Category: Blog

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the major problems with using duct tape to seal or repair HVAC ducts. While the term is understandably confusing and based on some historical misconceptions about what duct tape is, it’s unfortunately become a common source of home HVAC issues among those who attempt to use it for purposes it isn’t meant for.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re happy to help with a variety of air conditioner or furnace repair needs, including assistance with air flow or duct issues taking place in your HVAC system. In today’s part two of our series, we’ll go over some other reasons why duct tape and other forms of low-quality HVAC tape are not recommended for themes like sealing or securing air ducts, plus the proper method for carrying out such services.

Dust and Debris

Most basic tape will stick to just about anything, and this becomes an issue fairly quickly when dealing with ducts. These areas will build up dust and other bits of debris over time as part of their natural operations, especially in older homes or those with unfinished basements.

And in these cases, duct tape and other forms of HVAC tape will not be sticking to the ducts themselves – they’ll be sticking to the outer layer of dust. This means the seal won’t be as good and can break easily, for one. For another, this raises the chances of airborne contaminants making it into your breathing air, as these particles will have a better chance of slipping in underneath this imperfectly-sealed tape.

Proper Duct Sealing Materials

So if your ducts are having sealing or leak issues, what should be done about it? There are actually certain forms of tape that are meant for this process, namely professional-grade tapes that are both metallized and have cloth as part of their materials. These are meant to provide improved adhesion and strength compared to options like duct tape, removing the concerns we’ve gone over to this point.

Professional Service

On top of using the right products, however, we strongly recommend you leave any significant duct sealing or repair job to our HVAC technicians. Not only do we maintain a stock of all the best sealing materials, our pros also have the expertise to locate leaks and assess related concerns that might be taking place, such as strange sounds or other signs of HVAC problems that a homeowner likely won’t identify on their own. You’ll find both improved convenience and a lighter impact on your bank account by relying on our team for these kinds of professional repairs.

For more on the issues with duct tape and other HVAC tape for duct repairs, or to learn about any of our HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

There are several examples of words or terms in the English language that just don’t make a whole lot of sense, and one that fits right into the HVAC world is duct tape. The word “duct” included in this title seems to pretty clearly indicate that this tape will be effective for sealing or otherwise repairing HVAC air ducts – but in reality, this is not the case at all, and duct tape is not recommended for these uses at all.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re happy to offer numerous HVAC services, from AC or furnace installation to many duct-related themes, including installation of ductless mini-split heating systems for those who want to remove any duct concerns whatsoever. We’re also here to steer you away from certain homeowner HVAC mistakes, one of the most common of which is using duct tape for HVAC ducts when this should never be done. This two-part blog will go over why duct tape and other forms of HVAC tape are limited at best in their efficacy when it comes to duct sealing or repairs, and generally should not be used for these purposes.

History of Duct Tape

For starters, it’s helpful to understand the history of duct tape to grasp exactly why it’s become such a misnomer today. Duct tape was created during the World War I period, originally meant as a consumer-grade tape that was meant for ammunition boxes. At the time, it was actually known as “duck” tape – either because it was made with duck cloth or because of the images its water-resistant properties invoked of water slipping off a duck’s back.

By the 1950s, however, this name had changed. Somehow, with folks assuming this tape would be useful for their air ducts, the term shifted to duct tape. However, as we’ll dig into further in our subsequent sections, duct tape is not actually useful for these purposes – more below.

Moisture Concerns

One of the top concerns with modern forms of HVAC tape, including duct tape, is moisture reaction. Many ducts will deal with water vapor and moisture, plus could have crack or leak issues that cause small amounts of condensed water to seep out. If you’re attempting to cover these issues with HVAC tape, it will not properly prevent this moisture leakage, leading to mold issues, water damage and other concerns.

Temperature Issues

Another major problem with duct tape is its inability to resist temperature changes. Your air ducts go through a wide range of temperatures throughout the year, but these fluctuations will wear down duct tape and cause it to lose its adhesive properties fairly quickly. What good is a sealant tape for an HVAC system if it can’t stay attached? None, really.

