Getting Your Furnace Ready for Cooler Weather

Fall will soon turn into winter, and that means freezing temperatures are on the way. To stay warm this winter, you will need the help of your furnace. Before you turn up the heat in your home, take some time to prepare your furnace for the upcoming heating season. Preparing your furnace will keep you and your family comfortable when the cold weather arrives, and it will lower the chances that your furnace will breakdown over the winter. Here are a few ways to get your furnace ready for cooler weather.

Inspect and Replace the Air Filter

Before you run your furnace, locate the air filter and pull it out. If the filter is dirty, replace it. You should also consider upgrading to a pleated filter, HEPA filter, or electrostatic filter. These high-efficiency air filters allow the warm air to flow unimpeded through your home. They may even increase the energy efficiency of your furnace.

Clear Area around Exhaust Flue

Find out where your furnace’s exhaust flue is located and make sure that the area is free of obstructions such as branches or animal nests. If the exhaust flue becomes blocked, the gases and fumes produced by your furnace can begin to circulate through your home. Exposure to these exhaust fumes can be dangerous, so be sure to inspect the exhaust flue before you run your furnace during the winter.

Hire a Professional

Unless your furnace is brand new, it might be a good idea to hire a heating and furnace repair company to inspect your furnace before the cooler weather sets in for good. A simple furnace inspection might reveal a hidden problem that would have shut down your home’s heating system had it gone unnoticed.

For the best furnace maintenance, repair, and testing in Seattle, contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical. We can keep your home comfortable all winter long with our residential heating services, including emergency furnace repair, furnace installation, furnace testing, and more. Call us today at (206) 452-4363 to learn more about our heating and furnace repair services.

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A Closer Look at Energy-Saving Tankless Water Heaters

Traditional water heaters have tanks that hold a large volume of water at a constant temperature. When you aren’t using any hot water, these heaters are still consuming energy, because the burner or electric coil has to switch on at regular intervals to keep the water in the tank hot and ready for use.

A tankless water heater saves energy because the heating element is only switched on when you turn on a hot water tap. Tankless water heaters quickly and efficiently heat water when you need it and don’t consume extra energy when your sinks and showers are off.

Call Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical today at (206) 452-4363 to find out how a tankless water heater can save you money. We are also available 24 hours a day to tend to any plumbing emergencies you might experience.

The Value of a Sewer Line Video Inspection When You Have Slow Drains

Slow drainage problems around the house often indicate a blockage in your sewer line, but the only way to know for sure is by scheduling an inspection. Sewer line video inspections are the most effective and non-invasive way to get to the bottom slow drain problem—and well worth your time and money compared to other inspection methods. Here’s why sewer line video inspections are so valuable:

Save Time and Money

Video inspections offer a less invasive, much faster, and cheaper alternative compared to digging up a yard in order to inspect pipes. Excavations require removing walkways, driveways, or other hardscaping that happens to lie above your sewer line—another expense when you consider replacement.

Identify the Problem Accurately

Imagine having your yard destroyed and several sewer lines inspected only to find the problem wasn’t with your sewer line in the first place. Sewer line video inspections save you from this scenario because they’re more accurate. Video inspections can pinpoint the problem areas in need of attention and assess the situation without excessive digging.

Determine Possible Solutions

Video sewer line inspections are extremely valuable for locating the problem and for taking a good, hard look at how to solve it. Debris could be blocking the flow of outgoing waste water, but other problems may exist in your sewer line as well. Holes, cracks, and leaks in your sewer line can quickly turn into bigger problems, and a video inspection provides your plumbers with the information needed to discuss possible solutions with you.

Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical is your source for video sewer line inspections and sewer pipe repairs. We offer same day service and 24-hour emergency plumbing services for your convenience. Give us a call at (206) 452-4363 if you need expert plumbing and sewer line repairs in Seattle.

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The Potential Consequences of DIY Plumbing Repair

You can fix some plumbing problems with a plunger and a little elbow grease, but other problems are defiantly not DIY projects. DIY plumbing repairs leave many homeowners underwater, sometimes spending more money on subsequent repairs than the cost of hiring a professional in the first place.

Make Matters Worse
The unexpected consequences of DIY plumbing repair can make matters worse. A leak becomes a huge crack, water temperatures reach dangerously hot levels, and other issues make some realize the job was too complicated, too late. A homeowner may perform what they think is the perfect plumbing solution only to realize the real problem was missed entirely—a waste of time and money. When it comes to plumbing, if you’re not sure exactly how to fix it, it’s always best to hire, or at least get advice from, a professional.

Water Damage
Even a misplaced turn of the wrench in the wrong place can result in a leak gushing several gallons of water a minute. Some water line shutoff valves are located offsite and require a special key to shut off. If you don’t know how to shut off your water line—or even where it is, for that matter—call a plumber. Don’t attempt to fix pipes that you think will bust at any moment.

Problem Returns
DIY plumbing repairs do work from time to time. However, these repairs may not provide the long-term solution the homeowner was looking for. A professional plumber provides solutions designed to last in all conditions and into the foreseeable future. So keep using that plunger!
Our experts at Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical are Seattle’s most honest, experienced, licensed, and dependable choice for plumbing repairs. Don’t risk going the DIY route. We’re here 24/7 to answer your call and fix your plumbing emergency. We also offer sewer line and water heater repairs. Give us a call at (206) 452-4363 to find out more.



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What to Look for in a Quality Plumbing Service

When you need your home's plumbing repaired or maintained, it's important to have a quality plumber on your side. A plumber with the experience and attitude to get the job done will help you get back to your normal routine as soon as possible. Such a professional can also help you keep up with plumbing maintenance so your fixtures and piping perform as expected throughout the years.

Proper Licensing

The first thing to look for in a plumber is the appropriate licensing required by your local authorities. Unlicensed plumbers don't usually offer warranties or guarantees on their work, and can't be held accountable by any agency. Licensed plumbers, on the other hand, provide reputable, reliable, and quality service to their customers.

Experience

An experienced plumbing service will be able to handle any plumbing issue, large or small, with confidence and skill. Well-equipped plumbers with an established business will have commonly-used parts on hand, which can speed up the repair process. They will otherwise be able to obtain anything necessary within a reasonable amount of time.

Local Roots

Choosing a local plumbing service means more than just convenience for you—local plumbers build relationships through their service to the community, and their greatest asset is their customers. They understand the value in creating positive relationships and obtaining references from previous customers. Because local plumbers care about the wellbeing of their customers, they can also provide advice on preventative maintenance. Take advantage of their knowledge, and ask your plumber what you can do to prevent future problems and keep your plumbing in good condition.

Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical proudly serves the Seattle area with our plumbing expertise. Visit us online to learn more about our company, or contact us at (206) 452-4363 to schedule an appointment for plumbing services.

Don't Let Sewer and Drain Problems be a Headache: Call Beacon Plumbing!

Sewer and drain problems can cause a huge headache for homeowners. Thankfully, a bit of caution and a local emergency plumber can flush plumbing issues down the drain. Contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical at (206) 452-4363 for additional information.

•This article warns homeowners about plumbing failure caused by tree roots.

•Visit FacilitiesNet.com for an in-depth analysis of commercial plumbing.

•Explore common clog problems with this DoItYourself.com article.

•MoneyPit.com advises homeowners on tips to prevent plumbing problems.

•To learn a bit about how chemical drain cleaners work, take a look at this article from HowStuffWorks.com.