Category: Blog

Do you remember playing catch-up all summer on your home maintenance chores last year? Get ready for the season early with a home maintenance checklist from your premier Salt Lake City plumbing, heating, and cooling company: Action Plumbing.

Schedule your pre-season A/C tune-up
Just because your indoor air is cool, that doesn’t mean your A/C is running efficiently. When your cooling system operates as it should, you will save money on your utility bills.

Adjust your thermostat settings
With the change in seasons, be sure to check your thermostat settings and make the proper adjustments. We also suggest running your A/C over open windows to protect your home from pollen and other spring-time allergens.

Caulk and seal cracks
Keep your interior cool during the summer by sealing cracks in your window and floor panes.

Clean the gutters
You’ll need a proper drainage system to carry heavy rain away. Clean your gutters, so the water runs from your home and not towards it.

Inspect your roof for damage and clean stains
Winter storms can wreak havoc on your roof. Get a clear look at what is going on with binoculars or a high quality camera. Try to spot missing shingles, damaged pipes, or anything that doesn’t look quite right.

Check the basement foundation for leaks
Even if water isn’t dripping into your basement, the foundation may be porous enough to let fluid seep inside. If you notice wet marks, try a waterproofing paint.

Inspect your sump pump
Have Action Plumbing inspect your sump pump. These systems can single handedly protect your basement from flooding, but only when they are operating properly.

Inspect your fireplace and chimney
Our fireplace experts can make sure the chimney caps are in place, and the damper is functioning as it should. Try installing a draft stopper to reduce energy loss.

Check the sprinkler and irrigation systems around your home
Inspecting your outdoor water supply before summer will save you money and your plants! Watch for leaks and damaged water heads that will need to be replaced.

For assistance with any of these items, speak to the premier plumbing company of Salt Lake City. The Action technicians are standing by to assist you, so call (801) 833-3333 today!

How can I tell if my water heater needs flushing?

Did you know that sediment accumulates in your water heater tank? The buildup causes lasting damage and reduces your unit’s efficiency. Especially with the hard water we have in Salt Lake City, your unit requires frequent flushing to stay in good condition.

Unlike other appliances in your home, noticing signs of water heater failure may be tricky to spot. Here are a few warning signs that you need a water heater flush.

No Hot Water
When your unit stops producing hot water, there is either a large amount of sediment buildup or a faulty burner. A water heater flush and inspection will determine the source of the problem and get you back on track.

Funny Smells
Strange odors from your hot water is a sign of bacteria in your tank. With a water heater flush, our experienced plumbers will sanitize the tank, eliminate the smell and risk of infection.

Strange Noises
Loud noises inside your tank are a common sign of sediment buildup. As the particles of calcium and dirt rustle when the water heats, they can bang against the sides of the unit.

Rust Colored Water
If you notice rust colored water when you turn on the tap, your anode rod — the metal pole in the top of the unit— needs to be replaced.

During your bi-annual water heater flush, our expert plumbers will also inspect the metal pieces of your tank, ensuring your hot water is rust free.

If you notice one or more of these indicators that your water heater needs maintenance, call (801) 833-333 to speak with the expert plumbers at Action Plumbing and Heating. We can flush your unit and get it back in tip-top shape!

We understand that a new furnace isn’t on everyone’s favorite shopping list. However, upgrading your current unit will make your home more energy efficient and ensure reliable heating all season long, even during Salt Lake City’s coldest winters.

That being said, it’s nice to know you made the right call at the right time. Here are six signs that will indicate that it is time to replace your furnace.

1. A heating bill that breaks the bank
As your furnace gets older, the pieces and parts begin to wear. That means it will likely take more energy to produce the same amount of heat. When you see a sudden increase on your utility bill, the internal parts are likely deteriorated.

2. Your furnace technician has repaired your unit so often that he is now your closest friend
Frequent repairs can add up. Think of it like continuously working on an old car. Eventually, it’s more cost effective to replace your furnace than to keep repairing it.

