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Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX

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Tips on Water Heater Maintenance

By Drain Cleaners, Gas Water Heaters, Plumbing, Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX, Water Heaters

Maintaining your water heater is crucial for ensuring it operates efficiently, lasts as long as possible, and provides your home with consistent, hot water. Neglecting your water heater can lead to inefficiencies, higher energy bills, and premature failure. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you maintain your water heater and keep it in top condition.

Understand Your Water Heater

Firstly, identify the type of water heater you have. The most common types are tankless (on-demand) and storage tank water heaters, powered by electricity, natural gas, propane, or solar energy. Understanding your type will dictate specific maintenance requirements.

Regular Inspections

Visual Inspection: Regularly inspect your water heater for any signs of leaks or corrosion on the tank and in the surrounding area. Check for water pooling, which can indicate a leak.

Pressure Relief Valve Check: The pressure relief valve is a safety feature that prevents your water heater from becoming too pressurized. Test it annually by lifting the valve’s lever and letting it snap back. You should hear a gurgling sound as water is released into the drain tube. If it doesn’t, the valve may need to be replaced.

Flush the Tank

Sediment build-up can reduce your water heater’s efficiency and damage the tank. Annually flushing the tank can help:
– Turn off the power (for electric heaters) or the gas supply (for gas heaters).
– Connect a garden hose to the tank’s drain valve and run it outside or into a bucket.
– Open the drain valve, allowing the water to flow until it’s clear. If the water remains cloudy, briefly turn on the cold water supply to stir up remaining sediment, and drain again.

Check the Anode Rod

The anode rod protects your tank from corrosion. It should be checked every three years, or more frequently if you have hard water:
– Shut off the power or gas and water supply.
– Unscrew the anode rod from the top of the tank.
– If it’s less than ½ inch thick or coated with calcium, replace it.

Adjust the Temperature

Setting the temperature to 120°F can reduce energy consumption and prevent scalding. This setting is adequate for most needs and helps to slow sediment buildup and corrosion.

Insulate the Water Heater

Insulating older tanks can improve efficiency. You can insulate the tank with special blankets made for water heaters. Also, insulating the hot water pipes reduces heat loss as water travels through your home.

Annual Professional Inspection

Even with diligent maintenance, having a professional inspect your water heater annually is wise. They can check for issues you might miss, including checking the burner (for gas heaters), inspecting the heating elements (for electric heaters), and ensuring the system is operating safely and efficiently.

Be Proactive with Replacements

Water heaters typically last between 8 to 12 years. If yours is approaching this age range and experiencing frequent issues, consider replacing it before it fails. Newer models are more energy-efficient and can save you money in the long run.

Regular maintenance of your water heater can significantly extend its lifespan, improve its efficiency, and save you money. By following these steps, you can ensure that your water heater remains in good working condition for years to come. Remember, while many of these tasks are DIY-friendly, don’t hesitate to call Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning if you’re uncomfortable performing any maintenance or if your water heater shows signs of serious problems.

Drain Cleaning Services

By Drain Cleaners, Drain Cleaning, Drain Clog, Plumbing, Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX

Discovering a blocked drain can swiftly turn an ordinary day into a frustrating one, whether it’s a kitchen sink or a bathroom issue. For residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth Area, Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning offers expert drain cleaning services to tackle any blockage, ensuring your plumbing remains intact.

Curious about the origins of clogs, their signs, and the benefits of professional drain cleaning? Let’s delve into these aspects.

Root Causes of Drain Blockages

Often, drains are mistakenly treated as all-consuming disposals, leading to the need for professional cleaning. The substance of the clog varies by location:

– Toilet drains may suffer from non-flushable items like wipes or feminine products. Remember, if it’s not labeled flushable, it shouldn’t be flushed.
– Kitchen drains can become clogged with excessive grease or fibrous materials, whereas bathtub drains might accumulate hair or soap residue.

Identifying a Clogged Drain

Watch for these warning signs in your home:

– Bubbling toilets
– Slow drainage
– Water backing up into other fixtures
– Leaks at the toilet’s base
– Unpleasant odors from sinks, toilets, or tubs
– Puddles around plumbing fixtures

Commercial drain cleaners may offer a temporary fix but can damage your plumbing over time, often leading to recurring clogs. Opting for a professional drain cleaning service, like Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning, is a safer and more effective solution.

