Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Blog

The holidays are here and we know that means lots of activity in your home. From big meals to festive parties, there is a lot that goes on under your roof starting around Thanksgiving and going on through the New Year. While this is an exciting time to celebrate, it puts a little extra strain on your home. Here are a few tips to help ease that wear and tear and keep everyone happy!

1. Do not put your leftovers down the garbage disposal. We often think our garbage disposal is invincible, but it really can’t handle all the wonderful food we cook for the holidays. Be sure to thoroughly scrape all the plates and dishes into the trash before rinsing them in the sink.
2. Set your thermostat a little lower than normal when welcoming guests into your home. Lots of bodies mean extra heat. Be sure to turn down the temperature a few hours before your guests arrive to make sure everyone is comfortable during your gathering.
3. The more you can cook ahead of time the better. Not only will you be able to spend more time with your loved ones, but it can help you avoid kitchen accidents due to distractions. If you are cooking while guests are over, make sure the kitchen isn’t too crowded so you can pay attention and keep everyone safe. Nothing breaks up a party like the fire alarm going off.
4. Be careful where you place decorations. Make sure anything with lights is not near anything flammable. Also make sure decorations, like your beautiful Christmas tree, are not placed over floor vents. This can block your HVAC air’s flow.
5. Be prepared for clogs. From the sinks to the toilets, plumbing appliances will be working overtime during the holidays. Make sure you have the correct plungers on hand to handle any emergencies.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season. If you have an HVAC or plumbing emergency, the Gilman team is here for you. Please call us or schedule an appointment using our online scheduling tool anytime!

With cold and flu season on the horizon and the Covid-19 virus still with us, air quality is more important than ever. With the holidays on the horizon, we know our customers will be welcoming more guests to their homes.

If you are curious about how to make your home’s air quality safer, we are excited to introduce the iWave air purifier. It can be installed on any duct system and is 99.4% effective in removing certain viruses and bacteria, particles, smoke, odors, and VOCs in the air, creating a cleaner environment.

There are several iWave products to choose from. Some of the options include self-cleaning options that require no maintenance (for the life of the unit) and no replacement parts. Each product is designed to last a long time, typically the life of the air conditioning unit (see product details for more information).

To learn about each product, click here. To view the iWave test results, please click here.

If you are interested in the iWave product, give Gilman a call today and ask about our 25% off coupon!

After a year or more at home, many Virginians are venturing out on family vacations and trips. The fastest way to ruin a fun vacation is to return home to a plumbing surprise. Follow these few tips to protect your home while you’re traveling.

Check faucets and appliances.

Before you leave home, take one final lap around the house to make sure all the faucets are turned off and no appliances are leaking. Even the smallest drip can cause water damage if it’s left for several days.

Check your water heater.

It’s not recommended to turn your water heater off when you leave town, but you can lower the temperature. This will prevent it from cycling on and off, saving you money in the long run. Some newer models have a vacation mode setting that you can utilize when you go out of town.

Check your drains.

Make sure the drains are free of debris and clogs before you leave the house. When something sits in a drain, it not only prevents the drain from working properly when needed, but it can cause very foul odors in your home. It’s also a good idea to run the garbage disposal before you leave to make sure nothing is stuck.

Have a neighbor check-in.

It never hurts to have a trusted friend or neighbor check on your home while you’re away. If a problem were to arise, catching it early is the best way to prevent extensive damage.

If you’ve noticed something that needs to be repaired before a trip, contact Gilman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. Our experienced plumbing technicians are available to quickly assess the situation and make the necessary repairs. We also offer 24/7 emergency plumbing service when needed, so you can have peace of mind about your home while you are traveling.

When most people think of plumbing problems, they don’t attribute them to water pressure but this often-overlooked issue can cause serious problems in your home.

Water pressure refers to how hard and fast water travels through the pipes in your home. It is measured in pounds per square inch, commonly referred to as “psi”. The higher the psi, the more force the water is putting on your pipes. The ideal water pressure range for most homes is between 60 and 70 psi. If your water pressure is 80 psi or higher, you’re likely going to run into some serious plumbing problems.

Here are a few common signs your water pressure is too high:

• Banging pipes
• Running toilets
• Dripping faucets
• Running out of hot water quickly

High water pressure can quickly wear down pipes and appliances. Water lines, water heaters, washing machine hoses, and other fixtures are all at risk when the pressure is too high. It’s also important to note that water pressure above 80 psi is a code violation, meaning insurance companies may not cover water damage that was caused by high water pressure. It can also void any warranty you have on an appliance or fixture.

You can test your home’s water pressure by purchasing a water pressure gauge at any home store. If you’re concerned your home’s water pressure is too high, you can also take preventative measures by having a licensed plumber like Gilman Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing install a water pressure regulator. Gilman plumbing technicians are familiar with most water systems in the area and can correctly install the valve for you.

No one wants to deal with plumbing issues this summer – especially when they can be avoided by following simple guidelines. While high water pressure may feel good in the shower, it’s not worth the headache in the long run!

If you’re in need of plumbing service this summer, call the experts at Gilman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing! You can put your trust in our experienced plumbers to quickly assess the situation and make the necessary plumbing repairs.

The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house. It’s also the location of a lot of pipes, fixtures, and appliances that can be susceptible to developing issues. In order to avoid major issues and improve the longevity of your home’s plumbing system, it’s important to follow a few simple maintenance tips.

1. Keep an eye out for leaks.
Hidden leaks are a common plumbing problem and one of the most expensive to fix. That’s why it is important to keep an eye out for any leaks originating from your kitchen sink, faucet, or other appliances. At the first sign of trouble, contact a local plumber to investigate and fix the problem before major damage can occur.

2. Take care of your faucet.
Plumbing issues can arise with the kitchen sink faucet simply due to the amount of use it gets. One way to ensure a longer-lasting faucet is to keep the faucet’s aerator clean. Over time, lime buildup or sediment can block the small openings in the aerator and result in lower water pressure or leaks. To clean the aerator, carefully unscrew it from the faucet and use a small brush to remove the sediment.

3. Prevent clogs.
Wherever there’s a drain, the potential for clogs exists. The kitchen sink is no exception. The best way to prevent clogs from forming is to be mindful of what goes into the sink. The most common culprits for kitchen sink clogs include coffee grounds, eggshells, fat, grease, oil, and starchy foods like rice and potatoes. There is a common misconception that it’s safe to send these items down the drain if they go through the garbage disposal first. In reality, these items can still cause clogs in a drain line even if they’ve been chopped into tiny pieces. Periodically cleaning your kitchen sink drain with dish soap, warm water, and vinegar will help break apart any debris before it can form a large blockage.

Keep making happy memories in the kitchen this summer without the plumbing issues! If you do find yourself in need of plumbing service or repair, contact Gilman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing to address all your residential plumbing problems. We’re even available 24/7 should an emergency arise!