Triad Mechanical Air Conditioning and Heating Service of Lawrenceville, GA is pleased to present our new maintenance plan package that includes more than just a filter change. We understand the importance of maintaining HVAC systems per the manufacturer’s recommendations and would like the opportunity to provide you with that service. Please take a moment to review our Value Care Club Package. Give us a call today, or simply fill out our Contact Form online and we will get back to you shortly to take care of all your maintenance needs!
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Archive for the ‘Home Maintenance’ Category
Value Care Club Package
Friday, March 30th, 2012When Should You Replace Instead of Repair Your HVAC Equipment in Alpharetta
Monday, October 3rd, 2011We all dread an expensive repair in Alpharetta, whether it is a car that needs a new transmission, a leaky roof that needs new shingles, or electrical wiring that has been chewed up by a wild animal. Equipment repairs are a necessary evil. We often try and put bandages on things that we know should be replaced but we just can’t afford to replace them.
The same can be said about your home’s heating and cooling system. When your heat goes out or your home just doesn’t seem to be heating or cooling to the setting on your thermostat, your first inclination is to check and see if it is running. Some people will put their hand over a vent to check for hot air while others may check to see if the furnace or air conditioner is running. Maybe there is a blockage in the ventilation system or a blown circuit breaker, two relatively easy fixes.
If the furnace or air conditioner isn’t working after checking the obvious symptoms, your next move is to call for service. Any qualified heating and cooling professional would be able to diagnose your problem and offer suggested repairs. Something relatively minor like a bad circuit board or blown fan motor are not real expensive repairs and are the best option versus replacing the equipment. And you may keep experiencing the same problem and getting the same repair work done – anything to avoid an expensive replacement.
But at some point the vicious cycle will come to an end. Your repair bills will begin to inch their way past the cost of replacing the furnace or air conditioner. You can only bandage a problem so long before it becomes “unfixable.” You may not want to pay an expensive replacement bill but consider the alternatives.
First is the obvious – it costs too much to keep repairing the old HVAC equipment. Secondly, you never know when the furnace or air conditioner may break down and its failure to operate could have dangerous effects on the people in your home, especially if someone is sick. Third, your HVAC system may not be able to keep up with the demand due to lifestyle changes, i.e. an addition put on the house, carpeting removed and wood floors exposed, a new window, door, or skylight added, etc. Your old furnace or air conditioner may not have been designed to keep up with these changes and the repairs are only delaying the inevitable.
Value Care Club Savings
Monday, September 26th, 2011Fall is the time to start thinking about home maintenance, and it is also a great time to think about signing up for an HVAC maintenance plan! Become a part of the Value Care Club and get special deals on diagnostics, repairs, and after hours calls! It is a great time to join and get one of our full precision tune-ups, offered in the spring and the fall. Not to mention the $189.00 in bonus bucks to be used toward specified purchases. For more information, look at our Maintenance Programs page!
Inside the House Summer Maintenance Tips From Watkinsville
Friday, August 12th, 2011Summer is here, and for Watkinsville homeowners that means more than just summer fun; it’s also the opportunity to take care of some home maintenance tasks. It may not be a ton of fun, but proper home maintenance is essential to keeping your home attractive and in good repair, as well as retaining its resale value.
Some simple maintenance once a year can also help avoid costly repair bills down the road. Below are a few tips on keeping the inside of your home maintained. Most of these are quick projects that can be done in your spare time over the weekend.
Ventilation, Heating And Cooling Tips:
- Clean out your stove’s exhaust hood and change the filter. This will help the system to keep running efficiently and prevent damage to the motor, so that your kitchen is always well ventilated. A properly functioning kitchen exhaust system can also help prevent fires.
- Change the furnace filter. The heating season may be behind you, but it will get chilly again before you know it. Changing your filter now as part of your summer maintenance will ensure that you don’t forget to do it in the interim, so your house will be properly heated when the chill of winter returns.
- On the flip side, have your air conditioning system inspected by a professional. They can perform routine maintenance on the A/C system and make any necessary repairs. Taking care of this early in the summer will help make the hot months much more comfortable in your home.
