Are Dehumidifiers a Good Idea?

August 29th, 2022

Central Alabama is often hot and humid. Humidity can often make a hot day feel even hotter when the relative humidity is higher than 50%, which can be frequently in the summer months. You may have heard about whole-house dehumidifiers and are curious if they would be a good fit for your home. Are dehumidifiers a good idea? The HVAC specialists at Douglas Cooling & Heating explain the factors that you should consider if you’re thinking about adding a dehumidification system to your home.

How Does a Dehumidifier Work?

Humidity is the measurement of water in the air, often displayed as a percentage. The higher the temperature of the air, the more moisture it can hold. That’s why you mostly experience humid 90-degree days and less humid 70-degree days.

A whole-house dehumidifier is attached to your home’s HVAC system. As air flows through the system, it passes through a cool coil that removed the moisture from the air. The air is then sent through your home with much less moisture in it, making it feel much more comfortable. Your dehumidifier should be able to bring down the moisture in the air to a relatively low humidity level of 30-50 percent.

Air conditioners and heat pumps are good at dehumidifying the air on their own, however, really humid days can cause a lot of strain on your systems, which makes them vulnerable to breaking down. Adding a dehumidifier to your home can help take some of the stress off your cooling system.

You can buy individual room dehumidifiers, but they often require regular maintenance such as emptying the collection tank and replacing the air filters. These little appliances only can provide relief for one room. A whole house dehumidifier can service the entire home, requires very little maintenance, and uses very little energy. Only about 3-16 cents an hour on average.

Why You Should Consider Adding a Dehumidifier to Your Home’s HVAC System

Would adding a whole-house dehumidifier benefit your home? Here are some specific instances that a dehumidifier would help with.

Severe Allergies & Asthma Symptoms

Humidity can make allergies worse. Common allergens like mold, dust mites and pollen thrive and spread easily in moist environments. If you’re allergic to any of these things, it can make your allergies worse. Humidity can also make it harder to breathe, especially for asthmatics. A dehumidifier can help lighten the air so you can breathe easily in your home.

Hot Climates

Homes in hot climates with high humidity, like Central Alabama, can find additional relief in their home’s comfort with a whole-house dehumidifier.

Mold & Mildew Growth

Mold and mildew tend to grow and spread easily in humid climates. If you find that your home has a musty smell to it, you may have mold growing inside your walls. A dehumidifier will dry out your home, preventing mold from spreading any further.

Cooling System Performance

There’s nothing worse than going into your home on a hot and humid day only to discover that it’s just as humid inside as it is outside. Your cooling system is most likely stressed from trying to both dehumidify and cool the air in your home. You may even notice your summer cooling bills spike from the added usage. A dehumidifier will relieve the strain your system is experiencing and it won’t have to work as hard. You might even notice a decrease in your cooling bills after you have a whole-house dehumidifier installed.

Pest Control

Not only do airborne contaminants like moist climates, but so do bugs. Spiders, silverfish, cockroaches, and other creepy crawlies might flock to your home if it is constantly hot and humid. Drying out the air will make your home less appealing to them and drive them away. If you’ve had insect infestations in the past, a dehumidifier could help.

Home Comfort Issues

If your home is humid, not only will you feel it, but you’ll notice moisture on the inside of windows, wallpaper peeling, worsening allergies, musty odors, and rotting wood. Excessive indoor humidity isn’t just uncomfortable it can also be damaging to the wooden floors and furniture around your home. Improve your home’s comfort and protect it for years to come with a dehumidifier.

Talk to Douglas Cooling & Heating to Install a Dehumidifier in Your Birmingham, AL Home

If you’re looking for relief from the hot and humid weather, then talk to Douglas Cooling & Heating about whole house dehumidifier installation in your Birmingham area home. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

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What Maintenance Needs to be Done On a Heat Pump?

August 29th, 2022

If you’re in the market for a new heating and cooling system for your Birmingham, AL home, you might have considered a heat pump. Heat pumps can both heat and cool your home with one unit and are better at dehumidifying that an air conditioner. But before you invest in a heat pump, you want to have all your facts straight including what to expect for maintenance, installation, and energy bills for your heat pump.

