The first real cold snap usually shows up in November. You wake up, the windows are fogged, the floor is freezing, and the thermostat says 61 when it’s set to 68. The heat ran fine in October on a couple of chilly nights. Now, with the temperature below freezing and the whole neighborhood’s systems working at once, something has given out. That’s the morning most people search for Randallstown heating repair, and it’s the call we take more than any other once the leaves are down.
Here’s the short version of who we are. Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air, run by the Solomon family out of Reisterstown, has repaired furnaces, heat pumps and boilers for Randallstown, MD homeowners since 1984. Every heating tech we send has put in at least ten winters on the job, and the parts on board mean most heating repairs wrap up on the first trip.
Start by Identifying the Heat Source in Your House
Randallstown homes were built over five decades, and the heating equipment varies just as much. Knowing which type you have helps you describe the problem when you call.
| System | Where you’ll find it in 21133 | Common trouble |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace | Most split-levels, ranches and colonials | Ignition failures, dirty flame sensors, blower issues |
| Heat pump | All-electric townhomes, homes without gas | Defrost problems, heavy auxiliary heat use |
| Hot water boiler | Older brick homes, especially near Liberty Road | Circulator pumps, air in the lines, expansion tanks |
| Electric furnace or baseboard | Some townhomes and additions | Tripped breakers, failed heating elements |
Not sure which you have? Look at what’s in the basement or utility closet and what’s outside. A single box with a flue pipe is usually a gas furnace. An outdoor unit that runs in winter means a heat pump. Radiators under the windows mean a boiler.
Gas Furnaces: The Most Common Call
Most houses around Randallstown heat with natural gas furnaces. When one quits, the cause is usually a small part: a cracked hot surface igniter, a flame sensor coated with residue, a pressure switch, or a limit switch tripping because the filter is packed with dust. We walk through each of those on our dedicated furnace repair page for Randallstown, symptom by symptom.
A furnace can also be the victim rather than the problem. Crushed or leaky ductwork chokes airflow and makes a healthy furnace overheat and shut itself off. If certain rooms stay cold even when the system is running, the fix may be duct sealing and repair, not a furnace part.
Heat Pumps in Cold Weather
Heat pumps work year round, pulling heat from outdoor air in winter. It’s normal for the outdoor unit to steam and go quiet for a few minutes while it defrosts. It’s not normal for it to encase itself in ice, run nonstop without warming the house, or lean heavily on emergency heat. Those point to a defrost control, a refrigerant issue, a reversing valve or a sensor. We service heat pumps from all the major makers, and if yours is due for replacement, our page on cold-climate heat pumps explains what newer models can do.
Boilers in the Older Brick Homes Along Liberty Road
Some of Randallstown’s older brick colonials and farmhouse-era homes along the Liberty Road corridor still heat with hot water boilers and cast iron radiators. Those systems can last a very long time with care, and we’re glad to keep them going. Our roots are in plumbing, so the pipes, valves and pumps on a boiler are home turf for us.
What usually goes wrong with a boiler
- A circulator pump that hums but doesn’t move water
- Air trapped in the radiators, causing cold tops and gurgling
- A waterlogged expansion tank that makes the pressure relief valve drip
- Low system pressure from a small leak somewhere in the piping
- A zone valve stuck closed, leaving one part of the house cold
Radiators that need bleeding are a quick fix. A relief valve that keeps discharging is not something to ignore, so call us if you see water on the floor near the boiler.
Repair or Maintenance? Heating Service Around 21133
Repair is what happens after something breaks. Maintenance is what keeps the break from happening on the coldest night of the year. A yearly tune-up gives us the chance to clean the burners and flame sensor, test the safety controls, check gas pressure, look at the heat exchanger, and replace a worn part while it’s still working.
Families near Randallstown High School, where school mornings run on a tight schedule, tend to appreciate that the most. We offer maintenance plans that put your system on our calendar before the rush. And when a system is old enough that repairs keep stacking up, we’ll give you an honest comparison. If replacement is the smarter move, our Randallstown furnace installation team handles sizing, venting and permits. If a repair will get you several more good winters, we’ll say so.
Thermostats and the Air You Breathe
Plenty of “no heat” calls end at the thermostat. Dead batteries, a loose wire, or a smart thermostat installed without a common wire can all shut a system down. We check the thermostat first because it’s the fastest thing to rule out.
Winter heating also dries the air. If your family deals with static shocks, cracked lips or dusty rooms from November to March, a whole-house humidifier or an upgraded filter could make winter easier. Our indoor air quality services in Randallstown cover those upgrades.
Why Randallstown Neighbors Call Us
We’ve been around a long time, and the way we work hasn’t changed much. Bruce’s background as a Master Plumber is on our story page. What you get on a heating call:
- A technician with over a decade of hands-on experience
- Arrival when promised, with booties on and runners down
- A good shot at a visit on the day you call, schedule permitting
- A truck stocked like a small warehouse, so repairs rarely wait on parts
- A straight answer about repair versus replacement
- A technician who stays until your job is done
For a look at all the heating equipment we install and service, visit our main heating services page.
Heating Repair Answers for Randallstown Homeowners
Why is my heater running but the house is still cold?
The most common reasons are a clogged filter, a thermostat problem, leaky ducts or a heat pump stuck in a defrost or auxiliary heat issue. Start by replacing the filter and checking the thermostat setting. If the house still won’t warm up, it’s time for a technician.
How fast can I get heating repair in Randallstown, MD?
Frequently within hours, depending on how booked the day already is. A morning call gives us the most room to fit you in before the trucks head home.
Do you still repair old boilers and radiators?
Yes, we repair hot water boilers and radiator systems regularly. Many older homes along Liberty Road still use them, and a well-kept boiler can serve for decades.
How often should my heating system get serviced?
Once a year, ideally in early fall before the first cold snap. A yearly tune-up catches worn parts early and keeps safety controls working properly.
Call to Get Your Heat Back On
Cold house, strange noises, or a system that just won’t keep up? Call Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & Air at (410) 833-2188 or message us through the website. We’ll ask a few questions, get a technician headed your way, and fix it right the first time whenever we can.
Caring Technicians
Our technicians know how to treat your home with respect. We come prepared with booties and drop cloths to protect your home.
Always On Time
Your time is very important to us. We strive to show up at your home when we say we will fully equipped for the job.
We Focus On You
You're our first priority! We will not leave you to service a new or bigger job. We focus on outstanding customer service!
Locally Owned
We don't just work here, we live here, too! We know all of the homes in the areas we serve and are familiar with your home's model.