For more on why duct tape isn’t actual meant for your air ducts, or to learn about any of our HVAC or plumbing services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the common reasons why your bathroom, and specifically your toilet, is letting off foul odors well beyond the normal scope. The toilet doesn’t always smell great based on its common uses, but there are situations where significant odors will linger well beyond their normal levels, even when it’s been hours in between uses, and these often signal damage or other issues taking place.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re happy to offer numerous toilet repair and related services for those experiencing any issues with this vital plumbing fixture. What are some of the other possible causes of these foul sewage odors in or around your toilet, and how can you both be rid of them and be sure they aren’t signaling a larger problem that needs to be remedied? Part two of our series will look at these areas in detail.

Bacteria Presence

One toilet odor issue that’s a bit less common in Utah due to the dry air, but still may take place at times, is the presence of bacteria that makes its way up through the toilet and into your breathing air. These bacteria are most prone to this effect during humid conditions – this means if you’re able to keep your bathroom relatively dry, like the state itself, you should be able to avoid this concern.

If you determine a humid bathroom space has allowed these bacteria up through your sewer system, bleach is the primary solution. Pour it into the overflow pipe or the flush valve of your system, rather than the bowl itself, as this will ensure it hits the entire system.

P-Trap or Vent Pipe Concerns

Under your sink and/or toilet in the bathroom, there’s a section of piping called the P-Trap. Shaped like a U, this pipe is meant to hold a small amount of water specifically to guard against smells making their way up into your bathroom.

If this water is allowed to evaporate, however, this protective layer vanishes. If this has happened, which is more common for lesser-used toilets where water sits for long periods, either pour water down the drain or flush the toilet to re-fill the P-Trap. If the odor persists, you have a more significant issue and should call our plumbers for repairs.

Sink Overflow

Finally, your bathroom sink actually may be the cause of the odor in certain cases. This can happen if your sink has an overflow mechanism meant to relieve the pressure if the sink is overfilled – but this same mechanism can collect sewage and other buildup, and eventually smell really bad. In some cases you can clean this on your own, while in others you’ll need our plumbers for a full drain cleaning.

For more on how to diagnose the cause of poor odors coming from your toilet area, or to learn about any of our drain cleaning, toilet repair or other plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

As we’re all well aware, toilets and bathrooms can get stinky for somewhat obvious reasons. Bodily waste doesn’t exactly smell great, but a good toilet will remove any significant odors through proper flushing and drainage – and if you’ve noticed that your toilet is not doing this, and is remaining stinky and putting out putrid odors even well after it’s been used, this could be a problem.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re happy to provide numerous toilet repair and related services for any homeowner experiencing odor or other issues with one or more of their toilets. For us to adequately assess and remedy a smell issue in your toilet, we must first investigate the cause of the issue – and there could be a few different such causes. This two-part blog series will look at several of the underlying reasons why your toilet might be letting off poor odors even between uses.

Broken Toilet Seal

All toilets today come with a wax ring inside their base, and this feature is responsible for sealing the toilet – not only against moisture leakage, but also against odor. It’s meant to be airtight, keeping many of the smells that exist in your pipes and below your toilet from making their way into your breathing air.

If this seal is damaged or broken, however, both air and moisture can make their way through. The first signs here will often be a toilet that rocks back and forth when you sit on it, or you may also begin to notice smells and/or leaks at the bottom of the toilet. In these cases, call our plumbers right away for a repair of your wax seal.

Rare Usage

In some homes, certain toilets won’t get a whole lot of use. Some have a basement toilet, for instance. These toilets may smell when they’re flushed for the first time, or because their water has evaporated and allowed smells to travel from inside the drain up to your air. If you have one of these toilets, we recommend flushing it at least once or twice a month just to prevent this and other risks.

Clogs or Blockages

Another of the most common causes of odors from the toilet: Blockages or clogs, which can take place due to long-term buildup or due to a single instance of an incorrect item being flushed down. Other signs of blockages include slow draining or even toilets overflowing when they refuse to drain, but in many cases odor is present well before these events take place – and you can prevent such concerns by remedying the blockage right away, something our plumbers are happy to help with.