Electrical Tips:
- Hire an electrician to inspect the wiring and other components of your home’s electrical system. You can also do this yourself if you’re savvy, but unless you have experience, professional assistance is strongly recommended in order to avoid injury.
- Have a look at your extension cords and power strips around the house. Replace any that are damaged or worn.
- Check light fixtures to ensure installed bulbs are of the correct wattage. Using the wrong wattage bulb can cause electrical shorts, or draw more power than you need, making for an unnecessary expense. Consider replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.
Safety Tips:
- Clean all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace the batteries.
- Have your fire extinguisher inspected to ensure it works properly. Replace as needed.
By making time to perform these relatively simple tasks in the summer, you can help keep your home safe and comfortable, while also decreasing ownership costs in the long run.
Tips from Buford for Controlling Rainwater
Friday, August 5th, 2011Rain is a necessary evil almost everywhere, including Buford. It waters our lawns, replenishes the ground, stops dust from kicking up and wreaking havoc in our sinuses, and sometimes it’s even enjoyable to experience. Too much rain, however, can lead to all sorts of problems for homeowners. Hassles like flooding, leaks, water damage, and pests can be especially bad for people who live in particularly rainy areas. To make your life a bit easier, keep rainwater under control with some preventive measures.
Around The House
Rainwater clearly belongs outside, and if it gets inside, it can cause problems. Logically then, the first way to keep rainwater under control is to ensure structural integrity and proper drainage. Start on the roof by looking for any loose, damaged, or missing shingles. Replace these and patch any other spots that look troublesome. Repair all leaks promptly, no matter how small they are at first. Even a small leak can become a big problem in a storm, and can also lead to termite infestation. If you find extensive damage to the shingles – say, more than 20% – consider having the house re-roofed.
Next, clean out your gutters. This should be part of your routine spring maintenance list, as leaves and ice will have built up over the last several months. While you are up there, make note of any damage to the gutters and make repairs as necessary. Make sure your downspouts are clear of obstructions, flowing freely, and draining water away from the foundation. These steps are key to proper drainage of rainwater.
In The Yard
After taking care of the house, the next step is to head out into the yard. Take a walk through your yard and look for any areas where the grade is going back toward your house, as well as any depressions where water could pool. Essentially, you want to make sure that any excess rainwater in your yard will be effectively drained away from your house, in order to prevent flooding, water damage, and pest problems. Consider filling, grading, or installing a culvert or other drainage system to correct problems in the yard.
While you are at it, take a look at the driveway, too. Make a note of any cracks or holes that may need to be filled in, as these can also result in improper drainage. If you have a gravel driveway, consider having it graded if it hasn’t been done in a while.
Taking control of rainwater is all about keeping it out and away. These maintenance tips can help you do that. If you want more information about how rainwater can affect your HVAC system, call your local HVAC professional.
Considering Remodeling? Tips To Be Sure It’s Done Right
Friday, July 22nd, 2011Remodeling your home is a great investment and can be a satisfying accomplishment once it’s done. Any remodeling project is a major one, however, and therefore requires some strategizing and careful execution in order to prevent setbacks, added expense, and a great deal of frustration. Here are some tips to help your remodeling project go smoothly, and help you keep your sanity.
Think like a Boy Scout
The best first step in any remodeling project is to prepare yourself by planning ahead. Every little bit of time and energy spent on planning and preparation can greatly reduce the amount you have to spend on tough decisions and corrections later on. Before starting your project, be sure to:
- Hire a professional, licensed contractor to perform the work.
- Make sure the contractor you hire is well-versed on the most recent building codes in the area.
- Use a detailed design process to develop a plan for the room(s), choose materials and fixtures, and create a realistic budget for the project.
- Consider staging the work ahead of time to give yourself a realistic idea of the work to be done and cut down on labor costs.
Be Creative
For most of your remodeling goals and objectives, there will usually be more than one option. By considering all your options and discussing them with your contractor, you can save money while still achieving the desired result. Some examples include:
- Rather than repairing minor blemishes on walls by doing costly structural work, considering using materials to mask the wall, as long as it is still structurally sound. With minor imperfections, discolorations or slight damage, you can use a decorative painting technique or a heavier, textured wallpaper to cover up the area.
