Battle Allergy Season With These Tips

February 28th, 2022

woman-blowing-noseThe sun is making its presence known and things are (hopefully) warming up again. You are looking forward to picnics in the park and maybe some nice afternoons on the patio talking with friends. Your problem is that your sinuses may not allow any of this to be possible.

Allergy season can be a killer of your fun times, especially if your body never gets a reprieve from the onslaught of pollen, dirt, dust, and other particles that aggravate things. We know that springtime and the large number of blooming plants it creates can be an issue for those of us with allergies. We want to help.
Use these tips to help battle your allergies this season and turn your home into a breathable safe haven again.

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The Importance of Resealing a Bathtub

February 25th, 2022

Plumbing fixtures are built to last, but over time they do begin to show signs of wear and age. When materials used to install the fixture or the fixture itself start to degrade, the issue isn’t always just cosmetic. This wear could lead to leaks and serious water damage that comes with an expensive repair bill. If your bathtub sealing has started to break down, this is a problem you don’t want to ignore. Douglas Cooling & Heating explains why bathtubs should be resealed and the signs that tell you it’s time to start resealing your bathtub.

Why We Seal Bathtubs

Bathtubs come in many shapes and sizes. Freestanding and uniquely shaped soaking tubs are growing in popularity. However, not all bathrooms have the space necessary to accommodate these fixtures. Many homes throughout the Birmingham, AL area have bathrooms that are laid out with a tub that will sit against the wall on one or more of its sides. These tubs are functional and made to fit a space, and have been used for decades. 

When bathtubs like this are installed, they must be sealed along the sides where the tub meets the wall. The drain fittings may also be sealed. If the bathtub isn’t sealed, a gap is created between the fixture and the wall. As bathtubs are made to hold water and facilitate showering, it’s inevitable that water will find its way out of the fixture and down into these spaces. 

An unsealed bathtub will allow water to run down between the fixture and the wall with pretty much every use, to some extent. The water will pool down on the floor and creep underneath the tub, out of sight and out of mind. As time goes on, the water will rot out the woodwork below and around the tub and even cause mold to develop in these hidden areas. Eventually, the floor around the tub could warp or cave in, and long-term mold exposure in the home could cause some harmful health issues amongst your loved ones. Repairing water damage and mold remediation can be quite expensive, especially compared to the extremely affordable cost of resealing a bathtub throughout the years.

Signs It’s Time to Start Resealing a Bathtub

Depending on the material your bathtub is made of, this fixture can be expected to last anywhere from 10 to 25 years without glazing the bathtub again. Unfortunately, the remaining sealant used to install a bathtub doesn’t last as long. Poor installation, mold and mildew development, exposure to chemicals from regular cleaning your bathtub, and other factors can cause the bathtub’s caulking to break down over time. When the material has degraded, it can allow water to escape into the spaces between the tub and the wall and collect in this area, causing moisture and mold problems down the line.

Resealing a bathtub is typically needed a few times over the years in between bathtub installation and replacement. How do you know when it’s necessary to start resealing a bathtub? Here are some signs to be on the lookout for:

  • Current caulk is 5 years old or more. With proper installation, the caulking around a bathtub can be expected to last around 5 years before it begins to degrade and fail. If the last time you found yourself resealing a bathtub was 5 or more years ago, now’s the time to get some new caulk and do the job again.
  • Your brand-new home is 1 year old. While bathroom caulking typically lasts 5 years when properly installed, caulk around tubs in newly built homes may experience problems after just one year. This is because the new home can do some settling in that first year, which can cause the caulk to separate from the bathtub or wall surfaces. Just to be safe, start resealing a bathtub in a newly built home after a year.
  • Existing caulk is stained. If the caulk around your tub has been stained, it’s possible the stains were caused by mold. As caulk breaks down, mold and mildew build up can even start developing within this material! Take stained caulk as a sign of potential mold growth and start resealing a bathtub to remove this growth from your home.
  • Caulk is cracked, peeling, or pieces are missing. When your bathtub caulking is reaching the end of its lifespan, it starts to show signs of damage and can peel away from the surfaces. If you see signs of damage to the caulk, it’s time to reseal your tub.

