Design Comfort Blog

When to Trade in a Heating Repair for Heater Replacement

February 18th, 2019

gas-powered-furnace-systemIf you’re reading this now, it likely means you are facing an unexpected problem with your heating system. We’re sorry, we know that’s quite the inconvenience, to put it lightly. The good news is, when you work with our team, you can rest assured that you’ll be matched with a professional who knows a thing or two about heating systems and what the best course of action to take is with your heater.

Sometimes, it may be a repair. But other times, your aging heater may be beyond repair—you need a new heater. We’ve covered some signs below that it is, in fact, time to say goodbye to your current heating system and invest in a new one.

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Now Is the Time to Check Your Sump Pump

February 4th, 2019

sump-pump-in-basementIn some areas of the country, homeowners have no idea what a sump pump even is, and they never really need to know. Their homes may be in a position that flooding is unlikely, or that their home doesn’t have a low enough point that it would be impacted—such as a basement or crawlspace.

We aren’t so fortunate though—flooding is an issue where we live and basements are prone to its impact. Spring temperatures begin thawing out the snow and can send water into your home faster than you know it. Fortunately, you needn’t look very far for professional Salt Lake City sump pump services. In the meantime, we want to help you perform a little sump pump maintenance on your own to make sure your home is ready for the change of seasons slowly but surely on its way!

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What Does It Mean If Your Furnace Booms?

January 21st, 2019

Shocked and surprisedIt doesn’t mean anything good. No, your furnace is probably not going to explode. In fact, that’s not at all what’s going to happen. But a booming furnace, or a noisy furnace period, is a definite sign that you’re in need of a professional furnace repair in Salt Lake City, UT.

Of course, when we say this, we are referring to gas-powered furnaces. All furnaces today are built with safety in mind, but there is always a risk when you’re utilizing natural gas for an appliance in your home. Keep reading to learn more about what booming means for your gas furnace.

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“I Skipped Maintenance This Year, Is My Heater at Risk?”

January 7th, 2019

Keep silence. Scared woman covering mouth with hands while posing to camera on gray studio background. Shocked girl close lips with palms, speak no evil conceptIt may very well be, but the good news is, it’s never too late for a heating maintenance appointment! Sure, we do recommend that homeowners have this service done in the fall, before you need your heater on a daily basis. However, that matters less than how often you have your heater tuned-up. We advise that all homeowners have their heaters maintained at least once a year. If you have a heat pump system—that is, a 2-in-1 HVAC system that you use year round—then you’ll want to schedule a tune-up twice a year.

The fact of the matter is, the biggest and typically costliest of heating repair needs can almost always be prevented, just by keeping up on your annual (or biannual) maintenance appointments! It’s at this time that our technicians get the chance to fully inspect and clean your heater, making any necessary adjustments and recommendations for repairs as we go, giving you plenty of time to get those professional repairs on your schedule at your convenience! Without maintenance, you may find yourself with any number of heating problems, two of which we cover below.

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“Help! My Pipes Froze—Now What?”

December 24th, 2018

Icicles hanging from a brown pipe. Frozen water and metal surface, winter time concept. selective focus shallow depth of field photoThe weather is getting progressively colder and drier, leaving many homeowners to scramble to make their HVAC maintenance calls if they haven’t already, or ensuring their indoor air quality equipment is in good shape to get the through the season. But as temperatures drop, be sure you don’t forget one other very important system in your home—the plumbing system.

We recommend that if you haven’t already, you take precautions now to help prevent pipe freeze. This can include disconnecting outside homes and faucets, insulating your host bibs, and checking to ensure any exposed pipes in your home are insulated—this includes indoor pipes that are under your bathroom and kitchen sinks! If you’re looking for more tips on how to best prepare your home for winter temperatures, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for professional Salt Lake City plumbing services.

In the meantime, what do you do if you’re reading this post and your pipes already froze?

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Be a Hero to Your Drains: Toss That Chemical Solution

December 10th, 2018

Plumber unclogging a tub drain with an electric auger.First, let’s get one thing straight. A professional plumber is going to clear your drains more successfully than you can. We understand that clogs happen and that they’re annoying when they do. However, when homeowners try to handle clogs in their homes, they reach for a store-bought drain cleaner, which is not going to do them any favors.

In fact, they can end up causing more trouble! It is always better to contact a professional plumber for blockages. Design Comfort offers Salt Lake City drain cleaning, so you’ll never have to use a store-bought cleaner.

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Defeating Water Heater Obstacles: Hard Water

November 26th, 2018

hot-water-faucetYou may have heard the term hard water at some point or another, but maybe don’t know what it actually is. Hard water is water that has a high presence of minerals in it—namely, calcium and magnesium. These minerals are harmless to your health, but the same cannot be said for your plumbing system. Your pipes and your quality of life can suffer in a number of ways due to hard water. Here are some of them:

  • Hard water makes it hard for soap to lather, turning cleaning and showering into nuisance chores.
  • It leaves buildup on the inside of your pipes, which can lead to clogs and subsequent drop in water pressure.
  • It stains your laundry and leads to the quicker breakdown of your clothing and other washables.

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Tap-tap-tap: Where is That Plumbing Leak Coming From?

November 12th, 2018

Pouring water in the kitchenWhether it’s a “tap-tap-tap” you hear, a slow drip, or a quiet rush of water even though no plumbing appliances are running, you know it means you probably have a leak—one of the most annoying problems for homeowners to face. After all, even a “minor” leak such as a dripping faucet can waste gallons of water over time. Small leaks trick you into thinking they really aren’t a big deal—until the costs on your water bill start to add up.

Bigger leaks waste even more water, of course, but can also do extensive damage to your property. Leaks that start behind walls or beneath floors and above ceilings, can develop without you even noticing them right away. Since so much of your plumbing system is hidden from sight, and since leaks really can form anywhere within your plumbing system, it’s essential that you learn how to spot them. And once you do, the next step will be to call a professional Salt Lake City plumber. In the meantime, we’ve given you some pertinent signs to watch out for, below, which indicate it’s time for you to go ahead and call that pro.

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You Probably Aren’t Imagining Those Ominous Heater Sounds

October 29th, 2018

beautiful surprised young woman in glasses standing in front of wonderful blue backgroundThe gentle hum of your heating system as you start it up is, of course, nothing to be alarmed about. After all, you know the normal noises of your heating system, which means that you can typically tell when something is “off.” A strange noise doesn’t automatically mean you have a heating emergency on your hands, but it is definitely something to pay attention to, and call for Salt Lake City heating repair from a trained professional ASAP.

In the meantime, want to know what these ominous heater sounds actually mean? Keep reading to learn about the most common noises we get calls for and what they might indicate, then, give us a call so we can stop those noises once and for all!

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How to Choose a Heater Worth Your Investment

October 15th, 2018

green-home-see-saw-moneyWith temperatures already taking a nosedive, now is not the time to be facing a broken down heater. Nevertheless, it might happen. Particularly if you had an aging heater and/or if you skipped maintenance for said heater. Of course, the first option is to schedule a Salt Lake City heating repair service, but what if that isn’t enough? What if you find that you need a new heating system altogether?

Your first instinct might be to rush out and buy the very first heater you can find within your budget, and the same model as the one you have now, to spare any extra time the installation could take otherwise. We understand this urgency, but also think it’s very important to consider your purchase and make sure that not only are you thinking about your initial budget, but how you might cut back on monthly expenses moving forward. So how can you choose the best heater? And what are your options?

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