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

Is It Time for You To Install a Ductless AC System?

May 16th, 2022

ductless-air-handler-mounted-on-wall — Air conditioner blowing cold air

Ductless systems are increasingly in high demand, and there’s a good reason for this! They are incredibly efficient, easily maintained, and provide a versatile comfort experience that is unmatched by any other type of air conditioning or heating system.

Here in Georgia, it’s rare that we have to use our heaters for very long. For the limited time that we do need heating, we don’t necessarily need it to be super powerful. Ductless systems are actually perfect for climates like ours–they excel as powerful air conditioners, though can sometimes struggle as heaters when temperatures get too cold. Since the latter doesn’t happen here, it makes a ductless system a great choice.

Read on to learn more about some of the great benefits these systems present, and to learn if a ductless AC installation is right for you and your home.

Signs That You May Need Whole House Repiping

May 2nd, 2022

Do you know how old your plumbing system is? Chances are that if you’re new to your home, you don’t know this—it’s often not revealed in home inspections and it’s not a popular topic among new homebuyers—but it probably should be!

The fact of the matter is, if your home was build in the last 30 years or more, and the plumbing system has never been replaced, then you might need to explore the idea of repiping, which is when a portion or even the whole home has its plumbing pipes replaced.

But how do you know if you really need this service? Are there signs to watch out for?

We’re glad you asked! Yes, there are absolutely signs to watch out for that indicate you’re in need of whole-home repiping. Read on to learn what they are.

Why You Need a Professional for That Drain Clog

April 18th, 2022

Blurp. Blurp. Blurp.

Bubbles rise slowly to the top of the pooled water above a clogged drain to burst defiantly in your face. Stopped-up drains are a huge pain in the neck, especially the ones that are almost completely sealed off. It can feel like a Herculean effort to get it cleared out again.

To save money, many people turn to commercial drain cleaners or DIY solutions to clear the drain. However, some of these methods do more harm than good and some just plain won’t work.

Sometimes, the only good way to clear a drain is to call a professional for help. Check out the main reasons why you need a professional to clear out your clogged drain.

“Crash! Bang! Boom!” and Other Noises You Don’t Want Your Heater Making

April 4th, 2022

While we may not live in a climate that gets as bitterly cold as other parts of the country, our winters do pack a punch, and you know how important it is to have a powerful and efficient heater in your home. You should also be aware of the warning signs of a heater that’s in disrepair.

When your heater is making strange noises, it’s time to call in a professional to look at it. Sometimes, these noises are just indicators that the heater is about to break down, and other times they can signal something more serious, like a gas leak.

This guide will let you know what to listen for to take care of your heater before it becomes a bigger problem.

How to Detect Plumbing Leaks

March 21st, 2022

In our previ o us blog post, we went over an essential method to prevent plumbing leaks–routine plumbing maintenance. Still though, even with diligent care, there’s still a chance you can experience leaks between routine plumbing maintenance sessions. This week, we’re going to talk about how to find out if you already have a plumbing leak.

Knowing these signs can help you mitigate a much bigger problem–after all, leaks can be silent for a long time before you even notice the damage they’ve caused. Read on to learn more!

How To Prevent Plumbing Leaks

March 7th, 2022

woman-on-phone-while-investigating-leak-under-sink

One of the most annoying, and yet most common, problems that homeowners face is that of plumbing leaks.

There probably isn’t a homeowner in the area that hasn’t had to deal with at least one minor leak, even if it’s just a drippy sink faucet. This may leave you wondering, though, can you ever prevent a plumbing leak? And if so, how?

Well first, scheduling routine plumbing maintenance so that our professionals can inspect your pipes and make sure they’re in good shape is a great first start. Next, it’s best to avoid chemical drain cleaners… these are actually quite caustic and can eat away at the lining of your pipes, ultimately doing more harm than good.

You may still deal with a leak here or there due to wear and tear, but at least you can try your best to avoid some of the most popular leaks such as…

Have You Scheduled This Important Heating Service Yet?

February 28th, 2022

With a climate like ours, and being near the end of “winter,” whatever that word is worth to us, it might seem pretty pointless to schedule heating maintenance if you haven’t done so yet this heating season.

And yet, heating maintenance is the most important heating service you can schedule for your furnace or any other heating system.

Why? Because maintenance is the only way you’ll ensure that your heater works as efficiently and effectively as possible, for last long as possible. Sure, we might not need to use ours around here as much as our friends up north, but when you do need yours, you want it to work well right?

And the good news is, unless your heater has completely broken down to the point that no repair will get it back up and running again, it’s never too late for heating maintenance! Here’s why…

Plumbing Factors to Consider in a Kitchen Remodel

February 7th, 2022

mother-and-daughter-standing-over-kitchen-sink

Planning a remodel is one of the most fun and exciting things you can do in your home. And this is the perfect time of year to do so, between the holidays and spring/summer when you’re most likely to have guests over.

Oftentimes, however, people don’t think too much about their plumbing system in regards to their remodel. Sure, you might plan on getting a new kitchen faucet, or maybe you’re adding a garbage disposal after never having one before. But have you considered all the plumbing factors you need to?

Read on to learn more, and for your kitchen plumbing needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

What You Should Know About Your Gas Furnace Heat Exchanger

January 24th, 2022

If you’re like many homeowners in the Dunwoody area, you likely have a gas-powered furnace in your home to keep yourself and your family warm. Furnaces are a great heating choice, as they are powerful and very cost-effective.

Today’s furnaces even have a higher efficiency rating than just a short decade ago. In fact, the highest AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating for a gas furnace is 98%. Trust us, that’s efficient!

In addition to high efficiency, you want to know you can rely on safety when it comes to your heating system, right? Gas furnaces certainly are not dangerous by nature. However, if you don’t take care of your furnace as you should, then it can certainly become dangerous.

The most common culprit of a dangerous furnace, especially an older one, is a cracked heat exchanger. For a deeper understanding of why this issue is so critical, check out furnace repair needs and the danger of a cracked heat exchanger. Even if you don’t have an obvious problem with your furnace’s heat exchanger right now, if your system is 15+ years old, it’s time to start considering an upgrade.

Read on to learn more!

Here’s How to Detect a Plumbing Leak

January 10th, 2022

We’ve probably all seen those movies or TV shows that show a character discovering a terrible leak when a rainstorm hits, or when they really need to get their home ready for a gathering. These scenes are dramatized and typically involve an aggressive jet of water spewing out a cabinet.

In reality, plumbing leaks are generally not that dramatic. This can be a good thing and a bad thing.

The good news is, you’re probably not going to come home to a completely flooded home with thousands of dollars worth of property damage if you have a leak. The not-so-good news is, the damage you do have from a leak can be hidden–underneath your slab, floorboards, or even behind your drywall.

Some more good news is that there are signs you can watch out for that indicate a leak. If you keep an eye out for those signs and then call our team right away, you may be able to mitigate most of the damage. Read on to learn what these signs are!