Tag: Pennsylvania

Is Your Sump Pump Ready for Spring?

May 31, 2019

Is Your Sump Pump Ready for Spring?

  • Plumbing
  • Sump Pump
sump pump maintenance by McHale's in Pennsylvania

With spring here, you’ll want to make sure your home will be ready to take on the April showers. If you own a sump pump, that’s a great start. However, you’ll want to ensure it’s in working order, as the majority of basement flooding is caused by faulty sump pumps. The first thing you want to do is make sure the gutters and leader drain are clean. However, there are other issues that you can avoid through proper sump pump maintenance in Levittown.

 

Here are five other issues to watch out for involving sump pump maintenance in Levittown:

 

Blocked sump pump switch

Never sweep any basement floor dirt or debris into the sump pit switch, and make sure nothing is blocking the sump pump switch from floating freely. Failure to keep the switch clean can prevent the sump pump from working properly

 

Tripped circuit breaker

Sump pumps can use a lot of electricity, so you should give the sump pump its own dedicated circuit. If there are any other electronics on the same circuit, it might be too much for it and the sump pump’s activation may trip the circuit.

 

Mechanical failure

There are plenty of issues that might cause your sump pump to fail including an undersized discharge pipe and a missing check valve. Whatever the cause, you should contact a professional to help you fix the problem.

 

Clogged strainer

Sump pumps have a strainer at the bottom that the water flows through. If debris is clogging it, water won’t be able to flow through it properly and flooding could occur. Check the drainer every once in a while and clear out any blockages that may be forming.

 

Frozen discharge pipe

If the discharge pipe is frozen or otherwise blocked, water won’t be able to drain out of it. This will cause water to back up and the sump pump will run constantly but ineffectively.

 

If properly maintained, a sump pump can last around 10 years. If you’re not sure of your sump pump’s age, consider buying a replacement and keep a backup on hand in case it fails. Another way to protect your basement from flooding is to buy a two-pump system. It’ll assure there’s a spare pump in case one fails and has an alarm to alert homeowners in case of a failure.

 

What makes McHale’s a high-quality home service company?

For over 60 years, McHale’s has been providing professional home service to homeowners around Levittown, PA. Our time helping people has taught us that remodeling is a process, not a product. Anyone can sell you materials, but it takes a true professional to provide a tearless remodeling product. When you have us help you, you can be sure that you’ll get that tearless remodeling product you’re looking for. Make the right choice today and call McHale’s for any of your home service needs!

By McHales

5 Signs You Need Drain Opening in Bucks County

May 17, 2019

5 Signs You Need Drain Opening in Bucks County

  • drain cleaning
  • Plumbing

Like any area of your home, drains can fall into disrepair and need some attention. Whether its loose hairs, food debris, or dried cleaning products, it’s likely that you’ll have to deal with drains clogging. You may try store-bought drain cleaners as a way to clear your drains before calling a plumber. However, these chemical cleaners are a bandaid that never truly fixes the root of the problem. Luckily, you can call McHale’s to help alleviate your drain clogs, perform a professional drain opening in Bucks County, and take advantage of our $88 drain opening special. But how do you know when the problem has gone beyond a slightly sluggish drain and into a need for a plumber’s help?

Here are five signs that you need a professional drain opening in Bucks County:

Slow draining.

When it comes to clogged drains, one of the easiest signs to notice is slower drainage. Is your sink or bathtub draining slower than it normally does, if at all? Is your washing machine or dishwasher still have a lot of water in it after a cycle? As well as being an inconvenience, this is a sign of a blockage somewhere in your pipes. A professional drain cleaning will release the clogs in your drains and allow water to easily flow through your pipes.

Backed up drains.

When drains need cleaning, sometimes water that should have been drained will come back up. You might have gurgling toilets or standing water in your sink. If water is going back up the drain, it’s a sign that it should be cleaned.

Sewage smells.

One of the more unpleasant and noticeable signs of a clogged drain is the smell of sewage. When drains are clogged, anything that goes down into the drain will build up and rot in the lines. This can become even more noticeable and disgusting if you live in a warmer area. If you smell sewage in your home, it’s a good idea to act quickly.

Fruit and drain flies.

When waste and other sewage starts building up in your drain, it’ll start to attract flies. Fruit flies like the smell and can be a health risk when they get into your kitchen and food. Meanwhile, the aptly named drain fly (also known as sewer or filter fly) likes to breed in septic tanks, sewers, and clogged drains. If you start noticing lots of flies, you’ll definitely want to start cleaning your drain.

Strange noises.

If your drains are clogged, they may start making some odd noises. When drains get clogged, the water may be forced to go through small spaces or change course. This can result in strange gurgling or bubbling noises.

Why is McHale’s my best choice for my plumbing problems?

Instead of relying on harmful drain cleaning products that don’t solve the problem, call McHale’s to clean your drains. Our plumbers are fully certified and have years of experience. We have the technology and experience to handle it all, and we come to your house fully stocked. Call for a drain opening now, and you can get your drains clean for only $88! If your drains are slow, producing bad odors, or making odd noises it’s best not wait. Call McHale’s today to get your plumbing back in tip-top shape!

