Frederick, MD Air Conditioning Why Install a New Air Conditioning System

May 21st, 2013

Is your AC old? Does it require frequent repairs? Are you tired of high energy bills and think you can do better? There are numerous systems on the market today if you’re considering installing a new air conditioning system in your home, and it can be difficult to know which ones are right for you. Call Larry & Sons today for excellent consultation and AC installation services in Frederick, MD.

  • Old age and frequent repairs: If your AC is old, then you should at least be considering the possibility of replacement. After all, you don’t necessarily want to wait until it has completely broken down to make your decision. But if it’s old and also requires frequent repairs, you should probably consider replacing it with a new model, whose performance would give you the comfort and confidence you deserve this cooling season.
  • Energy efficiency: Another consideration relates to energy efficiency. This is the ratio between the electrical energy input and the total cooling output. You need to make sure that the operation of your AC is efficient or else you will simply be paying too much to keep your home cool. The energy efficiency of today’s central air, ductless and geothermal heat pumps is considerably higher than those systems of even just 10 years ago.
  • Ducts, ductless, or geothermal? Which brings us to the next question: what type of system do you want? If you already have ducts installed in your home, then you may want to consider a forced air distribution system like central air. But if you’re looking for something that doesn’t use ducts, then a ductless mini split is a great way to improve your energy efficiency. Geothermal technology is also an innovative way to cool and heat your home.

Call Larry & Sons today for more information and for Frederick, MD air conditioning services. 

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Hagerstown Magazine, Hot List 2013 – Help support Larry & Sons

May 17th, 2013

Hagerstown Magazine HotList 2013

Hagerstown Magazine just released their ballots for the 2013 HotList and we are calling on our loyal customers to submit their vote for Larry & Sons Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. Each year Hagerstown Magazine asks you for your favorite businesses in the area to create the HotList, please take a moment to follow the link below and help us win!

Hagerstown Magazine HotList 2013

Here at Larry & Sons we love our community and serving you to the best of our ability. Open since 1960, we have served Hagerstown and the surrounding area with a smile and the professionalism you deserve.

The deadline for ballots is June 1st, 2013, we look forward to hearing from you.

 

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Common Frederick, MD Air Conditioning Repair Problems

May 16th, 2013

Now that we’ve entered the cooling season in Frederick, MD, homeowners throughout the area are thinking about how well their ACs will work this season. If you never had that strange sound looked at from the end of last summer, or if you’re concerned that it needs professional attention, now is the time to get in touch with your local AC professional. When problems are neglected, they tend only to worsen. In this post, we’d like to examine a few common Frederick, MD air conditioning repair problems, so that you can recognize the need for pro assistance when you see them. Call Larry & Sons today!

  • Not enough cooling: This is a common symptom that has numerous possible causes. There’s no quite telling what the root cause of it is without professional inspection. One common cause is an airflow issue, often caused by a clogged air filter. Remember to make sure your air filter is clean of debris about once a month during the cooling season. While it is intended to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris on your system components, when it gets clogged or becomes dirty, it can actually impede airflow and block the cool air that you need to stay comfortable.
  • Dirty coils: When your condenser coils get dirty, which can happen frequently because they are housed in the outdoor unit, it won’t be able to dissipate heat into the outside air. If this process is disrupted, the cycle will not be as efficient, and it may result in warmer air coming out of your ducts. A technician can ensure that all aspects of your AC are clean so that you can avoid any further disruptions.
  • Low refrigerant: When it was installed, your AC was “charged” with a set amount of refrigerant. Over time, however, you may have developed a leak in one of the coils, or the lineset that has resulted in low levels of refrigerant circulating through your system. This causes a wide variety of problems, including inadequate cooling and a lack of dehumidification.

Make sure you’re ready to go this summer. Call Larry & Sons for comprehensive Frederick, MD air conditioning repair services if you’re concerned about your AC. 

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Ask a Chambersburg, PA Plumber: How to Prevent Clogged Drains

May 6th, 2013

Leaks, clogs, blockages, smells, burst pipes, and water damage are all potential issues for your plumbing system. Unfortunately, we often take our plumbing for granted, and that means we only notice it when problems arise that we are forced to deal with. But many plumbing problems can be avoided with by changing our habits ever so slightly. In this post, we’d like to focus on several things you can do to prevent clogged drains. When you need a Chambersburg, PA plumber to come take a look at your plumbing issue, call Larry & Sons!

  • Avoid putting grease and other substances down your drains: Grease, as well as animal fats and oils, is a notorious drain clogging substance. While it may look shiny and liquid when it’s hot in the pan, as soon as it reaches your cool pipes, it will quickly turn into a sticky, gel-like wad that sticks to the interior surface of your piping. This attracts other bits of food and debris and fairly soon you may have a blockage deep within your drainpipes. By avoiding putting such materials down your drain entirely, you can avoid many problems with your drains, including clogs.
  • Schedule drain inspection and cleaning: If you’ve never had your drains cleaned, then you might like to prevent clogged drains by scheduling a video camera inspection and cleaning service. It’s a great pre-emptive maneuver that will also increase the longevity of your plumbing and allow a pro to address any other problems that may have arisen during the course of its service life.  
  • Use hair and food stopper: Again, by controlling what goes down your drain, you can avoid many problems that arise as a result of accumulated debris. Two simple devices known as stoppers can help you prevent clogged drains in the kitchen and bathroom. Hair and scraps of food can begin to congeal into partial blockages fairly easy over time.

