DIY Plumbing: Leaks, Clogs, And Other Plumbing Issues You Can Fix at Home

While some plumbing jobs are too big to handle on your own, there are plenty of everyday situations that could pop up that you should be ready for. Read ahead for some DIY tips from Reddi Service’s to clear clogs, fix leaks, and solve other common problems!

Tackling A Draining Dishwasher

A common household problem almost all owners will face is the sight of standing water at the bottom of a dishwasher. You may be able to clear the drain on your own before getting a service professional to help you, as daunting as it may first seem. If you’re having issues with draining your dishwasher, give these tips a try.

• Run the garbage disposal. If the disposal is full, or if there is a gap with the connecting hose, water will be blocked from draining correctly.
• Check the drain at the bottom of your dishwasher for any internal obstructions. Be on the lookout for dishware or utensils that may have slipped or for food buildup.
• Not all dishwashers are created equal. Make sure you understand the proper operating instructions for your dishwasher.
• Begin to regularly check your dishwasher filter to see if it is clogged. Most dishwashers have a filter located on the bottom of the inside of the dishwasher, although if you have difficulty finding it you should refer to your user manual.
• Check the drain hose connected to the garbage disposal as a faulty hose can cause a broken seal. Be sure to adjust any bends and poke a hanger through to check for any clogs that may be inside.
• Check the drain valve on the valve bracket. This piece should be located at the bottom of the dishwasher and should be able to move freely.
• If you start your dishwasher and hear clicking or humming noises that are irregular, there is a good chance the drain pump and motor need to be replaced.
• To drain still water from the bottom, grab a ladle or measuring cup and move water to a bowl or into the sink. To avoid large spills, place towels on the floor and use paper towels to clean up any remaining water.

While clogs are inevitable, there are steps you can take to prevent them from happening. If you use a garbage disposal, be sure to only feed small amounts through at a time, so you do not risk overloading it. Grease, oil, and coffee grounds should never be run down a disposal, and should be disposed of properly. Once your sink is cleared, you can routinely pour in equal parts vinegar and baking soda for a few minutes before draining with hot water. This will help keep buildup minimized and also work to keep foul odors trapped. If you have found that these tips have not brought any solutions, then it may be time to call for help – Reddi Services is here and ready to come to you today!

HVAC System Maintenance: Change Your Filter!

One of the keys to keeping the heat out of your home is through the proper maintenance of your HVAC system! Learn to change your filter, why it’s important, and how to be ready for the heat when it hits.

Why Change Your Air Filter?

To start with, HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning” and works to pull in air, which is either heated or cooled, then redistributed through your house via ventilation. Understanding how your HVAC system works is important – the job of your HVAC filter is to filter out any allergens, pet hair, dirt, and debris, keeping them out of the insides of your HVAC system. Keeping your HVAC filter regularly maintained will not only save you money, but also extend the life of your system.

You Will Save Money!

If your filter has not been changed recently, then there’s a good chance that your HVAC system is working overtime and is expending more energy than would be necessary if the filter was clear. On average, having a clean and efficient filter can save between 5-15% of your electric bill, certainly enough to be a noticeable difference!

You Will Avoid Having Your HVAC Break Down!

One of the last things you want to be dealing with is a broken HVAC system in the middle of a heat wave during the summer. Changing your filter helps your HVAC live longer. How? The dirtier that your filter is, the more air is necessary to draw in, resulting in the system working harder. The more work that your system has to do, and the more energy that it expends, risks leading to untimely, although often avoidable, HVAC breakdowns.

In order to keep your HVAC system running clean, just remember to change your filters! If you live in your home full time, you should be changing out your filter every three months. If you own any pets that shed hairs, such as cats or dogs, you should change a minimum of once every two months, although in households with multiple pets, sometimes a filter change will be necessary around the four to six week mark.

HVAC System Lifetime!

Your HVAC system is one of the most expensive parts of your home. Replacing an air conditioning unit tends to cost around $5,000 on average, while a furnace replacement costs about $3,000. Remember that running maintenance yourself is very inexpensive, simple, and will help not only with the effectiveness, but also the longevity of your system!

Cleaner Air!

The health of your family is directly impacted by the quality of the air you all breathe in. If you or someone in your household suffer from asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, or if you house elderly family members, then maintaining the air quality will be even more important.

If you do not change out your air filters regularly, you may experience some short-term effects such as irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as occasional headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Long-term effects can result in much more severe illnesses, such as chronic respiratory illness or heart disease. Dirty filters needlessly risk the health of you and your family. The good news is that you can buy HEPA-rated filters specifically designed to block the most pollen, fur, and other allergens, allowing for easier breathing.

Maintaining your HVAC is not just easy, but also far more cost effective than waiting for something to go wrong. By keeping your indoor air quality the highest you can, you save money on heating and cooling costs, along with keeping the system running with far more efficiency. You will not just keep yourself and your family safe, but also be providing a more comfortable space to be living in!

