What Common Plumbing Issues Might You Encounter This Summer?

Have you ever noticed that certain things always seem to go wrong with your plumbing in the summer? It's not your imagination. Summertime is when a number of common plumbing issues are most likely to occur. Here are a few common plumbing issues you might encounter and how you can prevent them.

Clogs

Since your kids are home from school during the day, your toilets will likely get flushed more often. More flushes means more chances for clogs. Most of these can be fixed with a plunger, but avoiding using too much toilet paper or flushing foreign objects to begin with will help reduce the risk of clogs in general.

Your disposal may become clogged, too, due to food prep for picnics, barbecues, pool parties, and other events. Things like watermelons, corn, cherries, and peaches are all great summer foods, but the rinds, cobs, and pits are bad for the disposal and will damage it. Instead of pouring these hard food scraps down the sink, try starting a compost pile.

You may notice your shower draining slowly, particularly after a day at the beach. After coming home covered in sand and dirt, the debris gets rinsed off and goes down the drain. If this happens, don't pour chemical drain cleaner down the shower drain. Instead, get a snake or call a plumber. To prevent this in the first place, be sure to rinse off thoroughly before coming home.

Other Common Plumbing Issues

Your laundry loads are also likely to be bigger in the summer months. Too much stress on your washing machine can make the hose spring a leak. To keep from overworking your machine, avoid putting too many clothes in a single load. Also, pull the washing machine a few inches from the wall to prevent kinks in the hose.

Finally, pay attention to your sprinklers, as they see more use in hotter weather. Call your plumber to inspect the sprinkler heads, give them a cleaning, and make sure they're leak-free and in good condition.

For help dealing with common plumbing issues this summer and throughout the year, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide quality home-comfort solutions to Broken Arrow.

Know What Causes a Toilet to Overflow in Your Home

Toilets rarely act up, but when they do, they can cause plenty of headaches. A toilet overflowing is one of the toilet problems that can turn into a huge plumbing disaster. Knowing what causes a toilet to overflow helps you prevent it and makes it easier for you or a professional to fix it. So what causes a toilet to overflow? Here are the possible reasons.

Clogged Pipes

A clog in the toilet or nearby pipes will prevent water from draining when you flush the toilet. When water can't leave your home due to a clog, it will overflow from the bowl. The use of excessive toilet paper is the most common cause of such clogs. You can fix simple clogs with a plunger. Call in a professional if you're unable to remove a clog.

Blocked Vent Pipe

If your toilet clogs up frequently, a blocked vent pipe may be the culprit. A plumbing vent allows external air into your plumbing system to replace the air pumped down the drain with every flush. When debris causes a clog in the vent pipe, your toilet won't flush properly and may overflow. You may also notice bad smells or bubbling sounds after flushing the toilet. Fixing this issue usually requires the expertise of a plumber.

Improperly Adjusted Float

A filler float that's too high will cause water to overflow from the toilet tank. You can adjust the mechanism in the tank to control the float's level, solving this problem.

Sewer Issues

If you shut off the main water supply and your toilet continues overflowing, you have a clogged sewer line, and that could be what causes a toilet to overflow. You'll need to call a plumber immediately. If you use a septic tank, you'll need to have a plumber flush out the system.

Now that you have a good idea of what causes a toilet to overflow, make sure you always call a plumbing professional in case of a complicated clog or a recurring overflow. For any plumbing problems in the Broken Arrow area, contact the certified and experienced plumbers at Air Assurance.

Does the Summer Make HVAC Plumbing Issues Worse?

HVAC plumbing issues can occur in both the heating and cooling seasons. In winter, high-efficiency, two-stage furnaces produce condensation in the heating process. During summer, however, it’s the central air conditioner that generates the most condensation and the greatest potential for HVAC plumbing issues. 

Condensation forms as warm, moist indoor air flows through the AC evaporator coil inside the indoor air handler. During hot summer weather, a typical air conditioner produces between 5 and 20 gallons of condensate daily. Water from the coil drips into the condensate drain pan that's installed beneath the air handler, then flows into a household drain line. In some installations, a condensate pump removes water from the drain pan.

Condensate-Drainage Issues

Plumbing issues caused by condensate may originate at several points in the air-conditioning process:

• A crack or hole in the condensate drain pan

• A clogged drain line, often caused by algae or mold growth originating in the drain pan, which causes the pan to overflow

• A defective condensate pump

Coil Icing

Icing forming in the AC evaporator coil reduces system airflow and may eventually trigger an automatic system shutdown. Ice accumulation often extends outside the coil. As melting occurs when the system shuts down, water may not be contained by the pan, causing water damage around the indoor air handler. 