Our Professional Drain Cleaning Process

Our team comprises highly skilled and certified technicians familiar with the plumbing systems in your area. We avoid harsh chemicals, instead employing advanced tools like motorized drain augers and hydro-jetters to precisely target and eliminate clogs.

The motorized drain snake efficiently breaks down stubborn blockages without harming your pipes, while hydro-jetting cleans the interior of your plumbing, preventing future clogs.

Advantages of Professional Drain Cleaning

Attempting to clear a clog on your own may seem tempting, but professional cleaning offers numerous benefits:

– Provides a long-term solution, eliminating the need for frequent fixes
– Removes unpleasant odors and slow drainage
– Prevents water damage, which can cause allergies or respiratory issues
– Saves money by avoiding ineffective DIY methods

Choose Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning

While searching for “drain cleaning near me” might yield many options, Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning stands out in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We treat your home as our own, offering the level of service we’d provide to our friends or family. Don’t let a clogged drain stress you—contact Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning for a swift and thorough cleaning.

5 Things to Prepare for Freezing Weather

By Plumbing, Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX, Slab Leak

Preventing your pipes from freezing is important to avoid the potential damage and inconvenience associated with frozen or burst pipes during cold weather. Here are some steps you can take to keep your pipes from freezing in your home:

Insulate your pipes:

    • Add insulation sleeves or foam pipe insulation to exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas such as crawl spaces, basements, attics, and exterior walls.
    • Pay extra attention to pipes located in areas prone to colder temperatures.

Seal gaps and cracks:

    • Seal any gaps or cracks in the walls, floors, and foundation of your home to prevent cold air from entering and affecting the pipes.
    • Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal windows and doors to reduce drafts.

Keep the heat on:

    • Maintain a consistent and reasonable indoor temperature, even when you’re not at home. A minimum temperature of 55°F (13°C) is generally recommended.
    • Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

Allow faucets to drip:

    • During extremely cold weather, let faucets (both hot and cold) drip slightly to keep water flowing through the pipes, which can help prevent freezing.
    • This especially applies to faucets on exterior walls or in unheated areas.

Use heat tape or cables:

    • Install heat tape or electric heating cables on vulnerable pipes, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
    • These can be especially useful for preventing pipe freezing in areas that are difficult to insulate or heat.

Add extra insulation:

    • Insulate attics, basements, and crawl spaces to help maintain warmer temperatures around your pipes.
    • Make sure your home is properly insulated to reduce heat loss.

Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses:

    • Before the cold weather hits, disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and close the inside valves supplying outdoor faucets.

Keep the garage door closed:

    • If you have water supply lines running through your garage, make sure to keep the garage door closed during cold spells to retain heat.

Monitor weather forecasts:

    • Stay informed about upcoming cold weather conditions and take extra precautions when temperatures are expected to drop significantly.

Install a temperature alarm:

    • Consider installing a temperature alarm system that can alert you if the temperature in your home drops below a certain threshold.

By taking these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of your pipes freezing during cold weather. It’s important to be proactive, especially in regions with harsh winters, to protect your home’s plumbing system. If you’re unsure about any of these steps or need assistance, consider consulting a professional plumber or contractor for guidance and assistance in insulating and protecting your pipes.

putting a coin into a piggy bank

5 Money-Saving Tricks for Homeowners

By Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX

When the weather outside turns frightful, there’s nothing more delightful than a house perfectly warmed by a reliable furnace. But for such a sophisticated piece of machinery, it can run quite a pretty penny if used improperly. You don’t want to spend upwards of $2,000 running it for a single cold season, and at Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning, we don’t want you to either.

To make sure that doesn’t happen, here are five money-saving tricks for homeowners during the winter.

1. Switch to a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are a great decision across the board and regardless of the season. These fixtures are tech-forward and can be controlled via any kind of smart device. This will allow you to adjust the temperature of your household from virtually anywhere with WiFi.

And that’s only the beginning of what you can do. A smart thermostat can reduce your heating costs by 10%, and that number only goes up if you schedule a regular furnace tune-up. Smart thermostats will also build a monthly energy report so you can know for certain how much energy you’re using and what you can do about it.

