Furnace Is Not Kicking on When Temperature Drops

October 6, 2023. Posted by Tom Riggs in Air Conditioning & Heating • Corpus Christi

The coming of the colder months means digging out your scarves, gloves and jackets from the depths of your closet so you can stay toasty. It also means preparing your home for the cold weather and ensuring it doesn’t take any damage. That includes checking on your home’s HVAC system. If the furnace is not kicking on when temperatures drops, it can lead to a number of issues. Not to mention, you’ll be uncomfortably cold.

If you want to make your home as warm and cozy as possible, here are some ways to troubleshoot a furnace that won’t turn on. If all else fails, contact an HVAC specialist. An HVAC specialist will have your furnace running smoothly again so you can enjoy the cold months to the fullest.

Furnace Not Kicking on When the Temperature Drops? Here’s What To Do

Several factors can prevent a furnace from turning on despite a temperature drop. … Read Full Post »

Why Does My GFCI Keep Tripping?

September 11, 2023. Posted by Tom Riggs in Electrical • Bryan-College Station

If you want to make your home as safe as possible for everyone, installing GFCIs or ground fault circuit interrupters in your outlets will bring you closer to that goal. Areas like the kitchen, laundry room and bathroom, are at higher risk for electrical mishaps, but these quick-acting safety devices can significantly reduce the dangers.

But as with any device, GFCIs can malfunction. They typically last 10 to 15 years, but some can start failing when they hit the 5-year mark. If your GFCI keeps tripping, it’s a sign that something is wrong. While you can try troubleshooting it yourself, it’s always best to let a licensed electrician handle electrical issues.

What’s Causing Your GFCI to Keep Tripping?

It is good when your GFCI occasionally trips because it’s a sign that it is doing its job. But, if it’s tripping constantly, there is an underlying problem you need to look into. Here are … Read Full Post »

Why Does My Furnace Keep Tripping the Breaker?

September 8, 2023. Posted by Tom Riggs in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

Not all homeowners know that their furnaces need electricity to run smoothly. Yes, even gas furnaces. If your power goes out, so will your furnace, leaving you cold and miserable inside your home. Most of the time, you can reset the breaker, and your furnace will run smoothly again. That means it’s a temporary issue.

But that doesn’t always work. If your furnace keeps tripping the circuit breaker after resetting it, there’s a more serious issue at hand that requires the skills of an HVAC professional. Here are some possible reasons behind this problem.

Possible Reasons Your Furnace Keeps Tripping the Breaker

Don’t ignore it if the furnace breaker keeps tripping. It is a sign that there’s something wrong with the furnace. You have to address the issue before it becomes a safety concern. Here are some possible culprits behind the tripping problem.

Your Furnace Is Overloaded

When your furnace is overloaded, it has to … Read Full Post »

Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging?

August 30, 2023. Posted by Tom Riggs in Plumbing • Austin

We all take our toilets for granted because it’s always there. But we realize its value when we ask, “Why does my toilet keep clogging?” A clogged toilet is frustrating and even embarrassing, especially when you have guests over. Several things can cause this problem, but the usual culprit is excess toilet paper down the drain.

If your toilet keeps clogging, here’s how to troubleshoot the issue and have it running smoothly again. If these solutions don’t work, it’s time to seek the help of the pros. Professional plumbers will diagnose the problem and perform the necessary repairs and replacements.

Reasons Your Toilet Keeps Clogging

Here are the common answers to the question, “Why does my toilet keep clogging?” and how to address these issues.

You Flush Foreign Objects Down the Toilet

Many homeowners think they can get away with flushing various items down the toilet. But, many of these things can cause clogging. Paper … Read Full Post »

What Is a GFCI Outlet?

August 25, 2023. Posted by Tom Riggs in Electrical • San Antonio

While electricity is a must-have at home, it comes with safety concerns. Fortunately, GFCIs or ground fault circuit interrupters significantly reduce the risk of getting shocked or electrocuted. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), electricity-related accidents have fallen by 80% since the 1970s because of these quick-to-react outlets. Today, the law requires GFCIs in all new homes. It is also a good idea to have them installed in older houses.

Here’s everything you need to know about GFCIs, including what they are, how they work and how to troubleshoot issues.

What Is a GFCI Outlet and How Does It Work?

