cables pass. Underground service lines must be disconnected at their termination point underground. Typically, the utility company will have to locate the termination point to avoid slicing into the main service line. With the main electrical connection broken, our electricians will then remove the connections in the meter box and the individual connections on the breaker panel.
With every electrical connection broken, our electricians will then proceed to remove the existing riser, meter box and breaker panel. When removing the breaker panel, they will pay special attention to protecting the electrical wires so that these wires can be used again on the new electrical panel. After the old equipment is down, the electricians will fill in any holes that won’t be covered by the new equipment and take any necessary measurements in case you need your panel moved to a new location.
When installing the new equipment, our electricians will make sure that the equipment is level before attaching it to the wall. They must also make sure to screw into studs so that the heavy equipment doesn’t come loose over time. If you have above-ground utilities, most locales require that the access point for the main electrical supply line is at least 10 feet off the ground to prevent accidental contact with the exposed wire. Another important step in the installation process is making sure that proper stress-relief couplings are in place so that the metal in the panel and conduit doesn’t wear through the insulation on the wires.
The main electrical supply lines are thick and can be unwieldy. Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric takes time to carefully route these wires to provide a neat and organized finished product. The lines have to be routed through the meter box and attached to the correct terminals in the box. The electrician has to pay careful attention to the arrangement of the positive, negative, and neutral wires so that the utility company can correctly connect the supply wires to the power line.
After attaching the main electrical supply lines to the main breaker, our team can make connections to the individual circuits. In some cases, the lines running to the outlets and switches in your home may not be long enough to reach the correct circuit breakers. An electrician from Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric will carefully study your specific situation to determine whether new wires are needed or if spliced wires will suffice. In some cases, by carefully routing the neutral wires, an electrician can find enough slack to overcome the problem of short wires.
Once all of the electrical connections are made, one of our electricians then has to install the front cover of the electrical panel and meter box. These covers prevent accidental electrocution caused by touching bare electrical wires. The final step in the process is to test the individual circuits to figure out which switches and outlets they control. After figuring out which circuits go where, our electricians will label each circuit going into the electrical panel to allow for easy circuit identification.
At Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric, we take pride in every job we do. Whether we’re installing new electrical panels, repairing or maintaining air conditioners and furnaces, repairing sewer pipes or performing one of our other services, you can be sure that we won’t stop until the job is completed correctly. For over 10 years, we’ve been serving the Sutton area with top-notch home maintenance and repair services, earning countless five-star customer reviews along the way.
To learn more about upgrading your home’s electrical system, contact Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric today.
If you are like most homeowners, you probably give little thought to the parts that keep your AC running until something goes wrong. Whether you’re dealing with weak airflow, no airflow, or an AC that isn’t turning on at all, the problem could be caused by an issue with an AC motor. In fact, your air conditioner has several motors that must all be working to ensure proper functioning.
Although some motor issues are easier to fix than others, finding the source of the problem and getting it repaired requires extensive HVAC knowledge and training and is not a task for a DIYer. At Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric in Sutton, MA we are available to repair and replace AC motors. The following covers the different types of AC motors, what motor replacement and repair entail, and why you should always leave the task up to the pros.
Regardless of which motor appears to be the offender, a professional will always follow a specific diagnostic process to determine the problem. Performing an electrical diagnosis can help a technician find the cause of the issue and decide whether a repair or replacement is necessary. For suspected condenser motor issues, we will electrically test both the capacitors and the motor.
Your condenser motor sits outside year-round, so it is exposed to the elements and can get very hot. Often, a capacitor that has overheated and failed is the cause of condenser motor issues. If the condenser motor and capacitor need to be replaced, our technician will take note of several things, including the motor’s:
It’s important that the replacement motor matches these specifications or the AC will not function properly and other issues could occur. To replace the motor, the technician will first shut down all electricity to the AC for safety. Then, they can remove wiring, supporting bolts and screws, and fan blades, taking note of the placement of all components so that they can be properly connected to the replacement motor. Once the motor is removed, its replacement can be installed by simply reversing the removal process. After installing the new motor, the technician will restore power and check to ensure that the AC is operating correctly.
The blower motor is another crucial AC component that must be operating correctly for the AC unit to function. During the diagnostics phase, the technician will check for issues that commonly lead to blower motor failures. One of the main causes is overheating due to clogged motor vent holes. A capacitor failure can also cause the fan to turn backward and eventually fail.
Regardless of the issue, the motor replacement process is largely the same and typically involves capacitor replacement as well. As with all replacement jobs, the first step is to shut off power to the AC. Then, the technician will discharge the capacitor and sketch a diagram or take a picture of wiring connections and placement before disconnecting the motor wires. To remove the motor, the technician will remove the nuts connecting the blower motor to the fan guard grille and then loosen the set screw securing the fan blade to the condenser motor. At this point, the blower motor can be removed and replaced by reversing the steps above. Once in place, the system will be tested for proper operation.
