At Service Plumbing & Heating, we have received many questions from our clients about plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services in Red Deer. You may find someone else having the same questions as you do. We have addressed some of the commonly asked questions and provided with some reliable solutions. We always suggest you save this page so that you can refer in future. If you don’t see your questions answered, contact us today.
Below are some of the frequently asked questions and our responses:
How often should I change my furnace filter?
We recommend changing your furnace filter minimum every 3 months. If you have animals or live on a gravel road; it is recommended to check your filter and change it every 1-2 months as needed.
What kind of furnace filter should I use?
Pleated or Non-Pleated; both have benefits. Pleated will definitely give you better air quality, however, they are more expensive and there is a risk that the motor will fail prematurely due to the extra work to push through that filter. Non-Pleated is easier on your furnace to run, and push air through the filter easier. They are also economically priced at less than $5.00 (CAD) per filter.
I smell gas, what should I do?
Call your local gas provider and isolate gas if it is safe to do so. You can also vacate the building until help arrives.
I can hear water running, what should I do?
Turn off all appliances that are using water if there are any and turn off your main water valve. Then call a professional to inspect your plumbing to source and repair the leak. If you cannot turn off your main water valve, you will need to contact your
municipality’s environmental services to turn the water off at the curb.
My furnace won’t turn on, what do I do?
First, check your thermostat to make sure the settings are correct; sometimes a schedule can interrupt a call for heat. Second, check to see if your thermostat has batteries; if it does, replace the batteries with brand new batteries. Third, if it is winter, make sure your exhaust pipes for the furnace are free and clear of all snow and ice. Fourth, call a professional to come and inspect your furnace.
My sewer is backing up, what do I do?
Stop using water in the house, and turn off any appliances that are using water like your washing machine and dishwasher. Turn off water at the main valve if it is safe and accessible. Call a professional to come and inspect your sewer. More often than not, the mainline needs to be augured.
My kids dropped my car keys down the toilet, can you get them?
We can definitely try our best! If they got caught in the toilet, you will get your car keys back. We will drain and remove your toilet and attempt to retrieve them from either the toilet or the line however there is never a guarantee.
I can’t get through a shower without running out of hot water, what’s the problem?
There are a few factors than can associate with this and it could be as easy and checking the setting on the gas controller on your water heater. Your water heater could also need a new dip tube. Either way, it is best to call a professional Plumber in to fix the problem the right way!
My water heater needs a repair but it is 9 years old, what should I do?
This is a tricky one but it is ultimately up to the homeowner. When a tank has reached the 8-12 year mark and we start to see components on this tank breaking down, often times the homeowner will pay the price of a new tank just in repair parts - not including the labour associated either! If this happens to you, it would be a smart idea to consider replacing the tank so that the repairs are not nickel and diming you.
The reason why we see water heaters that need to be replaced so early is quality of water (i.e., you will see a longer lifespan if you have a water softener installed) and use of the tank. A tank that is being overfired and used frequently will cause sediment and calcium to build up faster and wear on the components faster as well. If you have a 40-Gallon tank in your home but you are a family of 6 who uses the dishwasher, laundry, and tub/shower daily - it might not be a bad idea to consider going up a size or two!
What is a “smart home”?
A smart home is a home that has different accessories installed to make living easier and/or more accessible. Imagine being able to turn your water off from your phone while sipping a margarita from the beach? Technology has made it so these types of visions are a reality!