Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Tag: Plumbing Services

Drain Cleaning Loveland CO

Your home’s plumbing is one of the most important functional aspects of your home. There’s little way around this reality. No one understands the importance of plumbing better than our team members. We make sure that each one of our technicians is educated enough to help you with everything you need.

If you’re looking for someone to handle your kitchen plumbing, gas piping, or even drain cleaning in Loveland, CO, then you can count on the professionals here. We’re going to give you a crash course in everything we do today. If you’d like more detail or like to talk about these services concerning your home specifically, then we’re available to help you. 

What We Do

We pride ourselves on the range of our plumbing services. Here are a few things that we do.

Plumbing Repair

Sometimes things are going to go awry with your plumbing system. It’s bound to happen. Your plumbing system is vast, you rely on it daily, and it’s typically in your home for a considerable amount of time. If you notice that you’re springing leaks or running into other plumbing issues, then we suggest that you start here.

Bathroom Plumbing

Your bathroom might not be the most glamorous part of your home, but it is a vital area. This is why you should have impeccable plumbing here. We’re here to assist with everything you need including cosmetic upgrades, clog removals, or other services.

Kitchen Plumbing

Your kitchen plumbing is going to need care as well. We’re here to provide plumbing for everything in this space.

Gas Piping

Gas piping is something that you always want to leave to a professional. We can handle it for you. We know how to safely install pipes for you.

New Construction Plumbing

We know that the brand-new installation of a plumbing system might feel a little intimidating. We can make sure that your new construction plumbing is as accessible as possible for you.

Repiping

It’s important for you to repipe your entire home when it’s necessary. We can help you determine when this is and help you transition from your current piping system to a brand new one.

Sump Pumps

A sump pump is the best thing you can have in your home to protect it. Having a sump pump in your home is a preventative measure. If you don’t have a good one backed by quality service, then you’re not really protecting your home. We want to help get you the right work. Get in contact with us for what you need.

Drain Cleaning

Have you ever noticed that your drains start to move slowly over time? Maybe you’re also battling issues with unpleasant scents and other drain-related issues. If these are issues that you’re facing, then we want to help you bypass them. Drain cleaning is the best way to do this. Make sure that you get a qualified plumber on your team to perform the work.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning is the company you can trust for your home’s plumbing services. We’re big enough to serve but small enough to care.

Twitter

3 Easy Ways to Protect Plumbing

We are writing this post on a sunny Friday morning in Loveland. It may be mid-January, but the weather isn’t too cold. In fact, it’s going to be a pretty warm day! Nearly 50 degrees! Not too bad, right?

Of course, currently it is only 19 degrees, which brings us to the point of this post.

Don’t get complacent.

Sure, we’ve got some warm and sunny days on the radar. But we’ve also got some cold nights and mornings ahead, as well. Just because the temperature is pleasant during the day doesn’t mean your pipes aren’t still at risk of freezing.

Keep these tips in mind to protect your plumbing in Loveland, CO, this winter.

1. Insulate Pipes and Hose Bibs

This is one of the simplest ways in which you can protect your pipes throughout the coldest time of the year. When temperatures drop, water can freeze inside pipes and outdoor hose bibs. As most of you will recall from science classes way back when—water expands when it freezes.

And that spells trouble for pipes!

If any water in your pipes freezes, and it expands enough, it can cause pipes to burst. That can lead to extensive damage, not just to your pipes but to your property at large. The last thing you want to wake up to on a winter morning is a flooded basement.

Insulating pipes with cheap, easy to install sleeves is a breeze. Covering hose bibs with insulating caps after shutting off the water to those outlets is also a great precautionary measure. A simple online order or a (safe) trip to the local hardware store can save you a major headache and expense this winter.

2. The Ol’ Trickle Trick

We know people shy away from this, and we understand why. You don’t want to waste water that you’re paying for.  You want to be environmentally-friendly. Both great arguments.

But, if you’ve had issues with freezing pipes in the past, you’ll understand that this isn’t wasting water. It’s using it for preventative purposes.