ECM motors run blowers in higher-end air conditioning units with variable-speed motors. Because they are located in the same place as a traditional blower motor, physical replacement typically involves the same steps listed in the previous section. However, ECM motors have a computer that controls the fan speed, and the computer requires proper programming. At times, HVAC companies must send out to a supply house to have a new ECM motor programmed, but some can be programmed by a smartphone with a corresponding app. Due to the technical aspects of proper ECM programming and the cost of these motors, specialized training is needed to work on them, so more experience HVAC techs typically perform these replacements.
The compressor motor, which is actually two motors in one, is the most difficult of all the AC motors to diagnose and replace. First, it’s in a sealed housing, so it isn’t possible to simply determine visually if it is operating. There are three terminals sticking out of the motor that the technician will check using a voltmeter to ensure that each one is within the proper range and sending a charge to the ground. If there isn’t any power, it could mean that the motor has failed. However, compressor motors have an internal safety switch that cuts off power to the motor if it overheats, so it’s important that the technician checks to see if the switch has been activated before moving on with a replacement.
Replacement involves removing the refrigerant from the system, cutting refrigerant lines, disconnecting electrical connectors, and unbolting the motor from the unit. Because the process is somewhat complicated and compressor motors are quite expensive, the technician may recommend having the entire AC unit replaced instead of just the compressor motor, especially if the AC is 10 years old or older.
While you may be tempted to watch a few YouTube videos and read some guides online and then replace an AC motor yourself, this is never a good idea. First of all, DIY replacements put your safety at risk. In addition to significant amounts of electricity, AC units use refrigerants that can cause severe respiratory issues if inhaled. Saving a few bucks is not worth risking injury or even death.
Without the proper knowledge and training, it’s also highly likely that you will cause more damage. This means that you’ll end up having to pay for professional repairs anyway, and they’ll likely be much more expensive than they would have been if you had called a pro in the first place. Reaching out to a professional for motor replacement also ensures that your system gets the proper diagnosis and that the root cause of the issue is addressed. Often, a professional will find other minor issues that can be fixed before they turn into costly repairs.
At Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric in Sutton, we are your local experts for air conditioning repair in Worchester County and the MetroWest area. We provide heating and air conditioning installation, repair, and maintenance. We also provide a full range of heating, plumbing, and electrical services. We have been serving our local community since 2008, and we’re proud to have a reputation for exceeding our customers’ expectations. The Better Business Bureau has accredited us and given us their highest rating due to our top-notch services. We offer installation financing on approved credit, and we also work with you to help you get rebates, especially ones offered here in Massachusetts.
Call Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric in Sutton for all of your air conditioning repair needs.
Even the best air conditioning units need maintenance from time to time. Lack of maintenance will make your AC struggle to function, leading to durability and energy efficiency problems. Cooling experts recommend servicing your home’s air conditioner at least once a year during spring. This way, you’ll ensure the unit is clean, all its parts are in great shape, and it’s operating optimally. During the fall season, your HVAC technician will mainly focus on your furnace or heater to ensure it’s ready for the cold season. Therefore, you should schedule AC maintenance when the weather warms up in the spring. During maintenance calls, your HVAC contractor will service your air conditioner, so it’s as ready as possible for the summer heat and humidity.
If your air conditioning unit gets serviced regularly, it’ll operate optimally and keep your living space comfortable. Even if the unit works properly, getting the service done annually is important. Your AC accumulates dirt and dust, which impacts its efficiency. During maintenance, the HVAC technicians will inspect, clean, and service all your air conditioning system parts. Here are reasons why servicing your air conditioner is important.
Servicing your air conditioner will ensure it runs more efficiently. Dirty condenser coils, clogged air filters, and other problems will force your AC unit to work harder to cool your living space. As a result, the unit will use more energy during the process. Having an inefficient air conditioner will only increase your monthly electricity bills. According to statistics, your air conditioner can lose up to 5% of its efficiency yearly if you skip regular maintenance or fail to service it properly. Scheduling routine maintenance will boost AC efficiency, so your unit will consume less energy and perform better. Besides, it’ll also warm or cool your space much quicker.
You need to know that it’s not easy to identify air conditioner problems by looking at the system. During maintenance calls, your AC contractor will open up your system and perform a comprehensive inspection. This way, they’ll easily identify any internal issues before they worsen and cause more major and expensive AC repairs. Better still, by performing maintenance on the AC, there will be little to no room for problems to occur.
AC air filters accumulate dirt, dust particles, and other air pollutants over time. Humidity issues can also encourage mold growth inside your AC unit, leading to the circulation of contaminated air in your living space. Poor air quality and allergens can lead to health problems, especially if some of your family members are asthmatic or suffer from allergic reactions. A well-maintained air conditioner will keep your house more comfortable and safer by maximizing cooling and controlling humidity. Get your unit serviced annually to eliminate impurities in your indoor air. This way, you’ll ensure your family breathes fresh air free of bacteria and other pollutants.
