How to Keep your Pipes from Freezing

    

Living in the south, we don’t usually have to worry about frozen pipes. But when freezing temperatures come, you need to be ready. Well, unless you want your pipes to burst, leading to thousands of dollars in water damage.
 


Follow these tips to keep your pipes from freezing:

•     Make sure you shut off water to the outside hose bibbs (spigots). If there is not a shut off you’ll want to insulate (wrap) the piping and hose bibbs. Remove all hoses attached outside faucets and store for the winter.

•     Use heat tape to insulate piping exposed to low temperatures in attics, garages, and outside walls.

•     If temperatures fall below 25 degrees (F) then leave all faucets (hot and cold) dripping very slowly.

•     If residence is unoccupied and unheated, the main waterline should be turned off and all faucets opened to allow pipes to drain. 

•     Set the automatic irrigation controller to the “Off” setting. Turn off water to the irrigation system at the stop and drain valve. Many homes have separate stop and drain valves for the outdoor water supply. Make sure the different valves are labeled so they are easy to identify.

If your pipes do freeze, and you need help, give us a call at (828) 693-0933 – we’ll be ready and waiting to help!

Visit us online at www.McnuttServiceGroup.com

Living in the south, we don’t usually have to worry about frozen pipes. But when freezing temperatures come, you need to be ready. Well, unless you want your pipes to burst, leading to thousands of dollars in water damage. 
Follow these tips to keep your pipes from freezing:

• Make sure you shut off water to the outside hose bibbs (spigots). If there is not a shut off you’ll want to insulate (wrap) the piping and hose bibbs. Remove all hoses attached outside faucets and store for the winter.

• Use heat tape to insulate piping exposed to low temperatures in attics, garages, and outside walls.

• If temperatures fall below 25 degrees (F) then leave all faucets (hot and cold) dripping very slowly.

• If residence is unoccupied and unheated, the main waterline should be turned off and all faucets opened to allow pipes to drain. 

• Set the automatic irrigation controller to the “Off” setting. Turn off water to the irrigation system at the stop and drain valve. Many homes have separate stop and drain valves for the outdoor water supply. Make sure the different valves are labeled so they are easy to identify.

If your pipes do freeze, and you need help, give us a call at (770) 884-7109 – we’ll be ready and waiting to help!
- See more at: http://www.coolray.com/blog/article/quick-tips-to-keep-your-pipes-from-freezing/?pmc=email&_vsrefdom=email#sthash.fEnFWU9n.dpuf

Get your Home Ready for the Cold

Prepare your heating system to avoid unwanted shivering


Imagine turning on your furnace (when temperatures are expected to drop below freezing) only to find out that it doesn’t work. That would be miserable. You’d have to call a heating company and wait for them to have time to come fix it. And you’d be stuck in a house that could function as a giant ice box.

Well, that is reality for many Western north Carolina & Eastern Tennessee homeowners every year. Don’t let it happen to you! Here’s what you can do to make sure your furnace runs safely and efficiently when you need it.

Turn on the heat now – Even if you’re not cold yet, it’s best to turn on your furnace now to make sure that everything is working correctly. Better to know now than when it’s already cold in your home.

• Know a stale smell is okay… at first – It’s common for your furnace to have an odd smell when you turn it on for the first time of the year. If the smell persists after an hour or longer, you may need to call a heating company to take a look.

• Replace your thermostat’s battery (if needed) – Some thermostats have batteries. Make sure it’s ready for the winter by changing it now. 

• Replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors – Home fires rise in the winter and many times the cause is the home heating system. Make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working.

• Make sure all your vents are open – If you’ve closed any vents in your home this summer, make sure they’re re-opened.

•  Clear a 3-foot area around your furnace – Many furnaces are located in the garage or attic. So homeowners often store things near their furnaces. However, this can cause problems as it blocks ventilation to the furnace and these things can also catch fire if stored too close.

• Schedule a heating tune-up – The best way to make sure your furnace or heating system runs safely and efficiently all winter long, get it tuned up regularly.

And, of course, if you need help, give us a call at (828) 6930933 – we’ll be ready and waiting to help!

Visit us online at www.McnuttServiceGroup.com

Shield Your HVAC System Against Weather Damage

To shield your home from the extreme weather conditions, there are certain steps we need to take to protect the systems from potential damages that can be caused by environmental changes. Not many places are susceptible to great thunderstorms, rains, hail or even snow. While the HVAC systems, in general, are built to withstand rain and water damage to an extent, it is possible for them to get damaged, sometimes severely, during huge thunderstorms or continuous downpours. Damages can be caused due to electrical issues or due to direct physical impact of the rain. Whatever be the case, it is necessary to ensure that your system is well protected against the weather to avoid huge financial repercussions. Glance through the following simple tips McNutt Service Group recommends to shield your HVAC systems effectively during a variety of storms. 

Protection against water and wind damages

The most vulnerable part of your HVAC system in this case is the outdoor component(s) of the air conditioning unit. Strong winds or heavy flooding can cause extensive damages to these components. To diminish the impact, ensure that the outdoor component is secured and covered. It is better to keep it in an elevated position so as to avoid constant exposure to water. Be sure to pump out water from basements after a storm. If not manual, you can go for pumps that get activated when the water levels reach a certain limit.
Outdoor units also might end up collecting a lot of dirt and debris due to strong winds. Care should be taken to see that openings and drains are not clogged. Do not place any household clutter near the outdoor units as they might end up damaging it during storms. Best way to avoid this is to cover the unit with a good quality canvas. Avoid plastic covers and tarps as they tend to retain the moisture.



 Protection against electrical issues

Electrical issues are much more dangerous than water or wind as they tend to affect the most fragile and expensive of equipment within and outside the house. Thunderstorms and lightning might cause huge surges in electricity and since many HVAC equipment and components depend heavily on electricity, damages are inevitable. Since the repair or replacement of such components is extremely heavy on your pocket, it is sensible to take steps to avoid such circumstances.

Suppressors, specific or central, are a great way to avoid electrical damage, another way to is to cut the power source to HVAC equipment both within and outside the house during the storm. In case you do not prefer to turn off the system, try generators to keep the system up and running with a constant supply of electricity while avoiding power surges.
Even after a storm has passed, it is better to tick off a few points in the ‘after storm’ checklist before restarting our equipment. Ensure there is no water inundation near the outdoor units. It is also important to check for clogs in ducts and furnace pipes after strong winds. Dehumidify and ensure that the air you breathe is free of micro-organisms and other pollutants. Get a professional opinion on your plans from your HVAC contractor and tackle the rain without any hassles.

Do you have any questions or concerns on how to better protect you home and family call McNutt Service Group now at 828-693-0933