If you want to tackle this job yourself, you’ll need a lot of tools. Masking tape, utility knife, caulk, or silicone sealant will help as well. Resealing a bathtub yourself can be an easy chore if you follow the directions closely and have all the proper tools handy. 

Professional Services for Birmingham Bathtubs

Resealing a bathtub isn’t a job every homeowner wants to deal with on their own. If you’re due to replace the caulk around your tub, leave it to the pros! Call Douglas Cooling & Heating today for plumbing fixture repairs and our licensed plumbers will get to work resealing a bathtub for you right away!

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What Are the Most Common Heating Problems?

February 25th, 2022

Heating systems across the Birmingham, AL area are taxed with a heavy load when outdoor temperatures fall and households demand heat. When your heater is functioning properly, it can handle this hefty task without flaws – but when common heating problems exist within the system, your furnace or heat pump isn’t able to keep up. The heating repair professionals of Douglas Cooling & Heating share the 8 most common heating problems that occur over the winter and explain how they are corrected.

1. Dirty Air Filters

Over the course of normal heating system use, the furnace’s air filter will fill up with particle matter it extracts from circulating air. Once the filter is full, it basically becomes a blockage inside your heating system rather than a helpful component. Running your furnace with a dirty air filter inside can cause the system to overheat, which can damage components and forces system parts to consume extra energy as it struggles to pass air through the system properly.  This extra consumption of energy increases wear and tear on the furnace or heat pump while causing energy waste. As a result, a dirty air filter can leave your living areas without sufficient heat, as air movement is severely restricted. 

Avoid common heating problems that stem from dirty or clogged filters by making filter maintenance a regular priority. Filters can fill up faster than you expect over the winter due to an increase in use, so it’s best to inspect the filter about once per month so you can check its condition. If the air filter’s surface is full of matter, replace it. Many air filter manufacturers recommend replacing your air filter every 90 days, but if you’re new to your furnace or heat pump, it’s a good idea to check once a month to get an idea of how fast your air filter fills up. 

2. Short Cycling

If your furnace or heat pump turns on and then shuts off again within just a few minutes, or you notice it is running more heating cycles than it usually does without generating any heat, this is called short cycling. It is a common heating problem that can be caused by a number of issues and should be addressed quickly. Short cycling accelerates the wear and tear damage, wastes energy with frequent starts and stops, and prevents your home from heating evenly. 

Short cycling can stem from blocked airflow and the resulting overheating, dirty air filters, malfunctioning sensors, a faulty thermostat, or a system that is simply too big for your home. Airflow blockages and overheating can result from dirty or clogged filters or closed air vents around the home. If you’re experiencing short cycling, try checking these areas first. Faulty flame sensors and thermostats should be repaired by a professional. If your furnace is too large for your living space, it will need to be replaced with a heating system that fits your home better. 

3. Mold in HVAC System

Though winter air is typically dryer, a moist indoor environment can contribute to common problems with your home heating system. If your home’s air is too moist, you may experience mold growth within your duct system this season. When that moisture makes contact with cold metal ducts that circulate air to unheated areas of the home, it can condense and settle inside the duct. The moisture, dust, and other matter in a dark, damp duct system create a perfect environment for mold to thrive.

Mold growth can be caused by dirty ductwork, clogged ducts, or a malfunctioning whole home humidifier. To fix these underlying issues and eliminate the mold in your system, contact an experienced HVAC company to inspect and clean your air ducts. Duct cleaning can rid your ducts of existing mold growth as well as remove debris to prevent further mold development. Your technician can inspect the duct system and correct issues causing blockages in the ducts so they function properly. Your HVAC technician may also troubleshoot problems with your humidifier to see if it is producing too much humidity for the house.

4. Air Leaks in the Home

If your home seems inconsistently heated, air leaks are a common home heating issue that may be causing you to waste money.  Air leaks in your home can be found in several places, such as around windows, doors, recessed lighting, attic hatches, and even in your ductwork. A technician will inspect your ductwork for any air leaks during a service call. If air is leaking out of cracks and holes in your air ducts, they will either be sealed, or the damaged section will need to be replaced.

