Tag: toilet

Air Conditioning 101: What You Need to Know About Your Cooling System

Jul 14, 2021

Air Conditioning 101: What You Need to Know About Your Cooling System

  • Air Conditioning

Air conditioning is just blowing cold air into your home, right? Actually, no. Cooling the air in your home is accomplished through a relatively complicated process that involves refrigerant fluid that shuttles heat back and forth between an outside compressor as it transforms from a liquid to a gas and back again. It takes quite a bit of electricity to perform this modern magic show of moving heat from a cooler place and back to a warmer place.

Types of Air Conditioning Systems

There are several different technology options involved with the process of cooling your home: central air conditioners and heat pumps, evaporative coolers, room air conditioners and ductless mini-split air conditioners. 

  • Central air conditioners and heat pumps are the most common form of systems, and unlike some of the other options they are often used to heat entire homes. They generally consist of a large compressor that is external to the home and drives the process and indoor refrigerant coils that distribute cool air throughout the home via ducts. Heat pumps work similarly, except they are also able to distribute warm air in the cooler winter months. Ducts throughout the home are utilized for distribution of both warm and cool air in concert with a fan system. 
  • Room air conditioners are mounted either on the walls, ceiling or through a window. These systems work in a similar fashion to central air conditioners, but compressors are located outside the home and the systems are generally built to control the temperature in a single room. These units are less expensive to purchase, but are potentially less efficient and have a higher daily running cost overall. 
  • Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, can be a practical alternative in certain parts of the country but are much less common than central air or room air conditioners. These unique systems operate by pulling fresh air through an evaporative system that involves moist pads and a whole-house circulation mechanism. While swamp coolers are only efficient in the drier areas of the country, they are very efficient and cost-effective to run and can reduce the temperature of your home by up to 30 degrees. The cost of purchase and installation is also lower as these systems are relatively simplistic. Evaporative coolers work most effectively in dry climates because the system works by putting moisture back into the air — something that isn’t as efficient in a wet climate. 
  • Ductless mini-split air conditioners are more popular outside the U.S., but are gaining prominence with homeowners who are updating a portion of their home or reworking an older addition that doesn’t have ductwork in place. They are similar to room air conditioners in that they are a zoned system, but the functionality is more similar to a conventional central air conditioning unit. When you’re using a ductless system, you also avoid the energy loss that is associated with a traditional system with ducts. You can also maintain overall cleaner air due to the lack of cracks and crevices in the ducts for dust, mold and other contaminants to hide.
  • New technology options include the Night Breeze, which integrates a whole-house fan, indirect water heater and air conditioner in one unit as well as Thermal Energy Storage where energy is stored overnight in ice — ideal for climates where energy costs are high during peak usage times. 

Warning Signs

Other than the obvious (it’s getting hot in here!) signs, there are multiple ways to determine that your system either needs maintenance or replacement. However, if you’re not as experienced with home maintenance and air conditioners, you may wonder if the problem is in your head or if it truly exists. Since air conditioners are used most heavily during the summer months, it’s important to get a tune-up before the heat of summer really kicks in. Qualified and licensed professionals perform a full system inspection to catch some standard problems that can occur. A check up generally includes:

  • Performance test of the full system
  • Visual review of all air conditioner components
  • Tests to determine the state of the refrigerant charge and overall system control testing
  • The use of an approved leak detector to perform a leak test
  • If slow leaks are suspected, your professional may perform a dye detection test

How can you tell that your system is not functioning as it should? Here’s a few things to look out for:

  • Air is not flowing as easily as it should be. If you’re seeing poor air flow through your vents, it’s probably time to call a professional. 
  • Zone issues — where part of your home is comfortable and another part is too hot or cool — are a good sign that there may be something wrong with your thermostat.
  • Excess moisture where it doesn’t belong can also be an indicator that it’s time to call a professional. 
  • Foul odors coming from your air conditioning unit are never a good sign. Mold can grow in wet, dark spaces and an air conditioning unit certainly fits those parameters.
  • Squeaking or squealing sounds coming from your air conditioning unit may indicate that a belt has slipped. This generally requires professional assistance to resolve.
  • Of course, if you find that your home is heating up unexpectedly, or the air conditioner is cycling (turning on and off quickly), you should have your unit checked out. 

With careful use and a solid maintenance schedule, nearly all types of air conditioning units will last upwards of 15 to 20 years. Your system should receive maintenance at least once a year in the spring, before it’s heavily used in the summer heat. This ensures that you’re catching any small problems such as leaks quickly and before they have a large impact on the functioning of your system. The cost of not performing regular maintenance could be decreased system efficiency or even having a system that freezes up or sustains serious damage from broken items such as motor bearings.

Call MillTown today and schedule your service checkup to see if you need AC repair or replacement!

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By Milltown Plumbing

A Guide to Detecting Leaks in Your Home

Jun 22, 2021

A Guide to Detecting Leaks in Your Home

  • Plumbing
leaks

As a homeowner, the investment you’ve made in your home is probably the biggest financial commitment of your life. More importantly, you want a clean, safe, and secure living space for everyone under your roof. Because we know what your home means to you, here are some tips to help you spot leaks in your pipes before the damage goes too far.

9 Warning Signs of Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes are a problem that every homeowner will experience given enough time, and while there are plenty of warning signs to watch out for, they will sometimes mean damage to your home and belongings. Most of these signs are only an annoyance, but some of the consequences of leaky pipes can be expensive and labor intensive to repair. What’s more, the worst of these signs can even pose serious health risks and endanger the structural integrity of your home.

