HVAC & Plumbing Blog by DC Cheek Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

Drain Cleaning Tips from the Pros

June 15th, 2020

The number one tip we will always share when it comes to drain cleaning is, “don’t use chemical store-bought drain cleaner!” It’s never a good idea.

Look, we get it, a clogged drain is one of those problems that you expect you can resolve easily. Just pour some liquid down there and voila! The clog is gone. But that’s not quite how it works. Clogs can be insidious in the sense that even though you can get rid of them for a while, they just come back. That is, if you aren’t using the right drain cleaning practices.

When you hear the term “plumbing problem” you probably think of water flooding the floors, or a persistent drip coming from one of your faucets that you just can’t seem to repair. These are, of course, certainly worth a call to a plumber in their own right, but so too is a clogged or backed up drain.

What Type of Air Conditioning Is Best for Your Home?

June 1st, 2020

With summer right around the corner and temperatures already considerably warming up, it can be nerve-wracking to be in need of an air conditioner replacement. But if your AC isn’t performing as it used to or has broken down completely, you don’t really have a choice.

This is a big investment and we know it’s not one that comes easy, but we really do have to urge you to consider your options and who you’re working with for the job, rather than rushing into a purchase that might not be the best choice for your particular home.

If you’re on the fence about replacing your air conditioner or not sure what system is even the best for your home, we encourage you to read on!

Questions to Ask Your HVAC Contractor

May 18th, 2020

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When you need to replace your HVAC system, or even schedule a tune-up or small repair, you have a decision to make on who to call. It may seem like a minor decision, but it can make a major difference to your HVAC system’s efficiency and longevity!

It’s a good idea to establish a relationship with an HVAC contractor before you trust them to do work in your home. Fortunately, we’ve provided a bit of a guideline below on the questions that you may want to ask your HVAC contractor before inviting them to install or service your climate control system.

How to Spot a Cooling System in Disrepair

May 4th, 2020

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Your household’s central air conditioning system is one of the most important features of your home in regards to comfort and quality of life. It’s also one of the most specialized. As a homeowner, there’s a number of tasks you can take on, like fixing a leaky faucet or tightening a nail in a piece of furniture. But when it comes to your air conditioning needs, repairs require specialized knowledge and training.

Just like the vehicle you drive, or any other large piece of equipment, your air conditioner needs routine maintenance to keep working as it should. It’s a lot easier, not to mention cheaper, to address problems when they’re just starting out than waiting until months later when you can’t ignore them because your AC broke down. Maintenance helps you avoid large repair needs and keeps your cooling costs down, but of course, there is still a chance your system will need repair. How can you tell?

Have You Scheduled AC Maintenance Yet?

April 20th, 2020

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We get it—when an HVAC professional suggests maintenance for your air conditioning system, it can be an easy recommendation for you to dismiss. Unless something is wrong with your cooling system right now, like you noticed a sudden loss of cooling power, you may be tempted to put off maintenance, particularly if your air conditioner has been working “just fine.”

The fact of the matter is, though, that just like maintenance for your car, routine AC maintenance is vital to the performance of your cooling system as well as repair prevention. An as a trusted resource in your community, our team has the responsibility to share with you why regular maintenance is so important, and when you should schedule it.

Don’t Ignore These 3 Sounds from Your AC System

April 6th, 2020

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While homeowners in some parts of the country are still using their heaters for the foreseeable future, here in the Woodstock area we’re just about ready to turn them off for the season and turn our attention to our air conditioners. Since this is the case, we hope you’ve already had maintenance done on your cooling system. Professional maintenance allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect your air conditioner. We’ll adjust and clean components that need it, then make recommendations for repairs as needed.

Maintenance helps slow the accumulation of wear and tear and ultimately helps your air conditioner last longer. You also can rest assured knowing you’ll rarely be surprised by unexpected repair needs.

All that said, it’s always a good idea to know the signs that your AC is in disrepair, even if you have had maintenance done already. There are various symptoms a malfunctioning cooling system can display, but there are 3 ominous sounds in particular you should be particularly aware of:

Why Is Professional HVAC Installation So Important?

March 23rd, 2020

If you’ve come upon this blog post, it’s likely that you’re starting to look into an air conditioner replacement—or perhaps as we progress into spring you’ve realized that your heater is ready to call it quits and it’s time for an upgrade. No matter the situation, we really can’t stress enough how important it is that you not rush this purchase, and also, leave the installation job to the pros.

There are a number of reasons we advise this. For starters, there’s a lot of work that goes into each and every HVAC installation job we do, and this task contributes to your comfort and the efficiency of the system, not to mention the safety of your home and family. This is especially true if we’re talking about gas-powered heaters! Attempting to do such work yourself could lead to problems, similar to the dangers of trying to fix a furnace on your own, making professional help essential.

Read on as we uncover the steps that our technicians go through during an HVAC installation, so you can better understand why it’s so important to trust a pro.

It’s Time! Schedule Your Cooling System Tune-Up Today

March 9th, 2020

It can be easy for our customers to dismiss the need for air conditioning maintenance. Unless something is terribly wrong with your cooling system after all—like, say, you noticed a sudden loss of cooling power—you can be very tempted to put off a tune-up, particularly if your AC has been working “just fine.”

The thing is, “just fine” isn’t always good enough! Just like maintenance for your vehicle, routine cooling system maintenance is essential to the system’s performance, longevity, and overall efficiency. It’s also the best way to prevent the worst of repair needs. What does maintenance do, though? Read on as we uncover some of the truths of maintenance, and please give us a call when you’re ready to schedule your next tune-up!

These Noises Signal a Problem with Your Furnace

February 24th, 2020

If you’ve had your furnace even just a couple of years, you’re likely well acquainted with what it sounds like when it is operating. So, if it starts to make loud or unusual sounds during its operation, it’s a good indication that something is amiss. You should call on a pro to examine your furnace and ensure that everything is working effectively and efficiently.

What kind of noises are we referring to? Read on as we uncover some of the most common sounds that warrant a call to our team.

Do You Know What Size Heater You Need?

February 10th, 2020

We’re going to make an assumption here and say that if you’re reading this blog at the time of its publishing, you’re scrambling to find a new heater and don’t have any time to waste. The coldest of our weather is upon us, and all you want to do is rush out and get the most affordable heater you can find, and have just anyone install it so you can get your home comfort back, right?

Choosing to skip professional installation, however, can be a big mistake. Trusting an amateur or trying to do the installation on your own can lead to comfort issues, efficiency problems, and even safety hazards. One other problem that most people don’t think about because they don’t even realize it’s a problem is getting the wrong size furnace or heat pump. Read on to learn more!