By McHales

Professional Well Pump Maintenance in Pennsylvania

Apr 26, 2019

Professional Well Pump Maintenance in Pennsylvania

  • Plumbing

Many people across America use private groundwater wells to get their water. These wells tap into aquifers underground to provide cheap water. However, EPA regulations that protect public water don’t apply to private well water. Because of this, well owners have to be vigilant about ensuring their water is safe. Unfortunately, there’s a major catch. It’s highly unsafe for well owners to try and service their own wells. Attempting to do so can cause water contamination, losing things in the well, or even electrocution. If your well pump isn’t working, it’s best to call the professionals at McHale’ to do the work for you. When you choose us to get well pump maintenance in Pennsylvania, we follow three steps:

 

Visual Inspection

 

The first step involves us closely examining the equipment and giving it preventative maintenance to make sure everything is in order. This kind of inspection should be done annually to catch any problems before they cause serious issues.

 

Flow Test

 

After that, we perform a flow test. This test shows the output of the well pump, letting us see if it’s running correctly. It the test results fall out of the normal range, then we’ll have to take a closer look at your systems. The problem could be with your deep well pump, the pressure tank, or the control system. We’ll also check out your pump’s electrical systems, motor performance, and pressure levels.

 

Water Test

 

Finally, the well’s water gets tested for contaminants. Some of the things we’re looking for include coliform bacteria and nitrates. We also do tests to look for iron, manganese, water hardness, sulfides, and anything that could cause problems with the plumbing or water’s appearance. We may suggest additional testing depending on what we find.

After all of this, we’ll deliver you a detailed report on what we found. This report contains our expert explanations, results, and recommendations on further activity.

 

Why is McHale’s one of the best in well pump maintenance in Pennsylvania?

 

McHale’s has spent the last 60 years helping Pennsylvania homeowners with their homes and wells. Our award-winning team of professionals is highly trained and capable of any sort of assistance you might need. When we perform any sort of work, we’ll provide you an estimated start and completion date. In addition, we’ll perform our work without leaving your home looking like a construction site. If you’re looking for professionals who know their wells, call McHale’s.

By McHales

6 Benefits of Getting an AC Tune-Up in Bucks County

Apr 12, 2019

6 Benefits of Getting an AC Tune-Up in Bucks County

  • Air Conditioning

As winter turns to spring and spring turns to summer, Bucks County homeowners will be swapping out their heaters for air conditioning. Are you sure yours is ready to tackle the summer heat? The people at McHales know that it’s a good idea to give your AC a tune-up before the warm weather moves in. So, we are are currently offering an $88 special on cooling system inspections. Remember, maintenance prevents future breakdowns! Here are six reasons to get yourself an AC tune-up in Bucks County.

Benefits of an Early AC Tune-Up in Bucks County

  1. Lower electricity bills. Summers are hot- there’s no way around it. It’s likely that you’ll want to be running your AC most days, but that can create a steep increase in electrical bills. A system with clogged filters and failing parts will need to work harder to do the same work. By tuning up your AC now, you’re increasing its efficiency and lowering your utility bills.
  2. More comfort. What would you call an AC that can’t keep you cool? A bad one. Summers can be tough even for modern systems. If you want to keep your home at a constant cool, you’ll want our professionals at McHale’s to make sure your AC is running at top performance.
  3. Fewer breakdowns. If you use your AC system this summer, are you certain that it won’t fail to start up? Do you know for sure that it’ll run smoothly all season? If you’re not sure, give us a call! Our tune-ups come with a complete inspection that can identify problems before they cause a breakdown.
  4. Cheaper repair bills. In the event that your AC winds up needing repairs, they’ll likely be cheaper if you’ve gotten maintenance beforehand. The reason for that is because our maintenance addresses the more costly problems (like air flow issues and broken parts) during our inspections.
  5. Extended AC lifespan. If you want your AC system to stay operational for a long time, you’ll want to give it regular maintenance. By routinely checking on your AC and preventing breakdowns, we can help extend your AC’s lifespan by years. Without regular maintenance, the average AC only lasts a few years.
  6. Better air quality. During the months where you never use your AC, various bits of dust and grime build up in it. When you turn it on, all that nasty junk is going to go into the air, which can hurt your air quality and aggravate those summer allergies. When you call McHale’s to give your AC a tune-up, we’ll clean it out, ensuring that your home’s air stays fresh.

Why is McHale’s the one to do your AC tune-up in Bucks County?

McHale’s has been helping people around the Bucks County area with their homes for more than 60 years. Our family-run business has provided our customers with prompt, dependable service at an affordable cost. Our highly-skilled craftsmen can get the job done while providing the sort of customer service that’ll leave you more than satisfied. If you call us for an AC tune-up now, you can take advantage of our $88 Cooling System Special!

By McHales