Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Blog

During the summer, your sprinklers are running constantly to keep your lawn looking pristine. But what happens when something goes wrong? Believe it or not, sprinkler problems are incredibly common this time of year. Here are a few typical issues you might encounter:

1. Clogged sprinkler head: When you mow your lawn or perform other yard maintenance, grass, dirt and debris can clog your sprinkler head, resulting in lower water pressure and decreased efficiency. Depending on what sprinkler system you use, you should be able to easily remove the filter and flush it with water until the debris has cleared.
2. Damaged sprinkler head: A cracked or broken sprinkler head will leave water pooling around the sprinkler and run up your water bill. Replace the sprinkler head as soon as possible to avoid downtime.
3. Inconsistent water pressure: Your sprinkler system is connected to your main water line, and the main line dictates your sprinkler’s water pressure. If the water pressure is too high or low, it won’t cover your entire lawn. The optimal water pressure for sprinkler systems is 30-50 PSI.
4. Ineffective sprinkler height: Like water pressure, the height of your sprinkler heads can affect your lawn’s water coverage. If your sprinkler heads are too high, areas of your lawn won’t get the water they need. Likewise, low sprinkler heads will cause certain areas to be overwatered.

Gilman is here for all of your plumbing needs! Give us a call at (804)-329-1800 or use our online scheduling tool!

Are you noticing that your house feels uncomfortably warm, even with the AC on? Your windows might be the culprit. According to the Department of Energy, about 76% of the sunlight that falls on your windows during the summer will enter your home as heat. If your windows don’t protect well against heat, your HVAC unit may struggle to keep your home cool and drive up your air conditioning bill. Luckily, there’s an easy solution – installing heat efficiency windows and solar control film.

Heat efficiency windows are specifically designed to block sunlight and prevent heat gain. When selecting heat efficiency windows, the Department of Energy recommends windows with ENERGY STAR labels, low-emissivity coatings and a low solar heat gain coefficient. While you’re shopping, it’s important to keep in mind that heat efficiency windows are typically more expensive than standard windows.

If you don’t have the budget for heat efficiency windows, installing solar control film is a more affordable option. Solar control film will protect your windows against heat from sunlight and ultraviolet rays. There are many different types of film, but most are transparent and can be applied in half an hour or less. You can purchase solar control film online or at your local hardware store.

Have you noticed lately that your shower is slowly draining excess water, or that the drain is completely clogged? We’ve all dealt with shower drain issues before, but it shouldn’t be a regular occurrence. Before attempting to fix the problem on your own, it’s important to diagnose the underlying cause. Here are a few common reasons why your shower drain might be clogged:

1. Hair and dead skin: When you shower or bathe, hair and skin cells will inevitably collect in your shower drain. Luckily, this is an easy fix. Most grocery stores sell hair catchers that fit over your drain to prevent additional clogging.
2. Hygiene products: Believe it or not, your shampoo, conditioner and body wash contain chemicals that can clog your shower drain over time.
3. Soap scum and hard water: Like your hygiene products, minerals found in hard water and soap scum can stick to the inside of your shower drain and eventually form a clog.

No matter the cause, there are a few simple home remedies that you can try. Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to break up any debris. If that doesn’t work, try pouring equal parts of baking soda and vinegar into the drain, let the mixture sit for 15-30 minutes and then rinse with boiling water. You can also manually remove the clog with a drain snake, pliers or your own hands (don’t forget to wear gloves). If these remedies don’t do the trick, it might be time to call a professional. Luckily, the plumbing team at Gilman is here to help! Give us a call at (804)-329-1800 or use our online scheduling tool today.

Now that spring is here and the weather is starting to turn, you’re probably thinking about turning on your air conditioning. But what happens if your air conditioner isn’t working? This is where regular HVAC maintenance comes in handy.

Typically, you should have your HVAC system serviced at least once a year to check for any issues. It’s best to do this during the spring time before you need to use your air conditioning. Regular service can help prolong the life of your system by addressing any issues before they get worse. You’re also more likely to avoid any sudden (and costly) repairs, which saves you money in the long-term.

It can be easy to forget about servicing your HVAC system every year – but our Comfort Plan program can take care of that for you. We’ll perform maintenance on both your heating and air conditioning systems in one visit. We also offer discounts on repairs to all Comfort Plan members. If your system needs servicing or you’d like to sign up for our Comfort Plan, give us a call at 804-329-1800 or schedule an appointment online!

Did you know that a leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year? With every drip, your money is slowly going down the drain. Here are a few common problems that can cause a leaky faucet:

1. Worn out O-Ring or Washer: Compression faucets have an O-Ring, or a small rubber ring that prevents water from spilling out of the spout. If your O-Ring is worn down or damaged, it can cause your faucet to leak. A worn-out washer in a compression faucet can also cause leakage.
2. High water pressure: If your water pressure is too high, the water can back up and result in a leaky faucet. Try turning down the water pressure to see if your faucet stops leaking.
3. Damaged piping: If you’ve checked your faucet’s O-Ring and washer and lowered your water pressure, your faucet could be dripping because of damaged piping – and that’s not an easy fix. If you suspect that your water pipes are damaged, call Gilman Heating and Cooling at 804-329-1800 or use our online scheduling tool today!