- Likewise, if a room just needs to be livened up, consider repainting first before getting more involved. You may find that the new color is enough to spruce the area up.
- Rather than creating new space by knocking down walls or building new additions, try instead to create the illusion of more space. Mirrors, skylights, and additional windows are all simple ways to make a small room seem bigger without the trouble of adding square footage.
By keeping some of these tips in mind, you can help to ensure that your house becomes the dream home you have always wanted, without the nightmares of costly or incorrect updates.
What Makes A Home Healthy?
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011The world we live in is full of toxins, pathogens and other potential health hazards. It’s unfortunate, but it is a fact of life. You may think of your home as a sanctuary from the outside world, but hazards exist can find their way in there. By taking some simple precautions, however, you can maintain a healthy home environment for yourself and your family.
Breathe Easier
Air quality is an important factor in good health, and just because you close the door behind you when you come home does not mean potentially contaminated air can’t creep into the house. Here are some tips to help you breathe easier:
- Inspect your home’s ventilation system every spring to ensure it is good repair. Change the filter annually and keep the vents clean.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors around your home, especially near appliances and fireplaces.
- Have your home tested for radon, especially if your home has a finished basement.
- Do not smoke and do not allow others to smoke inside.
Hydrate Safely
Depending on where you live, your water supply may be at risk for a number of different contaminants. Being aware of the risks that exist in your local area is important, as is taking steps to keep the water you drink clean and healthy. Some examples include:
- Test well water for bacteria and nitrates. E. coli for example can live in well water and cause infection, so have your well treated at the first sign.
- If you have lead pipes in your home, have them replaced. Lead is a neurotoxin that can build up and poison you over time.
- Use a purification system to cleanse your water of chlorine, heavy metals, nitrates, and other potential contaminants that may have run into the local water table.
Keep It Clean
Finally, the most basic way to ensure you have a healthy home is to practice good hygiene and cleaning habits:
- Disinfect bathroom and kitchen surfaces to prevent bacterial growth.
- Vacuum regularly to prevent dust and allergen buildup.
- Wash dishes and utensils after use, especially after contact with raw food.
- Wash linens weekly in hot water to kill microbes and prevent the spread of disease.
- As always, the most important of all: wash your hands, and encourage children to do the same.
Simple, careful practices like these will make a positive impact on your health and that of your family.
Pest Control
Monday, July 18th, 2011Pests are a virtual inevitability in every home at some point, so it is important for every homeowner to know how to deal with that unwelcome stranger when it comes poking around.
Insects Be Gone
From ants to roaches, insects love to make themselves right at home. They invade in search of food, water, and habitable space, and they don’t care whether they are wanted or not. Here are some helpful hints to get rid of these multi-legged tenants.
Borax works just as well as a pest poison as more expensive commercial products. For roaches, sprinkle a bit in your cabinets. Make sure to take extra care that your dishes are free from the residue. Avoid areas where the borax could affect children or pets. Likewise, make a homemade ant trap by mixing equal parts sugar and borax in a jar with holes punched in the lid.
Ants are also repelled by the calcium carbonate found in common chalk. Draw a chalk line around any visible ant holes to keep them trapped inside. Keep termites away by keeping your yard free of wood debris and standing water. Fix any leaks immediately and clear out any thick growth close to the house.
Furrier Pests
Insects are not the only pests to be concerned with, as sometimes intruders come in a larger, furrier form. Mice and other small rodents are fairly common inhabitants, as well as the occasional garbage-scavenging raccoon.
The best way to keep animals from invading your home is to keep potential entry holes sealed. For a temporary fix, try stuffing small holes with steel wool and covering larger ones with wire mesh. Eventually, however, you should have all holes permanently filled by an exterminator or a contractor who is familiar with the strategies needed to stop these unwanted invaders.
In general, it’s best to avoid poisons that put your family or pets at risk. Not only do poisons create a dangerous environment, they often result in dead pests in your walls or under your floorboards where they are hard to remove. Traps are always best so you know where the rodents are at all times.
If you have tried these tricks to no avail, or you have a serious infestation problem, don’t be a hero. Call a professional and have the whole home treated so you can rest easy.
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