Land & Property Archives - Page 5 of 7

Don't Let a Faulty Water Heater Ruin the Holiday Season

Common Water Heater Repair Signals

The last thing any homeowner wants during the excitement of the holiday season is a water heater emergency. Especially with the temperature dropping, warm water is essential this time of year. Here are the telltale signs that a gas water heater needs repairs or replacement so that homeowners can enter this time of year fully prepared for colder temperatures.

How To Tell if a Water Heater Needs Repair

There are a few ways to learn if a water heater needs repair or professional inspection.

Change in warm water: If a homeowner notices that the warm water does not get as hot as it typically does, or if the hot water does not last as long, there are a few things they can check to determine if the water heater needs to repair. First, they should check the water heater's temperature settings to make sure it was not accidentally changed. They should also determine if they have been using more hot water than normal. If neither of these seems to be the issue, it is likely a water heater problem.
Rusty water: While rusty water can be a sign of pipe problems, it can also be a sign that the water heater itself is damaged and rusting. In this case, it is best to have a professional take a look.
Odd noises: If homeowners start hearing clanking or other odd noises coming from the water heater, it is most likely from sediment build up. Water heaters make a normal amount of noise on their own, but if homeowners notice a change such as popping or banging, they should have it inspected.
Leaks: If homeowners notice a change in their hot water and a pool of water forming below their water heater, it is likely caused by a leak and is a sign that the water heater must be repaired.

What Causes Faulty Water Heaters?

There are a few reasons water heaters can become faulty, including:

Age: The average lifespan of a water heater is around 10 years. If it starts becoming faulty around that age, it will most likely need to be replaced.
Rust: If the water heater starts to rust, it can start to cause issues such as the aforementioned rusty water and, if not treated, may cause irreversible damage.
Sediment: Sediment buildup is cause for not only pipe issues but also water heater issues. When the water is heated, sediment can settle in the tank, leading to issues.

If these issues sound familiar, homeowners should likely reach out to their local plumbing companies to schedule an inspection.

When Should Water Heaters Be Replaced?

If water heaters start to act faulty or reach the age of 10 years, it may be time to replace them. While there are a few ways mentioned above to determine if a water heater needs to be repaired, it is best to have a professional look to determine if those repairs are manageable or if the water heater needs to be replaced.

About G.F. Bowman, Inc.

With more than 50 years of experience, the G.F. Bowman, Inc. team not only has a thorough background but is constantly learning the newest technologies in their field. Dedicated to quality service so that their customers can have peace of mind knowing they are in the right hands. Call now for quality water heater services!

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Fall Isn't Friendly To HVACs

The Different Ways Fall Weather Affects the HVAC System

In places like Pennsylvania, it is crucial to have an efficient AC unit and heater. This means that regular HVAC maintenance is vital to the home's overall efficiency and safety all year round.

The fall is the perfect time for maintenance because it is right before the cold hits and significantly reduces the risk of breakdown during the winter. It also prevents the unit from experiencing any issues due to the effects of changing weather. Continue reading to learn more.

Leaves Crowd and Suffocate the System

It might seem harmless at first, but when leaves pile up on the AC unit, it could cause many malfunctions.

Some different things that could happen from letting leaves crowd the AC unit include:

The airflow is clogged and causes the unit to overheat
The unit is less efficient because it needs to work harder
The unit won't turn on

If the unit is covered in leaves, it might be best to call a professional to clean off the unit. AC units are fragile, and if they aren't cleaned properly, it'll make the problem worse. Luckily, by removing or pruning back branches that could cause issues with the AC, homeowners will also knock out another maintenance task off their list as well - yard work!

Dirt and Debris Don't Help Either

The two main parts of every air conditioning unit are the compressor and condenser coil. If either one or both of these parts are damaged, the unit will have trouble working properly, and could lead to the system shutting down entirely.

When the unit is covered in dirt and debris, it could easily lead to broken parts. This includes the condenser coil and compressor, both of which aren't the world's cheapest repairs.

Harrisburg experiences all types of weather. After a heavy rain or snowstorm, homeowners should check their outside units for anything that could suffocate or damage the unit in any way. Not only that, but the wind from the storm could cause damages as well.

Why Heater Maintenance Is Important

For most people, when they have something in their life that means a lot to them, they tend to take care of it the best they can. This includes repairing it and cleaning it when it gets dirty. The same goes for any HVAC system. It is the heartbeat of the modern home and keeps the residents of Harrisburg safe from extreme temperatures.