For more on the causes of odors coming from your toilet, or to learn about any of our toilet repair or other plumbing services, HVAC services and more, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basic tips on improving your home’s heating efficiency. As we move into fall and toward the colder winter, many homeowners are interested in improving their home’s ability to keep them comfortable without racking up a huge heating bill.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re here to help. We offer a huge range of heating services, from furnace tune-ups to furnace replacement, boiler installation and even assistance with ductless heating systems. We’ve helped countless clients improve their home’s heating efficiency to stay warm throughout the winter without breaking the bank – here are some additional tips we offer on keeping your heating system efficient.

Changing Filters

While you may think of HVAC filters for air quality only, this simply isn’t the extent of their value. They also play a significant role in the operation of the system – a clogged or dirty air filter will block significant amounts of air, limiting how efficient the system can be at any time of year.

Simply put, you should be following specific directions for how often filters need to be changed or cleaned. This is usually around once a month or so, but will vary between filter types.

Storm Window Installation

As we noted in part one, windows are often a significant source of heat loss. One possible solution is insulating them with window treatments, which we also went over, but another is installing storm windows. This is especially valuable for those still dealing with older single-pane windows, which experience heat loss commonly.

Storm windows are mounted on the exterior of the existing material, providing extra protection against both temperature and the elements. Plus, in the spring, they’re easily removed and stored until the following year.

Ceiling Fan Utilization

Did you know that ceiling fans can be useful for heating and not just cooling? That’s right: Any ceiling fan in your home can be reversed using the small switch at the center of the fan. While the fan normally runs counterclockwise during spring and summer, blowing cool air downward, changing it to clockwise will cause the fan to blow upward, forcing warm air trapped higher in a given room to circulate and warm up the entire space.

Outlet Gaskets

Finally, one other cause of heat loss that can be particularly noticeable in larger homes is cold air blowing in around or through electrical outlets. If your home has at least 15 or 20 outlets, you  might consider foam-rubber gaskets that simply cover the space and stop air from getting through, all without disrupting the outlet’s normal usage.

For more on how to improve your home’s heating efficiency, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

It’s firmly fall season in Utah, and as longtime residents well know, that means things could give way to winter at any moment. If you’re like many other homeowners in the area, you’re spending at least a bit of time this season thinking about your home’s heating capabilities and efficiency ahead of the coldest part of the calendar.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we offer numerous heating services to all our clients, from basic seasonal furnace tune-ups to furnace replacement, boilers, ductless heating systems and more. On top of our yearly services, what are some of the main tips we offer clients on how to improve their home’s heating efficiency? This two-part blog series will go over several options.

Upgrading Your Thermostat

The thermostat is the brain behind the entire heating and cooling operation, and it often has a larger impact on efficiency than you might think. It communicates with your various HVAC systems to allow for proper heating or cooling depending on the need.

If you have an older thermostat, multiple issues could be at play. For one, older units are simply more prone to malfunction. For another, older manual thermostats require you personally adjust them every time you want to change the temperature – this sort of thing is far less efficient than a programmable or smart thermostat, which you can upgrade to and save huge sums on your energy bill while staying just as comfortable as before, if not more so.

Sealing Space

A major cause of heating inefficiency in homes: Air loss, which takes place due to air escaping from unsealed locations. Look around your doors, windows and any other entryways for cracks or gaps, then utilize products like caulk or weatherstripping to seal off these areas. You might be shocked at how much you save on your monthly bill just by sealing a tiny crack or hole.

Insulation Themes

There are several distinct home areas to consider insulation for when it comes to heating efficiency:

• Attic: In many homes, air loss comes primarily from lack of attic or roof insulation that allows hot air to rise and escape. Ensure your attic has proper ventilation and all ceiling penetrations are sealed.
• Window treatments: Some windows also contribute heavily to heat loss, but insulation like blinds or drapes will limit this effect significantly.
• Hot water pipes: Save significant energy costs by insulating your hot water heater and pipes leading from it, which will cause the system to work more efficiently and provide hot water faster.

