FAQs

Modern gas furnaces are built with safety in mind, featuring shutoff mechanisms to prevent fire or explosions. While a malfunction is always possible, these safety features typically stop the system before a serious issue arises. However, if you suspect a gas leak or malfunction, it’s crucial to turn off your furnace and call a qualified technician for inspection.

Is your air conditioner emitting foul odors, similar to vinegar? That vinegar-like smell could have a few culprits:

• Sometimes, the electric motor emits ozone, creating a sharp odor.
• If moisture builds on the coils due to a clogged filter or condensate pan, mold growth can cause a musty smell.
• A dirty, clogged filter restricts airflow and can lead to funky odors.

For cleaner, fresher air, schedule an AC cleaning or replacement and consider professional mold remediation.

When determining if you need to replace your breaker panel, there are several signs our electricians suggest looking for, including:

• Age of the electrical panel
• How often the circuit breakers are tripping
• Signs of damage to the breaker panel
• Frequently flickering lights
• Code compliance issues

When deciding if you need to replace your home’s aging wiring, our electrical contractors recommend watching for these signs:

• You have bad wiring connections.
• You notice the lights dimming or brightening periodically.
• You notice the lights flickering.
• You notice the odor of burning plastic.
• You see sparks, flames, or smoke.
• You notice the wires start to overheat.
• You notice scorching around or behind the faceplate.

Motion sensor lights are essential to protecting your house or building. Installing them in dark areas, by all doors and windows, and near the garage can help deter intruders and provide light in convenient areas to help prevent slips and falls.

Watch for these key signs that indicate your generator may need repairs. Our electricians recommend scheduling service if you notice the following:

• Any signs of a leak
• Low coolant levels
• No fuel or fuel leakage
• A dead or malfunctioning battery
• Issues with the unit turning on correctly

A gurgling sound when you flush usually points to a blocked or vented drain line trying to equalize air pressure. Common causes include:

• A partial clog further down the drain line
• A blocked vent stack on the roof
• Tree roots intruding into the sewer line
• A buildup of debris in older pipes

If the gurgling continues or spreads to other fixtures like sinks or tubs, it’s a sign the blockage is in the main line rather than just the toilet. Our trustworthy plumbers offer drain inspections throughout Charlotte, NC, and can pinpoint the cause before it turns into a backup.

When deciding if your water heater needs replacing rather than repairing, our plumbers recommend watching for these signs:

• The unit is more than 10 to 15 years old
• You notice rusty or discolored water
• There’s water pooling around the base of the tank
• You hear rumbling, popping, or banging noises
• Hot water runs out faster than it used to
• You’re scheduling repairs more than once a year

Our highly trained technicians can inspect your system and let you know honestly whether a repair or replacement makes more sense.

A rotten egg smell coming from a drain is usually caused by one of the following:

• A dry P-trap that’s no longer blocking sewer gas (common in rarely used drains)
• A buildup of bacteria and organic debris inside the pipe
• A venting issue allowing sewer gas to escape into the home
• In rare cases, a sulfur odor in the water supply itself

Running water in unused drains and having the line professionally cleaned usually resolves it. If the smell persists, our plumbers serving the Charlotte Metro Area can identify whether the issue is in the drain, the vent, or the water supply.