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Tag: maintenance

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basics of sump pumps and whether you might want one in your home. Sump pumps are plumbing items that are placed at the very bottom of a given home, usually in the basement or a crawl space, with the purpose of pumping out water during heavy rain or snowfall and preventing flood risks from taking place in your home.

At Action Plumbing, our quality residential plumbers are here to help with a variety of fixtures and items, including a sump pump if you’re considering installing one in your home or are having issues with a current sump pump already installed. In today’s part two, we’ll go over some of the basic factors you should be considering when you choose a new sump pump, including the types available and your switch format – plus some simple maintenance areas we recommend for those who have installed sump pumps in their homes.

Qualities to Consider in a Sump Pump

If you have decided to install a sump pump in your home, or if your current sump pump has failed and must be replaced, you will have several options at your disposal as your search for the new pump. Here are some of the primary qualities you should be considering as you browse:

  • Submersible vs pedestal: The more common format for a sump pump is submersible, which refers to an integrated design where both the motor and the pump itself are inside an enclosed container, which can get wet without damaging these components. A pedestal option, on the other hand, divides the unit into two pieces, with a standalone motor above the floor and then a hose fed down into the sump pit. Generally speaking, submersible pumps have fewer issues over time and should be your choice unless other specific factors dictate otherwise.
  • Switch: Another potential fault area is with your pump switch, which should be a mechanical switch, not a pressurized one. The latter may fail over time, failures that are difficult to notice in many situations and may cause significant hassle.
  • Material: You may have choices of either cast iron or plastic material for your sump pump, and we generally recommend cast iron for a longer lifespan.
  • Secondary pump: For those with significant flood risks or a living space in the lower part of the home, a secondary or backup sump pump can be installed as a backup in case of failure.

Basic Sump Pump Maintenance

Sump pump maintenance is relatively easy, and only needs to be done every so often. You should clean the area at least once a month, including screens or inlet openings. Test your power cord and float capacity as well. In addition, we recommend a removal of the pump roughly once a year, a period where you can clean the pit and the pump to help remove grime that’s built up over the past year.

For more on sump pumps and whether your home might benefit from one, or for information on any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we’re proud to offer a comprehensive range of both plumbing services and HVAC coverage. With fall in full swing and leading us into winter before long, we’re on hand to assist with both autumn plumbing preparation and fall furnace tune-ups, repairs and other needs as you transition between seasons.

Whether you leave them to our professional technicians or choose to take on a few of the simpler parts of fall HVAC upkeep yourself, there are several important areas to consider as you move toward the colder part of the year. Let’s look at several areas we’ll help you address during this season.

End-of-Summer Air Conditioner Maintenance

To begin with, the fall season is a transitional one where you can attend to both the AC unit that’s finishing up its peak season and the furnace that’s headed into its own. Many homeowners choose to have air conditioner inspection and maintenance done during the fall, especially if they were unable to do so during the spring season. This is a good time of year to check on everything from basic AC connections to air flow concerns and any leaks or other damage.

In addition, we recommend taking a look at the entire area around the outdoor AC unit, not just the unit itself. Clear out any significant debris or plants that have built up during summer, as these can be both shelter for invading pests and a fire hazard in certain situations.

Thermostat Adjustment

As the temperatures get cooler, at some point you’ll have to consider adjusting the settings on your thermostat if you have a programmable or smart thermostat option in the home. There will be a few weeks or even a month or two where this is a bit of a transition as well, when temperatures are in between summer and winter extremes.

Air Filters

Especially if you haven’t done it in a few months, now is a great time to change out the filter or filters in your HVAC system. These are responsible for maintaining air quality throughout the home, keeping it free of allergens and other contaminants that might be present. They should be changed several times per year at minimum.

Professional Inspection

Finally, for a comprehensive preparation for the upcoming winter, call our team about a professional furnace inspection and tune-up service. We’ll look at the entire system, from the furnace itself to ductwork, connections and even insulation, to ensure you and your family will be warm and comfortable throughout the cold season without running up a high utility bill.

For more on how to prepare your HVAC system for winter, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.

The summer period is often a great one to consider upgrades to your home’s heating capability – these services aren’t used as often during summer, for obvious reasons, but this means HVAC contractors will have fewer appointments and there’s a good chance heating equipment might come at a discount. One good example of a heating upgrade to consider during this period is a boiler system.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we’re here to provide high-quality boiler installation at any time of year. Boiler systems, which run hot water through your pipes to create a system known as baseboard heating, are an alternative heating format that’s become very popular among many homeowners for its efficiency and ease of use. And if you’re among those who have already taken the chance to install a boiler system, or even if you’re considering one and want to know the kinds of upkeep areas you’ll have to think about when you upgrade, here are some basic maintenance areas to keep in mind for your home’s boiler system.

Water Levels

Roughly every few weeks or so, especially during heating season, you should be checking the basic boiler water level to ensure everything is in order. Most modern boilers contain specific markings noting where the water level should be at to operate optimally – if yours doesn’t, consult the operations manual or call our HVAC pros for assistance.

If you allow water levels in the boiler to reach too low, not only will your heating be sub-optimal, your equipment could be damaged. Boilers are not meant to run without proper water levels, and could lead to significant issues not only for themselves, but also for nearby plumbing.

Dust and Debris Removal

Boilers will accumulate some dust over time, just like any other element in a home that sits in one place. The main concern here is dust or debris making its way into the fan or the motor of the boiler, which can lead to parts wearing down faster than they should. When you dust the rest of your home, roughly once a week or so, also take some time to dust the boiler.

Lubrication

Like any other machine with moving parts, boilers need to be lubricated to ensure too much friction doesn’t build up. Fans, pumps and motors are the parts of a boiler that require lubrication – our pros can offer you tips on the proper lubricant and how to carry out this process.

Regular Inspection

Finally, as part of your yearly plumbing and HVAC inspection, you should have the boiler checked along with its plumbing lines. Professionals will help you determine if there are any leaks or faulty parts, plus other issues that might crop up during the winter.

For more on the basic upkeep you need to provide your boiler system, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.

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