Preventing HVAC Plumbing Issues

To minimize the potential for water damage due to plumbing issues, take these preventive measures:

• Schedule annual professional maintenance by a qualified HVAC contractor. This service includes checking proper function of the AC drain components, including the condensate drain pan and drain line. If mold or algae growth is causing clogs, the pan and drain line can be cleaned and treated with germicidal solutions to kill mold and algae, as well as prevent recurrence.

• Resolve causes of evaporator-coil icing. These include maintaining proper system airflow with regular monthly air-filter replacement. Because low refrigerant charge may also trigger coil ice, annual AC preventive maintenance, including checking and verifying the refrigerant level, is also recommended.

For more advice about HVAC plumbing issues, contact the professionals at Air Assurance.

What Advantages Are There to a Home Plumbing Diagram?

For most homeowners, your pipes tend to be a bit of a mystery. You know they're there, but if your plumber asked you to show them the locations of specific pipes and what they do, would you be able to do it? This is important information, especially when having extensive work done on them. That's why it's essential to have a home plumbing diagram. Here's what you need to know about them.

What Is a Home Plumbing Diagram?

A home plumbing diagram is a rough blueprint of your home, showing exactly where all of the pipes are and what they do. If you're doing work on your home, such as adding an extra bathroom, the plumbers will need to have that diagram to know how and where to connect the new pipes to the old. Likewise, if your plumbing needs major repairs, your plumbers may need to know where to access which pipes.

You can usually obtain your home plumbing diagram from your local county clerk or registrar for a nominal fee. Once you have it, keep it in a safe place with your other important documents so you're ready to show it in a plumbing emergency.

Types of Pipes on Your Home Plumbing Diagram

What will your diagram show? There are four basic types of pipes, which, on your home plumbing diagram, will be color-coded for differentiation. First is the fresh water supply. This denotes the pipes that carry water from the municipal water supply to your faucets, spigots, etc. There are also hot-water lines, which bring water from your water heater to most of the same places.

Then there are the waste pipes. They carry the water which flows down your drains and into the sewer. Finally, the venting pipe takes the sewer gases that build up in your pipes and vents them out through the roof. If your venting pipe is poorly installed, it may cause your home to smell like sewage.

For help with these and other home-plumbing needs, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide quality repair and renovation solutions to Broken Arrow.

When Residential Plumbing Repair Might Be Necessary

Indoor plumbing could rank as one of the best inventions ever — until there's a problem with your plumbing. Whether it's no hot water, the toilet is clogged again, the garbage disposal stinks, or a drain is backed up, plumbing problems are no fun at all. What follows are some residential plumbing repair and troubleshooting tips for common plumbing problems you may encounter.

Residential Plumbing Repair: Intermittent Hot Water

It's happening again: You're taking a shower and the hot water goes off and on — or there's no hot water at all. Before you start to worry about a water heater repair bill, check the circuit breaker to see if a breaker has tripped.

Next, if you have a gas-burning water heater, make sure the gas is turned on to the water heater. For electric water heaters, you may have a broken dip tube or heating element. You'll need to call your plumber for those issues.

Residential Plumbing Repair: Clogged Shower Drain 

Shower drain clogs are a common plumbing issue. Many items and factors can contribute to shower drains getting clogged, such as soap scum, hair, mineral deposits, and small items (that missing shampoo cap!). Shower clogs are generally more difficult to remedy than a clogged toilet or kitchen sink. If you can't get rid of the clog with an plumbing auger or plunger, you may need to call a plumber.

Residential Plumbing Repair: Leaky Toilet

A leaky toilet is another common residential plumbing repair. If water is leaking from under the toilet, you have a worn out O-ring, which may be accompanied by sewage odors. Another common leak is at the gasket connection of the toilet tank and toilet. The bolts and gaskets holding the tank to the toilet could be leaking water.

If you are experiencing any of these plumbing problems, locate the water shut-off valve behind the toilet and turn it off. Then, call your trusted plumber, because all of these issues should be handled by a pro.

If you need a professional plumber for residential plumbing repair in your Broken Arrow home, contact us at Air Assurance.