Douglas Cooling & Heating can answer these questions along with what maintenance needs to be done on a heat pump to keep your home comfortable in every season.

Why Should I Install A Heat Pump?

Heat pumps are incredibly energy-efficient heating and cooling systems that can replace your current HVAC system, or be installed in your newly constructed home. Many homes in Birmingham have heat pumps installed already. Heat pumps are capable of cooling your home in the summer and heating it in the winter. However, since these systems work year-round, they don’t tend to last as long as a traditional HVAC system composed of an air conditioner and a furnace. The average life expectancy of a heat pump is 10-15 years.

Heat pumps are also more expensive than a traditional HVAC system, but they are much more energy efficient. Heat pumps do not rely on natural gas and only need electricity to make your home comfortable. Because of their efficiency, many homeowners notice a drastic increase in savings on energy bills when they make the switch from a furnace and air conditioner to a heat pump

I’ve Heard Heat Pumps Need More Maintenance, Is That True?

Heat pumps need to be serviced twice a year, once in the spring before the cooling season starts and again in the winter before the heating season starts. Your technician will clean your system and make sure your reversing valve is working properly to ensure that your system will be able to make your home comfortable as the season changes.

Now you might think that a heat pump might not be worth investing in since it requires more service, however when you compare a heat pump to a traditional HVAC system that’s composed of an air conditioner and a furnace, the maintenance works out to be the same. A furnace and an air conditioner also need to be serviced once a year. When you do the math, you can have two systems, each serviced once a year or one system that needs service twice a year. In the end, you’ll require the same amount of maintenance.

What Services Are Done During Heat Pump Maintenance?

When you call Douglas Cooling & Heating for heat pump maintenance, your technician will:

  • Change the air filter as needed. Check the filter manufacturer’s recommendation for frequency while considering special factors about your home that may increase the frequency of changes, such as pets or smoking in the home.
  • Keep exterior coils clean year-round. Cut off power to the unit and use a hose to clear away dirt.
  • Keep vegetation at least 24 inches back from your heat pump to allow for proper airflow.
  • Never store items around your exterior heat pump. This includes patio furniture, lawn tools, and outdoor toys.
  • Remove snow and ice from your unit’s exterior in the winter. This prevents damage and allows air to flow freely to the unit.
  • Flush the unit’s condensate pan and drain to eliminate clogs that could cause mold growth and water damage to the surrounding areas.

Make Heat Pump Maintenance Easy By Joining Our 24/7 Club

Remembering to schedule HVAC Maintenance can be a difficult task. Douglas Cooling & Heating helps by providing a service plan that can help make sure you never miss an appointment again. When you sign up for the 24/7 Club Membership, we’ll call you to make a heat pump service appointment around your schedule. Membership also includes benefits like a plumbing maintenance appointment, discounts on repairs and new units, and priority service. Contact us today to sign up.

Talk to Douglas Cooling & Heating To Learn More About Heat Pumps

Whether you’re looking to have a heat pump installed, or need someone who can repair your unit, you can trust the experienced technicians at Douglas Cooling & Heating. We have years of experience serving homes and businesses in the Birmingham area with all their HVAC needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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Do You Fix Your Ducts Or Go Ductless?

August 15th, 2022

Do you have ductwork in your home? If you do, then you should know how vital this part of your HVAC system is going to be. After all, this serves as the delivery system for the temperature-controlled air that your AC and heater create.

So what happens when something goes wrong with your ductwork? You have options of course but it may be hard to figure out which is right for you. The answer may depend on your budget, the age of your ducts, and other factors.

Let’s look at how you can differentiate between getting AC duct repair in Jefferson County, AL or whether you should switch to a ductless system.

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Signs You Have Leaky Ductwork

August 1st, 2022

wall-ventYour air conditioner works hard to create cool air for your home. Or rather, it works hard to pull heat out of your home and distribute the cooled air throughout the house. But your air conditioner isn’t the only part that requires care to get your home comfortable on a hot summer day.