Make sure you take care of your plumbing system, and it will take care of you. When you need a Chambersburg, PA plumber, call Larry & Sons today!

 

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Ask a Martinsburg, WV Plumber: What is a Drain Trap?

April 29th, 2013

If you’ve ever peeked under your bathroom vanity or kitchen sink cabinet to see a funny looking bend in the pipe, and wondered what it’s doing there, you wouldn’t be the first. The P-shaped or U-shaped bend in the drainpipe is known as a “trap,” and it’s responsible for ensuring that your home doesn’t begin to stink. We’d like to use this post to explain to our customers about what a drain trap is and why it’s important to your home plumbing system. For more information, ask a Martinsburg, WV plumber—call Larry & Sons today for comprehensive plumbing services, including drain repair.

Unlike your water supply system, which operates by being pressurized, your wastewater disposal system works by means of gravity. So, you may ask, why doesn’t my second-floor bathroom drainpipe go straight down into my basement? If you can imagine a straight pipe connecting straight in your sewer line, it seems as though it might be more efficient than having the drain trap. But what goes down can also come up. That includes smells. Indeed, the principle purpose behind the development of the drain trap is to prevent the smell of septic tank and sewage from entering our homes.

A drain trap works by creating a water seal. The vertical dip allows a small amount of water to fill this space. This seals the drain from sewer gases and fumes. But because it’s water, it does not block the flow of the drainpipe. It’s an ingenious bit of engineering invented in the 18th century, and has saved our modern noses since. Unfortunately, there are some things that may disrupt its effectiveness. For some drains that are not used very often, basement drains for example, the water seal can periodically dry out. If the seal is partially or totally lost, it can cause bad smells to enter your home.

If your drains smell funky, you might have more to worry about than just a broken water seal in the drain trap. Call Larry & Sons to speak to an excellent Martinsburg, WV plumber today!

 

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Frederick, MD Plumbing Tip: Why Garbage Disposals and Septic Tanks Don’t Mix

April 22nd, 2013

Your septic tank is a private waste management system that separates your wastewater so that it can be properly disposed of in the leach field, and so the sludge can be pumped out by a septic service. It’s important, however, to recognize that not all materials can be sent down into your drains with the hope that your septic system will take care of the rest. When you have a septic tank, you need to be more careful about what you flush down the drains. If you’re in the market for a new garbage disposal, you should keep in mind that a garbage disposal typically shouldn’t be installed if you have a septic tank. In this post, we’d like to explain why that is.

Garbage disposals are great devices: they allow you to cut down on how much food waste goes into your trash by grinding up scraps of food and mixing it in with the wastewater. However, when used with a septic tank, they can present problems. Because you want to limit the amount of work that your wastewater plumbing system has to do when possible, a garbage disposal may disturb the balance of layers in your septic tank with matter that cannot be broken down as easily as organic waste. This can cause accumulations within the plumbing and blockages. If you have a septic tank and still want a garbage disposal, talk to your local plumber about how you can make sure it doesn’t disrupt your septic system.

For more information about septic systems and how they work, contact an expert at Larry & Sons for comprehensive Frederick, MD plumbing services.

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Frederick, MD Bathroom Remodeling Guide: What to Consider Prior to Bathroom Remodeling

April 15th, 2013

If you’re considering a bathroom remodeling project in your home, there are some things you should consider prior to starting the project. As one of the most important rooms in the home, your bathroom requires the cooperation of various elements: carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC. Because it’s one of the smallest of your living spaces, it needs careful planning. In this post, we’d like to run you through several important aspects of the pre-installation phase. For more information, or to schedule a professional consultation for your Frederick, MD bathroom remodeling project, contact the experts at Larry & Sons today!

  • Budget: Knowing what your budget is can be bracing, but it’s also an essential aspect of the remodel. Both you and your contractor need to know exactly what the limitations of your project are. Not only does this make financial sense, but it will also help you allocate the resources in advance. It may even assist you with some design choices. Because of the range of new appliances and bathroom renovation options, your budget will help you narrow down the list, and help you negotiate between what you want and what you can afford.
  • Research: Whether you like it or not, your new bathroom will have a “style.” Defining the look of your new bathroom should be done in consultation with a professional, but you can start today by buying some interior design magazines and taking out some design books from the library. Check with your local remodeling contractor to see if he has any manufacturer brochures available.
  • Energy efficiency: Remodeling your bathroom is a great time to make sure that you improve your energy efficiency. Installing energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, low-flow showerheads and faucets, and a low-flush toilet is a great way to make a positively impact on your energy bill.
  • Hire a professional: Bathroom remodeling is a big job that needs professional quality. Don’t waste time with an amateur. Make sure you hire a certified bathroom remodeling contractor so that your home looks great.

