September 2022 - One Source Home Service

What Counts as Emergency Plumbing

It is all too common for us to overlook how essential a good plumbing system is until it breaks down. When plumbing problems occur, they normally occur at the most inconvenient times of life. Whether your life is busy with a hectic routine or you are in a rush for an important event, some kind of plumbing issue is bound to occur.

Though most emergency plumbing situations are difficult to foresee, you can be prepared by knowing what they are and what to do when they happen. In this article, we will go over some of the common emergency plumbing situations that will need a professional’s help.

Sewer Leaks

Sewer leaks are not just emergencies; they are every homeowner’s worst nightmare. First, they produce an awful order that will contaminate your air and disrupt the comfort of your home.

Second, sewer leaks attract bugs, flies, and or rodents who enjoy the sewer smells and the extra moisture that the leaks create. If sewer leaks are not fixed immediately, the extra moisture will promote mold growth.

And finally, sewer leaks require excessive amounts of water to be wasted, and that will lead to higher water bills. Clearly, this situation will require the help of emergency plumbing services.

To learn more about sewer leaks, read our blog about the 5 signs of a needed sewer repair.

Water Leaks of Any Kind

If you notice any water leaks around your home, they must be taken care of as soon as possible. Though it may seem that they aren’t hurting you that much, prolonged water leaks will result in several adverse effects.

First of all, water leaks result in higher water bills which will hurt your household budget in the long run. Water leaks tend to grow in size if they aren’t taken care of immediately. The excess moisture produced by water leaks will result in mold.

Mold produces a lot of bad consequences, such as structural damage and health complications for those exposed to it. Therefore, water leaks require emergency plumbing repair.

Pipe Clogs

Another common plumbing emergency is when the pipes clog up with excess debris and dirt. No, if a pipe clog goes unnoticed, it may grow and eventually cause the pipe to burst. This will require expensive repairs and possible replacements of pipes.

Pipe clogs can also lead to poor drainage and sewer backflow into your toilets, tubs, and sinks. We can assure you that this occurrence will not be met favorably by the inhabitants of your home. It will create a terrible stench, attract pests, and make those areas of your home inoperable until the clog is cleared. For help in this area, you will need to contact the local plumbing emergency technicians, such as the ones at One Source Home Service.

Do you have a clogged drain in your home? Read our blog, where we answer some of the frequently asked questions about drain repair.

Water Heater Repair

There is no greater disappointment than when you attempt to take a shower but are met with cold water. When this happens, you most likely are in need of a water heater repair service. Even if taking a shower and cold water isn’t a big deal, hot water is essential in the rest of the home. It helps us observe many of the sanitary requirements and cook our food appropriately. Therefore, a broken water heater is a plumbing emergency.

We do not recommend trying to fix a water heater by yourself as it can void your warranty and pose a great risk to your health. A broken water heater may cause you to consider whether your home needs a new boiler. Read our blog to understand if it is time to replace your water heater.

Contact One Source Home Service for Emergency Plumbing Services!

Whether you are in need of emergency plumbing services or general plumbing upkeep, the plumbers at One Source Home Service are here to see to your every need. We are available around the clock in Colorado Springs to assist you with your plumbing emergencies. Contact us today at 719-359-5292.

5 Signs of a Sewage Leak

Not all plumbing problems are easy to spot in your home. These issues can be hidden well, and without careful attention, they will develop into very large problems. Sewage leaks are among the plumbing issues that can often be hard to spot, and as a result, the needed repairs will be delayed. Below we discuss the five top signs of possible sewage leaks. Read on to see if this is a possible problem in your home.

Poor Odors

The first giveaway of a sewage leak is a poor odor in and around the home. The sewer smell is unmistakable and is commonly caused by a leak in the sewer pipes. If the leak has gone unnoticed for an extended period of time, the presence of mold may also cause a poor odor.

If you notice any of these types of odors, please don’t hesitate to contact an emergency plumber in your area. The contaminants in sewer and mold can be a health hazard that will lead to complications in the upper respiratory system, migraines, and cognitive dysfunction.

Sewage leaks drastically decrease the air quality in your home. Check out this article on how to maintain good air quality in your home.

Increase of Pests

A sewage leak attracts pests of all species. Cockroaches, flies, centipedes, and silverfish all love moisture. Sewage odors are heaven for rodents and rats, but the presence of these pests and a sewage leak is a nightmare for homeowners. The amount of pests you notice in your home will vary depending on the severity of the leak. Regardless of its size, though, a professional will need to help with this situation before any more destruction takes place.