There’s no point in investing in the best AC unit on the market if it’ll not run at maximum capacity. But regardless of the type of AC you have, it needs regular servicing. Performance and efficiency go hand in hand with minimizing your energy expenditure. The fewer problems your system has, the better it’ll work. Investing in a maintenance plan will enable your AC technician to identify and resolve minor problems, enabling your system to run at its full capacity. This way, you’ll increase system efficiency and lower energy expenses while cooling your home effectively.
Like any other home appliance, regular maintenance will extend the service life of your air conditioner. The average lifespan of a good home AC unit is between 10 and 15 years. However, you must schedule regular maintenance to get the unit checked, cleaned, and serviced to get the most out of your system. Remember that one malfunctioning or faulty part in your AC can lead to stress on the other components. A qualified HVAC technician will help check your air conditioner, replace the damaged parts, make the necessary repairs, and lubricate the unit. This way, you’ll ensure the AC is running in good condition, extending its service life.
Air conditioner problems such as refrigerant leaks can create greenhouse gases or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs), which destroy the ozone layer. These gases are extremely dangerous to the environment and contribute significantly to global warming. HVAC technicians can help recycle such gases from your machine. However, in most cases, some people are unaware that their air conditioners are leaking refrigerant if they don’t have air conditioner maintenance plans. Such leakage problems rarely happen when your air conditioning unit is timely and properly serviced. Besides, maintaining your AC system more often will minimize your carbon footprint.
While you may think cleaning and servicing your air conditioner is costly, you don’t know how costly it can get if you don’t identify and solve problems in time. Minor damages can become big problems if you fail to service your AC and replace or repair components soon enough. These issues will cost you a lot of money in the future. Therefore, invest in a good AC maintenance plan if you want to save money. Remember that preventive AC maintenance minimizes the need for unit repairs in the long run. It can help you avoid permanent AC damage that would cost you more since you’ll replace the entire unit.
Additionally, AC manufacturers and technicians require you to enroll in an AC maintenance program to keep your warranty valid. Therefore, you must schedule maintenance yearly to have your unit checked and well-maintained. Failure to comply will only void your warranty, which means more costs if your air conditioner fails or experiences performance issues due to a manufacturing flaw.
Lastly, an air conditioner consumes more power than other mechanical appliances in a home. When not serviced, air conditioning units can draw more power, increasing utility bills. Scheduling regular maintenance will go a long way in reducing your unit’s energy consumption. According to statistics, you can save up to 25% on monthly energy costs with an efficiently serviced unit.
Make sure you get your air conditioner serviced at least once a year. Servicing your AC can help you avoid operational problems and premature breakdowns. However, the frequency at which your cooling system is maintained will depend on many factors, including its age, model, environment, and how often you use the unit. A properly serviced unit will enhance your air quality, increase efficiency, improve AC performance, and save money and time. Contact our cooling experts at Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric if you are looking for an AC maintenance plan that will keep your unit in good working condition while keeping your living space comfortable. These professionals have the training, expertise, tools, and industry experience to conduct a comprehensive inspection and service your AC to ensure it runs optimally and efficiently.
We are also known for exceptional heating, electrical, ductless, and plumbing services throughout Worcester, MA, and the surrounding areas. Contact Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric today to learn more about how often you need to service your AC or schedule your appointment.
The air conditioner in your Sutton, Massachusetts home should never be so noisy that it becomes disruptive. A well-designed and well-maintained AC unit really shouldn’t produce more than a gentle humming sound. Thus, if your cooling equipment starts to squeak and squeal when you turn it on, it’s important to identify the source of the problem. Following are five reasons why air conditioners squeak along with strategies for troubleshooting them.
Although air conditioners in some areas are subjected to year-round demand, residents of Worcester County typically use their cooling systems from late spring to early autumn and then turn them off. This means that this equipment lies dormant for months at a time. As a result, it’s not uncommon for air conditioners to make a few surprising noises when they’re first turned on.
When they’re both moderate and short-lived, squeaking noises aren’t a cause for major concern. They’re an indication that your cooling equipment is waking up and getting into gear. After just 10 to 15 minutes of air conditioner use, these sounds should disappear on their own. However, if they last much longer or if they increase in volume and intensity, turn your air conditioner off and call a licensed HVAC technician in. Loud squeals are an indication of distress and they may mean that your air conditioner has a serious and potentially progressive problem.
In some AC units, the motor and fan are connected by a belt. This belt is subjected to constant friction during AC operation and thus, it has a tendency to wear down faster than other components. This is especially true in times of high humidity. As temperature and humidity levels rise and fall, fan belts naturally expand and contract. Excess humidity and heat can cause an already well-worn fan belt to slip or snap.
You may have an issue with a slipped or worn fan belt on your hands if you have an older air conditioner or a low-cost, newer model. However, before tampering with this component, be mindful of your manufacturer’s warranty. Although there are a few minor maintenance-related issues that homeowners can handle on their own, attempting to repair or replace moving components can instantly void your warranty agreement.