5. Blower Fan is Running Nonstop

Another common heating system problem is a constantly running blower fan. You might have a problem with your fan limit switch. Or, the fan switch on the thermostat may be set incorrectly. A malfunctioning thermostat could be sending the wrong signals to your heating equipment, causing the blower to run continuously. 

Improper blower fan settings are the most common reason for this heating system issue. First, it’s always a good idea to check your thermometer to learn how blower fan speeds your heater is set to. Make sure the fan switch on the thermostat is set to AUTO and not ON. The AUTO setting tells the blower to operate only as the furnace cycles, while the ON option keeps the blower running around the clock.

Inside your furnace, there is a component called the fan limit switch, which controls the blower’s operation. If this switch is incorrectly set in the manual position, the blower will run all the time. To access this component, remove the furnace access panel – the fan limit switch is usually situated near the upper right corner of the interior cabinet. There is a white button on the outside of this part – if it is pressed inward, the fan limit switch is set to manual and this is causing the blower to run all the time. Once you’ve reset the switch, replace the furnace access panel. 

If the fan limit switch or the thermostat wiring is faulty and causing your nonstop blower issue, the best approach to fix it is to call your HVAC technician to repair common heating problems. A professional will be able to replace bad components or pinpoint other causes of the issue.

6. Noisy Heater Operation

Furnaces and heat pumps aren’t always quiet, but they shouldn’t make loud banging sounds after startup. Clicking, squeaking, squealing, rumbling, or rattling noises are uncommon noises. If you hear these noises, contact Douglas Cooling & Heating immediately! These sounds indicate common heating problems that need to be diagnosed quickly. There are a number of potential causes for the noises you hear such as a mechanical problem, clogged burner, incomplete combustion, faulty control panel, or airflow obstructions. An experienced technician can only figure out what the source of the problem is by inspecting your heating system. 

7. Thermostat Problems

A malfunctioning thermostat will give false readings will causing common heating system problems and leading to cold spots in your home.  Thermostats only tend to last about 10 years, so if you notice that yours is malfunctioning, it could lead to issues in your heating systems performance. Upgrading to a new smart thermostat will reconnect the communication and add convenience to your life. 

If you notice an issue with your thermostat’s temperature readings or communication this winter, call Douglas Cooling & Heating for repair – our NATE-certified technicians will offer suggestions to resolve the problem. Repair may be possible, or it might be time to upgrade your thermostat to eliminate these common heating problems.

8. High Energy Bills

Energy bills that spike without a clear cause point directly to common heating problems impacting your heating system’s efficiency. There are several reasons why your energy bill might be high, which is why maintenance is so important for your HVAC system. During preventative heating maintenance, a professional will inspect your unit for potential problems and service your system to keep it operating at its highest efficiency. Douglas Cooling & Heating will keep your system functioning longer and operating efficiently during the coldest time of year!

Before you call us for service due to unexpected higher energy bills, check for common heating problems that could cause this. A dirty air filter, air leaks in the home, leaky ductwork, or obstructions in the duct system. Change dirty air filters, seal air leaks in your house, and seal duct leaks if they are accessible. You can also contact Douglas Cooling & Heating to perform duct sealing and repairs, as well as service the furnace to uncover and resolve the cause of your high heating bills.

Furnace Repairs in Birmingham, AL

Common heating problems can cause discomfort and headaches over the winter months. Don’t let these heating system problems linger long, or they could lead to damage inside your furnace or heat pump. It’s always a smart idea to be wary of what higher heating bills could be saying about your heating system’s performance. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating today for furnace repairs in Birmingham, AL.

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4 Benefits Of A New Heater You’ll Love

February 14th, 2022

Okay, we know this one might seem obvious but hear us out. There’s a lot to love when you get a new heater in your home! There are plenty of benefits and it will impact your comfort level in a very noticeable way.

Let’s back up for a moment though. Yes, everyone loves an upgrade but is it worth the dent it will leave in your budget? We’d say it absolutely is! This is because your new system is going to pay you back for your investment faster than you’d expect.

Curious to know more? Let’s look at all the benefits and paybacks that you’ll enjoy when you get a heater upgrade today!

