News

Your friends here at American Way Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning have been down with a case of cabin fever for a while now, and it got us to thinking about good ways to spend time as a homeowner here in New Jersey while still locked into the clutches of wintertime.  We quickly realized that wintertime was something many people don’t realize is hard on a home’s plumbing system, and so we thought it would be good to cover some of the best lessons we’ve learned over the years about wintertime plumbing and preventative maintenance plans.to keep it all running smoothly like it’s supposed to. Top 5 Wintertime Plumbing Maintenance Essentials: #1: Be Careful With Your Drains This is good advice year-round really but applies so much this time of year because plumbing systems are prone to more problems, such as clogged drains, in the colder months. To avoid clogged drains altogether, pay attention to what you put down them and change your habits accordingly.  For instance, never pour fats, cooking oils, or significant food waste down your drains.   We also advise using hair traps in your shower, and to rinse out the tub out after use. #2: Make Sure The Whole Family Knows How To Shut Off Water In case you ever have a plumbing emergency where flooding or sewage backup could cause serious damages, make sure you instruct the whole family on when and how to shut off water service at the main.  Have them all show you how to do it afterward to make sure they understand! #3:  Insulate Pipes That Tend to Freeze Insulation is cheap and does a good job of providing that extra bit of protection from cold drafts that some pipes need to keep from freezing in the cold season, so do yourself a favor and get a couple rolls when you have a couple hours to spare and identify which pipes are susceptible to drafts and therefore likely to freeze, and just wrap them up. #4: Check Your Water Heater Temperature You should take time periodically to check your hot water heater. Make sure there are no leaks anywhere, including at the pressure relief or drain valves, and that it’s set to the optimal temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. #5:  Let Water Drip on Exceptionally Cold Days On days and nights that are extra cold or windy, it’s always a good idea to let your faucets drip or even trickle to prevent the water lines from freezing. There are a lot more things to do than this list entails, but if you can commit to these five maintenance tasks, your plumbing system will be in much a much better position to avoid freezing and other problems during the winter months. If you want to schedule an annual inspection and preventative maintenance service call, call American Way Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning today. We have great deals this time of year!

Are you worried about your plumbing system as the holidays draw near? American Way is a trusted plumber in North NJ and we’re giving you some tips to avoid plumbing emergencies. We’ve witnessed firsthand the damage from a frozen pipe that burst but it can be prevented most of the time. Take it from our expert plumbers that it’s better to try preventative measures rather than hoping for the best. Tips to prevent a plumbing emergency: Know where the main shut off valve is! You should always know where the water main shut off valve is in case there’s a burst pipe that leaks. This will help you avoid severe water damage. Disconnect all outdoor hoses! It’s important to remember to disconnect outdoor plumbing in order to avoid freezing pipes and faucets. You also want to make sure you drain the outdoor pipes and faucets so that no water gets trapped in the plumbing thus freezing and bursting later on. Insulate pipes! A safe way to keep your plumbing from being a disaster during the winter is by insulating the pipes. By doing this you can keep the pipes from freezing and ensure water flows without any issues. Sewer and drain cleaning! People often forget that the sewer and drains are a vital part of the plumbing system. If these get clogged with dirt and debris, the plumbing will get backed up and cause serious flooding and water damage. If you hire a professional for sewer and drain cleaning, it can remove any clog and ensure the plumbing is working efficiently. Clean out the garbage disposal! The garbage disposal is the most common plumbing fixture that often needs repair. With all the food scraps and grease that goes down the drain, it’s no wonder that the garbage disposal breaks down. If you clean out the garbage disposal you can prevent it breaking and causing a clog in your plumbing system. Open cabinet doors! One of the oldest plumbing tricks is to open the cabinet doors to any pipes. This could be the cabinets under the sink in the bathroom or kitchen. It may not seem like a permanent solution but overnight when it’s generally colder and you aren’t using the kitchen sink, it’s best to leave the cabinet door open. This way the heat airflow hits the pipes and keeps them from freezing. How can American Way help? If you need a reliable plumber to assist you with a plumbing emergency, contact American Way immediately! We work around the clock 24/7 and can offer plumbing repairs, replacements, installations, and cleaning. Give us a call and we can help you get your plumbing system ready for winter!