When scheduling a service to have a worn belt replaced, take some time to consider the age of your air conditioner and the length of its remaining lifespan. Although your air conditioner might be rated to last as long as 20 years, its fan belt will likely wear out long before this time. For most models, this happens after the 10-year mark when much of a unit’s efficiency has already been lost and other areas of performance have already started to decline. If your energy bills are rising and your air conditioner isn’t quite able to cool your home like it used to, it may be more cost-effective in the long run to replace the entire unit instead. This is all the more true if you’ve already paid for other parts replacements or repairs within recent months or years, or if you’ve fan belt has already been replaced before.
If you’ve got a newer air conditioner that doesn’t have a belt connecting its fan to its motor, the condenser fan is connected with bearings instead. Just like fan belts, these components can get worn out over time. As their integrity is lost, worn bearings will make increasingly loud noises whenever the air conditioner is on. Unlike the mild squeaking sounds that your air conditioner might produce during its first cooling cycle of the summer season, the sounds of worn bearings are virtually impossible to ignore. They can be heard both inside and outside of the home.
It’s important to note that an air conditioner with worn bearings or a slipped fan belt may continue cooling the home at an acceptable rate despite the noise it’s producing. However, continuing to use your cooling equipment in spite of squealing sounds is always a bad idea. Worn bearings that aren’t dealt with right away will eventually damage the air conditioner motor. It’s far cheaper to fix this problem than it is to ignore it.
Sometimes squeaking noises from AC units has a far more distressing cause. If these noises are intermittent and occur whether or not your air conditioner is on, it may be that rodents or other small-sized animals have found their way into your HVAC system. Whenever pests have a way into central HVAC systems, they take advantage of it. For small animals, these spaces offer shelter, warmth, and protection. As with all other possible causes of strange air conditioner noises, it’s best to leave this issue in the hands of trained professionals.
The likelihood of pest problems being the source of your air conditioner’s squeaking is high if you’ve already been dealing with infestations of rodents or other small animals on your property. You can call either a pest control service or a licensed HVAC technician. Although pest control companies can remove small animals from HVAC ducting and other areas of these systems, only an HVAC company can make sure that all possible points of ingress are sealed off so that the problem doesn’t recur.
Most problems with squeaky air conditioners are the result of worn bearings or fan belts. These are the most common causes of high-pitched squeaking sounds and they’re usually age-related. However, there are rare instances in which squeaky ducts can be attributed to excess stress within the cooling system or insufficient HVAC maintenance. Pest problems aren’t the only source of squeaking noises at the interior of HVAC ductwork. If you haven’t had your ducting inspected or cleaned in a while, it may be time to have this portion of your home heating and cooling system professionally assessed and maintained.
With air conditioning and heating equipment, different sounds typically indicate specific problems. To the trained ear, squeaks and squeals are a sign that things have gone awry at the fan motor. Banging and clanging noises are commonly associated with damaged ductwork or loose components that are rattling around within the AC condenser. Although you might define the noises that you’re hearing as squeaks, a licensed HVAC technician may describe them differently. As such, having an HVAC company check the problem out is always far better than trying to both diagnose and repair it yourself.
Scheduling annual AC maintenance is one of the easiest ways to catch and correct problems like these before they wind up causing serious damage. During your air conditioner’s yearly inspection and tune-up service, your technician can swap out worn components, make sure that the fan belt is in position, and determine whether or not the service life of your cooling unit is at its end.
Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric is proud to serve residents of Sutton, MA, and the surrounding area. We offer fast and friendly heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing service. We’re always working hard to help our clients save money and enjoy optimum levels of home comfort. If your air conditioner is making strange sounds, we can find out why and solve the problem.
Get in touch with Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric today to schedule service.
Taking a long, hot shower after a hard day of work is one of life’s finest luxuries. However, have you ever stopped to consider where it’s coming from? The hot water tank is an essential piece of your home’s plumbing system, but it can fall into malfunction over time. Performing routine maintenance like flushing the water tank is important in order to get the most out of it. Fortunately, water heaters are relatively easy to care for as far as household appliances go. That means flushing the tank a task that many homeowners can comfortably do on their own. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step checklist for how to flush the water tank.
Flushing the water tank yields a variety of benefits for everything from the tank itself to your pocketbook. As minerals collect inside the tank, they gradually decrease the system’s performance and lifespan. Gas-powered units may experience uneven heating that can lead to cracks forming along the wall of the tank. For electric heaters, the lower heating element may burn out as sediment accumulates along the bottom of the tank. Both types of heaters may develop clogged drain valves as a direct result of mineralization.