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How To Reach Ideal Indoor Humidity Levels in Winter

January 31st, 2022

The humidity level in your home is just as important as temperature when it comes to staying comfortable throughout the year. While we typically have abundant humidity in Birmingham, AL over the summer months, however, achieving ideal indoor humidity winter levels can be difficult for homeowners. Douglas Cooling & Heating shares how to tell if your air is too dry and explains the right indoor humidity levels for winter temperatures as well as how to achieve them.

Ideal Indoor Humidity Winter Levels

Keeping indoor relative humidity levels balanced between 30 to 50 percent is the usual recommendation for most of the year, but the winter months can require some adjustments. When outdoor temperatures are colder, maintaining 50 percent relative humidity inside your home could cause excess moisture which can lead to problems such as condensation on surfaces, like your windows and walls. This time of year, lower ideal indoor humidity winter levels are recommended to prevent damage and mold growth.

The American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides the ideal indoor humidity winter levels according to outdoor temperatures:

  • When outdoor temperatures are at or below -10 degrees Fahrenheit, the ideal relative indoor humidity level is 20 percent.
  • For outdoor temperatures around 0 degrees Fahrenheit, keep indoor relative humidity levels at 25 percent.
  • At outdoor temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the ideal indoor humidity winter level is 30 percent.
  • If outdoor temperatures are at 20 degrees, maintain indoor relative humidity levels at 35 percent.
  • When the outdoor temperature is 30 degrees or higher, the ideal indoor humidity winter level is 40 percent.

 Is Your Home Too Dry?

It’s normal in the winter months to experience dry indoor air more so than it is at other times of the year. Cold, dry air holds less moisture, which creates low humidity in your home. However, when the air contains too little moisture, this can lead to symptoms affecting you, your loved ones, and your home.

If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, it’s a sign that you have dry air in your home and that your humidity levels need to be adjusted:

  • Nosebleeds
  • Dry skin
  • Itchy skin
  • Cracked lips
  • Sore throat
  • Respiratory and sinus problems
  • Increased allergy or asthma symptoms
  • Increased static electricity
  • Creaky wood flooring
  • Wood doors that are difficult to open and close
  • Gaps between walls and the ceiling

How to Maintain Ideal Indoor Humidity Winter Levels

Your home may need some assistance maintaining ideal indoor humidity winter levels due to the cold air outside. Add moisture to your home’s air and keep relative humidity levels balanced this season using appropriate tools and tips.

One great way to provide the added moisture your indoor air needs is to utilize a whole-home humidifier. A whole-home humidifier is installed alongside your HVAC equipment and adds moisture to air circulating through the system. There are a few different types of whole-home humidifiers: bypass and fan-powered units move circulating air through a water panel to add moisture. Steam humidifiers boil water to generate steam which is added inside the home’s ductwork. Whole-home humidifiers provide much greater coverage than portable units and require little maintenance to use, helping you gain the moisture you need for ideal indoor humidity winter levels throughout the house!

Help your home retain airborne moisture by eliminating air leaks. Install weather-stripping for a tight barrier around windows and doors. Seal cracks and gaps in exterior walls, the crawlspace, and in other areas where warm, indoor air can be lost. 

Increase circulation to spread heat and humidity throughout the house. Keep doors open so air can circulate between rooms. Rearrange furniture so that items are not up against walls and air can circulate all around these pieces. Use fans to keep air moving throughout your living spaces.

Get Help with Winter Humidity Problems in Birmingham, AL

If you have trouble maintaining ideal indoor humidity winter levels inside your Birmingham, AL area home, Douglas Cooling & Heating can help. Contact us today to learn more about ways to increase moisture inside your house, such as installing a whole-home humidifier.

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What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Furnace Filter?

January 31st, 2022

Regular filter changes are an important component of maintenance for any forced air heating and cooling system, including furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners. What happens if you don’t change your furnace air filter when you should? Douglas Cooling & Heating explains what will happen to your HVAC system if it is left to run with a dirty filter in place.

What Happens If Your HVAC System Runs with a Dirty Filter?

