Rosenberg Plumbing & Air Blog

Warning Signs Your Home May Need a Professional Plumbing Inspection

February 11, 2026

Plumbing problems often start quietly and stay hidden, which makes them easy to miss. Many San Antonio homeowners don’t realize something is wrong until damage becomes visible and repairs become costly. A plumbing inspection helps catch issues early, before they interfere with daily use or affect the home. Most plumbing issues show warning signs, such as changes in water pressure, water quality, or utility bills. Paying attention to these changes helps homeowners schedule an inspection at the right time and avoid added stress. This guide covers seven common signs that indicate your home needs a plumbing inspection. 1. Slow Drains That Never Fully Improve Slow drains may seem minor when water eventually clears, but ongoing drainage problems often signal deeper plumbing issues. Grease, soap residue, and debris collect beyond easy reach and gradually restrict water flow. When multiple fixtures drain slowly, the problem usually extends beyond a single pipe. These conditions increase internal pressure and place added stress on the plumbing system. Temporary fixes provide brief relief but fail to resolve the underlying cause. Water flow improves briefly, then slows again without warning. Pipe damage, poor alignment, or heavy buildup restricts movement farther down the line. A professional plumbing inspection...

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Cold-Weather Heat Pump Issues: What’s Normal and What’s Not

February 4, 2026

Winter puts extra demand on heat pumps because cold outdoor air makes heating harder to maintain. Many homeowners notice comfort changes once winter arrives and wonder if their system is struggling. Heat pumps work differently than furnaces, which can make normal winter operation feel unfamiliar. Cold weather often exposes efficiency losses that go unnoticed during warmer months. Understanding how winter affects a heat pump helps homeowners recognize what is normal. This guide explains which signs need attention and when professional service is necessary. Cold Air Coming From the Vents Feeling cool air from the vents during winter often worries homeowners using heat pumps. Unlike furnaces, heat pumps deliver air that feels cooler while still warming the home. The system works by transferring heat rather than producing high-temperature air. On colder days, vent air may feel lukewarm without indicating a system failure. Thermostat behavior affects how heated air feels at the vents. When the system reaches the set temperature, it may continue circulating air while delivering less heat. This can create the impression of cool air even while the home remains comfortable. Thermostat placement can also influence how frequently the system adjusts output. Duct layout influences temperature consistency throughout the home....

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What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze and Crack

January 30, 2026

When a pipe freezes, the real problem often shows up after the thaw, when pressure forces water through a split you could not see. Your first job is to slow the leak down so a small crack does not become a soaked ceiling, warped floors, or a moldy wall cavity. In this blog, we’ll walk through what to shut off, what to drain, what to document, and what to avoid so you do not make the damage worse. At , in San Antonio, TX, we help homeowners take quick, practical steps when frozen pipes turn into leaks. Recognize When a Freeze Became a Break A frozen pipe problem does not always look dramatic. You might notice a faucet that sputters, then stops, or a toilet tank that fills slowly after a flush. You may hear a dull thump inside a wall when the heat turns on, followed by an ominous silence. A crack can form while the pipe is locked in ice, then start leaking later when the ice loosens and water pressure returns. That timing is what makes these events feel confusing, because the house may look fine during the coldest hours and then show damage once the thaw...

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How to Improve Indoor Air Quality for Winter

January 15, 2026

p>Winter tends to be the season that keeps people indoors the most. With all that time inside, people suffer from the effects of stale air. That might not seem like a big deal, but poor indoor air quality (IAQ) during the winter can promote problems ranging from dry skin to respiratory diseases. It is important to know why these issues appear and how to improve indoor air quality over the winter. What Makes Indoor Air Quality Bad During the Winter? As winter sets in and temperatures drop, people tend to close their houses up to improve efficiency. With few open windows and generally less ventilation, your house undergoes fewer exchanges of fresh air with the outdoors. From an efficiency perspective, this is a good thing because it minimizes heating energy losses. However, it also traps lots of contaminants indoors. There are many potential irritants inside your home, too. Building materials like wood emit volatile organic compounds. Similar chemicals leach from carpeting, furniture, and even many cooking implements. There are also plenty of biological irritants that accumulate during the winter. Dust mites, pet dander, and mold all accumulate more as there are fewer air exchanges. Viruses and bacteria build up indoors,...

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Your Pipe Froze and Broke: The Fastest Way to Get Back in Control

January 5, 2026

When a pipe freezes, the real problem often shows up after the thaw, when pressure forces water through a split you could not see. Your first job is to slow the leak down so a small crack does not become a soaked ceiling, warped floors, or a moldy wall cavity. In this blog, we’ll walk through what to shut off, what to drain, what to document, and what to avoid so you do not make the damage worse. At , in San Antonio, TX, we help homeowners take quick, practical steps when frozen pipes turn into leaks. Recognize When a Freeze Became a Break A frozen pipe problem does not always look dramatic. You might notice a faucet that sputters, then stops, or a toilet tank that fills slowly after a flush. You may hear a dull thump inside a wall when the heat turns on, followed by an ominous silence. A crack can form while the pipe is locked in ice, then start leaking later when the ice loosens and water pressure returns. That timing is what makes these events feel confusing, because the house may look fine during the coldest hours and then show damage once the thaw...