Letting the sediment sit for a long period of time will allow it to calcify and harden, making it extremely difficult to remove. If the problem gets bad enough, you may have to have the entire unit replaced. Luckily, you can prevent these problems and more by periodically flushing the tank. If you notice your water heater making popping or rumbling sounds, then your tank is most likely suffering from some serious mineral build-up. This telltale sound is produced by gas bubbles struggling to rise through the layer of gunk. These bubbles can create something called “hot pockets” inside gas-powered units, which can eventually cause serious damage or even premature failure.
Plumbers recommend flushing the water tank once per year. If you live in an area with hard water, you may need to do it more often. There are a few signs to look out for when your water heater is ready to be flushed. The one homeowners usually notice most often is that they’re getting less and less hot water from the tank before it runs out. If you’ve noticed a gradual drop in hot water quantity, there’s a good chance that mineral build-up is to blame. The second sign requires a bit of investigation work. You’ll need to take a closer look at the water coming out of the tank’s drain valve. If it’s cloudy or white, that means it contains a high level of sediment.
If you haven’t had your water heater flushed in years, it’s best to leave the job to a licensed plumber. This is because sediment can create small cracks along the bottom of the water tank. You won’t notice any water leaking out as long as the sediment remains in place, but once it’s removed via flushing, those cracks will open up and are free to leak water. A leaky water heater can be a crisis situation for a homeowner on their own, but a plumber can patch up the problem before serious damage occurs.
If you do decide to flush your water heater’s tank on your own, we recommend following these steps:
Before you start tinkering with the machine, you’ll want to make sure it’s not actively receiving water. You can do this by turning off the cold-water supply valve located on top of the heater. If you live in an older home, you may have to do this by turning off the water where the main supply line enters your house. Once this is done, you have one more step: powering down the unit. To turn off an electrically powered unit, you need to flip the switch on your home’s circuit breaker. For a gas-powered unit, you’ll have to locate the thermostat and switch it to “pilot” mode. Give the unit a while to cool down before you start handling it to minimize the chances of being burned.
Now it’s time to grab a clean garden hose. A ton of water is going to flow out via the hose, so you’ll want to place one end in a floor drain or outdoors if it reaches. Once your hose is in position, attach the receiving end to the drain valve located at the bottom of the water heater.
This step has two parts. First, you’ll need to open a nearby hot water tap to help the tank drain faster. Next, you need to open the drain valve to allow the water to flow from the tank. Keep in mind that this step requires some patience since most hot water tanks hold between forty and sixty gallons. Sediment build-up can slow this process down even further, so be prepared to wait a bit.
Once the tank is fully emptied, it’s time to flush it. You can accomplish this by keeping the drain valve open and turning the cold water back valve back on. As the cold water filters through the tank, it will remove any leftover sediment. Keep repeating this step until the water running out of the garden hose is clean and clear.
After the tank has been fully flushed, you should close the drain valve, remove the garden hose and turn off the hot water tap. Next, power the unit back on. For gas heaters, you’ll have to turn the natural gas valve back on. Electrical units can be powered up by flipping the circuit breaker back into the “on” position. After everything is up and running again, be sure to check for leaks and tighten the valve if needed.
Despite not having water tanks, tankless water heaters can also suffer from mineral build-up and scaling. Due to their unique architecture, the process of flushing a tankless water heater is totally unlike flushing a traditional unit. Most hardware stores carry tankless water heater flush kits that are relatively easy to use.
Although flushing a water heater is relatively simple, not all homeowners are comfortable doing it on their own, and that’s okay. Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric has a team of licensed plumbers who would be more than happy to provide expert maintenance. We’ve been in business since 2008 and are proud to have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. In addition to water heater service, we also provide a range of plumbing solutions like drain cleaning and plumbing repair as well as electrical services. Visit our website to learn more about financing and our partner plan!
Give Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric a call to schedule water heater maintenance in Worcester County or learn about our additional service offerings!
Although flushable wipes are labeled and marketed as being safe for toilets, they easily rank among the worst things that you can send down your commodes. If you or anyone else in your Sutton, Massachusetts home has been using flushable wipes, now is the time to stop. Even if you haven’t had any problems with these products moving through your plumbing system before, you may be on track for major plumbing issues in the future.
Just as their manufacturers suggest, flushable wipes can indeed be flushed. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they should. Although these products will successfully go down your commodes more often than not, they aren’t guaranteed to pass through the entire length of your plumbing system without causing issues. Moreover, when flushable wipes do pass through residential plumbing systems unimpeded, they can still cause trouble once they enter the sewer. The cumulative effects of ongoing and widespread use of flushable wipes have been incredibly detrimental in this respect. Currently, they are the only flushable product on the market that doesn’t decompose. That’s because unlike toilet paper, these wipes aren’t actually made from just paper.
Like toilet paper, wood pulp serves as the basis of moist wipes. This, however, is where the similarity ends. To ensure that these products stand up to heavy use without breaking down, they’re reinforced with synthetic, petroleum-based products. Many flushable wipes are reinforced with polyethylene, polyester, and other like plastics. Moreover, they’re also coated in micro-plastics. These micro-plastics add additional reinforcement, and some even come in the form of cleaning agents.