Wet or Damp Floors

Leaks can often cause wet or damp floors. This is very destructive to the structure of the floor. If you notice that water keeps appearing even after mopping, a leak is most likely the cause. Sewer leaks don’t always occur in sewer lines, but if you have sewer smells and wet floors, you almost certainly have a sewage leak.

Certain wood floors are very sensitive to any kind of moisture. Regardless of what kind of leak it may be, it needs to be investigated as it can lead to very expensive repairs. Plus, an increase in moisture will lead to mold, and we all know how dangerous that can be to the home and to the health of those residing in it.

Pipe leaks of any kind can be caused by poorly winterized plumbing. Read our tips for how to prepare your plumbing system for this winter season.

Indentations in the Lawn

Because the sewage system is installed below the ground, it is important to pay attention to the condition of the ground around your property. Sewer contains a great source of fertilizer provided by fecal matter. If a sewage leak is present, you will notice patches of green grass that are significantly more luscious than other parts of your lawn.

A dead giveaway of a sewage leak is if you don’t have a grassy lawn and begin to notice a patch of grass in random places. Even if this is the only sign you notice, be sure to have it thoroughly inspected because greater issues will arise from a possible leak.

High Water Costs

Sewage leaks require a larger amount of water. A telltale sign of any plumbing leaks is an increased water bill, and it can very well be in your sewer lines. Take a look at your water bill. Is the amount owed more than what you typically pay? If so, you may need to consult a professional plumber who will help investigate the problem.

High water bills can be an indication of many common plumbing emergencies. Check out our blog to learn about these plumbing emergencies.

Did You Notice Any of These Signs in Your Home?

Are any of these issues present in your home? They may be symptoms of a sewage leak that will need to be addressed before it gets worse. The professional and experienced plumbers at One Source Home Service are prepared to investigate and repair these leaks. Contact us today at (719) 359-5292.

Boiler vs. Furnace: Know your HVAC

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in our homes are complex. The many parts and terms used when discussing this very technical subject can seem foreign at times. To simplify your HVAC for you, we will discuss boilers vs. furnaces, and help you determine which heating unit right for your home.

What is a Boiler?

A boiler often looks like a round or rectangular-shaped tank that heats the inside its chambers. Once the water or steam is heated, it is then distributed through pipes or radiators that travel throughout the house. Boilers aid in heating the home when its cold. Now, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of using a boiler vs. furnace heating in your home.

Pros of Boilers

Do not use ducts to provide heat, thus eliminating the spread of dust or allergens that collect in the ducts.
They provide heating while operating quietly.
Less expensive to operate during winter months in comparison to furnaces

Cons of Boilers

When comparing boilers vs. furnaces, they are less efficient with a 50-90% and that number decreases with the system’s age.
Initial purchase and installation costs are rather expensive

Boilers come with the ability to be powered by natural gas, propane, heating, and electricity. They typically last 15-30 years, depending on how well maintained they are, their manufacturer, and the climate they are used in.

What are some of the common signs of a needed water replacement? Read our blog to find out.

What is a Furnace?

In contrast to the boiler, a furnace heats air and distributes it throughout the house via air ducts with the help of a blow more. It functions much like an air conditioner but produces warm air to heat the house.

Pros of Furnaces

When comparing the efficiency of boilers vs. furnaces, the efficiency rates of furnaces are higher at a range of 59-98.5%.
Furnaces are less expensive to install than boilers
Furnaces heat quicker than boilers, which is very useful in the coldest days of the year.

Cons of Furnaces

Furnaces are much louder than boilers
They use air ducts to distribute warm air which is an opportunity to spread dust and allergens throughout the house.
Blow motors that spread the warm air need periodic replacement or repair. If they should loosen, they will cause a great deal of noise. That noise is among one of the common reasons for furnace repair.

While furnaces are less expensive to install in comparison to boilers, one must note that operating a furnace is more expensive in the long run. This is especially true for those homes that continue to use older models of furnaces.

Boiler vs. Furnace: Which Do I Need?

So which heating system do you need in your home? According to Energy Saver, the following four factors will determine whether you need a boiler or a furnace in your home.

Fuel

The type of fuel your heating system will need will largely depend on where you live in the country. Different regions use different fuel sources. Luckily, both boilers and furnaces use common fuels.

Climate

The type of heater you get will also depend on the climate you live in. In warmer climates, a space heater may be sufficient enough for the few cold days. However, the midwestern regions require central heating due to the frigid temperatures they face throughout the winter months.

