Design Comfort Blog

A Guide on How NOT to Treat Your Plumbing System

September 12th, 2022

plumbing-pipe-with-crack-in-itWe can tell you all about taking good care of your plumbing system. In fact, if you look back through our previous blog posts, we’ve talked about things like preventing frozen pipes by taking proper precautions, knowing the signs that you might have a leak such as the sound of dripping water when no plumbing fixtures are on, and only putting certain things down your kitchen sink drain to avoid clogs.

We thought it would be helpful if we also shared what not to do when it comes to your home’s plumbing system, so that you can take the best care of it possible and potentially even avoid the hassle of calling for plumbing repairs when it’s inconvenient–and let’s face it, plumbing problems are always inconvenient, right? Read on!

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Why You Shouldn’t Try to Install Your Own Air Conditioner

August 15th, 2022

two-techs-working-on-outdoor-ac-unitFor homeowners looking to install an air conditioner this time of the year, we’re sure that time doesn’t really seem like it’s on your side, right? We get it, but unfortunately rushing into a purchase like this could leave you with a system that operates inefficiently, has frequent repair needs, and might not even last its expected 10-15 year lifespan.

Problems like this can be avoided, though, by contacting trained and experienced professionals such as the folks on our team for your air conditioner installation. Whether you’re looking to get a central AC system, heat pump, or ductless, anything other than a portable window unit really needs to be installed by a licensed professional and not left to be a DIY project. Here’s why!

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The Downsides of an Ill-Maintained Tankless Water Heater

August 1st, 2022

tankless-water-heater-on-green-tiled-wallWhat many homeowners fail to realize about tankless water heaters, is that just like their storage tank counterparts, tankless water heaters need occasional services to stay in good shape. This means keeping on top of repairs as they’re needed but also making sure that you schedule maintenance for these systems on a regular basis. If you have a tankless water heater in your home, you should have professional maintenance done at least every couple of years.

Read on to learn what can happen if you don’t maintain your tankless water heater on a regular basis.

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What Are the Most Common Air Conditioning Repair Needs?

July 18th, 2022

two-techs-working-on-air-conditionerSummer is upon us, and it’s time to put your air conditioner to the test.

Of course, you don’t have to test it at all if you’ve just had it professionally tuned-up. Professional maintenance tune-ups are needed once a year (or twice, in the case of a year-round heat pump system) to keep your air conditioner working as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible.

Maintenance also helps reduce up to 85% of the repair needs that your air conditioner might ever need in its lifetime. Still though, it is possible for repair needs to crop up between tune-ups. For this reason, it’s important that you know the signs that your cooling system needs repair, so you can give us a call right away.

Read on to learn what some of the most common AC repair needs are, and what indicators to watch out for.

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A Guide to Plumbing Maintenance

July 4th, 2022

family-at-kitchen-sinkWhether you’ve been in your home for decades and never had your plumbing inspected outside of the initial home inspection (which, by the way, doesn’t involve checking for everything that could impact your plumbing–such as your risk, of experiencing slab leaks or how old your pipes actually are) or you’re having plumbing newly installed, there is one thing we encourage you to keep in mind. This is, how important plumbing maintenance is.

Your plumbing system works hard to bring you many of today’s modern conveniences–warm showers, the ability to keep beautiful landscaping, the ability to cook and clean, etc. But without proper care, your plumbing system won’t be able to work reliably forever. But what does plumbing maintenance look like? Can you maintain your plumbing on your own?

Sure, there are definitely some plumbing maintenance tasks you can do on your own! We’ll outline these below. It’s also important, though, to trust the pros for the pig stuff. And that’s where we come in. Read on to learn more!

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Exploring Your Water Treatment Options

June 20th, 2022

woman-drinking-glass-of-waterIf you get water from the city in which you live, versus getting it from a ground well on your property, then you likely know that this water goes through a pretty heavy filtration process at the water treatment plant before it makes its way to you. What you might not know, though, is there could still be impurities with your drinking and potable water, as it has many miles to travel between the water plant and your home. It can pick up some contaminants along the way.

As a result, there’s always a small chance that some level of harmful contaminants can make it into your home’s water supply. If you notice any symptoms, such as cloudy water, soap scum left behind after washing dishes, or an oily film on top of your water, it’s time to explore your water treatment options. In fact, even if you just want to improve the overall taste and health of your water, then you may want to consider a water treatment system. Read on to learn what these options are!

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Heed These Signs Your Heat Pump Needs Professional Repairs

June 6th, 2022

smiling-man-standing-in-front-of-service-vanOne of the most common repair calls we get for heat pumps is that it’s stuck in one mode or the other. If you’re a heat pump user, then you know these are incredibly efficient, refrigerant-based, and year-round systems that provide you with efficient cooling and heating. But… one problem in particular can cause it to malfunction–its inability to switch from heating mode to cooling mode or vice-versa.

When this happens, it’s usually because of a stuck reversing valve, which requires a call to us. First, though, check to make sure the air filter is clear of debris and the thermostat is working (and set) correctly. If you’ve checked both those things and the problem is still occurring, then it’s time to give us a call.

This isn’t, however, the only problem you might ever face with your heat pump. Read on as we uncover some heat pump symptoms that mean it’s time to give our number a dial.

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It’s Never Too Late! Schedule This Vital AC Service Today…

May 23rd, 2022

3-technicians-standing-around-outdoor-ac-unitAlmost any HVAC technician you talk to, including ours, will tell you that scheduling your air conditioner maintenance in the spring is vital to the system’s functionality and efficiency. The reason springtime is the best time is because it’s right before you’ll need your air conditioner the most–waiting until the middle of summer could leave you with an unexpected and disruptive AC breakdown. Scheduling early is also more convenient for you as we’ll have more staff available to serve you as they are less likely to be out on emergency repair calls.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that just because spring is almost over, it’s too late to schedule air conditioning maintenance. Consistency matters much more here than timing does. Read on to learn why!

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How to Protect Your Kitchen Sink Drain and Garbage Disposal

May 9th, 2022

sink-drain-that-has-garbage-disposalBefore you decide to toss those potato skins down the drain, read this blog post. Although it is meant to be very convenient and easy to use, your garbage disposal system wasn’t designed to chew up everything you throw down it. There could be other items, too, that are bad for your kitchen sink in general.

Fortunately, you’re in luck! We’re here to provide homeowners just like you with expert guidance about what can and can’t go down the garbage disposal, and in doing so we hope to help you prevent some common plumbing problems. Read on to learn more!

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“What Air Conditioning System Is Best for My Home?”

April 18th, 2022

two-technicians-working-on-air-conditionerWhen a customer sets out to buy their next air conditioner, it can be an overwhelming process. After all, there are a number of options, how do you choose?

Well, it starts by contacting an experienced professional. We’ll help you make an educated decision about what cooling system options are best for your home. Additionally, we know how to properly size and match your air conditioner to your specific living space.

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