If you have ductwork that isn’t in the best condition, then you should schedule AC duct sealing Birmingham, AL. This service is going to be helpful in stopping up the leaks that would allow your cooled air to escape into areas that aren’t in need of cooling. Here’s what you need to know about the problems created by leaky ductwork so you know why duct sealing is so important.

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5 Ways to Prevent Plumbing Problems

July 28th, 2022

Did you know that plumbing problems are one of the biggest nightmares homeowners deal with? There’s nothing more frustrating than dealing with a leaky faucet or a clogged drain – especially when you don’t know how to fix it! Knowledge and prevention are your best tools against creating plumbing problems. The experienced plumbers at Douglas Cooling & Heating are here to teach you some great tips to help you avoid plumbing system issues from developing in your home.

5 Ways to Prevent Plumbing Problems

As we discuss the 5 ways to prevent plumbing problems, we’ll explain the common issue many homeowners face as well as what you can do to avoid experiencing these issues in your home.

1. Low Water Pressure

At the top of our list is how to avoid low water pressure. Most of us have experienced the frustration of low water pressure in the shower or at the sink. While there can be several causes of this problem, one of the most common is sediment buildup within plumbing fixtures. Over time, minerals in the water can collect on the aerator or showerhead, decreasing the flow of water and leading to a loss of pressure.

The good news is that this problem can be easily fixed by regularly cleaning the aerator or showerhead. To clean an aerator, simply unscrew it from the faucet and soak it in vinegar for 30 minutes. For a showerhead, remove it from the arm and soak it in vinegar overnight. If you have hard water, you may need to scrub the aerator or showerhead with a toothbrush to remove all of the sediment. By taking these simple steps, you can help ensure that your fixtures always have strong water pressure.

2. Busted Washing Machine Hoses

Another thing on our list of how to avoid certain plumbing nightmares pertains to your washing machine. Many people don’t realize that their washing machine’s rubber hoses are at risk of bursting. This can happen when there is no one around to hear it, resulting in massive water leakage – about five gallons per minute. To avoid this problem, it’s important to replace the rubber hose of the washing machine with a stainless-steel braided hose. This will help you prevent unexpected plumbing emergencies. The braided hose is more durable and less likely to burst, so you can rest assured that your home is safe from unwanted water damage.

3. Clogged Drains

One of the most annoying plumbing issues is a clogged drain in a sink, tub, or toilet. One of the main causes of these clogs is simply what gets put down the drains. To avoid frustration and costly repairs, there are some common items that should never be put down any type of drain. Never pour cooking grease down the drain in the kitchen sink, and instead wipe your pan or plate with a paper towel and throw it in the trash. It may seem liquid when hot, but it will solidify once it cools and can quickly build up, causing a clog. Also, be careful with what you put down your garbage disposal. While it may be tempting to put down every food item, there are some that should be avoided as this can cause clogs or damage to the disposal. Never put coffee grounds, egg shells, fruit or vegetable skins, or non-food particles in the garbage disposal.

Only toilet paper should be flushed down toilets. While many items are advertised as “flushable,” they often do not break down as quickly as toilet paper and can cause serious clogs.

4. Unintentional Pipe Damage

If your plumbing is in need of a good cleaning, you may be tempted to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner. However, research has shown that many of these cleaners are actually quite harsh and can damage your drains. As a result, many people have turned to simpler and gentler store-bought or DIY cleaners, such as baking soda and white vinegar. These cleaners use common household ingredients like baking soda and vinegar to break down buildup and gunk. For shower drains that are clogged, the common culprit is often hair and soap scum. A drain screen can help prevent hair from going down the drain, and then you can throw the hair out in the trash.

5. A Running Toilet

If your toilet is running constantly, this is one of the many plumbing issues that can result in an unexpectedly high water bill. You’ll want to fix a running toilet right away because not only is it annoying, but it’s also a huge waste of a lot of water. If your toilet is constantly running, it is likely that the flapper valve is not fitting properly. The flapper valve is responsible for stopping the flow of water into the bowl after the tank has been flushed. If it does not fit properly, water will continue to run. To fix this, you will need to adjust the chain that connects the flapper valve to the handle. The chain should be long enough so that when the handle is lifted, the flapper valve opens fully. However, it should not be so long that it gets caught under the flapper valve when it closes.