Did you know that furnace air filters need to be changed on a regular basis? Changing your air filter is a must. This should happen as frequently as every month to every 12 months or so, depending on the air filter model in use. What happens if you don’t change your furnace filter and your system keeps operating with a dirty, old filter in place?

The furnace air filter’s role is to trap airborne contaminants so that they don’t make their way into the inner chambers of your furnace or air handler unit. Many homeowners believe their purpose is to trap air pollutants for the benefit of better indoor air quality, but this is actually just a bonus perk filters provide in addition to keeping the insides of your equipment clean. When the filter is full, it can no longer trap new particles from the air circulating through it, and these contaminants will be free to cycle into the HVAC equipment.

Let’s take a look at what happens if you don’t change your dirty air filter for a new one:

1. Dirt & Dust Accumulate Inside the Unit

Dirt and dust settling inside your furnace or air handler are what happens if you don’t change your furnace filter. These deposits build up on components inside the unit, restricting their performance. If you have a clogged air filter, the unit will draw more energy to power through this restriction and do its job, raising your energy costs. Your HVAC unit operates less efficiently and these parts encounter added stress that leads to more wear and tear, and eventually breakdowns.

2. Airflow Is Restricted

What happens if you don’t change your furnace filter is that the dirty filter will become a barrier inside the HVAC system, restricting air movement through the equipment and your home. In order to force air through the system and circulate conditioned air to your living areas, the HVAC system will consume more energy to do its job. As a result, your energy costs will increase because the system isn’t operating as efficiently as it should. The system will also experience added stress which takes its toll in the form of wear and tear and future breakdowns.

3. Equipment Overheats

With good airflow blocked by the dirty filter, the interior of your heating equipment can increase in temperature. When the inside of the unit becomes too hot, the limit switch will shut down the heating cycle in an attempt to protect the components from damage. Once the equipment cools down, it will be able to run again – but this issue will continue to repeat. Overheating can damage furnace components and prevent your home from reaching comfortable temperatures due to shortened heating cycles.

4. System Short Cycles

When your dirty furnace filters cause your HVAC unit to overheat and shut down, and then restart again repeatedly, is called short cycling.  Short cycling occurs when the HVAC system doesn’t run for the correct cycle length and the cycle ends prematurely.  Short cycling causes increased energy consumption as your HVAC unit experiences more starts and stops than it should. More frequent starts and stops also stress the system, increasing wear and tear, causing breakdowns and component failures, and ultimately forcing the unit to experience a premature total failure. Constant overheating with each cycle also damages components, leading to more repairs.  Replacing your air filter with a new air filter can help prevent short cycling.

Keep Up with Filter Change Needs

Ultimately what happens if you don’t change your furnace filter is that the system will run less efficiently, costing you more on your energy bills. Components will experience more stress along with wear and tear, causing them to break and require repairs or replacement. Ongoing operation with a dirty filter causes short-cycling, which will end up causing your HVAC system to break down for good and require total system replacement.

Avoid what happens if you don’t change your furnace filter and make HVAC maintenance a priority in your Birmingham, AL area home. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers heating and cooling maintenance tune-ups to care for your HVAC equipment in addition to the filter changes you perform throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule service.

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The Impact of a Clogged Condensate Drain

January 17th, 2022

Heat pump mini split systems are incredibly helpful for keeping homes in our area comfortable throughout the year. While these systems offer great benefits to their owners, they do also require expert care to continue doing what they do. No system can work effectively or efficiently forever and most systems will fail early without professional services. A heat pump is no different.

Loose parts and electrical issues aren’t the only repair issues that a heat pump may encounter though. Clogged condensate drains are a fairly common heat pump repair in Birmingham, AL that our team can help address. Here is what you need to know about clearing your heat pump’s condensate line.

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Does Your Furnace Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

January 3rd, 2022

gas-burnerDo you have a gas-powered furnace in your home? If so, you likely are able to rely on it on even the coldest of days to keep you warm. This system is known for being reliable and powerful. Over time though, regular wear and tear is going to take its toll on your furnace and create problems. One of the worst problems that your gas furnace can develop as it ages is a cracked heat exchanger.

