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

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!

Tips for Boosting Heating Efficiency

December 27th, 2021

Heating in Woodstock, GA is a necessity for winter. Especially when the temperature drops to an average of 35°F during the month of January. This doesn’t mean you want to pay an arm and a leg to keep your home cozy.

There are some simple tips you can do to boost the efficiency of your heating system. This will help keep your bills lower through the chilly months.

Signs That It Could Be Time for Repiping

December 13th, 2021

plumber-hands-working-on-pipe-under-sink

There’s a component of your home that you rely on each and every day, but probably don’t give a whole lot of thought to–your plumbing system! You rely on it for hot water to bathe with, cook with, clean with, and water to nourish your yard and houseplants.

But what if your pipes are old? Could this cause problems? Yup, it certainly can! Aging pipes are prone to pinhole leaks and corrosion. Sometimes, whole-house repiping is necessary to get this system back in good shape. Read on to find out if it might be time for repiping in your home!