Not only are the residents safer, but the unit is as well. A well-maintained HVAC unit doesn't have to work as hard to match the thermostat, saving homeowners money on their monthly bills. It also reduces the risk of breakdowns between maintenance visits, which saves the homeowners even more money in the long run.

G.F. Bowman, Inc. Is the Trustworthy HVAC Company

If homeowners live in the Harrisburg area, they can trust the experts at G.F. Bowman, Inc. to maintain, repair, or replace their HVAC system efficiently and properly every single time. They work hard for their customers because they understand how important a working HVAC system is to a home. Don't hesitate to call today to schedule a maintenance visit!

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Don't Be Spooked by Bathroom Remodeling

Tackle Any Bathroom Remodel With the Help of a Professional Contractor

DIY has taken the world by storm. From kitchens to bathrooms, there seems to be a Do-It-Yourself solution for everything. But sometimes, DIY isn't the best option. When it comes to complex tasks like a bathroom remodel, hiring an expert will save homeowners time, energy, and money while getting long-lasting results.

Keep reading to discover why hiring a professional is the best choice for a bathroom remodel project.

Prevent Injuries With a Professional

Bathroom remodeling involves some pretty major tools and lengthy processes. Removing tile, replacing a tub, and even installing drywall all take unique tools and man-power most homeowners can't supply. More importantly, most remodeling projects are dangerous. Professionals are licensed to use every tool in their bag and have the proper protection supplies to prevent injury.

Homeowners who take remodeling projects on by themselves risk injuries from sledgehammers, falling debris, drills, saws, and more tools and scenarios. Professional plumbers are covered by insurance whenever they experience an injury, but homeowners face the medical costs of their incidents. Working with a professional protects the homeowner from injury and painful medical costs.

Get the Job Done Right for the Right Price

When working with a professional, homeowners can expect quality work for a guaranteed price. Getting a written quote and description of the job from a hired contractor ensures that homeowners will know what the project will cost, preventing sticker shock and keeping the homeowner on the project's budget. Professionals know what to expect from remodeling and can give honest, reliable quotes and opinions on projects. They can make budget-conscious recommendations to help suit any budget.

More importantly, professional plumbers come with licenses and certifications that warranty their skills and work. Remodels must abide by state and federal building codes, which professionals are well versed in and required to follow. Homeowners can expect a professionally done job to be done right the first time and prevent surprise costs from popping up.

Save Time by Hiring Someone Who Already Knows What They're Doing

A reliable and honest plumber charges clients based on a contracted agreement and knows that wasting time wastes money. When a professional is hired, their priority is to do the job right the first time. Most plumbers warranty their work, and if a job is done incorrectly, they will correct it at their own expense. It behooves a professional to do the work right the first time, and to do so, a good plumber stays on top of their training and certifications to make sure they're ready to handle any plumbing task.

Ultimately, a shorter job means a more economical project. Working with an experienced plumber can shorten project time and cost, making the remodeling process less stressful.

G.F. Bowman, Inc. Is Ready To Help!

There's nothing worse than stressing about plumbing. G.F. Bowman, Inc. knows just how much plumbing problems can bother a homeowner. That's why they are proud to offer quality work to make their customers' lives a little easier. Since 1967, G.F. Bowman, Inc. has provided affordable, reliable bathroom remodeling in the Cleona and Lebanon, PA area.

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The Ins And Outs Of Home Foundation Leak Detection

Why Is Home Foundation Leak Detection Needed?

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that pipe leaks can’t happen in a home built on a concrete slab because the piping is protected by a layer of concrete. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Despite pipes being buried under the house, there are some things that can still cause them to leak. Usually, these problems can be traced back to improper installation or aging pipes, since even the best methods and materials can fail after decades.

When slab leaks happen, it is of the utmost importance that they are repaired as soon as possible. While it may seem too costly or invasive to have the slab chipped up and repaired, it is essential to get it done. Having home foundation leak detection performed will help pinpoint the exact location of the leak and ensure that repairs can be minimally invasive and, therefore, less expensive.

Detecting Home Foundation Leaks

A good plumber will know the tell-tale signs of slab leaks before he gets out the high tech equipment. If a slab leak is suspected, some of the signs to look for include:

Wet carpet

Soggy lawn

Buckled laminate flooring

Musty odors

Moldy walls and baseboards

Unusually high water bills

A plumber will likely search the house for these signs before bringing in leak detection equipment. Doing so will allow them to confirm that there is a leak and give them an idea of how serious it is.

