JD's Prompt Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

Turning Off Your Water Before Vacation: Yes or No?

December 25th, 2023

In 2018, actor Frankie Muniz of “Malcolm in the Middle” fame left home to travel to his uncle’s funeral. When he returned, he found that his house had catastrophically flooded. Everything from valuable artwork to irreplaceable family photos was lost. How did this happen? And how can you make sure it doesn’t happen to you?

One topic that’s sometimes debated is whether or not a home’s water should be shut off before the family goes away for a vacation. Could this have saved Frankie Muniz’s home? If you’re leaving on vacation, should you completely shut off the water to your house? If so, how? Is there a right way to do it? We’ll tell you all about it.

Watch for These Signs of Danger from Your Heating System

December 11th, 2023

It’s dangerous to be without a heating system in the dead of winter, especially if this is one of those winters when a polar vortex brings unusually cold temperatures to Texas. But it’s also dangerous to have a faulty heating system, which could risk your health or your home. To stay safe as well as warm, be aware of these signs of danger, so you can address heating system hazards right away.

Do Pets Make Your Ducts Dirtier?

November 27th, 2023

Most heating and air conditioning systems in the US use ductwork to distribute the heated or cooled air throughout the home. This has been the standard for half a century because it works well! But no system works flawlessly all the time without upkeep, and one type of upkeep that can make a big difference is duct cleaning.

Do your ducts need to be cleaned? Since you can’t see inside them, how can you tell? One consideration that affects how dirty your ducts get is whether you have pets. How do pets affect your ducts? We’ll tell you all about it.

Why a “Gurgling Noise” Is a Problem

November 13th, 2023

graphic-of-a-complicated-tangle-of-plumbing-pipes

Aside from the whoosh of water flowing, your plumbing really shouldn’t be making any noises. Unfortunately, noises do sometimes happen, and since they’re a sign of a problem, you definitely shouldn’t ignore them. If your plumbing is making a gurgling noise, something needs to be done to address the problem. What should you do? Read on to find out.

Don’t Let These Drain Noises Surprise You!

October 16th, 2023

person-with-hand-to-ear-listening-to-a-strange-noise

The chilly season is right around the corner, which means we might be spending more time indoors and using our appliances. This is all well and good until you hear a strange noise come from your drain. What gives?

While it’s likely not a ghost, it is likely that you need a plumber. A gurgling sound from a drain, whether it’s in the bathroom or the kitchen, can indicate one of two possible problems. Here’s what you need to know.

Fall Tips: Evaluating Your Comfort

October 2nd, 2023

autumn-leaves-on-the-outdoor-unit-of-an-air-conditioner

Welcome to autumn! The weather is lovely, fall activities are in full swing, and you’re taking steps to prepare your home for winter. (Have you scheduled your heating maintenance? Don’t forget about that!)

Fall is also the perfect time for looking back on the summer and considering how well your air conditioner handled the hard work it had to do. Was your AC doing a great job? Or do you have some concerns? If your air conditioner struggled to keep you cool enough this summer, caused very high electric bills, or needs major repairs, it might be time for an upgrade.

Yes, Tiny Leaks Are Still a Big Deal

September 18th, 2023

kitchen-cabinets-open-with-plumbing-tools-laid-out

When you have a burst pipe gushing water out into your home, you know for sure you need to deal with it immediately. An emergency plumber is absolutely required! But what about a tiny leak? Can you safely wipe up the drips and ignore it, or at least postpone repairs for a while? No! While a tiny leak is not an emergency which requires a plumber right this minute, it is still a big deal, and does require prompt repair. Here’s why.

Why a Heat Pump Upgrade Is Worth It

September 4th, 2023

Heat pumps are amazing. Not only do they function as fantastic air conditioners, they also heat your home in the winter. And in our climate, they can do that more efficiently than any other heating system. This is because, instead of generating heat, they simply transfer it from one place to another. Even when it’s quite chilly outside, they can bring warmth in, because the outdoor air doesn’t need to be warmer than the indoor air, it only needs to be warmer than the refrigerant.

But there have been major advancements in the technology that air conditioners use in recent years. And that same technology is used by heat pumps. If you have an older heat pump, it won’t have these impressive new features. Here’s what you would gain by upgrading to a new heat pump.

Refrigerant Leaks: Our Guide to Fixing Them

August 21st, 2023

Refrigerant is the lifeblood of your air conditioner or heat pump. With the compressor, like a heart, forcing it to flow through the indoor and outdoor coils in a continuous circuit, it absorbs and releases heat and provides the cooling you so desperately need during a Texas summer. Because it is a continuous circuit, a closed loop, there should never be a need for more refrigerant. The system doesn’t use it up like fuel. But there are times when it must be refilled. Occasionally, a leak occurs, causing refrigerant to be lost from the AC system. Catching this issue early will prevent it from causing bigger problems.

Start With a Video Pipe Inspection

August 7th, 2023

Do you have any idea what’s going on in your plumbing? Maybe you’re new at homeownership, or you’re considering purchasing a home. Maybe your home is older, with pipes whose materials you aren’t certain of, or there have been changes or additions to the plumbing system. Maybe you’ve got some suspicions that there are problems going on in there somewhere. If you don’t have clarity about exactly what’s going on in your plumbing or where, how do you begin? Video pipe inspection can give you the answers you need.