When you flush toilet paper, moving water breaks it into small-sized pieces in virtually no time. When you send flushable wipes down the commode, these products maintain their integrity indefinitely. This means that they have a higher likelihood of getting caught up on snags on their way out of your plumbing system. Over time, these wipes and the solid wastes that adhere to them can create major blockages.
If you’re thinking about using flushable wipes in your home or have been already, it’s also important to note how these products affect the environment. Not only are they marketed as being flushable when they really shouldn’t be sent down into plumbing systems, but they’re also labeled as “biodegradable.” This places consumers under the mistaken assumption that flushable wipes really do break down over time. However, there’s a big difference between being biodegradable and being able to decompose.
Natural products that aren’t reinforced with synthetic, petroleum-based materials break down completely. Flushable wipes simply shed small fibers over time. These polyethylene and polyester fibers remain intact for decades. More importantly, the micro-plastics that coat them continue to contaminate public water supplies long after they’ve been sent into plumbing systems. As such, not using flushable wipes as part of your personal care is better for both your plumbing and the environment.
There’s really no limit to the amount of problems that flushable wipes can cause. These products can cause issues even before they’ve successfully cleared the toilet. For instance, if you send them down with lots of human waste, toilet paper, or other flushable wipes, you could be dealing with a messy overflow in no time. Flushable wipes can also:
They’re also capable of creating something known as fatbergs. Once wipes are introduced into plumbing systems, any fats that are present in the surrounding waste will adhere to them. These fats attract more fat and more flushable wipes until a large, solid mass is formed. This process is expedited in the alkaline environment of sewer systems, but if you’ve got dirty, grease-covered drains, you run the likelihood of developing fatbergs directly inside of your plumbing system.
Flushable wipes are just as bad for septic tanks as they are for residential plumbing systems that connect to municipal sewer systems. In fact, they may be even more so. Just as fatbergs are prone to forming in sewers, septic tanks offer the ideal environment for fatberg formation, too.
Flushable wipes are easy to use and they help people feel fresh. However, the drawbacks of using and flushing these products far outweigh their benefits. One easy way to get the same clean feeling that flushable wipes provide is by investing in low-cost toilet paper sprays. These are gentle cleansing products that turn standard toilet paper into a comfortable, cleansing cloth. They don’t contain any plastics or micro-plastics, and they don’t affect toilet paper’s ability to break down. You can find options that include soothing aloe and other non-irritating, skin-supporting ingredients. When you think about it, this is far preferable to cleaning up with solutions made from micro-plastics.
There are also low-cost bidets that can be installed directly in standard toilets. You don’t have to pay thousands of dollars for a luxury toilet in order to get the functionality of a bidet. These products are offered at home and hardware stores at a fairly nominal cost. Best of all, installing them is simple enough that many homeowners can do it themselves. If you want to install bidets in your home toilets, you can also outsource this job to a trusted plumber.
Finally, if you’re looking for a way to both treat yourself and enhance the value and marketability of your home, you can always opt for a toilet upgrade. A reputable plumber can help you learn more about the best options at your targeted price point. Many products offer bidet functionality, music, heated seats, and lights.
Flushable wipes may be lurking in more areas of your home than you think. Given that these products are handy, people tend to use them all the time. Moreover, nearly all of them are clearly labeled as being “flushable” and thus, people who aren’t in the know will continue sending them down your commodes. You may have people in your home who are using these or similar products as makeup removal cloths or household cleaning tools.
The best way to avoid backups is to let everyone in your home know the truth about flushable wipes. Sure, they can be flushed, but they probably shouldn’t be. Unless wet, flushable wipes are used to clean bottoms and human waste, it is both safe and sanitary to dispose of them in the trash. Rather than using flushable wipes for personal care after visiting the commode, purchase toilet paper spray or a bidet. You don’t have to subject your plumbing system to extra wear and tear just to feel good about yourself after leaving the bathroom.
At Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric, we’re committed to helping residents of Sutton, MA and the surrounding area keep their residential plumbing in top condition. We’ve been providing reliable HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services since 2008. If you’ve got plumbing problems, we’ve got solutions. Call us today to schedule an appointment for service.
Backflow is one of the most dangerous plumbing issues you can face. In addition to damaging your pipes, backflow can also contaminate drinking water and make you sick. To keep backflow from occurring, it is necessary to understand why it happens and how you can stop it.
Backflow is a type of plumbing problem that occurs when your wastewater does not flow in the right direction. Instead of flowing down into your sewer system, the wastewater instead travels into your fresh water supply. There is a variety of different situations that can count as backflow. In some cases, backflow can cause dramatic gushes of discolored water from your faucets. In other situations, backflow can be so subtle that your water supply’s color, smell, or taste might not change noticeably.