2. Use Energy-Saving Techniques

When you perform a furnace tune-up, you can ensure your heating system is running the best it can, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give it an extra push. You can take steps to reduce the strain on your heater and allow it to run with less effort. 

If you have a ceiling fan, you can switch the rotation of the blades to push down warm air when it’s needed most. This is usually as easy as shutting the fan down and switching the direction switch on the center motor. You want the blades running counterclockwise in the summer to create a downdraft and the opposite for an updraft when it’s cold.

But even if you don’t have a fan, you can use your curtains to maintain heat strategically. Any south- or west-facing windows should be opened during the day to allow warmth from the sun. Then at night, you pull the curtains closed, preventing any heat loss through the glass.

3. Keep Your Furnace Clean

There’s a good chunk of the year when you’re not using your furnace. In that time, it’s bound to accumulate dust and debris. That’s why we suggest getting a furnace tune-up every year in the late fall. But before you do that, you can do some work on your own. 

This can be as easy as vacuuming any dust around your furnace. And for the parts that the vacuum can’t reach, you can dampen a rag and wipe them clean. Doing this allows your furnace to function the way it should with no deterrents, but there are many internal components in your heater that need serving as well. 

We don’t suggest trying to clean the inside of your furnace yourself. It’s a lot safer and more effective to arrange for a furnace tune-up, where a professional can work with all the minute details that they’re trained to focus on.

4. Schedule an Annual Furnace Tune-Up

There are many good reasons to perform an annual furnace tune-up for your household. It allows you to stay covered under your heater’s warranty, where you otherwise be stuck paying for a full repair on your own. It also makes sure that your system is running in the best way possible. The little things that our technicians clean and adjust quickly add up in terms of performance. 

And while there is a cost to regular tune-ups, it doesn’t compare to the cost spent on repairing a faulty unit. There’s even the chance for a technician to find a repair and fix it before it escalates into a bigger problem. They will do this, as well as: 

  • Test the safety controls
  • Clean and lubricate the parts that need it
  • Adjusting electrical components
  • Check for leaks in the system and ducts
  • Tighten belts and pulleys
  • Inspect the heat exchanger

All this work allows your heating system to last for years longer, and it gives you the chance to make the most out of your investment.

5. Find the Right HVAC Provider for You

In order to get a furnace tune-up you can rely on, you need the best provider you can get. And if you live in Plano, TX or the surrounding area, that provider is Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning. We’ve been striving to serve homes for years in every aspect of plumbing and HVAC they may need. 

When you work with us, you can trust that you get the guarantee of five-star service with every job we do. We even provide a two-hour work window, so you aren’t waiting all day for someone to show up. So to save time, money, and struggle on your furnace, call Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning. It’ll be a cool choice for a cold day.

Richardson Heating Services

What Is “Short-Cycling”?

By Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX

In an ideal world, you don’t need to think that heavily about your furnace. You turn it on when it’s cold out and enjoy a steady flow of warm air throughout the home. But when that balance is disrupted, suddenly all you can think about is your furnace and its many sudden failings.

There are many cases where you need to seek a furnace repair. You know there’s something wrong when the system stops working altogether, but what if it’s barely trodding along no matter how much you prod it? Or what if it’s not working at all? Call Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning for a furnace repair today. We’ll tell you why, and we’ll fix it!

What Is Short-Cycling?

Your heating system runs on a cycle, and the average heat cycle lasts around 15 minutes. This is enough time for you to set the unit to your desired temperature and allow the burners to heat enough air to warm your home to your heart’s content. Once your unit reaches the set temperature on your thermostat, the unit will shut off until the level drops, and it needs to warm again. 

But if your furnace can only run for maybe ten minutes or less, that’s what HVAC professionals call “short-cycling.” In that fractured time period, the average furnace cannot fully raise the internal temperature of your home. As a result, things get chilly, and you wind up dissatisfied.

What Causes Short-Cycling?

Before you seek a furnace repair, you may be curious as to what’s causing your heating system to short-cycle. The problem can come from many sources, and it’s best diagnosed by an HVAC professional like the ones at Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning. Still, let’s talk about some of the major issues and how a technician can work to resolve them. 