If something goes awry with your heater, you’ll want to reach out to an expert for furnace service in Birmingham, AL. Specifically, you need repairs! But how quickly do you need repairs? And how severe of an issue is a cracked heat exchanger? We’ll get into more details about this repair issue below.

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How to Tell Your Water Heater Is About To Give Up

December 20th, 2021

No one likes the idea of trying to enjoy a warm shower only to be hit by a blast of cold water. This may be a highly effective way to wake up but it is an uncomfortable way to start the day, to say the least. This is avoidable by staying on top of system maintenance and repairs in most cases. However, these services aren’t always enough.

After years of hard work, your water heater may be ready to give up. This means that you will end up with a system that refuses to operate no matter how many repairs it gets. The best thing to do is replace your water heater ahead of time to avoid this situation of course. The question is, how do you know when you need to invest in a new water heater in Birmingham?

We can give you the details below.

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How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in the Winter

December 17th, 2021

With cold weather and the winter season upon us this month, Birmingham area homeowners need to prepare themselves for the possibility of freezing temperatures. When it gets this cold outside, the plumbing in your home becomes vulnerable. Frozen pipes can cause major damage, and you want to avoid them at all costs. Douglas Cooling & Heating reviews how to prevent frozen pipes in the winter so you can avoid serious water leaks and burst pipes this season.

Preventative Tips to Prevent Pipes from Freezing in the Winter

To prevent frozen pipes in the winter, Birmingham homeowners should practice a combination of preventative strategies as well as taking certain steps whenever the outdoor temperature drops. Before the coldest weather arrives, do the following:

Winterize Outdoor Spigots

  • Disconnect all garden hoses from outdoor spigots. Drain the hoses, wrap them up, and store them in a shed or garage for the winter.
  • Find the individual shutoff valve for each outdoor faucet, located a few feet behind the exterior wall in your crawlspace, basement, or utility room. Close the shutoff valve, and open the outdoor spigot which will allow water to drain out of the supply line.
  • Leave the outdoor spigot open over the winter months, which will allow any water that happens to get into the line to drain out so it does not freeze within your pipe.
  • Consider upgrading to frost-free hose bibbs, which are more resistant to freezing temperatures. You can also place insulating covers over regular hose bibbs if you choose.

Insulate Pipes

Insulating pipes, especially those that run in areas of the home that are not heated or are closest to the exterior of the home, can prevent freezing pipes in the winter when exposed to extremely cold air and temperatures. Products you can use to protect the pipes include:

  • Foam pipe insulation sleeves, which resemble a pool noodle
  • Heat tape; look for UL-listed products
  • Add other forms of insulation to the areas where these pipes run, which will help these spaces hold heat and keep pipes warm

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in the Winter

When temperatures are expected to drop to or below about 20 degrees, your pipes are at risk for freezing. Before the outdoor temperature reaches this point, take these steps to prevent frozen pipes in the winter.

  • Open cabinet doors below sinks, which allows the home’s warm air to circulate in the area and keep pipes warmer.
  • Open faucets slightly, allowing a low stream of cold water to keep moving through the pipes – running water will help prevent frozen pipes in the winter.
  • If you have water pipes running in a garage, keep the overhead door and other access doors closed to help hold heat inside that space and keep pipes warmed.
  • Always keep the heat on in your home, even if you will be away. Never lower the thermostat below about 55 degrees over the winter months.
  • If you set back your thermostat during the day while you’re at work or overnight, raise the temperature of your setbacks a few degrees so your home always has ample heat to help prevent frozen pipes in the winter.

What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

Despite best efforts to prevent frozen pipes in the winter, freezes do sometimes occur. If you suspect a frozen pipe, which may be obvious due to low water flow or lack of water from certain fixtures, you need to take action fast. Warm the pipes by using cloth or towels soaked in hot water, electric blankets and heating pads. You can also warm the pipes with a hair dryer and a portable space heater. Leave the faucet open as you do this to alleviate pressure and allow melted ice to drain from the pipe.

If you need assistance thawing frozen pipes or help to prevent frozen pipes in the winter, call Douglas Cooling & Heating. Our Douglas Cooling & Heating are ready to help you prepare for colder weather and protect your home’s plumbing lines.

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