Are you struggling with deciding on a new heater installation? There are a lot of factors to consider and you may not realize what goes into choosing a new heater. Aside from budget and the size of your space, heaters are made differently for homes and businesses. American Way is here to help you weigh all the advantages. It’s especially important to have a professional carry out the installation process, and we’ll cover that too! Benefits of a new heater installation: High efficiency Furnace and boiler options Gas or oil powered Quiet models Longer lifespan Clean air flow Digital thermostats Comfort control Whether a commercial or residential heater, there are plenty of options to look at when deciding on a new heater. There are furnaces and boilers that are affordable for any budget. They each have their own efficiency ratings and can be powered by oil or gas. When you have a new heating system installed, you’re starting with a heater that will have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years which means it’ll last a longer period of time. You can also trust that the air flow is cleaner and the new heating makes and models offer quality comfort control that can ensure even heating. Why choose a professional HVAC contractor? As we previously mentioned, new heating systems need to be installed by professional HVAC contractors. The reason for this is because contractors are licensed and insured whereas an amateur is not and could damage the heater which could void the warranty. Professionals are dedicated to following all safety procedures and make sure the boiler or furnace is working correctly. In addition, contractors are able to offer routine maintenance that can be scheduled annually. If you wish to receive a free quote on a new heater installation, call American Way and we’ll be happy to assist you!

Summer has finally ended and that means the weather will be drastically changing soon. The fall season is the perfect time to test your heating system to ensure it’s functioning properly. At American Way Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, we recommend heating maintenance at least once a year before the cold weather. You don’t want to wait until winter when you need to use the heater and then find out it doesn’t work or it breaks down a few weeks later. Below we go over some general heating maintenance tips to help your furnace or boiler work more efficiently. Heating Maintenance Tips for your Boiler or Furnace: While maintaining your system is best left to a professional HVAC contractor, there are some ways you can help maintain your boiler or furnace on your own. This includes things like air filters, checking the pilot light, and removing debris near the heater. First, turn on the heat to see if it’s working. This will be one sure sign of whether or not your heater will even benefit from the DIY maintenance method. It goes without saying that you need to regularly change the air filters. With all the tiny particles and dust being filtered it will eventually need to be replaced. If you have an outdoor central heating and cooling unit, it’s best to cut down any debris such as weeds, bushes, grass, or anything else that may be blocking the air flow. Check the pilot light on your gas boiler or furnace to make sure the flame is a clear blue. Make sure there’s nothing blocking any of the vents as it could lead to a fire hazard and will stop the flow of heat to your home or business. How can a professional HVAC company help? Although you can do some of the maintenance yourself, there are more ways in which a professional HVAC company can help. American Way offers affordable heating maintenance services that will fit any budget. We’re highly experienced and licensed to service any make or model of commercial and residential furnaces, boilers, and central heating and cooling systems. We’ll be able to thoroughly inspect the heating and tighten or clean any loose or dirty valve, switch, coil, fan, blower, or burner. If you’d like to set up routine heating maintenance give American Way a call today!

Did you know that you can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption bill by 5.5% to 14.5% through routine air conditioning maintenance? American Way is the expert on all residential and commercial air conditioners in North NJ, and have compiled some key air conditioning maintenance tips you can do yourself. The following are the three main parts that you should never ignore when it comes to maintenance. Air Conditioner Filters Filters are arguably the most significant part of residential and commercial air conditioners in North NJ. To ensure efficiency of your air conditioner, you should always replace filters or clean them often to ensure there is no debris clogging them. Clogged or dirty filters can result in blocking of air flow thus reducing the AC’s efficiency which in turn can cause high energy consumption. Regularly cleaning or replacing the filter will lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption which will also lower your carbon footprint. A clean AC unit is one step closer to a healthy green earth! Air Conditioner Coils The coils form the main cooling site for the air conditioner as it contains the coolant that absorbs the heat from the room and carries it outdoor where it releases it into the air. When the filters are not working, the coils may accumulate dirt over time and eventually block them. This results in high energy costs and in the long run, you will have to endure the cost of hiring a professional to replace the air conditioner coils. AC Condenser Fan The fan is responsible for blowing air over the AC condenser for cooling purposes. If the fan blades are weak or not working properly, the amount of air taken to the condenser reduces thus affecting the air conditioning ability of the whole system. This increases energy consumption as the system struggles to work overtime. Once the fan is cleaned energy consumption can be reduced and you’ll see a significant decrease on your utility bill. The rule of thumb is to always ensure there is free movement of air in and out of the air conditioning system. Other additional tips that we can’t ignore include cleaning around the unit, checking the thermostat, and also checking that all wires are connected. Should you require a professional, American Way is happy to help with affordable routine air conditioning maintenance in North NJ!