For More Information Or Help

If you’re experiencing prolonged problems with your HVAC system, and you can’t find the source, call Reddi Services today. Specializing in all matters of HVAC maintenance and repair, we will have your system back up and running in no time! Be sure to check out our Reddi Planned Maintenance program for even more benefits.

DIY Plumbing: Leaks, Clogs, And Other Plumbing Issues You Can Fix at Home

While some plumbing jobs are too big to handle on your own, there are plenty of everyday situations that you should be ready for. Read ahead for some of our DIY tips to clear clogs, fix leaks, and solve other common problems in your kitchen sink.

Unclogging A Kitchen Sink

Clogged sinks often happen at the worst of times – with guests over, or large piles of dishes on the side, it may be your first thought to call for plumbing services. Before placing a call, we recommend these few home remedies to get your sink flowing as usual.

• Boil a pot or pitcher of water while you drain your sink of any still water. Pour the boiling water into the sink and give it a few minutes to start draining. If you have no success the first time, you may need to be patient and give it a few more attempts. You can also add a half cup of salt in the drain before pouring any more water.
• Check your garbage disposal for any clogs. If your disposal is overheated, you may need to flip the switch.
• Remove any standing water and pour in one cup of baking soda followed by the same amount of white or apple cider vinegar. The solution should bubble and die down, at which point you need to cover with a stopper and wait for 20 minutes. Run hot water afterwards and see if the clog has cleared.
• If you have no vinegar, you can mix a cup of baking soda with a half cup of salt and allow it to sit in the sink for a few hours. Pour in boiling water to see if the clog has cleared.
• Use a plunger. If you have a double sink, be sure to cover one side. You will need a tight seal around the plunger, so be sure to leave some water in the sink you plan to unclog. Plunge for a few minutes and listen for a suction noise indicating a cleared clog.
• Check the P-trap, often located at the curve of your drainpipe under the sink. You can unfasten the pipe and attempt to clear any clogs inside. Reconnect and run water through to test it again.
• You can attempt to use a plumber’s snake. This tool is inserted inside the stubout behind your cabinet wall, and will require you to disconnect the drain pipe and P-trap. Insert the snake until you feel resistance, and try to dislodge whatever is stuck. If you do not own a plumber’s snake, a home solution is to use a wire hanger wrapped in a cloth. The downside to using a hanger is the short length you will be limited to, although in some cases it may be enough to clear any clogs.

Prevention Tips

While clogs are inevitable, there are steps you can take to prevent them from happening frequently. If you use a garbage disposal, be sure to only feed in small amounts of appropriate scraps at a time, so you do not risk overloading it. Grease, oil, and coffee grounds should never be run down a disposal, and should be disposed of properly. Once your sink is cleared, you can routinely pour in equal parts vinegar and baking soda for a few minutes before draining with hot water. This will help keep buildup minimized and also work to keep foul odors trapped. If you’ve found that nothing has helped your clogged sink, Reddi Services is here to help – give us a call and we’ll clear it out right away!

What You Need to Know About HVAC Replacement & Costs

Have you found yourself having to count on an increasingly unreliable HVAC unit, wondering about the expenses to replace it? While we can’t give a definite replacement cost in the article, we can give some insight into whether or not a replacement unit is the necessary action for you, and how to account for additional factors that would contribute to your final bill.

If you are interested in a largely inclusive home warranty plan, Reddi Services may have the option for you! Our Reddi Planned Maintenance (RPM) program offers annual heating and cooling safety checks and service, along with annual plumbing safety checks and inspections! Quality maintenance extends the life of your equipment and saves you money.

How To Know If You Need To Replace Your HVAC System

Sometimes it may just be obvious; your HVAC unit is old, it may be making irregular noises, and perhaps has needed multiple repairs through the years. On the other hand, the answer is not always so obvious, and you find yourself adjusting the thermostat more often, resulting in a larger energy bill. No matter the case, if either of these sound true, it may be worth considering a new HVAC system.

What To Look For In A New HVAC System

Your HVAC unit is one of the most important pieces in maintaining your home, and when it comes time to replace it, we understand it can be a daunting task. Here are some important things to keep in mind when searching:

• Begin and finish your project with the right contractor. The efficiency of your unit is determined by its installation, meaning it is of the utmost importance to work with a reputable contractor. Make sure that any of your candidates are willing to break down the cost for you.
• Determine Unit Size. Make sure your contractor performs a load calculation and takes into consideration the size of your home, roofing materials, orientation of the home in daylight hours, and other related notes.
• Pay Attention To The SEER Rating. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is a rating that shows how efficient the unit will be. Although a higher SEER rated unit will cost more initially, you’ll also end up saving money through its efficiency in the long run.
• Use Rebates! Check to see if you can apply for any rebate incentives to bring down some of your HVAC replacement cost.