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Wrapping Gas Pipes in San Antonio: When It Helps and When It Doesn’t

January 2, 2026

San Antonio, TX winters are usually mild, but cold snaps still occur, making people look at anything exposed outside, including gas piping. You might wonder if wrapping a gas pipe works like wrapping a water line, or if it creates a new problem you didn’t expect. At in San Antonio, we help homeowners sort out what is safe, what is pointless, and what only a licensed pro should handle. Start With the Big Question: What Are You Trying to Prevent? When you think about wrapping a gas pipe, it helps to name the worry in plain terms. Are you worried that the pipe will freeze and stop gas flow, as a water line can? Are you worried that the pipe will sweat and drip, or cold air will mess with your heater? Gas piping behaves differently from water piping, so the “wrap it like a hose” instinct can lead you in the wrong direction. Natural gas and propane move as vapor in the pipe, not as standing water. That means the pipe is not carrying liquid that expands when it gets cold. So, freeze damage usually does not apply to the gas line itself. The bigger winter risks tend to...

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What to Do If You Smell Gas Near Your Furnace

December 19, 2025

Natural gas furnaces heat homes efficiently, but they also require careful attention. This is especially true if you notice unusual odors. A gas smell near your furnace demands immediate action because the situation can escalate quickly. You can stay safe by recognizing warning signs early, responding quickly, and having a professional inspect your system before you restart it. Recognizing the Smell of Natural Gas You rarely smell natural gas when it is in its pure form because it lacks any noticeable odor. Gas companies add an unmistakable sulfur-like scent called mercaptan so you can detect leaks right away. When you notice that rotten-egg smell near your furnace, you should treat it as a serious warning. The odor often drifts through basements, utility closets, and mechanical rooms because these spaces are enclosed, allowing the smell to build up quickly. Why Gas Leaks Happen Around Furnaces A furnace relies on several connections, valves, and ignition components that handle natural gas. Any breakdown in these parts can release gas into your home. Older furnaces can develop worn seals or cracked fittings. Rust can form on burners or heat exchangers. Vibrations during operation can loosen joints over time. Even newer systems can leak gas...

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Tips to Lower Your Heating Bill in San Antonio

December 12, 2025

While cooler temperatures are inevitable during the winter months, that doesn’t mean you have to deal with rising utility bills. A few intentional habits can reduce your monthly heating costs. At , we understand what it takes to stay comfortable without stretching your budget. Consider some of the best ways to lower your heating bills while keeping your San Antonio home warm and comfortable. 1. Schedule Regular Heating Tune-up Services If you want to lower your heating bill, one of the best places to start is with consistent tune-up services. When a professional inspects your heater each year, you’re giving your system the best chance to run as efficiently as possible. A trained technician can spot issues before they turn into costly repairs. They’ll ensure everything is clean, safe, and operating as it should. A well-maintained system naturally uses less energy. As a result, you’ll spend less to stay comfortable. This is especially important in a place like San Antonio, where temperatures can drop suddenly. When you’re constantly adjusting the thermostat in response to those changes, your system ends up working harder than necessary. A proper tune-up helps balance that load and keeps your heater prepared for whatever the season...

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A Homeowner’s Guide to Preventing Frozen Pipes in San Antonio’s Winter

December 5, 2025

San Antonio winters may not be as harsh as winters in most northern states. However, freezing temperatures can still pose a serious threat to your plumbing system. Frozen pipes can burst without any type of warning, causing costly water damage and repair needs that disrupt your daily life. As a homeowner, it’s important you understand how it is essential to protect your plumbing system before the cold sets in. This guide will take you through the steps to prevent frozen pipes, what to watch for, and how to respond if you encounter problems. Our team at is available to help with prevention as well as repairs. Understanding the Risk in San Antonio While San Antonio typically experiences milder winters, temperatures occasionally dip below freezing. Homes that are not prepared for this cold weather are at the highest risk. Pipes in areas that are not heated, such as attics, garages, crawl spaces, and exterior walls, are most vulnerable. Water expands when it freezes, leading to cracks or bursts that may go unnoticed until damage becomes obvious in your living space. Even a short period of freezing temperatures can put your plumbing at risk, making proactive measures essential. You may assume that...

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Tips for Finding and Fixing a Plumbing Leak in Your Home

November 26, 2025

Residential plumbing is durable and long-lasting. However, that doesn’t mean your home can’t suffer leaks. The problem is, with so much of your plumbing concealed inside walls, there’s always a chance for a leak to go unnoticed. Hidden plumbing leaks can waste significant amounts of water and cause substantial damage to your home. To avoid that, it’s wise to learn the telltale signs of hidden leaks and how to detect them. Here are some tips to help you find hidden leaks in your home. Signs of a Leak Before you can locate the source of a leak, you need to recognize the signs indicating that you have one. Look out for the following. Water Pressure Problems If one of the water supply lines in your home springs a leak, it may decrease your water pressure. So, if your sinks don’t seem to have the same flow rate they once did, you may have a leak. The same goes for showers and other fixtures in your home. However, since small leaks may not produce noticeable changes in flow rate, creating a benchmark is useful. To do it, you need a stopwatch and a large measuring cup. Place the measuring cup in...

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