Hutchins Plumbing & Air Conditioning Blog

Hydro Jetting Takes Care of Stubborn Clogs

January 1st, 2018

hydro-jetting-clogPlumbing clogs are a big issue during the holidays. The end of the year comes with some very big meals, and yet because we’re so busy, we don’t always have time to watch what we flush down the drain.

When you add Thanksgiving, Christmas and other get-togethers on top of each other — complete with natural clog-forming materials like hot fat from meat and potato peelings, and you might very easily fight yourself with a stubborn clog in your plumbing just when you need it the least. The same holds true for bathroom fixtures, which see a lot of extra use during big holiday parties and family get-togethers.

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How Does a Humidifier Help Your Home?

December 18th, 2017

whole-house-humidifierWinter means cooler temperatures, which also means dry air, and if you’ve ever felt the wind blow outside your home on a dry, blustery day, you can attest to what that dry air can do. During the colder months, we rightfully focus on our heating system and ensuring that the temperature in our homes is kept comfortable. But that’s not the only factor that goes into keeping our homes comfortable, and if you feel the sting of dry air this winter, it pays to look into a whole-house humidifier to treat it.

You’re likely accustomed to the concept of humidifiers already. Small units can be used to help treat people with respiratory illnesses, or to keep indoor plants healthy. A whole-house model simply applies the concept to the entire home: blowing moisture into the air from your furnace and raising the relative humidity levels in the process. How does that benefit your home? Read on for the answers.

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Furnace Service Plans Provide Numerous Benefits

December 4th, 2017

furnace-repair-servicesWinter is on its way, and we’re already experiencing the drop in temperature that comes with the season. Soon, you’ll be running your heating system every day. The last thing you want to deal with is an unexpected breakdown just when the weather takes a turn for the freezing. That’s why we recommend a furnace servicing session now, before the weather gets much colder. It can provide a number of benefits to your home, and help your system handle the winter much more easily.

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The Pros and Cons of an Electric Furnace

November 20th, 2017

electric-furnace-installationIf you’re in the market for a new furnace, now is the time to consider your options. The weather is cooling, but not yet freezing cold, which gives you time to explore the possibilities and make a decision that;’s best for you. Most homes in the area use furnaces of one kind or another to keep warm, and that, in turn, leads to a simple choice. Is a gas furnace right for your home, or would you do better with an electric model? Electric furnaces have their benefits and drawbacks, and if you’re looking for a new system, you should think about how they might benefit your home.

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Heating Maintenance Plans Improve Your System’s Functions

November 6th, 2017

heating-maintenance-serviceWith winter on the way, high temperatures are giving way to lower ones, which means you’ll likely be using your heater much more often in the coming weeks. Soon enough, it will be on every day, if it isn’t on already. That makes now the perfect time to schedule a maintenance session for your heater. Even if it doesn’t need it, it can improve your system’s functions considerably.

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Use These Tips to Keep Heating Repair Costs Down

October 23rd, 2017

heating-system-repairsWith winter on its way, local homeowners are going to be using their heating systems more and more often. The added stress and strain can often lead to breakdowns, especially in older systems that have seen their share of harsh winters. A good repair service can move swiftly to get the issue dealt with, but an ounce of prevention always beats a pound of cure. The more you can do to reduce the cost of repair calls – or better yet, prevent those calls in the first place – the better off you’ll be.

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Common Signs You Need Heating Repair

October 9th, 2017

heating-repair-serviceWith fall officially here, most residents are turning off their air conditioners and turning on their heating systems. We don’t get quite as cold in the winter as communities further north do, but freezing temperatures and chilly nights are still the order of the day. That means your heating system needs to perform as expected every time you turn it on. If there’s a problem you want to find out about it now instead of having to deal with an unexpected breakdown in the middle of January just when you need your heating system the most.

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Flush Your Water Heater this Fall

September 25th, 2017

water-heater-flushingWater heaters are a staple of most modern homes: providing heated water safely and effectively as easily as turning on a tap. They’re located in quiet corners of the house, such as the basement where no one visits especially often, and they usually do their jobs silently and without fuss.

But there’s a downside to such quiet service. When problems arise, they rarely attract notice and can spread until they are extensive indeed. In more than a few cases, what could be a simple repair job becomes an unplanned replacement: driving up the costs and adding time as well as expense to the operation.

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Get Your Heating System Ready for Fall

September 11th, 2017

heating-systems-maintenanceFall will officially be here in less than two weeks, and while we may still get our share of warm weather, you’ll soon be turning your air conditioner off and your heating system on. If you haven’t run your heater in a few months, now is an ideal time to help prepare your system for the fall. It will pay dividends in the months to come and might even save you a great deal of money and hassle. With a few weeks of relatively warm weather to go, now makes an excellent time to make proper preparations.

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Slab Leak Detection Starts with You

August 28th, 2017

slab-leak-detectionSlab leaks rank among the most troublesome and problematic plumbing issues your home can face. In and of themselves, they’re no different than any other plumbing leak in your home: a worn, damaged or corroded pipe that bursts, and the sort of repair job that most plumbers can handle quickly and inexpensively. With slab leaks, however, the location of the pipe becomes an issue. It’s either buried beneath the concrete of your home’s foundation, porch or pool, or in some cases embedded within the concrete itself.

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