Plumbing Services for Homeowners

When it comes to plumbing, prevention is the best cure. By following these 5 ways to prevent plumbing problems, you can help keep your pipes and fixtures clear and functioning properly all year long. If you do experience a plumbing problem or even an emergency, don’t hesitate to call Douglas Cooling & Heating for fast and reliable repair service.

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Benefits of High-Efficiency HVAC Systems

July 28th, 2022

HVAC systems play a vital role in keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient. If you’re considering installing a new system or upgrading your old one, you may be wondering if high-efficiency HVAC systems are for you. The HVAC team at Douglas Cooling & Heating lists the benefits of opting for an energy-efficient HVAC system so you can decide on the best choice when it comes time to shop for a new HVAC system.

How High-Efficiency HVAC Systems Work

High-efficiency HVAC systems are becoming increasingly popular, especially as homeowners look for ways to reduce their energy costs.

Electric Heat Pump Systems

There are a few different types of high-efficiency systems, but one of the most common is an electric heat pump system. Heat pump systems use electricity instead of gas to heat a home, and they can be up to 50% more efficient than traditional gas furnaces. In addition to being more efficient, heat pump systems also tend to be smaller and quieter than their gas counterparts. Because they don’t produce any emissions, they’re also better for the environment. Heat pump systems can also cool your home in the summertime, making them a very high-efficiency HVAC system because you only need one system to control your home’s comfort in every season.

Gas Systems

High-efficiency gas furnaces are another option for high-efficiency HVAC systems. There are a few key features that make high-efficiency gas furnaces more efficient than traditional models.

  • First, they feature a secondary heat exchanger that captures waste heat and uses it to heat incoming air. This component is used to capture heat that would otherwise be lost through the flue pipe and helps to improve the unit’s overall efficiency by minimizing waste.
  • The modulating gas valve is another important feature of high-efficiency furnaces. This valve regulates the amount of gas that flows into the furnace, and it can modulate the flame to match the demand for heat. This means that the furnace will run more efficiently, and it will use less energy overall.
  • High-efficiency gas furnaces often have a variable speed blower that can adjust its operating speed to meet the specific heating needs of the home or business. By operating at a lower speed when possible, the blower uses less energy and further improves the efficiency of the furnace.

Understanding Your Energy Efficiency Rating

When it comes to shopping for modern HVAC systems, understanding their energy efficiency ratings will help you better see how much energy these units can help you save. These ratings tell you how efficiently a unit uses the energy it intakes.

  • SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a measure of a heat pump or air conditioner system’s cooling efficiency. It measures cooling output divided by energy intake over the season. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the system.
  • HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, is a measure of a heat pump system’s heating efficiency. It shares the total heating output divided by the total electricity intake over the heating season. The higher the HSPF rating, the more energy efficient the system.
  • AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, is a measure of a furnace system’s overall energy efficiency. It represents the total amount of heat produced for each dollar of fuel it consumes. The higher the AFUE rating, the more energy efficient the system.

For heat pump high-efficiency HVAC systems, SEER ratings usually start at 18 SEER and go up, while HSPF ratings are 9 HSPF and higher. For a furnace, a high-efficiency HVAC unit will start with an AFUE rating of 90% AFUE and go up to about 98.5% currently. With higher efficiency ratings, high-efficiency HVAC units typically cost more than standard systems. However, the energy savings they generate through lower energy consumption can provide homeowners with a greater value in ongoing lower energy bills.

Installation for High-Efficiency HVAC Systems

Installing a high-efficiency HVAC system is one of the best investments you can make for your home, for many reasons. If you’re ready to upgrade your current HVAC system with a new high-efficiency system call Douglas Cooling & Heating today. We offer top-of-the-line high-efficiency HVAC systems and have many available options to choose from. Our team will help you find the perfect energy-efficient heating system for your needs and install it quickly and professionally.