What to Do If You Have a Leaking Pipe Under the Bathroom Sink

When you see a pool of water on the bathroom floor by the cabinet or inside the bathroom cabinet, it means you have that dreaded circumstance you may have Googled before: "leaking pipe under bathroom sink." The first thing to do is turn off the hot and cold water valves under the sink. Next, you may be thinking you're going to have to call a plumber. Well, if you're handy with simple tools, this guide to troubleshooting bathroom-pipe leaks may save you a plumbing service call.

Diagnose the Source

The first step in repairing that "leaking pipe under bathroom sink" is locating the leak. There are six possible sources: the hot- and cold-water shut-off valves, the hot- and cold-water hose connections, the drain assembly, and the P-trap.

Shut-Off Valves Leak

Leaky hot- and cold-water shut-off valves must be replaced. You'll need to turn off the water main. Shut-off valves are either soldered on, which requires a plumber to fix, or screwed on with a compression fitting. If it's screwed on, simply purchase a new valve and replace it.

Water-Hose Leak

If the dreaded "leaking pipe under bathroom sink" is one of the hot- and cold-water hoses, it may be possible to troubleshoot the leak yourself. Use a pair of pliers to tighten the connection. If that doesn't work, unscrew the hose and see if the gasket is worn and needs to be replaced.

Drain Leak

Drain-assembly leaks are the most difficult to repair and will likely require you to call your plumber. To fix this type of "leaking pipe under bathroom sink," the P-trap is removed first and then the drain is removed. Wrap the drain threads with plumber's tape and reinstall the drain and P-trap.

P-trap Leak

The P-trap is the curved-shaped pipe beneath the drain. Two compression nuts hold the P-trap together. If the leak is coming from one of the nuts, tighten it by hand, and if that doesn't work, use pliers to tighten the nut.

If you need a professional plumber for that "leaking pipe under bathroom sink," contact Air Assurance!

What Is the Connection Between Plumbing and HVAC?

The connection between plumbing and your HVAC system may not seem obvious at first. Though your household pipes don’t generate heating or cooling, your HVAC components do produce water — sometimes a lot of it — that requires plumbing to drain it all away properly. 

Two parts of the cooling and/or heating system need plumbing connections to convey water out of the house:

• Central AC. Humidity reduction is an essential part of the cooling process in a central air conditioner. The indoor evaporator coil in the AC can condense many gallons of condensate water every day during operation in hot, humid summer conditions. This condensate drips down into a collection pan beneath the indoor air handler, then flows through a pipe connected to the household drain system.

• High-efficiency furnace. Unlike standard-efficiency furnaces, high-efficiency models incorporate a secondary heat exchanger that extracts extra heat by condensing water vapor that's present in the furnace exhaust airflow. This water collects in a plastic reservoir, then is taken by gravity through a sloped drain tube and is discharged outside the house.

What Can Go Wrong?

A clogged central AC drain pipe, often a result of algae or mold growth inside the condensate collection pan, will rapidly overflow every time the air conditioner cycles on. Because the location of the pan is beneath the air handler, occupants of the house may not notice the ongoing overflow before substantial water damage to the floor and adjoining area has occurred.

A high-efficiency furnace has a safety sensor that detects clogs in the water drain tube. If drainage stops, the sensor will automatically shut down the unit. Heating function cannot be restarted until the clog issue is resolved by an HVAC service technician. 

Prevention Is Preferable

Annual preventative maintenance by a qualified HVAC contractor includes addressing plumbing issues that may affect heating and cooling systems. The service includes an inspection and cleaning to support proper function of both the AC condensate pan and drain pipe, as well as the high-efficiency furnace drain system.

For professional service to prevent or repair plumbing issues associated with your HVAC system, contact Air Assurance.

What Brands of Pipes Are Best for Your Home?

The plumbing pipes in your home supply water to different areas and rooms. Since these pipes serve an important purpose, you should make sure you have the right type and the best brand of pipes. Otherwise, you might end up with plumbing problems that can cause serious damage to your home, such as major leaks. Keep the following information about pipes in mind, including pipe brands.

Types of Plumbing Pipes

Plumbing pipes come in different kinds of materials. Certain materials work better for pipes in specific areas, such as PVC pipes for cold- or warm-water applications. Different kinds of pipes include PVC, chlorinated PVC, copper, PEX, galvanized, and brass.

• PVC pipes are among the most common and can be used for several applications, such as sink drains, toilet drains, bathtub drains, and vent stacks. However, they cannot be used for hot-water applications.

