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Gazing up at a large tree, we often admire its beauty and forget the complicated system below the surface, working hard to seek its water and nutrients.

Unfortunately, living by trees like this—although beautiful—can lead to damaged pipes, clogged drains, pipes, and sewer systems. And the problems don’t end with your drainage—root intrusions can also lead to issues with your foundations, septic tanks, and more.

But don’t worry. If this is something you’re experiencing, there are cost-effective solutions and ways to save your existing pipe. Best of all, you don’t need to dig up your entire lawn.

WHY ARE ROOTS ATTRACTED TO SEWER LINES?

Roots typically sit roughly six inches below the surface, seeking nutrients, such as water and oxygen, making your pipes very appealing.

Not only this, but the ground around your pipes is often disturbed, which makes it easier for root systems to spread. Hard surfaces, like driveways, are ideal, too, as the ground below is granular and porous.

These factors make homes perfect for roots, but the roots are far from perfect for your home!

HOW DO TREE ROOTS GET INTO PIPES?

There are several ways roots can get into a drainage system, but, essentially, they will look for cracks, weak spots, and joints along your sewer pipes.

Once the root’s found its way in, it continues to grow, reducing the diameter and blocking the flow—leading to problems like blockages, leaks, or even burst water mains.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE YOUR PIPES ARE DAMAGED OR BLOCKED

Several signs often point to roots in your sewer line:

• Cracks in the pavement or driveway
• Slow flowing drains
• Water draining from your sink and/or toilet very slowly or not at all
• Very green patches on your grass
• A foul smell from the water blockage

SO YOU’VE SPOTTED THESE SIGNS. WHAT NOW?

If you suspect you need a sewer line repair, give our team a call to schedule a service. We’ll come out with our camera inspection system, which will show us exactly what the problem is and where.

The best thing about this service? It’s only $99 with Spencer’s camera inspection special!

REMOVING THE TREE ROOTS

Drain snaking is an effective method to remove tree roots. Our equipment has a rotating drill attached to the end of a cable that slices the roots and opens your drains so water and waste can flow through again. This is another service we offer for just $99!

However, there are times when the pipe’s damage is so significant it needs repairing or even replacing.

TRENCHLESS PIPE REPAIR AND HOW IT WORKS

Once the roots have been located and removed, we’ll start repairing your line.

A trenchless repair is when we orchestrate a pipe replacement without digging a trench. Instead, we’ll create a small hole and use one of two methods.

The first option is to use a hydraulically powered pipe bursting head. The second, is a trenchless sewer pipe lining repair.

Pipe bursting

Pipe bursting is the favored method for trenchless sewer repair. This is because it causes the least amount of disruption.

It is done by pulling a sleeve through the existing pipe, which is the same diameter as the previous pipe—meaning you don’t lose any capacity.

Pipe lining

With a pipe lining repair (or cured-in-place pipe), a flexible tube coated with resin is blown or pulled into the damaged line and inflated. The resin then hardens, making a jointless pipe within a pipe.

FINANCING

At Spencer Home Services, we understand that services like these aren’t typically planned and often come when you least expect it. This is why for larger jobs, like pipe repairs or pipe replacements, we also offer financing options.

Do you have blocked or damaged pipes from a tree root? Schedule a service or call us on 978-440-1646.

It’s the first hot day of the year. You go to turn on your air conditioning, and nothing. It’s the last thing anybody wants, so it’s essential to make sure your HVAC system is fully serviced in the spring—that way, come summertime, you’re ready to go!

There are a few crucial steps to take in the spring—some you can do yourself, but others, it’s best to have an HVAC technician’s help.

Think of it like servicing your car or treating your fence. When you make an investment, you want to take care of it so that it lasts.

BENEFITS OF AN HVAC SERVICE

Lower Energy Bills

When your system is properly cared for, it will run more efficiently and use less energy—meaning more money in your pocket. Why pay extra when you don’t need to?

Fewer Repair Bills

While the HVAC contractor is examining your system, they will notice any minor wear and tears before they become major issues. Major issues equal big bucks, and that’s something nobody wants out of the blue.

More Reliable

Again, nobody likes unexpected costs. What would you rather, using your hard-earned cash towards something fun like a vacation or replacing your HVAC system?

We all want our equipment to last and work when we need it!

Better Air Quality

Dust and mold both can impact our health—especially if you have allergies—so ensuring your air system is free of them is vital. A spring clean and a change of filters will make the world of good.