There are several different ways that backflow can happen. It is usually divided into back-siphonage backflow and back-pressure backflow. Back siphonage occurs when a vacuum inside of your pipes physically sucks wastewater backward. Meanwhile, back pressure happens when excessive wastewater pressure causes wastewater to flow in the opposite direction.
Both types of backflow have the same basic result. You end up with wastewater from your toilets and drains coming out of your faucets. The contaminated water supply can cause a huge, disgusting mess throughout your home. Even smaller levels of backflow are still problematic. You might not notice a difference, but you can still get sick from the toxic chemicals and dangerous microbes in wastewater. Backflow is also dangerous for your pipes. When your plumbing system has backflow, your pipes are more likely to corrode, warp, or develop leaks.
Since backflow can happen so gradually, you might not realize you’re dealing with this plumbing issue. Backflow can usually only be confirmed by testing your water quality.
Here are a few signs that it might be time to test your home for backflow.
The water pipes throughout your home are all part of a carefully balanced system. A combination of pipe size and pipe placement is supposed to ensure that upstream water supply pressure is always higher than downstream water removal pressure. Water flows in the direction of least resistance, so this allows the clean water to “push” wastewater away from any water supply pipes. However, some plumbing mixups can cause pressure in water removal pipes to become higher than the water supply pressure. When this happens, the wastewater flows back upstream, causing a back pressure backflow to develop.
Back-pressure backflow often happens when your plumbing system was installed incorrectly. There are a lot of little mistakes that can add up to cause water pressure differentials. This is especially true if your plumbing system includes pressure-producing fixtures like elevated water tanks, boilers, or water heating systems. These can dump a lot of water into your drains at once, resulting in backflow. Even small things like the heat expansion from a boiler can increase pressure in the wrong part of your pipes. These disruptions may change water pressure levels enough to cause back pressure backflow to happen.
Back pressure backflow is also sometimes caused by a plumbing problem. If you have a leaky pipe, water supply pressure can drop just enough to let other plumbing issues make your wastewater pressure higher than your water supply pressure. Problems with your wastewater removal lines may also increase downstream pressure. If you have a clog in a drain line, water can back up behind the clog, increasing pressure enough to result in backflow.
Back-siphonage backflow is also linked to uneven water pressure levels, but it’s more drastic. Instead of water just accidentally flowing in the wrong direction, back-siphonage happens when a vacuum occurs. The negative pressure can pull wastewater up into your supply lines very suddenly and sharply. Back siphonage is less common than back pressure, but it can result in more clearly contaminated water.
Back siphonage tends to happen when a lot of water is suddenly removed from your water supply system. It is most commonly associated with firefighting efforts. When firefighters are using a hydrant, the extreme drop in water pressure can end up forcing wastewater up into your water supply. Back siphonage can also occur when a water main break lets all your potable water spray out of your system. This tends to create a vacuum in water supply pipes that lets back-siphonage develop.
As you can see, there are multiple ways for backflow to occur inside your home. Some of these causes are preventable. Keeping your plumbing system up to code is one of the best things you can do. Local building laws regulate pipe sizes, placements, and angles to help minimize the risk of backflow.
You also need to remember that your entire plumbing system is designed to work together. Doing something like adding a new boiler can disrupt water pressure levels everywhere. To prevent these sorts of plumbing mistakes, you should consult with professionals any time you want to change part of your plumbing system or install a new fixture. They can help you figure out if your wastewater and water supply lines are up to the task.
Even if your plumbing system was perfectly designed, outside forces can still cause backflow to happen. To protect your home, it is a good idea to try some backflow prevention measures. There are a variety of plumbing add-ons that force water to flow in a single direction. These are very useful for halting backflow in case of a water line break or another issue. To protect a single faucet, you can install a hose bib backflow preventer. This compact, affordable device uses a spring-controlled seal to keep water from flowing backward. Another similar option is a pressure-type vacuum breaker. This device continuously monitors water pressure for a specific part of your system and closes a valve if it detects an imminent backflow.
Other backflow prevention measures can be installed within your plumbing system to provide more widespread protection. Barometric loops and air gaps are two styles of pipe placement that help regulate water flow and prevent siphoning. You can also use options like a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer. These more complex systems use multiple valves to control water pressure, and they can protect your whole home from any backflows.
If you are concerned about backflow, it is essential to get professional input. At Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric, our highly trained technicians can help you get your plumbing up to code and stop backflow in its tracks. We serve the central Massachusetts area around Brookfield and Grafton, and we provide a wide variety of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical installs and repairs. To learn more about the services we offer, give us a call today.
You’re sitting in your home, enjoying a cool breeze on a hot day, when all of the sudden you realize that your air conditioner isn’t working. Suddenly, the weather that was so pleasant just minutes ago has turned into an uncomfortable heat wave. What’s going on? There’s a good chance that your AC unit is freezing up.
So, how do you address this problem? Let’s first take a look at some of the reasons why your AC unit might be freezing up, and then we’ll explore some potential solutions.