  1. Utility Bill Spikes

Spikes in your water/utility bill are one of the first signs of a leak that you should be able to spot. You should be able to notice even a small difference in the size of your water bill, and unless you’ve had company for a few weeks, these spikes almost invariably mean a hidden leak. If your water consumption has remained at normal levels, the size of the spike in your bill will serve as a clue to the severity of the leak.

  1. Low Water Pressure

Another early sign of trouble, loss of water pressure should coincide with a larger bill. There are a number of conditions that can cause low water pressure, and all of them have to do with your plumbing- with the exception of your water pump. Check your PRV valves, water pump, and if that doesn’t fix it, start inspecting pipes

  1. Water Damage

Water damaged walls, floors, and belongings: Hopefully higher bills and loss of pressure will alert you to your leaking pipe problem before this develops. The smell of wet material or mildew may be your first indicator of this serious threat to your home. The one bright side to this trouble indicator is that you will have a better idea of where the leak is located. Wet walls and floors are a serious warning sign, and should be attended to immediately as it will quickly lead to much bigger problems.

  1. Structural Damage

Water damage can weaken structural elements, and make your home more attractive to termites and other pests that cause structural problems. Rodents, wood bees, and many other types of pests that can damage load bearing structures in your home will be attracted to standing or accumulated water and the conditions it creates.

  1. Collapsed Pipes

This problem is likely to alert you by knocking sounds and audible running water coming from inside your walls. Many people mistake these sounds for ordinary house sounds. The sound of a building settling usually sound like a creaky boat- knocking or flushing sounds, on the other hand, should be investigated.

  1. Flooded Basement

One of the clearest signs of leaks or broken pipes, a flooded basement can mean serious trouble, especially if the water threatens to damage your furnace or electrical boxes. First of all, do not touch or step in the water as it could be electrified. Have a professional tend to it immediately.

  1. Damage to the Yard

Flooded spots around the perimeter of your home are usually a clear sign of leaky pipes. Damage to your yard can be annoying, but it can also help you to pinpoint the leak. Moist soil is especially attractive to pests and should be dealt with quickly.

  1. Mold and Mildew

Arguably the most dangerous sign of water leaks. By the time you notice mold and mildew, it’s probably widespread within your walls. Mold can also pose a serious threat to your respiratory health, and indicates that immediate and serious repairs are in order.

  1. Termite Activity

Termites can live in your walls dormant for long periods of time. If a dormant colony comes into contact with water, it will become active. They may burrow down out of a ceiling or the sawdust-like leavings they produce may start trickling out of vents and gaps.

It may be difficult to see the bright side of these issues, there is at least some reason to appreciate these early warning signs. These precursors to serious damage can help you to avoid major repair work and even dangerous mold and structural damage. Whatever the trouble sign is, you can be sure that professional attention is required. When you spot a sign that a pipe is leaking, that’s your chance to nip it in the bud and have the leaks repaired before more expensive and potentially dangerous damage has a chance to develop.

Call MillTown today and schedule your service checkup to see if you need plumbing repair or replacement!

Read What Our Happy Customers Had To Say!

By Milltown Plumbing

Why Is My Toilet Not Flushing? 

Jun 02, 2021

Why Is My Toilet Not Flushing? 

  • Plumbing
toilet

Of all the things that can go wrong with your plumbing in Chelmsford, one of the most frustrating is a toilet that does not flush properly. Problems with flushing range from not flushing at all to continuous “running” after the flush. Here at Milltown, we want to break down the common culprits when it comes to an improperly flushing toilet. 

Not Flushing At All

If nothing happens when you press down the flusher, there are two common problems that may be happening inside your toilet. The first is that the tank may not have enough water in it. Without enough water, the tank will not flush. The valve for this is usually just behind your toilet, so ensure that it is open and the float inside the tank is unobstructed. The second most common problem with no flush at all is the chain connecting the flapper is loose or disconnected. If the chain is too loose, it will not activate the flush. Open the tank and ensure there is tension between the chain and your flusher. 

Bowl Does Not Empty

When you press the flusher, it should lift the flapper in your tank allowing water to rush quickly into the bowl for a smooth flush. When your toilet bowl does not empty all the way, this can be a sign of a couple different issues. One may be that the pipes are clogged. This can be solved by plunging it yourself or snaking the pipes by a professional. If you have snaked and plunged your toilet and are still experiencing slow flushes, it can be the chain. If the chain is too loose, it may be lifting the flapper slowly. This slow release does not give the water the momentum it needs to flush the bowl quickly. 

Continuous Flushing

Perhaps the most annoying problem of all is when the toilet continuously “runs” after you’ve flushed it. That running water sound is not only annoying, but it’s also wasting water. When the flapper lifts to let the water into the bowl, it should seal tightly over the drain once the flush is complete. If the flapper is bent or warped, it will not seal properly which allows a slow stream of water to trickle into the bowl. That is the culprit for the running water noises. The flapper should be replaced if you hear that noise for extended periods of time after each flush.

If you find that your toilet is not flushing properly and these common culprits are not the solution, then you should call Milltown. Our trained plumbers are prepared for any issues and are ready to help you and your family. 

Call MillTown today and schedule your service checkup to see if you need plumbing repair or replacement!

Read What Our Happy Customers Had To Say!

By Milltown Plumbing