• Chlorinated PVC pipes can be used for hot-water applications and drinking water.

• Copper pipes can be used for cold and hot drinking water and HVAC refrigerant lines.

• PEX pipes can be used for remodeling purposes in older homes.

• Galvanized pipes can be used for water supplies.

• Brass pipes can be used for water supplies, water-removal drains, and other applications, such as gas lines in some locations.

Plumbing Pipe Brands

You’ll find several pipe brands available to choose from. Some of the top brands include American Standard, Elkay, Kohler, Newport Brass, Pfister, and Symmons. Keep in mind that different brands offer different kinds of pipes and pipe materials, and costs can vary widely from brand to brand. The plumbing brand you should get for your home depends on the specific applications you need piping for and other factors, such as the age of your home. Professional plumbers can help you weigh the pros and cons of different brands in order to choose the one that fits your needs best.

If you need more information on choosing the best pipe brands for your Broken Arrow home, please contact Air Assurance.

What Winter Plumbing Issues Are Most Common?

Broken Arrow's cold winter weather tends to amplify certain plumbing issues. Knowing more about these winter plumbing issues, including how to prevent them, helps you save time and money on repairs. Here's a closer look at the common winter plumbing problems you may encounter.

Frozen Pipes

It's not unusual for outdoor and indoor pipes to freeze during the winter months. You can have a buildup of water around your outdoor spigots. Frigid temperatures can make the water freeze, which leads to excess pressure, which can cause your pipes to break or leak.

To prevent your pipes from freezing, disconnect all your garden hoses from exterior taps. Use insulated faucet jackets to cover the taps. If some of your water pipes run along exterior walls behind cabinets, open the cabinets at night to allow warm air to reach them.

Clogged Drains

Increased kitchen use in the winter can cause significant chaos in your plumbing system. Food accumulates more easily in your pipes during the winter.

If your home lacks a garbage disposal, you should throw as many food particles as possible into the trash. Even if you have a garbage disposal, you should throw any questionable food scraps in your trash bin, because your winter comfort foods could solidify in your pipes. Also, grease can significantly damage your pipes. Avoid pouring it down the disposal or drain.

Failing Water Heater

The temperature drop can overtax your water heater. You may suddenly have no hot water due to several reasons. The pilot light on your gas water heater may have gone out. The temperature gauge may not be at the right temperature. Excess residue may also be seeping into your water tank and overstraining your system. You can avoid significant problems by having your heater looked at by a professional early in the season.

Even if you don't have a winter plumbing issue now, it's always a good idea to schedule preventive maintenance to make sure your plumbing system is ready for the winter. For more information on winter plumbing concerns, contact the experienced plumbers at Air Assurance. We offer a range of plumbing services, including repairs, remodels, and a Plumbing Service Plan to ensure your Broken Arrow-area home's plumbing system works correctly.

Learn How to Combat Sudden Water Leaks

There’s nothing like a sudden water leak in your home to cause an anxiety attack. Ruptured pipes, overflows, and other causes can cause substantial losses: Insurance companies pay out an average of $1.2 billion in claims every year due to water damage from indoor sources. Fortunately, like many household hazards, being prepared for a sudden water leak helps reduce panic — as well as potential losses.

Stay Ready

Be prepared to shut off all water to the house quickly in case of a sudden water leak. Know the location of the home’s main water-shut-off valve. Since these valves may become stuck or at least very hard to turn, test the valve twice a year. If it’s difficult to operate, contact a plumber to resolve the problem.

Contain the Damage

Even after the water is shut off, damage continues as water spreads inside the house. Act fast to mop up pooling water before the damage expands to other rooms. Use a mop or even towels to remove water and stop the spread. If an exterior door is nearby, open the door and push pooling water outside with a floor squeegee or a broom.

Prevent Mold

Dormant microscopic spores need only one element to convert into toxic mold growth: water. After a sudden water leak, the clock is ticking. Active mold growth begins contaminating a house within 48 hours. Take prompt steps to remove all water and dry out the home as soon as possible. If the amount of water released is more than a pool limited to the floor of a single room, contact a professional water-damage recovery service.

Stay Safe

Not every sudden water leak originates from a safe source like a broken water supply line or a washing machine. Raw sewage may be involved in plumbing backups that affect a house. Sewage is highly toxic and presents serious health threats. Clean-up is not a job for amateurs. Avoid all contact with sewage and call a professional water-damage service immediately. 