When you keep even a tiny trickle of water moving through taps, you’re helping to keep water from freezing in those pipes. Yes, you’re paying for it, but reserve the practice for very cold temps, and you can avoid an even heftier pipe repair bill.

3. Allow for Airflow

This one is maybe the easiest of all, though it may make your home a bit unkempt when in practice.

Have pipes passing under cabinetry, or behind closet doors?

Open them up.

These spaces may be uninsulated, and they may be a lot colder than your living space. Opening doors and drawers can help to facilitate airflow around these pipes.  That can go a long way toward keeping water flowing through them reliably.

Of course, even the most careful homeowners can’t avoid plumbing problems 100% of the time. That’s why you should have our number stored right in your phone. Make us your go-to plumbing service!

Schedule your plumbing services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big Enough to Serve, Small Enough to Care.

Twitter

Plumber Windsor CO

You pay for the water that you use in your home. You’re reminded of this on a monthly or quarterly basis. When that water bill comes in, how do you feel? Do you need to sit down with a cool glass of water to process the sticker shock? If so, then this is the post you’re looking for. Why? Unfortunately, because you might have some bad habits that need breaking. Consider this your breaking point.

Our plumbers in Windsor, CO, have some tips that will help you to scale back your water costs. The good news is that it is really not that difficult to do. In fact, you are probably aware of some of these tips. You just may not realize how effective they can really be. So, break those bad habits and put these good ones into practice. You’ll see real financial results before long. No more water bill sticker shock for you!

 

1. You’re Running the Water too Much

We are all guilty of this one. Yes, the shameful truth. Even a great plumber has, from time to time, wasted water by running it too much. Brushing your teeth? Don’t leave the water running. Doing the dishes? Don’t leave the water running. Taking a shower? Get in, get clean, and get out. Run through your day while your toweling off. The more water you use, the more water you’re paying for.

Again, this is not shocking news to anyone. But when you’re distracted or zoning out while doing unexciting things, it’s easy to forget. One more tip—make sure your kids are aware of these best practices, too. They might roll their eyes. They might think you’re exaggerating. But they’re not paying the water bill! And if they are, well—how’d you work out that deal?

2. You’re Ignoring “Minor” Problems

This is a huge issue in a lot of homes. We get it. Not every plumbing problem is an emergency. And not every plumbing problem is going to justify the expense of a house call in your mind. But trust us on this one. Any “minor” plumbing problem is only going to cost you more in the long run. Yes, even those ones that you know you can tolerate and live with.

We’re talking about dripping faucets. We’re talking about running toilets. We’re talking about that hose bib that never quite shuts off all the way. Not only does the wasted water resulting from these issues add up—but you might also run into property damage caused by the moisture created.

3. You’re Not Using Some Very Simple Tools

There are plenty of ways in which to cut back on water usage without major changes to your daily routine. If you’re not using aerating faucets, for instance, you’re using too much water even if you’re using good conservation practices. These aerators mix air into the water, saving you resources.

Also—spend the money on that dishwasher! There is no way that you’re coming out ahead if you are washing dishes by hand. Modern dishwashers are more efficient than ever, too, so you don’t have the old “it uses electricity” argument to fall back on.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning today. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Twitter

water pressure

Picture this. You’re running late for the workday. Got out of bed a bit later than you’d intended. That’s okay, it happens to everyone. You throw on the coffee pot, jump in the shower—and make do with the weak stream, little more than a sputter, spewing forth from the showerhead. Now an inconvenient morning has become just that much more frustrating. Do not forget about this issue as you rush to go about the rest of your day.

Low water pressure is not just an inconvenience. It may indicate a very serious issue with your plumbing system at large. If you find yourself facing down an issue with low water pressure, it is definitely in your best interest to schedule service with a professional plumber in Severance, CO, immediately. The longer that you wait to do so, the greater the risk to your plumbing system. This is not a time when rolling the dice is going to pay off in any way.

Is This a Localized Problem?

When we say localized, we don’t mean local to your neighborhood. We mean local to a specific area in your home. If you have a single fixture that is suffering from low water pressure, then you almost certainly have a leak in the supply line running to that fixture. Now, this is more serious than you may realize.