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4 Reasons to Consider Going Geothermal This Year

July 18th, 2022

You need a reliable and energy-efficient HVAC system in your home. Thankfully, the systems made today are designed to be as efficient and effective as possible. However, there is one system that takes things up an extra notch. Using geothermal heating and cooling in Birmingham, AL can offer you almost unmatched comfort and efficiency along with a lower environmental impact.

If you are in the market for a new HVAC system, you may want to consider a geothermal heat pump. Our team can provide for your system installation and upkeep as well. However, that is only going to be a good idea if a geothermal system is right for your home. Here’s what you need to know about geothermal systems.

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3 Systems to Help Your Indoor Air Quality

July 4th, 2022

No one wants to sit in a dusty, dirty home. But sometimes the air quality in your house may feel like it is working against you. You go through and dust and clean to your heart’s content but still discover that everything gets just as dusty in a short amount of time.

Situations like these are frustrating. We get it! That’s why Douglas Cooling & Heating provides systems and services that will help improve your indoor air quality. That way you can enjoy a home that isn’t just a comfortable temperature but is healthy to spend time in too.

Read on to learn more about how we can help clear the air in your house.

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How to Improve Air Conditioner Efficiency

June 28th, 2022

Summer is a busy couple of months for residents in Alabama. After plenty of time spent outdoors, coming home to a cool home makes for a relaxing end to the hectic activities. Boost your air conditioner efficiency for better comfort and energy savings with these smart tips from Douglas Cooling & Heating. We want you to enjoy all Alabama has to offer this season without struggling to keep your house cool!

Tips for Enhanced Air Conditioner Efficiency

Enjoying outdoor activities all summer long can be exhausting, which is why it’s so important to come home to a cool environment. The summer heat and humidity can add stress to your cooling system when it tries to combat the rising temperatures, which will increase energy costs. Luckily, you can take preventative steps to strengthen your HVAC system and save money with these air conditioner efficiency tips:

Install a Dehumidifier

Installing a whole-home dehumidifier can improve air conditioner efficiency. Air conditioners remove some humidity from the air as they run, but they aren’t equipped to combat high humidity levels.

Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, which can otherwise build up inside air conditioners and interfere with their performance. With a whole-home dehumidifier keeping the air inside your home dry, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to maintain comfortable temperatures.

Clean AC System Drain

Your air conditioner must drain away condensation produced during the cooling process. If the drain line does become blocked, it can reduce air conditioner efficiency.

One way to keep your air conditioner drain line clear is to pour one cup of chlorine bleach down it and flush the line with water. Doing this regularly will help prevent any issues related to blockages in the line. Another way to keep the drain line clear is by making sure that it is not buried under mulch or dirt outside of your home. Using a wet/dry vacuum to remove any debris or clogs can be helpful!

Use Ceiling Fans Properly

Embrace your ceiling fans this summer by running them counterclockwise. Fans push the cool air from your central air conditioner down towards the floor, creating a cool breeze that floats across the room. The cool air evaporates the perspiration on the skin, creating a wind-chill effect that helps you feel cooler without touching the thermostat.

When using fans in occupied rooms or rooms with heat-producing appliances, you can actually raise the thermostat a few degrees and not notice the difference in temperature. The result will allow you to relax comfortably in your home, enhance air conditioning efficiency, and save money. Please note that the effects of the ceiling fan are only beneficial when people are around to enjoy them, so be sure to turn off the fans when people exit the room to conserve electricity.

Cover Windows

As the sun rises and the temperature begins to climb, you may be tempted to open the blinds and let in the light. Doing so can actually make your home hotter, increasing the amount of work your central air conditioning system must do to keep your home comfortable.

To keep your cool and prevent solar heat gain, it’s best to close the curtains or blinds on your windows. Doing so will help block out the heat of the day and boost air conditioner efficiency by lowering the home’s cooling load.