Fall Maintenance

One of the single most important ways you can prevent heat loss or heating inefficiency is by counting on HVAC professionals. Our pros will inspect and tune up your entire system, ensuring it’s operating efficiently and remedying any minor concerns that might be limiting operation.

For more on how to increase heating efficiency in your home, or to learn about any of our HVAC or plumbing services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the possible causes of a cloudy color in your tap water. While the most common reason for this is basic air pressure that dissipates quickly and poses no risk, there are other potential issues that more permanent cloudy water could be signaling as well.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re proud to assist with several water quality areas, including water filtration and help with any tap water concerns. Today’s part two of our series will look into a couple of the more serious issues that might be signaled by cloudy water that does not dissipate from your tap, plus the solutions available to you in these situations.

Hard Water Issues

Many homeowners are aware of hard water, which refers to water that still contains various potential minerals. Hard water with enough mineral content will create several potential issues, including films on sinks, stains on clothes and issues with soap suds in cleaning water.

Whether you have hard water, or how much mineral content is present, will depend largely on your area. While hard water technically is not considered a health hazard, it can cause significant aesthetic issues – including in your water, which may appear cloudier. Those looking to remove hard water from any of their home sources should ask our plumbers about our water softener solutions.

Methane Gas

The riskiest issue related to cloudy water, and luckily also the least common, is the presence of methane gas in the water supply. You will likely notice right away if this is the cause of the cloudiness: Methane in high enough quantities will create a bubbling or sputtering noise as it exits the tap. It may also showcase specific white bubbles that signal methane.

Methane is a harmful substance to humans, and you should immediately call our plumbers for a water test if you believe this to be the issue. There are certain cases where methane contamination will be at such a low level that it will not be a concern, but others will require potential treatment.

Solutions Available

As we noted above, the ideal solution for hard water concerns is the installation of a water softener. For methane issues, on the other hand, the process might be a bit more significant. It will involve our plumbers or your local water department testing your water for the level of methane – if it’s too high, the water will need immediate treatment. This sort of thing tends to be most common among those who get their water from a well, though it can happen in other situations also.

For more on dealing with cloudy water coming from your tap, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

Water quality is always an important consideration for homeowners, particularly the quality of taps and drinking water sources. There are a few potential signs that your tap water could be experiencing quality issues, and one of the most interesting such signs is the presence of a cloudy hue in your water.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, our plumbers offer several excellent water quality-related services, including reverse osmosis water filtration systems to purify tap water for any home. Is your tap experiencing cloudy water issues that you’re unsure the meaning of? This is understandable – cloudy tap water can actually mean a few different things, some a problem and others not at all. This two-part blog will serve as your cloudy water primer, informing you of all the potential causes of this issue and what to do to remedy it.

Pressure and Air

By far the most common reason for cloudiness in drinking water is also the least harmful: The water is actually filled with small bubbles of oxygen due to air pressure from the tap. These form because while still inside the faucet pipe, the water is being exposed to air and becoming pressurized.

Almost everyone has seen what happens next: The water comes out of the tap looking somewhat carbonated, with air bubbles and possibly a cloudy appearance as a result. However, these bubbles dissipate within a few seconds and turn the water back to completely clear – this is a sign that the oxygen has risen to the top.

Repeated Air Issues

Now, while the issue we described above is generally harmless, it can be annoying if it’s a constant thing – especially if bubbles take a while to fizz out. It may also indicate problems in your pipe system. In such cases, you may want to contact your local water department to see if there are significant air issues within the water supply pipes that they can remedy. In other cases, our plumbers can assist you with air or related issues in your faucet supply pipes.

Sediment Concerns

Sadly, there are a few situations where cloudy water – especially cloudy water that doesn’t clear up within a few seconds – is signaling a more significant issue. The most common of these is the presence of sediment in your water, which will make it look some combination of cloudy and simply dirty. Sediment is often harmful to drinkers on its own, plus tends to lead to toxins, bacteria and other concerns.