For more advice about dealing with a sudden water leak in your home, contact Air Assurance.

How Can Cold Weather Make Plumbing Issues Worse?

Cold weather plumbing issues can occur anytime temperatures plunge well below freezing for several hours. Here in northeastern Oklahoma, average nightly temperatures drop below freezing about three months each year. In extreme cases, temperatures as low as 15 degrees below zero have been recorded here. In cold weather, plumbing can be exposed to stresses that damage pipes and connected components. Here are tips to ensure that cold weather plumbing issues are not on the calendar this winter. 

Broken Pipes

Frozen pipes may occur when temperatures drop below 25 degrees for several hours. Ice formation inside pipes expands, exerting pressure that may rupture the pipe. A broken water-supply line can flood a house with hundreds of gallons of water per hour, causing expensive damage. In cold weather, plumbing can be protected from freezing by taking a few preventative measures:

• Insulate exposed pipes. Install slip-on, foam-insulation sleeves on pipes that may be exposed to extreme cold, including in the crawl space under the house and in the attic. 

• Look for gaps, cracks, or other penetrations that allow frigid air to infiltrate exterior walls where water pipes are routed. Seal small openings with expanding insulated foam and cover larger openings with wood or other material. 

• If extremely low temperatures are forecast, open kitchen and bathroom faucets slightly to allow a continuing trickle of water. This releases pressure that damages pipes if ice forms inside plumbing.

• A sudden loss of water pressure at one or more faucets during subfreezing temperatures may indicate damage caused by cold weather plumbing issues. Don’t wait for temperatures to rise; contact a qualified professional plumber immediately.

Water-Heater Issues

A water heater installed in an unheated garage or outdoors is vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Protect against cold weather plumbing damage by installing a water-heater-insulating blanket that wraps around the tank. Also, insulate exposed water inlet and outlet pipes connected to the water heater.

For more information about preventing cold weather plumbing damage this winter, contact the professionals at Air Assurance.

What Impact Does the Fall Have on Your Home Plumbing?

The fall can give your plumbing system a cold welcome. As temperatures become cooler, there are certain plumbing complications that homeowners tend to encounter. Failure to address the issues could lead to costly repairs during the holidays. Let's go through these fall plumbing problems.

Drain Blockage

If your sink is throwing tantrums in the fall, the leaves in your yard may be to blame. Fallen leaves can enter your drainage system and clog it easily. Traffic, winds, and rains are some of the factors that can play a significant role in piling up those leaves and pushing them into your drainage system. A professional plumber can easily solve this problem by changing your drain cover so that the problem doesn't recur.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes commonly occur in the winter. However, this problem can also occur in the fall as temperatures begin to drop. Water expands when it freezes, which can make your pipes burst.

You can prevent frozen pipes by having a plumber insulate your pipes, for example, with a pipe sleeve. Installing a heat cable or heat tape on exposed pipes will also help.

Water Heater Malfunction

In the fall, the incoming water is colder. When cold water enters your heater, the result could be a temperature drop of around 25 degrees. As you use hot water, cold water gets into the tank. This creates the need for the heater to heat the water constantly.

With the water heater now operating beyond its normal capacity, the chances of it malfunctioning increase. You can save yourself from this issue by having a plumber inspect and insulate all your water heater's pipes.

Fall means the holiday season is approaching. Be sure to take the necessary steps to prevent a plumbing disaster down the line. For more information on avoiding fall plumbing issues, contact Air Assurance. We offer plumbing services such as inspections and emergency repairs to homeowners in the Broken Arrow area.

The Top Three Links between Plumbing and HVAC

Certain HVAC and plumbing links are built into most homes. While we tend to think of these as distinct, separate systems, cooling and heating may interact with plumbing at several points inside your house. Defects can cause problems in either system, including indoor water damage and potential damage to connected HVAC units. Here are some points where HVAC and plumbing links converge inside your home — and what could go wrong. 

AC Overflow

Humidity reduction is a vital part of air conditioning. As the indoor evaporator coil condenses water vapor, it is collected in a condensate drip pan beneath the indoor air handler. This liquid flows through a line that's connected to the household drain system. Problems that occur with HVAC and plumbing links include algae growth in the condensate drip pan clogging the drain line. If this happens, the drip pan will overflow every time the AC cycles on.