Improve Airflow of the Exterior Condenser Unit

During the summer months, storms deliver strong winds and rain, which can hinder your exterior unit’s ability to cool your home adequately. Branches, twigs, leaves, and other debris get blown around and up against the outdoor condensing unit, which interferes with the airflow.

Restricted airflow doesn’t allow the air compressor to cool down when it’s operating, forcing it to work harder and overheat. The air compressor will eventually fail, resulting in an expensive HVAC repair and the other components in the outdoor unit will also experience excessive wear and tear when forced to work harder to compensate. More energy is used to maintain ideal temperatures in your home when the airflow is compromised, hampering your air conditioning system.

Keep your exterior condenser unit clear of debris to protect your air conditioning unit and to avoid expensive HVAC repairs in the future. Clean up the outdoor unit whenever you’re outside doing yard work or after a strong storm.

Change the Air Filter

The air filter in your cooling system needs to be checked every month and replaced often. The exact schedule will depend on the type of air filters you use and the air quality inside your home. Often homeowners find they need to replace filters more frequently than usual during the summer months. This is due to increased system usage.

As your air conditioning operates, it pulls in dirt, dust, pollen, and other allergens. The filter is tasked with catching these particles and keeping them out of the HVAC equipment. These particles will end up clogging your filter if it isn’t changed regularly.

A dirty filter not only stops filtering contaminants in your home’s air but also restricts the airflow inside your unit. Just like with the outdoor unit, restricted airflow forces the air conditioner to work harder, expending more energy than necessary to cool your home. Check your filter and regularly replace it to keep your indoor air healthy and relieve your air conditioning system of any undue stress.

Keep Vents Open

If you’re considering opening or closing the registers in certain rooms, think again. This can actually adversely affect your air conditioning and may eventually cause serious damage to your system. Closed vents also lead to discomfort inside your home.

Occasionally, walk throughout your home and make sure all register and vent covers are open and unblocked. Remove any furniture, rugs, or other items that obstruct these vents so cold air can freely flow into your living areas.

Seal Leaky Ducts

The ductwork in your home experiences a high volume of air and pressure during the year. This traffic can cause joints to separate, forming cracks and gaps that let conditioned air out. The cool air escaping through damaged sections of your ductwork creates uneven temperatures throughout your home, which triggers your air conditioner to operate more often, reducing air conditioner efficiency.

Douglas Cooling & Heating offers professional air duct sealing to reduce air leaks and improve efficient air conditioning during the hottest times of the year. Schedule duct sealing to close air leaks, holes, and gaps in your ductwork and prevent energy loss during the summer.

Schedule HVAC Maintenance

You shouldn’t go on vacation without having your car serviced beforehand, and the same is true of your cooling system. Air conditioning systems need maintenance before the heat and humidity arrive. Schedule HVAC maintenance each year, ideally in the spring, to keep your cooling unit and its components clear of dust, grime, and other debris.

During service, all components are inspected, and potential problems are diagnosed early. Regular system tune-ups improve efficiency, extends the cooling system’s lifespan, and reduce the risk of emergency HVAC repairs.

Is it Time For a New Air Conditioner?

If you’ve tried all of our tips and you find that your house isn’t comfortable and your cooling bills are still higher than you’d like them to be, it might be a sign that you need a new air conditioner. Air conditioning systems tend to last 10-15 years, and if yours is getting old, it could be a sign to switch to a new model. Douglas Cooling & Heating can install a new and much more efficient Bryant air conditioner in your home. Air conditioners have become much more energy-efficient since the last time you shopped for one, and there are even a variety of models with different efficiency ratings to choose from. Talk to Douglas Cooling & Heating when shopping for a new air conditioner and we can help you find a powerful cooling system that fits your budget.

Stay Cool for Less This Summer

Take advantage of efficient air conditioning this summer by using ceiling fans, changing the air filter, and clearing away debris from the outdoor unit. These simple tasks drastically improve your AC efficiency and help you save money on cooling costs. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule routine maintenance or professional duct cleaning from our NATE-certified technicians.