SPRING HVAC MAINTENANCE ESSENTIALS

There are several steps an HVAC Contractor will take when servicing your system. These include cleaning, clearing clogs, changing filters, lubricating moving parts, and checking your thermostat.

However, there are also things you can do to help the longevity and reliability of your system without Air Conditioning Contractors.

Remove Debris

Make sure the area around your HVAC unit is clear (around 2 feet of space), removing any debris, such as leaves, branches, and trash. You should also ensure grass clippings don’t blow in that general direction.

Letting debris build-up can create clogs or mold, which can be detrimental to your health.

Test Your Cooling Function

Check your system is working now before you desperately need it. That way, if there is an issue, you can get it fixed right away before the last-minute rush.

Turn Off Your Furnace’s Humidifier

Remember to turn off the water going into your furnace’s humidifier before cooling season. Otherwise, you risk your central air conditioner not cooling or dehumidifying properly.

Keep Your Unit Level

You’d be surprised at the difference a balanced unit can make—it helps with the system’s longevity and the consistency from the air conditioning outputs. We want temperatures comfortable throughout your home or building and not just in certain areas.

Get A Smart Thermostat

This tip isn’t essential as such, but it does make a huge difference. Smart thermostats (also known as wifi thermostats) help with energy bills, track usage, and make life so much easier as you can control everything remotely!

For help and services on your HVAC system, get in touch with our team today.

We all want our homes to be warm while the heat is on. But if your house is still cold while your heat is running, it’s more than just an inconvenience. You could also be wasting money by paying to heat your home, only to have your vents, furniture, windows and doors, and ductwork block or leak warm air.

Here are five reasons your house might be cold while the heat is on:

1. Your vents are hindered

One of the first things to check is the vents. Make sure that the vents in your rooms are fully open to allow all the air to flow through. Also, make sure that nothing is blocking the vents. Curtains and furniture can block airflow, and the fabrics can absorb the heat from the vent.

2. Your furnace, boiler, or heat pump is faulty

The second cause could be your heater itself. Replacing air filters and regular maintenance may seem like something you can skip but is critical for maintaining heat in the home. A dirty filter causes your system to work harder to move the air through. When your unit is running inefficiently, it won’t be able to keep up with its demands, and therefore it won’t deliver the heat you are expecting.

3. Your insulation or waterproofing may need an update

If it’s not the vents or the heating unit, the next thing to consider is your home’s insulation and weatherproofing. Heat could be escaping through any gaps in the windows or doors or through the attic. Inspect around these areas and if you can feel the air, then replace the weatherstripping. As for insulation, you don’t necessarily need to redo the insulation; it could just mean you need to add more to your existing insulation.

4. You need to invest in a humidifier

Don’t forget the impact of humidity. The more humid the air is, the warmer it feels. Heating your home all winter can lead to dryer air in the house, and this dry air might make the space feel colder. Adding a humidifier can create more moisture in the air, making a room feel warmer.

5. Your ductwork isn’t configured correctly

If you’ve checked all these things and still feel cold despite the heat running, it could be the ductwork. Ductwork is the mechanism that delivers the heath throughout your home. The size, room layout, and proximity to your heat source are all things that impact the heat in your rooms. A room may be unevenly heated or colder than other rooms if the ductwork is not configured or sized correctly for the room or if the air is escaping the ductwork.

Spencer Home Services Can Keep You Warm

You want your home to feel comfortable and expect it to be warm when running the heater. Your vents, heating unit, insulation, humidity, and ductwork can all be reasons why your house is still cold. Addressing these issues will keep all the rooms in your home heated and warm.

At Spencer Home Services, we offer professional heating services, repairs, installation, and replacement. Schedule a service online or call us at (978) 651-1840, and we will provide you with options.

Your hot water heater is the third largest energy user in your home. The amount of time it runs depends on its age, temperature, cleanliness, and size. When something is amiss with one of these factors, your water heater may not function correctly, which can lead to costly repairs or the need to buy a replacement. When that time comes, there is more to consider than the initial upfront cost.

Here are five things to look for before buying a water heater:

Fuel Source
When buying a new water heater, the first thing to know is your home’s primary fuel source since this will determine what type of water heater you need. Some water heaters are specifically made for an electric fuel source, while others work with natural gas or propane. Electric models may be less expensive than natural gas or propane models, but the latter may be more energy-efficient over the water heater’s life.

Type of Water Storage
Once you identify the type of fuel source, the next decision is based on your storage requirements. Typically, most hot water heaters store and heat water in an insulated tank where it sits until it’s needed. With these models, you pay to heat and store your water 24 hours a day.