Replacement Costs And Influential Factors

For the most part, a replacement and repair cost of a cooling unit can range from $150 to $4,000. Heating units cost roughly the same amount as well. If you are thinking that you need a full replacement, you’re likely looking at spending a few thousand dollars. Some additional factors to consider when looking for a unit include:

• The size and type of unit you are looking for.
• The fuel necessary to run the unit.
• Additional repairs, replacements or add-ons, such as ductwork.
• Energy efficiency of the new unit.

Things To Consider After Replacing Your HVAC Unit

As with other costly repairs, your home system replacement is a serious investment. It can be unfortunate, but sometimes even new units will have a performance issue every once in a while. Reddi Services covers what many home warranty companies don’t, giving you peace of mind and knowing your home’s most important appliances are being well-kept. Call today to learn more and secure your home with our RPM program!

DIY Plumbing: Leaks, Clogs, And Other Plumbing Issues You Can Fix at Home

Although some plumbing jobs are too big to handle on your own, there are plenty of everyday situations that you should be ready for. Reddi Services offers these DIY tips to clear clogs, fix leaks, and solve other common problems.

Unclogging A Toilet

Having a clogged toilet does not always have to result in a service call. Try the following first before making a call:

• If water is leaking directly into the bowl, check to make sure the rubber flapper in the toilet tank is closing completely. If you need to temporarily stop the water flow, you can look near the base of your toilet for a knob that controls the water supply.
• Determine whether your clog is being caused by a decomposable organic object, or a foreign object such as a children’s toy.
• Use a plunger by creating a seal over the hole at the bottom of the bowl, making sure not to mistakenly place the plunger inside the hole. Make sure water is covering the top of the plunger and try to pump it for a minute or two. A common mistake is stopping plunging too soon, so have some patience.
• If you can identify the matter as being organic, bring a pot or pitcher of water to a warm heat, avoiding bringing the water to a boil. Pour half of a box of baking soda into the bowl followed by an equal amount of vinegar. Add in your hot water and let it stand for a few hours before trying to flush again. Leaving your mixture overnight is recommended for the best results – if you have no vinegar or baking soda, you can also use dish soap or shampoo along with the hot water.
• If you still are having issues with a clogged drain, or have identified the a clog resulting from a foreign object, then you may want to try using a straightened wire hanger. Be sure to protect the porcelain of your toilet by wrapping the end in a soft material like tape or a cloth before sticking it into your toilet bowl. Use it just like a plumbing snake to try and break the clog up; feed inside until you feel the blockage, then twist and push to try and clear it.

If the results of your labor are unsuccessful, Reddi Services is here to assist you. We specialize in all manners of drainage clogs and backups, and will be sure to have your system cleaned and running again quickly!

Don’t Let These Pests Damage Your A/C

While we experience the heat of the summer, nothing is more dreadful than the thought of our A/C unit shutting off on us. Make sure to give it regular inspections to protect from rodents and other pests.

Common Perpetrators Of A/C Damages

Almost any creature that can gnaw, crawl, build, or slither around your unit has the potential to cause serious damage, both inside your unit and in your home.

• Rodents are capable of crawling into gaps as small as dime! Tending to favor small spaces, rodents will sometimes tear off the air duct material to nest with. They also tend to go for loose cabling laying around, such as electrical wires, power lines, and other components of your A/C unit.
• While snakes do not intend to cause any harm, we unfortunately may see them nest inside the ductwork or even the condenser of an A/C unit. While they will not tear apart your unit the same way rodents will, snakes are often too large to safely sit inside and will usually result in death once the unit turns on, causing damage to the internal blades.
• Insects such as termites, ants, and wasps may try to make a home for themselves in your unit. Insects that tend to pack mounds for nesting risk the chance of shorting out connections inside your unit. Other insects like wasps and bees may be problematic for those with allergies to stings.

How Accessible Are Air Vents To Pests?

Rodents are one of the trickiest pests for you to keep out of your ventilation as they are able to squeeze into any hole with the width of a small coin, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Interior air vents with angled or grid-styled openings that are smaller than a nickel will keep out most rodents. The places to watch for will be access to your intake vents and exterior air vents, where entry points tend to be larger, or in attic and crawl spaces. Be sure to keep any holes covered and properly maintained.

Even if you do not see any rodents, they can cause plenty of damage in the background. The droppings and dander from rodents cause allergic reactions in some people, and rodents are notorious for spreading disease and illness, through direct means and by infecting things such as food sources. If you notice a strange smell in your vents, check to be sure no rodents have died in your vents.