Before learning how a GFCI works, it helps to define what ground faults are first. Electricity runs through insulated wires to reach wall outlets, switches and appliances inside our homes. But when it is in its raw state, it is impossible to control how electricity behaves. As shown by lightning, electricity … Read Full Post »

Why Is My Water Heater Making Noises?

August 7, 2023. Posted by Tom Riggs in Plumbing • Corpus Christi

Do you hear strange noises coming from your water heater? Whether it’s a rumbling sound, a hiss, popping or high-pitched whistling, these noises will have homeowners scratching their heads.

Each type of noise a water heater makes could indicate an underlying problem in your plumbing system. Once you identify the type of noise coming from your water heater, contact a professional plumber to make the necessary repairs.

Why Is My Water Heater Making Noises?

Water heaters often make strange noises when they have maintenance issues or need repair. There are several noises that a water heater could make, so it’s important for homeowners to understand them and what each noise means so that they can take the proper action.

Staying on top of water heater maintenance is the best way to ensure that your water heater has a long lifespan and your home doesn’t experience a lack of hot water. Keep reading to learn … Read Full Post »

What Is a Short Circuit?

August 2, 2023. Posted by Tom Riggs in Electrical • Austin

Many people know that a short circuit is a sign that something isn’t working properly in their electrical system, but aren’t sure exactly what happens or what it is. A short circuit is a condition in an electrical circuit where the electrical current does not follow the correct path but unintentionally finds a different pathway. Within your home, your light sockets and outlets are part of the circuit. Under normal conditions, outlets and sockets use electricity to power lights or appliances but don’t break the circuit.

Most household wiring is made of copper because it conducts electricity efficiently. Not all metals conduct electricity as well, but they will conduct better than other household materials. Sometimes, a short circuit can happen through a less-ideal material if something has disrupted the main circuit.

Short Circuit Causes

Several things can cause a short circuit in your home. Typical short circuit causes that homeowners encounter include the … Read Full Post »

My Dryer Won’t Start: What’s Wrong?

July 31, 2023. Posted by Tom Riggs in Appliance Repair • San Antonio

It’s laundry day. You gather up the dirty clothes, towels and linens and spend hours washing them, only to find the dryer won’t start. There could be a simple reason why your dryer has stopped working. Let’s go through the most common causes behind this issue and how you can troubleshoot them.

If you’ve tried everything and it’s still not working an appliance repair specialist can come to your rescue. The appliance technician will diagnose the issue and have your dryer turning out warm and fluffy clothes again.

Possible Reasons Your Dryer Will Not Start

There are various reasons why your dryer won’t start. Some are easy to diagnose, while others need more detective work. If you can’t get to the bottom of things, you can always let an appliance repair professional take over.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

The first thing you should check if your dryer isn’t running is the circuit breaker. It may have … Read Full Post »

My AC Is Not Blowing Cold Air: What’s Wrong?

July 18, 2023. Posted by Tom Riggs in Air Conditioning & Heating • Austin

Air conditioning systems are designed to keep our homes comfortable during hot weather. However, they are prone to faults from time to time. So, when you notice the AC not blowing cold air, it means something is wrong. If you’re having this problem, you’ll want to get to the root of the issue and contact an HVAC specialist to help.

If you’re tired of sweating in your home, keep reading to find out what’s wrong with your air conditioner unit.

What Are Some Common Reasons?

Some common reasons your AC isn’t blowing cold air could include the following.

A Clogged Air Filter

A clogged air filter can cause various problems with your air conditioning unit. Dirt, dust and other debris can get trapped in your air filter as the air gets sucked in through your air ducts. Over time, this debris can build up, making it harder for the air to get through. A dirty … Read Full Post »

My Water Heater Is Making a Knocking Noise

July 3, 2023. Posted by Tom Riggs in Plumbing • Austin

There is no better way to end a long day than hopping in the shower and letting the hot water relax you. But that peace will quickly go away if your water heater is making a knocking noise. That is a sign of a problem that you should not ignore. If you’re experiencing this issue, here are some possible explanations and what you should do about it.

What Does It Mean When Your Water Heater Is Making a Knocking Noise?

The most common culprit behind a water heater that makes a knocking noise is residue buildup. Minerals and particles like calcium can find their way inside your water heater and accumulate over time. Aluminum anode rods inside the water heater, plus high pH levels, can also produce gel-like sediment.

The residue buildup traps water at the bottom of the tank near the heating element. As the water heats up, it will bubble up … Read Full Post »