An alternative is a tankless water heater. With tankless water heaters, water passes through a series of coils to heat, eliminating the need for a tank. This type of water heater can be more energy-efficient, but water is limited to a flow rate of 3.5 – 4.0 gallons of water a minute. If you need hot water in more than two places at the same time, a tankless water heater may not be the best option for you.

Capacity
If you choose a water heater with a tank, you’ll want to consider its storage capacity. So, how many gallons of water can the water heater store at one time? Units range anywhere from 28-30 gallons all the way up to 100 gallons. You can determine the size of the tank you’ll need based on the number of people living in your house.

Flow and Recovery Rates
You will also want to consider flow and recovery rates. The flow rate is the number of gallons per minute you use at any given time. Using hot water in more than one place simultaneously or using high flow fixtures such as spa showerheads impacts your flow rate. The recovery rate is the number of gallons able to be heated per hour while the tank is refilling.

Energy Efficiency
One of the most important factors when selecting a water heater is whether or not it’s energy efficient. After all, you’re not just paying for the water heater itself, but you’ll be paying its annual operating fees for the duration of its life. The Energy Factor (EF) rating measures how efficiently the unit converts energy into heat and how much heat is lost in storage. The higher the EF rating, the more efficient the unit is, saving you money on monthly heating costs.

Extend the Life of Your Hot Water Heater

Your water heater uses a ton of energy in your home. When it comes time to buy a new one, you need to consider the fuel source, storage, capacity, function, and energy efficiency. All of these factors will impact not only the upfront investment in your water heater but the on-going operating costs too.

Your water heater will last longer when you keep it properly maintained. Spencer Home Services has water heater specialists who can maintain, repair, and replace home water heating systems and provide you with the knowledge you need to make smart decisions regarding your water heater.

Do you need to repair or replace your water heater? Schedule a service online or call us at (978) 440-1646, and we will provide you with options.

A clogged drain is a pretty common household problem. However, you may not realize it’s an issue until a clear sign shows you so. Knowing how to spot the less obvious indicators that your drain might be clogged can help you address the problem early, saving you money and frustration down the line.

Here are six signs your drain might be clogged:

1. Slow drainage

A slow drain is usually the first thing we think of when it comes to a clog. Slow draining means the pipe has become constricted by a growing layer of grime. With bathroom sinks and showers, this grime is due to hair, soap, and toothpaste. Whereas for kitchens, this is often from grease, soap, and food particles. It can be tempting to use liquid drain cleaners to solve this problem. However, they aren’t that effective and can be harmful to you, the environment, and your plumbing.

2. Water backing up

Water backing up in your sink, bathtub, shower, or toilet is another obvious sign. Usually, the pipe is so clogged that water simply cannot drain out as quickly as it comes in. Another sign that your water is backing up is finding food particles in your sink after running the dishwasher.

3. Overflow in the toilet

An overflowing toilet is another indication that you have a clog. These clogs are typically the result of using too much toilet paper or flushing items you shouldn’t—like paper towels, Q-tips, or feminine products. This blockage could harm the pipe or result in an overflow that can damage the entire bathroom.

4. Odd odors

Often, you’ll be able to smell the signs of a clog before you see them. So, if you’re starting to notice a foul odor coming from the drain, take caution. As the clog goes unattended, it can trap hair, food, and other debris, which leads to the unpleasant aroma. Although water may be flowing initially, a back up is more than likely to occur.

5. Gurgling sounds

Gurgling sounds or other noises indicate a water flow disruption. Similar to when you only notice a smell, water can still flow while experiencing this issue, so you might not think there’s an immediate need for clogged drain services. However, gurgling indicates water is not flowing freely. The noise comes from the air trapped in the plumbing, caused by a buildup in the drain.

6. Lawn irregularities

You might not equate your lawn with a potential clogged drain. However, pipe failures can not only cause clogs, but they allow water to leak, which can irrigate your lawn. If you notice sudden green patches or a puddle in your yard that’s not from the rain, it could be a sign of an issue with your outside pipes.

Water backing up or slow drains are more than just a nuisance. Knowing these can be signs your drain is clogged helps you to be proactive. This is especially true when it comes to gurgling, odd odors, and lawn irregularities. Getting clogged drain repairs early can reduce its potential to develop into a more significant plumbing issue down the line.

Ready to book an appointment for clogged drain repair? Schedule a service online or call us (978) 440-1646.