Dirty Filters

This is one of the only causes of short-cycling that you could solve yourself. You should be changing your filter every few months (less often for thicker filters, and more often if you live with pets or allergies). If you don’t prioritize this maintenance task, the filter quickly clogs, and a clogged filter will prevent the flow of return air into the furnace. 

Without return air, your furnace is far more likely to get too hot and shut itself down, resulting in a shorter cycle. You may be able to solve this by changing the filter. If that doesn’t keep your system from overheating, you may want to change your action plan.

Overheating

Much like any other piece of technology, your furnace will shut down if it gets too hot. It does this to prevent the damage that can come from overheating. You may notice a burning smell coming from the vents around your home or strange noises coming from around the furnace when it happens.

Overheating can be due to a dirty filter, but that’s not the only thing causing your heating system to run hot and inconsistent. The dust from your filter may have traveled to the rest of your system’s internal components. If these vital parts get too dirty, it loses its ability to self-ventilate, which will cause it to short-cycle. 

We don’t suggest cleaning your internal components yourself. It’s much more effective to call us for a furnace repair to get things back in working order.

Blocked Heat Grates

These are two more problems resulting in overheating, specifically relating to the heat grates in a larger home.

As with your air conditioner, your furnace sends air through a series of grates scattered around your home. You can control which rooms get heated through the dampers over their grates, but if too many grates are closed, your furnace can’t properly disperse the heat. This will cause the heat to build up in your system and lead to it overheating. 

The best way to keep this from happening is to make sure at least 75% of your grates are kept open. If that’s not enough to keep the heater from shutting off, you may need a more in-depth furnace repair.

What Can You Do?

A furnace repair can help keep a furnace running the way it should. And it’ll work even better when you do it through the right HVAC service provider. At Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning, we serve homes in Plano, TX and the surrounding area, solving any problems they may have with plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and more.

We focus on a five-star guarantee with every job we do. Because when you work with Sirius, that’s exactly how we’re going to treat your home’s needs一seriously. And we don’t stop until you’re satisfied with the comfort of your home. So if you’re in an on-again, off-again relationship with your furnace, make things right with Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning. We’ll set things right!

Essential AC Services

Keep Your Cool with These 5 Essential AC Services

By Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX

Summer is approaching, which means you’ll soon need to rely on your air conditioner to get you through the heat. And living in Frisco means dealing with some serious heat.

That’s why you need an HVAC services provider that knows how to serve you through every kind of weather, from the sweltering heat to the blistering cold.

At Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning, we understand every aspect of air conditioner care. Whether you need your unit fine-tuned or replaced entirely, you get a job done right when you work with us. To prove we know our stuff, here are five AC services you can take advantage of to keep your home cool this summer.

  • AC Tune-Up

You should schedule an air conditioning tune-up annually, preferably when it’s colder out, since you’re less likely to need it. But, of course, that’s not always possible. What matters is that you get frequent maintenance done on your unit, even if it seems to be running perfectly fine.

An AC tune-up will ensure your system is running as efficiently as possible. Our technicians know what needs to be done to maintain an air conditioner unit, and they’ll adjust, tighten, and clean every part of your AC. When they finish, they’ll know the state of your air conditioner inside and out.

At that point, they’ll help you plan what to do next. If your unit doesn’t have any significant issues, you may just need to schedule another appointment for the following year. However, if a technician finds something wrong with your unit, they may suggest an in-depth repair or even a unit replacement.

  • AC Repair

If you tolerate your AC more than you enjoy it, that’s a problem. You shouldn’t have to grit your teeth through weird smells or bothersome noises, especially because signs like these bode poorly for your comfort and wallet.

When your air conditioner unit isn’t running properly, it uses an increasing amount of energy to produce almost no desirable effect. That means your broken unit is likely hiking up your energy bill. In this instance, air conditioning repair will provide cool air for your home, reduce your carbon footprint on the environment, and get your utility bills back to normal.

An AC repair will not only keep your home cool in the summer, but it will also make sure the air circulating through your system is as clean as possible. If you or someone in your household has allergies or other respiratory illnesses, you want to make sure your AC isn’t pushing dust or other harmful particulates through your vents. Your health is just as valuable as your comfort and your home’s climate.

