AllTech Services, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Sterling’

When to Schedule a Video Inspection for Your Drain

Monday, May 22nd, 2023
a-tangle-of-pipes

Did you know that it’s not just spies in the movies using tiny cameras on long lines these days? Plumbers are doing it, too! You might hear it referred to as video pipe inspection or video drain inspection. We can even take a look as far down as the sewer line that carries all your wastewater away from your home.

Why do people need their drains inspected with video cameras? What circumstances would indicate that you should have it done?

Here are some details on how to know if video drain inspection is just the thing your plumbing needs.

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Does Your Ductwork Need Help?

Monday, September 26th, 2022
duct-being-sealed

The ductwork in your home might not come to mind when you’re thinking about the maintenance and repairs that might help make your house the comforting sanctuary you want it to be. After all, ducts are in your walls and attic, not in plain sight, and you know what they say: out of sight, out of mind. But there are some reasons why you should keep your ductwork in mind. Read on to find out how to gauge the well-being of your ducts, and what to do if there is a problem.

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The #1 Way to Prevent Major Furnace Repairs

Monday, October 25th, 2021

white-question-mark-in-blue-circle Are you ready for this? The #1 way to prevent major furnace repairs is through timely professional maintenance! Yes, it really is that simple. Routine furnace maintenance can help prevent up to 85% of the repairs your system may ever need in its lifetime. We’ll get into the “how” and the “why” of this below, but the most important thing you need to know right now is that investing in furnace maintenance is more about just a heating service. You’re investing in longer equipment life, less costly operation, improved efficiency, and most of all, your household’s safety.

Read on as we dive into why professional and timely maintenance is so important.

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How to Test Your Sump Pump

Monday, September 27th, 2021

sump-pump-pitThere are some things that are staples in American homes that household members hope they’ll never need—but when they do need them, they’re grateful they have them. Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, whole-house generators, fire extinguishers … these are just a few! And up there at the top of the list is the sump pump, essential in preventing water damage due to flooding that can come from stormy weather or even a plumbing mishap.

Of course, even though you hope you’ll never need it, this doesn’t mean you can ignore the sump pump. A sump pump should be tested at least once a season, and ideally after every time it gets used. Standing water within a crawlspace or basement is a major problem. It can severely damage the foundation of your home, rotting away wood and creating other hazards. For instance, it can raise the humidity level and encourage the growth of mold and mildew.

So testing the sump pump to make sure it’s always ready is essential to protecting your property. But how do you do this? Read on!

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How to Help Your Air Conditioner Perform Better

Monday, May 24th, 2021

two-techs working-on-acOne of the most popular questions we get as HVAC professionals is how homeowners can improve their system’s efficiency in a way that it will cost them less to run their air conditioners, without sacrificing comfort. Considering how uncomfortable it can get outside during our summer seasons, this is a perfectly reasonable question.

And we have good news! First off, there are a number of services you can have done that will help your air conditioner perform better, plus prevent repairs. Take maintenance, for example. Annual (or biannual, if you have a heat pump) tune-ups will ensure that your system works as efficiently and effectively as its meant to for as long as it’s meant to.

You can also help improve AC efficiency by performing a couple minor maintenance tasks on your own, like changing out the air filter and making sure the outside unit of your air conditioner is free of debris that can impact airflow. Here are a couple more things you can do that you might not have considered:

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The Steps of Professional Air Conditioner Installation

Monday, March 29th, 2021

outside-unit-of-air-conditioner-with-techs-workingWhen you first read the title of this blog post, you might have thought, “Wow, they’re going to tell me how to install an air conditioner? What a great way to save money!”

That’s not our goal here. In fact, trying to install a central air conditioning system on your own could end up costing way more than you were planning on spending, both with the initial purchase of your air conditioner and in the long run.

This is because an improperly installed system might not be sized correctly to begin with, meaning you won’t have an efficient system, and it could even break down quicker than it would otherwise. No, we’re sharing the steps of professional air conditioner installation with you so that you understand how important it is that you hire a pro for this job. Read on to learn more!

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The Telltale Signs of a Plumbing Leak

Monday, October 14th, 2019

white pipe with blue cloth tied around itWithout the right equipment and know-how, it can be hard to detect a plumbing problem. Most of your plumbing system, after all, is hidden from view, and the problems that occur start off subtly. This is a huge part of the reason we recommend scheduling preventing maintenance at least once a year.

It’s also a good idea for homeowners to familiarize themselves with the warning signs that their plumbing system is showing signs that something is amiss. This way, if a problem happens between maintenance sessions, you can spot it and call for professional repairs right away. Keep reading to learn more about these signs.

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What Is Hard-Starting and Is It Bad for Your AC?

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

air-conditioner-compressorPerhaps you’ve experienced this “hard-starting” scenario on a chilly winter morning at some point—the engine grinds, but it takes a few times before it turns over when you try to start it. Hard-starting can actually happen to any type of equipment that uses motors, no matter if it’s powered by electricity, natural gas, or even petroleum.

Your air conditioner is no exception. While a hard-starting air conditioning system can continue to operate and provide your home with cooled air, it’s not good for the system. It drains excess power, and will eventually cause your air conditioner to break down altogether. A hard-starting cooling system will typically make noises at startup then have trouble cooling your home down effectively.

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Can Treating Hard Water Extend the Life of Your Plumbing System?

Monday, May 13th, 2019

family-standing-over-kitchen-sinkThe short answer to this is, “yes,” but please allow us to explain….

The truth is, there are many water quality problems that can impact not only your plumbing system but your health, too. One of the most common water quality issues we have around here is hard water, though most homeowners aren’t even aware they have a problem!

It’s important, though, that you be aware of what hard water is, what its symptoms are, and what to do about it. Whether hard water is your culprit or some other water quality problem is impacting your home, our team can help you choose and install the right water treatment system for the job.

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It’s Almost That Time: Schedule Your AC Tune-Up Today

Monday, April 1st, 2019

outside-ac-unit-with-tools-on-topSpringtime is officially here, which means warmer temperatures are right around the corner. Before you know it, you’ll be soaking up the summer sun, and hopefully getting some fun vacation time in. But, is your home ready for summer? What if you need air conditioning repair in Sterling, VA, and don’t even realize it? A broken down air conditioner is the last summer interruption you need.

Of course, this can be avoided by scheduling your AC maintenance tune-up session. Keep reading to see that we’ve outlined a few of the many reasons why you should schedule this service ASAP.

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