Rosenberg Plumbing & Air Blog - San Antonio, TX

How Do You Completely Clean a Drain?

November 19, 2024

At , we get a lot of questions from San Antonio, TX, homeowners about the correct process of cleaning their drains. Often, they have tried some DIY method that they heard about from a friend or online, only to have it not work completely or even exacerbate their problem. Sometimes, they have even caused damage to their pipes, taking the problem beyond a simple cleaning job to requiring a professional drain repair. We want to ensure you don’t make these same mistakes, so let’s explore everything you need to know to clean a drain thoroughly. Why You Might Need Drain Cleaning There are several reasons why San Antonio homeowners might opt to clean their drains. Slow Draining One of the most common reasons homeowners want to clean their drains is if they notice that their water drains slowly. In bathrooms, this can come from too much hair, soap scum, dead skin, or other debris working its way down your drain. In the kitchen, this can happen from things like food scraps or F.O.G. (fats, oil, and grease). Quite often, it might not simply be one of these things but an accumulated combination of many items over time. A slow drain...

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What Type of HVAC System Is Best For a Commercial Building?

November 12, 2024

Choosing the right type of HVAC system for your commercial building is essential for ensuring it stays comfortable all summer and all winter long. The type of system you choose can also make a big difference in how much you have to pay for heating and cooling. In terms of which commercial HVAC system is best, there’s not a single answer since every commercial building is different and the cooling and heating requirements can vary dramatically from one building to the next. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common types of residential HVAC systems along with some of their pros and cons and what types of buildings each one is best suited for. Single-Split Systems A single-split HVAC system is similar to what most people have in their homes. It consists of an outdoor unit that’s connected to a single indoor unit. Most split systems have an AC condenser that provides cooling along with a furnace that provides heating. However, a split system can also have a heat pump that provides both cooling and heating. Another option is to just have a split AC system and then some other type of heating such as a radiant heating...

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Why Is Water Still Dripping From the Shower When the Shower’s Been Turned Off?

November 5, 2024

A sight no one wants to see is that of water dripping out of a showerhead or tub faucet when the water is not supposed to be running, especially in San Antonio. That drip means that repairs are in your future, along with a higher water bill as that water keeps coming. Luckily, many of the causes are very simple and take only a few minutes to fix. Even better, some are issues that don’t require repair, just adjustment. However, you do want to have a plumber check out the shower and diagnose the problem as that will save you time. Rather than try to fix one problem only to find out the cause is something else, get a plumber in there and take care of the problem quickly. The Cartridge Has Started to Wear Out One of the most common causes of dripping water in the shower (either from the showerhead or the tub faucet) once you’ve turned off the water is a bad valve or cartridge. The knobs or levers in your shower are connected to valves that allow or halt the flow of water. These valves contain cartridges that can break down over time. This is a...

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What Are The Two Most Common Problems With Toilets?

October 24, 2024

People don’t usually give much thought to the toilets in their homes until something goes wrong. When issues do emerge, they have the potential to inflict considerable distress and even present health concerns. The most common problems are toilets that overflow, clog, or run continuously. If you own a home, it is crucial to understand these problems and how to fix them. Clogs and Overflows For homeowners, few things are more annoying than dealing with clogged or overflowing toilets. Overflushing the toilet, flushing non-flushable things like wipes or feminine hygiene products, and issues caused by minerals in hard water are all common causes of clogged toilets. Clogs are more likely to happen in older or low-flow toilets due to a lack of pressure that forces waste down the drain. Overflowing toilets can ruin your bathroom’s flooring, walls, and possibly the ceiling below them if they are on an upper floor. Expensive repairs may be necessary if water seeps into building materials and warps wood or damages tiles. If the overflow includes raw sewage, it may bring dangerous bacteria and other diseases into your house, which can pose major health risks. Additionally, with larger toilet mishaps, mold growth becomes a concern...

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What Maintenance Does a Furnace Need?

October 17, 2024

Your furnace has an important job. You want to make sure that it remains functional when you need it the most. For that reason, you should consider scheduling a maintenance visit for your system. A well-maintained heating system not only keeps your home warm but also helps reduce energy costs and extends the life of the equipment. With regular maintenance, you can prevent unexpected breakdowns, improve air quality, and ensure the system operates safely. What type of maintenance do you need to schedule for your furnace? Here is a look at what you can expect during these check-ups. Initial Inspection and Assessment When the technician arrives at your home, they will start an initial inspection. During this time, they will look at the overall health of the unit. Along with that, they will want to inspect if there are any signs of wear, damage, or other issues that may need some attention. Your technician will also check the outside of the unit. They want to see if there are any visible signs of damage, corrosion, or debris buildup. During this time, the technician may also ask you about any unusual noises, smells, or issues with temperature control. They want to...

