Smart Advice for Reisterstown & Baltimore County Home Owners

What Does a Programmable Thermostat Do?

A programmable thermostat controls your furnace and air conditioning unit by turning them on and off according to a default energy-saving program or user-programmed settings. Different pre-set programs set controls in hot weather (for the air conditioning unit) and cold weather (for the furnace).

How It Works.

You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68°F while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home. By turning your thermostat back 10°–15° for 8 hours, you can save about 5%–15% a year on your heating bill—a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates, like Phoenix, than for those in more severe climates.

In the summer, you can follow the same strategy with central air conditioning by keeping your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lowering the thermostat setting to 78°F only when you are at home and need cooling. Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal as you wake or return home.

Will a Programmable Thermostat Save Money?

Like most things around your home, a programmable thermostat will save you money if you use it correctly. The key is to use one of the pre-programmed settings or a customized setting you create for your specific needs and leave the thermostat alone. If you program your desired settings or use pre-programmed settings and let the thermostat do the rest for you, you will save some money. But if you keep bypassing the program, you will likely not save any money. Using a programmable thermostat requires some discipline.

Will Any Programmable Thermostat Do?

You can buy programmable thermostats online or at home centers and hardware stores, but these are generally not professional grade.

By contrast, you can contact Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning now or any time for high grade programmable thermostats to help you enjoy added comfort and reduced home heating and air conditioning costs.

Contact us today…we’re always glad to lend a hand.

410-833-2188
Click here to ask questions or schedule service now

Like all mechanical things, garbage disposals don’t last forever…not even close.

So to give it a little (or even a lot) more longevity, there are some simple “care and feeding” steps you should know and follow:

• Feed the disposal a little at a time. Take care to keep utensils and your hands out of the drain.

• Corn husks and other fibrous items shouldn’t be put into the disposal as they may clog the drain.  Other such items include onion skins, celery, and most soft vegetables.

• Deodorize the disposal. Cut a lemon into small pieces and drop the fruit into the disposal along with some baking soda or distilled white vinegar. Turn on the cold water faucet and then the disposal. The unit will clean itself as it grinds up the mixture.

• Use a strong flow of cold water and keep it running at least 30 seconds after the grinding noise has stopped.  This helps to flush food all the way down the drain line.

• Do not put uncooked meat fat or liquid fats into your disposer.

Still, even with all the “TLC” in the world, sooner or later you’re bound to run into a problem.  Here’s what to look and listen for:

• If the disposal won’t run, check the circuit breaker or fuse and replace or reset as necessary. Also check to see if the overload switch has tripped. Find the reset button at the bottom of the disposal unit and push it.

• If the motor hums but the disposal doesn’t run, you may have a jammed impeller, and that’s a repairable problem.

• If the disposal runs intermittently, the switch or stopper may be defective…if so, you’ll need to have it replaced.

• A leaky garbage disposal isn’t necessarily a sign of rust.  The cause might be as simple as a loose connection, which can readily be tightened.

• How about that all-too-familiar racket a disposal can sometimes make?  When you hear it, chances are you’re trying to grind up something your disposal wishes you wouldn’t.  The result could be a damaged blade, impeller or motor.  But don’t be too quick to repair, since it’s highly likely that it would cost less to replace.

Bottom line, once a disposal stops doing a good job of grinding, or starts to leak, that’s usually the ball game. Give it a little loving care, however, and you might get a few extra innings.

Having trouble now with your garbage disposal or simply think it’s time for a replacement unit?  Contact the plumbing professionals at Bruce Solomon, and we’ll do the job, quickly, professionally, and reliably…just like always.

Phone:       410-833-2188
Click here to schedule service now

A clogged drain is pain in the posterior whenever it might occur.

But don’t you find it particularly annoying when you’re preparing a big dinner with company due to arrive at any time…and you’re not done preparing?

Not a very good feeling, is it?  Well, here’s something to remember:  now or any time at all, if you have a clogged drain that you can’t fix yourself, then the second fastest solution is to call Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.  Because no matter how tough the clog, we’ll get rid of it so you can enjoy your dinner party, or simply enjoy the return to normalcy.

We employ the most sophisticated and effective drain cleaning tools in the business, including:

• Inline video inspection to spot the exact location and extent of the problem.
• High-pressure water jetting to break up even the most stubborn of clogs.
• Pipe repair or replacement…if drain clearing doesn’t work, we can often repair one or more sections of your sewer and drain lines.

Here’s something else to consider.  The kind of liquid drain cleaners available in supermarkets are loaded with corrosive chemicals that, over time, will eat away at your pipes…eventually causing cracks and leaks.  The smart alternative is Bio-Clean, an organic and environmentally sound liquid that does a better job with no pipe damage at all.