Air conditioners rely on proper airflow to function properly. When airflow is restricted, it causes the evaporator coils to freeze up. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as dirty filters, closed vents, or a blocked compressor.
As the coils freeze, they become less effective at cooling the air, which can lead to a vicious cycle of poor airflow and frozen coils. In extreme cases, an AC unit may completely shut down in order to prevent damage.
If you notice that your AC unit is freezing up, it’s important to take action to improve the airflow. This may involve replacing dirty filters, cleaning vents, or calling a professional to check for other potential problems.
AC units rely on a closed loop of refrigerant to absorb heat from the air inside your home and release it outside. This process relies on precise levels of refrigerant. If there is too little, the AC will struggle to remove enough heat to keep your home comfortable. If there is too much, it can cause the unit to freeze up.
Low refrigerant levels are often the result of a leak in the AC unit. If you notice that your AC is not cooling as well as it used to, or if it seems to be running more than normal there is a chance that it is leaking refrigerant. A professional HVAC technician will be able to check your refrigerant levels and repair any leaks in your system.
If your AC unit is freezing up, it could be because of a faulty blower fan. The blower fan is responsible for circulating air around the evaporator coils. If the blower fan isn’t working properly, the air can’t circulate and the coils can start to ice up.
In some cases, the ice can build up so much that it completely blocks the airflow and causes the AC unit to shut down. If you suspect that your AC unit is freezing up because of a faulty blower fan, you should contact our qualified technicians for a professional diagnosis and repair.
Depending on the extent of the damage, our technicians may simply need to clean or replace the blower fan. However, in more severe cases, they may need to replace the entire AC unit.
The condensate drain line is responsible for removing the moisture that collects on the evaporator coils. When the line becomes clogged, the water has nowhere to go and eventually freezes, causing the coils to ice over. This can lead to a number of problems, including reduced airflow and poor cooling performance.
In severe cases, it can even cause the compressor to fail. If you suspect that your condensate drain line is clogged, it’s important to have it cleaned out as soon as possible to avoid any further damage to your AC unit.
Aside from being uncomfortable, a frozen AC unit can cause a number of other problems in your home.
The most obvious problem with a frozen AC unit is that it can’t effectively cool your home. As the coils ice over, they become less effective at removing heat from the air. This can lead to your home feeling stuffy and uncomfortable.
As your AC unit struggles to cool your home, it will have to work harder and use more energy. This can lead to a significant increase in your energy bills.
In extreme cases, a frozen AC unit can cause the compressor to fail. The compressor is responsible for circulating the refrigerant through the system. When it fails, the AC unit will be unable to cool your home.
If the condensate drain line becomes clogged, it can cause water to back up and overflow into your home. This can lead to water damage to your walls, ceiling, and flooring.
There are a few things you can do to help prevent your AC unit from freezing up.
Air filters help to circulate air and remove airborne contaminants, but they can also become clogged over time. When this happens, the airflow to your AC unit is restricted, causing the coils to freeze. By checking and replacing your air filters on a regular basis, you can help keep your AC unit running smoothly.
Experts recommend changing your air filter at least once every three months. The frequency with which you need to replace your air filter will depend on the type of air filter you have and the environment in which you live. If you have pets or live in a dusty area, you may need to replace your air filter more often.
One of the best ways to prevent your AC unit from freezing up is to have it professionally serviced on a regular basis. HVAC technicians will be able to check for any potential problems and make sure that your system is running smoothly.
The main advantage of having your AC unit serviced is that it can help you avoid costly repairs in the future. Pros will catch any potential problems before they become major issues.
If you need services such as AC installation, AC repair, and ductless air conditioning in Sutton, MA, Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric will help you keep your AC unit running smoothly all summer long.
By setting the thermostat to a higher temperature, the AC unit will run less often and will have a chance to defrost any ice that has built up. In addition, a programmable thermostat can help to even out temperature fluctuations, which can further reduce the risk of freezing.
To unclog the condensate drain line, start by pouring a cup of bleach down the drain. Then, use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up any standing water. Next, flush the line with clean water. Finally, use a brush to scrub away any remaining debris.
If your AC unit is more than 15 years old, it may be time for an upgrade. Newer AC units are more energy efficient and can cool your home more effectively. They are also less likely to develop problems, such as freezing up.
If your AC unit has frozen, you’ll need to schedule a repair with a qualified technician. Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric has been helping customers with their AC units for over 10 years. Our team of highly trained technicians is available 24/7 to provide emergency AC repair services.
Contact Landry Mechanical Inc Plumbing HVAC & Electric today to schedule a consultation. We provide heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services to Sutton residents.
We offer next-day installations for AC, furnace, standby generator installations, and more to quickly get your system up and running.
Our home services company is available for emergency services to quickly perform furnace repair services and AC system replacements.
Unlike other companies, we don’t just say we specialize in all four trades—we truly do. Our AC and furnace service company, plumbing repair company, and electrical company have the expertise to handle all repairs properly.