Sure, only one fixture is compromised, but that does not mean that you don’t have a major problem on your hands. That pipe could be leaking somewhere behind your walls or beneath the floor, so you don’t really recognize the extent of the issue. Or you don’t at first. Before long, you could be dealing with major water damage, wood rot, and even the proliferation of biological pollutants like mold.

Is It an Issue Throughout the House?

If you notice that you have low water pressure throughout your entire home, then chances are that you don’t have a leak in every individual pipe serving every individual fixture. It’s much more likely that you have a main water line leak. There is a pretty simple way to test this. Shut off all of the water in the house, check the meter, then recheck it an hour or so later. If that meter is going up, it means that water is still coming in, even if you’re not using it.

Of course, there may be even more obvious signs. Like a new, growing pond in the yard, or a very unfortunate swimming pool filling up where your basement used to be! If you notice any such issues, you really need to call us right away. You’re at risk of serious water damage, potentially even to the foundation of your home.

What About the Neighbors?

This is something too many homeowners forget about. Unless you’re using a private well, you’re getting the water in your home from the same main water line as your neighbors. If you notice a sudden drop in pressure, get in touch with them. If they notice the same thing, then you’re probably looking at an issue that the municipality needs to resolve. Give them a call, and they may be able to give you a timeline.

Schedule your plumbing services with the company you can trust: Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

Twitter

Water Pressure

Running water in your home is not something you should ever take for granted. Yes, of course, indoor plumbing is standard in homes throughout the country. Just because something is so common, though, doesn’t mean that you can take it for granted. Nor does it mean that you should settle for a subpar performance from such systems in your home. If you’ve got low water pressure in your house, then you’ve got a problem that must be dealt with.

If you encounter low water pressure in your home, then it is time to schedule service with a professional plumber in Loveland, CO. We cannot stress this enough. Not just anyone has the tools, training, and experience necessary to ensure the job is done right. Don’t get suckered into DIY service attempts just because an instructional online video gave you an undeserved boost of confidence. Reach out to a member of our team to get your water pressure back up.

 

It Could Be Your Water Main

This is something of a worst case scenario, but it is a topic we definitely need to cover. If you’ve lost water pressure throughout your entire home, then a leak in your water main could definitely be to blame. Now, a water main leak is not the cause of every instance of water pressure loss, and every water main leak may not actually result in water pressure loss. So what else should you look out for?

Keep an eye out for discolored water, which could be the result of sediment making its way into a damaged water line. You might also notice wet patches in your yard, where the line is leaking. If you have a leaking main line, then it must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible to avoid serious damage to your property.

It May Be a Localized Issue

No instance of lost water pressure is something to celebrate. But lost water pressure in one particular area of the home or to just one fixture is probably going to be a bit less intimidating than low water pressure throughout the entire house. If you run into this issue, it is likely that you’ve just got a leak in a single supply line servicing that area or fixture.

This isn’t to say that the problem isn’t serious. Remember, that water is going to wind up somewhere, and your home does not have to flood in order for serious damage to be done. If you have any reason at all to suspect a leak, be it related to water pressure or otherwise, have a plumber investigate promptly.

It Might Even Be an Issue with the Source

If you get your water from the municipal supply, then a problem with the delivery system could be to blame. You might want to contact your city or township, or at least touch base with your neighbors, to see if the problem is exclusive to your home. If you seem to struggle with water pressure regularly, and you use a water well, then a well pump replacement may be required.

Schedule your plumbing services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, the company you can trust.

Twitter

Winter in this area can be truly beautiful. It Let Your Pipes Freezecan also be a whole lot of fun! Of course, coming home to a house full of frozen pipes or a flooded basement due to a burst pipe sucks the fun right out of things. Trust us on that one. That is why our plumbers in Wellington, CO want to ensure that homeowners have some tricks up their sleeves. What kinds of tricks? The kinds that will help you to limit the risk of frozen pipes this winter season!