  • AC Installation

If you live in an older home with a traditional AC model, the odds are that your unit is only designed to last for up to 12 years. If you haven’t been able to keep up with regular maintenance, you may have cut that lifespan in half. Is your current system not cooling your home as it should? It may be time to look into an air conditioning installation.

Modern AC units are better all across the board. These robust systems run cleaner and more efficiently than older units, saving you time, money, and trouble. While an older air conditioner has a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of around seven or eight, newer models have a SEER of 13 or more. That has the potential to lower your energy bills by up to 50%.

And if you have an older AC system in Frisco, there’s a pretty good chance that it might contain freon, carbon dioxide, or ammonia. Once the unit starts to break down, these gases run the risk of leaking and damaging your health and the environment.

Our technicians know how to properly dispose of these units to make sure everyone and everything is safe. And what’s cooler than that?

  • Other AC Services

Thermostats don’t have a concrete lifespan, but the average devices experienced a dip in quality after about ten years. After that point, you’ll start to notice signs of malfunction, such as fluctuations in temperature, incorrect readings, or a significant spike in your energy bill.

It’s technically possible to change your thermostat on your own, but it’s best to leave the work to someone with electrical training as it’s an electrical fixture. And when you come to Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning for your thermostat replacement, we can guide you through the many options on the market.

If you’re a tech-savvy or tech-forward consumer, there are several smart thermostats available. You can control these AI assistants through any smart device, and you can program them to turn your cooler on before you get home or off as you drift to sleep.

Your thermostat is a valuable tool to keep you cool. And when it’s no longer doing its job, we can get things back in working order.

  • Sirius Comfort Care

Whether your unit is old or cutting edge, it’s invaluable to form a relationship with a provider you can work with to keep your home cool summer after summer. And Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning offers a special Home Comfort Care Program for an annual fee of $129 a year.

This program includes two complimentary annual tune-ups—one for your furnace and the other for your air conditioner. With these services, the program already pays for itself. But there’s more to it. Sometimes things break down even when you’ve cared for them the best you can, and that’s why our program offers 10% off all HVAC repairs all year round. And no matter how busy we get, you’re promised VIP service with our Home Comfort Care Program.

When a Frisco heat wave hits your home, you want to have a plan in place to defend yourself. Your system will work for you if you do what’s needed to keep it working. And when you want a provider to bring serious service to your system, Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning is your go-to team. We will make sure your system stays just as cool as you are.

Plumbing Projects to Improve Your Home Resale Value

5 Plumbing Projects to Improve Your Home Resale Value in Plano

By Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX

Are you looking to put your home back on the market? There are many elements that go into choosing the best time to sell, but before you get in contact with a realtor it’s worth taking stock of your home and seeing what improvements can be done to raise its value on the Plano real estate market.

If you’re feeling handy – or at the very least handy enough to make plans with a good contractor – here are five plumbing projects to improve your resale value in Plano.

1. In the Kitchen

There are plenty of ways to improve the layout of your kitchen without having to do a full gutting. It’s all about improving your current appliances in a way that will be appealing to potential buyers. If you don’t have something like a dishwasher, for instance, installing one will be a massive convenience for the next owners.

You can also replace your current sink head with a pull-out faucet, which is another addition that’s incredibly useful. If you’re feeling wild, you can even upgrade to a double-basin sink, a perk that will give your house an advantage over others in the area. All it takes is a few key areas of work, you can turn your kitchen space into something out of the right owner’s dream.

2. For the Bathroom

Adding a new bathroom can allow you to upgrade to luxury features, increasing the value of your home by up to 23%. Even building a new, conveniently placed half-bathroom is a big plus in real estate, especially for a larger family or persons with disabilities.

However, we understand a full construction job isn’t feasible for many would-be sellers. There’s a lot you can do that’ll create a similar effect. You can tile or retile your shower for a fresh look. Even just changing your fixtures will make a big difference, though there’s an increasing want for creative design choices in that realm. Black or mixed metal are two daring options to consider.

But underneath all the glitz and glam of a stylish bathroom, there’s a room that’s made up mostly of drains. So take the time to make sure the core plumbing around your bathroom is functioning properly.