Annual preventive maintenance of HVAC and plumbing links by a qualified professional contractor includes an inspection and cleaning of the drip pan and drain line. Biocide tablets may be added to the drip pan to inhibit algae growth and prevent future clogs.

A High-Efficiency Furnace

Furnaces with high AFUE efficiency ratings condense water vapor present in exhaust gases. This condensate flows through typical HVAC and plumbing links, including a drain line that extends to the outdoors or into the home's drain system. A clog anywhere can cause condensate to back up into the furnace, triggering an automatic safety switch that shuts down the furnace. Professional HVAC service is required to clear the clog and then restart the furnace. 

Home Dehumidifiers

A whole-home dehumidifier that's installed inside home ductwork may produce more than 10 gallons of condensate daily. A blockage anywhere in the common HVAC and plumbing links may cause leakage or overflow and resulting water damage where the dehumidifier is located — usually in the attic. Most manufacturers recommend annual dehumidifier preventative maintenance by a qualified professional to avoid clogs and overflow.

For more about potential problems with HVAC and plumbing links — as well as effective solutions — talk to the professionals at Air Assurance.

What to Know About Replacing Your Home's Pipes

Your pipes are essentially your home's circulatory system. They circulate water to and from many essential areas, including the toilet, laundry, showers and bathtubs, bathroom faucets, and the kitchen sink, to name just a few. But if your home was built more than 20 years ago, there's a good chance your plumbing system is nearing the end of its useful life, making it necessary to start thinking about replacing pipes.

Besides age, other factors like lack of maintenance, faulty components, and significant temperature fluctuations can cause your pipes to fail. A plumbing disaster can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Therefore, it's best to identify potential problems that may require you to replace sections of your piping or the entire system before they develop into major issues. The signs below can help you determine if it's time to replace your home's plumbing.

Leakage

Leaks — even small ones — can be a sign of deteriorating pipes. This is particularly true for older homes with plumbing systems that have undergone wear and tear without ever being repaired. And considering the fact that your pipes consist of the same material and have faced the same usage patterns, it's probably a matter of time before the leaks show up in other parts of the system. Indications of leaking pipes include:

• Growth of mold and mildew on walls, floors, or ceilings.

• Musty odors.

• Bubbling or blistering paint on ceilings or walls.

• Discoloration of exposed pipes.

Water Discoloration

If the water from your faucets is brown or yellow, that's a sign of decay inside your pipes. The pipes leave rust as water flows through them. You'll need to have your plumbing inspected soon, as extensively corroded pipes can start leaking quickly.

Low Water Pressure

Is water flow weak in several parts of your home? There may be corrosion or blockages inside your pipes that are interfering with water pressure.

Green or Sunken Patches in Your Yard

Leaking sewer drains can cause sunken areas in your yard or one section to be greener than its surroundings. Invasive tree roots or degrading piping materials may be responsible for the leak.

If you spot any of these irregularities, call a plumber to do a thorough inspection of your system. For more information on replacing pipes, contact Air Assurance. We offer a wide variety of plumbing services to homeowners in the Broken Arrow area.

Does Your AC Depend on Modern Plumbing?

Many things can affect your AC unit’s efficiency and performance. One thing that may not come to mind is how your home’s AC drainage and plumbing system work together. A modern AC system with a modern plumbing system makes for an efficient home.

Modern Plumbing and Your AC System

Many homes have their HVAC system tied to their plumbing system. HVAC systems produce moisture, which is collected and removed by the unit itself in the form of a drainage pan and a drainage line, with some differences depending on the design of the AC unit. This collected moisture is then drained through your home's plumbing system. An up-to-date plumbing system can make draining more efficient, faster and reduce the chance for overflow.

The Condensate Drain

HVAC units have a condensation drain (or line) to direct moisture away from your HVAC unit. If this becomes clogged, it can damage your home and the AC unit itself due to water collection and overflows. These blockages can also extend to your home’s internal plumbing system, and many homes have their condensation drainage lines connected to the bathroom’s drainage system. This can create situations where plumbing issues can affect your AC’s ability to drain condensation and, in turn, if your AC drainage is malfunctioning, it can cause other issues, such as the bathroom sink becoming clogged.

The Dangers of Overflows and Blockages

Without modern plumbing, your AC unit may not drain the way it should. This collected water can damage your AC unit and plumbing, cause electrical issues, and damage the structure of your home. Issues such as mold, rot, and wood damage can occur, as can leaks to the floors below if your AC unit is located upstairs.

In Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, you have many different HVAC service providers to choose from. At Air Assurance, our many years of award-winning service and highly trained staff set us apart. Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer.

Should You Link Your Plumbing and HVAC Systems to Save Money?

Though your plumbing and HVAC systems serve different functions, there are certain places where links between the two units may connect inside your house. Both your central air conditioner, as well as a high-efficiency, two-stage furnace, produce condensation which must be effectively drained from each unit.

Here are two scenarios where plumbing and HVAC links are vital, as well as what might go wrong with each.

Central Air Conditioner

On a humid summer day, the indoor evaporator coil for a central AC can produce more than 20 gallons of condensation. All that water flows from the coil into a condensate drip pan situated beneath the indoor air handler, then into a PVC drain pipe connected to the home-plumbing drain system.

What Might Go Wrong

Algae or mold growth may occur in the drip pan and clog the condensate drain pipe, causing the pan to overflow. In that case, serious water damage to the house may occur.

Annual cooling system preventative maintenance by a qualified HVAC service technician includes an inspection of the condensate drip pan. If algae or mold growth is noted, the pan can be cleaned and the drain line blown out to ensure proper drain function. Algicide tablets may also be placed in the pan to prevent a recurrence.

High-Efficiency Furnace

A high-efficiency furnace also produces condensation. This water may flow through a drain pipe to be discharged outside the house or into a connection with the home drainage system.

What Might Go Wrong

In cold weather, the drain pipe may freeze where it terminates outside, blocking flow. In this case, a safety sensor will automatically shut down the furnace to prevent internal damage.

An HVAC contractor can verify that the condensate drain line is properly slanted so water drainage flows rapidly and does not freeze Alternatively, the drain line may be connected to the household drain system. However, because furnace condensate is caustic, it must be routed through a condensate neutralizer installed at the furnace connection to prevent corrosion of home drain pipes.

For professional service to prevent or resolve issues with plumbing and HVAC links, contact the experts at Air Assurance.

Did You Know That Plumbing Problems Can Affect Your HVAC Unit?

When you think of plumbing problems, a clogged kitchen sink or a dripping faucet are usually the sort of things that come to mind. However, did you know that plumbing issues can also be a factor in the operation of HVAC systems? Here are some examples of how plumbing is utilized in common residential cooling and heating components, as well as what might go wrong with these systems.

Central Air Conditioner

On a hot, humid summer day here in Oklahoma, the indoor evaporator coil in your central AC may extract more than 20 gallons of condensation from the air as an essential part of the cooling process. If everything’s functioning properly, all this water collects in a drip pan beneath the indoor air handler, then flows down a condensate drain line.

If a clog develops in the system — often a result of algae growth in the drip pan or some foreign object — the pan will overflow. Expensive water damage to the house can occur before you’re even aware of the problem.

High-Efficiency Furnace

High-efficiency furnaces — units with AFUE ratings of 90% or more — utilize a second stage to extract additional heat from exhaust gases. This process also condenses water vapor into a liquid that must be removed through a drain line that may discharge outdoors or into the house's drain system. Signs of plumbing problems include sudden unexplained pooling of water around the furnace.

What Can Be Done?

• To cure an overflowing AC, an HVAC technician will clear the clog in the condensate drain line as well as clean the drip pan beneath the air handler. Tablets that kill algae may also be placed in the drip pan to prevent the recurrence of clogs for the rest of the cooling season.

• If the furnace is leaking, the cause may be a clogged condensate drain line that triggers an overflow inside the unit or a leaky condensate drain pump. An experienced service tech can pinpoint the origin of the leakage and take steps to resolve the issue quickly.

For professional service to resolve plumbing problems that affect your cooling or heating system, contact Air Assurance.

How Can Your Pipes Affect the Temperature of the Water In Your Home?

You may want to draw cold water from your tap but end up with warm or hot water in your glass. Or maybe you could run out of warm water in the middle of your morning shower, forcing you to finish with cold water. These are some of the annoying consequences that you can suffer by ignoring your home's plumbing system. Let's learn more about how your pipes cause inconsistent water-temperature effects.

Leaks

Pipes exposed to extreme temperatures can rupture and leak, leading to inconsistencies in water temperature. For example, in the height of summer, the sweltering heat can make pipes expand and burst. If hot or lukewarm water comes out of your cold-water faucets for several minutes, your water pipes may have started to leak or gain massive pressure.