You can purchase Bio-Clean by contacting Bruce Solomon today.  Or, call us now to remove that stubborn clog that no amount of home remedies can budge.

Phone:      410-833-2188
Contact us today for answers to your questions or to schedule service

www.SolomonPlumbing.com

When most people think about scheduling annual service for their central air conditioning system, mostly they’re looking to avoid untimely and uncomfortable breakdowns.

Well, that’s one good reason, but there are several others.  In fact, with an annual system tune-up and inspection, you can also look forward to:

• Healthier indoor breathing…annual service can minimize the amount of dust and pollutants in the air
• Allergy relief…we check for mold spore build-up and make the appropriate adjustments
• Safer operation…refrigerant leaks can cause headaches and nausea
• More efficient operation…cracks and leaks in your ductwork could allow cool air to escape into your attic and other non-living quarters
• Longer system lifespan

Do you faithfully clean or replace your system filters?  If not, we’ll explain how an unattended filter can cause your air handler to eventually freeze up and crack…now that’s an expensive repair.

The plumbing, heating and air conditioning experts at Bruce Solomon cover every nook and cranny during our air conditioning inspection.  So why not call and schedule service now.

901-384-3511
Click here to schedule service now

Backflow happens when water reverses the direction of its flow in anywhere in your plumbing systems.  It’s a dangerous condition because it can allow drinking water in plumbing systems to become contaminated and unusable.

What is a backflow preventer?
Backflow preventers are mechanical plumbing devices installed in a plumbing system to prevent water from flowing backward in the system. A properly installed, tested and maintained backflow preventer at the water service entrance to your home or building  can reliably prevent the backflow of water of an unknown quality from flowing back into the community water system.

What are the primary causes of backflow?

The primary cause are a sudden drop in water pressure due to heavy usage, heavy demand caused by fire-fighting, or even a water main break.

What harm can backflow cause?
Plenty. When water is delivered to your property it is exposed to many different types of fixtures, including sprinklers, washing machines, hose-bibs, kitchen faucets, tubs, showers, and toilets.  Connections between your drinking water system and potential sources of pollution, or contamination, are called “cross connections.” When backflow occurs through a cross connection, contamination will follow without proper protection.  Also, it’s important to note that backflow conditions can originate on or off your property.  That’s right, if cross connection fails in the public water supply, contaminated water can enter your home along with those of your neighbors.

Where are backflow prevention devices needed?

Wherever a cross-connection risks exists. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Lawn irrigation systems

• Fire sprinkler systems

• Medical facilities

• Dental offices

• Veterinary clinics

• Soft drink dispensers

• Photo processing labs

• Commercial car washes

Why is annual testing important for backflow preventers?

The assemblies have moving parts which can foul or wear out. Periodic testing insures the devices are working properly.

Who can you turn to for backflow prevention and annual testing?

Throughout Baltimore and Carroll Counties – and surrounding areas – no one is better qualified to protect your home water supply from backflow contamination than Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.  Contact us today for installation or testing services.

901-384-3511

Click here to schedule service now

At Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we have a long and proud of history of helping our customers solve plumbing problems of every kind.

We also have a customer-friendly track record of helping you avoid problems in the first place.

Here are several you can employ to good advantage to help keep your plumbing systems and fixtures in top working order.

Self-Help Tips

To keep your repair costs at a minimum, here are some self-help tips we know you’ll find useful:

1. Don’t pour grease down your kitchen drain.
2. Be careful what else you put in your garbage disposal.  Fibrous foods like lettuce, cooked vegetables, and potato skins don’t easily grind up – if they grind up at all – and eventually will cause your drain to back up.
3. Use organic vs. chemical drain cleaners for the good of the environment and to help prevent internal pipe corrosion that can later cause pipe leaks and cracks.
4. Run water when you use the disposal and keep it running for a few seconds after you turn it off.
5. Don’t operate the dishwasher if you think there’s a problem. It discharges into the disposal.
6. Check your washing machine hoses from time to time for leaks and loose connections.
7. Always use a screen or filter (hair snare) over lavatory and tub drains to snag hair and other objects that otherwise can cause your drains to clog.
8. To help a blocked toilet from getting worse, keep a plunger and drain snake handy at all times.  Start with the plunger and then move to the snake.  Even if you think you’ve gotten the clog pour a bucket of water down the toilet before attempting to flush it.  If  the water doesn’t go down, the clog is still there.
9. Periodically check the pipes below your kitchen and bathroom sinks for any leaks.
10. Attaching an aerator (the small screen at the end of a faucet) will help reduce water consumption by as much as 50% with no loss of pressure. If your pressure should drop, it could be as simple as removing the aerator and cleaning it.