3. The furnace is over 15 years old
If you provide regular maintenance to your furnace, it typically will last 18 years. However, you should keep a look at other warning signs after 15 years, since your unit will likely be on the decline.

4. You hear loud noises when the furnace operates
Do you hear rattles or banging when your furnace turns on? These strange noises are an indication that a furnace is nearing the end of its life.

5. You’re either shivering or sweating from the inconsistent heat
If your heat is inconsistent, your furnace is no longer able to effectively distribute it around your house. Even worse than the uncomfortable temperatures, is the added cost of wasted heat.

6. A yellow burner flame
The burner flame of a furnace should be blue. When it turns yellow, your unit may be producing carbon monoxide, a deadly, odorless gas.

If one or more of these warning signs apply to you or your furnace, call the Action Plumbing experts at (801) 833-3333. We can assess your unit and help you decide if it is the right time for a furnace replacement.

When temperatures drop, your pipes are at risk of freezing or bursting. Action Plumbing, Heating & Air — your premier HVAC company in Salt Lake City — is happy to help with your emergencies, but we would rather help you prevent them.

Here are a few things you can do to protect your plumbing system:

Pipe Insulation
Your most at risk pipes are located in unheated areas of your home. For these ones, we suggest insulation. They protect your system from freezing and save you money from heat loss too!

Pipe insulation typically comes in two forms: pipe-wrap or tubular sleeve. For small lengths, use pipe-wrap to cover the pipe by overlapping it by ½ inch. For longer lengths, use tubular sleeves. These rubber tubes are available up to 6 feet and are quick to install.

Close and Open Doors
Preventing your plumbing from freezing can be as simple as keeping some doors open and other ones closed.

Always keep your garage door closed when you are not using it, especially if there are water supply lines inside.

On particularly cold days, open cabinet doors in your kitchen or bathroom. The heated air in your home will circulate around the plumbing system and prevent freezing. Don’t forget to remove harmful chemicals you may keep under the sink, if you have pets or small children.

Regulate the Temperature
While it may be tempting to drop the temperature of your home when you’re away, it is a bad idea for your plumbing system. Whatever you might have saved on your energy bill won’t feel worth it, when you’re looking at the damages caused by burst pipes.

Remember to keep the temperature in your home above 55 degrees Fahrenheit even if you go on an extended vacation.

Run Water
When the temperature drops, allow cold water to drip from a faucet served from pipes that are exposed. Water running — even a dribble — will keep the system protected.

If all fails and your pipes freeze, call your expert plumbing company at (801) 833-333 to save the day. We can thaw your pipes and repair the damage anytime!

There will naturally be times where you’ll require emergency plumbing services, and Action Plumbing is here to help. We know there are certain plumbing repair problems that may arise and that are out of hand.

What you may not know, is how many plumbing issues are avoidable. The most common problems are usually those who could have been prevented with a few tweaks to basic habits and practices around the house. Let’s look at a few of the most important ones, and let’s see how you can help prevent a plumbing emergency.

Sink and Garbage Disposal
These items go hand in hand, and they require a balance in their use. Without enough use of the garbage disposal, you could find yourself dealing with clogs in your sink, plus a horrible buildup of stench.

Using the garbage disposal too much, can be just as harmful. The disposal isn’t meant for larger or thicker items, these should be thrown into a standard garbage bin. Food, oils and fats should never go down the garbage disposal either, as they can cause hardening in the drain.

Toilets
Toilets are actually similar to garbage disposals, in that they shouldn’t have to flush specific items. Only toilet paper and bodily waste should go down that drain – not paper towel, not napkins, among others. Cotton balls should be thrown in the trash, as all other feminine hygiene products. The wrong use can cause major drain clogs, and expensive repairs.