3. Modernize the Water Heater

How’s your water heater? If you haven’t thought about it, you’ll want to before you take the steps to sell your home. If you have a tank-style water heater, they tend to last around ten years. After that they start to corrode and build up sediment that can get into the water supply and clog vital machinery. So if your water heater is leaking, or if it’s taking longer than usual to heat up water, it’s time to replace it.

You might want to consider switching to a tankless water heater. They take up much less space than a tanked heater, and they provide near-instant hot water access without a pilot light or water storage. They also have a lifespan double of that of a tank-equivalent, and a longer warranty to match.

A tankless water heater is a definite selling point for your home. It’s safer, more effective, and is even wi-fi capable and can be controlled through a tablet or phone.

4. Pipe Upgrades

Even once your appliances make it into the 21st century, that won’t amount to much if your piping system is stuck in the 1970s. Most homes, particularly older ones, contain galvanized pipes. These corrode over time and, like an outdated water heater, can cause toxic material to break off into your water supply.

If your system is old enough it could contain polybutylene, or even lead. Even just a section of these materials in your piping can cause serious health risks. Beyond improving the resale value of your home, it’s vital to modernize your piping for the safety of the people who move in after you.

The best alternatives for piping are copper for water and PVC for waste outlets. With these materials you can ensure a smooth functioning system with few joints and low risk of corrosion. It’ll improve the value of your property, but by emphasizing that the plumbing system is taken care of you’ll be providing extra security to buyers.

5. Eco-Renovations

In nearly every room of the house it’s becoming more and more important to implement eco-friendly appliances into your renovations. Eco and low-waste appliances are beneficial on a globally conscious scale, while also putting in work to lower energy bills in the process. Needless to say that it’s something most buyers will definitely be considering in the house of their choosing.

A tankless water heater, as stated before, is a very useful eco-friendly shift in your home’s design. Beyond that, it could help to take a tour of the plumbing in your house and see what could be improved.

Is your toilet constantly running water or wobbling in its foundation? Time to get a dual-flush upgrade to cut energy costs and add another perk to your home’s appearance. You can also replace your faucets and showerheads to fixtures that can save water by the gallon while reducing strain on your plumbing system.

When shopping around for fixtures and appliances as you get them, look out for proof of Energy Star certification. Even if you don’t know what that is by name, there’s a big chance you’ve seen the baby-blue sticker on the front of a fridge or other home fixture.

Energy Star is a program from the Environmental Protection Agency that is awarded to appliances that are energy efficient. Using Energy Star-approved fixtures in your home tells buyers that, when they live there, they’ll be reducing their carbon footprint and saving money doing it.

Your house has provided a roof over your head and shelter from the proverbial storm. You might like it, you might hate it, or you might not feel anything one way or the other. But when selling your house you want to present it in the best light possible.

Installing a new sink will contribute to that, and so will getting rid of any leaks or clogs. These are all efforts big and small that you can put in to make sure that, when the right buyer walks through your doors they won’t just see another house on the market – they’ll see a home.

And, rest assured, they’ll pay accordingly.

brent presenting

Garrett Shares 30 Years of Entrepreneurial Experience

By Mentorship, Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX

Arkansas Tech University alumnus Brent Garrett’s career in business has provided him with a wealth of experience and wisdom.

As he set about sharing some of it with the ATU College of Business students assembled in the Doc Bryan Student Services Center Lecture Hall on Wednesday, March 11, he recalled an encounter with Fred Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of FedEx. While seated with Smith at a leadership council, Garrett asked him what the most important job of a leader is.

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Get to Know Your Water Heater

By Gas Water Heaters, Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX, Tankless Water Heaters, Water Heaters

The ins and outs of a workhorse appliance you rely on every day. Dallas TX

A water heater is the kind of appliance that we don’t like to think about… as long as it works.

A tank water heater will last 6-15 years, depending on the quality of the appliance and your water. Take some time to get to know the mechanics of yours and you can prolong that lifespan — and prevent the dreaded “blow out” we’ve all heard horror stories about.

AN INSIDE LOOK AT YOUR WATER HEATER

First, you need to know that there are two kinds of water heaters: tank and tankless. They may be either powered by gas or electricity.