Faulty Dip Tube

Your conventional water heater has two pipes that extend into it. One short dip tube draws hot water from the tank, while the longer one pushes cold water downward to the bottom of the tank. When the cold-water tube detaches, cracks, develops holes, or becomes corroded, it causes cold water to mix with hot water. This leads to inconsistent temperatures.

Obstructed Pipes

If you have a tankless water heater, mineral deposits like rust, carbonates, and oxides inside your pipes can hamper its ability to deliver hot water. Vermin, nests, and other debris can also block your vent pipes and prevent the heater from operating correctly.

Just like the other systems in your home, your plumbing system requires regular attention. You can avoid the issues above by making sure your plumbing system is inspected regularly and insulated adequately and that your underground pipes are laid deep enough to protect them from extreme temperatures.

For more information on solving these water-temperature effects, contact Air Assurance. With more than 50 years of experience, our master plumbers help homeowners in the Broken Arrow area solve all their plumbing problems. We also offer our customers a Plumbing Service Plan that helps them deal with potential problems early and prevent expensive and inconvenient repairs.

From Cooking to Bathing, Keep Your Water at the Right Temperature

Your water heater does a lot for your home. It gives you hot showers, clean dishes, and much more. However, if it's not set to the right temperature, it can cause problems — especially in winter, as the cold weather can affect its operation. What's the right temperature for your water heater? Here's a guide to controlling the water temperature in your home.

The Sweet Spot

If your water temperature is too low, it can foster bacteria inside the tank, making the water unsafe to use. However, if the temperature is too high, the extra heat drives up your energy bills between three and five percent for every 10 degrees extra. Not to mention that water that's too hot can cause scalding, particularly in young children.

So what's the sweet spot for water temperature? It depends on a number of factors, but for the average person, the Department of Energy recommends 120 degrees. There should be a dial on the side of your water heater that displays the temperature and allows you to raise or lower it. Some people may require a higher temperature, but it should never, ever be lower than 120.

Special Circumstances

When controlling water temperature, there are certain factors that might require it to be a bit higher for your household. For instance, if you have someone in your home with respiratory issues, or problems with their immune system, you should turn the temperature up to 140, to reduce bacteria more effectively.

Another factor is your dishwasher. Does it preheat the water it uses or use the water from your water heater as-is? If it's the latter, you should turn your temperature up to 140, to make sure your dishes get clean enough.

On the other hand, if you have young children or elderly family members living in your home, keep the temperature at 120. Their skin is more sensitive, and hotter water can cause third-degree burns within seconds.

For more help controlling water temperature in your home, contact us at Air Assurance today. Our home-comfort solutions save money and energy for the Broken Arrow area.

Best Frozen Pipe Prevention Methods

Winters in Broken Arrow are relatively mild, but there are still some cold days. That means you still need to take steps to prepare your home for lower temperatures. In particular, you need to protect your pipes. Anytime the temperature drops below 32 degrees, they're in danger of freezing. Here are three of the best methods of frozen-pipe prevention you can use.

Insulation

Any exposed pipes, both indoors and outdoors, should be insulated. There are insulating sleeves you can put on them, which prevent the cold from getting in, or you can wrap them in heat cables or heat tape, which actively warm the pipes to prevent freezing.

Regulate Your Home Temperature

Perhaps the best method of frozen-pipe prevention is keeping your home warm enough. As long as it's kept above 32 degrees, there shouldn't be any problem.

Weatherstrip your home to keep heat in. Seal any air leaks that could cause warm air to leak out or cold air to leak in, making your house colder. Make sure there's enough insulation in your attic as well, to keep the heat in your home.

Finally, open the doors to any cabinets that have pipes in them: in the bathroom, below the kitchen sink, etc. This will help make sure warm air reaches them and keeps the water flowing.

Focus on Water

Being aware of the water is a good step toward preventing freezing. When the temperature starts to drop, drain any hoses outdoors that might have water in them. Then, turn on each of your faucets just slightly, until there's a small but steady trickle of water coming from them. As long as the water is moving, it will be more difficult to freeze.

If your pipes do freeze, wrap them in a heating pad or other heat source. Leave the faucet on, as once the water starts flowing again, it will help the ice to melt faster. If it still won't thaw, call a plumber.

For more tips on frozen-pipe prevention, contact us at Air Assurance. Broken Arrow's home-comfort needs are our No. 1 priority.