How To Start Pest-Proofing

Pest-proofing your A/C unit, along with entrances to your home, will keep you and your family safe, and ensure a longer lasting life for your A/C unit. In order to keep things working smoothly, we recommend:

• Installing vent covers using mesh screens. This will help to keep out a variety of pests, including insects and rodents.
• Seal air ducts that have openings via cracks, holes, and tears in the ductwork. Be sure to regularly inspect your air ducts, as the change in temperature and time can cause peeling.
• Keep the area around your unit cleared, especially of any loose leaves, vegetation, or rocks that may have been kicked up. Buildup of debris can attract pests looking for a new home.
• Cover air vents with mesh or screens to keep rodents and birds from nesting in around your ventilation.
• Check for signs of moisture around your unit. Be sure that after any storms to check for still water by your unit, as it will not only attract pests but also risks creating the ideal environment for termites. Any irregular puddles should be inspected and sourced immediately.
• Utilize pest control to stop infestations. Once an infestation starts, it can be hard to keep them at bay. Work out a plan with your pest control provider to prevent large amounts of pests from your home.

A/C Damage Prevention Routine

Make sure to have a regular inspection routine for your unit. Getting your unit serviced once a year will allow for your technician to identify any potential problems your unit may experience, including finding signs of pest activity. When it comes time to schedule a repair or replacement, do not push it off; the better maintained your unit is, the longer it should last you. Reddi Services specializes in all matters of A/C service and is here to assist you today!

Watch for HVAC System Red Flags

Make sure to watch for some of the common red flags that are often overlooked when it comes to your HVAC unit, especially since we have had not only a long summer, but also the single hottest summer in Arizona ever recorded. With a few more months of heat left, make sure you take care of these potential problems today and eliminate the risk of a bigger, more expensive problem in the future.

The last thing you need to deal with is a heater going haywire and blowing cold air in the winter, or the AC not switching on during the middle of summer. Not only are HVAC problems some of the most expensive home repairs you can make, but you also depend on your system to keep your home habitable! If things go wrong, your home may quickly become too hot, too cold, or uncomfortable. Because of how expensive HVAC replacements can be, it’s always good to know what red flags to look for so you can get things fixed before an entire replacement becomes necessary. Use this list we’ve put together for a better understanding of what to watch out for with your HVAC unit.

Increasing Energy Bills

While natural gas and electricity rates may increase over time, your month to month energy bill should not have a drastic difference between seasons. While you may see a spike in your costs after experiencing more extreme temperatures, you should also be aware of increases in energy cost that have occurred for no reason. If you have not recently changed the thermostat, your service rates have not been raised by your provider, and if you have not had any extreme weather that would change the amount of energy required to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, there is a good chance you have an HVAC problem.

Odd Smells

While natural gas does not have a smell on its own, it is common practice for gas companies to add a sulfurous odor that smells like a rotting egg. This addition helps you to identify if a gas leak is occurring in your home, especially near your furnace. If you detect a gas leak, immediately remove everyone from your home and call your gas company’s emergency number. If possible, shut off the gas to your home until help comes.

Apart from natural gas, HVAC units sometimes can have a musty or burning smell, signaling that a repair is needed.

Temperature Troubles

If you find that your AC is not cooling or if your heater is not keeping your home warm, you have a major red flag. If the temperature set on your thermostat is not being reached, even if your system continues to work, it is most likely an HVAC issue. If your HVAC will not kick on at all, you may be experiencing a faulty AC contactor, which is in charge of controlling the electric flow between the parts of your unit.

Odd Noises

No AC or heater will be fully silent, but you should not be hearing more than the occasional sound of air coming out of a vent or the hum of a machine functioning if you are close enough to it. If you hear any banging, whistling, squeaking, scraping, rattling, or other harsh noise, you are likely experiencing an HVAC problem such as a broken blower wheel.

Seek immediate help from a professional if you experience loud noises coming from a gas furnace.

Dripping AC Unit

Your AC unit will leak a little water while it is on, but it should never be a large amount, and it should only be noticeable around the AC unit outside, not away from it or inside your home. If you see air ducts dripping water, or if you see traces of condensation around vents, exhaust ports, or around windows, you may have an AC problem. Keep in mind that you should not be running your AC if outdoor temperatures are under 60 degrees Fahrenheit, as this will cause increased leakage. In most cases, leaky AC units are caused by leaving in a clogged and dirty AC filter, however the improper installation of a unit can result in blocked drain pipes or low refrigerant levels.

Old HVAC Unit

Most HVAC systems are designed to live around 15 years, so if yours is approaching or has already passed that age, there is a good chance you’ll soon be in the market for a new unit. When getting an older system replaced, it’s recommended that you change both the AC unit and heater at the same time, this way you are guaranteed to have a compatible system than risk running them against each other.

Nobody wants to deal with a broken HVAC, but by staying vigilant, you can improve the lifespan of your system and likely catch most issues before they cause need for greater concern. Be sure you’re ready to handle the tail-end of the summer heat without any issues and get an inspection today!