Luckily, there are simple solutions here. A water filtration system will easily remove sediment from your drinking water; our plumbers will be happy to test your water and recommend the ideal filter.

For more on how to deal with cloudy tap water, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some general themes to keep in mind if you’re looking to hide or cover your outdoor AC unit. A vital part of your HVAC system, some homeowners choose to protect the outdoor AC unit from risks like theft, damage or others that could take place.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re here to help with a wide range of AC service needs, from air conditioning replacement and repair to distinct areas like this one. Whether you want to protect the AC unit from theft, keep it safe from potential damage or any other purpose, we’ll assist you with the proper coverage that does not impact the unit’s operational quality. Today’s part two of our series will go over a few of the common formats homeowners use for outdoor AC unit protection.

Utilizing Existing Plants

In many cases, especially if your main goal is to restrict the unit from sight and make it less attractive to potential burglars, you can simply utilize existing plants and greenery on your property. There are several large plant varieties you might choose to place around the AC unit as a visual barrier.

This theme brings both aesthetics and protection to the area. You can choose great-looking plants that will complement the surroundings, for one, but plants will also allow great air flow when protected an AC unit, a vital factor we went over in part one. Make sure you keep these plants trimmed to just above the height of the unit so there are no problems with future access.

Fencing or Pallets

In other cases, property owners may choose to erect an actual fence or barrier to conceal their AC unit. Lattice fences are common here, allowing for basic protection while also leaving air flow wide open. If you already have an existing fence near the unit, you might be able to utilize one or two sides of it here.

Others may use pallets for this similar purpose. This is especially cost-effective if you already have pallets around.

Privacy Screen

For those who want to go a step further, you may consider purchasing an actual privacy screen for the AC unit. These screens are usually waterproof, which means they can remain in the area throughout the year, and can easily be removed when needed for access. These can be found at various home improvement stores.

Window Units

A quick note for those utilizing window AC units: Many of the same themes we’ve gone over here may apply. Utilizing plants is a great way to keep these units covered, while some others may look to create their own miniature enclosures where possible.

For more on protecting your outdoor AC unit, or to learn about any of our HVAC or plumbing services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

While most of your home’s important HVAC components are found inside the structure, a notable exception is your outdoor AC unit. And whether seasonally or year-round, many homeowners take steps to hide and/or protect this outdoor unit, both from potential theft and potential damage risks.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re happy to assist with a variety of AC services, from air conditioning replacement to repair, maintenance and numerous areas of upkeep. We’ve helped many clients with protection or covering for their outdoor AC unit in ways that don’t impact the practical operations of the unit or other components, and we’ll do the same for you. This two-part blog on the subject will begin by going over a few of the general themes you should be keeping in mind while considering such coverage, then dig into some specific hiding or coverage ideas many homeowners look to.

Take Careful Measurements

The first major step here will be taking careful, detailed measurements of your outdoor AC unit and the space it takes up. You should be measuring height, length and width of your unit to get an idea of exactly the area it covers – if the AC has a base it sits on, measure the base as well.

This sets a simple baseline for you to move forward with unit coverage. The last thing you want is to purchase fencing or some other barrier, only to find you’ve bought the wrong materials based on AC dimensions.

Surrounding Area

While you’re performing your measurements and basic planning areas, keep the surrounding area and features in mind. Many homes, for instance, may have a fence already in place where at least one side is near the AC unit – you might be able to use this or another existing structure to assist with your coverage.

Proper Air Flow

As you’re making the final decision on how to cover your unit, it’s vital to keep air flow in mind. Outdoor AC condensers need at least a bit of space to allow them proper air access, ensuring normal operation and preventing overheating risks – if you place a fence or another barrier too close to them, however, they won’t have this space and won’t operate properly.

Accessibility Factors

And no matter how you choose to cover or hide your AC unit, it’s important to ensure you or HVAC technicians can still access the unit easily. There needs to be a clear pathway arranged, for one, and if you’re using a specific cover of any kind, it needs to be removable so the unit can be accessed for repairs or upkeep needs.

For more on protecting your outdoor AC unit, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.