Of course, no matter how careful and diligent you might be, sooner or later you’re bound to experience a plumbing problem that requires professional assistance.  And that’s exactly what we’re here for, 24/7.

Contact Bruce Solomon today for the service you need…from the people you trust.

410-833-2188
Click here to schedule service now

Molds are part of the natural environment.  Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided.  Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air.  Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet.  There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Here’s how to keep an eye out for possible mold growth and how to prevent it.

The Kitchen

Where should you start when you’re trying to prevent water damage? Where many people spend the most amount of time:  the kitchen.

• The Dishwasher: Periodically check for leaks under the sink where the hose connects to the water supply. Look around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks, such as discolored, warped or soft flooring materials, or water damage to nearby cabinets.

• The Refrigerator: If your refrigerator has an icemaker, make sure the hose connection is securely attached to the water supply line. Also, a wet spot on the floor may be a sign of a crimped icemaker line about to burst.

• The Sink: Replace deteriorated caulk around sinks and check the pipes under the sink for leaks. A slow-draining pipe may indicate a partially blocked drain that needs cleaning.

The Bathroom

Not surprisingly, the bathroom has several common culprits that cause water damage.

• Showers and Bathtubs: Remove and replace deteriorated or cracked caulk and grout. Water from a broken supply pipe behind the wall can leak through these damaged sealants, causing stains or soft areas around nearby walls and floors. Leaking drain pipes and shower pan leaks are also common sources of water damage. If necessary, contact a plumber or contractor for help.

• Sinks: Check under the sink for leaks from water supply lines or drainpipes. If necessary, contact a plumber or contractor for help.

• Toilets: Clogs can result from too much toilet paper or objects such as hanging bowl deodorants. Also, some chlorine tablet cleaners may corrode internal plastic or rubber parts, leading to a leak.

The Laundry or Utility Room

Here are two often hidden and very fertile breeding grounds for mold.

• Washing Machine: Check hoses regularly for bulging, cracking, fraying, and leaks around hose ends. Replace the hose if a problem is found or every 3 to 5 years as part of a proactive maintenance program. To help make sure the hose doesn’t kink, leave at least 4 inches (or 11 centimeters) between the water connection and the back of the washing machine. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully.

• Water Heater: Most water heaters last 8 to 15 years. Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a leak. Water heaters should be installed on the lowest level of the home, next to a floor drain, or inside a drain pan piped to the floor drain.

If you’re already experiencing problems with mold, call us right away at 410-833-2188.  Other services we offer than can help prevent and stop mold growth are:

• Finding and repairing water leaks
• Whole-house plumbing inspection
• Water heater maintenance and inspection
• Sump pumps
• Back-up sump pumps
• And more.

Remember:  mold can do more than damage your home.  It can be hazardous to your health.

Contact the professionals at Bruce Solomon today.  We’re always ready to help.

410-833-2188

Click here to ask questions or schedule service now

Learn how a ductless heat pump can provide more comfortable conditions and greater energy savings for your Baltimore County home.

A ductless air system (heat pump) is a dual heating and cooling system that functions without the use of ducts.

Ductless systems have outside condensing units, just like central air conditioning.  But instead of pumping air into an air handler and then through forced air ducts, ductless units pump refrigerant directly to one or more wall-mounted air handlers.

Ductless mini-split systems combine the flexibility of room air conditioners with the whole house cooling of central systems. Although some systems provide heating and cooling, ductless mini-split heat pumps are usually installed primarily for cooling.

A single outdoor ductless air heat pump can serve the home comfort needs of up to four rooms.

Throughout Greater Baltimore, many families live in bi- or tri-level homes.  Often times, it’s far more practical and affordable to have central air conditioning in the main living level; and yet it can prove to be highly difficult to have that same system provide cooling or heating elsewhere in your home.  Let’s say, for example, that you have a family room, office, extra bedroom, and/or a bathroom on a separate level not easily reached by central air conditioning.  That’s a perfect application for ductless air.

Throughout Greater Baltimore, for example, many families live in raised ranches and other types of bi- and tri-level homes.  Here it’s usually far more practical and affordable to have central air conditioning on the main living level at the same time, it can prove to be highly difficult to have that same system provide cooling or heating in the home’s lower level.  Let’s say, for example, that you have a family room, office, extra bedroom, and/or a bathroom on a separate level not easily reached by central air conditioning:  a perfect application for a ductless air system.

