Sediment: The Hidden Threat That Causes Many of Your Water Heater Repairs

Living in Houston we don’t always need hot water, but it’s nice to have them when you need them. If your hot showers aren’t lasting as long as they used to, your water heater could have a sediment problem. Sediment builds up in neglected water heater tanks over time, taking up space, causing corrosion, and impairing overall performance. Help prevent water heater repairs in Houston, Dallas or wherever you call home, by fighting back this threat with the following guide.

Where Does Sediment in Water Heaters Come From?

Sediment build up is one of those problems that doesn’t happen in a day, a week, or even a month; it builds slowly, getting progressively worse over time.

Four Things That Cause Poor Indoor Air Quality in Nashville TN

Though outdoor air pollution is a growing concern for many large businesses and government agencies, individuals and families should be more concerned about the quality of the air inside their homes. Poor indoor air quality can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and other health concerns.  

Since Nashville experiences both hot summers and cold winters, many residents of the city spend a large portion of the year inside homes that are sealed against the weather outside. Though sealing up air leaks increases the efficiency of your HVAC unit, it can also trap contaminants inside your home and re-circulate them through your homes air ducts. Because of this growing concern, improving indoor air quality in Nashville or wherever you call home should be at the top of your list of things to do.

Common sources of indoor air pollutants include:

Shedding Pets

Most cats and dogs shed a very fine layer of dead, dry skin cells, known as dander. People who have pet allergies experience a heightened immune system reaction to the dander, which can cause them to tear up, sneeze and cough. Removing visible pet hair with a lint brush does not remove all the dander that can adhere to your furniture, carpets, and window treatments, so to minimize this allergen, carefully vacuum all surfaces.

Clogged HVAC Filters

If your home is equipped with a central forced-air climate control system, it is also equipped with a filter that traps dust and other substances that can clog the blowers in the furnace or the air conditioner. After about a month of use, these filters become saturated and they can no longer effectively trap microscopic debris. These fine particles of debris can then be blown out of your vents when you turn on your air conditioning or heating system, negatively affecting your indoor air quality in Nashville. So check your HVAC filter once a month, and replace it as needed.

Dirty Air Ducts

Depending on the size of your home, you may have several dozen feet of ducts running from your furnace and air conditioning unit through the walls to various rooms in the house. If your home is older, and you don’t know the date of the last duct cleaning, you should schedule one as soon as you can. The same particles and pollutants that clog the HVAC filter can build up inside the ducts, where they become difficult to remove.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Many brands of household cleaners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemicals that can evaporate at room temperature. These substances are usually toxic, and prolonged exposure to VOCs inside a closed environment can lead to nausea, headaches, and even vomiting. Floor cleaners and paints commonly contain VOCs, as do many wood varnishes. Avoid using any of these products during winter and summer when your home is sealed against the elements. Wait until a mild spring or fall day, and open up the windows to ensure proper ventilation when using such chemicals.

If you would like to know more ways you can increase your indoor air quality in Nashville, TN, or would like more information on your HVAC system, visit our homepage at http://arsofnashville.com/.  

                                        

Alexandria HVAC Maintenance You Can & Can’t Do Yourself

Furnaces can be intimidating, but that doesn't mean you can’t take an active role in keeping your HVAC in  Alexandria, VA well maintained. Knowing when to fix a problem yourself and when to call in the professionals is key. Here’s a guide to some common furnace problems you can fix on your own, and some more complicated issues best left to the expert HVAC professionals in Alexandria, VA.  

Air Filter Replacement

Furnaces rely on air filters to keep dust and other contaminants out of essential components.

Why Call a Plumber – How to Keep Your Plumbing Systems Problem Free

Living in the North Eastern part of the county, the cost of living can be quite expensive. The cost of plumbing in Baltimore, Washington DC or wherever you call home can be quite expensive, so whether facing clogged drains or the dreaded backed-up sewer, most homeowners are well acquainted with common plumbing problems and their cost. Few realize that many of these everyday issues can be easily prevented with the right precautions. Here are a few tips for keeping your plumbing system flowing freely for years to come.

Avoid Sending Foreign Objects Down Your Drain

Too many homeowners use their kitchen and bathroom sinks like a trashcan, sending food materials, hair, cosmetics, and grease straight into their drainpipes.

Lower HVAC Costs by Finding the Perfect Indoor Humidity Level this Winter

Living in Omaha, it can get pretty cold in the winter, so managing indoor humidity is a great way to improve the comfort of your home and lower the cost of running your HVAC in Omaha, New York, Chicago or where ever you call home. Unfortunately, getting to that “just right” moisture level during an Omaha winter can be a challenge. When humidity is too high, excessive moisture can create havens for mold and mildew. Allow it to go too low, and you’ll feel uncomfortable—dry and chilled to the bone.

So what’s the secret to staying comfortable and protecting your health this winter? Read on for some tips to achieve optimal indoor humidity. 

Install Humidity Sensors

The first step to achieving a good humidity balance is knowing exactly how much moisture the air in your home contains.

Choosing the Best Sink for Your Kitchen

Excerpt: If you’re thinking of replacing a kitchen sink, don’t let the plethora of style and material choices overwhelm you. Read this guide for help sorting trough your many sink replacement options.

With dishwashers doing the bulk of the heavy lifting these days, kitchen sinks don’t face the same demands as they used to. That doesn’t mean you should sacrifice substance for style with your next sink installation, however. Here are a few tips to help guide your next new sink purchase.

Get the Look You Want

With so many styles and materials available, choosing a sink style can be difficult.

Avoid These Plumbing Pitfalls in Waterfront and Older Homes

Many homeowners are drawn to the historic charms of a property built prior to the 1970s. There’s just something about the intricate features of an older home that cannot be recreated through new construction. Similarly, plenty of families choose a primary or second residence that is close to a beach, lake, or river. Waterfront properties are a sound long-term investment and benefit nature-lovers and families with active lifestyles.

While waterfront and historic properties appeal to many North Carolina residents, homeowners should be aware of common plumbing pitfalls that affect these types of properties:

Older Pipes Connecting to Main Water Supply

Many older homes will have galvanized steel pipes connecting from the main water supply to the residence.