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How To Fix a Running Toilet

June 28th, 2022

If your toilet is constantly running, it can waste hundreds of gallons of excess water per day and raise the price of your water bill. If you want to save water and money as well as prevent water damage to your home, you can actually fix a running toilet without the help of a plumber. Here are some steps from Douglas Cooling & Heating to take to fix your running toilet before calling our plumbers for help.

Tips for How to Fix a Running Toilet

The most common causes for a running toilet are a faulty flapper, a broken float, a chain that is too long or too short, or an internal fill valve issue. Most of these issues that cause a running toilet can be resolved with a little know-how and a quick trip to your local hardware store. Here are some tips to try yourself.

Check the Flapper

You may be wondering why your toilet is constantly running even when you haven’t flushed it in a while. The first thing you should do is open the tank and check the toilet flapper (also known as the flush valve). This is the rubber part that sits down at the bottom of your tank covering the drain. If the flush valve isn’t closing properly, the water supply will run out, triggering the fill valve to continuously refill the toilet tank.

There is a very easy way to find out if the flush valve is broken and is letting water leak into the toilet bowl. Put a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank, and do not flush the toilet for another 30 minutes. If after 30 minutes you see dyed water in the bowl, it means there is something wrong with the toilet flapper.

There are a few reasons why the toilet flapper might not be sealing properly. One is that mineral deposit buildup can prevent a tight seal. To clean the toilet flapper, remove it and let it soak in white vinegar for about a half-hour. Then, scrub the part with a cleaning brush to remove debris and reinstall.

Another possibility is that the rubber itself is cracked and needs to be replaced. Fortunately, a leaky flapper is an easy fix – simply remove the toilet flapper and replace it with a new one.

Inspect the Chain

If you’re still having trouble with a running toilet, it might be due to the chain that connects the handle to the flapper valve. Making sure the chain is the proper length could be the solution to your constantly running toilet issues.

If the chain is too long, it can lay underneath the flapper and prevent it from closing properly. Conversely, if the chain is too short, the flapper won’t be able to close and let the fill valve fill the tank. Instead, the toilet will run constantly with the flapper partially open. You’ll need to adjust the length of the chain so that the flapper can move freely.

Check for a Cracked Float

In most cases, when you open the toilet tank, you’ll find a ball and arm float on the surface of the water line. It is connected to the fill valve and is the mechanism that tells your fill valve when the toilet tank is full and doesn’t require any more water. Sometimes, this ball can break and allow water to fill its interior. In this instance, it is no longer able to sit on top of the water and show that the tank is full, which means that your fill valve will continue to fill the tank with fresh water. This issue can be fixed if you replace the arm and ball float. Replacement parts for a broken arm and ball float can be found at most local hardware stores and big-box chains.

Some newer toilets have what is called a “cylindrical float” or “float cup”, which is a type of float that sits vertically inside the fill valve. If your toilet has this type of float in its fill valve, it is likely not the issue. If all other options are exhausted and you still have a running toilet, the fill valve itself will need to be replaced. Replacing a broken fill valve main assembly is somewhat complicated since it needs to be adjusted to your specific toilet. Call the plumbing professionals at Douglas Cooling & Heating if your fill valve needs to be replaced.

Prevent Water Damage: Check the Water Level

If you have run through all of the diagnostic tips above and still have a running toilet, you will need to call Douglas Cooling & Heating. While you wait, you should check the water level inside the tank to make sure it isn’t overflowing and causing damage to your floors and subfloor. If the tank water level is too high, it will continue to spill into the drain tube, and could be leaking onto your floor, turning your running toilet into an even bigger problem.

When the water is running and the water level in the tank is full, check the overflow tube or drain tube. The drain tube is an open tube located in the center of the tank, connecting the tank to the toilet bowl. Examine the overflow tube to determine if water continues to drain into it. If so, adjust the water level by dropping the float lower in the tank.

Plumbing Help in Birmingham

If these tips don’t help you solve your running toilet problem or you don’t feel comfortable performing them on your own, don’t worry! The licensed Birmingham plumbers of Douglas Cooling & Heating are ready to help. Contact us today to schedule plumbing repairs in your home.

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