We hope this brief list helps you prepare for your exciting new renovation. For Frederick, MD bathroom remodeling services, contact the experts at Larry & Sons today! 

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Frederick, MD Septic Tip: The Importance of Prompt Septic Repair

April 8th, 2013

Your wastewater system is designed to be invisible. The entire point of burying pipes in walls, floors, and underground, it to limit the exposure of these pipes to those who would rather not look at them. Thus, it’s easy to forget about our drainage systems and septic tanks. We tend to think about them only when something goes wrong.  But when problems occur, it’s important that they receive prompt professional attention. Allowing problems to fester only leads to further problems and may exacerbate the initial damage. While prevention is the best medicine, some problems are inevitable, which is why it’s important to keep the name and emergency number of a reliable plumber nearby. For Frederick, MD septic repair, look no further than Larry & Sons today!

So, why is it so important to fix that septic problem now rather than later?

  • To save what’s left of your septic tank: If your septic tank has a crack or a leak, then it might be possible to seal them up with caulk, rather than replace your whole tank. However, if these cracks and leaks are left alone for extended periods of time, then it may not be possible to save your tank from replacement.
  • To ensure that your yard doesn’t fill up with wastewater: One of the common problems with septic tanks is when they begin sending wastewater outside the outlet pipe because they have been penetrated by a root. If this is left alone, you may inundate your leach field with wastewater, and it may overflow into your yard.
  • To avoid unpleasant odors and cleanup costs: Yes, septic problems stink. While they leak into your yard, the result can be lingering odors and possibly large-scale clean-up costs. Not to mention the associated disruptions of septic tank replacement, although it is minimal with developments in trenchless technology.

Not only do you need to call immediately for septic repair, but you also need to ensure that your plumber offers rapid-response service. For prompt Frederick, MD septic repair services, call Larry & Sons today! 

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Common Problems with Sewers in Frederick, MD

April 1st, 2013

The sewer line that leads away from your home performs a vital function.  As with any component of your home plumbing system, though, your sewer in Frederick, MD can suffer from a number of different problems. The sooner any issues with your sewer are resolved the less serious any resulting damage is likely to be. Here are some examples of common problems with sewers in Frederick, MD from Larry & Sons. If you have any reason to suspect a problem with your sewer line, contact a professional plumber on our team right away.

In many instances, the type of problems that you may encounter with your sewer line depends on the type of material that is made from. Cast iron sewer lines, for example, were very popular for a long time. They last for a fairly long time, but eventually they rust and may develop holes in the line. This can lead to leaks.

Clay was another popular material for sewer line installations. However, clay is particularly vulnerable to tree roots if it does not feature a tar wrap. Roots are not drawn to tar, but if there is no tar wrap they can grow into the clay pipe, resulting in ruptures, leaks and blockages. Most modern sewer lines are made of plastic, which will not corrode and, if properly installed, do not have much of a leak risk.

Grease clogs and foreign objects that make their way into sewer lines are also among the most common problems that professional plumbers deal with. As a preventive measure you should be very mindful of the types of material you allow into your sewer. Even a few instances of improper disposal of materials can have a serious impact on the integrity of your sewer.

For more information about common problems with sewers in Frederick, MD, call the professional plumbers at Larry & Sons. We are always happy to answer any questions that you may have. If you have any reason to suspect a problem with your sewer line, schedule professional sewer repair right away.

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Plumbing in Frederick, MD: Signs You Have a Water Leak

March 25th, 2013

While we depend upon our plumbing every day, we hardly think about the complex layout of piping, fixtures, joints, and drains that make up our home plumbing system. That is, until a water leak occurs somewhere in our system. While sometimes obvious, as when a pipe bursts and the basement is flooded, leaks can often be notoriously difficult to detect. There are, however, some common signs that you have a water leak. In this post, we’d like to give you a brief guide to some of these indicators. But remember that water leaks should be handled professionally. For plumbing in Frederick, MD, call Larry & Sons, Inc. today!

  • Decreased water pressure. Unless you can see it directly, your hidden water leak may only be noticeable by decreased water pressure. While there are a variety of reasons for pressure problems, water leaks are common reasons. Not only is leak detection necessary to ensure that your pressure is up to the appropriate level, but also you’re paying for water that doesn’t even reach the tap.
  • Spike in water bill. Another common indicator that you have a water leak somewhere one your property is a sudden spike in your water bill without a corresponding increase in usage or energy cost.
  • Visible discoloration or staining. If you see discoloration or staining on parts of your home, then it could indicate a water leak under the floorboards or in the walls. It’s important to stay vigilant of any such signs because they may help you prevent damage to the walls and surrounding wood framing. Mold growth often occurs after such leaks.
  • Wet spots in the yard. If you notice wet spots in the lawn over your water main, then it could indicate a crack or collapsed pipe. Often, this is the result of root penetration or a shift in the soil.

Making sure that you take care of any water leaks as soon as possible is the best way to prevent major repairs and system replacements in the future. Repairing leaks will also alleviate the burden of paying for more water than you actually use. If you have a plumbing problem in Frederick, MD, call the experts at Larry & Sons, Inc. today!

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