No, you do not need to purchase expensive heating units designed to keep your pipes warm in order to keep them safe this winter. These tips are practical, effective, and, best of all, simple! If you’ve ever experienced problems with frozen pipes, then you know how much you want to avoid them. And, if you haven’t, consider yourself lucky—but don’t push that luck. Instead, keep these tips in mind and reach out with any questions that you may have.

Keep Your Cabinets and Drawers Open

Okay, this one is not going to result in a finely tuned aesthetic for your home, but do you really care that much? We’re talking about the purely functional, here, and keeping cabinet doors and drawers open is actually a very effective way to keep your pipes from freezing over. It may look strange, but the benefits outweigh any such concerns.

Basically, you’re just allowing for airflow around any pipes passing under your cabinets, behind drawers, etc. You heat your home in the winter, but keeping these doors and drawers closed can prevent that heat from warming up pipes in these areas. That missing airflow may mean the difference between water moving through your pipes or freezing up and leading to ruptures from the pressure within!

Insulate Your Pipes

Normally, we’d be telling you that adding insulation to your home is something that only trained professionals can do. And this is true, in most cases. When it comes to insulating your pipes, though, you can do the job yourself. You just need some pipe insulation tubing and something to cut it down to size .

There is no messy spray or R-value calculation to worry about here. Just buy the tubing, snip it to size, and pop it over your pipes. While you’re at it, be sure to check if your hot water line is insulated, too. If not, then you’re allowing heat to transfer through that pipe out into the air surrounding the water heater. Just an extra tip for you!

Keep the Water Trickling

You’ve probably heard this one before, but you may have written it off as a waste of water. Water is only wasted, though, when you’re really not using it. In this case, you are using the water. Just not for what you normally do.

Keep a small amount of water flowing through your pipes, and you’ll be investing in the safety of those pipes. Sure, you’re paying for water you’re just pouring down the drains—but at least there is water flowing to drain, right?

Schedule your plumbing services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Twitter

 Sump Pump

Asking if you need a sump pump is sort of like asking if you need airbags in your car. You’ve got seatbelts, after all, and it’s not like the car isn’t going to run if you don’t have airbags in place. Does that mean that you don’t need them, though? Of course not, because the airbags in your car are still integral to ensuring your safety should you wind up in an accident.

So, let’s rephrase the question. Is the sump pump integral to the operation of your home or the overall performance of your plumbing in Windsor, CO? No, not exactly. Is the sump pump an essential piece of the puzzle that is going to help you to protect your home and property in certain situations that would otherwise leave you very vulnerable? You better believe it. If you ask us, this is one case where it is definitely advisable to play it safe. 

What Can a Sump Pump Do for Me?

Keep water from flooding the lowest level of your home. It really is that simple. Whether due to heavy rains, rapid snowmelt, a plumbing pipe rupturing, or any other situation in which flooding can occur, your sump pump is going to be your first line of defense against damage. You can’t just keep a stack of towels around or hope that you can get the wet vac out in time in the event of flooding. With a sump pump, you are protected 24/7. And you don’t even have to do anything!

How It Works

A sump pump needs a sump pit. They go hand in hand. If you don’t have one in your home already, you’ll need one excavated. The pit should be situated where water is naturally going to flow in the event of flooding.

The sump pump will either be submerged in the water within that pit (it shouldn’t be dry) or it can sit on top of a pedestal. There are pros and cons to both types of sump pumps. Submersible pumps are preferred, because they can be cooled by the water itself and the water also helps to dampen operational noise. However, they take up more space. If you need a narrower pit, then a pedestal pump may be used. These are noisier, but they are easier to access for maintenance.

When Water Levels Rise, The Pump Starts Pumping

The sump pump is an important device, but its one job is not complicated. Neither is its operation. When the water level rises above a certain point in the sump pit, your pump activates. It works with a simple float switch. The pump continues to run until the water level falls back below that point, diverting water out of the house and away from your property. That’s all there really is to it. To test your sump pump, dump a few buckets of water into the pit. If it’s working properly, it will kick on as the water level rises.

Schedule your sump pump services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

Twitter

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Search

Archive

Archive

Categories

Categories

Tags