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10 Signs Your HVAC Air Compressor Is Malfunctioning

October 10, 2024

If your air conditioning system isn’t cooling your home as well as it should, then you’ll likely need to seek assistance from a qualified HVAC technician. Multiple parts of your AC could be at fault, but one possibility is that your air compressor may be having problems. These 10 signs of air compressor failure can provide clues to your AC’s issues. 1. Your Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On If your air conditioner’s fan is running but no cool air is coming from the unit, then your air compressor may be at fault. You should be able to hear your air compressor over the noise of the fan, so if you can’t do so, then your compressor might be the problem. A professional may be able to fix your compressor in this case, but replacement is also common with this type of compressor trouble. 2. Unusual Noises Come From Your Unit Rattling, clicking, chattering, growling, banging, and popping noises are all possible when your air compressor is having issues. Some potential causes of these unsettling noises include a loose fan, electrical problems, a loose motor, or failing mounts. While some of these troubles can be repaired, others might require compressor replacement....

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How Do I Know if I Have a Broken Pipe?

September 19, 2024

Leaky pipes in your San Antonio, TX home won’t always leave standing water on your floor or other visible evidence. Some broken pipes can drip for weeks without ever attracting attention. Recognizing the more subtle signs of pipe damage can save you a small fortune in building repairs. The following are 11 ways to know when you have a broken pipe. 1. Sudden and Significant Increases in Your Water Bill Although water rates are bound to rise over time, your water bill shouldn’t experience any sudden and significant increases that aren’t reflective of recent changes in water use. If you haven’t added new members to your household or installed an additional water-reliant appliance, your monthly or bi-monthly water bill should remain much the same. If you’re paying far more for water than you ever have before, there’s a good chance that a water supply line is leaking somewhere in your home or just outside. 2. Strange Activity at Your Water Meter Among the easiest ways to check for a water supply line leak is by turning all your taps and plumbing-connected appliances off and visiting your water meter. If your water meter is actively registering water use even though no...

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What Are The Different Methods Of Leak Detection?

September 12, 2024

Leaks can be more than just a minor inconvenience—they can cause serious damage if not found early. That’s why using the right leak detection methods is essential to maintain your home’s plumbing system. At in San Antonio, TX, we pride ourselves on our ability to help our customers with all their plumbing needs. Let’s explore how we search for home water leaks to ensure your plumbing system flows efficiently. Visual Inspection: Spotting the Signs of a Leak A visual inspection is often the first step in finding a leak. With this method, all plumbing fixtures, pipes, and connections that can be reached are carefully checked for any obvious signs of leaks, like water stains, mold growth, pooling water, or pipe corrosion. Homeowners can regularly inspect their homes by looking under sinks, around toilets, and along walls where plumbing runs. But a professional inspection looks deeper than what meets the eye. Skilled plumbers know where to look for leaks that aren’t as obvious, such as discolored walls or ceilings, smelly or wet places where they should be dry, and other signs of a hidden leak. Visual inspection is an excellent way to find small leaks before they become bigger problems, like...

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7 Reasons To Upgrade Your Gas Furnace To An Electric One

September 5, 2024

Electric furnaces offer a modern solution to many of the problems associated with gas furnaces. They are clean, reliable, and sustainable because they do not have to burn fuel to heat your home. If you need to replace an old furnace, you should consider upgrading to an electric model to take advantage of those benefits. In many cases, it can even make sense to replace a gas furnace that still works. Every home is unique, so we encourage you to learn more about electric furnaces and make an informed decision. 1. Fire Prevention Gas furnaces can be fire hazards. While heating fires have been getting rarer for several decades, furnaces are still a leading cause of house fires. Gas furnaces are relatively safe if you take care of them, but many people neglect their heaters. For example, it is vital to change the filter in a gas furnace every few months. If you do not replace it, the dirty filter will increase the risk of a fire. Electric furnaces avoid that problem by relying on electric heating elements. They do not introduce flammable materials into your home or create flames. That makes them the perfect choice for homeowners who want...

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What Is The Purpose Of Ductwork?

August 15, 2024

Every ducted HVAC system in San Antonio, TX relies on ductwork to help regulate indoor temperatures. However, ducting maintenance sometimes takes a back seat since it stays concealed behind numerous building components. Neglecting the ductwork in your home can lead to serious consequences, including poor indoor air quality, a larger carbon footprint and higher heating and cooling bills. Types of Ductwork Systems There are many kinds of ductwork systems, and they all have their uses and benefits. Ducts constructed out of sheet metal, such as aluminum or galvanized steel, have a reputation for being long-lasting and sturdy. Their resistance to mold growth and ease of cleaning makes them a popular choice for commercial and domestic applications alike. Flexible ducts, which consist of an insulated wire coil wrapped in pliable plastic, provide a great deal of installation flexibility. They are particularly useful in confined spaces or places with unconventional layouts. However, they are more prone to breaking, and if they’re not installed properly, they can restrict airflow. A duct board made of fiberglass insulation and backed with foil is highly effective at reducing noise and maintaining consistent interior temperatures. Despite being lighter than sheet metal and being able to be custom...

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