HVAC & Plumbing Blog by DC Cheek Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

Why Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Such a Problem?

November 16th, 2020

Are you utilizing a gas-powered furnace for your heating needs? It’s a great choice for homeowners throughout Duluth and the surrounding communities! It’s actually still the leading heating system found in homes throughout the country, especially in areas like ours that may not have a need for a powerful boiler but still needs effective and efficient heat for our chilly winter nights.

They’re cost-effective, and a fantastic choice for many people. However, when not properly cared for, furnaces can present dangers you might not think about. This is going to be the case for any appliance that utilizes natural gas. They are not dangerous by nature, but skipping maintenance or neglecting an aging system can certainly lead to problems. One of these problems is a cracked heat exchanger.

Heat exchangers are something you should know about, and never ignore if you suspect you have an issue with one. If this is the case, turn off your heater right away and give us a call.

Is It Time to Repipe?

November 2nd, 2020

Your home isn’t fairing as well lately. Your home’s pipes are rattling, you’re dealing with lukewarm water more often than not, and you’re paying more for the plumbing services that you’re always used to. It might be time for you to repipe your home. We can be your plumber in Sandy Springs, GA.

We know that it can be difficult to find the right repiping work that you need for your home. That’s why we have a full team of professionals at your disposal. If you’d like to come to our professionals for short-notice work, we’re going to be here to help you out to get quality service.

Heater Noises You Don’t Want Haunting You

October 19th, 2020

It’s that time of year—spooky ghost stories and jack-o-lanterns abound have us feeling festive for Halloween. Still though, even if you believe in ghosts, it’s important that you’re aware that most times, those strange and unfamiliar noises you hear in your home are not caused by poltergeists. Rather, they are typically created by something going amiss with your plumbing system, or in many cases your HVAC system.

Sure, there are some noises your heater is going to make this winter that you’ll be familiar with. For instance, you may hear the ductwork crackling a bit when your furnace first comes on, as the temperature fluctuates. You will also of course hear the whoosh of air through the vents. Below, however, we’ve uncovered some heater noises you don’t want to hear. Don’t let them haunt you! Call our team to exorcise them.

Should You Sign up for a Maintenance Program This Year?

October 5th, 2020

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Temperatures are starting to cool! True, it’s not going to start snowing tomorrow or anything, but this does mean that it’s almost time to give our air conditioners some reprieve in favor of our heating systems.

We have a question for you though–did you have your air conditioner maintained last spring? Make that two questions–have you scheduled your heating maintenance yet?

Routine maintenance is essential if you want HVAC systems that operate as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible. This means getting a tune-up at least once a year each for your air conditioner and heater. And if you have a heat pump system? You should get a tune up every 6 months.

If you’re worried about remembering to actually schedule these maintenance sessions? Worry no more! Enroll in a maintenance program and we’ll do the remembering for you.

How You Can Avoid Clogged Drains

September 21st, 2020

If someone were to ask you what the number one plumbing problem homeowners face is, what would you say? We would say clogged drains. That is certainly what we get called for the most!

Of course, you might be wondering why we get called for this—can’t you just use some store-bought chemical drain cleaners and call it a day?

Well, you could, but you will regret it. Sure, it may eat through whatever is clogging your drain, but it doesn’t remove the clog nor is it that great for your plumbing pipes, either! In fact, it will build up on the lining of your pipes and over time, eat through them. But while store-bought drain cleaners aren’t the answer, you can avoid clogged drains to begin with! Read on to learn how.

Beware This Common AC Problem

September 7th, 2020

Have you been told by a general handyperson that the refrigerant in your air conditioner is low, and that it needs to be refilled? Perhaps they told you that it needs to be refilled —what we in the industry call recharged every year during AC maintenance.

Unfortunately, this is a little misleading. Yes, refrigerant leaks and problems are something we check for during your annual maintenance appointment. But refrigerant should not actually be leaving your system on a regular basis. In fact, your air conditioner is supplied with enough refrigerant during installation to ideally last its entire lifespan, theoretically.

While refrigerant loss is a relatively common AC problem, that does not make it “normal” or a problem you can delay fixing. Read on as we uncover how you can tell if your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant, and why this is such a problem!

Is It Ever Okay to See Ice On Your AC?

August 24th, 2020

The short answer to this is “no,” but don’t worry, we will elaborate.

We do understand, after all, why this misconception exists. Since it is an air conditioner’s job to cool the home, it makes sense that ice may be part of the cooling process. But on the contrary, cooling systems don’t use ice at all, and this isn’t an effective way to cool your home.

So then, why is ice forming on your air conditioner? And what can you do about it? Read on as we dive into this.

AC Myths to Ignore

August 10th, 2020

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There are some pretty common AC myths out there—are you believing them? And does it matter?

As for the latter question, yes, it matters. It matters because believing these myths could lead you to use your air conditioner inefficiently. When you use your cooling system inefficiently, you pay more than you should have to in order to keep cool and comfortable in your own home. You don’t want that, right?

Well then read on as we uncover just a few of the most common AC myths out there.

Can Drain Clogs Be Prevented?

July 27th, 2020

If there’s anything that’s more frustrating than a drain clog that stops whatever you’re doing–whether it’s taking a shower, cleaning up after cooking, or even trying to use your sprinkler system outside–we’re not sure what it is!

But it’s pretty much inevitable that every homeowner will deal with a drain clog at some point–unless of course, they take preventive measures to avoid them! But what are these measures exactly? Read on to find out!

4 Tips to Save Money and Energy on Water Heater Use

July 13th, 2020

When you think about everything you have to do to maintain a clean, comfortable, and efficient home, you probably don’t think much about your water heater—even though this system is one you use every single day, no matter the time of year. The fact is, you could potentially waste a lot of energy by not properly caring for your water heater, no matter what type you have. The good news is, we’re here with some tips on how to actually save energy—and subsequently, money—on your water heater use! Read on as we uncover some of our top tips.