Red Rock Mechanical, LLC Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Williston’

Minor Plumbing Problems That Can Become Big Plumbing Problems

Friday, May 30th, 2014

Nobody likes dealing with plumbing problems, and if the issue isn’t seriously debilitating, we all have a tendency to let it be. Why not put up with a slow drip in the faucet, for example, or a sink that’s slow to drain? In point of fact, however, those little issues have a way of becoming bigger ones at the worst possible moment. If you’re looking for a plumbing service, Williston VT has a number of reputable companies, and you should always call them sooner rather than later. Here’s a breakdown of minor plumbing problems that can become big plumbing problems.

Consider the issue of leaks for example. A small out-of-the-way leak may not seem like a big deal, especially if the slow drip of water doesn’t affect the pressure from the faucet. But that drip can affect your house in ways you can’t predict. Water left on its own can work horrors on nearby wood and drywall, creating major problems with your home. It can also damage electric circuitry and wall outlets. By the time the leak becomes bad enough to affect the water pressure, you may be looking at a serious repair bill.

The same thing happens with clogs. The longer they remain, the more other detritus from your sink builds up. That makes the clogs stronger and harder to dislodge, as well as clogging up more and more of the pipe. Getting to a clog early can be comparatively easy. But if you wait, then the plumber may need to deploy more expensive equipment to fix the issue, or even replace the pipe itself. Sooner is always better when dealing with clogs. Your plumbing system will thank you for it.

To handle minor plumbing problems that can become big plumbing problems, call upon the professionals at Red Rock Mechanical for help. When it comes to plumbing service, Williston, VT residents can’t find a more reliable company, and we treat little problems with the same reverence and care that we handle big ones. Give us a call today to make an appointment and take care of that lingering little issue before it gets too big to ignore.

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How a Professional Plumber Unclogs Your Drains

Monday, April 7th, 2014

Sooner or later, every plumbing system gets drain clogs. Whether it’s hot grease poured down your sink, hair and soap trapped in the tub, or slow blockages building up over time, clogs are inevitable. Many people assume they can treat them with store-bought cleansers or snakes, but in truth a professional plumber is your best option. Here in Williston, plumbing experts utilize a number of tricks to get drains unclogged. Here’s how a professional plumber unclogs your drains.

In the first place, plumbers rarely use chemical cleansers, which can be dangerous and don’t always do the job. Instead, they rely on snakes to handle the bulk of the clogs. But plumber’s snakes bear little resemblance to the basic models you can buy at the local hardware store. Many of professional versions are electric, allowing the plumber to bring real power to bear on the issue. They also use removable heads that let the plumber tailor the tool to fit the specific clog.

That’s not the only type of tools that a trained plumber brings to bear. He or she can send video cameras down the drain to ascertain the exact nature of the clog, allowing for an informed decision as to the best piece of equipment of the job.

People often prefer to deal with clogs themselves, but in fact, a qualified plumber can make all the difference. When you look at how a professional plumber unclogs your drains – not just in terms of the tools, but the training and know-how – it’s clear how much of a difference that makes. Here in Williston, plumbing clogs can be treated by the experts at Red Rock Mechanical. If your drains are clogged then give us a call. 

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Signs of a Furnace Control Board Problem

Thursday, March 20th, 2014

The modern furnace is a marvel of technology, especially when compared to the furnaces of yore, which were basically large ovens with pipes hooked up to them. Contemporary furnaces have most of their operations linked into a furnace control board, which is the core of how the furnace works. The control board runs a series of operations—starting the electronic ignition, opening the gas valve, checking the burner unit, activating the blower, shutting off the gas, venting the heat exchanger—that moves the furnace through all the stages of providing you with heat.

The control board can malfunction, however, and put your furnace’s operation in jeopardy. When this occurs, you will need to call for professional heating service in Williston, VT to replace the defective board. Red Rock Mechanical can provide this service for you, fast and effectively, when you need it.

Here are signs you may have a malfunctioning furnace control board:

  • Uncomfortable temperatures: If your furnace starts to make you either too hot or too cold, and the thermostat settings seem fine, then the problem might be a control board that is turning components off too soon or letting them run too long. Although there are multiple issues that can cause this malfunction, the control board is one of the main culprits.
  • Interruption of the regular sequence of events: Elaborating on the above warning, pay attention to your furnace’s specific sequence of operation. (Don’t open the furnace cabinet to check, just stay near it and listen to what happens.) Does the blower stage stop suddenly? Are the gas jets not activating? Is the ignition not coming on? Does the blower continue to run after everything else has shut off? Any of these irregularities in the normal sequence of events can indicate control board malfunctions.
  • Diagnostic indicators: Most boards have LED lights to indicate when there is a problem with their operation. If your furnace starts to run improperly, open up the control board access panel to see if any red warning lights have activated. There should be a diagnostic chart on the inside of the panel lid that will explain what the warning lights mean. When you call a technician, describe the diagnostic information so the technician will have a good idea what problem needs to be addressed before coming to your house.

It takes a fine knowledge of electronics and furnace technology to replace a control board. Don’t attempt to fiddle around with the panel on your own without the proper training. Make a call to heating experts with as much information as you can glean from the panel to explain the situation. They can take it from there.

Red Rock Mechanical has helped people in Williston, VT with heating services for 23 years. If you need work done on your furnace’s control board, give us a call.

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Heating Problem: My Electronic Ignition Furnace Won’t Ignite

Tuesday, February 18th, 2014

The standing pilot light was the regular way to ignite gas-powered furnaces for almost as long as these heating systems have existed. But now an electric ignition system have started to replace pilot lights. Because an electric ignition does not need constant power the way a pilot light does, it contributes to energy savings. The electric ignition is one of the reasons modern furnaces have seen a rise in AFUE ratings (annual fuel utilization efficiency) and have remained competitive with other, newer heating systems.

However, just like a pilot light going out, if your electric ignition fails, the gas jets in the burner will not come on and the furnace will provide no heat. There are a number of reasons this might occur, but whatever is behind the problem, you should not attempt to troubleshoot it yourself. Gas furnaces are potentially hazardous if they receive untrained work. Stay safe and call professionals like the staff at Red Rock Mechanical when you need help with your heating in Williston, VT.

Possible causes for electronic ignition failure

  • Igniter age: An electric ignition system is not designed to last as long as a furnace itself and it will need occasional replacements after it wears out. A repair technician will be able to determine if this is indeed the problem and find the proper replacement part.
  • Wrong igniter for the furnace: Here is a good example of why calling for professionals is best. If the wrong type of igniter is in the furnace with incorrectly matched voltage, it will soon fail.
  • High temperature limit switch affecting the igniter: The high temperature limit switch is an important safety feature of a furnace that prevents it from becoming too hot. The switch will turn the furnace off when the temperature rises too high. But a clogged air filter can cause the switch to start turning off the igniter early. The limit switch itself can often malfunction, preventing the igniter from turning on at all.
  • High current in the home: A power surge can cause the electric igniter to burn out, especially if it is a “hot surface” igniter, which functions similar to a light bulb with a burning filament.

Don’t go “do-it-yourself”

Although the electronic igniter in your furnace is a small and replaceable component, you should never attempt to change it yourself. First of all, you won’t know for certain what caused the igniter to fail, and there may be other issues that need attention. Second, you should never interfere with any natural gas system because of the possibility of carbon monoxide exposure and other hazards.

Call Red Rock Mechanical and our 24/7 emergency service for assistance with a gas furnace. Take no chances with your heating in Williston, VT: rely on our NATE-certified repair technicians.

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