- Can I come down to your office and talk to someone?
- Yes. Our offices are located at 132 Bridge Street, across from the fire station, in Springfield, Vermont. We will welcome you in our offices and do our best to answer any and all of your questions. You may also call us at 802-885-2300 with any questions or concerns you may have.
- Can we request a certain technician?
- Yes you may request a certain technician, however we can not guarantee he will be able to come the same day you made your request.
- Do you give Free estimates?
- Yes. We offer free estimates by request. See our "Quick Quote" form by selecting it from the top menu or by clicking here.
- Do you provide references upon request?
We have an extensive database of previous customers and would not have a problem providing this to you!
- How can I stop leaking pipes?
- Take the time to inspect your pipes. If rust or lime is depositing on them, this may indicate a leak is starting. If this is happening, contact HB to address the problem. By performing an occasional inspection you could stop a small problem before it turns into a large one. Leaking pipes can damage floors and belongings and become much more costly than if the problem was repaired early.
- How do I locate the valve to shut off the water supply to my home?
Knowing how to shut off the water supply can prevent severe flooding and damage that usually occurs when pipes burst. Having every member of your household understand this information is important.
To determine where your shutoff valve is, locate the outside water line that leads to your home. The water line usually flows directly from the water meter to a location inside the residence.
The most likely places for the valve to be located are on the internal pipes near your outside walls or where the water enters the structure.
- How often should I have my Septic System pumped?
- Septic systems should be pumped once every three to four years. You may not be experiencing any problem now, but a full septic tank may allow unwanted solids to flow into the drain field. Each pipe allows water to flow into a bed of stone that drains into the ground. If paper and other solids flow into the drain field it may become blocked and ineffective. A blocked drain field is costly to repair or replace.
- I am getting ready to buy a new house, can you give me an opinion?
- Yes, we will come over and advise you on the state of your plumbing and heating system of the new house you consider purchasing.
- Is it a big deal if my toilet is running?
- This is not only an annoyance but also a waste of water and money. Leaky toilets can cost almost $100 extra per year on your water bills. If the toilet continues to run into the bowl after the toilet is flushed, it indicates that some part of the mechanism is out of order. Sometimes a little jiggling of the flush valve mechanism solves the problem. Otherwise you may need to replace the entire mechanism. Contact HB to diagnose the problem and fix it for you.
- Recently my water bills appear to be rather high. None of the faucets appear to leak. What else can contribute to a high water bill?
- You may want to check to see if a toilet is leaking. First, check the water level to ensure that water is not overflowing the tank by way of the overflow pipe. This is the pipe in the middle of the tank. It has small tubing connected to it. If water is running into the overflow, adjust the fill valve to stop the flow approximately 1inch below the top of the overflow tube or to the water level mark stamped on the side of the tank. Second, put a few drops of food coloring into the tank to test the flush valve mechanism. If the water in the bowl changes color within 15 minutes, this is an indication that water is leaking into the toilet bowl and that the ball or flapper needs to be replaced.
- The temperature of my water heater seems to be higher than what I think I need. How can I conserve energy, yet also be sure that there is an adequate amount of hot water?
- Most people are comfortable with their hot water set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is also the new standard that manufacturers use when pre-setting it at the factory.
- What can I do to reduce my heating bills?
Heating bills across the country are the highest they have ever been, with out any relief in sight. Even if your older furnace runs, from an economic standpoint it would be wise to replace it. Compared with a 17-year-old furnace, a new furnace can save the typical family hundreds of dollars per year. Based on the efficiency of your old furnace, probably 60% at best, a new furnace can cut your utility bills by 40%. You can do the arithmetic to determine your annual savings.Not only will you have lower utility bills, but the comfort and quiet operation of a new system will surprise you.
- What can I do to unclog a drain?
- Overall, plumbers probably get more calls to open clogged drains than any other service.
- What can I put in my garbage disposal?
This can be huge problem for homeowners. Here are some tips to keep your disposal in good working order:
First, always run cold water when grinding to move the waste all the way down the drain lines. Fats and grease congeal and harden in cold water and can be flushed through the system. Hot water should not be used because it can dissolve fats and grease, which may then accumulate in the drain line.
Almost all-biodegradable food waste can be fed into disposers. However, they should not be used to grind clam or oyster shells, cornhusks or other material with high fiber content. Under no circumstances should you put glass, plastic or metal non-food materials through a disposer. This includes bottle caps, tin covers or aluminum foil, which are some of the items service technicians commonly find in clogged or broken disposers.
Maintenance is easy. Grinding small bones and eggshells actually helps clean the disposer by scraping away stubborn deposits or citric acid and pulp. Grinding a little ice is another way to clean deposits and get rid of odors. For the most part, though, disposers are self-cleaning.
- What causes my faucet to drip?
- Usually when a faucet is dripping the problem has a relatively simple solution. The internal mechanisms need to be rebuilt or replaced. This is an easy and inexpensive fix. Did you know that you can extend the life of your washers by turning off your faucets gently rather than forcefully?
- What happens if my water heater is leaking?
- You should call HB right away. Leaking water heaters usually indicate the bottom of the tank has rusted. There are really no good repairs for this problem. You most likely need a new water heater.
- What is the most efficient thermostat setting for heating?
The best setting is the lowest temperature at which your family is comfortable. Most people are comfortable at a setting of 68 - 70 degrees. You can save up to 3% for each degree you lower your thermostat temperature.
- When do oil contracts come out?
- Our fixed price oil, heating service contracts, and plumbing service contracts run form July 1st to June 30th. Call our office at 802-885-2300 for more details.
- When I am in the laundry room and the water heater is operating, I hear a rumbling sound coming from the water heater. What could cause this?
Rumbling sounds coming from a water heater may be an indication that sediment is built up on the bottom of the water heater. What you are hearing is water that is trapped in the sediment and is boiling. This is an indication that the water heater is not operating efficiently. Sediment will not allow the heat to transfer to the water in the tank, which sends the heat up the flue.
Many newer models of water heaters have a new feature that prohibits the buildup of sediment in the tank. If your heater is an older model, it may be cost effective to replace the water heater if the buildup is severe.
- Why does my drain get clogged?
Usually drains are clogged because people are not careful of what they put in them, especially in the kitchen. Other drains, like in the bathroom, get clogged because of the oil residue from soaps, shampoos and hair.
Bathroom Clogs Assuming the drainage lines were piped properly; tubs and showers usually have hair as the main cause of their stoppages. Physical removal of hair is best.
Kitchen Clogs The most often clogged drain is the kitchen sink. Kitchen sink stoppages are usually caused by liquid fats, emulsified by warm soapy dishwater and then carried through the drainpipes. As the water cools, it proceeds down the drain and leaves the fatty deposits along the piping. A film of grease forms on the pipe wall and so on. Coffee grounds, egg shells, etc add to this accumulation layer until the pipe becomes impassible.
We recommend that you pour excess grease into a tin can, not down the sink drain. When using a garbage disposal, always let sufficient cold water run to carry the particles down and into the main line to prevent buildup in the smaller waste lines.
The Plunger - In the event of a total stoppage, you should have a plunger (with a large rubber suction cup with a wooden handle). Cup it tightly over the drain and plunge it vigorously several times. It is best to try to use the suction cycle rather than the pressure cycle of the plunger. What we mean is that one "should" push slowly, make sure the plunger is sealed to the drain and then pull quickly on the plunger. This tends to loosen rather than pack down the stoppage. If it is a double drain sink, make sure you seal the other drain so water will not splash out into the other bowl or on you.