Product Usage
It’s good to keep and use drain cleaning products, but again, overuse can be a serious problem. If you douse your drains in product every single time you have even a minor clog, you may cause corrosion and make things worse once there’s an actual, major buildup in place. Chemicals can also interfere with your septic tank, where all the bacteria that eats waste lives. These micro-organisms can be killed by cleaning chemicals, and believe it or not, this could result in a main line backup.

Hidden Pipes
This is a more minor concern, but for people who do lots of home improvement projects involving nails or drills, be sure to take care when hitting an area concealed by a wall. If you accidentally damage the pipes, you could create a whole new plumbing problem.

Want to know more about how you can maintain your plumbing from home, or in need of a full-service plumber? The experts at Action Plumbing are standing by to help you out!

Long-term exposure to the inversion in Salt Lake City can lead to asthma, poor concentration, and even cancer. The bad news is that contact with air pollution doesn’t stop when you close the door to your house. Instead, the contaminants enter indoors and permeates the air.

Inversion isn’t the single perpetrator of poor indoor air quality. Other contributors include:

• Paint, varnishes, and cleaning products
• Pet Dander
• Dust mites and mold
• Dirty or poorly designed air ducts
• Air Purification

Don’t even think about throwing out your cleaners or pets just yet, because we are here to help you purify the air in your home! We offer a few solutions for homeowners, including duct cleaning, humidifiers and ventilation. However, the best tool for indoor air purification is definitely an air scrubber.

How they work
Air scrubbers use liquids to wash away pollutants from the air. The air scrubbers we provide work in tandem with your HVAC system to force air through a group of filters. They are the option available if you want to kick out small contaminants in your home, since your HVAC filters are designed to remove just larger particles.

The Benefits
Air scrubbers are the most efficient whole-house purification system. Other appliances — designed for one room — can cost hundreds of dollars and leave areas of your home unprotected.

A few ways to tell if your family could benefit from an air purification system include:

• Family members suffering from frequent colds
• Asthma symptoms
• A stale or “funny” smell inside your home
• Frequent exposure to toxic fumes from cleaning products or paint

If you are looking for clean indoor air, call the team at Action Plumbing, Heating, and Air today at (801) 833-3333. We can answer your air scrubber questions and set your mind at ease that your family is breathing healthy air inside your home!

At Action Plumbing, we’re not only your go-to stop for plumbing, heating and cooling – we’re a licensed and respected provider of indoor and outdoor fireplaces as well. We also provide service and maintenance to keep you and your family warm and toasty by the fire during winter.

We have a few ideas when it comes to some maintenance that you can get started yourself.

Damper
The damper is the item that helps seal off your chimney, but it can become the cause of some future fireplace repairs. Sometimes leaves or other items can agglomerate in the chimney. If you have roof access, you can do a basic check every so often – you can remove minor buildups yourself, or call an expert if there’s a bigger issue you can’t take care of.

Ashes, Dirt and Debris
Especially if you’ve gone a while without using the fireplace, little bits of debris may build up. These can actually become fire hazards. Cleaning this area out every now and then will keep the fireplace looking pristine, plus eliminate any danger.

Burn Green
Some types of wood can create pollutants in the air. We recommend, for health and convenience reasons, to look for greener options. Composition logs are a great way to reduce pollution, producing up to 50% less pollutants than wood.

Smoke Factors
Excess of smoke may be a sign that your fireplace isn’t burning the correct way, or wasn’t lit properly. To minimize both pollution and potential damage, make sure you split logs and stack them crosswise, to allow for air to circulate.

We would recommend you to store firewood at least a foot above the ground and in a sunny, well-ventilated area. Also, make sure to look for light wood, as it usually means that all its moisture is gone.

At the same time, be sure not to burn anything but proper wood logs or non-glossy white paper at home. Other items can create toxic gasses which can harm you and your fireplace. A great way to check if you’re burning incorrectly is to go outside and see if you notice visible smoke coming from the chimney – if so, there’s a good chance you need to change your smoke efficiency.

Want to learn more about our fireplace products, or any other element of our electrician or plumbing services? Speak to the experts at Action Plumbing today!