Efficiency

Obviously, high efficiency heaters will cost more at the initial purchasing stage. The efficiency you choose will depend on your personal budget and the monthly operating costs you’re willing to pay.

Size

Finally, boilers and furnaces come in various sizes and the system you choose must be able to accommodate your home’s needs. For the most accurate sizing of your unit, consult a professional HVAC technician.

How much does it cost to install a new heating system? Read our blog to learn about how this installation cost is broken down.

Contact One Source Home Service Today!

Clearly, there are several differences between a boiler vs. a furnace. However, with the professional and experienced technicians from One Source Home Service, your decision does not have to be a difficult one. Contact One Source Home Service today to schedule a consultation and to learn which heating system is right for you. Call us at (791) 532-900.

Can My AC Handle a Power Surge?

Electricity is a highly valued resource that powers our everyday lives. However, because it is so integral in our routines and households, it is often easy to overlook its importance until something bad happens. Today, we will explore one of the most dreadful electrical events called a power surge.

Using decades of training and experience, the team of electricians at One Source Home Service compiled this article to define what a power surge is, how it affects the home, and how to prevent it. Read on to learn how you can avoid this terrible circumstance in your home.

Power Surge Defined

Power surges are a phenomenon caused by a significant spike in the current of an electrical system. This occurs as a result of circuit boards that are too overloaded for appliances and other electrical devices to handle. Though this surge lasts less than a second, the damage it causes is often irreparable and long lasting. Power surges are caused by electrical overload, faulty wiring, lightning, and power outages.

Power Surge Vs. Power Outage

Power surges and outages are frequently confused. Before we continue our discussion on power surges, we will differentiate between the two events. A power outage happens when electricity isn’t running through the home. The lights and appliances aren’t working due to faulty wiring or something breaking. Power outages are also a result of local power structures being struck down in an accident or weather storm. Sometimes, local power authorities mandate power outages to conserve energy.

We can see that an outage is entirely different from a power surge, which is a surplus of energy being transferred through the electrical system. This is caused by an increase in energy such as a lightning storm, or as we said earlier, from a faulty electrical set up.

Power Surge Effects on the Home

How does a power surge affect the home and what kind of damage can you expect? Below we breakdown major electrical components of the home and explain how each will be affected by a power surge.

Air Conditioner

Now that you learned a bit about power surges, you may wondering, “Can my AC handle a power surge?” Unfortunately, the answer here is no. Though it is just a millisecond occurrence, that quick surge can do quite a bit of damage. It will burn up some of the wires and fuses, while also causing extensive compressor damage. It can fry the capacitors and bring them to an irreparable state. Often, air conditioning systems require replacement or extensive repair after a power surge.

Circuit Board

The circuit boards and its capacitors will also be fried as a result of a power surge. The capacitors on it will also burn out, causing them to turn on and off frequently. In most cases, it doesn’t even turn.

Furnace

Now you may think that your furnace can’t possibly be affected. After all, it is powered by gas. However, both gas and electric furnaces can be burned up by the power surge. This will cause it to stop working and require replacement. Unless you’ve recently won the lottery or have a good savings account, this replacement will be an expensive one.

Speaking of furnaces, does yours need an inspection? Read our article to find out.

How To Prevent a Power Surge

The technicians at One Source Home Service have seen countless power surges and have compiled a few strategies to help you protect yourself from such damage. These strategies include:

Not using an electronic device? Unplug it!
Use power strips and surge protectors regularly
Update you wiring system
Get some volt surge protectors!

If you’ve had a power outage in the area, a power surge may occur after the power is restored. To mitigate a surge, make sure to do the following during the outage to protect yourself:

Turn off the thermostat
Turn off major appliances at the circuit breaker
After power is returned, use the circuit breaker to turn each appliance and AC on
Allow 30 minutes for the electricity to run before turning on the AC and appliances, if applicable.

This slow restart of the systems will prevent a massive overload of power after it being absent for a time. It will ensure that your home is safe and in working order after an outage.

Another protective measure you can take to protect your home from a disaster is to winterize your plumbing. Read our blog to learn how!

Schedule Your Electrical Service Today!

Whether your home recently suffered a power surge or other electrical problems, you will need the help of reliable and skilled electricians like the ones from One Source Home Service. Our electricians are available for your assistance 24/7. Call us today to schedule your service at 719-532-9000, or fill out our contact form online and one of our representatives will get in touch.