All about the tank hot water heater. This American household staple has been around for a long time. It is the most common type. In essence, this appliance consists of a large holding tank where water is heated and then distributed to the rest of the house.

All about tankless hot water heaters. We actually talk a lot about this baby at Sirius Plumbing and AIr Conditioning because we love them! Read more here.

About gas powered water heaters. There’s not much of a difference between gas and electric in modern hot water heaters. Be aware, however, that if you smell gas around the unit, shut the gas off immediately via the shut off valve on the gas line.

You’d better know: where the main switch valve is. If you learn nothing else from this nitty gritty cross section of a water heater, let it be the exact location of the main valve that supplies water to the appliance. You will not want to be guessing when an emergency arises. To identify the input pipe, put your hand on it. Is it cold? That’s your intake.

You’d better know: where the pressure relief valve is. This guy has one job and it’s to keep the water tank from a blow out when too much pressure builds in the tank. Keep your eye out for any signs of water on the floor, which could be a sign of appliance malfunction.

You’d better know: where the drain valve is. If you need to replace or repair your hot water heater, or you need to drain it to maintain it, the drain valve is where it all happens. Near the bottom of the tank, you can open up a faucet about the size of a garden hose to empty the tank.

You’d better know: how to use the temperature control knob. Relight the pilot light, if need be, on the gas powered water heater. This knob also controls the temperature of the water as supplied to the house. CAUTION: a high setting can create scalding hot water from the taps, please exercise restraint when turning it up. Conserve energy by turning it down.

Now that you know the basic components of your water heater, you can prevent any unnecessary heartache and expense.

#protip Drain the water on a regular basis to flush out any built up contaminants and prevent corrosion. Do this by attaching a regular old garden hose and feed it into a 5gal bucket. CAUTION! The water is hot. (Hold on to that hose and elevate it before you disconnect it or you’ll need a mop!)

#protip Do a regular visual inspection of the unit. Look for signs of corrosion on the top and bottom. Make sure the ventilation pipe is secure.

#protip Your future self will thank you for spending less than $20 on a Water Alarm. This small device will deliver a piercing alarm heard throughout the whole house when it senses water on the floor.

Is your hot water heater leaking? Watch this video to find out what to do next.
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Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning services Dallas/Ft Worth or any one of these mid cities:

Dallas, Plano, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Coppell, University Park, Highland Park, Fort Worth, Richland Hills, North Richland Hills, Hurst, Bedford, Euless, Colleyville, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Trophy Club, and surrounding DFW communities.

We are committed to helping treating our customers like family. We make sure that we’re there for them when they need plumbing repairs, air conditioning repair, and hot water heater repair. We also help when people have a leaking toilet, clogged drain, or gas line repair. What’s more, we do tankless water heater installation and HVAC replacement. Get to know us better at siriuspac.com/about/.

jack garrett

Sirius Summer Intern is a True Champion at School and at Work

By Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX

Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning hires a small group of interns each summer and pays them while they gain real world work experience.

Jack Garrett feels fortunate to be one of them.

Jack’s role at Sirius is to work in the Call center, coordinating parts delivery, function as a dispatcher, and be available for other key office responsibilities.

He grew up in Plano, TX with his older sister. He attended John Paul II High School where he played Running Back/Quarterback; member of the National Honor Society.

He’s attending Trinity University, majoring in Business Analytics and Technology, minoring in Marketing, and plays Wide Receiver for the Division III Trinity Tigers football team.

While many summer intern jobs don’t pay, Sirius knows it’s right to pay their interns—as they work and learn the business–to help them to afford and finish their college educations.

Jack says his future plan is to return to Dallas to work, and hopes to get a job in Business Technology (or Tech) Consulting.

Jack Garrett is a champion at work and school, and a Sirius Intern the company is proud to employ.

Garrett says, “My highlight of the summer was having Happy, our service puppy in training, in the office to help with shredding paper for belly rubs in return.”

For more information about Sirius Plumbing and Air and their Internships giving back to the community, see the company’s website:

http://siriuspac.com/ or call 972-235-6600.

The company is located in Carrollton at 1406 Halsey Way, Suite 100, Carrollton, TX 75007

 

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