A Plumber’s Leak Detection Tools

Once the plumber is sure there is a leak, they will break out the home foundation leak detection equipment. Leak detection equipment consists of a very sensitive microphone that can hear ultrasonic noise. Even slow leaks emit ultrasonic noise that can be picked up by the specialized microphone.

By scanning the home’s pipes with this microphone, the plumber will be able to locate precisely where the leak is. Knowing the exact location of the leak is critical to keeping the repair bills low since holes will have to be opened up in the concrete subfloors. The smaller the hole, the less restoration work will have to be done once the leak is fixed.

Costs Of Leak Detection And Repair

While creating holes in a house’s foundation and repairing a pipe may sound expensive, it is nowhere near as expensive as allowing a leak to continue. A leak continues to cost money on monthly water bills, but the damage that a leak can do is also extensive. Excess moisture from a leak that seeps up through the concrete can ruin floors and cause water and mold to damage the walls and paneling. By working with a trustworthy plumber with the right equipment, Harrisburg homeowners can keep repair bills lower and limit the repair job’s invasiveness.

About G.F. Bowman, Inc

G.F. Bowman, Inc has been serving the plumbing and HVAC needs of Harrisburg, PA since 1967. With friendly and professional service, their technicians can be counted on to handle virtually any plumbing problems. From drain cleaning to leak repair, the Bowman team is ready and willing to serve local homeowners.

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Stepping Back into the History of Air Conditioning

Back to the Beginning: A History of Air Conditioning

Hot, hot, and hot. Those would be the three words anyone would use to describe a summer without any air conditioning. Though the warm summer days are meant to be enjoyed (because they don’t last too long), people still need a place to go and cool down so they don’t become too sunburnt, dehydrated, or ill. Many households have some form of AC at home, and these systems are used often during the summer months. But how did this system come about? Who was the inventor that helped to make hot, summer days more enjoyable?

Homeowners can learn more about the history of the AC unit, including its inventor, in this article. They can also learn about the similarities between AC units back then compared to AC units today.

The Infamous AC Inventor

There are all kinds of modern-day inventions that were built to make life easier and more comfortable: electric mixers, washing machines, microwaves, robot vacuum cleaners, air conditioning, etc. But how many people can name the great inventors of those products?

Who was the man that invented the first modern AC? Answer: Willis Carrier. Carrier was born in Angola, New York in 1876, and he graduated with a degree in engineering not knowing that someday his future invention would be one of the most-used home systems for decades to come.

While standing at a train platform on a foggy day, an idea struck when he realized how he could control the air’s humidity: he could reduce moisture in the air by passing it through water to create fog. In 1902, he built the first air conditioner and has been known as the “Father of Air Conditioning” ever since.

The Critical Time Period of AC Development

The early 1900s was a time of many advancements, particularly within manufacturing and engineering as well as societal changes. For many years, people had longed for a way to create a more comfortable indoor environment by controlling its temperature. The invention of air conditioning made this possible for not only homeowners but businesses too, which led to incredible growth for all types of businesses. Movie blockbusters in the summertime grew in popularity, as people came to the theaters to escape the heat outside.

The invention of AC improved facilities for manufacturing, making it more comfortable for employees with less heat from all of the machinery. For textile manufacturers specifically, it also improved the quality control of their products, so clothing wasn’t exposed to too much humidity during the manufacturing process. The invention of AC also paved the way for shopping malls, international travel, and eventually led to computers and servers, which are essential in today’s world.

Air Conditioner Development From Then Until Now

When comparing the first AC model to what the average person has in their home today, there have been quite a few advancements made. The original air conditioner was quite large. If someone were to try and fit the unit into their home today, it would take up an entire room, and then branch into the next room over.

It was 7 feet high, 6 feet wide, and 20 feet long! The size of the unit has changed dramatically since the early 1900s, but it still uses the same engineering concepts: it draws out the warm air from inside of the house and pushes it outside, thus removing the heat. Only now, the device can fit right below a window or outside of the door.

About G.F Bowman, Inc.

Since 1967, G.F. Bowman, Inc. has strived to provide quality work and high priority service. They proudly provide top-rated AC repair services in Harrisburg and Lebanon, PA. As a family-owned and operated business of three generations, they have a unique understanding of what the community needs because they are a part of the community. They believe that the only way to provide excellent service is to do it with respect and concern for their customers.