Other ideal applications include a finished attic, add-on sunroom, or any other area of your home that central air can’t effectively or affordably cover.

More Features of Ductless Air Heat Pumps

• Quiet operation since, by definition, there are no noisy ducts distributing the air.
• Installation costs are typically lower than central air conditioning in homes with no ductwork.
• Ease of maintenance.
• Remote control operation.
• Multiple aesthetic and practical installation options, as the indoor air handlers can be mounted on walls, ceilings, the floor…even inside a closet.

At Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we are home comfort experts that specialize in ductless heat pump system design, installation, and ongoing maintenance.

For a free in-home proposal and quote, contact Bruce Solomon today.

Phone:                  410-833-2188
Contact us today for answers to your questions or to schedule service

www.SolomonPlumbing.com

Nobody likes to wake up in the morning, step out of bed, and feel wet, squishy flooring under their feet.

Plumbing is one of those luxuries that we tend to take for granted until the day that you can’t flush your toilet or take a hot shower. Chances are that you never thought about having a plumber out until it gets to that emergency status of a flood, backed up drain, or no hot water.

Much like you should see the doctor every year; your plumbing system needs the same attention and care. The best way to prevent a plumbing disaster is to have regular, thorough whole house plumbing inspections. Most people don’t realize that this service even exists. It does, and it can save you many headaches down the road.

When was the last time you were under your crawlspace to check and make sure that nothing was leaking? How about flushing your water heater flushed as required by the manufacturer on an annual basis? Have you had the water pressure checked, ever?

At Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we inspect all your plumbing fixtures and systems and give you a detailed written report.  If we find problems in the making, we’ll point them out and recommend the best course of corrective action.

Here’s just some of what our inspection includes for your greater comfort, convenience, and safety:

1. Leaks in exposed pipes.
2. Signs of corrosion that could indicate water or pipe issues.
3. Water pressure…if it’s too low, there could be problems in your water lines or built-up sediment.
4. Speed of drainage in sink and tub drains…if water is draining too slowly, it could mean you have a clogged drain or blocked vent pipe.
5. Water heater gas leaks…to help ensure your family’s safety and the integrity of your water heater.   In the process, we also drain the unit to remove sediment that’s settled to the bottom. Sediment build-up can cause hard water conditions and leaks in your faucets.

And that’s just a small sampling of what our inspection includes.  We invite you to call and schedule a whole-house plumbing inspection today…it’s one of our ultimate “peace of mind” services.

Phone:                  410-833-2188
Contact us today for answers to your questions or to schedule service

www.SolomonPlumbing.com

New Year’s resolutions are great things…especially if you stick to them and they help to make a positive change in your life.

Got room for one more?  Than nothing would fit the bill better than making green plumbing a high priority on your New Year’s “to do” list.  Here are three smart and very effective ways to get into the swing of things.

Low-Flow Toilets

Traditional toilets use anywhere from 3.5 to 7 gallons of water per flush. With a family of four, that can amount to hundreds of gallons of water every day. In contrast, environmentally-conscious low flow toilets use just 1.6 gallons per flush, max.  Studies show that an average family of four will save 22,000 gallons of water per year and $100 on their water bill.  Less water, greater pressure, and significant savings…that’s the beauty of a low-flow toilet.

Whole-House Water Filtration

Whole house filtration systems can eliminate the presence of chemicals, particulates, and microorganisms from every source of household water.  This, in turn, helps to extend the life of hot water heaters and plumbing fixtures,

particularly if you have high sediment levels in your water supply.  Extended life also means a lower incidence of repairs for even greater savings.  And then there’s the obvious health benefit of drinking plus cooking and cleaning with the purest water possible.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters heat water by activating a set of coils that become hot when the unit is turned on. Tankless units conserve energy by heating only the amount of water needed and only when it’s needed.  They conserve water, too, as there’s no waiting for the water to get hot…with tankless units, you get hot water on demand.  What’s more, tankless water heaters are available for your entire home or single water sources, such as your kitchen sink.

More Green Plumbing Tips

• Never let water run unnecessarily.
• Take a five-minute shower, not a bath.
• Run washing machines and dishwashers only with a full load.
• Fix leaky toilets and dripping faucets.
• Install aerator faucets and low-flow shower heads.

And Now for Some Green Savings!

Today, like always, the professionals at Bruce Solomon, Heating & Air Conditioning can help you go green to help conserve money and natural resources…and all while enjoying more convenient and comfortable surroundings.  And it doesn’t get much better than that!

Phone:       410-833-2188

Click here to schedule service now